Jun 5 2012

My Thoughts and Hopes for the Meaning of the Transit of Venus and the Solar and Lunar Eclipses of May and June 2012

The Birth of Venus (detail) by Sandro Botticelli – Such an appropriate title for this moment of time!

 

Today is the Transit of Venus!

Yesterday was the Full Moon Lunar Eclipse!

May 20 was the New Moon Solar Eclipse…

and on May 15 Venus went Retrograde.

All of these events occurred along the Gemini/Sagittarius axis of knowledge and wisdom.

That’s 3 weeks of amazing astronomical and astrological alignments.

THINK:
As Above So Below
As Within So Without

What does it all mean to you?

Re-birthing your relationships.
Re-birthing your values.
Re-birthing your mental attitudes and beliefs.
Re-birthing your world-view.

AND whether male or female, allowing your inner feminine to emerge fully formed and functional.

These four events mean that we are living in a rare moment in time – a moment when a great shift is happening around us, through us and inside us. It is a shift toward more love, more compassion, and more forgiveness – if that is what you intend. If that is what we intend together. If you believe… if you trust. If we believe and trust together.  If we grasp the knowledge and distill the wisdom from it.

It is a shift integrating the Mind with the Soul – and I mean this both as a personal evolution for you as well as a social and cultural one.  We are moving from the cold region of science as God (a masculine mind-set), to a warmer climate that balances science with faith, intuition, love, beauty and wisdom of the heart and Nature, and the needs and desires of the Soul (a feminine mind-set).

They say that very long ago in a misty, green and fertile world humans lived in a Matriarchy, where Nature and the Great Mother ruled supreme.

In the past few thousand years, we have lived and still live in a Patriarchy, where Science and the Great Father reign supreme.

This moment in time is part of the shift of finally integrating both worlds, masculine and feminine, if we are wise enough to co-create with the energies that are offered.

We have, since the dawn of the Industrial and Technological Revolutions, elevated science to such a status that we metaphorically swallowed our more instinctive, more natural, more feminine natures whole, leaving them in the darkness of our subconsiousness, so that we could pursue the masculine mental world of tearing things apart to label them and better understand how everything works.

We find a wonderful correlation in ancient Greek Mythology.  Zeus (known to the Romans as Jupiter and the ruler of Sagittarius in the astrological world) swallowed his wife Metis and their child Athena. Metis and Athena (both women) represented Wisdom – and until Zeus swallowed them (out of fear of being overthrown and in his blindness to the reality of his situation) he had not incorporated Wisdom internally. But after he swallowed them, he gave birth to Athena fully formed from the top of his head (both a mind and spirit point of the body), and was forever afterward known as a God of Wisdom – integrating what he hadn’t had before.

My point here is that it was only after a period of darkness (Metis and Athena within the tomb of Zeus’s body) and an out-of-balance period of time (a god lacking Wisdom), that true Wisdom was allowed to be born and lived out. Once Wisdom was taken internally – digested and understood – it could then be born through the mind with clarity and full functionality through a feminine form. Back in balance.

Beautiful yes?

How does this story relate to Venus Retrograde, the Solar Eclipse in Gemini, the Lunar Eclipse in Sagittarius and the Transit of Venus?

May 15, 2012 Venus Retrograde: Venus appears to move backwards in space, initiating a period of darkness, internalizing and re-imagining all things related to Venus: love, giving & receiving, relationships, values, resources, art, beauty, aesthetics, desire, allure, adornment.

May 20, 2012 New Moon Solar Eclipse in Gemini:  Endings and new beginnings around the mind, and the solar aspects of humanity, i.e. the masculine, thinking, analyzing, processing aspects. Bringing forward the dark feminine inner world as the Moon (women, mother) blocks the face of the Sun (authority, ego, Father.) I view Eclipses as portals that we can step through – a period of opportunity for transformation and during which the actions of processing and integrating change move faster than usual.

