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Sagittarius Full Moon - 17 June 2019

6/16/2019

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Picture
Exact at 9.30am BST, 4.30am EDT
 
 
A Sagittarius Moon always holds the potential for injecting us with a nice dose of hopeful optimism! Sagittarius is a very enthusiastic sign that encourages us to aim high and shoot for the stars. Nothing is impossible as far as this adventurous, philosophical and freedom loving sign is concerned. The sky’s the limit! Sagittarius Full Moons are generally quite high energy and tend to give us a bit of a boost of hope, no matter how we are feeling at the time. With the Sun currently in curious and communicative Gemini sitting directly opposite the Moon in expansive opinionated Sagittarius, this could be a time of increased communication and sharing of beliefs, not to mention envisioning what we might want for our future. Sagittarius is a very forward thinking sign that like to look at the bigger picture, so we may we find ourselves contemplating some ideas that at other times may feel more scary or impossible to consider. Sagittarius, however, is the part of us that doesn’t allow fear to hold us back from a good adventure!
 
 
Jupiter, the ruler of Sagittarius, is sitting right next to the Moon, which strengthens this sense of us contemplating what out future might look like. Jupiter is currently in Sagittarius, which is a very natural place for the planet of faith and hope to be. Jupiter is a very jovial planet and Sagittarius definitely helps us to find our sense of humour and not sweat the small stuff. The Sabian symbol for Jupiter is quite evocative and pertinent to the situation we find ourselves in globally at the moment, at 19° Sagittarius: “Pelicans menaced by the behaviour and refuse of men seek safer areas for bringing up their young.” which Dane Rudyar describes as “The need for people concerned with the future to discover a new way of living and more wholesome surroundings.” This symbol invites us to not only look ahead and contemplate how we may help future generations on a global level, but also to consider what we might need on a personal level to ensure a better future for ourselves. What changes might we need to make in our lives to make them more wholesome?
 
 
Neptune is also squaring off against Jupiter during this Full Moon; an aspect that peaked on June 9 but is still very strong now. This could cause some confusion about what to believe in and could even bring a crisis for faith. However, it does challenge us to dare to dream and envision a brighter, better future. However, as Neptune is particularly adept at creating smoke screens, we may find ourselves dreaming up some impossible things for ourselves that have no basis in reality. Neptune and Jupiter do like each other and have a lot in common, including faith, so ultimately this could be a very expansive, hopeful time when we can use our imaginations to contemplate and envision the life we would like for ourselves. Of course, Neptune does always bring the potential for disillusionment and deluded thinking. This combination could potentially be a recipe for blind faith. Jupiter wants to shoot for the stars and Neptune can make us believe it’s possible. And indeed, why wouldn’t it be possible? We are only limited by our own imaginations.
 
 
We are approaching Eclipse season, which represent a time of endings and beginnings, and this Moon feels like it is somehow a forerunner for the next couple of Eclipses. The Nodes are a very big part of the picture at the moment, as they are heavily aspected indeed. Mercury and Mars are joining forces for this Full Moon, sitting right on top of the North Node in Cancer. There is the potential for us to be very honest with ourselves and to be brave enough to bring into conscious awareness any old childhood patterns that may still be running the show and holding us back. We might find ourselves delving into old material from our childhood or ancestry that will give us important information that could help us to move beyond our more entrenched, stuck, destructive emotional patterns. Saturn is moving back once again to join the South Node, and is opposing Mercury and Mars. What old karma do we need to clear to move forward? What emotional material have we stuffed down so far that it still has an impact on our here and now? What to we need to face in ourselves that we might prefer not to admit to? What walls or barriers might we benefit from dropping?
 
 
What old Karma is coming back to bite us? Are we brave enough to do the necessary self-enquiry in order to move past our old patterns once and for all? Are we able to recognise how we might be contributing to the old system? How are we sacrificing our emotional well-being for the sake of our career or outer facade? How are we helping to perpetuate the old way of being by paying into a system of greed, domination and subjugation? How does the past keep repeating itself, over and over again and what might we need to do to break the cycle? How is our relationship to our parents and authority figures playing itself out within our current life and relationships? Mercury and Mars certainly could help us to bravely ask the necessary questions of ourselves and others to help us to understand and make sense of some of the more troublesome habits and patterns that keep us prisoner and prevent further growth.
 
 
Pluto and Saturn are dancing with each other for the whole of this year as we build up to the Saturn Pluto conjunction in January 2020. We are being shown the dark side of Capricorn, which is revealing the rot in the power structures in a way that makes it impossible to turn a blind eye. The darker side of the patriarchal system is hard to avoid right now, but at least it is out in the open for all to see. On a personal level we have an opportunity for a full on purge of our old conditioning as we are forced to see it for what it is and to be extremely honest with ourselves about how it affects our present day reality. No stone must be left unturned, as we fully face our demons and recognise what is holding us prisoner, if we are brave enough to take a journey into the underworld and see what treasure might be lurking there. This year is a time of reckoning, there is no doubt about it, and Mercury and Mars could help us to be brave enough to be very honest with ourselves and others and do some very valuable inner work that can help us to move forward and grow. If we are wiling to truly step up and face ourselves and do the necessary purging, how different our lives might look!
 
 
This is a full on Full Moon, there is no doubt about it! Mercury and Mars are an integral part of the picture for this Moon, as they are also in aspect to the Jupiter Neptune square. Open and honest communication is called for here, as we have an opportunity to get some difficult and uncomfortable material out onto the open. True, there is the potential for blurting things out that we might usually prefer to keep under wraps, but whatever is revealed is probably better out than in! This Moon gives us a chance for some open and candid communication and some brave decisions to be made that could help us to step closer to our true heart’s desires. Sagittarius encourages us to aim high and remember that life is a grand adventure! Sometimes a bit of faith is all that is needed to take a leap forward, leaving all of our old beliefs, patterns and limitations in our wake. We are only limited by our own imaginations. Anything is possible.
 
 
Much Love
 
Amy
Xoxo
 
 
Picture: The Simple Act of Aiming High, by Ric Nagualero
 
 

 
 
 
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GEMINI NEW MOON - Monday 3 June 2019

5/29/2019

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Exact at 11.01am BST, 6.01am EDT
 
We are now in Gemini season, which has the potential for many opinions being thrown around and for our minds to be more active, not to mention our lives. Gemini energy can be likened to a butterfly flitting from flower to flower spreading ideas and information around like pollen , picked up from one place and then shared elsewhere. With Gemini we become very aware of how energy follows thought and how what we think can end up manifesting as reality. What the mind can conceive the body can achieve! This is a good time to be as aware as possible of what our minds are up to; watching the internal chatter and stories we tell ourselves, and also monitoring what comes out of our mouths. There is, of course, the potential for gossip when we have the Sun and Moon and Mercury in this sign that likes so much to spread information around. The truth can easily get distorted as the information travels down the line, much like Chinese Whispers.
 
Gemini is the sign of the twins, which could literally mean being in two minds or having two very strong sides offering their argument or opinions, and also brings the potential for duplicity or two-facedness. We may not know what to think or believe with so much indiscriminate information flying around. There is so much information at our finger tips nowadays, but it can be hard to separate fact from fiction. Fake news is probably a Gemini invention! We live in an age whereby our attention spans are getting shorter and shorter, and this could become all too apparent during this Moon as our minds flit from one topic to another and it is hard to concentrate. There is a light, youthful quality to Gemini and so Gemini season does have a fairly light-hearted, restless, busy feel to it. This is a very curious, flexible and adaptable sign that likes to have its fingers in many pies, so we might find that the pace is quickened during this Moon, with more communication and very active minds.
 
Jupiter and Neptune are a big part of this Moon, as they are forming the second of three challenging square aspects to one another, while also challenging the Sun and Moon. The first Jupiter Neptune square was exact on January 13, while this second one is currently building strength and will be exact on June 17. The third pass will occur on September 21. This combination could mean that we literally don’t know what to believe, as the “truth” could be shrouded by smoke screens and deceit. We may be more susceptible than usual to indoctrination, as people could be very convincing, overzealous and dogmatic in putting forward their beliefs and version of the truth. It is very important for us to use our powers of discernment and discrimination to separate the wheat from the chaff when it comes to any information we may receive during this time. People may try very hard to convert or convince us of something that is not true at all. We could easily be blinded or taken in by glamour, enchantment or propaganda, as the potential for deception is very strong.
 
This combo could cause us to put our faith in things that have no basis in reality and that lead us down the proverbial garden path. Jupiter and Neptune can bring beautiful visions, helping us to shoot for the stars and stretch beyond our own limitations, but it is important that we do so with our eyes wide open, as we could be more gullible and trusting than usual during this transit. It is so important to have faith and trust, but this combination could either cause us to trust indiscriminately and could equally bring experiences that burst the bubble, causing us to lose hope and to feel profoundly disillusioned. There is the potential for experiencing severe delusions, as our perception of reality is clouded.  We could have the most amazingly spiritual visions, only to find out that they were in fact smoke screens. We could feel like we are in limbo land, not knowing how to move forward or what lies ahead. Our imaginations could run wild, which could be amazing but could equally take us in completely the wrong direction! It is important to take a step back before we assume anything or jump to conclusions without having all the facts. Anyone with personal planets between 17° and 23° of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces will probably feel this energy most acutely.
 
The Nodes of the Moon are in the spotlight at the moment, with Saturn moving back towards the South Node and Mars moving towards the North Node. We are being made all too aware of what is broken in our society at the moment, and how the systems that govern us are so horrendously flawed and limited. With Saturn on the Capricorn South Node we are being shown things as they really are, and the picture isn’t exactly pretty. Combined with the Jupiter Neptune square this brings the potential for people to lose hope and experience feelings of futility. One of the big lessons of this Cancer/Capricorn Nodal axis, both personally and collectively, is to admit when we don’t have the answers. Showing a bit of vulnerability and letting go of the need to have everything under control allows for another way of doing things. There is no shame in asking for help. In fact, it takes a lot of strength and courage to let down the capable veneer and stoicism and open ourselves up to the help of others. However, when we do, it allows people to see beyond the protective walls we have erected and to help us to find new solutions that we might not have thought of on our own.
 
