NEW MOON IN AQUARIUS: Revolving Doors

“Do what he will, he [the profane man] is an inheritor. He cannot utterly abolish his past, since he himself is a product of his past. He forms himself by a series of denials and refusals, but he continues to be haunted by the realities that he has refused and denied. 
― Mircea Eliade

The second of two eclipses this month comes with the New Moon in Aquarius on February 15 at 4:05pm ET.

It takes place at 27º of Aquarius, only a few days before the Sun’s ingress into the Water sign of Pisces. This partial eclipse is near the Dragon’s Tail aka the South Node of the Moon which is in part connected to a dissolution process.

In the last few weeks, Venus, Mercury and the Sun all met with the South Node of the Moon. This had the effect of dredging up all sorts of gunk from the bottom of our psyche which is ready to be cleansed and expelled back into the void.

“There is a face beneath this mask, but it isn’t me.
I’m no more that face than I am the muscles beneath it, or the bones beneath that.”
― Steve Moore, V for Vendetta

Aquarius is a Fixed Air sign traditionally ruled by Saturn. The purifying Waters of the water bearer cleanse the heart and clarifies the mind. Since the beginning of February, residues from past emotional burdens have been floating around on the surface of our awareness like dead skin on the surface of water. The dim light of the Sun in the sign of Aquarius allowed for a sort of detachment in regards to these afflictions, and perhaps the ability to find rational solutions for twisted emotional conundrums. The rays of the Sun are pale in the midst of Winter, and illumination comes from within.


The Full Moon in Leo on January 31st, served to highlight what weighs heavy on our heart but also connected us to our heart’s longing. The New Moon in Aquarius on February 15, stirs in us the potentialities of ideas born from these longings which in turn conjures new creative impulses deep inside of us. We can imagine a new trajectory for ourselves; will we have the courage to follow through?

Although still in their abstract forms, we can intuit the shape of things to come. New seeds are now being planted in foreign soil as we gaze on the vast territories of future promises. We must accept estrangement and embrace this liminal space for the time being as we fuel on the creative fires. The eclipses on the Leo/Aquarius axis ask that we have the courage of our ideals and the willingness to break our own rules in order to reach them. Nothing new is born in conformity and we must depart from the known if we are to realize what our heart longs for. We must also be willing to walk away from our love of approval and this is perhaps the most difficult task.

Unbelonging looms large in the uncharted Aquarian world, and seeking ”likes” and acknowledgment will only lead to disappointment. The resolute heart must find support within himself.

At the time of the New Moon, Saturn, the traditional ruler of Aquarius sextiles Venus in Pisces. This aspect speaks of calibrating our desires in a realistic framework, finding the sweet spot within our limitations and perhaps, the right measure of inspiration and work. Saturn in its home sign of Capricorn and Venus in the sign of her exaltation, dispense the proper tools for those who know how to utilize them. This aspect is also about maturity within our relationship and the realistic appraisal of our desire nature.

At the time of the New Moon, Uranus, the modern ruler of Aquarius sextiles Mercury in Aquarius.  This aspect speaks of an urge to break away from limiting through patterns and complicated situations/emotions that limits our vision. Mercury in Aquarius still squaring Jupiter in Scorpio is all about the honest appraisal of these complicated situations/emotions and perhaps unacknowledged desires that could be holding us back from truly breaking free from restrictions.

We must first clean out our basement before we can totally move out. Mars in Sagittarius applying to square Neptune in Pisces at the time of the New Moon, promises to blur and confuse this process. Ensuring that we are aiming at the proper target requires an honest assessment of the motivations hiding behind our arrows. Clarifying our intent is half the battle and our ability to differentiate the ideal from the real will take us a bit closer to the realization of our vision for the future.

Hula Hoop Light Painting Photography by Grant Mallory

Life is one big road with lots of signs. So when you riding through the ruts, don’t complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy. Don’t bury your thoughts, put your vision to reality. Wake Up and Live!
-Bob Marley

 

 

MERCURY RETROGRADE: VISION & REFINEMENT

 

Mercury will (appear to) be moving backward in the sign of Sagittarius from December 3rd to December 22/23rd, 2017. Retrograde periods highlight the need to organize, revise and reenvison aspects of our lives. Sometimes this happens voluntarily and sometime it is imposed on us by unforeseen circumstances.

