Sunday, July 15, 2012

New Moon In Cancer 2012

New Moon @ 26 Cancer 55'
July 18, 2012--9:24 PM Pacific
July 19, 2012--0:24 AM Eastern

Are we there yet?

This month's New Moon provides quite a shift and change of scenery--since we've been experiencing a powerful influx of Gemini lately, the New Moon in Cancer brings in some entirely new archetypal dynamics. We are still in the midst of Mercury's retrograde cycle, until August 7th--however, this New Moon provides loads of new energy potential and is perfect for planning highly significant changes of focus and direction in the future. Wait--what? More planning and waiting?  The key aspect configuration within this lunation is an extremely striking T-square--formed by an opposition with Mars in Libra and Uranus in Aries, square Pluto in Capricorn--so in other words, we are equally dealing with some rather intense and unstable energy patterns here. While coinciding with Mercury's retrograde cycle, this dynamic aspect structure could provide some challenges if not dealt with consciously. The first half of this year was incredibly fermented by the retrograde archetype--and it has probably felt like the world was turning backwards--into rather spontaneous and uncontrollable directions. With this Mars and Uranus opposition, which is rather exact, we may feel a compulsion to really break free of certain restraints and restrictions--which could also lead to argumentativeness and disputes with others if one is not cautious.

This particular configuration also occurs between planets occupying the cardinal signs of the zodiac, so there will be a strong inclination to radically transform solidified structures in our lives--and to truly liberate ourselves from the demands and restrictions placed by others. Further amplifying this construct, Uranus turned retrograde on July 13 (through December 13), just one day prior to Mercury going retrograde as well. So, while it may feel very compelling to make some drastic sweeping changes at this time--because we just can't wait any longer--do keep in mind, this is really more about brainstorming, reflecting, and adjusting than it is about taking decisive action right away. This New Moon presents us with a lot of pressure, which each of us will respond to in varying ways--however, also keep in mind that we are free to take our time here, to really consider options and choices over the next few weeks. There is also a highly creative process that is occurring now, allowing for entirely new ways of doing things to reveal themselves. Collectively and individually, this New Moon brings with it, the realization that something needs to change--that is for sure. At this particular juncture, there is no doubt that there needs to be a critical restructuring--however, we don't need to commit just yet. What is required with this lunation is more a process of nailing it down, and allowing ourselves to make some decisions, which is much welcome after a period of possible intense indecisiveness.

Keep your mind open, sense and feel your way through these seemingly uncertain and turbulent times. There is a powerful transition taking place within all of us, and we can utilize the higher potential if we are more receptive and patient. The asteroid Pallas Athena conjoins this configuration through a conjunction with Uranus in Aries. There may be some sudden and seemingly ingenious new ideas floating about that could strike when we least expect it--so it would be best to remain completely open to radical ideas and progressive realizations. Mid August through October will be a very energizing and far more productive window of time, since we will be clear of the retrograde frenzy which has swept the collective consciousness for roughly the past eight months. Use that time for implementing and launching certain plans and projects that have been simmering for so long on the back burner--you will find less obstacles and challenges standing in the way.

Use any or all frustrution with current circumstances as a powerful creative catalyst which can inspire instead of irritate--and keep emotions from getting carried away. We are reminded here that there is far more potential than we are currently imagining for ourselves and for the world--so break out of the mold, shatter those moribund preconceived notions, and embrace the coming tide of change and transformation which awaits just around the corner. Mars in Libra trines Jupiter in Gemini, and both are sextile, along with Venus in Gemini, to Mercury retrograde in Leo--consider ideas and perspectives from others, they may be incredibly helpful and reveal things you never thought possible. This may imply adjusting our perception of certain relationships, or reconsidering insight and feedback from the past that we may have shrugged off without considering its importance. Collectively, it will be interesting to see what will unfold once Mercury goes direct, especially on the political front. This New Moon feels like a leaky damn, with one crack too many. Once August comes around, watch out for the flood, it's going to be big. For the world, that simply means out with the old, in with the new. For us as individuals, just another step within a creative process--ok, well more like a leap.

