Category Michelle’s Astro Food for Thought

Dec 11 2011

How Does the Full Moon Lunar Eclipse Impact You?

If you have questions about how yesterday’s Lunar Eclipse impacts you and your birth chart – what areas of your life are most profoundly affected and how you can best utilize the energies at hand – please contact me at astrology@michellegregg.com for your choice of a Mini-Session (phone or Skype) or a full Individual Consultation (phone, Skype or in-person). We’ll go over where both recent Eclipses occurred in your chart, what that means to you, and how best to navigate. A Mini-Session is 20 minutes/$30 and a full Individual Consultation is regularly $150, but offered now at the Holiday Rate of $95.

Talk with you soon! And Happy Holidays!

Dec 10 2011

Total Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Gemini – Dec. 10, 2011

There’s a Total Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Gemini tomorrow – today really – Dec. 10, 2011. Those of you who have Gemini, Sagittarius, Virgo or Pisces strongly represented in your charts will probably feel this event more strongly than others. Don’t just think of your Sun sign in this case – your Sun sign is a small part of the entirety of you as symbolized by your birth chart. Look at your Moon sign, your Ascendant, stelliums, planets on the angles, etc. to see what you have in these 4 signs. (If you don’t know your chart, send me your birth info.) 

Some of you, like me, may still be reeling from the New Moon Solar Eclipse in Sagittarius on Nov. 25, 2011. This one will solidify, or layer what happened then. Eclipses bring endings and transformations. You may feel pushed forward into something that makes you feel anxious – but really look at the events and opportunities that are happening in your life. Understand that there’s a reason for the (eclipse) season!

This Lunar Eclipse will illuminate something to do with duality, logic, reason, mental workings, curiosity, information, knowledge – all things related to Gemini. And as all things occur on a continuum – in unbreakable relationship to what is opposite – Sagittarius meanings will be in play as well: seeking meaning, expansion, morality, judgment, education, enthusiasm, religion. Uranus, the planet of independence and revolution, goes direct at about the same time, so there’s likely to be a feeling of expectation and antsy pants… a need for something new. And Mars is squaring this lunation – so tempers may flare. At the least there will be lots of energy.

As you ponder what this eclipse can mean in your life, see if you can remember what was happening in June of this year (the first Total Lunar Eclipse of this Eclipse Cycle) and also try to remember about 19 years ago in December of 1992, the last time there was a Total Lunar Eclipse in Gemini. What was going on then may give you a bit of insight into what this event is all about.

Just remember that all endings make way for new beginnings. Cliche I know – but cliches are true for a reason!

Sep 23 2011

Fall Equinox 2011 – The Power of a Rainbow

Beautiful double rainbow...

Rainbow Story…

This morning on the way back from dropping my son off at school, my mom, who because of progressive dementia is usually not very cognizant of what’s around her, leaned over and said with joy in her voice, “There’s a rainbow!”

Her joy was contagious and as I looked heavenward and found the arching hues, I was astonished. Not just one rainbow – but two, following the same path, one over the other. On a morning that had been the typical rush and push out the door, my equilibrium was immediately restored. I felt my breath deepen, the corners of my mouth lifted into a genuine smile and my eyes were shining with delight. All because of a rainbow – or actually two.

Mom continued to look up and as we moved through neighborhood streets she craned from side to side to keep the gorgeous spectrum of colors in sight. She started talking about the rainbows she had seen as a child and lamented that she never saw them anymore. She asked with wonder what could possibly cause a rainbow? And I described to her the process of light refracting through water droplets in the atmosphere… I could see that she didn’t understand and because her short-term memory is completely gone I was asked how a rainbow is created several times… but it was so nice to be sharing something in real-time with her, both of us steeped in the natural glory of this phenomenon of light and water in the morning sky.

As I drove along with mom at my side, window down to the cool breeze, truly enjoying my new-found happiness, I realized something with a jolt. Today is the Autumn Equinox! A day when light and dark are equal… a day of equilibrium! My pleasure increased yet again. Here we were, rapt by the vision of the reaching colors, feeling connected, feeling joyous and centered – on one of two days in any year that symbolizes balance, equality, mystery and beauty – the balance to be found between dark/light, good/evil. When we stopped at the next traffic light, I took a picture so that I’d have a way to remember my lovely feelings and symbolic realizations.

Fall Equinox 2011 Astrology…

This particular Autumn Equinox occurred at 5:05 AM EDT, Sept. 23, 2011. Considering our feelings during that rainbow drive, it’s not surprising that the astrological alignments today have much to do with balance and beauty.

