Amy Bird Art and Astrology
  • Home
  • About me
  • Astrology
  • Testimonials
  • Workshops
  • Paintings
  • Photography
  • Blog
  • Contact me

LEO FULL MOON - 5 February 2023

2/2/2023

1 Comment

 
Picture
Exact at 6.28pm UK time (GMT)
 
This Moon could be quite enlivening, as not only is it an enthusiastic fire sign Full Moon but electrifying Uranus is playing a big part. Full Moons always have the capacity to bring some big emotions to the surface and this one is no exception. Leo is the part of us that likes to express ourselves, whether that be though singing, dancing, playing, playing music, creating or simply by shouting out to the world that we are here! As such, this Moon could help us to express our emotions in whatever way is necessary. Leo is certainly no wilting wallflower, so our emotions could even come out like a lion’s roar!
 
Leo invites us to connect to our heart and contemplate what brings us our greatest joy. We are encouraged to connect to the playful child within us and to follow our bliss, doing whatever feels really good to us. Leo reminds us that we are the master of our own destiny and have the power to create our own reality. While the Aquarius part of us has the ideas and visions of how to create a better world, our inner Leo can actually get stuck in there and make it happen. Aquarius season can help us to think outside of the box and break free of restrictions, programming and unhealthy patterns, while this Leo Moon could help us to let out our frustrations, get things off our chest and express what is in our hearts.
 
Sometimes we can get a bit stuck in our hum drum reality, finding it hard to see beyond our real or imagined limitations. This Full Moon, with the revolutionary, visionary Aquarius Sun and playful, creative Leo Moon, can help us to have some fun envisioning the kind of life we truly wish for if there were nothing holding us back and no obstacles in our way. And when it comes down to it, what is preventing us from creating our ideal life and going after what we truly want? Often it is simply fear of change, or the inability to see beyond our current reality, or a lack of imagination, or too much attachment to feeling safe and secure. This Moon invites us to simply play and get creative, contemplating what we would be doing if we were to trust and follow our hearts.
 
Uranus is forming a dynamic, challenging square to the Sun and Moon, which has to potential to bring some change, liberation and excitement into our lives, especially for those of us with personal planets or angles around 15° of a sign, although the fixed signs of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius will feel it the most. Uranus is the Great Awakener, with the power to jolt us into a greater awareness and authentic way of being. “To thine own self be true” is Uranus’ motto, although of course that is easier said than done! To be utterly real and unapologetically ourselves can sometimes rub other people up the wrong way or make us feel like we stick out like a sore thumb. It is easier to conform, people please and simply meld in, but this comes at a price.
 
Uranus is the part of us that is not afraid to stand up and show who we really, truly are, beyond the conditioning from society and our parents. Wherever it is found in our chart shows where we need the freedom do things differently and where we tend not to conform. With Uranus playing such a big part during this Moon we could find ourselves prompted to step out of our comfort zones and invite change in, even if it threatens our sense of security. Uranus energy is exciting and electrifying, but it can also be unsettling, bringing shocks and wake up calls that break things down so that we can experience a breakthrough. Ultimately it can help us to break down any unhealthy patterns and remind us who we really, truly are, beyond all of the parental and societal expectations. Uranus asks us to be utterly authentic.
 
Venus and Mars are also squaring off against each other during this Moon, which could be interesting for our relationships. Passions could run high and there is the potential for any problems within our relationships to become heightened, possibly even to the point of conflict. It could be good for sex, however!  Anyone with personal planets or angles around 11° of a sign, especially the mutable signs of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces, will feel this the most acutely. Venus has recently moved into Pisces, helping us to connect to one another without the usual walls and imbuing our relationships with kindness, compassion, empathy and sensitive awareness. However, Mars’s influence during this Moon could heat things up a bit!
 
From around 8 February onwards, Venus will be moving towards a conjunction with Neptune, the ruler of Pisces, exact on 15 February, which will very much heighten the energy of Venus in Pisces. Neptune is the higher octave of Venus, so this combination brings the potential for unconditional love and a more spiritual, connected way of relating, with true tenderness and compassion. Neptune is also the planet of illusion, deception, fantasy and confusion, so all of this is also possible! We could have rose-tinted specs on when it comes to our relationships, seeing what we want to see rather than the real person and their flawed humanity. However, in their highest vibration, Neptune and Venus can help us to connect to one another heart to heart, with sensitivity, vulnerability and acceptance of all that we are. This conjunction occurs at 24° Pisces.
 
Another important combination of planets that is forming during this Moon is a conjunction between powerful, compulsive, soulful Pluto and Mercury, the planet of the mind and communication. The energy of this conjunction will build in strength until 10 February, when it will peak. This can lead to some obsessive thought processes and deep thinking, and can also help us to see and understand our psychological complexes as well as the hidden motivations of others. Pluto strips away self-deceit, so this transit could really help us to understand ourselves better. It can also bring about some penetrating discussions that really get to the heart of the matter, uncovering material that we might not usually be willing to confront.
 
The conversations we have in the build up to this conjunction are unlikely to be superficial, rather they will involve some emotional honesty and a willingness to dig deeper and expose what lies beneath the surface, behind the façade. Those of us with personal planets or angles around 28° of a sign, especially the cardinal signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn, will feel the raw, honest, penetrating energy of this conjunction the most acutely. It will be interesting to see what information comes to light in the next week or so.
 
The Sabian symbol for this Moon, at 17° Leo, is: “A volunteer church choir singing religious hymns”, which Dane Rudyar describes as “The feeling of togetherness which unites men and women in their dedication to a collective ideal. Religion in its institutionalised aspect is the attempt to give a transcendental character to the feeling of community. The fellowship of common work, needed for substance and security in a dangerous world, is exalted in periodic rituals in which the co-workers participate. At such moments the consciousness and feelings of human beings flow into a common mould in which they become refreshed by the experience of shared values and beliefs. The existence of a volunteer church choir implies a rather steady phase of culture and society. What is sung reflects the special way in which a particular community of human beings – extensive as it may be – interprets the deepest realities of human existence and man’s longings for an ideal. The symbol expresses the idealised aspect of TOGETHERNESS”.
 
This symbol reminds us of what can happen when we all come together for a common cause or ideal. It seems as if this could be the perfect Moon to gather together in groups and chant or sing from our hearts. Aquarius is a very humanitarian sign that truly believes in One Love and wants to create a better world for us all. Leo is a very expressive and creative sign that encourages us to listen to our hearts and follow our joy. Venus in Pisces helps us to remember that we are all connected, not separate as we might sometimes believe. This feels like a recipe for a Full Moon that unites us all and brings us together to bring into being the life we truly wish to create. This could be a very good weekend to get the paints, crayons or musical instruments out, or to find somewhere to join together with others and sing, dance, play and express all that is in our hearts. Let our inner child run free!
 
Much Love
 
Amy
xoxo
 
Painting: Unknown
 

1 Comment

AQUARIUS NEW MOON / CHINESE NEW YEAR OF THE RABBIT - 21 January 2023

1/18/2023

0 Comments

 
Picture
Exact at 8.53pm UK time (GMT)
 
This is no ordinary New Moon, as it is also a Supermoon, which means that it will have a bigger impact on us, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. It also heralds the beginning of the Yin Water Rabbit, which could feel like a welcome relief after the Yang Water Tiger year! We may feel the need to slow down and get some rest this year. Yin Water is softer and more flowing, and the Rabbit is known for being gentle, sensitive, tender, elegant and refined. That being said, Rabbits can sometimes be a bit fearful of predators, so while we are encouraged to be creative this year, we could feel a little stuck at times, as we struggle to find the courage to put plans into action. However, Rabbits do intuitively know how to get ahead in the world and can be quite quick and alert.
 
This does feel like a very potent and energised New Moon, and Aquarius asks us to contemplate our hopes, dreams and visions for a better future, setting positive intentions that come from our heart. The Aquarius part of us truly believes in community in the truest sense of the word, and genuinely wants to make this world a better place for everyone. An Aquarian Motto could be “All for one and one for all!” Aquarius is also the part of us that questions the rules and is willing and able to stand up to authority if needs be. As such, Aquarius season, which begins with the New Moon, can bring the activist, rebel and revolutionary out in us, bringing the potential for more uprisings, marches, protests and revolutions.
 
There is an unpredictable, electrical energy to Aquarius, which is quite a contrast to the more cautious, realistic, disciplined and responsible energy of Capricorn season. Aquarius is the part of us that is a good friend and likes to gather in groups with like-minded people. Our relationship with our friends is slightly more detached, less intimate than with our lovers and family members, and so we are able to see each other more clearly, giving our objective feedback when our friends are in need of advice or support. The closer we get to someone, the harder it is to be objective! Aquarius is a friendly yet slightly cool and aloof kind of energy – friendly but not too familiar.
 
