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GEMINI NEW MOON - 30 May 2022

5/26/2022

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Picture
Exact at 12.30 UK time (BST)
 
The chart for this New Moon is fairly simple and straightforward, with less aspects between planets than usual. Interestingly enough, the planet with the most amount of aspects is Mercury, the ruler of Gemini, which definitely puts the main focus on all things Gemini, such as communication, learning, sharing information, opinions and ideas, our thought processes, the media and our everyday interactions. The pace tends to pick up somewhat in Gemini season, often bringing about some kind of media frenzy and also bringing about increased interactions, communication and movement.
 
However, Mercury is currently retrograde in earthy Taurus, a sign that is well known for taking its own sweet time and doesn’t like being rushed into making decisions or changing its mind. As such, this particular Gemini New Moon may be somewhat less frenetic, along with more potential for misunderstandings and miscommunications. We could become much more aware than usual how well we listen, speak and take in information. Indeed, there could even be some communication breakdowns!
 
This Moon certainly does feel lighter than the previous couple of Moons, however, giving us time to process the Scorpio Full Moon and the Eclipse season that is now over and done with. Gemini is a sign that helps us to better understand ourselves and life, making the unconscious more conscious. During this Gemini New Moon we may receive some important information or a message that is significant in some way. It is so important to be aware of our thought processes, because energy follows thought and whatever we think and believe tends to manifest in reality. It is also helpful to be mindful of how we communicate and what we say to others, because our words have power to influence and plant seeds in people’s minds that can then manifest in reality. The power of suggestion is a powerful thing, and it is so very easy to plant negative or detrimental seeds if we are not careful, either in our own or other people’s minds.
 
This does not only apply to our personal lives, but we could also become more aware of the power that the media wields and its capacity for sensationalism, brainwashing and the manipulation of the truth. Gemini in its lower form is the sign of gossip, duplicity and lies. With both Pluto and Neptune forming aspects to Mercury, Gemini’s ruler, we have the potential for mind control, propaganda, brain-washing, hypnotism, slander and “spell-casting”. Media companies certainly do have the power to influence the minds of the masses, with sophisticated propaganda techniques and cleverly placed concepts and phrases that are repeated over and over again so that ideas or ideologies become implanted in the mind, much like neuro-linguistic programming or hypnotism.
 
However, while Pluto aspecting Mercury does hold the potential for mind control and hypnotism, it can also help us to gain some understanding of what might be lurking beneath the surface, hidden from view. During this Moon some information could come to light that is quite revealing, exposing the rot of governments and power structures. We could also find ourselves having some penetrating discussions and gaining some profound psychological insight into ourselves, life and each other. Pluto Mercury aspects bring the capacity for deep thinking and a willingness to take a trip into the underworld in order to find the information and understanding we need. This is a great aspect for anyone in therapy, as it could really help to get to the heart of the matter. With Mercury currently retrograde, we could find ourselves looking back into the past, dredging up old memories which could be very revealing and somewhat cathartic.
 
Saturn in Aquarius is also forming a dynamic, challenging square aspect to Mercury during this Moon. Saturn is the planet of reality, control, authority, suppression, discipline, boundaries, responsibility and commitment. This combination could really test our ability to communicate and to be understood!  Saturn in Aquarius in aspect to Mercury brings the potential for authoritarian control of information, mind control and increased censorship. With Saturn in Aquarius since March 2020 we have been experiencing an increase in the use of Saturnian control through technology, both from governments and Big Tech. We could receive information or a message that brings about some kind of reality check, forcing us to see things as they really are rather than how we would like them to be. Sometimes reality is not all that palatable, although it certainly is better to know than not.
 
Anyone with personal planets or angles around 25 or 26° of a sign will feel the impact of Saturn and Mercury most acutely, especially the fixed signs Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. This can be quite a sobering influence, forcing us to see the bottom line of whatever we are thinking about. No rose-tinted spectacles allowed when Saturn is around! It is also possible that we will be forced to be more controlled and need better boundaries when we communicate. Saturn and Mercury can tend to say it how it is rather than using any flowery language or beating around the bush!
 
Mercury is also sitting right next to the North Node in Taurus, with Uranus on the other side of the Node. This brings the potential for some kind of important message, announcement, information, understanding or decision that has an impact on our personal and/or collective destiny. With Taurus being the sign emphasised here, this could pertain to survival issues and the economic situation. Uranus is working towards an exact conjunction with the North Node in July, which could signify some kind of shift, shock, realisation or revolution in terms of the economic situation, potentially bringing an increased use of technology in connection to the economy.
 
However, Uranus in Taurus also calls for us to rediscover our capacity to survive by developing a greater connection with the natural world, helping us to come up with some innovative and ingenious solutions to whatever situation we might find ourselves in. There is always another way - it’s simply a case of thinking outside of the box and seeing things from a different perspective. Indeed, we are being called to undo some of our ingrained programming and conditioning when it comes to “money” and survival. Uranus can help us re-member some natural skills and reconnect with our true nature and connection to the natural world. We all have it in our DNA, the capacity to live in a very simple way - the way it was before industry and technology came about.
 
Jupiter and Mars are joining forces in brave, enthusiastic, pioneering and forthright Aries during this New Moon, which on the one hand brings the potential for a boost of confidence and courage, while on the other hand could bring about a magnification or escalation of aggression and war-like tendencies. Wherever this conjunction occurs in our chart we might find ourselves better able to take a risk, bravely stepping into uncharted territory. This combination could help us to step into our superhero outfits! However, it is important to note that Mars is the warrior planet and Aries is the sign of war, while Jupiter is the biggest planet and so it could magnify and expand the energy of Aries and Mars. At the very least we could find that people don’t hold back from expressing their beliefs and opinions during this Moon. However, we could also find the war escalating and getting “bigger”.
 
Those of us with personal planets or angles around 4° of a sign, especially the cardinal signs Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn, will feel the brave, expansive, confidence boosting energy of this conjunction most acutely. Will it bring out our more aggressive, opinionated, forceful or arrogant side or help us to enthusiastically expand our horizons and take a much needed risk? There certainly is the potential for being able to make a leap of faith, much like the Fool in the tarot. However, we may forget to look before we leap!
 
The Sabian Symbol for this Moon, at 10° Gemini, is “An airplane performing a nose dive” which Dane Rudyar describes as “ A superior ability to challenge nature and play with danger. Through the controlled use of mental powers man is able to challenge the most basic force in nature: gravitation. He enjoys playing with it as a lion tamer with his violent animals. But what he challenges is within himself, as well as outside. Gravitation is the universal binding force of the material world. By challenging it man prepares himself to pierce beyond the physical and to reach higher realms of existence.  He may lose the struggle, but that prospect makes the effort more exciting. He might gain “immortality.” This symbol has a strong sense of finality. No possibility of half measures exists. Man is committed irrevocably to success or failure – at least as a conscious and self-reliant mind. The alternatives are clear-cut. One may describe it as MIND vs MATTER, or as Man’s will against the fate that gravitation so aptly symbolises.”
 
This symbol certainly contains hints of the risk-taking Jupiter Mars conjunction, combined with the potential for mind-control inherent in the Saturn square Mercury aspect. It is quite an extreme image that has an unknown outcome, as it could either end in disaster or exhilaration and relief! It certainly seems to call for strength of mind and full concentration on the matter at hand. This does definitely feel like a moment in time when courage is needed, as well as keeping an eye on what might happen next, as everyone may need to bail out to safety. Having a metaphorical “safety device”, such as a parachute or a safe landing-pad, could be a good thing, as this symbol certainly does hold the potential for a crash and burn situation to occur! However, we can only hope that the person in charge of the plane doesn’t experience a loss of judgement or concentration.
 
This certainly is an interesting Moon which definitely puts a huge amount of focus on the way we think and communicate. The potential for mind-control is rife, but so is the pressure for us to exercise control over our own minds. Which takes us back to the concept of mind over matter and the need to be fully aware of the power of our thoughts and words to influence reality. It seems as if we are being asked to be extremely mindful of our interactions and thought processes during this Moon, as they will have more impact than usual. It will certainly be interesting to see what information comes to light during this Gemini season. We might just need to be aware of the potential for misinformation, misunderstandings, overactive minds and information overload! However, this is a perfect opportunity to become more aware of the power of our mind and how it can influence our reality.
 
Much Love
 
Amy
xoxo
 
Painting: Mind over Matter by Jan Kasparek

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SCORPIO FULL MOON / TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE - 16 May 2022

5/13/2022

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Picture
Exact at 5.14am UK time (BST)
 
This is an incredibly potent Moon, with so much powerful planetary energy surrounding it! Not only that, but the Moon is full in the incredibly intense and transforming sign of Scorpio, which always causes us to sit up and take notice, as Scorpio energy tends to be a catalyst for soul growth! Eclipses bring considerable shifts in consciousness and also represent a new chapter, bringing about endings and beginnings and setting the tone for the next 6 months, until the next set of eclipses. What happens around this time, the things we say and do and the experiences we have can have a profound impact on our lives that is more far reaching than your average full Moon. Eclipses bring an opportunity for an evolutionary leap, which isn’t always easy!
 
When we have a Total Eclipse it means that the Sun and Moon are sitting right on top of the Nodes of the Moon and this time it is activating the Scorpio/Taurus axis. An Eclipse brings the potential for us to shift out of our comfort zones and take a step forward in our soul growth, not to mention this being a very fateful and karmic time. The Nodes are also known as the Destiny Line and whenever they are highlighted we are prompted, encouraged and even pushed forward towards the growth and evolution that the North Node sign represents. The South Node represents any negative or unhealthy Scorpionic traits and behaviour that we need to release and shed so that we can move forward towards the Taurus North Node, embracing the positive qualities of this earthy, stable nature loving sign.
 
Ultimately we are being asked to integrate the qualities of the Taurus and Scorpio, taking the helpful, healthy qualities of each sign so that we can move forward and grow. Just because we are being prompted towards The Taurus North Node it doesn’t mean that we need to leave Scorpio behind altogether, but rather let go of any qualities that might be hindering us. On a collective level, Taurus and Scorpio represent the economy and financial system, so it is quite likely that it will come into focus in the coming months. We are currently being prompted to minimise any dependency we may have on money lenders, sticky karmic financial ties, banks and those who may have power over us financially. The Taurus North Node is calling for us to be more self-sufficient, to strip back and simplify our lives and finances, focusing on the essentials and what truly holds value for us. Taurus invites us to go outside, connect with nature, grow our own vegetables and develop practical skills that will help us as we move forward.
 
With the Full Moon in Scorpio we have the potential for secrets to be revealed and some darker material to come to light, both in our personal lives and the collective. Scorpio is the part of us that isn’t afraid to dig around in the shadows and bring up whatever murky material we may find there! It can be quite uncomfortable to confront and expose our tender underbelly, but it can be deeply transforming and incredibly cathartic to do so. Indeed, we may have no choice in the matter! Scorpio is a deeply psychological sign that can really penetrate to the heart of the matter.
 