June 4, 2012 Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Sagittarius: the Earth’s shadow across the Moon symbolizes integration of the polar opposites of male (Sun) and female (Moon). Lunar Eclipses and Full Moons are largely about relationship (of all kinds) and integrating them in a more balanced way. This one highlights our mental attitudes toward relationship and provides us with the opportunity to evolve into deeper wisdom within them. It opens us to a greater understanding and acceptance of “otherness.”
(Listen to or read my Full Moon Lunar Eclipse Meditation here.)

June 5/6 2012 Transit of Venus across the Face of the Sun: Venus, as she retrogresses, is “swallowed” by the Sun as she crosses directly in its path. Then as Venus continues to backtrack farther and farther away from the Sun and deeper into darkness over the next 3 weeks (until she moves direct on June 27) we are fully in a gestation period – or a time of digesting the symbolism of the ultimate feminine: of love, harmony, grace, beauty, unconditional love, forgiveness and compassion. The hope is that upon Venus’s return to direct motion, after the dark gestation period, we will more fully live from the newly integrating feminine and loving qualities that Venus represents.

These 4 events are energetic opportunities to move in a very wonderful and much needed direction.

I don’t believe that we will all suddenly live in Utopia where everyone loves and understands all other people, and lambs will lie down with lions without fear. This is a process – and one that we have been on for many years already. We are steadily moving toward a time when the role of human beings and the way we relate to one another culturally, socially and politically is different than it has been for a VERY long time. And we are also steadily moving toward a time when we relate to the Earth, our Mother, in a more conscious and evolved way. We can view this moment in time as a birth pang or a contraction in the birth process of a new era for humanity. It won’t happen overnight and it won’t happen without more labor pains – yet there is something rare and beautiful about the potential that is surrounding us right now and into the next few months. Fortunately, the effects of an eclipse season are often felt and results seen months and even years into the future. I believe the same is true for the effects of the Transit of Venus.

I do believe that this moment in time will get us closer to a more loving, more peaceful existence with each other, especially if we take the opportunity to move and evolve with the energy around us. That means focused intention – consciously projecting love, acceptance, harmony and peace into our personal lives and into the greater world. And also consciously asking for greater wisdom in understanding others and in our relationships, both personal and with the world at large.

I also believe that women as a whole will move more into the forefront of the movement of change and transformation that we are undergoing. And I think that can only be a good thing.

So, I implore you, don’t let this amazing opportunity pass by without co-creating MORE LOVE! Think and intend and open your hearts, and then project it all forward and outward. The time for greater love is now.

View my video on The Transit of Venus:
Lunar Eclipse in Sagittarius and the Transit of Venus = More LOVE!

Jun 5 2012

Where to View the Transit of Venus On-Line – NASA of course!

I’ve been looking through a few sites that will provide on-line live feeds of the Transit of Venus, and this one from NASA is my favorite… tune in with them for live coverage of today’s rare and wonderful event! This webcast event will run through the entirety of the transit of venus, beginning at 9:45pm UTC (11:45am local Hawaiian time or 5:45pm EST).

Live Venus Transit Webcast from NASA

Jun 5 2012

Transit of Venus – Facts & Astronomy from the Associated Press

This June 8, 2004 file photo shows the transit of Venus, which occurs when the planet Venus passes between the Earth and the Sun, is pictured in Hong Kong. Venus will cross the face of the sun on Tuesday June 5, 2012, a sight that will be visible from parts of Earth. This is the last transit for more than 100 years.
AP Photo/Vincent Yu,File

VENUS CREATES RARE SKY SHOW
by Alicia Chang –  Associated Press
from The Weather Channel

READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE

Note from Michelle: Here’s a good article that lines up some facts and astronomy about today’s Transit of Venus. Easy to read with a bit of history too… and it includes some great videos and fascinating stuff about the Space Shuttle. There is also a link for tips on safely watching the Transit of Venus – DON’T watch it without protecting your eyes!! Please enjoy this AP article on their site by clicking above or below…

LOS ANGELES (AP) — It’s a spectacle that won’t repeat for another century – the sight of Venus slowly inching across the face of the sun.

So unless scientists discover the fountain of youth, none of us alive today will likely ever witness this celestial phenomenon again, dubbed a “transit of Venus.”

