News

Sunday, 05 May 2013 14:32

The Eclipses of May

This month features two eclipses: A Solar Eclipse in Taurus on May 9th, and a Lunar Eclipse in Sagittarius on May 24th. Eclipses usually happen in pairs – one on the New Moon and one on the Full Moon – 6 months apart. Once in a while, we have 3 eclipses in a row, each separated by two weeks. That is the case for this current eclipse season, as we just had the Full Moon / Lunar Eclipse in Scorpio on April 25th.

Lunar Eclipse on April 25th

Tuesday, 23 April 2013 07:36

On April 25th we have the first of three eclipses. This is the first of two Full Moon eclipses (the second one will be on May 24th). At Full Moons, things come to light. We see the full picture and many decisions are often made during these periods, precisely for this reason. We get all the facts and can finally decide. However, when we have a lunar eclipse, something is not seen, or something may be prevented or delayed.

This eclipse is at 5 degrees Scorpio and 46 minutes. If you have a planet or personal point between 1 – 9 degrees of Scorpio or 1- 9 degrees of Taurus, then you will definitely feel an impact from this eclipse. The primary meaning of this eclipse is related to releasing tension, particularly of a longstanding issue.

April Astrocycles

Tuesday, 09 April 2013 12:08

April entered the scene with Jupiter in Gemini in aspect to everything in the chart! Looked like a ringing endorsement of inner faith! Jupiter was sextile all the planets in Aries, square everything in Pisces, opposed the Moon, and remained in quincunx to both Saturn and Pluto in the Yod formation that re-formed last month. That does not mean that we were all feeling swell, or all was “peachy keen.” What it does signify is that we are a work in progress, and keeping our nose to the proverbial grindstone without losing faith, without giving in to old default patterns, allows us to continue our positive evolution toward an improved life and lifestyle this month. AND, for those who have yet to start your spring rebirthing process, get at it! It’s never too late to begin.

Aries: Sparking the Uranus-Pluto Square

Tuesday, 09 April 2013 11:44

Aries: Sparking the Uranus-Pluto Square

The current focus of planetary energies in Aries has had me revisiting the nature of the long, ongoing square between Uranus in Aries and Pluto in Capricorn. This square began its effects in 2010, and will be ongoing through 2015 (but reverberating long after that). Uranus, a planet associated with revolution, rebellion, and shocking events, crossed zero degrees of Aries -- the beginning degree of the zodiac -- on March 11, 2011, day of the tsunami in Japan. Pluto has been in Capricorn since 2008, the year that the world economy seemed to begin its slow crumble. The recent cluster of faster moving planets (the Sun, Venus, and Mars) in Aries moved across Uranus and squared Pluto over the past 2-3 weeks, a spark re-igniting the energy of the Uranus-Pluto square.

Aries New Moon 2013

Tuesday, 09 April 2013 11:38

Aries New Moon on April 10th, 2013. What’s getting started at the New Moon on April 10th is apparently not something for our eyes, or at least not yet. Whatever it is, it’s being kept hidden from view (Uranus, Sun, Moon, Mars and Venus, all in Aries and intercepted). It has the potential for some quick actions and changes, which may feel like they’re out of the blue, since we most likely won’t see them coming. It looks like this impacts all of us, whatever it is.

New Desires, Relationships or Money Issues?

Tuesday, 26 March 2013 12:21

New Desires, Relationships or Money Issues? Beginning March 22nd, a cycle associated with new desires, relationships (including business partnerships), love, or opportunities to make more money comes into range. This cycle (Venus conjunct Mars) is associated with knowing what you want and how to get it. However, be prepared to suddenly change your mind as we go through this process and also realize you may not see something very important. It will take time to gain real clarity as we go through this process.

Pisces to Aries: The Ending is the Beginning

Sunday, 10 March 2013 18:19

Pisces to Aries: The Ending is the Beginning

I went to visit a close friend of mine last week in honor of the Full Moon in Virgo (Feb. 25th). We sometimes get together to honor the Full or New Moons, using this powerful time to clear unwanted energies and to set our intentions appropriately according to the sign and phase the Moon is in. She and I are both Cancers (ruled by the Moon); it's no wonder that Moon and lunar rituals have indeed figured very prominently in our 15 years of friendship.

When I arrived at her home, she was teary-eyed, and shared with me that she had been experiencing feelings of deep grief and sadness welling up in her for some days' time. She couldn't point toward any particular cause in her present life; things are actually quite good. We talked about the possibility that unprocessed emotions from the past may be coming up for review. Emotions can sit within us until we are able to release them through tears, or perhaps through verbal acknowledgement to a trusted friend. We spent our time that day revisiting some events from her past, and from mine, that we had experienced as intensely emotionally charged. And we realized that in some cases, we had not even begun to process the more difficult aspects of the emotional terrain associated with these events: namely grief, loss, and helplessness.