Mars is currently moving towards the Cancer North Node, helping us to find the courage to do just that; to show our more vulnerable side. Whenever a planet joins the North Node its energy is helping us to step towards the energy of the sign that the North Node is in. With Mars and the North Node joining forces in Cancer, we are being encourages to be brave enough to show our emotions and to fight for what we really believe in. Cancer represents the home, the family, our tribe and our ancestral roots. Cancer is the mother, the nurturer, and invites us to embrace some more inclusive, matriarchal ideals, stepping back from the rat race and the pressure to succeed and remembering what is more important. This society we are living in creates so much pressure to “get ahead” and make a success of ourselves, but at what cost?
 
Mars in Cancer motivates us to stand up for causes that we really believe in and to focus on our inner world instead of so much time and energy being spent on our outer life, such as career, status, reputation and getting ahead, all of which involve maintaining the veneer of control. What truly nourishes us and brings a sense of emotional security? Where in our lives are we pushing ourselves too hard? Where might we need to let go of control? How might we benefit from showing a bit of vulnerability and asking for help? What might things look like if we were to admit that we don’t have the answers? What is most important to us, when it comes down to it? What do our protective walls look like and why were they erected in the first place? How might we be able to soften them? How might we better communicate when we feel hurt rather than slipping into our conditioned behaviour and putting up walls? How might we change our life if we could? In what way are we our own worst judge and how have we experienced judgement from others? How does this fear of judgment impact our decisions and behaviour? What can we do to help future generations based on what we have learned?
 
The Sabian symbol for Mercury, the ruler of Gemini, is interesting, at 28° Gemini: “Through bankruptcy, society gives to an overburdened individual the opportunity to begin again” which Dane Rudyar describes as “A release from unbearable pressures, freeing one for new tasks.” and “A society that enthrones the principle of ruthless competition must also develop mechanisms to exteriorise the principle of compassion”.  Sometimes, when things hit rock bottom, the only way is up, although it might be hard to see a way out. However, this symbol does give a sense of hope and a chance for redemption. Not only that, but there is a sense of compassionate support from  community. There is a feeling of starting fresh and wiping the slate clean, free of pressure, finding a new way of approaching our lives. This symbol is quite evocative, and seems to reinforce the story of the Cancer/Capricorn Nodes.  
 
As ever, the New Moon represents a time when seeds are sown for the month ahead. Something is left behind in the dark of the Moon and we experience something new being born. In Gemini this may take the form of a new idea or concept that then moves on to blossom and grow over the course of the month ahead.  What messages do we send ourselves regularly? How might we need to be more mindful of what we say to others? What messages are we receiving from the outside world at the moment and are they to be accepted or questioned? Indeed, what messages did we receive in childhood that we have internalised and still have an influence over our behaviour in the present day? How might our own minds be misleading us? Gemini is a very flexible, adaptable sign and so we can harness its power and open ourselves up to change. There is no sign that better understands the power of thought to influence our reality. During this Moon we are invited to really pay attention to our thoughts and the messages we receive from others.  
 
“Be Impeccable With Your Word. Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.” Don Miguel Ruiz
 
Much Love
 
Amy
Xoxo

Picture: Trying to Find the Right Words by Jack Zulli
 

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SCORPIO FULL MOON - 18 May 2019

5/15/2019

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SCORPIO FULL MOON – Saturday 18 May, exact at 10.11pm BST, 5.11pm EDT
 
This is a powerfully potent Full Moon that is asking us to really face ourselves and let go of whatever is not serving us anymore. It falls on the Taurus Scorpio axis, which represents accumulation and elimination, and as such we may need to examine where and how we are bogged down either materially, emotionally, physical or spiritually. What unnecessary baggage are we dragging around with us? Are we staying in a situation, relationship, job or living situation simply because it is safe, secure and comfortable? How might we benefit from shedding some skin? Are we too self-reliant or too enmeshed in relationship? What is our relationship to power? Are we self-empowered or giving our power away? How might we manipulate people or situations in order to maintain control? How might others be manipulating us? Are we able to recognise our shadows and own up to the parts of ourselves that aren’t so pretty? How are we with intimacy? Are we able to be vulnerable enough to admit our fears and show our tender underbelly, or do we deny and hide the darker, less desirable aspects of ourselves? These are all questions to ask as the Moon moves towards its fullest expression in Scorpio on Saturday.
 
The Sun is currently coming to the end of its stay in practical, stable and security conscious Taurus and is sitting directly opposite the Moon in powerful, intense and metamorphic Scorpio. Full Moons tend to play out in the realm of our relationships and represent the time of the month when whatever has been simmering beneath the surface comes to a head and finds a way into the open. And this Moon is no exception! While the Taurus part of us likes things to stay the same and resists change because it threatens our sense of safety and security, Scorpio encourages us to strip away any unnecessary baggage and, if necessary, walk across a burning bridge and not look back. The Taurus part of ourselves can get a bit bogged down in the material world, becoming quite possessive about our things and the people we love. Scorpio reminds us that nothing is permanent in this life and that change, transformation and loss is inevitable. Nothing can stay the same forever. The more we cling on to people, possessions or situations, the more painful it is when they are taken away.
 
This Scorpio Full Moon may demand that we be truly honest with ourselves about some uncomfortable material that we would usually rather not admit to. This is an ideal time to get out of our stagnant ruts and purge any emotional patterns or habits are preventing growth. Indeed, we may have no choice in the matter!  It is very interesting that at the very same time as the Moon reaches its peak, retrograde Saturn and the South Node of the Moon are also joining forces for the second time, forcing us to look our past squarely in the face. Saturn, the Great Teacher, impels us to take the rose tinted spectacles off and see things as they really are, rather than as we would like them to be. We are given an opportunity to review our past and recognise our repeating patterns without the filter on, so that we can see the stark reality and truly take responsibility for what we find. It might not be comfortable and we might have to be really honest with ourselves, but the rewards will be great if we are able to do so.
 
Saturn is helping us to see our South Node patterns in a realistic light, which is a serious gift, as hard as it may be. Wherever the South Node is found in our chart, by sign and house, shows the tendencies, habits and behavioural patterns that are comfortable and familiar to us but which may hold us back from growth. This past month, and this Moon in particular, seem to be giving us an opportunity to reminisce on our past as it actually was and to recognise how the past might be repeating itself. The Scorpio Full Moon forces us to be truly emotionally honest and get any uncomfortable material out from under the carpet so that we can understand ourselves better. We could either succumb to feelings of guilt, shame , futility or self-judgement or we can simply look at whatever comes up and learn from it.
 
With the South Node currently in Capricorn we are currently being shown, both personally and collectively, how the less desirable aspects of the Capricorn experience may be holding us back. While Capricorn teaches us about integrity, discipline, authority, control and responsibility for our actions, in its more distorted form it can bring patriarchal dominance, hard control, fear, rigidity, feelings of guilt, authoritarianism,  feelings of futility, repression, conservatism, intolerance, suppression of emotions, rigidly conforming to the rules, judgement and old, suppressed grief. Capricorn is that part of us that tends to put up a capable front and stuff down our emotions, often out of the fear of being judged or deemed incapable. It’s that part of us that doesn’t express our true feelings because we don’t want to seem needy or irrational. It is the conditioned part of us that is still acting out unhealthy behavioural patterns formed in childhood.
 
The Cancerian North Node, however, is showing us that there is great strength in being vulnerable and allowing others to help us, and in being honest and open about our needs and feelings. It’s ok to let go and admit that we don’t have the answers and might need a helping hand. In fact, beautiful things can happen as a result! Saturn is currently showing us how trying to maintain control over everything is not working for us anymore, either personally or collectively. We are seeing very clearly how we are reaping what we have sown in the past. Indeed, we are seeing the past repeating itself within collective in rather uncomfortable ways. The old order being revealed exactly for what it is, in its stark reality. The flaws in the system are painfully apparent at this point and it is important not to succumb to feelings of futility and pessimism about the future.  So many grassroots movements are springing up to show us another way of doing things that values and supports the wellbeing of the community and future generations
 
While the Capricorn South Node emphasises success in the outer world and “keeping up with the Joneses”, and the societal pressure to make something of ourselves, the Cancer North Node is pulling us forward, reminding us of what really matters in life, such as our inner world, our tribe and our emotional wellbeing. Cancer invites us to step towards the more matriarchal values of care-taking, nurturing and peace-making, while maintaining the more positive Capricorn qualities such as integrity, discipline and a sense of responsibility for ourselves and our actions. Neptune is currently forming a helpful sextile aspect to Saturn and the South Node, helping us to remember that we are all in this together and to treat ourselves and one another with kindness, compassion, sensitivity and acceptance. Neptune helps to dissolve boundaries and to drop the walls that we have erected to protect ourselves so that our true essence can shine through.
 
Venus and Uranus are joining forces in Taurus during his Full Moon, bringing the potential for some wake-up calls, epiphanies and sudden surprises to occur within the realm of our relationships, values, self-worth and finances. Taurus, as mentioned above, is the part of us that likes to stay safe and secure and finds change quite unsettling. With Venus, the ruler of Taurus, sitting right next to the Great Awakener and harbinger of sudden change, we may experience some turbulence and change, especially if we have personal planets around the first few degrees of the fixed signs Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. While our inner Taurus may prefer the safe, comfortable route, Uranus is not a planet known for helping us to feel comfortable or secure, as it has a rather erratic, unpredictable energy. This Full Moon could make us very aware of just how quickly things can change, and that the world that we are currently living in is inherently unstable. Uranus can ultimately bring new vision and an innovative approach to our financial system and to the ecological crisis that we are facing. It is important that we ride the waves of change rather than resisting them. Sometimes things have to break down before we experience breakthrough. 
 