It’s so unique that museums and schools around the globe are hosting Venus viewing festivities – all for a chance to see our star sport a fleeting beauty mark. Even astronauts aboard the International Space Station plan to observe the event.

Venus will appear as a small black dot gliding across the disk of the sun. As in a solar eclipse, do not stare directly at the sun; wear special protective glasses.

READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE

Here are a couple more of interest:

The Transit of Venus: 2012 Gets Another Celestial Showstopper by Audrey Yoo from Time News Feed

Here’s H0w to Photograph Venus and the Sun Safely by Imelda B. Joson and Edwin L. Aguirre from Space On MSNBC.com

That planet Venus is a weird one, all right… Strange Facts About Our closest Neighbor from Space on MSNBC.com

 

Jun 4 2012

Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Sagittarius – June 4, 2012 – A Meditation

Lunar Eclipse in Sagittarius – Endings and beginnings that lead to greater wisdom and fuller understanding of others.

I woke up just minutes before the exact moment of the Lunar Eclipse, and these feelings came bubbling up and out. Please take a moment to settle into a quiet frame of mind and meditate in a joyous way as you listen or read:

Listen Here

At this Full Moon, this Lunar Eclipse in Sagittarius, when the darkness leads to light, I am illuminated through the earthly ways of others and embrace them consciously – opening my heart to a learning experience that will pave the way to greater wisdom. I seek out new ways of being via those who are different than me, explore their beliefs, their cultures, their religions, in an effort to expand my own awareness and ACCEPTANCE of EVERYONE as worthy of love and honor and respect. I leave off with morality judgements, pride, hubris and self-righteousness – understanding that these divide me from others and from grace – rather than unite. I focus on living and sharing my noble-mindedness, recognizing the good and godly in others and in myself. At this Lunar Eclipse, this wondrous Full Moon in Sagittarius, I travel through life with optimism and enthusiasm, trusting my intuition to lead me on the true path of the evolution of my mind, of my heart and of my soul to new a wisdom, sourced by Love. I feel the wonder, the exuberance and the sheer joy of life, and live always from that space.

Jun 3 2012

Lunar Eclipse in Sagittarius and the Transit of Venus = More LOVE!

We’re in a moment in time that is a rare and perfect opportunity to come together as a global community and create a more loving, more compassionate reality via our conscious intentions during the Lunar Eclipse on June 4, 2012 (7:13 AM Eastern) in conjunction with the literally once in a lifetime Tranist of Venus on June 5/6 (6:00 PM through Midnight Eastern).

This moment of unconditionally loving feminine energy, via the Moon and Venus together across the signs of Sagittarius and Gemini, contains the seeds of change. This is a portal that we can step through if enough of us intend together… a portal to a more loving, compassionate and forgiving future as human beings living together on this tiny blue planet.

Don’t let this opportunity pass by! The Transit of Venus across the face of the Sun is a rare event that occurs in pairs only every 100 year intervals. This won’t happen again in our lives…

The words to focus on right now and for the next several days are MORE LOVE.

Here are links to some really great information about Venus Retrograde, the Eclipse and the Transit of Venus… please read, watch and enjoy! And then with the power of your mind and the love in your heart, intend a more loving, forgiving world for us all!

 

The 2012 Venus Transit – Real-sky Animation from Adam Gainsburg

Renovatio – The Re-birth of Light Venus Retrograde, 15th May – 27th June 2012 by Andrew Smith

At-One-Ment: The Transit of Venus (audio) by Andrew Smith

Transit of Venus (video) with a note from Pat Lantz

The Venus Transits: The Pentagonal Cycle of Venus – Cycles of the Heart – June 8, 2004 & June 5-6, 2012 – by Nick Anthony Fiorenza

Thanks for being here!

Jan 18 2012

Astrology: We Know We’re One…

Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh

One thing we can know from studying and appreciating Astrology is that we are all one. We are, each of us no matter where we are, impacted by the same energy at every moment of every day. We are one – and all part of the Divine energy of the Creator.