With the South Node in Scorpio, in recent times we have collectively experienced the rug being pulled out from under us, over and over again, not to mention a lot of drama, intrigue and emotional intensity that can become quite addictive but has also left a whole host of psychological issues in its wake. The Taurus North Node calls for us to find a greater sense of self-reliance, tranquility and stability, getting ourselves to a place whereby we are empowered and resilient enough not to be completely toppled over when someone or something tries to pull the rug out from under us. Taurus helps us to meet our own needs, so we are not so dependent on others and can survive if the proverbial shit hits the fan.
 
Saturn in Aquarius is forming a challenging Square to the Sun, Moon and Nodes during this Full Moon/Eclipse, adding considerable tension to the overall picture and could prove to be quite testing for the economy. On the one hand this could symbolise greater authority and power over the financial system through the use of technology, which could play out over the next 6 months. Indeed, with Saturn in Aquarius, technology is being used more and more as a form of control and censorship. The “flick of a switch” can potentially wield a great deal of power over our lives! Saturn is also the part of us that feels fear, causing us to contract, restrict, pull back and exert more control and caution, specifically around all things financial in this particular case. However, Saturn also calls for us to be more accountable for the kind of world we want to live in and to be willing to take responsibility for coming up with solutions and alternatives. Necessity is the mother of invention!
 
Instead of falling into fear we are invited to contemplate ways that we can be more self-sufficient and less reliant on those in power. The old order is falling away and becoming obsolete, so we are being prompted to become part of the new world that we would like to give birth to in its place. Saturn invites us to take the long view, to be realistic about what we can do, on a very practical level, to play our part in this ongoing transformation that we are here to witness on Earth at this time. It is our choice whether to fall into fear and cling on to the crumbling, antiquated structures or to get excited about what possibilities lie ahead.
 
Anyone with personal planets or angles around 24° of a sign, especially the Fixed signs Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius, will feel the heavy weight of Saturn most acutely, not to mention this Scorpio Moon’s capacity to pull the rug out from underneath us and force us to confront ourselves. Saturn certainly can bring a big reality check that isn’t easy, and can feel quite inhibiting and restrictive. This could be quite a testing Moon, that’s for sure.   
 
With Aquarius’s ruler Uranus currently in Taurus and starting to move towards a conjunction with the North Node in July/August, we are called to change our perspective, think outside of the box and come up with some innovative solutions around money, the capacity to sustain ourselves and the skills needed to survive and thrive. Uranus in Taurus does bring the potential for a complete overhaul and revolution of our financial system, which is probably both inevitable and necessary. What that looks like, however, remains to be seen. It is quite possible that the next few months will be very telling indeed.  
 
It certainly feels like everything is becoming more and more digital and robotic, which seems somewhat inevitable with Uranus, the planet of technology in Taurus, the sign of the economy and nature! However, Uranus is also our inner innovator and our true self beyond societal conditioning, so we are also being called to remember our true authentic nature and connect with the land and the natural world. What kind of ingenious ways can we come up with to live more in harmony with nature? This is our past, our present and our future. It will certainly be quite interesting to see where things go in the coming months, as some will fully embrace the new technology with all its possibilities and “conveniences”, while others will feel the call back to nature, preferring to go off grid and feeling a deep resistance to the potential control that the increased use of technology could bring. Many will probably straddle both worlds. Modern technology does have a lot to offer, within reason, of course!
 
Mercury is now well and truly retrograde in chatty, curious Gemini, and will head back into slower moving Taurus on 23 May, a sign that likes to “chew the cud”! Mercury is retrograde from 10 May until 2 June, which always brings the potential for miscommunications and misunderstandings, although it is important to be mindful of this yet retain a sense of humour about the whole thing! While Mercury is retrograde we have a chance to slow down and reflect, potentially going back over things, reviewing, re-doing, re-visiting, re-organising, renewing, revising. There is a restrospective energy to a Mercury retrograde which helps us to look back so that we can tie up loose ends and see what we might have missed the first time around. It even has the potential to bring people back from the past if we have unfinished business with them. Old memories could bring significant clarity and understanding and help us to move on.     
 
Jupiter moved into Aries on 11 May, which feels like a significant shift, with the King of the Gods in the sign of action! It makes me think of a superhero, so it could really help us to find the courage to take some risks and do anything we may have been putting off. The sky’s the limit with Jupiter in such a brave, impulsive, enthusiastic sign! Aries is also a very assertive and sometimes aggressive sign, however, and with the biggest planet travelling through the sign of war for the next year there is the potential for an escalation in this area. Jupiter tends to magnify the energy of the sign that it is in.
 
Mars, the ruler of Aries, is joining forces with Neptune in sensitive Pisces during this Moon, which on the one hand could help us to somehow know intuitively when it’s the right moment to act, as if we are being guided and motivated by something larger than ourselves. Mars is our capacity to act and assert ourselves, our desires and motivation, and combining with Neptune in Pisces we may not be very motivated or energetic at all! Indeed, we might be quite confused about what we want and may prefer to keep that peace rather than asserting ourselves or going after our desires. If we do need to assert ourselves then Neptune helps us to do so in a gentle manner, with compassion, kindness and sensitivity, although there is also the potential for some passive aggression! Mars is a positive force during this Moon, helping us to find our sacred warrior.
 
There is another significant conjunction during this Moon, as Chiron the Wounded Healer and Venus are joining together in Aries, exact on 15 May. This does bring the potential for some painful experiences within our relationships, whereby we are somehow triggered, hurt or wounded in some way. Aries is a very direct, forthright sign that has a tendency to act first and think later, but can also bring things out into the open and doesn’t certainly doesn’t have an agenda. As such, while it may be somewhat painful it could ultimately clear the air and force us to be honest with ourselves and our loved ones. Chiron does also have the capacity to bring great healing to our relationships. Anyone with personal planets or angles around 14° of a sign, especially the cardinal signs Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn, will feel this energy most acutely. Interesting that it coincides with a Scorpio Full Moon, which is already emotionally intense!
 
The Sabian symbol for this Moon, at 23° Scorpio, makes perfect sense considering the planetary energy surrounding this Moon: ”American Indians making camp after moving into a new territory”, which Dane Rudyar describes as “ The ability to adjust swiftly to a new situation by tuning in to its requirements. He who lives in harmony with nature, moving on as new needs arise, finds himself intuitively at home everywhere. He does not make demands upon life, for he has identified himself with the great rhythms of the biosphere and he functions at peace with what they produce. This is a message of the American Indian culture which European invaders so wantonly and meaninglessly destroyed nearly everywhere. Western man has lost faith in life because he wants to dominate and enslave manifestations.This symbol brings to us a message we greatly need today – the message of peaceful adaptation to nature, and through adaptation, of EFFICIENT FUNCTIONING in all life situations.”
 
Well, this symbol really does make sense, considering the North Node in Taurus, which is the main focus of this Eclipse! It is important to bear in mind that the energy of this Moon will be playing out over the next few months, so let’s hope that we are able to harness the energy of Mars and Neptune and know intuitively what to do and when the time is right to act. Scorpio is a highly transforming sign and its ruler, Pluto is coming close to the end of its stay in Capricorn, the sign of patriarchal authority and structure. The old order is falling away and we are here to witness the rebirth, helping the Phoenix rise from the ashes. As Saturn reminds us, we are all responsible, each in our own way, for the new world that is currently coming into being. May we all listen to our hearts and follow the calling of our soul so that when the time comes to make change, we are ready and know what to do. Out of the ashes we shall rise!  
 
Much Love
 
Amy
xoxo
 
Painting - Into the Light by The Art with a Heart by Charlotte Phillips


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TAURUS NEW MOON / PARTIAL SOLAR ECLIPSE - 30 April 2022

4/27/2022

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Picture
Exact at 9.28pm UK time (BST)
 
We are now heading into Eclipse season, a time of shifts, endings and new beginnings. It is a powerful time energetically, with considerable potential for consciousness shifts and profound soul growth. A Solar Eclipse is more far reaching than your average New Moon, as it tends to set the tone for the next 6 months, until the next set of eclipses in November. The Nodes of the Moon are very much brought into focus during Eclipses, which is why there is so much potential for fateful events and soul growth. Eclipse season can signify the beginning of a new chapter. There will be some energetic resonance between this Moon and the Taurus New Moon of 1 May 2003, so it can be useful to look back to what was going on in our lives then, as this Moon may bring a continuation of whatever was going on at that time.
 
The Nodes entered Scorpio and Taurus in January this year and will remain there until July 2023. The South Node, which signifies tendencies to leave behind, is in Scorpio, while the North Node, which signifies tendencies to cultivate, is in Taurus. This is the financial axis, which brings the financial system and economy into focus for the 18 months that the Nodes are in Scorpio and Taurus. Scorpio rules power and powerlessness, and can show how we give our power away to institutions such as banks, money lenders and such like. It represents resources we share with others whom we have put our trust in, such as business and marriage partners.
 
Our collective trust in the financial system has certainly been waning in recent times, not to mention a general feeling of powerlessness and a sense of already having had the rug pulled out from underneath us a few times over the past couple of years! Scorpio has a tendency to bring a considerable amount of drama and intensity, which has been fairly relentless on a collective level in recent times. The Taurus North Node calls us forward to a greater sense of peace, simplicity and serenity, although we will probably have to find this ourselves, as it won’t be handed to us in a silver plate!  
 
Taurus is a very earthy, abundant, fertile sign that helps us to ground and connect to Mother Nature. With the North Node currently in Taurus, we are being encouraged, both personally and collectively, to develop the Taurean traits of self-sufficiency, self-reliance, self-confidence along with the capacity to sustain ourselves and take care of our own needs. We are invited to connect to the earth, developing our green thumb and getting back to where we have come from. Modern society has become so far removed from nature, buying packaged and processed foods from supermarkets with little or no sense of what happens to create the food we eat. We flush our waste down the drain with little understanding of where it goes or what happens to it. We take it for granted that water comes out of the taps and electricity brings light and makes our gadgets work. We have come a long way from our true nature.
 
The Taurus North Node is prompting us to get back to basics and to remember our roots, connecting to the land and delighting in the abundance that is available to us with some hard work, tender loving care and patience. To watch a seed grow into a seedling, then into a plant and then a vegetable is what Taurus is all about. You can’t rush nature and any of us who have a Taurean in our lives know that you can’t rush them either! This is a very patient, grounded, loyal, pragmatic sign that might need to chew the cud for a while before making a big change. There is a stability, practicality and simplicity to this self-sufficient sign that we are being asked to emulate and develop in the next year or so, slowing down and developing a true appreciation for this beautiful, abundant earth that continues to sustain and nourish us. How can we become more self-reliant? Do we have a green space we can cultivate? How can we get more in touch with the earth?
 
