The Summer Solstice and the Wisdom of Spiritual Action

Summer-Solstice-Spirtuality-2017

From our earthbound perspective, as we watch the Sun on his apparent path around us, he reaches the fullness of his heat during the Summer. Today, actually this morning at 12:25 AM Eastern, the Sun moved into the cardinal sign of Cancer, heralding the Summer Solstice, the height of his annual golden reign over the sky. In the Northern hemisphere there’s no question that we’ve left behind the experience of freshness, newness, and possibility that Spring brings, as we achieve the high point of our journey living life through the fullness of long, hot days.

The word Solstice is derived from the Latin “solstitium”, and means “the sun stands still.” So I like to think of each Solstice, both Summer and Winter, as a moment when we pause, take stock, reflecting on our connection and experience to our own “hero’s journey” which is symbolized by the Sun. In mythology the characters at the center of all hero stories are “solar characters.” In astrology, the symbol for the sun is a circle with a dot at the center, and from a personal perspective the circle represents the perfection of life around you, and the dot is you. Each of us has the Sun somewhere in our birthcharts, meaning that it is our birthright to live as a solar hero, or a golden child – at the center of the perfection of life surrounding us. The path to that experience is called the “hero’s journey” in which we live our life experiences with consciousness, moving ever closer to ourselves as the rightful center of our own lives. For some, this journey might be challenging and fraught with fear, obstacles, and challenges. For others it may be easier… but whichever is your experience, it’s a perfect day to pause and reflect on where you are in your own “hero’s journey.”

What can be helpful in that reflection is to understand the energies available to us in this particular Solstice, which I like to think of as being the “background energy” informing the entire season. This morning’s Summer Solstice astrological chart shows that taking action on our beliefs may be somewhat challenging, but also supported by the Divine – and if we take the challenge we may be rewarded with the wisdom that the task accomplished brings. (Mars in Cancer applying to the square to Jupiter in Libra. Mars in Cancer applying to the trine to Neptune in Pisces.) This energy creates the impetus we need to allow our inner Divine nature to inform and support our quest for wisdom through right, if perhaps challenging, action.

There is also emphasis on analyzing our ideas, and allowing our curiosity to push us into new ways of thinking, and communicating whatever we come up with. Through these new ways of thinking is a potential kernel for healing a wound, or wounds – perhaps wounds around playing the victim, loss, needing redemption, or feeling outside the realm of God/Spirit/Universe/Wholeness. (Mercury conjunct the Sun, both in a square to Chiron.)

With the Mars/Jupiter emphasis, there are other ways that we might see this energy manifesting: pushing beliefs on others, courage of our convictions, the conquering spirit, ambitious aims, the need to travel or “go far,” a pioneering spirit, daredevil actions, righteous vindictiveness, the “means justifies the end” mentality, gambling or taking risks toward an ideal. There are many ways to combine the energy of Mars and Jupiter, but consciously choosing to elevate your actions with optimism and grace is one of the finest, and a good choice to strive toward.

Happy Summer Solstice everyone!

Summer-Solstice-2017

Summer Solstice 2017 – Sun moved into Cancer at 12:25 AM Eastern / Drawn from Atlanta, GA

 

Jupiter and Venus Shining Together TONIGHT = Big Love!

Venus-Jupiter-27Aug2016

If you’re very, very lucky you have a perfect view of the Western horizon. If you don’t, you might want to go find that perfect view, because tonight (Saturday, Aug 27, 2016), about a half hour to 45 minutes after sunset (sunset in Atlanta is 8:08 pm – check your local time), you’ll be able to see Venus twinkle out from the darkness just above the Western horizon, very shortly followed by Jupiter in almost exactly the same spot. A beautiful moment!

Venus and Jupiter are the two brightest lights in our sky after the Sun and Moon – when they come together it’s quite a show! Bear in mind however, that light around you and light from our planet may make these two beauties challenging to see unless you’ve found a nice dark spot. Pair that with the fact that Venus and Jupiter will be setting by 9pm  Eastern, so it’s crucial to be in your viewing position on-time, a little before sunset. And you WILL want to see this – this visual event doesn’t occur again until Nov. 22, 2065, and the last time we were able to see this encounter was Nov. 14, 1660. Very rare.

