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TAURUS NEW MOON - 15 May 2018

5/11/2018

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Exact at 12.47pm BST, 7.47am EDT!
 
This New Moon has the potential to help transform some old, entrenched patterns and strengthen our sense of self-worth and personal power. It could also come up with some shocks or surprises! The Sun and Moon are forming their monthly union in the solid, stable and earthy sign of Taurus, inviting us to leave any limiting beliefs behind in the dark of the Moon and to set some positive intentions for what we might want to manifest for ourselves moving forward. This is a good time to contemplate what we need to do in order to bring a sense of simplicity and peace into our lives and to recognise where we need to learn to meet our own needs rather than projecting them out onto those close to us. With Taurus we contemplate what really, truly holds value and meaning for us. We become aware of what capacities and abilities give us a sense of self-confidence and self-empowerment and allow us to be self-reliant and self-sustaining.  
 
This Moon could help us to recognise where we might hold on too tightly to people, relationships, possessions or situations that are preventing us from moving forward and really blossoming. It is so easy to get stuck in situations that are limiting or preventing growth because they represent safety or security, or because we can’t see beyond them enough to be open to another alternative.
 
With Pluto forming a harmonious aspect to the Sun and Moon, we are being asked to gently remove any resistance we might feel when it comes to moving past our blocks or removing ourselves from unhealthy or limiting situations. We may experience challenges or confrontations, either from others or within ourselves, that force us to examine ourselves and change any limiting beliefs or behaviour patterns that are preventing growth. We may become all too aware of where we are stuck, or disempowering ourselves, or placing too much value on something or someone to compensate for an inner sense of worthlessness. Anything we are holding on too tightly to may have to be removed in order for us to move forward and grow. Taurus has a possessive quality to it which can be very limiting and cause us to get stuck. Pluto helps us to purge our unhealthy patterns and transform any limiting circumstances we may find ourselves in.
 
Pluto is also joining forces with Black Moon Lilith during this Moon, forcing us to confront the darker aspects of our nature that we my usually repress or supress for fear of exposure. Anything that we deny, disown or can’t see in ourselves (whether it be our darkness or our hidden gifts) or try to keep hidden out of fear that people with think us to be a “bad person”, ends up coming out in a distorted fashion and sabotaging our intimate relationships. It’s hard to hide when you are so up close and personal with people! During this Moon we could become all too aware of these parts of ourselves, as we are forced to be emotionally honest with ourselves.  We could become embroiled in power plays, or become all too aware of how other people take our power away. As Demetra George says, Lilith “addresses the issues of personal, sexual power and suppressed anger” and brings “a refusal to submit to another or compromise ones beliefs as well as the potential for resolution”.
 
 
This combination could bring up powerful feelings of rejection, resentment, rage and the inability to reach agreement until power issues within our relationships are resolved. We do have here an opportunity to recognise power dynamics in our relationships and to bring our more shadowy, unconscious, compulsive patterns out into the light so that they no longer sabotage or undermine us. With the conjunction forming in Capricorn, we are asked to take responsibility for the darker side of our nature; to be fully accountable for it. We might need to fully own our rage. It might not be pretty, but it could be very revealing indeed! The energy of this conjunction will peak on 18 May, but has been building for the past couple of weeks.
 
Uranus is very present during this Moon. At the moment the Great Awakener, Liberator and Rebel/Revolutionary is in the very last degree of Aries, gearing up for the shift into Taurus literally four hours after the New Moon! Before he does this, however, he is joining forces with Mercury while being challenged by Mars in the very last degree of Capricorn. With all of these planets in the last degree of the sign they are in, there is definitely a feeling of things coming to a head! Hopefully afterwards we will all be able to move on and have a fresh new start. Mercury is the planet that rules the way we think and communicate those thoughts. Uranus and Mercury together in Aries could bring shocking realisations, being forced to think outside of the box, insights that come out of the blue, angry words that bring wake-up calls, radical honesty, frayed nerves, being forced to see things from a different perspective, liberation from unhealthy or limited thought patterns.
 
 Aries is a very honest, forthright energy, and Uranus/Mercury can bring breakdowns in communication that lead to significant breakthroughs. Things could get a bit heated, however! With Mars involved in the mix, the potential for angry outbursts is heightened, as supressed anger is brought out into the open and hidden resentments aired. We are likely to feel more impulsive and assertive, which brings the possibility for saying things that can’t be unsaid. There is certainly a potentially destructive element to this combination of planets! It could be quite shocking, whatever comes up. This energy will peak on Sunday and Monday. This is the last hurrah for Uranus in Aries, and it is interesting indeed that there is so much planetary activity occurring just before his entrance into Taurus. Possibly some truths need to be aired before we can move on.
 
And what might happen when Uranus goes into Taurus? We could experience liberation from whatever stagnant or limiting situations we find ourselves in. We could experience a radical change in our values, whereby whatever used to hold meaning for us has lost its sheen. Our financial system, both personally and collectively, could experience some kind of breakdown or revolution so that it is more in keeping with the changing times. Our sense of security and survival could be rocked to the core, but this could bring a breath of fresh air and new perspectives on what constitutes safety and security. Taurus represents the world of the senses and Mother Earth, so we could experience natural disasters that lead to a radical change of perspective on the way we approach the eco-system, sustainability, natural resources, eating local foods, environmentalism, cruelty-free eating, regenerative agriculture etc. Uranus, as the ruler of Aquarius, brings innovation and a more humanitarian perspective, based on liberty, equality and brother/sisterhood. This could be a time of upheaval that has the potential to threaten our sense of security, but it is important not to resist the tides of change. Whatever passes away at this time is probably long past its sell by date! Uranus will be in Taurus from 2018 until 2026.
 
A powerful and harmonious aspect between Neptune and Jupiter has been building for the past week or so, and will peak on 25 May. This collaboration between Jupiter, the planet of growth, faith, hope and expansion and Neptune, the planet of oneness, unity, compassion and acceptance, can help give us faith that ultimately everything is going to be alright and that we are headed in the right direction. These two are the co-rulers of Pisces, and provide a soothing backdrop to all of the potential upheaval that could arise from the Uranus/Mars/Pluto/Black Moon Lilith energy. This combination can heighten our intuitive faculty and also help us to see the bigger picture and to understand the higher order of things. Everything happens for a reason, even if it is not clear at the time. It can also help us to approach one another with an underlying spirit of tolerance, acceptance, understanding and unconditional love, despite our less desirable qualities. When it comes down to it, we are all just beautiful souls having a human experience. It can just get a bit messy at times, that’s all, especially when we allow fear and ego to take the reins!  Jupiter and Neptune should help keep everything in perspective during potentially turbulent times and bring a sense of hope and optimism. They will help us to imagine a brighter future.
 
Much Love
 
Amy
xoxo
 
Picture: Winds of Change by Marleen Visser
 

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ARIES NEW MOON - 15 / 16 April 2018

4/13/2018

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​ARIES NEW MOON – Monday 16 April, exact at 2.57am BST, Sunday 15 April, exact at 9.57pm EDT
 
This Moon is a powerful one indeed, with some very volatile, revealing and potentially destructive energy involved. This New Moon is occurring in the first sign of the zodiac, and so it represents the beginning of a new phase of development. This is a time when we should leave whatever isn’t serving us behind in the dark of the Moon and set intentions for what we seek for ourselves moving forward. Whatever we are thinking, doing or contemplating during the New Moon has the potential to ripen and blossom as the Moon moves towards the full phase two weeks later. This New Moon is in Aries, the sign of independence, anger, assertion, honesty, enthusiasm, domination, courage, action, aggression; a sign that is very impulsive and tends to act first and think later. Aries is that part of ourselves that has the courage to try new experiences in order to find out who and what we are. He also demands freedom to follow his own path and has a deep fear of entrapment. Aries instinctually acts on his desires and is very adept at taking care of his own needs. This is the energy of this New Moon. Combined with the other planetary influences, there is an impatient and potentially explosive energy to this Moon that could set a ball in motion that might be hard to stop.
 
This New Moon is sitting smack, bang between Uranus, the Great Awakener, Rebel and Revolutionary and Eris, the goddess of chaos, strife and discord. Uranus has a very erratic, unpredictable energy that has the potential to bring sudden change and unexpected events that seem to happen “to us” but are in fact a reflection of a need within us to change the status quo and release stagnation or blockages. Of course, this also brings the possibility of sudden outbursts of anger, aggression or violence, as Uranus is in Aries, the warrior sign, after all! Whatever comes up during this time could surprise or shock us, but ultimately it will help blast us out of our ruts and bring everything out into the open. This is where Eris comes in, because she is the whistle blower and is ever ready to expose artifice and hypocrisy. Eris is well versed in the art of revenge and could help reveal the truth of the matter, bringing about a sense of poetic justice. With Eris revealing the truth and exposing our shadows for what they are, and Uranus bringing some kind of wake up call, it could be hard to hide during this Moon!
 
