NOVEMBER 30th, 2022

The Mutable signs are lit up right now with the Sun, Mercury and Venus transiting in Sagittarius. Mars is moving retrograde in the opposite sign of Gemini creating a push and pull between the philosophical and the tangential. Gemini is ruled by communication planet Mercury and therefore Mars in Gemini is currently ruled by Mercury transiting in its opposite sign of Sagittarius. The Gemini/Sagittarius axis is illuminating the dilemma between superficial information absorbed and regurgitated in bite size pieces versus the wisdom acquired through lived experience. It’s emphasizing the disparity between what you hope for and what you have to change to get there.

It’s not that one sign is better than the other as they both represent opposite ends of a spectrum in all their intertwined complexities. Example: Gemini rules the telephone you are holding and the social media platform you are using to read this while Sagittarius rules the wisdom and perspective gained from the information you read. Both signs are quite curious and verbose either way so lots of big ideas, important conversations around meaning and purpose could be taking place.

Jupiter rules the sign of Sagittarius and is transiting in its nocturnal home of Pisces and has the final say on the planets transiting in Sagittarius which brings good faith, hope and perspective on our current predicament. However it doesn’t mean that it’s easy.

We may be looking for more meaning and substance while growing tired of the superficial aspects of existence monopolizing our attention. How many check points do you really have to go through before you get to the Holy Grail?

Mars currently moving retrograde in Gemini highlights the hamster wheel you may be caught in and although it may feel like you are gaining traction are you really advancing? Jupiter is saying YES. Keep faith.

The emphasis on the Mutable signs means that we are moving from one state to a yet unknown next state. This is a transitional phase that requires us to juggle various contradictions within ourselves, modes of being in the world and hopes we have while trying to find more cohesion in our actions for the next leg of our journey.

Collectively, we have been moving from the Earth period into the Air period and Pluto entering Aquarius in March 2023 will really emphasize this. Technology is taking over our lives and consciousness and we must re-assess what we are doing. It’s a slippery slope and we have to align thoughts and actions accordingly as we move forward.

WEEK OF AUGUST 5th, 2019: OUR PRIDE AND AFFECTIONS

 Artwork by Jasper Goodall 


Stand straight, walk proud, have a little faith
-Garth Brooks

The week begins with the Moon in Libra until it enters Scorpio on Tuesday signalling the First Quarter Moon. The Moon enters Sagittarius on Thursday, and remains on the archer’s territory until early Sunday morning when it enters Capricorn. The First Quarter Moon is a time of action and momentum when we are challenged to implement what was seeded at the New Moon and push forward.

SPIRIT
Passion burns hot this week as we move deeper into Leo season and straight into the heart of summer. The Sun in the second decan of Leo is bright indeed and Venus blinded by the rays inches closer and closer to the royal throne. By August 14, Venus will disappear completely into the Sun purifying herself in a baptism of light, rebirthing as an evening ”star”. The Sun and Venus in Leo will set the mood this week with loud and colourful roars and regal displays. Pride and affection for what we have created, what we have become, what we value and love is sure to be a theme. We might be moved to expose the content of our heart’s joys for all to see while other folks might dowse themselves in just-a-little-bit too much perfume.

FAITH
The Sun in Leo is moving towards a trine with Jupiter in Sagittarius (exact on Wednesday) and this should give us the ability to say YES more. This easy going and joyful sky is giving us plenty of reasons to celebrate life and make the difficult things a little bit easier to bare. Jupiter stations direct on August 11 after moving retrograde since April 10, 2019. On the same day, Mercury enters Leo and Uranus stations retrograde in Taurus creating a lot of momentum which culminates on Sunday. The Moon entering Sagittarius on Thursday (Jupiter’s day) gives the signal to launch the fireworks, release the helium balloons, cut the red ribbon, and trust that it will all work out. There is a hopeful quality that permeates the week and it is an excellent time to gain perspective on what remains to be accomplished while elevating your standards. Fill your engine to the brim with the potentiality latent in your dreams and aim higher. This is a time of joy, faith and courage; send your prayers and show gratitude accordingly.