But let me say, that whether you see this lovely event or not, these two planets create something pretty special when they shine together. A few words that describe the combination of Venus and Jupiter energies are: big love, happiness, a noble heart, beautiful art, happy gatherings, extra confidence, a beautiful future – you get the idea. The heart swells with well-being and generosity, and seeks pleasant company and beautiful surroundings. And the effects of this meeting of planets is not just valid for this evening. They’ve been dancing together since about August 18, and will be fading in energy by the first week of September. But energies experienced and lessons learned are not forgotten. 🙂

Tonight’s Venus/Jupiter meeting of worlds in Virgo also includes little Mercury – he will be very close to the two much brighter planets. With the inclusion of Mercury, we may just experience a coming together of minds on some level, or find some peace within our own minds where we have been restless or anxious. There could also be an expansive, inclusive nature to our thoughts, and some very expressive communication. Perhaps through music or art, which would be very appropriate. Perhaps through beautiful words. Poetry – loving murmurs.

This whole lovely shebang occurs across the Virgo/Pisces axis in an opposition to Chiron, The Wounded Healer. Deeper analysis leads to the possibility of relationship wounds finding rest through forgiveness, and the potential for seeking a future in which we don’t play the role of victim or stay lost in co-dependence or addiction – both very prevalent Virgo/Pisces themes.

I like to think that with this beautiful emphasis from the heavens, in the sign of Virgo and opposite Chiron in Pisces, that we’ll feel compelled to open our hearts to ways of being in true service to others – in service to, rather  than serving (or being a door-mat) – meaning that we don’t lose  or forget ourselves when we serve, but rather serve from a strong sense of Self (the Jungian, individuated capital “S” Self); from self-worth in the spirit of unconditional BIG love, for both ourselves and others.

It is thought by more than a few that it was a Venus/Jupiter conjunction that led the wise men to discover the Christ child 2000 years ago. The two planets connecting so closely together, especially if both are in full light, create the illusion that they are one enormous, amazingly bright star – perhaps the Star of Bethlehem. You can read more about that possibility here and it’s very interesting.  And here’s another article offering several different possibilities on the Star of Bethlehem. 

Venus-Jupiter-Conjunction-Aug-27-2016

This is the chart of the moment of the exact Venus/Jupiter conjunction along with Mercury at 6:29 PM Eastern time. We won’t be able to see these two beauties at that point – the sky will have to get darker first. By 8:30 we should be able to see them, and certainly by 8:45.

Venus-Jupiter-Conjunction-Setting-Aug-27-2016

This chart at 8:55 PM Eastern shows Jupiter, Venus, and Mercury setting – just about to dip below the Western Horizon.

 

Super Quick Saturday Cosmic Weather – Astrology for June 11, 2016

I-dreamed-my-whole-house-was-clean

 

Here’s the quick shake out for your Saturday, June 11, 2016 (Eastern Time.)
(I’m having a bit of fun with this one!)

Stay in bed until about 9am because the Moon in Virgo is in opposition to Neptune in Pisces, and all we really want to do is dream and fantasize anyway. Tell yourself that it’s ok to stay in bed, because the Virgo piece of this equation might feel guilty… a nice compromise would be to lay in bed in your half sleep, analyzing and making plans. 🙂

Then get up about 10am and really get down to weekend chores quickly to use the practical, get it done energy of the Moon squaring Saturn in Sagittarius – if you don’t get down to work, then you might just feel stuck and end up procrastinating (or feeling sorry for yourself.) The Moon isn’t only squaring Saturn… it’s also opposing Neptune. So there could be a bit of a quandary about whether to get something done, or whether to wallow a bit longer. Push, pull. Push, pull. Don’t use the energy that way! Best case scenario, do a lovely meditation, or sit outside in Nature to get centered, and THEN get down to business.

As the moon moves away from the Saturn/Neptune energy, make some afternoon plans for about 2pm, because just after that Luna gets a lot happier when she connects with Jupiter… shake off the dreams of the morning and all those chores (or the wishing that you’d actually done them) and just do something that makes you feel really good. Be social… Venus is still connected to the Sun today. 