We are made of stardust and we ARE light. Here are some scientific facts taken from Matthew Fox and his A.W.E. Project:

  • Matter is frozen light and for every molecule of light that is matter there are a billion particles of light that are not matter. This means matter is rare and special – we are light.
  • Sixty percent of the matter of our bodies is made up of hydrogen atoms, which were present in the first years of the fireball, 13 billion years ago.
  • The remaining 40 percent of our bodies is made up of atoms forged in the stars about 5.5 billion years ago.

This means we’re all made from the same material no matter who we are – all part of the star dust of the galaxies.

We breathe in and out together as one at every moment… real time evolution. To me that is profound.

Jan 17 2012

Let’s Talk Relationships: Venus in Pisces = The Art of Loving, For Better or Worse

The Birth of Venus by Alexandre Cabanel (1823-1889) Oil on Canvas - Musee d'Orsay, Paris, France

What do you think of when you think of the planet Venus? The morning star? The evening star? She is both at different times of the year. Or do you think of her unusual brightness in the sky – so much brighter than all the other planets, paling only in comparison to the Moon to our eyes. Though perhaps you might think of the Roman Goddess of Love or her Greek counterpart, Aphrodite. They were both revered as Goddesses of fruitfulness, beauty and love.

In astrology, Venus’ symbolism comes from these beauties of old, encompassing the depths of love, relationship, beauty, the arts, harmony and partnership. She is the embodiment of eroticism, grace, devotion and longing… wonderful you say, but what does that mean to me?

On Jan. 14, 2012, the lovely, bright planet moved out of the sign of Aquarius and into the sign of Pisces, where she’ll be biding her time for the next 3 weeks, until Feb. 8, 2012 (Venus stays in each sign about 20 days or so in her ceaseless orbit – so mark your calendar). Because Aquarius and Pisces are such different signs with very little in common, the move from one sign to the other can be very distinctively felt, particularly for those of you with the Sun or other planets in the sign of Pisces, not only because Venus is currently occupying your sign, but because as a Pisces influenced Soul you’re so tuned in. And as of this past Saturday, Venus is energizing not only Pisces but the other 3 mutable signs as well: Gemini, Virgo, and Sagittarius. (To find out where your planets are visit http://www.astro.com and set up free birth chart.)

[Here’s a brief lesson in the Mutable signs (meaning they are adaptable and changeable): there are 4 Mutable signs (out of the 12 total Zodiac signs) and they all form a 90 degree angle to each other – meaning they are “squared.” This angular relationship is very dynamic, tense and challenging requiring some sort of release – when one of the 4 signs is affected, they all are. (The same is true for the other 2 sets of “4’s.” The Cardinals are: Aries, Cancer, Libra & Capricorn. The Fixed signs are: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio & Aquarius. We’ll have reason to talk about them later.)]

But back to how the movement of Venus into Pisces affects you.

Venus is essentially the value we place on experience at the inner level. And in Pisces where she is exalted, Venus expresses the need to relate, to love, to experience beauty through the lens of either transcending or escaping reality. (The idealism of the first several weeks of a new intimate relationship come to mind with all its excitement, sexual perfection, and the bliss of union   – both escapist and transcendent!) If transcendence is our valued path, we align with the archetypes of Jesus, Buddha – all spiritually transcendent teachers.  While Venus is in Pisces, those of us sensitive to it, may also experience a heightened sense of romanticism. We may dream of, long for, whatever we value in the depths of our being… whether that is forbidden love, the desire to help the less fortunate, the ecstasy of  the way music moves us, delight in the expression of Nature all around us, or the bliss of self-expression through poetry, photography, or other form of art. If we’re not particularly artistic, we may find ourselves drawn to and drawn into art in a way we haven’t been for a long time… or ever.

Venus in Pisces is a gentle, loving and very accepting placement for the Goddess of Love and Romanticism. However, if this combination is in a challenging, not-to-be-ignored aspect to a sensitive part of your chart that doesn’t communicate agreeably, the escapist qualities of this placement may come to the fore. Confusion around relating could manifest, leaving us fragile and uncertain of our worth. We could experience either ego-inflation or ego-deflation – depending on how we’re wired. Either way, the desire to escape reality and prop ourselves up with our favorite escape route isn’t uncommon: too much drinking, too much shopping, too much exercise or couch potato-ing, or just the tendency to day dream our time away… you get the picture.

