GROW• GLOW• SHIMMER: NEW MOON IN LEO

Bruce Pennington, 1973

 

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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 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🔥

Full Moon in Virgo: A Purging Process

Times of transition are strenuous, but I love them.
They are an opportunity to purge, rethink priorities,
and be intentional about new habits.
We can make our new normal any way we want.
-Kristin Armstrong

A CLEANSING LIGHT

The Full Moon in Virgo on March 12 brings a dry outlook amidst the tides of the last few weeks. This is a sobering Full Moon and we have the opportunity to reset our stance as the light shines on the chaos and structures of our lives. In this Earth sign, the Full Moon asks us to come back down to reality for a moment and attend to the details and responsibilities of our existence.

Efficiency is not as simple as it sounds and must be developed day after day until the habit is well established. Under the Full Moon in Virgo on March 12, you could find yourself vividly aware of how you go about setting yourself up for success or… failure.

You might have the urge to discard the clutter that has accumulated over the last few months. Whether the mess is internal, external or general, this Full Moon is excellent for getting rid of what is weighing you down. This purging process is further supported by Venus who is currently retrograde. Amongst many other things, Venus is linked to luxury and beauty and this is an excellent time to discard the clothes and objects which are causing stagnation and perhaps donate them to charity. Creating space might not come as easily as we hope and conscious discipline might need to be applied. With Mars in the very first degree of Taurus, our earthly abode and the material reality that surround us is doubly emphasized. Our attention is on the objects that surrounds us and we could feel the polarizing need to acquire and discard simultaneously.

MERCURY IN PISCES SQUARE SATURN IN SAGITTARIUS

Narrow-mindedness, irrational fears, and excessive worry could very well be highlighted this  weekend. Mercury – the ruler of the Full Moon in Virgo – is in the sign of its detriment and fall at the time of the Full Moon. Mercury will also be in a square with Saturn in Sagittarius adding a dash of mental anguish to this already unhappy placement. Choose your conversations and words wisely and monitor your thoughts. Chances are the lack of clarity around a situation could create more anxiety than its worth. Avoid guilt-trips and mentally straining situations if you can do so. Next week will provide illuminating solutions that are not visible at the moment. For now, simplify where you can and do not become hyper-critical or overly concerned with a situation that is out of your control or simply not your fault.

THE PROMISE OF SPRING

Our desire to have everything right and our inability to do so might be highlighted on this Full Moon. However, the opportunity to find some form of contentment in organizing and simplifying is available. Processes are what bring lasting changes and we now have the ability to make the small adjustments needed to bring bigger results. Reset your stance by purging your space. Attend to your body and its basic needs. Nurture and calm your mind with meditation and breath and most importantly: don’t sweat the small stuff!

“We love the imperfect shapes in nature and in the works of art,
look for an intentional error as a sign of the golden key
and sincerity found in true mastery.”
― Dejan Stojanovic

The Moon will be Full on March 12, 2017 at 10:54 EST at 22º of Virgo

Full Moon in Leo: Hearts Ablaze

”Circe” by Romare Bearden

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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.

”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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

“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

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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.

For when the Moon is in Pisces

Today’s Moon in Pisces conjunct Neptune and the Tail of the Dragon (South Node of the Moon) speaks of foggy circumstances. Reasoning and rational abilities might be at an all time low as we are swayed by psychic emotional tides. (particularly coming from social media.)

The upcoming Full Moon in Taurus (earth) ruled by Venus in Capricorn (earth) next week will be a good opportunity to anchor and re-group.

Neptune’s conjunction to the South Node will be exact on the 17th, Mercury will square Neptune on the 18th and Neptune will station direct on the 19th of November. The month closes with a square from the Sun in Sagittarius to Neptune in Pisces. That is a lot of Neptune.

Neptune rules beyond mundane material reality. Boundaries dissolves as we become susceptible to all sorts of impressions. Some are accurate while others are delusional. Here we meet anxiety and escapism or inspiration and bliss depending on where we put our attention. One of the side-effect of Neptune in Pisces could be a tendency to feel like a victim or like things are happening to us with little control over them.

A good idea is to disconnect from the information tide. Without escaping, find space, silence and stillness for true insights to emerge.

There could be missing elements from the picture we are looking at right now.
All things will come to pass, dissolve and disappear back into the void.

A good thing to keep in mind as we navigate these foggy waters.

 

”A great deal of intelligence can be invested in ignorance when the need for illusion is deep.”― Saul Bellow

 

Anxiety

With the upcoming Full Moon in Virgo on the 22nd of February and more extensively with the transit of Jupiter in Virgo and the Nodes of the Moon on the Virgo/Pisces axis, where most of the eclipses will happen this year it seems like anxiety is on everyone’s lips.

