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LEO FULL MOON - 28 January 2021

1/25/2021

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Picture
Exact at 7.16pm UK time
 
There is a lot going on during this Moon, not to mention that we have a lot of electrical Aquarian energy at the moment, which can make things quite unpredictable and exciting! Aquarius season is in full swing now, which could bring out our inner rebel and help us to question the status quo. Aquarius represents the people and is not afraid to challenge authority and break the rules, especially if the rules don’t make sense or are harmful to humanity. Wherever Aquarius is found in our charts we tend not to conform to societal standards and like to do things our own way! Aquarius likes to form groups with like-minded folk, but more often than not feels somewhat detached, on the outside looking in. However, this can be quite helpful, as it gives objectivity and the capacity to see things from the bird’s-eye perspective. Aquarius energy is eccentric, quirky, rebellious, unconventional and wilful and these qualities could be more apparent during this Full Moon and in the coming weeks.  
 
The Full Moon in Leo invites us to find our joy. This is a very playful, spontaneous, expressive,  creative sign that is very much ruled by the heart. While Aquarius can tend to stand on the outskirts of society looking in, Leo is a full participant; the star of the show that isn’t afraid to shine! Both approaches have their advantages and disadvantages, of course. In a world that seems to be lacking in joy and fun right now, this Moon encourages us to participate in activities that bring us joy and pleasure and get our creative juices flowing. We are invited to bring our inner child out to play and find a way to express whatever is in our hearts, whether it be joy, sorrow, rage, resentment, gratitude, love, boredom, frustration, loneliness, bliss, excitement….let it all out!
 
Aquarius is the part of ourselves that has visions of a better future, while our Leo creativity helps us to actually turn the visions into reality. The artists and creative types are often the non-conformist, innovative visionaries who help to make the world more beautiful and a better place to live, but are often found on the outskirts of society. Similarly, their ideas and innovations can sometimes be so “out there” and ahead of their time that people find it hard to accept them.
 
For this Moon, we may simply want to contemplate how to bring some Leo fun, creativity and self-expression into our lives, whether it be through dancing, singing, playing music, painting or simply playing games. Whatever we can do to bring some joy into the picture and a sense of gratitude and childlike wonder! While Aquarius represents technology, which both connects us and keeps us very separate, Leo could be seen as the master of the board game, which encourages full participation and gives us a much needed break from technology. It is no surprise that board games such as the jigsaw have made such a comeback in recent times.
 
Indeed, with Saturn also in Aquarius for the next two and a half years,we are getting a heavy dose of the reality of the technological age we are living in. We are seeing just how easy it is for those in authority to use technology as a form of control and manipulation if they so choose. With so much being online now, we are forced into a virtual reality that is hard on us in every way - physically, emotionally and spiritually. While Aquarius likes to congregate in like-minded groups, Saturnian authority is currently suppressing and limiting this capacity, as people are prevented from seeing friends, gathering in groups or protesting their rights, and are progressively losing more and more of the freedom and liberty that Aquarius values so much. It is so hard to see what the future holds, as the current reality squashes our Aquarian hopes and dreams, making it hard to find anything to look forward to. Indeed, it is hard to envision what the world will look like six months from now, let alone make any plans!
 
We are currently moving towards the first of three squares between Saturn and Uranus, and Uranus happens to be the ruler of Aquarius. The first face off between these two planets is exact on 18 February and is building in energy now. It will be interesting to see what happens when Saturn, the planet that represents authority and the way we structure our reality, comes up against the Uranus, the planet of revolution, wake up calls and sudden change. These are two very different characters; the old versus the new, tradition versus innovation, authoritarian control versus revolutionary freedom, reality versus new vision! We may find that what we thought to be real is severely challenged and even blown apart, forcing us to see things as they really are rather than how we have been conditioned and programmed to see them.
 
This combination certainly could bring the continuation of the dismantling of societal structures, combined with the work that Pluto has been doing since 2008, exposing the rot in the power structures.  It brings the potential for the current reality to be somehow broken down so that we can  break through to the other side, whatever that looks like! The energy of Uranus brings sudden shocks and surprises that could somehow wake us up to reality and could also bring about more uprisings against those in authority. We may also find that more and more people seek to free themselves from the control that technology has over them, kicking back against the technocracy.   
       