THE SALES PITCH
Mercury re-enters the Lion’s den on Sunday at 15:45 EDT after having turned retrograde here in Leo before moving back into the sign of Cancer for most of July. If there is still a faint tinged of longing permeating our minds this week, it will definitely subside by Sunday. The radio stations which until now played a series of nostalgic and sappy songs will now be showcasing ”The Greatest Hits of all Time”. Mercury can be persuasive in the sign of Leo especially when supported by Jupiter. If you have to sell your salad ( convince someone), now and in the next few weeks is a good time to do so. You can expect however that everyone at the market will also have the best salad to sell; you could find yourself shouting in order to be heard.

The Fixed season of Leo is a time of conviction and this year Jupiter in Sagittarius is boosting the signal. Depending on natal disposition some folks might be totally blinded by their beliefs, their pride, and their ideas. Moderate the enthusiasm with healthy dose of reflection before launching headfirst into a debate or a venture. Measured risk and optimism will be rewarded while hubris and arrogance could alienate others but overall, it’s an excellent week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GROW• GLOW• SHIMMER: NEW MOON IN LEO

Bruce Pennington, 1973

 

The month of July ends with a New Moon in Leo which will be exact at 23:12 EDT on July 31st. A few minutes later, Mercury stations direct in Cancer after being retrograde since the 7th of July. The New Moon in Leo and Mercury direct initiates us into the month of August, on the other side of eclipse season and in the bright light of the Sun who is at home in the sign of Leo.

→ Look to where the New Moon in Leo is taking place in your birth chart to understand where the focus is  for this upcoming lunation. The Full Moon in Aquarius on August 14 will see a culmination in the opposite house to where Leo sits and you can expect the next few weeks to highlight both the Leo and Aquarius house topics in your chart.

After a month of gestation, we enter a period of rationality and brilliance which will allow us to study in clear daylight, the pearls of wisdom that were birthed in the eclipses shadows. The intuitive epiphanies regarding certain roadblocks and detours inherited from the past, and the revelations contained in our personal biographies can now be observed with a certain lucid detachment as a fresh chapter emerges on the horizon. The page is blank, the fruits are ripped, and fresh intentions are being initiated with the conviction that we really do deserve the best of the best.

Honour and pride is on the menu in the first half of August. Leo season is a time of courage and conviction, of stepping up to the plate and having the guts of embodying your role with confidence. Now is a time for recognizing your accomplishments, your worth, and to show up with your best face on, trusting that you know exactly how its done.

Shimmering sparkles arising from the light – hypnotizing with a fiery glow – a magnetizing charisma containing the warmth of love and attraction. Thirsty, the seeker extends a hand towards the object of power –  hoping to catch its radiance and become a God.


Jupiter stations direct in Sagittarius on August 11, after being retrograde since mid-April and this should help boost our confidence level. On the same day, Mercury enters Leo setting the ego ablaze as Uranus turn retrograde in Taurus until next eclipse season in January 2020.

Micheal Heizer

 

The Full Moon in Aquarius takes place on August 14, just as Venus in Leo reaches her superior conjunction moving behind the Sun. This marks the time when Venus transition from the morning to evening sky. Venus will be visible as a bright evening “star” in the sky after sunset in September and October 2019.

The Full Moon in Aquarius brings a culmination in regards to our own needs and desires versus the desires of the whole. Certain people might be accused of selfishness during this time as we try to reconcile our values with the values of others. Venusian matters will certainly be on our mind in mid-August and a division could be felt in regards to the practical versus the superfluous. We might feel more indulgent and deserving and this could create some friction with others who are also trying to get their piece of cake. Brash and dramatic displays of superiority are also possible as egos collide; even if you know best, you might not be heard in the cacophony of roars. 


Mars enters Virgo on August 18, followed by Venus on August 21st, and the Sun on August 23rd. The second half of the month will contain a lot more planets in Earth elements bringing pragmatism to our ambitions, and practical steps to reach our goals. The heated passions being felt in the first weeks of August will find proper outlets by the end of the month as we slowly come back down to Earth with the gifts of Fire. The last week of August sees a Mars/Venus conjunction in Virgo supported by a trine to Uranus; you will know exactly what to do and how to do it.