March Astrocycles

Sunday, 10 March 2013 18:00

We slipped into March rather quietly, with the Sun, 4 planets plus Chiron swimming in Pisces, and the Moon in Libra. The Sun was trine Saturn in Scorpio and sextile Pluto in Capricorn. Uranus in Aries was sextile Jupiter in Gemini. There’s a lot of flowing energy. With so much of the water element, plus Mercury retrograde, it’s clearly a time for introversion, a need for an awareness of one’s own consciousness.

The first 10 days of the month, in the waning phases of the moon, we have the opportunity for releasing, observing, letting go of behaviors, communications, and resentments that have held us back. We can do this with compassion, forgiveness and healing OR we can live in a dreamy fantasyland, hoping someone/something else will do it for us. Either way, we do need to be preparing for a new start.

Pisces is the final sign of the Zodiac, and we’re in the final period of the age of Pisces. Yes, we’ve been “shifting” now for some years, and the shift will continue. These major shifts are not events, but processes of evolution. And there is something special in this current stellium in Neptune-ruled Pisces, with Neptune in its own sign and such an alignment of planets plus Chiron there as well. It isn’t a mere accident that on the final New Moon of the astrological year, we’re adding the Moon to this watery mix, for a dramatic line-up of 7 major celestial bodies! It is a message from the universe. It is one of those critical “moments” of our evolution, and we’ll be so much better off not letting it just pass us by.

Get Ready for Mercury Retrograde

Thursday, 14 February 2013 16:16

Have you encountered car problems? How about issues with your computer, phone or tablet? These are common precursors to Mercury retrograde and a sign that you need to do some prep. If your car is acting funny, NOW is the time to get it diagnosed and repaired. By the end of next week, when Mercury retrograde begins on February 23rd, the repair shops will start filling up and it will be harder to do this.

February Astrocycles

Friday, 08 February 2013 13:10

The stillness of winter lay over the land, but beyond, and ‘neath, the surface of earth, there was much afoot, as we entered the month of February! Jupiter, newly stationed direct in Gemini, was slowly building up speed for its direct run. Meanwhile the Sun in Aquarius and Saturn in Scorpio were square. Venus and Mars were about to change signs.

The first days of February were an important gateway of energy, one of the “cross-quarter days” halfway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox, called Imbolc or Candlemas. Time to light the candles, find what illuminates us, from the inside out, and celebrate new birth/new earth!

“This is the time after the Great Dark but before the Bursting Forth. This is the time for dreaming and for knowing our dreams. This is the time for illumination. The light grows. Shadows take form as the darkness recedes. Resting still in the cauldron of birth, we close two eyes and open our third.” (Thanks to Marian Spadone of Mother Tongue Ink for that amazing quote)

Mars in Pisces: Finding Peace

Tuesday, 05 February 2013 08:43

Mars in Pisces: Finding Peace

Mars enters Pisces today, February 1st, at about 6 PM PT, and will reside there through March 11th. Wherever Mars is, we are invited to confront, move forward, and take action in the areas indicated by that sign. Pisces is a water sign, the last sign of the zodiac. Surrender and trust are required as we move into Pisces territory, as is the release of the ego's need for control and certainty. At first glance, the forward thrust of Mars seems at odds with the Piscean anthem, "go with the flow." Mars is the planet of war, action, assertion, and the "survival drive." But when Mars is in Pisces, we are invited to direct these energies in more selfless ways.

Pisces is often described as a "spiritual" sign, but I've increasingly found that word to be inadequate. Not only is it a very abstract word, but it also means very different things to different people. I recently heard a description of "spiritual" that I resonated with: To be 'spiritual' means to find structures of meaning beyond the concerns of your own immediate physical comfort.* I love this definition, because it does not require belief in a deity. We need not only to meditate or pray, although these activities help. But we must find that which gives our lives a sense of meaning, beyond just the acts necessary to get through the day and to survive physically. Mars in Pisces is very much about the opportunity to reflect on what provides meaning for us – and to take action toward it.