To understand how this might affect you, locate the house with Sagittarius on the cusp in your birth chart; the affairs of that house will be up for review.  If you have an Ascendant, Sun, Moon or Mercury in the sign of Sagittarius or Gemini, this retrograde will be more significant especially if your Ascendant or planet is between 13º and 29º of either signs.

WHAT TO DO DURING THIS UPCOMING RETROGRADE?

Sort out what matters and what doesn’t anymore.

Discard old ideas and beliefs that have become burdensome or obsolete.

Contemplate the passage of time and what it means to be growing older and wiser.

Acknowledge what you want in the grand scheme of things, versus what you do on a day-to-day basis to get there.

Honesty and moral courage will be highlighted during this time.

When the desire to find the truth becomes a rhetorical dead-end, what’s next?

At its worst, this retrograde could bring gloomy or depressive thinking, a loss of faith or a feeling of being blocked by something beyond your control.

There could be an urge to control your thoughts and a difficulty expressing yourself freely. In some circumstances, you might need to ”Let go and Let God”.

In other circumstances you might need to seriously consider rectifying something that has become out of control.

What happens when the sacrifice you are making are loosing their meaning?

What happens when the path you are on is NOT leading you where you want to go?

Taking a step back from something in order to gain perspective and looking at the big picture.

Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius could mean: A re-evaluation of your core beliefs, a shift of perspective, a change of direction and a quest for meaning.

What does ”control” means to you? Do you consider yourself a control-freak? If so, what step can you take to release the grip?

It’s a great time to reflect on social-media, the place it has in your life and how you utilize this tool to your advantage or disadvantage.

IDEAS, DISCIPLINE, AND VISION-SHAPING

If you have a BIG idea or if you are working towards a goal, this retrograde will help you refine your vision.

The awareness needed to gage the REAL amount of work needed to accomplish a goal will be available; don’t let this clarity become a burden and use it to your advantage.

From now until mid-January is your opportunity to write your plan or revise the existing one.

If you are contemplating a new path, a new venture, or a new way of doing things, this retrograde will help you delineate your course of action.

This retrograde is about setting realistic goals, the willingness to roll up your sleeves, and the willingness to invest the time and effort necessary.

Inspiration and creative ideas are available but will remain in the realm of possibilities as long as you don’t take concrete steps; thinking about something doesn’t make it happen.

If the time has come to realize an idea or a project, it is up to you to act on it before someone else does.

From now until mid-January is your opportunity to scheme; discipline is available.

Things may take longer than anticipated; be pragmatic and realistic when delineating your plan without becoming defeatist.

The reality is, things take time; don’t let this fact discourage you.

☿

To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom. –Bertrand Russell

 

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GENERAL OBSERVATIONS

Mercury retrograde begins on December 3rd and ends on December 22/23rd, 2017. Saturn is a big player in this upcoming retrograde. Whatever transpires of this cycle could play out until mid-January when Mercury meets up with Saturn for its 3rd and final conjunction in the sign of Capricorn.

Since the ruler of Mercury in Sagittarius is Jupiter in Scorpio, the themes of secrecy and revelations will continue to be strongly highlighted.

Mercury trine Uranus on November 25th before meeting up with Saturn on November 28th and turning retrograde on December 3rd. An emerging idea, a revelation, a new situation, a vision, or simply a new approach to an old conundrum could be a strong theme in December. The shape of things to come, an idea and the discipline required to materialize it, will be strong undercurrents.

On December 3rd, Jupiter in Scorpio (ruling over Mercury) trine Neptune in Pisces while Mercury stations retrograde. There is also a Full Moon in Gemini on the same day ruled by Mercury retrograde. There is an overwhelming amount of work and so much things to think about. You might be tempted to find the closest escape route. Don’t let anxiety or fear cripple your mind. A good day to practice breathing exercise and meditation. This Full Moon highlights the dichotomy between beliefs and facts, visions and ideas, and the realization that it will take a lot more work than originally thought to get where we want to be.

The New Moon in Sagittarius on December 17 will see its ruler Jupiter in Scorpio, square the Nodes of the Moon while Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius trine the Nodes. On December 21st, Saturn enters Capricorn and Mercury station direct the next day; destiny is calling.

