Kosmic Mind

New Moon In Pisces 2012

2012-02-20T19:57:00.000-08:00

Dream Dancer by Rob Schouten

New Moon @ 02 degrees Pisces
Feb 21, 2012
5:34 PM Eastern
2:34 PM Pacific

This new moon stands as a symbolic gateway--the configurations beckon for our awareness, luring us deeper into the numinous and unseen. What truly lies behind the veil, beneath the illusion we call "reality"? What's really going on? What's really happening--is anyone in control? When faced with the seemingly insurmountable climb toward higher perception, truth, or "enlightenment"--we realize in our struggle that no one is in control--control is an illusion--that everything is mostly "beingness" in motion, and that life is a spiral, a pathway of evolution through which we may never truly grasp the end of the line--for it spins, it churns, infinitely, for all eternity. Such is our role--to dance beside the universe, to flow, to spiral both downward and upward in conscious surrender. This New Moon invites us to look deeply at our delusions. Where have we lost sight of our dance partner, the universe, and gone off creating our own steps--which, in our ingrained sense of superiority--are perceived more advanced than the original choreography.

Neptune joins the New Moon is Pisces--further exacerbating this intangible influx--everything seems to slip right though our hands. What can we hold on to now? What can we look to for solace, comfort, or support? When the floor beneath your feet melts into oblivion, where do you stand? This sense of "fogginess" or uncertainty prescribed to the Piscean archetype is a force we must all face at some point in our lives--we must confront the truth. What is the truth? With so many who claim to have different versions, it can be challenging to get clear--but that's what we need right now, absolute clarity. The pursuit of truth, is the path of healing. Both the quest for health and the pursuit of truth are inevitably intwined within the same internal process, each challenges the other. Astrologically, the quest for truth and understanding represented by the polarity of Gemini/Sagittarius is in tension (90 degrees) to the quest for healing/integration and transcendence inherent to the polarity of Pisces/Virgo. Both polarities ignite evolution through their interaction. In order to heal, we must first let go. Let go of what? Let go of what isn't real.

What's real, what's true, is beautiful. Truth leads us to beauty--but--beauty is deceptive, because many believe there are different versions, just as with truth. In my knowing, there is only one truth, one absolute indescribable truth. Everything else is delusion, a trap, seeking to pull us outward and away from what's always honest, real, and authentic. That truth lies within us, deep within us. It's not our thoughts, our ideas, or even our perceptions or experiences--because those are fluid and mutable. The truth is inside us, it is permanent--deep inside each of us, and we know it. We know the truth when we choose to stare it straight in the eye--we know the truth because every fiber of our being resonates to its frequency. As above so below--the ancient hermetic axiom--the eternal truth. That's it. As above so below. We are all connected, everything and everyone. Nothing is disparate, all separation an illusion. All isolation, fear, loneliness, despair, worry, stress, anger, sadness, hunger--illusions--because we are always whole, perfect, and complete. Always.

How can we ever be alone, when we are always connected? With that said, the experience of pain or despair are our teachers, and they offer clues to what needs to be released, what needs to go. If we surrender to these feelings as opposed to judging them, we can follow their lead toward the wounds within us, to the empty spaces that need to be filled with awareness and compassion. Pain brings awareness, and awareness leads to knowledge, which leads us to evolution--and thus we move deeper along the spiral.

There is a powerful force inside each of us, and it's calling for us everyday. Trust it. Let it guide you. The truth knows the way. Pain and despair result from our resistance to truth--ignited by contraction, withdrawl--and psychologically, our inability to let go. Why are we afraid to let go? Because of our illusion of control, our sense of rightness about what we think is the truth--because we are afraid to surrender our illusions--to let go of what isn't real. And that's it. We have a choice. To surrender to our pain, or to numb it out and go back to the illusion. There is no right or wrong answer, because each offers lessons. Both surrender and the illusion of control are pathways toward evolution. Both allow us to fall or ascend the spiral, the great dance of life--and on it goes. Who's to say any one direction is either "good" or "bad", all is relative.

This new moon is very striking, seeing as it conjoins Neptune, after having recently ingressed into Pisces--forming a stellium along with Pallas (Athena) and Chiron. Hmm.....this has the sense of digging out deep wounds, ingrained delusions, and the ultimate truth from the depths of the unconscious--or perhaps, dredging up the haunting images and memories of the past. Needless to say, there could be a lot of residual wounds opening up now, allowing us to peer into them, to integrate them, and to ultimately find resolution and healing. We are also given an opportunity for beginning a process of understanding the root or genesis of our pain, wounds, and inflictions. This New Moon is the seed, meaning it is igniting a process which will unfold over time. Conversely we are equally offered the experience of transcedence, if we can allow ourselves to surrender our control, and simply be guided by our inner truth--our inner bliss.

Mercury and Mars retrograde are in opposition--which will peak Febuary 23. Look out for others who may be argumentative, combative, or angry--or impulsing one to debate with them--perhaps over their version of the truth. Be mindful of this tendency within yourself. In communicating with others try not to get swamped by a stampeade of petty details--because none of that is going to solve anything, it'll just make things more confusing. Instead, take a deep breath, center yourself, and really connect with the inner truth--trust that it is there, and that it will guide you. Speaking from the truth, allows us to simplfy all the non-essentials that create too much noise and distortion. This New Moon can be an opportunity to create more clarity and to shed more light on certain issues in our lives--creating a new cycle which puts us in synch with the higher truth.

Saturn retrograde in Libra trines the New Moon stellium--showing that powerful teachings can be revealed by seeing these past wounds, delusions, and truths reflected in those we relate to--and those around us. Often when presented with this material we're triggered, a part of us seeks to flee away or become angry at the person because they're exposing something deep within ourselves, something we need to let go of. Take a deep look at all that is being shown to you in your immediate environment now--these are the revelations and insights that will help catalyze deep healing. Don't judge it, condemn it, or run-away from what shows up--embrace it , respect it, have tolerance, and compassion for it--because it's apart of you. Nothing is disparate. But also, this could be an opportunity to set boundaries with these forces, through these people, by not allowing ourselves to succumb to their influence once more. Sometimes, looking back at yourself, where you were, can be painful because in hindsight we are able to see our delusions and how we were once lost within them. Accept that there are no mistakes, there are only lessons along the spiral, the great dance of life. And see it all as beautiful--because it's the truth.

Psychic receptivity and intuition are also enhanced now, and this is an excellent time to really go within--tune into yourself and all the subtle impulses within your body and mind. I feel this configuration is somewhat of a map to the transit of Neptune through Pisces (2012-2026). I wrote briefly about this in my last post Full Moon in Leo 2012. Combining this influence with the upcoming square off between Uranus and Pluto (2012-2015), a very interesting showdown is likely to emerge--a countercultural "revolution" fermented with a sense of spiritual reverance and undertone. Wow, what will that look like? Well it's obvious we are all collectively being impulsed back to the womb, back to the mother--there is this insatiable urge deep within us all that is calling us home, so to speak. It feels that as a society we've come to a point of maximum seperation from source--which doesn't mean we won't seperate further, but that many are needing to wake up to this reality for balance to occur. This is likely to manifest as a return to the earth mother, to natural ways, and to seeking out more conscious lifestyles--which is already happening.

It can also mean that our culture has become spiritually dead, devoid of any deeper meaning for the soul (you don't need me to tell you that one.) As a result of this, we are collectively starving for transcendence--apparently starkbucks, facebook, 9-5 jobs, and sub-literate films every weekend don't exactly feed your soul. The frightening ploy is that this sense of emptiness can be easily, and artificially, fulfilled by social movements which work to sweep up those most desperate for change. So my conclusion is to be weary--take a higher path of the Piscean influx, which is to go within--to plunge off the precipice to find the truth within, not without. But like I said, both paths offer lessons.

Take some time to yourself this new moon, get centered and focused, and integrate. Surrender to this powerful force. However, let us be mindful of confusing conscious surrender with unconscious submission. We must take action in life in order for change to happen, and we must do something with insights or revelations received. It's not enough to simply ponder them, eventually we must put them into action in some way, implement them into our own lives. With that said however, this New Moon is about receiving, and being more receptive to the incoming input of the universe. It is likely very challenging to take much action now, because things are so unclear--but the potential is to work through the haze. With Mars retrograde we are still very much in this process of reinforcing and strengthening various aspects of our lives, making sure our position is stronger with something we've already been working on.

Allow yourself to receive, be open, keep your eyes and ears peeled--the universe has much to teach us now if we can quiet our minds and just listen. Most importantly of all, be humble, and realize that not everything is available to make sense of it all at the moment, surrender to the process. The great unfolding of life, the journey along the spiral, has an intention and knows what it's doing. Trust it. There so much more to add to your life, so much more richness and above all, beauty to be had all around. But in order for one to embrace the new, to take in the truth--you first have to let go of what's in your hand.

Full Moon in Leo 2012

2012-02-05T15:24:00.000-08:00

Leo by Johfra Bosschart

Full Moon @ 18 degrees Leo
Feb 07, 2012
4:53 PM Eastern
1:53 PM Pacific

The Full Moon in Leo is a fiery force--expanding deep passions, opening the heart, and releasing waves of creative joy into the collective psyche. We can feel this burst of passion explode within us, this ecstatic child-like vibration. The inner child is strong now, urging us to come out and play--consciously of course. With the Sun, naturally, in Aquarius, conjunct Mercury--we are able to fuse mental objectivity with the spontaneity of the heart center--basically to bridge the heart and mind as one. This is a beautiful synergy in which we are able to play, to unfold organically while not getting lost in irrationality or impracticalities, we can objectively create our desires--but ideally, we are experimenting and trying things out, no need to attach yourself to any one particular path. With Saturn (co-ruler of Aquarius) turning retrograde just before this Full Moon, we can anticipate a lot of restructuring, already fueled by Mars retrograde in Virgo, to amplify.

While Saturn is retrograde from Feb 7-June 25th, we are urged to really reinforce our boundaries--to lay down the law so to speak. Now is the time to reinforce the whole structure, and to better solidify the support systems we have put into place. That means new projects and creations aren't necessarily favored now, especially if we plan on launching them. That doesn't mean that what we're wanting to push forward won't ever work out, but that simply there will be much more work to attend to if we do decide to put things into action now--but ideally, this is a time to further support and enhance what's already been put into motion through our intentions, actions, efforts, etc. (In other words, this is an excellent time to add on to, adjust, or make more efficient those processes we've already started but that need to change). Saturn turning retrograde on the anaretic degree of Libra, inconjunct Venus (conjunct Uranus) at the anaretic degree of Pisces--shows something is about to explode--a powerful liberating, ecstatic, and revolutionary transformation of a relationship, or the way we relate to others on a personal or business level, or even with our resources or values (what we identify with)--we can almost taste it. Saturn going backwards shows that this is an ideal time to, again, reinforce boundaries, to clear the decks, and to make sure we are truly ready for deep and powerful change. How committed are you? Do you really want it?

There are likely many things that need to be reconsidered, practiced, revised, trained, and re-established--and if we can be highly conscious at this time about everything that comes to our attention, we can find amazing transformations awaiting later this summer! What kinds of commitments have you made, to others or to yourself? Now is a time to rework them, look them over deeply to see if you can truly follow through now. Making change means really pushing through that threshold of comfort and familiarity--not falling back on old habits, beliefs, patterns, or what have you. Saturn really wants to go deep in Scorpio, to really tear down and get to work releasing and dumping all that modly crap we're holding on to--but we must be ready for it, as individuals and as a collective. Trust the universe, trust the process--don't give in to mindless self-assertion or impulsive action--fuse your heart and your mind, both can work together quite beautifully now, and this new moon is illuminating that reality for us.

The sabian symbol for this Full Moon reads:

A houseboat party

This image reveals a social gathering, a party, upon a houseboat. Hm....simple enough. Let's see, a houseboat. Well that means this is a dwelling for someone to live on, which means that it is likely, for the most part, stationary--houseboats aren't going to fare well sailing the seven seas or choppy waters. Such a vessel requires calm, peaceful, and stable waters to function optimally. Perhaps this image suggests the ability to mingle with others while centered in our safety and stability--socializing or "having some fun" while also being practical about it--maintaining control and being conscious to not get carried away by impulses. This is interesting considering the duality of Leo and Aquarius, with the Sun conjunct Mercury. Allowing our passion and excitement for something to emerge, while also keeping our cool and remaining objective through the process. When we imagine a party, we often think of some wild crazy drunken all nighter--although this image presents something quite different. Can we be passionate about something, can we fill ourselves with energetic excitement without allowing such emotions to take us over? Can we feel emotions without allowing them to carry us away? Conversely, can we be amongst other "party-goers" while not particularly engaging in the activities around us, staying in our calm centered space?

Neptune In Pisces

Neptune has recently moved into Pisces, as of February 3rd. This is a pretty big cultural shift, and it is interesting that Neptune has essentially "come home" to its own sign in the year of 2012, which has been anticipated as this "transition" of consciousness--whatever that means exactly. There are many who claim to know--I'm not particularly one of them, although I have my own ideas and hunches about it. Neptune is often touted by astrologers as this "elusive", ambigious, and mysterious force--well I suppose that's true, but so are all the planets in my opinion--so is the whole world we're surrounded by. I feel Neptune is simply the realization of the inherent limitations of our perception, that we will never truly, nor fully "get it", because there's always this force which will essentially dissipate our illusions/delusions to reveal more complexity within the system as we evolve--Neptune basically smacks the hubris right out of us. That's interesting, because it seems that while Neptune was transiting Aquarius, while also in a mutual reception with Uranus in Pisces, our collective hubris seeminlgy increased--along with our technology and control of the reality around us.

I don't know if it's just me, but it seems the collective psyche, the consensus thought patterns of most individuals during this transit were imbued with this sense of certainty about our "knowledge" of the world, mostly fueled, in my opinion, by the internet. We also had this naivete about knowledge, this sense that just because "all knowledge" is at our fingertips somehow makes it all accurate. So we saw this whole collective fashion of being in the know, and everyone (myself included) spouting various factoids about this or that. What I've realized is that knowledge is more than just reading an article or a website and then thinking we have the answers, knowledge is experiential--and we must cross reference it as well as get our hands dirty with the information. In my opinion, Neptune in Pisces will assist in shattering this hubris, this certainty of knowing what's really going on--this is an opportunity to take a good hard look at our collective delusions. Science, technology, and the scientific method itself (whatever that means these days), are ruled and governed by the sign Aquarius and its planetary ruler Uranus--but eventually that evolves into Pisces and Neptune--which is this "ambiguous" and "elusive" force. Hmm.....well it's the realization that we'll never, again, totally get what's going on, and inevitably, the more our technology and methods evolve, the more they lead us into this unfathomable abyss of mystery which is the great ethereal sea of Pisces.

I'd like to share a brief transmission on the nature of this transit which will last from 2012 through 2026:

Cultural fashions fermented with the idealization of knowledge, technology, and networking under a sense of common unity will be replaced by a strong and alluring desire for transcendence, the uncovering of secrets=conspiracy, spiritual revival, and the need to connect more deeply with the mysteries which underlie the natural world--and our place within it. Neptune is at home in its own sign--and thus this desire to return to the womb of innocence will underlie our collective psychology. Let us not confuse this need for ultimate surrender, for safety in the womb of a higher cosmic force, with an unconscious dissolving of our boundaries to governments and false gods whom merely wear the mask of omnipotence. The political/spiritual vision of Marx was birthed under the last transit of Neptune in Pisces (1847- 1862), and thus we are likely to see its inevitable solidity as it possesses our world leaders. To quote evolutionary astrologer Maurice Fernandez regarding the synthesis of the Neptune and Pisces archetypes:

"There is a need to realize that one does not surrender to something that promises safety and perfection. Instead, one surrenders as an act of service to the challenging global endeavor to promote the cause of life. Therefore, there is a requirement to be engaged and take responsibility in the process, instead of seeking ease or simplicity in that surrendering." - Neptune, The Twelfth House, and Pisces: The End of Hope, Beginning of Truth

Let us now look deeply at the truth behind the veil of the natural world, to find our notion of God within all the fragments of the hologram we are but embedded--for that is where we will find the solutions to our current crisis. Beware of political/scientific ideologies which are merely religions in disguise--ideas which claim to be the ultimate truth. Surrender to Earth, to life, to truth, and ultimately--to the ever expanding and evolving state of the universe in constant change and motion. No one will ever have the ultimate answer or salvation, for each step is merely one part of the process. In our "surrender" let us not fall victim to a passive acceptance of the world the way that it is, or a delusion that we are the savior of earth or of others. Each of us is a metaphor of Earth, of Gaia, and as we nurture, nourish, and heal ourselves through an active process of growth and learning, so does the world change around us--and true evolution occurs.

conscious bliss in the great unfolding.

New Moon In Aquarius 2012

2012-01-16T20:05:00.000-08:00

Aquarius by Branka Brmbota

New Moon in Aquarius
Jan 22, 2012 @ 11:39 PM Pacific
Jan 23, 2012 @ 2:39 AM Eastern
2 degrees Aquarius 42'

As the Sun and Moon conjoin in Aquarius, we feel a rapid mutation within our bodies and minds--a quickening of consciousness emerges from the primordial darkness. Faster and more efficiently, we look for ways of improving--not exactly making "better", but rather, evolving further beyond what we know as familiar, comfortable, and routine. The New Moon makes a sextile to Uranus and Ceres around the Aries point, further amplifying this new perception of reality that sits before us. We feel the fusion of advanced knowing and of technology, fused elegantly with the nurturing support of earthy Ceres. We are not improving nature, but rather, finding the genius inherent within it--and extracting that essence into manifesting creations which are but a commemoration of divine design. The new moon itself is involved in a strikingly clear T-square configuration involving Jupiter in Taurus in opposition Saturn at the 29th (Anaretic degree) of Libra. We feel this tension in our bodies and minds--this desire for change, for progress, for movement--and of pushing ourselves beyond the past.

This is a new cycle, the past two weeks has had us releasing, letting go, tossing out, and decluttering our lives, bodies, and minds of all that stagnation which would strangle us if held onto. Now the new process emerges, and in Aquarius, we can be assured that something new is on the horizon--but we are challenged to make progress ourselves, it wont emerge out of thin air--we must make the effort to make the changes we want to see show up in our lives now. Mars is turning retrograde the day of the New Moon--so aggressive forward action and movement will be hindered if we are not concious of the inevitable revision which much take place now. What has become weak? What have we allowed to fall into unconciousness, and allowed the passion, drive, love, joy, and energy to slip away into some hidden and secret black hole? Over the next three months we are being gifted the opportunity to infuse life back into the systems and structures of our lives--to build up, support, sustain, and make stronger all those pieces which have been neglected, forgotton, or buried away.

We may find ourselves at a sort of cross currents (Aquarian double current)--wanting urgently to move forward, to blast off into hyperdrive and embrace the stars--and yet, feel a pull toward the past, to unresolved and unfinished business and details we must attend to. This new Moon could be seen as an opportunity to breathe fresh air into the things we are currently, or have been dealing with, and of situations or relationships dealing with the past. Check in with your actions, impulses, and desires. Do these really serve you? Are you conscious, are you in control of these subtle yet powerful motivations--where do they stem from? Are they some left over trigger from childhood, or do they relate to some unresolved event in your life in which you have yet to release and deal with? This is the time to get clear, to get objective, and to look at things with a more critical and sharper lens to gain a greater and more expansive perception of your life, and of the lives around you. (For more on Mars retrograde, check out my article, Mars Retrograde in Virgo 2012). Ideally, at this juncture, we are but preparing for the future, and the more time we dedicate to each piece and fragment, the more successful our objectives, goals, dreams, and plans will be.

As we set our intentions this new moon, dream big, look to the stars for inspiration. Know, don't believe, but truly know, deep inside, that anything is possible with the right kind of commitment and dedication. What do you want to change in your life, or even, in the world? The more clear you are about the things inside yourself that are holding you back, the more these forces will support and sustain you. It may take much time and effort to create what you want, but don't fall into the trap of believing is has to necessarily be "hard", or difficult--see it as a challenge, a challenge to evolve beyond the known, and beyond the familiar. Perhaps what you are doing now is entirely unique, perhaps you are walking that proverbial road less traveled, and as a result, feel you have little support from those around you--you may even find yourself quite challenged by external forces. Don't fret, see this challenge as the momentum to make your position stronger, and ultimately more functional and efficient. There are a lot of ideas floating around the ethers now, lots of little light bulbs with butterfly wings--so keep your eyes open, your mind receptive, trust your intuitive hunches, and allow the thoughts and impulses to flutter about. Keep in mind, however, that there is also a lot of idealism, and so it would be wise to stick also to things you know you are able to truly solidify.

We're in a sort of retrograde season, which will carry us through the summer--we have Mars turning retrograde in synch with this lunation, and Venus retrograde in mid May, along with the much anticipated and historical Transit of Venus--the closing of the cycle which opened in 2004. Be open, be humble, be receptive--the first half of this year is all about changing our perceptions, seeing and reconsidering things from an entirely different viewpoint. The retrograde archetype is essentially all about revision and doing things differently--if we can be humble enough to accept that we never truly have all the answers, the universe will be more than happy to show us why. It is times like these that great mysteries are unveiled, new horizons emerge from the depths of the unconscious psyche of humanity. Put your ideas aside, and be ready for the experience, to be shown just how vast and infinite our world truly is.

The sabian symbol for the new moon reads:

"A deserter from the Navy."

This image presents us with the notion of leaving something behind, deserting some situation and moving on--moving forward into fresh, new territory. The word desert implies a barren wasteland, no longer sustainable or appropriate for much life to flourish. When we desert something, it is because there is no more potential with what is--and thus we must leave and search for a more hospitable place. There is no shame is leaving something behind, especially if holding on to it would hinder our growth, nourishment, and happiness. Sometimes, when things deteriorate to a point where we can no longer scavenge the remains, the best thing we can do is move on to greener pastures.

This ties in perfectly with the theme of Mars retrograde--because quite often some temporary situation burns out, we loose the passion and desire to sustain it. Ideally, for the most part, we are encouraged to look for ways to strengthen and support something that has fallen into dissaray--but sometimes, that isn't an option. In a relationship, for example, it takes two individuals who are committed to making things work, and if one refuses to make changes, then there is no possibility for forward movement to occur. Look to your life and see what needs to go to make room for the new, to allow for more expansion to enter, and more doors to open. Clear out all the clutter that's preventing further growth and evolution to occur now. Before we can blast off into the infinite potential of what could be, we need to get real with the moment.

This new moon has the feeling of letting go of the past, of things no longer useful or sustaining--and looking ahead at the potential of what lies just beyond the horizon. Take a good look at what is, and whether it is worth carrying on with it. As we meditate on this symbol, let us be conscious of our true impulses and motivations. Do we have to abandon the whole thing, or can we simply let go of certain pieces and aspects? Does deserting mean running away, are we avoiding anything? This doesn't have to apply to a specific situation--it could be the deserting of an idea, a way of thinking or perceiving your life, and embracing an entirely new or different viewpoint. Whatever it is that needs to go now, trust that it will be replaced in due time with something much more functional and rewarding. Dane Rudhyar, in An Astrological Mandala, has this to say of the symbol:

"Man refuses to accept the type of cultural patterns derived from his society's specific approach to local circumstances and to the universe as a whole, and in another sense, from its particular relationship to the all-human collective unconscious. (The Navy refers to the ocean, symbol of primordial and unconscious evolutionary forces.) He not only refuses to obey orders, he deliberately turns his back on his collective social status; he becomes an outcast, and through this decision may definitely individualize his consciousness."

Antithetical to this degree is the symbol for 3 degrees of Leo:

"A woman having her hair bobbed"

Obviously this symbol deals with cutting back and trimming away the excess. Put together, we have both options to adhere to......to move on and walk away, or to simply revise, rework, trim or cut away the fragments which are no longer working. I feel this lunation is very much a guide to working with the upcoming three month Mars retrograde cycle--so be mindful of these themes, they are likely to become much more meaningful in due time, peaking along with the Full Moon on March 8th, 2012. In other words, whatever you find yourself working on now will very much solidify and come to a head in about two months time, just before the spring equinox--a time for resetting our solar cycle intentions. Things to ponder.

SolarScopes via Tropical Zodiac
Sun sign horoscopes are generalized readings which interpret collective energies as they are perceived through the multivalent lens of the zodiac. Imagine light permeating a prism as it is refracted into a multiplicity of colors. Each frequency perceives the inherent nature of a particular lunation differently. These are written for specific archetypes within the tropical zodiac, but are not limited to simply "Sun signs", and can also be accurate in describing individuals with a particular archetypal dominance in their personality, as revealed through the natal horoscope itself. If you know which house of your horoscope Mars will retrograde through, you can use these as a general guide to its influence as well, check the house number in parenthesis.

ARIES (6th)
New connections could suddenly pop up--or perhaps you'll find yourself sorting through your network to find those that are truly worth keeping around. It may be a challenge to really get going with something--maybe you're feeling less motivated than usual, or find yourself less energetic. If you can stop yourself in the moment, and take it all in, each piece and each fragment, you'll eventually see how it all fits together....so there's no rush. This could be an excellent time to strengthen your health and wellness, to find way to better nourish your body, mind, and soul. You may also find yourself organizing more, and compartmentalizing so that things are more efficient in the future. Just take it all in the moment. You are looking for ways to better serve yourself as well as others--strengthening your "working" skills so you can be more efficient.

TAURUS (5th)
Career shifts, a change in direction--however subtle, is in the works. Your likely entering a period of creative re-evaluation. Moving on head strong now may leave you feeling as if you're neglecting yourself. Where is the joy? Fun? Vitality? Laughter? If such things have been a bit sparse, it's time to loosen up a little--let yourself play. You don't need to be so serious now, think of it all as a big game. The less attached you are to the outcome, to winning or loosing, the more fun it'll be. If anything, just let your hair down, and go with with the flow--ride that creative wave. Trust your inner child now as it leads you into this fun and spontaneous world. Just be mindful of any impulses urging you to take drastic actions--you don't need to quit your job and escape to the Bahamas, but simply look for ways to make your everyday reality a little more fun and interesting.

GEMINI (4th)
A new perspective is in the works--and along with it, old ways of perceiving things are dissipating, allowing for the whole picture to come into focus. Your entering a period in which the very foundation is in need of support--your home life, family, basically that place you feel more comfortable and most like yourself. Now is the time to look for ways of building a stronger and more supportive foundation--which could involve some much needed interpersonal time and self reflection. Nothing drastic is needed now, just stick with simple and minor improvements, and you'll come up against less resistance. This could be an excellent time for improving boundaries with those you live with it--or even with yourself--whatever that means.

CANCER (3rd)
You may be feeling like letting go of shared ideas, resources, and attachments--emptying out an accumulation of unneeded things. If you want to go deeper, you'll have to move through all the clutter that's preventing you from going further. Your entering a period of mental reshuffling, finding ways of supporting and strengthening how you communicate to others and get your message across. Keep your mind open, be humble to the messages coming at you. If you come up against obstacles, ask yourself, do I need more information before moving forward? There are little tid-bits flying all around, and the more receptive you are, the better your chances of catching them all--or at least some of them. Your mind needs a bit of sharpening, and you'll likely discover some long lost data stored in those memory banks you never thought existed or was lost.

LEO (2nd)
Both old and new ways of relating to others are prominent now--so look to how you can better cooperate with those you form relationships to. You are entering a period which will allow you to strengthen and support your income flow, as well as the things you place personal value to, and what motivates your spending habits. If money seems a bit dry, it's likely that there's some pieces missing in the equation. This is good time to check in with your spending impulses, and to get clear about what you actually need versus what you think you want. The universe is filled with infinite possibilities, so don't limit yourself to purely one source--perhaps you may find yourself going back to something you forgot all about, which could be quite lucrative later down the road.

VIRGO (1st)
There's a lot of changes going for you Virgo, especially in regards to your well being, health, and vitality--and this is also tied into your personal appearance and presentation style. You're letting go of various pieces and fragments which are taking up too much space, so that you can get more clear about where you're going--you may also find yourself checking in more with how you project yourself, and how you initiate action. This is a good time to test out various ways of self projection, and to take in feedback from others--this will allow you a process of trial and error, to see what works and what doesn't. Just who are you, and what do you identify with? This is a time be less impulsive, and more conscious of your deeper desires and motivations, a lot can be learned here.

LIBRA (12th)
You could be experiencing changes in the way you enjoy yourself--maybe you've been indulging too much and it's time to get your act together--or conversely, maybe things have been a bit dull, and you need a little time for yourself and some fun.The next few months may feel a bit, confusing--and moving forward may be a bit more challenging than usual. The best option is probably to refrain from making any drastic decisions, because the road ahead of you looks too foggy right now. This time favors more introversion, and deep self reflection--whatever has been buried away is likely to resurface now, and it would greatly benefit you to take a look at it, no matter how you initially feel about it. It could be a challenge directing the course of things, so the best advice is to simply surrender and let the universe guide you now. Trust the process, you are learning there are greater forces guiding you than you are presently aware of.

SCORPIO (11th)
You may find yourself letting go of things from the past, or cleaning up your living space so that there's more room to stretch out. You are entering a period where you'll be reinforcing the contacts in your network--friendships, organizations, and communities all fall under this theme. You may feel too involved with others, and may find yourself needing to have less people around, or alternately, you may feel the need to link up more because you've been a bit anti-social. You could find yourself strengthening a community you belong to, and your role within it. If you don't feel you've been getting your fair share, perhaps its time to look at how you're giving back, and what you can do to better solidify your role as part of a larger group.

SAGITTARIUS (10th)
New ideas and information will come the more you let go of old concepts and outworn theories and speculations. The next few months are likely to bring about a process of further supporting your career direction, your life purpose, and or a leadership role. How do you want the public to see you? Is the image you're presenting genuine, what motivates you to project it? Don't make any rash decisions just yet, trust the process as it guides you toward making the whole structure stronger and more functional--you're preparing for the future now, and every step you take is important. Now is the time to regain control of things, and to make your position stronger.

CAPRICORN (9th)
You might find yourself letting go of stuff you no longer identify with, because a new cycle is emerging regarding your finances and the things you accumulate as a result. You are entering a period which will allow you to strengthen the bigger picture, how you see the world, and your perception of things around you. Keep your mind wide open now, as many foreign and possibly exotic experiences will present themselves. You may find yourself turning more inward, trusting your intuition--and doing so will likely take you on a much needed adventure of sorts. Trust that there is far more than you ever imagined on the horizon--don't rush things, go with the flow, and follow the universe as it leads you out of the more ordinary zones of experience.

AQUARIUS (8th)
A new cycle is emerging, one in which you are likely letting go of an old way of perceiving yourself and how you come across to others. The next few months are likely to bring up some deep issues--and if you trust the process, you will be able to really get to the heart of things, perceiving a reality you never thought existed. This is a good time to check your boundaries, take a good look at your fences and see if there are any noticeable gaps that need repair. You are embarking on a process that will really allow to connect beyond casual and superficial conversation--and you are likely to be unsatisfied more than usual when things become too shallow or on the surface level. Keep your mind open to the feedback and perceptions of others, as these will likely play a critical role in the process that is underway. Transformation takes time, so don't rush it.

PISCES (7th)
You may find yourself leaving the past behind now, or pondering some things that have seemingly emerged out of thin air, things you thought were long buried and stored away. The next few months are likely to bring up issues in regards to your relationships, as you are strengthening and supporting the way you interact with others. It's all about give and take, so it's a time to be conscious of how much you're giving as well as receiving from partners and associates of all kinds. Keep a look out for new connections as well, people from the past--from this life or another. Needless to say, your associations with others now will have a large impact on your life--more so than you currently realize. This is also a good time to become more conscious of your boundaries and preexisting agreements. Don't feel pressured to come to any agreements or take much drastic action just yet, think the contract over, and see what needs to be adjusted.

Full Moon In Cancer January 8th, 2012

2012-01-06T17:01:00.000-08:00

Image linked from whats-your-sign.com

Full Moon @ 18 degrees Tropical Cancer
January 08, 2012
11:30 PM Pacific
January 09, 2012
2:30 AM Eastern

This is the culminating point of the lunar cycle--ideally we have been accumulating, ingesting, and embracing new constructs which can blossom fourth now, we can really feel tangibly what we are creating. In Cancer we feel the strong nurturing support of the earth mother, Gaia, as she cradles our potential deep in her womb--and whatever it is, she reminds us we can do it, with the right kind of commitment. Emotions run high this Full Moon, and with a sextile from Mars in Virgo, we can articulate our desires and ambitions in great detail now, as we will be readily supported by others. The Sun makes a strong trine to Mars as well--so there's a lot of action flying around, and like the waves of the ocean, jump on this exciting and energizing flux--don't worry about where it's going, just trust the collective vibes as they sweep you off your feet. Keep in mind, however, that ideally, with Mars in its retrograde shadow, we are taking our time--piece by piece, as things can build and strengthen over the next few months with what we choose to do with this energy. Going more inward now, assessing your deeper motivations and impulses would be wise--no rush to get out there and make it all happen, just do what you can with the resources available to you, and worry about the intricacies and such later.

Mercury in Capricorn (approaching conjunction with Pluto) makes a strong square to Uranus in Aries--we can make practical use of radical ideas, visions, and perceptions now--but most likely, such perceptions are flooding into our minds now, radically altering the very structure of our individual ideologies. As the Moon begins waning back to New Moon, we can surrender many old and moldy ways of thinking and living our lives, allowing the deeper and trans-formative power of Pluto to make more room for what will better serve our evolutionary growth. So feel free--clear out those cobwebs, straighten up a bit--toss some crap away, it's a good time to really check in and see what kind of baggage you've been carrying around. Mercury, Jupiter, and Transpluto/Persephone form a spectacular Earth grand trine, so there is much productive and practical synergy mixed with an eclectic and eccentric buzz in the air. Jupiter is in opposition to Saturn in Libra--if we feel lost in this maze of re-organization, we can look for support from others--just be mindful that they may challenge your efforts, which can be a positive force if such criticism is used constructively as opposed to taking it personally. Out with the old, in the with the new!

Don't get caught up in the potentially annihilating self-sufficient vortex of "I don't need your support"--as we can easily push others away now--most likely because we unconsciously fear some form of judgement. The truth is, we judge ourselves most harshly, so in reality, how bad could someone eles's opinion possibly be? With that aside, it would be best to go within, trust what you feel you need to do now, and just keep an ear open for bits of advice here and there and all should flow more smoothly. Check out that stellium between Venus, Pallas, Neptune, Chiron.....and.....Vesta. On the Venus and Neptune end, we feel the Aquarian vibration here--so there is strong collective taste for the uniquely mysterious, we may feel more attracted to those alluring and hard to figure out aspects of reality. The more unique and the more eccentric you present yourself, the more you'll attract attention and turn some heads--so keep it in mind. We also have the potential to gain some clear objectivity within our relationships--especially to get a good look at potential wounds and pitfalls that are usually way off the telepathic radar screen. So look deeply, the truth is there, allowing for some much needed ah ha! moments and bursts of psychic awakening.

