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TAURUS FULL MOON - 31 October 2020

10/27/2020

TAURUS FULL MOON - Saturday 31 October, exact at 2.49pm GMT, 10.49am EDT

This Moon has the potential to provide some excitement, emotional turbulence and impetus for change, which can be quite uncomfortable for the Taurean part of us that might be quite resistant to change. We are in the midst of Scorpio season, which provides us with the opportunity to purge, release or transform any patterns, habits, attitudes, relationships or situations that have become stagnant, stuck or unhealthy. As the leaves fall from the trees in the Northern Hemisphere we are invited to strip back the layers, shedding any unwanted skin to reveal what lies underneath so that we can emerge, shiny and new and possibly a bit exposed. We then have this Full Moon, which could bring some rather intense emotions up to the surface so that we have no choice but to look at what needs to fall away. There is a sense of things coming to a head, and as they do we could be in for a bit of a surprise!

With the Moon in practical, earthy, sensual Taurus, sitting directly opposite the Sun in powerful, transforming, intensely emotional Scorpio, we are invited to find the balance between the energy of the two signs. While the Scorpio part of us has a tendency to get caught up in the drama and intensity of life, this Taurus Moon invites us to ground ourselves, simplify, find some peace and stability and literally “smell the roses”. Scorpio is a sign that brings up issues around loss, betrayals of trust, abandonment, power/powerlessness and intimacy, and knows what it feels like to have the proverbial rug pulled out from under one’s feet. Taurus, however, is the part of us that knows that ultimately we have to rely on ourselves and learn to meet our own needs rather than placing too much pressure on others to provide for us emotionally, sexually, spiritually or materially. Taurus invites us to be resourceful and truly learn to trust ourselves, putting down solid roots so that it is harder to knock us sideways.

However, Taurus can be self-sufficient and self-reliant to the extreme and could learn a lesson or two from Scorpio around joining forces with others, merging resources and collaboration. The Taurus part of us finds change very challenging indeed and will resist anyone or anything that tries to push us out of our comfort zone or challenge us to do something we don’t want to do. Scorpio is adept at the art of death and rebirth and teaches us that if we get too stuck in our ways, so that we are not growing anymore, we may have to walk across a burning bridge and not look back, or the rug will simply have to be ripped out from underneath us! While Taurus part of us has quite a sensible, no nonsense approach to life, it can also tend to play it safe and finds it hard to take that trip into the underworld or look under the proverbial carpet, preferring to maintain the status quo even if it is not healthy anymore. Scorpio invites us to dive right in, to face the shadows and the rot, slay the demons and emerge from the experience much, much lighter! While the Taurus part of ourselves says “I’m alright as I am, thank you very much!”, Scorpio begs to differ, forcing us to be emotionally honest with ourselves and others, exposing the parts of us that we tend to hide from view and project out onto others.

This Moon has the potential to bring these themes to the surface, including any issues we have around survival, which is very much part of the Taurus experience. Uranus, the Great Awakener, Revolutionary and Harbinger of Change, is sitting directly on top of the Moon, which could be quite uncomfortable for that Taurus part of ourselves that resists change! We may receive some kind of shock, or curve ball, or wake up call that shakes things up and forces us to see things from a different perspective. Ultimately this could be very liberating and tremendously insightful, but it might initially bring about a bit of a wobble, causing us to feel like the ground under us is not as solid as we thought. The Moon and Taurus both like to feel safe, while Uranus has a tendency to favour freedom and authenticity over security.

Uranus represents the long term memory, which can include trauma stored in the memory banks that we have experienced in this and other lifetimes. Uranus in Taurus certainly seems to be bringing up our personal and collective trauma around survival in recent times, as we have all had experiences of war, famine, recession/depression and natural disasters at some point in our history, or at the very least our ancestors have. As such, the current situation could bring up a lot of fear and anxiety for people as their old trauma resurfaces. Uranus being such a big part of this Full Moon certainly has the potential for some kind of shock in terms of financial security. Taurus also represents Mother Earth and so we could experience some kind of wake up call from the earth herself.

Retrograde Mercury has just moved from intense, probing Scorpio back into diplomatic, peace loving Libra, a sign that invites us to balance extremes and take into account opposing points of view. Mercury is forming a challenging square aspect to Saturn in Capricorn, which could mean that it is hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel for a few days. We may be forced to see things as they really are, rather than how we might like to see them, and our minds could veer towards dark, fear-based thinking and even depression. This too shall pass! Saturn’s realism can easily veer towards pessimism, so it is important to be mindful of our thought processes in the next week. In a literal sense, Saturn square Mercury could bring about mind control and also limit or suppress our capacity to communicate. Censorship could be rife during this time, as our ability to pass on information is somehow blocked or we find ourselves fearful about speaking up. This energy will be around until about the 8th of November, and Mercury turns direct on 4 November.

Jupiter and Pluto are working up to their third and final conjunction in Capricorn this year, which will be exact on 12 November, just as Mars goes direct. This combination of powerful Pluto and expansive Jupiter has been a major theme of this year, forcing us to examine our more rigidly held beliefs and to dig deep beneath the surface of reality in order to find the truth. Indeed, the truth has been hard to find recently, and so we are encouraged to trust our gut. Beliefs have become more of a matter of life and death in recent times, with people desperately attempting to convince and convert others to their point of view and severely judging those who think differently. Indeed, some have been downright nasty when expressing their beliefs and opinions. Jupiter is an expansive, magnifying planet, and when Pluto and Jupiter draw closer to each other in Capricorn there is the potential for fear-based beliefs being used to control and manipulate, not to mention paranoia running wild. By the end of this process our belief system will have gone through a profound transformation, as so much has been revealed and exposed about the reality we live in and the power structures that rule over us. It may not be pretty, indeed it could be downright disturbing, but we will probably be much closer to knowing the truth than we were at the beginning of this year.

Venus has now gone into its own sign, Libra, which is helpful! This can really help our relationships, helping us to truly listen to each other’s needs and to compromise where needed. During this Moon Venus is directly opposite Chiron the Wounded Healer in Aries, which does have the potential for some hurt to arise within our relationships, but could also bring healing. Chiron in Aries isn’t exactly known for its soft, gentle healing approach, but at least it is honest and direct and doesn’t have an agenda or hidden motivation. We may find that our loved ones somehow trigger our old wounds and sensitivities during this Moon, so we must be careful not to be too defensive or reactive. We may become more aware of how we give too much and neglect our own needs. Chiron in Aries invites us to be kind and compassionate to self as well as to those around us. Self-care is an absolute must at the moment.

The Sabian symbol for the Moon and Uranus is very poignant indeed, at 9° Taurus: “A fully decorated Christmas tree”, which Dane Rudyar describes as “The ability to create inner happiness in dark hours. We find a contrast between the tree outside – bare and normally covered with snow – and the tree inside the home – loaded with decorations and gifts for the family. Snow has come outside; but the prepared and closely united group has created abundance, beauty and happiness within, overcoming the cold barrenness of the outside world. This symbol suggests the ever-present possibility open to man to transfigure the darkness and deprivation of the low point of a life cycle by incarnating in it an antiphonic response celebrating the ever remembered and always expected high moments of life. It evokes man’s undying FAITH IN CYCLIC RENEWAL.” This is an invitation to focus on what really matters in life and cultivate happiness from within, even when things seem bleak and hopeless outside of us.

This Moon certainly does have the potential to jolt us or wake us up somehow! Those with personal planets close to 8 degrees of a sign, especially the fixed signs Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius, could feel the energy of Uranus and the Moon most acutely. Those with personal planets between 20° and 28° of the Cardinal signs Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn will probably feel the energy of the Saturn/Mercury square (26°) and the Jupiter/Pluto conjunction (22°). There is the potential for such profound soul growth at the moment, which is what the combination Jupiter (growth) and Pluto (soul) can literally bring, as well as exposing the truth. Uranus and the Moon remind us that we never know what is around the corner, and so we are invited to remain as flexible and open to the new as we can be in this time of great uncertainty. This Moon has the potential to bring quite a significant inner or outer shift, so it is important to harness one of Taurus’s superpowers and ground ourselves as much as possible, imagining that we are rooted in the earth yet still able to bend and sway in the wind.

Much Love

Amy
xoxo

Painting: Lightening Bolt - Annie Ovenden

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LIBRA NEW MOON - 16 October 2020

10/14/2020

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Exact at 8.31pm BST, 3.31pm EDT

There is a lot going on during this New Moon, as we have Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Pluto and the Nodes of the Moon all forming aspects, in varying degrees of intensity, to the Sun and Moon. Not to mention that Mercury has just gone retrograde in powerful,intense and perceptive Scorpio! The Sun and Moon are forming their monthly cosmic union in Libra, the sign of relationship, balance and harmony. Libra is represented by the scales, which means that we can easily tip too far towards one extreme, and this New Moon encourages us to find balance in our lives; to somehow find the middle ground. Libra is the sign of cooperation, diplomacy, compromise and justice, and gives us the capacity to see both sides of an argument or situation. Libra reminds us that things are rarely black and white, and that it is important to truly listen to one another and understand where the other is coming from. During this Moon we might want to reflect on what in our lives is out of balance and seek to come back to the middle point somehow. Where are we seeing signs of too much extremism? How can we find a greater sense of peace and harmony? This is the beginning of the new monthly cycle, so we are seeding new growth and leaving whatever we don’t need anymore in the dark of the Moon.

The ruler of the New Moon is Venus, which is currently in Virgo, the sign of humility, purity and perfection. Venus represents our values, self-worth and capacity to attract and the sign Venus is in indicates how we relate to ourselves and others. With Venus in Virgo from 3 October until 29 October, we may be likely to be hard on ourselves and beat ourselves up for things we may have done or not done. Virgo can analyse herself to death! We could be much more critical of ourselves and others than usual and also more prone to focusing on our flaws, imperfections and any feelings of shame, guilt and inadequacy. This is not helped by Mercury being in Scorpio at the moment, which can make our thoughts somewhat obsessive and compulsive and bring some cringing moments!