The Sabian symbol for this Moon, at Scorpio, is: “The king of the fairies approaching his domain”, about which Dane Rudyar comments: “beyond both outer nature and the realm of the proud ego, a spiritual world exists to which the intuitive consciousness of man can pay allegiance…... In an individual sense, this principle is the Self. …….The presence of a spiritual unifying factor begins to be sensed by the individual perhaps weary of the outer shows of his culture” This symbol brings a sense of coming back to where we belong, to our Higher Self and our spiritual centre. It also shows a need for a different type of power and leadership that stems from a humble place of spiritual connection rather than from ego or greed. We are asked to step up and embrace our own power that comes from within rather than trying to take others power in order to feel powerful ourselves. True leadership commands respect naturally and does not exploit others.
 
This Moon packs a punch, that’s for sure! Issues around power, authority, judgement and control could come to the fore for us to look at realistically and with a sense of personal responsibility. This Moon could bring some kind of reality check that forces us to get some uncomfortable material out into the open. We have an opportunity for some purging of old patterns, as we become more aware of where we may be stuck or holding on for the sake of security.  The past has much to teach us at the moment, although what we see when we look back may not be very easy to face! However, it seems that there is the potential for seeing ourselves more clearly, which fosters a greater self-awareness and the capacity to recognise the patterns that might be repeating in our lives. Both personally and collectively we are seeing the past repeating itself. It is up to us how we respond to it this time. Are we going to make the same mistakes, going back over old ground, or is there another way? Scorpio is the sign of death and rebirth. What needs to die in order to be born anew?
 
Much Love
 
Amy
Xoxo
 
Picture: Phoenix by Natasa Tomic
 

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TAURUS NEW MOON - 4 May 2019

5/1/2019

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Exact at 23.45pm BST, 6.45pm EDT
 
This New Moon highlights our sense of self-worth and survival instinct, and asks us to contemplate what we truly value and give meaning to in our lives. It also calls into question our relationship with Mother Earth herself.  New Moons represent a mini death and rebirth in the area of life symbolised by the sign they are in, which is Taurus, and the house in which it is found. Something may need to fall away in the dark of the Moon in order for new energy to come in as the Moon starts to wax towards fullness again. This is an ideal time to plants seeds and set intentions, as the soil is especially fertile now. Taurus asks us to contemplate what we need to feel safe and secure, and how we are relating to ourselves in terms of our self-worth, self-confidence, self-esteem and the inner dialogue we have with ourselves. Our inner vibration, inner magnetism and inner relationship with ourselves all have a direct relationship with what we attract into our lives, physically, emotionally and materially. As within, so without! This is a good time to be very mindful of the internal messages we we send ourselves and to monitor any feelings of insecurity or self-doubt that might be preventing us from attracting what we would wish for into our lives.
 
Taurus is that part of us that knows how to take care of our own needs and become self-reliant, self-sufficient and self-sustaining, both emotionally and physically. Rather than looking outside of ourselves to have our needs met, we learn to look within and nurture our own innate capacities and inner strength. Wherever Taurus is found in our chart shows were we have the talents and abilities that help us to survive in the world. It also shows where we are most resistant to change and may tend to get stuck in a rut. This New Moon is an ideal time to work on our relationship with ourselves and to recognise how our outer reality is a reflection of our inner vibration. What do we need to feel safe and secure? Are we able to take care of our own needs or do we rely too heavily on others? Do we truly feel like we deserve love and abundance? Do we have fears around money and survival? What are our innate abilities that help us survive in the world? What do we truly value most in life? Where are we most resistant to change? Are we overly self-reliant or too dependent on others? What might need to change internally in order to attract what we need externally?
 
The Sun and Moon are forming a harmonious trine aspect with Saturn and the South Node of the Moon, which are very prevalent right now in the cosmos. These two joined forces in Capricorn on 30 April, but the energy is still strong. This Moon could give us the capacity to see our old conditioning for what it is and to recognise how it can still tend to run the show. We have a chance to go backwards in order to move forwards, looking at our familiar patterns with a critical, realistic eye and seeing how the past still governs our behaviour in the present. Issues around control and suppression of emotions could come up, as could material around societal or parental conditioning and specifically the legacy of the dark side of fatherhood, the patriarchy or authority figures. Any issues or difficulties from our past that we may have around our relationship with our fathers or authority figures could come to the surface now to be examined.
 
We are being asked to really see, with open eyes, the more detrimental patterns of our own South Node and how is impacts our lives and relationships. The South Node is our Achilles heel; our greatest vulnerability and the set of habits and patterns that feel oh so familiar and oh so old at this point! This Moon could really help us to recognise and work on this karmic material and to see it for what it is, in a realistic, sensible light. It can also help us to “grow up” somehow and take responsibility for the old patterns that keep repeating through our lives; for that “old chestnut” that has come up so many times at this point. Saturn also went retrograde on the 30 April, and so Saturn and the South Node will meet again on 4 July and one last time on 28 September, so this is the beginning of a karmic maturation process that will impact us both personally and collectively. We are being asked to really take responsibility for our South Node issues now. On a collective level we are being made very well aware of the dark side of Capricorn in terms of our societal structures, government and the patriarchal system. It’s completely impossible not to see the flaws at this point!
 
Venus, the ruler of this Moon, is forming a square to Saturn, Pluto and the South Node of the Moon. This energy will be building over the next week, as Venus exactly squares the Node on May 6, Saturn on May 7 and Pluto on May 9. Venus square the Nodes could have a profound effect on our relationships, as we are forced to recognise how our old patterns and conditioning govern the way we relate to those we hold dear. We all have habits and tendencies that come from our childhood experiences and tend to have a sabotaging effect on our relationships. This next week could definitely highlight any control issues, or power struggles, emotional suppression or inhibitions around intimacy and sharing that we may have within our relationships. We may find ourselves going back over old material that we thought we has already resolved, or recognising our more compulsive patterns of relating that seem to come from a buried place deep within our subconscious. We may be forced to look at how we put protective walls up, shutting people out instead of allowing ourselves to be vulnerable and share how we are truly feeling.  This next week could certainly bring a reality check to the realm of our relationships.  
 
Venus and Mercury are still in brave, honest and forthright Aries for this Moon, combined with Mars in Gemini. This brings the potential for open, honest discussions whereby we have the opportunity to lay the cards out on the table and get any uncomfortable material out into the open. There is no hiding where Aries is concerned, but rather we are asked to be brave and say what we mean and mean what we say. Mars is forming a crisis inducing aspect to Pluto and Saturn during this Moon, which could bring up some rather intense material. Mars and Saturn are not very comfortable together with this aspect, so we may feel held back somehow from acting or speaking, either through guilt, inhibition, control, authority or our old conditioned habits. Saturn inhibits our Martian capacity to act and assert ourselves, so this could be a bit frustrating. With Mars in Gemini we may feel a strong urge to speak our minds, while Saturn puts the breaks on and makes it difficult to do so. We may also have to deal with boundary issues in some capacity. This aspect is exact on 1 May, but will still be prevalent during the New Moon.  
 
Mars and Pluto in aspect is an intense combo that holds the potential for profound transformation and moving past our limitations, but not without a bit of difficulty. There could be some kind of power struggle, or a battle within ourselves. This combination could bring some uncomfortable, thorny issues out into the open, although there is the potential for us saying things that are a bit below the belt. Our more compulsive, conditioned habits and behavioural patterns could cause us to act or speak in ways that we can’t control very well. It could feel like we are on some kind of auto-pilot, with our behaviour and actions at the mercy of our subconscious fears and desires. However, some amazing insight into our psyches could come out of this process, uncomfortable as it may be! This aspect is exact on May 5, and is very prevalent during the New Moon.
 
The Sabian symbol for this New Moon is “Head covered with a rakish silk hat, muffled against the cold, a man braves a storm”, which Dane Rudyar describes as “The courage to meet the crisis precipitated by social ambition. The man with the silk hat has seen some of his ambitious efforts bring him social success; but he learns that often ‘nothing fails like success.’ The storm may be within him, or it may attack his social status. He is ready to face it daringly. This shows a willingness to accept crises and to go on through them – and therefore great character, the soil upon which a higher kind of consciousness may develop.” This symbol shows the capacity to put on a brace face when confronted with crisis and “weather the storm”, but the silk hat could also point to a tendency to be so self-sufficient and dignified, “putting up appearances” so that we don’t allow others to see that we might need help.
 
There is a lot of deep and karmic material being churned up at the moment, and so this earthy Taurus Moon can help us to recognise how we can strengthen our relationship with ourselves and Mother Earth. Neptune in Pisces is also helping out with a nice sextile aspect to the Sun and Moon, imbuing this Moon with the spirit of unconditional love, compassion and empathy. Combined with Saturn’s dose of realism, common sense and clear boundaries, this Moon could help us to navigate through some choppy waters as we are forced to confront some ancient material that we have faced many times before. This is a great opportunity to see our South Node patterns for what they are, but in order to do so it is quite possible that we will find ourselves in their grips so that they are so glaringly obvious that we can’t possibly avoid them. Neptune and Saturn could help us, however, to be both grounded and accepting of ourselves and others, and to take responsibility for whatever comes up. This is a powerfully transformative time, on many levels.
 
Much Love
 
Amy
xoxo
 
Picture: Unknown

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LIBRA FULL MOON - 19 April 2019

4/17/2019

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Exact at 12.12pm BST, 7.12am EDT
 
This Full Moon is a powerful one indeed, falling in the very last degree of Libra and on Good Friday, a powerfully symbolic day in the Christian calendar. It is also the second Full Moon in Libra as the previous Full Moon was in the very first degree of Libra, which is unusual because we usually only have one Full Moon per sign during the year. Libra is the sign of balance, which of course means that there is the potential for us to experience imbalance, opposing sides or seesawing between extremes. Libra may seek balance, but can also find it quite hard to achieve! The Full Moon occurring in the last degree of a sign brings a feeling of completion and dissolution; a sense of things coming to a peak, of finishing and tying up loose ends before moving into the next sign. This Moon feels very significant as it marks the end of a cycle, with the Moon moving into Scorpio an hour or so later and the Sun moving into Taurus the following day.
 
