A Potent Harvest Moon

   What do you want to create? What do you want to let go of?! These are the very important questions getting attention as we lead up to the Full Moon on Saturday night. Have you been dreaming of your future and catching occasional glimpses of it? Today is a great time to grab hold of those fleeting images and make them real! Be very careful what you focus on or wish for over the next forty-eight to 72 hours, because the potential to manifest will be very strong. Think only good thoughts and banish the negative ones!! This will be a fairly long post with some important information; I hope there is something for everyone in the reading.

   Please read Lynda Hill's post on today's Sabian Symbol for the Sun here. I am including three of the Sabian Symbols here with my paraphrasing of her interpretation of the symbols meanings.

   The Sabian Symbol for tomorrow night's Harvest Full Moon, at 8 degrees of Aries, is  A Woman's Hat With Streamers Blown by The East Wind. Lynda Hill says this implies the winds of time and change shifting our perspectives and attitudes. The Eastern practice of meditation and contemplation can steer your mind back to the right path if you become unfocused. There is an element of protection imbued with this symbol, as the gentleness of the wind only blows the ribbons. However, you need to be wary of being blown off-course or changing your direction for social gains or conflicting ideals, as the danger here is getting lost in other's opinions.

   The Sun's position at 8 degrees of Libra at the opposite point of the Moon, is A Blazing Fireplace In A Deserted Home. This implies warmth, security and love held in the hearth of the home or the heart; whether or not you are there all the time, you can return to the security of this hearth, banishing a sense of isolation. I'd like to remind you here that the inner flame of your heart center is always available and can be accessed at any time by quieting the mind and connecting to your spiritual core. Keep a candle or a light burning for those feeling lost. During these trying next few days, make it a habit to return to your heart center at least once daily.

   Back to a discussion of the Harvest Moon and some of it's other challenging interactions. As we know, the Full Moon illuminates our progress on the path from the New Moon in Virgo two weeks ago. A Libra Moon desires action in relationship, or seeks to restore harmony where things have gotten off kilter. That could be in your relationship to your job, your partner, your finances or your goals. In opposition to the Sun in Libra, the Moon in Aries will push to make something happen. Let's hope that balanced minds prevail and you don't blow them out of the water or burn all your bridges, unless of course that has been the problem all along (indecision) and you do need to make that decision to take a stand!

   Some of the other concerns coming out of this potentially life-changing period are the opposition from the Sun (life force) to Uranus (extremes) in Aries and square to Pluto (destruction and transformation) in Capricorn and the alignment of the Moon (instincts and emotions) with Uranus in Aries and square to Pluto as well. OK, I'm breaking it down here: The chart for the Full Moon at 11:19 pm. on 9/30/2012 shows 9 degrees of Cancer rising and that's Cardinal Water. The ruler of Cancer is the Moon in Cardinal Fire/Aries, conjunct Uranus, (also in Cardinal Fire) and both square Pluto in Cardinal Earth/Capricorn, with an opposition to Uranus in Cardinal Air/Libra. Don't forget we still have that Cardinal square between Uranus and Pluto well-entrenched in the mix!! Cardinal signs like to make things happen, they do not wait around for someone else to take action and here we have all four Cardinal signs involved in this very potent Full Moon.

    I am aware that some of you will be engaged in your change already, while others may be anticipating that change is on the horizon and worried about what will happen to them. I suggest that those in the second category spend some time today and tomorrow envisioning the best possible scenario for themselves and the direction (Aries) they want to move in. Trust your feelings (Moon), pay attention to signs of what has decayed and is ending (Pluto) and what direction is opening up for you, and take action when the crest of the wave appears (Uranus). Above all, trust yourself to know what you need, even if you don't know what the new path reveals when the wave crashes to shore. Do not look back or hesitate when you know it's your time to ride that wave! Oh, and no negative thoughts - they will pull you under.

     Years ago, when I operated the Meetinghouse Bookshop on Nantucket, one of the popular books was You Can't Afford the Luxury of a Negative Thought, by Peter McWilliams. It has been revised and I would highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to move forward in their life. I would also recommend that you read this post again now and over the next three days, to remind yourself of just how powerful our thoughts are in creating our reality. I am simply reminding you of what you already know and what has been written and spoken so many times. Now is the time to take positive action for yourself.