This could be a good Moon for taking a step back from whatever we are going through and seeing things from a different perspective, which could help bring some insight, understanding and clarity. Indeed, we could experience some kind of shift that brings much needed change, setting us back on the right path. Aquarius and its planetary ruler, Uranus, are the kind of energy that shakes things up somewhat, dusting off the cobwebs and helping us get out of whatever safe, secure but stagnant rut we may have inadvertently fallen into. Change can be a scary thing to contemplate, so we tend to put it off until things have become so intolerable that we have no choice in the matter. This could be a very good Moon to instigate healthy and positive change, rather than waiting for something to come along and force it on us.
 
Luckily, we have Mars and Jupiter forming supportive and helpful aspects to the Sun and Moon, which could really help us to find the courage we need to either take a stand or initiate change. Jupiter in Aries is such brave and enthusiastic energy, helping us to feel the fear and do it anyway! Jupiter is the planet of growth and expansion, while Aries is the pioneer and brave warrior, so this Moon could help us to have the courage, confidence, faith and motivation to move past obstacles, rolling any boulders out of our way with ease! Jupiter will be exactly sextile the Sun in the early hours of Wednesday 25 January, so the energy will be building in strength during this Moon.
 
Mars in Gemini is also forming a helpful trine aspect to the Sun and Moon, although it is not as strong because it won’t be exactly trine the Sun until 30 January. However, it is still significant and could help us to make decisions and to have the courage to act on whatever we decide. Gemini is the sign of the mind and communication, so Mars can help us to say what needs to be said and to confront some thorny or challenging material. Mars helps us to not waver once we have decided upon a course of action. As Mars approaches the trine with the Sun in the next week or so, we could feel a much-needed boost of courage, motivation and energy.
 
Interestingly enough, there is a supportive trine aspect between Uranus and Mercury that is starting to build during this Moon, which is also exact on 30 January. This could help us to think outside of the box and see things from a different perspective. It can open our minds to new information and help us to come up with ingenious solutions to anything we may be facing. It can help us to change our minds, bringing new insight, epiphanies and even an “aha” moment or two! Mercury is now direct, having been retrograde for three weeks, and Uranus turns direct on 23 January, so there is a forward moving energy around, especially as all the planets will now be direct!
 
Anyone with personal planets or angles around 14/15° of a sign will be feeling the liberating, exciting, changing energy of Uranus most acutely, especially those in the fixed signs Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. Those with planets and angles around 1° of a sign, especially the fixed signs, will feel the full impact of this Aquarius Moon.
 
Pluto and the Sun are joining forces in Capricorn on Wednesday 18 January, a couple of days before the New Moon.  Anyone with personal planets or angles around 28° of a sign, especially the cardinal signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn could feel this powerful, transforming and potentially empowering energy the strongest. Power and transformation are the theme here, as well as potentially having to face something we would rather not have to deal with. Pluto will still be very close to the Sun and Moon during this New Moon, although they will have moved into Aquarius, while Pluto remains at 28° Capricorn.  
 
The Sabian Symbol for this Moon, at 2° Aquarius, is a powerful one indeed – “The unexpected thunderstorm”, which Dane Rudyar describes as “The need to develop the inner security which will enable us to meet unexpected crisis. The symbol itself – “An unexpected thunderstorm” – could be given a very positive meaning in an arid environment, but the emphasis on “unexpected” tends to accent the sudden dangerous character of the event. Such a thunderstorm in a region of dry hills can cause a devastating flood. At any rate, it refers to an event for which one is not prepared – a menace to men’s works. This scene stresses the fact that nature may reduce to impermanence the seemingly most permanent endeavours and constructive activities of men. Under a downpour of rain, adobe brick can return to mud. All human institutions and their achievements can be washed away, even in their day of great glory. “Dust you were, dust you must become.” This is NATURE’S CHALLENGE.”
 
Indeed, Aquarius does bring the potential for sudden shocks and surprises that bring change. And Uranus, the ruler of Aquarius, is currently in Taurus, a sign that represents the natural world, the economy and our safety and security in a physical and financial sense. As such, we could receive some surprises in this area of our lives. However, Aquarius and Uranus also call for us to come up with solutions and can be very innovative. Sometimes we need a bit of a shock to jolt us out of apathy and stagnation. This Moon does seem to be providing us with the faith, courage and motivation to initiate change, to stand up for what we believe in and to take a step towards creating the kind of world we would be happy living in. It’s up to us to make the most of it.
 
Much Love
 
Amy
xoxo
 
Picture: Rabbit in a Lightning Storm – Daniel Eskridge
 


0 Comments

CANCER FULL MOON - 6 January 2023

1/4/2023

1 Comment

 
Picture
Exact at 23.07 UK time (GMT)
 
This is the first Full Moon of the calendar year, and the Moon is very much at home in her own sign of Cancer. We are invited to really feel our feelings and allow our emotions to come out, especially if we have been trying to keep them under control or suppressing them. Full Moons tend to bring our emotions out anyway, as whatever has been bubbling away beneath the surface demands release. “Better out than in” could be Cancer’s motto!
 
Cancer is the sign of the family, our childhood, our emotional patterns, our roots, and sense of belonging. As such, this is a good Moon to tend to this aspect of our lives, spending time with family or people who feel like family, as well as contemplating our childhoods and the effect they have had on us as adults. The Moon is sitting directly opposite the Sun and retrograde Mercury in Capricorn, so we could well find ourselves looking back into the past and reflecting on days gone by. Sometimes the past holds clues that can help us in the present day, whether through our own reflection or possibly by asking family members about things that happened when we were too young to remember.
 
Many of our emotional patterns have a very simple origin, which could be a decision we made when we were little in order to stay safe, or a “message” we received during childhood, either overtly or covertly, or something that happened to us. With Mercury currently retrograde this is the perfect Moon to look back, not to mention that the Cancer part of us likes to look back at the past, sometimes with considerable nostalgia. This Moon could heighten our emotions and bring our inner child into the foreground, possibly through an irrational outburst or an old, inappropriate coping mechanism, or possibly by helping us to feel our emotions and allow our vulnerable side to show itself.
 
The Capricorn part of us may prefer to keep our emotions under control and show a stiff upper lip, but the Cancer part of us knows that sometimes it shows great strength and courage to show our vulnerability and let our loved ones know how we actually feel. Of course, the Cancer part of us can also feel insecure and needy at times, in which case it is helpful to use a bit of Capricorn’s capacity to parent ourselves and to take responsibility for our actions and reactions. Cancer relates to our family and childhood, while Capricorn relates to our parental and societal conditioning, so the focus of this Full Moon could definitely highlight the past and how it has shaped us.
 
The two greatest influences on this Moon are Uranus and Chiron the Wounded Healer. Uranus is forming helpful, supporting aspects to the Sun, Moon and Mercury, bringing the potential for change and shifting out of old, outworn patterns that no longer serve us. This is very helpful energy to have around, as it clears out the cobwebs and can bring about realisations, insights and epiphanies that can bring amazing breakthroughs. Uranus is also the planet of long-term memory, and so we could find ourselves remembering aspects of our past that could be very revealing and profoundly liberating. Uranus can bring curve balls and surprises that help to jolt us into greater awareness and set us on the right path.
 
Anyone with personal planets or angles around 15° of a sign, especially the fixed signs Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius, will currently be feeling the exciting, enlivening, liberating and awakening energy of Uranus the most acutely. Uranus certainly does have the potential to help us to blast through blocks and shake off old conditioning, that’s for sure!
 
Chiron the Wounded Healer will be forming a more dynamic, challenging square aspect to the Sun, Moon and Mercury, although it will probably play out a bit earlier because the square with the Sun is exact on 2 January. However, it will still be part of the energetic build up to this Moon. Chiron in Aries could bring up some sensitivity and potentially trigger old wounds that may not have completely healed over. We could find that our hurt child reacts defensively, or we could find that some open, candid honesty is helpful for healing issues that have been festering from the past. Aries does like to bring any thorny issues out into the open for them to be aired, so we could find that we have the courage to face things that we might usually shy away from.
 
Anyone with personal planets or angles around 12° of a sign, especially the Cardinal signs Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn, will feel the energy of Chiron the most acutely, which could be somewhat painful on the one hand but incredibly healing on the other.
 
Neptune is also forming a wide, supportive trine aspect to the Moon, which provides a soft, gentle, compassionate, loving energy to this Moon which can help us to remember that we are all not so different from each other, when it comes down to it. Neptune can help us to connect to one another in a way that can dissolve any egos, walls and barriers, revealing our true spirit and essence.
 
Venus and Mars are forming a harmonious aspect to one another during this Moon, which could be very helpful for our relationships and could also ignite our passion and enthusiasm. Venus has recently moved into Aquarius, which is quite a detached but friendly place for the planet of relationships to be. It could help us to take a step back and be more objective within our relationships. Aquarius is friendly but not too familiar! We could find ourselves being able to undo some old patterns and relate to others in a different way that feels more authentic and truer to who we really are. The Venus/Mars trine will be exact on 9 January.
 