To harness the best of Venus in Virgo, we can look to our loved ones and see who needs our help. What little things can we do to make other people’s lives easier? Venus in Virgo is ever ready to be of service to others, although this can also veer into subservience if we are not careful. To be of service is a choice, whereas subservience occurs when we play small or give our power away, or allow ourselves to be take for granted. This is a perfect time for taking pleasure out of cleansing and purifying ourselves and our environment, as long as we don’t seek some unattainable perfection!

Pluto and Saturn are both square the Sun, Moon and Mars during this New Moon, which is rather intense as it could bring up issues around power, control, limitation and may bring about some kind of reality check and transformation. With Pluto and Saturn both joining forces in Capricorn, we are watching societal and personal structures crumble around us, not to mention witnessing the exposure of the rot within our power structures.We are in the midst of a collective death and rebirth of all that we have previously known and relied on. The heat is rising and the pressure is building! This Moon could bring about some kind of purging process and even more exposure, both personally and collectively. It is much harder to hide from our shadows at the moment, and this Moon encourages us to dig deep and be willing to truly face ourselves, warts and all.

With Pluto square the Sun, exact on Thursday, we may experience a battle of wills and intense power struggles, especially if we let ego get in the way. We could find ourselves on the receiving end of authoritarian control or oppression and may be forced to see things as they really are as Saturn and the Sun square off against each other, exact on Sunday. We may feel as if our will is being thwarted in some way and might feel as if the light has gone out and reality is a bit too hard to bear. Mars and Sun are opposing each other, exact on Wednesday morning. This combo could also bring a battle of wills and could force some issues out into the open. It is very important to be mindful of ourselves during this time, as disagreements are very possible, especially if we let our ego get in the way. Mars and the Sun are both yang and are forceful in their own right, so together they could make people a bit more reactive or egotistical. Those with personal planets and angles around 23° of the sign they are in, especially the cardinal signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn, will feel the energy on this Moon most acutely. The ingredients in the cosmic soup could easily cause us to be easily triggered, so it is important to take a leaf out of Libra’s book and try to find some balance, harmony and peace.

The Nodes of the Moon are also involved with this Moon, in a positive way, so there is the potential for some soul growth here. The Nodes are providing the backdrop for this year, combined with three conjunctions between Pluto and Jupiter over the course of the year, and the theme is around truth, lies and beliefs versus facts. There is one thing that is absolutely true at the moment and this is that nobody is absolutely certain of the truth. With Neptune square the Nodes, the truth is shrouded by illusion, propaganda and smoke screens. As such, we are being encouraged to have a very open mind and to admit that our beliefs are just that; they are beliefs and not necessarily the absolute truth.

The Sagittarius South Node gives us a gut feeling and an intuition, while the Gemini North Node encourages us to take that feeling and do some fact checking and research in order to verify what we sense to be true. Gemini also urges us to find a palatable way of expressing ourselves rather than trying to ram our beliefs down one another’s throats. Gemini does invite us to find our voice so that we can speak up about what we believe to be true, but it also encourages us to listen to each other’s view points instead of trying to convince and convert each other to our point of view. It is so important to remember that the truth is completely illusive at the moment, so that nobody can be completely certain that their version of the truth is the right one. This Libra New Moon encourages us to temper any extremist tendencies and to take a more balanced approach and be willing to take both sides of the argument into account.

Mercury goes retrograde at the same time as the Sun Mars opposition is exact, in the early hours of Wednesday morning British time. As ever, the days before and after the planet of communication and travel goes retrograde can be fraught with misunderstanding, miscommunication, delays, confusion and chaos! As such, it is important to be mindful in our communications with others, as the potential for Freudian slips and saying things that are somehow misconstrued is rife. Scorpio does have a sting in its tail, and we may find ourselves on either end of some accidental but painful truths that cut to the core! Not to mention that our thoughts could be much more obsessive than usual.

Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio is an invitation to go back over things and dig deeper, using our inner detective to ferret out information that we may have missed in the past month or so. It is an ideal time to delve back into our past and come up with some profound psychological insight and understanding that hasn’t been available to us before now. Indeed, People that we have unfinished business with could pop up and we could have some penetrating and revealing conversations that really help us to get to the core of whatever issue we are facing. This is a very good time to do some deep, inner work and to be brave enough to reveal our more vulnerable parts in some very intimate and therapeutic exchanges with people we trust. Remember that with Venus in Virgo at the moment, we have the capacity to really help and be of service to one another. We just have to watch out for paranoia, obsessive thought processes and going into a spiral of dark or negative thinking. Mercury is Scorpio is very adept at smelling a rat!

The Sabian symbol for the New Moon, at 24° Libra, is: “A butterfly with a third wing on its left side” which Dane Rudyar describes as: “The ability to develop, for inner strengthening, new modes of response to basic life situations. The butterfly is the ancient and traditional symbol of the results of the process of spiritual rebirth. If the butterfly has three wings instead of two, a special development of an aspect of the spiritual life is shown. Three is a symbol of fulfilment. Some power has been added to the normal spiritual life of the individual person. The left side usually refers to the instinctual field of the consciousness, but it is also the heart’s side. A new strength is shown, perhaps as yet unrealised.” This is a very interesting symbol that certainly brings some hope that whatever we are currently going through has the potential to help bring some kind of new spiritual superpower! Certainly, it is the most challenging times that bring some kind of spiritual awakening and profound soul growth, and we are currently going through a collective spiritual growth spurt at the moment. As the third wing is only on one side, we could feel a bit wobbly or out of balance.

There is certainly some intensity to this Moon, with these powerfully Yang planets sparking off each other! We could experience intense feelings of self-doubt, powerlessness and even depression, so it is very important to watch ourselves carefully and be mindful of our inner dialogue. There is some extremely powerful energy at play here which could be incredibly transforming but could also cause us to feel at the mercy of forces larger than ourselves. Self-care is essential at the moment, so we must harness the energy of Venus and Virgo and create little routines, rituals and habits for ourselves that help us to feel better. This Libra New Moon invites us to contemplate how we can find balance in a world of such extremes. How can we cultivate a sense of inner peace and harmony in the midst of chaos and strife? How can we find some integration between the dark and the light? How can we listen to our head and heart in equal measure? Can we find a way to listen to each other better? Above all, how can we be more kind?

"It happens all the time in heaven,

And some day It will begin to happen
Again on earth -

That men and women who are
married,

And men and men who are
Lovers, And women and women
Who give each other
Light,

Often get down on their knees

And while so tenderly
Holding their lovers hand,

With tears in their eyes
Will sincerely speak, saying,

My dear,
How can I be more loving to you;

How can I be more kind?"

Hafiz

Much Love

Amy
xoxo

Picture: Unknown

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MARS SQUARE PLUTO - exact 9 October 2020

10/9/2020

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Today the challenging square aspect between warrior Mars and powerful Pluto peaks, bringing the potential for acting and reacting from a deep within our subconscious, for having the courage to face our shadows and shame, for being triggered and anger or rage coming up from a place deep within us. It can also bring power struggles and the urge to fight back against corruption and having the courage to expose the dark side of the power structures. This aspect could help us to find the will, courage and strength to transform ourselves in some way, but could also bring psychological “warfare” as the planet of the subconscious and psyche comes up against the planet of aggression and war.

However, the Moon, Venus and Mercury are all in earth and water signs, which are “yin” in nature, so it is quite possible that the battle is internal rather than external. Venus is currently in Virgo, which could mean that we are more self-critical than usual and more prone to focusing on our shortcomings and inadequacies. Venus in Virgo is very humble and willing to serve, but is also adept at being very hard on herself and can be her own worst enemy!

Mercury in Scorpio could mean that our thought processes are a bit more compulsive and obsessive than usual, even to the point of being paranoid. It is very important to watch our internal dialogue in the next couple of days, as our minds could potentially go to some dark places and make assumptions! However, Mercury in Scorpio can also help us to understand our psyches better, as we are able to probe beneath the surface of reality and gain some deep understanding of the way our subconscious works.

The Moon is in sensitive, emotional Cancer all day today, which does have the potential to bring up our insecurities and make us a bit more needy, but also invites us to feel empathy for ourselves and each other. The Moon is at home in its own sign and encourages us to nurture ourselves and one other. We could be a bit moody, with changing emotions over the course of the day, so we are invited to practice the art of self-awareness and keep an eye on how our inner child might be acting and reacting to whatever we are experiencing.

The Mars Pluto aspect has been building for a few days now and will be flt most acutely by people with personal planets within a few degrees of 22° of a sign, especially the Cardinal signs Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn.

Much Love

Amy
Xoxo

Painting: Mars, by WyldeFoxDesignLab

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ARIES FULL MOON - 1 October 2020

9/29/2020

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Exact at 22.05pm BST, 5.05pm EDT

This Full Moon could certainly kick start some intensity for the months ahead! Aries is a fiery sign and Mars, its ruler, is very present indeed at the moment! An Aries Full Moon has the potential to bring out the more passionate, assertive, honest, courageous side of our nature and we could find ourselves having to contend with some very heated emotions and even anger. Full Moons tend to bring whatever has been simmering away beneath the surface out into the light of our consciousness, and in the first sign of the zodiac the emotions that come up could be quite raw and unfiltered. This is especially so as Mars is retrograde at the moment, because its warrior energy is not so easy to control or contain. Indeed, we could find ourselves more reactionary than we usually would be, as people or events trigger some powerful emotions in us that we might find it hard to suppress. Aries is a very impulsive sign that tends to act first and think later and so it is quite possible that some material comes out into the open during this Moon that helps to get the proverbial cards out onto the table.

