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This is a powerful New Moon because it is in the very first degree of Sagittarius which is a very powerful and potent degree, symbolising a brand new rush of Sagittarian energy as we enter the sign. It strengthens the sense of new beginnings that the New Moon brings. At the same time we are still very much feeling the effects of intense, emotional and transformative Scorpio, so the Sagittarius party hasn’t quite started yet! Sagittarius wants to rush ahead and go on a grand adventure, while Scorpio still has us in it grips, making us all too aware of our fears, vulnerabilities and shadows. This week we have had the Sun and Saturn coming together in Scorpio, making everything quite heavy and restrictive and bringing our fears and the darker aspects of existence into our consciousness. This aspect was exact on Tuesday and its effects will linger throughout the week. This means that while we might be more than ready to make big plans, we will be very aware of what holds us back from achieving our dreams. The Sabian symbol for the first degree of Sagittarius is “Army veterans gather to re-awaken old memories”. This gives a sense that we need to deliberately bring our wounds and patterns into our conscious awareness in order to move on with our lives. While this New Moon is about new beginnings and planting seeds for new adventures, it seems that we have to honour the past and hurt part of ourselves in order to do so.

The Sun and Moon are forming their monthly union in optimistic and adventurous Sagittarius. Sagittarius is bold and daring and has absolute faith that if he takes a chance he will somehow be rewarded, even if it isn’t quite in the way he expected! The symbol of Sagittarius is a centaur; half man, half beast, aiming his bow high into the heavens. This makes him quite physical, instinctual and nature loving, while at the same time very intuitive and forward looking. He is the visionary, who isn’t afraid to follow his dreams and most definitely makes his own luck. He literally shoots for the stars! Sagittarius sees the bigger picture and doesn’t get bogged down in petty details. His aim is to expand our consciousness. He is also the seeker of the truth, and will travel far and wide to find it. He also speaks the truth, sometimes without a filter! Sometimes the truth hurts! He wants to find higher meaning in life; something to believe in beyond the mundane. He demands the freedom to roam and will walk the road less travelled, ever alert for omens which will show him which path he should take next. Sagittarius’s ruler is Jupiter, who is currently in Leo, encouraging us to express ourselves joyfully and with confidence and to not be afraid to follow our hearts.

It is interesting that Scorpio comes before Sagittarius, forcing us to confront our fears and darker emotions, while Sagittarius then helps us make a leap of faith, moving past our fears and trusting that we will somehow land on our feet. Faith is such a big part of the Sagittarian picture; trusting that we are somehow guided by forces far bigger than us that seek to help us grow and evolve. This helps us through the hardest times; the faith that there is a higher purpose to all that happens to us. The Sagittarian optimist within us realises that the most challenging experiences are amazing opportunities for growth, as painful as they may be. We are now entering Sagittarius season, which is jovial, jolly, joyful, fun and sociable, but just for now we are caught between the emotional intensity of Scorpio and Sagittarius’s desire to move forward and expand. For this Moon it seems that we are being asked to honour our fears and consciously move past them and as we do so the universe will rise up to meet us half way, rewarding us for our bravery.

As I said, Saturn in Scorpio is rather big part of the overall picture at the moment. The Sun and Moon are moving away from Saturn in Scorpio, who is heavy, dark and restrictive and moving towards Venus in Sagittarius, who just wants to have a good time, hang out with like-minded people and laugh a lot! We’ll get there, but first we might have to be really honest about what we are afraid of and what is holding us back from all that we want so much. We might also be forced to be completely honest about what it is we truly want, deep down in our hearts. First the Sun, then Mercury is joining up with Saturn over the course of this week, exact on Wednesday 26th. This has the potential to cause us to face our shadows and go to all the dark places we would rather not have to venture into. Saturn’s influence could make us all too aware of where we feel limited or restricted in our lives. There is an air of melancholy to this picture and the possibility of having some quite heavy, dark, pessimistic thoughts. Saturn is shining the harsh light of reality onto our lives and thought patterns which could cause considerable anxiety as some very old and irrational fears rise up into our consciousness. This is an opportunity to rise up and meet these fears, acknowledging and honouring them so that they begin to lose their power over us. Then we will be ready to make a big leap forward, in true Sagittarian style!