Uranus is sitting right next to the Sun and Moon in Taurus, bringing a slightly unpredictable, revolutionary and exciting element to this Eclipse. Change is afoot whenever we see Uranus! While Taurus is that part of us that can tend to cling to the status quo and resist change and progression, Uranus can bring some surprises and unexpected curve-balls that shock us onto an alternate route and force us to see things from a different perspective. It does feel somewhat inevitable, with the planet of innovation, technology and progression travelling through the sign of finance and survival, that some big changes are coming our way in terms of our financial system, bringing up issues around basic survival. While it seems as if the increased use of technology within the financial system is where we are headed, as things stand right now, it is also possible that some of us will come up with some ingenious and alternative solutions that help us to become more self-sufficient and less reliant on the system to sustain us. Back to basics. Back to who we really are.  
 
Uranus is 4 degrees away from the Sun and Moon during this Eclipse, but the Sun will catch up with Uranus on May 5, so we may feel the shocking, liberating, awakening, releasing and revolutionary energy of this erratic planet most strongly in the days between the New Moon and 5 May. Anyone with personal planets or angles around 14° of a sign, especially the fixed signs Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius, will be feeling the freeing and unsettling power of Uranus most acutely.
 
Venus, the ruler of Taurus, is currently in spiritual Pisces, reminding us that Taurean activities such as gardening, building, and cooking can nourish us spiritually as much as they sustain us physically and practically. They are essential to our survival and very “ordinary” activities, yet they also involve magic, helping us to connect to something far bigger than ourselves. As the book “The Secret Garden” that many of us read in our childhoods so beautifully depicts, time spent in the garden connecting to nature can be amazingly therapeutic and tremendously healing. When we connect to the earth we connect to spirit, as the two are not separate. In the garden or the forest or by the sea we slow down and attune ourselves to the natural rhythm of the universe. Here we find space, tranquility, connection, peace and grounding.
 
Venus and Jupiter are forming an exact conjunction in spiritual, compassionate Pisces at the time of this New Moon, which feels incredibly auspicious! The goddess of love and beauty joining forces with the King of the Gods and the planet of growth and expansion has to be a good thing! It is a reminder, in these uncertain times, to keep the faith that we are always held by Mother Earth and will somehow be provided for. It is easy to fall into fear when survival issues come up, but fear constricts and blocks the flow of energy whereas faith in energetic flow, trust in providence and gratitude for what we already have can bring abundance and a healthy flow of energy. We tend to get what we focus on, so it is much better to focus on abundance and beauty than dwell on what we fear! Venus represents the capacity to attract what we need, whether it be love or money, and with magnifying Jupiter by her side during this Eclipse we are invited to open ourselves to receiving all the abundance, love and beauty we deserve!
 
Those of us with personal planets or angles around 27° of a sign, especially the mutable signs of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces, will feel the expansive, magical, abundant energy of this conjunction most acutely. It can really help us to open our hearts with faith, love, gratitude and trust and to delight in all that this world has to offer! The Sabian symbol for the conjunction is unbelievably appropriate!: “A fertile garden under the full Moon reveals a variety of full-grown vegetables” which Rudyar describes as “The full satisfaction of the individual’s basic needs. The symbol refers to a typical garden, not to a field. Such a garden contains a variety of plants, herbs and vegetables grown specifically to fill an equal variety of human needs and tastes. It is a symbol of ABUNDANCE, an abundance fitted to individualised requirements and wants”. Amazing!
 
Three days before the New Moon, on Wednesday 27 April, Venus will connect with Neptune, just before moving on to Jupiter. This brings such amazing potential for heart-openings and heart-felt connection with others. Neptune is the higher octave of Venus, the planet of unconditional love, while Venus is the goddess of a more earthly, human kind of love. Put them together and we have the potential for such compassion, sensitivity and spiritual connection within our relationships. Not only that, Neptune helps us to put our faith and trust in a loving, abundant universe. Anyone with personal planets or angles around 24° Pisces will feel the energy of this beautiful pairing most acutely, especially the mutable signs of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces.
 
Pluto is also helping out during this Moon, forming supportive aspects to the Venus/Jupiter conjunction and also Mercury, the planet of mind and communication. Pluto and Venus help us to dig a bit deeper in our relationships, revealing more of ourselves and exposing our tender underbellies, which can bring us closer and create more intimacy. It can also help us to empower ourselves financially and instill a greater sense of self-worth. It feels good to have the planet of soul, power and transformation supporting the Venus Jupiter conjunction on an Eclipse, that’s for sure! Pluto and Mercury will exactly trine one another on 28 April, helping us to dig deeper and penetrate to the heart of the matter in our communication and thinking. Pluto and Mercury do not bring superficial conversations, that’s for sure, but rather they bring about some deep thinking and a desire to really get to the bottom of the matter.
 
The Sabian Symbol for the New Moon/Eclipse, at 11° Taurus, is: “ A woman watering flowers in her garden”. The keyword for this symbol is CULTIVATION. This symbol also feels incredibly appropriate, given the overall feeling of this Moon which combines the earthy, nature-oriented Taurus with the magic, sensitivity and spirituality of Pisces. It evokes a lovely image of a woman patiently tending to her garden and responding to its needs, and as she does so she is rewarded with peace, serenity, beauty, tranquility and a sense of spiritual connection. There truly is magic in the garden! This symbol can certainly be taken literally, as we are all currently being encouraged to get into our gardens and connect to nature. Keeping a garden requires some hard graft, patience and the need to make sure the weeds don’t take over! However, we are rewarded in kind. This symbol can also be seen as a metaphor, however, reminding us to take care of our own needs and nourish both our spirit and our physical body. This symbol reminds us of the rewards we may receive when we “tend to our garden” with love and tenderness.     
 
This could be a powerfully potent Moon for setting positive intentions. We are invited to really, truly develop our faith and trust in an abundant, loving universe. We are being called back to ourselves, back to our origins, back to basics. All we actually need, when it really comes down to it, is food, water and shelter. And loving connection with our fellow humans. Everything else is an added bonus or an unnecessary distraction. Life has become much more complicated in recent times, as technology and the “conveniences” of modern culture take their toll on the human psyche. This Moon calls for us to contemplate what truly nourishes us and what we really, truly need for ourselves. We are encouraged to delight in cooking a delicious meal for our loved ones, to bury our bare feet in the grass, to tend to a seedling or plant, to listen to the birds chirping and the wind rustling in the trees and relish feeling the warmth of the sun on our face. This is what Taurus season is all about.
 
“A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all it teaches entire trust.” – Gertrude Jekyll
 
Much Love
 
Amy
xoxo
 
Painting: New Life by Fiona Jack

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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LIBRA FULL MOON - 16 April 2022

4/13/2022

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Picture
Exact at 7.55pm UK time (BST)
 
This is a potentially potent Full Moon, as it involves a dynamic square from Pluto, the planet of power and transformation. Full Moons always pack a punch, as they tend to release tension and bring to the surface anything that might have been simmering beneath the surface in the week or so beforehand. This Full Moon highlights our relationships, as the Moon is in Libra, the part of us that seeks peace, harmony and equality in relationship, while the Sun is in Aries, the part of us that knows how to take care of our own needs and stand up for ourselves. The key to the Full Moon is to integrate the energy of both signs rather than veering too far in one direction or the other. Libra is a sign of extremes, represented by the scales which can easily tip too far one way or the other. However, it does ultimately want to find a sense of balance and equanimity!
 
Libra is the peace-maker and diplomat of the zodiac and is the part of us that likes to initiate contact with other people. It is the part of us that seeks advice from others and knows how to compromise, cooperate and blend into the team. Libra is the part of us that shies away from conflict and aggression and strives for peace and harmony, although when it goes too far we can find ourselves acquiescing simply because we don’t want to rock the boat and prefer to avoid confrontation. If we go too far with Libra we can fall into people-pleasing while Aries, on the other hand, can help us to be more direct about what we want and don’t want and to say “No” in a healthy way. Too much Aries, however, can lead to only thinking of ourselves and not taking into account the needs of others. Somewhere in the middle lies the answer!
 
Taking the middle ground is also one of Libra’s superpowers, with the ability to see both sides of an argument. This is a quality that is very valuable, especially in this polarised world that we are currently living in. However, this moderate approach can also go too far and can lead to “sitting on the fence” rather than taking a stand. This is where Aries comes in, the sign of the warrior and the part of us that has the courage to take a stand and argue our corner if need be. However, when we blend the two signs in a healthy way we end up with the capacity to bring out into the open whatever needs confronting in a kind, considerate, loving manner, expressing our needs and views in a mature, honest, direct yet healthy way and truly listening to the needs and views of others. We are able to step back and do our best to understand the other side of the story, while still remaining true to ourselves.
 
Pluto in Capricorn is forming a dynamic, challenging square aspect to the Sun and Moon, which brings the potential for having to confront some rather challenging material and to be really honest with ourselves. Pluto is the planet of power, transformation, soul, death, birth and loss - the god of the underworld that forces us to look under the carpet and take a long hard look at whatever we find there. We could find ourselves having a good look in the ugly mirror during this Moon, confronting our shadow self and recognising any unhelpful subconscious behaviour patterns that stem from our old conditioning. We may literally experience some kind of loss, or we may have to somehow face our mortality. Pluto is the literal or metaphorical death, which brings about some kind of deep transformation.
 
With Pluto squaring the relationship axis from Capricorn there could be a really good opportunity to recognise how our conditioning plays out in our relationships in unhealthy or sabotaging ways. It may not be comfortable to see ourselves mirrored by those closest to us, but it could be very helpful indeed, leading to a greater sense of closeness and intimacy. On another level, Pluto in Capricorn could bring about power struggles, both personally and collectively, which could threaten our inner Libran’s need for peace and bring out our inner Aries’ anger! Some dark material could be brought out into the light, as Pluto exposes the rot within the power structures and forces them to be more transparent. Anyone with personal planets or angles around 28° of a sign, will be feeling the impact of powerful, purging, exposing Pluto most acutely, especially the Cardinal signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn.
 
Saturn in Aquarius is also a big part of this Moon, as it is forming a helpful, harmonious aspect to the Sun and Moon and is also squaring the Nodal axis. Saturn in aspect to the Sun and Moon can help us to be sensible, patient and realistic when relating to one another, coming from a place of Aquarian friendly detachment, which could be helpful in the face of all this Plutonian intensity. Saturn helps us to see the long view and lay down some solid foundations, which can greatly help our relationships and could also help us on a collective level as we strive for peace and a sense of stability.  
 
With the the Nodes currently in the financial sector, calling for us to find ways of being self-sufficient and minimise the reliance we have on the power structures, corporations and financial institutions, the Saturn square could be calling for us to be utterly realistic and come up with some kind of long-term solution the issues we are facing. Saturn forces us to see things as they really are, minus the rose-tinted spectacles, calling for us to take responsibility for our part in whatever is occurring. As Saturn is currently in Aquarius, we are being called to take our power back and take responsibility for finding solutions to the current problems so that we can become more self-sufficient and less reliant on those in power. Aquarius encourages us to join together and find a greater sense of community spirit, seeking like-minded people and joining forces to help one another out.  
 
On another level, Saturn in Aquarius represents the use of control through technology by those in authority, which could have an impact on the financial system. We are about to head into Eclipse season, which will also bring the financial sector into focus. Anyone with personal planets or angles around 23° will be feeling the heavy, realistic, potentially restrictive energy of Saturn most acutely, especially the fixed signs Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius.
 