The Sabian symbol for this Moon, at 17° Cancer, is: “The unfoldment of multilevel potentialities issuing from an original germ”, which Dane Rudyar describes as “The life urge to actualise one’s birth potential. What is pictured here is simply the process of germination. As it unfolds from the sundered seed the plant pierces the crust of the soil and reaches up toward the light. Germination is the crucifixion of the seed. The seed becomes the germ, just as the Tibetan student meditating silently and peacefully on the Mandala is followed by the Christian Crusader - and, at a materialistic level of productivity, by the engineer-technologist intent upon transforming the globe for the greatest possible enjoyment of the greatest possible number of human beings. Action polarises meditation. The keyword is GROWTH”.
 
We all started as a seed! This Moon could certainly bring up some material around our childhood, our upbringing, our family and the conditioning we received growing up. We are all born with so much potential, and then life shapes and moulds us into the person we have become. It all depends on how we were tended to as seedlings! Our original, unique spark is always there, but other influences and experiences also have a big impact on our patterns and tendencies. With Retrograde Mercury so prevalent during this Moon, it is quite likely that we are going to have conversations that hark back to the past or messages that are important for us to hear that take us back over old ground. This could be an emotional Moon, but as Cancer would attest, it is always good to get in touch with our feelings!
 
Much Love
 
Amy
xoxo
 
Painting : “Seed” by Michelle Pier
 

1 Comment

CAPRICORN NEW MOON - 23 December 2022

12/20/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Exact at 10.16am UK time (GMT)
 
This is a potent New Moon, as it is also a Supermoon, which means that it could have an above average impact on our minds, bodies, emotions and spirits. New Moons tend to set the tone for the month ahead and it can be helpful to contemplate what we might want to leave behind in the dark of the Moon and what we might want to cultivate more of moving forward. This particular Moon is in Capricorn, a sign that likes to set long term goals and work slowly and steadily towards them. As such, it could be good to contemplate what those goals and aspirations are exactly and think about what we would like to achieve in 2023. What would we like to let go of that is no longer serving us? What kind of realistic plans can we make to make our lives better moving forward? What is our greatest wish?
 
The Capricorn part of us is a realist and a pragmatist. It is the part of us that likes to make plans and set goals for ourselves, and then slowly but steadily work towards making those goals a reality. Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, Cronus, Father Time, and so it brings the gift of patience and waiting until the time is right to make things happen. It also brings the discipline needed to apply ourselves to whatever task we have set ourselves. Capricorn also teaches us lessons about responsibility. Do we tend to shy away from responsibility, or do we often find ourselves carrying too much on our shoulders? Where in our lives are we shouldering a burden that has become too heavy? Are we able to share the load somehow, or admit that we are struggling and ask for help? Can we delegate some of our duties?
 
Capricorn also calls for us to take responsibility for ourselves and to grow up, acting from a place of maturity. It is easy to blame others for whatever happens to us, but Capricorn reminds us that we are always in control of how we respond, react and act, and are ultimately responsible for ourselves. Capricorn is the part of us that strives to be successful and isn’t afraid to take on our authority and put ourselves out there. This Moon could bring into focus what success means to us. What does it mean to be a successful human being? What might need to change and what work do we need to do on ourselves in order for us to be happy, healthy and grounded in the world? How do we hold ourselves back from achieving our goals?  Are we afraid of failure, or are we more afraid of success? What, when we are honest with ourselves, are our heartfelt aspirations for ourselves?
 
Jupiter moves back into Aries on 20 December and will remain there until 16 May 2023. Jupiter is also very present during this Moon, as it is forming a dynamic square aspect to the Sun and Moon. Aries is the sign of “I am”, so this could be a time of considerable self-growth and self-improvement. How can we expand our sense of self and take care of our needs so that we are better able to go out into the world and be a better human being? We could find ourselves raring at the bit, pushing ourselves out there, initiating new projects and challenging ourselves to grow and move past any limitations. Jupiter can also magnify any feelings of anger that we may feel, however, and anger can be quite destructive if projected outward and self-destructive if swallowed and turned inwards. On the other hand, righteous anger can be very helpful, especially if it incites action.
 
Jupiter in Aries can really help us to find the self-confidence and courage to try new things, bringing out our pioneering spirit, although it can also mean that we overextend ourselves or think that we are better or capable of more than we actually are. Our Aries self may feel very enthusiastic and confident and want to jump straight in, while our Capricorn self asks us to slow down a bit, to be a bit sensible and practice a bit more caution. However, the Capricorn part of us can sometimes feel quite fearful, so a bit of courage and/or righteous anger could be helpful! This square from Jupiter does feel like it could be a good boost of energy to help us to come up with some ways to improve ourselves and our lives.
 
Venus and Mercury are also in Capricorn now, so the energy has well and truly shifted from enthusiastic Sagittarius to grounded, earthy, cautious Capricorn. Mercury is getting ready to go retrograde in Capricorn from 30 December until 18 January. Capricorn is quite a deep thinking, reflective and introspective sign, so this retrograde period could help us to go back over ground we have already covered in the past month and review and reflect in a retrospective manner.Sometimes there are things we may have missed the first time around, and this retrograde period could allow us to see them or talk them over. We might rehash old plans or ideas and tweak them so that they work better.
 
Mercury in Capricorn can be quite thorough, helping us to see the bare bones of whatever issue our minds are mulling over. However, it can also send our minds into some rather dark or bleak places, so it is important not to dwell on feelings of guilt, regret or self-judgement. People or memories from the past could pop up for us to tie up loose ends or complete unfinished business and could also bring up old grief to honour and release. Looking back can sometimes help us to move forward.
 
Chiron the Wounded Healer, on the other hand, is getting ready to turn direct on 24 December, having been retrograde since July. When planets are stationed ready to go retrograde or direct, their energy feels strongest, as will be the case when Mercury is getting ready to go retrograde around the 30th! In the case of Chiron, this brings the potential for some amazing healing to occur over the Christmas period, although our sore spots could also be triggered! It is quite possible that people could say things that are somewhat hurtful but ultimately healing, as Mars, the ruler of Aries, is currently retrograde in Gemini, the sign of communication. This could help us to bring up any issues or anger from the past that need talking about and resolving because they have been festering for too long.
 
Chiron in Aries doesn’t exactly have the gentlest bedside manner, but it is direct and honest, bringing up material that needs to be faced and giving us the courage to confront and work on ourselves. It does bring the potential for people being a bit over-sensitive and reactionary but could also help us to bring up any thorny issues that need to be addressed for healing to occur. Anyone with personal planets or angles around 11° of a sign will feel the energy of Chiron most acutely, especially the cardinal signs Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn.
 
Uranus is helping out during this Moon, forming a supportive trine to Venus, the planet of relationships, exact on 22 December. This could bring some excitement into our social lives, livening things up and helping us to step out of our comfort zone. Uranus can help us to switch up the way we relate to one another, liberating ourselves from unhealthy patterns of relating and breathing new life into our relationships. If we have been stuck in a rut in our relationships, with things becoming a bit stale, this energy could help us to add some much-needed spice and shake things up a little bit. This combination could be quite fun, calling for us to expect the unexpected! Those of us with personal planets or angles around 15° of a sign will feel the liberating, unpredictable, enlivening energy of Uranus most acutely, especially in the fixed signs of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius.
 
The Sabian symbol for this Moon, at 2° Capricorn, is: “Three rose windows in a Gothic church, one damaged by war”, which Dane Rudyar describes as: ”The necessary realisation by any individual making a violent use of collective power that it will lead to the inevitable destruction of some of the values ensuring group-integration. It seems obvious that the interpretation of this symbol should refer to the disruptive consequences of war. A “rose window” is not absolutely essential to a cathedral, yet it symbolises that through which the “light of the Spirit” enters into the edifice. Man’s soul is said to be three-fold. Which part of man’s inner trinity of principles tends to be destroyed by the use of violence? Evidently the principle of love and compassion.”
 
This seems a good time to remind ourselves that Neptune is still in Pisces, calling for kindness, compassion, unity and an awareness that we are all ultimately connected, even though we may sometimes feel alone. The Chiron in Aries energy may be strong during this Moon, and some people may act or react in anger, but this may simply be because they are scared, hurt or in pain. This can be a difficult time of year for many, and this year has been especially challenging, so it is very important to be mindful of this and keep our hearts open to one another, even if others are acting in ways that we do not understand. This New Moon is a powerful one, when we have a chance to turn inward and set some positive and realistic intentions for the year ahead, while leaving anything that no longer serves us behind, in the dark of the Moon. What, when it comes down to the bare bones of the matter, is our greatest wish for this next year?
 
