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

AQUARIUS FULL MOON/SUPERMOON - 12 August 2022

8/9/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Exact at 2.35am UK time (BST)
 
This is an incredibly potent Full Moon with the potential to bring considerable shifts and powerful changes into our lives. It is the last supermoon of the year, which always has a greater impact on our mind, body, spirit and emotions than your average Full Moon. Not only that, but Uranus, the ruler of the Aquarius Moon, is forming a dynamic square to the Sun and Moon, intensifying the unpredictable, revolutionary and liberating energy of this Moon. It we have been stuck in a rut or some kind of holding pattern then this Moon could jolt us into awareness, setting us back onto the right path, freeing us from unhealthy, unhelpful patterns and releasing us from any conditioning that simply no longer serves us. Sometimes we need a bit of a shock to create the internal or external change that is needed.
 
The Sun remains in playful, creative, enthusiastic and dramatic Leo, the part of us that likes to feel special and thrives on a bit of validation, recognition and encouragement. Leo is a sign that encourages us to follow our hearts and do whatever brings us our greatest joy. Directly opposite the Leo Sun is the Moon in eccentric, humanitarian, non-conformist and friendly Aquarius, the part of us that sometimes feels a bit like an outsider and has the capacity to question the rules and consensus reality. Aquarius is a sign that encourages us to take a step back and look at ourselves and life from a different perspective, so that we can be more objective. The Leo part of us tends to be more subjective, so it can help to step out of a more “self”centred reality and see things from a different perspective. However, Leo can also help the Aquarius part of ourselves to step into the limelight and fully participate in life instead of standing on the sidelines looking in.
 
Aquarius is the part of us that questions authority and the rules and structures that society has put in place to keep some kind of control over the population. It is the part of us that seeks to individuate, becoming the unique being that we truly are rather than the version of ourselves that our parents and teachers molded us into. This Moon definitely has the potential to bring some kind of shift of awareness and to help us to get back into the path that is more true to who we really are. It is so easy to deviate from the path, doing whatever brings a sense of comfort, security and safety, while deep inside we know that it is not quite right for us on some level. Aquarius doesn’t allow us to simply conform or “settle”, but reminds us that we must be true to ourselves and forge our own unique path. It can also help us to connect with like-minded people who have a similar vision of what could be and how that might be achieved.
 
With Uranus and the Nodes of the Moon squaring the Sun and Moon, this is a fateful Full Moon that could bring about some shocks and surprises that give us a huge amount of insight and objective awareness, helping us to step out of the comfort zone and grow on a soul level. This Moon could bring out our more non-conformist, revolutionary tendencies and with Mars in on the act there could potentially be uprisings and unrest as we are given more insight into any unjust or unfair practice by those in authority. Uranus has the power to help us to “wake up” and look beyond the prevailing narrative and see things more clearly, and with Mars involved this has the potential to bring up anger! However, anger used constructively can really make things happen as we find ways to right wrongs and create change.
 
With Uranus, Mars and the North Node all in Taurus, the sign of survival, the cause for unrest may well revolve around the economy, our finances and the capacity to sustain ourselves. When people are struggling to survive they rise up and protest! However, while Uranus can bring about rebellion and revolution, it can also bring innovation and ingenious solutions. Necessity is the mother of invention, and so we may well find ourselves thinking outside of the box and coming up with some alternative and unique solutions to any problems we might be facing. Aquarius is the sign of the People and it is amazing what can be achieved when we come together and fight for a common cause.                               
 
Saturn is also sitting right next to the Aquarius Moon, bringing the Uranus/Saturn square back into focus. The energy of the square, which was so prevalent last year, will be building in intensity until the beginning of October. On a personal level this could help us to break through any rigid patterns and conditioning that hold us prisoner. We may experience an internal battle between the part of us that feels fear and a need to maintain a sense of control and the part of us that seeks to be free and make change, challenging the status quo.
 
On a collective level we could experience the continued dismantling of the structures and people rising up against governmental authority. Saturn in Aquarius could also bring greater control through the use of technology and fear tactics around money and survival that have a huge impact on the way we behave and interact with money. Fear is a powerful tool for control, especially when it revolves around survival. When we fall into fear we can literally block the flow of energy and abundance. It is very important that we do whatever we can to keep our vibration high and not tune into the lower vibration of fear. Easier said than done sometimes, however! It will certainly be interesting to see what happens between now and the beginning of October, as the planet of the “People”, awakening and revolution comes up against the planet of authority, structure and control.
 
Anyone with personal planets around 18° of a sign will be feeling the liberating, unsettling, revolutionary urge for freedom that Uranus can bring, especially in the fixed signs of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. Uranus can make us want to bust out of whatever cage we have created for ourselves and can liberate us from old, outworn programming that is holding us back from feeling free. It can be very unsettling and changeable, however, which could make us feel quite uneasy. Ultimately it has the potential to help us align with our one unique, authentic nature and to be utterly true to who we really are, even if this comes to a shock to ourselves and others!  
 
