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LIBRA FULL MOON - 19 April 2019

4/17/2019

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Picture
Exact at 12.12pm BST, 7.12am EDT
 
This Full Moon is a powerful one indeed, falling in the very last degree of Libra and on Good Friday, a powerfully symbolic day in the Christian calendar. It is also the second Full Moon in Libra as the previous Full Moon was in the very first degree of Libra, which is unusual because we usually only have one Full Moon per sign during the year. Libra is the sign of balance, which of course means that there is the potential for us to experience imbalance, opposing sides or seesawing between extremes. Libra may seek balance, but can also find it quite hard to achieve! The Full Moon occurring in the last degree of a sign brings a feeling of completion and dissolution; a sense of things coming to a peak, of finishing and tying up loose ends before moving into the next sign. This Moon feels very significant as it marks the end of a cycle, with the Moon moving into Scorpio an hour or so later and the Sun moving into Taurus the following day.
 
The planetary rulers of this Full Moon are Mars and Venus, the cosmic lovers, representing the Divine Masculine and Divine Feminine. Ultimately this is the balance we seek, between our inner masculine and inner feminine. Relationships are highlighted whenever Aries and Libra are involved. Aries represents self-love, assertion, independence and freedom to follow our own instincts while Libra represents relationship to other, harmony, equality and compromise. They involve a delicate balancing act, relationships, as we are asked to tend to the relationship itself while at the same time not losing sight of our own needs. Aries helps us to stay true to our own path and to say no when we need to, while Libra helps us to truly listen to others so that we can truly understand their needs. A mixture of both approaches is helpful!  This Full Moon could bring to a head whatever has been bubbling away beneath the surface within our relationships, bringing it out into the open so it can find full expression.
 
During this Moon we have both of the harbingers of change, Pluto and Uranus, forming a hard aspect to the Sun and Moon. Pluto represents death and rebirth, while Uranus brings sudden events that can bring radical change, wake-up calls and revelations. There is a strong sense of things ending and beginning during this Moon. Mercury, the planet that represents our thought processes and communication, has finally left confusing, unclear and illusory Pisces and moved into honest, forthright and assertive Aries, marking quite a shift in the way we think and communicate and make decisions. Mercury is not entirely at home in Pisces, as it can foggy our thinking and cause our minds  to feel overwhelmed, so he’ll be happier and more decisive in Aries! Venus, the ruler of this Moon, is also getting ready to change signs, moving from compassionate, empathetic and sensitive Pisces into independent, brave and forthright Aries. If we have been dithering about making a decision then Aries will help us out! It’s time to be brave and take action!
 
With Mercury and Venus both moving into Aries there is a sense of a shift in the way we relate and communicate. Aries energy is very direct and doesn’t hide anything, so this could be a good time to lay the cards out on the table! Mercury is sitting right next to Chiron the Wounded Healer during this Moon, so we could have some very honest, open conversations that have the capacity to either hurt or heal, or both!  This combination could really help us to say things that we may have been reluctant to say before, and could also involve being more honest with ourselves than we have been in recent times. Venus moves into Aries on Saturday and joins Chiron on Tuesday 23 April, which could bring some uncomfortable material out in the realm of our relationships. Honesty, assertiveness and openness can really help us to get our feelings out into the open, which is a beautiful thing, although sometimes the truth can hurt! Better out than in, however. Aries energy is very impulsive and spontaneous and doesn’t have an agenda, but it also doesn’t have a filter, so it does bring the potential for things being said or done that can’t be taken back.
 
This next week involves Saturn and the South Node of the Moon getting closer and closer together in Capricorn, with Pluto not far away either. Saturn and the South Node will join forces on 30 April, but the energy is building now. This energy is very powerful indeed and very appropriate for a Full Moon on Good Friday, as the themes of death and rebirth are rife with this combination. We are being shown the starkest, darkest aspects of power, control and authority at the moment as Saturn shines the harsh light of reality on all things Capricorn, such as government, the power structures of our society, our parental and societal conditioning and the patriarchal system.
 