Just to add to the story, we also have Mars, Black Moon Lilith and Pluto joining forces in Capricorn! This is an ominous combination, as Mars is the warrior planet, while Black Moon Lilith has the capacity for volcanic eruptions of destructive anger, intense passion, emotional manipulation and disordered aggression. Pluto is the planet of power, transformation, death and rebirth, and in Capricorn has been slowly but surely exposing the rot within our power structures, destroying them as they stand so that something with more integrity can take their place. It’s a work in progress! It is interesting that this combination of such powerful energies is occurring in Capricorn, the sign of government, authority, society and rules and regulations. There is something quite primal about this mix of the God of War, the Dark Goddess and the God of the underworld! On a personal level this could bring some very raw emotions to the surface, including rage, jealousy or the searing pain of rejection. The darker side of our humanity could show itself during this time, but I suppose that it is less dangerous if it is out in the open, rather than sabotaging us from the unconscious realms!
 
Mars and Black Moon Lilith are very close together for this Moon, and this ferocious, raw, wild, passionate and potentially destructive energy will peak on Thursday 19 April. Mars then moves on and joins Pluto on 26 April, which could help us to have the courage and motivation to move past our limitations, aligning our personal will (Mars) with our higher will (Pluto). However, if could also bring acts of violence, fury, rage and aggressive abuse of power, causing us to act very compulsively, as if driven by an invisible force. Black Moon Lilith will finally catch up to Pluto on 18 May. The Dark Goddess and the Lord of the Underworld could definitely bring up some primal emotion, raw sexuality, power struggles and also potential empowerment. It certainly seems as if the dark could come out into the light during this time, exposing what might usually be suppressed or hidden below the surface, so it is important to practice self-awareness and be willing to be really honest with ourselves.
 
As I mentioned in my last post, Chiron the Wounded Healer is currently at the very end of the very last degree of Pisces, which is the very last degree of the entire zodiac, signifying the very end of a cycle of development. It seems to be a good opportunity to dive into our pain, face our shadows, confront our core wounds and do some honest, heart-felt self-examination and healing. Of course it is not easy to face the really painful stuff and find compassion and forgiveness; it is easier to blame others for our wounded natures, or stuff the pain away, numbing it with alcohol, food, drugs, cigarettes, anti-depressants, sleep, television or whatever else helps us not to feel. Pisces rules the collective unconscious, and so, as Chiron is reaching the very end of Pisces we could feel, all too acutely, the pain of the whole world and all of life; the humans, the plants, trees, animals. Humanity as a whole is deeply wounded right now. It is hard to deny it.
 
When a planet moves from one sign to the next there is generally a big energetic shift. This is even more so when it moves from Pisces to Aries, as it is shifting from the very end of the end to the very beginning. When Uranus moved into Aries, for instance, the tsunami happened in Japan. Pisces is a very peaceful, sensitive, empathetic sign, while Aries is a very dynamic, assertive warrior-like sign, so it will be interesting to see what occurs as Chiron moves from one sign to the other; from water to fire. This shift will happen on the 17th, literally the day after the New Moon!  Uranus is also approaching the end of his stay in Aries. This unpredictable, revolutionary planet will move into earthy Taurus on 15 May. It will be interesting to see what might happen in the last few weeks of the Great Awakener’s stay in this dynamic, aggressive sign. He certainly gave us a few shocks when he went into Aries, so we will see what unrest he can stir up now! While Uranus in Aries can bring freedom, rebellion and liberation, there is no doubt that there is the potential for unresolved or supressed anger being triggered or unleashed, sudden, selfish acts of reactionary aggression and provocation of war.
 
The Sabian symbol in which Black Moon Lilith and Mars are joining forces is very interesting. This is what Dane Rudyar says of the symbol for 18° Capricorn: “The Union Jack flag flies from a British warship.” The protection afforded to individuals and groups by powerful institutions in charge of maintaining order.
This symbol reflects conditions prevailing in the past when Great Britain‘s fleet was policing the seas under the international principle of the freedom of the seas. Times have changed, but the concept remains valid. Power is required to maintain social order and relatively peaceful interpersonal as well as international relationships. Alas, this power can easily be misused under the pretext of preserving “law and order.” Justice and compassion must balance social power, and especially the power of privileged groups. Where this symbol appears, the need for protection may be in evidence – or it may be a warning against using power for selfish advantage.
This symbol brings to us a realisation of the ambivalence of POLITICAL POWER, its value and its dangers.”
 
The symbol for Pluto is also interesting: “By accepting defeat gracefully, a general reveals nobility of character.”
“The realisation that one may grow through defeat as well as, and perhaps more than, through success.
This symbol presents us with the possibility of turning apparent external defeat into an inner spiritual achievement. We have recently seen how totally vanquished nations (Germany and Japan) have leaped forward and achieved great economic success. Much depends on the quality of the will and the inner integrity of the person.
With this symbol we find what seems to be a paradox, but the spiritual life is always paradoxical. The great sinner can become the most renowned saint, and a medieval Pope a criminal. What matters most always is INNER STRENGTH.”
 
This Moon certainly holds the potential for the unexpected to occur. It feels like power and feelings we didn’t know we had could be unleashed, like a pipe or a dam bursting. With both Chiron and Uranus about to change signs, it definitely feels like we are going to experience a big shift, both personally and collectively. The darkness could come out into the light, no longer hidden by any kind of façade. There is a sense of the truth being exposed, and it might not be pretty but it could be very liberating indeed! Mercury is also turning direct in Aries a few hours before the New Moon, so direct, honest communication is both essential and likely. Of course, the impulsive energy of Aries does mean that things could be said or decisions could be made that are rash, ill thought out and that we can’t go back on. However, at least the retrograde cycle will be over, which lessens the potential for miscommunication and misunderstandings to occur. Interesting times! Let’s see what the next few weeks brings us!
 
Much Love
 
Amy
Xoxo
 
Image: Moon Goddess Dark Chaos  by Immanuel Velikovsky
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PISCES NEW MOON - 17 March 2018

3/15/2018

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Exact at 1.11pm GMT, 10.11am EDT
 
We are currently in dreamtime, as we are in the dark of the Moon at the very end of the astrological cycle. On the Spring Equinox this Tuesday 20 March, the Sun moves into pioneering Aries and a whole new cycle begins. This is a time of culmination and completion, when we are invited to leave behind whatever no longer serves us in the dark of the Moon and contemplate what we might want to create for ourselves moving forward. We are currently preparing to shoot out of the hard winter ground, but for now, while we are still underground, we are invited to contemplate and imagine what kind of flower or plant we would like to become once we emerge into the light. This New Moon is a time for us to rest, meditate, turn within and listen to what our dreams are telling us. Indeed, we might feel quite tired during this time, as our dreamlife is probably much more active and prolific than usual. We will be processing a lot in our dreams at the moment.  We are invited to let go and surrender to the flow of our lives, allowing the current to take us where it will. This is a time to listen to the whisperings of our soul, heeding our intuition and paying attention to the subtle messages that are all around us telling us where we need to go.
 
Pisces completes the circle. As such, this is a time for us to become aware of any dynamics that are old, outworn or unresolved in our lives and find some kind of resolution or acceptance, or simply let go of them altogether. Part of the Pisces mission is to dissolve any barriers preventing us from connecting directly with God, Creator or the Universe, so the veil between the mundane world and the world of spirit is much thinner at this time of year. As such, we may feel more sensitive, open and vulnerable, as Pisces is apt to make us feel a bit like a leaf being blown about in the wind, at the mercy of forces much larger than ourselves. This could easily cause us to feel overwhelmed and we could easily feel like we are victim of whatever situation we find ourselves in, as if it is out of our control. It is always important to remember, however, that we are the co-creator of our own reality, and as such we have to take equal responsibility for any dynamics that might be playing out in our lives and relationships. Pisces brings a tendency to just roll over and allow things to happen, which in the positive can be seen as an act of surrender or acceptance, but could also involve us playing the role of scapegoat, martyr or victim.
 
Pisces definitely heightens our creative imaginations, which can be very helpful in terms of creating positive intentions for this New Moon and imagining the life we want for ourselves. Pisces is the queen of daydreams! However, it can also bring the potential for delusions and illusions, whereby we can’t see clearly at all, or only see what we want to see. In the extreme it can cause feelings of “madness”, as the barriers between reality and fantasy, the conscious mind and the collective unconscious, the mundane world and spirit world all dissolve and it’s hard to tell what is real and what is not. Indeed, who is to say what is real or not anyway!  Pisces likes to put the rose tinted spectacles on and is very idealistic, so disillusionment is always a possibility when reality kicks away the pretty illusion we have built around a person or situation! Of course, it is hard to face reality sometimes, and Pisces can make us very adept at burying our head in the sand and using escapist tendencies to avoid doing just that! It is important, during this Moon, to be aware of the possibility of things not exactly being clear.
 
