2nd Aquarius Full Moon of August

   Once in a Blue Moon... that's what we call it when there's a second Full Moon in the same zodiac sign.  The Full Moon culminates at 8:02am on Sunday, August 22nd and is an even more auspicious Moon because it sits at 29° Aquarius, the anaretic degree. What does this mean astrologically? It's the final degree of the sign and implies an urgent need for understanding what it took to set the stage for current upheavals and the acknowledgement of what needs to be released at this time before entering the next lunar phase. 

   The ruler of Aquarius is the revolutionary planet Uranus, which turns retrograde tonight, the 19th, and is drawing a lot of attention through sudden changes and not-so-surprising news about events and potential outcomes springing up all over the globe. Uranus is the archetype of the rebel, the maverick who acts out and says or does the thing no-one else dares to. He also brings the sudden awareness and insights we have to have in order to turn things around when situations are out of control. 

   Three current examples are extreme weather events due to global warming, yet another devastating earthquake in Haiti and the departure of US troops from Afghanistan with the ensuing return of the Taliban. I have no answers for possible solutions to these dreadful realities. With Uranus turning retrograde today,  I wonder where we stand and will things ever calm down?! Will we be able to do the Aquarian thing and pull together collectively to make a difference or will we continue to plod along in the same direction we always have?

   A Full Moon is inherent on the opposition of the Sun which lies at the last degree of Leo on Sunday morning. Leo is Fixed Fire, symbolizing passion and will, while Aquarius is Fixed Air and the hard, cold clarity of logic and reasoning. Seeing both sides clearly calls for raising our conscious awareness to a higher perspective and moving away from personality-driven incentives. 

   There are always compelling arguments in any debate over what to do next when faced with challenges. There is always the need for reform in any government or global initiative... and there is always the need for individuals to do the next right thing and make a difference where they are. 

   Part of the astrologer's job is to point out these pivotal signposts and offer a timeline. Uranus has been in the Earth sign Taurus since 2008, he will remain there until 2026. Like the Tower card in the Tarot, it is affecting our planet, the Earth, as a bolt of lightning striking out of the blue and turning the structure of our world upside down.  As Uranus enters his yearly retrograde phase tonight into January 2022, we can find ourselves moving in unexpected directions. Whenever the dust settles, we pick up the pieces and start anew in our quest for a conscious totality of being. That's what we do.

   In the meantime, moment by moment, day by day, look to the stars and keep your feet firmly on the ground.

Leo New Moon

    Welcome to the epitome of summer under the Leo Sun! The Moon left its' watery home of Cancer overnight entering Leo this morning where the Sun rules supreme. This is the lead-up to the New Moon in Leo taking place tomorrow morning - Sunday, August 8th at 9:50am EST. In some spiritual circles, this date, 8/8, is referred to as "The Lions Gate". The fixed blue Star Sirius, or the "dog star" as it's known, aligns on the 8th with Orion's Belt and the Pyramid at Giza. This starry collaboration bodes well for those looking to empower and create their own reality!

   The Sun is at its strongest in Leo, adding strength to the New Moon, intensifying your abilities  and your passions. Use this fire to inspire you right through to achieving success. The 8 vibration is about finding balance in those times of change, bringing a big shift into your life. What is the feeling you want to create... financial security... emotional well-being... career recognition... fame... ? Whatever it is, it's important to recognize anything that may be holding you back and be willing to let it go. As I was writing the rough draft of this post yesterday, I heard an announcer on the radio say "stay away from the weirdness, stay close to the goodness", that's good advice for achievement.

   Other considerations at this New Moon phase are a waning opposition from restrictive Saturn, reminding you not to adhere to the rules of past authority, but to become your own authority figure. That can show up as old tapes from father figures, teachers, bosses, etc. Take what you need and leave the rest. Also significant is a square to the Sun and Moon from freedom-loving Uranus that urges you to be impulsive and do things your way. I would caution you not to have to stand out from the crowd here in order to use your ingenuity. Help others to gain their independence and you gain your own!