Love and passion, passion and beauty, beauty and lust, lust and novelty, novelty and pleasure, pleasure and discovery, discovery and freedom, freedom and connection, connection and soul.

The New Moon in Virgo takes place early on August 30th at 6 degrees of Virgo signalling fresh momentum in the part of your chart where Virgo is located. This should be a fantastic lunation to organize and take care of details that were ignored in the last few months. Delineating a schedule or a plan for your goals should help relieve some of the anxiety. It could feel like a lot needs to be done and September promises to be a good month to get on track. Organization will be high on the priority list and a clear action-plan will support your efforts towards reaching your objectives. The New Moon in Virgo trining Uranus, carries the promise of self-sufficiency born out of efforts.

 

 

 

WEEK OF MAY 6, 2019 : ELECTRICAL BUZZING

The Moon is in Gemini to begin the week and the ruler of Gemini: ☿Mercury☿, enters Taurus later today and will conjunct Uranus in Taurus by Wednesday.⚡️

☿-Mercury influences communication (written-spoken), ideas, and the overall translation of the intellect into words. Mercury entering Taurus means that our thoughts will turn towards the more practical side of our lives with an emphasis on the material resources we have at our disposition. Planning, engineering, and accounting are some things that Mercury in Taurus is good at. Mercury will be in Taurus until May 21st.


♅-Uranus is sometime described as the higher octave of Mercury. Uranus amongst other things, is associated with the future and innovation. It’s the stroke of genius, the lighting bolt, the eureka moment.

The Mercury-Uranus conjunction is a big vibe this week. It’s rut-busting, innovative but grounded and practical all at once. This aspect could translate in a million different ways but you can expect a buzzing or febrility in the air like you are on the verge of a big discovery.

Magic, synchronicity and new ideas abound for those who are attuned to it.

Mars in Gemini is still in a tight opposition with Jupiter in Sagittarius and this could translate into energy and mind power, especially while the Moon travels in Gemini Monday and Tuesday. At its worst, this aspect can translate into over-confidence, arrogance or impulsivity.


The Moon enters Cancer Wednesday morning and moves into Leo Friday morning until Sunday afternoon when she enters Virgo.

We also have Venus in Aries squaring Saturn in Capricorn on Tuesday, Venus in Aries trining Jupiter in Sagittarius Thursday afternoon and squaring Pluto in Capricorn late Thursday night. That is a lot of Venus action for the week and Venus in Aries is currently ruling the planets in Taurus.

Money and relational matters could be shifting or needing readjustment. It’s a good time to delineate clear boundaries and manage your time. Venus in Aries favour doing it by yourself as oppose to waiting for someone to come along. The mood is sort of ruthless in that regard. Focus on your advancement and don’t waste too much of your time on dodgy, slippery scenarios or people as patience could be lacking.

It’s an excellent week to continue investing your time and energy in advancing yourself, your projects and whatever else you are working on since a lot of progress can be made. Don’t shy away from the hard work. It’s an overall creative and productive time.

 

 

WEEK OF MARCH 18: ARIES INGRESS/FULL MOON IN LIBRA

Spring Beauty by Viktor Mikhaylovich Vasnetsov 1885

Only 2 more days before the Sun enters the Cardinal Fire sign of Aries signalling the beginning of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere.

Upon entering Aries, the Sun will almost immediately start opposing the Moon in Libra. Late Wednesday night, the powerful rays of the Sun will illuminate the Moon creating a dramatic landscape to celebrate the first night of Spring. 
The Full Moon in Libra will be exact Wednesday night at 21:43 EDT and casts a bright light on the tension created by our inner and outer dualities. Partnerships will come to the forefront this week as freedom versus commitment battle for attention.