The planetary rulers of this Full Moon are Mars and Venus, the cosmic lovers, representing the Divine Masculine and Divine Feminine. Ultimately this is the balance we seek, between our inner masculine and inner feminine. Relationships are highlighted whenever Aries and Libra are involved. Aries represents self-love, assertion, independence and freedom to follow our own instincts while Libra represents relationship to other, harmony, equality and compromise. They involve a delicate balancing act, relationships, as we are asked to tend to the relationship itself while at the same time not losing sight of our own needs. Aries helps us to stay true to our own path and to say no when we need to, while Libra helps us to truly listen to others so that we can truly understand their needs. A mixture of both approaches is helpful!  This Full Moon could bring to a head whatever has been bubbling away beneath the surface within our relationships, bringing it out into the open so it can find full expression.
 
During this Moon we have both of the harbingers of change, Pluto and Uranus, forming a hard aspect to the Sun and Moon. Pluto represents death and rebirth, while Uranus brings sudden events that can bring radical change, wake-up calls and revelations. There is a strong sense of things ending and beginning during this Moon. Mercury, the planet that represents our thought processes and communication, has finally left confusing, unclear and illusory Pisces and moved into honest, forthright and assertive Aries, marking quite a shift in the way we think and communicate and make decisions. Mercury is not entirely at home in Pisces, as it can foggy our thinking and cause our minds  to feel overwhelmed, so he’ll be happier and more decisive in Aries! Venus, the ruler of this Moon, is also getting ready to change signs, moving from compassionate, empathetic and sensitive Pisces into independent, brave and forthright Aries. If we have been dithering about making a decision then Aries will help us out! It’s time to be brave and take action!
 
With Mercury and Venus both moving into Aries there is a sense of a shift in the way we relate and communicate. Aries energy is very direct and doesn’t hide anything, so this could be a good time to lay the cards out on the table! Mercury is sitting right next to Chiron the Wounded Healer during this Moon, so we could have some very honest, open conversations that have the capacity to either hurt or heal, or both!  This combination could really help us to say things that we may have been reluctant to say before, and could also involve being more honest with ourselves than we have been in recent times. Venus moves into Aries on Saturday and joins Chiron on Tuesday 23 April, which could bring some uncomfortable material out in the realm of our relationships. Honesty, assertiveness and openness can really help us to get our feelings out into the open, which is a beautiful thing, although sometimes the truth can hurt! Better out than in, however. Aries energy is very impulsive and spontaneous and doesn’t have an agenda, but it also doesn’t have a filter, so it does bring the potential for things being said or done that can’t be taken back.
 
This next week involves Saturn and the South Node of the Moon getting closer and closer together in Capricorn, with Pluto not far away either. Saturn and the South Node will join forces on 30 April, but the energy is building now. This energy is very powerful indeed and very appropriate for a Full Moon on Good Friday, as the themes of death and rebirth are rife with this combination. We are being shown the starkest, darkest aspects of power, control and authority at the moment as Saturn shines the harsh light of reality on all things Capricorn, such as government, the power structures of our society, our parental and societal conditioning and the patriarchal system.
 
This is a very karmic time, when it is becoming all too clear how the past keeps repeating itself and the toxicity of our current system is all too apparent. The old way is simply not working anymore and it is time for a restructuring to occur, both personally and collectively. The more we resist the necessary change, the harder it will be. It is very interesting and symbolic, what happened to Notre Dame this week, in terms of the death by fire and the “falling” of the old system and the upsurge of love, compassion, unity and togetherness that has risen from the ashes. “Our Lady”, or the Divine Feminine, will be resurrected, and with it a new  way, one based on mutual values, faith and the idea of working together in the spirit of love, unity and compassion.
 
This is such an important year for us, with Pluto and Saturn dancing around each other and the South Node of the Moon. It is time to step up to the plate. We cannot ignore what needs to change anymore. This is showing itself both personally and collectively. There is a sense that the darker side of power, authority and control will continue to be revealed and exposed so that we literally can’t hide from it anymore. Pluto exposes the rot, revealing the flaws in the system, and then tears the whole system down so that something new can rise out of the ashes. Saturn can help with creating a new structure to take the place of the old, failing system.  And this process will be occurring both internally and externally; both within our own personal lives and within the global arena.  As within, so without.  As above, so below. What is happening outside of ourselves is merely a reflection of our inner reality.
 
The pressure is on to move from Capricorn to Cancer: from hard control to softness and caring, from holding it all together to admitting we don’t have all the answers, from suppressing our emotions to allowing them to flow freely, from needing to “succeed” to focusing on home and family values, from putting up the walls to allowing ourselves to be vulnerable. What happens if we let go of the need to be on top of everything and “in control”? What happens if we let our proverbial walls down? We allow others to help and offer their input. We work together.
 
The Sabian symbol for the South Node, at 22° Capricorn, feels very appropriate: “By accepting defeat gracefully, a general reveals nobility of character” which Dane Rudyar describes as: “The realisation that one may grow through defeat as well as, and perhaps more than, through success”.  This symbol “presents us with the possibility of turning apparent external defeat into an inner spiritual achievement. We have recently seen how totally vanquished nations (Germany and Japan) have leaped forward and achieved great economic success. Much depends on the quality of the will and the inner integrity of the person.” It is interesting that the South Node, which represents the past, is on such a symbol right now. Sometimes it seems as if everything is lost, when in fact more is gained on a spiritual level than we think. All is not necessarily as it seems. A seeming disaster can be our greatest gift. Integrity is essential.  
 
Jupiter is also retrograde in Sagittarius at the moment. It went retrograde on 11 April and will remain so until 11 August. This gives us a chance to go back over the ground we have covered since January and possibly discover a deeper truth around what has happened since then. In June and September Jupiter will revisit the square to Neptune that occurred in January, which could signify a crisis in faith that forces us to examine our beliefs and what we put our faith in. Neptune represents oneness, unity and spirituality, while Jupiter represents our beliefs and philosophies. This combination could force us to examine what we truly believe and could also show the disparity between certain religions and true spirituality. Indeed, Jupiter retrograde could cause us to reassess and re-examine our beliefs, both about ourselves and life itself. Once again, Notre Dame seems significant, as it is a place of faith. Do our faith and beliefs need to be burned down in order to be reborn again? Where might we have lost our faith and what might reignite it? Are we able to see the bigger picture? How can we rediscover a sense of hope and optimism?
 
This does feel like a powerful Moon indeed and it feels like a new chapter. There is a sense of things falling away in order to make way for new energy to come in. Old beliefs, patterns, conditioning, systems and habits are all under scrutiny at the moment; an old order is passing away and it’s important not to hold onto it but rather to let go with grace. We’ve never been here before, and so it would be easy to fall into fear and to cling to the “familiar” and the known, but there is actually nothing to hold onto because it is crumbling. All we can do is look forward and take one step at a time into this unknown territory. It’s important to keep our eye on the bigger picture and have faith that all is unfolding exactly as it should and is part of a larger plan that will reveal itself in the fullness of time. Sometimes things have to get so extreme, and start to crumble and crack, and that is when the light has a chance to shine through.
 
Much Love
 
Amy
xoxo
 
Picture: Unknown
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ARIES NEW MOON - 5 April 2019

4/1/2019

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Exact at 9.50am BST, 4.50am EDT
 
This Moon may be in brave, pioneering, independent Aries, but there is also a lot of planetary energy in sensitive, compassionate and inspiring Pisces at the moment! This actually creates a lovely balance between the independent, pioneering nature of Aries and the tender, intuitive nature of Pisces. Pisces has the dreams while Aries can put them into action!  This enables us to be brave and honest while also coming from a place of unconditional love. This is a time of new beginnings, whereby we allow something to be left behind in the dark of the moon so that something new can take its place. It is a mini rebirth of sorts. This is a time for planting seeds so that they can grow and flourish over the course of the next month. There is a lot going on in this cosmos of ours at the moment, so a bit of Aries courage, decisiveness and motivation is definitely welcome! Aries is that part of us that is willing to face our fears and step into unknown territory. It is also that part of us that is able to put the cards on the table and get everything out into the open. Aries invites us to trust our instincts to lead us in the right direction.
 
It helps that Mercury is now direct after the retrograde of all retrogrades!!This particular Mercury Retrograde was also in elusive, right-brained and down-right confusing Pisces while sitting right next to Pisces’ ruler Neptune! It is not surprising that chaos has reigned and people have been so incapable of making concrete decisions! This energy could literally cause our minds to be completely overwhelmed and prevent us from thinking clearly at all! It could also bring free-floating anxiety and the potential for some confusing misunderstandings.
 
Over the course of the next week this energy will be abating, although Mercury and Neptune are still partnered up. However, now that Mercury is moving forward instead of backwards, this combination does bring the potential for interactions to occur that come from a place of unconditional love and profound empathy. It also helps us to come up with some inspired and imaginative ideas.  Neptune and Pisces remind us that we are all in this together, helping us to see beyond the ego and relate from a place of truth and compassion. With Venus, the planet of relationships, joining the Pisces party we have the potential for us to really be able to open our hearts and tune into one another, seeing beyond our usual protective walls and relating to one another’s true essence. Venus is moving towards Neptune over the coming week and the energy will peak on 10 April.
 
In the meantime, we have a veritable symphony involving the outer planets at the moment that is profoundly transforming and also quite unsettling! We have Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn, exposing the rot in the power structures and systems, both globally and personally, and bringing about a much needed restructuring process.  At the same time we have Uranus in Taurus shaking up our sense of material and financial security, which of course makes sense when so much is unsure and changing in our world! Taurus is that part of us that likes to feel safe and secure and resists change, while Uranus is the planet of wake-up calls, sudden shocks and upheaval. This combination is bound to create some feelings of insecurity! We humans do tend to resist change and fear the unknown, and we are certainly veering into uncharted territory right now on many levels!
 
 There is an unsettled feeling in the air, which wasn’t helped by Mercury retrograde because everything was so unclear, making it hard to see where we are going or to make any decisions! Hopefully now we will be able to think clearly, which could help us to transform unsettled feelings of fear into excitement about the possibilities that lie ahead.  Uranus is also making us all too aware of what needs to change regarding our treatment of Mother Earth. It is time to radically change the way we approach this growing crisis and Uranus should help us to come up with some alternative and visionary ideas on how to do this, as well as potentially creating a new approach to our financial system. However, sometimes things have to break down before we are able to have a breakthrough. And then of course we have Neptune in Pisces, helping us to open our hearts and feel profound compassion and empathy for the suffering of others, while also bringing the potential for overwhelm, burying our heads in the sand, deception, propaganda, numbing out and escapism. Neptune reminds us that we all come from the same melting pot and that what happens to one has in impact on us all. We are not separate. We have to remember this.
 