   This is a powerful New Moon, bringing strength, time for fun, a bit of drama, courage, creativity and self-expression on stage. Recognize what you need most and carry it out into the world to create your own reality. Writing a wish list of the 5 steps that Leo Moon offers, will help focus your intention and energy, thereby ensuring success. And while you're at it, remember to keep your head in the stars and your feet on the ground~

 

Aquarius Full Moon

 The Moon in Aquarius opposes the Sun in Leo at 10:37pm EST tonight. This polarity of Fixed Air and Fixed Fire seeks balance between one’s thoughts and one’s expression - the yin and the yang of creativity and sharing your talents and gifts for the benefit of the collective. The Sun in Leo is strong in the chart of this lunation. Being placed as it is in it’s own home territory of the 5th house, self-expression abounds. While the Moon isn’t as strong in airy, rebellious Aquarius, it is placed in the 11th house of the chart where groups and humanitarian causes are supported. The battle of this Full Moon is ever with the ego and what one can do for the good of the whole.

Intensity is strongly felt during this Moon phase, which finds Luna aligned with Pluto in Capricorn, even though she has pulled away from the drama having entered Aquarius, and is asking how to pick up the pieces that need to be reclaimed or re-purposed. There are other issues with Pluto’s power dynamic happening now and they’re being pointed out by the opposing Sun in Leo and Mercury in Cancer. Obsessive tendencies are quite possible now with people hanging onto their emotions and/or their positions of power. Again, Full Moons are opportunities to see what we’re up against and strive for harmony in our lives.

Other considerations at this time are how to use our energy (Mars in Leo) without giving up the idea of peace and quiet (Jupiter in Pisces). Work, then rest… enter the fray, then retreat and reflect. If we don’t find a way to make room for both in our lives, we can burn out or miss what out inner muse is trying to say to us. Venus is in detail-oriented Virgo helping us to maintain healthy boundaries. Avoid being too critical of yourself, or others - give them their space too! Everyone is going through something and we each have our own path to follow. Allowing, listening and sharing are wonderful tools in tough times. We can’t fix someone else, but letting them know we’re there can be enough.

While navigating this Full Moon phase, remember to keep your head in the stars and your feet on the ground.

Cancer New Moon

    We started  today, Thursday, under a void-of-course Gemini Moon, so if things felt a bit dis-jointed first thing this morning, the Moon's lack of direction could explain it.  The Moon became active again when it entered its home territory of Cancer at 9:51 a.m. The focus shifts from thoughts and planning to feelings and caring when Luna is in her rulership. People tend toward moodiness under this watery Moon, especially in the unknown dark-of-the-moon, Balsamic phase that happens before a New Moon. When the Sun and Moon are joined together at the New Moon in Cancer, Friday at 9:17pm it starts a 4 week lunar cycle of tuning into emotions, the search for a suitable nest and all issues of nurturing.

    The chart for the New Moon shows the Sun and Moon in the 6th House of work, scheduling, and taking care of our health and well-being. People that work in Human Services, especially around the care, feeding, and housing of families and children will find more of a focus in these areas. Personal responsibilities to ourselves and those entrusted into our care are strongly felt with responsible Saturn in Aquarius in the 1st House.  Even if this isn't a current issue in your life you can ask yourself, what can I do to help those struggling in my community?

   With aspects from the Lights, that is the Moon and Sun, to Neptune and Pluto, the bigger picture needs to be addressed. Be wary of idealizing others and avoid dramas that aren't yours or that you can do nothing about. Instead, make a realistic assessment of your own limits and resources, resolving to make whatever positive contribution for change that you can. Whatever you're feeling strongly motivated to be a part of, you can find a project to direct your creativity, energy or insight towards.

   There's a sense of hope and optimism in the air, quite literally, as Mercury in Gemini interacts favorably with Jupiter in Pisces. Extend your caring out into the world by caring for yourself first, then using your faith and your words to lift up others. Kind words, a smile and a random act of kindness can go a long way and everyone benefits! If you're feeling compelled to reach out to someone but you let insecurity hold you back, you'll never know what a difference you might have made in their life.