Much Love
 
Amy
xoxo
 
Artwork: Mountain Goat by Marie Keane

 

0 Comments

GEMINI FULL MOON - 8 December 2022

12/6/2022

1 Comment

 
Picture
Exact at 4.08am UK time (GMT)
 
Well, this Moon could certainly heat things up a bit! We have retrograde Mars, the warrior planet, sitting right next to the Moon in Gemini, which has the potential to bring out into the open anything we might have been bottling up and not expressing. Retrograde Mars certainly brings the potential for us revisiting old anger that we might have swallowed so that it has turned into ongoing resentment. There are very few of us who have been taught how to express our anger in a positive way, so that it tends to come out in a distorted fashion or get pushed down so that it becomes self-destructive and unconsciously sabotaging. This Moon could help us to consciously access our anger and even find a way to verbalise it, although hopefully not in a reactive or explosive way!
 
Gemini is the sign of the mind and communication, so we could find that our minds are very active during this Moon and that the pace quickens, with lots of information flying around and lots going on for us to think about. Gemini is a curious, adaptable and versatile sign that likes to gather information and pass it on to others. As such, the media comes under the Gemini banner, as does gossip and slander. It is important to watch what we say and think during this Moon, as words have the power to both help and harm!
 
We are in the midst of Sagittarius season, a sign known for having strong opinions and a good sense of humour, not to mention a great deal of optimism and faith. This is a good sign for the Sun to be travelling through during holiday season, as it can bring out our more jolly, jovial side and the capacity to laugh at ourselves and life! Sagittarius is the truth seeker, and is known for speaking bluntly and honestly, while Gemini is better at saying things in a smoother, more palatable way. Indeed, Gemini has the gift of the gab and a silver tongue, and can tell a good story, although it may not always be the truth. We could find that things are said in the heat of the moment during this Full Moon, getting to the truth of the matter. Mars could make us say things in anger but could also give us the courage to speak in a more open, direct, candid and forthright manner rather than pussyfooting around the issue.
 
Juno, the goddess of long term, committed partnership, is being squared by the Sun and Moon, bringing her energy into focus. It is quite possible that whatever truths need to come out, or whatever information comes to light, or whatever needs to be said during this Moon could have an impact on long terms relationships or marriages. Possibly we have been putting up with something for a while that has now become intolerable, so that we are forced to let it out. Possibly we need to say how we really feel rather than holding back, putting our cards on the table so that everyone knows exactly where they stand. Sometimes the truth hurts, though, and this combination can make us a bit more impulsive and not as sensitive as we might usually be! However, it is always better for everyone to know where they stand.
 
Anyone with personal planets or angles within a couple of degrees 16° of a sign will feel the energy of Mars and this Moon most acutely, especially the mutable signs of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces. Mars could be very energising and motivating but could also make us quick to act and react. With Mars in Gemini at the moment there is the potential for heated discussions and angry words spoken in the heat of the moment, especially with a Full Moon building! This is the kind of Moon that could have us blurting things out without having time to think, which could be both helpful and hurtful. Possibly some hitherto hidden information could be revealed that makes us angry.
 
Interestingly, Mercury, which is the ruling planet of this Gemini Moon, will have just slipped into Capricorn on Tuesday 6 Dec, a sign known for being quite cautious and withholding. This could put the brakes on a little, helping us to carefully consider what we say and how we say it. It can also make our conversations and thought processes a bit more serious and somewhat weightier. This could temper the impulsiveness of Mars slightly, although Capricorn can also strip things down to the bare bones of the matter and certainly doesn’t mince its words.
 
Neptune in Pisces is forming a dynamic square aspect to the Sun and Moon that is fairly wide, but note-worthy nevertheless. If Sagittarius and Gemini pertain to knowledge, information, understanding and truth, then Neptune can muddy the waters somewhat!  We may find that the actual truth is so hard to find, given the sea of propaganda and disinformation we are currently swimming through, that we experience Neptunian disillusionment and just feel like giving up and not bothering anymore. Neptune is the part of us that just wants to escape the harsh reality of life for a while, through alcohol, drugs, sleep, TV, video games, movies and novels. Neptune is also known for illusion, deception and smoke screens, which could make things quite confusing but also calls us to be as sensitive and compassionate as possible while saying whatever needs to be said during this Moon.
 
Uranus is also very present right now, as the planet of change and wake-up calls is close to the North Node in Taurus while also forming a nagging inconjunct aspect to the Sun. Are we willing to step outside the comfort zone and embrace necessary change? Where in our lives are we stuck in a comfortable rut for the sake of security? How can we be truer to ourselves and more authentic? Where in our life do we feel the need to break the rules and bust out of a cage? Whatever house Uranus is in right now could give a clue. Uranus can bring sudden insights and revelations that shock us back onto our true path. It calls for us to think outside the box and embrace a different perspective that we might not have considered. It calls for us to break away from any restrictive or unhelpful conditioning or programming.
 
Uranus is at 15° Taurus, so any of us with personal planets or angles around 15° of a sign, especially the fixed signs Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius, will be experiencing the erratic, unpredictable, liberating energy of Uranus most acutely.
 
The Sabian symbol for this Moon, at 17° Gemini, is interesting: “The head of a robust youth changes into that of a mature thinker”, which Dane Rudyar describes as “The transformation of physical vitality into the power to build concepts and intellectual formulations through which knowledge can be transferred. What we see pictured is the transformation of emotions into mind, of instincts into thoughts – a process of MENTAL METAMORPHOSIS”. It feels as if we are being asked to mature with regard to the way we think and to apply our wisdom to what is being presented to us. We may have to face some truths that we would rather not think about, but it is necessary, as it will bring a greater understanding of how everything works. “Growing up” can be uncomfortable, but we can’t bury our heads in the sand forever.
 
It will be interesting to see how this Moon plays out! Mars certainly brings issues around war, anger, assertion and even aggression to the fore, but can also help us to have the courage to confront ourselves and others in a direct, open and candid fashion. Whenever Mars forms an aspect to the Sun, as it does during this Moon, there is the potential for acting and reacting from a place of ego, so it is important to be mindful of what makes us angry and why. Is it righteous anger or are we reacting because our sore spots have been triggered? It will be interesting to see what information comes to light during this Moon and what messages we receive. It certainly could get things out into the open, which could be well and truly overdue.
 
Much Love
 
Amy
Xoxo
 
Picture – artist unknown

 

 
  
 
 
1 Comment

SAGITTARIUS NEW MOON - 23 November 2022

11/21/2022

1 Comment

 
Picture
Exact at 10.57pm UK time (GMT)
 
Well, this is a much lighter, jollier and less complicated Moon than we have had in recent times, and it feels like we have earned it! We have now passed out the other end of Scorpio Eclipse season, and the emphasis is now well and truly on Sagittarius, an optimistic, enthusiastic, philosophical and forward-thinking sign. Scorpio helped us to face our shadows and look at whatever we might have swept under the carpet, even if it was uncomfortable, revealing and exposing. While Scorpio is the part of us that asks “Why?”, probing beneath the surface to find what might be hidden there, Sagittarius is the part of us that simply has faith in a higher power and seeks to understand the meaning of life. Scorpio seeks proof, while Sagittarius has no doubt.
 
We now have the Sun, Moon, Mercury and Venus all sitting in Sagittarius, which is quite a relief and will hopefully bring a respite from the emotional intensity of the past month or so. Scorpio helped expose our tender underbellies, forcing us to confront some uncomfortable material, both personally and collectively. Sagittarius is the part of us that seeks and speaks the truth. It is quite possible that there will be a lot of truths coming out into the light during this time, not to mention many people voicing their opinions and expressing their beliefs. However, it is important to listen to other points of view rather than trying to convince and convert each other to our viewpoint. Just because we believe it to be so doesn’t necessarily make it true.
 
Sagittarius invites us to look forward, keeping the faith that we are being guided in the right direction and that whatever is happening is for some higher reason that will be revealed in the fullness of time. The Sagittarius part of us that isn’t afraid to shoot for the stars, opening ourselves up to whatever might be waiting for us out there. This enthusiastic and optimistic sign is always looking for the next adventure and needs the freedom to expand and grow. This New Moon could be a really good time to contemplate how we can expand our horizons, contemplating what star we are going for and then aiming and shooting! Sagittarius helps us to have faith in a positive outcome.
 
Not only do we have all this planetary energy in Sagittarius, but Jupiter, the planetary ruler of Sagittarius is also forming a supportive trine aspect to the Sun and Moon, albeit out of sign. Jupiter has briefly moved back into sensitive and compassionate Pisces, imbuing us with a greater sense of faith, hope and trust in the flow of life. This can help us to find a sense of gratitude for the gifts that life has bestowed upon us, rather than focusing on whatever might be lacking or going wrong. Combined with Neptune in Pisces, Jupiter can help us to connect to our intuitive inner knowing and allow it to guide us in the right direction.
 
We are reminded to make time for our inner world, as Jupiter in Pisces can bring great rewards when we turn inward and focus on our connection with the divine. It helps us to believe in people’s inherent goodness, developing a greater trust that we are guided, protected and in flow.  We tend to get what we focus on, and this Moon could certainly help us to get our priorities straight and look forward, trusting that ultimately everything is going work out the way it is supposed to. Jupiter and Sagittarius remind us that no matter how dark things may seem, there is some higher plan at work and that everything that happen to us provides an opportunity for growth and expansion. They also remind us to maintain a sense of humour and not take ourselves too seriously.
 