The Sun has recently moved into Libra, the sign of balance, fairness and relatedness, and is sitting directly opposite the feisty Aries Moon. The key to a Full Moon is to find some kind of balance between the energy of the two signs rather than veering too far in one direction or the other. Libra reminds us to listen to one another, to find some kind of compromise and to be kind. Aries is a very brave, honest energy that helps us to assert and motivate ourselves, but can also mean that we act and react in ways that are destructive and hurtful rather than constructive and loving. Libra helps us to temper any more hotheaded, confrontational or aggressive tendencies and to take into account the feelings and needs of others. However, Aries helps us to stick up for ourselves and others and also to stand up for what we believe in. Aries can bring out the bully in us, but can also help us to stand up to the bully, in whatever form that may take. Libra can tend to take the “middle ground”, while Aries will jump right into the heart of a battle! Both these approaches have merit as long as they don’t go too far.

Mars, the ruler of this Full Moon, is also in Aries at the moment, travelling in retrograde motion and forming a challenging square to both Saturn, the planet of authority and control, and Pluto, the planet of power and transformation. These two powerful energies are in Capricorn, a sign that is very different to Aries! This square between the Mars in Aries and Saturn in Capricorn brings the potential for conflict with authority, angry reactions at the government or those in control, feeling frustrated, restricted or suppressed so that we are unable to act or react, aggressive force being used by those in power, “martial” law, kicking back against being controlled or forced into compliance. It can also force us to act with integrity and to be fully accountable for our actions.This has been building for the past week or so and will be exact on 29 September, so it will still be very strong during the Full Moon.

The square between Mars and Pluto is also strong during this Moon and will be exact on 9 October.This combination has the potential to bring up anger and rage that comes from the depths of our subconscious, so it could be a very good time to do some inner work that enables us to truly confront our shadows. Indeed, we may have no choice in the matter, as this combination could mean that we are very easily triggered! Pluto in Capricorn is revealing and exposing the dark side of the power structures and the patriarchal system, and the square to the warrior planet could literally cause us to rage against the machine and to find the courage to stand in our own power. However, is can also signify force being used against us by those in power. Indeed, power struggles can be rife with these two planets butting heads! This challenging combination of the god of war and the god of the underworld can signify psychological warfare, coercion, brute force, underhanded tactics and manipulation, but can also help us to unearth dark secrets and slay inner and outer demons. Indeed, we may find strength, courage and power we didn’t even know we possessed!

Chiron the Wounded Healer is very present indeed during this Moon, as it is conjunct the Moon and opposite the Sun. This could mean that our core wounds are triggered, making us feel quite open, touchy, exposed and vulnerable, especially if we have personal planets and angles between 4 and 12 degrees of the cardinal signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. We have an opportunity here to be very honest with ourselves and our loved ones about our sensitivities and insecurities so that some deep healing can occur.However, it could feel as if someone or something is poking and prodding at open sores, which could make us quite defensive and reactive if we let our ego get in the way. As the Moon represents the feminine and mother and the Sun the masculine and father, it is possible for healing to occur in this area of our lives. Emotions could certainly be riding high during this Moon, but we could also be prompted to get in touch with our inner warrior and to find the courage to confront ourselves and others, if needs be.

Chiron is also forming a nagging inconjunct aspect to Mercury, which will be exact on 4 October. Mercury has recently moved into Scorpio, which could bring some quite deep, penetrating conversations and the potential for dark, paranoid thoughts and the capacity to really cut to the heart of the matter. Scorpio is not a superficial sign in the slightest, so we may find ourselves really wanting to understand what is going on beneath the surface of reality, probing and asking some very deep questions. This Chiron Mercury aspect could bring some kind of crisis or humbling experience through the mind and communication, whereby we either hear, think or say something that is hard to face but deeply healing. It could bring up some deep, dark, shadowy subject matter that may be painful to confront, but if we are able to look at ourselves honestly it could be very helpful indeed. Chiron in Aries is quite forceful and confrontational in its healing approach, while Mercury in Scorpio can bring some kind of inner or outer communication that really penetrates to the core of our soul.

Neptune is square the Nodes of the Moon and provides an important, ongoing backdrop that will be building until January. The Nodes represent important material that we are currently working on, both personally and collectively, in order to grow and evolve. With the South Node in Sagittarius and the North Node in Gemini, issues around truth and lies are rife right now and with Neptune, the planet of “glamour” and illusion squaring the Nodes the truth is completely shrouded by smoke screens and increasingly sophisticated propaganda. Neptune is also the planet that asks us to sacrifice something for the greater good of humanity, and so we may be asked to find a way to speak out, even at the risk of losing something important to us. Some truth is too important not to be shared, although we find a way of sharing our thoughts, ideas and opinions in a kind, compassionate and non-judgemental manner. While the Sagittarius South Node can bring intuitive hunches and encourages us to trust our gut, the Gemini North Node invites us to do some research and “fact finding” in order to back up what we intuitively sense. However, with Neptune square the Nodes there is the danger of utter confusion and profound disillusionment, with the urge to just numb out as it becomes harder and harder to know where the truth lies.

With a nice supportive sextile building between Neptune and Jupiter, however, we are encouraged to keep the faith and resist the temptation to numb out or “escape”, tempting as it may be. Instead we are invited to do whatever we can to nurture our spirit, whether through walks in nature, supportive groups, meditation or other kinds of spiritual practice. Although life could seem quite bleak and even hopeless for many at the moment, it is important to keep an eye on the bigger picture and trust that this is a necessary process that has the potential to bring great spiritual rewards. As many have said, “the darkest hour is just before dawn”. Ultimately the light shall prevail! It is so very important to nourish ourselves and keep our faith alive so that we always have our sights set on that light at the end of the tunnel, even if it seems like a tiny little glimmer! While it is so easy to fall into fear and overwhelm, we must do whatever we can to keep our vibration high and our inner light shining. When in doubt, head for the forest, woods, rivers, lakes, mountains, ocean, parks or gardens; whatever is available to us in that moment. This helps us to ground and reconnect to all that is. It is here that we are able to breathe a sigh of relief.

The Sabian symbol for the Full Moon, at 10° Aries, is:” A teacher gives new symbolic forms to traditional images”, which Dane Rudyar describes as “Revision of attitude at the beginning of a new cycle of experience. A new dimension of consciousness is discovered, revealing higher possibilities of experience and mental development”. This symbol seems to be asking us to take what is known, tried and tested and to bring it up to date with the here and now. What have we learned from the past that can now be transformed in order to help us to move forward? What might we need to look at from a fresh perspective? How can we look forward with new vision and break down old, outworn patterns and ways of doing things? How can we step out of the comfort zone and allow space for the new, while still respecting and honouring the lessons of the past? There is a sense of starting a new cycle, aided by the wisdom of all that has come before. Instead of dwelling on what is falling away, we are invited to contemplate the way forward.

This Moon certainly does bring the potential for heated emotions and some kind of clearing of the air! It is important to be mindful of our reactions during this time, as we may find ourselves more easily triggered than usual. However, if we need to find some courage then this could be a very helpful Moon indeed. There are many different planetary energies in the cosmic soup right now, pulling us one way and another, including Uranus in Taurus which is bringing up collective trauma around survival. It is so easy to feel fearful at the moment, for a myriad of reasons, and fear can so easily bring up defensive and angry reactions. It is important, especially during this Moon, to watch ourselves and remain as mindful and self-aware as possible. Sometimes righteous anger is very helpful to motivate us towards brave, positive and constructive action and help us to confront difficult issues. Sometimes, however, knee jerk reactions can be incredibly destructive and do more harm than good. While an Aries Moon can bring the warrior out in us, so that we jump off the proverbial cliff or charge into battle, the Libra Sun reminds us that things might not be as black and white as they seem and that sometimes it’s better to find the middle ground. Above all, we must be kind.

Much Love

Amy
xoxo

Picture: Unknown

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VIRGO NEW MOON - 17 September 2020

9/15/2020

1 Comment

Exact at 12pm BST, 6am EDT

This Moon seems to be encouraging us to practice the art of discernment, which is certainly one of Virgo’s superpowers! The Virgo Sun and Moon are forming an almost exact square to the Nodes of the Moon in Sagittarius and Gemini, asking us to do our best to sift through all of the differing opinions and versions of the “truth” that we are currently being bombarded with. Virgo is very good at separating the wheat from the chaff and discarding anything that doesn’t feel right, and so we are asked to harness our capacity to only let in information that serves our highest good and question anything that seems dubious, false or unhelpful. Virgo also encourages humility and stringent self-analysis, so that we are better able to recognise when our ego might be getting in the way of our search for the truth. Are we too attached to a certain set of beliefs, so that we are unable to listen to or accept other points of view? How might we improve our communication skills so that we can deliver our message in a way that is understood and accepted by others? How can we tell what is truth and what is lies?

Virgo is the sign of healing, self-improvement, self-analysis and humility, and is the part of us that seeks to purify and perfect ourselves. It is a sign of transition, whereby we might experience something that bursts the egocentric balloon of self-importance, forcing us to take a long hard look at what needs to change in order for us to be a better human being. Sometimes a crisis is needed in order to recognise what is out of balance and make the necessary adjustments. This is why so many people have life-changing awakenings when they experience a health crisis that stops them in their tracks and forces them to examine the root cause of the issue. Often what seems to be a terrible thing can also become our greatest gift, changing our lives for the better. Virgo helps us to do the necessary work on ourselves in order to understand the underlying issues that may have caused whatever we might be facing. It helps us to be humble enough to accept higher teaching and accept that there are some things we still have to learn.