Neptune in Pisces is forming a challenging aspect to the Sun and Moon, which could well add to the air of melancholy and will also bring the desire to escape this heavy dose of reality that Saturn is bringing at the moment. Neptune is the dreamer and can be overly idealistic, creating illusions which can then lead to disappointment. We could be a bit confused about where we are going, as if there is a smoke screen in front of us. In aspect to the Sun and Moon it brings the potential for us to feel a bit more sensitive than usual, as if our skins are somehow thinner and we absorb more from the environment than usual. It could be easy to slip into feeling like a victim. Neptune has a very vivid imagination which could make us imagine things that aren’t real, bringing more possibility of irrational fears surfacing in us. There is a certain wistfulness to this combination and a sense of it being a little harder to cope with the reality of our lives. Neptune is the master of finding ways to avoid facing reality, like sleeping too much, drinking, doing drugs, watching television, playing computer games; the list goes on and on!

The positive side of this aspect is that Neptune will challenge us to think creatively and see the bigger picture. With his help we can dream a better future for ourselves. While Saturn may be narrowing our focus and making us all too aware of what isn’t working for us, Neptune urges us to keep the faith that we are heading in the right direction, even if it is hard to see at times. Neptune doesn’t make sense logically, but even though we may feel like we have somehow taken the wrong path we must trust that there is a reason for going there. Any fears, wounds or painful memories that may be dredged up at this time will be for good reason, even though we may not be able to see why for a while. We may feel more sensitive and porous than usual but sometimes it is important to feel things more acutely so we can become more aware of what needs to change. It is very important to remember to treat ourselves with as much compassion and forgiveness as we would other people. We are so very hard on ourselves sometimes and Neptune reminds us that we are all beautiful souls who are doing their best here on earth!

In the background we hear the rumble of the Uranus Pluto square, which is now building in intensity and will be exact on the 15th of December. We are no stranger to this energy as this is the sixth of seven squares since 2012. The Pluto Uranus square is a sign of the times and has been creating breakdowns which lead to breakthroughs in the structure of our lives and in the patriarchal system we live in. It has been highlighting where we are stuck or limited and forcing us to move beyond it, which of course can be rather uncomfortable! Capricorn represents societal structure and patriarchal authority and the square between these two powerful planets have been slowing exposing the rot and showing what is quite simply no longer working in our lives, our society and the world power structures. I sense that we have got to the point where it is glaringly obvious what isn’t working, both in the structure of our own lives and in the world, but now the question is what to create in its place? We are now in the new paradigm that was promised when the squares began and it is a bit like finding our way in the dark because it is nowhere we have ever been before.

This next square could shake things up a bit more and make us aware of what needs to change in order to stand completely and utterly in our truth, with absolute integrity. As the square gets closer to being exact we can expect a bit of turbulence, both within our own lives as we are forced to step outside of our comfort zones and uproot age old patterns and globally as people rise up and challenge the powers that be and antiquated systems that are simply no longer serving us. The question now is what to replace them with? After five squares  in the space of two years we know what is wrong and are now at the point where we think about what should replace anything that has rotted away or been destroyed. Pluto and Uranus also rule natural and manmade disasters, such as volcanoes, oils spills and earthquakes, so don’t be surprised if the weather is a bit whacky as well around this time. Here is a post I wrote about the Pluto Uranus square back in 2012: Pluto Uranus Square

This Moon definitely seems to be asking us to take a leap of faith, but not without acknowledging and honouring our weaknesses, vulnerabilities and fears and being very honest with ourselves about what is holding us back and restricting us from growing. This is a time to delve into the darkness and bring any old, outworn patterns completely out into the light so we can have a really good look at them before we move forward. Success comes from overcoming and transcending fears and anxieties rather than the absence of them and there is no person in this world that doesn’t experience fear at some point or other. It’s what we do with it that makes the difference. We either drown in our fears and allow them to immobilise us or we face them head on, accepting that we are just human and recognising that they are merely constructed by our own imaginations. It is so very important to remember that what we can come up with in our own heads is often so much worse than the reality of anything we are facing!