The Equinox happens annually when the Sun moves out of Virgo and into Libra – and Libra is all about balance, equanimity, grace, and gaining and maintaining equilibrium. Venus, Libra’s ruler, also has everything to do with pleasure, aesthetics and what we value – if you think about it, it is the things we find most pleasing that we tend to value, hence the connection. And not only is the Sun in Libra, but so is Venus herself, as is Saturn.

Venus and the Moon are in a lovely angle to one another today, and when they combine the energies brighten with a desire to socialize with loved ones and create harmony and peace. There is a gentleness to this combination.

And since Venus is also in a very nice combination with Mars, there is an alluring eroticism in the air just waiting to be tapped into by ardent lovers. (Don’t let this one pass you by!)

Saturn touches Venus as well… some may argue that this combination is barren and austere, putting the brakes on our relationships. But the orb is still wide and there is a bright side to these two coming together… Try tapping into these: Simple beauty. Enjoyment of clear forms. Pleasure through structure. The peace of stillness.

There are other prominent energies today… Uranus is opposite the Sun branding us with some volatile energy that revels in the unique, sudden and revolutionary. This coupling also unleashes the quality of the trickster – so be aware that all is not rainbows and unicorns! Still this is an opposition and mirrors the energy of finding balance and equilibrium that Libra portrays.

And of course, we have the long-standing Uranus/Pluto square, which the Equinox is energizing as the Sun is opposite to Uranus and squared to Pluto creating a T-Square, that brings our attention to the combined archetypes of revolution and breaking down the status quo with destruction, re-construction and transformation. But we’ve been mired in that energy for a very long time…

Today, for this beautiful Autumn Equinox, enjoy the more fleeting energies represented by the Sun, Moon, Venus and Mars… go find a little pleasure.

Sep 21 2011

Troy Davis’ Execution – Birth and Death Charts

Troy Davis - Executed without proof of guilt. Sept. 21, 2011, Jackson, GA, 11:08 PM

“The struggle for justice doesn’t end with me. This struggle is for all the Troy Davises who came before me and all the ones who will come after me. I’m in good spirits and I’m prayerful and at peace.”
~Troy Davis on the day before his execution 

Troy Davis was executed tonight (Sept. 21, 2011) in Georgia after being on death row for 22 years for the murder of a Savannah Police officer, Mark MacPhail in August of 1989. Troy maintained his innocence to the end of his life at 11:08 pm EDT, and asked, just before the lethal injection began to drip into his arms, that MacPhail’s family dig deeper after his death to learn the truth about his case. His last words were directed to those physically responsible for taking his life – the employees of the prison – and he said, “May God have mercy on your souls. May God bless your souls.”

Saturn was in a  tight conjunction to Troy’s sun at the time of his death.

The chart below shows Troy’s birthchart in the inner ring and the transits for his death in the outer ring.

Birth Info from Wikipedia: Oct. 9, 1968, Savannah, GA – no birth time available. Aries Wheel used – no MC, ASC or Houses.

Death Info from Democracy Now: Sept. 21, 2011, 11:08 PM, Jackson, GA

Troy Davis: Birth Chart Inner Ring (No birth time available. No ASC, MC or Houses) Death Chart: Outer Ring. Exact death time is accurate. See above.

Below is Troy Davis’ Birth Chart in the inner ring and the night of the murder that he was convicted and executed for in the outer ring. The crime in question, the murder of Mark MacPhail, occurred on August, 19, 1989 in Savannah, Georgia. I don’t know the time of the crime.

Troy Davis Birth Chart in the Inner Ring. Mark MacPhail's murder on Aug. 19, 1989 in the Outer Ring.

I want to share this letter that went out from Amnesty International’s Laura Moye just 20 minutes after Troy died:

Dear Michelle,

I’ve been down here at death row, and we just heard the horrific news.

After a torturous delay of more than 4 hours, the state of Georgia has just killed Troy Anthony Davis.

My heart is heavy. I am sad and angry. The state of Georgia has proven what we already know. Governments cannot be trusted with the awful power over life and death.

Today, Georgia didn’t just kill Troy Davis, they killed the faith and confidence that many Georgians, Americans and Troy Davis supporters worldwide used to have in our criminal justice system.

Wende, on our Abolish the Death Penalty Campaign team, met with Troy Davis yesterday to convey the support that he has had from all of you. He asked us to deliver this message back to you:

“The struggle for justice doesn’t end with me. This struggle is for all the Troy Davises who came before me and all the ones who will come after me. I’m in good spirits and I’m prayerful and at peace.”

Let’s take a moment to honor the life of Troy Davis and Mark MacPhail. Then, let’s take all of our difficult feelings and re-double our commitment to abolition of the death penalty.

Please pledge to continue this fight because it is far from over.

This Friday (Sept. 23, 2011) at 7 pm EST, please join us for a special call to discuss Troy Davis’ case, what your work means for the death penalty abolition movement as a whole and what we can do next.