This is a very karmic time, when it is becoming all too clear how the past keeps repeating itself and the toxicity of our current system is all too apparent. The old way is simply not working anymore and it is time for a restructuring to occur, both personally and collectively. The more we resist the necessary change, the harder it will be. It is very interesting and symbolic, what happened to Notre Dame this week, in terms of the death by fire and the “falling” of the old system and the upsurge of love, compassion, unity and togetherness that has risen from the ashes. “Our Lady”, or the Divine Feminine, will be resurrected, and with it a new  way, one based on mutual values, faith and the idea of working together in the spirit of love, unity and compassion.
 
This is such an important year for us, with Pluto and Saturn dancing around each other and the South Node of the Moon. It is time to step up to the plate. We cannot ignore what needs to change anymore. This is showing itself both personally and collectively. There is a sense that the darker side of power, authority and control will continue to be revealed and exposed so that we literally can’t hide from it anymore. Pluto exposes the rot, revealing the flaws in the system, and then tears the whole system down so that something new can rise out of the ashes. Saturn can help with creating a new structure to take the place of the old, failing system.  And this process will be occurring both internally and externally; both within our own personal lives and within the global arena.  As within, so without.  As above, so below. What is happening outside of ourselves is merely a reflection of our inner reality.
 
The pressure is on to move from Capricorn to Cancer: from hard control to softness and caring, from holding it all together to admitting we don’t have all the answers, from suppressing our emotions to allowing them to flow freely, from needing to “succeed” to focusing on home and family values, from putting up the walls to allowing ourselves to be vulnerable. What happens if we let go of the need to be on top of everything and “in control”? What happens if we let our proverbial walls down? We allow others to help and offer their input. We work together.
 
The Sabian symbol for the South Node, at 22° Capricorn, feels very appropriate: “By accepting defeat gracefully, a general reveals nobility of character” which Dane Rudyar describes as: “The realisation that one may grow through defeat as well as, and perhaps more than, through success”.  This symbol “presents us with the possibility of turning apparent external defeat into an inner spiritual achievement. We have recently seen how totally vanquished nations (Germany and Japan) have leaped forward and achieved great economic success. Much depends on the quality of the will and the inner integrity of the person.” It is interesting that the South Node, which represents the past, is on such a symbol right now. Sometimes it seems as if everything is lost, when in fact more is gained on a spiritual level than we think. All is not necessarily as it seems. A seeming disaster can be our greatest gift. Integrity is essential.  
 
Jupiter is also retrograde in Sagittarius at the moment. It went retrograde on 11 April and will remain so until 11 August. This gives us a chance to go back over the ground we have covered since January and possibly discover a deeper truth around what has happened since then. In June and September Jupiter will revisit the square to Neptune that occurred in January, which could signify a crisis in faith that forces us to examine our beliefs and what we put our faith in. Neptune represents oneness, unity and spirituality, while Jupiter represents our beliefs and philosophies. This combination could force us to examine what we truly believe and could also show the disparity between certain religions and true spirituality. Indeed, Jupiter retrograde could cause us to reassess and re-examine our beliefs, both about ourselves and life itself. Once again, Notre Dame seems significant, as it is a place of faith. Do our faith and beliefs need to be burned down in order to be reborn again? Where might we have lost our faith and what might reignite it? Are we able to see the bigger picture? How can we rediscover a sense of hope and optimism?
 
This does feel like a powerful Moon indeed and it feels like a new chapter. There is a sense of things falling away in order to make way for new energy to come in. Old beliefs, patterns, conditioning, systems and habits are all under scrutiny at the moment; an old order is passing away and it’s important not to hold onto it but rather to let go with grace. We’ve never been here before, and so it would be easy to fall into fear and to cling to the “familiar” and the known, but there is actually nothing to hold onto because it is crumbling. All we can do is look forward and take one step at a time into this unknown territory. It’s important to keep our eye on the bigger picture and have faith that all is unfolding exactly as it should and is part of a larger plan that will reveal itself in the fullness of time. Sometimes things have to get so extreme, and start to crumble and crack, and that is when the light has a chance to shine through.
 