Uranus, the ruler of Aquarius, is sitting right next to Mercury, the planet of mind and communication, during this Moon, which could certainly help us to come up with some bright ideas and ingenious solutions! However, it could also bring about some kind of curve ball or surprising realisation, or even some shocking news or message. Uranus and Mercury can certainly help us to see things more objectively, from another perspective. Uranus is also in Taurus, the sign that represents money and survival issues, so we could be called to think outside the box in that area of our lives and find ways to feel more financially free. There is the potential for epiphanies and revelations, or shocking news, both personally and collectively, especially for those of us with personal planets and angles around 13° of a sign. The Fixed signs of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius will be feeling the liberating, unsettling, revolutionary and progressive energy of Uranus most acutely. The conjunction will be exact on 17 April, the day after the Full Moon.
 
There is also a lot of Pisces energy around at the moment, with Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Neptune all travelling through this sensitive, compassionate and impressionable sign. This certainly provides a welcome antidote to all of the Pluto and Saturn energy! Aries season is somewhat softened by the influence of the Pisces planets; on the one hand helping us to flow with the tide, to truly connect and find compassion in our hearts, while on the other hand bringing a need to “escape” reality somehow, numbing ourselves through drugs, alcohol, novels, television, movies and sleep. Obviously some means of escape are more benign than others! Venus in Pisces can help us to relate to one another in the spirit of unconditional love, compassion, understanding and empathy, truly putting ourselves in the other person’s shoes, which could be very helpful for our relationships. The planet of love is in the sign that helps us to dissolve ego and find heartfelt connection.
 
The Jupiter Neptune conjunction is still going strong during this Moon, having reached its peak on 12 April. While this expansive combination brings open-hearted connection, increased sensitivity and compassion along with the capacity to swim along with the flow of the river, it can also bring a sense of overwhelm, fogginess, the urge to numb or escape, feeling very “open” and vulnerable, victim mentality and a lack of clarity. It also brings the potential for a “fog” to descend in the form of spells, hypnotism, propaganda and smoke and mirrors, whereby nothing is quite as it seems. Neptune brings illusion, delusion and confusion! It can also bring disillusionment and the urge to bury our heads in the sand.
 
Neptune and Pisces also call for us to sacrifice something important for something bigger than ourselves and help us to find faith, hope and trust in these uncertain times. Perhaps we are simply being asked to surrender to what is; to fully let go of control and allow the river to guide us in the right direction. Faith and trust! Easier said than done, as fear can contract us and prevent the flow, while opening our hearts in faith and trust keeps everything open and expansive and allows the flow to happen. When reality becomes hard to bear it is important to make sure we connect to the divine in whatever way is easiest and most natural for us, whether it be through nature, dance, yoga, meditation, art or music. Anything that helps us to find our centre, our bliss and connect to all that is.
 
The Sabian symbol for this Full Moon, at 27° Libra, makes perfect sense in the context of both the Jupiter Neptune conjunction and the Uranus Mercury conjunction: “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. Through the use of his mind, backed by the efforts and struggles of past generations and the cooperation of other men, the individual can gain a new perspective on human problems and reach freedom and peace in a supernal realm of being. This symbol introduces us to the realm of unity beyond polarity. It is a stage of TRANSCENDENT REALISATION”. All I can say is that I hope so much that we can find unity beyond polarity! We are living in such a polarised world right now, which is both sad and unnecessary.
 
This symbol seems to represent what this Libran Moon is striving for - a sense of peace and equilibrium and the end of duality and polarisation. Libra seeks to find balance between opposing forces, restoring harmony and bringing peace. There is some powerful and heavy energy around during this Moon with Saturn and Pluto being so prominent, not to mention that we are currently in Aries season, which can be quite energetic and enlivening! However, Venus, the ruler of Libra and Mars, the ruler of Aries are both in gentle, spiritual, sensitive Pisces. May peace and love prevail, or may we at least discover a way to find peace in our hearts.
 
“Peace is not something you wish for; It's something you make, something you do, something you are, and something you give away” John Lennon (Libran)
 
Much Love
 
Amy
xoxo
 
Painting - Unknown
 

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ARIES NEW MOON - 1 April 2021

3/30/2022

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Picture
Exact at 7.24am UK time (BST)
 
This is the first New Moon of the astrological calendar, a time for springing into action with a surge of energy and starting anew! As Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, this New Moon truly is a time for new beginnings when we set positive intentions and re-start as we mean to go on. There is the potential for new energy to come in, like a breath of fresh air! Aries is an energetic, motivated, enthusiastic sign that helps us to find the courage to step out of our comfort zone and walk the path less travelled. It is the part of us that has the courage to try new things and is able to assert ourselves when we need to. Those with a lot of Aries in their chart tend to be impulsive, forthright, honest, pioneering, independent and adept at the art of self-love. Taken to the extreme, however, self-love can be seen as being selfish or self-serving! However, Aries does teach us to put ourselves first and stand up for ourselves. This is the sign of the warrior.
 
Chiron, the Wounded Healer, is sitting right next to the Sun, Moon and Mercury, so it will have a big influence on this New Moon. Chiron shows where we have been wounded in early life leaving a weak spot, vulnerability and insecurity. With all this energy in Aries, we could find ourselves more easily triggered, especially if someone or something inadvertently prods at our vulnerable soft spot. Aries is not known for its soft, gentle approach, rather is very direct, open and can even be aggressive. There is the potential for feeling quite reactive, defensive, insecure and even angry, as Chirotic themes of rejection and abandonment are brought out into the open and we are forced to confront our wounded nature. It could feel like a scab that we thought had healed over is re-opened somehow, which could feel most acute for anyone with personal planets or angles around 12° of a sign, especially the Cardinal signs Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. 
 
Wherever Chiron is found, there is also the potential for healing. Aries is very candid energy and can help to get things out into the open for them to be dealt with. It can be painful to be truly honest and confront ourselves or others, but it is the only way sometimes. It will be interesting to see how this combination will manifest within the current global situation. Chiron is often prominent during important moments in history, and it feels appropriate that it is currently residing in Aries, who was the god of war. Will things escalate even more and tensions rise higher or is there a chance for healing and resolution? There is the potential for some genuine heroic acts, or for people fancying themselves to be the hero. With Mercury also very close to the Sun, Moon and Chiron and also in Aries, conversations could be very direct, open, to the point and possibly combative or inflammatory. However, they could also be incredibly healing. Chiron, the Sun and Mercury will form an exact conjunction on 2 April, the day after the New Moon, so the energy will be building until then.
 
The Nodes of the Moon are being well and truly activated by a challenging and dynamic square aspect from Venus, Mars and Saturn, bringing our economic situation sharply into focus. The South Node of the Moon is currently in soulful, dramatic Scorpio, the sign that represents power, banks, loans and money owed to others, while the North Node is in earthy, stable Taurus, the sign of self-sufficiency, simplicity, self-reliance, self-worth and survival. We are being called to strip back to the basics and lead a simpler existence, thus minimizing the power that the financial institutions and power structures have over us. With Saturn sitting right next to Venus, the ruler of that Taurus North Node, exact 28 March but still strong during this Moon, we could be forced to be very realistic about our finances and relationships, as Saturn can definitely highlight feeling of  limitation and lack. It’s hard to escape reality when Saturn is around! With Saturn and Venus both in Aquarius we could find ourselves needing to come up with solutions and think of ways to be more self-sufficient.
 
With Mars, the ruler of this New Moon, in Aquarius there could also be acts of rebellion, uprisings or protests, especially in reaction to the current financial situation. When people are hungry, they kick back. When our survival is threatened it can bring out the warrior in us, not to mention fear and anxiety. When Saturn and Mars meet, exact 5 April, we could experience rage against the machine, or people acting and reacting from a place of fear, or those in control using force somehow to suppress the People. Fear can so easily bring up anger, so it is important to be mindful of how we act and react in the next week or so and stay as centred as possible. Saturn and Mars can help us to act with discipline, control and focus, but it can also feel very frustrating and irritating, as if we are somehow hitting our head against a brick wall, unable to act on our desires.
 
Mars also represents our energy levels, so they could feel somewhat muted as well. Anyone with personal planets or angles around 22° of a sign could feel the heavy, restrictive, realistic, controlling  energy of Saturn most acutely, especially those in the Fixed signs or Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius.
 
In the meantime, to counteract all this Saturn, we have the very powerful conjunction between expansive Jupiter and spiritual Neptune building in energy, exact on 12 April. This is an incredibly special astrological occurrence that brings the potential for spiritual awakening, the experience of oneness, feelings of unity and a real sense of knowing that you are me and I am you. This can really bring a sense of universal togetherness and connection to the collective unconscious. Jupiter expands and magnifies the energy of the planet that it comes into contact with, making it somehow bigger and more exaggerated. As Jupiter joins Neptune we could find that we are more sensitive, more attuned to spiritual forces, more in flow and able to find a greater sense of acceptance for what is and compassion and empathy for ourselves and others. We could feel a greater sense of trust and faith that no matter what is happening, everything is ultimately working out exactly as it is supposed to, for our highest good.
 
However, there is another side to this combination that isn’t all love and light. Neptune is the king of propaganda, confusion, glamour, delusions, theatre, spells and smoke screens, so it could be very hard to know what is real and what is illusion. Propaganda is so sophisticated these days that it can make us feel as if there is no point even trying to find the truth, as it is so shrouded in fog. We are invited to listen to our own intuition, trusting our hunches to show us the way to the truth. We may also have a more active dream life and some could experience hallucinations and delusions. Neptune is also the part of us that likes to escape reality through drugs, alcohol, sleep, television, movies, computer games, reading and suchlike. Fantasy can be so much more attractive than reality, especially when the world is in a such troubled place. Sometimes it feels easier to bury our heads in the sand and check out for a moment.  
 
While this conjunction can open us up to spirit and dissolve ego, the consequences of this could be hard for some, as they lose grip on reality or find themselves feeling too “open”, hyper-sensitive, vulnerable, delusional and ungrounded. It is very important to be gentle with ourselves and others as we build up towards this conjunction, tapping into the sense of universal connection and having compassion and empathy for our fellow humans who could easily be overwhelmed and struggling to cope or function. However, the higher potential of Jupiter and Neptune surely is a beautiful antidote to the restrictive, fearful and controlling energy of Saturn and the more assertive energy of Aries, as it helps us to connect to something that is much bigger than us and to join together in unity and unconditional love.
 
Anyone with personal planets or angles around 23° of a sign will feel the energy of this special conjunction the most acutely, especially those in the mutable signs of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces. It is very important to stay grounded!
 
