Growing up and Moving On: New Moon in Sagittarius 2015

A group of wandering Arabs, Tunis, Tunisia; photo from Photochrom Print Collection,
1889, via Wikimedia Commons.

New Moon @ 19 Sagittarius 03'

December 11, 2015

5:29 AM Eastern

2:29 AM Pacific

As the Sun and Moon conjoin in tropical Sagittarius, you may be feeling the desire to break free of something in your life. Sagittarius always points consciousness beyond the mundane and routine—toward the horizon of infinite potential and possibility. And yet, a New Moon can be a time of low energy and reserves. While there is a collective desire to lay low, reflect and gradually gather momentum, Mars and Uranus are separating from an opposition (an 180 degree face off in the sky). 

Additionally, this New Moon finds itself in the crosshairs of dynamic tension. It’s involvement with Chiron, Jupiter and the Nodal axis (via a t-square) creates the motivation to begin taking steps toward shifting your attitude and cultivating the patience to put in hard work or effort toward the resolution of a crisis or conflict. Jupiter in Virgo, ruling this New Moon, suggests that you pay attention to the details at this time, and humble yourself to receive input from others more knowledgeable or skillful at something than you yourself. But Mars and Uranus create a mood of considerable rebelliousness and the desire for freedom, which works against submission to the perspective or suggestions of others. 

Consider that both Mars and Jupiter currently occupy signs foreign and uncomfortable to them in relation to their archetypal nature. What this suggests is that, along with the frictional geometry accompanying this lunation, you may be feeling equally uncomfortable with something in your present circumstances. Change always requires adaptability and open-mindedness. In order to embark upon uncharted territory, to bring a fresh perspective or new life into something, you have to sacrifice comfort and often place yourself in an awkward position—environments you are not initially familiar with.

And yet, as humans, we are innately versatile creatures. Consider that throughout the bulk of our evolution, we were nomadic wanderers—never settling in one particular place for too long. While much of that has drastically changed, that part of us is still vocal and strong. It has a voice. Much of that instinct is embedded in the symbolism of Sagittarius. And under this New Moon, consider what has outlived its usefulness for you, what places you no longer belong, and what new perspectives, training or skills you need to acquire to make your life and what you do more interesting and better rounded.

The dark side of this New Moon is a refusal to change and adapt to a changing world and the environment around you. Sagittarius points us onward. While what you know has likely worked for you, consider what you don’t know, and what you could find useful if you open your mind and heart to it. And that won’t be easy. It might be challenging, painful and uncomfortable, but consider that a good thing. If you’re not uncomfortable, you’re not evolving toward greater complexity. If you’re addicted to the delusion of self-righteousness, you’re getting this wrong. Know that the tension you may be feeling is an indication that something needs to shift, and that means going beyond the old ways of doing things; it means needing to grow up and move on. 

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

Crisis or Consciousness: The Mars, Uranus and Pluto T-Square

A contemporary statue of the Buddha in red lighting;
 photo by Aaron Logan, 2004. 

As Mars makes its way through Libra, it will come into contact with the slowly dissipating square between the planets Uranus and Pluto—the defining aspect of our current era. Mars will contact Pluto on Dec. 6 (via a 90 degree square aspect) and Uranus on Dec. 10 (via a 180 degree opposition). The relationship of these three planets forms a structure in the sky known as a t-square. A t-square of any kind brings with it a feeling of considerable tension and holds the potential for conflict, but when involving Mars, Uranus and Pluto, the conflict is particularly pronounced.

The only way to resolve the crisis peacefully is through conscious effort and focus on reaching the higher ground (which exists for any astrological configuration, no matter how grim it looks). On a collective level, Mars’ involvement with the Uranus/Pluto square will likely correlate with increased media attention on issues pertaining to the need for “progressive” social change as a reaction to violence. This is expected considering recent events inundating the news (if you’ve been paying attention). But as these aspects come into focus, many of us will feel compelled to take some kind of action or urge community leaders to do so.

On a personal level, these planetary contacts can stimulate an urge for freedom, independence, and free expression of pent up anger, frustration, or tension. From Dec. 6 to Dec. 10, be very mindful of how you respond to these impulses and particularly mindful of how those around you are responding. As Mars comes into contact with Pluto on Dec. 6, you must be mindful of projecting unconscious issues onto external situations or people in your life. In moments such as this, the collective is highly prone to a frenzied response over things it has no ultimate control over. Often, we use external events and problems “out there” as a scapegoat for dealing with the problems within ourselves and in our personal lives. And then, once the event passes, we're still left to deal with our own lives, having accomplished nothing but a brief cathartic release. 