Chiron, the Wounded Healer, is sitting right next to the Sun and Moon in Pisces during this New Moon. This could definitely bring out the compassionate, empathetic, tender, open-hearted aspect of Pisces and could make us feel quite open, raw and vulnerable. While our core wounds may feel a bit open and exposed, there is the potential for really connecting to one another on a deeper level and finding forgiveness and compassion for our flaws and inadequacies. It is so much easier to forgive others than it is to forgive ourselves, but it is so very important to find true compassion for our own shortcomings and learn to truly love ourselves, warts and all. Pisces brings the capacity for unconditional love, which has such power to heal! It helps us to really “see” one another, behind the walls, the masks and the defences. This New Moon could really help us to get to the heart of the matter.
 
Mars is challenging the Sun, Moon and Chiron, which on the one hand could mean that we are forced to be very honest about our vulnerabilities and wounded natures, while on the other hand could mean that someone does or says something that is hurtful or wounding. With Venus and Mercury currently joining forces in honest and forthright Aries, there could be the tendency to act/speak first and think later, which could very easily trigger our sore spots! However, although the truth can hurt sometimes, it is far better to be transparent in our relationships and operate from a position of authenticity, integrity and truth. This could be a good time for getting things out into the open, and while we might be a bit rash or blunt about it, we also have a chance to clear the decks and tell each other how we really feel. There is the possibility for us to trigger some heated emotions in one another, but it is important to remember that if someone causes us to feel defensive or angry then maybe they have hit on a nerve. It might be helpful to be aware of our actions and reactions during this time, because they could be very revealing. If we are brave and honest with ourselves, we have the potential for amazing healing to take place.
 
Jupiter in Scorpio is forming a harmonious, helpful aspect to the Sun, Moon and Chiron, which has been playing out over the course of this week. Jupiter is currently retrograde, and is working with Pluto to help us to face some of the darker aspects of our psyches that we might usually prefer to deny the existence of. We have a chance to dig deep and to be really honest with ourselves on an emotional level, recognising how the parts of ourselves that we keep in the shadows can so easily run the show and sabotage our lives and relationships. This is a really good time to broach subjects that are usually taboo, bringing some uncomfortable material out from under the proverbial carpet so that we can face it instead of pretending it doesn’t exist. We may have to face issues of power and powerlessness and also recognise how we might block intimacy through trust issues or not being completely honest and transparent with one another. Sometimes, paradoxically, the way to get our power back from another person is to make ourselves vulnerable; to be brave enough to speak our truth and express our feelings, even though it is uncomfortable and scary and we run the risk of upsetting them.
 
The Sabian Symbol for this New moon, at 27° Pisces, is: “The harvest Moon illumines a clear autumnal sky”, about which Dane Rudyar says: “This symbol brings us the message that the time has come to reap what we have not only sown, but also cultivated – or failed to cultivate”, describing this as a “karmic” moment – the seed of the new cyclic manifestation is already latent.”   There is a feeling of culmination to this symbol, which makes sense as we approach the very end of the astrological year and await the start of a new cycle. For now, it is sleepy time! We are like seeds, buried deep in the soil, preparing to germinate so that we can emerge from dormancy as the Sun moves into Aries on Tuesday! This is a time to surrender to the flow and let go of anything that needs to leave our lives so that we can make space for whatever awaits us around the next bend in the river. It is important to be attentive to the subtle signs and omens, listen to our dreams and be very gentle with ourselves. The time will come, soon enough, when we will know what we need to do. For now, all we need to do is just “be” and let our imaginations run free.
 
Much Love
 
Amy
xoxo
 
Picture: To Sleep Until Spring, by Trudi Doyle
 

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AQUARIUS NEW MOON / PARTIAL SOLAR ECLIPSE - 15 February 2018

2/11/2018

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Exact at 9.05pm GMT, 4pm EST
 
This New Moon brings a sense of hope with it and the potential for blasting through some blocks! The week or so after the Leo Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse has involved a certain amount of purging and letting go for many of us,  and has allowed us to become more aware of old patterns that no longer serve us so that we can release and liberate ourselves from the hold they have over us. This is a necessary process that we have been through, whereby situations, people or events have brought these patterns to our awareness so that we can clear them, once and for all. Patterns that have been repeating over and over, throughout our whole lives, sabotaging our lives and relationships, have been revealed and we will have been given the opportunity to truly see and understand their “roots”. We have been shown the truth beneath our deepest wounds so that we can actually understand where these beliefs and patterns come from. There is a sense that the time is now; it is time to let go. This is the gift of the very special energetic period between the Lunar Eclipse on 31 January and this upcoming Solar Eclipse. It is not necessarily a very comfortable process and in fact it can be downright painful, but it is necessary to clear the way for a fresh new start. It is time to forge a new path.
 
An Aquarius New Moon will do just that! Aquarius is a visionary sign, with humanitarian ideals and the capacity to help us make a break with the past so we can step towards a brighter future. Aquarius dares us to think outside the box and question how our parents and society have shaped and defined us. This enables us to embrace the truth of ourselves, our own unique essence, that lies beyond the layers of conditioning that we have received throughout this and other lifetimes. Aquarius is a liberating energy, forcing us to recognise the patterns of behaviour and relating that have been preventing our growth and to be brave enough to move beyond them, even if it means stepping outside the known and familiar. Aquarius represents the ability to detach and see things objectively, and sometimes this can literally mean having to detach ourselves from people, situations, our family or even society so that we can see more clearly. Aquarius is a reaction to Capricorn, with all its “shoulds” and “shouldn’ts”, conformity, conditioning and tendency to follow the rules. With Aquarius we throw out the rule book and dare to think for ourselves, questioning all we have been taught to believe about ourselves and forging a path that is uniquely our own. This is the energy of this New Moon.
 
As I mentioned in the Leo Full Moon post, Eclipses represent a key moment in our destiny, because the Nodes of the Moon are activated. The South Node, which represents our past, the familiar, the known and tends to play out in our childhood and early life, is currently in Aquarius. Aquarius also correlates to our long term memory, which can hold within it either memories of skills and talents that we have not yet tapped into, or trauma. It is possible, therefore, that this Eclipse season could bring up old trauma for us to recognise and release. We have all experienced trauma in this and other lifetimes, in varying degrees of intensity, and this will have played a big part in forming the beliefs, emotional patterns and sabotaging tendencies that tend to repeat and play out in our lives and relationships. When we experience trauma we can often leave parts of ourselves behind, for a variety of reasons. We are currently being given the opportunity to go back and find these split off, buried parts again. These parts of ourselves and our memory that have been stuffed away, repressed, suppressed because they are too painful to face now have a chance to come forward into the light of our consciousness. We are ready, and if we don’t do it now then they will continue to run the show from deep within our subconscious.
 
Uranus, the ruler of Aquarius, is forming a harmonious aspect to the Sun, Moon, Mercury and Juno, the goddess of partnerships. Uranus is the Great Awakener, and can bring some “aha” moments, epiphanies and revelations, while releasing old memories or energy that has hitherto been blocked. In fact, Uranus can help clear any blockages we might have, bringing much needed wake up calls that help clear old, stagnant energy and  liberate us from anything from our past that it preventing growth. He can help us to remember, realise and understand. He can also help us to free ourselves from limiting or restricting patterns, situations or relationships that are preventing our growth. Uranus offers us a different perspective; one that we may not have considered before. He helps us to step outside of our comfort zone into uncharted, unfamiliar territory. He challenges our beliefs and allows us to see where they have come from and how they don’t serve us anymore. He has the capacity to really shake things up and rattle our cages, encouraging us to get out of our ruts.
 
Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, is currently in Scorpio and is challenging this Moon. This could force us, in no uncertain terms, to face our demons and bring whatever is lurking under the proverbial carpet out into the light. Jupiter tends to exaggerate or magnify the energy of the sign he is in, and in Scorpio’s case it is all the dark parts we don’t want to face; anything that is taboo and has hitherto been shrouded in secrecy, not mentioned, not admitted to, not owned. Scorpio demands emotional honesty, even if it involves confronting material that painful or shameful. Jupiter is currently helping us recognise where we have been let down, betrayed, abandoned; where we have experienced loss and where we find it hard to trust. Jupiter helps us to grow and expand our horizons by facing up to, once and for all, any material that we have kept shrouded in darkness, hidden in the shadows either because it was too painful to face or we were too ashamed or frightened to go there. Jupiter’s strong presence during this New Moon holds the promise of deep transformation if we are willing to be brave, open and honest enough to dive into the shadows to dig up whatever treasure is lurking there.
 