So the beauty of the Goddess of Love meeting Pisces – the sign ruled by Neptune the God of the Sea, is that of unification – the unfolding into the cosmic bliss of creativity and agape – love as revealed in selflessness, love that is spiritual, being wide open to grace. The not-so-beautiful side of this combination, if it doesn’t sit particularly well with you and the energies you were born with, is that of dis-grace… self-sacrifice, disillusion, victimization and lulling the self with (hopefully legal) self-medicating. 

The wonderful thing is that you can choose. Do you want to learn and experience the high road of Universal love, beauty and transcendence, with the desire to either reach out and help your fellow-beings and the possibility to elevate your own spirituality? Or do you want to fall into self-deprecation and escapism, open to the possibility of deception and the willingness to to give up your power to another force. Those are the two extremes and certainly your experience is likely to be somewhere in-between. But when you know the options of the energy at hand, it’s liberating to know what awaits at the extreme end of either fork in the road. 

Venus moved into Pisces on at 12:47 AM ET on Jan.14, 2012 - Aries Wheel

Jan 13 2012

Happy Friday the 13th! A little Love and Romance on an Inauspicious Day…

Not the stuff of superstition...

I have a bit of hard time understanding the superstitious fears around Friday the 13th… and this year we’ve got 3 of ’em! So sorry to be the bearer of that inauspicious news to those of you who don’t relish this infrequent date. (After this year there won’t be another Friday the 13th until 2026 according to Charles Walford, columnist for Mail Online in the UK in this very eye opening article.)

Here are a couple of bits of Friday the 13th lore: Friday is considered unlucky in the Christian tradition because it is the day of Christ’s crucifixion. 13 is considered unlucky because Judas, the last and 13th to show up for the Last Supper, was the same disciple who betrayed Christ resulting in his crucifixion. And 13 is the number of turns of the rope that tie the hangman’s noose.

In just doing a little reading I’ve discovered that auto accidents really do go up A LOT on any given Friday the 13th (maybe due to anxiety?) and the real estate business slows down to a trickle… people just don’t want to buy on this inauspicious date and many won’t even think about buying a residence that has the number 13 attached to it. Who knew?

Well this particular Friday the 13th doesn’t have any black magic attached to it that I can see. So take a deep breath and let your fears subside. 

This day looks to be largely about relationships according to the astrology at hand. Venus and Neptune are conjoined lending the possibility of  gentle romance, idealism, yearning for the Other (with the alternate possibility being deception or dissolution in relationships – so there is that to watch out for). Chiron, the Wounded Healer is involved with that combination as is the Moon – there is the potential for healing past transgressions now – particularly with family members and lost loves. And Saturn lends support to our relationships today, helping us to understand and define them and possibly helping to create stability. Mars strokes the Sun lending desire, strength of will and a bit of earthy assertion to the package while the Moon kisses Pluto and Mercury perhaps compelling some of us to want to dig deeply and emotionally for the truth in our relationships and, of course since it is Mercury, to talk about it.

If you are opting out of life today – staying home and out of trouble – watch romantic films, read  poetry, dive into art, or curl up with a good psychology book. Probably a great day to chat with friends, get the scoop on the stars (movie stars that is), and to re-connect. Have a glass or two of wine…

So, happy Friday the 13th! And have fun relating… family, friends, lovers – let them all know how you feel!

Jan 8 2012

The First Full Moon of 2012 – The Cancer Wolf Moon

I went outside about midnight to see how this very special Full Moon is shaping up here in Atlanta, GA. From my computer program I knew where the moon would be in the sky – directly overhead – but I wasn’t sure I’d see it due to the overcast night and drizzling rain. 

But there she was. Shining through the clouds and sprinkles with a hazy ring of orange and gold surrounding her as the clouds were swept by the wind. Despite the damp ground and the slight chill, I laid down for a little while to ponder and reflect. 