Sagittarius aims his bow high and shoots for the stars and so should our intentions for this New Moon. Whatever we set for our intentions should evoke a feeling of joy in us. We must let the arrow pierce through any illusion or fear and trust that it will land exactly where it needs in order to support our growth at this time. This New Moon is asking for us to have faith in the universe and belief in ourselves. Once we set off there is no looking back!

Much love

Amy 
xoxo

Artwork: When you Wish upon a Star by Sabine Rich

TAURUS FULL MOON – Thursday 6 November, exact at 10.22pm GMT, 5.22pm EST

This Full Moon marks the end of the Eclipse season, but definitely packs its own punch! Once again we are being asked to bring our fears out into the light or our awareness so we can let them go, once and for all. Full Moons tend to bring up some strong emotions which escalate as the Moon reaches its peak. Whatever may have been simmering away below the surface in the couple of weeks beforehand rises up and demands attention as the bright light of the Moon makes it very obvious what is out of balance in our lives. It can be quite intense emotionally but it does offer us an amazing opportunity to really get in touch with whatever is bothering us and needs to change. This Moon is no exception. We are in the midst of Scorpio season which is a time of transformation when the old passes away to be replaced by something new. It really is a time to embrace change rather than hiding from it. We may be pushed outside of our comfort zones somewhat, but if we show willingness to face our fears they begin to lose their power over us.

This Full Moon illuminates the Taurus/Scorpio axis so we are asked to somehow find a balance between the energy of the two signs. Taurus is Mother Earth and puts us in touch with the physical world; the world of the senses. Comfort and security are very important to Taurus and she is not a fan of change; in fact it makes her very uncomfortable indeed. Taurus highlights what we value and what we spend our money on, and while one person may consider having the biggest tv and the latest Ipad very important indeed, another may use that money to go on a trip to India or for a self-development workshop. Taurus represents our sense of self-worth and the skills and talents we use to earn our living. The value we place on ourselves can directly correlate to how much we earn and a healthy sense of self-worth can make such a difference! Low self-esteem, however, can mean that we don’t attract or ask for what we deserve because we can’t see our own worth. Taurus is quite a stubborn sign and has the capacity to stagnate somewhat and end up in comfortable ruts because she tends to cling to the status quo for the sake of security. As I said, change makes her uncomfortable and she will put up with situations far longer than she should because she is somehow uncomfortably comfortable. “Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t” could be a Taurus motto!

That is where Scorpio comes in. Scorpio forces us to face our fears and be completely honest about what we are afraid of. She will not think twice about completely pulling the rug out from under us in order to help us grow. While Taurus might turn a blind eye for the sake of security, Scorpio forces us to confront whatever might be holding us back from moving forward. While Taurus can become deeply attached to the comforts of the material world, Scorpio helps us to release attachment, letting go of anything that is not serving us so we can be reborn, shiny and new. The process may not be very comfortable because it involves being completely honest about what is holding us back and possibly even facing old trauma that caused the fears in the first place. Just the idea of change can bring up a certain amount of anxiety as our sense of security is threatened and our self-worth challenged. When we make changes in our lives we are asked to have faith in ourselves and our abilities and also trust that we will be taken care of and that we will somehow land on our feet. Fear isn’t rational at all because it comes from a place deep within us which is hard to access.  Often whatever is stored in our subconscious, causing the fear and anxiety, is very old and buried indeed. Scorpio asks us to confront our fears and the deeper darker emotions and get to the root of what causes them. It may not be pretty, but ultimately it can be amazingly freeing.

The good news is that Chiron, the Wounded Healer, is forming a harmonious and supportive aspect to the Sun, Moon, Venus and Pluto this week, which will help us to become more aware of our flaws and deeper insecurities so that we have a chance of actually healing them. We have a chance to bring old traumas, fears, and injuries out into the light and heal them with compassion, understanding and forgiveness. Whatever fears or shadows Scorpio brings up for us to face can be met with conscious awareness and recognition that we have been here before and it is time to let go of these patterns once and for all. It truly is wonderful that Chiron is involved with this Moon, because he can really help us flush out whatever comes up for us so that we can truly release it. Just being aware of unhealthy patterns repeating allows them to lose their power over us and brings us closer to healing.