   Enjoy nesting, cook your favorite comfort food, nurture yourself, practice self-care and reconnect with your inner knowingness at the New Moon.  Write a New Moon Wish List of the things you need to do for yourself. Then, when you're full-up, let your cup of kindness overflow to others. Remember to keep you head in the stars and your feet on the ground~

   

   

  

   

Fireworks, Independence and Self-Discipline

    Welcome to the first week in July and the celebration of America's independence! This is a time to enjoy our hard-fought freedoms and maintain our sense of responsibility to one another, whether in our families, our communities, or as a nation. At the start of July, we have a couple of interesting astrological aspects that when put into words can help define the energies happening around us. Some of this is seen as potential for change or enjoyment and some can have the potential to be downright scary, bringing unwanted upheaval.  And yes, it's tricky!                                         +

    With assertive Mars in Leo opposing restricting Saturn in Aquarius yesterday, the stage was set for conflict between acting out and self-discipline. I'm sure you've heard of people being overly assertive and falling into aggressive behaviors lately, then being called to task or having to pay a difficult toll. That is the energy pattern that has been building up for a few days prior, came to a head yesterday and continues today. Mars is like the gas pedal and Saturn the brake. While at odds with each other, leaping forward in haste can wreak havoc and applying self restraint can prevent an accident. 

   On the other hand, Mars in Leo is great for summer sports and outdoor activity! I'm also thinking of all the athletes who have been working their hardest at the just-completed Olympic Trials to become representatives of the US at the Olympics in Tokyo later this month. They employ the self-discipline of training for many years to get to this point, then put their heart and soul into their efforts to become an Olympian! There's an example of Mars and Saturn working together. How can you synthesize these two energies to work on your behalf?!

   In many places around the US, there won't be fireworks for the 4th of July due to planning amidst the covid pandemic. That doesn't preclude the Mars in Leo/Uranus in Taurus aspect taking place on the 3rd at 9:39pm EST, bringing a symbolic fireworks of it's own! On the optimistic level, this can be finally having fun or a sudden expression of love... maybe even being hit by Cupid's arrow!

   Also, know that this possibly explosive combination of the aggressive Mars with surprise-laden Uranus showing up out-of-the blue will carry over onto the 4th. Let's hope it's just an awe-inspiring about-face turn of events that brings a breakthrough. Just to be on the safe side, it would be best to avoid pushing anyone's buttons, being in a potentially sketchy place or jumping into a situation which presents itself suddenly over the weekend.

    In the meantime, enjoy some fun with friends and loved ones, doing something different to celebrate your freedoms. If that includes keeping your head in the stars watching fireworks, don't forget to keep your feet on the ground and watch where you're going. Enjoy~

Full "Strawberry" Super Moon

   Welcome to the first Full Moon of the Summer in Capricorn, highlighting the need for a feeling response, Sun in Cancer, to make a necessary change for the greater good! This "Strawberry" Moon is the harbinger of Summer, coming as it does on the heels of the Summer Solstice 4 days ago. Go to your local farm and pick some strawberries, then share your favorite jam or pie with loved ones! Mercury in Gemini is now in Direct motion, but the shadow phase lasts until July 9th, so bite your tongue until then, if you don't have anything kind to say. 

   The Sabian Symbol for 4 degrees of Capricorn is "a group of people outfitting a large canoe at the start of a journey by water" . This implies a feeling response by a group of people with a common will and consensus to make a necessary change in response to a specific situation. It is the group activity that is important. With the Sun tuned into to emotional undercurrents in polarity to the Moon in this pragmatic Earth sign Capricorn, it is a great time to ask yourself where you can make a difference.

   With the Moon sextile Jupiter, there's a feeling of optimism in the air. The Sun trine to expansive Jupiter brings a sense of well-being and generosity to the fore. If you're a boss, what can you give to let your employees know they are appreciated, and if you are the head of the household, how can you share your caring with your loved ones? On the other hand, if there's something you need, what  practical steps can you take now to engage with those in a position to make a difference?