   Remember... keep your head in the stars and your feet on the ground~

Fall Equinox And The First Quarter Moon

  Yesterday, the Sun moved into the airy and sociable sign of Libra and was squared by the Moon entering earthy and practical Capricorn shortly afterwards. There is more here than meets the eye. A First Quarter Moon is about releasing obstacles from the past so we can move in our desired direction. If the past isn't released now, the pattern that holds us back will persist through to a new lunar cycle. Let's talk about what we are offered to work with in dealing with the current planetary energies.

   The discerning and organizing energy of Virgo has done it's work and the Sun is now shining in the area of the zodiac having to do with balance, harmony and relating. Libra is sociable, refined, fair-minded and diplomatic in its quest for balance. Known as the sign of "the iron fist in a velvet glove", Libra is a Cardinal sign that will do what it thinks necessary to achieve their idea of harmony, as they abhor discord. Therefore Librans are not above making something happen to tip the scales by showing both sides of a situation because truly, they haven't made up their minds yet!   

   Back to the Capricorn Moon squaring off with the Sun in Libra... both of these signs head up their own seasons - Libra ushers in the Fall for the next three months and Capricorn brings the Winter for the following three. Cardinal Air seeks the fulcrum between one season and the other by relating ideas that connect people, while Cardinal Earth wants to establish the foundation of practicality through necessity. Both are essential expressions for survival.

   Here is the dilemma of earth and air... one needs to move and wants to share while the other wants to conserve the resources it has, and each wants to be in charge - Libra in charge of relationships and fairness and Capricorn in charge of business and resources. What you need to ask yourself today is where do I need to listen and who do I need to partner with to get my basic needs met. Partnership and shared beliefs is powerful, especially when made up of strong individuals. The ideas they have to share can build more resources if coming from the heart and not reacting in fear.

   With the second Uranus/Pluto square that occurred on the 19th, we have seen ideologies and sudden events come to a head and we will be dealing with the fallout for some time to come. The thing about these BIG squares is, if we truly listen to each other and then our own inner voices, we will know what is right for us and can have the break through we have long sought, but may have been in denial about, concerning our part in perpetuating the battle. I am not advocating giving up, rolling over or putting on your battle armor. I am advocating finding new ways of relating and/or letting go of the old ways that clearly are not working.

   More later this week... I am making changes of my own and have to get back to my other work now. Remember to keep your head in the stars and your feet on the ground!

Virgo New Moon... Business As Usual? I Think Not!

   The moon joined the sun in Virgo on Saturday night for a New Moon focus on integrity, organization and child-like innocence. How does Virgo equate with child-like innocence, you ask...?! Think "out of the mouths of babes... truthfulness and purity of thought... or, no ulterior motives"... We can all relate to Virgo's propensity for cleanliness and analyzing but it's harder to get back to the beginning of a thought, when it started out pure, before everyone started adding their trappings, before we tried to make it "new and improved" and ended up mucking it up with attachments, whether physical, mental or emotional.

    So, this month can be about clearing out the cobwebs in your mind, or the clutter in your closets, or the dark shadowy places in your heart. A way to begin doing this is to get quiet and ask your Self, what do I need to let go of? You'll recognize the answer when it comes, but try not to bury it under another thought or sweep it under a rug. Denial and darkness will help it grow into a BIG fat resentment, an ache or a pain somewhere, or maybe... it could win you a guest spot on a Hoarders show!

   Besides the New Moon influence in Virgo, we have some other planetary movement that will impact your world, which is a good reason to de-clutter and organize your environment, so you know where everything is and where you stand with others. First of all, that moody, distant and dark planet, Pluto, turns around tomorrow and begins moving in Direct motion at 6 degrees and 57 minutes of Capricorn. To give you an idea of how slowly Pluto moves, it has been at the same degree and minutes since September 13 and will remain there through September 22nd - that's ten days of smoldering plutonian energy! The energy indicated by Pluto is of the nature of transformation and regeneration. It is symbolized by decay, destruction, disease and /or elimination. Being in Capricorn, the ruler of practicality and necessity, Pluto is facilitating the breakdown of business and structural foundations that are not working. We are already aware of the need for change in our government and financial institutions in this country and in others.