Pluto is forming a supportive trine to Mars during this Moon, which could give us quite an energetic boost that helps us to find the courage to overcome some big obstacles. Pluto is the planet of power, transformation, the subconscious and the soul, and in aspect to the Mars, the planet of action, assertion and motivation, we could find that we are brave enough to peer into the shadows and bring out into the open some material that we may usually find it too hard to face. This feels like it complements the revolutionary energy of this Moon, helping us to find the energy and courage to make the change happen and to recognise and transcend our own psychological blocks. A considerable amount of soul growth is possible during this Moon, that’s for sure!
 
The Sabian symbol for this Moon, at 20° Aquarius, is a rather special one: “A large white dove bearing a message” which Dane Rudyar describes as “The answer of spiritual agencies to thorough, sustained and victorious individual efforts. The individual who has gone courageously and with indomitable spirit through his crucial crisis receives, as it were, a deep spiritual blessing from the Soul-realm: “Mission accomplished. Peace be with you.” And in this blessing a secret prophecy of what is yet to come may be seen by the perspicacious and spiritually sensitive mind of the recipient. Every real spiritual step a man takes in his development is the result of a victory over forces of inertia or destruction. The Divine is totally “present” in the heart of all true victories. What the “message” is depends on the particular situation, but the white dove always signifies peace; at the very heart of this peace is the CERTIFICATION of individual worth and victory”.
 
This symbol certainly brings a feeling of hope! This Moon seems to be asking us to be open to change and to be true to ourselves, doing the necessary inner work so that inner and outer shifts are possible. Yes, there is the potential for unrest and questioning those in authority, but there is also the potential for profound insight that can change our lives for the better. Uranus and Aquarius seek to liberate us from whatever prison we have constructed for ourselves and to recognise that we hold the key - all is takes is a shift of perspective. Freedom is a state of mind and there are always solutions if we are open to them. The most important work we have at the moment is to avoid falling into fear, as it really does block the flow of love, abundance and energy. Whatever change occurs during this time, however unsettling or upsetting it may be, can ultimately help us to realign and reconnect to our true path. To thine own self be true.
 
Much Love
 
Amy
 
Picture by Paul Colon
 

0 Comments

LEO NEW MOON - 28 July 2022

7/25/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Exact at 6.54pm UK time (BST)
 
We are now in Leo season, a sign that encourages us to express ourselves and to do what brings us our greatest joy. Leo rules the heart and so this Moon could inspire us to listen to our hearts and follow where they lead. Leo is the part of us that likes to sing, dance, create and play, allowing our inner child to have some fun and lead the way. Leo is ruled by the Sun, so we are invited, during this New Moon, to truly allow ourselves to shine and to create the life we truly want. It could help to get playful with our intentions during this Moon, having fun, being spontaneous and getting creative about our wishes and desires for ourselves. Leo season is a bit like playing in the sandpit - what kind of castle do we want to build for ourselves? The sky’s the limit! Leo is the sign of creative self-actualisation, whereby we have a chance to play around with possibilities, take charge of our destiny and fulfill our true potential.
 
Leo is also the part of us that needs to feel special and seeks validation and recognition. It is the part of us that needed encouragement from our parents when we were young and thrives from knowing that they are proud of us in some way. If we didn’t receive this approval and positive reinforcement then we may suffer from insecurity or low self-worth, feeling a lack of confidence in our abilities and tending to seek validation from outside of ourselves. We may crave the attention that was lacking and do whatever we can to receive it and gain approval and recognition.
 
These themes could come up while the Sun moves through Leo, so it could help to get in touch with that part of us that still needs attention and for others to reinforce that we are somehow special. In an ideal world our self-worth and self-confidence does not depend on the approval of anyone else. It’s an inside job.
 
Jupiter in Aries is supporting this Leo New Moon, which could bring about a wonderful boost of energy, inspiration, self-confidence and the courage to create the life we want. Jupiter is the King of the Gods, and in assertive, brave, independent and pioneering Aries we could feel ourselves positively filled up with infectious enthusiasm, eager for new experience! Those of us with personal planets or angles around 8° of a sign will feel Jupiter’s energy the strongest, although planets and angles in the Fire signs Aries, Leo and Sagittarius will probably feel the biggest boost.
 
All this fire energy could burn out of control, of course, but is more likely to bring creative inspiration, the spirit of adventure and the capacity to take a risk and expand our horizons. Jupiter is especially strong during this Moon as it is stationary, getting ready to go retrograde. This could give us a much needed renewal of faith in ourselves and life, helping us to have some fun and do whatever we may have been putting off through fear, resistance or lack of confidence.
 
Mercury, the planet of mind and communication is also a very big player during this Moon, as it is forming aspects to a few planets. Most noticeably, it is forming a challenging, dynamic square to the conjunction that is building in Taurus between Uranus, the North Node and Mars, exact on 2 August. It is quite possible, around the time of this New Moon, that we will hear some surprising news or information that brings some kind of a wake-up call or leads to changing plans or making unusual decisions. Mercury in aspect to Uranus can bring messages and news that force us to think outside of the box and see things from a different perspective. With Mars and Uranus coming closer and closer together there is the potential for unrest, rebellion and revolution, which could potentially be triggered by some important information we receive while Mercury is involved during this New Moon.
 