   The monthly opposition of the Sun and Moon brings into play ego vs. emotion and empathy vs. assertion. This Full Moon chart plays out on the stage of the people opposed to organization, whether that highlights political or socio-economic situations. Cancer represents the people, emotions and public opinion, while Capricorn is authority and current structures. There is a cautionary note here involving aggressive Mars who is very active at this Full Moon. Self-restraint and self-discipline are needed here if you want to move toward your goals. Missteps and accidents are possible due to an alignment of Mars to revolutionary Uranus. Watch out for carelessness and recklessness if you want to avoid trouble.

   All the angles for this Full Moon chart set in Washington DC are at 00°s of the Cardinal signs, with the Ascendant being 00° Libra. That means Venus is the planetary ruler of this moment in time that affects us where we live, how we want to be seen in the world, and who we chose to associate with. Lovely Venus in late degrees of Cancer is in an opposition to powerful Pluto at 26° Capricorn, which can bring drama into relationships or escalate into a battle between love and desire... if allowed. What is really going on is a chance to let go of the old ways of reacting and to generate a new response. Giving up the struggle could allow a creative path to healing, perhaps initiating a whole new form of relating where one doesn't have or take total power over the other.  

   Enjoy the sunshine, spread love, look to the stars and stay grounded~

Solar Eclipse New Moon

    Tomorrow's Solar Eclipse New Moon in Gemini is a potent reminder of the power of our thoughts and words. When the Moon joins the Sun at 19 degrees, 47 minutes of Gemini, both will be closely aligned with retrograde Mercury in its own sign. This makes for a whole stew of thoughts and ideas, information and plans to be tossed around. Choices abound around what to do and who to associate with. Gemini is a very sociable, somewhat ambiguous Air sign, and after more than a year of practically zero face-to face connections, catching up and interacting are high priorities for most families and friends. Because Mercury is retrograde until June 22nd, there is added emphasis on research and restraint before leaping forward with big plans or projects. 

   In the New Moon chart, we find the Lights and Mercury in Gemini residing in the 12th House, squaring off with its' ruler, Neptune in Pisces up in the 10th House. The Twelfth House focus is on the unseen, or subconscious motivations. This area of life relates to what's hidden, what holds us back or where our ability to connect with spirit lies. In our Natal charts, it may have to do with secrets, restraints - like hospital stays, or where we seek refuge from the world. At any rate, sometimes we need to dig deeper here to uncover hidden talents or abilities. Imagination, fantasy, muddled thoughts and confusing information is apt to be the name of the game during this Solar Eclipse.

   Another consideration at this Solar Eclipse New Moon, is the harmonious relationship of the Sun and Moon to Saturn in the Fixed air sign of Aquarius.  The Moon's concern here is feeling comfortable with responsibility to the larger group, while the Sun brings self-confidence in its organizational abilities. Saturn lends consistency to building a solid foundation for the future. I am cautiously optimistic that positive strides are being made to renew open lines of communication in our government. At the same time, I have serious doubts about that being the intention of the majority of those politicians who refuse to be responsible to the people of this country and not to their bank accounts.

I set this this chart for Washington, DC and as lovely as the aspect between The Sun, Moon and Saturn could be, we are dealing with a divided country of separate interests which may or may not create an even larger socio-economic split than what we are currently experiencing. It may take Venus' attracting power of love and harmony in Cancer, working compatibly with Uranus in Taurus, the planet of sudden reversals, at this Solar Eclipse to bring an opportunity for reconnection based on our democratic principles of freedom for all, to turn the tide. Venus in Cancer is close to the United States Sun which bodes well for our self-worth as a nation, if it's not too late and we've already sold our collective soul to the devil of greed, or not... 

   In the meantime, focus on what you can do in the here and now to stay on track for achieving your personal goals, be patient and realistic, and maintain your sense of self, while keeping your head in the stars and your feet on the ground. I pray for Light and Love to restore Harmony on the Earth.