I am Troy Davis. You are Troy Davis. We will not stop fighting for justice.

Thank you for everything you have done to make your voice heard.

In Solidarity,
Laura Moye
Director, Death Penalty Abolition Campaign
Amnesty International USA

Sep 5 2011

What’s Your Labor of Love? Creating a “you” habit…

Happy Labor Day all!

"Parsifal Fights with the Red Knight" Wall painting, probably by Ferdinand Piloty or A. Spiess, Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria. (Young Parsifal defeats the Red Knight.)

As we honor and celebrate the work, energy and contribution of all who labor in our country, you may also want to honor your own contributions and your own work… no matter what that means or how great or small you may feel that to be. And if you aren’t doing what you love, at least try to do so on this day.  If you can’t do what you love today because you have obligations that pull you in a different direction, begin to think about how you can incorporate more of what you love and more of your dreams and intentions for your life into your daily habits.

If you feel there is realistically no time to focus on your talents, dreams and intentions – start very small. Start with 15 minutes a day (or 5 if that’s all you can carve out) and in that 15 minutes (when you wake up, before you go to sleep, 15 minutes of your lunch break, when you’re in the bathroom – whenever!), connect to who YOU deeply are, give that energy free-reign, focus on the thing that you want to accomplish, and do 1 thing – any small thing, it doesn’t matter (a visualization, a phone call, placing an ad, writing, taking a walk, reading relevant information, playing your guitar – whatever you need to do) – that supports and gets you closer to your dream – to your own personal myth/story (where you get to be the hero of your own life like young Parsifal on his quest for the Holy Grail).

After a while “you” will become a habit. Do you understand what that means? YOUR life – what you intend to do with your life – will become a habit. You won’t be able to imagine your day without giving yourself and your goals that space, energy and time. And after a couple of weeks or so, then you’ll up the ante… you’ll move to 20 or 30 minutes and your small steps toward your goals will become bigger and have more impact toward fulfillment. And as the habit becomes more ingrained, you will continue to adjust your focus to more and more time spent on your dream/intention and to greater and greater step toward its achievement.

So go ahead and while you honor the real endeavors and accomplishments of others, take this Labor Day to also focus on the real labors of your life and what you want those to be – your life as your own labor of love, intention, talents used, and dreams fulfilled.

If you need help with understanding what your personal mythology is – if you’re struggling to understand your own potentials and short comings – please be in touch. I’d love to help you connect to the hero inside you who’s waiting to step forward on your true hero’s journey…  

Email astrology@michellegregg.com and see the Individual Consultation page on this site. 

Sep 2 2011

Moon, Venus, Jupiter and the Sun = Lovely Day!

Despite the fact that politically, financially and environmentally things feel like they’re falling apart (the inevitable growing pains of transformation and evolution), and despite the fact that the astrological weather of late has been – well, let’s just say a little intense – today can be a  truly feel good day if you tap into the right energy.

The Moon is in Scorpio – not a light emotional expression to be sure – but it’s in lovely angle to both the Sun and Venus in Virgo. We can find opportunities here for a warm, caring social atmosphere (a neighbor who I see daily just walked by and for the first time smiled and waved at me through my window!) and sincere, deep expressions of caring and service are possible.

Add in a connection between the Moon and Jupiter and you have a recipe for balancing instincts with the intellect… a moment in time when spirits run high and we have fertile ground for pulling together our ethics with our emotions. And anytime the Moon and Jupiter get together we can tap into simple joy – an abundance of noble emotion is there for the asking.

The last feel good ingredient in today’s cosmic soup is a flow of good vibes between the Sun in Virgo and Jupiter in Taurus… at the least we can step forward with gentle confidence (nothing overt as Jupiter is retrograde) and with the assurance of success on some level.

It’s a great day to ponder the meaning of life and your place in it and to share those thoughts with friends and family. Enjoy this moment to catch your breath and relate to those you love!

Apr 16 2010

Dilbert on Homeopathy and Astrology

Go to dilbert.com for more funnies!

Jan 6 2010

Yes…it’s Retrograde Season, Saturn and Pluto are squared, but here’s something to inspire you!

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

I’ve been thinking about the current Saturn/Pluto square, and all these Retrogrades. And just like that, I came across, for the hundredth time in my life, my favorite quote ever. It’s by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, that wonderful German poet, writer, philosopher, dramatist, playwright, and civil servant. (He was a good Virgo, with a Pisces moon – a man of service and discrimination with a soul connected to the pulse of his world. He was born in 1749 and died in 1832 – like us experiencing the turning from one century to the next. He is known as one of most influential writers of all time.)

The quote I love so much, and that presented itself to me today, is this:

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.”