With Uranus, the North Node and Mars all joining together in Taurus, the sign of survival, financial security, money and Mother Nature, we could experience some shocking events or some kind of shift around the economy. Volcanoes and earthquakes are not out of the question. There could also be a considerable amount of civil unrest, especially as we build up to the Aquarius Full Moon on 12 August. With Uranus, the planet of technology in the sign of money and Saturn the planet of authority and control in Aquarius, the sign of technology, there is much potential for the greater use of technology as a means of authoritarian control, combined with the continuing movement towards digitisation of currency. This conjunction could bring some kind of shift in this area, setting the tone for the next 15 years when Uranus and the North Node will next join together.
 
Uranus tends to bring breakdowns that lead to breakthroughs. It is the planet of sudden insight, epiphanies, wake-up calls and “aha” moments. Taurus is the part of us that is quite resistant to change and can easily end up in a comfortable rut. It is quite possible that Mars and Uranus could force us to make changes that we might usually resist for the sake of security and a quiet life.
 
Mercury’s involvement during this New Moon could have us thinking creatively about what needs to change and how we might go about it. Whenever the Nodes are involved, as they are now, there is the potential for events to occur that help us to make a shift in terms of our destiny, both personal and collective. This could be a time of considerable soul growth that involves us stepping outside of our comfort zone somehow. Many of us only tend to initiate change when things become really uncomfortable or when we feel like we have no choice, and this could be one of those moments.
 
Those of us with personal planets or angles around 18° of a sign, especially the fixed signs of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius, will feel the tension and urge for change most acutely. Uranus is the planet of freedom and liberation and in Taurus it does bring the potential for a greater sense of financial freedom, innovation and the capacity to think outside of the box when it comes to survival and our capacity to be self-sufficient. It encourages us to be utterly true to ourselves, liberating ourselves from the shackles of the past and any unhealthy conditioning that might be preventing us from living a truly authentic life. Uranus invites us to contemplate what it means to be free and what we might need to do to achieve the sense of liberation we so dearly want and need. Change is afoot!
 
Saturn is also opposing Mercury during this New Moon which could bring fearful thoughts and the potential for mind control and censorship of information and communication. The Saturn Uranus square, which we experienced three times last year, is also starting to build again until the beginning of October. This is an interesting combination, with the planet of freedom, awakening, rebellion, revolution and change squaring off against the planet of authority, control, structure and government. This could mean the continuation of the breakdown of the structure of our lives, not to mention the potential for people rising up against authoritarian control. There is also the possibility of liberation from any programming or conditioning that might be keeping us prisoner, both personally and collectively. Uranus definitely can help us to wake up, shifting our perspective and prompting us to question and move beyond the mainstream narrative.
 
The Sabian Symbol for this New Moon, at 6° Leo, is very interesting considering all of this Uranus energy around at the moment! It almost feels like it describes the Saturn Uranus square!: “A conservative, old-fashioned lady is confronted by a “hippie” girl” which Dane Rudyar describes as “The need to transcend our subservience to fashion, in morals as well as in clothes. This refers to the ever-changing pageant of social values, as ideals of human relationship succeed one another, one generation facing in the next an antithetic picture of what it has been brought up to consider worthwhile and decent. Then confrontation may lead to great bitterness, yet it should show us the impermanence of most of what society impresses upon our collective. This degree refers to a collective, cultural and social crisis which challenges us to realise THE RELATIVITY OF SOCIAL VALUES”
 
This symbol feels like the square off between the tried and true established ways of Saturn, which are more conservative, and the modern, progressive and innovative ways of Uranus. The one thing that is absolutely true is that change is inevitable. Things cannot stay the same and it certainly seems as if we are witnessing a moment in time when the old structures are crumbling and we are being asked to be as flexible as possible and bend with the wind rather than resisting it. This Leo New Moon could give us a lovely boost of energy, confidence and courage to make any changes that are necessary for us to be more true to who we really are. It is important to harness one of Leo’s greatest superpowers during this Moon, and that is the capacity to listen to our heart and to go where it leads us. What is wrong with recognising what brings us our greatest joy and doing whatever we can to follow it? Jupiter in Aries says “Go for it!”
 
Much Love
 
Amy
xoxo
 
Painting: The Joy of Life - Douglas Girard

0 Comments

CAPRICORN FULL MOON - 13 July 2022

7/5/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Exact at 7.37 UK time (BST)
 
Well, this Full Moon packs a punch, that’s for sure! There is some strong planetary energy around, not to mention that Pluto, the planet of soul, power and transformation is sitting next to the Moon in Capricorn. There is a sense that we are experiencing some kind of metamorphosis, although currently it feels like we are in the cocoon phase! Full Moons tend to bring things to a head, illuminating anything that might have been simmering away beneath the surface and demanding release. This Moon is no exception, especially with Pluto involved, as it brings a certain amount of intensity and soul searching to the picture.
 