In Aries, the Sun shines willfully and illuminates a desire for independence and sovereignty. However, the Full Moon in Libra brings attention to the agreements and contracts that must be respected and the compromises that must be made in order to continue on a peaceful path and reach our aim. Dynamics within our relationships need to be weighed out in order to understand the exchange of powers and to make sure they are equal. The ”give and take” required and the compromises made by both parties will need to be revised. Inequalities that have become problematic or that are reaching a saturation points will need to be dealt with. The Full Moon in Libra highlights a need to recalibrate. This process can happen peacefully as long as both parties are willing to dialogue. Anything that feels unfair will most likely become very apparent this week and will need to be addressed.

Since the Sun conjunct Chiron at the moment of the Full Moon and the following day, it is likely to highlight where we feel most vulnerable and raw right now. Chiron is associated with woundedness and pain which in turn brings much knowledge and wisdom. Chiron is beginning its journey through Aries which will bring remedies and healing opportunities in regards to our ego, our identity, the masculine or yang qualities, our libido, our sense of power and potency in the world. Its important to be honest about our vulnerabilities during this process so that we find the proper medicine. A good opportunity to swallow the bitter herbs as “good medicine always tastes bitter.”

*Look at where Aries and Libra sits in your chart to zoom in on where these dynamics are more likely to play out in your life.

Wishing you a joyful and fruitful Aries season🔥

This week in Astrology: Sorting out the essential from your heart

Monday opens with the Moon in the last degrees of Taurus on the Fixed star Algol or the Head of Medusa; don’t lose your mind. We are building towards the Jupiter/Uranus opposition that will be exact on the 27/28 of September. This is a revolutionary aspect which is excellent for visionaries and artists and for people who have the ability to see the silver lining in chaotic  circumstances but also have the guts to do things differently. On a mundane level it can feel destabilizing if you are holding to the status quo at all cost or need predictable outcomes. Small and large shifts are happening in our awareness and in the world at large and intuition is at an all time high. Flashes of insights and new bold ideas are available if you adjust your vision. With Uranus in Aries closing in on its opposition to Jupiter in Libra there is an urge to liberate ourselves while also searching for ”the other” to reflect us. It can feel polarizing to oscillate between our need for freedom and liberation versus our need for feedback, fairness and equilibrium.

The Moon enters Gemini at 15:30 EDT on Monday which will accentuate the current Mercury/Mars conjunction building up in Virgo. The next 2 days are excellent for analyzing, editing, and cutting through the superfluous. The mind can have a tendency to race and anxiety will be higher than usual. Finding the right measure of applied diligence and focus is possible as long as we don’t scatter ourselves. Mindfulness and disconnecting from the media, the internet and the constant chatter is one of the best remedies for this kind of astrological weather. Difficulties with communication, getting our message across, misunderstandings and harsh words are possible with the Mercury/Mars conjunction building up and, so are fried phones and electronics.

With the last quarter Moon in Gemini we can feel stimulated, talkative, and curious but there is also the tendency to get lost in chatter instead of being productive. Basically, don’t fry your brain with coffee and stress and find the right balance of intellectual work and simple manual or physical work. We could have the urge to communicate in many directions at once but essentially we can only do one thing at a time. Give your brain the right intellectual food and remember that words and symbols can be very powerful in shaping our experience of reality; use them wisely.

The last quarter Moon in Gemini supports finalizing the details of a project or idea that began at the New Moon/Solar Eclipse in Leo on August 21st.

Venus in Leo trine Saturn in Sagittarius on Tuesday and this is a supportive but also sobering aspect in regards to relationship. We could feel serious and more realistic about our desires. Long-term commitments and maturity could feel more important at the moment and feelings could be reserved and controlled. Venus trine Saturn is beneficial for artist and creators who are looking to structure and give shape to their muse. This can be a productive time for creative work, social engagements, and public relations.

On Wednesday night the Moon enters her own sign of Cancer and this should help ease the mental tension creating a fluid and intuitive rhythm until Friday night.

Even though we are in the darkest of the Moon (before the New Moon in Virgo on September 20th) the weekend will feel quite dynamic with the Moon entering the Fire sign of Leo late on Friday night and Mercury and Mars perfecting their conjunction in Virgo on Saturday, September 16. Conversation around pride, identity, the need for acknowledgement and having  the courage to express oneself truthfully and courageously will all be aroused.

