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"We are born at a given moment, in a given place, and like vintage years of wine, we have the qualities of the year and the season of which we are born. Astrology does not lay claim to anything more." - Carl Gustav Jung

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

PS/ Mercury is Retrograde...

   I was so wrapped up in the New Moon Solar Eclipse Blog, I forgot to mention that Mercury, the Messenger of the Gods, went retrograde at 9:04am Tuesday morning. Now, I am not one to stop everything and make no decisions just because of the communicators' turn-about. However, I will caution you not to make new agreements, buy electronics or cars, or start something completely new without having first done your homework.

    This is the perfect time to do research, study, check and double-check your facts and figures and know what your options are. The retrograde cycle lasts from August 30th to September 22nd, after which, Mercury moves forward through the shadow phase of where it had backtracked. Once Mercury is in direct motion, it is wise to check dates for travel plans, go over any calendar entries you may have made during the retrograde part of the cycle and balance your checkbook, yet again!

   Because Mercury has ruler-ship over modes of transportation, computers and communication devices, there can be delays and breakdowns of equipment and machinery while retrograde. Sometimes, these are just a reminder that something needs fixing. I have found that if something needs repair or replacement this is often the time you have to deal with it. If you can wait until Mercury is Direct to actually buy the new item, all the better. Otherwise, do your homework first!

   On the communication level, it's not a bad time to talk to others and clear up old issues. Have you been avoiding a discussion that needs to happen so all involved can move forward? If so, see if you can pick up the pieces and sort through the important concerns or ideas, and make sure to listen to the other person in the conversation. You don't have to make any big decisions, just clear the air and know where you stand.

   In the meantime, remember to be patient, keep your head in the stars and your feet on the ground!

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Solar Eclipse New Moon September 1st

   The Virgo New Moon is also, barely, an Annular Eclipse of the Sun, which means that a narrow band of the Sun will be visible beyond the dark mask of the Moon in areas where it can be seen, not North America. To me, this is an opportunity to look beyond what we think our choices are to the little sliver of Light that appears when we emerge from darkness, in order to begin the process of self-healing. Two weeks later, there will be a Lunar Eclipse at the Pisces Full Moon, accentuating our connections with the rest of the world and showing us where we need to allow healing to take place.

   I know that sounds very esoteric to some of you... "what does she mean..."  I can practically hear you acclaim!? Let's start with looking at the Virgo/Pisces polarity: these are Mutable, meaning adaptable or changing, Signs involved in the process of becoming whole, or healing. Virgo is the Earth sign that digests things and breaks them down to be categorized, organized and assimilated. Pisces is the Water sign that cleanses our emotional wounds and allows us to connect and become one. A Solar Eclipse in Virgo shows us what needs to be healed individually and a Lunar Eclipse in Pisces how to flow into wholeness or unity.

   September 1st eclipses the Virgo New Moon, while also creating a cosmic T-Square between the Sun/Moon alignment, Neptune and Saturn. This means that while the powers that be (Saturn) may be trying to force us into choices (Virgo), we really don't have enough clarity to know what is real and what is not (Neptune) in order to make an informed decision. Now, you may think I am referring strictly to politics here, however, that's not the only situation I am referring to. If you can't make up your mind about which path to take, it just means you're not ready to make a clear-cut decision. With an opposition from the New Moon to Neptune, this is the case for many.

   Individually, we need to cleanse any dark corners of doubt, fear, hurt, resentment or any other negative emotions that can hold us back. Each of us has our own work to do and while it may be easier to point the finger at others, that won't help anyone. We need to take responsibility (Saturn) for our own path to wholeness; no one can do that for anyone else! As much as we sometimes want to direct others on their healing path, we can only be there for support or to set an example by becoming whole ourselves.

   The Pisces side of this healing coin, with Neptune's ruler-ship, will be shown more clearly when we are committed to our own process as we move toward the Full Moon on the 16th. For those of you with a lot of Virgo in your birth charts, you may be experiencing too much self-scrutiny or be sick of self-improvement and need to visit the Pisces side of things by getting creative, listening to soothing music, taking a time out by the ocean or retreating from all the activity around you. Anything you can do to quiet the mind chatter will be helpful. However, if that little voice within tells you that you are merely sticking your head in the sand to avoid a necessary change, you need to take steps to clean up your act. You know what you need to do... and this Solar Eclipse can help you take great strides forward!

   Roll up your sleeves and remember to keep your head in the stars and your feet on the ground.