Mars, Uranus and Black Moon Lilith are all sitting together in Taurus, a powerful trio indeed, that is very present indeed during this Moon, forming a challenging square to the Sun, Moon, Saturn and Jupiter. Mars has moved past Uranus in the past week, bringing some very erratic, unsettled energy, and is now moving onto Black Moon Lilith, exact on 29 January. What might happen when the warrior planet comes into contact with the enraged feminine energy of LIlith? We may come across some very intense, turbulent emotions such as rage, jealousy, passion and uncontrollable anger. BML has no respect for authority and doesn’t like to be told what to do and neither do Mars or Uranus, so this trio could cause some trouble! Emotions could certainly be riding high during this passionate Moon and we may be forced to confront the darker side of our natures, which ultimately could be quite empowering.
 
Speaking of passion, Pluto and Venus are joining forces in Capricorn on this Full Moon, which could also bring some powerful emotions to the surface within the realm of our relationships. This could bring the truth of the matter out into the open, forcing us to admit our vulnerabilities and face the darker aspects of ourselves. Issues around trust, power/powerlessness, obsession, jealousy, manipulation, secrecy and agendas could come up to be examined. Any subconscious compulsions, such as a need for control, could rear their head in our more intimate relationships and it could be more easy to see through people and recognise their subconscious motivations. This is a powerful combination that could bring greater transparency within our relationships and the financial world and could also force some material out into the open that might have hitherto been swept under the carpet! Anyone with personal planets close to 25° of a sign, particularly the cardinal signs Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn, will feel this the most.  
 
Mercury is getting ready to turn retrograde in Aquarius on 31 January, which means that he could be in Trickster mode in the next few days! The week when Mercury goes retrograde can tend to bring miscommunications, misunderstandings, confusion, technology acting strangely, letters and emails going astray, delays in travel and crossed wires, so it is important to be aware of this and to have a sense of humour about the whole thing! Mercury retrograde gives us an opportunity to look back over things and reflect, review, reveal, re-do, repair, repeat and see what we would do differently with a little retrospective understanding.
 
The Aquarius influence invites us to think outside of the box and look at things from an entirely different perspective. Indeed, we might even want to overhaul any tired and outworn routines and breathe some fresh air into our lives! We may receive information that shocks us or wakes us up, forcing us to see things very differently to the way we have been conditioned to perceive them. People may pop up from our past who have messages for us, with whom we have unfinished business.
 
The Sabian symbol for this Moon feels very appropriate for the Leo/Aquarius axis and also brings a bit of hope: 10° Leo “Early morning dew sparkles as sunlight floods the field”, which Dane Rudyar describes as “The exalted feeling that rises within the soul of the individual who has successfully passed through the long night which has tested his/her strength and his/her faith. The cold air of night having precipitated upon the field of man’s consciousness the moisture of his deepest feelings, this widely spread dew is blessed with the light of significance by the rising sun of the new day. Even tears can be transformed into jewels in the light of victory over night and sorrow. The would-be reformer has to meet many emotional problems as he begins his work of creation. Creation means transformation; the reformer is actually a transformer if he is truly a creative and inspired individual open to the spirit that “makes everything new.” The building of a new society, and of one’s renewed personality as well, is just as much a process of artistic creation as the making of a delicate glass vase or a symphony. The Keyword is TRANSFIGURATION.”  Bring on the new day!
 
This surely  is a very creative, passionate Moon and an ideal opportunity to let our hair down and express ourselves in whatever way feels necessary or appropriate. Jupiter in Aquarius is a very big player, sitting right next to the Aquarius Sun and opposing the Moon, which brings an expansive, hopeful quality to the whole affair. Emotions could be very big and very dramatic with Jupiter involved, but there is also a sense of optimism and Jupiterian jolliness and joviality which could be quite helpful. Jupiter in Aquarius encourages us to keep our minds open to alternatives and to be more tolerant of one another, even if we do have different beliefs. It reminds us to have a sense of humour and look at the bigger picture rather than getting bogged down in the petty details. Meanwhile the Leo Moon invites us to get creative and do whatever we can to bring a bit of joy into our lives. Leo knows all too well that we are the master of our destiny, the director of our play and have the capacity to creatively actualise our full potential and the life we want to live. Aquarius reminds us that it is all a question of perspective. What reality do we want to live in?
 