Anger and violence are the darker, more demonic manifestations of Pluto/Mars contact, particularly through hard aspects. Remember that Pluto is a higher vibration of Mars, and its ultimate teaching is that the darkness in the world is a reflection of the darkness within yourself, and you are not truly free, in that you do not truly have free will, until you are conscious of what motivates your desires and impulses, until you are aware of their ultimate root and origin. Before you get caught up in some unconscious hysteria, take a moment and simply allow yourself to feel what you’re feeling, acknowledge it, and allow it to pass through you as opposed to acting it out or projecting it onto some external situation. Often, that will lead to more hurt, pain or trauma and resolve absolutely nothing.

The higher expression of Mars square Pluto is taking the initiative to become conscious of your frustrations or anger (what it is that’s really at the heart of your feelings). Often, that will lead you to some deeper existential questions. Our collective anger likely stems from our blind adherence to delusional ideologies and false beliefs about how we are to live happy and meaningful lives. Mars in Libra is in detriment, which means that it is not free to fully express itself completely. Mars must integrate insights and assistance to function in this foreign terrain. The momentum that is building between Mars and Pluto could motivate you toward achieving some great things, but you must be open to help and the prospect of collaboration. Alienation or a lone wolf strategy will not work out too well under these aspects.

Mars in Libra must learn to compromise its will to the will of others for the sake of survival and maintaining cohesion within the community. That means changing your tactic or approach so that you can build bridges as opposed to burning them. As Mars contacts Uranus on Dec. 10, the urge for freedom and authentic self-expression will inundate the collective psyche. Again, be mindful of the temptation to sever all connections that you feel limit you and your ability to follow your own path. Your authentic path is important and needs to be acknowledged, but the views, wisdom, and advice from those you depend on and care for are equally important. The challenge posed by these aspects is the ability to be who you are in the face of those who see the world differently.

The days of Dec. 9 and 10 are also interesting because they correlate with Mercury reaching the first degree of Capricorn (while out of bounds, beyond the Sun’s lowest declination) and the exact opposition of Uranus and Pluto. Solving a particular dilemma at this time, either personally or collectively, requires that you think outside the box and that you expand your perception to rise above the consensus narrative you’ve been given. Mercury’s out of bounds transit across the point of the winter solstice will lead to an opportunity to obtain an innovative strategy to get to where you want to go. Remember that Mercury will turn retrograde through Capricorn in Jan. and you will have extra time to revise a plan of action as well as better situate yourself to achieve a certain goal or endpoint.

To conclude, we cannot force the world to change. We cannot force anyone to see the world the way that we see it. Our will and the pettiness of the ego are delusions in the face of the ultimate godhead (the homeostatic impulse within the universe). Who are we to force the world to change? Who are we to judge that the unfolding narrative of the universe is somehow wrong or defective? Our choice, always, is whether we choose the path of passive unconsciousness or an awakened participation in illuminating the unconscious universe. Over the next several days, look soberly at your frustrations. They will point to changes that need to be made, changes that will lead you to your higher purpose and destiny. And the more conscious our community, the less we'll need to act out our frustrations on the world around us. 

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

Intimacy and Authenticity: Venus in Scorpio 2015

An unknown image from The Universal Anthology: a collection of the best literature, ancient,
medieval, and modern, with biographical and explanatory notes (1899); via
Wikimedia Commons.

On Dec. 5, the planet Venus will enter tropical Scorpio. Venus’ transit through this sign will correlate with a brief moment where three inner planets are in the signs of their classical detriment (in the sign opposite their sign of rulership). As Venus moved through Libra, you may have noticed an increased interest in outward appearances or a greater awareness of how you come off to others—how you relate to people and how they respond. 

Planets in their home sign feel comfortable, but comfort isn’t always a good thing. For Venus, it can become incessantly lazy and lack the motivation to do much. But Venus’ transition into Scorpio will add further tension to the collective vibe—tension you may need to motivate yourself to change. As Venus moves through Scorpio from Dec. 5 until Dec. 29, it will add to the already existent feeling of discomfort or awkwardness that appears to coat certain situations in your life.