We have the Sun continuing its journey through sensitive, emotional, nurturing Cancer, sitting directly opposite the Moon in responsible, cautious, goal-oriented Capricorn. The key to a Full Moon is to find a healthy balance between the energy of the two signs. The Cancer part of us can easily become insecure, needy, over-emotional and child-like, while Capricorn invites us to take responsibility for ourselves and our emotional responses, acting and reacting with maturity and learning to parent our inner child rather than allowing it to rule us. However, the Capricorn part of us can tend to push down and suppress our emotions and is quite adept at putting up walls to protect ourselves, even diving into work to avoid facing our feelings. Cancer helps us to open up emotionally and express our emotions, showing our vulnerability and allowing others to help us. Sometimes we simply cannot cope and it helps others to help us if we let them in and admit that we need help.
 
There is a difference between immature, reactive childish outbursts or moods and telling people in a mature manner what is going on inside of us and what our needs are. A good balance between Cancer and Capricorn helps us to express our emotions without laying blame or playing the victim. We can’t help how others act and react towards us, but we can control how we respond. The Cancer part of us helps us to feel the feelings, while Capricorn gives us the patience and maturity to fully process and recognise what is our “stuff” and what needs to be addressed. Cancer is the child in us that can be triggered and activated by our current life relationships and experiences. Capricorn is the adult part of us that can take responsibility for that inner child if it is having a “moment”!
 
Pluto’s presence next to the Moon also brings into focus another Cancer/Capricorn conundrum. Cancer is the sign of home, roots and family, pointing to what gives us a sense of belonging and satisfies our emotional needs, while Capricorn is the sign of career, status and achievement, pointing to what makes us feel capable and successful. Pluto calls for complete emotional honesty and soul-searching around what we truly want for ourselves and where we are supposed to be.
 
Does our work truly fulfil us? Do we have a healthy work/life balance? What kind of life do we truly want to live, if we are completely honest with ourselves? What does our soul yearn for? Is it possible to make this yearning a reality? What does success mean to us? Is it being at the top of the game in our career or having healthy and fulfilling relationships and home life? What is it that we are really here to do? How do we want to live? How can we step up to the plate and make that happen? What do we need to do to feel more empowered? Anyone with personal planets or angles around 27° of a sign, especially the Cardinal signs Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn will be feeling the soul-searching, transforming energy of Pluto most acutely.
 
It does feel like change is afoot during this Moon. Uranus, the planet of sudden change, awakening, revolution and liberation is forming a helpful, supportive trine to the Sun and Moon, helping us to release ourselves from old conditioning  and patterns that no longer serves us. So often we know what needs to change and can envisage the life we truly want, but while things are “comfortable” enough we can find it hard to actually shake things up and create the upheaval that is necessary to actually make the shift. It is only when things start to get a bit uncomfortable or dissatisfying, giving us a little nudge, that we start to make the moves towards the much needed change. Uranus helps to liberate us from what we feel we “should” be doing and align with our true authentic self. It can also help us to free ourselves from whatever may be weighing us down, be that possessions, patterns of behaviour, attachments, relationships or simply our thoughts and beliefs. This Moon could certainly bring some epiphanies and wake-up calls that make us more aware of what needs to change and how we might go about it.
 
Those of us with personal planets or angles around 18° of a sign, especially the fixed signs Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius, could be feeling the exciting, unsettling and liberating energy of Uranus most acutely, which could make us want to make a bust for freedom or experience a sudden shock that helps to put us on the right path. Uranus challenges our programmed way of being and encourages us to live a more authentic life that is better suited to who we really are. We could be feeling the call to make some kind of change in our lives, freeing us from any comfortable ruts we may have found ourselves in.
 
The Sabian Symbol for Uranus is very interesting, and will be very prominent for the next couple of weeks as Uranus gets closer and closer to the North Node of the Moon: “A new continent rising out of the ocean” which Rudyar describes as “The surge of new potentiality after the crisis. The symbol need hardly be commented upon. When the mind has been emptied and light has been called upon to purify the consciousness freed from its attachment and contaminations, a new release of life can emerge out of the infinite Ocean of potentiality, the Virgin SPACE. What will it be used for?” An interesting symbol indeed!
 
Uranus will finally meet up with the North Nod, with Mars in on the act, on 1 August, which could be an important and fateful time for us collectively, especially when it comes to Taurus issues such as survival, the economy and Mother Nature herself. Change is afoot! July is definitely an important month as this conjunction builds, bringing the potential for volcanoes, new innovations, technological advancements that could shock us, economic shake-ups or breakdowns and revolution. It also helps us to release old patterns, baggage, attachments, conditioning and trauma so that we can move towards a more authentic and free life. We could find ourselves being more resourceful than we thought we could be, finding alternative and inventive ways of approaching Taurus issues of money and survival.
 
The last time Uranus joined up with the North Node was in April 2007, in Pisces, and the next time will be October 2037, in Cancer. As such, whatever happens now could set a ball in motion that will play out over the next 15 years.
 