It is interesting to note that Juno, the asteroid that represents the partnering energy of intimate relationships, is once again present during this lunation. She is sitting right next to the Sun and Moon, and Mercury too. She seems to have been following us around in recent times! This brings our intimate relationships into the foreground once again, forcing us to recognise how old trauma and the patterns that come from it tend to play out in the dynamic between ourselves and those we are in close partnership with. Mercury in Aquarius could help us to figure things out, think things through, see old material from a different perspective and also communicate what we have learned. This could be a time of great insight, whereby we have the potential for some amazing revelations that could revolutionise our lives and relationships. We could be forced recognise where we might block intimacy, though fear of abandonment, trust issues or other reasons that we find it hard to face. Old material could come to the surface that helps us to understand why we keep repeating the same patterns over and over again.
 
This Moon definitely has some challenging energy to it, but its overall message is one of hope. The fact that Uranus, the ruler of the Moon, is helping us out is a good sign! We are being given the chance to liberate ourselves from the shackles of the past, to dive into the deepest, darkest recesses of our psyches and release whatever we have hidden there. It’s really worth doing the work now, because if we don’t we will just keep on repeating the same patterns, over and over again. We should make the most of any opportunity we get to break the cycle, and this Eclipse season and New Moon is certainly giving us an opportunity to do just that! It is exciting and scary all at the same time, but that’s life, right? We need to embrace the light and the dark, because there is no light without shadow. We all have our demons, and if we don’t face them then they continue to run the show from the side lines  This Moon offers us a chance to liberate ourselves from the past and step forward into the light, but not without first taking a journey into the past to dig up some buried treasure.
 
Much love
 
Amy
Xoxo
 
Picture: Buried Treasure - Unknown

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CAPRICORN NEW MOON - 16 / 17 January 2018

1/11/2018

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Wednesday  17 Jan, exact at 2.17am GMT, Tuesday 16 January, exact at 9.17pm EST!
 
As Capricorn New Moons go, this one is particularly Capricorn in flavour! We have the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Saturn and Pluto all in this earthy, responsible and disciplined sign. New Moons are a time when we let go of whatever isn’t serving us, leaving it behind in the dark of the moon and shedding old patterns, beliefs and habits. It is an incredibly potent time energetically, which gives us an opportunity to set positive intentions for ourselves  so that whatever is bubbling away in our subconscious has the potential to blossom and grow over the course of the month until it comes to full fruition around the time of the Full Moon. This Moon has a powerfully transforming quality to it, as Pluto, the planet of soul and transformation, is very much a part of the picture and so is Uranus, the planet of sudden change and wake up calls. This truly is a Moon of endings and new beginnings, which is calling for us to step out of our safety zone, letting go, allowing in change and embracing a new perspective.   
 
Capricorn asks us to take responsibility for ourselves and our actions. In its highest form it brings emotional maturity and a willingness to be reflective and do the inner work that will allow our inner and outer life to change in a positive way. Capricorn can help us to change or eliminate any part of our consciousness that might be too rigid, outdated or is preventing us from growing. Capricorn also represents our parental and cultural conditioning, and  we all know that it is very hard to undo old, familiar patterns that have become crystalised and set in over the years. However, with Pluto and Uranus so heavily involved in this Moon, we are currently being asked to do exactly that. It’s time to be accountable and to recognise how we are holding ourselves back from realising our full potential. Any outworn structures in our lives need to be broken down so that something new can take their place. This whole month seems to be a time of shifts and transformation, so it is important not to cling too tightly to what needs to go. All will be revealed in the fullness of time. That is another gift of Capricorn – patience!
 
Capricorn encourages us to step up and be counted, taking on our own authority and becoming responsible for the gifts we have been given, finding our rightful place in the world. With Capricorn we develop structure, discipline and the ability to commit to whatever path, relationship or course of action we have decided on.  With Pluto and Uranus challenging the Sun, Moon and Venus, it is quite possible that we could experience a shake-up within our emotional lives, our relationships and our sense of purpose in life. There is an echo of the Pluto Uranus square that was so prominent for so long, breaking down outworn structures and forcing us to be absolutely true to ourselves and our soul’s journey. We may be encouraged, or even forced, to let go of anything that might be impeding our growth and preventing us from living from a place of integrity and authenticity.  Integrity is a big one for Capricorn. It involves being honest with ourselves and doing what we know is the right thing to do, even if it causes pain or discomfort.
 
The Mars Jupiter conjunction in Scorpio is waning now, but with Mars forming a positive aspect to this Moon and Jupiter to Pluto, it still has a big part to play. The combination of Scorpio and Capricorn feels very karmic, and we are continuing the theme of the Cancer Full Moon, which has been helping us to be brave enough to face those parts of ourselves that we are not proud of.  There is the potential for amazing soul growth this month, as we dive into our shadows and fearlessly face what we find there. This can bring considerable psychological insight and help us to recognise aspects of ourselves that we have hitherto denied or suppressed. What a gift we are being given here, in this first month of the year! It is as if we are being given the opportunity to clear the decks so that we can become more aligned with our true nature. It involves us having to be very honest with ourselves, and possibly even making some difficult or painful decisions, but if we can do this then we could be opening ourselves up to something that could surprise and amaze us!
 
There are a few interesting Sabian symbols in this Moon, so I will describe them each briefly. Firstly, Jupiter, at 20° Scorpio: “A woman draws away two dark curtains closing the entrance to a sacred pathway” about which Dane Rudyar says: “Courage is needed to go through the veiling darkness – the courage to venture beyond the familiar and the traditionally known, to PLUNGE AHEAD INTO THE UNKNOWN.” And Mars’s symbol, at 25° Scorpio, is an incredibly powerful one: “An X-Ray Photograph” which Rudyar describes as “The capacity to acquire a knowledge of the structural factors in all existence. The true philosopher is able to grasp and significantly evaluate what underlies all manifestations of life. His mind’s eye penetrates through the superficialities of existence and perceives the framework that gives an at least relatively permanent “form” to all organised systems. Thus, if the structure is weak, deformed by persistent strain, or unbalanced, the basic causes of outer disturbances and dis-ease can be discovered”. This symbol certainly gives the sense that we will be able to see beneath the surface of reality and gain considerable insight as to what might be out of alignment!
 
Chiron the wounded healer is forming a positive aspect to the New Moon, bringing the potential for healing, compassion and forgiveness for ourselves and others. Chiron not only promotes healing but also helps us to embrace our Higher Self and abilities. The Sabian symbol for Chiron, at 25° Pisces, speaks for itself: “Watching the very thin moon crescent appearing at sunset, different people realise that the time has come to go ahead with their different projects.” The Sabian Symbol for the New Moon itself, at 27° Capricorn, is “Pilgrims climbing the steep steps leading to a mountain shrine”, about which Rudyar says: “The shrine is built by the unceasing dedication of perhaps generations of men. The pilgrimage is hallowed by the devotion of many, even though each person finds on his own mountaintop what to him seems a unique and transcendent revelation.” This symbol has an upreaching quality about it and a sense of a rise in consciousness, as well as being  a reminder for us to keep striving to do better and follow our true path and vision. As Rudyar says: “It is man’s supreme task to rise like fire, impelled by a vision he shares with his companions.”
 
This New Moon definitely has a karmic feeling to it, bringing with it the potential for tremendous wake up calls and transformation, as well as the possibility of letting go of anything that might be holding us back from our soul growth. There is an interesting configuration between Jupiter, Pluto and the Vertex – a Yod, or a Finger of God. Jupiter, the planet of growth and expansion is joining forces with Pluto, the planet of soul, power and transformation, bringing the potential for soul growth and helping us to move forward on our path with faith, honesty and integrity.  They are both pointing the Finger of God at the Vertex, which symbolises a karmic or fated connection and can signify a major turning point, when an important event can occur or someone significant can come into our lives. The Vertex is thought by some to be a point of “wish fulfilment”. The Yod itself also has a fateful, karmic quality to it. It’s interesting to see this on what is already such a powerful and potentially transformative New Moon!
 
Much Love
 
Amy
xoxo
 
Painting: Path to the Mountaintop – Joseph Parker
 
www.amybirdartandastrology.com
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Sagittarius New Moon - 18 December 2017

12/14/2017

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Picture
Exact at 6.30am GMT, 1.30am EST
 
This is a very Sagittarian Moon indeed, with the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus and Saturn all in this forward looking and optimistic sign! New Moons are the perfect time to set positive intentions for ourselves and this one in particular offers hope for the future, faith in a positive outcome and the opportunity to contemplate what might help us to grow and expand moving forward. Sagittarius is a very enthusiastic and adventurous sign who seeks to understand our connection to the universe from a metaphysical, cosmological or philosophical point of view. This is the part of us that seeks the truth of our existence and loves to travel far and wide to discover other cultures and their beliefs and to go on pilgrimages of various kinds. Sagittarius is like a gypsy and needs the freedom to roam and to have any experiences necessary to be able to follow any intuitive hunches that might lead him in the direction of the truth. However, one thing to be aware is that Mercury is also retrograde in Sagittarius, so misunderstandings can easily happen as people may be very opinionated, blunt and all too eager to spout their version of the truth!
 