Above all else, there is a massive acceleration happening, and this energy is powerfully mutating our minds, our personal values, resources, and the way we relate to others--if you work with this by displaying the least amount of resistance to change--this will be a positive and rewarding transformation. The primary theme of last month's New Moon, for me, was a collective influx allowing us to get conscious of our needs, the needs of the planet's systems, and ways that we can functionally nourish and support those needs. Please read my article, Christmas Eve New Moon in Capricorn for more clarity on that. The sabian symbol for the Full Moon reads:

"A priest performing a marriage ceremony"

The tradition of marriage is the carrying on of an ancient and sacred act--which, like all sacred ceremonies, should never be blindly followed. In other words, one should be highly conscious of their intentions--beyond just "following the tradition". Such a commitment is a huge responsibility--and it begs for some form of mental and spiritual preparation. The symbol implies the forming of a specialized commitment, consecrated by a third party. So what have you committed to now? Can you really handle it? Are you mature enough to carry such a responsibility? If I were to tie this symbol with last month's new moon symbolism--we could make the creative connection that by having a deeper awareness of the needs of our bodies and of the planet--comes the realization of our role as caretakers of those systems. As caretaker, we are the ultimate responsible party, and with the vibration of Cancer, we feel this deep desire to truly nourish and support ourselves as well as the systems we form relationships to (our bodies, our minds, the planet).

In order for any relationship to be successful it must be nourished, consistently and consciously--all parties must be in conscious communication in order for things to run smoothly. If we fall totally unconscious, we become unaware, and things begin to settle into that dull and prosaic surface interaction until things inevitably deteriorate and fall apart. Allow this Full Moon to open your eyes, and allow yourself to really perceive--see others--see the world through a sort of compassionate razor like gaze. Allow whatever is old and outworn to fall away--and embrace this influx of new potential as it pierces our minds. Breath in the fresh air, and let the crap go ;-)

Full Moon Effect: With the Full Moon in crabby old Cancer, people may feel more moody, emotional, sensitive, possessive, jealous, or anti-social. Alternately, we may feel more sensitive toward others, compassionate, caring, nurturing, and supportive. Cancer is nostalgic--we may find ourselves reminiscing on the past, or more attached to familiar places, people, or routines. Like the tides of the ocean, which Cancer rules, a Full Moon in Cancer can bring about fleeting thoughts, feelings, emotions, and moods--making it a challenge to be entirely consistent. However, the Moon is most at home, most comfortable in her own sign, and that sense of coziness is likely to seep into our own lives, and she is likely to favor our activities more than usual. Cancer is a sponge, it soaks up everything around it, and this Full Moon we may feel just like that--soaking up the energy all around. Be mindful of your boundaries, otherwise ride the wave.

Christmas Eve New Moon In Capricorn

2011-12-16T18:21:00.000-08:00

Symbiosis by Ciaran Shaman

When the serpent awakens, there's no going back...

It's quite interesting really, the fact that so many lunations have occurred around a major holiday or seasonal transition--particularly this year. We had a solar eclipse on Thanksgiving, and now a New Moon on Christmas eve. Just last year, a Lunar eclipse occurred the day before winter solstice--featuring a truly spectacular formation of planets, igniting the "cardinal climax". A part of me feels this is an important symbolism--indicating a shift occurring that is fermented by the archetype of these holidays. Christmas is the most profitable of western celebrations--raking in the cash like nobody's business. On a mundane level, could this indicate that the way we "celebrate" these traditions is about to change? Could it foreshadow another economic shift coming soon? I suppose we'll have to wait and see. On the more energetic plane, it's obvious these lunations are somehow "reconfiguring" consciousness on a much deeper level than we are presently aware of. Some say this is a reprogramming of human DNA--and certainly if you believe much of the "channeled" material from the Pleadians and the like, then this seems a perfectly valid reality--but I can't say that I really know for sure.

It is perfectly plausible that we are mutating as a species--perhaps our dimension, as an isolated entity, is changing form. Due to the holographic nature of the universe, each part reflects the whole--we are but the cells of the earth, and thus, as she changes, so do we. Prior to the lunar eclipse of December 21, 2010--another eclipse occurred just days after the summer solstice on June 26, 2010--containing once again, an incredibly dynamic configuration, with the lunar eclipse conjoined Pluto at the head of the cardinal climax alignment. I wrote about these synchronicities, however optimistically, last year in Cracking The Cosmic Egg. For me, this was what seemingly fueled my experimentation as an astrology blogger--something I am just now really connecting with, while simultaneously struggling to find my "authentic" writing style, moving past various blockages--and learning to bridge hemispheres within my mind. It this this bridging of hemispheres, I find so fascinating.

If you divide the zodiac into two segments, using the summer and winter solstice points, tropical Cancer and Capricorn respectively[1]--we have this symbol of eastern and western--literally the self and the "other". I feel my own process is mirroring the very shift we are experiencing on a global level. I've been involved in a relatively powerful "healing crisis" for many years, peaking this past year, and everything has involved this experience of complete surrender combined with my own research and study in an attempt to "figure out" what's "wrong" with me. I've come to realize that nothing is wrong, I'm perfect, I'm whole, and complete--but why am I in pain, why do I often suffer?

Through this experience, I've found immense empowerment from walking that thin line between the rational and the irrational--the intuitive and the logical aspects of my mind, and each has served me in the process of healing and "figuring it out". I''ve come to realize that pain and suffering are not bad, it is only our judgements of the experience which make it so. Contrary to what many choose to believe, pain can be a healing reaction--it means that the body is attempting to heal from some imbalance.Our suffering is our attachment and judgement of pain--when we become victims of pain as opposed to allies, instead of seeing it as a teacher and guide.

When we are sick, we feel "bad" because our body is communicating to us that it needs to correct something, it needs to reach homeostasis. Perhaps we could modify our language a bit. Instead of simplistic value judgements such as "good" or "bad", we simply say functional or dysfunctional. What does this mean? Functional means that something is operating according to its design and intention. Dysfunctional means that a particular system is being used against this original programming--and thus, imbalance occurs.

This imbalance is an indication that we are not conscious of the needs of that system--that we are, however unintentionally--working against the very life of that entity; but, is this necessarily bad or negative? I suppose such a statement is completely relative to one's perception, and each experience--whether functional or dysfunctional, is valuable and provides growth and evolution for a much deeper part of the psyche....the soul.
The experience of pain holds the potential to bring to light, the true nature of ourselves--it can redirect the ego to an awareness of the needs of the body. While we are in pain, we actually have an opportunity to see clearly--lucidly really, the power of dysfunction and ultimately, the beauty of functionality. As we deviate from the plan, the original intention, we become aware of its genius--its true nature and purpose--and as a result, we come to find reverence and appreciation for the system the way that it is.

Despair by Alex Grey

You see, we suffer because of our ideas about what we think is right or wrong. We are conditioned to be victims of life--not responsible co-creators. Many give their minds freely to the consensus--to mold, to shape, and to dictate their reality for them. We are told that when we get sick, that we are a victim, that something is trying to get at us--usually this perception lends the blame toward some pernicious natural organism, such as when we "catch a cold".

The western world wholeheartedly accepted germ theory[2] without question--how logical it is, that there are organisms, parasites, predators--just like "out there" in the real world, which seek our destruction--which seek to annihilate us. But, what if that predator was not "out there" as we are led to believe--what if it lied within each of us, within our very minds and cells, as potential? When I say the world is perfect, i mean it--it is, it's beautiful and it functions.A counter argument to that statement might go something like, "What? Don't you see the chaos of the world? Don't you see all the problems we're faced with, socially, economically, politically? Don't you see how fucked up everything is? Yes, I see it, although--recently, I don't look for it unless it's put into my face. Those problems "out there" in our supposedly "civilized" world are not the by products of natural intention--they are the result of a collective ideal, fueled by the mind and ultimately by the ego. They are the result of an ideology about how things should be, based on assumptions and mental speculation.

Gaia by Thompson Carey

It is ideas which move the world, they provide the spark, the fuel for social change. Individuals who partake in such collective rituals are acting upon an impulse, an emotional stimulus ignited by ideology--they are moved by an idea, an archetype, which resonates with some aspect of their identity. It is ideas and archetypes, which provide the motivation for change which results into action. Of course this could all be boiled down to the conundrum of the chicken and the egg. My answer is neither, because for me, the idea had to exist first--the template, the system, the design had to be put into place before it could be constructed. Such ideas bring to mind the theory of Morphogenesis, but whatever we choose to label it--it is the very foundation of something which is required prior to the completion of the entire structure. The structure has a design, it has an intention--and there is a natural plan embedded within that being which informs us of its functional use.

So, for me, I am in pain, I am experiencing this healing crisis, because I was unconscious of the needs of my body--and then I embraced an idea, a theory, about how to "fix" my pain and suffering--which led me to....of course, more suffering. Never did I consider to ask, "What does my body actually need?", "How was it designed to operate in the first place?" "Can it correct this imbalance on its own, with the right tools?". Put simply, If I fill my car up with, say, mud, how far would I get? What if I used olive oil instead of car oil? What would happen? Probably dysfunction. I was conditioned by a culture which concerns itself more with what people are putting into their cars, then their own bodies. If we are that unconscious about what we're putting in our bodies, what about what we allow into our minds? Wow, that explains a lot--but is there something wrong with being unconscious? Only if we judge it--both consciousness and unconsciousness are relevant, each provide the chiaroscuro of life--the depth provided by the interrelationship of light and dark.

"Enlightenment is not about imagining figures of light, but making the darkness conscious"
-Carl Gustav Jung

People suffer from disease because their bodies have begun a mutation, because it is not properly nourished according to its original design and intention. That's right, nature is so intelligent that it can readily adapt to any situation--it can completely transform itself from one thing to another as a means of adaptation. Our minds can change, our bodies, our personality, our very cells--change and mutate based on the environment in which it is enmeshed. Everything is in constant change, endless mutation. Yet, amongst this mutation and adaptation--there appears, from our perspective, to be a solid template--a system put into place which provides the foundation, the root of all forms. If you eat synthetic foods and drugs on a constant and repetitive basis--it's likely to result in a dysfunctional reaction within a perfectly functional and natural organism. I'm not saying that drugs, fast-food, and microwave ovens are "bad"--but based on the result--they're dysfunctional forms of nourishment.

"Well, what do I eat then?". Well, the real question should be, "How can I functionally nourish my body?". Do we ever consider the notion of nourishment and what it means? When we eat food, what is our intention? "I'm hungry". Well that's perfectly reasonable....but why are you hungry? We're "hungry" because our body is sending us a message, it needs nourishment! We mistake such feelings as something which has to do with "us", our egos, and our minds. We are satisfying our minds, we are fulfilling a desire--an urge, and an idea based on our conditioning. Many of us are conditioned to believe that nourishment comes from a happy meal, or that "reward" comes from ice cream and cookies. We never stop and consider the reward of a fully functional, and fully nourished body and mind. Again, I'm not saying that Ice cream and cookies are "bad"--if we are fully nourished, then occasional splurges are likely to have little to no harm on the body--because it can adequately adapt.

"That is why, on all accounts, we have so little time for philosophy. Worst of all, if we do obtain any leisure from the body's claims and turn to some line of inquiry, the body intrudes once more into our investigations, interrupting, disturbing, distracting, and preventing us from getting a glimpse of the truth. We are in fact convinced that if we are ever to have pure knowledge of anything, we must get rid of the body and contemplate things by themselves with the soul by itself."
-Plato, The Last Days of Socrates.

Now, you might be thinking, "What does this have to do with astrology?". Well it seems that this is the very foundation of the theme we are dealing with on a global level, it is the nature of the beast which confronts humanity. When you look out at our apparently dysfunctional civilization, consider that we are simply unconscious of our needs, and the needs of the planet herself. With all the "choas" and problems we experience, consider them signals, a form of communication from nature to us. When humanity experiences pain, much like an individual, it is because something is trying to reach homeostasis--it's trying to heal from imbalance. We can learn a lot through this experience--through our collective pain, if we are open to it. Systems evolve through time--which is governed by the planet Saturn--who is Kronos= time. Time sets up the structure, the template, through repetition and consistency. How did humans evolve into being? What have we done, consistiently, through time, to our bodies so that it functions properly?


Trees Got Soul by Chris Dyer

For physical nourishment, we ate food--real organic whole food, we got real sunlight, we breathed air, and drank fresh, clean water. Think about how simple that is--if it was invented in the past 200 years or so--invented by an idea, then it likely didn't evolve through time, with us, our bodies--there was no consistency with that substance throughout our evolutionary process. When we introduce such a substance--like putting mud in the gas tank--there's likely to be some malfunction, something dysfunctional eventually results. I doubt the car feels any pain, but it experiences something similar, albeit a bit more primitive.Our creations and our technology have consumed us--we have allowed ourselves, as a collective, to forget the original intention. Our creations are not "bad" or "evil" in themselves--but it is prudent that we learn to balance the creations of the mind, with the creations of the natural world-- the synthetic and the organic.

Yet, for whatever reason, humanity needed to awaken this "new" aspect of the mind, it needed to stimulate its potential into being. This "higher mind" is represented by Uranus, who is Prometheus--the great awakener, and.....trickster. This archetype is embodied in the serpent, the kundalini, the electrical energy which fully stimulates human potential and awakening. Consumed by the magnificence and power that this potential ignited within us, enveloped by hubris--we embraced it without question, we allowed the archetype to take over, and we slipped into unconscious passivity to the god of intellect and technology--we embraced the idea that our power to co-create, to alter nature, meant that we had dominion, that we had power over it.

This pattern of unconsciousness continues, with each new archetype that emerges--we are swept away and captivated, we loose all sense of boundaries. The question is this, how long can we go on as an unconscious species? How long can we last holding complete disregard for the needs of our bodies, minds, the planet, and all her share her domain? My guess, not too long. It seems, fortunately however, that nature is far ahead of us--and astrology is map to this divine plan and great unfolding. It seems we have a choice now, we are at the cusp of a major shift in our perception--we can choose the path of life or the path of destruction. To live consciously, or to slip further into unconscious passivity to collective hubris.

This month's new moon falls within the sign of Capricorn, in the wake and shadow of Pluto--God of the underworld. It occurs less than 2 degrees of conjunction with the Lunar Eclipse of June 26, 2010--which contained a new template, a new design, for consciousness. This template has received several activations over the past year or so, and it appears this new moon symbolizes the awakening of this potential within us....our entry into the year 2012--which looms as this inescapable beacon of change. Is this the anticipated "enlightenment" and "liberation" of mankind? I don't know, but I do feel that it is indeed the point in which our world will begin its climb toward global homeostasis--the collective consciousness must balance out and equalize. This process can be appear "painful" for some, and can lead to suffering, because pain is a message, it brings awareness--it is a healing reaction. I invite us to not fear this notion--I invite us to instead embrace our inner genius and potential, to get conscious of our needs and the needs of nature, and to begin to nourish as opposed to destroy the systems we have chosen to evolve within.

Disease does not destroy the body, it is lack of proper nourishment which mutates the body--transforms it from this world into another, the inorganic realms. Only the mind and the ego choose the path of destruction--nature chooses assimilation. However, we have a choice, and we can--not of our own volition--but of our conscious surrender--embrace a different ideology, the ideology of nature. It starts by waking up to our needs, and taking steps toward the support, nourishment, and sustainment of those needs. We can choose to support the needs of the earth mother, Gaia, and the needs of other sentient beings. But, how can we nourish others without nourishing ourselves? How can see clearly through eyes which are disillusioned, distorted, and mutated? The universe is offering us a new perception, it is assisting us in opening our true eyes, our true vision--and embracing our role as the responsible caretakers of planet earth.

The sabian symbol for the new moon reads: The human soul receptive to growth and understanding.

Here we stand, at this gateway on Christmas Eve, the collective soul of humanity, the authentic over-soul, awaiting its true incarnation--to jump in and to grow and understand. Growth occurs through tension, through challenge--which allows evolution to progress from one state to the next. According to Blain Bovee[3]:

"Receptivity is deeper than mere inquisitiveness; it addresses something primal in human beings, touching what it means to be human: openness
--Receptivity, however, is not passive. It is the openess of human exploration, like that of an arctic explorer transversing a vast, open landscape".

The challenges of the world do not demand that we fight "what's wrong" or that we aggressively stamp out disease and dysfunction--they invite us to step up with openness and receptivity to await the experience and message encapsulated within the divine unfolding of time. If we experience pain, it is our bodies way of telling us something--it is attempting to reach homeostasis. How can we hear the pain and message of the earth, of humanity, if we are blinded by our own ideas--if we are consumed by a fabricated and synthetic ideology?

The western Christmas celebration began as an extended ritual ignited by the Winter Solstice. Our "holiday" traditions and customs originate from the northern latitudes, specifically the region of Siberia. In these extreme northern regions, the Sun literally disappears for three days. To these ancient peoples, this was quite a statement, as living without electricity, the Sun was the primary source of light, heat, growth, and nourishment. On Christmas morning, the Sun would remerge, and the promise of Spring, of new life, was made. From that point onward, the Sun would no longer descend, but would continue to rise forth, and the days would get longer. There's a whole shamanic custom and celebration which evolved from this phenomena--it is the root of all Judeo-Christian interpretations of Christmas[4]. Many of these customs involved the sacred consumption of the Psychedellic mushroom known as Amanita Muscaria, the "red and white" spotted shroom.

I can't speak from experience (with this particular entheogen), but from my own studies it is apparent that the experience, when properly prepared for, provided a complete "death" and assimilation of the mind, the ego--and a rebirth of self. The sacraments were collected on winter solstice, hung to dry--often upon the pine trees they symbiotically grew beneath. On Christmas eve they were distributed by the shaman, accompanied by reindeer and a sleigh. The shaman would descend, like the sun, down the chimney of a yurt--a small house or hut, as the door would be blocked in by the snow. The shaman would guide individuals through this experience, and upon waking, or perhaps, coming to normal consciousness on Christmas morning--the Sun would return, and the light would emerge once more.

The Resurrection of Santa Claus by Jimmy B

The winter solstice is the gateway to death and the potential of new life, to Time, to Saturn and Kronos. Our creations, our intentions set at the Spring Equinox, have manifest fully into time, into form--they have crystallized. It is here that we can see clearly, we have the claryvoiance to percieve the bigger picture and our place within it--and we go within, we reach ourselves--we seek the light within. Just like the ego, the soul is bound in time and in form--it is, in a way, encapsulated by Saturn to carry out its intention.

To quote Bovee once more: "The sense of one's identity, the ego structure, is described in Buddhist psychology as being made up of heaps or bundles from the Sanskrit skandha, bound together, forming a containment vessel through which the sense of existence is created. In other words, the soul can grow and understand only through the bundled vessel of the self.".

This brings to mind the succession of planets, each a gateway----an organ of consciousness and of perception through which the soul is bound while in incarnation upon the earth plane. Indeed, the earth itself is bound in time to the solar system. We expand into the full experience of life, within the proper boundaries of the vessel, the vehicle of the soul. No component is more relevant than the other, and nothing is truly seperate from the whole--even though each fragment appears to be isolate, each piece works together, and each needs nourishment just the same. The root archetype of the holiday tradition is the resetting of form, of structure, of the system, of the body, and of the vessel which carries us through the illusion of time. Our bodies are vessels, and so is the earth--all are systems we must nourish, support, and sustain as each is connected holographically, each a piece of the whole.

Peeling Bodies by Chris Dyer

The new moon squares Uranus, now recently direct in motion sitting on the Aries point--we can see more clearly how we can break out the dysfunctional pattern and follow the original intention--set at the big bang, the first degree of Aries, the spring equinox point. The new moon trines Jupiter in Taurus, expanding our connection to the natural world--in wide opposition to Saturn, who sextiles the new moon--asking us to commit to our relationship to the other, to solidify that connection deeply within ourselves. Mercury conjoins the North Node in Sagittarius, square Mars in Virgo--we are invited to embrace the vision, to follow our authentic voice within, and to put it in motion in order to assimilate all the fragments into the whole. This new moon and winter season is about changing form, it's about conscious mutation--which we can do if we trust the tickster, Uranus, as he guides us toward the activation of human potential--but we must follow with consciousness and unconditional love--not judgement.

This is a time in which we must embrace fully the experience, we must consciously surrender through complete receptivity to the great unfolding of time. On Christmas morning, the Sun rises from darkness--the light returns to permeate the world with the promise of new life. Synchronistically, Jupiter turns direct this Christmas--just after the new Moon--at zero degrees of Taurus. Jupiter invites us, toward forward benevolence and expansion--to embrace with open arms, the process which awaits us. There is no rush, no urgency, no fear--there is only the moment, there is only the great unfolding . There is a much greater system than the ones we play with in our civilized world--there is the earth matrix. This system works, it's been tried and tested for billions of years, and we can trust it. Every system, simply reflects, the greater the system of the earth--and the universe just the same.

The more we heal, nourish, support, and sustain these organic systems--the more balance, equilibrium, and integration will come to our man-made systems rooted in ideology. But, can we surrender our hubris, can we let go of our minds, so that we hear the message--to allow the light to pour in and permeate our very cells? This is up to our own freewill. The system works, it's ready--all we need to do is show up and be receptive. As the sun returns, and Jupiter fully expands into the moment--we simultaneously open up, we let in the light--we embrace the conscious mutation of planet earth. Look around at the beauty and magic of the world, allow your inner child to awaken, that part of you which always saw the world with wonder. It is through these eyes, these eyes of receptive curiosity, through which we can see clearly, how to truly change.

Happy Holidays.

Notes & References

[1] In my article, Cracking The Cosmic Egg, I noted how the winter/summer solstice axis was symbolic of the spinal column within the human body--and compared this symbolism to the the backbone of the DNA double helix structure. The eclipses, lunations, and planetary alignments have directly pointed to this structure as the being significant--placing immense emhpasis upon the cardinal degrees of the zodiac. Regardless of our speculations--these alignments most definitely foretell of a major shift occuring on a global scale, effecting everything within our matrix.

[2] It might be a shock, or perhaps a slight trigger, for some to hear the notion that Germ theory is a theory, not a proven fact. It is a most logical and rational explanation for why we get sick, however, deeper study into this matter reveals many flaws within the theory itself, as well as an alternative perception, more logical in my opinion, which emerged from the work of notable, yet undervalued scientists Antoine Bechamp, a professor of physics, chemistry, medical chemistry, biochemistry, and toxicology-- and Gaston Naessens, a French-Canadian biologist. Louis Pastuer, who is credited with the "discovery" of germ theory, has been revealed to be a fraud in many ways, and is documented having denounced the entire theory upon his own death bed. The truth behind sickness, disease, viral, and bacterial infections lies within the concept of Pleomorphism--which is an organisms ability to change and mutate based on the external environment it is enmeshed with. From an occult or astrological perspective, this is precisely the nature of archetypes themselves--each is inherently multivalent, holding the ability to change and transform, and containing a multitude of symbolic meanings. Needless to say, Germ theory is rather profitable for the modern allopathic healthcare paradigm--as the fear of "catching disease" keeps the populace returning to consume the latest drugs and weapons which will protect them from illness. For more information see the following links for further references:
http://www.hbci.com/~wenonah/new/naessen.htm
http://www.ralphmoss.com/naessens1.html
http://www.healingnaturallybybee.com/articles/germ12.php
Video of Somatids: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Py-hutc5ZNM&feature=related

[3] The Sabian Symbols & Astrological Analysis: The Original Symbols Fully Revealed, Blain Bovee, 2004.

[4] See, The Sacred Mushroom and The Cross by John Allegro and Astrotheology and Shamanism: Unveiling The Law of Duality in Christianity and Other Religions by Jan Irvin and Andrew Rutajit.

Mars Retrograde in Virgo 2012

2011-12-07T13:39:00.001-08:00


Mars Disarmed by Venus and Three Graces by Jacques Louis David, 1824.

Mars Retrograde in Virgo
January 23, 2011-April 14, 2012

Unlike Mercury retrograde, Mars retrograde is more subtle in its collective influence, correlating with a longer range process--impacting us on a physical and emotional, rather than mental and cerebral level. With that said, however, Mars retrograde is an important cycle to acknowledge, especially if you are considering the launch of a major project, business, or enterprise. Where Mercury deals with the mind and communication, Mars governs the initiation of physical action (Aries), catalyzed by deep emotional desire and impulses (Scorpio). Retrogrades often bring us "back" to things from the past--back to certain people, places, and situations. Perhaps this "going back" allows us to complete some karmic loop--tying up loose ends, completing unfinished business. More often, however, these retrograde cycles (especially among the inner or "personal" planets) redirect our attention to a specific area of our lives, so that we can make some adjustments and improvements--which, once the planet goes direct, we are able to implement and make use of.

It is often said that when Mercury is retrograde, that we should hold off from "moving forward" with important projects, plans, or business. In my experience, this has held true, because whatever you are moving forward with is inherently incomplete--it is a natural cycle in which the universe supports revision on all levels. Does this same principle apply to Mars retrograde as well? Somewhat, but not entirely. Whatever is initiated during Mars retrograde will likely dissipate energetically at some point in the future, after the retrograde is complete--it may not completely fail, but it is likely that things will not turn out as you expected, or initially intended--and this can sometimes lead to the explosion of repressed and unresolved anger due to attachment to a specific outcome. New ventures are often plagued with irritating setbacks and annoyances--it is generally advised to wait until Mars is strong and direct before implementing something entirely new. Used constructively, Mars retrograde allows us a process to strengthen or reinforce a preexisting structure we have already set into motion--whatever begins under this cycle will likely not be long lasting, but that doesn't mean it wont be rewarding. We may feel more compulsive/impulsive under this influence--but it is a conscious and objective analysis of these feelings that will provide the edifice for healing and integration at this time.

The inversion of the outward and penetrating influence of Mars provides us an opportunity to understand more deeply, what's really at the root or heart of our desires and impulses. We are all evolving and growing throughout the life experience, and as we go throughout our day, we are acting upon desires which emanate deeply from within the psyche. Normally, we are not conscious of why we feel compelled to do this or that--but while Mars is retrograde, we are provided an opportunity to go more inward and to allow ourselves time to stop and access the deeper motivations for why we do what we do. A specific understanding of what is being reinforced will come through an analysis of the house position(s) that Mars will retrograde through in the natal horoscope, or birth chart.

Be mindful of eruptions of anger due to frustration--it is very common that people find themselves pushing forward completely with something, doing everything they can, until they somewhat implode. This can be an excellent time to consciously express anger, to deal with it, and find therapeutic outlets for it. Anger is an extreme manifestation of self-assertion--which is a mechanism
within the psyche that allows one to establish boundaries. Anger often results because we are not actively asserting our territory and boundaries directly, letting things slide until the frustration builds to a boiling point, and we lash out. Mars retrograde is a cycle which equally allows us to reinforce boundaries, particularly involving the themes inherent to the house it is currently transiting in the horoscope.

It's important to understand that Mars retrograde is not an omen urging us to completely hold off from moving forward, or that we should avoid taking action--it simply means that whatever you begin, especially an entirely new venture, will not last as long as you think or believe it will--so simply take that into consideration, however it applies to your situation. For example, I once started a massage school while Mars was retrograde, and I had signed up for a full 1000 hour program. I never finished the entire program, because the school ended up going out of business that same year--I received a little less than half the training I anticipated--but, do I regret going, or "moving forward" with it? No way, this particular school was far more than massage training, it was a healing experience which completely changed my life (Mars was retrograde in my 6th house).

I can't imagine where I'd be if I hadn't gone, but it did dissipate energetically, and it did not turn out as I had originally anticipated. However, it did help to reinforce my own healing abilities--I learned entirely new modalities, methods, and philosophies which completely altered my outlook. Through the experience, I also learned ways of strengthening my boundaries--incidentally, I acquired a strong foundation for Tai Chi as well as having the experience of deep emotional release through holistic counseling. Just to note, Mars went retrograde right on my 6th house Transpluto, and in opposition to my natal Jupiter, ruler of my Midheaven--and transiting Jupiter was crossing my Ascendent. The primary motivation was the completion of the entire program, but the outcome was the brief accumulation of entirely new tools, training, experience, and perspectives.

Similar to Mercury retrograde, we may also experience technical or mechanical failures at this time; however, this is usually only when Mars is activating a personal planet, point, or major angle in the birth chart. If that same placement were active by other transits, then Mars retrograde will be much more eventful--otherwise it indicates a time of minor reassessment and strengthening--Mars retrograde is certainly nothing to dread or fear in and of itself! According to astrologer Lynn Koiner:

"During this cycle, never buy anything mechanical unless it is heavily insured! Office machinery and computers easily break down. A friend who owned a word processing service found this period to always be a disaster. During one retrograde cycle, the printer, the back-up printer and the rented printer all failed to work. When they finally got one that worked, the mailing labels printed but there was no ink! I often notice that the world needs a brake job when Mars in retrograde."

Mars will be retrograde in the tropical zodiac sign of Virgo, between 23 and 03 degrees. On a surface level, this relates to an impulse to strengthen and reinforce overall health and well-being, and also one's "work"--how we are of service to the greater community. Here we can make many adjustments to various bits and details--and we can really gain an understanding of all the intricacies of a particular situation. It is likely that aggressive forward motion at this time may be hindered or bogged down by various details and fragments. In Virgo, Mars retrograde gives us the motivation to put things in order, and to compartmentalize various pieces so that their is greater unity and sense of wholeness.Take this time to find ways to fully assimilate and strengthen each fragment. Just because Mars is retrograde we shouldn't feel frozen by inaction, but rather, inspired to practice and repetitiously train ourselves so that we are more connected and ready for what we desire to put into motion. Once Mars goes direct, we will have more experience and confidence which will better support our future success.

If we move forward with less serious or major projects at this time, Mars retrograde will provide us a process of trial and error. If you are not attached to a particularly "successful" outcome, you can use this energy to strengthen certain abilities through consistent and dedicated effort. As they say, "If at first you don't succeed, try try again"--this is a major theme of Mars retrograde. We mustn't take it too hard if something does fail or even fizzles out at this time--take the opportunity look deeper at the reasons behind it all, and how the unfolding is actually supporting your overall growth and development. Under the influence of Virgo we may find ourselves, or others, rather critical--or making perfectionist demands. Be mindful of this, as you can constructively use this criticism to chisel and shape something to more closely resemble your ideals before taking drastic action--just remember that absolute perfection is an illusion. This particular cycle of Mars retrograde in Virgo could be an excellent opportunity to really connect with something, to get more in the moment so that we can focus on things we would normally overlook in a zealous attempt to move forward.

The constructive use of this energy is to reinforce what is already there and to make it stronger--and to also reinforce or reconsider the boundaries we have set up within a certain aspect of our lives. We may feel impulsed to go after some new opportunity leaving something else behind; however, instead of dropping the whole thing, one should be encouraged to understand why they feel compelled to do so--to look at what isn't working, and how one can go about changing it. This is the time go back and look at the deeper motivations behind our actions, and then to make the appropriate adjustments based on those realizations when Mars turns direct in motion. This "going deeper" while Mars is retrograde, exemplifies its co-rulership of Scorpio, the sign governing self reflection catalyzed by external circumstances. While Mars is direct, our focus is more on the vibration of Aries--but, while Mars is retrograde, it opens the door to a much deeper dimension.

Whatever begins now, whether it's a new experience, relationship, or opportunity--is likely a stepping stone of some kind--it is possible that it will not last as long as we envision it--but if we can accept that, we will have less attachment, and thus less frustration, when it dissipates into the background. This does not mean that the experience is meaningless, it is simply a fleeting opportunity which allows us to reinforce a specific aspect of our lives and to secure our personal boundaries. We may meet entirely new people at this time, and these relationships often feel "fated", as though we have known them before this life. It is possible that, much like Venus retrograde, Mars retrograde is some kind of karmic gateway, in which people from "past lives" reemerge. We may actually even rekindle past relationships with people from this life. Most often, these meetings are relatively brief--but sometimes they can last quite a while--but regardless of where on the timeline such individuals come from, they will assist in redirecting us in a different direction that will have a large impact on our life.

In conclusion, the effects of Mars retrograde are generally more subtle and carried out over a period of roughly three months. Hold back on launching new ventures--this is a time to store up your energy and to redirect it on things that need reinforcement. Sometimes this cycle correlates to sluggish movement in projects or plans that have already been put into action--but if you look closely, you will find that there are things that need further support and strengthening. Its effects will be most influential if it is transiting a specific planet, point, or major angle in the horoscope, and especially if that same placement is being activated by a transit or other indicator. Overall, keep an open mind, be open to revision--and watch out for people and experiences which could very much, however briefly, redirect and alter your life.

Mars Retrograde Cycle 2012
11-18-2011 03 Virgo 41'    Enter Rx Zone (Shadow)
01-23-2012 23 Virgo 06'   Stationary Retrograde
04-13-2012 03 Virgo 41'   Stationary Direct
06-19-2012 23 Virgo 06'   Leave Rx Zone (Shadow)

SolarScopes December 10th-16th 2011

2011-12-05T15:27:00.001-08:00

Full Moon/Total Lunar Eclipse
December 10, 2011
6:36 AM Pacific
10:36 AM Eastern

This month's Full Moon is a total Lunar Eclipse, occurring Saturday December 10th--it will be visible on the western portion of North America, northern Mexico, Hawaii, Micronesia, Malanesia, Polynesia, Australasia, Asia, eastern Africa, Iceland, and the majority of Europe. This Eclipse takes place within the tropical sign of Gemini at 18 degrees and 11 minutes, closely conjoined the south node of the moon's nodal axis. Over the past few weeks the collective energy has had us adjusting our own unique individual lens, resulting in a broader, more expansive, and all-encompassing perspective. Look deeply at where you're gaining more awareness, where something has become more apparent, and how you can see more clearly where to make the next few steps.

Perhaps you've received a vision for the future, or something you would like to set out to achieve or manifest within your life. Mercury will be retrograde until roughly Dec 14th--but keep in mind that it takes another week or so for Mercury to pick up speed, and leave its shadow. This last phase of the cycle has us finishing and tying up loose ends--various obstacles inhibiting forward motion are likely to move out of our way after this...well, some of them at least (Mars is about to go retrograde soon). Mercury retrograde often presents us with a new way of looking at things. How have you altered your outlook, and what new perspective have you attained? Be open and humble to a different way of looking at reality this next week--Mercury's energy is still going strong.

This Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse is ruled by Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius--we are now letting go of old ideas and outworn beliefs to make room for the new awareness and insights we are receiving from the universe. Here we find ourselves walking that delicate balance between the the factual, logical, and rational end of Gemini--versus the intuitive, empathic, and holistic end of Sagittarius. Ultimately we are to "trust our vibes", but not to the extent of discounting the apparent laws and workings which construct our dimensional matrix--follow intuitive clues to come to rational conclusions that make sense, but that also help create the larger picture of the whole. See how you can practically implement your recurring visions or ideas, to integrate them into a productive work outlet, or perhaps to better enhance overall health and well-being.

The lunar eclipse invites us to look at ways to enhance our ability to digest information and experience--release and surrender whatever is taking up unneeded space, or assimilate it so that it fits with the current system and structure. Look for how you can create more ease and comfort within an existing system--how things can become more automated so that everything runs more efficiently--more smoothly.

The Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse conjunct the nodal axis, creates a T-Square with Mars in Virgo--we are being pulled into the vibration of the upcoming Mars retrograde cycle (Jan 23-April 13, 2012). As this frequency gets stronger, we are encouraged to become more mindful of our impulses and desires--to stop and check in with what we are feeling and why, as opposed to simply jumping into action. This inversion of the outward and directive influence of Mars, allows us a process to understand what truly motivates us beyond the superficial and apparent perception of our impulses. Needless to say, it would be wise to take your time with things, take it all step by step--check in with yourself, and what you're desiring to create now--what's the real agenda?

If you feel rushed to complete something or "make something happen", go deeper with it and see what's truly the source of urgency, and whether or not taking impulsive action would be self-serving. We are being gifted the opportunity to create and bring something into manifestation over the next few months--but we don't need to make it all happen in one swoop--careful, conscious, and controlled construction will truly benefit us now.