NEW MOON IN LEO: REGAL HEARTS


”Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart.”
-Carl Jung

Meaning & Spirit

August is not just the eighth month of the year; it also describes something esteemed or regal. Although we are not quite done with July, the spirited Leo New Moon on July 23rd opens up the Fixed summer season with a bold thrust.

The meaning of the word August and the symbolism of Leo are pretty much interchangeable. The word August means something or someone who is marked by majestic dignity or grandeur. Leo being ruled by the Sun which is central to our solar system is the sign most often associated with royalty and lofty dispositions. Nothing exists without the Sun, therefore nothing could possibly exist without the strength and brilliance of the Lion.

Grand ambitious, dignified, elevated, eminent, exalted, fine, glorious, gorgeous, grandiose, great, haughty, illustrious, imposing, impressive, large, lofty, lordly, luxurious, magnificent, majestic, monumental, noble, opulent, ostentatious, palatial, pompous, pretentious, princely, regal, splendid, splendiferous, stately, striking, sublime, sumptuous, superb,
 admirable, awesome, divine, excellent, fine, first-class, first-rate, great, pre-eminent, principal, supreme. 

Children of the Sun

To be a child of the Sun means approaching life with a playful bravery and choosing with the heart. To be a child of the Sun means to acknowledge your worth and claim what is yours. To be a child of the Sun is to believe in your worth and let your spirit speak through your actions. There is no place for hypocrisy here as the light brightens even the darkest corners of the soul; one must have the boldness to align with who he is. When the heart and the mind sings in unison all is pure radiance.


Joy & Power

Mythology is full of stories who guard man from the hubris of pitting oneself against the Gods but in the first decan of Leo we are blinded by the Sun or perhaps our own will. To live one’s truth is a birth right and we cannot tolerate anything which threatens to hold us back. A generous amount of power and passion resides here and not much stands in the way of the Lion’s desires.

“Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls.”
– Joseph Campbell

More is more

The New Moon takes place on Sunday July 23rd at 0º Leo as we make way for the royal displays of our hearts longing. The New Moon will also be 1º away from Mars who will land its sparks to the fire and ignite individual will.

Meanwhile, Mercury in Leo will be 2 degrees from the North Node or Head of the Dragon and form a grand fire trine with Uranus in Aries and Saturn in Sagittarius. Like a hot air balloon we could find ourselves benefiting from a certain amount of heat and pressure to propel us forward. Necessary planning along with audacity and conviction will be required for the journey ahead.

The stage is set and the New Moon in Leo is the opening act to a drama that will take us all the way into the first week of September and beyond. The aspects of the coming weeks are like a fire which has the potential to cleanse our inner and outer landscapes.


28º of Leo: Truth revealed

The Leo season will be marked by a few dynamic aspects including a Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse at 15º of Aquarius on August 7 and a second New Moon at 28º of Leo on August 21 which will also be a total Solar eclipse. Mercury will be @ 28º Leo on July 24 the day after the first New Moon in Leo. Mercury will again be at 28º Leo on September 3rd as part of its retrograde motion and will go direct at that same 28º on September 5.

This particular part of the zodiac will be very active in August. If you have the Sun, Moon or Ascendant in the last decan of Leo or any of the Fixed signs (Aquarius, Taurus & Scorpio) the upcoming eclipses will have a stronger impact in your life.

Get your selfie game on and stay bold!

”A little flattery will support a man through great fatigue.”
-James Monroe


NEW MOON IN LEO HOROSCOPES

Sun sign horoscopes cannot replace a proper analysis of your birth chart and transits of the moment. They are meant as a broad insight into certain time signatures. If you want a more detailed forecast, you can book a reading with Elodie here. You can also subscribe to the 9th House monthly horoscopes here.

*The rising sign is essential in understanding our personal dispositions, please read your Sun sign and rising sign for extra clarity.