 

 

 

 

NEW MOON IN LIBRA: A TENSE EQUILIBRIUM

The New Moon in Libra occurs on October 19 at 15:13 EDT in the very last degrees of the Scales just a few days before the Sun’s ingress into Scorpio.

THE TIPPING POINT

The New Moon at 26º Libra will be in a tight opposition to rebel planet Uranus which is at 26º Aries. Uranus is often associated with sudden breakthroughs and shocks that serves to jolt us out of complacency. Uranus in Aries is like an untamed, wild and defiant teenager who will do exactly the opposite of what you ask him to do. Uranus in the sign of Aries doesn’t have patience for conventions and niceties; it forges ahead without foresight straight into the eye of the storm to challenge the Gods. Uranus is that voice that says: ”just go for it, try it and see what happens”. Acting on impulse, following a crazy idea, a revelation that brings a revolution, it’s the lightning that strikes the genius and the mad ones. It’s that impetuous urge to move against the docile heard to find a new direction, a new way of doing things; a different way.

Then, we have this New Moon in Libra which is all about fairness and compromises or at least finding the balance between ”what you want” and ”what I want”. Venus just entered the sign of Libra on October 14 and is at home here. Venus rules over the New Moon and accentuates the  themes of partnerships and agreements. The focus is on finding a peaceful way to remediate the disequilibrium we might be experiencing in our lives. The desire for collaboration is strong, we want to get along and both parties are looking for ways to reconcile their difference. The idea of harmony and balance is held high like a precious gem that seems to be just out of reach. We stretch our arms towards it, trying to catch its rare glow only to find a molten piece of poisonous  lead.

This New Moon points its finger directly at what is out of synch an unbalance in our lives. It’s the trigger that urges us to find new and better ways to deal with it. We could feel a sense of urgency in regards to establishing some form of harmony that would rectify the chaos and disorder. Partnership are especially susceptible to this at the moment as we weigh the pros and cons of our agreements. The grass always seems greener somewhere else and Libra loves to keep her options open. Uranus opposing the Sun and Moon in Libra could bring a sudden desire to break free from something that feels too restrictive. With the Sun, the Moon and Venus in Libra we must bow down to our current agreements and fulfill our part of the contract. Even though peace seems to be a complicated and elusive notion at this time it must remain a guiding ideal.

It is in this paradoxical landscape that this new lunar cycle begins. We will soon enter the Fixed season of Scorpio and descend even further into our commitments but also the decisions we make towards transformation. Now is the time to use the power of reason to decide what we want so that our attention and focus can be well directed for the month ahead.

 

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.

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.

February’s Fire

Hey everyone,

We’re almost done with January which has been a good example of what is to come. We also have entered the Chinese Year of the Fire Rooster. Even if the Chinese Zodiac has nothing to do with the Tropical Zodiac (the one we use) there is one thing in common for 2017 and that is: there is a LOT of planets in FIRE signs all year.

Uranus is in Aries and Saturn in Sagittarius plus we have an upcoming Venus retrograde (beginning March 4) in the sign of Aries.

There is also a series of eclipses on the Leo/Aquarius axis beginning this month with the Full Moon in Leo (a Fire sign) on February 10. Eclipses generally comes in sets of 4 over the course of the year.

So what does it mean? Well, If you have important planets in the late degrees of the Fixed signs (Scorpio, Taurus, Aquarius, Leo) this year eclipses will highlight that part of your chart.
Eclipses in astrology are considered triggers that brings fundamental changes. These changes can be sudden or they can be more of a gradual shift towards something completely new over a period of time. Of course it’s easier to pinpoint the area affected by studying the natal chart.

The New Moon in Pisces at the end of February is also a Solar eclipse and it is the last one in the Pisces/Virgo series that has happened over the course of the last 2 years. There was a lot of changes for these guys (Virgo and Pisces) and an evolution towards something that is either being born now or on the last stretch of its journey.

The Sun is in Aquarius and will move into the water sign of Pisces on February 18.

Saturn in Sagittarius (a fire sign) continues to fuel dogmatic beliefs and wars on ideologies and Jupiter goes retrograde later this month which will bring the second Jupiter/Uranus opposition.

Mars in Aries (fire sign) all month is excellent for pushing ahead with your own ideas and
projects. If you feel tense, go sweat it out.