The Sabian symbol for this New Moon, at 12° Aries, is: “A triangularly shaped flight of wild geese”, which Dane Rudyar describes as “An idealistic reliance upon a mental image of universal order. The wild goose is the mystical bird, hamsa, of Hindu tradition. The Hindu hamsa was the symbol of man’s transcendent soul. The flight of geese presents not only a remarkably geometrical V-shape moving through the sky, a flight that is seasonal and therefore attuned to planetary rhythms. Thus it symbolises cosmic order, in contrast with the social political order within a nation which is represented by its ruler. It is order made visual on the background of the clear sky. It is a “celestial” type of order, even though it is earth-born birds which reveal it by their ability to keep their flight structured. We see arising a potential conflict between cosmic and social principles of order. The principle of COSMIC ORDER polarises the all-too-human reliance on the social concept of law and order”.
 
This is a hopeful image that brings a sense that we will be realigned to some kind of universal order to realign ourselves to the way things should be. It brings to mind the Jupiter Neptune conjunction, which does hold such potential to remind us of what is truly important, bringing us together in unity and leading us into the light.
 
The Sabian symbol for Chiron is also interesting: “An unexploded bomb reveals an unsuccessful social protest” which Rudyar describes as “An immature evaluation of the possibility of transforming suddenly the status quo. The symbol pictures the result of a particular attempt to resolve the conflict between two concept-feelings of order. Resolution by violence fails because the ego-power at this stage of the process of individualisation is far too strong. “The State” thwarts attempts at popular revolution, because these are premature expressions of a consciousness which is not free, but can only react “wildly” to constraint and to a central ruling power. It is thus a symbol of immature refusal to conform, in the name of an over idealistic desire for harmony and peace”.
 
Whenever Aries and Mars are involved there is the potential for anger, aggression and the use of force. There is also the potential for courage, passion and a willingness to confront whatever we may prefer to avoid. Aries season certainly can bring a surge of energy, although it is tempered by the sleepy fog of the Neptune energy! This Moon could activate our triggers, but it could also be tremendously healing, as things come out into the open that are needed to clear the air and start fresh. This is a time of new beginnings after all, a new chapter with fresh new energy coming in! Chiron in Aries can help us to find the hero within us, in whatever form that may be. Let’s see what the Neptune Jupiter conjunction brings. It will be interesting to see whether it leads us into the light or deeper into the fog of illusion. Or both!
 
Much Love
 
Amy
xoxo
 
Painting: Soul Journey into the Light by Marita Zacharias
 


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VIRGO FULL MOON - 18 March 2022

3/16/2022

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Picture
Exact at 7.17am UK time (GMT)
 
This Full Moon has the potential to bring things to a head and bring about some kind of transformation or shift. Virgo is the sign that represents crisis, which can actually be quite helpful because it forces us to find a way of solving the problem and improving our situation. Sometimes things have to become so uncomfortable or intolerable that we have no choice but to do something about it! It is either that or we just collapse in a heap, paralysed and incapable of acting because whatever “mountain” we are facing seems insurmountable. This Moon could remind us simply to put one step in front of the other rather than thinking that we have to tackle the entire mountain at once! There is some challenging planetary energy around for this Full Moon, but there is also some incredibly beautiful energy to counterbalance it. Ultimately there is the potential for some profound healing, although sometimes things have to get worse to get better.
 
The Sun is still in Pisces, until 20 March, and during this Moon it is sitting right next to Neptune, Pisces ruler. This gives us a double dose of the sensitive, compassionate, ego-dissolving Pisces energy, which could open our hearts and bring a greater sense of connection, but also has the potential to make us feel very sensitive, open, vulnerable and overwhelmed. The Sun and Neptune are sitting directly opposite the Virgo Moon, so we are invited to find some balance between the energy of the two signs instead of veering too far in one direction or the other. Virgo is the part of us that tends to be quite hard on ourselves, tending towards perfectionism, feelings of inadequacy and self-criticism. Pisces, however, invites us to find a greater sense of self-acceptance, forgiving ourselves for our shortcomings and realising that it is ok not to be perfect. In fact, there is beauty in our imperfection!
 
As I mentioned, Virgo can bring about some kind of crisis that must be faced and can provide a gateway or opening for something truly amazing and profound to occur. It is that moment when things are at their most dire that our inner Pisces steps in, so that we “fall to our knees” and call out to the divine for some kind of help, guidance or inspiration. Indeed, crises can bring about spiritual awakenings and set us back on the right path if we have strayed off it in some way. When we are on our knees, not knowing what way to turn, there is the potential for us to simply let go, to surrender and for our hearts to crack open. It is also during the most difficult and challenging times that we can be the most tender, compassionate, caring and compassionate. This is certainly showing itself in the current global situation, as the crisis is having a unifying effect on much of the world, igniting our compassion for the suffering of others, as many join together to pray for world peace.
 
Jupiter is now moving towards Neptune, as they will be joining together in a conjunction that will be building in strength over the next month or so, exact on 12 April. On the one hand this brings the potential for such open-hearted connection, compassion, openness to spirit, empathy, tenderness, hope, trust and faith. Jupiter can expand the energy of Neptune and Pisces, bringing about greater sensitivity to the plights of others and a sense of flow, with the potential for amazing synchronicity to occur. However, it also brings the possibility for people feeling very vulnerable, over-sensitive, tender and overwhelmed, as if we are at the mercy of forces that are much larger than us. As such, it is important to keep an eye on one another during the next month or so, being kind to ourselves and others and being aware that people’s mental and spiritual health could be a bit wobbly.
 
Jupiter has a tendency to magnify or exaggerate the energy of the sign it is in and the planet it is joining forces with, so we could find that propaganda is even more rife than usual, as if a fog has somehow descended, making it very hard indeed to find the truth. Neptune and Pisces always bring the potential for illusion, smoke screens and confusion, not to mention hypnosis, subliminal messaging, enchantments and spell-casting. All may not be as it appears to be, so it is important to be aware that  appears to be real could in fact be an illusion. In the same token it could also become more apparent that separation is an illusion! What happens to one happens to all. Neptune dissolves boundaries, making us aware that we are not as different as we might be. We are all spiritual beings having a human experience.
 
We must also be aware that people who are naturally sensitive and “open” to spirit may be even more so during this time, making it hard to cope. However, this conjunction can also be so very beautiful, bringing about some kind of spiritual awakening and opening our hearts and bringing us together with a feeling of unity. We must never underestimate the power of the collective. If enough people join together with pure hearts in prayer and positive intention, it is truly amazing what can happen. We are more powerful than we know when we join together in unison, sending out our wishes, prayers and intentions to create a better world. It will be very interesting to see what the next few weeks bring about. It should certainly bring about an increase in empathy, kindness and understanding.
 
Pluto is forming a helpful, harmonious and supportive aspect to the Sun and Moon, bringing the possibility for some kind of transformation to occur. Pluto is coming very close to the end of its stay in Capricorn, the sign of societal structures, authority, control, government and the patriarchal system. Since 2008 it has been slowly but surely exposing the rot , flaws and corruption within the power structures, revealing the dark underbelly of the patriarchal system and showing up what simply isn’t working anymore. With Pluto so present during this Moon, more could come to light and we could become all the more aware of how damaging the lust for power, domination and control can be and how archaic and antiquated this way of being is. The patriarchal system is crumbling, but it is not going down without a fight. It is always darkest just before dawn. The North Node of Pluto is currently in Cancer, calling us towards a more matriarchal way of being, based on the feminine principles of caring, nurturing and finding solutions that do not involve war or dominance. The old order is crumbling. It is obsolete. There is another way.
 
On a more personal level, Capricorn represents our career and the work we do in the outer world. Since 2008 many of us have had a Plutonian transformation of our careers so that what we do is more in alignment with our soul purpose. Pluto in Capricorn can bring about a metamorphosis of the structure of our lives, which has become very apparent in the past couple of years, as things have changed so much, including our priorities. As the old, obsolete, patriarchal structures crumble, so too does the structure of our own lives. This Moon has the potential to bring about some kind of inner crisis that forces us to evaluate what needs to change in our career/work life, inviting us to be truly honest with ourselves about what we are here to do in the world.
 
Anyone with personal planets or angles around 28° of a sign will feel the powerful, soulful, transforming power of Pluto most acutely, especially in the Cardinal signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. Those of us with personal planets or angles around 27° of the mutable signs of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces will be feeling the energy of this Full Moon most strongly.
 
Uranus is very present during this Moon, as it is forming a dynamic square aspect to Venus and Mars, which are also in Aquarius, the sign that Uranus rules. Uranus will exactly square Venus on the 19th, the day after the Full Moon, which could bring some kind of economic financial shock, curve ball or wake-up all, either personally or collectively, or both. Similarly, we could experience some kind of shock or surprise within our relationships, as we may be called to allow a greater sense of freedom and authenticity in the way we relate. What kind of relationship are we really, truly suited to, if we are completely and utterly honest with ourselves?
 
Uranus exactly squares Mars on Tuesday 22 March, bringing the potential for sudden and shocking acts of violence and/or aggression, economic war, acts of rebellion and having no choice but to find the courage to step outside of the comfort zone and do things differently. On a personal level it is important to be aware that we may feel more rebellious, willful, irritable or easily angered, especially those of us with personal planets or angles around 12° of a sign. The Fixed signs will feel this volatile and unpredictable energy the most acutely, however - Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. 
 
The Sabian Symbol for this Full Moon, at 28° Virgo, is: “ 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 decision 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 is a powerful symbol indeed, especially considering all that is happening in the world. It certainly seems to mirror the other planetary energies that are around during this Moon, especially the powerful presence of Pluto in Capricorn. While the Moon certainly brings the potential for some kind of crisis that could force us to come up with solutions, Virgo and Pisces also bring a wonderful opportunity for healing. Pluto could help us to make important soul choices that come from a place of deep emotional honesty, while Virgo invites us to use its greatest superpower - the art of discernment. We are encouraged to separate the wheat from the chaff, letting go of anything that is toxic, unhealthy, obsolete and simply not serving us. This Moon could bring about a powerful purification that is not necessarily comfortable but which could help us to move forward with a lighter step.   
 
Much Love
    
Amy
xoxo  
 
Painting - Meditation by TS Manhotra
 

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PISCES NEW MOON - 2 March 2022

2/25/2022

1 Comment

 
Picture
Exact at 5.34pm UK time (GMT)
 
This is a very special new Moon that has the potential to bring some kind of spiritual upgrade and a continued shift in consciousness as we move into a more transcendental and connected way of operating in the world. Pisces invites us to live from a more sensitive, compassionate, intuitive, empathetic and loving place, whereby we “do as we would be done by”. Pisces is the part of us that knows that we are not as separate as we might like to think, and that what happens to one happens to us all. It is the part of us that experiences that beautiful sense of unity when we are all singing the same song at a concert; as if we are all singing as one. It is the part of us that can put ourselves in another person’s shoes and is willing to sacrifice our own comfort for the greater good. Pisces invites us to find true acceptance and to surrender to the flow of life, delighting in the synchronicities and truly realising what it means to be the co-creator of our reality.
 