Technical notes:

The total lunar eclipse occurs at 18 degrees of tropical Gemini and 11 minutes, conjoined the south node of the Moon's nodal axis by an orb of 03 degrees and 47 minutes--putting the Sun in direct opposition conjunct the north node in Sagittarius. This configuration activates Mars in the United States horoscope (Sibly), ruler of the 4th and 5th houses. Transiting Mars makes a square to the eclipse position on Christmas Eve December 24th--and again around June 8, 2012 after going direct from retrograde motion. There is also a New Moon on Christmas Eve at 02 degrees Capricorn and 34 minutes, forming a Grand earth trine configuration with Jupiter in Taurus and Transpluto in Virgo. In March of 2012, Mars, Jupiter, and Pluto form an earth grand trine at roughly 9 degrees of their respective signs--having met in wide orb in November of this year. Transiting Jupiter will conjoin the degree of the eclipse in early May 2013--activating its inherent potential.

Many of the themes and issues surrounding this eclipse are part of a much longer dynamic process which will unfold over the next year or so. This will be more influential, of course, if the eclipse touches a specific planet, point, or angle in the personal horoscope--and will correlate to shifts and changes regarding the themes inherent to its house position.

FORECAST
Dec 10th through Dec 16th 2011

We will be feeling the full peak effects of the Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse Friday and Saturday nights (Dec 9th-10th)--but mostly Friday.Watch out for "new connections", fated encounters, or simply pertinent information you likely need to receive. Over the weekend there may be a lot of "impulsive" energy flying around--be mindful of this, especially in regards to the uprising of anger stirred up by ideological debates. If you can't simply agree to disagree, it might be best to just walk away, or not become engaged; however, it may be tempting and difficult to resist. The Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse occurs at 6:36 AM Pacific/9:36 am Eastern--the energies are ripe for methodical and mental projects.

The Moon goes void early Sunday (Dec 11) morning from 2:25 am to 5:26 am Pacific and 5:25 am to 8:26 am Eastern. The Moon will be in Cancer all day Sunday--the collective energy is likely to be more sensitive, emotional, and focused on maintaining security. Sunday may feel very impulsive, with lots of energy coming from differing directions--it's a good day to get stuff done as long as you can remain focused and not allow yourself to get distracted. Later Sunday night favors intensity and looking beyond surface appearances.

The Moon is in Cancer all day Monday (Dec 12). Be mindful of moodiness and irritability--people may feel very impulsive, at the expense of the needs and concerns of others. Don't assume, ask and connect so that you can be more clear. It may be challenging to pin down just what you want and need today, but don't panic, just feel your way through it.

The Moon goes void Tuesday (Dec 13) morning around 8:05 am Pacific/11:05 am Eastern and enters Leo around 1:48 pm Pacific/4:48 pm Eastern. While the Moon is void it is best to lay low, avoid making important decisions--go deeply within and connect to yourself and your needs. Today is a good day for creativity and receiving sudden or spontaneous information. This energy will likely carry over to Wednesday (Dec 14), which should feel relatively light, playful, and perhaps more care-free than usual.

Thursday (Dec 15) should feel productively harmonious--and we may be able to make realistic use of our creativity today as long as we're mindful of excessive idealism. The Moon goes void around 5:20 pm Pacific/8:20 pm Eastern, and enters Virgo around 7:58 pm Pacific/10:58 pm Eastern. Toward the latter part of the day the collective energy may feel spacey or unclear. The evening favors taking it a bit easier, staying close to stable patterns or routines--if you are unsure of something today, don't press the situation further.....sleep on it.

The Moon is in Virgo all day Friday (Dec 16) closing in on a conjunction with Mars. Friday is an excellent day to organize, clean, or compartmentalize things--you may feel an ability to go much deeper with it than usual. The intensity of Mars in Virgo is likely to increase throughout the day, peaking late Friday night, and so...there will likely be a lot of heightened mental energy. This is an excellent night to work on something that requires focus and sustained energy, as you will be able to direct your attention on all the little pieces and details.

Stay tuned for my next article for the last quarter Moon, Saturday December 17th.

SolarScopes via tropical zodiac
The Lunar Eclipse opens a portal to the past--to some far off distant memory--to memories of long ago--things historical and ancestral. This portal opens deep in our minds, and with it--a simultaneous impulse into the future--a tunnel to the stars expands before us. We are beckoned to the past, something "retro" to extract its essence and to creatively enhance its potential to benefit our future state. The aftershock of some distant event is culminating in the now. Making creative change to enhance the future. Consciously and methodically actualizing our desires--fueled by the vision of tomorrow. Consolidating ideas, information, theories, and all hypotheses'---slowly putting them into action to further serve ourselves and others.

Sun sign horoscopes are generalized readings which interpret collective energies as they are perceived through the multivalent lens of the zodiac. Imagine light permeating a prism as it is refracted into a multiplicity of colors. Each frequency perceives the inherent nature of a particular lunation differently. These are written for specific archetypes within the tropical zodiac, but are not limited to simply "Sun signs", and can also be accurate in describing individuals with a particular archetypal dominance in their personality, as revealed through the natal horoscope itself.

ARIES
There's probably a lot information overload going on--so many different perspectives to ponder. Your outlook has, or is about to change quite considerably, and your going to embark on an adventure to make some use of it. Sometimes our ideas about the world around us need to be adjusted, or just cleaned out entirely. If you're stirring up anger or defensiveness in others while trying to communicate old ideas--it might be time to consider how you can possibly adjust them, or make them sound more appealing. Sometimes, however, you're just ahead of the times, and so if you mindfully share your thoughts and discover the reasons for truly doing so, you'll have a better perception of what catalyzes it all to begin with.

TAURUS
Take a deep breath--breathe in slowly--take it all in. Absorb whatever is coming at you through that tunnel. You may feel that you finally have a better idea of what you need--most, if not all the pieces are in your hands--now it all comes down to how to make use of them, how they all fit in...and where. Take a moment, relax, and take it all in--there's no need to build the whole castle in one day--there's plenty of time. Besides--you arn't really sure how to go about it all anyway--so allow yourself to go deep, and ponder those feelings and urgencies--something new is brewing and you can make it all happen--just trust your creativity and let it all unfold. It'll feel like you didn't do a thing in the end.

GEMINI
Your changing the way you perceive yourself and the way you interact with others. It's time to make your connections work for you to better support and sustain you somehow--to build a strong foundation for the future. It's natural for it to feel this way--there's always tension between your needs and those of others; however when we all work together, harmoniously--it's amazing how powerful and strong a structure we can create--it's all just a matter of humbled egos mingling in mutual cooperation. It takes two, so you know, don't give too much unless the other end is just as passionate as you are. Let go of that complex idea you have of yourself, open your mind, and let others mirror to you just how simple it really is--each part reflects the whole....nothing exists in isolation.

CANCER
A chaotic past descends into the memory vaults, and simultaneously, a future emerges--more sharper and available to your perception. What was once a mystery, is becoming more easier to grasp--all is becoming more tangible and less abstract or confusing--so trust that you aren't "going crazy" after all. You can direct all of this into integrating and healing yourself; there still might be a lot of work to do, but at least you have a better understanding of where to begin. The gears are probably moving about now, and it seems you have a few ideas in the works, so trust you're being gifted with the specific guidelines--all you have to do is follow their lead.

LEO
Whatever failed, broke down, or slipped away likely wasn't what you needed after all--at least it wasn't functional they way that it was, and now that you know what's not working, you can apply yourself to areas that will be much more fruitful. Use this time constructively to finish sorting out all the ties you keep carrying around with you--you can see much more clearly now who or what is taking up all the space. This is a time to strengthen and consolidate your strongest talents and abilities, and channel them into something that will allow you to prosper in the future. Don't rush now, while things may appear rather accelerated, you have plenty of time. Within this whirlwind of possibilities grab only what's essential and let the rest move on with the wind.

VIRGO
It may be a challenge in getting clear on where you're going exactly--it hasn't felt like you've really been in control of things. You have plenty of time to revise your public image, it's all a matter of sifting through various ideas, options, and possibilities--especially now that you can actually see them. Embrace this more panoramic perception, look at where everything fits in. You can use this time to really enhance yourself and your potential--and to work out all the kinks in your presentation style. You don't need to throw away the whole thing, especially if you feel impulsed to do so--look deeply at where you can consolidate all the pieces and make something else entirely. Your life direction is going to change--move with it, and you'll find it all less difficult to manage.

LIBRA
Gaining a new vision may come about with the sacrifice of another, more outworn, perspective. The less attached you are to this process, the easier it will all flow along with ease. It's likely you've realized that there are many things you've yet to discover, to experience, and to pull into your conscious awareness--remain open and humble to all transmissions as they head your way. Over the next few months you will be guided deeper into yourself and your shadows like never before--here you stand upon the precipice, awaiting some form of assimilation. Trust, have faith--surrender, you're not exactly in control now, but that doesn't mean succumbing to inaction....you can choose to step deeper into the dark, and like a warrior, go where you've never been before.

SCORPIO
It's time you let go of that old mental programming--especially the bits and pieces that you allowed others to throw upon you at some point. It's likely you can see it all--as if you have some form of x-ray vision, able to pierce deeper to detect all surface motivations and agendas. It's time to allow yourself to link up with a powerful force, network, or structure much larger than yourself--through mutual cooperation. You can find a very creative way to better support yourself through the influence and power of something co-created. You're walking a fine line now, so be mindful of how much you give, and how much is taken--allow yourself, through a sort of osmosis, to move in and out of the eternal connectedness of the universe.

SAGITTARIUS
Now that you're more aware of where other people are coming from, you can make more sense of yourself and where you currently stand. There's always a clash between interests when we involve ourselves with others on some intimate level--relax, it's all apart of the game. You may feel compelled to link up with like minds and forge your way ahead now--but take it slow--no need to rush it all. A strong and supportive structure requires careful and conscious construction, so start with each piece and soon enough you'll be halfway done. You need to get clear on some information first, especially coming from sources whom you consult--it's a bit scattered now so take this time to make sense of it all--trust your judgement and intuition, you're quite talented there.

CAPRICORN
The past few weeks have likely had you focusing on ways to make yourself more useful--maybe at work, or maybe around your living space. Now that you have more perspective, it's probably more clear that you need to expand beyond the "known" and familiar and make your way into entirely new territory. What you learn along the way may even have the impact of enhancing your skills and over-all knowledge--allowing you to become much more effective at what you do. A powerful healing or integrating of what was once a scattered array of fragments is possible, but you'll have to rely less on the practical limitations of the world you see before you, by trusting your inner guide. Easier said than done for you Capricorn ;-)

AQUARIUS
It's possible that you've been experimenting with an entirely new way of creating your reality and actualizing your desires. Now is the time to really trust your inner child, think of it all as a big game--don't take it too seriously. There's a lot of pieces that still need to be put together, but it's likely you've received a much clearer creative vision of where you need to go next. You're playing with the delicate process of mindful co-creation, so don't think you have to do it all alone--and that may involve a process of possible ego-deflation. The vision is yours, this is true, but it may not all fall into your lap, leaving you to make it all happen alone. Look for ways that you can implement your creation through the support, feedback, and assistance of those who you truly mesh with, and can deeply trust.

PISCES
The floor beneath your feet may have been a bit unstable these past few weeks, and your perception has likely changed in the way you perceive the whole foundation--and your place in it all. You're living situation, or place you find most comfortable, is in the process of deep transformation, so have trust--sort through all the stagnant bits and pieces and maintain what's truly essential. You're likely to make some new connections soon which will help things further, or perhaps a certain relationship will provide some much needed awareness about your motivations and desires. You may feel compelled to really start moving forward with others in some direction--but be mindful that there's still some work that may need to be done. Don't feel rushed or pressured just yet, and if you can be mindful of your real agenda, and be receptive to needs of others--you'll avoid a lot of conflict and confrontation.

SolarScopes December 2nd-9th 2011

2011-12-01T19:22:00.001-08:00

With Mercury retrograde, I am experimenting with this SolarScope concept, and so you will notice it changing quite a bit until it feels right to me. I don't usually like Sun Sign horoscopes--well, I've never been comfortable with the image of astrology they create. Astrology is profound, incredibly deep, and wonderfully insightful. Sun Sign horoscopes, are--well....vague. Perhaps I am to accept that, on some occasions, depth and profundity aren't always warranted or even desired. I will also admit that I've found them, occasionally, to be surprisingly accurate--perhaps not life changing, but there is a modicum of solace they've provided for me. Without further ado--here is my latest attempt at Sun sign astrology--let's see how this unfolds.This latest incarnation of "SolarScopes" will be presented once a week, at the New, First Quarter, Full, and Last Quarter Moons.

Pisces by Augusta Lucas-Andreae

First Quarter Moon @ 9 degrees Pisces 52 minutes

We are in the upward swing of the New lunar cycle--we are accumulating a new process now--there is hope, there is a shining ray of opportunity which beckons each of us. The First Quarter Moon meets us with a slight boost of momentum on December 2nd, as the Moon opposes, and the Sun Squares, Mars in the early morning hours--however, the Moon goes void at 10:06 am Pacific, and will stay there until Saturday Dec 3 at 5:51 PM Pacific. This is a long one folks--in Pisces, let's not fall to pieces over it. Over these two days be mindful of a sense of--well, possible hopelessness about something that is likely beyond your control. Whatever plans you've made are likely to change, especially now that Mercury is retrograde--be extremely flexible and open to revision. If used wisely, we can connect more with ourselves, or our spiritual center at this time--an opportunity to immerse ourselves in the moment.

It will be best to surrender to this energy--embrace the idea that there's absolutely no rush now, take it easy and go with the flow. If you find yourself feeling more inner directed, follow that cue--it will lead you to a much safer space, where you can ride out the storm. Be mindful of making commitments, signing contracts, setting big plans, or making large purchases--things just aren't clear yet, so don't push it. We are in eclipse season, there are a lot of changes and transformations brewing just beneath the surface--trust your suspicion that something is about to shift, bringing some much needed fresh air.

The Moon enters Aries Saturday evening, and meets up with Uranus around 7:01 PM Pacific--this is a definite shift and acceleration of energy--follow your bliss, desires, and creativity--as long as they don't get you into too much trouble, Saturday night is set up for the unexpected.

Sunday the Sun meets up with...uh--Mercury retrograde. Don't panic! It'll be ok--well I don't know that, but I'm sure things will work out just fine. Something, or someone from the past may emerge--allow yourself to be receptive to receive whatever message or teaching is offered. If you can be humble enough to accept the notion that you don't know everything yet--you'll likely find something truly rewarding, if not educational.Watch out for minor irritations or disruptions, don't let them stir up too much anger--and if so, be mindful of where you channel or direct it.

Monday should feel a bit smoother, more aligned, and more balanced. It's a good day to get back in the routine--well maybe not entirely, but you'll be feeling less scattered and confused. Late Monday night is excellent if you need to focus and make progress with a project--with Mercury retrograde, keep in mind that you probably won't complete it just yet, but you can at least go over the details and see what needs to be adjusted. The Moon enters Taurus on Tuesday around 6:34 am Pacific. We may feel more connected to each step today, methodical, but also expansive--spending some time outdoors or within nature will likely be rewarding--there's a strong appreciation and adventurous thirst for the subtle, simple, and naturally beautiful.

The energies of Tuesday are likely to carry on over to Wednesday--overall this is an excellent time to take things step by step, perhaps making some progress with something you've been working on. Thursday the Moon goes void around 3:40 pm Pacific, and enters Gemini around 6:52 pm Pacific. Towards the latter part of the day be mindful of mixed, foggy, or unclear communication. If you need to convey something important, make sure you state things as clear as possible--and again if necessary. Thursday favors mental pursuits, but more dealing with flexible and imaginative brain-storming--it'll be best if you're less attached to what you receive.

Mercury retrograde is quite influential Friday, so again, be open to all the possible faults and short-circuits the universe reveals to you. If you can open your mind to new solutions you'll experience much less pain or frustration. Stay tuned for my reading on the Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse which occurs Saturday December 10th!

ARIES
It can be irritating not knowing where you're going, especially when you're usually so sure about what you're after--going deeper within will probably be more useful now than ever. Keep your focus on the vision, the plan, and that ray of light pouring through those clouds with that beautiful, yet elusive, silver lining. Keep playing with that idea, vision, or perception--a few more adjustments and you'll likely get it just right. Your whole outlook is changing, so keep those mental flood gates wide open--an influx awaits.

TAURUS
You're normally so good at keeping a slower pace, but you may be feeling a bit more--accelerated than usual, as well as more enmeshed with others than you'd like to be. Sometimes we need to see where others stand--what they think, feel, or embrace in their own little bubbles, and through comparison, we can make more sense of our own position. It might not make sense yet, as if everyone is just a carefully placed distraction to keep you from what you want--but just allow yourself to be open to the notion that there's far more than you've thought of on your own.

GEMINI
Oh Gemini, just where are you going? You probably thought I'd be able to tell you. Your life direction just seems a bit fuzzy, and you're not sure which hat to wear--you might not have even tried any on yet. Don't feel pressured to "figure it out", even though you're usually so good at it. Feel your way through this, trust, have patience. There's also more than meets the eye in your personal and professional relations--be open to the assistance and possible feedback of others, as well as a renewed outlook, or even rekindling of a certain relationship.

CANCER
Luckily for you, you're an emotional creature, more comfortable with subtle impulses and intuitions. Let that tiny little voice guide you now, allow it to show you a new horizon, even if it isn't entirely clear or even in focus just yet. There's a lot of pieces that still need to be put together to make the whole picture complete--and if you can embrace each fragment, one by one, it'll surely come out a masterpiece. Take your time. There's a lot of adjustments to be made to your usual routine, whether that be at work or with a daily regimen--keep playing with it.

LEO
Feeling your way through the crowd might be a little overwhelming, but trust that you're being guided toward the proper assistance--as they say, two heads are better than one. You may be finding yourself more connected to revising the way you express and actualize yourself--getting more in the process--allowing it to take over. Don't feel rushed to complete anything just yet, your just experimenting, you shouldn't feel the need to fully commit or even pin it all down--don't take things too seriously now, just play the game, you're so good at it!

VIRGO
When it's difficult to pin down the intentions of others, it's likely the universe is simply reflecting back, the truth that you're not quite clear with your own. There's a lot shifting and shuffling beneath your feet, but trust that impulse and desire which will guide you to modifying the whole foundation. Something from the past emerges now, and with it a renewed perspective on where you really fit in--where you feel really connected and rooted in the ground. Oh Virgo, a little dust never bothered you, and once it's all settled, things will be back to feeling more safe and secure.

LIBRA
You might not know what to think, decide, or commit to--perhaps an endless array of thoughts are seemingly flying around in mid-air. What a perfect opportunity for bringing in some balance--and there's plenty of options now to throw up on those scales. Don't fret over making the final decision just yet, your flirting with your mind--and once you get clear about the pro's and con's you'll be able to get things going and back in order....just as you like it.

SCORPIO
So much is changing in what you identify with--especially regarding the ways in which you support yourself. Keep an eye out for new creative ways to fuel the pump of adundance, and a different perception of how you can make things happen. When you aren't clear with what you want, it's best to just try some things out. Go inside yourself now, really get into the process--let it guide you to a new horizon within. You're being given an opportunity to find out just what makes you tick--take it one step at a time.

SAGITTARIUS
You are who you are, but right now it feels as if you can be whoever you want to be. Something is changing in the way you put that first foot forward--but don't feel pressured to commit to any particular image. If it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't, so trust that you can play and experiment with the whole look. Something new is on the horizon, and you may be feeling more adventurous and expansive--more connected to your basic nature than usual. Trust your impulses now, something is about to emerge. Don't limit yourself, just have patience and watch it all come together just as you imagined.

CAPRICORN
You're more comfortable with the tangible, and right now it feels as if you can't hold on to much. Something hidden has perhaps, or is likely, to reveal itself--maybe from the past, or maybe from those deeper recesses of your psyche. It's ok, trust the process, and surrender....you can't exactly control this one--so why beat yourself up over it? Keep an eye out, even though you might not see it just yet--there is a force so much greater than what you see before you, and it beckons. Follow your hunches, not your mind.

AQUARIUS
Things are speeding up, but maybe not moving forward--wow, what a contradiction. It's ok, you probably need this time of cross currents, use it creatively. You're likely desiring some companionship, or perhaps just some adulation of some kind. This is the perfect opportunity to expand or refine your network, find out who or what really matters most. You're usually not used to doing things the "normal" way, so enjoy this process--experiment, try something different. Follow the road to ingenuity, it might even be lucrative.

PISCES
A new direction is revealing itself--but at the same time, you're not feeling too sure about who you are, or which hat to wear. Keep an open mind--luckily for you, you have more faith than most. Use this time constructively to get more clear about where that horizon truly leads. Don't feel pressured to know exactly just yet, it's a process--you're experimenting with the whole structure, and whatever fails now wasn't on very solid ground to begin with--so make the appropriate adjustments and move on.

SolarScope November 26, 2011

2011-11-25T21:35:00.001-08:00

The Moon is in Sagittarius until 4:06 PM Pacific/7:06 PM Eastern. There is much activity today, and so the energies are highly supportive of a busy day--you may find yourself involved with much whether you intended to or not. With all this energy flying around it would be a shame to not take advantage of it--if you have things you've been putting aside, today is an excellent day to address them. Venus moves into Capricorn this morning around 4:36 AM Pacific/7:36 AM Eastern--the next several weeks favors a taste for the formal, conservative, and bottom-line basics. With Venus in Capricorn there will be no need to go over top--consider what's really important and what you need most--practical, simple, and streamline will be the fashion flavor.

There is quite a mix of energies today, the universe is apparently catering to everyone's taste and preference. If you plan on having any kind of social gathering or event it should turn out quite successful--and you will likely find yourself feeling more like mingling today than usual. The Moon sextiles Saturn around 11:12 AM Pacific/2:12 PM Eastern--if you need to stay focused and determined this morning you will be greatly supported. The Moon sextiles Neptune around 4:06 PM Pacific/7:06 PM Eastern--and goes void until 7:04 PM Pacific/10:04 PM Eastern--while the Moon is void we may feel like withdrawing a bit, going more inwardly, and sticking to more routine tasks or activities. Venus squares Uranus at 6:28 PM Pacific/9:28 Eastern--be mindful of your desires and impulses, especially while the Moon is void--pinning down just what you want will be the challenge--stop yourself at the right moment and you'll avoid any complications that may arise.

The Moon conjoins Venus in Capricorn around 8:27 PM Pacific/11:27 PM Eastern--tonight is an especially social night, and will definitely favor more formal, simple, or basic appearances. This is a good night to socialize for business related matters as well--as people will be more focused on the bottom line than usual. The Moon makes a trine to Jupiter around 10:01 PM Pacific--this adds a dimension of expansion, exuberance, and flamboyance. Overall there is much activity today and throughout the night--it would be wise to make some use of it.

SolarScope November 24, 2011

2011-11-23T15:35:00.001-08:00

Today is Thanksgiving day--so eh--time to give thanks. The vibration of Sagittarius ferments this holiday with the spirit of adventure, of abundance, and of reaching beyond the known and familiar and into the foreign. There is also a Solar Eclipse/New Moon tonight, and so it is a time to be mindful of what you're creating--give thanks for what you have, and intend on attracting what you need right now.

Read my article on the New Moon here for more insight. Mercury is also retrograde for the next three weeks--this is the time when the universe reveals to us just how little we really know. Mercury retrograde is a time to be humble and open to new ideas and perceptions of how things operate. In Sagittarius we may feel as if we have a firm grasp of reality, but we never truly will, because we're always learning and growing--be open to revision of all kinds. If you feel impulsed to go back to something, or to reconsider things from another perception, go for it--you'll be glad you did.

The Moon will be in Scorpio today until she goes void around 3:05 PM Pacific/6:05 PM Eastern. Her last aspect will be a square to Neptune--ouch. Let's not intend this to put a damper on your dinner plans, but it'll probably be wise to choose to get more clear on your emotions later today instead of reaching for the booze--that might not end things too well with the family. Luckily Venus makes a sextile to Neptune around 5:53 PM Pacific/8:53 PM Eastern--smoothing things out a bit, adding a streak of romanticism into the mix.

The Moon enters Sagittarius, leaving the void, around 5:57 PM Pacific/8:57 PM Eastern. During the void make an attempt to treat things lightly, don't take yourself or anything which manifests too seriously--you won't be too clear on it either way. The Moon makes a trine to Uranus around 7:09 PM Pacific/10:09 PM Eastern, adding an electrical burst of spontaneity. The New Moon occurs around 10:10 PM Pacific, intention setting will be ripe around the end of night and all day tomorrow. Happy Thanksgiving!

SolarScope November 23, 2011

2011-11-22T15:22:00.001-08:00

The Moon is in Scorpio all day today--we feel this deeply since the Sun has recently left this brooding sign of secrets. While the Moon is in Scorpio the background energy becomes more intense, more connecting--we are more intriqued by what lies behind the curtain, behind that veil we know is but illusion. This is interesting, given that the Sabian symbol for the day is:

"The ocean covered with whitecaps"

This is an image of water foaming and frothing as a result of turbulence. This seemingly chaotic display conceals a world beneath that is, for the most part, unaffected by the forces above it. Perhaps we should question what is truly behind certain appearances today, as there is far more than meets the eye. The Moon makes several aspects in the early morning hours. The Sun trines Uranus at 2:15 AM Pacific/5:15 AM Eastern, and will separating from this aspect throughout the day--be mindful of sudden innovations or creative spontaneity.

The Moon sextiles Mars at 3:30 AM Pacific/6:30 AM Eastern, and then sextiles Pluto at 3:35 AM Pacific/6:35 AM Eastern. At 6:02 AM Pacific/9:02 AM Eastern Mars makes a trine to Pluto--needless to say the day starts off quite intense, we may feel this as a desire to really connect with something today, or with other people. Perhaps we feel a sense of mission this morning, and this would be an excellent time for deep concentration and focus.

Today we may feel a powerful sense of self assurance, and we can act with confidence without second guessing ourselves. Keep in mind however, that Mercury will be turning retrograde, officially, late tonight at 11:21 PM Pacific/2:21 AM Eastern (the next day). We should go with our instincts and go after what we desire, but we may change our minds over the next week or so, especially if we make some form of agreement or commitment. My advice...just go with it today, throw yourself into the process and see how it unfolds--if anything you'll at least enjoy yourself.

Embracing The Vision: New Moon/Solar Eclipse in Sagittarius & Mercury Retrograde

2011-11-22T12:08:00.001-08:00

New Moon/Solar Eclipse in Sagittarius
November 24, 2011
10:10 PM Pacific
November 25, 2011
1:10 AM Eastern
@02 degrees Sagittarius

This month's New Moon is also a partial Solar Eclipse, further amplifying its usual power and influence. Regions of visibility include the extreme southern tip of South Africa, Antarctica, Tasmania, and New Zealand. Solar Eclipses are extremely powerful New Moons, and because of this, the power of intention is greatly magnified. Now that the Sun has entered Sagittarius, ruled by Jupiter, the collective energy becomes more expansive, optimistic, generous, and more focused on the larger holistic picture. The background energy seeks the grandiose--impulsed to make things more larger than life. We may desire expansion, to take on new forms of experience--to go beyond our known limitations. There is a very interesting synchronicity surrounding this New Moon--it occurs on Thanksgiving day, roughly the same day which initiates Mercury's retrograde cycle, and appears to be a gateway towards the cyclic formation of an earth Grand Trine involving the planets Mars, Jupiter, and Pluto.

The grand trine configuration has already been forming roughly over the past week, and given its earthy nature--and the planets involved--has a feel of abundance, productivity, and internalized self-sufficiency. This is also been labeled by several astrologers as an "abundance cycle", which will actually peak around March 13, 2012 when all three planets form the grand trine completely--once Jupiter has moved direct and Mars goes retrograde. Interestingly, on March 13th, as all three bodies are at 9 degrees of their respective signs--Jupiter and Venus will conjoin in Taurus--how's that for a sign of abundance! We may feel a sense to break free of something to become more self-sufficient and autonomous. The past week has been a preview, so to speak, of these coming energies and their intention. Personally, for me this energy has really been quite productive, as I have been more connected to astrology and writing more than ever before. We may feel frustration now if we are not connected to some kind of work which provides us a feeling of gratification and accomplishment--or if a passion we once embraced has begun to fizzle out--but fortunately this is a ripe opportunity for discovering an entirely new path or direction.

I feel we can use the power of this New Moon to set our intentions around manifesting more productivity and abundance in our lives--expanding our material resources and transforming our physical bodies. We can use this as a portal to expand into the realm of potential to manifest our dreams. It can also assist us in uncovering a passion or meaningful work that fulfill us. What would you like to attract into your life now, what do you need to better support and sustain yourself? Conversely, this configuration is likely to impulse us deeper into something, to see past distractions or disillusions into the heart and truth of what's really going on--we may feel less tolerant with superficiality. This New Moon/Solar Eclipse is the "gateway to abundance", but also a path to the truth--and the more conscious we are of intending this in our lives, the more likely we are to see it show up.

New Moon Horoscope- November 25, 2011 (eastern)

This is a north nodal solar eclipse--we are acquiring, manifesting, taking on, and accumulating something new. Have you been gifted with a vision for the future? Perhaps an entirely new direction which will enhance your resources and skills, or perhaps enhance the fruits of your talents? Embrace this vision, set your intention towards its manifestation and utilization. A new horizon has emerged, and with it, manifold possibilities are now visible and available to us. On another note, many astrologers are predicting much more economic instability beginning next year, most likely from Summer onward--and will result in further social instability and political unrest. How can we manifest abundance in an economy which is seemingly corroding, isn't this just overtly idealistic? I feel the Sabian symbol for the position of the New Moon holds some clues for us.....

03 degrees Sagittarius: Two men playing chess

This symbol reveals the image of two men playing a game of chess, which takes place upon a tiled or checkered board. Like all games, Chess is a competitive match between two players. Chess is considered by many to be a sporting type event, which is essentially a means through which aggressive energies can be channeled and transmuted. Astrologically, this aggressive and assertive forward drive originates from the unconscious archetype of Mars, which is the planetary crystallization of the yang principle within the psyche. Chess digresses from the traditional "physical" sporting event in that it requires well-thought out plans of action, urging the players to be more objective within the process, and to consider various perspectives-- all while adhering to a strict set of rules.

At the root of it, the game actually slowly dissolves dichotomy, because in order to win one must be extremely conscious of the opponents intention--it is a game which actually urges the players to be less impulsive or aggressive and more mindful and empathic. The game usually ends with the King checkmated--this being the archetype of the leader, the ruler--or in another sense, the conscious ego who rules over waking perception. Chess actually promotes creativity and ingenuity, while following certain rules and boundaries. This is an interesting blending of two seemingly antithetical constructs, but it works. The archetypal chess board is composed of black and white tiles. The word tile is actually slang for a hat--a creative comparison of tiles on a roof--and a hat upon one's head. If you are familiar with the "secret" society of Freemasonry, you will find an interesting parallel between the checkered floors of their lodges, and the reference of "tiles" to the occupation of a mason or tradesmen--who were the founders of the organization.

The agenda of Freemasonry is really no secret, it's been written about quite openly for anyone to read, mostly from its own members. This has led to many conspiracy theories about the organization, mostly regarding their secret role in manipulating various political events in the attempts of creating the mythic "New World Order"[1]. In reality, if you study their influence upon certain events and key people throughout history, it is plainly clear that somewhere in the higher eschalons of the organization lies a powerful hand which shapes and directs HIStory. Regardless of this, the root archetype of the Freemasons appears to be the ability to work within certain laws and boundaries while slowly shaping and directing the system--in other words, conforming to the system to eventually change or transform it through a creative process.This is a similar principle which assists one in successfully winning a game of chess, in which the objective is to emphatically attune to the opponent to eventual checkmate his ego--or to take over control of the conscious perception of the King.

So how can we utilize what we are given, economic instability or not, to enhance our success and to manifest abundance for ourselves and/or for others? How do we create change and transformation within the current rules of the game? If we perceive our "opponent" as the system itself, or perhaps, those which are currently winning the game--does it serve us to aggressively fight against them? Most likely not, but if we consider the game of chess, we are urged to become more empathic--to connect with the system and to assimilate it into an entirely new form, all while mindfully plotting our next moves carefully, clearly, and cleverly. I feel this is a deeply profound message for the collective at this juncture, especially given the revolutionary impulses currently flooding earth. This brings to mind the cliche saying, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade".

The power of this grand trine can be utilized by us to manifest something truly amazing with the resources we currently have, but to do that we are encouraged to get creative and to utilize a well thought out plan of action. Fortunately, or unfortunately, Mercury is about to go retrograde, roughly the day of the New Moon/Solar Eclipse. Mercury retrograde is often anticipated with minor dread by many privy to its effects--however, if we use this time consciously--it can be incredibly useful. Mercury retrograde occurs every three months, for three weeks, and designates a short period where the normal flow of our daily life and communication appears to be going backward--or "working against us". This can manifest in various mechanical breakdowns or failures, lost or confused bits of information, unclear communication--and or several minor irritations or "setbacks". The truth of the matter is that Mercury retrograde is a time for us to actually take steps back, to go over things more thoroughly, and to be sure that all the pieces are in their proper place.

If something breaks down, or if something appears to be delayed or not moving forward, it's because there are components missing that we've overlooked--and this is the perfect time to go back and see what we can adjust so that it's more functional in the future. The more we push forward, the more of the seemingly "negative" side effects we experience, but sometimes we do either way--you know because it's Mercury retrograde. Mercury goes retrograde from November 24 through December 14. This is not a time for launching new projects or making important commitments or agreements--moving forward will be favored once Mercury turns direct. Mercury will be in Sagittarius during its retrograde cycle--this provides an opportunity for reconsidering the bigger picture and for gaining a broader perception of where we're going. If you've acquired a new vision or idea over the past few weeks of Mercury's shadow, this is the perfect time to revise it, adjust it, and go deeper with it to see how you can make it work.

Both the New Moon/Solar Eclipse and Mercury retrograde cycle feel very creative and inspirational, but not to the extent of being overtly idealistic--there are plenty of energies available for us to make practical use of what we receive this lunation cycle. The New Moon forms a T-Square alignment with the Chiron/Neptune conjunction in opposition to Transpluto in wide conjunction with Mars. This hints at a massive influx of trans-dimensional energies flooding the earth plane, as well as an opportunity for deep healing and integration. We may feel rushed or impulsed to heal something at this time, but we must remember that healing is a process--and most effective when we surrender, and connect to it as opposed to fighting or attacking what we perceive to be an imbalance. Perhaps this New Moon/Solar Eclipse will allow us to gain a new perspective on our own personal healing process, and allow us to see it from a different light?

Venus, at the anaretic degrees of Sagittarius, in wide conjunction with Pluto, squares Uranus at the Aries point. We are urged to creatively break out the box now, to experiment with new avenues through which we can creatively express ourselves--embrace an entirely different approach and path now. This new path may feel awkward, different, and uncertain--but continue on and trust completely your inner guide. Listen to the voices inside you, which urge you to take a creative risk--you'll be amazed where it will lead you now.

The suggestion would be to reach for the light, reach for the the horizon--out for more experience. Now is a time to expand--but to also be mindful of each step. Optimism and enthusiasm can inflate us beyond our capacity to handle sometimes--you don't want to pop the whole balloon now. This is a time to inflate consciously, and if we can approach our problems with compassion, empathy, and most importantly--mindful objectivity--we will indefinitely enhance our success. Solar Eclipses are truly powerful forces, there is a deep biochemical alteration which occurs within us--it is subtle, but real. We can alter this transmission with the power of our intention, and we can mold and shape these forces into very real and tangible realities. Choose to dance now with the great potential of the universe, let it lift you up--as you reach higher for those transcendent engimas we've dreamed in the sky. But with that I say--be mindful of who's vision you reach for, and when in doubt--make your own.