However, the most prevalent energy at this moment is the approaching conjunction between Pluto and the South Node which peaks on 4 April, followed by Saturn conjunct the South Node which peaks around 30 April. We are currently being called to clear old karma and to purge our old patterns that are simply not working for us anymore. Pluto calls for us to be really, truly honest with ourselves and to have a long hard look under the proverbial carpet and bring out into the open whatever we have hidden away there. It is time to step into our power; not power over others, which is the old way, but our true power that comes from within and also empowers everyone else who comes into contact with us. The Cancer North Node reminds us that there is great strength in allowing ourselves to be vulnerable rather than trying to control ourselves and others in order to somehow feel safe and protected. True vulnerability involves admitting that we don’t have it all figured out and that we are human. It involves allowing people to see who we really are, beyond our façade.
 
We all have an inner Capricorn – that part of us that suppresses our real feelings and tries to control people, situations and our reactions out of fear or to somehow feel safe. That part of us that contracts and puts the walls up, shutting others out when we are hurt or afraid. We are being asked to recognise this and make way for a new way to come in. We are being encouraged to soften and allow whatever emotions are there to emerge. To allow others to see that vulnerable part of ourselves, and by so doing, we allow both our heart and theirs to remain open rather than contracted. To let go instead of holding on too tightly. To let our inner child meet the other person’s inner child. To show how we really feel rather than putting up appearances. To admit when we are scared, can’t cope and need help, or don’t have the answer. To admit that we’re not perfect. To let others see that part of ourselves that we tend to protect and keep hidden. To be honest about feeling hurt instead of closing down.  To let the walls and defences fall.
 
This could be a time of profound realisations and insight into our more unhelpful patterns and conditioned habits. We have a chance to be really honest with ourselves and others, helped by this Aries Moon, and to recognise what needs to transform in our lives. The past is meeting the future and now we have a chance to do things differently and write a different script. We have been here before, but how can we transmute it this time and turn the lead into gold? What are our particular walls that we put up in order to stay safe?  We are in the midst of a profound shift and have the potential to transform some very old karma and purge some deeply entrenched, familiar and unhealthy habits and patterns. We are being called to really step up to the plate and operate from a plate of integrity and vulnerability. We are being asked to be brave, self-reflective and honest and do the inner work necessary to step out of the darkness and into the light.
 
The Sabian symbol for the degree of the Pluto / South Node conjunction, at 24° Capricorn, is “A woman entering a convent”, which Dane Rudyar describes as “Total commitment to a transcendent goal”. This symbol reinforces the feeling that this is a time to turn within and be willing to do the inner work. However, one could also see how going into a convent could involve turning away from societal pressures and also denying or supressing the need for earthy pleasures. 
 
The Sabian symbol for the New Moon itself is a beautiful one, at 16° Aries: “Nature spirits are seen at work in the light of sunset”, which Dane Rudyar describes as “attunement to the potency of invisible forces of nature” and an invitation to open our minds to “the possibility of approaching life in a holistic and nonrational, intuitive manner….the process of ‘becoming like a little child’”. This, again, encourages us to put our rational, sensible adult down and allow our inner child to come out that has the absolute faith that we are always guided and protected. Even when things may seem dark and bleak and hopeless there are unseen forces at play that we are unaware of. On another level, maybe this is also an invitation to become more aware of and honour the nature spirits in order to help heal our relationship with Mother Earth.
 
This Moon feels very hopeful indeed. It feels like we are being given a chance to take a big step forward, with the courage and honesty of Aries and the sensitivity and compassion of Pisces. This is the first New Moon of the astrological New Year and so it feels like a good time to start fresh, shedding our old ways and moving forward, all shiny and new! There is a sense of innocence and naivety about Aries and we are being asked to cultivate some of that energy for this Moon. Like the Fool in the Tarot, we are encouraged to remain open and curious, and even though we may not know where we are going we are invited to keep our hearts open and bravely take a leap of faith and step into the unknown. We have been here before but it’s time to do it differently this time.
 
 “There is a strength in vulnerability, in facing your demons and knowing that kindness is more important despite of them. To be vulnerable it to be brave” Chrissie Pinney
 
Picture: Unknown
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LIBRA FULL MOON - 20 / 21 March 2019

3/16/2019

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Thursday 21 March, exact at 1.42am GMT, exact on Wed 20 March at 8.42pm EST
 
This feels like a very significant Moon indeed, as it coincides with the Spring Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. In fact, the Moon reaches its peak of fullness only two and a half hours after the Equinox which is the moment when the Sun moves into Aries. The Spring Equinox heralds a new chapter; a new cycle of development, and Aries itself is an incredibly brave, pioneering sign. When I think of Aries I always picture a shoot pushing itself out of the hard ground after a long winter. What courage, bravery and instinctual intelligence it takes to push up out of the darkness, and what a strong desire to become the plant or flower it is destined to be! Sometimes the way may not be clear to us, and what lies ahead may feel unknown and a bit scary, but we feel compelled to take the plunge nevertheless, trusting that we will end up where we need to be. Such is the energy of this Full Moon and Equinox. The Sabian symbol for the first degree of Aries is quite evocative “A woman just risen from the sea. A seal is embracing her”.  
 
The Pisces New Moon two weeks ago asked us to rest, turn within and simply listen, opening ourselves up to the guidance of the universe and looking out for the signs that will tell us what comes next. With Mercury retrograde in Pisces, this is certainly not a time to make any concrete plans or decisions, but rather to take time to reflect and listen to the quiet voice of our intuition and the whispers of insight and guidance from the spiritual realms. Mercury will remain retrograde until 27 March, and while it is getting ready to turn direct will stand still for five whole days in exactly the same degree as Neptune, Pisces ruler. If things have got a little bit confused or unclear during this Mercury retrograde, then Mercury about to turn direct while joining forces with Neptune could completely befuddle us, causing ridiculous miscommunications or even deceit to occur and overwhelming our minds with fear, fogginess and paranoia. On the other hand, it could really open our minds up to other dimensions, helping us to access our intuition and compassion more easily and to open ourselves to spiritual guidance in whatever form it takes. Pisces and Neptune often don’t make sense in any concise, concrete, rational, linear way, so this time could be amazing for meditation, contemplation and spiritual insight but not so good for logical, clear and definite communication and decision making!
 
This Full Moon is taking place on the relationship axis, with the Moon in Libra, the sign of “I balance” sitting directly opposite the Sun in Aries, the sign of “I am”. The key to the Full Moon is finding the balance between the energy of the two signs rather than veering too far in any one direction. Aries is that part of us that needs the freedom and independence to follow our own desires and instincts, allowing them to lead up along our own path of discovering who we are and what we are here to do. Aries is brave, bold and spontaneous and is that part of us that feels the fear and does it anyway. We are now entering Aries season, which will last a month. Libra is the part of us that seeks to relate to others, as it is through the mirror of relationship and by comparison with others that we discover who we are. Libra seeks to achieve true equality within relationships, and is adept at the art of listening to other people’s needs. Libra helps us to truly understand the concept of compromise.
 
 
However, both of these signs can go too far. Aries can become a lonely place if we only think of ourselves and aren’t willing to compromise our own desires or listen to the needs and wishes of others. Similarly, if we spend all of our time thinking about other people’s opinions on what we should do and sacrifice our own needs for the sake of others then we lose ourselves and allow ourselves to be knocked off our own path. The Aries part of us needs to be able to act on our instinctual desires and think for ourselves rather than being too swayed by others. The Libra part of us needs to truly listen to others without projecting our own needs or agenda onto them, and by so doing has the capacity for a beautiful balance of give and take. And how can the two signs help one another? The Aries part of ourselves can actually learn a lot about “I am” through the mirror of relationships, while the Libra part of ourselves can greatly benefit from learning to say no and keeping our sights on our own mission here on earth.
 
This Full Moon could bring to the surface any imbalance we have between the energy of the two signs. This is especially so because we have an almost exact square-off between Mars and Venus, the two rulers of Aries and Libra. This brings the potential for a certain amount of friction within our relationships during this Moon, whereby our passions could run high but we may somehow assert ourselves inappropriately! It would be a good time, however, for getting things out into the open and may also help us to recognise where and how our needs aren’t being met.
 
Chiron the Wounded Healer is a big player during this Moon, sitting right next to the Sun in Aries and opposite the Moon. This holds the potential for us truly discovering who we are and what we are here for, and shining the light of our higher essence out into the world. Chiron and the Sun in forthright Aries could help us to be really honest with ourselves about our purpose and what we are really here to do and could also give us the bravery and passion to follow our bliss and fulfil our sense of a higher destiny. Feel the fear and do it anyway! Chiron can, of course, bring a certain amount of pain, making us all too aware of our primary wounds and insecurities, but so often our deepest pain can become our greatest gift that we have to offer humanity. Where we are wounded we can heal others! With Chiron opposite the Moon we do have the potential for some pain or discomfort to come up through or from our relationships, as others could point out things or do something that could trigger our old wounds and make us a bit reactive or defensive. However, there is a gift here if we are willing to be open, self-reflective and honest with ourselves and to recognise that any angry reaction or defensiveness is pointing to something that is unresolved within us.  Otherwise it simply wouldn’t bother us!
 
There is an interesting phenomenon occurring during this Moon, in that we have Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Pluto, the Nodes of the Moon, Vesta, Pallas Athene and Black Moon Lilith all on or around 23° of the signs they are in! As such, anyone with planets around 23° could have quite a lot going on during this Moon! The Nodes of the Moon are certainly getting a lot of action at the moment, which could really help us to move forward and take a step beyond our old, familiar patterns into some uncharted and unfamiliar territory. We are being encouraged to take a leap of faith, moving past our old conditioning and opening ourselves up to growth and giant step forward towards our destiny. Wherever our South Node is in our natal chart, by sign and house, shows the familiar tendencies, habits and patterns that come very easy to us but might also be holding us back. Wherever the North Node is, by sign and house, represents what we might need to move forward and grow, even though it may feel deeply uncomfortable and we might resist it greatly!
 