A Very Capricorn January

Wednesday, 09 January 2013 09:59

The 2013 New Year began with the Moon at 24 degrees Leo exactly squaring its nodes…to the minute! The Moon was also forming a grand trine with Venus in Sagittarius and Eris in Aries. Three feminine orbs aligned in fire! Mars and Jupiter, both in air signs, were also trine. Uranus sat at their midpoint, sextile to both. The Sun and Pluto were conjunct in Capricorn. Mercury in Capricorn and Neptune in Pisces were also sextile each other, and Mercury was square to Uranus.

Putting all of this together, the New Year chart feels very positive and forward-looking, suggesting a lot being accomplished, both directly and behind the scenes. The Sun/Pluto conjunction indicates big fundamental changes under way in both individuals and in the collective, while the archetypal feminine of the moon facilitates the changes, utilizing the talents of feistiness and charm to rebuild relationships despite tensions, fear and resentments. The mind (Mercury in Capricorn) is in a position to honor the past but is nevertheless tied to the need for change (Pluto) and a stronger push toward the future (square to Uranus). Mars and Uranus are in mutual reception, and their sextile is future-oriented and assertive.

Jump Off the Fiscal Cliff Already!

Friday, 28 December 2012 12:57

The last full moon of 2012 happens December 28th! What’s coming to light at this Full Moon are unexpected power issues. This could show up in multiple ways. We could literally have major power outages around the country or the world. Or we could see protest movements related to power issues. This may or may not apply to just the USA. It’s certainly interesting timing with the so-called Fiscal Cliff occurring just 4 days after this Full Moon.

For the US, there are major issues to be handled at this time, which are front and center. This is shown by the Sun and Pluto conjunct in the 1st house both opposite the Moon in the 7th house and all of them square to Uranus in the 4th house. From this perspective, the US may be facing another credit rating cut. We’ll see what happens!

The End of the World - Again

Tuesday, 11 December 2012 11:00

As we slipped into the final month of 2012, Jupiter, our largest planet and the ruler of Sagittarius, was at its closest point to the earth until December 1 of 2021! (http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/earth-and-jupiter-closer-on-december-1-2012-than-until-2021 )

What a great way to start December! Our earth and Jupiter at their most chummy! Sounds much better to me than all the doomsday prophecies about 12/21/12! And who started that nonsense anyway? From what I’ve read about the Mayan long calendar running out, there’s nothing about the literal end of the world. However, if you view it metaphorically, then yes, the old ways of the world have definitely taken their toll, and we’d best be changing our modes of operation on most every level...STAT!

It’s a bit unclear to me that 12/21/12 is the precise date of the end of a 5,125 year cycle. Seems it’s more like a consensus date for celebrating it. That’s okay with me, in that I love the Winter Solstice! The start of a new cycle of seasons, particularly the “seed time” is particularly apt for a turning point in the shift of the collective toward a more heart-centered and socially conscious way of being.

Make the Most of the Year End Cycles

Friday, 30 November 2012 17:33

We just had a Lunar Eclipse on November 28th. This eclipse was at 6 degrees Gemini. So if you have a planet or personal point in your chart between 2 – 10 degrees Gemini or Sagittarius, then this eclipse will impact you directly. The primary meaning of this eclipse is that you will happily accept a new responsibility, which generally requires a commitment. This could include, but is not limited to, pregnancy, birth, new job/career, starting a new company or a major project, or purchasing a new home or property. Or perhaps you will decide to take care of someone else.

Lunar eclipses are Full Moon eclipses, and Full Moons are times when we get the full picture. Many decisions are made close to the Full Moon for this reason. Lunar eclipses are also often related to something that’s completing or coming into its fullness. Since lunar eclipses are related to the Moon, they can also be a time when you encounter emotional patterns or issues more intensely. As with all eclipses, related events can occur up to 30 days prior to or after the actual eclipse itself. In this case the eclipse window is from October 28th – December 28th.

November's Cycles and the Full Moon

Saturday, 17 November 2012 18:18

The astrology of November includes a Mercury retrograde period and two eclipses in addition to the ongoing drama we’ve had for months. The starting aspects were multiple: there was a T-square, with Venus opposed to Uranus and square to Pluto; an opposition between Jupiter and Mars; a waning conjunction between the Sun and Saturn; an opposition between the Moon and Mercury; and a trine between Neptune/Chiron and Saturn.

This odd assortment of aspects set the tone for the month and speaks to complications in relationships, difficulties with sorting out our priorities, deep emotional turmoil based on the need to face our fears, plus a desire to act on impulse, which we may later regret. Many people are feeling overwhelmed. There’s a sense that life is moving too fast to keep up, and for many, there’s a dragged-out experience of exhaustion.

Mercury Retrograde in Sagittarius and Scorpio

Wednesday, 31 October 2012 15:42