Stay in the light.

Notes & Referneces
[1] By referring to The New World Order as a myth, I am not denouncing its crediblity, but simply implying that the real truth behind the theory I do not truly know--but I find it a fascinating archetype, of which could very well exist, as well as being convincing in terms of evidence. However, I feel the vastness of the situation is far beyond our current perception--as it deals with something of which we currently have little understanding as a collective--dealing more with (para)psychology than with politics.

[2] Image by Vladamir Kush

SolarScope November 22, 2011

2011-11-21T16:00:00.001-08:00

Sagittarius by Branka Brmbota

The Sun enters Sagittarius around 8:08 AM Pacific/11:08 AM Eastern. While the Sun is in Sagittarius the collective energy turns to more broader based perceptions and concerns--we are more focused on the bigger picture, the larger process, and the principle of expansion--ruled by the planet Jupiter. Currently Jupiter and Venus are in a mutual reception, working together to harmonize and beautify. The Moon conjoins Saturn this morning around 9:43 AM Pacific/12:43 PM Eastern--marking the morning with a more serious and focused tone. This energy can often feel heavy, dense and restricting, or it can be quite productive and precise. Since the Sun has now moved into Sagittarius, and the Moon will be in Libra, this should work to lighten things up this morning--allowing for productive expansion.

The Moon sextiles Venus around 10:30 AM Pacific/1:30 PM Eastern, creating an impulse which seeks harmony, beauty, and a feeling of pleasantness. The first half of the day should be filled with quite a pleasant sociability, we may feel more enthusiastic and adventurous today--but should also have enough focus and concentration to get things done. Be mindful of impulsive spending, desiring things you'd like to have--but yet if you can really afford it, its a great day to treat yourself to something special. The Moon makes its final aspect to Neptune around 3:04 PM Pacific/6:04 PM Eastern before going void. The Moon is void until 5:58 PM Pacific/8:58 PM Eastern. While the Moon is void we may suddenly feel the urge to withdraw more, and we are encouraged to stay centered and close to familiar routines--making big decisions during this brief time may not be the best idea. The latter part of the evening should be met with a slight break in the energy, but with the last aspect to Neptune, this is a good time for meditation, yoga, or just some casual daydreaming.

The Moon opposes Jupiter around 9:25 PM Pacific/01:25 AM Eastern, fermenting the night with an exuberant energetic influx. We may feel a bit like indulging ourselves this evening, which should be quite enjoyable, just remember that excessive expansion can lead to a painful contraction at times. Overall the signatures today should feel relatively light, pleasant, sociable, and we may feel called to expand beyond the normal hum drum of daily living. People may be more friendly and generous, which is good if you have a need for ease of social interaction. It's an excellent day to enjoy the inherent beauty of something, or to get creative and create it yourself. There is much motivation available to get important work done, and it should feel less of a chore and more enjoyable than usual. Today is an excellent day to enjoy yourself, and if you don't have much important work to do it would be a perfect day to get outside and connect with the world around.

SolarScope November 21, 2011

2011-11-20T12:58:00.001-08:00

The Moon is in Libra today, having left Virgo while entering her void yesterday afternoon. The Moon is direct and strong today, and the day is relatively free of major aspects--with the exception of a square to Pluto in the early morning hours, around 3:04 AM Pacific/6:04 AM Eastern. This of course brings in the "Cardinal Climax" energies, since the Moon opposed Uranus last night around 6:35 PM Pacific/9:35 PM Eastern. On one end, the day could unveil some deeply embedded emotions, especially if things have been kept under the surface for a while--but with the influence of Libra, and Venus and Jupiter in mutual reception, there is a high possibility of suppressing this intensity for the sake of keeping peace and harmony within our relations--or it could likely get filtered out.

While the Moon is in Libra, the collective energy becomes more concerned with socializing, relating, and maintaining balance and harmony. People may seem more receptive, empathic, and resonant with each other--this is because Libra impulses us to see through the eyes of another, and beyond our own self-interests. Today is a good day for coming to an agreement or finding middle ground with someone or a particular situation--however keep in mind that any critical contracts, negotiations, or big decisions made right now are likely to be revised as we near the threshold of the Mercury retrograde cycle. There may be a deep feeling of creating change, and this may manifest in harmonizing the environment.

The Sun is Void, and teetering on the edge of Scorpio all day today--entering Sagittarius tomorrow morning. We may feel a bit lost and directionless if we strive too hard to make something happen, and so you'll likely find more harmony if you surrender to the process as opposed to being too "forward directed". We may feel a bit drained today, especially as the Moon is easing into her New Moon phase, and we may lack much motivation or vitality than usual. Needless to say, it would probably be wisest to stick to more familiar routines, as anything new or risky is likely to go in unpredictable directions--unless that's your intention. Experimentation and spontaneity are indeed favored, just be less attached to the outcome. We may feel that something is about to shift now, and that some things need to be let go of--perhaps the urge to surrender to transformation.

Daily Sabian symbol: "A Halloween Jester"

This symbol evokes a sense of "making fun" of something in order lighten things up. Halloween is a tradition which is based upon "becoming someone else" for a night and taking on the accompanying persona. A Jester is the court comedian whose job is to lighten and loosen the King or Queen from their otherwise serious preoccupations. Perhaps today is a day in which we look to where we can have more fun, or find joy and creativity in otherwise heavy or serious circumstances. Look to where you can soften the edges a bit--add some more glitter, and allow yourself to just be--see where it takes you.

SolarScope November 18, 2011

2011-11-17T19:21:00.001-08:00

The Moon enters her last quarter phase this morning at 7:09 AM Pacific/10:09 AM Eastern. At this phase of the lunar cycle, we come to releasing and letting go the previous cycle as the Moon wanes into the next New Moon. The sabian symbol for the last quarter moon reads: "A rainbow"

A rainbow carries with it the symbolism of the illusion inherent to perception--the ideal of gold waiting at the end, and its inherent nature as an "optical illusion". Alternately, the rainbow symbolizes hope, and the promise of new beginnings--the calm after the storm, when a new potential emerges from some preceding chaos. Perhaps this symbolizes the letting go of an old way of perceiving something, and embracing an entirely new perception or vision--or embracing a variety of possibilities or viewpoints.

The Moon sextiles Saturn at 4:28 AM Pacific/7:28 AM Eastern, and squares the Sun at 7:09 AM Pacific/10:09 AM Eastern. The early part of the morning may start off with a more serious and focused tone, we may feel very determined to do something and yet, may encounter resistance from our emotions or intuition. The Moon opposes Neptune and goes void at 11:06 AM Pacific/2:06 AM Eastern. While the Moon is void, the collective energy becomes more withdrawn and inwardly directed. Plans made may change, or not turn out as you expected--be open to revision and alterations in the anticipated unfolding. It seems as if things may get a bit foggy or unclear for the early part of the day, so have an open mind, and trust your hunches if you feel you should take it a bit easier. The Moon leaves her void around 2:19 PM Pacific/5:10 PM and enter Virgo. The afternoon energy is likely to shift considerably, so it might be best to hold off on certain commitments, or making heavy decisions until then.

While the Moon is in Virgo, we may be feeling more connected to getting things done, perhaps organizing and creating harmony out of chaos or confusion. The collective energy may become more concerned with details, and more focused on the process as opposed to the end result. This is an excellent energy if you need to be exact and specific--but keep in mind that this energy will be more available as the day progresses. We may feel more critical of ourselves or others. The Moon opposes Chiron around 3:30 PM Pacific/6:30 PM Eastern. The Moon trines Jupiter around 6:50 PM Pacific/9:50 PM Eastern. The collective energy may become more expansive, optimistic, and much lighter and smoother as the evening winds down--feeling a desire to find wholeness. However, the Moon is entering into a conjunction with Mars conjunct Transpluto in the early degrees of Virgo--be mindful of anger which may arise, and expand, at this time as well. The Moon conjoins Mars at 9:12 PM Pacific/1:12 AM Eastern, which could ignite the collective energy with a burst of assertiveness and a take charge energy. With all this activity in the late night, it may be a bit challenging getting to bed on time--but if you need to stay up and complete some task, tonight would certainly be productive as the energy will be ripe for focus, motivation, and precision.

SolarScope November 17, 2011

2011-11-16T17:15:00.001-08:00

1491 Woodcut of Leo, by Guido Bonatti

The Moon continues on into Leo today, the fiery sign of creative self-expression and actualization. While the Moon is in Leo, the collective vibration is more playful, creative, child-like, self-indulgent, and likely a bit more self-centered than usual. The Sun, ruler of Leo, in Scorpio, adds a dimension of depth, intensity, and the desire for creative "penetration". Will power and individuation are amplified under these influences, we may feel more comfortable with expressing our true inner self or inner child. We are not as satisfied with superficiality at this time, and we may feel the urge to go deeper with ourselves and others--to really see the reality of things beyond appearances. The first half of the day is relatively light and free of dominant aspects. The Moon makes a trine to Mercury at 4:08 PM Pacific/7:08 PM Eastern adding ease of communication, and especially the ability to convey what we're feeling. The Moon opposes Vesta at 4:53 PM Pacific/7:53 PM Eastern, and trines Venus at 7:59 PM Pacific/10:59 Eastern--toward the late afternoon the collective energy is likely to become more focused on creating peace and serenity, with an underlying desire for beauty.

The energies today are relatively light and playful, we may feel more drawn to "take it easy" today, which could be a conflict if you have much work to do--but on the other hand it could make something that is usually mundane and prosaic more fun and interesting. Be mindful of overtly indulgent tendencies, relating to food, sex, drugs, or alcohol--if you do choose to indulge yourself, just be mindful of your limits and whether you are truly conscious of your actions and desires. These signatures are likely to impulse us towards more self-gratifying endeavors, but if we choose to, we can use this energy for its highly creative potential as well.

Daily Sabian Symbol: "Indians making camp"
This symbol presents the image of what are likely, native "Indians" setting up camp for the night, to find solace and shelter from the harshness of the environment. Perhaps they have traveled all day, and now tired and worn from the journey, begin setting up shelter to protect them while they sleep. Perhaps this symbol suggests to us the notion of finding a special place, where we can recharge and reset for the next stage of our journey.

SolarScope November 16, 2011

2011-11-15T14:04:00.001-08:00

Leo by Branka Brmbota

The Moon leaves her void and enters Leo around 8:17 AM Pacific/11:17 AM Eastern this morning, and will remain in Leo until early Friday. While the Moon is in Leo the collective energy can become more playful, creatively self-expressive, and subjectively aware. Leo has a flair for the dramatic, and while the Moon is in Leo we may project things beyond their true proportions--be mindful of this tendency in yourself and others. People may be more generous than usual, but also more self-centered--while the Moon in in Leo we are impulsed to find enjoyment and amusement within the many facets of daily life--we have a greater capacity to connect deeply with the inner child. The Sun rules Leo, and thus the Sun's influence in Scorpio is likely to twist this energy into a desire for "penetration", depth, and intensity. This could create the potential for intense sexual desires, and well as an equally powerful impulse to get creative and "tear into" a creative project or task.

The Moon trines Uranus around 9:54 AM Pacific/12:54 PM Eastern, starting the day off with a surge of innovative creative spontaneity. With the combination of Leo, this is likely to create a powerful wellspring of individual self-expression--we may be feeling much more connected and able to express ourselves uniquely today than usual. The Moon makes a Square to Jupiter around 1:33 PM Pacific/4:33 PM Eastern, and Mars makes a Trine to Jupiter around 2:08 PM Pacific/5:08 PM Eastern. The afternoon is likely to receive an extended burst of energy and a desire for expansiveness. Needless to say, today appears to be an excellent day to get things done, especially finishing a project or task you have already set into motion--as much of the energies will allow much motivation. Equally, there is much potential for excessive idealism and a fanatical belief in one's abilities--be mindful of what you take on, and realistic about how much you can handle today.

Today has a flair for the unique, the unexpected, and the expansive....just be mindful that many of these are energies are for the most part, short-lived. Whatever you begin today is sure to be enjoyable, whether you are able to complete it in the future or not, you are likely to have a good time doing it either way. If you're not feeling very productive, today in an excellent day to do something for the fun of it, and to just be in the moment. There is much lightness and generosity inherent to these signatures, and this is likely to be expressed through other people you encounter throughout the day.

Daily Sabian Symbol: "An X-Ray"

An X-Ray is the byproduct of modern technology (Uranus), and allows us to see beyond the physical persona or barrier we see before us (Scorpio/Pluto). An X-ray can provide us with an expanded perception of what we are normally unable to perceive, and thus can have the ability of speeding the process of diagnosis without the need for physical penetration. At the same time, an X-ray operates through the use of "unseen" radiation, which can be highly dangerous and even deadly with long term exposure. Is what we see really what we get? What is the cost and benefit of cutting corners?

SolarScope November 14, 2011

2011-11-13T18:37:00.001-08:00

The Moon drifts through Cancer all day today, flooding the collective with an energy which seeks nurturing, protection, security, and safety. While the Moon is in Cancer, emotions and sensitivities are much more heightened--be mindful of vulnerabilities in yourself and others. As the Moon moves through the Cardinal sign of Cancer, it will interact with the powerful Pluto/Uranus Square. The majority of major aspects occur in the early part of the day--The Moon squares Uranus at 1:06 AM Pacific/4:06 AM Eastern, sextiles Mars at 2:28 AM Pacific/5:28 AM Eastern, sextiles Jupiter at 5:22 AM Pacific/8:22 AM Eastern, and opposes Pluto at 10:26 AM Pacific/1:26 PM Eastern.

The day begins with a highly powerful and intense energetic influx, and much of these combinations may feel a bit contradictory at first. There is confusion and chaos seeking harmonious union and integration. Today is an excellent day to look at how you can restructure some things in your life to create more harmony--perhaps a home, living situation--basically anything that you consider to be apart of your foundation and sense of security. Go with your "gut feelings", however, be mindful of sudden and aggressive impulses. Assert yourself uniquely, perhaps not harshly.

There may be an urgency to really shift things around and make lasting changes--just be aware that you probably don't have to do it all in one day. Mercury and Venus are making their way past the North Node in Sagittarius, we may feel more adventurous now, coupled with a desire to expand beyond the known horizon and envision what's truly possible. Today favors making new connections, especially if they relate to people and places between long distances from where you live. Above all else, go with your instincts, feelings, and intuitions. If you can dream it, you can do it--all in good time, of course.

Planting day: Today is an excellent day for planting below ground root crops.

Sabian Symbol: 23 degrees Taurus-- "A bunny metamorphosed into a fairy."
This symbol invokes a sense of high awareness and transformation--bridging the mundane and the imaginal.

SolarScope November 5, 2011

2011-11-05T09:29:00.000-07:00

Scorpio by Branka Brmbota

The Moon is Void of Course in Pisces all day today, until 1:05 AM November 6th. The collective energy is likely to become more passive, introspective, introverted, and reflective. Today is a good day to practice patience, surrender, and trust in the process. It might be wise to have less attachment to what goes on today, as plans may have a tendency to change when you least expect it--it can be one of those days when things seem increasingly less clear than usual. Consider having less concern, attachment, and focus on outer external events and more concentration on inner personal matters and concerns--perhaps playing it safe today would be the best option. If you can stick with the usual routines you should be very successful, the challenge will likely be encountered when attempting to make drastic changes or getting involved in some entirely new experience.

Today favors any kind of activity which nurtures, supports, and sustains your emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being. Staying centered and grounded in your own sacred space would be tremendously rewarding. If you feel impulsed to do something entirely new, check and see if you're really clear that it is something truly worth your while--there is a strong tendency to idealize something just to simply fulfill exaggerated desires. We often go though life looking for ways to enjoy, accomplish, or fulfill an idea or need which will increase our productivity and or success. Today, consider another dimension, in which the focus is more on nourishing and supporting your entire being, whatever that means for you. Because the Moon is void of course, she will not be making any major aspects to the primary planetary bodies. However, the Moon will make subtle contact with the asteroid Ceres, by means of a conjunction around 8:44 AM Pacific, beginning the day off with a nurturing tone.

If you feel scattered, unclear, foggy, spacey, or unfocused today--look within and see whether you are truly supporting yourself by pushing forward. You may be amazed that the universe fully supports you taking it a bit easier than usual, allowing yourself to be more in the moment and apart of the process. Sometimes, when we really allow ourselves to slow down the pace, we make discoveries which can completely alter our perception of the world around us. Look and see what discoveries or secrets are waiting for you to tap into. Surrender whatever dilemma emerges and trust that it's likely not something you can do much about in the moment. If we can disconnect from what is draining us, and make connections to something much more sustaining, we will be a lot more functional in the future. There is so much beauty in the divine unfolding. Follow the road to awe....

Disconnect to Reconnect.

SolarScope November 4, 2011

2011-11-04T00:58:00.000-07:00

Scorpio by Augusta Lucas-Andreae

The Moon drifts through Pisces today, having returned from her void, her sacred alone time, around 1:18 am Pacific last night. While the Moon is in Pisces the collective background energy is more in tune to a sense of timelessness--we have more of an opportunity to be in the now, to capture and enjoy each moment--to see the beauty and wisdom of each fragment. The Moon makes a square to Mercury around 5:02 AM, and then to conjoining Venus around 5:33 AM Pacific. This morning could start off with energy that seems at cross purposes, as our mind/desires/ideas may seem compelled to ignore our bodily signals. Luckily the Moon is applying to a sextile to Jupiter in Taurus, exact around 8:56 AM Pacific, and this should give the morning a much needed boost, infiltrating the collective with expansive enthusiasm.

With the combination of aspects today, there is a high chance of getting lost in daydreaming and or idealizing--which isn't necessarily a bad thing, just be conscious of how much this serves you. If you find yourself focusing too much on the past or the future--what was, or what could be--then you're likely missing the moment, which is equally, if not more significant, than what's no longer in existence--or what has yet to become. The Moon forms a sextile to Pluto around 11:05 AM Pacific, giving the enthusiastic vibe a boost of powerful confidence, conviction, and an ability to follow through to the very end. Today is a wonderful day to just be, but if you have important work to attend to, you can also be very productive as well--just be mindful that things may not be as exact or percisce as you may want it--it's more about the perspective. Allow yourself to fantasize, enjoy the sights and smells around you--but don't get too carried away by the stream.

Today is excellent for gardening, especially for planting above ground winter crops (unless it rains, which is expected here on the west coast of Cali). The Sun will be at 12 degrees of Scorpio for most of the day, the Sabian symbol reads:

An inventor performs a laboratory experiment.

Perhaps today is a good day to experiment, which was similar to the theme yesterday, yet with less impulse and electricity from Uranus. Creative solutions may abound, maybe insight on a new way to play with and modify something. A true "inventor" has a passion for creation--he or she creates because of an innate sense of curiosity and wonder about the possibilities that exist. With the Solar energy fermented by Scorpio, we may find ourselves altering something already in existence, adding some touches to make something more functional or interesting, or perhaps tinkering with other people's stuff. Today is an excellent day to enjoy the process, really get into it, by maybe without as much attachment to the end result.

SolarScope November 3, 2011

2011-11-03T10:08:00.000-07:00

Scorpio by Johfra Bosschart

Both Mercury and Venus trine Uranus while in conjunction today, adding a burst of electric vibrancy, spontaneity, rebelliousness, and a surge of creative or spiritual revelations. Combined with the Moon in Aquarius, ruled by Uranus, today is coated with a sense of the unconventional and the uncharted. Explore something new today, look and think outside the box--that requires looking in places you may have never thought of before. The Moon makes a trine to Saturn around 10:06 am Pacific, so this should temper and focus much of the otherwise sporadic Uranian energies.

Saturn allows us to stick to whatever we've been doing, allowing for a practical and useful implementation of any radical or unusual insights we receive today. "Steady does it" is Saturn's motto, so the early part of the day should be full of a highly focused and directed electrical chi flow. Around 5:06 PM Pacific, the Moon makes an opposition to Mars, and this is likely to add more energy to the current flow, however, we must be mindful of our emotions and keep an eye out for outbursts of anger--and also to not get swept away by sudden impulses which may pull us into directions we can't entirely commit to, or into projects we aren't able to complete.

At this point we may be feeling more energized physically, however, mentally and emotionally we may feel a tendency to go more within ourselves as the Moon begins leaving Aquarius, joining the Neptune/Chiron conjunction. As the evening winds down, the energies will likely impulse us to stay closer to our spiritual and emotional center-- to deep contemplation, relaxation, reflection, and integrating the day. The Moon goes void at 8:41 PM Pacific, making its last aspect to Neptune. This is an excellent time for meditation, channeling, yoga, or other spiritual discipline which allows us to transcend the physical and to peer into the numinous and unseen realms. Whatever plans you had may change, and you may find yourself feeling more like spending time alone or keeping things more low key for the rest of the night.

If things appear foggy or unclear tonight, it's probably best to surrender to whatever is going on and attempt to make sense of it later on, probably tomorrow. Tonight the dream time should be particularly interesting-keep yourself open to any or all symbols received as they may have powerful implications for healing.

SolarScope November 2, 2011

2011-11-01T22:44:00.000-07:00

First Quarter Moon
9 degrees Aquarius 55
9:38 AM Pacific

Today is the First Quarter Moon, the first solidifying step within the new Lunar cycle. Both Venus and Mercury ingress into Sagittarius today while having been in close conjunction to one another since around October 13th--this conjunction peaks (becomes closest to exact) at 00 degrees of Sagittarius forming a T-square alignment with the Neptune/Chiron Conjunction in opposition to Transpluto, which recently ingressed into Virgo. Just yesterday, Mercury and Venus conjoined at the 29th degree of Scorpio, symbolizing the transition to the energies we are likely to experience today. What's about to explode from the shadowy depths of the unknown today? Something will make its presence known that will be apart of a process of unfolding, leading to a definitive re-evaluation during the upcoming Mercury retrograde cycle. This provides us a vortex for us to pierce deeply to reveal the truth and authentic nature of anything we focus upon. The conjunction of these two inner planets creates a collective energy which stimulates us to express our deepest values, to cultivate inner and outer resources, and to find adequate means of self-expression. This could manifest as the sudden inspiration for a project to further enhance beauty and functionality, a new and exciting creative passion, or perhaps some way to enhance a preexisting relationship.You may find yourself more closely identified with your deepest beliefs about life and yourself now, and as both planets move into the vibration of Sagittarius we are given the opportunity to see more clearly the bigger picture, and potentially the truth of it all. From this vantage point we are more aware of how the inner workings make up and support the whole. Let us be mindful of the shadow, which may impulse us towards a sense of absolute self-assurance, dogmatism, and a tendency to be overtly didactic.

Being too focused on our own perception of things will always limit us to the possibility of refinement of our viewpoints provided by the perception and feedback of others. Let us be mindful of perceptions and ideologies that may be forced upon us from someone or something external. Anytime we pressure our view of reality onto another--it is likely that we ourselves are insecure in our own position, and thus seek validation through the acceptance of our beliefs by others. Pinning down the exact details of anything may be a bit challenging now, because we're only looking at the larger whole, so things are inevitably in their more "rough draft" stage in the moment. Keep this in mind, because both Mercury and Venus will be dancing into the shadow of Mercury's upcoming retrograde cycle soon. Pay attention to what comes up now, as it will likely be revised in some way. Interestingly, this Mercury and Venus conjunction will peak again on November 10, the day of the full Moon (though they never quite become exact), and Mercury goes retrograde around November 24th, the next New Moon/Solar Eclipse which occurs at 2 degrees Sagittarius.

Collectively, today is likely to be significant in that it will present us with a preview of the changes and transitions that are coming our way. Be clear in your choices and actions, although you may feel that all is apparent and visible now, you are still prone to delusion's of grandeur. What may seem too good to be true, probably is--at least for the time being--but that doesn't mean forever. We are building and acquiring now-- mostly ideas, perceptions, information, and a larger perspective. Be mindful of your hunches, feelings, intuitions--and any or all "received" information--the doors of perception are wide open, and the spiritual and numinous realms are more than willing to tell their secrets to those who know to ask the right questions.

The Sabian symbol for the First Quarter Moon reads:

10 degrees Aquarius: A man who had for a time become the embodiment of a popular ideal is made to realize that as a person he is not this ideal.

There are different variations in the wording of this symbol, however, each eludes to an individual embodying a symbol which gives a momentary sense of collective power, fame, and attention. Any "celebrity" or famous historical icon, represents an archetype manifest through the individual themselves. The person (or people), who takes on this power does so at the expense of living a "normal" life--in that they surrender their personal identity and life to become the expression and manifestation of the unconscious symbol shared by the collective. You could say that, in a way, the collective archetype--or celebrity icon--becomes temporarily possessed by psychic forces, and the role they play is apart of a much larger cosmic and mythic drama. Once the collective has processed the message embodied by this symbol,the archetype dissipates back into the unconscious memory of the collective-- leaving the individual with the shell of their former self. The ideal is an expression of potential, but the reality is that we can only model that potential to the best of our ability and eventually accept that we are only human in the end--and thus will never fully express or comprehend the ideal in this life. The symbol seems to represent someone emerging from a state of possible delusion, to realize who they truly are. We feel a sense of self-analysis and evaluation to see past the presented image, and deep into the truth encapsulated by the soul itself.

Stay in the light.

*This is first of possibly several "daily" astrological updates I have committed to writing. This is mostly an experiment, so I will be doing the best I can to post as frequently as possible, but will be also acknowledging my inherent Geminian flightiness and indecisiveness ;-)

New Moon In Scorpio: Maximum Occupancy

2011-10-24T13:15:00.000-07:00

The Mad Tea Party by Mark Bryan

New Moon @ 3 degrees Scorpio
October 26, 2011
3:56 PM Eastern
12:56 PM Pacific

As the solar cycle shifts into Scorpio, we segway into a process of pruning and consolidating our manifestations--cutting away at what is no longer relevant or what no longer serves our own growth and development, and that of our creations. What needs to be released now, so that things can run more smoothly? What's in the way, what's blocking things from blossoming into their highest potential? Letting go, releasing, and editing all the clutter will make room for so much more to grow. Now is the time to cut things back, but not to completely destroy something--look for ways you can keep and maintain what's truly important and that supports the entire foundation, or to release it and let it go. Burning bridges is never the best option, but rather looking for the potential in what is, and how you can use the current state of things to make everything more efficient.

Since I last posted my article on the previous New Moon in Libra, the beginning stages of many changes and shifts have revealed themselves, and each of them is a very significant symbol and key in the process of understanding the current transition. In the article, Intimations of a New World, I outlined the energies and archetypes of September's highly dynamic New Moon configuration involving the mysterious and enigmatic comet Elenin--concluding that Elenin, through the New Moon itself, was communicating, or rather, teaching us about a new model and perception of a new world. The conclusion of the article may have been a bit esoteric--but in hindsight it is very clear that what was received was indeed quite relevant in terms of current world events. The primary conclusion, which is a fragment of Elenin's meaning, was that Elenin embodies the archetype of a collective ideological transition symbolized as the beginning stages of a shift in religious symbolism fermented by the change-over from the age of Pisces towards the the age of Aquarius.

Elenin reveals to us that many new ideologies are about to present and cement themselves within the collective psyche on planet Earth, whether they are religious, spiritual, political, economic, scientific, or philosophical in nature. Elenin also embodies the death of outlived and corroded ideologies and the birthing of new perspectives and worldviews symbolized primarily through the progressive decay of the dominant Judeo-Christian ideology within Western civilization (symbolized through Elenin's current state of disintegration). The New Moon in Libra, which occurred on September 27th, contained a miraculous configuration, involving Elenin and several other comets currently visiting our solar system, which I have intuited to be apart of a process which is activating a "new template for consciousness" within the collective mind. Elenin is currently disintegrating according to the latest observations, but it is not going to completely fade from our awareness just yet. It appears that Elenin is about to receive a boost in its relevance for us, because this month's New Moon exactly conjoins Elenin's natal ascendent at 3 degrees of Scorpio, and within roughly 2 degrees of conjunction with Elenin's natal Venus as shown in the discovery horoscope.

Elenin's Discovery Chart

If you've paid any attention to current events, you are likely aware of the Occupy Wallstreet movement which has now spread to hundreds of cities worldwide. Astrologically, this is primarily catalyzed by the building Uranus/Pluto square which has been anticipated by astrologers for many years, and I have written briefly about it in previous articles (such as Cracking The Cosmic Egg). The Uranus/Pluto cycle historically correlates to the rise of aggressive revolutionary, reformatory, and rebellious impulses which arise from the collective unconscious every time the two planets make a hard aspect to one another, i.e. a conjunction, square, or opposition. The last conjunction of Uranus and Pluto occurred during the late 1960's, beginning an entirely new process of cultural reformation. The key to working with this cycle is understanding that it is a process, not an end-all solution. Whenever these two planets come into a hard contact with one another, we are given an opportunity to further the agenda of the process at that time, and then to allow it to spread and infiltrate until the next contact. The psycho-emotional frenzy that gets stirred up by these forces can be so powerful that many believe the utopian/promethean/dionysian vision, which is inherent to the process itself, will fully implement at that time, however, the initial thrust and momentum is likely to recede back into the unconscious once the contact is complete--leaving many to believe that whatever actions that had taken place had somehow failed to be fully realized.

The reality is that the world is not yet ready for the complete implementation of the radical vision of Uranus and Pluto--it has only the capacity to process sporadic phases of experimentation when the time comes, and thus we must trust that each phase of its development serves a deeply significant and meaningful purpose in the end. The ideal would be to transmute the impulsive/aggressive/unconscious revolution into a calm/assertive/conscious evolution. It would be ideal for one to be exceptionally mindful at these times, because the potential exists to become swept away by collective psychic frenzy into social movements which we may not fully understand. We must also be conscious of the fact that the current system of government has the ability, and capacity, to manipulate and infiltrate such social movements as a means of keeping things under control--and thus, the perceived end result may be extremely far away from the original intention of the movement itself.

"Charging Bull", the central image from the Adbusters poster promoting Occupy Walstreet September 17th. Note the symbolism of Taurus, the sign of values, income, and resources, and also the symbolic reference to the biblical "golden calf" (transition of ages).

What we are seeing now is a foreshadowing of the energies which are going to emerge on this planet from 2012 through 2015 when Uranus and Pluto come into exact contact to one another. It is likely that the current Occupy movement is a stepping stone and segway towards something much more powerful, focused, and directed--which will erupt in the summer of 2012 onward. The Uranus/Pluto cycle can also be rather violent in and of itself--this particular phase of the cycle, the square, has the potential to be extremely violent and chaotic in its expression and manifestation. In looking at the signs involved, we receive more clarity of how this process is to express itself. Uranus is in Aries, the sign of aggressive self-assertion, the power of the people and the individual, the common people, the power of one, the thrust and momentum of a new process, the vibration of the big bang--in tension and conflict to Pluto in Capricorn, the sign of powerful structural and authoritarian power, the very skeletal infrastructure of systems which manifest as governments and corporations, and powerful social control and authority. It is through these images that we see quite clearly how our world is currently playing out these archetypes on the world stage, and armed with a broader astrological perception, we can see that there is a much larger process and cycle at work here.

The bigger question remains....Are we truly directing these forces ourselves, or are these forces directing us? How conscious are we as a society? How aware are we of our own internal workings, shadows, and stumbling blocks? It all begins with the individual, taking responsibility for themselves and their own process. I personally feel that the core message of Occupy Wallstreet is extremely relevant and contains much truth, but in looking at our past history, it is clear that such movements have not always been quite successful in the past, even if history tells us otherwise. When things become aggressive or violent, it is an indication that the collective has succumb to projection of repressed unconscious contents. What we aggressively fight against, we end up secretly becoming and consumed by--psychologist Carl Jung called this Enantiodromia. Ironically, the American Revolution's prime directive was to escape the confines of the monarchy, and yet, today it seems we have but created a similar system to the one our ancestors fought so desperately to stamp out--a Fascist system disguised as democracy. There is so much going on here than simply greedy capitalists who are taking all the money and resources from the common people, there is a deeply rooted conditioning which has been implemented on many different levels of consciousness. Yet, it is true, that the current system we live under is highly dysfunctional and does not serve the majority of people who take part of it. It is true that there appears to be a cabal of elitists who, in the spirit of monopoly, own the mass majority of wealth on this planet. But, is it really their fault that things are the way they are?

I'd invite us to be mindful of where we are projecting any kind of blame here, because we are dealing with something which has been allowed to happen, over time, through a gradual manipulation of consciousness. We are not truly victims of evil or greedy people, we are victims of unconscious passivity, if we choose to be. The perspective that I have chosen to cultivate in my life is that there are no enemies, there are only allies. Every threat offers a lesson and an important teaching--we always have the opportunity to transmute it for healing--though this is usually far more easier said than done, but it is the path of evolution. Nature does not truly destroy, it assimilates. If you're asking or demanding for the system to change, for things to get cleaned out, consider looking within and changing your own life, and looking at how the qualities which are projected onto the system lie within each of us. What do the current problems we have encountered offer to teach us about ourselves? How can we empower ourselves within a system that we perceive as corrupt? The new world cannot succeed if it is infected by the same conditioning of the past, by the same beliefs and ideologies about how change and progress is to occur.

The current economic and political instability was not created by one single group, but rather, it has evolved through a collective collaboration--and everyone plays a part in it. If you feel called to take part of the Occupy movement, I simply invite you to be mindful of the real issues, and be conscious of where the movement is being steered towards, and most importantly of all, of who's actually steering it. As I wrote about about in my article, Emerging From Chaos, all political ideologies have the potential for corruption, Capitalism, Socialism, or Communism alike, are incomplete in of themselves. If you are choosing to destroy something, why not connect with its roots and its foundation first? Pluto is a definitive fragment of our collective shadow, and while it moves through Capricorn from now until 2024, it will reveal the dark side of all systems of control--not just the ones we are currently dealing with (Pluto=Plutocracy). It appears that while the core message of the Occupy movement is the unfair distribution of wealth, and the melding of corporations and government--a lot more heat is being thrown towards Capitalism being the root of the problem by different group ideologies, but is this really the case? I'm not exactly an advocate of capitalism myself, however I know enough about things to see that the problems we are experiencing are not really the result of Capitalism, but more due to the implementation of a Fascist system of government, involving a deeply rooted Oligarchy who plays on all sides of the political dialectic.

On the other end of the spectrum, the movement, whether successful in achieving its projected intention or not--if there really is one--will be successful in bringing about much more public awareness about the deeper workings of our current political and economic system--and will have a lasting social value in re-conditioning the public to a broader perception of how things operate. It is clear that a larger audience of people are being exposed to the reality that all sides of the political game, left and right, play a big role in the perceived corruption within government. It will provide the mass majority who allow the media to dictate their thoughts, to see things differently , and to see how our current political system is dysfunctional the way that it is. If the Uranus/Pluto cycle brings us anything, it's an expanded outlook on reality--of what's possible, and what we're capable of as a collective unit. We are being given the opportunity to experiment and to try something new--but as always, the biggest change starts with you. It starts by making the decision to live differently, to change the way you partake of the perceived problems. Allow this to be a time to truly step out of the box, and start living in a way which is truly in accord with change. It means beginning to think for yourself, and to be mindful of the trap of collective mind-control and group-think. The biggest changes and breakthroughs actually happen in the most subtle of ways, usually far beyond the consensus infrastructure.Must we truly wait for government to make the change, or can we simply change our own lives despite what "the system" is doing?