Saturn is the ruling planet of this Full Moon and is forming a niggling inconjunct aspect to the Cancer Sun. Issues around responsibility, authority and control could come up for us to look at somehow. We may feel the urge for change but somehow feel restricted or held back in some way. Maybe we feel that we have too many obligations, or feel a huge sense of responsibility that brings up feelings of guilt. As such, there could be a tension between what we truly want and what we feel we “should” do. Saturn can also bring up fear, which is not helpful at all, as it blocks positive energy flow and can paralyse us. It’s hard not to feel fear sometimes, and we wouldn’t be human if it didn’t pop up once in a while, but the key is not to dwell on it. It is important to maintain a sense of faith and trust that ultimately we are held and that all is unfolding in the right way.   
 
Venus, the planet of love, relationships, values and money is highlighted during this Moon, as it is heavily aspected. Venus is the ruler of the Taurus North Node, and although her transits are short-lived because she is a fast moving planet, they could have an impact on us during this Full Moon. Saturn trine Venus helps us to be realistic and grounded around relationships and finances, creating healthy boundaries. It also brings the potential for greater control of the financial system by those in authority, possibly through the use of technology. Neptune is forming a challenging square to Venus, creating the potential for illusion, deceit, confusion, and sacrifice in the realm of love and finance. It’s hard to see things clearly when Neptune is around, as we can be quite idealistic! Pluto is forming a nagging inconjunct to Venus, which could bring some kind of exposure or a power grab around finances and a potential death and rebirth in economic and/or relationship terms. Pluto strips away any self-deceit and forces us to confront our shadows around love and money.
 
The Sabian symbol for this Moon is: “ By accepting defeat gracefully, a general reveals nobility of character” which Rudyar describes as “The realisation that one may grow through defeat as well as, and perhaps more than, through success. While the preceding symbol referred to the drive toward success in culturally organised collective endeavours, this one presents us with the possibility of turning apparent external defeat into an inner spiritual achievement. We have recently seen how totally vanquished nations (Germany and Japan) have leaped forward and achieved great economic success. Much depends on the quality of the will and the inner integrity of the person. With this symbol we find what seems to be a paradox, but the spiritual life is always paradoxical. The great sinner can become the most renowned saint, and a medieval Pope a criminal. What matters most always is INNER STRENGTH.”
     
Capricorn certainly does bring us issues around success and failure, so it could be a good thing to contemplate what success means to us during this Moon. It has the potential to bring things to a head, especially anything that we might have been pushing down or suppressing. We just have to be careful not to put walls up, but rather find ways to express our feelings and needs in a mature way, honouring the feelings but not letting them have full reign! Cancer season has the potential to take us back into our past, while Uranus can help us to re-member things we have long forgotten about. It helps to understand where our less desirable patterns have come from, but even more helpful is the capacity to let the patterns go. We certainly could gain a lot of insight during this Moon, with Uranus so much at play. We can then call in one of Capricorn’s superpowers - the capacity to truly take responsibility for whatever we are experiencing at any given moment. However, in my opinion, the greatest Capricorn superpower is integrity.
 
Much Love
 
Amy
xoxo
 
Picture: Winds of Change : Arya Zale
 

0 Comments

CANCER NEW MOON - 29 June 2022

6/25/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Exact at 2.51am UK time (BST)
 
This Moon brings into focus all things related to Cancer, such as home, family, childhood, ancestral roots, parenthood, the land we live on, real-estate, our sense of emotional security and a feeling of belonging. Whenever Cancer is involved we are invited to get in touch with our emotions and let them out in a healthy way, if we can. Better out than in! Cancer represents the vulnerable little child that still resides within all of us. It is the part of us that sometimes finds it hard to be a grown-up and deal with the responsibilities that come with being a mature adult. We are all shaped by our childhoods, which have a tendency to influence our actions and reactions in our adult relationships, as we project any displaced needs from childhood onto those closest to us from time to time. We all have moments when we revert to our childhood patterns that might have served us back then but might not be so appropriate now.
 
A Cancer New Moon could help us to get in touch with that child part of us, encouraging us to honour our feelings and let them out somehow. Maybe we are feeling scared, or overwhelmed, or sad, or fearful, or angry, and while we may usually push the feelings into the background and just “get on with it”, Cancer could help us to acknowledge them and allow them to just be. We don’t have to dwell on them, but pushing them away or suppressing them isn’t helpful either. It is better to bring them out into the open, allowing, honouring and acknowledging them and as we do so they lose their power.
 
New Moons are an incredibly potent time, when we sow energetic seeds for the month ahead, either consciously or unconsciously. This particular Moon could have us contemplating what, where and who is “home” to us. Is it a physical place or a feeling within? Are we at home in our own skin? Where and with whom do we feel a true sense of belonging? Who is our tribe, our soul family? Who, when it comes down to it, can we count on to help us in our hour of need? What land do we feel most connected to? What emotional patterns from childhood keep popping up that we might wish to leave behind in the dark of the Moon? Where might we like to put down roots? How can we parent and nurture our inner child? What makes us feel insecure and needy? What ancestral traits and tendencies do we have that might be a help or hindrance? Do we need to drop any unhelpful walls and allow ourselves to be more vulnerable and maybe admit when we are scared or can’t cope? These are all good questions for a Cancer New Moon!
 