Much love
 
Amy
xoxo
 
Picture: Joy, by Anuj Malhotra
 

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CAPRICORN NEW MOON - 13 January 2021

1/11/2021

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Picture
Exact at 5am UK time
 
This is the first New Moon of this year and involves a high degree of planetary tension, instability and excitement! We have the potential to set some powerful intentions for both ourselves and the world we live in, leaving whatever isn’t serving us behind in the dark of the Moon and contemplating what we wish for as the Moon starts its new phase. Capricorn is very good at the art of self-reflection and can help us to be realistic about our intentions, but not only that, it gives us the discipline and resolution to steadily work towards our goals.This is especially important at the moment, given that we are living in such an uncertain, unstable times, watching the Capricornian structures crumble around us. In an ideal world, what would we like to take their place? What kind of world to we want to live in moving forward? How can we help make that happen? How might we need to grow up, step up and take more responsibility, becoming more accountable for ourselves and our future?
 
The Sun and Moon are sitting right next to Pluto, the planet of power, soul and transformation, so this particular New Moon could pack a serious punch as it has more of an impact on our soul growth and evolution, both personally and collectively. Pluto has been in Capricorn since 2008 and will be there until 2023, slowly but surely exposing the rot and flaws within both our personal and societal structures. Pluto is the God of the underworld, who is not afraid to confront the darker aspects of life and dig out anything that might be corrupt, unhealthy, outworn or antiquated. Pluto is also the agent of cataclysmic change and transformation; the planet of death and rebirth that slowly but surely destroys anything that is no longer working so that something healthier and better for us can rise up out of the ashes. This New Moon could help us to peer into the shadows and really confront whatever we find there, even if it’s not pretty, so that we can transmute it. It may be hard to find anywhere to hide!
 
Eris, the goddess of chaos, strife and discord, is forming a challenging square aspect to the Sun, Moon and Pluto, and is incredibly strong right now because she is stationary, about to turn direct. This energy calls for us to wake up and open our eyes to what we don’t want to see, to take our power back, to take action and set a ball in motion for change and transformation. Often Eris’s energy can spark unrest and can cause things to quickly unravel, almost spiraling out of control. She is known for things going “viral”. She is a powerful force for those who are outcast or misunderstood by the mainstream of society, calling them to stand up and be counted. She is involved in a long standing battle with Pluto over the past year or so, challenging the powers that be to be more accountable and transparent, and is now directly impacting this New Moon.
 
Mars has finally left Aries on 6 January and is now in Taurus, meaning that the warrior planet has moved from fire to earth, which could be more stable and less impulsive. However, Mars is now moving towards a conjunction with Uranus, the Great Awakener and Revolutionary, who tends to bring sudden events that shock and surprise us into change and force a change of perspective. Mars and Uranus together is a volatile combination and can bring rebellious and revolutionary acts, unrest, the courage to question the status quo and consensus reality, sudden outbursts of violence or anger and, especially in Taurus, volcanoes and earthquakes. In fact, we could experience volcanic eruptions in our own lives, especially if we have personal planets or angles around 6° of a sign, particularly the fixed signs of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. The energy of this conjunction will be present all month, but will at its strongest on 20 January. We can expect some shock and surprises while these two characters join forces! Neither like being told what to do by those in authority!
 
Just to add to the story, Mars and Uranus are forming a challenging square aspect to Jupiter, Saturn and Mercury in Aquarius during this Moon! There has recently been a shift from the controlled, authoritarian, oppressive and repressive energy of Capricorn to the rebellious, humanitarian, freedom loving Aquarius, which will now be accentuated and magnified by the square from Uranus, being the ruler of Aquarius. Especially strong during this Moon is the square to Jupiter and Mercury, which brings the potential for our minds to be blown and our more rigid, conditioned and programmed beliefs to be radically changed and challenged. It is quite possible that people will be more assertive and rebellious and outspoken during this Moon, and there could be more uprisings demanding the truth to be revealed and for freedom in every sense of the word. The Uranus Jupiter square will be exact on 18 January.  
 