After a nice big dinner, get cozy in your hidey hole and do some deep pondering, or even some research, about what you want your future to hold. The Moon is conjuncting the North Node and making a trine to Pluto, so dig deep, tell yourself the truth, and lean into your purpose. If you think something in your immediate vicinity is holding you back… throw it away! This can be literal, emotional, or metaphorical, but when Pluto is tapping at our emotions, he likes us to purge. And ponder. And go about the business of evolving…

And if you’re sharing your evening with another, expect emotions to run deeply – and maybe even passionately.

Happy Saturday!

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January 21, 2013 – By the Light of the Moon – Today’s Moon in Gemini and lots of exciting energy!

Obama-inauguration-2009-2

That lustrous orb that sweeps our oceans to and fro is also the harbinger who describes and defines our day-to-day fluctuating energy. As the face of the Moon is ever changing, so are the feelings and intuitions that push and pull us through our daily rounds. The sign of the Zodiac the Moon occupies changes about every 2-and-a-half-days and as she orbits she makes different connections to other planets, touching all of them in different ways as she speeds her way through the sky. Each of us will resonate to the energies of the flirting, capricious Luna in different ways and with different reactions according to the energies of our own birthcharts – our own dispositions and levels of consciousness. However, this comes as a guide to help you understand which fickle face our Lady Moon is showing today.

If you know your birthchart, or at least your Sun, Moon, or Rising signs (or better yet – all three – and if you don’t know any of them, maybe it’s time for you to send me an email) knowing where the Moon is playing and who she’s playing with will help you understand how to navigate your day and why you may be feeling the way you are or why you’re having the reactions or responses that you’re having. 

I’m going to try to write this everyday for you – or at least, most days. No promises being made here, but I hope the days I manage it, that you’ll find some peace, and maybe even gain a little edge, in knowing. I want to dedicate this effort to Kat. She told me that she missed my posts. So Kat – this if for you. If any of you enjoy this lovingly crafted energetic gift – please let me know! It will help to keep me motivated to continue…

(The above 3 paragraphs will be repeated each “By the Light of the Moon” post, so if you’ve read it before and know it by heart, just skip to the stuff just below.  All times given in this column are Eastern time. )

About 9AM Eastern (6AM Pacific) this morning the Moon moves from earthbound Taurus into heady Gemini, and because both the Sun and Mercury moved from Capricorn into another bright air sign, Aquarius, over the weekend, the heavens and our intellects could feel a bit clearer – a bit lighter. Mercury and Uranus connect honing our minds and sharpening our tongues as well, so this seems to be a pretty high energy day, especially for folks with lots of air signs represented in their charts (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius). The fire signs will be at home with this energy as well (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius).

Today should prove to be one during which our ideas flow easily and we feel the need to trample the box we’ve been living in to get a breath of fresh air outside it.  Expect a bit of the unexpected…

However, challenges may come from Neptune, particularly earlier in the day. Our emotions are being pulled toward optimism and the search for meaning, the need to expand and express via a very close connection to Jupiter, but simultaneously Neptune insists that we not let go of our fantasy, our addiction, our yearning or our loss – whatever the case may be. The Aquarius and Gemini influences want us to use our logic and mental fortitude, Jupiter wants us to learn and grow, but Neptune wants us to experience the spiritual, the psychic, the nebulous. There may be confusion and there may simply be daydreaming to take the edge off of our genius. It will be interesting to see how all of these combine together and what will result. 

It seems to me that Jupiter and the Moon in Gemini, and Uranus in Aries, will drive the day despite the either visionary or escapist tendencies of Neptune, and that means a restless spirit, clever action, and the wheels of the mind working smartly. It also means that we’re emotionally attached to putting our message or our mission out into the world with the certainty of our right-ness (rightousness?) – that’s the Jupiter part. And we could certainly be feeling the need for independence and freedom. 

Speaking of independence and freedom – today is the public inauguration of President Obama! The planets are really set up beautifully with his birth chart for this event, and it should be fun to watch how he uses these really positive energies. The Moon and Jupiter are triggering his Chiron/Pluto opposition though, so we should watch for any woundedness from the past and possibly some emotional power plays that could emerge. But I think for the most part we’ll see a very confident face and lots of optimism.