Much Love
 
Amy
xoxo
 
Picture: Unknown
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ARIES NEW MOON - 5 April 2019

4/1/2019

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Picture
Exact at 9.50am BST, 4.50am EDT
 
This Moon may be in brave, pioneering, independent Aries, but there is also a lot of planetary energy in sensitive, compassionate and inspiring Pisces at the moment! This actually creates a lovely balance between the independent, pioneering nature of Aries and the tender, intuitive nature of Pisces. Pisces has the dreams while Aries can put them into action!  This enables us to be brave and honest while also coming from a place of unconditional love. This is a time of new beginnings, whereby we allow something to be left behind in the dark of the moon so that something new can take its place. It is a mini rebirth of sorts. This is a time for planting seeds so that they can grow and flourish over the course of the next month. There is a lot going on in this cosmos of ours at the moment, so a bit of Aries courage, decisiveness and motivation is definitely welcome! Aries is that part of us that is willing to face our fears and step into unknown territory. It is also that part of us that is able to put the cards on the table and get everything out into the open. Aries invites us to trust our instincts to lead us in the right direction.
 
It helps that Mercury is now direct after the retrograde of all retrogrades!!This particular Mercury Retrograde was also in elusive, right-brained and down-right confusing Pisces while sitting right next to Pisces’ ruler Neptune! It is not surprising that chaos has reigned and people have been so incapable of making concrete decisions! This energy could literally cause our minds to be completely overwhelmed and prevent us from thinking clearly at all! It could also bring free-floating anxiety and the potential for some confusing misunderstandings.
 
Over the course of the next week this energy will be abating, although Mercury and Neptune are still partnered up. However, now that Mercury is moving forward instead of backwards, this combination does bring the potential for interactions to occur that come from a place of unconditional love and profound empathy. It also helps us to come up with some inspired and imaginative ideas.  Neptune and Pisces remind us that we are all in this together, helping us to see beyond the ego and relate from a place of truth and compassion. With Venus, the planet of relationships, joining the Pisces party we have the potential for us to really be able to open our hearts and tune into one another, seeing beyond our usual protective walls and relating to one another’s true essence. Venus is moving towards Neptune over the coming week and the energy will peak on 10 April.
 
In the meantime, we have a veritable symphony involving the outer planets at the moment that is profoundly transforming and also quite unsettling! We have Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn, exposing the rot in the power structures and systems, both globally and personally, and bringing about a much needed restructuring process.  At the same time we have Uranus in Taurus shaking up our sense of material and financial security, which of course makes sense when so much is unsure and changing in our world! Taurus is that part of us that likes to feel safe and secure and resists change, while Uranus is the planet of wake-up calls, sudden shocks and upheaval. This combination is bound to create some feelings of insecurity! We humans do tend to resist change and fear the unknown, and we are certainly veering into uncharted territory right now on many levels!
 
 There is an unsettled feeling in the air, which wasn’t helped by Mercury retrograde because everything was so unclear, making it hard to see where we are going or to make any decisions! Hopefully now we will be able to think clearly, which could help us to transform unsettled feelings of fear into excitement about the possibilities that lie ahead.  Uranus is also making us all too aware of what needs to change regarding our treatment of Mother Earth. It is time to radically change the way we approach this growing crisis and Uranus should help us to come up with some alternative and visionary ideas on how to do this, as well as potentially creating a new approach to our financial system. However, sometimes things have to break down before we are able to have a breakthrough. And then of course we have Neptune in Pisces, helping us to open our hearts and feel profound compassion and empathy for the suffering of others, while also bringing the potential for overwhelm, burying our heads in the sand, deception, propaganda, numbing out and escapism. Neptune reminds us that we all come from the same melting pot and that what happens to one has in impact on us all. We are not separate. We have to remember this.
 