Capricorn is the sign of government and authority, which represents the conditioning we have received from our parents and society. Aquarius is a sign that represents the people and questions the rules and regulations, seeking tolerance, freedom, equality and community spirit. With Saturn and Jupiter now in Aquarius, we are called to envision a better future for ourselves and the world. Saturn, the ruler of this New Moon, asks us to be realistic about this vision so that it actually has a chance of working in the real world. We are also invited to step up and become truly accountable for whatever we want to bring in, both for ourselves and for the community we live in. How can we make a difference, in concrete terms, on the ground level? What little things can we do to help create the world we would like to live in?
 
There is another side to Saturn in Aquarius, of course, that is being challenged by this rebellious, revolutionary Mars Uranus combination. Saturn can make us all too aware of the reality of living in this technological age, in terms of how it isolates us and affects our health, physically, spiritually and mentally, and how it can be used as a form of control and suppression in the form of a technocracy. Similarly, Saturn can limit and suppress any Aquarian tendencies such as the right to protest or question the status quo, the capacity to gather in groups, our civil rights and liberties and our sense of freedom. This is the shadowy side of Saturn in Aquarius.
 
Mars and Uranus will be challenging this energy in the coming weeks, as Uranus and Saturn build up to the first of three squares this year which will peak on 17 February. This could bring about the dismantling of the structures of our lives and could radically challenge the way we perceive reality. However, this is a necessary process that we are going through, as sometimes things have to break down in order for us to break through to the other side! This is Uranus’s job, to wake us up and break down our conditioning and programming so that we are able to open up to different possibilities and can see life from a different perspective. Uranus is the jolt that we need sometimes to break us out of old patterns and habits that just don’t work anymore. It is the epiphany, sudden insight or realisation that wakes us up and creates necessary change. It is the shock that makes us realise that what we thought was real is nothing but an illusion.
 
Speaking of illusion, Neptune square the Nodes is so strong right now, bringing the possibility that all is not as it seems! It is nigh on impossible to know what the truth is, so we are all encouraged to keep an open mind. Neptune is the king of glamour, theatre, illusion, delusion, spells, overwhelm, enchantments and trances, all of which we could be susceptible to right now. The Gemini North Node urges us to use our common sense, while Mercury, the ruler of Gemini, encourages us to question what we are being told and to think outside the box. This is not a time to take things at face value, but rather we are being asked to listen to our intuitive hunches and then research to find the facts to back up this inner knowing. Deep down, we all know the truth. We just need to remember how to listen to our bodies and recognise what our gut is telling us.
 
Neptune, in its higher vibration, is also asking us to turn inwards, to shut out the noise of information, opinions and beliefs and to breathe, meditate, do yoga or Tai Chi, walk in nature, dance, make art; anything that brings a sense of inner peace and stillness. It asks us to be open and willing to sacrifice something for the greater good and to speak up where we need to. It reminds up to be compassionate, kind and tolerant of one another’s beliefs and differences. Above all, we are reminded to have faith and trust that we are being guided and that this is simply a necessary process that we have to go through, both personally and collectively. Neptune encourages us to keep dropping into our heart so that we are less in our heads, with all their worry, over analysis and anxiety..
 
The Sabian symbol for this New Moon reflects the message of Neptune, at 24 °Capricorn: “A woman entering a convent”, which Dane Rudyar describes as” Total commitment to a transcendent goal. A convent is a place made available by a community which believes in the possibility of reaching a world-transcending state of consciousness. It is made available to individuals who may be variously motivated. To some it is an escape from the intolerable pressures of family and society; to others it represents the possibility of pursuing in peace a spiritual ideal to which the whole being aspires and is totally dedicated”.
 
This is certainly an interesting symbol, considering the current situation we find ourselves in! It points to the need for inner work, in seclusion, away from the usual pressures of society. This is a good time for all things Neptune, and while it may be a bit lonely at times it also brings spiritual gifts and helps us to turn inward and connect to our divinity.
 
It is interesting that the Sun and Moon are also incredibly close to the same degree of Capricorn that the Pluto/Saturn conjunction occurred in last January, inviting us to reflect on where we are now and what we know know compared to back then. It’s been quite a process! It is almost literally a year since that powerful and fateful conjunction that kick-started a whole process, so it is helpful to recognise and contemplate how we have changed and what we have learned, and also what we are experiencing now that has a resonance with that time.
 