One of the most beautiful strengths of this sign is the gift of faith and the ability to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Sagittarius is that part of us that knows that even the darkest of times have gifts to offer because they help us to grow and become wiser. He also has a very good sense of humour and helps us to laugh at the absurdity of life, even when the chips are down! This is the sign that teaches us to learn from our mistakes and to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and start over again. With Sagittarius we learn to trust our intuition, which simply knows what it knows without quite knowing how it knows it. This New Moon encourages us to have the courage of our convictions and to trust our intuitive hunches. This truly is a time to look forward and have the faith that no matter what is going on, we are always learning and growing. The intentions we set for ourselves now can be optimistic, expansive and adventurous!
 
Jupiter, the ruler of Sagittarius, is currently in Scorpio, which could temper the enthusiastic, jolly, hopeful feeling that Sagittarius generally brings. When Saturn was in Scorpio from late 2011 until early 2014, all sorts of uncomfortable information came to the surface that had hitherto been buried under the carpet, including the Jimmy Saville scandal, to use a powerful example. Now we have Jupiter going through Scorpio from October 10 2017 until November 8 2018, and now the biggest planet is definitely bringing more out from under the proverbial carpet for all to see.  The first thing that happened as Jupiter went into Scorpio was the “Me too” phenomena on Facebook, whereby women came out and talked of their experience as women being harassed or abused. It was a powerful and healing eye-opener! Scorpio rules power/powerlessness, sexuality, death/rebirth, emotional honesty, intimacy, trust, loss, abandonment and betrayal, and Jupiter will be magnifying and exaggerating these issues during this transit. What an amazing opportunity to purge old patterns and plunge into the depths of our psyches so that we can confront those parts of ourselves that we would usually be blind to or deny the existence of! We can really benefit from doing some shadow work during this moon, and indeed for the whole of Jupiter’s stay in Scorpio.  
 
Even though the Saturn Chiron Square has already peaked, it seems to be lingering on until the end of the year because it has been triggered by the recent full moon and is now a big part of this moon. This energy isn’t exactly jolly-making either! It does, however, bring the potential for us to face our biggest blocks and obstacles and do some deep healing around them. We could feel quite triggered and vulnerable, however, as our oldest, deepest, most entrenched wounds come up to the surface for us to look at. This, of course, can be quite painful and potentially depressing. This is quite a heavy energy and could make things feel a bit bleak, but we must use the Sagittarian energy to remind ourselves that there is so much potential for growth if we are willing and able to look into the darkness with compassion, acceptance and forgiveness for ourselves and those who may have hurt or wounded us. It is time to let go, once and for all.
 
We are likely to experience a shift of energy as Saturn leaves Sagittarius on the 19th, the day after the New Moon, and moves into its own sign of Capricorn. It will be in Capricorn until March 2020. When Saturn moves into a sign it casts a critical eye over the themes and issues of the sign in question. In the case of Capricorn, Saturn will be shining the harsh light of reality on the structures of our lives, including those that rule us such as governments and corporations. Not only that, but issues such as ageism, elitism, reputation, status, control, authority and class structure will all be up for interrogation under Saturn’s stern gaze. Pluto has been in Capricorn since 2008, exposing the rot within the power structures, and now Saturn is joining in, so the next couple of years could be interesting indeed! While Pluto tears the structures down, making us fully aware of what isn’t working, Saturn has the capacity to restore order and come up with a long term plan that has integrity and will stand the test of time. Saturn and Pluto will literally come together in Capricorn in January 2020, which could be a time of reckoning both personally and collectively.
 
Saturn in Capricorn doesn’t believe in shortcuts and asks us to have the utmost integrity in all that we do. We may become very aware of our limitations but sometimes they are necessary, and failure can actually be a greater teacher than success. We could be prompted to consider whether what we are doing as a career is truly our life purpose, and if it isn’t then this is a good time to set the wheels in motion for a change of course that allows greater integrity and fulfilment. This combination brings the potential for resilience, perseverance, patience, the ability to truly commit to something, the capacity to take responsibility for our actions, authenticity, discipline, order and the ability to work slowly but surely towards whatever goal we set ourselves. This is a really good time to seek the counsel of our elders or those who are an authority on something, heeding their advice and honouring their knowledge and life experience. There is a sense that we can build something of lasting value during this transit. It is important not to rush, but rather to take our time and not be short sighted.
 
Interestingly enough, the Sabian symbol for this New Moon is quite similar to the energy of Saturn in Capricorn. The Sun and Moon are in 27° Sagittarius: “A sculptor’s vision is slowly taking form”, which Dane Rudyar describes as “the ability to project one’s vision upon and to give form to materials.” This symbol reminds us that sometimes it takes time and effort to work towards something that is truly worthwhile and of lasting value and integrity. This is perfect for the New Moon, as it gives the sense that whatever vision we have and whatever intentions we set will have staying power and the potential for manifesting in concrete reality. We must be mindful of what seeds we plant right now, and make sure that they are a true reflection of who we are and what we want to be. They need to have integrity and we might also need to be patient, slowly but surely “moulding” the desired outcome. It is important, during this time, to use some of Sagittarius’s greatest gifts and trust our gut, keep the faith and keep an eye on the bigger picture!
 
Wishing you all a beautiful holiday season!
 
Much Love
 
Amy
xoxo
 
Artwork: Light At End Of Tunnel by Olga Zavgorodnya
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SCORPIO NEW MOON - 18 November 2017

11/16/2017

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Picture
Exact at 11.42am GMT, 6.42am EST
 
This is the Moon for purging ourselves of old habits and patterns and moving beyond what we think we are capable of. It is a time for shedding old skin so that we can emerge, shiny and new and ever so slightly vulnerable! Over the past couple of weeks, since the Taurus Full Moon, we have had the opportunity to recognise what old beliefs, habits, emotional patterns and ways of relating are not working for us anymore. Now it is time to let them go, like the leaves falling from the trees. They belonged to the old version of ourselves, and we now need to develop a new set of beliefs and way of being that are more of a reflection of who we are becoming.  This New Moon holds the potential for powerful transformation and metamorphosis.  This is especially so if we can consciously leave behind whatever isn’t serving us in the dark of the Moon, with loving gratitude, and open ourselves up for something more appropriate to take its place. It’s a great time for rituals that help us to surrender old patterns and habits. It’s time for them to go.
 
Scorpio is an intensely emotional sign which encourages us to look deep inside ourselves and be very honest about what we find there. We currently have the Sun, Moon, Venus and Jupiter in a sign that is rather fond of diving into the shadows and revealing whatever is lurking there. As such, during this time we might become more aware of traits that we tend to deny in ourselves, which more often than not is mirrored by those closest to us. Something that really bothers us about another person is more often than not an unowned part of ourselves that we are unwilling to face. The more we deny it the more they act it out for us and the more it gets under our skin! Jupiter, being the largest planet, has been exaggerating and magnifying all things Scorpio since October 10, making the shadows much harder to miss!  We are in a time of transition and, like the snake shedding its skin, we are letting go of old beliefs, patterns and habits so that we can emerge anew, an unencumbered version of ourselves. Like the Phoenix rising from the ashes a part of us is dying so that we can be reborn and start afresh.
 
Not only is the New Moon in Scorpio, but Pluto and Mars, the two rulers of Scorpio, are also forming a challenging square aspect to each other. This could bring a powerful impetus for change, whereby we are forced to move beyond our self-imposed limitations. We could feel intense emotions rising up from deep within us, such as anger or rage, and have no choice but to express them. When we put the planet of soul, power and transformation with the planet of action, desire, energy, motivation and drive, we have the potential for acting on some very deep, unconscious desires and being incredibly motivated to transform our lives. It is quite possible that we won’t have a choice in the matter, as something from deep within us will be driving us to make the necessary changes. We may be capable of things we never knew possible and could find strength we didn’t know we had. Certainly, if anything has been bothering us it will be hard to hold it in! We will be prompted to align our willpower with our higher will, acting on behalf of our soul’s urges.
 