Pisces is what is at play when we simply let go and give up control, allowing spirit to guide us where we need to go. Sometimes, when things are simply too much to bear and we honestly don’t know what to do and where to go, we have that moment when we proverbially “fall to our knees” and call out to the divine for help and guidance. And when we ask, with an open heart, to be shown the way, we receive an answer, in the form of a message, a sign, a moment of grace, an omen, an inner knowing or a feeling of deep connection and oneness. This Moon brings the potential for us to find a deep place of connection to the divine, as we are invited to turn inward and heed the whispers of our soul. This Moon is an ideal time to be still, to meditate and reflect on how we can be of service in this very special time on earth. Indeed, we might literally want to ask how we can be of greatest use and then simply let go so that the divine can work through us and we can live out our true dharma. It is time to find out why we are here.
 
Jupiter is sitting right next to the Sun and Moon in Pisces, bringing a sense of growth and expansion to the picture. Jupiter is very much at home in Pisces, helping to bring a greater sense of faith, hope and trust that we are somehow guided and protected. We are invited to harness the power of Jupiter in Pisces and ask for what we need. We can use our Pisces imagination to dream a new life into being! This is a very special time in our history, as we have an opportunity to open our hearts and see where we are guided when we just let go and allow something larger than us to take over. As long as any intentions or prayers come from a place of purity and altruism, we could find that we experience amazing synchronicities, serendipitous experiences, moments of grace and a sense of surrender and flow. Jupiter will be in Pisces until 11 May and will join Neptune in Pisces on 12 April, which could be a time of deep connection,awakening, transcendence, expansion and flow.
 
Venus and Mars are continuing their elongated journey through Capricorn together, and will meet up with Pluto, the planet of soul, transformation and power during this Moon. Quite a potent and powerful combination of energies! This is an important time in our evolution, which can help us to align our personal will and desires (Mars) with our higher will and soul desires (Pluto). Pluto combined with Mars can bring about superhuman strength and steely determination to achieve our goals, but can also bring up rage from the depths of our subconscious and actions that come from a very deep, unconscious and compulsive place. It is great for focusing our energy, but can also be quite ruthless, vengeful, war-like, cutting and obsessive.
 
This could be a time of considerable intensity within our relationships, whereby our true feelings are revealed and subconscious complexes are exposed. This combination could reveal the heart of the matter, bringing out any secrets or shadow material that we may usually find it easier to deny or hide from sight. It's hard to hide from the truth when Pluto is around!  Pluto can also bring out issues around control, manipulation, power and powerlessness for us to deal with in our closest relationships. Anyone with personal planets or angles around 27° of a sign will feel the energy of this Pluto, Venus and Mars conjunction most acutely, especially in the Cardinal signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn.
 
Something to note is that Pluto is the ruler of the South Node in Scorpio, while Venus is the ruler of the North Node in Taurus, and they are currently joining forces. Not only that, but Pluto, Venus and Mars are also forming a helpful and supportive aspect to the Nodes during this Moon. This very much highlights the current Nodal themes around finance, currency, the economy, self-sufficiency, living off the land, food supplies, banking, money lending, taking one’s power back, finding a more peaceful way of being and moving away from the drama and intensity that we have grown used to in the past few years - the feeling that the rug could be pulled out from beneath us again at any minute.
 
The Taurus North Node is calling us forward to a more solid connection to the natural world and greater self-reliance and the capacity to sustain ourselves with less reliance on those in power. Taurus is calling us forward towards a life of greater simplicity, urging us to get back to basics and leave behind the Scorpio South Node themes such as loans, mortgages, taxes, money lending, debts, secrets and power abuse in the banking and financial sector. Taurus invites us to strip it back and find a place of greater simplicity, self-sufficiency and self-empowerment.
 
Saturn and Mercury are also joining forces in Aquarius during this Moon, which could make it a little difficult to think positively. Mercury is the planet that rules our mind and the way we think and communicate, while Saturn represents control, limitation, authority, responsibility and discipline. As such, we may find that our capacity to communicate is somehow suppressed, limited or controlled, with censorship becoming more rife. Freedom of speech could also be curtailed, or at least it could become more obvious that it is. We may need to make some kind of weighty decision that has long term implications. With Saturn involved we could certainly find ourselves experiencing some kind of stark reality check that forces us to see things as they really are rather than how we would like them to be. The conjunction between Saturn and Mercury will be exact a few hours before the Moon is exact, and anybody with personal planets or angles around 18° of a sign will feel Saturn’s energy most acutely, especially the fixed signs Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius.
 
The Sabian Symbol for this Moon, at 13° Pisces, is: “An ancient sword, used in many battles, is displayed in a museum”, which Dane Rudyar describes as: “Through the effectual use of his will a consecrated man can become a symbol of courage for all those who follow in his footsteps. Will power is the ultimate spiritual weapon, and its undeviating use is the certification of individual worth. Wherever found, this symbol emphasises the imperative need to make use of the will in meeting the basic challenges of the inner life as well as outer adversaries. Here we see singled out and strongly emphasised the one power in man which is an assurance of victory in the contests generated by social  (or occult) processes, in which he has become an active part. The individual must use that WILL POWER, yet it is not really his own once he operates at a spiritual level. It is God’s will operating through his mind, which focuses its thrusts. It is, occultly speaking, the power of the brotherhood – the energy of the Whole operating through the one-pointed individual who has made this Whole aware of the need for its use in a particular situation”.
 
This symbol is interesting - it seems to reflect the combination of differing energies involved in this New Moon. On the one hand we have the very refined, gentle, spiritual, sensitive and loving energy of Pisces, while at the same time we have the quite powerful, wilful, focused energy of the Pluto, Mars and Venus conjunction. Pluto and Mars can certainly help us to cut through to the heart of the matter, finding the courage and willpower to do whatever needs to be done. However, Pisces is calling for us to find a way to be of service to the whole and to allow the divine to work through us. This is certainly an important time to put some effort into our spiritual practice and to find our most effective way of connecting to spirit and dissolving ego. This symbol seems to ask us to align our will with the higher will of the divine, finding a way to serve spirit and help the whole. Again, we seem to be prompted to discover our true Dharma. Why are we here, right now, at this time on Earth?How might the Divine best make use of us?
 
The Sabian symbol for Neptune, the ruler of this Moon, is also very interesting, at 23° Pisces: “A “materialising” medium giving a séance.” which Rudyar describes as “The ability to give one’s own vital energy to substantiate one’s ideals or unconscious desires. The person who believes he or she has a mission or mandate, or any special gift that can be of value to his community, must substantiate this belief. He has to produce results. Sometimes this involves difficulties and special conditions or circumstances; it always demands to some extent the gift of some power of value which is deeply one’s own. Something precious involved in a deeply personal experience has to be surrendered, offered to others. The medium’s psychic substance provides the materials made visible in the phenomena, if the latter are genuine. After the séance, the medium is usually exhausted. The performer gives of his very life to the performance.”
 
This symbol certainly seconds the sense that we are being asked to somehow find a way of giving ourselves up to the divine and allowing it to work through us in service to the whole. This certainly could be a fruitful time spiritually, during the next month or so, as we move towards the Jupiter Neptune conjunction on 12 April! As such, it is a good time to do whatever brings us a deeper sense of connection to all that is, whether it be through prayer, meditation, breath work, music, dance, nature, song, art - however we find it easier to surrender, let go and connect to the bliss and find that sense of oneness. There are some challenging energies around that are more intense, tough and potentially destructive, but Pisces is calling us to turn inward and connect to our compassion, inner knowing, empathy, sensitivity, faith, trust and capacity for unconditional love. The power of love will always win.
 
“Love casts out fear; but conversely fear casts out love. And not only love. Fear also casts out intelligence, casts out goodness, casts out all thought of beauty and truth.” Aldous Huxley
 
Much Love
 
Amy
xoxo  
 
Picture: Unknown

 

 
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LEO FULL MOON - 16 February 2022

2/13/2022

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Picture
Exact at 4.56pm
 
This has the potential to be a pretty profound Full Moon that could have a big impact on our personal and collective destiny. Full Moons always bring to a head anything that may have been simmering away beneath the surface, making the unconscious more conscious, so to speak. This Full Moon is in Leo, a very creative, playful and expressive sign that reminds us to listen to our hearts and follow the path of joy. As such, this is a good time to truly contemplate what sparks joy in us and what does the opposite and brings a sense of dread or foreboding. Leo reminds us that we are the master of our destiny, the director of our own play, with the capacity to carve out the life we want for ourselves with the strength of our own will. What do we truly want for ourselves? What is our heart’s true desire that sparks a sense of joy?
 
We are coming to the end of Aquarius season, a time when we have been given the opportunity to throw the rule book out and liberate ourselves from some of our old patterns and conditioning. With the Sun in Aquarius we are encouraged to observe ourselves from a more detached place, gaining a bit more objectivity and watching ourselves when we fall into old patterns that no longer serve our highest good. It is a powerful moment when we realise that we are able to see ourselves more clearly and gain more perspective on any ingrained patterns and behaviour that have been repeating unconsciously, time after time after time. Aquarius helps us to bust out of the mould, questioning the rules and finding our true, authentic self, beyond the layers of conditioning that may have kept us prisoner.
 
And now we have a Leo Full Moon that can help us to express all that is in our hearts, from a place of truth and authenticity. Being utterly authentic is not easy, but it seems that this is what is currently being asked of us. We simply have to be true to ourselves, but what does that mean exactly? What might need to fall away that is no longer serving our highest good? We all know what it is, in our heart of hearts.
 
In the approach to this Full Moon we have a conjunction between Pluto and Mercury which will be exact on Friday 11 February. This could really help us to get to the heart of the matter, thinking and communicating from a very deep place of profound truth and integrity. Pluto forces us into a state of emotional honesty, even if it’s uncomfortable. It exposes our darkest secrets and reveals the truth of the matter that may have been lurking in the shadows. Freudian slips are always a possibility when Pluto and Mercury come together, as this combination of planets is bit like soulful truth serum! Pluto will continue to play a part in the approach to this Full Moon, as it is forming a nagging inconjunct to the Moon.
 
Anyone with personal planets around 27° of a sign will be feeling the transforming, soulful, exposing energy of Pluto at the moment, especially the cardinal signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. However, the Sun and Moon are also sitting at 27° of Aquarius and Leo, forming a direct square to the Nodes of the Moon in Taurus and Scorpio, so anyone with personal planets and angles in the fixed signs will feel the impact of this Moon most acutely.
 
It is very interesting looking at the visual chart for this Full Moon, as the square between the Sun, Moon and the Nodes of the Moon makes me think of crossroads, or some kind of turning point. Whenever the Nodes of the Moon are involved there is the possibility of some kind of shift in our personal and collective destiny, with the potential for soul growth and stepping onto the path less travelled, which is something we might fear yet also yearn for.
 
The Nodes of the Moon have recently shifted over into Scorpio and Taurus, which could signify an emphasis on financial matters and the economy for the next 18 months. We could be called to somehow take our power back and come to a place of self-sufficiency, self-reliance and self-sustenance. The South Node, which symbolises familiar patterns that may be hindering growth, is in Scorpio, the sign that represents power/powerlessness, other people’s money, money lenders, banks and suchlike. The North Node, which symbolises our potential growth, is in Taurus, a sign that encourages us to learn to take care of our own needs, becoming more self-sufficient and less reliant on others for money or power. It will be interesting to see what the next year and a half will bring; what will happen to the economy and how we will respond to whatever occurs.
 