Chronic anxiety has become a modern epidemic affecting millions of people. We can never be good enough for the standards of perfection. The pressure is to be productive, efficient, beautiful, healthy, active, successful, driven but relaxed AND happy. How is it even possible to breath through this type of burden? With the increasing speed of life through technology, we are wired, stimulated and constantly comparing ourselves to an imagined standard of perfection. This is a very cruel and deceitful game.

Putting pressure on ourselves is fantastic to accomplish some of our goals. But we also have to accept that perfection is not the ultimate goal and that life is perfect in all of its messiness.

Sayaka Maruyama

In their 20 years of treating and studying trauma survivors, Drs. Dennis Charney and Steven Southwick have identified ten common practices in people who have shown resilience in the face of extreme stress.

• Maintaining an optimistic but realistic outlook
• Reliance upon own inner, moral compass
• Turning to religious or spiritual practices
• Seeking and accepting social support
• Imitation of sturdy role models
• Staying physically fit
• Staying mentally sharp
• Cognitive and emotional flexibility (finding a way to accept that which cannot be changed)
• Looking for meaning and opportunity in the midst of adversity
• Facing fear (ability to confront one’s fears)

The Full Moon in Virgo on Monday might increase our desire to have everything perfectly compartmentalized. But with the Sun in Pisces we might also need to know when surrendering to the tides is necessary.

We are in a relatively calm period and March will pick up speed again. Take advantage of this time to get yourself in order and prevent possible stressors down the road. Get rid of unnecessary pressure or accumulated responsibilities and BREATH.

Reference from: Brain & Behaviour Research Foundation

The lost female figures of Christmas

I don’t want to make a long post about the Full Moon since enough digital ink has been spilled on the subject. Here is a quick debriefing and a beautiful drawing from Vanya Vukelić. I found her on Instagram and I feel like her art is representative of the Cancer symbolism.

Vanya Vukelić

You can find her work☞ here

 

The Moon will be full on Friday, December 25, 2015 at 6:11 AM EST and it is in the feminine and watery sign of Cancer.
Cancer relates to the images of the Mother, the Goddess, our roots and ancestral memory our family and traditions. It is a nurturing and intimate Full Moon and perfect for those who will be reuniting with their loved ones for Christmas.

If you are interested in taking the symbolism of this Full Moon in Cancer a step further, I invite you to read this great article about the Lost Female Figures of Christmas.

Safe and grounding festivities to all!

Full Moon @ 13º Scorpio- May 3

The potential with this Full Moon is for the exploration  of the darker or hidden corners of our soul, mining for what could be transformed into precious jewels. What secrets are you hiding? What motivate you? Is it power, money, lust, passion, the desire for control? How do you use your personal power? Is your sexual magnetism use for good or for ill? What ways of being are you ready to let go? What is aching to come into your awareness? What lurks behind closed-door? How do you manage the deeper issues in your life?

Now is a good time to reach down to the buried parts of yourself, digging them out and getting rid of the rotten parts and perhaps embracing the vulnerabilities and wounds that makes you, YOU! The wounds can also be where the light enters.

”Anything suppressed gathers the energy it takes for it to be withheld. Energy can never be destroyed and nothing stays in hiding forever. Anything suppressed actually becomes stronger, perhaps in a disfigured, near unrecognizable way.” -Chani Nicholas

Here is a great talk on the power of vulnerability:

https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability?language=en#t-68049

Full Love

On Saturday, there is a Full Moon-Lunar Eclipse in the sign of Libra. Relationships are on the radar but the Libra-Aries axis speaks not only of ”me” versus ”you” or ”us”, it also speaks of the relationship to ourselves. Balancing the scales also means taking the time to enter fully in a relationship to ourselves. To be loving, caring and generous within a relationship, one has to know how to give it to themselves. And from that starting point, shine it outwards. Once you have understood that principle, no one can ever take love away from you. Love originates from the center of your being and not as something outside of yourself. It is the starting point.

I leave you with a poem that Mystic Medusa shared this morning on her Facebook page:

The time will come
when, with elation,
you will greet yourself arriving
at your own door, in your own mirror,
and each will smile at the other’s welcome
and say, sit here. Eat. You will love again the stranger who was your self.
Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart
to itself, to the stranger who has loved you
all your life, whom you have ignored
for another, who knows you by heart.
Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,
the photographs, the desperate notes,
peel your own image from the mirror.
Sit. Feast on your life.

Derek Walcott, “Love After Love”