    Wherever Pluto is transiting in your personal chart, you are experiencing a gradual decline, decay or breakdown in what you thought was the foundation of your personal identity, relationships, work, goals, etc... this is a necessary process for you to re-build in that area where you are ready for change. Just remember that Pluto works gradually! The fly in the ointment is the challenge that is coming from the square to revolutionary Uranus. Because these are both "outer" planets with a long orbit around the Sun, they will interact in this manner six more times, (for a total of seven squares; the first time was the end of June) starting tomorrow, Wednesday, the 19th. Expecting challenges, sudden changes of plans and revolutionary events outside of one's control would be the indicators of what is reverberating under these major planetary energetics!

   My suggestion for working with these energies, is not to react to button-pushing so as not to escalate a potentially volatile situation, nor to allow bullying from anyone who wants to take your power away. The second one is harder because bullies perceive themselves as entitled to all the power, including yours, so they generally react badly when someone they perceive to be weaker stands up for themselves. Another suggestion is to rely on the old adage of "strength in numbers". Groups of like-minded individuals with the same goal or needs have more power than one individual. However... in all of these uncertain times, what is often most effective is to adopt a wait-and-see attitude and/or to allow situations to unfold with a watchful eye to what your next move might be. Avoid over-reacting, assuming and jumping into things to try and affect a change prematurely!

   That's enough information for several weeks, not just one or two, so let's stop here. Remember to keep your head in the stars and your feet on the ground!

Pisces Full Moon & Virgo Sun At The End of Summer

(The beginning of this Blog is a copy of what I wrote in my Newsletter which was emailed out on the first of September. I have been very busy organizing and have had little quiet time for contemplation or writing, so please excuse the shortcut!) I don't know about you, but I am ready to organize, weed out and sort through the unnecessary stuff in the corners of my closets and cupboards, as well as my mind. With the Sun traveling through this part of the zodiac until September 22nd, the focus is on organization and discernment, as in, "what shall I keep, do I use it, is it time to let go of this item, habit or thought...?!" As Virgo holds the earthy energy of a practical mind, it is very conducive to gathering facts, analyzing them and deciding how to adapt to the conditions of the time. Virgo desires perfection as well as being of service, and having rulership over the intestines, wants to utilize our food to serve in the most efficient and healthy way possible. A clear head and a clear digestive tract are good things to concentrate on for the next three weeks. The Full Moon in Pisces on Friday, August 31st is also a "Blue Moon", meaning the second Full Moon in the same month. Full Moons highlight our growth and efforts since the New Moon and illuminate the progress we have made. A Pisces moon is nostalgic and emotional, bringing highs or lows depending on the emotions and energy surrounding us. Pisces rules the oceans, fog and film, drugs and alcohol and this is where we may see issues arise in both our corner of the world, as well as around the globe. The unseen threads of compassionate connection are in the Piscean realm; art and music can flow making links to others that create new bonds. The danger is feeling too much "at one" with everyone around us and not setting good workable boundaries. Avoid overuse of mind-altering substances under this Full Moon and just let the music of the spheres carry you. This is where Virgo's propensity for clear discernment comes in handy! On Labor Day Monday, action-oriented Mars joins up with that Lord of the Underworld, Pluto, early in the morning, so energies will be revved up to get things done, make changes, let go of dispensable things and make room in our lives to turn over a new leaf. Be aware that the rush people find themselves in can create problems on the highways or between strong personalities both vying for their own agendas and act accordingly - in other words, drive defensively and keep out of the argument! Another aspect occurring today involves Venus and Saturn which will feel like restraint on all our resources, including wallets and bank accounts. Good thing the banks are closed today... Both of these planetary energies deal with earth elements and Venus has a receptive quality while Saturn's is restrictive. The message is to use what you have and to be cautious with your personal things. Take some time to notice what needs repair or a new coat of paint and make a plan now for how to achieve this project within your budget. Don't over-extend your physical or monetary limits; you can actually live with less than you think you need. Have a great rest-of-your-weekend and I'll be back with another Blog in a couple of days! Remember also, to keep your head in the stars and your feet on the ground~