This Moon invites us to recognise what is out of balance in our lives and what we might do to improve our situation and promote healing and a greater sense of wholeness. We are encouraged to practice the art of discrimination regarding what we take in and digest, whether it be food, information, opinions or ideas. This is an ideal Moon to implement new and healthy routines, systems and rituals, and to recognise what is hurting us or impeding growth and simply needs to go. Saturn and Pluto are forming a harmonious trine to the Sun and Moon, helping us to look into the shadows and transform and purge anything that we might usually find it hard to confront. We are invited to look ourselves squarely in the face, without a filter, and decide what is helpful and what is hindering us. As the structures fall, both personally and collectively, what do we choose to keep and what are no longer relevant or healthy for us? How can we look at ourselves kindly yet honestly and own the shadows and the fear and the anger and anything that makes us feel shame? How can we make ourselves more whole and “fill our cup”?

The Sabian symbol for the New Moon, at 26° Virgo, is “A boy with a censer serves the priest near the altar”, which Dane Rudyar describes as “The first stage of actual participation in the great ritual of planetary evolution. The individual is “e-ducated,” i.e. led out into the world of transcendent activity, the world of archetypal performance. He must learn to serve, humbly and with intense attention, in what as yet is beyond his spiritual understanding. He learns to perform every action super personally. He learns to PRACTICE IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD”. This symbol seems to suggest that some kind of ritual that honours spirit, however small, could be a very good thing to practice right now. A Virgo Moon really is a wonderful time to implement some healthy routines and rituals in our lives that can help connect us to the divine and bring the sacred into our everyday lives, bringing a greater sense of hope. Similarly, this reminds us that even the smallest, seemingly insignificant act, done with pure intention and reverence, can make a big difference. If we act with humility, in the spirit of service to the whole, amazing things can come from the smallest actions.

Speaking of action, Mars is retrograde at the moment and is forming a nagging inconjunct aspect to the Sun and Moon, which could bring up irritability, anger, restlessness, resentment and frustration. We may find that little things niggle, irritate and anger us more easily than usual, but we are invited to look at where the anger is actually coming from. Often we react with anger when we are scared or fearful in some way, or being pushed out of our comfort zone. Sometimes it is because a person or an event has triggered something that is unsesolved or unhealed in us, making us reactive or defensive. Sometimes is it righteous anger or the need to defend someone or something from harm. Sometimes it is because someone has hit the nail on the head and touched a nerve! Sometimes anger comes up before the tears do when someone has hurt us. Mars invites us to be very honest with ourselves and to be willing to work on whatever comes up. Retrograde Mars gives us the courage to really look at what needs to change in our lives and to actually do something about it rather than just talking about it! Virgo New Moons certainly do give us an opportunity to cleanse and purify, and this one is no exception!

Retrograde Mars is also building up to its second square with Saturn, exact on 29 September, the first of which was exact on 24 August. On the one hand this combo calls for us to act with courage and integrity and to be truly accountable for our actions, taking full responsibility for what our gut instinct tells us and what we feel to be right. On the other hand Saturn in Capricorn, representing authority, control, government, tradition, discipline and karma, is at odds with Mars in Aries, representing our anger, courage, independence, instinctual will, capacity to act and fight back. Which of these mighty opponents will win the battle, both internally and externally? While Mars is the part of us that like to march to the beat of our own drum and dislikes being told what to do or think, Saturn can tend to control, suppress, restrict, limit, enforcing rules, regulations and greater compliance. I have written about at this at greater length in a previous post on Mars Retrograde: http://www.amybirdartandastrology.com/blog/mars-retrograde-in-aries-9-september-14-november-2020

Mercury, the planet of Mind and communication and the ruler of this Virgo Moon, is being challenged by Jupiter, Neptune and Pluto. This could make it a bit tricky to see the wood for the trees! Mercury is currently in Libra, the sign of fairness and balance, which could make it a bit difficult to make up our mind one way or the other. This is not helped by an inconjunct from Neptune, exact on 18 September, bringing the potential for smoke screens, obfuscation of the truth and even outright deception. Neptune is very adept at the art of propaganda and “glamour” and is very prominent at the moment as it is squaring the Nodal axis. What might we need to sacrifice for the higher good in order to speak up for what we believe to be right and true? What means can we employ to connect to the truth behind all of the smoke screens? How can we find greater kindness, empathy and compassion when interacting with one another?

With Jupiter in Capricorn square Mercury, exact on the day of the New Moon, there is the potential for much debate or even disputes over beliefs, or being told what to believe by those in authority. Again, fear could potentially be the cause of people disputing over opinions and beliefs, so it is important to recognise when we are being triggered and reacting because we are scared. Jupiter in Capricorn can really magnify or exaggerate fear, and combined with Mercury could spread it around like wild-fire, so it is important to be mindful of our thought processes and behaviour. With Pluto also building up to a square with Mercury, exact on 21 September, there is the potential for cruelty, manipulation, gas lighting and power games in the realm of our thoughts and communication, but also an opportunity to gain greater insight into how our minds and thoughts may being manipulated or controlled. This combination can help us to cut through to the heart of the matter and see what is lurking in the shadows, but it might not be pretty!

Indeed, the Sabian symbol for Mercury, the ruler of the Moon and Gemini North Node, at 18° Libra, is “Two men placed under arrest”, which Rudyar describes as “The breakdown in the constructive relationship between the individual and society, and the expectable result. The individual whose actions introduce unacceptable principles into the established order runs the risk of being “punished” or re-formed according to this order. Negative as the image may seem, one may see implied in it the power in every individual to assume social risks in order to express his convictions or deepest desires. Nevertheless, one thing is needed: facing the consequences”. This symbol is very interesting in the light of the Mars square Saturn transit - the battle between societal consensus reality and authoritarian control (Saturn) and the individual will and capacity to fight back (Mars).

This Virgo New Moon certainly does seem to be inviting us to create some healthy new routines or rituals to help us to connect to spirit and bring the sacred into our every day. It has been said that it takes the length of a Moon cycle to make or break a habit, so that if we start a new routine and keep it up for 28 days then it will then stick. We are helped by a lovely sextile between Neptune and Jupiter, which is building now and will be exact on 12 October. This brings the gift of faith, hope and connection to the divine. Virgo can help us to purify, cleanse and de-clutter, setting pure intentions and creating rituals and routines that help us to replenish our spirit, renew our faith and nourish our soul. This is so very important in these times of turmoil and uncertainty, as it helps us to ground and anchor ourselves somehow, which could be of great comfort. During this Moon Virgo invites us to start as we mean to go on and to practice the art of discernment, letting go of whatever doesn’t serve us and being very mindful indeed about what we allow to take its place.

Much Love

Amy
xoxo

Painting: Dawn of Hope, by Daniel F. Gerhartz

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MARS RETROGRADE IN ARIES: 9 September - 14 November 2020

9/11/2020

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Mars has just gone retrograde on 9 September, at 28° Aries, and will now start its journey back to 15° Aries, when it finally goes direct on 14 November. Mars is in its own sign for a very long time this year, from 27 June until 7 January. Mars in Aries has the potential for anger without a filter, as Aries is very much an act before thinking kind of sign. It can also bring out the hero and warrior in us all, as we are encouraged to find our courage, enthusiasm and capacity to assert and stand up for ourselves and others. The only problem is that this can go too far if we are triggered and assertion can become aggression , bullying or even violence. Mars in Aries can certainly put a fire in our belly and bring our inner “hothead” to the surface, which could make us quite reactive! And now it is retrograde, which means that it is going back over the same ground it has covered since 25 July, when it was last at 15° Aries. What might we have done differently if we’d had the chance? What do we truly desire, when it comes down to it?

Mars retrograde invites us to reflect on our capacity to be brave, and it is possible that we may be called to revisit something that happened in recent times whereby we didn’t stand up or find the necessary courage to act in the way we wanted. Now we have another chance. However, it is also possible that we lost our rag and acted or reacted in a way that we regret, or lashed our from fear or hurt. We are now invited to turn inward and develop a healthier relationship with our anger and reflect on how we express and channel it. Does it come out overtly or covertly, in a more passive-aggressive or confrontational way? Do we tend to let resentment build up for so long that it becomes toxic, or do we tend to lash out and do or say things we regret? Are we brave enough to stand up for things that mean something to us, or do we tend to hide, back down, run away from conflict or stay on the fence? When it comes to Mars, we can either use it energy constructively, to unite and fight for the greater good of all, or destructively, with arguments, bullying and conflict that simply creates more divisiveness and hard feelings. It can mobilise us into positive action or it can cause us to do things that cause harm and that we regret.

Around 22 March Mars was back in Capricorn, joining forces with Pluto and Jupiter in Capricorn. This was a pivotal moment for the whole world. Now Retrograde Mars is moving back towards its second square to these two planets, symbolising a continuation of what started then, at the conjunction. Conjunctions represent the beginning of a cycle of development between the planets in question, the seed. After that there was the sextile, which occurred around the Solstice/Cancer New Moon/Eclipse at the end of June, and now we have the square, which is occurring three times due to Mars going retrograde. Squares are a very dynamic aspect, causing friction and promoting action. Indeed, this particular square is known as “crisis in action”. Sometimes we need a bit of a kick up our bum to make things happen and to grow!

The first square we will experience in this retrograde phase is between Mars in Aries and Saturn in Capricorn, the planet of control, authority, government, tradition, karma and discipline. The first time Mars formed a square to Saturn was around 24 August, during which time, on a global level, there were uprisings challenging the status quo, consensus reality and patriarchal control. This square will repeat again on 29 September, but in actual fact Mars and Saturn are squaring off against each other closely throughout September. The square represents a tussle between the authoritarian control of Saturn and the fiery, courageous, independent, assertive and potentially angry and aggressive Mars in Aries. Mars in Aries is the part of us that marches to the beat of our own drum, seeking to express our own will and kick back against authority and control. In this “stand-off” between the two planets, Saturn potentially has more clout, being the slower moving planet. Will our capacity to act or fight back be restricted, impeded or limited, or will greater control be forced on us in a Martian manner? Indeed, “Martial Law” springs to mind here as the epitome of a Saturn and Mars combo. Will we experience more rules and regulations that enforce greater compliance? Will the machine attempt to squash or steam roll our Martian fire and autonomy?