That is to say that, the current moment is not a time to stick to the same routines, tactics or approaches you’ve been used to. If you do, you’re likely to experience a feeling that something isn’t right or that you don’t belong in a certain place anymore. Venus in Scorpio will change the collective mood for the remainder of the month. While Venus in Libra is subject to an overt emphasis on people pleasing and polished, social graces, Venus in Scorpio must contend with more than surface appearances. 

If left to its own devices, Venus would fool us all into thinking that it’s the epitome of beauty and perfection—flawless, dignified and the life of the party. But in Scorpio, Venus finds itself in a place it’s not particularly wired for. For your current relationships, that means needing to get to the bottom of issues you’ve been skirting around recently in an attempt to keep the peace. It means needing to be honest and upfront about what really needs to be openly discussed or looked at.

Venus, of course, would rather maintain that illusory veneer to convey that all is well and good. And if you succumb to that desire, Venus in Scorpio will indeed be detrimental because whatever you shove to the wayside and choose to ignore typically begins to grow and fester until it becomes something so grotesque you simply can’t look past it anymore. And that massive tumor beneath your skin is usually quite uncomfortable—it feels invasive and out of place, but it’s an indication of something that’s been neglected and ignored.

For the remainder of the month, all relationships will be put under considerable scrutiny. That’s not to torture you, but to simply increase your level of consciousness. Scorpio, a sign that has a resonance with Mars and Pluto, amplifies the need for honesty and a willingness to face important issues in your interactions with others. In its highest expression, Venus in Scorpio can help you to convey yourself more authentically. While not everyone will be comfortable with that, you can gain more clarity about what it is you really want and who it is you really are in the presence of those different from yourself—leading to deeper intimacy and trust with those that really matter. 

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

Surrender to the Unfamiliar: Full Moon in Gemini 2015

Lenticular clouds over Mount Hotaka; photo by Alpsdake via Wikimedia Commons.

Full Moon @ 03 Gemini 20'

November 25, 2015

2:44 PM Pacific

5:44 Eastern

As always, the Full Moon correlates to a moment of heightened energy and culmination within the collective psyche. In tropical Gemini, the Full Moon highlights the field of collective perceptual awareness and the emergence of information pertaining to the environment around you. The planet Mercury has an archetypal affinity with Gemini and stands in opposition (180 degrees from the Full Moon) along with Saturn and the Sun in Sagittarius. Mercury in Sagittarius emphasizes the need to acquire a different communicative or research strategy—to acquire a larger or alien perspective or viewpoint.

This means that alongside this Full Moon, you need to think outside your usual frame of reference. With Mercury in the sign of its detriment (the sign opposite its sign of rulership) joining Saturn and square Neptune in Pisces, this Full Moon feels a bit tense and potentially uncomfortable. It requires stepping out of your comfort zone to successfully integrate the polarity of Sun and Moon (knowledge vs. faith). It challenges your beliefs and your faith in what you know about life, the world, and the universe you exist within. Neptune’s participation in this Full Moon represents the dissolution of spiritual, religious, or philosophical structures, revealing their limitations in fully describing the ultimate meaning of existence.

With the heavy emphasis in Sagittarius, you may be urged by this Full Moon to first open your mind and expand your reality in some way through the acquisition of new information and foreign perspectives. That may come about through a desire to break up a routine or communicative approach that you’ve been used to. Whatever emerges into consciousness with this Full Moon requires a mature and responsible attitude as well as a willingness to include the reality of those who think differently or who come from an entirely different cultural background. If you manage to keep an open mind and humble attitude, this Full Moon could signify a moment of subtle breakthrough and deep connection to an experience that is larger than you alone.

In its lower, demonic expression, the most dangerous attitude would be an attachment to any sense of certainty. Dogma and fundamentalism would also be a lower expression of this Full Moon. Since this lunation occurs just a day before the Thanksgiving holiday here in the United States, we can imagine the potential arguments over the dinner table pertaining to religion, politics, or cultural or ethnic differences (likely fueled by current events and hot topics). Those arguments could lead to breakthroughs beyond the disillusionment, but Neptune can also impulse one to avoid facing the truth or reality of a situation through escapism—over indulgence in alcohol or simply numbing out in front of the television.

In its highest, angelic expression, Neptune invites us gently to the realization that all of our differences are ultimately illusions which stem from the ultimate illusion of our separation from source (god, goddess, and oneness). Keep that in mind as you encounter this Full Moon. Ask yourself how you can let go of your illusionary certainty and self-righteousness to include the perceptions most threatening to you. Take the initiative to see past the façade of the reality before you. This is a moment to surrender to an experience that may be different, foreign or uncomfortable, but the insight and awareness gained has the power to enhance your understanding of the world and your place within it. 