Jupiter In Aries is a big part of this Moon, as it is forming an exact square with the Sun and Moon. This could bring up some rather “big” emotions that we may find it hard to avoid! Enthusiastic Jupiter in Aries could help us to be very brave and to step outside of our comfort zones in search of what it is we really want, need and desire. However, this could be a bit difficult for our scared little child that would prefer to hide behind the protection of mummy’s skirts! This Moon could force us to take the initiative, take a risk and move past our fears, while at the same time honouring them in true Cancer style. Life is scary sometimes, but we don’t get anywhere if we allow fear to paralyse us. Jupiter in Aries could help us to believe in ourselves and take a leap of faith, because even if we get burned then at least we have tried! We could receive a burst of energy, optimism and drive that can help us to go after our heart’s desires.
 
This square from Jupiter in Aries could also lead to rash decisions, as we act first and think later. However, sometimes this can be a good thing! Jupiter in Aries reminds me of the Fool in the Tarot, jumping off the cliff with the wisdom of the gods. This combination does also bring the potential for over-reactions, over-extending ourselves, being impatient and even insensitive when it comes to other people’s feelings. With Jupiter expanding and exaggerating the energy of Aries, angry outbursts are a possibility, as is being overzealous or too self-focused. However, we may also receive a nice dose of enthusiasm, courage and faith to actually make the changes we seek. Anyone with personal planets or angles around 7° of a sign will feel the energy of this Jupiter square most acutely, especially the cardinal signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn.
 
Speaking of anger and drive, Pluto and Mars are also squaring off against one another during this Moon, an aspect that will be exact in the early hours of 2 July UK time. This is a powerful combination of the planet of soul, power and transformation and the planet of drive, energy, action and desire. It has the potential to help us to face parts of ourselves that we might usually shy away from, taking a trip into the underworld and coming up with some buried treasure. It could also incite rage and anger that may usually remain buried, which could be very helpful or very destructive! We may find ourselves acting or reacting compulsively from a very subconscious place, but could also find the energy and motivation to overcome massive obstacles. Those in power could use force or underhanded tactics to gain more power.
 
Anyone with personal planets or angles within a couple of degrees of 27° of a sign, especially the Cardinal signs Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn, will feel the energy of this powerful combination most acutely. It is important to bear in mind that Mars is in its own sign of Aries, which can be quite forceful and energetic, and combined with Pluto could cause us to act impulsively and compulsively,  bringing things out into the open that are very revealing and even exposing. Actions speak louder than words!         
 
There are some easy, supportive, pleasant aspects between planets during this Moon to balance out the squares, including a lovely supportive sextile aspect between Jupiter and Venus. This can help us to express our feelings to one another, being openly affectionate and honest. Venus is currently in Gemini, which is quite sociable, communicative and playful place for the planet of love and relationship to be! Jupiter and Venus can also help us to find the courage to take a risk financially, keeping the faith that it will all work out in the end. Saturn and Mars are also in good relation to one another, helping us to apply discipline to our actions and to be sensible, realistic and not act too impulsively.
 
Uranus is currently working its way towards a conjunction with the North Node of the Moon in Taurus, which feels very significant indeed. The energy is building now, exact on 1 August. This could be a very important time for the economy, as Taurus is the sign of money, survival and values and whenever the Nodes are activated it can have a profound impact on our collective and personal destiny. Uranus can bring a sense of liberation and release from the chains of the past, helping us to find new and innovative ways of approaching the concept of money, self-worth and survival. It also has the potential to bring some kind of breakdown in terms of the economy that could then lead to a breakthrough. The Sabian symbol for this conjunction is very evocative indeed: “A new continent rising out of the ocean” which Rudyar describes as “The surge of new potentiality after the crisis”.
 
Uranus brings sudden, shocking events that have the potential to bring about radical change. It invites us to think outside of the box and approach things from a different perspective and in the case of Taurus we are invited to completely undo our conditioning and programming around money and survival. There is some real growth potential here, if we are open and willing. Uranus represents our long term memory from this and all other lifetimes, which of course could include experiences of trauma such as war and famine but could also help us to remember our innate connection to the natural world and to reconnect with our roots. It is not so long ago that many of us lived off the land and hunted for food, and we all have the memory of this in our cells.
 
The Taurus North Node encourages us to strip back and live a simpler existence. Uranus can help us to find creative and innovative ways to be self-sufficient that can benefit the whole rather than merely  being self-serving. However, Uranus also represents computers and technology, and we do certainly seem to be moving towards a greater use of tech within the economy, with the possibility of digital currency looming large. It will be interesting to see what happens in the next few weeks as Uranus moves towards the North Node. It certainly has the potential to bring some curve balls, but could also bring profound insight, epiphanies and a sense of release and liberation. This conjunction occurs at 18° Taurus, so the fixed signs will feel it most acutely.
 