On the other hand, how can we be more responsible for our actions? Are we able to find courage and a greater sense of integrity in order to truly be accountable for what we instinctively feel inside ourselves? Are we able to direct and harness our righteous anger in a controlled manner and stand up for what we know to be right? Mars in Aries is not known for compliance to authority; quite the opposite, in fact. Both of these planets are very strong in their own signs, and Aries and Capricorn fundamentally disagree with one another! Mars in Aries is very brave and impulsive, almost foolishly so at times, and fights back against any threats to its freedom, independence and autonomy. Saturn in Capricorn is very patient and has its eye on the end game, seeking to control, restrict, suppress, discipline or limit, imposing its authority and encouraging us to comply and abide by the rules. This is both an internal battle, for all of us, as well as an external, global one. Which one will win? The third and final square between Mars and Saturn will be exact on 13 January but will be in Taurus and Aquarius, so the energy will have shifted by then.

The next square is between Mars and Pluto, which is exact on 9 October. The last one was on 13 August and the final one will be on 23 December. Pluto in Capricorn has been slowly exposing the dark side of the power structures since 2008 and will continue this process until 2023. All the rot, the flaws and the corruption have been slowly but surely revealed and the imbalance and abuse of power has become more and more apparent and transparent. Pluto isn’t afraid to dig deep beneath the surface and dive into the dark underworld of all things Capricorn. The structures are crumbling, both personally and collectively, so that something more appropriate can take their place. And the patriarchal system and its players won’t do down without a good fight! Mars square Pluto is an invitation to take our power back. However, it could easily swing the other way, as our power (Pluto) is taken by force (Mars) and we find ourselves in the midst of psychological (Pluto) warfare (Mars).

Can we harness the energy of Mars and find the courage to call out and confront the darkness in the system and ourselves? Are we able to confront our own shadows and purge any unhealthy patterns and ingrained habits? Are we able to take action where needed to help purge the rot from the power structures? Are we brave enough to take our power back, in the truest sense of the word, and reclaim our sovereignty? What do we need to face in ourselves that reflects the outer reality? What needs to pass away right now? Pluto and Mars can help us to find the courage, strength and power to make massive changes in our lives and perform feats we never would have thought possible. They can also bring up rage and bring the capacity to be incredibly cruel and vindictive. With Pluto, however, there is always choice. During this square we may find ourselves having to make a brave choice and act in a way that has a great impact on our future and our evolution, both personally and collectively.

Finally we have the square between Mars and Jupiter, which is exact on 18 October. The last one was exact on 4 August and the final one will be exact on 23 January, in Taurus and Aquarius instead of Aries and Capricorn. This combination can bring up extreme anger and conflict around differing beliefs. Divide and conquer is the name of the game when these two come into battle! With Jupiter in Capricorn, we may tend to get very angry about other people’s opinions and ideas if they challenge the structure of our programmed or conditioned beliefs. Mars in Aries is the part of us that thinks and acts independently and questions the consensus beliefs and status quo, challenging what we are being asked to accept as truth by the government and those in control.

When these two planets come into contact there is the potential for us to need to find the courage to speak up about our beliefs. The potential for anger or rage around the “truth” is also rife, especially if we are in fear. Any challenges to our more firmly held beliefs could feel like a personal attack, causing us to lash out in defense and try and force our views on those who present an alternative point of view. Jupiter in Capricorn is the part of us that tends to believe what we are told by those in authority, while Mars is the renegade planet; the part of us that kicks back against the consensus. It is so important to keep an open, curious, questioning mind during this transit and be willing to take a long hard look at ourselves when we are triggered. How do we take the moral high ground and judge others, and do we have a need to be “right”? The truth is often relative.

This could be an interesting ride, between now and 14 November, when Mars goes direct! It is important to be aware that the various squares will be overlapping each other, meaning that the Mars square Saturn transit will still be in effect while the Mars Pluto is building, and the Mars Pluto transit will still be prominent when the Pluto Jupiter transit is building. The renegades could be out in force in October, that’s for sure! Retrograde Mars asks us to look within and act and react differently to the way we might usually. We all have our own unique relationship with anger, courage and assertion and this period of time could make this all too apparent. How can we act and react in the healthiest way possible and in a way that is true to our inner being? We might be called to act more covertly during this time or may feel the need to step back and look before we leap. We may look back on past actions or disagreements and seek to rectify or repair somehow. However, the best way to make the most of this retrograde period is to be willing to look inside, finding our spiritual warrior and inner fire, and be brave enough to do the inner work. Have we the courage to truly face ourselves with absolute honesty? Any external conflicts we have in our lives often reflect an internal battle, so this is an opportunity to face our inner foe with courage and fortitude!

Much Love

Amy
xoxo

Painting: Inner Fire: Jaime Enriquez

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PISCES FULL MOON - 2 September 2020

8/29/2020

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Exact at 6.21am BST, 1.21 EDT

This Full Moon definitely has some contradictory energy, as the Moon itself is in sensitive, impressionable Pisces while Saturn and Pluto are also playing rather a big role in the overall picture. With the Sun in humble, analytical, service oriented Virgo sitting directly opposite the Moon in empathetic, imaginative and spiritual Pisces, the healing axis is activated. We are now in Virgo season, the sign of work, health and self-improvement, and there is definitely an air of “back to school” as people and businesses seek to function and get back into a more structured routine. However, the danger with Virgo is becoming so busy that we go into overwhelm. Virgo is that part of us that over stresses ourselves with work and general “busyness” in an attempt to fill a void that only Pisces, the sign of spirit, can really fill. This Moon reminds us to focus on developing healthy spiritual routines such as making sure we spend time in nature, meditation, yoga, Qi Gong and suchlike in order to cope with the stress of every day living. This can help to balance and centre and prevent us from going into overwhelm in the face of all the uncertainty and challenges we are dealing with in this current reality.

The Sabian Symbol for this Full Moon, at 11° Pisces, is “ Men travelling a narrow path, seeking illumination”, which Dane Rudyar describes as “ The capacity inherent in every individual to seek, at whatever cost, entrance to a transcendent realm of reality. The Path is always open to the pure in heart, the mentally aware, the conqueror of emotions and the spiritually self-mobilised. Man is always in the making and remaking. He can always go further, reach beyond. But he has to take the first step. Someone can show him the Path, but he alone can do the walking.” This is a reminder to persevere in our own search for the truth, whatever that means to us. We are reminded to stay true to ourselves and keep the faith that we are held. We are all ultimately heading in the same direction, but the path we choose to take may differ. However, only we can do the work on ourselves that is necessary to grow and evolve spiritually, as nobody else can do it for us. There is no “shortcut”! This Moon is a reminder to stay true to the path we are on and do what we can to remain healthy in mind, body and spirit. This is so important right now.

Indeed, Virgo is the sign of healthy routines, while Pisces is the sign that encourages us to develop a direct personal relationship with the divine. We are asked to find a nice balance between the tenergy of the two signs. Virgo is the part of us that seeks perfection and can be incredibly self-critical, analytical and hyper aware of our flaws and inadequacies, so much so that we either paralyse ourselves with negative thinking and give up before we even start or seek a way to improve our situation and overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Pisces is the part of us that has the capacity to simply surrender to flow and find true acceptance and compassion for ourselves, warts and all, and to develop the faith and trust that we are being guided in the right direction. However, we can also fall in being the victim, which is never helpful. In times of crisis it is so very important to remember to do whatever we can to stay connected and centred. The simple act of breathing deeply, walking barefoot in the grass or going for a walk in the woods can bring us back to a feeling of peace and connection to spirit.

The rulers of the Sun and Moon, Mercury and Neptune, are both in their own signs of Virgo and Pisces and both square the Nodes of the Moon during this Full Moon, which is very interesting. With the South Node currently in Sagittarius and North Node in Gemini we are being encouraged to keep an open mind and not become too rigid or stuck in our beliefs. There are many paths to the same destination! The truth is so hard to find at the moment that all we can do is trust our own intuitive hunches and do our own research to find the facts. The Gemini North Node encourages us to find a voice and to express our truth is a way that is palatable and understandable for others. With Neptune square the Nodes the truth is completely shrouded and the potential for illusion and smoke screens is rife. It’s so hard to tell the woods for the trees, and many are very who are very confused about what to believe. However, we are encouraged to feel and show compassion for one another, regardless of what we each think and believe.

This is where Mercury in Virgo comes in, as we are encouraged to practice the art of discrimination and discernment in deciding what to accept and what to discard because it is not serving us. This also goes for self-limiting beliefs that are simply not helping us move forward. Mercury in Virgo can bring a lot of self-critical thoughts and the tendency to pick ourselves and others to pieces. Instead of worrying too much and going into overwhelm or a spiral of negative thinking or self-sabotage, we are encouraged to separate the wheat from the chaff and decide what messages, “truths” or belief s we accept and what we must reject. One step at a time! Mercury in Virgo is very good at self-analysis, as long as it doesn’t turn into self-flagellation! Luckily Mercury is helped out by a harmonious aspect to both Saturn and Pluto, helping us to think sensibly and realistically and to probe beneath the surface to find the answers. We could gain some powerful insights in the coming days and make some important decisions.

Uranus is forming a harmonious aspect to the Sun and Moon, bringing the capacity to make change in our lives and break any unhealthy, toxic, self-destructive or sabotaging habits and patterns of behaviour. With Uranus in Taurus we are currently undergoing a radical shift in values, as what used to hold meaning for us no longer seems important. As this shift occurs we are encouraged to make changes in our daily routine and the way we approach our health and work life. The gift of recent times has been the giant “pause” that forced us off the treadmill and helped us see another way of living and being. We were given a chance to recognise what is most important to us, when it comes down to it, and this Moon encourages us to apply what we have learned moving forward. With Chiron forming a nagging inconjunct aspect to the Sun and Moon, there lies the potential for some kind of crisis if we don’t heed our inner guidance in terms of our mental, emotional and spiritual health. It is better to make the necessary adjustments voluntarily, before we are given no choice.

Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn are rather big players during this Moon, as they are forming an aspect to quite a few planets. This includes forming a Cardinal Grand Square with Mars, Venus and Juno, the goddess of committed partnership. Saturn will be directly opposite Venus on the day of the Full Moon, which could call our relationships into question, calling us to be more accountable and to take responsibility for whatever difficulties we may be having. We may experience feelings of frustration and a sense of limitation in the realm of relationships and finances, and may have to contend with issues around control, anger, assertion and self-worth. We may be forced to look at the way we approach our relationships, values and finances in a very realistic way and take off the rose tinted spectacles, as Saturn does tend to peel back the veil of illusion and force us to see things as they really are.

Saturn and Pluto are currently working as a team, tearing down the structures of our lives and forcing a societal and personal transformation as anything that is “rotten” is exposed for what it is and has no choice but to fall away. This is a painful but necessary process. With these two joining together until mid October thinks could get darker before we are able to see the light. Saturn will move into Aquarius in December, as will Jupiter, which will signify a shift towards the progressive, unorthodox, visionary, humanitarian energy of Aquarius. However, Pluto must continue the work it began in 2008, of exposing the darkness within our power structures and bringing a detoxification and destruction of corrupt and antiquated systems and governing bodies that are simply no longer working in our best interest. It seems quite possible that we will experience a complete collapse of the “system” so that something more aligned with higher values can take its place. Pluto will finally move into Aquarius in March 2023, so we still have some work ahead of us until then, to purge the shadows.

It seems that our relationships are very much being called in focus during this Moon with this Grand Square, as it will be harder to hide from any underlying issues or problems we may be having. Pluto will be opposite Venus over the coming days, exact on Sunday 30 August, and the energy will still be present during the Full Moon. This could bring up any compulsive tendencies in the way we relate, making us more aware of the subconscious psychological complexes and power plays that play out within our relationships. This a great opportunity to look into the ugly mirror and recognise our shadows and also to become aware of any toxicity within our close relationships. That is the beauty of close relationships, as they can help us to see ourselves and our shadow material more clearly, even if we don’t like what we see. This does seem like a good opportunity to transform our relationship to ourselves and others, not to mention the potential for an overhaul of our value system and attitude to finances.

This Full Moon certainly does seem like a good opportunity to do some decluttering, detoxing, cleansing and purification in order to prune away anything that is not serving our physical, mental and spiritual health. A Pisces Full Moon can certainly make us more aware of where and how we are overwhelmed and off kilter and can help prompt us towards a more peaceful and simple existence. Nobody else has the magic wand that can miraculously make our lives better, so the onus is on us to do the inner work and make the outer adjustments necessary to create a healthier, happier daily life so that we are better able to cope with whatever lies ahead. Pisces is a very subtle, gentle energy that invites us to turn inward and to recognise that we have everything we need within us. “God” isn’t something or someone outside of us, pulling the strings. It’s in inside job. Spirit is all around us and, more importantly, is within all of us. We are co-creators of our own reality and just have to stop being our own worst enemy and practice the art of self-acceptance and surrender to the flow of the river. Can we show ourselves as much compassion as we so readily show others? How can we be kinder to ourselves, in mind, body and spirit?

Much Love

Amy
xoxo

Picture: Path - Unknown

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LEO NEW MOON - 19 August 2020

8/16/2020

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Exact at 3.41am BST (18 August in USA)

This Moon could help to inject some hope and joy into our lives, as the Sun and Moon are forming their monthly union in creative, playful and expressive Leo, a sign that is very good at following the path of joy. New Moons spark a new cycle, and in Leo we are invited to play around with a creative new vision of how life could be. The structure of many of our lives has been breaking down and it seems that life is never going to be the same again, so we are asked to adapt and adjust and to literally “play around” with ideas and ways to create a better life. Mercury is also in Leo, sitting right next to the Sun and Moon, inviting us to exchange ideas and come up with creative solutions to the challenges we face. Leo is the part of us that has the capacity to creatively actualise our destiny and to be the director of our own play rather than victims of circumstance, and so this Moon encourages us to get creative. There is a hint of hope here, with lots of supportive planetary energy around to help us move forward and grow.

The Sabian Symbol for the New Moon, at 27° Leo, the energy of which will play out over the next month, is “The luminescence of dawn in the Eastern sky”, which Dane Rudyar describes as “The exalting challenge of new opportunities at the threshold of a new cycle. While the rainbow marks the end of the crisis, early dawn indicates the real beginning of the new period of activity. After the “peak experience,” in which we touch our “divine” potentialities, comes the struggle with everyday problems. But at first the state of deep inner exultation remains within us. We are aglow with its promise. The crisis and the blessings it has brought to us are relatively unusual events; every day has its dawn, which we should meet with a pure heart and a clear mind. Alpha (dawn) and omega (the concluding peak experience) are opposites, yet the same. Keyword here is ILLUMINATION.” This truly is a symbol of hope, a sense of a new dawn as we slowly emerge out of the darkness into the light. It is an invitation to recognise and acknowledge the blessings and opportunities that come from crisis. It’s time to wake up and smell the roses!

There is a niggling inconjunct aspect between Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn and the Sun and Moon in Leo that could bring some kind of crisis or humbling experience that forces us to contemplate what needs to change and how we might implement that change. Saturn and Pluto are getting close to each other again, bringing the potential for further transformation and dismantling of the structure of our lives and society. However, ultimately these two powerful planets don’t come together for no reason, for the “destruction” occurs in order to break down both personal and societal structures that are repressive, oppressive, corrupted, unhealthy and not serving us anymore. This is a painful process, as we watch life as we know it crumble before our eyes and are forced to face ourselves and look our shadows squarely in the face. This Moon, however, gives a glimpse of the “New Dawn” that awaits on the other side of all of this. We are asked to put aside any fear and creatively envision what we would like the rebirth to look like and what needs to rise up out of the ashes. As life as we know it crumbles around us, what do we want to create for ourselves? How can we become the master of our own destiny? What might our new path look like? What, when it comes down to it, truly brings us joy?

Mars in Aries is forming a harmonious trine aspect to the Sun, Moon and Mercury, while challenging Pluto and Saturn. This fiery planet has been bringing up a lot of anger, rage and even overt aggression, violence and bullying, as people act and react out of fear. However, it is also helping us to be brave and confront some very difficult material. Mars in Aries represents the pioneer in all of us, the part of us that is not afraid to venture into new territory and forge a new path. And this is exactly what we are being asked to do right now. This is unknown territory for all everyone, and while it is natural to feel fear, anger, uncertainty and a lack of control, this Moon invites us to channel the Mars warrior energy in some kind of creative way and to have the courage to implement our ideas, express ourselves and say what needs to be said. Mars in Aries can be a very destructive, reactive energy, but if we channel it into some kind of project or enterprise, or use it to do things we didn’t even think we were capable of, then it can be incredibly constructive. This is a strong, brave, honest, forthright, energy that can really help us through these turbulent times if we allow it. It can help us to perform feats that we would normally run a mile from!

The Nodes of the Moon are being positively aspected by the Sun, Moon, Mercury and Mars during this Moon, which is very useful for our growth, both personally and collectively. We are currently being encouraged to let go of any unhealthy Sagittarius tendencies and integrate the energy of Gemini. This involves developing the capacity to really, truly listen to other people’s reality and to try and grasp their perspective rather than trying to convince and convert them to our version of the truth. With Jupiter, the ruler of Sagittarius, currently in Capricorn, there is the potential for people clinging desperately to their beliefs out of fear and being very intolerant and judgemental about any concepts, perspectives and beliefs that challenge their world view and sense of security. Indeed, humanity is becoming more and more polarised as time goes on, separated into “camps” by opposing belief systems and dogma.

With a lovely Grand Fire trine between the Sun/Moon/Mercury, Mars and the South Node of the Moon, we are encouraged to have the courage to open our minds and be able to accept other people’s point of view. It could also help us to find our voice and express what is in our hearts. When it comes down to it, the truth is very hard to find it the moment, but we do know it in our hearts if we are only able to listen and trust. The Gemini North Node also encourages us to do our own research rather than just accepting what we are being told is the truth by those in authority. Ultimately we need to integrate the energy of the two signs, which involves harnessing our capacity to trust our intuitive “sixth sense” and inner knowing truly listening to our inner voice (Sagittarius) and to find a way to make rational decisions based on a mixture of our hunches and thorough research(Gemini).

Neptune in Pisces is now forming a square to the Nodes of the Moon, which will be building over the coming months and is exact in January. To put it in historical perspective, the Titanic went down while Neptune was square the Nodes, and by all accounts things were not as they seemed during that event, as something larger was at play. This brings the possibility of us needing to sacrifice something for the greater whole, and for unified acts of empathy and compassion. Whenever Neptune is involved we have the potential for something to happen that is outside our control and that has an impact on us as a collective. As such, we must watch out for falling into victim consciousness. With Neptune square the Nodes in Sagittarius and Gemini, it makes it very difficult to know the truth. Neptune makes things very unclear and foggy, being the planet of illusion and smoke screens, so much so that it is hard to know what to believe. Indeed, the truth may be shrouded from us until we are ready to face it.

Neptune square the Nodes brings the potential for profound disillusionment as the smokes screens are lifted and the truth of the matter comes to conscious awareness. Disillusionment is sometimes necessary, although painful, if we have been unable to see past the illusion and fantasy. Indeed, sometimes the truth is so fantastical that it is hard to believe! However, there is also the potential for people to join together collectively, in unity, and demand to have a voice and know the truth. When it comes down to it, the power of the collective is incredible. When people join together as a unified front, amazing things can happen. One for all and all for one!