Transformational and powerful Pluto (the soul) and motivational and driven Mars (the warrior) are joining forces in Capricorn, forming a conjunction which will be exact on the 11th of November. This very intense combination of very forceful energies will actually be helping this Full Moon, giving us a boost of bravery and power and enabling us to work long and hard to achieve our goals. This combination could give us a great deal of energy and focus and could bring up issues of power and powerlessness. We may become very aware of how we give our power away. Mars is quite aggressive and Pluto is the planet of power, and so there could be a certain amount of ruthlessness coming to the fore both personally and collectively. We may be forced to be absolutely honest about what we want for ourselves and what we are working towards. This powerful combination could well help us get to the bottom of whatever might be bothering us during this Full Moon. Uranus is forming a square to both Pluto and Mars, which will no doubt make it very obvious what needs to change and could well force us out of our comfort zones. Indeed, there is something quite unsettling about this Moon, because there is so much Scorpionic energy around. Scorpio demands the truth. This could be a bit much for the placid Taurus Moon, who just wants to take it slowly, play it safe and “chew the cud”!

Venus is sitting right next to the Sun, who she has been travelling with for the past couple of weeks, and is on her way to meeting Saturn in Scorpio on the 12th of November. Venus is the ruler of the Taurus Full Moon, so she is a rather important part of the whole affair. Venus and Saturn in Scorpio could shine the rather harsh light of reality on our relationships, forcing us to be absolutely truthful about how we feel and what we want. It could all get rather serious actually and we could experience some testing of our values and relationships. Saturn wants us to be the best that we can be, but he doesn’t make it easy. It is as if we have to prove our worth. How are we holding ourselves back from experiencing true intimacy in our relationships? If we are completely honest, are they a true reflection of our inner truth? Are they helping us move forward on our path or holding us back? Venus also represents money and finances, so once again, our sense of security could be challenged. Saturn does have the capacity to create a feeling of lack when it comes to resources and indeed our sense of self-worth. This creates yet another possibility for us to feel somewhat anxious, as we are forced to confront our fears surrounding relationships, shared resources and security.

This next week could be rather interesting, that’s for sure, with the Mars and Pluto conjunction building as well as the Venus and Saturn conjunction in Scorpio. We will see what comes rising up both personally and collectively! Taurus herself is a very stable, patient sign who enjoys nature and the sensual delights, but she is rather overshadowed by all of this transformational energy which is threatening her sense of security and forcing her out of her comfort zone. Change makes her very uncomfortable indeed, yet it is an inevitable part of life. Scorpio demands that we dig deep and find the truth and reminds us that all things must pass away eventually, in order to be born anew. Uranus, the Great Awakener, is niggling at the Scorpio  and Venus and  gearing up for the 6th Pluto/Uranus square in December, so change is afoot whether we like it or not!

There is definitely a sense of old patterns and fears coming to the surface for us to examine and release, once and for all. We may find ourselves feeling a bit shaky and insecure, but it is very important that we remain true to ourselves and the path that we are on. What is preventing us from fulfilling our dreams? What is most important to us when it comes down to it? How are we getting in our own way? How can we initiate change rather than allowing it to just happen to us? Where are we holding ourselves back for security’s sake? Things generally happen to force change upon us when something is out of balance or not serving us and we now have an opportunity to have a long hard look at what simply isn’t working for us and do something about it. This is a great time to challenge ourselves and step outside of the comfort zone voluntarily because then we allow positive growth rather than upsetting, cataclysmic change. This Moon could definitely make us more aware of where we are stuck and not moving forward for the sake of security and help us shift out of our ruts. It is very important to remember that, no matter what, we are held by Mother Earth. She provides a stable base beneath us and won’t let us fall. Somehow we will always land on our feet.

Much Love

Amy

xoxo