Uranus in Aries is also forming a nagging, quincunx aspect to the Sun and Moon in Scorpio. This also feels like a challenge for us to have a long hard look at what needs changing in our lives and what is preventing us from being truly ourselves. Uranus is the Great Awakener, so we are being urged to “wake up” to who we really are, rather than our learned patterns of behaviour that we adopted to please our parents or school teachers and win their love. Something could come up that forces us to make a break with the past and recognise where we are stuck in old habits and patterns that are sabotaging our relationships and preventing the closeness and intimacy we so desperately desire. Scorpio is the queen of intimacy, and it is only when we drop our “false self” and allow another to see us as we, truly are, warts and all, that we allow a deepening to occur. This process can make us feel rather vulnerable, but if we don’t let it happen then we will just continue to block true intimacy. If we are open to it, we could have some amazing insights into our emotional patterns during this Moon. With Venus in Scorpio forming a square to the Nodes of the Moon, it could become quite apparent how our relationship and intimacy issues are blocking us from finding true fulfilment in life and progressing on our path.
 
Chiron the Wounded Healer is helping us out during this process, so this could be a time of profound healing, when we are able to revisit old wounds in the spirit of love, compassion and forgiveness for ourselves and others. Many of our more destructive patterns are borne out of childhood hurts; we build up our defences against being hurt like that again. The problem is that these defences only go against us later in life, as they block greater intimacy and closeness with our loved ones. During this time we have the opportunity to recognise these blocks and allow them to melt away. The Sabian symbol for Chiron speaks of “the power of the soul to intervene in the personal life to produce the necessary catharses……a purging or catharsis is needed to restore not only  fresh and creative spontaneity, but even more the contact with the Soul and God-ordained Dharma”.
 
Neptune is also forming a flowing, trine aspect to Venus and Jupiter, which will help us to connect more deeply with each other and to relate to each other’s true essence and spirit, beyond our patterns, blocks and learned behaviour. Neptune is the higher octave of Venus and represents unconditional love. This could help us to surrender to intimacy and trust enough to allow our softer, more vulnerable and tender selves to be revealed. Neptune and Jupiter will help us to have the faith and trust needed to take the plunge into our shadows and allow whatever we find there to be seen so that we can grow. Neptune has the power to dissolve our fears and remind us of who we really are, behind all of our barriers. This Moon invites us to go deeper; to let go and surrender to who we really are. Something is falling away and we just need to let it go and trust that we don’t need it anymore and are being guided in the right direction.
 
Much Love
 
Amy
xoxo
 
Art by Tomasz Alen Kopera
 

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LIBRA NEW MOON - 19 October 2017

10/15/2017

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Picture
Exact at 8.12pm BST, 3.12pm EDT
 
This Moon is an invitation to step outside of our comfort zone and try something new on for size. We are currently being given the opportunity to shed old patterns and habits that quite simply aren’t serving us anymore. The energy of the New Moon is quietly potent and whatever seeds we sow now, whether consciously or otherwise, have the power to blossom and grow over the course of the next month. The theme of this New Moon is relationships and balancing extremes, as the Sun and Moon are forming their monthly union in Libra, the sign of balance, equality and relating to others. Not only that, Libra’s ruler, Venus, is also in Libra which places further emphasis on finding balance and equality in our relationships with others. We have a chance to contemplate what we would like to change moving forward and what patterns of relating we would like to leave behind in the dark of the moon. We could be made all too aware of where we are stuck in certain patterns, and our relationships could give us the perfect opportunity to confront and embrace the parts of ourselves that are hidden in the shadows.
 
Libra helps us to become more aware of who and what we are through the mirror of our relationships. Those unowned or unrecognised aspects of ourselves often show up through the people that come into our life, and this can be either very uncomfortable and irritating or beautifully validating and comforting, depending on what part of ourselves are being mirroring back to us!  Libra is known as the sign of balance, but in fact it represents the need in us to find balance between extremes, as the scales can so easily tip too far in one direction.  As such, this New Moon could help us to face the discordant or extreme aspects of our nature and reconcile them somehow. It is quite likely that our relationships will provide the insight, opportunity and impetus needed to take a long hard look at ourselves and make the necessary changes. Libra also teaches us the art of really listening so that we can truly understand where the other person is coming from and what their needs are rather than simply hearing them through the lens of our own reality and needs. It is so easy to think we know what the other person needs rather than understanding what they actually need! In Libra we learn how to relate to one another as equals, finding the middle ground so that one person doesn’t dominate the relationship.
 
In the same token, it is so easy for us to project our unmet or unfulfilled childhood needs onto other people, unconsciously expecting or needing them to somehow make us feel safe and secure.  However, this is not their job! One of the lessons of Libra is to learn self-reliance, learning to meet our own needs and nurture our individual path instead of depending of a relationship to somehow complete us. Our experiences with our parents in childhood can so easily be projected onto others, so that we play out old patterns of relating over and over again within our lifetime until we finally recognise them and make efforts to develop new, healthier patterns. We can easily attract our abandoning father or controlling mother, for example, in order to confront and heal the all too “familiar” theme or dynamic that we have been dealing with our whole lives. These people that come into our lives are a gift; an opportunity to work on unresolved material that is the major source of soul growth for us in this lifetime. This New Moon could give us the chance to make great strides in this area, as those close to us could provide us with a very clear mirror with which to see and break the patterns that hold us prisoner.
 
With Jupiter sitting right next to the Sun and Moon, having just moved into Scorpio on October 10, there is much impetus and benefit to be gained from facing ourselves bravely and honestly!  Jupiter will be in Scorpio for the next thirteen months, bringing the potential for amazing growth and expansion through diving into the shadows and facing our fears, darkness, intimacy issues and anything that lurks beneath the surface of our consciousness. Jupiter has just left Libra and this has definitely exaggerated the imbalance and opposing extremes that exist within us, both personally and collectively. Jupiter, being the largest planet, now has the potential to exaggerate and magnify the energy of Scorpio for the next year, so we could experience more obsession, fanaticism, power struggles, death/rebirth, shadows becoming visible, manipulation, betrayal, loss, all of which are Scorpio themes. However, we could also gain tremendous benefit from diving into the darkness of our own psyches and being brave enough to own our shadows. There is amazing potential for deep soul transformation this year, as we transcend our limitations, purging old, outworn patterns that are preventing growth. This Moon kick starts Jupiter’s transit through Scorpio, as the mirror of our relationships brings opportunities to really face ourselves with true emotional honesty.
 
Uranus, the Great Awakener, is opposite The Sun and Moon, bringing the potential for some shocks or surprises to occur through other people, waking us up to our full potential and our true nature. Uranus is known for blasting through blocks and breaking down old habits or patterns by creating sudden events and experiences that give a bit of a shock to our system so that we can make necessary changes. We could experience sudden outbursts of anger or frustration from ourselves and others, or people acting erratically and seemingly out of character. However, the underlying purpose is to show us where we have fallen into unhealthy ruts within our relationships and to liberate us from any situations that are restricting freedom or preventing us from being ourselves. Uranus is in Aries, the sign opposite Libra, and is encouraging us to be true to ourselves and our own needs, standing up for our rights and being utterly authentic. It is quite possible that what other people show us in the mirror could give us a bit of a jolt, awakening us to aspects of ourselves; our blind spots that are usually hidden from view. We could experience a very valuable eye opener or epiphany that makes us more consciously aware of some old habit that is sabotaging our relationships and going against our true self.
 
Uranus and Saturn are currently part of a Grand Trine with the North Node of the Moon, helping us to break down old behavioural patterns and find new ways of being that are more in line with who we really, truly are rather than who we have been conditioned to think we “should” be. We will probably be able to see our old conditioning much more clearly in the coming month so that we actually have a chance to start to create new patterns and ways of relating that are healthier and more in line with who we are becoming. The North Node of the Moon, which represents where our greatest growth currently  lies, is in Leo at the moment, so we are being encouraged to reclaim the parts of ourselves that we may have left behind and to fully participate in life, allowing ourselves to truly shine. Leo reminds us that we are the co-creator of our reality; the director of our own play and invites us to have some fun deciding what that reality might be! There is a playful, spontaneous aspect to Leo that we are all being asked to tap into at the moment, and with Saturn and Uranus in on the act we have the potential to make our visions of our future (Uranus) more concrete and real (Saturn). Uranus and Saturn will complete their trine on 11 November, so the energy will be building until then.
 
All in all, the energy of this time points towards making a break with the past and finding new ways of being and of relating to others. We are in a new paradigm now and the old way quite simply isn’t working anymore. We are somewhere that we have never been before, forging a new path that leads us into unfamiliar territory. With the Saturn Chiron square building there is a sense that enough is enough, and as painful as it might be it is time to break these old patterns, facing our selves honestly and with integrity so that we can allow our higher selves to run the show instead of our old fears, habits and beliefs. So often what people seem to be “doing to us” is merely them validating a belief that we have been carrying with us our whole lives, such as “I’m not good enough”, or “Daddy doesn’t love me”, or “I have to be a good girl and achieve or mummy won’t love me”. We attract people into our lives that reinforce this belief over and over again until we finally recognise that the belief itself is what needs to change before our relationships can shift. This is that time. We have the potential for healing to occur, but not before we really become painfully aware of and accountable for whatever is keeping us stuck in a holding pattern and preventing growth.
 