Mercury, the planet of the mind and communication, and Venus, the planet of love, beauty and relating, are sitting right next to each other in Sagittarius. This can help us to see the bigger picture, allowing some room to breathe within our relationships and giving us an opportunity to talk things through in a loving, kind, truthful and philosophical manner. Possibly we will be able to understand the higher purpose of our relationships rather than getting bogged down in petty details. While Scorpio may have forced us to confront some uncomfortable material and face our shadows, Sagittarius asks us to be completely honest with ourselves and our loved ones. The truth may hurt, but it can also set us free. And Sagittarius does like its freedom!
 
Chiron the Wounded Healer, who is currently in brave and forthright Aries, is forming a supportive trine to Venus and Mercury, which could help us to have some very honest, open, and direct conversations that could greatly help and heal our relationships. With Mars currently retrograde in Gemini, helping us to air our grievances and get hidden resentments out into the open, we have an opportunity for some direct, open, candid conversations that can properly clear the air. This combination brings a nice blend of kindness, truth and the capacity to see the bigger picture that could be very healing and cleansing indeed.
 
Uranus is once again coming very close to the North Node of the Moon in Taurus, continuing the work of this last Eclipse on 8 November. It will come closest to the Node at the beginning of December, helping us to have some profound realisations and insight into what might need to change in our lives. Sometimes it feels easier to just keep things as they are, even if we know deep down that it isn’t serving us anymore. Uranus has the potential to shift us out of our comfortable ruts, however, liberating us from situations or relationships that are limiting us or holding us back from growth. At the very least we will have woken up to whatever needs to change, and once we know it is hard to “un-know”!
 
Change can feel scary and may take some effort, but whatever awaits us on the other side, while we can’t see it yet, will very likely be more in alignment with who we really are. Uranus encourages us to be true to ourselves, even if the process may feel inconvenient or uncomfortable. We all know, deep down inside, what needs to change in our lives. This Sagittarius could force us to see the truth of the matter and give us the courage to make that leap of faith, trusting that it is for the highest good of all.
 
The Sabian symbol for this Moon, at 2° Sagittarius, is very powerful: “White capped waves display the power of wind over sea”, which Dane Rudyar describes as “The mobilisation of unconscious energies under the pressure of superpersonal motives. Wind and sea are in constant interplay, and the results of that interplay are inspiring and beautiful. In symbolism, the wind (pneuma is the early Greek word for “spirit) is associated with spiritual dynamism; the stirring of deep energies this dynamism produces obeys cosmic or superpersonal rhythms, the power of which is irresistible. We have a picture, which contrasts the powerful but beautiful storms of nature with the often gory and hysterical crises of a civilisation, which progresses through war. The picture presented speaks of SUBTILISATION THROUGH RHYTHMIC INTENSITY.”
 
Sagittarius is a Fire sign, with an enthusiasm that can easily whip things up into a frenzy, much like the wind on the waves in this symbol. It has the capacity to inspire us and make us feel as if anything is possible, which could be such a tonic given all that we are currently facing in the world. It is quite possible that some truths will be brought out into the light during this time, with people feeling driven to stand up and share what they know. The greatest of Sagittarius’s superpowers is faith that there is purpose behind all that happens and gratitude for all we have. It is very important to harness these superpowers during these times and also to remember, no matter what is thrown at us, to maintain a sense of humour!
 
Much Love
 
Amy
xoxo
 
Picture: Girl Forever Reaching by To-be-with-the-stars on Deviant Art

1 Comment

TAURUS FULL MOON / TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE - 8 November 2022

11/4/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Exact at 11.48am UK time (GMT)
 
This is one of the most powerful Moons of the year, as not only does it fall in Scorpio season, a sign known for intense emotions and transformation, but it is also a Total Eclipse, which can bring about profound endings and beginnings. Any seeds that were sown around the time of the New Moon/Solar Eclipse may now begin to bear fruit as the Moon reaches its peak. We have a chance to shed old skin, letting go of any habits, patterns, tendencies, situations and even people that might now be unhealthy or inappropriate for us moving forward. It is not uncommon for relationships to end during Eclipses if they do not fully support our growth. Similarly, some souls may pass onto the other side during this time. This certainly is a time of death and rebirth, so we should not be surprised if something falls away during this time, whether it be small or big. Of course, it will only pass on if it is no longer serving our growth.
 
Eclipses activate the Nodes of the Moon, otherwise known as the Destiny Line, and we currently have the Sun, Mercury and Venus sitting next to the South Node in Scorpio, creating quite the Scorpio party! Meanwhile, the Moon and Uranus are directly opposite, in the very same degree of Taurus, sitting right next to the North Node. This truly is a potent combination of planetary energy, bringing the potential for profound change, soul growth and transformation, although the process could be somewhat uncomfortable.
 
With all these planets currently in Scorpio, we are being prompted to confront whatever we may usually prefer to brush under the carpet because it is too uncomfortable or inconvenient to face. Scorpio calls for us to strip away layers of self-deceit and own up to how we are really feeling, even if it rocks the boat. It forces us to confront our demons, own our shadows and look at ourselves in the ugly mirror! It asks us to bare our soul and face the truth of the matter, even if it makes us feel acutely uncomfortable.
 
Scorpio reveals the stark truth, stripping away superficiality and unveiling secrets and lies. It can also bring a high level of drama, as we contend with some intense emotions that rise up from our subconscious and can easily stir things up! Scorpio brings with it the potential for power games, sticky karmic ties and soulful bonds, intrigue, exposure, betrayals of trust, psychological manipulation and feelings of loss and abandonment.  Scorpio also represents banks, money lenders, mortgage companies and anyone who we have put our trust in financially, including marriage or business partners. Scorpio teaches us all about power – power over us and power over others.
 
The Taurus Moon, however, calls for us to step away from drama and over-dependency and take our power back. Taurus is a very self-reliant, self-sufficient sign – the part of us that knows how to take care of our own needs and can tap into our own resources instead of relying too heavily on others. It is the part of us that seeks simplicity, tranquillity and a life free of drama and emotional intensity. It helps us to connect to Mother Nature and trust that we are held, supported and provided for.  It grounds us, so that we are not so easily knocked off centre or vulnerable if the proverbial rug is pulled out from under us.
 
We also have Uranus sitting smack, bang on top of this Moon, which could be a bit unsettling for that Taurus part of us that might resist change and get a bit stuck in a comfortable rut from time to time. Combined with the transforming energy of these Scorpio planets, Uranus could bring sudden shocks or surprises that jolt us into awareness and put us back on the right path. Uranus can literally “wake us up” to what needs to change and where we might be simply putting up with things because we are “comfortable” and too scared to rock the boat or initiate change. Scorpio forces us to face up to some uncomfortable truths, while Uranus can bring about insight, epiphanies and wake-up calls that bring about radical change, profound shifts and the potential for some kind of re-set.  It is important to be as flexible as possible and to open ourselves up to necessary change.
 
Uranus is a liberating, freeing energy that helps us to release ourselves from old programming that is no longer appropriate. It can be quite unsettling, as we forge new pathways and find different and unfamiliar replacements for the old, outworn patterns. Uranus is opposite the Sun, Mercury and Venus, which could change our way of relating, thinking, communicating and being in the world. Uranus calls for us to be truly authentic and true to ourselves and combined with Scorpio’s “truth serum” energy we could find that any relationships that are not a true reflection of who we really are and aren’t meeting our needs may go through some turbulence or even pass away. We may receive news that is shocking, unsettling and forces us to see things from a different perspective. Indeed, Uranus calls for us to detach from people or situations, which could be a good thing or a bad thing. Sometimes it helps to take a step back and see things more clearly.
 
Saturn is also a big player during this Moon, which brings the Saturn Uranus square back into focus, even though it is now on the wane. Saturn is very different energy to Uranus, as it is the more cautious, controlled and sometimes fearful part of us that teaches us some rather harsh lessons and has the capacity to make us feel like we are blocked. However, often the obstacles are there for a reason and maybe the time just isn’t right, so we must wait, even if it is frustrating. Saturn is Cronus, Father Time, and teaches us patience, the hard way sometimes! It forces us to face reality, which can be hard to bear and can even bring about feelings of depression or futility.  Sometimes fear can take us over, preventing us from acting, or maybe it feels like there a giant boulder holding us back that can’t be moved until the time is right.
 
With Saturn so prevalent during this Moon, forming a dynamic, challenging square to the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Uranus and the Nodes of the Moon, we could be feeling this energy very strongly. We could feel like we are in a holding pattern, just waiting but unable to move. Fear can be incredibly inhibiting, holding us back from moving forward because of what we imagine could happen. This could be a testing time for our relationships and finances, with Saturn square Venus, exact 7 November, as we are forced to face up to reality and recognise them as they really are, without rose-tinted spectacles.
 