And again, speaking of independence and freedom – what a great sky we have for honoring one of our nation’s greatest heros, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We’ve got Neptune for his dream, Jupiter for his vision for the future, and Uranus symbolizing his life as a catalyst for new paradigm. All connected to the Moon – our emotional selves and our country. Perfect. 

For most of us, this can prove to be a very social day – so don’t sit still somewhere alone if you can help it. And enjoy! 

Hey! If you want to be sure not to miss any of the future posts of “By the Light of the Moon” please find the box on the right of any page on this site that says “Follow Astrology with Michelle Gregg via Email” and click “Follow Me!”  

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Go to my Facebook page, Astrology with Michelle Gregg and give me a like! Then anytime I post, the goods will show up in your Facebook Home scroll. 

January 14, 2013 – By the Light of the Moon – Today’s Moon in Pisces

Moon-Pisces

That lustrous orb that sweeps our oceans to and fro is also the harbinger who describes and defines our day-to-day fluctuating energy. As the face of the Moon is ever changing, so are the feelings and intuitions that push and pull us through our daily rounds. The sign of the Zodiac the Moon occupies changes about every 2-and-a-half-days and as she orbits she makes different connections to other planets, touching all of them in different ways as she speeds her way through the sky. Each of us will resonate to the energies of the flirting, capricious Luna in different ways and with different reactions according to the energies of our own birthcharts – our own dispositions and levels of consciousness. However, this comes as a guide to help you understand which fickle face our Lady Moon is showing today.

If you know your birthchart, or at least your Sun, Moon, or Rising signs (or better yet – all three – and if you don’t know any of them, maybe it’s time for you to send me an email) knowing where the Moon is playing and who she’s playing with will help you understand how to navigate your day and why you may be feeling the way you are or why you’re having the reactions or responses that you’re having. 

I’m going to try to write this everyday for you – or at least, most days. No promises being made here, but I hope the days I manage it, that you’ll find some peace, and maybe even gain a little edge, in knowing. I want to dedicate this effort to Kat. She told me that she missed my posts. So Kat – this if for you. If any of you enjoy this lovingly crafted energetic gift – please let me know! It will help to keep me motivated to continue…

(The above 3 paragraphs will be repeated each “By the Light of the Moon” post, so if you’ve read it before and know it by heart, just skip to the stuff after the … All times given in this column are Eastern time. )

Mmmmmmmm… A dreamy Pisces Moon. And connecting to its ruler Neptune this morning. (Plus rain if you’re living in the Southern USA). NOT a great recipe for leaving our slumberous reveries, getting out of bed on a Monday and getting back to work – unless you’re a poet or an artist or musician. Then this is your moment to be inspired.

The Moon in Pisces asks us to emotionally connect to all that is, to dissolve boundaries and see grace and beauty in everyone and everything. Because it washes away our hard edges and the lines we’ve drawn in the sand, we can connect to others and to all energy in ways that filter through our usual parameters; psychically, sensitively, and with compassion. Pisces, and its ruler Neptune, seek Divine love. They seek inspiration and transcendence. They seek to leave reality and linger in the world of imagining, the world of imagery, the world of glamour. (“Glamour” as the more ancient definition of “the appearance is made different from the reality.”) When the Moon is in Pisces, the Universe wants to inspire us.

When the Moon is in Pisces we may have trouble separating the truth from the fantasy. We may vacillate when it’s time to make a decision, and perhaps be more prone to a little self-sacrifice, particularly if we have strong placements in Pisces or a prominent Neptune in our birthchart. The downside of this gentle, tolerant Moon is the need to escape, so be forewarned that addictions you thought had been tamed can re-service or just simple checking out – getting lost in daydreams or having a bit too much wine – if things get too stressful. 

Sensitivity is high today, so tread carefully with those you know are thin-skinned, and be aware that you may fall into that category moreso today than usual yourself. 