The difference between now and last year, however, is that we have Jupiter and Saturn in Aquarius instead of Capricorn, which is far less conformist and more prone to questioning the status quo. It also brings a sense of looking forward and envisioning a better future rather than staying stuck with traditional, antiquated structures and systems that are no longer valid or useful. Aquarius is a very progressive sign, although it does bring a certain amount of instability and unrest. There is a lot of radical, volatile, revolutionary energy around at the moment, despite this being an earth sign Moon! However, as the Sabian symbol and Neptune indicate, this Capricorn Moon does encourage us to look within and find the necessary discipline and commitment to apply ourselves to our inner, spiritual journey. As the storm rages outside, we are invited to find our centre, that point of stillness that makes it much harder for us to be knocked off kilter or lose our way.
 
Much love

Amy
xoxo
 
Picture: Meditation by TS Manhotra
 


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ASTRO UPDATE 5 January 2021

1/5/2021

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Picture
The Moon has just moved from humble, self-critical, service-oriented Virgo into peace-loving, relationship-oriented Libra, a sign that seeks balance but can tend to veer to extremes. We may find our emotions swinging from one end of the spectrum to the other in the next couple of days, so our task is to do our best to find some balance and equilibrium. Libra helps us to understand the needs of others and put them first, so it is important to listen to one another and keep an eye on our loved ones. That being said, self-care is also imperative right now!

Mercury and Pluto are sitting right next to each other today, which could bring dark or obsessive thoughts and a desire to really probe beneath the surface to find out what is lurking there. In a literal sense, this combination can bring messages from those in power that have a big impact on us and bring up intense emotions from our subconscious. This conjunction was exact around midnight UK time, so it was at its strongest last night.

Mars is in the very last degree of Aries, having been there for months now. This could bring up intense anger and a desire to act, possibly without regard for any repercussions. Mars will move into Taurus around midnight UK time tomorrow, so the next couple of days could be interesting, especially considering what is occurring on the world stage at the moment. Anger, rage, courageous and impulsive acts, aggression, strong armed tactics and heated exchanges are all possible with the warrior planet in the very last degree of its own sign!

Neptune is also exactly square the Nodes tomorrow, the energy having been building for month now. This has been making it so very hard to know the truth, as it is shrouded and veiled, causing great confusion, overwhelm, disillusionment and loss of meaning. The Gemini North Node is urging us to let go of any beliefs that have no basis in reality and to use our common sense. However, there is so much that doesn’t make sense right now! Neptune brings the potential for spells or enchantments that put us in a trance somehow, so that we lose the capacity for reason, logic, rational thought and common sense; all the Gemini superpowers. Neptune in its lower vibration is the king of fantasy, smoke and mirrors, illusion, manipulation, gaslighting, propaganda and subliminal messages, so this could all be clouding our thinking and confusing us right now.

The higher vibration of Neptune, however, invites us to take this time to turn inwards and connect to spirit and really learn to trust our internal guidance system. We all know the truth, deep inside of us, but we may have forgotten how to listen to our body's subtle cues. Neptune is also the planet of sacrifice, which could mean that we are encouraged to sacrifice something personal for the sake of the greater good. We may need to speak up and voice our beliefs even though others may not be willing to hear. However, the truth is ultimately more important than our personal comfort, convenience or popularity. Neptune also calls for us to treat one another with compassion, sensitivity and kindness, in spite of any differences of opinion we may have.

Jupiter and Saturn in Aquarius are calling for us to question the status quo and to truly take responsibility for creating a better future instead of relying so heavily on Daddy government and mummy health system to make all of the decisions for us. Uranus is moving towards a square with these two planets, which could mean that our perception of reality is busted wide open and our more rigidly held beliefs severely challenged. This could be a very unsettling time, as the structures of our lives are dismantled and reality as we know it broken apart, but ultimately it has the potential to be incredibly liberating and to lift some of the heaviness, limitation and restriction that we have experienced in recent times.

Much Love

Amy
xoxo

Painting: "Smoke and Mirrors" by Genevieve Leavold


1 Comment

    Amy Bird

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

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