Friday, August 28, 2015

Surrendering to the Cosmic Intention: Full Moon in Pisces 2015

A pair of overlapping Spiral Galaxies in the vicinity of NGC 253;
photo by Hubble Space Telescope, 2006.

Full Moon @ 06 Pisces 06'
August 29, 2015
11:35 AM Pacific
2:35 PM Eastern

We are still within the bounds of the magical moment of Venus retrograde, a time where many of us may be experiencing a restructuring of our inherent values and relationships (as well as potential serendipitous meetings with “familiar” individuals). The deeply inward process of inner reorientation is likely to begin shifting outward, as Venus has emerged from the heart of the Sun. Venus now rises each morning, announcing the ascension of the Sun and return of the light from the underworld. What was entirely unconscious, the internal shifting within ourselves is now becoming conscious and manifesting itself within our lives and in the external world. What do you value now? It is likely quite different than it was before. How has your attitude toward your relationships shifted? With this newfound sense of self and a new set of values, you can create something beautiful.

Venus turns stationary direct on Sept. 6 just several days after she conjoins Mars in Leo—a rather “sexy” conjunction, facilitating the return and assimilation of a past desire or creative impulse that was left unfulfilled. Venus and Mars conjoin on Aug. 31. A longing to merge with a past craving may manifest for you. As we are in the outward, directed phase of the Venus retrograde cycle, we are bringing the internal longing outward into the world in some way, experiencing it directly within the conscious life narrative. This month’s Full Moon occurs in the sign of Pisces, and it lies in the crosshairs of the rather mystical, creative, and visionary opposition of Jupiter and Neptune.

The Full Moon itself conjoins Neptune, ruler of Pisces. In this amorphous and formless sign, the Full Moon illuminates and brings to light and culmination an intangible dream or vision. You may find yourself surrendering your will to some higher cosmic intention alongside this Full Moon. Neptune humbles us. It reminds us that our vision is not entirely our own and that we are simply the conduit for that which is completely beyond our comprehension in human form. Ultimately, we are a tool through which the universe expresses itself into the greater collective.  Honor your desire to reflect and seek communion with the divine during this Full Moon. This is a time to allow yourself to merge with a higher purpose and sense of connectivity with the larger human community. Meditation or any spiritual practice will be welcome at this time, or any experience that facilitates the sense of being and observing consciousness itself.

Jupiter, on the other end of the conjunction, conjoins the Sun in Virgo. Jupiter opens opportunities for the practical application of these amorphous and visionary impulses—to make them useful to others in some way and to help sharpen or hone your skills to be of service to the community. What do you need to chisel away and refine now? What abstract and intangible thing can you distil to make more communicable to the conscious world? This Full Moon is a cleansing and integrating influence, and if you can harness this energy positively, you can bridge two worlds that never quite seem to understand each other. If we respond differently, we may find that we are overextending ourselves or jumping off a precipice without really thinking it through. Engage with your life consciously now—really get in there and attempt to make some connections. Sometimes we need a moment to retreat and check out, but escapism and avoidance of reality may not be the best route. 

For personal readings and consultations, please e-mail me directly at kosmicmind@gmail.com. 

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Into the Heart of the Sun: New Moon in Leo 2015

A view from Bryce Amphitheater Traverse at Bryce Canyon
National Park, Utah; photo by Chad Woodward, July 2015. 
New Moon @ 21 Leo 31'
August 14, 2015
10:53 AM Eastern
7:53 AM Pacific

So often, we look to astrology to predict external changes, concrete events that will restructure the exterior dimensions of our life experience. Sometimes, astrology can do this although we can never be certain how those events will manifest exactly—what form they will ultimately take. But the most profound changes that astrology predicts, especially through the lens of transits and secondary progressions, are those internal events that restructure our psyche from within, and as we shift and change internally; magically, the external always seems to follow suit.

This month’s lunar cycle begins anew in the sign of Leo conjunct Venus retrograde—just a day before the midpoint of the Venus retrograde cycle, the “inferior” conjunction of Sun and Venus (Exact on Aug. 15). This is the moment when Venus descends into the heart of the Sun; her illustrious brilliance engulfed by the Sun’s overpowering presence. As she conjoins the Sun, she is transformed into a morning star- Lucifer, the light bearer. From here on out, until the next cycle, Venus will announce the rising of the Sun each morning.

This New Moon heralds the dawn of a new day. Something within each of us has been undergoing a transformation that may be difficult to pin down exactly, but we feel it deeply and intensely, especially if this particular Venus retrograde cycle touches your horoscope directly. You may find yourself changing your core values as well as rediscovering things that reconnect you with beauty. You may equally find many of your relationships (friendships, romantic, professional) undergoing a transformation. Perhaps you find yourself going deeper with connections that you’ve recently made, letting go of others and the karma attached to them, seeing certain relationships in a different light, or choosing to make different choices within the context of your relationships.

Whatever you’re experiencing right now, it’s something quite beyond your conscious control. And while the Sun is the most “conscious” of archetypes, as it symbolizes the conscious life narrative, this New Moon correlates to a profound inner shift within each of us, and an inner shift that will likely lead to external changes over the next several weeks. In Leo, the Sun’s energy dominates the landscape. You may be craving conscious awareness of those undercurrents that constantly trip you up in life. I would encourage you to allow these insights to arise spontaneously and organically and trust that the unconscious part of you may actually know what it’s doing.

As Venus descends into the Sun, she is born again and renewed. Your personal values, sense of self-worth, and your perception of certain relationships will be transformed by fire. From the ashes, a new sense of self will emerge into the light of day. Allow this New Moon to burn away any old “karma” that you’ve been clinging to. Allow this lunation to bring to light a new understanding of life and your place within it. From this understanding, will come the confidence to shine your light into the world—to be what you inherently are and are destined to be. Over the next few weeks, this understanding will solidify, and ideally, you will feel different, more connected to your authentic self.

There is also a powerful creative potential packed into this New Moon, as well as an overwhelming reflective impulse—directing consciousness toward past experiences that have been left unresolved. Take a risk with this New Moon; take the risk of loving and accepting yourself for the way that you are. Remember, that your relationships always reflect your level of self-love. How can anyone else love and value you if you don’t love and value yourself? How can you expect the world to give you a standing ovation if you never clap for yourself? To receive love from the universe, you have to equally put love into it, and that starts with you, as a fragment of the whole. 

If you're interested in a personal reading, please e-mail me directly at kosmicmind@gmail.com. Also, head over to my Readings/Consultations page for reading options and pricing.