Early evening we may find that imagination and creativity are high, as is romance and the longing for redemption via deep, profound emotional experiences… the Moon connects with both Venus and Pluto this evening. We also have a connection from the Moon to Jupiter, so watch for overextending your heart, but roll with the search for meaning. And as the Moon and Chiron, the Wounded Healer, conjoin, be aware that emotional places inside that you thought were healed may arise again for attention. There can also be the opportunity for deep self-healing, or for feeling compelled to mentor and hold another safe through a challenging spot. 

The best possible use of these energies today is to be open and responsive to the Spiritual – whatever and however that may come to you. There is so much beauty to be found there!

Hey! If you want to be sure not to miss any of the future posts of “By the Light of the Moon” please find the box on the right of any page on this site that says “Follow Astrology with Michelle Gregg via Email” and click “Follow Me!”  

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Go to my Facebook page, Astrology with Michelle Gregg and give me a like! Then anytime I post, the goods will show up in your Facebook Home scroll. 

January 12 & 13, 2013 – By the Light of the Moon – Moon in Aquarius!

That lustrous orb that sweeps our oceans to and fro is also the harbinger who describes and defines our day-to-day fluctuating energy. As the face of the Moon is ever changing, so are the feelings and intuitions that push and pull us through our daily rounds. The sign of the Zodiac the Moon occupies changes about every 2-and-a-half-days and as she orbits she makes different connections to other planets, touching all of them in different ways as she speeds her way through the sky. Each of us will resonate to the energies of the flirting, capricious Luna in different ways and with different reactions according to the energies of our own birthcharts – our own dispositions and levels of consciousness. However, this comes as a guide to help you understand which fickle face our Lady Moon is showing today.

If you know your birthchart, or at least your Sun, Moon, or Rising signs (or better yet – all three – and if you don’t know any of them, maybe it’s time for you to send me an email) knowing where the Moon is playing and who she’s playing with will help you understand how to navigate your day and why you may be feeling the way you are or why you’re having the reactions or responses that you’re having. 

I’m going to try to write this everyday for you – or at least, most days. No promises being made here, but I hope the days I manage it, that you’ll find some peace, and maybe even gain a little edge, in knowing. I want to dedicate this effort to Kat. She told me that she missed my posts. So Kat – this if for you. If any of you enjoy this lovingly crafted energetic gift – please let me know! It will help to keep me motivated to continue…

(The above 3 paragraphs will be repeated each “By the Light of the Moon” post, so if you’ve read it before and know it by heart, just skip to the stuff after the … All times given in this column are Eastern time. )

I’m posting today for both Saturday and Sunday, Jan 12 and 13… just because I don’t want to write tomorrow. 🙂 A day off after 5 on will feel good. 

The Moon is in Aquarius both days as of 4:01 AM Eastern time today. The feeling is quirky, upbeat and erratic. It’s time to tune into yourself as unique, and tap into what you have to offer that is original – whatever is yours and yours alone to give. The more your gifts are intended for the greater good the better. The need to be independent and free could pervade the weekend… particularly for those of us who are naturally geared that way; those of us with planets and points strongly associated with Uranus, Jupiter or Mars, or in the signs Aquarius, Sagittarius and Aries. It could be easy to detach emotionally these next couple of days – or we could notice others near us pulling away, needing some space. Just know that it’s not you… it’s that energy of Aquarius that asks us to detach for the long-view perspective. 

The Moon is approaching Mars today and will make direct contact early, early tomorrow morning, so I’d say that there’s a chance that tempers could rise. Things could get pretty heated. Alternatively, there could simply be an abundance of high energy to tap into. The need for something new, exciting – some fresh air – is pervasive. With Venus squaring Uranus – expect the unexpected when it comes to relating with those you’re closest to, and with what you’re willing to spend your money on. You might find something out of the blue, think it’s absolutely irresistible and make an impulse buy. ‘Course, you could do that with a lover as well! Sudden splits and sudden attractions… that’s the feeling. Just bear in mind that these impulses are TEMPORARY and don’t make any outrageous decisions unless a catalyst is what you’ve been waiting for. 

For the majority of us, it’s a great time to simply take advantage of some bright, happy, upbeat energy that offers a much needed lightness of being. Intelligent discourse is a possibility as well as unexpected dazzling new ideas from your emotional genius. Give them space to breathe and take life!