Possibly Neptune is asking us to turn inward and connect in a different way, honouring our intuition and inner guidance rather than blindly accepting what we are being told by those in authority. Spending time in nature is a very good way to reconnect to our higher wisdom and shut out all the opinions and thoughts that are swirling around nowadays. However, we may also be prone to self-delusion, only seeing what we want to see and burying our heads in the sand so that we don’t have to face up to reality and uncomfortable truths. Neptune is very adept at the art of escaping reality! It will also be interesting to see what impact this square to the Nodes has on travel, because we are already seeing less international travel (Sagittarius) and an emphasis on staying local (Gemini).

This Moon does seem to offer some hope, encouraging us to take what we have gained from crisis and the dark night of the soul and start to contemplate what might lie ahead. It is easy to fall into fear, especially when everything is so uncertain, but this Moon seems to be asking us to get creative with our intention setting and to truly follow our hearts. This is a chance to start over, a tabula rasa, a time to be empty and see what arises. The New Dawn image reminds us that we are somehow transitioning between the dark and the light, and it is time to move focus on the light rather than dwelling in the darkness. No matter what might be going on, and however scary, we are asked to change our perspective, keep the faith and focus on the potential for a “new dawn”. If there is any New Moon to set positive intentions and leave our fear and negativity behind in the dark of the moon, this is the one! Leo invites us to have fun and play with the possibilities that lie ahead, to envision and create the life we truly want and to follow the path of joy.

Painting – Ode to Turner No 2 – Terry Orletsky

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August 01st, 2020

8/1/2020

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AQUARIUS FULL MOON - Monday 3 August, exact at 4.58pm BST, 11.58am EDT

This seems like a Full Moon that has the potential for some shocks or surprises that could wake us up and bring the change we need. Not only is the Moon full in Aquarius, the sign that questions the status quo and breaks the rules, but Uranus, the ruler of Aquarius, is also forming a square to the Sun and Moon. Uranus is the planet of wake up calls, the harbinger of change, the bringer of unexpected events that break us out of stagnant ruts or difficult situations and release us from our conditioned habits and patterns. As such, there is the potential for some kind of curve ball that we were not expecting, but which could be quite liberating. Full Moons tend to bring to a head anything that was seeded around the New Moon and can force whatever has been percolating since then out into the light so that we can see it clearly. On 21 July we had the New Moon, which revolved around issues such as home, roots, feelings of belonging, soul tribe, family and childhood patterns. This is a process that started then and will be culminating now. This is the kind of Moon that could free us up somehow.

This Moon certainly has some clout behind it and may force a change of perspective, whether we like it or not. This could be especially so for anyone with personal planets close to the 11th degree of the fixed signs Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. The Sun has recently gone into creative, playful and self-expressive Leo, the sign that encourages us to be the master of our own destiny and the director of our own play. The Leo/Aquarius axis is very creative, inviting us to creatively actualise our visions for a better future. The Leo part of ourselves creates and expresses all that we are, while Aquarius invites us to take that creative vision out into the world and help to make the world a better place to be. Many artists and creative types (Leo) live on the fringe of society (Aquarius), able to see outside of the box and improve and beautify their environment. Aquarius can help any Leo tendency to be a bit subjective by encouraging us to step back and be a bit more detached and objective. However, with Aquarius sometimes we can become a bit too detached or alienated, finding it safer to be in the head when the going gets tough, while Leo encourages us to dive in and live from the heart. This Moon asks us to find some balance between the two.

Both Uranus and Chiron the Wounded Healer are forming an aspect to the Sun and Moon during this Full Moon. Uranus is a challenging aspect which could shake things up and force us out of our comfort zone. It could also bring some kind of shock that jolts us into new awareness or realisation and liberates us from any chains that may be binding us. Uranus is currently in Taurus, the sign of material security, values and our inner relationship with ourselves. We are certainly on the cusp of a economic revolution of some kind, and sometimes a complete breakdown is needed before a breakthrough.We are also being forced into a radical change of values, not to mention being forced to think outside the box when it comes to survival issues. Indeed, our sense of safety and material stability is certainly experiencing a profound shake up right now! This Full Moon could cause us to feel this quite acutely, as Uranus’s influence can be quite unsettling or exciting, depending on which way you look at it! Chiron’s aspect is more gentle, giving us the chance to be really honest about some of our core wounds and to heal old trauma and any sense of insecurity or alienation that we may be feeling.

Mars in Aries is a very big player this year, bringing up anger in its rawest form and asking us to be very brave indeed. We will all be affected by it at some point or other, as it triggers our various personal planets. It heats everything up considerably, causing people to be more reactive, forthright, honest and potentially aggressive than they might usually be. It certainly gets everything out into the open, however! During this Moon Mars is squaring up against Jupiter in Capricorn, which could cause us to be quite forceful and even aggressive about our beliefs and opinions than we might usually be, and more prone to anger when faced with any beliefs that contradict our own. It might also help us to be braver about expressing our views and standing up for our beliefs, having greater courage in our convictions, which could be a good thing if we are usually timid in this area. Indeed, this combination can really help us to be brave in general. In this current climate, there are many who are scared to voice their opinion or express their beliefs in case they are pounced on by people with opposing views. People are literally losing friends and family members because of differing beliefs. Mars could make the situation even more volatile, but could also help with independent thinking and give us the courage to face the truth, even if we don’t like what we find.

Mars is also working up to a challenging square with Pluto in Capricorn, which will be exact on 13 August. Pluto is the planet of the soul, while Mars is the ambassador of the soul, representing our conscious desires and helping us to act on the subconscious desires of Pluto. When these two come up against each other we could find ourselves acting and reacting from a very unconscious, buried place deep within ourselves. We may be forced to be truly honest and incredibly brave in facing parts of ourselves that we might find it very hard to see or admit to. This combination could help us to find reserves of energy and courage that we didn’t know existed, but might equally bring up rage that has long since been buried. It could also bring brute force and psychological warfare from those in power and authority, but equally could mean that people find the courage to stand up against any corruption and reveal any dark agendas for what they are. This is the first of three squares between Mars and Pluto this year. The next will be on 9 Oct and the final one will be 23 Dec.

There is certainly a lot of impulsive Mars in Aries fire to contend with during this Moon! It is interesting that Mars is square Jupiter, the ruler of the Sagittarius South Node, causing people to be very forceful and self-righteous about their beliefs, while Venus is sitting right on top of the Gemini North Node, showing us the way forward. Love is the answer! Really, truly listening to one another’s point of view instead of attacking or trying to convince or convert is the Venus in Gemini way. Venus in Gemini encourages kindness, tact, diplomacy and compromise when communicating. The Gemini North Node is showing us that the way forward is to keep an open mind rather than becoming too rigid or fanatical about our beliefs, convinced that our version of the truth is the only one. Gemini invites us to remain curious and open to having our minds and beliefs changed, while Venus on the North Node reminds us to keep our minds and hearts well and truly open.

There is a lot of fear going around at the moment, which contracts the heart and causes people to react very strongly to one another. It is so important to be mindful of the way we communicate with one another, which may or may not be helped by an opposition between Saturn and Mercury. On the one hand Saturn can inhibit the way we communicate and cause fearful, pessimistic, limiting thoughts, grief and even depression, while on the other hand it can mean that we think and talk in a controlled, measured way and find a way to make sensible decisions based in reality. We also have an opposition between Mercury and Pluto which will be exact on Saturday 1 August, which could mean that we experience incredible psychological insight but could also mean that we say things to one another that are manipulative or somewhat below the belt, even if they are true. Pluto can be very probing and adept at digging out anything that is hiding in the shadows, and so we may find that conversations really penetrate to the heart of the matter and uncover some uncomfortable truths.

It is always so very important to remember Neptune in Pisces and do our very best to get out into nature as much as possible to feed our spirit and keep our heart open. Neptune in Pisces also reminds us to find compassion and empathy for one another. There isn’t one person on this planet right now who isn’t struggling in one way or another, so it is absolutely essential to remember that we are not separate beings, but all part of one big energy system.This division and polarised concept of “us against them” is an illusion. We are all the same consciousness having a different human experience. United we stand, divided we fall! Neptune and Jupiter are forming a harmonious sextile aspect to each other during this Moon which peaked on 27 July but is still strong. This can help us with our spiritual growth and give us the faith that whatever we are going through is ultimately for a higher purpose both personally and collectively. Spiritual growth is not a walk in the park, but can be quite a messy business at times!

The Sabian Symbol for this Full Moon, at 12° Aquarius, is: “On a vast staircase stand people of different types, graduated upward.”, which Dane Rudyar describes as “The necessity of recognising differences of types and levels of development, wherever human beings live and work together. This symbol obviously refers to the ascending process of evolution of life forms and consciousness. It seems to apply especially to the fact that differences of levels exist among human beings. The ideal of equalitarianism has to be balanced by a realisation that hierarchy of levels is a fact of nature. Each person should be aware of the level at which he (or she) stands, even as he strives to move toward a higher one. He should look up for inspiration and examples, while helping the human beings of the next lower level to reach up”. This is an interesting symbol, as it could be seen as different levels of spiritual awareness, or it could be the different opinions people hold and the “camps” they belong to. It could be class or the financial bracket each are in. We are all on the same staircase, however. Instead of comparing ourselves to others or judging them for their differences, we should simply keep an eye on where we are going and help others to do the same. This almost feels like an invitation to mind our own business!