The Promised Land by Mark Bryan

The primary reason the bankers and elitists make all their money is because people are still willing to buy into what they're selling them. The biggest change can occur on a very small scale--by supporting local economies, changing the way you eat and the food you buy, growing your own food, changing the clothes you wear, or the media you choose to partake of--basically where you spend your time, energy, and money. What we are seeing with the Occupy movement, is a gradual evolution within our global consciousness, and this step is just as significant as the rest we will inevitably take in the future. A new synthesis is occurring within our political systems, as an inevitable result of the tension between opposites. In the end, we are driven by forces deep within the psyche impulsing us to find wholeness, completion, and autonomy. It will take time for the collective psyche to reach a state of homeostasis, so I'm not putting all my faith in the current movement that is developing here, but I am acknowledging that it serves a very important purpose within the whole of the evolutionary process we are all apart of.

As we meditate upon the energies coming in from this new Moon in Scorpio, look to your life and see what needs to go. What needs to be released. What are you holding on to that is stagnating your current growth? Is your current life style really in line with change? If nothing changes within, we often attempt to make changes in the outer world, or to even change other people. When we feel impulsed by these archetypes within ourselves--we must express them, somehow, or we become consumed by them. Look to your own conditioning, and surrender it to the transformative powers of Uranus fueled by Pluto. Now is the time to break out of the mold, and create something new within yourself. There is a deeply powerful transition taking place within each of us, and we are given the choice to embrace it and make it our own--or succumb to it, numb it out, and project it onto something else. Now is the time to stop running from yourself, stop playing games--and choose to face who you really are. Let go of whatever is in your way, or whatever is preventing you from being more in line with your potential and with your personal success. To destroy, is to project.

The highest goal of the Uranus/Pluto cycle is to break molds and to break up large scale conditioning patterns and programs, and to replace them with entirely new templates. This process began in the late 1960's with the first conscious conjunction of these planets since their discovery, marking an era which completely altered our culture forever--even if the current political paradigm is still in place, many people chose to change themselves and chose to experiment with an entirely different way of living. That template still exists, and it is slowly maturing, and now at this phase of the cycle we can assist it by creating conscious change--first within ourselves, and then the rest of the world. The current Uranus/Pluto cycle will not fully culminate, flower, or blossom until the opposition stage of the cycle, which will begin heating up in the year 2045, and this will be an incredibly miraculous time for global change. So again, we must see this as a crucial next step within a much larger creative process, and do what we can with no attachment to the outcome.


New Moon In Scorpio 2011

Let's look to the horoscope for the new moon and gain further insight on its main intention. As I mentioned above, the Scorpio New Moon conjoins comet Elenin's natal ascendent in the discovery chart. This is extremely interesting given the fact that the New Moon which occurred on September 27th was in conjunction with Elenin itself. What could this possibly mean? Well it is clear that Elenin's intention is being greatly magnified, and its "influence" upon the masses will be given a burst of momentum--and if my hypothesis is correct, then we are indefinitely witnessing the beginning stages of a collective ideological transition/transformation. That will likely manifest in the birthing of new political ideologies, which appears to be in the works as a result of the Occupy movement. Along with the symbolism of an ideological transition, Elenin carries with it many projected energies. Elenin embodies the collective fear of death, through the mythos of the deluge, or great flood--and thus we can anticipate that the surrounding energies may bring up this primal fear, especially as many cling to the "old ways" which are currently being threatened by social unrest. Elenin is allowing a processing of deeply seeded collective trauma and fear, which we project as the archetype of the Apocalypse. Another interesting symbolism of Elenin is collective hype, assumption, and speculation. When Elenin was discovered, many different groups, even mainstream scientists--believed Elenin to be much more significant physically than it actually is.

Does this mean that the current energy we are seeing may not have the impact that is expected? Perhaps Elenin is teaching us that great physical changes are somehow less important or effective than simple subtle changes. Perhaps a main intention of this new Moon is to teach us to not assume or project complex speculations about something in our lives, as it may not be as big or even as scary as we initially imagined it to be. Another interesting synchronicity is Elenin's connection to Venus, which is rising on the the Ascendent in the discovery chart. This New Moon conjoins this position, and transiting Jupiter is in opposition to Elenin's natal Venus as well. Transiting Pluto is in opposition to the Venus/Jupiter conjunction in the US horoscope. Obviously, Elenin is very much connected with the Occupy Wallstreet movement, and in fact, the poster advertising the event, which began on September 17th, featured a woman dancing gracefully and quite Venusian, on a statue of a bull.

Venus rules the sign of Taurus, which relates to money, income, possessions, self-sufficiency, and personal values, or what we place value on--and Libra, the sign of September's New Moon, symbolizing relationships, connections, projections, mirrors, balance, and equalization. Perhaps, apart of Elenin's influence is changing what we collectively find value in, assisting us in becoming more self-sufficient, and creating more equilibrium within our current systems and ideologies. Currently, Uranus is crossing the 4th house cusp or IC in the US horoscope (Sibly chart), shaking up and completely altering the very foundation of the American psyche. Change is apparently immanent, since it is the only thing that life truly guarantees. It is quite apparent, that financially, things are about to shift in much larger way, at least for the United States, and that will result in the complete restructuring of American values. Uranus is also about to conjoin Transpluto in the US horoscope. Transpluto had just entered Aries and ignited an entirely new process/orbit around the Sun in the late 1700's just as America was founded. This transit is likely to bring back the vibration of these times, especially since Uranus is inherently revolutionary/rebellious/promethean in nature.

The New Moon horoscope features a fascinating grand trine between Jupiter in Taurus, Pluto in Capricorn, and Transpluto in Virgo. Transpluto shifting from Leo to Virgo, along with Chiron and Neptune teetering between the cusp of Aquarius/Pisces stirs up so many numinous, mysterious, ominous, beautiful, and terrifying, images--coating reality with this enigmatic and unfathomable silver lining, the combination is quite interesting and symbolic in describing the very shifts and changes the world is currently experiencing.
We are presented with the impulse to generate and embrace the vision of complete unity, healing, wholeness, and transcendence of egocentricity, while surrounded by this collective fog of unimaginable uncertainty. Transpluto has been moving through the sign of Leo since the mid 1930's. I can't help but notice that Transpluto appears to have a highly significant effect on the current symbols of cultural power and control. Logically, this power would be much more influential than Pluto, since it is further out, and so it's influence is much more deeply rooted in the collective psyche. Theoretically then, since the 1930's, just after the great depression--our collective symbols of power have been highly Leonian. Leo deals with the power of being center stage, the spotlight, the subjective experience, the creative process, self actualization--glamor, extravagance, children, playgrounds, entertainment, amusement, pleasure, indulgence etc. Could it be that our collective symbols of power will be shifting towards the vibration of Virgo, slowly, as Transpluto shifts into Virgo between now and 2014?

The transplutonian energies can manifest as deeply rooted obsessions which can completely take over consciousness. Is our culture not obsessed with such things? With glamour, with fame, with stardom, with pleasure, with everything childlike and playful? These symbols can be obsessions, as well as keys to complete freedom, self-sufficiency, and can generate unimaginable wealth and power. Interestingly, the entertainment industry, which was in it's infancy in the mid 30's is now readily available in everyone's home. Since the dawn of the internet (Aquarius polarity?), anyone can be famous--instantly, and anyone can make movies without needing a big Hollywood budget. It would appear that in terms of entertainment we are quite self-sufficient at the end of the transit. At the same time, throughout Transpluto's transit through Leo, the movie star, the leader, and the celebrity has taken on a "god-like" status. It is likely that we will see the gradual collapse of the old entertainment industry as this collective symbol of power dies from now until 2014. Transpluto will be in Virgo from then on to 2107.

Our collective symbols of power and control will begin relating to more earthly matters--to healing, creating order out of chaos, of service, work, purification, the process, integration, and the natural world. This is quite different from Leo, which often sets up a hierarchy with an emphasis on the individual and egocentricity, and Virgo completely flips this latter bringing the focus more towards the individual's place and function with the larger framework of society. Quite a change indeed. With Chiron in Pisces conjunct Neptune in opposition to Transpluto, as it makes this transition into Virgo, we can see that a powerful process is occurring where we are collectively being gifted with a new vision for the future, a vision which incorporates the healing and integration of humanity. The glamor associated with "great leaders" will likely begin to rust, and the middle man, the healer, the worker-- the component which keeps all the gears moving will be our greatest symbol of power. The process itself will become much more significant than instant gratification. The natural world, and its preservation, will also become a symbol of immense power. On the dark side....well...we are dealing with something Transplutonian here, we will see a cultural obsession with purity and cleanliness like never before. If you're not playing the proper role, if you're not moving your gear, then you could be seen as "less then" everyone else. There could be more collective emphasis on birth control and population reduction. This could set the stage also for a collective sado/masochistic drama, whatever that may look like. But, let's just allow this to unfold and see what happens--I feel a massive collective detox in the works.

The sabian symbol for this New Moon, which is the same for Elenin's rising symbol is:

A youth holding a lighted candle in a devotional ritual.

This is interesting, what kind of ritual are we apart of now? When I see someone holding a candle or a flame in a symbol, I immediately think of Prometheus/Enki/Lucifer, the mythic rebel. This would present us with an intriging juxtaposition, one of chaos and rebellion being confined to a structured and ordered ritual. Controlled chaos? A ritualistic revolution? We see a youth carrying this candle, will the youth be carrying out this ritual? Children and young people alike, in an archetypal sense, are inherently carefree, spontaneous, chaotic, and rather rebellious of authority. I feel a sense of awkwardness from this image, of something which is not naturally inclined to a ritual, and yet carrying it out, against its own nature and preference.On a personal level, perhaps this symbol suggests to us the notion of creating change within an orderly and structured manner. It appears that this New Moon offers each of us an opportunity to make a drastic change in our lives, and it invites us to look where we can remove what no longer fits and what is stagnating our growth. Invite change and chaos into your life, but allow yourself to set boundaries with it. Remove what you no longer need, but don't burn down the entire house!

According to researcher Carl Johan Callemen, the actual Mayan calender end date is October 28th, 2011. I am unclear of my position with the Mayan calender, which is why I have not chosen to jump on any particular bandwagon. From Calleman's perspective, humanity is moving from a state of separation and competition to a more harmonious unity-consciousness. That sounds nice doesn't it? If that's true, than like everything else in nature, there is a gradient shift towards the next stage of development. Unlike many who perceive the Mayan calender as an omen of world peace, I do not share the perspective that everyone will suddenly become enlightened when the calender ends. Our world is still much too unconscious for something that drastic, but that doesn't mean that subtle shifts and changes won't occur over time. I will admit that I've noticed the most surprising of people "waking up" lately to a reality I never thought possible for them, but perhaps that's more a statement of my own judgements and expectations. I've also noticed that the power of intention and manifestation has become greatly magnified--and also a significant bridging of my dreams and waking life. Things to ponder.

The current symbols conjured by recent astrological placements and configurations certainly agree with the perspective that things are indefinitely "unifying", and the best possible manifestation of that archetype would a more harmonious unity-consciousness. However, I have this knowing that like all archetypes, they tend to have this sense of inevitable mutivalency in their means of expression. The ideal of unity is one thing, but the process to attain that ideal, seeing the obstacles, may not appear very unified. As I said earlier, change is immanent, it is one hundred percent guaranteed throughout the life experience. Everything is in a state of constant change, always, nothing is permanent. When Uranus comes into the picture, that reality becomes a lot clearer, but even Uranus changes too! Hope and change are the two primary symbols that seem to be floating around in the collective psyche lately--however--I personally feel we should ditch the hope. What does hope do for us? We can hope for something all day long, but does that lead to change? It sounds like a pretty compelling distraction. Astrologer Maurice Fernandez wrote a book called Neptune, The Twelfth House, and Pisces: The End of Hope and the Beginning of Truth. I seem to resonate more with this profound message, that we are in an age where we are emerging from the delusion of hope, the anticipation of salvation from gods or leaders--towards the far more empowering effects of simple honest truth. Truth can provide far more change and healing than holding onto hope. Let us not hope that things will change--that Wallstreet, the President, or the Fed will eventually change their minds and give us all a break. Let's look to where we can collectively embrace the truth, stare it straight in the eye, and make change ourselves. It starts with you.

Stay in the light.

Notes & References

[1] See my article, Beyond The Womb, which was written for the Solar Eclipse which occurred on July 1st, 2011 conjoining both the Sun and Jupiter in the U.S. horoscope at the Sun/Jupiter midpoint. Pluto will activate this Solar Eclipse position beginning March of 2012 through October 2013, likely peaking in its effects in August of 2013.

[2] http://www.activistpost.com/2011/10/capitalism-cure-not-problem.html

Initial call to action for Occupy Wallstreet: http://www.adbusters.org/blogs/adbusters-blog/occupywallstreet.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occupy_Wall_Street

http://www.redicecreations.com/article.php?id=17177

Rome protests turn to vandalism: http://www.redicecreations.com/article.php?id=17177

http://www.businessinsider.com/new-york-progressive-groups-unite-around-occupy-wall-street-2011-10

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/10/11/wall-street-protesters-plan-millionaires-march-to-tycoons-new-york-city-homes/#ixzz1aUWbkVIz

Bomb Attack On Greek Police http://news.yahoo.com/photos/petrol-bomb-attack-on-greek-police-1319203604-slideshow/riot-policemen-assist-colleague-whose-clothing-caught-fire-photo-161646954.html

Occupy Wallstreet Hijacked? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVQm8bd0w_g&feature=relmfu

Intimations Of A New World: New Moon in Libra & Comet Elenin

2011-09-19T20:36:00.000-07:00

Last Judgment by William Blake

As the Sun crosses the fall equinox point, the previous energies of summer, of maximum light and momentum, begin to wane and slow. It is here that we come face to face with our creations, the full manifestation and realization of our intentions set at spring equinox, as it is indeed a time of harvest both figuratively and literal. Throughout the Sun's journey each year, it reaches two points of extreme manifestation, summer and winter, and two points of balance, spring and fall. Equinox roughly translates to equal day and night, meaning that literally, both day and night are of equal length when the sun reaches these points in the sky. An internal reset button is pushed, where we meet a transition. In the fall season, that transition is from maximum light and growth, to the receding energies which await us during the following winter season. This year's Libra New Moon occurs just days after the Fall Equinox on September 23rd, and contains quite a miraculous configuration and synchronicity, with several lunations which began the Summer of 2010. For a detailed analysis of this synchronicity please see my article, Cracking The Cosmic Egg, which I published unknowingly, just one day after the discovery of comet Elenin in December 2010.

The Myth

I will do my best to briefly summarize these events here. What appears to be occurring is a very dynamic process within the collective psyche, one that is activating and awakening, and simultaneous to a process of break-down and decay. In the language of occultism, this dualistic energy is known as the double current--an energy wave, beam, or transmission which is currently permeating the planet. From my own insights this double current holds the archetypes of Ascension and Descension, and both manifestations will be experienced upon the earth plane. One of the most prominent astrological configurations that is occurring now is what has been termed by astrologers as the "Cardinal Climax" or "Cardinal Cross". The Cardinal Climax is a dynamic aspect structure formed primarily by the planets Saturn, Uranus, and Pluto. In astrology, this structure is known as a T-Square configuration, meaning that from our geocentric perspective, these planets literally make a T shape. What makes this configuration so significant is not so much the T-square itself, but that it is occurring on the Cardinal axis within the western tropical zodiac. The four angles of this Cardinal Axis, comprised by the very early degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn, are the seasonal transition points--when the Sun arrives at these placements we have a shift in seasons and in the duration of daylight. In astrology, these points are highly significant--any placement occurring at these formative degrees for an individual is extremely powerful, often having an effect which somehow touches the larger public, and in other cases, the whole world. This Cardinal Climax configuration is a powerful symbol and omen to the planet--what it means exactly and how it will manifest concretely I do not know, but we do know one thing: the very fabric of reality and the very foundation of our infrastructure is going to completely change forever. The symbolism of the cardinal degrees speak loud and clear, we are in the midst of a grand global transition, just as the seasons transition each time the sun reaches these placements each and every year.

We are already seeing this process occur, not just in the United States with the current economic and political instability, but around the world. Things are shifting indefinitely, everywhere, and they seem to be occurring alongside a substantial amount of natural or man-made "disasters" and earth changes which appear to be increasing with each glance. This process, this global transition, effects everyone and everything--and every event is relevant in terms of a symbol, informing us of the need for adaptability, consciousness, and a willingness to change. This New Moon symbolizes a highly significant turning point for the Cardinal Climax configuration, as it seems to be the last lunation to occur and involve itself with these outer planets near the cardinal degrees. After this lunation, Pluto will no longer be in orb of close conjunction with the formative degrees of Capricorn, as it will begin moving further away. The Cardinal Climax itself, peaked in its alignment with the strikingly synchronistic lunar eclipse on June 26, 2010. Since then, Saturn as also moved out of orb, or out of the T-Square alignment, and is slowly moving toward the latter degrees of Libra.

In my previous article, Cracking The Cosmic Egg, I noted how astrologer, researcher, and Pleadian channel Barbara Hand Clow, had mentioned that the Lunar Eclipse of June 26, 2010 was, in her words, a "6D architectural design that is reformulating the solid world". By 6D, Barbara is referring to the 6th dimension, which is hypothetically, three steps above our own. Barbara began channeling a book called the Pleadian Agenda back in the 90's, just after the publication of Bringer's of The Dawn, by another trance channel Barbara Marciniak. In the Pleadian Agenda, which could be likened to a continuation of the information received by Marciniak previously, the "Pleadians" present a very dynamic and highly complex, yet approachable, model of dimensionality--describing the nature, function, and interrelation of dimensions available, and soon-to-be perceivable, by all humans living on the earth plane. According to the book, the 6th dimension is a dimension of complex geometrical configurations which are deeply intelligent. These configurations, or codes, act as "seed ideas" which manifest themselves within the third dimension. For example, in the 6th dimension exists the code for a human being, and this code acts as the perfect ideal of what a human looks like and how a human should function physically, mentally, and emotionally--then it is replicated down the dimensional chain and manifests as a physical form. According to this idea, every structure, be it organic or otherwise, which replicates itself in our world, exists first, as a 6th dimensional design or template.

Divine Geometry by Vladamir Kush

This template then passes down through the fifth dimension and forms into light, which is information, is then dualized in the fourth dimension and becomes what we would call an archetype, and then births itself in the material or mental reality that surrounds us. This concept could be likened to Rupert Sheldrake's theory of Morphogenesis. Regardless of all the technicalities this entails, this statement deeply resonated with me when I read it, and the configuration began to make a lot more sense. We can perceive these configurations and synchronicity as an extremely intelligent evolutionary design that is being orchestrated by forces beyond our current perception. In a very real sense, whether one believes the information channeled or not, we are being informed by the collective unconscious, that our reality, our world, is being reconfigured, altered, and we are being presented with an entirely new template for living our lives. We cannot deny the powerful changes that are taking place all around us and within us, and anyone looking at our current situation with an open mind can see that the systems and structures we have relied upon are no longer functional, they are progressively breaking down and will continue to do so as this new "template" solidifies within the collective psyche of humanity.

Europe: A Prophecy by William Blake

With that said, this New Moon, which occurs on September 27th joins the Cardinal Climax, taking Saturn's place in the configuration at the formative degrees of Libra. Pluto sits at the 4th degree of Capricorn, the same placement where Pluto conjoined the Lunar Eclipse of June 26, 2010--we can feel this as yet another activation of the energies which were seeded at that time. The New Moon sits in opposition to Uranus, which closely conjoins the Spring Equinox or Aries Point. My initial feeling of this, is that this Lunation marks another activation of the template received in the June Eclipse--and it signals that a powerful healing for each of us is possible if we can be conscious enough to embrace this energy individually. The sign of Libra evokes a sense of balance, of creating equilibrium, and of manifesting and bringing something into form that is a direct reflection of our intention. Seasonally, as I stated above, the Fall equinox brings more fully into form our spring equinox intentions--whether we are conscious of them or not. It would appear, that this lunation is manifesting our greater collective, and even cosmic intentions. What manifests in each of our lives right now is incredibly significant, and will illuminate quite clearly what we are currently creating for ourselves, and for the world at large.

Things get even more interesting when we consider an entirely other dimension involved in this horoscope. I had mentioned above that my first article articulating the energies surrounding these configurations was published on my blog just one day after the discovery of comet Elenin. Since Elenin was discovered there has been a lot of hype, speculation, and secrecy surrounding it--and because of all that, and the highly unpredictable nature of comets in general, I chose to largely ignore it, since it seemed impossible to get clarity as to the actual implications of this entity. Elenin has created a firestorm on the internet involving predictions of cataclysms, end of the world scenarios, and even speculation that it's an intelligently controlled spacecraft being maneuvered by extraterrestrials, or actually the mysterious twelfth planet Nibiru. It seemed that NASA wasn't helping the matter either (as usual), as it chose to refrain from making public statements about Elenin for a period of time, adding more fuel to the wild speculation already in motion ( I personally don't have much faith in what NASA tells us either way). It seemed also, that the usual cast of characters who claim to "know" the truth of certain mysteries were getting in on the spectacle--Richard Hoagland for one, infamous for his involvement in speculations surrounding the mysterious Face on Mars enigma--announcing that Elenin was some sort of extraterrestrial spacecraft approaching earth--and Michael E. Salla who seems to support this theory, and is a known advocate that we should embrace all our extraterrestrial friends with love and light, and that the current presence manifesting largely through UFO sightings are all here to help (not a viewpoint I entirely share).

Richard Hoagland on CNN....Hmm it looks a bit like him, don't you think?

A friend of mine brought Elenin back to my attention several weeks ago, and because of that, I took it as a sign that I should look into its astrological implications--however, cautiously. Elenin was discovered on Dec 10, 2010 (12-10-10) at 3:26 AM MST by Russian Astronomer Leonid Elenin at the ISON Observatory in New Mexico, and in usual fashion, it was named after himself--of course his own name relates to a meteor shower which occurs in the constellation of the Lion, which astrologically correlates to the infamously self-possessed tropical zodiac sign Leo, how ironic! Incidentally, at the time of discovery in the predawn hours, Elenin was positioned at 29 degrees tropical Virgo, conjunct, you guessed it, the fall equinox point, linking itself with the Cardinal Climax energies! The 29th degree of a sign is known as the anaretic degree, which means, in symbolism, "something is about to explode". The energies from the previous sign have culminated to an astrological boiling point, and are ready to move on--but before they do, something remarkable and unexpected happens. The energy of an anaretic planet in a horoscope is highly unpredictable, and it oscillates between a flow of seamless self expression to a state of silent, almost blocked energetic stagnation. In my article published the day after Elenin's discovery, I noted a series of 6 Full Moons which all occurred on the anarectic degrees of the signs in the lower hemisphere of the zodiac, Aries through Virgo, and how a Lunar Eclipse which occurred the day before Winter Solstice 2010 at the anaretic degree of Gemini was involved in the activation of the June 26th eclipse--square to Elenin's birth position!

It was projected that comet Elenin would align with this New Moon on September 27th, and according to calculations from NASA's JPL ephemeris, this appears to be so. In the horoscope for the New Moon we see Elenin at 3 degrees of Libra, sandwiched between the New Moon and Mercury, all in conjunction, and rising, on the horizon in Washington, DC. Now, the question is whether or not Elenin will be in physical form at the time of this alignment, because according to the latest observations, and in perfect synchronicity with its anaretic nature, Elenin has supposedly begun to disintegrate as it approaches perihelion with the Sun--and it is believed by many astronomers that it will not make it to the alignment (incidentally it is believed to have broken into two pieces). I feel that this is incredibly significant, because if this is correct, then in a sense, symbolically at least, Elenin has come here to die, and it has chosen the time of these alignments to do so. Curiously, it is estimated that Elenin began to break apart around August 19th after it was hit by a coronal mass ejection from the Sun, just as it was crossing over the first degrees of tropical Libra, joining again, the Cardinal Climax influx. Now, another party claims otherwise, individuals belonging to the exopolitics crowd claim that the disintegration of Elenin is a cover story, apart of a disinformation campaign, designed to detract the public from the "fact" that Elenin is actually an extraterrestrial spacecraft, or intelligently controlled vehicle. This same confusion of facts and speculation shrouded the events surrounding the Face on Mars controversy which arose from aerial photographs taken of the martian surface back in the late 1970's--NASA had claimed that it was simply a trick of lighting, and then it was countered by a campaign, involving Richard Hoagland once more, that NASA was covering up the remnants of a lost civilization on Mars[1].

What's true and what isn't? My research into this matter reveals that both parties seemingly work together, and fuel each others arguments, for reasons I am not entirely certain of. It appears that both sides work to create confusion, such as this, for some entirely other reasons, and I'm not interested in speculating it either way, because honestly from my perspective, the myth is more relevant than the facts. As Simon Buxton once wrote: "The difference between history and myth is that myth is always true." So whether Elenin is an alien spacecraft heralding the "dawn of the new age", or whether it's just a comet, neither labels bring us any closer to understanding it. I mean science has all these terms for certain things and yet, still, they're inherently a mystery. What's gravity? What's electricity? What's the "ghost in the machine" anyway? Just because we label or have a name for something doesn't mean that we understand it--and whether we understand something or not, doesn't mean that we still can't interact with it, or that it doesn't shape or effect us in some way. So truthfully nobody knows what Elenin really is, least of all myself, and judging from the past, the individuals involved in promoting Elenin as some kind of spaceship don't have the most trustworthy track record, and seem to be backed by shadow agencies within our government with their own agenda--an agenda I doubt is in everyone's best interest, or at least that's my own opinion and speculation.

So just what does Elenin symbolize astrologically, and how we can we have some understanding of its influence within the collective psyche at this time? From the astrological viewpoint, everything has meaning and contains a message through its symbol. Comets are not the most notable objects to be used in astrology, primarily because they are so erratic and unpredictable, and also, they tend not to hang around too long for astrologers to study. In the past, our astrologically privy ancestors seemed to view comets as a highly significant omen--usually the harbinger of great change, the rise and fall of a leader, or the foreshadowing of some catastrophic event which would completely alter their way of life. They also perceived eclipses much the same way, however today, our modern perception of things has changed quite considerably. In astrology, an astronomical object gains its symbolism and meaning through four primary means: the name assigned to it, events occurring around its sighting, studying its effect on individual horoscopes, and by analyzing the object's own natal horoscope. The object is viewed as a symbol, and an archetype, that is arising from the collective unconscious--it is a manifestation of a collective intention seeking to shed more light on what is hidden behind the veil of our conscious perception.

The name and accompanying mythology, if there is any, is really only once piece of the puzzle and describes merely one side--we cannot make major conclusions on the basis of the name alone, however, since we are not allotted enough time to study its full effects in individual horoscopes, we are left with the name, the events surrounding its discovery, and the horoscope for the moment of discovery for decoding this mysterious Elenin. What we label something indicates what we, as a collective, are projecting onto that object--and its meaning is only the result of what we give it. A google search of the etymology of Elenin will yield some rather interesting, if not entertaining, results. There appear to be several websites and discussion groups dedicated to decoding Elenin's name and relating it to a sign of an impending catastrophe, or, an Extinction Level Event--ELE [2]. Most of them appear to agree that Elenin comes from the Greek name Helena, which means torch, light, or bright (more on this in a bit). Another consensus appears to agree with the linkage of the name with the mythological flood myth, which of course, our modern version would be the Judeo-Christian story of Noah's ark. However, if we look deeper, this story goes back much further, and relates to the Sumerian version known as the Epic Of Gilgamesh. Now I'm not going to speculate and get into the intricacies of etymology here, it is not something I know much about, nor do any of these websites provide much source material for their conclusions--so for our purposes, I am mainly interested in the collective psychic frenzy that is being stirred up by this object and the symbolism it embodies.

The fact that so many people have been impulsed to speculate that Elenin is an omen of doom and of apocalypse is interesting to me, and it provides a very important key in interpreting its meaning for us astrologically and psychologically. The events that have been stirred up by this object contain two very specific symbols: One of extraterrestrial contact, and another of the resurfacing of the flood myth interwoven with Judeo-Christian eschatology--in other words: the end of the world and the ensuing rapture. However, if you look carefully.....both symbols are actually quite similar. From the Christian viewpoint, the apocalypse is interchangeable with the second coming of Christ--when the messiah will return once more to earth, collect those worthy of ascension--defeat the devil, Lucifer, or Satan--and destroy the planet earth washing it clean of all sin and evil. Now the other viewpoint, which is heavily promoted by those who claim Elenin to be an extraterrestrial object, is that our Alien friends are anticipated, with similar religious zeal, to come pouring down from the heavens and bestow upon us their "enlightenment", technology, and advancements to our own more primitive society.

The Miracle of the Snow by Masolino Da Panicale (circa 1400)

I personally feel that our first physical contact (allow me to stress physical here, because I feel that we are already in contact with higher dimensional or extraterrestrial intelligences on an energetic level) with extraterrestrials will be with beings who directly reflect our own state, and in looking at where we're currently at as a species, I would not personally welcome these beings with open arms into my home for some tea. With that aside, the vision of extraterrestrial utopia conjured by the current New Age ideology is actually quite identical to the Christian's perception of the second coming. Both camps feel the world is in currently in grave trouble economically, socially, and environmentally. Each side sees these entities, Christ or a legion of extraterrestrial beings, as the symbol of savior, who will deliver us from our corrupt and chaotic world into an ascended paradisaical utopia. Now if we look at this through the lens of astrological ages, we see the Christian version being a symbol conjured directly from the Age of Pisces, the age we're currently now leaving--and the symbol of our extraterrestrial brethren as a symbol belonging to the Age of Aquarius--the age we are currently entering into. So it appears that Elenin carries with it a dichotomy, and a symbol of transition, from one perception to the next. Of further interest is the increasing popularity of UFO and alien documentaries being aired, seemingly in mass, on mainstream television--primarily the Ancient Aliens documentary series on the History Channel, which incidentally first aired in May of 2010, in the months leading up to Elenin's discovery.

In June of this year I posted a New Moon article discussing an individual by the name of Harold Camping, a Christian radio show broadcaster, famous for his predictions based on numerological interpretations of the bible. In May of this year, Harold made a prediction that "Judgement Day" would occur on May 21st--meaning that Christ would return to earth, collect a few souls, and herald the apocalypse. It seems that didn't quite unfold, but interestingly, it was around the same time that the Ancient Aliens documentary series began getting massive public attention, and since then similar shows have increased on several other networks. Harold's prediction got a lot of media/collective attention, and was backed by a well-funded advertising campaign complete with billboards along major freeways. Simultaneously, the firestorm of speculations surrounding comet Elenin began picking up steam. Could all these events be apart of a singular archetype weaved together and embodied within comet Elenin itself? It appears that Elenin seems to symbolize the collective death of one worldview and ideology, and the birthing of another, fermented by the same unconscious desire for collective salvation. So it seems that the Judeo-Christian perception of the end times is being projected through Harold himself, because he has made yet another prediction for October 21, 2011--and I speculate it will get similar public attention, although possibly not as much as last time.This is the same month that Mayan calender researcher Carl Johan Calleman believes to be the "actual" end-date for the Mayan calendar. In a way, what appears to be occurring, is the emergence of an entirely new religion, cosmology, and world view--one that is similar to the Christian version of creationism, yet instead of a singular God, it is replaced by a pantheon of extraterrestrial beings.

I find it fascinating that each time I happen to watch television, which isn't often, something involving UFO's, ancient aliens, crop circles, or what have you, appears to get my attention. Maybe it's just the law of attraction at work, or maybe there is a conditioning going on, getting the public to accept the legitimacy of contact with alien civilizations. It appears that Elenin carries with it this archetype, and I can't help but notice that many people are becoming increasingly more accepting of the fact that aliens exist, and that they are contacting us in some way--a notion which was entirely laughable and never taken very seriously by the consensus media before. Now, according to Wikipedia, Harold Camping was born on July 19, 1926--unfortunately we don't know what time, but on that day Harold's Sun was positioned at 26 degrees of Cancer and 31 minutes at noon in Colorado, where he was born. Quite remarkably, comet Elenin is projected to be in exact conjunction with Harold's natal Sun position on the exact day of his next prediction on October 21, 2011. I have this feeling that his prophecy won't quite pan out as expected once more--but there is a very interesting, almost poetic, symbolism encased in this conjunction. According to astronomers, Elenin is disintegrating and is, in a sense, going to die. However, according to Richard Hoagland and other exopolitical advocates, Elenin is not disintegrating but actually revealing an energy shield which is the reason for its decrease in brightness--yet this is the same kind of circular reasoning employed during the whole Face on Mars controversy back in the day. However, from a symbolic lens, this idea is significant. Realistically, given the fact that it is actually common for comets to break apart as they near the Sun, I'm going to have to side with the astronomer's conclusion that Elenin is in fact disintegrating.

Elenin encapsulates the crescendo of the Judeo-Christian end-times mythos, and also, carries with it, an entirely new mythos which is seemingly permeating the collective psyche at this time. If Elenin is in fact dying, than in a way, its conjunction with Harold's natal Sun speaks to us loud and clear. Harold is a symbol, erected by the collective, projected by our own collective shadow, and through him we are, in a very real way--releasing and letting go of an ancient myth of the second coming of Christ and the apocalypse. As Elenin disintegrates, it carries with it this ancient myth, and it dies with it as well. And yet, Elenin carries an entirely new myth, fermented by the previous one, and it is being transmuted--ascended into another form--bringing an entirely new ideology for the world that embodies the essence of the "Age of Aquarius". So maybe Richard Hoagland and others are, in a way correct, that Elenin does herald the new age, because it appears to me that it symbolizes the archetype of an ideological transition. Barbara Hand Clow is also correct, that the alignments we are currently experiencing are reformulating the solid world, creating quite clearly an entirely New World Order.

Elenin's Horoscope

Elenin Discovery Chart

Now let's take a look at the horoscope for Comet Elenin and see if we can get a little more clarity as to its meaning. As I mentioned before, Elenin is positioned at the 29th, or anaretic degree of Virgo, and it is in opposition to the Jupiter/Uranus conjunction in Pisces. Here we see that Elenin connects us to a radical creative vision, one that is inherently spiritual in nature (Pisces). Now the opposition of Elenin to the Uranus/Jupiter conjunction is also square to a conjunction of Mars, North Node, Pluto, and Mercury in Capricorn. This, of course, forms a T-square configuration, on the cardinal axis of the zodiac, essentially creating a cardinal climax of its own. This is quite an astonishing symbolism, Elenin's influence is effecting the entire world, it is apart of a restructuring of our collective infrastructure. Elenin sits in the 11th house (the house that is naturally ruled by Aquarius), and the Jupiter/Uranus conjunction in the 5th. The Moon is in Aquarius, and so we get a feel of the Aquarian/Promethean vibration here, being channeled through Elenin. Yet, we also get the sense that Elenin is going to have an effect on the scientific establishment, it may have the influence of altering many accepted theories regarding the nature of comets and their effect on our solar system. In fact, there are several researchers who have written about the fact that Elenin is being largely ignored by many scientists because there is a correlation between astronomical alignments involving Elenin and the precedence of earthquakes here on earth [3].