LEO/LEO RISING ♌︎

This is your time of the year Leo. You have equal part guts and stamina backing you up at the moment. The projects you are working on could have a bigger impact in your life then you might realize and you will be forced to plan accordingly. Now is the time to go for it and trust your intuition. More is more.

VIRGO/VIRGO RISING ♍︎

Much of the action in August will happen behind close door for you dear Virgo.There are powerful currents running through your life and you might not be totally aware of the hold they have on you. Now would be an excellent time to connect to the hidden motives that dictates much of your decisions. Open the curtains and let the light in.

LIBRA/LIBRA RISING ♎︎

Growth and expansion are still the name of the game for you in August. You have many irons in the fire at the moment and you should strike while they are hot. It is not everyday that the opportunity to try new things knock at the door. The more you put yourself out there the more things will flow your way. Say yes to life.

SCORPIO/SCORPIO RISING ♏︎

The New Moon in Leo takes place in the part of your chart that deals with your career and vocation. You are being asked to step up to a particular challenge and you can feel that you might have to give it all of your attention. Technically that’s not a big deal for you but there are other things happening on the home front. Trust the process.

SAGITTARIUS/SAGITTARIUS RISING ♐︎

The New Moon in Leo ignites your desires for adventure in a big way. All the work you have been putting in for the last few years is bearing fruit and you are now ready to find new challenges. August will see you assess new territories and make new connections. Explore your options and let Fortuna take care of the rest!

CAPRICORN/CAPRICORN RISING ♑︎

The New Moon in Leo brings with her commitments and contracts. What binds you to others will be important this month and you will need to find the right balance between your personal goals and what is being asked of you. Partnerships remains on the forefront as you learn the art of compromise. Keep the diamond in your mind.

AQUARIUS/AQUARIUS RISING ♒︎

The New Moon in Leo animates the part of your chart that deals with partnerships of all kind. You will find yourself reflecting on your many relationships and the important role others play in your life. You desire for connection will be at an all time high in the next month. Allow yourself plenty of time to reflect on your heart’s desires; no man is an island.

PISCES/PISCES RISING ♓︎

To benefit fully from this upcoming cycle, I would suggest a reset in regards to your routine. Too much rigidity sinks your boat and not enough sees you floating aimlessly. Re-assess the way you have been spending your time and find the right measure of work and play. The wild fires of August will be treacherous for many but you should manage to escape most of the heat; stay cool.

ARIES/ARIES RISING ♈︎

Aries you are on FIRE! There are a lot of good things going on for you at the moment and you should be able to keep the momentum going in August. A dose of discipline coupled with a bit of work and lots of play is all you need. Remember to take a breather between adventures as to not burn the candle by both ends. Set your sight on the many opportunities knocking at your door and go for it.

TAURUS/TAURUS RISING ♉︎

You are one busy bee Taurus and there are still a lot that needs to be done. Somehow, time seems to be escaping you and you could feel like you are running out of breath. Making the best of your current opportunities is great but you cannot be everything for everyone. Summer is here but vacations will have to be postponed. Re-assess your stance and breath.

GEMINI/GEMINI RISING ♊︎

If running errands was an art, you would surely be a master my dear Gemini. There are so many little details that needs your attention at the moment it’s a wonder you can do it all. Just when you think you are done with your to-do list, something else comes along that needs your attention. Don’t ignore the details but leave some room for play and free time.

CANCER/CANCER RISING ♋︎

This New Moon in Leo sees you starting a fresh financial cycle. You have been busy with some new projects and ideas and now is the time to crunch some numbers. Sacrifices will need to be made and you are ready. Delineate an action plan and stick to your goal. Ease and support is coming your way in August if you steer clear of unnecessary indulgence.

 

 

Moon in Leo square Mars in Taurus

The Moon is in Leo for the next 2 days and will be supported by the Sun in Aries, Jupiter in Libra and Saturn in Sagittarius while being square to Mars in Taurus.

The drive to succeed is high and fortune favours the bold but for the next 2 days it is PATIENCE who will favour the bold.

Mercury in Taurus and Upcoming Retrograde

 

”You can do irrefutably impossible things
with the right amount of planning
and support from intelligent and hardworking people
and pizza.”