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

Mars in Libra and Mercury Out of Bounds (Video)

Freedom and Love

Venus Rising the Star by Jean Leon-Gerome.

Over the next several days the planet Venus will be approaching an opposition (a 180 degree face off from our point of view) with the planet Uranus. Venus just recently came into contact with Pluto, and in a way, set off the now fading Uranus/Pluto square—the defining aspect of our current, tumultuous moment in time. The Uranus/Pluto cycle correlates with historical periods of significant social and political unrest, progressive societal changes, as well as radical, revolutionary uprisings. Believe it or not, the peak of that cycle is receding in the collective psyche, though its effects still reverberate in time, especially when a planet comes in contact with Uranus and Pluto.

On a personal level, Venus and Pluto (via a square on Nov. 20) may have stirred up tension in your relationships via the surfacing of secrets or hidden, unconscious elements you would rather have not known about or probably ignored. But their interaction compelled you to look deeper, beyond the immediate appearance. Pluto’s message is always that your problems are not truly out there in the world but lie within yourself. If you took the initiative to explore that reality, you may have made some progress; you may be able to move on and heal.

On Nov. 23 Venus will face off with Uranus, bringing in a different archetypal element, though the Moon’s pass by Uranus on Nov. 22 will be equally significant. These two days will highlight the need to redefine yourself in the context of your relationships (romantic, platonic, professional, or otherwise). Venus in Libra seeks to make everyone happy and wants to put on a pretty, smiling face. How often do we do this to win social approval? Its human nature….and it’s also heavily conditioned into us. But, when does that façade get in the way of being who we truly are? (For those of us born with an emphasis in either Aries or Libra, you will feel this transit most profoundly).

In current relationships, these days may stimulate a short period where you may feel compelled to rebel against certain restrictions or barriers within those relationships. It can work equally to catalyze an urge to begin relationships or radically change or redefine those that have been stagnant or nonexistent. The higher end of this transit is an ability to maintain your individuality while avoiding the urge to burn bridges you may later regret. An opposition is a culmination and sometimes crisis, but always it’s an opportunity to reconcile diametric constructs. If you take the higher road, you can be yourself without scaring people away by coming off too strongly. You can make space in your current relationships so that they support your unique path. And you can potentially culminate a new stage of development within your relationships, but ideally in alignment with who you are destined to be. 

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

Breaking Through the Doors of Perception: Mercury Out of Bounds in Sagittarius

La Puerta (The Door) by Mauricio Garcia Vega.

As the month of November comes to an end, the planet Mercury will enter the tropical sign of Sagittarius (Nov. 20), followed by the Sun (Nov. 22). Within our classical system of astrology, Mercury is considered to be “unhappy” in Sagittarius since it is in the sign opposite its sign of rulership (Gemini)—a position known as detriment. Within the evolutionary astrological paradigm, planets in the sign of their detriment symbolize opportunities to acquire foreign attributes or capabilities, diversifying the archetypal expression of that planet. In the case of Mercury, it is an opportunity to assimilate a foreign perspective, perception, a new understanding of reality, or an alternate form of communication.

While this may be an uncomfortable process, if you work with it, with an open mind and a willingness to see reality in a different light, you may come out the other end with a greater understanding of your environment and a diversified communicative faculty. Imagine moving to an entirely new country and having to learn the local language via a process of immersion. While likely awkward and difficult, the experience has the potential to increase your ability to communicate with a varied group of people. While you shouldn’t expect to master a new language over the next few weeks, the metaphor is a relevant description of the process.

While moving through Sagittarius, Mercury will descend beyond the Sun’s lowest declination, which means that Mercury will be considered “out of bounds”. It has reached past the Sun’s lowest descent along the ecliptic. For nearly a month, our collective perception has the ability to see past the consensus agreements which dictate what we discern. Within Sagittarius (until Dec. 9), Mercury will entice each of us to reach beyond the known and accepted truths of our reality—glimpsing into an alternate perception of those truths. This may be a time to acquire a new or renewed awareness of natural laws that transcend the synthetic laws created via collective agreement.