This may very well be the reason why NASA has handled the situation the way that it has, not because it's covering up Elenin being a spaceship, but because its implications could have the effect of altering many accepted ideas and theories. In his book, Cosmos & Psyche, Richard Tarnas reveals, with incredibly well researched historical evidence, that the Jupiter/Uranus conjunction correlates throughout time, with many breakthroughs and new discoveries in various scientific fields. The details of this are a bit beyond the scope of this article, but there is evidence to support the theory that as Elenin aligns with other planets, such as the alignment taking place around the new Moon, that there is a higher incidence of earthquakes, anomalous weather patterns, and solar storms [4]. But, now that Elenin is breaking up, I am unclear as to whether this is still going to be an issue. Moving on now, let's take a look at the Ascendant. Scorpio is rising, along with Venus, which makes a close conjunction to the horizon. Perhaps this indicates that Elenin has a feminine energy, and given the nature of Scorpio, it would take on the tone of a dark goddess. This is a similar conclusion made by another astrologer here, because of Venus in Scorpio rising, Lilith square the Sun, and Eris square Ceres. I am not that well versed with these archetypes in astrology, and I will refrain from attempting to interpret them myself, however, it is interesting that these "dark goddess" archetypes are so prevalent in the chart--given the fact that we have lived under a highly patriarchal society, perhaps Elenin embodies the shadow of the suppressed feminine archetype as it arises from the depths of the collective unconscious.

Let's take a look at some of the sabian symbols within the horoscope for further clarity as to Elenin's nature. The symbol for the ascendent reads:

4 degrees Scorpio: A youth carries a lighted candle in a devotional ritual.

This symbol is quite interesting, especially because I mentioned earlier that the etymology of Elenin relates to the Greek name Helena, which translates to bright, light, or torch. It would appear from this symbol that Elenin is apart of a grand cosmic ritual of some sort, of which it appears, due to the disintegration, that Elenin is symbolic of a sacrifice. I also get the sense of the mythological Prometheus who brought fire, the the divine spark of the gods, to humanity. Prometheus relates also to Lucifer, the light bearer. Prior to these associations, we can also trace this archetype to the Sumerian god Enki, who was responsible for saving a few choice specimens from the flood or deluge. Both figures were in a way sacrificed, or punished, for their actions. Prometheus was chained to a rock, in the middle of the ocean, and had his liver pecked out daily by an eagle. From my research, Enki/Prometheus/Lucifer has an archetypal resonance with extraterrestrials. Many who support the ancient alien hypothesis claim that this myth refers to a real event, where the "Gods" were actually extraterrestrial beings who had saved humans from complete destruction, and equate the symbol of the ark with a spaceship instead of a boat. Either way, the candle symbolizes illumination and enlightenment--and the child carrying it symbolizes one on a spiritual quest, or a young aspirant in the beginning stages of a spiritual commitment. The symbol for Elenin's position reads:

30 degrees Virgo: Totally intent upon completing an immediate task, a man is deaf to any allurement.

Here we feel a sense of complete commitment, perhaps even obsession. This directly relates to Elenin's intention--this object has a specific purpose, and it is clear that nothing will stand in its way, it is "deaf to any allurement". This is quite fascinating indeed. Dane Rudyhar, in an Astrological Mandala, interprets the symbol as follows:

"In the year cycle, the fall equinox is now at hand; autumn begins. Through spring and summer many ways and byways have been experienced. The last message of this hemicycle of "individualization" is that on all decisive occasions what must be done has to be done so intently that no outer voices can penetrate the mind, still less the soul. The neophyte stands at the gates of the sacred Pyramid. There is only one step he can take--ahead, or he is lost."

He goes on to say that:

"This is the culminating step, the decision that results from a myriad of small choices. Still a shadow of hesitation can remain. Attention may be distracted from the Now by a choice from the past, glamorizing some old memory. The outer doors of perception and thought must be closed, so the soul can complete its CONQUEST OF ILLUSION."

This appears to suggest that Elenin symbolizes a process which is assisting us in moving forward, and away from the past. What is this step that Elenin is assisting us in making? Is it a dimensional shift? The collapse and restructuring of the world's political and economic systems? Does it herald a shift in religious and spiritual ideologies? Perhaps all the above? I don't really know for sure, and I'm not going to portend that I have any definite answers. I simply present you with the evidence and hope that you can draw your own conclusions. If anything, Elenin is certainly a unique visitor to our local neighborhood, and has clearly stirred up a lot of frenzy. Elenin has seemingly possessed many people to make all sorts of speculations and conclusions. But as with all things of this nature, people are conditioned to anticipate some event which will occur, some catastrophe of doom, probably because it's exciting. It takes us out of the reality of the mundane and prosaic perception of the world we've all collectively created, and continue to due so. When "nothing happens" everyone goes back to work, back to the routine hum drum of daily living, they go back to being victims of "what is", and justify the current state of things. I suggest that what Elenin is doing is already happening, its going on all around us, its energy has impulsed many, like little puppets, to carry out this myth, this drama--because we are a society and a culture which is still wholly unconscious, we are a world devoid of true connection to our real selves--and so we become possessed by these archetypes. We become spurred by these forces into actions and behavior most would deem irrational.

Is the world going to end? I doubt it. Is Christ going to return and sweep us up to heaven? I doubt that as well. Will Aliens land on earth and share with us their wisdom and technology and deliver us from our current crisis? Sure, why not, it's the most plausible scenario I can think of--but then again, it just seems too easy. From my observations, nature likes a challenge, and I have this innate feeling that as collective, we must face our problems ourselves--we must rise up individually and take responsibility for what is happening to our world and confront our own inner crisis which is reflected externally. What we're seeing here, in psychological terminology, is a pretty big case of projection. It's much easier to anticipate the end of the world or the second coming then it is to actually deal with whatever mess we're involved with currently--its a pretty big cop-out if you ask me. As Carl Jung once said, "People will do anything, no matter how absurd, in order to avoid facing their own soul". For many, death and annihilation is more appealing than the truth. However, with that said, the evidence of UFO's and their increasing perennial popularity is extremely convincing, and so something otherworldly, from my perspective, is indefinitely being seen in the skies. In fact Jung was convinced of this himself, so much so that he even wrote a book about it entitled Flying Saucers: A Modern Myth of Things Seen In The Sky. But that doesn't mean that what we're seeing here intends to make contact, their behavior appears to be entirely objective--and judging by the nature and details of UFO abduction cases--entirely indifferent to us as a species and our well being.

"I do hope there will be UFO landings, I think it would be quite exciting, and it would also be fascinating if Jesus Christ returned, although I have a horrible feeling if he did, he would be diagnosed a schizophrenic and locked away in Broadmoor for making so much trouble. But neither of these metaphors really strikes me very much as a symbol for what is coming. I am more convinced and much more awestruck by the process which takes place in individuals".
-Liz Greene, Excerpt from a lecture entitled The Outer Planets & Their Cycles

And then again, the myth, no matter how baroque, appealing, and entertaining it is--inevitably leads us back to ourselves, back to our own shadows and dichotomy. The myth is in fact an embodiment, often anthropomorphized by our own psyches, of an inner crisis seeking resolution, seeking light, seeking acknowledgment, and seeking our awareness. The world is bound to change, this is true, change is an immanent aspect of evolution. But the real change, the real shift, begins with the individual, it begins with each of us and our own process, our own healing. What's happening out there is a reflection of what's going on inside us--yes it's a recycled phrase, As Above So Below, but it's one of those ancient gems of wisdom which never seems to go away. The configuration we see in the sky here, is something that is informing each of us internally, and it is our task to be conscious enough to make use of it--otherwise it'll use us. I feel that indeed a new world is upon us, it happens every couple thousand years, and will continue to do so as long as life continues on this planet. Until we each face our own shadows, the shadow will be projected outward, it will manifest out in the world, and force us to face our fears externally. Personally, I'd rather choose to do the work myself, but that's a decision we each have to make. Perhaps it's a terribly frightening ploy, in which we currently live in an age where the myth just gets bigger, more encompassing, more complex, until it is so unfathomable we have no choice but to flee within ourselves. Whatever darkness we see out there, is our own, and like the youth in the ritual, we must bravely step towards it and shine our light, with devotion, in its face.

New Moon In Libra & Fall Equinox

New Moon @ 04 degrees Libra
September 27, 2011
7:09 AM Eastern
4:09 AM Pacific

As I mentioned above, the horoscope for the New Moon is incredibly fascinating and synchronistic, weaving and synthesizing previous lunations, developing what looks like a pattern. This particular lunation seems to solidify and fully bring into form, the previous patterns and configurations--its nature could likened to a collective activation. At the time of the New Moon, in Washington, DC--the epicenter of the American psyche, we see the lunation rising on the horizon, conjunct Mercury and the disintegrating comet Elenin. In opposition is Uranus in Aries, conjoining the descendent--and all are involved in a T-Square alignment with Pluto in Capricorn closely conjoining the fourth house cusp, or IC, opposed the Mid-heaven. This heavy influence on the cardinal degrees of the zodiac, and the primary angles of the horoscope, seem to indicate that there is a powerful and dynamic transition and shift that is taking place, especially for the U.S. With all speculation on external events aside, let's take a look at how this myth applies to each of us as individuals.

The energy of Libra and of of the Fall Equinox is incredibly significant. We see the New Moon itself, conjunct Mercury and Elenin, in Libra, and we also see a conjunction of Saturn, Venus, and Juno in Libra as well. This new Moon is all about creating balance, peace, harmony, and reaching a place of equilibrium within ourselves and our relationships. This about confrontation, of meeting face to face with something, with the manifestation of our intentions and our desires. This is a collective omen, urging us to get conscious about what's on our minds. What are we focusing on? What are we creating? Are you really creating what you want in life? Is it what YOU want? This is about finding balance between our desires, and our destiny. That old conundrum of fate versus free-will. Are we bound? Are we in control? I feel that the truth lies somewhere in the middle, that we are creating and we are the creators--all at once. What are you desiring? We often want something, desire it, and yet fail to see it show up in our lives. Are you intending it? Are you really intending it? Have you asked for it? Out loud? Try it, notice any resistance. Are you afraid to speak up, really confront yourself and get real about what needs to happen, what needs to change?

Sometimes, often, we fear what we want, what we desire, who we are, our highest potential. We think about what we want often, sometimes it's what someone else has or does, and it's there, it's on our minds, and yet for whatever reason, it just seems so beyond our grasp. We often catch ourselves feeling envy, feeling jealous about what someone else has--but perhaps realize that you could have it too, because our relationships reflect our missing pieces. Conversely, many people are creating something they don't really want, something they think they desire--something implanted externally, and off they go, around and round pursuing and creating some idea of who they think they are without any connection to their own personal sense of truth. Get real. Get personal. Stare your creations straight in the eye, accept them, love them--don't judge them, be with it. Look around you, all the people in your life, they are your mirrors--reflecting back what you are missing or sometimes, what we need to leave behind. Do you hate them sometimes? Do people make you angry? Do they trigger you into a rage, a frustration, a passive-aggressive silence with a silver lining? They are only reflections of yourself, projecting back what's been there all along. Do you have trust? Can you trust others, can you really trust others? Or do you push them away, afraid of being vulnerable, afraid of being caught in your own lie. Do you trust yourself?

What you've been intending, is all around you--it's your entire life. How do you feel about that? Meditate with that, sit with it, embrace it, because whatever it is, it's beautiful--it's you. You can't make mistakes, you can't fail--you can only do things differently and try something else. Each of our lives are little microcosms of the greater life, the grand stage that is the collective drama, and each of our own myths and crisis' are apart of it, each piece--creating the whole. If we're asleep, if we're on auto pilot, then someone or something else is running the performance. Isn't it time you came to realize what's running your show? You're the main character, but are you also the screenwriter? This whole world, this whole reality can be whatever we want it--and we can change it, right now, in this moment--we can make a choice. A big transition is upon us, it's happening within us, in our lives, and we can assist in making that transition how we see fit. Humans were not designed to be passive observers, we are active participants. If everything changed tomorrow, suddenly, and the world you were used to was completely different--what would you do? Would you panic? Start a riot? Would you be OK with yourself, with who you are, regardless of everything else? Sit with these questions, ask them to yourself, because they're important. We reap what we sow, and the events happening in our lives and on the world stage are exemplifying just that.

Libra by Johfra Bosschart

All the emphasis on Libra appears to indicate that a major focal point of this New Moon is relationships, and our connections with other people. We seem to live in a world devoid of much connection, much real relating. Many communicate with their "friends" more on Facebook than in real life. We are social creatures, and we need each other for survival--but that goes beyond social networking. Connecting with another, really connecting, means being able to see past their conditioned identity and straight into their souls--the essence of their being. We tend to experience ourselves through other people. We learn who we are through our relationship to others, because, again, they reflect our missing pieces. We often project these pieces as being an enemy, something threatening as we cling to what we "believe" is who we are. Are we willing to transcend our judgements and learn to love all our pieces the way that they are, in their raw and honest form? Are we willing to make room for a broader perspective of who we are? Look around and see how you can make a transition towards co-creation, but not to the extent of neglecting your own internal self-reflection. It's all about balance, being comfortable with ourselves, alone--while also willing to share that image with others, and be tolerant of feedback. This world, this life, is a big game of balance--and without this innate equilibrium which underlies reality all would fall apart at the seams. Can we see through our own eyes, and the eyes of another? And, can we just accept what we see without trying to project anything upon it? Just be with it.

This New Moon, and this entire Fall season, represents a great blossoming and birthing forth of our potential. It appears that something big is bubbling up beneath the surface, it's been brewing for quite some time, and now is the harvest, the time to collect and reap what arises. Embrace your potential, and the potential in others. Allow yourself to surrender--to yourself.

The sabian symbol for the New Moon reads:

A man teaching the true inner knowledge of the New World to his students.

Now, comet Elenin is not the only comet we are dealing with here, in fact, it is only one of three comets and an asteroid coming into close contact with the earth[5]. Elenin is certainly the focal point, the main player, because unlike many comets which appear, Elenin is quite level with the ecliptic--the path of the Sun. It is traveling on this time band, altering and magnifying the energy of the planet, and stirring up the archetypes floating through the numinous realms of the unconscious. In my research on the astrological implications of comets, I came across an article by astrologer Jonathan Flanery titled Unexpected Visitors: The Theory of the influence of Comets. In it he suggests the notion that Comets are actually messengers, and in a way, we could view them as teachers. This symbol is deeply meaningful given the nature of the situation. It appears our species is being informed, it is receiving knowledge of the "New World" by many different entities. But, the symbol is very clear, it implies that it is the "true inner knowledge", which is something within us. I suggest we intend to be highly conscious and receptive to this transmission, whatever it is, because it isn't going to come from the outer world--it's going to come from within ourselves.

Comet Elenin reached perihelion (closest approach to the Sun), incidentally on September 11th of 2011 (9-11-11). However, there are some astronomers who claimed this actually occurred later than projected, around September 13th due to Elenin breaking apart. I am unable to get clarity as to when perihelion actually occurred due to all the noise clouding the search results. Comet Levy is projected to reach perihelion on December 7th, incidentally, the same date as the historical Pearl Harbor attacks which led to the US involvement in world war two. Coincidence? Of course we could speculate all sorts of ominous things from these symbols, but again, I prefer to view them as just that, symbols. What do these two dates have in common? They clearly indicate a connection to the symbolism of a foreign invasion, or at least that's the story we're given. I tend to have a more conspiratorial bent when it comes to historical events, and I highly doubt the story as it's written in history books is what really happened. I mean did George Washington really chop down that cherry tree? Did Benjamin Franklin invent electricity? Did Al Gore invent the internet? Did the American revolution really emerge organically by common people with a vision? Were the events of 9/11 really what the government controlled media tells us they were? Perhaps all these connections seem to indicate a time period in which humanity has the opportunity to fully uncover the truth of many accepted beliefs and ideologies. It seems to be beginning with the collective uncovering about the "truth" of religion--and yet it also appears even that is being replaced with yet another belief which has the same roots. So embrace this transition, whatever it is, but just remember this....

The grass may be greener, but it grows just the same.

Stay in the light. Acknowledge the dark.

Notes & References

[1] For a well documented and researched analysis of this subject I suggest reading The Stargate Conspiracy by Lynn Picknett and Clive Prince.

[2] http://2012planetx.yolasite.com/

[3] See the following:
Astronomical Alignments As The Cause Of M6+ Seismicity
Elenin, Nibiru, Planet X- Time for a Sanity Check

[4] 2011 is 2012- http://redicecreations.com/article.php?id=16609

[5] Several other articles I have listed above go into much greater detail about these objects, but mainly we are dealing with comet Elenin, now disintegrating, comet Levy, Honda, and an asteroid designated the name YU55 all within the rings of the inner planets--quite an astonishing synchronicity given the other alignments that are taking place. I may choose to write more about these objects in another article in the future.

http://news.exopoliticsinstitute.org/index.php/did-comet-elenin-disintegrate-or-reveal-artificial-energy-shield997/http://exopolitics.org/Exo-Comment-105.htm

Full Moon In Pisces

2011-09-11T16:50:00.000-07:00

Still Moon, No Mind by Rob Schouten

Full Moon (Harvest Moon)
@ 19 degrees Pisces
September 12, 2011
2:27 AM Pacific
5:27 AM Eastern

The Full Moon in Pisces illuminates the unseen and numinous dimensions, allowing us to look deeply at what is usually "behind the veil". Pisces symbolizes the pure essence of being in the moment, the after image of the big bang, floating gracefully, captured in mid air--we find ourselves peering into and seeing the very soul of things, beyond appearances, transcending judgement to look at, and embrace, what is--simply beingness. What can you see now, that wasn't apparent before? See the heart of every sentient or non sentient being, see how all things radiate with intelligence, with design, with purpose. The soul of a tree, the heart of an apple, the aura of crystals, stones--all things are alive in some way, whether projected by our own unconscious contents, or by some other higher dimensional consciousness.....we are creators and the created--creating each other, each moment, each now. Feel that connection, that deeply rooted bond to all of nature, the universe. Feel the throbbing and pulsing, the drumbeat of time, churning and marching toward a purposeful crescendo. You are alive, and you are divine.

An earth grand trine with Mercury in Virgo, Jupiter in Taurus, and Pluto in Capricorn create a cyclical conduit of productive groundedness. We can feel our connection to the earth, the great mother of us all, cradling and protecting us--no matter what is going on around us. If you feel stuck, follow Uranus/Prometheus who brings the flame, the divine spark of the gods, fueling us with something new something risky, something unconventional. As I write this, I find myself really getting out of my head and into the moment--feeling poetic. Nothing is perfect, nor does anything have to be--just let it go a let it be. This Full Moon invites us to drift and to flow with the current, see where it takes you, let it unfold. Something is coming to a head, a new cycle is about to emerge as the Moon begins to wane. Take a look and see how far you've come, all the things you've done. Look at all the moments, each one, how they've shaped and created who you are now, in this moment. Feel the Moon as it drifts into Apogee, calling to us from a faraway distance--asking us to remember who we are, and to get ready for who we're about to become.

The sabian symbol for 20 degrees Pisces reads:

A table set for an evening meal.

Here we see that all things are ready, and prepared--all that is needed is the feast. It is evening, the last meal of the day, the work is done, and we're ready to enjoy and to nourish. Feel that for a moment, see where that holds true for something in your life. What have you set up, whats ready for you to enjoy and watch unfold? Be grateful, give thanks. As you gaze into the beauty and illumination of this Full Moon, send her offerings and blessings. Thank those unseen guides who surround you and protect you. Thank the earth mother, gaia, for all that she does, for her support and her endless giving. Be in gratitude for the bountiful feast that is your life. Perhaps you don't like what's on your plate right now? Have you forgotten to be thankful, even for lessons that are challenging, maybe painful? The more we surrender and just love what is, the "easier" life becomes, and we cease to struggle. Don't struggle now, let go, and just be. Await the coming tide, the energies which soon await us at the next New Moon.....but make the effort to let go of anxiety and trust that transformation, that change, is always for the best, even if it contradicts our expectations of what "should be". There is so much love behind that veil, if only we could stop for a moment and take a glimpse.

Stay in the light.

Here We Go Again: New Moon In Virgo

2011-08-24T12:15:00.000-07:00

New Moon @ 5 degrees Virgo

August 28, 2011

8:04 PM Pacific

11:04 PM Eastern

The flow of life seemingly contradicts our linear perception of time--sometimes we find ourselves back to a place we thought we had left behind, long ago. When the past re-emerges we can sometimes feel frustrated, because we "expected" something else entirely, and yet, sometimes our objectives must surrender to the fact that life is not linear as our minds are--it is cyclic, and it turns with the great wheel of creation and destruction which underlies the very fabric of our visible world.

The last lunation (New Moon) cycle reveled the theme of 'emerging from chaos', largely influenced by Mercury's retrograde cycle in Virgo/Leo conjoining Transpluto in opposition Neptune. This energy is not solely confined to that lunar cycle, because Mercury is carrying it further and to completion as it transits direct, and back through its shadow. When Mercury goes retrograde, there is actually a definitive three step process that is taking place, beyond the actual retrograde period itself.

When a planet goes retrograde is appears to be moving backwards, which is an optical illusion, but a rather convincing one. Before "going backwards", the planet passes through an area of the zodiac called the shadow, which is the location from which the planet will retrograde through. There are two shadow periods, and both are roughly two weeks in duration--the first introduces us to the themes and issues we will likely resolve during the retrograde itself, and the final shadow allows us a process of finishing up and resolving whatever was brought to our attention.

This lunation begins right at the tail-end of Mercury's retrograde cycle, just as it enters into the final shadow period, and so there is a pronounced blending and carry over of the process that began at the last lunar cycle. The final shadow ends on September 9th. Take a moment to review what has come up for you over the past few weeks. Who or what has re-emerged from the past? Do you see a deeper meaning behind it, what insight or perspective has it brought you? What have you needed to reconsider, have you been open to new perspectives, allowing yourself to see things differently? These are not random and meaningless events, they are deeply purposeful and have much to show us about ourselves. How are we consciously emerging from chaos and disorder, both as individuals and as a collective?

This New Moon takes place in the tropical sign of Virgo, within three degrees of conjunction with Venus. Virgo is the archetype of assimilation, which manifests as the impulse to create order out of chaos--organizing, cleaning, cleansing, purging, purifying,--and so often, compartmentalizing. Virgo likes to have everything in its proper place, not necessarily as a desire for perfection, but more as a need for functionality. Of course, on the darker end of Virgo we find all sorts of obsessive compulsive tendencies, but this is only when the energy is misdirected or blocked in some way.

This lunation presents us with some interesting aspect configurations and symbols, and all of them blend and corroborate with each other quite nicely. The New Moon itself is conjunct Venus, and forms a dynamic Grand Trine with Jupiter in Taurus and Pluto in Capricorn. Grand Trine configurations can be highly creative and inspirational, if we don't get caught up in an obsessive loop--the energies must be integrated and applied in some way, or they shut an individual off into their own world. This is a powerful earth grand trine, in fact, this new moon is quite earthy in nature--so we find ourselves focusing more on practical and down to earth concerns. This provides us the opportunity to gain more autonomy and self-sufficiency, and we may be presented with remnants of the past which can act as a catalysts for our growth.

We must be conscious, however, of an impulse to shut out others entirely, and focus only on our own self interests--believing that only we can do it, or that we don't need the help of others. The New Moon conjunct Venus is in an opposition to Chiron conjunct Neptune, so we are invited to reach out to a greater whole, perhaps even to larger spiritual forces for assistance. Combined with the New Moon's placement in Virgo, we see the perfect opportunity for re-organizing some things in our lives, more so relating to physical structures. This is an excellent opportunity for creative brainstorming. As Mercury slowly picks up speed, we can now begin moving forward, but again, not too fast.

There aren't a lot challenging aspects within the horoscope, we find only two prominent squares and one wide opposition. Mars in Cancer is square Saturn in Libra, and this can often have a rather irritating energy that comes with it. We are invited to move forward with caution and to do things slowly--be mindful and conscious with each step that you take, consider all the possibilities that surround you. Some unfinished business or projects from the past may emerge now, or possibly something that may not have much to do with you at all--you may find yourself doing things for other people or assisting in completing something you didn't start in the first place. This could feel like a distraction from your present course, but perhaps the purpose is to keep us from chasing our own tails and getting caught in a loop. This soon shall pass. When working on some project or important task, be mindful of resistances or others who may trigger you in some way--do what you can, but don't drain yourself either; if too much seems to be in the way, its probably best to back off and try another time.

So much of of this lunation echoes a process of building things back up, steadily and consciously, piece by piece. The previous lunar cycles may have also presented a financial dry spell, and it seems that this energy will begin to shift with this New Moon. Obviously, the nation is currently in the midst of many financial challenges, primarily because our current economic system is dysfunctional and is in process of transmutation--the reality is that many things are currently hanging on by a thread. I don't say this to be pessimistic, but merely practical--judging by the upcoming astrological configurations, there is much shifting that is about to take place, and we all have to take responsibility for ourselves and our place within this. Finding ways of becoming more self-sufficient is a good place to start, and just beginning with one step at a time toward more autonomy is the best that we can do right now.

The Sabian Symbol for this New Moon reads:

06 degrees Virgo: A Merry-Go-Round

This symbol is quite interesting, because it appears to compliment the cyclic/repetitious energy of the Grand Earth Trine, and the Mars/Saturn Square. We can interpret this symbol in two ways--we can look at it quite literally for what it is, as an image of repeating cycles and repetition, and also we can penetrate to the origins of the Merry-Go-Round as an historical symbol. The latter reveals that the Merry-Go-Round as the playground version of the classical Carousel amusement ride, which was originally a device that was once used as a training mechanism, to prepare for combat and battle. According to Wikipedia:

"The earliest known depiction of a carousel is in Byzantine bas-relief dating to around 500 A.D., which depicts riders in baskets suspended from a central pole. The word carousel originates from the Italian garosello and Spanish carosella ("little battle"), used by crusaders to describe a combat preparation exercise and game played by Turkish and Arabian horsemen in the 12th century. In a sense this early device could be considered a cavalry training mechanism; it prepared and strengthened the riders for actual combat as they wielded their swords at the mock enemies. European Crusaders discovered this device and brought the idea back to their own lands. A carousel was also a training device for the ring-tilt, consisting of wooden horses suspended from arms branching from a central pole. Riders aimed to spear rings situated around the circumference as the carousel was moved by a man, horse, or mule."[1]

Looked at this way, we can interpret this cycle as a preparation for a proceeding lunation which will involve much more activity and movement, and in looking at the following energies, this appears to be so. The metaphor of repetition reveals the inevitable process of training in order to master a specific skill or ability. In another sense, the symbol of the playground, with its equipment, also represents a "training ground" for young children, where they learn to interact and communicate as a preparation for modern life. Looked at another way, we see the image suggesting that we may be going in circles, and possibly chasing our tails. Each time we confront the situation, it may be the same, but we see it differently with each turn around the wheel. Perhaps the image presents us with a question: Do we keep going in circles, or do we get off and do something else? If things aren't changing outside or within us, with each visit to the same thing, we must make a decision and take appropriate action, because the wheel keeps spinning, and we only choose to hold on.

Notes & References

Image 1: The Wheel of Fortune by Norbert Losche (as featured in the Cosmic Tarot card deck)

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carousel

Full Moon In Aquarius

2011-08-10T10:20:00.001-07:00

Full Moon (Sturgeon Moon) @ 20 degrees Aquarius
August 13, 2011
11:57 AM Pacific
2:57 PM Eastern

As the Full Moon culminates the energies present at the preceding New Moon, we are given the opportunity to gain clarity, functionality, and objectivity. Due to Mercury's retrograde motion in Leo, opposite the Full Moon, there is a prominent energy inclining us towards the past and reflecting on where we've been in order to gain a broader perspective. The Sun conjoins Venus in Leo, and along with the symbolism of Aquarius, there is a strong 'social' flare to this full moon. This could provide us the opportunity to reflect on our friendships and relationships, and our connection to a group or community of like-minded individuals. We also get a sense of looking back at what we've created in our lives, and whether we have been effective in manifesting our desires and creative ideals. Are we fully participating in our own lives? Or do we find ourselves simply observing life, watching it pass by? What could we do to become more involved in co-creating our present and our future? Don't worry about acting on any insights or solutions you receive now, take about two weeks to play with it all--leave it suspended in the realm of potential.

Find a comfortable place, envelope yourself with beauty and enjoy the surroundings and company of those you truly care for--find solace in the fact that the universe supports us in recharging ourselves, and letting go of urgency or immediate action at times. With Mercury retrograde in full swing, this is the perfect opportunity to look at what needs to be adjusted or revised in your life. What has come up for you so far? How can you look at things differently, from another perspective? What has emerged from the past, and how has it effected you mentally or emotionally? Take a deep look at where you could make things more functional so that they operate more smoothly. Whatever challenges or obstacles we encounter at this time are there to get our attention so that we can make the appropriate changes. What have you overlooked, what really needs your attention right now? Let go of what no longer serves you, or is no longer relevant, and embrace what feeds your soul.

The most dynamic aspects in the Full Moon horoscope are Mars in Cancer opposite Pluto in Capricorn, and Uranus in Aries conjunct Ceres in Pisces opposite Juno in Libra--forming a strikingly apparent grand cross configuration. This is likely to ignite much of the "Grand/Cardinal Cross" energy within the collective field, and current events are likely to represent the energies of 'revolution' and the manifesting, or the attempt at creating, drastic social change. However, with Mercury retrograde, it wont likely be as effective as intended or as it was planned to be. In fact whatever has been brought up right now, whatever political decisions that have been made will not be permanent or have a long standing influence, for they will eventually be revised and reconsidered later on. With Mars opposite Pluto we may feel a bit paralyzed, unsure of where we should take our next few steps--and this is perfectly alright, because we don't really need to do it right now, but simply reflect on the possibilities. Don't give in to any heavy burden you feel, just go within and reflect on what changes you could make, but don't let fear overwhelm you--let it pass through and teach you.

It would be wise, however, to do something with all this energy, but to allow it to express itself organically as opposed to having a definite objective. If you feel any pressure building up inside yourself, let it out! Maybe you need to run out into a field and just scream and yell, go for a hike, or maybe go dancing and just let yourself get lost in the moment. Whatever it is, some kind of physical activity may be just the thing to ease any pressure just lying under the surface. What goes on out there is only a reflection of what's going within each of us, deep inside. Be conscious of the fact that many may be impulsed by this energy, and that could result in sudden outbreaks of anger or violence if not channeled correctly. If you feel yourself succumbing to this impulse, stay conscious, and breathe instead of acting on it, let your breath move your inner chi, get some circulation going--breathe out the stagnation or irritation. Meditation, Yoga, Tai Chi, or any kind of conscious movement would be an excellent way of moving through this energy right now.

The Sabian Symbol for the Full Moon reads:

Aquarius 21: "A disappointed and disillusioned woman courageously faces a seemingly empty life."

This seems like a rather dark symbol, but it invites us to look at disappointment and disillusionment as teachers as opposed to tormentors, and it ties in perfectly with the theme of reflecting on the past. Although slightly hindered by events we know nothing about, the woman is willing to face her pain and possible sadness with courage and integrity, she does not allow it to consume her--she's willing to keep moving forward despite any setbacks she's experienced. Anytime we are disappointed by anything, and especially disillusioned, it's because we made an assumption and had a specific expectation. We are invited, however, to see things differently, just as the woman in the image is willing to do. Letting go of our beliefs about life, releasing what we expect life should be, will assist us in unfolding and becoming what we are meant to be aside from our ideas about it. We can avoid a lot of pain and suffering if we are willing to surrender our attachment to outcomes, and just let the universe show us what we're capable of without any kind of intellectual understanding. This doesn't mean that we shouldn't make plans or have objectives, but that we are willing to accept that our projections may change or become something else entirely--and as long as we're not cemented to our visions, we can change along with them as opposed to holding on to what we expected the future to be. Allow disappointment and failure to be a teacher and guide, for we always emerge with more wisdom and strength from such experiences. Whatever comes up for you individually now, learn from it and let it go, because there is no need to dwell on what can no longer be changed.

Image Credits:

Image 1: Aquarius by Johfra Bosschart

Emerging From Chaos: New Moon in Leo & Mercury Retrograde

2011-07-26T12:01:00.001-07:00

New Moon @ 07 degrees Leo
Saturday July 30, 2011
11:40 AM Pacific
2:40 am Eastern

This is the second New Moon to occur within the month of July, and will take place in the tropical sign of Leo. In general, the New Moon in Leo invites us to fully embrace and express ourselves, to connect deeply to our inner child, and to play and be spontaneous. In Leo we are impulsed to move through life more subjectively-to really immerse ourselves in the moment and to allow things to just unfold around us. As we set our intentions for this new lunar cycle, see what areas of your life could use some creativity, as greater solutions to problems can be found when we're less mental and more expressive and spontaneous, when we allow the unconscious to pour out organically- in those moments when we surprise ourselves with what we're capable of.

There are, however, several aspects within the New Moon horoscope which invite us to be exceptionally conscious of our ideas and idealizations; on the one hand to loosen up and be expressive, and on the other to be fully aware of how useful and practical such ideas are in the real world. Are we more caught up in conceptualizing things in our minds then we are of actually getting down and experiencing things first hand? Many ideas and ideologies sound great when read on paper, but how functional are they for the real world; do they really work the way we "thought" they would when actually applied to life?

This particular New Moon is highlighted by a Mercury Retrograde cycle in Leo, and because of this, there will be much revision, reconsidering, and restructuring going on in many facets of our lives, but particularly relating to areas of creative development and creative self-expression/actualization. Within the New Moon horoscope there are several intriguing aspects to consider, and some may be challenging to fully integrate- there is a lot of energy that is seemingly at odds. For one, the New Moon itself is in a rather wide conjunction with Venus in Leo, and all three planets are in a square aspect to Jupiter in Taurus. Here we may feel an impulsion to activate, or make manifest, some expansive creative ideal or solution, and yet, with Mercury retrograde during most of this lunation, it would not be wise to implement anything until Mercury has gone direct on August 26th.

This energy is then amplified by all three planets in a Trine aspect to Uranus in Aries, and here we feel a sudden and spontaneous burst of inspiration, which seems to come out of nowhere, and its intentions are highly unpredictable. The best advice for handling all this powerful energy is to simply allow it to flow through you, play with it and experiment. So much of the energy during this lunation invites us to not attach ourselves to any particular outcome, but to remain open and receptive, and simply allow these energies to take us where they want us to go. We don't always need to have a definite plan of action or even any idea of what we're doing at times, sometimes it's through the creative process that our destination will unfold and emerge heuristically.

Much of the energies this New Moon are allowing us to let go of our need for immediate action and assertion, because we've been feeling a sense of urgency over the past several weeks. Now is the time to relax a little bit, try not to be so hard on yourself, and refocus into other directions. The most interesting aspect of all within the New Moon horoscope is Mercury in Virgo, slowing down as it begins to move stationary retrograde, conjunct Transpluto on the 29th degree of Leo, and in opposition to Neptune conjunct Chiron in Pisces. This particular aspect has been quite challenging for me to penetrate, but after I stopped working so hard, suddenly it became much more clearer for me--and I feel that process has a lot do with its intention. The juxtaposition and duality of chaos and perfection emerged from these energies as an overall theme, and this is likely to be extremely prominent over the next several weeks. The universe itself is inherently chaotic, chaos is a natural part of life, and it is necessary for evolution- it keeps life fresh and open to diversity. In the words of astrologer Noel Tyl, we find this gem of wisdom:

"All of life began and begins with this chaos. It swirls through time in purposeful randomness and comes together as uncertain potential. Chaos drives science to explain all this profusion of activity, and then it continues on like a phantom force past where science stops. Yet, chaos is real, and if what is real is what is perfect in the sense that reality is meant to be-then chaos in no less perfect.[1]

Here in the third dimension there is no such thing as absolute perfection, for it will always loom before us as a potential for which we strive for, but never truly within our grasp. This does not mean that chaos overcomes perfection, for the two principles are cooperative, and like light and dark, cannot exist without the other. Perfection in an ordering principal, it is a desire which lies deep in our DNA. Idealism is the 'carrot on a stick' that fuels our desire for perfection, because it is a potential that exists higher dimensionally, and it informs us from within, to reach toward that higher state of being. This all brings to mind the concept of Morphogenesis, the theory which ponders the source from which emerges all material forms into our reality. In a higher dimension--hypothetically the sixth--there exists the code, or the root geometry of all biological life forms that exist on earth. How conscious we are determines how much in alignment we are with this 'ideal' form. "Reaching our potential" is actually a matter of aligning ourselves with this higher vibrational code, and our seeking of perfection stems from this natural process. So, in theory, all of us has an ideal form, or body: mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual.

