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

1/28/2022

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


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CANCER FULL MOON - 17 January 2022

1/13/2022

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


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    Amy Bird

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

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