If you’ve been striving to gain a clearer perspective of a situation you’ve been faced with, a greater awareness of where a particular creative process is going, or a different approach in communicating with others, the next several weeks may help catalyze your ability to break through the doors of perception, rendering greater awareness and cognizance of what lies ahead, along with confidence in your ability to understand something that you couldn’t quite grasp before. While Mercury is in Sagittarius, you may also be confronted with a need to change your tactics of communication, trying a new approach so that you can connect with others on a different and diversified level.

On Dec. 9 Mercury will transition into Capricorn and will remain out of bounds until Dec. 25 (Christmas Day). Mercury will also pass through the first shadow phase of its upcoming retrograde cycle while in Capricorn (Mercury will turn retrograde from Jan. 5 to 25). With a renewed sense of perspective and a more resilient understanding of the holistic picture, you may be better equipped to get some things in order and acquire an innovative strategy or game plan. Mercury out of bounds in Capricorn offers you an opportunity to see beyond your current strategies to conjure an improved approach toward reaching your current goals. 

Mercury’s retrograde back through Capricorn will give you extra time in Jan. to revise that strategy and get yourself back on track. Mercury moving through Sagittarius at the end of this month and the beginning of Dec. may be awkward simply because change itself is always awkward initially. When left to its own devices, Mercury so easily gets distracted and unfocused. The next three months offer you an opportunity to reframe your focus and to establish new priorities so that you can get where you ultimately want to go. This also opens a temporary window of time where we can rise above the surface of collective awareness. When in doubt, just keep your mind open and follow the signs and omens. They will guide you to where you are destined to go. 

Current Events 

You're probably aware of the recent massacre in Paris, France involving supposed terrorists. When looking at the astrology, I found it interesting that the killings coincided with Mars' ingress into Libra while simultaneously conjunct the lunar North Node. The symbolism of the event is a clear correlation to a lower expression of Mars in Libra--a planet in the sign of its detriment (and strangers in a strange land, indeed). But more interesting was Mars' contact with the Aries point. The Aries point is located at 00 degrees of tropical Aries and thus anything situated at or near (typically within an orb of two degrees) 00 degrees of any cardinal sign (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn) will contact the Aries point. The Aries point itself symbolizes what astrologer Eric Francis Coppolino calls the "intersection of the personal and the collective."

Planets in contact with the Aries point seemingly "jump out" onto the world stage. They have far reaching effects and influences. An Aries point event is a collective event that has consequences for the vast majority of the human community; they become personal and reach into our intimate lives. We can recall such events as the massive earthquake that hit eastern Japan in March 2011 when the planet Uranus hit the Aries Point itself. The radiation released from the meltdown of three reactors at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant has inundated the Pacific Ocean and northern hemisphere and continues to do so. And of course, we can't forget the events of Sept. 11 which paved the way for the endless war and American occupation in the Middle East, as well as the mass surveillance of citizens the world over (e.g. the NSA). 

On Sept. 11, when the first plane struck, the planet Mars was "out of bounds" and square (within a degree) to the Aries point, along with the lunar South Node. The Moon was also nearing a square to the Aries point in Gemini and was in opposition to Mars. The next day, the Moon jumped out of bounds for two days. The same thing happened after the earthquake in eastern Japan. On Dec. 9 of this year, Mercury (while out of bounds) will cross the first degrees of Capricorn, and so theoretically, we can expect information or a message regarding a potential strategy (not violence) coming from authority figures (world leaders) that will have vast consequences and will seep into the personal. Will it be connected to the events of Nov. 13? That's very possible. Mercury, while out of bounds, will cross the radix Mars and lunar South Node in the chart for the World Trade Center attacks on Sept. 11. Is this a continuation of this ongoing narrative? These events may be more connected than we realize. The days surrounding Dec. 9 may be something to watch out for. 

Planets out of bounds don't follow the rules. They break them. They tell whoever is in charge to "stick it" (as astrologer Steven Forrest likes to say). That can be a great thing for someone striving toward achieving something positive; it adds a flair of genius and innovation. But in the "wrong" hands, the potential of an out of bounds Aries point event has a darker manifestation. An out of bounds planet can breed criminality and sociopathy. Whether in the hands of terrorists or a nefarious, elite group of world leaders, the ability to have free reign and break the rules can turn ugly. All we can do is be mindful of the potential that exists within ourselves. Because the world "out there" is merely a symbol of the world "in here"--a projection of our collective inner darkness. The more light you cast upon your own psyche, the more you help raise the rest of us out of this darkness. 

So, shine on. 

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