Aries Full Moon

 

The Aries Full Moon opposing the Sun in Libra reflects the balance of our awareness of others and our need for inner development. Our subconscious recognizes that it isn't separate from the world because it sees its' reflection in our relationships. This Cardinal polarity speaks to the ultimate yin and yang of self/Aries and other/Libra.

Aries is all about self-determination, drive and assertion. Its' ruler, Mars goes after what he desires, but Mars is also in Libra beside the Sun and has to moderate his thoughts and actions, while trying to play fair, or at least take others into consideration. Libra is Venus' territory and she is currently traveling through Sagittarius, where she would enjoy an adventurous partner, as long as it is one who is honest and understands fair play.

This Full Moon polarity is reminding us to put our efforts into finding balance and equity. So, the question for us individually is... "how can I make a difference in my surroundings and with my loved ones?" It is seeking after harmony and fairness, that allows both sides to feel they have been heard and have something to gain.

Striving to do the right thing and in the best interest of all involved is the opportunity and challenge of this Full Moon.

The Sun, Moon and Mars are all squaring Pluto, the planetary archetype of decay, death and rebirth. Intense emotions, impulsiveness and a predilection for confrontation with powerful forces will unfortunately highlight this Full Moon. Do your best to avoid arguments, stay out of power struggles and avoid dangerous situations for the next couple of days. Channel your pent up frustrations into creating something beautiful or finishing up that project that is begging to be completed.

And remember everything can't be finished in one day, and it is helpful to keep your head in the stars and your feet on the ground.

Libra New Moon

   The Libra New Moon on Oct. 6th brings an emphasis to relationships and balance. The Moon reflects our subconscious awareness of what we need in order to find the most inner peace, while the current solar energy is focused on moderating our interactions with each other and the environment surrounding us. This is how the marriage of the inner and outer work together at the Libra New Moon. 

   However, there are several planetary aspects to this alignment of the Sun and Moon that will alternately support and challenge the harmony needed during this soli/lunar dance at the halfway point through the Zodiac. The most notable is Mars conjunct the Sun and Moon at exactly 13 degrees of Libra. On the one hand, this can be a needed push to work hard and resolve something, and Mars can also bring his impulsive take-charge energy in to add emotional angst without thinking. 

   Communicative Mercury, retrograde in Libra, is still within reach of all three and would like some thought-provoking discussion about how to view what's going on. The key here is listening as well as talking. With the Martian assertion to get one's point across it's wise to consider hearing the other point of view. It's a balancing act after all... all things in moderation.

   A so-called minor aspect between Libra Moon and maverick Uranus, the two most changeable dynamics in the planetary pantheon of archetypes, has us off-balance due to situations out of our control. Excitability is high and adjustments have to be made. We have to cope with change that is created by unusual events and it may take a unique approach to find some stabilization. Stepping out of our comfort zones and finding a compromise is necessary to achieve harmony. As above, so below... as within so without~   

Pisces Full Moon

On This Harvest Moon~

Welcome to the final Full Moon of the summer, otherwise known as the Harvest Moon, which is exact tonight at 7:54pm EST. There are so many rewards to reap from our island gardens, as well as beach plums and wild grapes to harvest and fish to be reeled ashore here on this little spit of sand, which I am blessed to call my home, 30 miles out to sea. Nostalgia is strong under a Pisces Moon as I remember foraging trips with my parents, seeking out the islands’ bounty, berry-picking, crabbing for blue claws and fishing the local ponds as well as casting off the beach. There is so much to be grateful for as I stir the beach plum jelly and inhale its’ delicious aroma, I almost don’t regret summer coming to a close. There is this delightful harvest moon after all, and Neil Young…

Pisces Moon sits alongside Neptune, king of the ocean, asking us to be aware of the flow of the ocean and our emotions, as it opposes the Sun in Virgo. Neptune enhances the possibilities of loosening our boundaries when it comes to careful consideration of what we’re ingesting, thereby increasing opportunities for allergic reactions to what we’re eating, drinking. or processing through our thoughts. I think the expression, “loose lips sink ships” may have come from such a lapse in self-indulgence or filtering. On the other hand, we are instilled with compassion and caring for others, with an underlying knowledge that we are all connected. This Virgo/Pisces polarity reminds asks us where we can be of service and how we can heal ourselves and others.

Just as the Moon joins Neptune, so too does Mars align with the Sun. And yet, Mars has jumped into Libra a few days ahead of the Sun, forging his own agenda to right the scales of balance. While Mars has no problem asserting himself, he does need to be aware of others while moving through Libra. The Sun in Virgo, until Wednesday afternoon, will ask him to observe the boundaries while putting his energy to good use. Then at the Equinox on the 22nd, the Sun steps into Libra to maintain balance and try to achieve some harmony. With so much polarization and conflict in the world, this Full Moon is a good reminder of letting go of comparisons that work to separate and divide us and instead to identify with the feelings of others, feelings we can all relate to.

Remember while navigating the sometimes tricky shoreline of reality and security to keep your heart open, your head in the stars and your feet on the ground~

Virgo New Moon

    Would you be surprised if I told you that tonight's Virgo Moon is unusual? There is an exact trine between the Sun and Moon conjunction at 14 degrees of Virgo and rebellious Uranus at 14 degrees of Taurus. Both are Earth signs but with different modes of operating. Virgo takes in information and organizes their space or environment into some workable schedule or format, while Taurus hangs onto and stores resources, only releasing their hold on things when it is absolutely imperative to do so.

   The New Moon in Virgo culminates at 8:51pm EDT, bringing the energies of inner focus and outer discernment together, setting the pace for the lunar month ahead. Virgo asks us to make healthy or useful choices that affect our day-to-day living. What we decide is based on many factors that mostly have to do with our individual skill sets and abilities. Decide we must, in order to stop roiling around in a soup of indecision! (roiling is a word, look it up if you don't know the meaning; it will clarify my use of it.)

   Now, the interaction of Uranus in Taurus has to do with sudden flashes of insight into our own worth, values or use of resources. That insight can come from situations, events or people that show up seemingly out of the blue, like a bolt of lightning splitting open the earth or our awareness.  Harmony through conflict is the purpose of this trine to the New Moon. How will we decide to use the resources within ourselves to be of some service on the planet? What new awareness has awoken our need to do something to heal ourselves and Mother Earth?

   Try to go with the flow and make small changes in your day that are more manageable than trying to do everything at once. Assertive Mars in Virgo interacts with expansive Jupiter in Aquarius throwing a bit of a monkey wrench into our day and asking us to adjust to the many different directions we're being pulled into.  Be willing to try new approaches to unusual circumstances or people, which could also bring delightful surprises while we try to incorporate them into our life.

   Personal or financial desires can be triggered by a Venus in Libra square to Pluto in Capricorn. What do you really want... is your shadow side asking to be included in your restructuring process? It would be wise to use moderation in all pursuits of gratification at this time. Another consideration that starts today and carries us forward, is the Neptune opposition in Pisces to the Virgo New Moon. Remember that it is okay to set some limits for yourself and take a time out away from others. You can still be compassionate and find a way to be in harmony with what is.

   While juggling these many considerations in your decision making, remember to keep your head in the stars and your feet on the ground~

   

   

   

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.