This Full Moon is the very first of the New Year – the first of the much awaited 2012. In Native American lore, the first Full Moon in January is traditionally known as the Wolf Moon. I find that fascinating as this particular Wolf Moon is in Cancer directly opposite a Capricorn Sun – symbolizing finding the balance between emotion and practicality, nurture and responsibility, The Great Mother and the Great Father, matriarchy and the patriarchy. My hope is that our goal will be to finally find equality between men and women, and between masculine and feminine energies. A healing is due in this area of our lives and our psyches. 

Wolf packs cannot be categorized as either matriarchal or patriarchal in governance… there is an alpha male and an alpha female who both share the running of the pack. They have found balance in their relationship as leaders – the one completed and supported by the other. As the first lunation of 2012, I believe this speaks volumes as to the landscape of the year to come. We must seek balance between the polarities driven by seeking security, safety and what feeds and nurtures us with how to be effectively and practically responsible to both our ambition and all who fall under our purview.  We can reflect on this idea from many different aspects of our lives: familial, in community, politically and beyond. 

The Cancer Full Moon illuminates the ideals of Mother, and this a beautiful time to cherish our families and both how we are nurtured and how we nurture others who we love and who we are responsible for. In your meditations or in your thoughts tonight and throughout the day of Jan. 8, direct your focus on what nurturing and being nurtured – emotionally and soulfully fed – mean to you. Open your heart and really FEEL what is inside you – what is in front of you and around you. Ponder family and tradition, home and hearth, children, safety and security. 

If you are spiritual, the images of Mother Mary, Gaia, Demeter and Diana are perfect to hold as visions in your heart and mind. The idea is to connect with the energy of the instinctive Feminine offering love, sustenance, deep feeling and security to those she cares and is responsible for.  How does this ideal manifest in your life – whether you are male or female. If you are comfortable in this arena then this a time for you to be juicy and ripe and overflowing – both giving and receiving the blessings of the Cancer Full Moon. If this is an area where you are uncomfortable – feeling out of your element with the depth of emotion and domestic giving symbolized at this lunation, spend some time reflecting on how you came to be uncomfortable here and ponder how you might open your heart at least a little to create balance and a more abundant nurturing space in your life. 

So many facets and faces to see and discover! I wish you an enlightening Full Cancer Moon… perhaps, like the wolves whose name this Moon bears are wont to do, a bit of howling is in order to help us feel as deeply as we can and then release those feelings to The Mother. 

Jan 3 2012

Welcome to 2012 – Astrology and Healing

Welcome to the New Year!! 2012… hard to believe we’re here already! And welcome to Astrology with Michelle Gregg! I hope you’ll join me often this year in a journey toward discovery. Discovery of the energies that this year, as the weeks and months go by, will offer to each one of us, propelling us to growth, evolution and change.

Astrology is an eloquent and intricate map of the energies that are available in every moment of life. Each sign, planet, house and planetary alignment bring us such amazing information about the energetic tools that we can harness and use for our own development on every level: emotional, psychological, spiritual and physical.

If you haven’t ever considered astrology as a part of your health system – something to compliment and advance your work with your doctor, psychologist, chiropractor, herbalist, homeopath, naturopath, or any healer that you visit – I hope you’ll begin to now.

Just for you in the new year through the month of January I’m offering Individual consultations for only $95 – which is $55 off, and Relationship Consultations for $130, which is also $55 less than usual.

I’m also offering fantastic rates to those of you who want to do regular sessions. If your New Year’s Resolution is to really do some deep healing work on yourself, or if you can’t seem to unstick yourself from a particular habitual problem spot – you’ll be interested in a package of either 3, 6, or 12 pre-paid sessions, which give you fantastic savings over paying for one session at a time. I’d love to hear from you about how to get these pre-paid sessions started.. .

Please be in touch with any questions by emailing astrology@michellegregg.com and visit http://www.michellegregg.com often.

And thanks for taking this ride with me! Can’t wait to see where it leads…

Until next time, BE WELL!