Neptune is also very much present during this Moon as it is standing still, getting ready to turn retrograde. This can bring the potential for overwhelm, imagination running wild, lack of boundaries, a longing to escape reality, strange spiritual experiences, sensitivity and confusion, but also enhances our compassion, empathy and connection to each other and spirit. This could certainly help us to find acceptance for what is and to open our hearts, honour our feelings and have more understanding of the feelings of others. Neptune can also help us to open up to the flow and to dream a new reality into being, with Jupiter in Aries there to give us the motivation, confidence and faith to follow our dreams!
 
The Sabian Symbol for this Moon is an interesting one, at 8° Cancer: “A group of rabbits dressed in human clothes walk as if on parade”, which Dane Rudyar describes as “ The tendency in all forms of life to imitate higher forms as a stimulus to growth. This rather strange symbol points to what is essential in all first attempts at developing consciousness and furthering one’s growth through association with those who have already reached a superior evolutionary or mental level. Every seeker looks for an “Exemplar.” The religious mystic speaks of “the Imitation of Christ.” In Japan the music student sits in front of his teacher playing an instrument, and carefully imitates his every gesture. At this third stage of the five-fold sequences we see at work the basic features at the start of all LEARNING PROCESSES.” We all have so much to learn from other countries and people who know more than we do or who are more advanced in some way.
 
There is something else that comes to mind with this symbol, which is that the rabbits are pretending to be something that they are not. Which brings us back to the Cancerian lessons around showing our vulnerability and admitting when we need help instead of soldiering on alone. This Moon calls us to honour our feelings and to reach out if we are in need and also be there to nurture others if they are stuck, lost, lonely or scared. We all have an inner child that sometimes just needs to be held. Neptune encourages us to turn within and connect to the divine in whatever way feels right for cultivating the faith and trust that ultimately we are being guided in the right direction. Cancer invites us to truly get in touch with our emotions and allow them to be our teacher and our guide.
 
Much Love
 
Amy
xoxo
 
Picture: Loving Your Inner Child - Gioia Albano
 


 
 
0 Comments

SAGITTARIUS FULL MOON - 14 June 2022

6/12/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Exact at 12.30pm UK time (BST)
 
This is a very dynamic and potentially action-packed Full Moon, as there is quite a lot going on! Not to mention that Gemini season tends to be quite frenetic anyway, coupled with a good dose of adventurous, enthusiastic, optimistic and opinionated Sagittarius! This is a fire sign Moon, which could energise us and could also mean that ideas, information, beliefs and opinions spread around like wildfire. Sagittarius is the part of us that has strong beliefs and a sixth sense and the ability to trust our gut. With a Full Moon in Sagittarius we could find ourselves bombarded with preachers on the pulpit, all expressing their beliefs and opinions and trying to convince us of their version of the truth.
 
However, with Neptune in Pisces square the Sun and Moon it may be hard to know what to believe. What is real and what is illusion? Neptune is the master of propaganda, smoke screens, hypnosis and spells, so all may not be as we are being told. This can lead us to just give up on finding the truth, feeling quite disillusioned. Neptune can also bring feelings of overwhelm and the desire to escape reality, whether that be through drugs, alcohol, movies, television, sleep or reading or computer games. I am sure there are more ways to exit stage left, retreat into fantasy-land and bury our heads in the sand! It could be easier to somehow avoid the truth of the matter rather than facing up to reality and to pretend it isn’t happening. Sometimes it feels easier to turn a blind eye, putting on the rose-tinted spectacles rather than confronting truths that bring up fear or make us uncomfortable. However, it doesn’t make it go away.
 
Anyone with personal planets or angles around 25° of a sign, especially the mutable signs Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces, will be feeling the dissolving, confusing, compassionate energy of Neptune most acutely. Whenever Neptune is prominent we can tend to feel more sensitive, thin-skinned and more apt to feel overwhelmed. However, it also increases our sense of compassion, empathy, our ability to go with the flow, our capacity for unconditional love and the ability to connect, soul to soul, spirit to spirit. Neptune also brings up the theme of sacrifice, boundaries (or lack of them) and idealism. When Neptune is around we tend to see things as we would like them to be rather than how they really are! This could be especially true during this Full Moon.
 
However, we also have Saturn in Aquarius forming helpful, supportive, harmonious aspects to the Sun and Moon, which counteracts the Neptunian fog somewhat! Saturn helps us to look at things through a realistic lens, taking off the rose-tinted spectacles, stripping away the layers of illusion and seeing things as they really are. It also helps us to take responsibility for whatever we find, stepping into our “adult” shoes and being sensible about whatever information is being presented to us. We could come up with some solid ideas on how to improve our lives and start to lay foundations for the life we would truly like to live.
 