Oh! Keep in mind the Moon is Void-of-Course ALL DAY on Sunday – 3:37 AM until 8:20 AM Eastern time on Monday, a couple of hours after the Moon moves into Pisces.  During a Void Moon it’s best not to jump whole heartedly into left brain activities. The right brain – our creative side – is much more comfortable at these times!  Expectations are likely not to be met during a Void, and it’s easy to “miss the boat.” Don’t plan important practical, logical, linear, or legal stuff during this time, and don’t push a situation expecting to get what you want. That might be a challenge with that challenging Venus/Uranus connection this weekend, so just be aware! And logical, linear stuff is the stuff of Aquarius, so enjoy that irony. (For more on the Void-of-Course Moon click here.)

Have fabulous weekend! See you on Monday!

Hey! If you want to be sure not to miss any of the future posts of “By the Light of the Moon” please find the box on the right of any page on this site that says “Follow Astrology with Michelle Gregg via Email” and click “Follow Me!”  

OR

Go to my Facebook page, Astrology with Michelle Gregg and give me a like! Then anytime I post, the goods will show up in your Facebook Home scroll. 

Full Moon in Aquarius on August 1, 2012 – Be Unique and Expansive!

The gorgeous Full Moon! Be unique and allow your originality to shine during the next 2 weeks!

Tonight’s Full Moon is looming and the energy is UP! Nervy, initiating, expansive, original, rebellious, optimistic, and dare I say – possibly a bit combative?

The Full Moon occurs in Aquarius at 11:27 PM Eastern Time on this first day of August 2012. A Full Moon in Aquarius means that the Sun is in Leo and these two luminaries are playing in the sky exactly opposite to each other. We can look at that in a couple of ways – either we see it as Ego vs. Emotions; or we see it as an opportunity to balance the desires of the Ego with the pull of our Emotions. The latter is win-win if we can manage it. The former is a battle.

As is true for all Full Moons, this is a period of culmination – of flowering and illumination. Did you begin anything, plant any sort of seed, near the Cancer New Moon on July 19, 2012? Today marks halfway through that cycle, so consciously take note of your circumstances now to establish how to proceed. Alternatively, this could be a culmination point of something you began around the time the Moon was last New in Aquarius, just over 6 months ago on Jan. 23, 2012.  Perhaps it’s time to take stock of how those New Year’s resolutions are panning out? (Remember those?) That cycle resolves just before Feb. 10, 2013, so again, this is a great mid-point to see what’s being shown in the light either to let go of, proceed with, or change.

With the energies that are present right now (huge influences from Uranus and Jupiter on just about everything) I’m thinking CHANGE and expanding your awareness to include the new and exciting is what to be open to (note I did not say “act on.”) Here’s a potential mantra that is quite apropos: “I must risk disapproval from others and be true to my own unorthodox ideas in order to develop the deeper and more satisfying feeling of self-approval and to broaden my worldview and the way I live within it.”  Risk. That is classic Uranus/Jupiter ideology right there. Everyone who can get down with that say “AMEN!” If you have planets in Aquarius or Leo, or both, think deeply about this mantra. Let it go to work inside you. Again, I said “think.” I didn’t say do. 

Mercury is still Retrograde until August 8, so taking direct action on new, fresh and exciting ideas isn’t advised, though you must CERTAINLY be having them. Researching those ideas, collecting them, ruminating on the best possible new directions – that’s all good! This is a very mental Full Moon with a great emphasis on the Air signs which stimulates the mental processes. And admittedly there is emphasis on Fire as well and Fire wants to move… but Uranus IS Retrograde in Aries with Mars in close proximity to Saturn. That’s to say that some restraint is called for – some grounding due to make the most of this part of the Moon’s cycle. I get the sensation of chomping at the bit, or being ushered into the starting gait waiting for the shot to sound. A little more waiting is in order and this can make the most patient of us edgy and uncomfortable. 