This Moon could certainly help to free us from any chains that may be binding us and has the potential to bring our inner rebel to the fore! Uranus is known as the Great Awakener, and sometimes we need a shock or two to jolt us into awareness and help us to see things from a different perspective. Venus conjunct the North Node feels like a very important part of this Moon, reminding us to keep and open mind and heart and to be kind to one another. Some very raw emotions could come up and with Mars in Aries in full effect the potential for anger is great, but Venus reminds us to listen to each other and to seek the middle ground instead of self-righteous judgement or cruelty. So often the truth is found somewhere in the middle! With Saturn back in Capricorn and getting close to Pluto again, we are going through a mass purge, confronting enormous amounts of grief and dealing with our personal and collective karma as life as we know it falls to the ground. This Moon can help us to break free and wake up somehow and take a step back so that we can see things as they really are.

Much Love

Amy
xoxo

Picture: Freedom by Lenthey Qin (13 years old)

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CANCER NEW MOON - 20 July 2020

7/18/2020

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Exact at 6.32pm BST, 1.32pm EDT

This is a once in a Blue Moon, as it is the second New Moon in Cancer within a month. Usually we only have one New Moon in an given sign per year, but it seems that we are being asked to spend a bit more time with the energy of Cancer this year! The last Cancer New Moon, on the Solstice, started an energetic ball rolling that came to a head with the Capricorn Full Moon on the 5th. At that time Mercury was Retrograde, causing us to look back and reflect, not to mention that misunderstandings were rife! Now Mercury is going direct again, and this Moon will also set a ball in motion as something new comes into being and anything that needs to pass away is left behind in the dark of the Moon. Cancer is all about home, childhood, family, ancestry, the past, nationhood, tribes, nurturing and motherhood. This is the sign that helps us to find our roots and a sense of belonging, whatever that means to us. This is the part of us that struggles with insecurity and neediness and must ultimately realise that happiness is an inside job. It is not the job of anyone or anything to make us feel secure and meet all of our emotional needs. Ultimately that is up to us.

Some questions to ask during a Cancer New Moon might be: Where is home? Is it an external place or a feeling inside of us? Where and how do we find a true sense of belonging? What emotions might the current situation bring up that need to be honoured and expressed? What causes us to feel insecure or vulnerable? What might be pulling us back into the past and preventing us from fully moving forward? Indeed, do we tend to live too much in the past? Who and what are we too dependent on to make us feel emotionally secure? Are we in touch with our true emotions and do we express them in a childish or mature manner? Are we connected to the land we live on? Are we able to parent ourselves and take responsibility for our own emotional reactions to other people’s actions? Who is our tribe, our soul family? Are we nurturing those relationships adequately? What messages might our emotions hold? When it comes to the truth of the matter, how do we really feel?

There is still a bit of a Capricorn party at the moment, which is very much a part of this New Moon, as the planets are opposite the Sun and Moon. In fact, Saturn is directly opposite and is a very strong influence, as not only is it the ruler of Capricorn but is also in it own sign of Capricorn right now! This could make us very aware of how we suppress our emotions and protect ourselves by putting walls up. Indeed, we could feel a bit cut off from others during this Moon, as we may have to contend with feelings of loneliness, grief, and sorrow. We could feel a bit weighed down, fearful or burdened and might tend to withdraw from one another somewhat. Saturn is quite a heavy, karmic energy that forces us to see things as they really are rather than how we would like them to be, and sometimes this can be a bit depressing. It can make it a bit hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Saturn energy can make us feel restricted, limited, controlled and constricted by those in authority.We may have to face up to the repercussions of past actions, as we reap what we sow. Saturn asks us to make concrete decisions, take responsibility for ourselves and make a deeper commitment, forcing us to be truly accountable and come from a place of integrity.

Jupiter and Pluto are also opposing the Sun and Moon, although not as tightly as Saturn, so their energy will be felt around the time of this Moon. Indeed, this conjunction is one of the most prominent themes of 2020, as it spans most of the year. It brings up huge issues around people’s beliefs, as people attempt to convince or convert others to their version of the truth, even though it is hard to really know what the truth is. Any opposing opinions are bringing up very strong emotions in some people, and there is so much judgement and fear based beliefs around that it is frightening. Fear can make people very reactive and rigid, and tends to contract the heart. It is so very important to do all we can to keep our hearts open and not to operate from a place of fear, as it is so destructive! Capricorn is the sign of control and authority, and when Pluto comes into contact with Jupiter there is the potential for propaganda and mind control by those in power who might have an ulterior motive and hidden agenda. When Pluto and Jupiter join forces the truth can be occluded, hidden, obscured.

There is also the capacity for some very thorough research, digging deep in the search for the truth. The gift of this combination is the capacity to smell a rat, to learn to really trust our sixth sense and our intuition. All is not as it seems, and Jupiter and Pluto can help us to see beneath the surface and find what is hidden there, even if it is not pretty. This is a year for purging some “programmed” or conditioned beliefs, which can be quite a painful yet profoundly transforming process. It is as if we are in a birth canal at the moment, which is quite a dark place to be! With the Sagittarius South Node also forming a “crisis” aspect to the Sun and Moon, there is definitely a sense of us needing to examine some of our more rigid or ingrained beliefs and convictions and to be open to a other peoples point of view and a new way of seeing things.

Saturn and Pluto are also moving back towards each other, as Saturn is retrograde in Capricorn, having recently left Aquarius for a little while. The conjunction between these two powerful planets back in January was the catalyst for the destruction of systems and structures, both personal and societal. There is a sense that systems that are deeply flawed or no longer have integrity are being broken beyond repair. We have been forced to dive deep into our own shadows and also to recognise the deeper, darker aspects of the power structures that govern us. Fear based control has been rife this year, and it will be interesting to see what happens as the planet of karma, control, authority and structure comes back to meet the planet of power, death/rebirth, the underworld and transformation. They will not form an exact conjunction, as they did on 12 January, but will come closest to each other on 29 September, and the energy will be building up until then.

During this New Moon we have an exact “square off” between Chiron in Aries and Mercury in Cancer. This could cause us to come to some understanding and have realisations that are quite painful but also profoundly healing. We may be forced to be very honest with ourselves and to realise where the source of our current pain lies, which could have its roots in childhood and even past lives. Indeed, there is a huge amount to be learned from history, as we tend to keep making the same mistakes over and over again as patterns repeat. Someone may say something to us that hurts us or triggers our old wounds and causes us to react or become defensive. Indeed, we may do the same to someone else. There is much healing possible here, but it may involve having to have a difficult conversation or come to a painful realisation. Mercury is in Cancer, so the focus may be our home, family, our country, roots, childhood or sense of belonging. This all ties in with the nature of this New Moon, which is intensely personal.

The Sabian Symbol for this New Moon, the energy of which will play out over the coming month, is in 29° Cancer: “A Greek Muse weighing new-born twins in golden scales”, which Dane Rudyar describes as “The intuitive weighing of alternatives…..at this stage in the process of individualisation two ways are open. The individual person may hesitate before making his decision. His “intuition” (the Muse) is able to show him what the choice is. Perhaps there can be a way of combining the two alternatives. But, as the next symbol implies, the one which in the end has the greatest appeal may not be the “nature” way. This symbol reveals to us the pro and con operation of the mind when faced with a vital decision. Because it is the “Muse” that is doing the weighing, it is apparent that forces deeper or higher than the intellect are actually at work - the intuitive mind, or what Jung calls the “anima,” i.e. the psychic function which relates ego-consciousness to the collective Unconscious. What we see happening, at the very threshold of a new cycle, is an INNER PRESENTATION OF ALTERNATIVES”.

There is a sense that we may be faced with some kind a decision or choice in the coming month. This symbol also alludes to the extreme polarisation that we are currently experiencing in society, with so many different “camps”. How do we find balance between all of the “opposites”? Do we actually have to take a side and “choose”? How can we find a balance between our head and heart? We are encouraged to listen to our inner guidance to show us the way, which is reinforced by a harmonious sextile aspect between Jupiter and Neptune, bringing the gift of faith and intuition. As Rudyar says, maybe we can combine the two alternatives somehow. The scales could also mean weighing up alternative points of view.

The Sabian symbol for Saturn is also interesting, at 29° Capricorn, and could help somehow: “A woman reading tea leaves”, which Rudyar describes as “The ability to see the signature of hidden meaning in every occurrence drawing one’s attention. Man has always sought to interpret the meaning of events or situations which baffle him in terms of specific omens or “Signatures.” What is implied is the ability not only to perceive the facts of everyday existence, but to see through these facts and discover how they are related to the realm of basic meanings or archetypal processes. This is essentially what is meant by true CLAIRVOYANCE, the capacity to see in everything the Signature of deeper realities.” This symbol asks us that we have the potential for receiving messages if we are open to seeing the signs. It is important to use both our left and right brain, and trust in our intuitive knowing and any clues and symbolism that can help us to know which way to turn. The signs are all around us if we can only open our eyes to see.

The Sun is about to take us into creative, self-expressive, playful Leo season, but for some reason we are being asked to stay with the theme of Cancer for a little while longer, hence a second New Moon in this sensitive, emotional sign. Saturn’s involvement may force us to take responsibility and make a decision or deeper commitment to something. It certainly seems that we may be asked to weigh up some alternatives, which is where Cancer can help, as it encourages us to recognise what emotions come up when we talk about whatever we are facing. Our emotions hold the key. Our body is wiser than our mind, which can easily play tricks on us, and our emotions can reveal the truth of the matter, because they don’t lie.

Much Love

Amy
xoxo

Painting: Reading Tea Leaves by Harry Herman Roseland

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TAURUS FULL MOON - 31 October 2020

LIBRA NEW MOON - 16 October 2020

MARS SQUARE PLUTO - exact 9 October 2020

ARIES FULL MOON - 1 October 2020

VIRGO NEW MOON - 17 September 2020

MARS RETROGRADE IN ARIES: 9 September - 14 November 2020

PISCES FULL MOON - 2 September 2020

LEO NEW MOON - 19 August 2020

August 01st, 2020

CANCER NEW MOON - 20 July 2020

Amy Bird

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