 So, just to reiterate, this lunation is ideal for strategizing and formulating various plans of action, and to get clear about the next steps that need to be taken. While many of us will feel just plain fed up with the way things are right now, the next few weeks will assist in bringing to light the best possible course of action. Also, the most critical changes that will take place during Mercury's retrograde cycle will occur entirely within ourselves--with a process of powerful deconditioning. Embrace the potential to really break free of deeply ingrained patterns and limitations which have been holding you back. Another interesting consideration is the fact that we are currently experiencing the peak of solar activity, via several coronal mass ejections. Along with Mercury retrograde, this could possibly accentuate the possibility of mechanical breakdowns and electronic malfunctions--so just be more aware of this. According to astrologer and founder of Matrix Software, Michael Erlewine, high solar flare activity often leads to many changes and transformative processes within ones identity, which can feel as if things are more uncertain and unstable than usual. To quote a facebook post, or blog from Micheal's page:
"One of the more difficult to detect (wake-up-to) signs of real change is the ennui or the dissatisfaction of assessing who I am and where I am at. One day I am just humming along in my little self-driven universe and the next I have somehow fallen out of it. There I sit once again, left high and dry while the tide of my current life apparently has decided to go out for a spell. What went wrong?

This then is where the gag reflex ‘not-to-panic’ comes in. My previous tendency was to madly try to cover up or over my emptiness, the nakedness I feel when I run out of satisfaction or happiness and come to a linear stop – the end of a line. How do I manage to forget each time that life is cyclical and not linear? Somehow it all just goes void and there I am, seemingly without a clue as to what has happened. When solar flares emerge, this experience of void-ness is very likely to occur at some point in the cycle of change."
Michael describes these times as a sort of time-out if you will, in which we are needing to deeply access who we are and rediscover a new path and direction for our lives. Mercury retrograde equally corroborates this advice as well--so don't feel guilty for possibly needing more down time lately, these changes are natural and cyclic.

The sabian symbol for the new moon reads:

27 Cancer: "A storm in a canyon"

This is a rather perfect image to describe the current solar storm activity, as well as the rather unsettling aspect configurations surrounding this lunation. While often chaotic and unexpected, a storm works to break things up and bring about a renewal of energy. A canyon is a natural formation often carved by a river over millions of years. Both a storm, and a canyon, give the sense of a natural disturbance which works to break apart some preexisting structure or formation.

 
NASA

Related Articles:
Mercury Retrograde In Leo 2012




Monday, July 2, 2012

Full Moon In Capricorn 2012

Full Moon @ 12 degrees Capricorn 14'
July 3, 2012
2:52 PM Eastern
11:52 AM Pacific

This month's Full Moon occurs in the tropical sign of Capricorn, closely conjunct that heavy and powerful god of the underworld, Pluto. This brings some dynamic attention to the Uranus/Pallas and Pluto square, which became exact last Sunday. This Full Moon brings a powerful urge to create big changes, to shift gears, and to restructure things in entirely new ways--it also brings a steadfast pursuit of truth--a tearing to the heart of things to find out what's really going on. The sign of Capricorn is usually quite determined to reach its goals, and with this configuration in the mix, it finds itself more rebellious than usual, and less tolerant of the "status quo". At the same time, all this energy fully supports that bottom line--cutting through all the crap to get to what's real. Be mindful of power tripping, pessimism, coldness, harshness, and simply rebelling for the heck of it--without any consideration of the bigger picture.

Mars finally enters Libra the day of the Full Moon, drawing more energy into the Cardinal Axis--and we are likely to feel slightly more momentum and energy going, as Mars moves out of Virgo, the sign of its retrograde cycle. While this is a much welcome change, Mars still isn't entirely comfortable in Libra, the sign of its traditional detriment--which really means that, impulsions to jump forward must contend with the concessions of others. While Mars is in Libra, there is more requirement for feedback, permission, and alternate perspectives--which requires a lot more negotiation and compromise than usual. Blazing trails these days may not work out so well for the lone wolf, so keep your mind open to the possibility for more co-creative ventures. Also, don't forget that we're currently in the midst of Mercury's retrograde shadow, with the actual retrograde beginning July 14th. So, in other words, don't fret about making those big decisions right now, even if it feels as if there's some heavy deadline to meet--because, for the most part, that urgency probably isn't what you think it is.

Another useful tip: Don't take yourself, or anything too seriously for the next few weeks--a lighter and more humorous apporoach will make things a lot more easier for everyone involved. Life is to be experienced--sometimes enjoyed, yes, but never really endured--ideally anyway. The Sabian symbol for the Full Moon reads:

"A fire worshipper" (13 Capricorn)

And, for the opposing degree of the Sun:

"One hand slightly flexed with a very prominent thumb" (13 Cancer)