However, the most prevalent energy at this moment is the approaching conjunction between Pluto and the South Node which peaks on 4 April, followed by Saturn conjunct the South Node which peaks around 30 April. We are currently being called to clear old karma and to purge our old patterns that are simply not working for us anymore. Pluto calls for us to be really, truly honest with ourselves and to have a long hard look under the proverbial carpet and bring out into the open whatever we have hidden away there. It is time to step into our power; not power over others, which is the old way, but our true power that comes from within and also empowers everyone else who comes into contact with us. The Cancer North Node reminds us that there is great strength in allowing ourselves to be vulnerable rather than trying to control ourselves and others in order to somehow feel safe and protected. True vulnerability involves admitting that we don’t have it all figured out and that we are human. It involves allowing people to see who we really are, beyond our façade.
 
We all have an inner Capricorn – that part of us that suppresses our real feelings and tries to control people, situations and our reactions out of fear or to somehow feel safe. That part of us that contracts and puts the walls up, shutting others out when we are hurt or afraid. We are being asked to recognise this and make way for a new way to come in. We are being encouraged to soften and allow whatever emotions are there to emerge. To allow others to see that vulnerable part of ourselves, and by so doing, we allow both our heart and theirs to remain open rather than contracted. To let go instead of holding on too tightly. To let our inner child meet the other person’s inner child. To show how we really feel rather than putting up appearances. To admit when we are scared, can’t cope and need help, or don’t have the answer. To admit that we’re not perfect. To let others see that part of ourselves that we tend to protect and keep hidden. To be honest about feeling hurt instead of closing down.  To let the walls and defences fall.
 
This could be a time of profound realisations and insight into our more unhelpful patterns and conditioned habits. We have a chance to be really honest with ourselves and others, helped by this Aries Moon, and to recognise what needs to transform in our lives. The past is meeting the future and now we have a chance to do things differently and write a different script. We have been here before, but how can we transmute it this time and turn the lead into gold? What are our particular walls that we put up in order to stay safe?  We are in the midst of a profound shift and have the potential to transform some very old karma and purge some deeply entrenched, familiar and unhealthy habits and patterns. We are being called to really step up to the plate and operate from a plate of integrity and vulnerability. We are being asked to be brave, self-reflective and honest and do the inner work necessary to step out of the darkness and into the light.
 
The Sabian symbol for the degree of the Pluto / South Node conjunction, at 24° Capricorn, is “A woman entering a convent”, which Dane Rudyar describes as “Total commitment to a transcendent goal”. This symbol reinforces the feeling that this is a time to turn within and be willing to do the inner work. However, one could also see how going into a convent could involve turning away from societal pressures and also denying or supressing the need for earthy pleasures. 
 
The Sabian symbol for the New Moon itself is a beautiful one, at 16° Aries: “Nature spirits are seen at work in the light of sunset”, which Dane Rudyar describes as “attunement to the potency of invisible forces of nature” and an invitation to open our minds to “the possibility of approaching life in a holistic and nonrational, intuitive manner….the process of ‘becoming like a little child’”. This, again, encourages us to put our rational, sensible adult down and allow our inner child to come out that has the absolute faith that we are always guided and protected. Even when things may seem dark and bleak and hopeless there are unseen forces at play that we are unaware of. On another level, maybe this is also an invitation to become more aware of and honour the nature spirits in order to help heal our relationship with Mother Earth.
 
This Moon feels very hopeful indeed. It feels like we are being given a chance to take a big step forward, with the courage and honesty of Aries and the sensitivity and compassion of Pisces. This is the first New Moon of the astrological New Year and so it feels like a good time to start fresh, shedding our old ways and moving forward, all shiny and new! There is a sense of innocence and naivety about Aries and we are being asked to cultivate some of that energy for this Moon. Like the Fool in the Tarot, we are encouraged to remain open and curious, and even though we may not know where we are going we are invited to keep our hearts open and bravely take a leap of faith and step into the unknown. We have been here before but it’s time to do it differently this time.
 
 “There is a strength in vulnerability, in facing your demons and knowing that kindness is more important despite of them. To be vulnerable it to be brave” Chrissie Pinney
 
Picture: Unknown
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    Amy Bird

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

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