Stay noble, stay bold.

 

The Dawn of the New Moon in Aquarius

The Moon this Week

The Sun just entered the sign of Aquarius on January 19 where it will stay until February 18.

Before the New Moon in Aquarius on January 27, the Moon will travel through Sagittarius and Capricorn. We can expect the next few days to be full of heated debates and self-righteous dialogues as the Moon applies to a conjunction with Saturn. At its best, Saturn in Sagittarius can be about having faith in our convictions which help fuel our ideas and bring some structure to what we believe in. At its worst, Saturn in Sagittarius becomes dogmatic and fanatical, imposing its point of view in a one way preaching of its truth, testing the solidity and validity of our faith. Since the ruler of the Moon in Sagittarius is Jupiter in the sign of the scales (Libra) the debates and conversations will most likely revolve around equality and inequality, justice and injustice, right vs. wrong, relational issues and the delicate balance of it all.

The Moon will also briefly square Mars at 29 degrees of Pisces as it prepares to ingress in the sign of its rulership of Aries. Note that both the last decan of Pisces and the first decan of Aries are ruled by Mars – emphasizing the martial qualities of this time period.

The Moon moves into the sign of Capricorn on Wednesday January 24 at 17:43 EST and will make some lovely aspects mainly a sextile to Neptune in Pisces and a conjunction to Mercury in Capricorn which could bring some conversations around the topics of healing, compassion and mercy. Thursday promises to be a day filled with challenges as the Moon in Capricorn conjunct Pluto in the early morning hours and then square Uranus in Aries and Jupiter in Libra. Thursday evening the Moon sextile Venus in Pisces, applying a balm on the heat of the last few days.

With the Sun in Aquarius, the desire for freedom and independence is very strong. Freedom of thoughts, freedom of speech and the tendency to rebel against the existing structures while also wanting to reform and bring about new and better ways of doing things. Feeling left-out of the conversation and the impression of not belonging anywhere could permeate the next month while the Sun travels in Aquarius. Themes of exile and frontiers could set us apart which in turn could create a state of disillusionment and alienation.

Take a Breather

The time preceding the New Moon is called the Dark Moon and it describes the Moon when it is invisible against the backdrop of the Sun. It is the last phase of the lunar cycle before it begins again.

Astrologically speaking, the last 3 days before the New Moon represent a time of rest, of letting go, of sorting out and making space for what is ready to begin in the upcoming month. The days leading to the New Moon are best spent nurturing and resting the body in preparation for the month ahead. One of the best way to spend the next few days, is to seek space and get out for a hike, stretch and relax. Stretch the mind, stretch the body and seek openness. The desire for change is strong but judgmental and self-righteous behaviours might be even stronger, creating division and arguments instead of unity. This can be depleting or draining instead of being productive. Use this Dark Moon period to regroup, tie-up loose ends and finish things. New ideas and new ways of doing will naturally start emerging in the process and you will be fresh and ready to tackle February which promises to be a big month.

The New Moon on January 27 at 19:07 EST is in the sign of Aquarius and its ruler Saturn in Sagittarius will be square to Venus in Pisces. This indicate tension between certain structures in our lives, our beliefs, our values and our ability (or inability) to find sweetness amidst the harshness and difficulties of these times. Feeling limited and opressed while seeking or craving beauty and exaltation. Our ability to find what brings us together (Venus) versus what divides us (Saturn) will set the tone for the month ahead. Since Aquarius is linked to innovation, perhaps now is the time to begin applying new and better ways of doing things.

The best way to predict the future is to invent it.
-Alan Kay

Restore the faith

The Sun leaves the distrustful sign of Scorpio and enters Sagittarius for the next month. Can this help us see the bigger picture and restore our faith? Of course Saturn looms large on the horizon, and Pluto and Uranus.

When an eternal optimist meets with fanatics we can only hope that they somehow find the middle ground.

Goodbye Scorpio season. You were ”transformational” to say the least.