-Scott M. Gimple

Mercury enters the sign of Taurus today (March 31) and will station retrograde on April 9 @ 4º Taurus. Mercury will then move back to the sign of Aries on April 20th until it stations direct on May 3, 2017. Mercury finally re-enters the sign of Taurus on May 16, 2017.

This upcoming retrograde process in an earth sign could be connected to the way you are handling your resources. Mercury in Taurus is an excellent planner and has the ability to oversee projects and allocate its resources properly. In Taurus, Mercury is planning for the future constantly taking into account how a situation can be benefited in the long run. It’s talent is linked to understanding where to invested in order to multiply its assets and benefit.

Knowing which situation is worth the effort and which will yield the most in the long run is what is important to Mercury in Taurus.

An idea, a project or a revelation that began around the New Moon in Aries on March 27, could take sometime to develop. Whatever this may be, it could take you all the way to the beginning of May or mid-May before its concretization.

This Mercury retrograde in Taurus (and Aries) could be a period of fine tuning and planning before something solid can emerge. We could fine ourselves thinking long and hard about some important life-changing decisions. Understanding where our motivations resides will be important during this retrograde.

Are you planning out of fear for the future or are you genuinely interested in building a solid foundation for yourself? Are your motivations rooted in insecurity or are you truly aligned with where you are investing your time and your resources? What are you looking to achieve in the distant future might be on your mind in the next couple of months. See this retrograde as a process of refining your goals and adjusting your foundation.

Full Moon in Leo: Hearts Ablaze

circe-1
”Circe” by Romare Bearden


🔥

Poison is in everything, and no thing is without poison.
The dosage makes it either a poison or a remedy.
-Paracelsus

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The Opening Act

For a brief moment on Friday evening a shadow will pass over the Moon. This is the first hint of what is to come in a series of eclipses on the Leo/Aquarius axis. These eclipses will take us all the way to January 21st, 2019 and this particular Full Moon is the opening act. 10 minutes after the Full Moon peaks on Friday evening so will the penumbral lunar eclipse. The Moon will spend more than 4 hours coasting through Earth’s outer shadow and it will appear darker than normal.

penumbral-lunar-eclipse_cnnph
”Like other lunar eclipses, penumbral eclipses occur whenever the Earth passes between the Moon and Sun, such that it obscures the Sun’s light and casts a shadow onto the Moon’s surface. But unlike other kinds of eclipses, they are extremely subtle events to observe. In a penumbral eclipse the Moon passes through an outer region of the Earth’s shadow called the penumbra.   The Moon will first enter Earth’s shadow at 5:32 p.m. EST (2232 GMT), and its moonlight will slowly but surely grow dimmer for a little over 2 hours. After the eclipse peaks at 7:43 p.m. EST, the bright glow of the full moon will take about another 2 hours to return to normal.” -Dave Reneke’s World of Space and Astronomy

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The Lunar Nodes

The Moon’s Nodes are actually the points of intersection of the paths of the Sun and the Moon as they travel in the celestial sphere. The Moon crosses the ecliptic twice each orbit around the Earth – approximately every 13 days – creating the possibility of an eclipse. However, eclipses can only occur when the Moon is new or full: that is when the Earth, Moon and Sun are in perfect alignment.

blogaecliptic

In the early European and Oriental astronomical texts these Nodes are referred to as the Head of the Dragon (North Node) and the Tail of the Dragon (South Node). It the same tradition, it is generally believed that Caput Draconis (North Node) is more beneficial than its counter part Cauda Draconis (South Node).