Right now we are being called to our North Node, which could involve us stepping way outside of our comfort zone and embracing all that we might usually resist! However, before we do so we may have to deal with some old karma. Pluto and Saturn are both sitting on top of the South Node in Capricorn at the moment, which is a very big deal. Issues around power, powerlessness, control, patriarchal authority and our parental and societal conditioning could be holding us back in the past and preventing us from moving forward. Possibly there is some kind of profound choice we have to make in order to let go of the past and step forward towards our destiny. We may be all too aware of our more compulsive and habitual patterns and tendencies that simply no longer serve us and are preventing us from taking the plunge and allowing ourselves to step towards that proverbial North Node. This could be the moment when we have a chance to clear our karma and recognise how our learned responses and behaviour are hindering our growth. We may also become all too aware of how we are repeating patterns. We have been here before, and if we actually heed the gift of hindsight then we have a chance to recognise the call for change and voluntarily make the right choices before they are forced upon us!
 
Pluto and the South Node are the first to join forces, exact on 4 April, which feels like a very important moment for our evolution, both personally and collectively. How is the past repeating itself? Have we been here before? What needs to pass away for us to move forward? What choice do we need to make in order to grow and evolve? What can we learn from looking back into the past? What structures or support systems need to pass away in order for something more appropriate to take their place? How are we holding ourselves back through guilt, fear and a need for security?
 
Saturn and the South Node then move towards one another, exact on 1 May. This is an interesting time indeed, when the power structures are under scrutiny and we are thrown back into the past, hopefully so that we can learn something in order for us to evolve. This is a time when we are really being asked to step up and embrace our true power; the kind of power that comes from within, not power over or against others. However, we may become all too aware of how power and authority is used in the name of greed and personal gain. We have a chance to clear some karma here, but not without some very uncomfortable reality checks! The old ways simply aren’t working anymore, and this combination of Pluto, Saturn and the South Node should make this acutely apparent.
 
The Sabian Symbol for the midpoint between the Sun and Moon, at 1° Cancer, is “On a ship the sailors lower an old flag and raise a new one” which Dane Rudyar describes as “A radical change of allegiance exteriorised in a symbolical act: a point of no return.” There are some times in life when we have to make a choice. Either we act or something happens that there is simply no coming back from. This seems like one of those moments – a turning point; a decision; a transformation. What needs to change in our lives in order for us to grow?  What old patterns are holding us back? What seeds have been gestating during Pisces season that are getting ready to burst out of the ground? With this powerful Full Moon/Equinox a new cycle is beginning. There is a sense that either we voluntarily choose to make changes that we know we need for our growth or we wait for them to happen anyway. We have been here before. We have a chance make the right choice this time.
 
Much Love
 
Amy
xoxo
 
Picture: Spring Tree of Life by Robin Quinlivan
 

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PISCES NEW MOON - 6 March 2019

3/2/2019

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Exact at 4.03pm GMT, 11.03am EST!
 
This is a powerfully potent New Moon as not only is it in Pisces, the penultimate sign of the zodiac, but Neptune, Pisces ruler, is also in exactly the same degree as the Moon! This certainly brings a double dose of dreamy, empathetic and spiritual Pisces energy to this New Moon. Each month, at the New Moon, we experience a mini death and new beginning in whatever area of life the Moon is found in our chart. During this process, whatever is no longer serving us is left behind in the dark of the moon and the seeds are planted for something new to form in its place. While we are in this phase, leading up to the time of the New Moon, it is a good time to be quiet and reflective, and a perfect time to meditate and receive guidance. This is called the Balsamic phase of the Moon and balsamic means to yield to balsam, which means soothing and restorative. Pisces itself occurs in the balsamic phase of the entire zodiac, and so this particular moon really asks us to let go, slow down, turn within, rest and sleep more and pay attention to our dreams.
 
Pisces is that part of us that yearns to connect with spirit and seeks to dissolve and emotional, physical or spiritual barriers preventing a conscious connection with the Divine. Wherever Pisces and Neptune are found in our chart, as well as the signs and planets found in the 12th house, show the way we find it most natural to develop spiritually. Neptune and Pisces represent the mystic in us, but also the part of us that is prone to delusions and wearing the proverbial rose tinted spectacles! Pisces is that part of us that would prefer to bury our head in the sand and pretend that something isn’t happening rather than have to face the reality of whatever we are dealing with. One of the big lessons of this sign is to learn to see and accept things as they really are and also to stop projecting ultimate meaning outside of ourselves, but rather we need to find it within. With Pisces we are invited to recognise what is rather than creating illusions/delusions or fantasies that reflect what we think we want. Disillusionment can occur wherever Pisces and Neptune are found in the chart, but this is a necessary part of the spiritual process; seeing this as they really are and acceoting them anyway.
 
Questions we might ask ourselves during this Moon are: What do I use to escape or avoid reality? What methods can I use to form a more direct connection to Spirit? Do I need to develop my spiritual practice? What are my dearest and most heartfelt dreams and wishes? Where in my life do I tend to project my ideals and fantasies rather than seeing things as they really are? Where and how do I fall into victimhood or “poor me”, feeling that I am at the mercy of “fate” or forces larger than myself? Do I listen to my higher guidance or do I block it with mind chatter? What are my dreams trying to tell me, and am I paying attention? Am I open and alert to the signs for the universe? Do I need to work on my boundaries? Am I too empathetic and sensitive, or do I need to develop more compassion for my fellow man/woman? What are my blind spots; what unconscious beliefs and tendencies do I project outside of myself that trip me up over and over again? How can I be more consciously aware and present? How can I be more honest with myself? Do I need to get more rest? Do I spend enough time in nature? Am I open to seeing the magic in the everyday?
 
It is interesting that Neptune is right next to the Sun and Moon, heightening our sensitivity and compassion and blurring the boundaries between us and spirit, between fact and fiction and between “us” and “them”. This influence reminds us that we are all connected and that what happens in one part of the world has an impact on the whole organism. We are not separate beings, much as our ego might like us to think so.  Saturn and Mars are also part of the story, forming helpful aspects to the Sun, Moon and Neptune and also to each other. This energy can help us to take responsibility for and act on whatever guidance we receive from our own intuitive hunches or the signs and omens that the universe provides us with during this time.  Pisces and Neptune are great for inspiration, dreams and fantasies, enabling us to have the visions and helping us to connect to spirit, but they don’t exactly help us to ground it into reality! Mars and Saturn, however, are currently both in practical, grounded Earth signs, helping us to actually get up and do something about our intuitive hunches and guidance! There truly is a wonderful blend of intuition, guidance, spiritual connection, inspired action, discipline, responsibility and drive with this combination of planets!
 
Vesta is also part of the Pisces party, as she is also in the very same degree as the Sun, Moon and Neptune. Vesta has priestess energy and was worshipped as Goddess of the Hearth and keeper of the Sacred Flame. Vesta refused to marry and her energy in the chart is that of someone who is “untouched” by relationship. Often when Vesta is prominent it symbolises a need to  cyclically withdraw from the enmeshment of relationship to come back to oneself and become whole again; to find out who we are and align with our own path. Vesta also represents the work we must do in order to fulfil our dharma, which is our true, higher purpose and that which will bring us happiness in the truest sense of the word. Sometimes sacrifices have to be made in order to follow our own personal quest. Vesta represents dedication and commitment to one’s path, true devotion, spiritual and magical ritual and ceremony and the capacity to sacrifice relationships or family, if needed, to follow one’s chosen path.
 
Vesta’s prominent presence during this Moon could help us to transmute our karma into dharma. In other words, what repetitious and unhealthy patterns, habits and tendencies formed in the past are preventing us from stepping up to the plate and accepting our mission on earth for this lifetime? How can we align with our true path and the reason that we are here? How can we truly be of service to humanity? All of this Pisces and Neptune energy, combined with Vesta, suggests that using magic, ceremony and ritual, devoting ourselves to a spiritual practice, turning in and meditating more and truly opening ourselves up to spiritual guidance during this Moon could really help us to connect with our “raison d’etre” and align with our true destiny. How beautiful!
 
There is so much going on during this Moon that feels powerful and worth commenting on! Not least of which we have Uranus literally going into Taurus at the EXACT moment that the New Moon is exact! As Uranus finishes off his 7 year journey through brave and assertive Aries it has been interestimg to see the teenagers harnessing their righteous anger about climate change and developing their own form of revolution! Let’s see what happens as Uranus moves into stable and security conscious Taurus, as it could manifest in a variety of ways. Uranus and Taurus are not two energies that naturally gel with one another!  Taurus is that part of ourselves that has a tendency to get stuck or stagnate because we fear change, finding it hard to see our way out of whatever situation we are in. Uranus seeks to shake up the status quo and force change upon us, which could upset our sense of security but could also bring a lot of excitement and new vision into our lives. So often we don’t make change unless it is forced upon us, but once we do it really clears the qi and can be incredibly liberating!
 
Taurus represents our talents that give us a sense of self-worth and the means by which we make a living, and Uranus could potentially release and reveal talents and abilities that we have supressed, buried, lost and long forgotten, specifically in the area of life where Taurus is found in our natal chart. We could experience fluctuation, breakdown or revolution with regard to our personal and collective monetary system and may be forced to find more inclusive, progressive and ingenious ways to deal with money and finances. For instance, bartering could become more prominent by the end of Uranus’s stay in Taurus. Taurus also represents Mother Earth and the natural world, and while Uranus could shake things up and make us all too aware of what needs to change, we could also experience  a massive upsurge in eco-friendly enterprises and sustainable living. In fact, by the end of the next 7 years, this will probably be more of the “norm”.
 