Possibly the best parts of this Full Moon are the Jupiter connections. Jupiter is in happy conversation with the Moon, the  Sun,  and Mars lending, on the up-side, a level of generosity of spirit, nobility, optimism and self-assurance. True feel-good stuff. There is wisdom to be gained and our ethics are stretched wide to push our boundaries farther abroad. But we must also take a look at the down-side potentials as well: overextending, promising what can’t be delivered, soap-boxing and self-righteousness. So be aware of these tendencies in yourself and if they emerge, look realistically at what you can accomplish, council yourself wisely and open to other opinions around you that may be just as valid as your own. 

The bottom line here is to allow your high energy to come out to play, but try to stay grounded and don’t embark on new ideas just yet – and keep your temper in check. Enjoy the positivity that’s in the air and be social! And please, come out with your unique-ness, your originality. There are opportunities to be had through them! I’ll restate that in case you slipped right past it – there are opportunities to be had by being your original and unique self! Just remember that today is NOT the day (nor are the next two weeks) to let others tell you how to be –  just as it IS the time to allow others to be who they uniquely are and to be accepting of them. In this way, by wearing our own uniqueness proudly while allowing others the same due, we can best use this Full Moon’s energy.

(Didn’t say this above, but communications with folks might not go as expected. A bit blurry, and can be irritating – Mercury quincunx Neptune. And if you can do romance – Venus trine Neptune – without too much talking, all the better.) 

For you students of astrology, here is a line-up of the aspects in the Full Moon in Aquarius chart:

Planetary Aspects in the Full Moon in Aquarius Chart.
August 1, 2012 at 11:27 PM Eastern.

The New Moon in Aquarius Chart.
Aries wheel drawn for Aug. 1, 2012 at 11:27 PM Eastern.


 

The Birth of the New Year – 2012

Happy, Happy New Year!!! Welcome 2012!!!

Happy New Year One and All!! Birth chart for 2012 - Aries Wheel at midnight.

Intensity of Spirit, Purpose and Emotion welcome us in the first moments of 2012… There’s plenty of fiery enthusiasm and exuberant communication in the air in this New Year and the necessity to balance practicality, strong resolve, perseverance and commitment with high spirits, new ideas, unexpected change and polarized perspectives.  Soul healing is possible if you watch for the opportunities… Happy 2012 Everyone!!

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!

Today’s New Moon in Leo – Express Yourself and Feel the Love

 

New Moon - Dark of the Moon

New Moon - Dark of the Moon

heartThis is a special New Moon indeed. It lets us know that despite all that’s awry right now in our world, despite all the challenges that we face both personally and collectively, we are still a world filled with love. Leo is the ruler of the heart – both the actual physiological pump and the feelings that are stored and emitted from that wondrous organ of life. And the sign Leo is ruled by the Sun – that burning orb of expression. What we have then is our expressive selves becoming love through our emotional awareness. Mmmmm. Lovely.

If we’re becoming love, it stands to reason that we become loving of ourselves. And that’s perfect, because if we love ourselves, we express ourselves without guilt or fear, just as does the Sun. We love, we express, and then we are loved in return via the expression of others. The New Moon in Leo can bring out a win-win love fest for all of us if we a) let it happen, and b) express it!

And that’s not all. This New Moon in Leo is opposite Neptune, Chiron and Jupiter in Aquarius. Now we’re talking BIG UNIVERSAL love. We’re talking feelings that take us out of ourselves and into a higher dimension. Agape, an ancient Greek word has several meanings. It’s translated into English as “love”, but our love has too many meanings to do this word justice. It’s not “eros” or intimate, erotic love; it’s not “philia” or brotherly love. My favorite definitions of “agape” are “unconditional divine love” and “wide open”.  Take this New Moon and allow your love/heart center to be wide open, and to express what’s coming up and out of it in a universal, unconditional way.

 

Sliver of a New Moon

Sliver of a New Moon

Start something from your newly wide open, self-loving and unapologetically self-expressive heart today. In 14 days at the Full Moon, see if something loving comes to fruition as a result and then blossoms to fullness just before the next New Moon. And remember too that whatever you begin today and in the next couple of days, has both a six-month and 1-year cycle that’s being put into play. When you see the slightest sliver of the Moon in a day or two, remember what you’ve read here, and commit to a new start in self-love. Be wide open with your heart and accepting of universal, divine, other love, be expressive of your heart – your deepest desires and most wondrous joys.

Start love.