919_104_28-caput-cauda-draconis

In the Vedic tradition these Nodes are called Rahu and Ketu and are ascribed significance equal to that of a planet or more specifically as a ”shadowy planet”. Their function is one of karmic retribution and together they represent the great cyclic law of manifestation which sustains the universe. In fact, the Nodes are said to be so powerful that even the Sun and the Moon obeys them. Eclipses occur when the Sun and Moon are at one of these Lunar Nodes. In most traditions (if not all of them), a celestial monster – a demon- or a serpent- is depicted eating the luminaries and causing the eclipses.

phra-rahu-eating-sun
What makes you bold

This first eclipse in the sign of Leo occurs close to the North Node of the Moon, or ”Rahu”.
In the Vedic tradition, Rahu is sometimes compared to a poisonous black serpent. This black serpent is considered both wise as well as deadly and the poison is used for both destructive and regenerative purposes. Rahu is said to bring about opportunities to anchor us deeply into matter so that we can fully take part in the material and physical experience. The Head of the Dragon, with its mouth open, is said to have an insatiable appetite for the things of this world. Symbolically, the changes and opportunities that are brought with eclipses are said to appear and disappear in and out of the void (or darkness) of the eclipse. Eclipses are almost unanimously thought to be linked to changing circumstances. Whether these changes will affect you more directly depends greatly on your natal disposition.

“Anything which you have in profusion is poison”
― Amit Kalantri


Luna

The Moon in astrology holds a passive role as she receives and reflects the light of the Sun; she does not create her own light. Here we enter the realm of projection; what is being reflected under her rays remain elusive. In this world of projections, shadows quickly turn into bizarre creatures as the imagination is given free reign. One must wonder if what he sees is real or if it is a mere trick of the light.

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The shadow of the Earth crossing the Moon symbolically represents the regenerative process that occurs in the dark. The many projections accumulated overtime are briefly obscured to enable a new type of awareness. In this darkness a truth is revealed helping us move forward and out of these accumulated projections. A skin is shed, a baggage is dropped, an egg is broken, a face emerges from under the mask for a short moment revealing something that had escaped us until now.

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Laughter, poison to fear 

The Full Moon takes place in the flamboyant sign of Leo which is ruled by the Sun. Here we find the dramatic urges of the ego who desires acknowledgement for its sovereignty and royal powers. While the Sun will be illuminating the Moon from the perspective of Aquarius, this brief intermission is brought to us by Kings and Queens. The language of Leo is one that directly links us to the heart, which it rules. The heart’s language is commanding and bold and links us to the creative fires. From this starting point everything is born. The Sun is the central heart of our solar system and Leo is closely linked to this archetypal image. For now though, Leo will have to content itself with a mere reflection of the Sun’s rays and will even find itself briefly eclipsed by a passing shadow. A hint of what is to come in the coming months.

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The heart knows what it wants and this Full Moon will briefly illuminate its investments which will be hugely magnified by the sextile from Jupiter in Libra. Should those investments be of a more poisonous nature, the need to undergo a purging process will be necessary and this eclipse could trigger the process. However, if the poison is used as medicine, a courageous disposition will be necessary if one is to seize the opportunities offered at this time. This could be further thought of as having the strength of mind and spirit to face adversity with bravery while remaining true to one’s convictions.

This Full Moon will also be locked for a brief moment in a Grand Fire Trine with Uranus in Aries and Saturn in Sagittarius. Revolutionary changes are brewing and whether we are able to perceive the sparks or not, the process is underway. Whatever it is, it might not become obvious until August’s Solar Eclipse in Leo but a story is being weaved and this is the starting point.

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Take Note

This first eclipse falls at 22º of Leo. If you have important planets or if your Ascendant is between 17º and 27º of a Fixed sign (Leo-Scorpio-Aquarius-Taurus) this Full Moon/eclipse will be felt more directly, especially if they are in Leo or Aquarius. The fundamental changes being birthed at this time are linked to the next eclipse on the 22nd of August and more extensively to the ones in 2018. Be prepared to let go and be willing to receive the unexpected blessings, difficulties and fundamental changes in the coming months.

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“The aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware. In this state of god-like awareness one sings; in this realm the world exists as poem.”
Henry Miller


References

1. Myths & Symbols of Vedic Astrology by Bepin Behari.

2. Avebury Cosmos: The Neolithic World of Avebury henge, Silbury Hill, West Kennet long barrow, the Sanctuary & the Longstones Cove by Nicholas Mann.

3. Star Gods of the Maya: Astronomy in Art, Folklore, and Calendars by Susan Milbrath.