   

  

Thursday, August 18, 2016

Aquarius Full Moon & Lunar Eclipse

  This Full Moon is known as the "Sturgeon Full Moon", named for the Native Americans who fished for sturgeon, abundant in the Great Lakes around this Full Moon. The opposition of the Moon in Aquarius to the Leo Sun sheds light on our interactions with others, as well as the sharing of ideas, especially as they relate to new friendships and acquaintances. While Leo Sun in the Full Moon chart resides in the first house of the self, it is very important that one doesn't only talk of oneself, but includes others in the conversation.

   Joining together with like-minded others to accomplish a common goal is the theme here. Are you able to relate to others in your life who may be able to share their inspiration and unique point of view with you? If so, you are headed in the right direction, as brain-storming and working together will bring you closer to your desired outcome. Avoid a Leonine tendency to only express your own abilities or to act out without regard for others input and innovative insights!

   A Lunar Eclipse, the first in a series of three, takes place just sixteen minutes after the Full Moon culminates. Eclipses have an effect of highlighting endings and new beginnings and in this instance, brings up the battle between the ego and the will-power of the mind. Examine where you are stuck in having to have your own way and determine what actions you can take to move away from self-centered expression to more inclusive efforts for the good of the whole. There is more power in working together even if it means having to put some of your own desires on the back burner. Your needs will get met once you become more aware of and considerate of the needs of others.

   There are a couple of challenging aspects in this Full Moon chart. First is a conjunction between Mars, aggression and action, and Saturn, necessity and response-ability. Both planetary bodies are now moving Direct in Sagittarius, the sign of the truth-seeker, but their individual energies are pulling in different directions. Mars wants to run off and do something now, while Saturn wants to methodically plan for the future. Mars equates to the gas pedal and Saturn to the brakes. If you truly want to get ahead in some project or life quest, you'll need to slow it down and focus on the plans you made in late Spring. What steps do you need to take in an organized fashion to get where you want to go? That is the question and the focus now.

   The other difficult aspects, are the square from both Mars and Saturn to nebulous Neptune. Tune into compassion and understanding for yourself and others before you run off tilting at windmills! Things are still foggy and drugs and alcohol, or delusion and denial, won't help one little bit, but praying for guidance and  listening for the truth in all matters will guide you toward your desired outcome.

   In the meantime, remember to keep your head in the stars, your feet on the ground and your awareness on the path~

  

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Pathways Astrology: Leo New Moon

Pathways Astrology: Leo New Moon:    Welcome to the time of year when having fun, being creative and expressing oneself is not only possible, but necessary! Finish up old pro...

Leo New Moon

   Welcome to the time of year when having fun, being creative and expressing oneself is not only possible, but necessary! Finish up old projects today up until the time of the New Moon so you can enjoy yourself when Luna joins the Sun in Leo at 4:44pm. With both Lights in the Sun's ruling sign, we receive an extra dose of strength, determination and enthusiasm to buoy up our spirits during this next Lunar cycle.

   Being expressive and a bit of a risk-taker, as in stretching ourselves beyond our comfort zones, is what this Leo New Moon asks of us. With dignity and exuberance, find a way to let your needs and feelings be known to those that matter in your life. Maybe it's a partner, a boss or a child... no matter which relationship(s) could use some TLC, shine your light on them and let them know they are loved.

   The New Moon chart shows the Sun and Moon separating from a harmonious aspect to responsible Saturn in Sagittarius. Let's hope the Lights imbued Saturn with enough focus on future goals so that when he turns Direct on the 13th, we'll be able to see the crumbs we left behind and follow them to our dreams. We will need to stayed centered and not give in to doubt and confusion as Neptune is also activated with a need to be adaptable, but not loose our way in the fog.

   Mars moved back into Sagittarius today, giving us the energy and determination to proceed on our individual paths. While in Scorpio for about nine weeks, Mars stirred the pot and caused moodiness and aggression to be major players in the scheme of things. Perhaps now, this little fireball can be more active in getting positive fires lit for moving forward!

   Remember to let your playful side come out over the next few weeks, be brave in expressing your creative self, but avoid forcing your needs onto others, and make the most of this strong solar energy at the start of this New Lunar cycle and while leading up to the Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Aquarius on August 18th. You'll see how well you did spreading your light and sharing your love at that time. Then you'll also get to see the new connections and pathways that are opening up to you.

In the meantime, keep your head in the stars and your feet on the ground!