Indeed, we could also be in for a reality check around finances, both personally and collectively. Venus is the ruler of Taurus, and Taurus governs the economy, while Saturn in Aquarius’s involvement with Venus has the potential to bring about greater financial control through the use of technology. Meanwhile Uranus, the ruler of Aquarius, is in Taurus, bringing the potential for a financial reset and a movement towards digital currency. Certainly, there is a lot of Saturnian fear currently being spread around when it comes to the economy, and people in fear tend to be more compliant and easier to control. However, the Uranus/Aquarius energy also invites us to join forces with people of like-mind and come up with progressive solutions when it comes to survival. Uranus invites us to put our heads together and think outside the box so that we can help create a better world. Necessity is the mother of invention!
 
The Sabian symbol for this Moon is appropriately profound, at 17° Taurus: “A symbolical battle between “swords” and “torches.” Which Dane Rudyar describes as “Refusing to depend upon the past, the seeker turns warrior, fighting anew the eternal “Great War.” When Gautama, having sought in vain for the answer to his questions among the teachers of tradition, sat under the Bodhi Tree, he had to fight his own battle in his own way, even though it is an eternal fight. The spiritual light within the greater Soul must struggle against the ego-will that only knows how to use the powers of his material and intellectual world. There is no possibility of escape; it is the energy that arises out of the present moment – the inescapable NOW – that the daring individual has to use in the struggle. This symbol suggests that salvation is attained through the emergent individual’s readiness to face all issues as if there were only two opposed sides. So teaches the Bhagavad-Gita. This is the dharma of this stage of human evolution: a stage of POLARISATION OF VALUES.” Powerful indeed! A battle between light and dark, between mind and heart, between ego and spirit, between fear and love, between “might” and “light”.
 
The Sabian symbol for Venus, the ruler of this Moon, is also interesting, at 21° Scorpio: “Obeying his conscience, a soldier resists orders” which Rudyar describes as “The readiness to face the results of a refusal to follow the authoritarian patterns of an aggressive society. As a person finds himself involved in activities which are traditional in his particular culture — and in many instances in all societies at this stage of human evolution — he often faces a conflict between his own individual sense of value (his conscience) and the demands of society. The conflict may be most typical in terms of the armed services — thus this symbol. In it we find the individual asserting his own values, though he cannot escape the consequences of his decision. In such a case he has to be quietly ready to face these consequences, whatever the cost. The issue this symbol presents is clear. Society in this situation seems to be all-powerful; yet the individual need not be spiritually bound, even if imprisoned. He still can display INNER FREEDOM and prove himself an "individual."
 
This brings us to Neptune, which is also involved in this Moon, forming a supportive trine aspect to the Sun, Mercury and especially Venus. Neptune reminds us that we are not alone and imbues us with compassion and empathy for all beings. In positive aspect to Venus, exact 10 October, it brings the potential for open-hearted relating, whereby we are able to see past any walls of defense and connect with each other’s pure essence. This is very helpful energy to have during a Moon that is so powerful and potent and brings so much potential for change. Neptune helps us to rise above our egos and transcend our fears, remembering that we are all beings of light having a human experience.
 
This Moon could bring some turbulence, especially for anyone with personal planets or angles around 16° of the fixed signs Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. However, we can take comfort from the knowledge that whatever passes out of our lives during this time is simply not appropriate for us moving forward. Taurus invites us to do whatever we can to ground ourselves during this time of change and transformation, whether it be through a walk in the forest, a healing massage or a hearty, home-cooked meal. The Taurus part of us has the capacity to stay rooted and withstand anything that might be thrown our way. In the words of Gloria Gaynor, “I Will Survive”!
 
Much Love
 
Amy
xoxo
 
Hordes of the Lunar Eclipse – Drew Spence
 

0 Comments

SCORPIO NEW MOON / SOLAR ECLIPSE - 25 October 2022

10/23/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Exact at 11.59 UK time (BST)
 
This is not your average, run of the mill New Moon, as it is also a Solar Eclipse, meaning that it has a more far-reaching impact and influence. Whereas New Moons generally start an energy ball rolling that builds up over the course of the month, Eclipses tend to influence the next six months, until the next set of Eclipses. This is a very potent and fateful time, energetically; the beginning of a new chapter, a reset, a time to release whatever isn’t serving us and find another way forward. These Eclipses are occurring in the Taurus/Scorpio axis, which brings finances and the economy into focus and calls for us to find ways of being more self-sufficient and empowered.
 
This Eclipse falls in the sign of Scorpio, which is where the South Node of the Moon is at the moment. Scorpio is an intensely emotional, deep and transforming sign that encourages us to dig deep beneath the surface of reality and confront the darker aspects of ourselves and life. This Moon could bring some hidden material out into the light, forcing out from the shadows anything that may have been hidden or occluded, both personally and collectively. Scorpio is very good at exposing lies and cover-ups and forces us to confront anything we may have swept under the carpet because it is too hard to face. It is uncomfortable to own the “not so pretty” parts of us and it takes great courage to do so, as well as a willingness to grow.
 
A Scorpio New Moon could bring up issues around trust, loss, power, loss of power, betrayal, intimacy and transformation. This is the sign of death and rebirth, calling for us to shed our skin and strip away any layers of self-deceit so that we can emerge, a healthier, shiner although somewhat exposed and vulnerable version of ourselves. Scorpio is the part of us that seeks to unveil and understand our psychological complexes and those of others. It is the part of us that can smell a rat and can uncover people’s hidden motivations or agendas. Sometimes we need to go through a dark night of the soul in order to grow and eveolve, taking a trip into the underworld to find the buried treasure that lies there. It is hard to take an honest look at ourselves and the world we live in and own up to our shadows and compulsions, but there is great reward when we do so, even if it does make us feel quite vulnerable and exposed. 
 
Pluto, the planetary ruler of this Scorpio Moon, is now travelling through the very last degrees of Capricorn, where it has been since 2008. Pluto will enter Aquarius on March 24, and until then it will continue its task of detoxifying the power structures of society and transforming the structures of our lives. Capricorn represents, among other things, our societal structures, authority figures, governments and corporations, and Pluto has been exposing the rot within these structures and bringing to light any secrets, lies, corruption and nefarious activities or behaviour within them. With this Moon being in Scorpio, it is quite possible that more will come to light. It will be interesting to see what the next few months will bring, as Pluto marches through the last degrees of Capricorn.
 
Pluto is forming a nagging inconjunct aspect to Mars in Gemini during this Moon, which could bring out people’s more ruthless or domineering side. It could also force us to find the courage to face our own shadows and those of others. Pluto is the planet of power and Mars is the planet of war, anger, action and assertion, so there could be power struggles or arguments that come from a very deep, subconscious place within us. Whatever comes up during this Moon could be very revealing, both personally and collectively, and could bring up anger or rage, as we are more easily triggered and reactive.
 
With Mars currently sitting in Gemini, the sign of the mind and communication, as well as Pluto squaring Mercury, Gemini’s ruler, it is quite possible that some information could come out into the light that is very revealing. Things said in the heat of the moment can expose the shadows and bring out into the open anything that we might usually prefer remained hidden. Pluto square Mercury is a great recipe for Freudian slips and shadow projections! So often we project our own guilt and shadow self onto others rather than owning it ourselves. We could have some very deep and penetrating conversations during this Moon that could be very candid, honest and revealing indeed! It could be a very good time to bring things out into the open that we might usually shy away from. However, profound soul growth could be possible if we can have the courage to confront any thorny issues that have been festering beneath the surface.
 
Anyone with personal planets or angles around 26° of a sign will be feeling the transforming power of Pluto at the moment, especially those in the Cardinal signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. Pluto can help to strip away self-deceit and give us a cosmic kick up the bum that helps us to transform and realign with our soul’s true purpose. Combined with Mars, it could bring up some powerful emotions, even rage, causing us to act and react from a deeply subconscious and compulsive place within us. However, it could also help us to find the strength, will and courage to face ourselves and make any changes that we have been putting off. There is the potential for some difficult conversations or decisions during this Moon, but they could ultimately bring profound growth.
 
Mars is also forming a dynamic, challenging square aspect to Neptune during this Moon, which could make us feel quite unfocused and confused, finding it hard to know how to act and what to do next. This combination can easily bring a rather severe case of procrastination! We could find that our energy levels are lower than usual and that we feel a greater sense of futility or apathy. Neptune challenging Mars can bring the potential for acting behind one another’s backs or being rather passive aggressive rather than confronting one another directly. However, Neptune also asks us to tune into our inner guidance and heed the subtle whispers that tell us when it is the right time to act or react. Neptune can provide the inspiration and imagination to help get things done. It can also make us want to bury our head in a novel, overdose on Netflix or consume copious amounts of alcohol as a means of avoidance or escape. However, we may simply need more rest than usual, so it is important to listen to our bodies.
 