It is interesting to watch the symphony of the outer planets at the moment, all with their part to play in what happens in the next year or so, both personally and collectively! Saturn, Pluto and the South Node are all coming together in Capricorn at the moment, calling into question any old, antiquated power structures and also bring the past to meet the present in ways that are quite uncomfortable and also very revealing. On a collective level we are seeing the past repeat itself and the dark side of power and the patriarchal system make itself painfully obvious. One can only assume that there is method to the madness and trust in the process. Certainly there is the potential for a thorough detoxing and restructuring with Pluto and Saturn involved. The financial uncertainty and change that Uranus in Taurus could bring makes perfect sense given the current climate! Pluto and Saturn combined are calling for us to step into our true power and truly take responsibility for ourselves and all that we are. Combined with the South Node in Capricorn we may become all too aware that we reap what we sow, as we are called to be completely honest with ourselves and clear any karma and conditioning that is preventing growth.
 
And then there is Neptune in Pisces, the lead player in this New Moon, reminding us that ultimately we are all in this together! On the one hand we may just prefer to bury our heads in the sand, avoiding and escaping reality through drink, drugs, television, movies, computer games, sleep and even meditation! However, there is also the potential for awakening and enlightenment through staying completely conscious and present, dispelling illusions and trying to remain as aware of ourselves and our sabotaging tendencies as we possibly can. Eckhart Tolle talks about the personal and collective pain body and how it can literally “take us over” at times of stress and duress, but if we can become more consciously aware of when it is happening, learning to step back and “watch” ourselves, then we will be much closer to finding true peace and enlightenment. We certainly have the opportunity to see the collective pain body right now, in spades! It couldn’t be more glaringly obvious and any Neptunian, sensitive and empathetic types would be feeling that most acutely.
 
We are going through a massive shift right now and many feel of us feel that we are in a process of transition. This New Moon certainly feels like it is a big part of this process, and Neptune and Pisces ask us to keep the faith and trust that, whatever is happening in our lives and how unclear everything may seem, we are being guided in the right direction. We are invited to open our hearts to signs and guidance and then simply surrender and allow the flow of the river to take us where it will. Of course that it easier said than done sometimes, as our minds seek to control the outcome and know for certain what is coming next!
 
The Sabian symbol for this New Moon, at 17° Pisces, is “An Easter Parade”, a symbol which evokes a feeling of hope, faith and renewal and which Dane Rudyar describes as “participation in collective peak experiences” and says that “the Image of the Resurrection  spurs all men…to dynamise themselves in some kind of self-renewal  in response to the Christ mythos, and to the call of nature’s springtime as well. Wherever found, this symbol emphasises the value of attuning one’s life activities and moods to the ritualistic patterns of society or Earth-nature, rather than acting in complete independence from the group”. This certainly brings a feeling that we are all in this together! How can we help heal the earth? What in us is being resurrected right now?  How can we help ourselves surrender to the process? What needs to pass away so that we can be reborn?
 
“Sometimes a change in perspective is all it takes to see the light” Dan Brown
 
Much Love
 
Amy
xoxo
 
Painting: Hosanna in Excelsis Deo – Worku Goshu
 

 
 

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February 17th, 2019

2/17/2019

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VIRGO FULL MOON  – Tuesday 19 February, exact at 3.53pm GMT, 10.53am EST
 
This Full Moon is the second of three full moon/supermoons in a row, and also the second of three full moons in the very first degree of the sign they are in, which makes it feel like we are currently entering new territory.  In fact, this is the largest moon of this year, being the closest to the earth. Supermoons have a stronger impact than usual on our emotions, bodies and spirits. For those lucky enough to have clear skies and a good view it will be a sight to behold as it comes up over the horizon! This Full Moon occurs on the healing axis, with the Sun having just moved into sensitive, compassionate and intuitive Pisces and the Moon directly opposite in humble, analytical and helpful Virgo. Anyone with personal planets near the first degree of the mutable signs Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces will probably feel the effects of this Moon the strongest. However, with Chiron the Wounded Healer having just moved into the first degree of Aries, and Uranus also about to move signs, any personal planets around the first degree of a sign will be experiencing some action!
 
Full Moons can have a big effect on our emotions, and tend to bring things to a head, especially in the realms of our relationships. Whatever might have been gestating since the New Moon now comes up for full expression and is very much illuminated by the bright light of the moon at her fullest! We may become aware of any imbalance within us between the energy of the two signs in question, and the onus is on us to try and find some balance rather than teetering one way or another. While Virgo represents that part of us that can be quite hard on ourselves, mercilessly over-analysing our shortcomings and being our own worst critic, Pisces helps us to practice the art of self-forgiveness, acceptance and unconditional love towards ourselves and others. On the other hand, while Pisces is that part of ourselves that can fall into victim mode, feeling like we are the mercy of forces larger than ourselves, Virgo can help us to take responsibility for ourselves and take practical steps to improve our situation. While the Pisces in us might allow others to trespass over our boundaries, Virgo helps us to develop the art of discernment, recognising who and what is good for us and who and what is not serving us at all, and making decisions based on that.
 
Virgo is the part of us that seeks to humble ourselves and to be of service to others while Pisces is capable of true devotion and unconditional love. Obviously we could go too far with this and become subservient or find ourselves helping everyone else to the detriment of our own well-being. This Moon asks us to practice the art of self-care; because if we don’t love and care for ourselves then we’ve got nothing to give others! This is the healing axis and so we are asked to tend to all parts of ourselves with tender loving care; mind, body and spirit. This could be a very good moon for getting out into nature and connecting to spirit. It is also great for experiencing some kind of healing modality, or for some kind or purification practice.
 
These are the questions we might ask during this Moon: How can I truly be of service to humanity? Is the work I am doing truly meaningful? Do I make myself small in order to make other people feel comfortable? How can I be kinder to myself? What kind of escapist tendencies might I need to change? Where in my life am I burying my head in the sand and refusing to face reality? What practices or routines can I set up that well help me develop a closer connection to spirit? What do I need to forgive or accept, both in myself and others? Where am I overly critical or perfectionistic, or far too sloppy and lackadaisical? How might whatever crisis I am facing help me to grow? Where in my life to I need to just let go and flow? Do I need more rest, and how can I give that to myself? Do I have a tendency to stay busy in order to avoid myself? What in my life is need of healing and unconditional love right now? Wherever Virgo and Pisces are found in our chart can show where these questions might apply to us.
 
Chiron, the Wounded Healer, will move into Aries literally the day before this Full Moon and will be there until 2027. This will signify a shift for us all in terms of our healing journey. What is up for healing while Chiron is in Aries? Well, Aries in the sign of “I am”. Chiron represents our core wounds and also helps us to connect to our higher self and our capacity to heal others. Chiron in Aries could bring up a healing crisis around Aries issues such as assertion, anger, aggression, domination, war, our right to be here and to exist, our identity, independence, our animal instincts, our need to be individuals in our own right, meeting our own needs, the urge to separate from our family and forge our own path; these are all areas that could come up for healing while Chiron is in this forthright, headstrong and independent sign. Interestingly enough, Chiron is forming an exact quincunx “crisis” aspect with the Virgo Moon, so it is possible that we could experience some kind of healing crisis as this Moon become full. Again, those of us with planets around zero degrees of a sign will feel this more acutely.
 
In the same token, Chiron in courageous and pioneering Aries could also help us to be brave enough to go further into our healing journey than ever before, facing our core wounds and being completely honest with ourselves and others about our insecurities and sore spots. In the same token we can help those close to us to do the same, bringing material out into the open that we may usually find it hard to face and calling a spade a spade. This is helped by Mars, the ruler of Aries, forming a helpful trine aspect to the Moon during this Full Moon. Where might we need to be more brave or assertive, and do we have some healing to do around our relationship with anger? Chiron in Aries can really help us to embody the sacred warrior and to assert ourselves when needed. Chiron also taught Hercules, Achilles and others the art of warfare, as well as being a gifted healer! While Chiron is in Aries we could become more aware of our “raison d’etre”, connecting more with our sacred and unique mission, our higher purpose on this earth. Aries is that part of us that requires the freedom and independence to discover who we are and what we are here to do, and Chiron could help us to do just that.
 
Even though the Sun will be entering gentle, sensitive and compassionate Pisces on Tuesday, there is rather a lot of Capricorn activity at the moment! Venus will be sandwiched between Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn during this Full Moon, which could bring up a lot of material around how we relate to ourselves and others. On Monday Venus will join forces with Saturn, which on the one hand could make it hard to truly express what we are feeling and may cause us to feel a bit more cut off or withhold affection from one another. It is certainly not the most demonstrative place for the planet of love to be right now! Rather, we could be more aware of our responsibilities within our relationships, which could feel quite heavy, and we may be urged to honour our commitments more deeply. Saturn represents authority, control, duty, limitation and societal pressures, so these may be a factor within our relationships during this time. It could be a time of facing reality within our relationships and taking care of any practical considerations. It is also possible that we come face to face with our conditioning and how it impacts the way we relate to those closest to us. The closer we get, the more aware we are of how we have been “taught” to relate and how it might help or hinder us.
 
After this Venus will move from Saturn onto Pluto, finally catching up with this powerfully intense planet on Saturday 22 February. As such, next week could be a challenging yet rewarding week for our relationships! First the reality check with Saturn, and then some real soul searching with Pluto, who asks us to dig deep and be absolutely and completely emotionally honest with ourselves and our loved ones. Pluto can bring to the fore our subconscious compulsions within the realms of our relationships and could bring out jealousy, possessiveness, manipulation, trust issues, power games and anything that we might usually prefer to sweep under the carpet or deny the existence of. This is a great opportunity to deepen intimacy, although this could come about as a result of us facing our shadows and showing our loved ones the not so pretty side of ourselves. Ultimately this next week could bring a deepening and transformation of our relationships, although it also has the potential to makes us much more aware of the flaws and cracks.
 
Venus will then move from Pluto towards the South Node of the Moon in Capricorn, where it will finally merge on Monday 25 February. Quite a journey for our relationships and sense of self-worth! The South Node represents past patterns that may be familiar and could give us a sense of security, but which ultimately no longer serve us. As such, we could be forced back into our past somehow with regard to our relationships, possibly because there is something there for us to learn from. It is also possible that we become uncomfortably aware of how our parents, schooling and society, in this and other lives, have had an impact on the way we relate to ourselves and our loved ones. This could be an ideal opportunity to recognise the patterns of relating that are not helpful, or the ways that we hold back our true feelings out of fear, or control ourselves and others to avoid being vulnerable.  This transit could ultimately help us to move past some big blocks to our growth, but not without having to face some uncomfortable material and step outside of our safe, familiar territory!
 