I do realize of course, that Saturn and Pluto are squared, seemingly wreaking havoc on our very foundation; and that Mercury and Mars are Retrograde – and that in just a few days Saturn will be Retrograde as well. All this Retrograde action translates to a time for mental and physical retreat, and a true internal reality check.  This is not the best moment in time to begin anything new.

HOWEVER – there are words and ideas in the quote above that at this time on our journey, the time of Retrogrades and a Saturn/Pluto square, are of utmost importance. Goethe speaks of commitment, the realm of Saturn. He also speaks of hesitancy, drawing back and ineffectiveness – also the realm of Saturn, but from the lower vibration. He tells us that without commitment we can never be fully engaged in our dream! As long as we hesitate, i.e. as long as we act from a place of commitment phobia, our intentions are not clear to the Powers that Be, and therefore cannot gather force beneath and around us, to rally us forward toward our goals. As long as we are wishy-washy, even a little, Providence cannot help us fulfill our dreams, goals, and aspirations.

So take heed of the Retrogrades and ruminate, stand still instead of running forward just for now, and work with Saturn to get the REAL dream in place so that the Pluto purging of whatever is getting in your way or holding you back can work its mysterious magic that will lead to an incredible transformation in your life as you know it! (Think “work toward transformation”.)

This month and through the next several weeks, during this time of introspection, renewal, rehearsal and not so intrepid and forthright action, go inside and figure out what you WILL COMMIT yourself to. Make lists, meditate, visualize, test and rehearse. Be bold and allow your genius to arise from within – and then, when the time to move forward is ripe (you’ll feel it), the magic will happen – the support will show up, the people of like-mind will appear to help, like the shoemakers elves.

Saturn + Pluto = REAL MAGIC, COMMITMENT TO RELEASING WHAT’S USELESS AND DYING, TRANSFORMATION TAKING FORM, DEEP AWARENESS OF YOUR INNER TRUTH

Read the quote from Goethe several times, only say it in the first person (Until I am committed…etc.) until you can recite it without reading it. Allow it to become a part of you. Internalize it and meditate on it. Feel it. And then…when it’s time to move forward…feel your power, be BOLD and do it! Commit with no concept left of turning back.

See? Retrogrades, Saturn and Pluto really can be your friends!

Oct 1 2009

Mercury Direct! Now the shadow…

Mercury - Roman MythologyTuesday, Sept. 29, 2009 – Happy Mercury Direct everyone! Mercury began its forward motion at 22 degrees of Virgo and will continue into Libra as the days progress. We’re now entering the after-shadow period; the down-time during which Mercury heads back to the same degree it was in when it went Retrograde 3 weeks ago. That means we have until October 15 to assimilate all that we’ve re-structured and received around our communication skills and needs within relationships (Libra), how and where we can truly serve from the heart while engaging our heads and our hands (Virgo). This time also gives us a couple of weeks to re-engage our brains into forward movement and to pull together a mental plan for the next 3 months so that we’re prepared for the next Retrograde that begins the day after Christmas in Capricorn (that should make for some interesting last-minute holiday shopping and party going! Word to the wise – if you’re buying electronics, cars, or anything that includes a contract this year, shop early!)  We can utilize the current shadow time to figure out how we can now take action and move forward on the juicy information that we may have been able to harvest from our psyches during the Retrograde. We can still expect communication glitches and other Mercury antics for the next few days, but if you’re paying attention you can feel the energy shifting. Don’t expect too much too fast; just breathe in the newly forward feeling and focus on what you’ve learned and how you incorporate that new knowledge into your daily experience of life.

Sep 18 2009

A Feeling for the Whole – an excerpt from Gwen Gordon’s “What Does God Look Like in an Expanding Universe”

The Milky Way Over Ontario by Kerry-Ann Lecky Hepburn

The Milky Way Over Ontario by Kerry-Ann Lecky Hepburn

Sitting in the grass on a moonless, cloudless night I gaze at the arch of the Milky Way, letting the forms of beloved constellations reveal themselves in the wealth of the luminaries. I sink back into a happy sense of my own nothingness before the certainty of the stars. I do not experience terror at this vastness of space-time, but an aspect of immensity that is comforting – all those stars and all the invisible worlds beyond them are necessary for me to come into existence. I am this immensity gazing into itself, born from the fire of its stars and cooled down enough to be able to think, see, and admire. No matter how remote these distant ancestors are, in this moment I know that we would not be without each other. A sense of awe sweeps through me.

Excerpt from “A Feeling for the Whole” from What Does God Look Like in an Expanding Universe by Gwen Gordon.  Click here to read the entire excerpt.

Visit Gwen Gordon’s amazing website at www.gwengordonplay.com.