Venus and the Sun have been travelling side by side through Libra during the past couple of weeks and are now literally sitting together, with the Moon, in the very same degree of Scorpio. This is a very good opportunity for us to relate to one another in a deeper, more real and intimate manner. Scorpio can help us to share our deepest fears and the parts of ourselves that bring us shame or discomfort. We may feel quite vulnerable in the process, feeling quite exposed as we allow ourselves to be truly seen by those closest to us. However, this can greatly deepen our relationships, strengthening our bonds, bringing us closer together and helping us to truly understand one another. True intimacy comes from having the courage to go to some difficult places and be really honest and willing to face ourselves, rather than avoiding and burying any issues in order to keep the peace. It also involves trust.
 
Jupiter in Aries is forming a nagging inconjunct aspect to the Sun, Moon and Venus during this Moon, which could magnify our emotions and make everything seem a bit “bigger” than it is. However, it can also propel us to make any changes that will help us to expand and  grow. Jupiter helps us to see the bigger picture and in Aries it can give us the courage, confidence and motivation to carry through the Scorpionic task of confronting ourselves and purging any patterns, habits and behaviours that are no longer serving us. However, Jupiter in Aries can also bring out our more arrogant, reactionary, opinionated, impulsive side, so it is important to be aware that we might jump in too quickly to defend a belief or state an opinion.  
 
The Sabian symbol for this New Moon, at 3° Scorpio, is rather a lovely one: “A house party in a small village enlists the neighbours’ cooperation” which Dane Rudyar describes as: “The feeling of community demonstrated in a basic joint effort. In rural neighbourhoods, especially as the American West was being developed, the building of at least the framework of a house was often a collective, friendly enterprise. Newcomers building their home-to-be found friendly helpers in the neighbours. The sense of togetherness and participation in a common enterprise was developed by such collective work. The home remains “our” home, yet the whole community is involved in its erection and the welcome marking its completion. With this symbol, feeling becomes activity. The past and its memories are repolarised in terms of the expanded social consciousness. From that activity a new sense of reality will derive. The Keyword is COOPERATION.”
 
One of the beautiful gifts of Scorpio is a sense that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts and that joining together in collaboration can help us to achieve so much more than we can alone. This symbol makes perfect sense with Venus, the Moon and the Sun all sitting together in Scorpio, as relationships with others is very much brought into focus. This symbol is a poignant reminder that we are not alone and that joining forces with others can empower us and help us to navigate challenging times. Scorpio is the part of us that dearly wants to let go of our individual ego and merge with another, either physically, spiritually, emotionally or materially, or all of the above. It is the part of us that wants to put our trust in another person and allow them to see us for all that we are, warts and all. This Moon could be quite revealing and potentially exposing, both personally and collectively, but Scorpio wouldn’t have it any other way! An ugly truth is better than a pretty lie.
 
Much Love
 
Amy
xoxo
 
Painting: Divine Transformation by ravynnephelan on Deviant Art

 

 
 

0 Comments

ARIES FULL MOON - 9 October 2022

10/5/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Exact at 9.54pm UK time (BST)
 
This is a powerfully potent Full Moon, not least because Pluto, the planet of the power, the soul and transformation is standing still in the heavens after being retrograde for the past few months. Whenever a planet is stationary it has a greater influence and impact, both personally and collectively, and Pluto brings the potential for soul growth and metamorphosis. Not to mention that the Moon is full in Aries, a very brave, enthusiastic, assertive, forceful, honest, independent and pioneering sign that has the potential to bring up anger and even aggression. Full Moons tend to bring things to a head as they illuminate all that has been simmering away beneath the surface, and a Full Moon in Aries could ignite our passion and fire, bringing some strong emotions up that simply demand an outlet!
 
The Sun is currently in peace-loving, diplomatic and fair-minded Libra, sitting directly opposite this Full Moon in Aries, the sign of the warrior. Aries and Libra are the relationship axis, and as such we need to find a nice balance between the energy of the two signs in order to cultivate and maintain healthy relationships. While the Libran part of us is adept at the art of compromise and listening to the needs of the other, it can also go too far and turn into people-pleasing and sitting on the fence. The Aries part of us, on the other hand, is more adept at taking care of our own needs and practicing the art of self-love. It is the part of us that is able to say “No” when our boundaries are being trespassed, and to remain true to our own independent path, even when in relationship. However, when the balance tips too far towards the extreme of Aries, we can become self-serving, reactive and unable to listen to the other’s point of view.
 
This Moon involves an intriguing blend of energies, and it will be interesting to see what might come of them! On the one hand we have Chiron the Wounded Healer sitting right next to the Aries Moon, illuminating our personal and collective wounds, while on the other hand we have Venus, the ruler of Libra, sitting right next to the Libra Sun. This brings the potential for some deep healing to occur in the realm of our relationships and also within the collective. With the Moon and Chiron joining forces, we could have some raw, honest, messy, and even downright unpleasant emotions come up as we are prompted to be really honest with ourselves and do some profound inner work, if we are brave enough, that is! We could find ourselves much more reactive, defensive and easily triggered, as our insecurities and sore spots are somehow prodded and poked.
 
Venus in Libra, on the other hand, finds such “ugly” emotions hard to bear! Venus seeks beauty, peace and harmony, so we could experience an inner battle between the wish to not rock the boat and maintain the peace, and the need to bring some gnarly material out into the open so that it can be acknowledged, worked through and hopefully healed. Chiron and the Moon in Aries is not “pretty” in the slightest, but it is helpful. Our hurt, irrational, wounded inner child could come bubbling up, full of rage and pain. Venus in Libra, however, could help us to find a way of handling whatever comes up with grace, kindness, diplomacy and the capacity to truly listen and to hear one another. Venus in Libra reminds us that in between the two people, with their hurts, insecurities and weak spots, is the love that they each share.
 
What might this mean on the collective level, with the sign of war opposing the planet of peace during this Moon? Chiron in Aries could highlight the collective wounds we all share around war, aggression and violence, while Venus and the Sun seek only peace, love, cooperation and harmony. Those of us with personal planets or angles around 16°of a sign will feel the impact of this Moon most acutely, especially the Cardinal signs Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. However, the Fire signs and Air signs will probably benefit from it.
 
Venus is travelling with the Sun in Libra for quite some time, from the beginning of October until the beginning of November, when Venus will finally stride ahead of the Sun. This feels quite hopeful and helpful for our relationships, but also in terms of the global situation, as it brings the potential for fairness, cooperation, justice, balance, peace, harmony, equality and diplomacy. On a personal level it could make us all too aware of any inequality or imbalance within our relationships, with an urge to balance the scales in as gentle a way as possible.
 
Saturn in Aquarius is supporting this Moon, as it is forming helpful aspects to the Sun, Moon, Venus and Mars. This adds a stable, grounding, sensible influence, with the potential for us to put the necessary work in to make our relationships more successful and solid. This applies globally as well as personally, bringing opportunities for those in authority to work together in a cooperative manner to balance the scales and create a greater sense of fairness, peace and justice. We can only hope! Saturn is the part of us that is patient, disciplined, ready to be accountable for ourselves and take responsibility for the kind of world we would like to live in and the kind of relationship we would like to have. Saturn helps us to lay down the bricks to build a solid foundation and to see things as they really are, rather than how we would like them to be. It helps us to find a deeper level of commitment, both to our relationships and to helping to make the world a better place to be.
 
The ruler of this Aries Moon is Mars, the planet of action, desire and drive, which is currently in Gemini, the sign of the mind and communication. This could help us to get things out into the open and to have some honest, candid and direct conversations. It can help us to have the courage to speak up where necessary. However, it can also make our minds very busy indeed, making it hard to switch off and rest. Mars has been in Gemini since 20 August and will remain there until 25 March, due to going retrograde, which is an unusually long time for this assertive, forceful, energetic planet to spend in one sign! It is a great time for practicing the art of direct, honest communication, but may not be great for our sleep!
 
Pluto’s influence in this Moon can help us to face ourselves and delve into the dark recesses of our psyches, stripping away self-deceit and forcing us to recognise our personal and collective shadows. This can be very uncomfortable, as we recognise the unowned parts of ourselves that we would rather deny the existence of. With all this Moon Chiron activity, which could trigger old childhood wounds, there is an opportunity here to have a long, hard look at ourselves, looking in the ugly mirror instead of projecting our “stuff” out onto others. There is the potential for some profound soul growth and transformation here, especially for those with personal planets or angles around 26° of a sign. That being said, none of us will be immune to the effect of Pluto during this Moon, as a stationary planet is a powerful force.
 
Pluto will now be going direct, continuing its journey through the final degrees of Capricorn. It will be interesting to see what dark material will be exposed as Pluto continues to detox the patriarchal power structures, showing them up for what they really are. Uranus and Saturn are now at the peak of their great square-off - the battle between the old way and the new way, between control and freedom, between authority and the “People”. The old structures are falling so that a new world can be reborn out of the ashes. However, as they say, it is always darkest just before dawn.
 