Just to finish up, as there is so much going on right now that I could keep talking for pages; the two rulers of the Pisces Sun and Virgo Moon, Neptune and Mercury, are joining forces in Pisces during this Full Moon! This is very interesting, as it could help us to find the balance between the energy of Pisces and Virgo. This combination asks us to trust the subtle whisper of our intuition and listen to our guidance, in whatever form it comes. This could be a very good time to pay attention to our dreams.  Mercury represents the way we think, process information and communicate, and combined with Neptune we could struggle to make ourselves clear, so it is important to be aware of the potential for misunderstandings. We could also find it hard to think straight, finding ourselves daydreaming or experiencing difficulty concentrating, and so this could be a good time to allow our minds a bit of a rest and not make concrete decisions. Deception is possible during this time, as we may either conceal the truth from others, and vice versa, or not be willing to face reality. It is far better to simply allow our intuitive right brain to run the show, and trust that we are being shown the right way to go. This could be a time of amazing healing if we are able to be honest with ourselves and allow ourselves to be shown where our sore spots are.
 
Much Love
 
Amy
xoxo
 
Picture: Healing Dream by Marcia Snedecor
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
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AQUARIUS NEW MOON - 4 February 2019

1/31/2019

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Exact at 9.03pm GMT, 4.03pm EST.
 
This New Moon also coincides with the beginning of the Yin Earth Pig, a peaceful, patient and thoughtful creature who is very well aware that “charity begins at home”. The New Moon represents mini death/rebirth, whereby we let go of whatever is not serving us in order to make way for something else to come in that is more in line with who we are in the process of becoming. Whatever energetic seeds are planted during this time tend to blossom and bloom later in the month. It can be a powerful and potent time to set some heartfelt intentions, although we must watch what we ask for because the universe, or spirit, has a tendency to really take us at our word and can be quite literal. Often we are given only what is needed for our greatest growth at that time, and that can come in many guises! We may consciously want something for ourselves, but deep down inside we might be absolutely terrified of what it might mean if we actually get it, or on a subconscious level we feel that we don’t deserve it. And when it comes down to it, our subconscious rules the show!
 
The Sun and Moon are forming their monthly union in humanitarian, non-conformist and idealistic Aquarius, a sign well known for standing out from the crowd! Wherever Aquarius and its ruler, Uranus, are found in our chart shows where we feel a need to do things differently, in a way that does not conform to societal norms and expectations. Aquarius represents the part of us that questions the rules and regulations in order to individuate and liberate ourselves from conditioning patterns that we have accrued throughout this life and previous lifetimes. Slowly but surely we peel back the layers of parental and societal “should and shouldn’ts” in order to arrive at the core, which is our own, unique essence. It is essential that we liberate ourselves from our conditioning in order to grow spiritually. Aquarius challenges us to be strong enough to be our own person and to break down the walls that are keeping us confined in consensus reality. Sometimes we have to go out on a limb or go a bit crazy to begin to awaken and see the light. Breakdowns, as hard as they may be, can lead to massive breakthroughs.
 
This New Moon also has Mercury sitting right next to it, and Black Moon Lilith not far away. We could experience some real “aha” moments during this Moon, not to mention having some quite off the wall thoughts or visions of the life we truly want for ourselves. It is possible that memories resurface into our conscious mind that are important pieces in the jigsaw puzzle of our life! We have a chance to take a step back and look at our lives objectively, from the bird’s eye perspective, and see what might need to change in order for us to be the truest version of ourselves. Epiphanies could come hard and fast that help us to understand ourselves better. With Black Moon Lilith involved, we could experience some quite raw, visceral feelings, possibly around feeling rejected, or bullied, or ostracised, or misunderstood. Where in our lives are we intolerant? Can we sometimes dissociate or detach from our emotions? Are we insecure around being different or are we overtly rebellious and contrary? How do we feel in group situations? Do we feel like an outsider? Are we brave enough to question authority and to act on our visions? How can we help make the world a better place?
 
Mars is a big player during this New Moon, especially as he is moving towards a conjunction with Uranus, the ruler of this Moon! First, however, Mars will form a challenging square to Pluto which will be exact on Friday 1 Feb, but will still be around during the New Moon. Mars is currently very potent, as he is in his own sign, Aries. When the planet of assertion, courage, aggression, desire and independence squares off against Pluto, the planet of the soul, power, transformation and our subconscious desires, the results could be interesting indeed! On the one hand we could experience intense power struggles, rage coming up from the depths, confrontations that force us to be more transparent, impulsive acts that come from subconscious urges and anger that we might usually prefer to suppress. On the other hand, this combination could help us to confront something that we might usually prefer to avoid or sweep under the carpet. It could help us to face ourselves bravely and honestly and to dive deep so we can move past our own limitations. This is a powerful combination that could signify some kind of face-off between our soul and our ego.
 
Mars is also building up to a square to the Nodes of the Moon, which will be exact on 9 February. Whenever a planet squares the nodal axis it represents unresolved material that might prevent us from moving forward and achieving our North Node objectives. With the South Node (familiar patterns that may be holding us back from growth) currently in Capricorn, we are being asked to have a good look at any unhealthy or limiting parental and societal conditioning and to let go of our more patriarchal values, issues around judgement, hard control, suppression of feelings and too much emphasis on duty, status and keeping up with the Joneses. The Cancer North Node is beckoning us forward, asking that we nurture our inner child and move towards greater sensitivity, allowing ourselves to be more vulnerable and nurturing, taking care of one another and healing our ancestral roots and the Mother Daughter relationship. Ultimately we are being asked to bring some more matriarchal values in so that we can achieve a balance between the two signs.
 
How might Mars be preventing us from doing that? Are we harbouring anger towards our parents or society for their inability to meet our needs when we were younger? Was our need for independence thwarted when we were young?  Were we forced to conform to our parent’s expectations at the expense of our own individuality? Have we suppressed our instinctual will for so long that we don’t even know what it is? Do our desires feel at odds with how we have been taught to behave? Does our anger come out in distorted ways because we were somehow given the message that anger is not acceptable? Are we angry at the system? Are we afraid of our own anger? Have we lost ourselves by being the good little girl or boy?  Where might issues around domination come up, both personally and collectively? Do we assert ourselves in healthy ways? Have we got the ability to create healthy boundaries and to say “No” when we need to? How does sexuality and violence play a part in our lives? Has it been normalised by the media so much that we have become desensitised to it?
 
Finally, Mars will join Uranus in the 29th degree of Aries! This is building now and will be exact on 13 February. This combination could help us to release any stuckness around anger, although of course this could also mean literally losing our temper! Mars and Uranus can signify violent uprisings or revolutions and sudden acts of aggression, but it can also help us to be brave enough to step outside of the box and act differently. Uranus is getting ready to leave Aries once and for all on 6 March, and so this pairing of the warrior planet and the Great Awakener and revolutionary in the very last degree of Mars’ own sign of Aries does feel quite important. Could this give us the courage to stand up for a better world for us all to live in? Might we be brave enough to make the changes in our lives that we know we need to make? Could this pairing help us to step outside of our safe ruts and comfort zone and act on our deepest desires and visions for a better future? Could we find the inner strength to bust out of the mould and be who we really are? Where in our lives to we need to make a stand, or to liberate ourselves? This could be our chance.
 
I will go into this more next time, but we are building up to a very important conjunction between Pluto and Saturn in Capricorn which will be exact in January 2020, although these two planets are dancing around each other throughout 2019. What might happen when these two powerful planets join forces – the planet of soul, power, death and rebirth combined with the planet of karma, hard control and societal structures? In the beginning part of this year these two bodies are going to join forces with the South Node of the Moon in Capricorn. This will happen in April, but Pluto is already only 5 degrees away from the South Node, so it feels important to mention it now as the energy is already building. There is a sense of us having to go back in order to go forward. Possibly we have some unresolved material in our past that holds the key to the future. Is history repeating itself?
 
It is important to consider that all of this is occurring in the sign of Capricorn, which represents the patriarchal structures, governments, corporations as well as the parental and societal conditioning that we have received in this and other lifetimes. Issues around power, powerlessness, loss, abandonment, trust, suppression of feminine values, control, karma, authority and domination could come to the fore and we could be forced to confront them in order to move forward both personally and collectively. We are entering into a very important time indeed and it will be interesting to see what has changed by the end of this process. There is a sense of some kind of purging of the old, outworn structures so that something new can be built in its place. Sometimes we have no choice but to revisit the past in order to learn what we need to grow and evolve. Some hard lesson could be learned during this time, but if we learn then well then hopefully we will never need to repeat them!
 
So, the beginning of the Yin Earth Pig year involves quite a lot of powerful planetary energy! The year of the Earth Pig involves issues around what we digest, both literally and figuratively, so it is important to be careful about what we take into our body, mind and spirit this year. There is also a big relationship, interestingly enough, between our true nature that we have come in with versus what we have been “fed” by our parents and the culture we were born into. We might want to be more aware of what thoughts we circle around, as they can powerfully affect our reality. Something to consider this year is what we might want to generate and bring up to be expressed through our heart. On another level, this year could also be quite damp, involving issues around water. I like that idea – what can we bring to the fore that is the truest expression of our heart?
 
Interestingly enough, I just realised that I found myself being drawn to watch Babe last night! Ha ha ha! Coincidence? I think not! What a perfect message for the Earth Pig Year and Aquarius New Moon!
 
Happy New Year!
 
Much Love
 
Amy
xoxo
 
 Picture: Morning Pig by Cari Humphrey
 
 

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    Amy Bird

    I love writing about the Moon and the effect it has on us all, both collectively and personally. We all look at the same Moon and feel her energy, albeit in different ways. It reminds us that we are not alone and there is something very comforting about that!

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