However, Saturn in Aquarius does also represent control through technology and could easily leave us with a digital dictatorship if we are not careful. It is so important to be mindful of what we are being told and how it is presented during this Full Moon. Modern technology is so advanced and could lead to a level of authoritarian control that would make Orwell quiver in his boots! Gemini and Sagittarius invite us to seek out the truth and inform ourselves about all that is happening in the world, even if we would prefer not to know.
 
With the Sun in curious Gemini, the sign of information, media, gossip, ideas and communication sitting opposite the Moon in Sagittarius, the sign of beliefs with the potential for indoctrination and slander, we could find others trying to convince of something that may or may not be true. We could also be presented with truths that we would rather not face or accept, as Sagittarius is not exactly known for being tactful and can sometimes blurt out the truth in a very blunt manner! It is not intended to hurt, but Sagittarius just doesn’t quite have Gemini’s gift for communication and capacity for refinement and diplomacy! This Moon could also have us yearning for adventure and freedom to expand our horizons somehow. Sagittarius is the part of us that can feel like the grass is greener on the other side and is always seeking new experiences and adventures.
 
Mars, the planet of anger, energy, drive and war, is joining forces with Chiron, the Wounded Healer during this Full Moon, in an exact conjunction. This is an interesting combination that could bring up issues such as the way we assert ourselves and our needs, how we process our anger, our relationship with the masculine part of ourselves and others, our right to exist, our physical body, our sexuality and desires. Wherever this powerful conjunction is found in our charts we may find ourselves needing to do some healing around these Mars themes, possibly needing to own our anger in this area of life and maybe needing to bring something out into the open that proves to be very healing.
 
We may be more easily triggered than usual, which could bring up defensiveness, resentment or even rage, so it’s important to watch our actions and reactions over the next few days. Those of us with personal planets or angles around 15° of a sign, especially the Cardinal signs Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn, could feel the energy of this combination most acutely. It can bring up pain within us, but can also be tremendously healing, as Aries surely can help us to be very brave and to have the courage to face whatever comes up head on, rather than shying away or avoiding it.
 
Venus and the North Node are also joining forces in Taurus during this Moon, which could bring some fateful encounters and a meeting with destiny when it comes to our relationships and finances. This could also be an important time in terms of attracting what we need in order to move forward and grow on a soul level. Venus is the ruler of Taurus, so this does feel like an important meeting of planetary energy that could have an impact on our relationships, finances and the economy in general. Venus could help to pull us forward towards the Taurus North Node qualities of self-sufficiency, self-reliance, self-worth, self-confidence and the ability to sustain ourselves.
 
Any one with personal planets between 19° and 22° of a sign, especially the fixed signs Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius, will feel the energy of this fateful combination most intensely. It could involve having to step outside of the comfort zone somewhat, as this is how we grow! However, the gifts could be great as the Venus energy can help us to attract exactly what we need and yearn for. The Taurus North Node is currently calling for us to simplify our lives and contemplate what it is we truly value and need, minimising our dependency on anyone or anything that holds power over us. We are being called back to a simpler way of being that we have all known before, as we connect to nature and remember our roots.
 
The Sabian symbol for this Full Moon, at 24° Sagittarius, is rather lovely: “A bluebird perched on the gate of a cottage.” which Dane Rudyar describes as “ The reward which meets every effort at integration into a social environment, for those who remain true to their own selves. A bluebird is a well known symbol of happiness, but also it refers to what one might call a spiritually oriented mind – to which the colour blue relates, especially when a “bird” is mentioned. A cottage is normally part of a community, and the implication is that its inhabitants are well-adapted, either to the life of the community, or to their more or less isolated togetherness. This symbol suggests that the essential technique for successful living is the development of a consciousness in which peace and happiness dwell. There is also a hint that GOOD FORTUNE is going to bless your life.”
 
This could be a good time to pay attention to the birds around us, as they are often spiritual messengers and can also help us to connect to nature! This symbol surely does bring a sense of some good Sagittarius luck and a sense of optimism our way, which would certainly be very welcome! It also feels somewhat akin to the energy of that Venus / North Node conjunction in peaceful, tranquil, abundant and earthy Taurus. Sagittarius certainly is a very enthusiastic, optimistic sign that helps us to see the bigger picture, to maintain a sense of humour and to recognise that even the hardest times in our lives bring the potential for growth. The Sagittarius part of us can always see a light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how dark things might appear. One of the greatest gifts that Sagittarius can give us is faith.
 
Much Love
 
Amy
xoxo
 
Picture: The light at the end of the tunnel by Ombre 1988 at Deviant Art

 

0 Comments

GEMINI NEW MOON - 30 May 2022

5/26/2022

1 Comment

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

1 Comment

SCORPIO FULL MOON / TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE - 16 May 2022

5/13/2022

1 Comment

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


1 Comment

TAURUS NEW MOON / PARTIAL SOLAR ECLIPSE - 30 April 2022

4/27/2022

2 Comments

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

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

2 Comments

LIBRA FULL MOON - 16 April 2022

4/13/2022

0 Comments

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

0 Comments

ARIES NEW MOON - 1 April 2021

3/30/2022

1 Comment

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


1 Comment
<<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

    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