There is another facet to this Nodal combination, however, that feels important. When the South Node in Scorpio there is a sense of us having got used to having the rug pulled out from underneath us. And this is certainly where we are at the moment, having had two years of having the rug pulled out and being conditioned to expect some other crisis or drama to come our way. However, the North Node is in Taurus for the next 18 months, inviting us to move forward towards a greater sense of peace, simplicity and stability. There is some hope in this Nodal combination - a sense that possibly we can allow ourselves to relax a little, or at the very least get ourselves to a place whereby we are not so easily knocked off kilter by drama and intensity. Taurus represents Mother Earth, so when in doubt, we are invited to seek a bit of nature to ground and centre ourselves so that we can find a state of calm, watching the storm rage around us instead of getting caught up in it.
 
Mars and Venus, the cosmic lovers, are incredibly prominent right now, as they are forming a conjunction that will be exact on the Full Moon but will also continue from around 9 February until 23 March. This is a very long time for the planet of love and relationship to be travelling alongside the planet of desire and action! This is a very important, powerful, karmic and potentially testing time for our relationships which could help us to redefine what it means to be in relationship and what we really, truly want from them. What we think we want from our relationships may not be what we truly need or are actually capable of. This is a very good opportunity to take off the rose-tinted specs and do any work on ourselves that is necessary to help ensure the success of our relationships. We may find it easier to express our needs than at other times. It is also possible that someone significant could come into our lives that could have an impact in the long term.  
 
Until 6 March Venus and Mars will be travelling together through Capricorn, the sign of realism, commitment and accountability, calling for us to be utterly realistic about our relationships, stripping away layers of illusion and redefining what it means to be in relationship. We may find ourselves making deeper commitments and laying down some structures and foundations that are grounded in reality and actually have a chance of surviving in the long term. Around the Pisces New Moon on 2 March, Venus and Mars will join up with Pluto, the planet of soul, power, death and rebirth, which could bring a profound transformation of the way we relate to one another and could even bring about a deepening or even a literal death of a relationship if it is not viable or serving our highest good. However, the death could be more metaphorical, as the relationship could simply metamorphose into another form that is more authentic, realistic and aligned with our personal truth.
 
Anyone with personal planets or angles around 16° could feel the energy of this Venus Mars conjunction most acutely during this Full Moon, especially in the Cardinal signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. This could be a good thing or could be quite challenging, depending on what aspect they are making! Venus helps us to feel sociable and loving, while Mars brings to the fore our desires and anger, forcing any issues out into the open. It certainly could ignite our passion and creativity, making us more honest about our feelings, more sociable and amorous than usual.
 
The Sabian symbol for the Venus Mars conjunction, which is exact at exactly the same moment that the Full moon is exact, is very interesting: “A repressed woman finds a psychological release in nudism”, which Dane Rudyar describes as “The escape, from bondage to social inhibitions, and a reliance upon the wisdom of the body. Under the pressure of religions that have created a sharp and unwholesome division between soul and body, society has produced strict codes of values regarding the play of natural instincts, and has glorified them under the name of “decency” and “modesty. Men and women are demanding a psychologically, as well as physically, healthful freedom of the body as a means of overcoming the hypocrisy and constrictions of social behaviour. The symbol is a call for RELEASE FROM INHIBITION.”
 
This is a very potent symbol, which could have many implications, given the current climate. One thing that comes to mind, however, is that Uranus has been forming a supportive trine to Venus in recent times, calling for us to find a way of being in relationship that is unique to us, rather than being bound by societal norms, expectations or conditioning. As we move into this new paradigm we could find that the way of being in relationship shifts in order to be a better reflection of our true nature. A new model of relationship could be forming which brings a greater sense of freedom and authenticity. It is important to be willing to be open and honest about who we are, what works for us and what feels right, rather than how we think we should be within our relationships.
 
The Sabian symbol for the Full Moon, at 28° Leo, feels very positive and promising indeed: “Many little birds on the limb of a big tree”, which Rudyar describes as ”A wide and perhaps confusing, openness to a multiplicity of inspiriting potentialities. There is stage in the spiritual life – which is not different from the everyday life – during which the consciousness, aspiring to greater realisations of more impressive forms of self-expression, feels itself flooded with new ideas and new possibilities. This can be very exciting, yet also quite confusing. It becomes necessary to focus oneself by limiting one’s field of vision and activity. We should try not to be OVERWHELMED WITH POTENTIALITIES, yet should enjoy the wonderful lightness of feeling this may bring after perhaps many days, months or years of frustration or darkness”. This one speaks for itself, really!
 
This is a powerful and potent Moon that could ignite our passion and help us to express what is in our heart. Leo is a very warm-hearted, playful, enthusiastic sign that could encourage us to let our hair down and have some fun! The Sabian symbols certainly do bring a sense of us being liberated somehow and feeling a greater sense of hope and positivity. However, we also have this Grand Cross between the Sun, Moon and the Nodes, which could signify some kind of a shift in our destiny. It will be interesting to see what happens within our relationships as Venus and Mars join forces for this Moon and also the New Moon on 2 March. It certainly feels appropriate that the cosmic lovers are together in the heavens for Valentines Day! This Leo Full Moon truly is an invitation to express all that is in our hearts and to allow our romantic, creative, joyful self to come out and play!
 
Much Love
 
Amy
xoxo
 
Picture: Cosmic Love
 


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AQUARIUS NEW MOON / YEAR OF THE WATER TIGER - 1 February 2022

1/28/2022

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Picture
Exact at 5.46am UK time (GMT)
 
This is yet another potent Moon in a series of very powerful Moons! It seems that we are currently going through some kind of transformation and shift, and each Moon is another part of the process. And now we have an Aquarius New Moon, the sign of new vision, breakthroughs, revolution and brotherhood/sisterhood, which calls for us to contemplate our hopes and dreams for a better future. This Moon is especially powerful because we have Uranus, the ruler of Aquarius, forming a dynamic, challenging square to the Sun and Moon, which will intensify the liberating, revolutionary energy of the Moon. This Moon seems to be setting the stage for some change, freedom and excitement and is calling for us to step out of whatever comfortable rut of conformity we might be in so that we can live a truly authentic life.
 
Aquarius is the sign of equality, liberty and fraternity; the part of us that likes to think for ourselves and isn’t afraid to stand out from the crowd. Indeed, Aquarius helps us to stand apart from consensus reality so that we can see it more objectively. New Moons represent a time to plants some energetic seeds for the month ahead. We are asked to contemplate what patterns and habits no longer serve us and leave them behind in the dark of the Moon, and to reflect on what we want to cultivate moving forward. Aquarius calls for us to step back and look at things from a different perspective, considering any hopes and dreams we might be harbouring in our hearts, even if they seem unusual, impossible, whacky or downright mad!
 
Aquarius calls for us to break down our programming, peeling back the layers of conditioning so that we can find out who we really are; our unique, authentic self. We are asked to let go of the need to conform or abide by the rules, especially if the rules make no sense whatsoever. Aquarius teaches us that just because someone in authority tells us something is the right thing to do it does not mean that it is necessarily so. Aquarius calls for us to question the status quo, stand up to authority, protest for our rights and make a break for freedom. Aquarius is not afraid to stand alone, if needs be, rather than blindly following the crowd. As such, this Moon could prompt us to question, rebel, liberate, individuate and to take a step back so that we can see things as they really are.
 
Uranus, the ruler of Aquarius, is a very big player indeed during this New Moon, as the Great Awakener is forming a tight, challenging square to the Sun and Moon. Anytime Uranus is involved we have the potential for shocks, surprises, sudden change, curve balls, wake up calls, epiphanies and breakdowns that lead to breakthroughs. As such, we could have some profound rand shocking revelations, both personally and collectively. Uranus is the planet of revolution and innovation, calling for us to let go of our programming and discover the true essence that lies beneath. It has the capacity to jolt us into a state of greater awareness, waking us up from our slumber and putting us back on the right track. It reminds us who we really are, versus who we thought we were “supposed” to be. This is the planet of freedom that liberates us from the shackles of societal and parental conditioning and helps us to find a place of greater authenticity.
 
Saturn in Aquarius is also involved in this Moon, bringing into focus the Saturn Uranus square that has been such a big part of the astrology of recent times. Aquarius is the sign that represents technology and the internet. It is the part of us that likes to feel free and seeks like-minded peeps to form friendships with. Saturn is the planet of structure, control, authority, limitation, discipline, commitment, reality and patience. Since Saturn has been in Aquarius, from March 2020, we have experienced a gradual curbing of our freedom and individual rights, limited social contact along with the inability to gather in large groups, more and more authoritarian control through the use of technology and censorship of those who question the prevailing narrative. There is more and more of a sense of big brother watching, which is becoming easier and easier as technology advances. People have been so willing to embrace the technological advances for the convenience it brings. However, there is a price to pay, which could potentially be our freedom if we are not careful.
 
As this Saturn Uranus square again comes into focus, we have the battle between Uranian freedom and Saturnian control. Uranus could break down the Saturnian structures and liberate us from our state of fear and compliance. We could also find that people are somehow liberated from judgemental attitudes, bringing about greater tolerance for our differences. Uranus in Taurus could bring about some kind of financial revolution which could bring a greater sense of freedom or could tighten authoritarian control. Uranus can wake us up from Saturnian programming, shocking us and greatly challenging our view of reality, which could potentially be quite destabilising. Uranus rebels, Saturn conforms. Uranus represents liberty, change and progression while Saturn represents structure, control and tradition. The old world is crumbling and we are being asked to find our place in a new world that is forming with a set of completely different rules.
 
Mercury and Venus remain retrograde, for now anyway, as Venus gets ready to turn direct on 29 January and Mercury on 5 February. Both retrograde planets are in Capricorn right now, which is giving us a heavy dose of reality as we are asked to look at the viability of our relationships and potential projects, taking off the idealistic rose-tinted spectacles. Mercury will join Pluto for the second time on 29 January, the first time having been 30 December. This combination of planets could bring about some serious, penetrating, soulful conversations that really get to the heart of the matter and bring out the stark truth. It could be quite exposing and revealing, bringing hidden information and secrets out into the light of our conscious awareness. Pluto and Mercury will conjoin one last time on 11 February and anyone with personal planets or angles around 27° of a sign will be feeling it most acutely, especially the Cardinal signs Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn.
 
While Venus has been retrograde in serious, controlled and responsible Capricorn for the past 40 days, prompting us to look at our relationships and finances in a realistic rather than idealistic light, it will be direct by the time the New Moon arrives. We also have Uranus forming a supportive trine to the planet of love and beauty, which is very helpful because it can breath fresh air into our relationships and help us to find a greater sense of freedom and authenticity within our relationships. We are all unique human beings, and as such we have different needs and one relationship simply doesn’t fit all. We are invited to find our “fit”, which could involve a bit of a stark reality check as we see things as they really are instead of how we might wish they could be. It is quite possible that we have been trying to fit a square peg into a round hole and this is our chance to recognise this and figure out which peg might be a better fit.
 