The Sabian symbol for this Moon is interesting, at 17° Aries: “Two dignified spinsters sitting in silence”, which Dane Rudyar describes as “The ability to transform a natural lack of potency into poise and inner serenity. This symbol refers to the value of a dignified INWARD WITHDRAWAL”. The question is, are they sitting in silence because they don’t need to communicate, or is something left unresolved and unspoken between them? It seems to hint at some kind of emotional blockage here, that maybe needs to be brought out into the open in order to break the silence. What has been left unsaid that might be causing toxicity within our current situation?
 
This Moon seems like a very good opportunity to get some uncomfortable material out into the open in a kind, gentle and graceful way, in the spirit of love and compromise. Wherever we are experience a feeling of imbalance in our lives and relationships, we have a chance to bring a sense of harmony and peace. There could be some emotional pain, and we could feel quite triggered, angry and reactive, but at least Venus is here to ensure that we deliver any home truths in a gentle, caring manner. Venus and the Sun in Libra can ensure that we truly listen to one another in the spirit of finding a peaceful solution and creating a sense of balance and equality. Whatever comes up for us during this Moon could be incredibly healing, as long as we are willing to look in the mirror and truly own what we see. Then we have the potential for some real soul growth.
 
Much Love
 
Amy
xoxo 
 
Painting: Allegory of War and Peace by Pompeo Girolamo Batoni 1776


0 Comments

LIBRA NEW MOON - 25 September 2022

9/20/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Exact at 22.54 UK time (BST) 
​
This New Moon represents a significant time for our relationships, with the potential for a new beginning in this area of our lives. New Moons always give us an opportunity to leave behind anything that is not helpful behind in the dark of the Moon and to set positive intentions for the month ahead. The focus of a Libra New Moon is peace, harmony, compromise, fairness, and true equality. Libra, a sign depicted by the scales, is the part of us that seeks balance, although it is also a sign of extremes, with the pendulum swinging from one extreme to the other.

Libra seeks to find the middle ground – the point where we meet in the space between us. This can be found by truly listening to one another in the spirit of understanding, rather than projecting our own ego, needs and desires onto one another. The Libran part of us knows all too well that our relationships need to be tended to for them to blossom and grow, and that takes work and willingness to compromise when needed. It is a delicate balance between the needs of each individual as well as a reverence for the love that lies in between.

Venus, the planet of love and beauty, is the ruler of this Libran New Moon and is sitting right next to retrograde Mercury in Virgo, exact on 26 September. This combination could help us to go back over old ground, picking up loose strands that might be important and talking them through so that they can hopefully be laid to rest. Virgo is a sign that likes to pick things apart, analyse and do the inner work in order to improve things, so we may find ourselves in discussion with our loved ones in order to sort out whatever discord or disharmony is causing a niggle within the relationship. With Virgo there is always a danger of nit-picking and getting bogged down in the minute details, but Mercury combined with loving Venus can help us to hash things out in a caring and diplomatic manner, in the spirit of really wanting to “serve” the relationship itself.

Of course, with Mercury getting ready to turn direct on 2 October, there is always the potential for misunderstandings and miscommunications to occur, so it is important to harness our inner Virgo and to be as clear and concise as we possibly can when talking things through. We may find ourselves a bit sensitive to criticism, which could make us defensive, so it is important to be as humble as possible and not allow our ego to run the show or we might miss out on some valuable healing. Sometimes what we perceive as criticism may actually be very hard for the other person to say and if we can step back and accept it as help then we can allow growth to occur.  Venus can certainly help us to deliver our messages in a loving and kind way, which is a blessing!

Pluto, the planet of soul, power and transformation, is a very big part of this Moon, forming a helpful trine aspect to the Sun, Moon, Mercury and Venus. However, the strongest aspect is to the Mercury/Venus combo, which could really help us to get to the heart of the matter, wading into some deep and dark territory and hopefully bringing back some buried treasure! Pluto helps us to strip away the layers of self-deceit, so whatever conversations or discussions we have during this Moon could help us to gain a considerable amount of insight into ourselves and our loved ones.

Pluto encourages us to own our shadows – those deeper, darker parts of ourselves that we find it hard to see, let alone admit to! We all have part of ourselves and things that we have done that bring us shame, and to share our deepest darkest secrets can be such a relief, not to mention requiring a great deal of trust in the other person. However, to be truly seen by another is to be truly known. To be accepted, warts and all, is profoundly healing.

Pluto certainly brings the potential for some proper soul growth during this Moon, and a deepening of intimacy and understanding of one another. This will be particularly so for anyone with personal planets or angles around 26° of a sign, especially the Earth signs of Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn. Again, Pluto’s influence will peak on 26 September.

Neptune is also sitting opposite Venus and Mercury during this Moon, although Neptune exactly opposes Venus on 23 September and will come closest to opposing Mercury around 2 October, when Mercury turns direct. Neptune and Venus can mean that we might tend to bury our heads in the sand when it comes to matters of the heart, preferring the fantasy to the reality. However, it can also help us to relate to one another with compassion and empathy, so that we are able to connect more deeply and see through our protective walls. Neptune dissolves the ego, helping us to relate to one another’s true essence and love with devotion.

It is interesting that Neptune happens to be sitting opposite Mercury just as it turns direct on the 2nd, as it could muddle things even more than a Mercury retrograde usually would!  Neptune could bring confusion, brain-fog, muddled communication, smoke screens and even deception. Our imaginations could run away with us and our minds could play tricks on us. It is important to be very mindful in the days before and after 2nd Oct, as the potential for misunderstandings is rife. A better use of the Neptune/Mercury energy would be to turn inward in quiet contemplation, to meditate, to rest the mind and allow spirit to guide us.

The most important energy of the moment is the Saturn/Uranus square, which is building in energy until 4 October, when it will start to wane, although it will still be very strong for most of October. We have Saturn, the planet of authority, government, foundation, limitation, control and structure locked in a dynamic, challenging square with Uranus, the planet of change, freedom, progression, revolution, awakening and rebellion. Change is afoot, and it may not be comfortable! This square represents a battle between the Old Order and the New Way, between Tradition and Progress, between the tried and tested and the inventive and innovative, between Control and Freedom, between government and anarchy. The foundations on which our lives are built are being broken down for us to break through to something fresh and different – a new way, unlike anything we have known before.

On a personal level we also have the potential to release ourselves from our comfortable yet unhealthy ruts and our old, outworn conditioning. This is not a very comfortable energy, this square, but it could shake things up and liberate us from unhealthy patterns that are based in old trauma and simply not helping us anymore. Uranus is the part of us that seeks change and freedom from the past, while Saturn is the part of us that fears it and seeks to maintain a sense of control over our lives. Any foundations that are not stable will experience a shake up during this time, which could be unsettling and may bring up fear. However, we are invited to embrace the necessary change. It is interesting to see how the square is playing out right now, both on the world stage and personally, especially for those of us with personal planets or angles around 18° of the fixed signs Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius.

The Sabian symbol for this Moon, at 3° Libra, is incredibly poignant considering the potential for the Saturn Uranus square: “The dawn of a new day reveals everything changed”, which Dane Rudyar describes as “The ever-present possibility of beginning again on a new foundation of values. What emerged hesitantly from the ocean of infinite potentiality (Aries 1°) now faces a totally new world in a truly individualised form of existence. He or she is ready to act significantly in the sphere of culture and social togetherness, the sphere in which an individual, aware of his archetypal essence and planetary function, can play his true role (dharma). In a basic sense it is always a new role, for no cycle repeats itself as far as its contents are concerned. The person who plays this role is always potentially an INNOVATOR”.

A powerful symbol for a powerful Moon. Considering that Uranus, the planet of sudden change and innovation, is currently in Taurus, the sign of values, this symbol does seem to mirror the potential of the Saturn/Uranus square. It seems to suggest that things can change very quickly, seemingly coming from nowhere and leaving everything different. What roles will we find ourselves playing if we do find that our world suddenly transforms? What is our true dharma, I wonder? It seems that we are being asked to be flexible and open to change rather than resisting through fear. There is a fine line between fear and excitement – it might be a simple case of perspective. Indeed, this symbol could bring a complete change of perspective or some kind or awakening that comes from left field.

In the meantime, we have this Libra New Moon, calling for peace, harmony and fairness, both personally and collectively, helping us to reset our relationships so that they are more equal. With this Moon we seek balance, in whatever way it is needed right now. Somewhere in the middle we will find peace.

Much Love

Amy
xoxo

Picture: Vesica Piscis - unknown


                                                                                            
 
0 Comments
<<Previous

    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!

    Archives

    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014

    Categories

    All
    Aspects
    Chinese New Year
    Equinox
    Full Moons
    Lunar Eclipse
    Meditation
    New Moons
    Planetary Shift
    Retrogrades
    Solar Eclipse
    Solstice
    Supermoons
    Total Luna Eclipse
    Total Solar Eclipse

    RSS Feed