Evolution urges us to align ourselves with this form as much as possible, but we must also understand that this is a world of both perfection and chaos. The underlying message of this new moon, and the Mercury retrograde cycle, seems to be that we do not have to be "perfect", we are invited to be conscious of our potential and take steps toward aligning ourselves with it, but to be humble enough to admit that we will never fully be the perfect image of that potential in this life. Absolute perfection, cleanliness, and orderliness are illusions in our world. It's OK to make mistakes, that's how we learn and ultimately how we grow.

Awareness of the fact that we made a mistake is truly more rewarding than attempting to avoid pitfalls or trying to be "perfect", for it allows us to adjust ourselves and strengthen our ability to navigate life in the future. Any creative process inevitably asks that we make mistakes, because it is a process, which is a state of unfolding and of becoming. The irony is that when we fully surrender to our potential, when we immerse ourselves in humility, we actually find it much easier to align ourselves with this higher ideal or image of perfection. We need not struggle or "work hard" to attain it, we simply need to let go of our fear that we won't be good enough, or that we don't deserve it. To reach our potential, all that needs to happen is for us to just be who we are, and let go of we 'think' we are, or who someone else told us we were. This lunation asks us to just be, to just flow, and just create without fear that we're going to do the wrong thing, because it's not about the end result, it's about the process.

So, even within chaos, there is an ordered logic, a method to the madness within. Seeing that there is an intelligence within both order and chaos gives a deeper meaning to life and to our existence. Chaos is not random, nor is it truly accidental, it is deeply purposeful and truly meaningful. As we stand at the precipice of this new moon, let us look at the chaos we have experienced throughout life, and reflect on its inherent meaning. How does or did chaos propel us to become the person we are now, in this moment? How can we emerge from chaos, and begin to order things, without focusing solely on attaining perfection? The ideal of perfection we must align with is not the same as our own mental ideology, it is a surrender to a higher idea beyond our own control. It is our ability to assimilate cosmic idealism.

Let's take a look at the Sabian symbol[2] for the New Moon position, and see how it ties in, and weaves itself, with the surrounding themes we've extracted so far.......

08 degrees Leo: A Communist activist spreading his revolutionary ideals.

This image contains much information, beyond its literal meaning. It brings us the visual of someone spreading an ideology, who is an activist, someone who may be passionate or perhaps, even militant in conveying his or her message of personal truth. Dane Rudhyar, in An Astrological Mandala[3], interprets the the symbol as follows:

KEYNOTE: The emotional and ideological attempt to return to a state of non-differentiation and chaos as a prelude to a new type of order.

This symbol, beyond all present-day socio-political controversy represents the activity of destructive or catabolic forces (one aspect of the Indian god Shiva) in answer to the type of confrontation suggested by the symbol for Leo 6. The old order is confronted by the youthful drive for a new way of life and new sense of values. As the old order refuses to yield its prerogatives, this refusal polarizes violent revolutionary action. The revolutionary may have beautiful dreams of a "classless" society free from greed and harsh struggles for survival, but the first practical result of his activity almost inevitably appears as "chaos". Yet to reorganize and differentiate. Alas, such a descent most often is still based on old concepts, and one witnesses a struggle for personal and dictatorial power.

Communism is a political ideology which seeks to break down social and economical barriers to create the vision, or ideal, of a unified and classless society. Its application throughout the twenty first century has taken on some unusual and rather odious manifestations. I am not denouncing communism here, but like all political ideas, its progenitor is the same, as say, capitalism and socialism, the primary political systems spreading throughout the world. These are all mental constructs which originate from the human mind, which is limited and can become highly delusional when solely developed against other faculties. The vision of a unified society is not something new, nor was it solely born from the vision of Marx.

All these political ideas stem from a basic desire which arises within each of us, they are reflections of higher ideals that exist higher dimensionally, they are born out of our desire to emerge from chaos and find salvation within perfection and order, which is a state beyond our temporary and physical vibration here on earth. The polarized ideologies we limit ourselves with today, as the only options for 'saving' humanity from darkness, are fragments of a more holistic picture of how humanity was designed to operate, before we became enslaved by the delusion of separateness. I feel that each of them has many threads of truth, but are incomplete when they stand-alone, and especially when forced onto a unconscious populace of peoples. We experiment with such ideas because it is our attempt to return to that state of unified order and wholeness which exists eternally as our highest potential. This brings me to an illuminating quote from Psychological Astrologer Liz Greene:

"Most Marxists that I have met are very annoyed if I suggest that their political system is really a religious vision, because the Marxist is supposed to be militantly atheistic. But militant atheism is, in American jargon, a dead giveaway, because if a person is really an atheist he simply doesn't care. If he's militant, he's trying to stamp out something in himself"[4].

Marx was born under the cyclical conjunction of Neptune and Uranus, which is historically associated with the emergence of political ideologies fermented with a religious or even utopian vision and undertone[5]. This "vision" did not emerge solely from his mind alone, it was an impulsion which was being shared collectively, and it was seeded by archetypal forces which exist, again, higher dimensionally. What Marx glimpsed was only a fragment of a higher potential that is slowly reemerging since the discovery of these outer planets beginning in the 1700's, they are slowly seeping into the collective consciousness and changing the systems and structures of our world. With that aside, however, what Liz is saying, and much like the symbol we are presented with, is that by aggressively pushing an ideology onto the masses, with any kind of strict militant fervor, we are likely "stamping out" the oppression within ourselves, by projecting it onto the outer world.

When a zealous or dogmatic individual, or even society or government, takes it upon themselves to establish a crusade against "evil" in the world, what is really happening, is a form of projecting the evil within, onto others through judgement, it allows the individual to detach, and in a way, deny that evil within themselves by exploiting it externally. If someone were atheist or nihilist, like Liz is saying here, it is someone who just "doesn't care", there's a releasing of responsibility and attachment through an acceptance that chaos prevails and that ultimately there is no order, whether they truly feel this way or not, we cannot know. If that person were to grab a megaphone to preach that ideology, then they are actually, in a way, denying law and order within themselves, they are trying to stamp out their own divinity, the god within, and their own inner oppression, through trying to 'convert' others to their belief. When we rage a war on something, we end up becoming that which we are fighting, we are secretly consumed by it, because we have polarized ourselves against it, and so it grows and festers within the unconscious.

If you think the world is scary, take a look within, because the unconscious is the puppet master which directs and impulses us toward action in the outer world. We cannot FORCE peace, utopia, unity, and equality onto anyone or any collective body, we can only find it within ourselves. Until the mass majority of humanity realizes this, the application of these ideologies will forever contort, distort, and fail to actualize their full and true potential. Now, the symbol we are presented with is relatively unbiased, it is simply an image, which was seen through the eyes of a detached clairvoyant. These conclusions, are of course, my own, and so the energies we are feeling this new moon present us with the picture of an individual spreading an ideal, one that contains hope and a vision of unity beyond class and segregation. Whether communism is the solution that will provide this in the world or not is really not important here, it is the underlying theme of a revolution, a prelude to chaos and catabolism to create and establish a new type of order.

How does this apply to our own lives and to the collective at this current juncture? This particular New Moon falls less then 1 degree from the true North Node within the United States horoscope, and we can anticipate that the energies and themes emerging from it will be highly significant for the American people. Also of interest, is Mercury's retrograde passage and conjunction with Transpluto at the 29th degree of Leo, opposite the Neptune/Chiron conjunction in Pisces. The 29th degree of Leo was also the location of a rather powerful Super Full Moon which occurred on February 18, 2011, in direct opposition to the asteroid Pallas Athena in the US horoscope.

Of further interest, is the current New Moon in Opposition to Pallas Athena which currently sits on the South Node position within the US chart as well. The transiting South Node is currently approaching the US Mars in Gemini, and so we have many of the same combinations of planets connecting through synthesis. It would appear we are encountering a phase in which aggressive force and action, if applied, will exploit its darker and destructive side, it will not lead to any kind of functional result. If we follow the North Node, we are lead, through rulership, to Jupiter in Taurus, which urges us to get grounded, to slow down, to take small steps, and to be patient and consistent with our actions--this is the complete antithesis to these south nodal energies.

A new cycle is emerging, and with it, we are given the opportunity to create alongside it, with the power of our intentions. Let's be highly conscious of what we are thinking about, or what we truly want to create in our lives and in the world at this time. Whatever chaos we experience is only a reflection of the chaos within ourselves, and the more conscious we are of it, the better the opportunity we have of healing it.

Are we emerging from chaos or are we descending deeper into it? I suppose that's all a matter of perception.....

Mercury Retrograde In Virgo/Leo
August 02, 2011- August 26, 2011

Mercury retrograde can often accompany a three week period of sporadic annoyances and agitations, but it doesn't necessarily have to be a negative thing. The Mercury retrograde cycle impulses us to go back to something, to reconsider things, and to revise our perception of how things work. When we resist this current by attempting to either hold on to our previous beliefs and perceptions, or by trying to push forward with something that likely isn't ready, we will experience set backs, delays, and frustrations. Working with this cycle can actually be a highly constructive and useful process. This is the opportunity to make sure things are in place, and to be certain that they will be functional in the future. If we are aware and conscious at this time, Mercury retrograde will bring to our attention, things that need to be addressed and looked at, so that we can adjust them. This can often manifest in the "break down" of various systems and structures, because there is something missing or something faulty that we need to look at.

In Leo, we are reconsidering several things, primarily creative self-actualization and the utilization of our will. We may also reconsider or revise a leadership status or role, attachment or over-concern with pleasure and solipsistic tendencies, or possibly even matters concerning children, or our own inner child. Because of Mercury's retrograde cycle coming into contact with several outer planets, as well as an opposition to the Moon in the US horoscope, we can anticipate these themes to leak into the collective attention as well as in our own personal lives. This Mercury retrograde invites us to let go of our attachment to our expectations of how life should unfold, and surrender to a greater holistic picture as it emerges from the chaos of the collective unconscious.

Mercury in opposition to Neptune indicates that we must be very cautious about what we choose to believe at this time, we should be highly aware and conscious about what we get caught up in--there is much potential for deception and self-delusion. Before you jump on board with something, go deep within yourself, trust your instincts about what feels right or what feels wrong. Try your best to separate yourself from your ideas or judgements about the situation, and just go with your gut feeling. Avoid making big commitments or plans at this time, they will likely be faulty or unclear. Be very clear in your communications with others, as there is a high possibility of misunderstandings or miscommunication. On the other hand, this can be a excellent cycle for speculating, dreaming, and envisioning what may or may not be possible. We are given the chance to test things out, and judge for ourselves whether they work for us or not. This can also be a time when our perceptions are more heightened then usual, we may notice things we have possibly overlooked.

This cycle may also provide us an opportunity to really gain awareness of our wounds, and fully resolve or heal something within ourselves. Trust what comes to you at this time, let go of control or any sense of urgency, and just surrender to the numinous and divine flow of energy that is coming toward us from the universe. Whatever set back or irritation you encounter now has a purpose, it is not just random chaos, even though it may appear to be so. Look at whatever is brought forth to your attention, and look to how you can improve it or make it more functional. You'll be glad you did.

Notes & References

[1] Tyl, Noel, Synthesis & Counseling in Astrology: The Professional Manual, St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 2004.

[2] http://www.sabiansymbols.com/sabian-story.html

[3] Rudhyar, Dane, An Astrological Mandala: The Cycle of Transformations and its 360 Symbolic Phases, Vintage Books, 1974.

[4] Greene, Liz, The Outer Planets & Their Cycles (The Astrology of the Collective), CRCS Publications, Sebastopol, CA: 1996

[5] Karl Marx was born on May 5, 1818 at 2:00 AM in Treves, Prussia. The Uranus/Neptune conjunction in Sagittarius, the sign notorious for religious fervor and dogmatism, sits in a wide conjunction to his Midheaven, square to Pluto in Pisces in his first house.

Images

Image 1: Alex Grey, Journey of the Wounded Healer, third panel of triptych.

Moon Void Of Course....What the heck is that?

2011-07-25T15:59:00.000-07:00

If you're at all familiar with astrology you've likely heard about the Moon being "Void of Course". What does this mean exactly, and how can we use it constructively in our daily lives? Here in the western world astrologers use the Tropical Zodiac system, which is basically the backdrop from which we view the planets as they encircle the Sun, but it is NOT the same as the actual constellations we view in the sky. This disparity causes much confusion about astrology, and it is the primary reason "scientific" minded people, such as mainstream astronomers, attempt to "debunk" astrology, claiming that is is somehow inaccurate due to the Precession of The Equinoxes. Precession is the gradual movement of the constellations over a period of time, roughly one degree every 75 years, theoretically due to the wobble or axial tilt of the earth as it orbits the Sun. So basically, some people claim, if you were using the actual constellations in astrology, then 'technically' your Sun sign would actually be the sign before it because of this shift. In practice, however, this 'idea' completely breaks down, because Western astrology has NOTHING to do with the actual constellations, which are not signs as we have come to know them in our current culture. The zodiac signs are exactly 30 degrees each, but the constellations vary in size, and there is no precise system which measures the boundaries of the constellations, and so pushing your sign back one is completely debased and inaccurate. The 'qualities' or psychological fermentation from the signs and the constellations are completely different from each other. The ancients were quite aware of the phenomena of precession, and as a direct result of it, created the zodiac we use today, called the Western Tropical Zodiac. This 'synthetic' zodiac is a mental and mathematical construct which actually moves with precession, and so it adjusts and corrects itself over time. The general idea of the tropical zodiac is that a circle consists of 360 degrees, and if you neatly divided that circle into 12 EQUAL sections (the real constellations are not equal), then you have 12 divisions comprising 30 degrees each, and thus the 12 signs of the zodiac we have come to love, or hate, so well. This model of 12 equal segments then move along with the Vernal Equinox as it moves with precession. This is a much easier and manageable system to work with, since it has definable boundaries, and it is based on the Sun's natural seasonal cycle.

Now, where do we begin this zodiac in the sky? Why, with the first day of spring of course, which has been traditionally celebrated for thousands of years as the beginning of the New Year. Why we in the west have now come to start our year in the dead of winter, is a long and arduous story that would take us into a bit of a conspiratorial realm, and that would be far beyond the scope of this article. So, the exact moment that the Sun reaches this point, known as the Vernal Equinox, marks the very first degree of the zodiac, which is 0 degrees of Aries, also known as the Aries point. Now, fast forward 90 degrees from here, and we have, precisely, the Summer Solstice. Another 90 degrees and we have the Fall Equinox.....and then Winter.....and well....you get the idea. All 12 signs are constructed along this basis, and the qualities of these signs are what we read about in Sun Sign 'Horoscopes', no matter how accurate or horrible they are. You could say that, in a way, those qualities are derived from the season from which they occur, and thus the Tropical Zodiac derives from the Sun's natural transit through the sky, as we view it, and is not the same as the visible stars and constellations we see at night with our naked little eyes.

Now back to Moon! The Moon, like the Sun, and like all plantery bodies, whether 'classified' as planets or not, appear to move through this Tropical Zodiac from our perspective on earth. Anything that orbits the Sun, has a cycle, and thus can be monitored as it transits through each of the 12 zodiac signs. The Moon, which is really the only body to actually orbit the earth, does so in about 27.6 days, so roughly one calender month. As this happens, the Moon moves through a sign in about 2 to 3 days. As the Moon orbits the earth, it makes what are called Aspects, which are geometric relationships, to other planetary bodies. There are five primary aspects used in astrology: The conjunction (o degrees), the Sextile (60 degrees), the Square (90 degrees), the Trine (120 degrees), and the Opposition (180 degrees). There are many more aspects, but these are the basic harmonics that have the most influence in terms of their effect upon all conscious life forms on earth. For example, a Full Moon is an Opposition of the Sun and Moon, meaning they are exactly 180 degrees apart from our geocentric perspective. Most people will admit that Full Moons are quite noticeable in their effect upon the collective, not only is it extremely visible on the night of a full moon, but individuals tend to erupt into highly unconscious and 'primal' behavior complexes during this time. A New Moon is a conjunction of the Sun and Moon, which means they are in alignment (0 degrees apart), and can sometimes result in a Solar Eclipse, as the Moon passes over the Sun. Now, a Void of Course, is when the Moon is about to move into the next sign, say from Aries to Taurus, and it has made its LAST major aspect to another planet. This means that the Moon will not make another aspect to another planet until it has moved into the following sign. This period of time, which can be a few seconds, minutes, hours or even several days, is called the Void Of Course, or abbreviated as VOC or V/C. So, if the Moon were in the last degrees of Aries, and it makes, say, a square to Saturn, and it will not make contact with another planet until it moves into Taurus, the Moon is Void. The Void of Course would begin at the exact time the Moon makes that last aspect to Saturn, and it would end the exact time the Moon enters the next sign, which in this case would be Taurus.

Ok, now that we get all the technical jargon, what kind of influence does the Moon Void Of Course have, and how do we work with it? To answer that, we must have some understanding of what the Moon symbolizes as an unconscious symbol. The Moon represents the first principal of the unconscious itself, it is the antithesis to the Sun, which is conscious awareness. The Moon reflects the light of the Sun, meaning it reflects the outer world, it absorbs and it transmutes visible energy into invisible energy, symbolized by the astral light we receive from it on a full moon. Everything we experience in our reality is comprised of energy, which is simply the result of vibrating frequencies in a harmonic relationship. Our physical bodies, our thoughts, and yes, even our emotions, are comprised of energy. Logically, then, the Moon takes on a feminine and receptive role because it is receiving energy that is being projected towards it. The Sun is yang and the Moon in Yin. What the Moon receives, it transmutes into something else. When using astrology on a daily basis, the Moon is the most significant planet to be conscious of because it governs the fluctuation of our thoughts and emotions throughout the day, it takes everything we are projecting outward and absorbs it. So basically, the Moon handles all the stuff we're putting out there. Every idea that suddenly pops up in your mind, at that point, is no longer potential, but it is manifest, and it is being shared, projected, into the 'astral' dimensions, which are created by the Moon's orbit around the earth. Whatever event that transpires at a given time, is also largely handled by the Moon, and you can very easily gauge how it will unfold based on what the Moon will be doing from that point onward. In other words, at any point in time, the Moon's proceeding aspects to other planets will inform you how that energy is going to get communicated or transmuted.

When the Moon is Void, it is no longer communicating until it moves into the next sign, and so traditionally, we say that, "Nothing will come of the matter", or "The situation is out of your hands". This can be either positive or negative depending upon the nature of the situation. For instance, a "crises" or problem that emerges while the Moon is Void will likely not come to anything significant, so usually, it really isn't a problem at all. On the other hand, if something you really want to have happen occurs during a Moon Void, or even, if it is planned or formulated while the Moon is void, it will likely not come to the culmination you desire, because it's pretty much out of your hands, and you cannot direct it with your intention. The Moon collects and processes our intentions, which are generated with our thoughts that are projected outward into the collective. When the Moon is Void, she's basically on a break, and instead of answering immediately she's taking messages, or ignoring all incoming input all together. We all need breaks, even the Moon, and she rightly deserves it for all the work she does. If you are privy to these times then you can more easily flow with life's currents instead of working against them. Psychologically, the Moon Void can be a time when we feel rather "off", as if nothing seems to work the way we want it to; plans change, obstacles arise, and we can often feel very 'floaty' and without direction or focus. It can be very difficult to connect with other people, or anything outside of our personal sphere, and we can feel highly unmotivated to do much. Because of this, it is often advised to NOT do important work, make big purchases, start projects, or sign contracts of any sort. It is also not a good time for beginning something, because it will likely not come to anything, or the results will differ greatly from what you envisioned. The longer the void, the more prominent this influence will be felt. For example, if a void occurs for several days, it will be much more noticeable and significant then if it occurred for only an hour or even a few minutes. The duration of a particular void depends upon the arrangement of the planets at a certain time, and the location of the Moon relative to those positions.

So what should we do while the Moon is void? Well, we should actually take a break! Moon Voids are ideal for any kind of inner personal activity, such as taking a nap, meditating, doing yoga or tai chi, reading a book (usually more for enjoyment or entertainment), watching a movie or TV, going for a walk outdoors, sitting in a garden and enjoying the surroundings, being in the now, being in the present- pretty much anything that does not require a lot of heavy cognitive ability or physical stress. Moon Voids are ideally our time to connect more to ourselves then with other people or the outer world, and we are encouraged to relax, unwind, and refocus ourselves. It is also the perfect time for doing anything that is easy and routine, such as casual cleaning or laundry. Now, obviously, our society is currently not structured in synch with astrological cycles, and so often many of us have little choice in the matter, such as having to go to school or work during a void. I am not implying that you call in sick or ditch class simply because the Moon is void, but, if you are conscious of it, you can alleviate much stress and confusion if you have things you must do. When the Moon is void, it's best to NOT take things so seriously, it's a time to just go with the flow, and trust that everything will turn out the way it's intended. If you are aware of this, then anything that arises can be looked at with less severity because it will likely not have much of an impact in the long run. If you play with Moon Voids you will quickly realize that the universe fully supports this more relaxed attitude, and while everyone else is in panic over something they can't control, you can just take a deep breath and let things flow, or say, "Eh, no worries, the Moon is Void!". Of course this attitude of surrender can really serve us throughout most of our lives, however, you will notice that it is much easier and more supportive during these specific times.

Historically, every candidate who was nominated for President of the United States while the Moon was Void of Course did not win. The best example of this was Richard Nixon, who was highly out of synch with the cosmos....surprise surprise. Nixon was defeated by John F. Kennedy in 1960 when we was nominated during a void, and when we was re-elected in 1972 it was also during a void, and well....that term didn't turn out as he had hoped. Al Gore's nomination in 2000 occurred during a Void, and President Obama was sworn into office during a Void, but the ceremony had to be redone due to the 35-word oath being incorrectly cited. Obama's inauguration occurred on January 20, 2009 but was re-enacted, correctly and in compliance with the United States Constitution, on January 21, 2009. Obama was also inaugurated while Mercury was Retrograde, an omen indicating his presidency would likely be "reconsidered" in its significance by many over the course of his term. Overall, when the Moon is Void, we should not concern ourselves with things beyond our comfort zone or our personal or spiritual center. It is best to kick back and let things go, and not allow ourselves to become overly concerned in matters beyond our control. If you can be aware of this, you will find these periods to be much more enjoyable and stress free. If our world operated in synch with this cycle, we would have less problems to contend with, and we would have much less disappointment when things don't turn out they way we wanted them to.

BORN VOID OF COURSE?

Yes people can be born during a void of course Moon, and NO it is not an omen that their lives will come to nothing or that they will have little control of what goes on. I myself was actually born during a Moon Void, but through my own experience of this, I have noticed a big difference between natal Moon Voids and non-Moon Void individuals. If you were born during a void of course Moon you are likely to be much more inner directed then other people, but of course other indications in the horoscope can create this as well. Moon Void individuals tend to be much more focused inwardly, and many people may judge them as distant, aloof, or even selfish at times. There can be a general lack of motivation, so individuals born while the Moon is void usually require more effort and consciousness then usual to get things done. Often a Moon void individual is more "in the moment", in that they find it difficult to be as active and mobile as everyone else is around them, and because of this, they are often looked at as lazy or unproductive. Many Moon Void individuals can often feel scattered, and directionless, and may require more structure and routine in their lives than other people. If you were born void, it is wise to become more organized, create a structure and a system for things, such as using a daily planner to keep track of what's going on, and stick to it! Being consistent with a structured regimen will keep a natal Moon void from getting off track, or distracted, which can be highly stressful for them in their daily lives. Moon Void people often help others to feel more relaxed, they have an energy about them that assists others in just going with the flow, surrendering, and seeing things from a deeper or more emotional perspective. They can often be much more in touch with their emotions as well, and are much more sensitive as a result. If you were born during a Moon void it can be a challenge fitting into our highly active and "go-getter" culture, because the Moon void individual if often feeling things out before taking action.

Another interesting aspect of Moon void individuals is that their lives seem to have a highly "fated" or "destined" quality to it, and again, other factors can create this as well, but with a natal Moon Void this is very noticeable. They often feel out of control of the events in their lives, and are learning the lessons of trust and surrender more than most people are. From a karmic perspective, people born during a void, seem to have something highly significant that they are bringing into the world, something that seems beyond their knowing or their intention. Perhaps they are serving a greater purpose in this life, and require much more 'alone time', introspection, and inward focus because something greater then themselves impulses them to complete some specific task. It could be that a Moon Void individual is learning to let go of control in this life, and to let things unfold, and thus they often have the feeling that they just can't quite get a hold of life the way everyone else does. They are often labeled as "late bloomers" because they just don't jump into action as quickly, and they often take more time to settle and grow roots. There is nothing wrong with this, and if you are a natal Moon Void, the most happiness will be found when you accept this part of yourself as opposed to trying to change it to "be like everyone else". Like a fine wine, a natal Moon void just takes more time for growth and development, but the result is so much more rich and rewarding.

HOW DO I KNOW WHEN THE MOON IS VOID?

The best method for finding out whether the Moon is Void is to consult an ephemeris, or an astrological calender, such as Jim Maynard's Celestial Guide. There are also several calendars and resources online that a simple google search could easily unveil, such as Zodiac Arts Moon Phase Calendar which is updated every month. If you follow my blog, I will also be posting the Moon Voids for each lunar cycle along with my New Moon Articles.

Pluto's New Moon

2011-07-20T19:09:00.000-07:00

Astronomer's have recently discovered a fourth moon orbiting Pluto, and have temporarily named it S/2011, or P4 for short. This fourth addition joins the recently discovered, as of 2005, Nix and Hydra, and Pluto's well known companion Charon, which is the largest of the bunch. P4 is estimated to be about 8 to 21 miles long, which makes it the smallest of Pluto's moons. For more on all the technical jargon, check out these articles here.

From the astrological viewpoint, which is my main concern, this is quite fascinating and brings up some rather interesting questions, none of which I have the answers to-so let's ponder them! Pluto is the first planetary symbol to embody the process of evolution, but it is not the principal of evolution in its entirety, it is the gateway to the "underworld" symbolizing the inherited and surreptitious mechanization of biological evolution, churning deep beneath conscious awareness. Pluto is our initiation into the abyss within each of us we just wish would go away, all those deep and embedded patterns and complexes which run amok in our unconscious--which imprinted themselves upon us against our own conscious will. Pluto represents the principal of creation and destruction-the latter being its favorite means of expression. As a "physical" manifestation, Pluto is very much symbolic of the outer edges of our collective shadow, which we know is much larger since the discovery of the Trans-Plutonian planets-those just beyond Pluto in the deeper and colder reaches of the solar system. Pluto, currently transiting the sign of Capricorn until 2024, is currently at work dredging up the shadow side of our collective systems and structures-our ambition to reach the top and control it all, which we express through the creation of corporations and governments. Pluto's power has just expanded, and with it, our collective shadow, and our ability to process and transmute its contents. Moons serve as processing agents, meaning they absorb and transmute energies generated by the planet they orbit-so the more moons, the more capacity they have to process energy (information).

This news reaches us just months after another Plutonian discovery here. Apparently scientists are baffled by the fact that Pluto's atmosphere is growing in size. Now mind you, scientists have only been observing Pluto for a fairly short period of time, and have not been able to actually see its atmosphere at different stages throughout its entire 250 year orbit--it's distance from the Sun may have an effect in causing fluctuation of Pluto's atmosphere, but this is significant for the unconscious either way. The atmosphere of a planet is symbolic of its fourth dimension, which is where energies reside until they are processed by the Moon(s) of that planetary body. Pluto, symbolizing death, which is complete annihilation of ego and identity, seems to be preparing for some massive influx of energies- Pluto is expanding its capacity to process. What all this means, I have no definite conclusions, but we can anticipate that on a deeper spiritual level, there is some "migration" that is about to take place within the unconscious. Pluto's most well known Moon, Charon, is the ferryman who transported the souls of the dead to the underworld itself. Perhaps more people of the earth are ready to confront this shadow, an omen of an advancement in the evolution of the species. We do know one thing about all this. Collectively, we are ready to go much deeper than ever before, we are all, unconsciously, being prepared to make that journey into the underworld to face our fears like never before. How deep does the rabbit hole go? Only time will tell.

**Transit Jupiter (expansion) in Taurus is currently Trine (120 degrees) Pluto in Capricorn. Uranus (Scientific ideology) in Aries is also Square (90 degrees) Pluto. All expanding our knowledge and understanding of the mysterious archetype of the psyche we call Pluto.

Links/Sources

[1] http://www.redicecreations.com/article.php?id=16152
[2] http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/07/20/pluto-has-another-moon/
[3] http://www.space.com/12356-pluto-fourth-moon-discovery-hubble-photo.html
[4] http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2011/04/plutos-expanding-atmosphere-conf.html

New Moon/Solar Eclipse in Cancer: Beyond The Womb

2011-06-28T18:39:00.000-07:00

New Moon/Solar Eclipse
July 1, 2011 @ 09 degrees Cancer
4:54 AM Eastern
1:54 AM Pacific

This is the first New Moon of the Summer Season, which also happens to be a rather potent Solar Eclipse. This is the final eclipse of three, the closing of a cycle which began with the New Moon on June 1st. The theme of this particular lunation cycle has been the clearing out and releasing of the past, which will continue throughout the Summer season, given the prominent symbolism in the solstice horoscope. This Eclipse, like the eclipse which occurred in early June, is a south nodal eclipse (occuring near the south node of the moon), and again, relates to a process of letting go, releasing, and moving forward from stagnation. The predominant aspects within the New Moon/Solar Eclipse horoscope are seemingly challenging, and with this in mind we can anticipate much pressure to be imposed upon the collective and the individual, because there is much potential for growth to occur within the ensuing months, and this Eclipse is very much the catalyst for this. As we set our intentions this New Moon, there is much to be conscious of, and much to look forward to, if we can collectively let go of, what no longer serves us. What are you holding on to at this juncture? Is it a lifestyle, a belief, an ideology, an expectation, or an assumption? How can we expand our perception of what's possible so that we can allow ourselves to become more in line with the true intention for our lives? Is it a childish pattern of behavior that needs to be addressed and released? Is it a limiting and restricting perception of reality? Is it a job, a living situation, or a relationship that needs to change?

Humans are indeed creatures of comfort, and we all certainly like to have a sense of security based on routines and activities that bring us a sense of stable predictability. We must balance, however, our desire for security and comfort with that equally powerful desire for change, growth, and evolution. When we stay stuck doing the same thing, when we refuse to let go of the familiar because we fear the unknown, we stagnate evolution and we stop growing and maturing. Individually, and collectively, we are indeed experiencing the pressure to move on, to really reach out of our "comfort zones" to experience and awaken a dormant aspect of ourselves, a piece of us which lies just below the surface of our awareness. This piece is our true potential, that part we all, consciously or not, strive to become when we attempt to "better ourselves". The reality is that it's not about becoming "better", but actually, a process of simply letting go of what we are not, and conversely, embracing who we truly are. Each of us enters this world exactly as we were meant to be, and somehow, along the the way, we lost sight of that inner spark, and we stopped listening to that voice which radiates from the depths of our being. Most of the time we were pressured to stop listening because everyone else did too, or someone told us that who we are was inappropriate or inadequate. If we continue to turn our backs on this divine light within, we will only sink deeper into the darkness of collective delusion which currently beleaguers us from all sides. When doors close in front of us, when things "fall apart", it is often a sign that we are not in synch with divine timing, which means that we are trying to go where we don't belong. The truth is that there are many more doors for us to open, but we just don't see them because we are attached to a certain direction or path we "think" is the right one.

Solar Eclipses are extremely powerful New Moons, and their effects can last for several months. This means that intention is magnified more so than with other New Moons, and they are excellent times for projecting longer range goals. Eclipses in general symbolize the clearing out of energies within multiple dimensions simultaneously. We often experience this as a chronic agitation, or an inner restlessness, because unconsciously there is much that is about to shift and change. This psychic clearing is a natural and cyclic process which happens all the time, but some eclipses are more prominent and noticeable for certain people and groups then others. As a general rule, Solar eclipses tend to relate more to physical changes, and the bringing up of material from the unconscious into the conscious awareness of the individual. This shifting of energies within all dimensions often manifests within earth changes such as thunderstorms, earthquakes, hurricanes, etc, but not always. It is important to be mindful of this so that we can understand that such events are nature's way of clearing things out and releasing built up tension. Lets take a look at some of the aspects within the horoscope of the New Moon/Solar Eclipse. This Solar Eclipse is in opposition with Pluto retrograde in Capricorn, and Pluto is Trine Jupiter in Taurus. If we do not choose to reach beyond our shells of comfort, then we may be "forced" to by external events which work to pressure us out of stagnation. In reality, outer events only reflect an unconscious process within ourselves that we manifested within the outer world. The New Moon/Eclipse sextiles Jupiter, and Trines Pluto, showing us that we can create change and growth by taking things step by step, we do not have to change all at once. However, if we refuse to take these first formative steps, it may appear to us that some external force is pressuring us to do it all now. Jupiter in Taurus is giving us the opportunity to really ground and connect deeply to ourselves, and this is a time when carefully plotted action and strategic planning is highly favored. The South Node in Gemini is conjunct Venus, and the ruler, Mercury, sits at the 28th (anaretic) degree of Cancer. This indicates that there has been a rather long and possibly arduous process of considering options or alternative directions, and now comes a moment of decision, where further indecisiveness will only hinder our need for growth. The potential, the gift, which is Venus, is ready for us to bring forward into the world, we must simply let go of our fear that we'll make the "wrong" decision. When we hesitate we are not trusting our heart, and we are not listening to our inner voice which knows exactly what to do.

Follow your instincts and not your mind, the mind will only bring more confusion at this time. This does not mean that one should jump into action with each impulse, but to very consciously tune into an inner feeling of what feels right or what feels wrong. Saturn also makes a square to the New Moon/Eclipse and Pluto, indicating pressure coming from our relationships, personal or otherwise. Here we feel the need to consider some blind spots, the areas of our lives and personality that we are not consciously aware of. Are we stepping on someone's boundaries without consideration? Equally, are our boundaries being intruded upon by another from their inconsideration, demands, or agenda? How can we become more aware of our relations with others so that we don't step on someone's toes? How can we open ourselves up, come out of our limited and narrow perspective and consider that of another? If we are open to it, relationships provide the greatest lessons and reflections of ourselves, and what bothers or triggers us the most is usually something within us that we refuse to see as a fragment of ourselves. This eclipse is also providing an opportunity to create more harmony and balance within our relationships so that there is more equality and consciousness of give and take. Mars in Gemini is sextile Uranus in Aries and Trine Saturn in Libra. There is much energy for self awareness, as well as the ability to take constructive action through the activation of will, but we must act on this ourselves, because soft aspects do not force us to. We also see an opportunity for the assertion of self interest, to communicate who we are and what we need to others, and this could open some illuminating dialogue with those in our personal lives.

The Sabian symbol for this New Moon reads:

"A large diamond in the first stages of the cutting process."