The Art of Dying: Until the New

“We may idealize freedom, but when it comes to our habits, we are completely enslaved.”
―Sogyal Rinpoche

Dedication and Destination

Uranus going direct at the end of December really got us all fired up about the upcoming possibilites in our lives in the New Year. Saturn in Sagittarius ruled by Jupiter in Virgo is offering the possibility to have an organised outlook on the horizon and a good idea of the work that is required get beyond our current situation. Our faith is turning towards the satisfaction that comes with the dedicated attention of working and being useful. We could feel ambitious and work hard to see concrete results down the road. This is a great time let go of instant gratification and integrate systems in our lives that can bring a lasting legacy.

2016 starts with Mercury retrograde at 1º of Aquarius tantalising us with a glimpse of the possible future. Mercury going backward in the sign of Capricorn is like the mountain goat walking the treacherous path of a mountain side: every steps are carefully calculated. With the Sun also in Capricorn and a recent conjunction to Pluto, we could feel extremely ambitious and ready to tackle pretty much anything. Mars in Scorpio is also supporting us with the staying power and resilience needed.

The year 2016 starts with an opportunity to review our values and what we consider important. There is an emphasis on all the little things that makes up the whole. Our attention is on analysis and perspective. The small but important details and the patience required to achieve mastery. The idea here is not to become a martyr but to find greater satisfaction through dedicated awareness in our everyday actions. Negotiating a chosen path requires a little give and take at every moment as we learn to develop a more efficient strategy. Success demands effort, commitment and nerves.

NEW MOON IN CAPRICORN ☾♑︎

The New Moon is at 21:31 EST on January 9th at 19º Capricorn and is carrying with her clues about our role and responsibilities and the place we want to occupy in the grand scheme of things. There might have been some difficult realisations brought up in the recent days around our relationships and habits that no longer serves you. Since this New Moon is ruled by Saturn she brings with her an awareness of time passing and our own or others mortality.

Saturn is currently conjunct Venus which confuse work with pleasure, labour with leisure. Even more so with the square to Neptune which can act as a distraction and a desire to avoid reality all together.

Jupiter just started its retrograde motion through the sign of Virgo and will only turn direct 5 months from now. *Special attention to the nitpickers and perfectionists out there, the possibility to get lost in the never good enough labyrinth is real.

Those planetary aspects, can indicate that we are aligning our work and our beliefs into a more unified version. If only we could find the simple formula that would allow us to combine the obligations of our reality with our inner truth. There is great need to adjust what we do on a daily basis with our beliefs and vice versa. This can create a sort of cognitive dissonance if our words do not match our actions. We are learning to walk the talk and we need to let go of certain habits, situations or people who might be holding us back.

The New Moon in Capricorn supports fresh ideas and concepts that are grounded and achievable. Since Mercury is retrograde for most of January, I would suggest focusing on restructuring the systems you have in place that will allow you to become more efficient.  Favour concrete, step-by-step approach and let-go of time-wasting habits without becoming too obsessive.

Modern Vanitas by Kalico the Kat

 

We are weighed down, every moment, by the conception and the sensation of Time. And there are but two means of escaping and forgetting this nightmare: pleasure and work. Pleasure consumes us. Work strengthens us. Let us choose.
-Charles Baudelaire

 

 

 

Warming up by the fire

The Moon just entered the sign of Leo and will be there until December 29

With the Sun in ambitious and earthy Capricorn, we see our goals and we are willing to work to succeed.  The Moon in Leo can help fuel the creative fires with the supportive trines from Saturn and Uranus. This can add an overall inspiring and beneficial influence. The Moon will also square Venus in Scorpio showing that we might be ruled by unconscious desires at the moment.  If we can tame our spirits and connect to our deeper motivations we can discriminate between the genuine need to surpass ourselves and the more superficial ambitions that are driving us. Overall the next 2 days are very creative and exciting. We can fuel on the passionate and innovative fires and design new structures and new ways of doing things. We can also expect a few philosophical or religious debates around the fireplace since some of us are still in the midst of family reunions and holiday gatherings.

Horitomo- State of Grace

The Moon in Leo person is usually warm-hearted and expressive with their emotions. They can go to great length to spoil the ones they love showering them with gifts and attention.  Leo is a Fixed Fire sign which gives these natives lasting powers and an overall courageous disposition. They are bold, generous and faithful in their passions. It can be difficult for the Moon in Leo people to put down the more brazen persona and show their vulnerable side. They can benefit in learning to discriminate between their social mask and the more private self.

Ashley White aka AshThePainter