Uranus was also trine Venus during the Cancer Full Moon on 16 January, so this is a continuation of a process that began then. The difference is that both Uranus and Venus are direct now, so we should be able to see some movement forward. Capricorn is the part of us that likes to take our time to mull things over, so we have had the chance for some deep introspection, thorough processing and reflection on what we truly want and need as we move forward into this new world. Capricorn likes to lay down foundations and is capable of great commitment, so it is possible that the inner work that has been done in recent times could be laying the groundwork for some something that can really stand the test of time, However, with Chiron the Wounded healer challenging Venus there is also the potential for us being deeply triggered within our relationships, although some radical honesty could be amazingly healing, despite hurting a little!
 
Anyone with personal planets or angles around 10° of a sign will be feeling the liberating, awakening and progressive energy of Uranus most acutely, especially in the fixed signs of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. Chiron and Venus are both in Cardinal signs, however, around 11° and 12°. This certainly does feel like a profound time for our relationships, both to ourselves and others. It has the potential to bring a greater sense of space and freedom and the capacity to be totally honest with ourselves, contemplating what we really, truly want so that we can be utterly authentic and true to who we really are.
 
The Sabian symbol for the New Moon, at 13° Aquarius, is interesting indeed: “A barometer”, which Dane Rudyar describes as “The ability to discover basic natural facts that allow us to plan in advance for action. The barometer registers air pressure, and a change of pressure today gives some indication of what the weather will be tomorrow. Planning for the near future is a possibility because the potential (or seed) of the future is already operating at the core of the present. The key word here is ANTICIPATION.” This symbol gives a sense of us sniffing things out as we watch and wait, feeling out the “atmosphere before taking action. There is a sense of anticipation, as we prepare ourselves for some kind of a shift, but for now we are just feeling things out, testing the water and not rushing into anything until all becomes a bit clearer. A seed is being sown during this Moon that will bear fruit soon, but for now we must wait and watch.
 
It all feels quite exciting though! The strong influence of Uranus, the planet that can wake us up and bring about liberation and radical change, brings the potential for quite an energetic shift as we also  move out of the Metal Ox year into the Water Tiger year. The Water Tiger is incredibly dynamic and strong, and can be confrontational, but it can really get things moving, which will be welcome after a yin Metal year! It could give us an enormous amount of energy for getting things done, breathing energy into projects and movements. As a dear Chinese practitioner friend said, Yang Water is the strongest of all the elements, rather like a tsunami. Let’s see what this year brings!
 
Much Love
 
Amy
xoxo
 
Picture: Water Tiger by Exileden on Deviant Art


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CANCER FULL MOON - 17 January 2022

1/13/2022

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Picture
Exact at 11.48pm UK time (GMT)
 
This Moon has the potential to be quite emotional and deeply transforming. The Moon is very much at home in its own sign of Cancer, helping us to get in touch with our feelings and also to express them. Indeed, as this is a Full Moon we could find that our emotions are much closer to the surface than usual. Cancer is the sign of home, childhood, family, roots, ancestry and our inner emotional life. It is the part of us that wonders where we truly belong and who is our soul family. It is the sensitive, nurturing, caring part of us that can pick up on how other people are feeling because we know how they feel. However, it is also the part of us that can be somewhat child-like, insecure and reluctant to be a proper grown-up, which is where the Capricorn Sun comes in, sitting directly opposite the Cancer Moon. As with all full Moons, we are invited to find some balance between the energy of the two signs rather than veering too far in one direction or the other.
 
The Sun, Pluto and Retrograde Venus are all in Capricorn right now, bringing a heavy dose of reality. Capricorn energy forces us to see things as they really are rather than wearing the rose-tinted spectacles and just seeing what we want to see. Relationships are being fully tested with Venus retrograde in Capricorn, forcing us to see the bare bones of the matter and face the hard reality of whatever situation we find ourselves in rather than our hopes, ideals or fantasies. Capricorn gets down to the nitty gritty, asking us to lay down strong, realistic foundations and make concrete commitments that have considerable weight, but only if the structure is sound to begin with.
 
Venus is not only about relationships, it represents our relationship with ourselves, with money and our values. We may need to take a long, hard, realistic look at our financial situation and our relationships, making sure that they are viable in their present form and making wise, mature and responsible decisions around what we need moving forward. Capricorn sees the long game and helps us to be truly accountable for ourselves and our relationships. Venus has been retrograde in Capricorn since 19 December and will turn direct on 29 January, so we are now in the deepest part of the retrograde. It is a time of review, reflection and realism rather than idealism. We are asked to act with integrity and maturity, to take full responsibility and commit to building something that actually has the potential to last because it is based on a realistic appraisal rather than idealistic hopes and fantasy.
 
Uranus is a very strong influence during this Moon, as the Great Awakener is stationary, getting ready to turn direct. It is also forming a helpful aspect to Venus during this Moon, while Chiron is challenging the planet of love and beauty. Uranus calls for a greater sense of authenticity within our relationships, helping us to discover what works for us personally rather than how we have been conditioned to think a relationship should be. We are all unique individuals with our own needs and ways of being, so it makes sense that we would have different needs when it comes to relationships. Uranus has a freeing, liberating quality, helping us to undo some of our programming around how we think a relationship should look so that we can find what truly works for us. It is calling for us to honour our true selves and to be utterly authentic. And this is not necessarily easy.
 
The trine between Uranus and Venus will be playing out over the next week or so and will be strongest around 29 of January, when Venus turns direct. Chiron’s influence could bring up a certain amount of pain in the process, triggering our insecurities and calling for brutal honesty, but could ultimately bring about some profound healing.
 
Powerful, transforming Pluto is very present at the moment and is also sitting right next to the Sun in Capricorn for this Full Moon. Any time Pluto is involved we have the potential for deep, soulful honesty, transformation, issues around power/powerlessness, secrets being revealed, soul growth, loss, exposure of the shadows and obsession. Pluto combined with the Sun can certainly bring up the theme of power and how it is used or abused. It is important to be aware that Pluto is also opposite the Moon, which can bring up some powerfully intense emotions that rise up from the depths and highlight our subconscious compulsions and complexes. Not only that, Mars in Sagittarius is also forming a nagging Inconjunct aspect to the Moon, heating up our emotions and possibly bringing up anger and aggressionHowever, it could also force the truth out into the open, which is always a good thing!
 
Pluto has been playing a big part in recent times and will continue to do so over the coming month. Venus and Pluto were conjunct on 11 December, 25 December and will conjoin one last time on 3  March, with Mars also joining in the party! This can help transform the way we relate to one another, bringing to the fore any power dynamics within our relationships, highlighting our subconscious complexes and forcing into the open anything that may have hitherto been hidden under the proverbial carpet. 
 
Mercury, which is also getting ready to go retrograde, also joined Pluto on 30 December and will do so again on 30 January and one last time on 12 Feb. This has the potential to bring secrets and lies out into the open, bringing some penetrating discussions that really get to the heart of the matter. Through our conversations we may find ourselves divulging information about ourselves that we may usually prefer remained hidden.
 
Anyone with personal planets and angles close to 26/27° of a sign will be feeling the transforming, soul-growth inducing energy of Pluto most acutely, especially the Cardinal signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. Pluto can feel a bit like a cosmic kick up the bum, forcing us into alignment with our soul purpose, which can be quite painful if we have been deviating and ignoring the signs! This Full Moon is also 27° Cancer, so anyone with planets and angles near the end of the sign will feel its power.
 
Juno, the goddess of long term, committed relationship, is also a big player during this Moon, sitting right next to the Sun and Pluto in Capricorn. Juno managed to maintain a marriage to Jupiter, the King of the Gods, despite his wandering eye and tendency to roam! However, he always came back to Juno. TJuno in Capricorn, again, can bring up the theme of realistic appraisal and greater commitment within our long-term relationships, calling for us to have integrity and accountability. Juno and Pluto will be exactly conjunct on 24 January, which could be an interesting time for our relationships, bringing about soul contracts, deeper commitment or some kind of transformation of the way we define our relationships and long term commitments. It could even literally bring about the “death” of a relationship if the foundation isn’t strong enough.
 
Mercury is turning retrograde on Saturday 15 January, just before the Full Moon, and will move from Aquarius back into Capricorn on 26 January, before turning direct on 3 February. There is always the potential for miscommunications and misunderstandings during the couple of days before and after Mercury goes retrograde so it is important to be mindful this weekend, what with the Full Moon also coming to fruition! Mercury retrograde in Aquarius could bring some shocking revelations, especially as Uranus, the ruler of Aquarius, also happens to be challenging Mercury during this Moon. We could receive shocking news, or have profound epiphanies, or have our ideas and thoughts challenged, or find ourselves or others playing devil’s advocate. Aquarius encourages us to think outside of the box, looking at things from a different perspective and questioning what we are being told by those in authority.
 
As Mercury moves backwards we are invited to look back over things, reflecting, reviewing, revisiting and checking for anything we may have missed in the past few weeks. We may find that we have somehow missed an important part of the jigsaw that now slots into place nicely. Mercury Retrograde can be quite a Trickster, so it is important to maintain a sense of humour if technology acts in strange ways or journeys don’t quite go the way we have planned. We may even find that there is some kind of higher purpose behind the disruption! People could pop up from our past who have some kind of important message for us, or we may find ourselves on a trip down memory lane that is needed in order for us to move forward.
 
The Sabian Symbol for the Full Moon, at 28° Cancer, is: “An Indian girl introduces her white lover to assembled tribe”, which Dane Rudyar describes as “ Inner rebirth through a total acceptance of the primordial values manifest in the human body and its natural functions” There is a sense, with this symbol, of finding some healing in terms of the divisive, polarised and segregated world we are currently living in. There is a sense of finding some compassion and love for one another, regardless of our belief system, orientation or different “camps” we may be in. This symbol brings some hope that we can somehow bridge the gap and find some resolution, understanding and acceptance of our differences.  
 
This Moon certainly could bring a lot to the surface within our relationships! Full Moons always do highlight relationships, but Retrograde Venus and Juno are also very much highlighted during this particular Moon. And a Cancer moon can certainly bring our true feelings to the surface, hopefully helping us to express our emotions and allow ourselves to be vulnerable rather than holding back or controlling them, as our inner Capricorn might do. This is Cancer’s greatest gift to us - it reminds us that to show our vulnerability is not weakness, it is strength. In fact, it is the hardest thing to do sometimes, but when we do so we allow others to truly see and understand us and to be able to help. Hopefully this Moon will bring out the truth of how we feel so that we all know exactly where we stand.
 
“This above all: to thine own self be true
And it must follow, as night the day
Thou canst not then be false to any man”
 
William Shakespeare
 
Much love
 
Amy
xoxo
 
Painting by Morgan VanGorder
 


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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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