This symbol compliments so perfectly the configurations we see within the rest of the horoscope. A diamond is a natural "stone", which when found in the earth is in a raw and untamed formation. The cutting of the diamond symbolizes the harnessing and shaping power of the mind, to improve upon, and make more intelligible, pure and raw potential. Here we see quite vividly a process in which we begin, collectively, and individually, of taking that first step towards "perfection", which is to say, to reach the highest potential of what's possible for ourselves and others. Dane Rudhyar, in an Astrological Mandala, has this to say of the symbol:

"The Arduous training for perfection in order to manifest an ideal."

"We are still dealing with the evolution of consciousness and of personality at a preliminary stage. The potentiality of a completely formed mind through which the light of understanding will shine brightly is already in evidence, but much work is still to be done. We may meditate upon the transformation of the "pond of water" (in the preceedng symbol) into a diamond not yet completely cut. The conscious mind must acquire solidity so it can be worked upon by higher agencies-ideally by the teachers of the community. It no doubt must be a painful operation for the rough stone, but the goal is worth the suffering, the heat, the grinding noise...provided of course the diamond cutter is an expert craftsman-a rare case amoung teachers!

As keyword we suggest CRAFTSMANSHIP, here meaning especially the training for perfection."

A lot can be gleamed upon mediation of this symbol and well as Rudhyar's interpretation. What are you striving to create in your life and in the world? How can you shape your ideal, and make it tangible, make it real in the world of everyday life? What can you do to enhance your abilities, your craft, so that you can have the best tools at your disposal to make your dreams a reality? What steps must you take now to perfect this raw and untouched potential within yourself? This may not be the moment when it all happens and comes to life, but the first stage, the first step of anything, is the most crucial to how the rest will unfold. If, as individuals, and as a collective society, we can be conscious during these first steps then we will have a much better chance for success later down the road. How we begin something is as much, if not more important then how it ends up. Like the old saying goes, "It's not about the destination, but how you get there that truly matters".

Image Credits

Image 1: Born From The Sea by Vladimir Kush

**UPDATE:

This particular eclipse isn't particularly strong by itself, however, it occured within roughly 3 degrees from the Sun and roughly 4 degrees from Jupiter in the USA horoscope, at precisely the Sun/Jupiter midpoint. Due to this, its influence is particularly stronger for the collective psyche of the United States, and will have a tremendous impact during its activations from other planets. The symbolism fermented in this article will become more clear and prominent, I feel, as Pluto transits in opposition to the Eclipse position from March of 2012 through October of 2013. Special attention should also be noted for August of 2013, as Jupiter will simultaneously conjunct this Eclipse along with the asteroid Pallas Athena, the goddess of war, intellect, and problem solving. Additionally, Uranus will be in a wide square to the Eclipse, activating it with a first pass in April of 2013. There will also be a grand trine formed between Jupiter conjunct Pallas Athena in Cancer, Saturn in Scorpio, and Neptune in Pisces. I believe this period will mark a very critical and important time for the United States, a time for manifesting and implementing a new vision for the future, one that completely separates us from the ideals of the past. This is likely to manifest as some form of event which will build progressively, whatever that may be, and will cement this realization quite strongly among the American peoples. The exact timing of this culmination is unclear, but will likely occur generally around late August of 2013. We cannot, obviously, control the outcome of these energies or its intention, but we can focus inwardly on ourselves and the processes that arose at the time of this New Moon/Eclipse, and consciously work toward their resolution in our personal lives. The more we heal ourselves, the more we heal the collective, and the more "positive" and constructive outer events in the world will become.

Love & Light

Summer Solstice 2011

2011-06-17T20:45:00.000-07:00

Summer Solstice
June 21, 2011
10:17 Am Pacific
1:17 Pm Eastern

"A human being is part of the whole called by us, the universe, a part limited in time and space. We experience ourselves, our thoughts and feelings as something separate from the rest. A kind of optical delusion of consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from the prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty." -Albert Einstein

The Summer Solstice is a culminating force, bringing to manifestation intentions set at the Spring Equinox. It is here that we begin to see the seeds we've planted coming to form and growing some legs, our ideas gaining autonomy and movement. Look around you, closely, and see just what has emerged from the world of potential and into the actual, nurture and protect it, for it is apart of you, it is your creation. Embrace and love what you don't particularly like, for it is also your creation, regardless of whether it was your intention. This is a good time to gauge just how conscious you are, because what emerges will reflect what your unconscious mind is actually creating! Whether we realize it or not, all of us set intentions at the Spring Equinox, conscious and unconscious intentions, and reflecting on all the things that have sprouted now can be quite an illuminating exercise. As the Sun reaches Solar Maximum, all the life force energy of the earth is at a maximum force, all the organisms of the planet reach a culmination of growth, reaching upwards from Gaia's womb to herald the great ascension of our father Sun, the giver of light and of breath. It is indeed on Summer Solstice that we, here in the northern latitudes, experience the longest day of the year, of maximum light and illumination, and thus it is the ideal time for reflecting on all that it unveils to our naked eye. This Summer energy also ignites the telluric and elemental dimensions, creating a massive influx of fairy, gnome, and elf archetypes which seek to humble us, through the creation of events which often feel like Mercury has gone retrograde. In other words, often things break down, or go missing, or we have some minor irritation or setback, yet to these trickster entities, it's all in good fun, so just have a laugh and try to not take things too seriously. In reality, they just want us to acknowledge them, and so it is often a way of getting our attention, telling us to lighten up and play some more.

This year, once again, the Sun joins the building Cardinal Grand Cross aspect structure, grounding its energies in Cancer within a rather wide orb. Mercury in Cancer also joins this structure, and appears to be a major facilitator of the energies this Summer season, as it exactly squares Saturn in Libra, Trines the Moon in Pisces, is the ruler of the south node in Gemini, and just happens to be within one degree of conjunction with the Solar Eclipse/New Moon that will occur on July 1st. The New Moon on June 1st, which was also one of three Eclipses, ignited a process, collectively as well as individually, of "releasing the ghosts of the past", as the sabian symbol as interpreted by Dane Rudyhar so clearly and beautifully illustrated. This energy will continue this entire summer, as we collectively let go of all that no longer serves us as a species, primarily our judgements of the future, our attachment to logic and rationality, urging us to trust in the divine unfolding instead of trying to control and predict the outcome. With that said, we are likely to see many prophecies and predictions fail to materialize, especially those that are extremely concrete such as "the end of the world", the "ascension of a chosen few", "global holocaust and genocide" and even, "mass landings of UFO's". This Summer solstice is all about humbling the mind, allowing us to slowly realize that our minds are NOT in control, but rather a greater cosmic force indefinitely runs the show. This could manifest as several ideologies and systems stemming from those ideas failing and collapsing, leaving us no choice but to move in a different direction. As I have touched on in previous posts, the collective psyche projects these scenarios because there is an unconscious death wish, which means that there is much pain and trauma to process and release within the collective, and the mind would much rather "die" then have to face it. As we step boldly into the future, we must not give into this annihilating force, for it will only destroy us as a species in the end. We must step up as individuals and face our own pain and fear instead of giving up because "it's all just going to shit anyway". Such a self defeating attitude strips us of our personal power and responsibility, and when the world doesn't end the way we "thought" it would, we're left with nothing but disappointment. When things fall apart it's because something new is trying to emerge, before there is birth there must be death.

This Summer presents us with an intriguing crescendo, it reveals that on a collective level, we are finally ready to accept that the past is behind us, and realize that there is no going back to it. The future looms, currently, as this dark and apocalyptic beacon, but that is only because we are conditioned to fear death and the unconscious. Ironically, the western world is the most consumed by the very thing it fears, and if we are to survive, we must wake up from our slumber and start creating our own lives! The Moon in Pisces conjuncts Chiron and Neptune, and Trines, quite precicely, Mercury in Cancer. Jupiter in Taurus, ruler of the North Node, Sextiles the Sun, and the Sun trines Neptune conjunct Chiron in Pisces. These are such beautiful configurations, indicating that this has the potential to be a deeply inspirational and spiritually enlightening Summer for all of us. There is much potential for gaining a much greater awareness and perspective, of receiving new visions and discovering a new horizon--so get inspired, immerse yourself with the unseen forces that permeate this world, and just surrender to this profound and magnificent energy! It is clear that our world needs to embrace, once again, the spiritual, and such forces are clearly knocking at the mind's door, yet we must open it ourselves and let it in. This is also urging us, as a society, to embrace compassion and love for others, to reach out of our little bubbles and embrace the needs of other sentient beings. It would seem that with all this Neptune and Jupiter energy that there would be a risk of overt idealism, yet, Jupiter is in Taurus, and Saturn, also another major facilitator of the horoscope, squares Mercury, and so we actually have the potential of bringing the numinous into the physical world. Saturn just recently went direct on June 13th (my birthday ;), and many have felt this shift quite profoundly, as a surge of productiveness, of things finally getting off the ground and gaining some momentum. Use this energy to actualize and refine something you've been working on and bring what's been on the back burner into more focus.

Jupiter has also recently moved into Taurus, and has disseminated an energy which is slowing things down, impulsing us to take a moment and smell the roses and the sage. This particular transit is very positive for building and working on some project which requires much attention to detail and nurturing, which will likely get a much needed burst of momentum and inspiration when Jupiter Trines Pluto exactly on July 7th. This aspect between Jupiter and Pluto is apart of a process, and they will meet up again this Fall as Jupiter goes retrograde, and then they Trine again in Spring of 2012, so take your time with whatever you are working on, as it has much potential for success if you can take things step by step, and not rush it to completion. As ruler of the North Node, Jupiter is collectively impulsing us to connect more deeply with the now, and with the natural world. This force is urging us to trust deeply in ourselves, in our own intuition and impressions, and to embrace what we want and what we value. This is not the time for second guessing yourself, and comparing your impressions with everyone else, just trust what you feel is right and you can't go wrong! So, instead of being consumed by mindless gossip in the media or wherever, take some time to yourself, or with a close partner, and connect deeply to the rhythm of nature and of the cosmos, sit by a stream or river, and listen closely to the messages it gives you. As a species, and as a culture, this Summer is all about expanding our perception of what's real, and letting go of what is imagined. What is real is all around us in the natural world, it's been here all along, and it knows what it's doing because it's been doing it far longer than we have. Discover an entirely new dimension of reality for yourself, gain a greater awareness of nature and of reality. Alternately, there is much indicating the need to gather with like minds, to reach beyond our personal barriers and expand our network with those that support us as individuals and for who we are. If we are to create a new world, we certainly can't do it all alone either.

I don't pay much attention to the media, as an astrologer, it helps me to remain more objective by distancing myself from the constant influx of current events. However, I don't avoid it if the universe decides to inform me of something, either through ambiance in the background, or through someone telling me about some event directly. In other words, I pay attention and am receptive to what comes into my reality, but I don't go looking for it. I'm well aware of all "that's going on" lately, such as wars, nuclear crisis, natural disasters, and the threat of economic collapse, but to be honest, none of it surprises me. In the U.S., at least, to me, it's just business as usual. Wars are profitable for big government, any crisis really, and surprisingly, so are "disasters", whether wholly natural or man-made. The recent string of events we are witnessing is simply the result of an unconscious world, it is the crux of a collective psyche which has no intention other than to control and dominate the forces of nature. In our ignorance we have no one to blame but ourselves, and all the events currently going on will further bring this to our awareness. The current transits are bringing to our attention the atrocities done to nature, and the consequences of the abuse of Uranian technology, such as grotesque weaponry used by elitists and governments, and nuclear weapons and reactors. There is an unfolding, however, that is occurring, to slowly condition us to wake up to these realities, and we must trust that the universe knows whats it's doing, even if the powers that be clearly have no clue.

In the horoscope for the Summer Solstice, Uranus and Pluto are in a very close square, within roughly two degrees. Uranus will go retrograde, however, on July 9th, but the influence of this square will ferment the summer season. We will be getting another taste of these "revolutionary" and rebellious archetypes that will come into full swing from 2012 through 2015. This is symbolic of the prep stage for when the two outer planets will get serious and down to business, next year, really tearing down the structures, systems, and ideologies that no longer serve us from an evolutionary standpoint, and replacing them with more functional versions. If we thought that these past few years have been interesting, we haven't seen anything yet. Each of us are being called to cultivate our inner genius and visionary, as this cycle historically correlates with many astoundingly creative innovations and solutions. What was seeded at the conjunction, in the late 1960's, is now ready to reach maturity, and all of us should participate in this co-creation, otherwise someone else will, and we may not like what results. It is important to be conscious when such archetypes are active, and not get swept up unconsciously by some movement or revolution that pumps us up with psychic frenzy.

The western world is still wholly unconscious of these forces, and because of that, we still witness dysfunctional surges of mass hysteria when these unconscious and suppressed forces rise to the surface of our awareness. Many may disagree with me on this, but I feel that revolutions are not functional forms of creating social change, and the only reason we have them is because we are not participating and co-creating with these archetypes ourselves, and instead they posses us, shocking the collective, and creating radical shifts which can cause a lot of damage that must be healed later on. Due to the level of unconsciousness, we simply act these archetypes out, through a momentary catharsis which works to only temporarily relieve these forces, this inner conflict, for a passing time. Our cultural obsession with the film industry is a shining example of how we escape through a drama that is played out, and we can view it objectively, and yet be apart of it at the same time. Every movie consists of a narrative, which revolves around some form of "crisis", which reaches a climax of tension, and then reaches resolution. As the observer, we can project, unconsciously, onto the film, our own inner crisis and dichotomy, and by viewing it, we can compensate artificially, we can live vicariously, through the drama of others, instead of actually dealing with our own shadows. What we experience is a synthetic feeling of relief from tension, a tension which was never actually our own, but projected onto us from some imposing external force. I feel that the same concept can be applied to the influence of planetary cycles upon the collective, because planets in tension, symbolize, a collective psychology that is in tension as well. If we have no true awareness as to why we have such tension in the first place, how are we to resolve it?

The Uranus and Pluto cycle is apart of an unfolding, an evolutionary process that will take place over a period of time, and we must trust that it will fully implement itself when the time is right. Until then, we have brief periods of radical catharsis, which works to shake up the sleeping populace from its prosaic daydream. Evolution will always supersede revolution in the long run, whether we like it or not, and thus a revolution will always recede into the background of the psyche when the cycle is complete. This isn't to say that revolutions don't create change, it is widely apparent that the 60's changed the world forever, its effects were truly irreversible, but eventually, it was overshadowed once again by the Saturnian forces of the psyche, to become but a seed of potential to blossom forth again in the distant future.

Another interesting aspect for the Summer Solstice is Mars at 0 degrees of Gemini square Neptune retrograde at 0 degrees of Pisces conjunct Chiron. The opening degrees of any sign, and primarily 0 degrees, are infantile degrees, which means that the energies placed there are just beginning a new process of unfolding, and often there can be much naivete and uncertainty. Mars is entirely antithetical to Neptune, it seeks to dominate, initiate, take charge, and action, where as Neptune is elusive, mysterious, numinous, and receptive. When the two combine, Neptune has the upper hand in that it is a higher dimensional construct, and thus it serves to humble Mars and teach him that aggression without conscious intention, without some higher form of motivation, is useless and destructive. It is my prediction, that we will be witnessing the beginning stages of mindless war, primarily based on greed and abuse of power, beginning to fail and wane from its position of prominence within US politics. A Neptunian fog will roll in, beleaguering Mars within a sea of ambiguity. How this will come about, I have no idea, but the statement is utterly profound in the exactness of the aspect. Of further interest, Mars is disposited, or ruled by Mercury, which will be "activated" by the powerful Solar Eclipse/New Moon in Cancer. Mercury, ruler of the south node, is indicating that something from the past must be resolved and processed now, and collective events will all involve the breaking down of overt rationalization in favor of a much greater holistic perspective. Mercury in Cancer very literally symbolizes collective ideals based on a false sense of security, and the south nodal eclipse will assist us to release them. The same will apply to our individual lives. Are we holding on to something simply because in the past, it made us comfortable? How can we embrace the truth of the situation, and see that by holding on we are actually limiting our own growth and evolution? With the Mars and Neptune square, we have reached a point where we're not quite sure what next step to take, we may feel paralyzed due to fear and uncertainty. How can we align ourselves with a higher purpose, a higher energy, so that we can take action that is based on truth and is motivated by a desire to transcend personal interests and concerns?

Now, to wrap things up, let's take a look at the Sabian symbol for the midpoint of the Sun and Moon in the Summer Solstice horoscope, which is incidentally, closely conjunct Jupiter in Taurus. The symbol reads:

Cantilever bridge across a deep gorge

Dane Rudyhar, in An Astrological Mandala, interprets the symbol as follows:

The conquest of separativeness through group-cooperation

The person who has suffered deprivation and loneliness can give new substance to his or her emotional life by participating in a collective project. All great evolutionary challenges imply the overcoming of basic difficulties. A step ahead must be taken, yet an abyss confronts evolving man. It is no longer a personal void-an "open grave"-but a chasm that is an integral part of the "land" upon which man's evolution must proceed. A link must be built through the power of the collective mind of the group or of the community at large, on the basis of the legacy of the past, to make a bridge over the canyon. This is the first stage of the eight five-fold process of "Substantiation." The man-made bridge with collective skill gives substance to and demonstrates man's capacity to CONQUER OBSTACLES and to achieve evolutionary continuity as well as expansion in space.

Happy Summer Solstice!

Summer Highlights
(dates listed for Pacific Time Zone)
July 1- New Moon/Solar Eclipse @ 9 degrees Cancer; Mercury enters Leo
July 3- Venus enters Cancer
July 7- Jupiter Trine Pluto (Venus opposite Pluto and Sextile Jupiter July 8th)
July 9- Uranus Stationary Retrograde
July 14- Full Moon @ 22 degrees Capricorn
July 28- Venus enters Leo; Mercury enters Virgo (Mercury opposes Neptune)
July 30- New Moon @ 7 degrees Leo
August 2- Mercury Stationary Retrograde
August 3- Mars enters Cancer
August 4- Neptune Retrograde enters Aquarius
August 8- Mercury enters Leo
August 10- Mars Opposition Pluto
August 13- Full Moon @ 20 degrees Aquarius
August 21- Venus enters Virgo
August 26- Mercury Stationary Direct
August 28- New Moon @ 5 degrees Virgo
August 30- Jupiter Stationary Retrograde
September 8- Mercury enters Virgo
September 12- Full Moon (Harvest Moon) @ 19 degrees Pisces
September 14- Venus enters Libra
September 16- Pluto Stationary Direct
September 18- Mars enters Leo

Notes and References

[1] http://aeoluskephas.blogspot.com/2010/03/actors-as-mediums.html
[2] Rudhyar, Dane, An Astrological Mandala: The Cycle of Transformations and its 360 Symbolic Phases, Vintage Books, 1974.

Image Credits

Image 1: The Last Supper by Vladamir Kush

Horoscope

Mental Liquidation: Lunar Eclipse/New Moon in Gemini

2011-05-24T21:22:00.000-07:00

New Moon/Partial Solar Eclipse In Gemini
June 1, 2011
02:03:24 Pacific

This month's new moon falls in the sign of of duality, Gemini, which embodies the initial archetype of diversity and the dispersal of information in its many manifestations. It also happens to be a partial Solar Eclipse, taking place in the south nodal direction, and thus relates to a process of letting go, releasing, and transmuting past and outgrown energies. In Gemini, we are releasing past prejudices, judgements, petty details, and overt reliance on facts and numbers in favor of a much bigger and greater holistic picture which transcends all mental constructs, indicated by the North Node in Sagittarius. Jupiter, the dispositer of the North Node, sits at the anaretic degree of Aries, thus indicating a critical karmic shift taking place within the collective psyche, suggesting the need to expand into new directions and new frontiers entirely, literally taking the road less or never traveled. The Eclipse itself isn't particularly significant in its strength, considering its wide distance from the South Node of the Moon, however, it is involved in a strikingly dynamic grand trine with Saturn in Libra and Pallas in Aquarius, as well as a rather wide, and poignant T-Square with the Neptune/Transpluto Opposition. This is a strikingly clear Air grand trine, and thus relates to the mind, creating a closed circuit construct within the collective, indicating that many may be impulsed to dwell on and even get stuck thinking about some cause or event in which they have no control, and possible obsession with problem solving and attachment to one's own ideas, especially if such ideas are rejected by others who don't see eye to eye. This can generate the archetype of intellectual snobbery, fueled by a delusional sense of superiority. Alternately, if used correctly, this can generate some great new and innovative solutions, while also being conscious others. Our way out of the structure is through the Solar Eclipse/New Moon itself, which squares the Neptune and Transpluto conjunction, and this is urging us to see deeply past our delusions, and also, to not get too caught up in overtly rational solutions or explanations for problems- seeing that reality is not static as the ego/mind complex would have us believe, but rather, reality is constantly changing based upon our collective agreement of it. The Neptune/Chiron conjunction in opposition to Transpluto, is stirring up a very deeply ingrained mythos contained in our collective memory, the myth of Christ, yet it is working to reveal the true Cosmic Christ as a spiritual and archetypal entity as opposed to a physical person who will one day return to Earth generated by the past two thousand years of a messianic/savior delusion. This all brings me to an interesting collective event which has recently transpired which got a lot of collective attention. As we know, if you're familiar with my blog and or with a Jungian perceptual lens, collective events reflect a society's collective psychology, they are tangible symbols informing us of our intangible unconscious state.

Recently a man named Harold Camping has been the object of much focus and attention, stirring many to prepare for the apocalypse in myriad ways, or alternately, to gather with others to poke fun at and ridicule what to the current "educated" worldview seems a superstitious and primitive way of thinking. Both reactions to the event, one in naive subservience, and the other in the state of patronizing mockery are unconscious responses to an archetypal current within the collective psyche seeking resolution. In other words, both positions take on the role of an authority who believes themselves superior enough to pass Judgement on others. For the believers of Harold, an unconscious Judgement process takes place in which only the "followers of Christ" are permitted access to the rapture, to ascend into heaven before the earth is annihilated completely by God. The majority of mainstream Christians appear to perceive Harold and his followers as a fringe and radical group, but Harold is only reflecting, albeit unconsciously, the very beliefs through which the followers of modern Christianity feed into and inherently give collective power to. It is only the end result of a collective psychosis seeking healing and, again, resolution. If we are to grow together as a collective organism, we must see such events as opportunities for healing, and thus projecting our own unresolved anger of being judged by someone onto Harold is really satisfying only the ego by 'numbing the wound'. Harold has come to our attention, because he serves to assist us to collectively resolve, and thus gain freedom and autonomy from the messianic/savior complex that has plagued our mass psychology throughout the duration of the "Age of Pisces". This is illustrated quite clearly in the Neptune/Chiron conjunction currently in opposition to Transpluto. He may be judged as a "false prophet", but he is simply playing a role, one that in my opinion is a highly crucial one, he is allowing us to finally LET GO of our desire for saviors, and allow us to ACCEPT our role as co-creators who are responsible for their OWN salvation. The messiah delusion is not limited to only Christians and the followers of religion, because it is an unconscious collective mythos, it permeates every facet of western society, infecting every branch of politics, science, religion, and even the new age paradigm itself. Harold is a step towards the final death of this collective psychosis, because if we are to shift into a new awareness of reality, into an entirely new worldview, all previous complexes cannot be allowed the infect the new.......

The Sabian symbol for this New Moon/Solar Eclipse reads:

A Negro girl fights for her independence in the city.

In an Astrological Mandala, Dane Rudhyar interprets the symbol as follows:

Keynote: Liberation from the ghosts of the past

While "newly opened lands" theoretically offer virgin fields for experience, in fact those men and women who reach them find themselves conditioned by their own past. They carry the ghosts of their former lives and the memories of collective social patterns with which they had identified their egos. Every new beginning is surrounded with ghosts (or personal and social karma). The racial struggle for equality of opportunity must go on, even if this equality is officially guaranteed by the Law. The struggle is within and takes many forms. The Puritans brought to the theoretically "New World" the fears, the fanaticism and the aggressiveness of their European existence, and these often grew more virulent under the conditions found in the New World. But no field of activity is ever totally "virgin". It has its inhabitants, and they cling to their possessions or privileges. Whoever seeks to be truly an individual must be liberated from the past.

Rudhyar really hits it home with this interpretation, and I don't think I could have analyzed it any better myself. This brings us the answer to a very important question, especially while being conscious of the current energies we are dealing with, such as the Uranus/Pluto square which is furthering the growth of the seeds planted in the mid 1960's, and that question is: Why do so many revolutions fail to bring true authentic change? Because they are inherently infected by the ghosts of the past, because the new form attempts to conform to the old, and thus has no opportunity for a radical break from the past. Many of the radical and revolutionary insights and visions brought on by the 1960's were eventually contaminated by the very systems it sought to break down. Yet, from a more Lucid astrological perspective, it is clear that what happened at that time was not meant to fully solidify but rather germinate until the time is ripe for flowering and culmination (theoretically in 2024). The symbolic meaning of Harold's prediction about the end of the world allows us to look at our collective fear of death, which unconsciously projects into the future the remnants or shadow of an unresolved collective trauma into the mythos of the apocalypse[1]

A more in depth look at this subject is a bit beyond the scope of this article, and will have to be covered at a later time. For our purposes here, it is important to be conscious of these energies and how they are playing out in our collective drama, as well as the drama of our own personal lives. In looking at our own lives, and as we set our intentions which are greatly amplified by the Lunar eclipse, let us look at how we can completely break from the past, how we can heal the ghosts, the past and unresolved wounds, and create something entirely new without much hindrance from these shadows. This doesn't mean that we annihilate the past, for it offers us much lessons and gifts, but we mustn't allow the past to completely condition our future, we must have the ability to let go of what is no longer functional for our lives. Looking to your own life, how do these archetypes have relevance? Are we sitting around waiting for someone or something to save us from our predicament? What is keeping us from making change ourselves? Are our wounds so painful that we wish, unconsciously, we could simply be delivered from our suffering without having to face it? It's much easier to project all our hopes for salvation onto some figure who represents the change we refuse to create ourselves. Until we as a species realize our own power we will forever be disappointed with our saviors, and our prophets. In the end, such prophecies of doom stem from an unconscious fear of annihilation, which is a fear that belongs to the mind, and to the ego, which are temporary constructs the soul chooses to use throughout its incarnation. All fear is illusion, it serves us no useful function other than to shut us down, and incapacitate our senses, leaving little energy toward the more useful fight or flight mechanism. From the occult perspective the apocalypse is the unveiling, it lifts the veil of fear to the truth of infinite bliss. Hardly the end of the world.

Harold's prediction didn't unfold, and everyone had a good laugh, or possibly a good cry, and went back to business as usual. A day later, Harold emerged from his home in California to announce he had, once again, miscalculated the date of the rapture, and that the new date would be October 21, 2011. This date is strikingly close to the proposed actual end date of the mayan calendar on October 28, 2011[2]. No, I am not proposing that Harold is right and that the world will end, but I am saying that Harold is acting as a channel, because he is highly unconscious of the archetypes which impulse him, which is informing us, through symbolism of the Judeo-Christian mythos, that something is in fact happening to us, a powerful yet subtle shift in consciousness, just as the mayan calendar indicates. The Mayan calendar does NOT predict the end of world, but rather records and predicts evolutionary leaps within human consciousness in synch with the entire cosmos. The "end of the world" scenario is projected by the mainstream media because it is an unresolved collective fear and trauma stemming from a catastrophe our species experienced long ago. What we need here is a LIQUIDATION from the past, to clear our cluttered minds and make way for new visions for the world. This clean slate allows us to step up and strive for our actual and currently hidden human potential, which is veiled by a cloak of fear. We need to let go of our dependence on prophets and saviors who take away our power, our free will, in favor of a delusional scenario in which all our problems suddenly vanish without the need for processing and resolution. Revolutions are not the objective, they serve no functional role than to shock the psyche into a new evolutionary pattern; the true objective is Evolution, which is a conscious unfolding with divine intention. This unfolding is governed by time which is mirrored in the cycles of the planets, and if we can be conscious of these cycles they will no longer possess us collectively.

As we set our intentions this Lunar Eclipse/New Moon keep in mind that your intentions are being greatly magnified, positively or negatively. The results of what we intend this New Moon will have much farther reaching consequences than with other New Moons. How can you completely break with the past to create an entirely new frontier? How can we free ourselves and find liberation from the ghosts that hold us back? What's keeping us from being who we were truly meant to be? How can we let go of our ideas of the future, our judgements and assumptions of the unfolding so that we allow ourselves to just unfold and trust in divine intention? Take some time this New Moon to simply clear your mind, get more grounded and connected to what's real, whats tangible in the now, so that we can get clear about what we want to create in this magnificent world.

"No one is so godlike that he alone knows the true word. All of us gaze into that 'dark glass' in which the dark myth takes shape, adumbrating the invisible truth. In this glass the eyes of the spirit glimpse an image which we call the self, fully conscious of the fact that it is an anthropomorphic image which we have merely named but not explained." -C.G. Jung, Flying Saucers

Notes and References

[1] For further reading on this subject and thesis I highly suggest Catastrophobia by Barbara Hand Clow

[2] See the work of Carl Calleman, www.calleman.com

Image Credits

Image 1: Gemini by Branka Brmbota
Image 2: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Harold_Camping_2011.jpg
Image 3: Unknown source

New Moon In Taurus: The Beat Goes On

2011-04-25T16:10:00.000-07:00

New Moon @ 12 degrees Taurus 31'
May 2, 2011- 11:51 PM PDT
May 3, 2011- 6:51 AM GMT

This new moon takes place in the sturdy, dependable, and deliberate sign of Taurus, grounding much of the energy we've been experiencing these past few weeks and bringing things a bit more 'down to earth'. As we set our intentions for the next lunar cycle, our attention is drawn into the essence of Taurus, as well as the Sabian symbol from which the new moon will fall. The Sabian symbol reads:

A porter carrying heavy baggage

The symbol embodies the notion, and indeed the inevitability, of carrying responsibilities in order to participate within an "organized society". The man in this modern image is a porter, one who is employed to carry luggage and such, usually at some form of transit station such as a railroad, airport, or even hotel. I feel the symbol of the porter, in reading into the nature of his occupation, gives us much more detail than interpreting the symbol solely on his actions alone. We get a sense, an image, of transport, movement, and the potential for travel whether literally or metaphorically. We see the image not of the journey or even the means of travel itself, but rather the preparation for travel, or perhaps, the arrival from a trip, and the loading or unloading of belongings and essentials. In fact, the porter is also, and sometimes entirely, a gatekeeper, or doorman, the one who shows the way in or out, and deals with the daily fluff as it passes by. Aside from the usual disparaging role such a figure plays, he embodies a deeply crucial archetype through which filters our means of interchange and communication. In a sense, he is essentially indifferent to any particular 'charge', in that his role is fluid and changing, neither up nor down, left or right, but pointed, always, in various directions at any given time. Interestingly the symbol uncannily reflects the sign of Taurus in the porter's actions, carrying belongings, stuff, material goods, possibly slowly, due to the heaviness of the luggage. We get the sense of social burden also from the heaviness of the baggage, and a sense of sacrifice on behalf of others regardless of whether he is 'paid' for his services or not. Perhaps this symbol suggests to us the intention of gaining clarity as to who we are burdening or who is burdening us? Are we carrying too much, are we sacrificing our own needs to take care of someone else's wants or demands? Are we depending too much on others to take care of our own needs or responsibilities? How can we lighten the load a bit, make the baggage less heavy for the porter?

The new moon in Taurus quincunxes Saturn in Libra, shedding light on how our needs or even belongings and resources conflict with those of others, how they function within a relationship or partnership. The cluster of planets currently residing in Aries: Uranus, Venus, Jupiter, and Mars, draws much energy into self projection and self interest. Venus and Mercury are closely conjunct and in opposition to Saturn, again, reiterating the awareness of self and others, the need to love oneself, and whether such need is being allowed expression by others, or vice versa. The north node currently sits at 24 degrees Sagittarius, urging us to embrace our inner truth and expand our perception of the world and life's manifold possibilities. Jupiter, the ruler of Sagittarius, sits in Aries, conjunct Mars, and thus the nodal energy is working at maximum potential and momentum, generating a collective and individual yearning to conquer new frontiers of the outer world and inner psyche, to see beyond imposed limitations, and embrace what’s foreign. This symbolism fits quite nicely with the symbolism of the porter, assisting us in preparation for some form of journey or trip whether in the physical outer reality or the inner realm of our own unconscious. Blending the nature of this Taurean Moon, with the powerful and fiery conjunction of Mars and Jupiter, we feel a powerful draw to our own physical bodies, and getting more in touch with our own sensual and primal archetypes, creating a deeper awareness and attunement to the subtleties of our own organism.

The sign of Taurus embodies the cultivation of beauty, harmony, and consistent productivity. How can we bring more beauty into our lives, into our environment, and into the world we all share? How can we make things more enjoyable, harmonious, and efficient? What do you want right now? What do YOU value, what brings you inner joy and peace? These are all crucial questions we should each be asking ourselves, so that we can get clear about what we want to create in our own lives. Ceres in Pisces and Juno in Virgo are in a very tight opposition to one another, another configuration affecting our relationships, urging us to see deeply into the core truth of the matter and beyond delusions. Are our needs being sufficiently nurtured in our relationships? Are we nurturing the needs of others? Are we nurturing ourselves, our own needs? This may have the effect of having one deeply reflect on the core dynamics of a relationship, whether it is truly real and authentic, or whether things are being kept in the dark, stifling the truth. How can we nurture the situation with compassion so that we can get clear and create balance, and ideally, a win-win situation for all involved?

Take some time this new moon to enjoy simple pleasures, stop and smell the roses, and just experiment with BEING as opposed to doing. Sometimes when the answers you're looking for aren’t to be found by actively looking, the most profound solutions often arrive when we simply allow them to come to us on their own accord, when we're patient and receptive. Get in touch with your own inner beauty, and the beauty of the world, of your own body, and of nature. Explore the endless bounty the world has to offer. Currently, in our day and age, the media and consensus culture bombards us with all the atrocities and horrors of the world, all the "what's wrong", and we forget to notice all the truly beautiful and stunning creations that surround us. We forget to just stop and look at this magnificent creation, the truly remarkable beauty and intelligence that has evolved on this planet for millions and billions of years......and when we look at it from this perspective, we realize that "what's wrong" is a recent and fleeting arrival on this great and remarkable planet we call home. As we gain clarity into the deeper facets of our lives, try not to judge what comes up as "good" or "bad", but rather look at everything as a necessary component, assisting us in reaching our highest potential. Beauty, bliss, peace, joy, and functionality all around us, you just have to open your eyes, nature has been doing it all along, will continue to do so whether we're conscious of it or not.

Again, much of the energy of this new moon appears to be focused on the preparation for some kind of movement, some symbolic exodus. Look to your own life and see where such symbolism is relevant. What could you possibly prepare yourself for? What necessities would you need to take along? At the time of the Full Moon on May 17, much of this energy will fully culminate in the sign of Scorpio at the 26th degree. The sabian symbol reads:

A military band marches noisily on through the city streets.

Here we get an almost garish image of pomp and show, a loud and noisy display of “cultural values”, as Rudhyar interprets. On an individual level perhaps this suggests a process of fully integrating and then displaying or broadcasting ones own personal values, the potential of fully accepting and thus actively sharing one’s deepest passions with the outer world. On a collective level, perhaps this suggests some collective initiation of an event or process, and this new moon symbolizes its crystallization and eventual execution at the full moon. With this in mind, I feel it necessary to urge us all to focus more on our own values as opposed to getting swept away by collective fanfare, or the values and ideals of others. Stay true to yourself and to your own path, and sometimes, when you find little or no support, its best to just march onward to the beat of your own drum....