The Sabian symbol for the New Moon, at 27° Libra, is: “An airplane sails, high in the clear sky”, which Dane Rudyar describes as “A consciousness able to transcend the conflicts and pressures of the personal life… This picture symbolises the capacity, latent in every individual, to contemplate the stress of existence in our world of duality from a higher level.” We are being offered an opportunity to see ourselves objectively, from a more detached place. Looking at things from the bird’s eye perspective allows greater clarity and awareness of things that we somehow couldn’t see before, bringing “transcendent realisation”. Uranus’s involvement in this Moon could help jolt us into this state of detached, objective awareness of where we are stuck and what needs to change in our lives. Our blind spots could well become more visible and our patterns more obvious. With this clarity we can make good use of this New Moon by consciously letting go of anything that is holding us back from healthy, fulfilling lives and relationships and by setting positive intentions to move forward and grow. This Moon holds such amazing potential for clear understanding and change, but it is up to us what we do with it!
 
Much Love

Amy
xoxo  
 
Picture: Unknown


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VIRGO NEW MOON - 20 September 2017

9/16/2017

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Picture
Exact at 6.29am BST, 1.29am EDT
 
There is certainly a lot of Virgo involved in this New Moon, so there is the potential for some kind of wake-up call that makes us aware to what needs working on in our lives. Virgo is a sign  of transition  that tends to bring situations or experiences into our lives which make us aware of our inadequacies, imperfections or lacks, which then leads to self-analysis, which then leads to seeking a solution, which then, hopefully, forces us to shift in the right direction. The downfall of Virgo energy is that we might analyse so much and make the problem seem so big and overwhelming that we work ourselves into a state of self-doubt, inferiority, panic or paralysis and get absolutely nowhere! The best analogy for this is a giant centipede, with all of its many legs that work as one cohesive system. If the centipede were to worry too much about how one particular leg worked, the whole system would just collapse! This is Virgo. It is the part of us that really wants to do well and to improve ourselves, but can also be very self-defeating because we are trying to attain some impossible standard of perfection and focus on the little details too much. Virgo is very hard on herself indeed, but it is often wherever we are always striving to do better that we are actually doing better than we think.
 
New Moons are a very potent time in the month, when we have a chance to look within and contemplate what patterns or habits we need to leave behind in the dark of the Moon and what seeds we want to sow for the month ahead. As we are in Virgo season, with the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus and Mars all in Virgo, there is a big emphasis on cleansing, decluttering, purifying, establishing healthy routines and “putting the house in order”. Our homes and personal environment are a reflection of our inner state, so if we have let them fall into a state of chaos or disrepair then this is a perfect time to remedy that. As within, so without!  This is a time of tweaking and adjustment, when we attend to our inner and outer temple. Often, however, it is some kind of crisis or wake-up call that actually makes us aware of what is out of balance in our lives. It is so easy to be self-critical or self-defeating in the face of crisis, or to feel persecuted or criticised, or to beat ourselves up for our short-comings, and so often we are our own worst enemies!  However, it is far better to merely see whatever comes up as a gift; a prod from the universe showing us where we need to make adjustments for a better existence.
 
This is a time when we could become all too aware of what is out of balance in our lives and what needs improving. It is important to harness the energy of Virgo and face whatever comes up with true humility rather than being defensive or self-deprecating. Virgo in its highest form seeks to be of service, in a way that is truly helpful to others rather than in a self-sacrificing or self-destructive way. One of Virgo’s main priorities is finding the right work for ourselves; work that is a reflection of our natural talents, capabilities and is  also useful and aligned with our higher purpose. She is also adept at the art of discrimination and discernment, so this is an ideal time to separate the wheat from the chaff and decide what simply isn’t serving our highest good. This is a time of transition and is the perfect time to put some new, healthy routines in places and to cleanse ourselves, both internally and externally. Mars in Virgo will certainly give us the energy and motivation to do just that, although he might also force us to confront ourselves and be somewhat merciless about our shortcomings and what needs to change. Virgo seeks to humble us and deflate our ego, but in the extreme it can bring humiliation or mortification as we are taken down a peg or two!
 
Uranus is forming an inconjunct aspect to the Sun and Moon, and this particular aspect also denotes some kind of crisis. Uranus has a sudden, unpredictable quality to it and can cause us to “wake up” in no uncertain terms! Something could happen to shake us up a bit and make us aware of where we are falling short or need to work on ourselves. It may be unsettling, annoying or even a bit shocking, but ultimately Uranus is helping us to snap out of any unhealthy ruts, habits or patterns that are holding us back from growth. Sometimes it takes a bit of a shock to make us aware of where we are going wrong and what needs to change. The Sabian Symbol for Uranus, at 28°Aries, is “A large audience confronts the performer who disappointed its expectations.” which Dane Rudyar describes as “The necessity for mature preparation and self-criticism.” The performer is “made fully aware of having promised – to the many elements of his own personality as well as perhaps to other human beings – more than he was able to deliver. The issue is how to handle this situation. In one form or another, it is an often recurring situation in the life of an individual person. The manner in which it is met determines the individual’s future possibilities of development and achievement.” This symbol has a resonance with Mars in Virgo and brings a sense of being confronted by our shortcomings somehow. It’s up to us how we handle it, however.
 
The Saturn Chiron square is starting to build again, this being the third in a set of three squares. It is also being activated by this New Moon. The first square peaked on December 28 2016, the second peaked on April 30 2017 and this, the final one, will peak on November 2. This square will force us to face up to old patterns and wounds that have become too solidified, breaking them apart so that we are better able to grow spiritually. Saturn forces us to stand up with integrity and become responsible for all we are capable of, but this could be a painful process. We are being asked to commit to our path and could be forced to face the darkest part of ourselves in order to clear the way.  This is the hardest test because it entails confronting the most painful, buried wounds that we have hitherto been too scared to fully face. We may have dipped our toe in the water, or even gone up to our waists, but now we have to really dive in. If we don’t find the courage to face them once and for all, there is a feeling that we will be stuck where we are and not able to progress spiritually and accomplish what we are here to do in this lifetime. It is a time of reckoning, when we must not be afraid to be vulnerable and do the work necessary to move past these boulders that stand in between us and our highest purpose.
 
The Sabian Symbol for the New Moon is, at 28° Virgo: “A bald-headed man who has seized power.” Which Dane Rudyar describes as “the sheer power of personality in times that call for a decision. Whether at a religious or at the socio-political and cultural level, there comes a time when obsolescent patterns of order and cultural refinement have to be radically and relentlessly challenged. Catabolic personages emerge to seize power and dictate decisions that alter the structure of society; or within an individual life, an intense urge for cathartic changes mobilises the will, and traumatic decisions are made. At such times, the issue has to be met and, ruthlessly as the power may appear, it must be accepted. With this symbol we face the unpostponable necessity for decision and transformation. Existence is motion. No static formation, however beautiful and inspiring, can remain long unchallenged. Everything bows to THE POWER OF THE WILL – divine, executively human, or Satanic.”
 
This Moon seems to be calling us to action and forcing us to take a long, hard look at ourselves and see what needs to change. There is no need to beat ourselves up about it, and this isn’t about achieving perfection, but rather we need to decide what we need must do to improve the situation and move, one step at a time, towards a solution. We need to recognise where our biggest block is and truly commit to moving past it, whatever it may take and however painful it might be. It seems as if we will be made very aware of what holding us back and will have no choice but to look it squarely in the face, rather than allowing it to slither back into the background. It looks like we are being given an opportunity to see ourselves more clearly, even though it may be a bit uncomfortable or even shocking. As Rudyar says “an intense urge for cathartic changes mobilises the will”. We could feel a sense of urgency and discontent that propels us to make the necessary change in our lives. However, instead of getting overwhelmed by what we need to do we must remember to simply take one step at a time.
 
Much Love
 
Amy
xoxo
 
Painting: One Step at a Time – Martha Brouwer
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LEO NEW MOON / TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE - 21 August 2017

8/17/2017

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Picture
Exact at 7.30pm BST, 2.30pm EDT!
 
Well, people have been talking about this New Moon/Total Solar Eclipse for a very long time now and it is indeed a big one! Another thing that makes it special and unique is that it is the second New Moon in the sign of Leo and we usually only have one. An energetic ball was set in motion with the Lunar Eclipse on 23 July and we are now in the midst of Eclipse season. This is a turning point; a time of shifts and change, when we experience breakdowns that lead to breakthroughs and the end of one chapter so that a new one can begin. Wherever Leo and Aquarius and their rulers, the Sun and Uranus, are found in our charts will give a clue as to what area of our lives may be affected by the eclipses.
 
The last Eclipse highlighted the South Node of the Moon, which represents the past and is where we tend to feel more comfortable because it is familiar and known. The South Node energy in our charts tends to play out in our childhood and early adulthood until our Saturn Return, which is around 28/29 years old. It is quite possible that we will have been casting our eyes back to the past in recent weeks, since the last eclipse. Memories may be resurfacing that we have long since buried. This next Eclipse is occurring right next to the North Node, which represents potential within us that we need to explore in order to grow and evolve. It often involves us stepping outside of our comfort zone to do so, as we are far more comfortable with the South Node energy and the North Node is unknown territory. As such, this is a time of great soul growth, and we need to be brave and take a huge step forward in our evolution, both personally and collectively.
 
The Nodes of the Moon are currently in Leo and Aquarius. The South Node is in Aquarius and the North Node is in Leo. This means that we are currently working on cultivating more Leo energy in our lives, allowing ourselves to really shine and express our true, unique nature. The Aquarius South Node shows where we might feel like we stick out like a sore thumb or feel different and unique; as if we don’t fit in. We can sometimes try too hard to fit in, or to please others, so that we dull our light and don’t allow ourselves to truly express all that we are capable of.  Aquarius also represents any trauma we might have experienced in this and previous lifetimes. Trauma produces shock, which can make us detach from our emotional body and leave parts of ourselves behind. There are many, many types of trauma and we have all experienced it at some point or another, whether in this lifetime of previous lifetimes. With the North Node on Leo we are being encouraged to reclaim the parts of ourselves that we have left behind. This includes recognising where we may have been playing small and not allowing our true nature and creative potential to shine through in order to gain our parents approval and love.
 
Eclipses highlight the Nodes of the Moon and this one is definitely asking us to be brave and step forward so that our light can shine brightly. Mars is sitting right next to the North Node in Leo, which calls for us to find courage and assert ourselves, even allowing ourselves to express our anger if needs be. This is definitely showing itself on the collective level, as people are really finding their inner Mars and getting very angry about the state of the world we live in and the people who are leading it. Not to mention how many traumatised people there are on this planet right now. We have every right to be angry and if the anger is used appropriately it can give us the energy to perform amazing feats that we would never have dreamed of before!
 
Whenever a planet is conjunct the North Node the energy of that planet will be pulling us forward on our path, helping us to integrate the energy of the North Node. In this case, assertive and brave Mars is helping pull us forward towards our Leo nature. This is a time to stand up and express ourselves! If rage comes up, we can use it to motivate us to make change in our lives and for the world at large. This is not a time to hide our light under a bushel. It is time to use Mars and trust our instincts, asserting our needs and even charging into battle if we need to! As we do so we have a chance to take a giant leap forward on our path, both personally and collectively.
 
Chiron the Wounded Healer is forming an inconjunct aspect to the New Moon, signifying some kind of crisis that could bring up old wounds and trigger our sore spots. Ultimately it will be very healing, but it could also be quite painful. It’s not surprising really, because often where there is growth there is also some degree of pain. We could become all too aware of what we need to change in order to grow and this could cause considerable discomfort and bring up old memories which serve as clues to our current condition. It is also possible that we will be very aware of what is holding us back from shining our light fully, as often it is linked to something that happened in our childhood. It could also be the painful realisation that we have been suppressing part of our true potential, or playing small because one or both of our parents couldn’t cope with that part of us because it reminded them or their unfulfilled potential. All too often we find the disowned or abandoned parts of ourselves irritating or too painful to bear in other people. Ultimately this aspect can help us to unearth some of our true, divine potential, but the process could be a bit painful.
 
There is a Grand Fire Trine involved with this Eclipse that could definitely get the fires burning and motivate us towards change! Saturn is part of the Trine, so he may help us to stay grounded and prevent the fire from getting out of control. Fire sign energy is very enthusiastic, infectious, passionate, dynamic and inspirational. A good way to sum it up is “Spirit in motion”. As such, thoughts, feelings and ideas could literally spread like wildfire during this Eclipse and we could find ourselves being “all fired up”! Uranus, who is also the ruler of the South Node, is a big player in this Grand Trine as he is forming a very tight aspect to the Sun and Moon. He is also in Aries which is ruled by the brave, assertive, active Mars in Leo mentioned previously.  Uranus is the Great Awakener, who can create sudden shocks and upheaval in order to create positive change. He is the rebel, the visionary, the revolutionary and will shake everything up and upset the status quo, especially if it has become stagnant, unhealthy or unfair. Uranus is still next to Eris, a warrior queen who brings chaos and discord and has a tendency to expose hypocrisy and bring about rough, poetic justice and balance. Eris and Uranus’s involvement in the trine could make us very aware of any toxicity or stagnation, both personally and collectively. Not only that, but we will want to do something about it.
 
Saturn is sitting right next to Black Moon Lilith, in the very same degree, and they are also part of this Grand Fire Trine. Saturn and Black Moon Lilith are not exactly a comfortable fit, as Saturn represents authority, government and the patriarchy, while Black Moon Lilith is the Dark Feminine, who hasn’t traditionally had a good relationship with the patriarchy as she doesn’t take kindly to heavy authority bearing down on her! Lilith is a rebellious energy that can bring up volcanic eruptions of destructive anger, intense passion, emotional manipulation and disordered aggression, but Saturn’s authoritarian energy could repress these emotions and attempt to keep them under control. However, with the trine from Uranus and Eris there is a sense that the dark feminine could be unleashed and that we could use these strong, powerful feelings  to empower ourselves and to restore balance to unfair situations, bringing some kind of justice. In the positive, the structuring, realistic power of Saturn and the sharp, fierce, cutting energy of Lilith can help us to see the shadows more clearly, not only in ourselves but also in the power structures and those in authority. There seems to be a theme emerging from this New Moon/Eclipse! Righteous anger and fierce warrior energy abound!
 
The New Moon is sitting right next to Regulus, a fixed star that is also known as “The Lion’s Heart”. Not surprising, with a name like Regulus, that it represents royalty! When Regulus is positive it represents nobility, frankness and courage. However, when in aspect to Mars, as it is during this Moon, it can cause one to become pompous, using one’s authority in an aggressive and overbearing manner, overly ambitious, demanding recognition, boastful, excessive pride and asserting one’s will and needs in a very extreme way.  Leo encourages us to be true to our hearts. The Lion’s Heart is noble, brave and has great strength of spirit. As such, it is important that we listen to our hearts and emulate the positive traits of Regulus during this Moon. Those who don’t could end up paying the price.
 
There is definitely the potential for us seeing the darker side of Regulus appearing in our world leaders if they identify with its energy too strongly. One such person is Donald Trump, who actually has both Regulus and Mars right next to his Leo Ascendant. As such, the energy of a rather aggressive, pompous, superior Regulus is right there for the whole world to see! This New Moon/Eclipse should have a strong impact on Trump and America in general, because not only is America able see the Eclipse in its entirety, but it is opposite America’s Aquarius Moon and falls right on top of Trump’s Ascendant. Also, the USA has South Node in Aquarius and North Node in Leo. A Total Solar Eclipse is a very dramatic event indeed to see visually, and I’m sure that when people saw one in days gone by that they might have thought it was the end of the world! This one certainly does portend a very big shift, or turning point, though in what way it will manifest remains to be seen. Certainly the energy of this Eclipse could make the shadows more visible and expose any hypocrisy and lies, not to mention that anger could be very prevalent!
 
The Sabian Symbol for the New Moon, at 29° Leo, is: “A mermaid emerges from the ocean waves ready for rebirth in human form”, which Dane Rudyar describes as “The stage at which an intense feeling-intuition rising from the unconscious is about to take form as a conscious thought.” If the ocean represents the thoughts and feelings of the Collective Unconscious, the mermaid represents  those thoughts and feelings rising up and taking a more concrete form; finding their way into our conscious awareness. It is a very evocative image, this mermaid emerging, and brings the sense that what has hitherto been unconscious within us all as a collective is now rising up and is ready to find its way towards expression.  It feels like a very positive omen for this Eclipse.
 
Leo encourages us to live from our hearts, follow our bliss and let our lights shine fully and brightly! With Mars helping us along, we could have the courage, energy and motivation to make great changes in our lives during this time. We must not forget that this is a New Moon, which is a time to make wishes and set intentions for ourselves and the world we live in. It is so very important that these intentions come from our hearts, however, because a Total Solar Eclipse is an incredibly potent and powerful New Moon which has the capacity to really shift things for us. Any seeds that we plant during this time will have a more far reaching impact than your average New Moon. An important thing to be aware of is that the Universe, the Creator, God, the Divine, or whatever you want to call it has a tendency to take us quite literally when we ask for things. As such, be careful what you wish for, because you might just get it!
 
“Your heart knows the way, run in that direction.” Rumi
 
Much Love
 
Amy
xoxo
 
Picture: Follow Your Heart - Banksy
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    Amy Bird

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

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