Inner Gaze: New Moon in Capricorn 2016

Illustration of a Siberian shaman by Dutch explorer Nicolaes Witsen via Wikimedia Commons.

Dec 28, 2016

10:53 PM Pacific

Dec 29, 2016

1:53 AM Eastern

Modern society attempts to create the illusion that everything is under control. While that illusion certainly helps things run smoothly and ensures that everyone plays their role, it comes with a price. The price is immense repression of our primal nature and the subjugation of any reality or viewpoint which threatens the status quo. We’re all conditioned to see the world a certain way and to fear anything that puts into question our standard narratives. This New Moon in tropical Capricorn helps us to see the structures and routines in our lives through different eyes, which will help us to gain clarity about how we fit into the larger whole.
 
December’s Capricorn New Moon is the last lunation of 2016. Occurring just three days before the New Year, this is a moment to step back, reflect, and take your time in considering your present options and decisions. Every New Moon is a collective moment of lower energy conducive for healing, rest, and meditation. At this stage of the lunar cycle, the Moon invites us inward to recharge and consolidate. Mercury’s alignment with this New Moon further reinforces the need to slow down. That’s because Mercury is currently retrograde.
 
This three-week process can sometimes feel frustrating. Life doesn’t readily yield to our plans and expectations. Things sometimes break down. Communication can be difficult. We may be more accident prone, sloppy, or clumsy. Before hastily moving forward with important matters, use this time to carefully review the details. Open your mind to new perspectives, realities, and alternate viewpoints. Occurring in the sign of Capricorn, this New Moon favors conscious solitude. With the busyness of the Holidays, this can be hard to attain. But even a brief moment of alone time will help you focus and clear your head.
 
While Capricorn can incite ambition, hold off on impulsive or drastic actions. You have more time than you think. Capricorn prefers sustained effort and thoughtful strategy. With Mars conjunct Neptune in Pisces sextile Mercury and the New Moon, you will uncover the energy you need only if you pause and take notice of your inner needs first. Consider the importance and value of inner journeying and self-reflection. And consider how much insight you already have within you. Before we enter the New Year, this lunation is a great way to gain perspective about the past year so that you can more effectively plan for your future.

Uranus is also stationing direct conjunct Eris just after its first opposition to Jupiter on Dec. 26. With Uranus stationing at the peak of this opposition, there is a powerful need to break free from current restraints and a longing for the freedom to uncover new heights of potential and experience. This dark of the Moon time also carries a dynamic creative and visionary potential as well as an opportunity to see beyond the old ways of doing things. As the new year approaches, it might also be wise to hold off on implementing resolutions; there’s a lot to reconsider and think about with this New Moon. Sit back, relax, and turn away from outer distractions. Allow this New Moon to gift you with the focus needed to reconsider your goals, strategies, and direction.

You did not come to Earth without a guide. Evolutionary Astrology is a powerful tool for self-discovery and an exceptionally helpful guide in times of uncertainty, crisis or stagnation. Click here for reading options and pricing.

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Focusing the Mental Storm: Supermoon in Gemini 2016

Supermoon rising over Queen Valley in Joshua Tree National Park; photo by NPS/Brad Sutton [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Full Moon @ 22 Gemini 26'

December 13, 2016

4:05 PM Pacific

7:05 PM Eastern

There’s a lot going on with this final Full Moon of 2016. First off, it’s a Supermoon. That means that the Moon is at perigee and thus closer to the Earth than an average Full Moon. This closer proximity makes the Moon appear slightly larger; though visually, the difference isn’t really that drastic compared with other Full Moons. However, its closeness does appear to amplify emotional reactions for some people. It can rip the lid off of the unconscious, especially those who tend to suppress their feelings, resulting in spontaneous, psychic eruptions. Richard Noelle, the astrologer who coined the term “Supermoon”, also claims that there’s an increase in seismic activity or other natural events around Supermoons.
 
As fitting for the Gemini archetype, this month’s Supermoon is talking to a lot of planets via a series of aspects. Most significantly, the planet Saturn sits in opposition to the Moon and conjunct the Sun in Sagittarius. A Saturn/Moon opposition is not a comfortable thing. It can pit the sensitive inner life against the demands of the outer reality--generating an awkward and often difficult confrontation. With the Full Moon in Gemini, expect the surfacing of important information or an explosion of busyness to permeate the atmosphere. With Mercury, the ruler of Gemini currently in the shadow of its retrograde cycle (in Capricorn), you can also expect information that sheds light on the past, or the resurfacing of data that you might find useful for future endeavors.
 
This Full Moon brings to a head an important conversation, one that’s likely been going on for some time. Be alert to whatever is trying to get your attention. It could be quick, fleeting, and evasive. Saturn’s opposition can be a hindrance or incredibly helpful. Coming up against Saturn can feel frustrating at the moment. If you find yourself feeling trapped, without the possibility of direction or a clear path ahead, consider that there’s some work you must do to find your way forward. Keep your mind open to the input that’s coming at you, and try to sort it all out the best you can. It’s possible that this Full Moon stands as a prelude to future obstacles and setbacks in the weeks ahead. But don’t let that discourage you! See it as a challenge to discover new possibilities and directions.
 
The Full Moon also forms a grand trine between Jupiter in Libra and Mars in Aquarius conjunct the asteroid Athena. While Saturn’s presence focuses this Full Moon on long-range goals, limitations, and current restrictions, this air grand trine is quite stimulating, bringing with it a desire to share ideas, thoughts, and information--generating potential solutions. Uranus, which also makes a sextile to the Moon, is about to make its first opposition to Jupiter this month. While not a focal point of this lunation, the Jupiter/Uranus opposition is a collective and personal process of revolution, innovation, and creative or personal breakthrough. Try to remain receptive to alternative solutions or strategies when dealing with current obstacles. There’s a lot of information floating around that could help you break free of oppressive circumstances.
 
So, while there’s likely to be a lot of stimulation and incoming messages to process with this lunation, stay focused! With such a barrage of data, it’s easy to get sidetracked or distracted. The Gemini archetype impulses us to catch things in our environment that we would normally miss. That’s certainly a good thing, but Saturn’s opposition in Sagittarius places some pressure to remain focused on a specific objective. That’s the challenge with this Supermoon: to remain open minded enough to take in new information without getting lost in it. As this rising tide of mental energy builds, keep your eye on the prize. A new perspective is waiting for you to discover and integrate in some practical and purposeful way.

You did not come to Earth without a guide. Evolutionary Astrology is a powerful tool for self-discovery and an exceptionally helpful guide in times of uncertainty, crisis or stagnation. Click here for reading options and pricing.

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Looking Ahead: What Astrology Reveals About Future History

A composite image of Earth; photo by NASA/ GSFC/ NOAA/ USGS, via Wikimedia Commons

Over the many years that I’ve studied astrology I’ve learned that life is an endless blending of cycles and waves of experience. Each day and every moment is a microcosm of the larger cycles that envelop the world. If you want to understand where we are collectively and where we’re going, take a look at the interactions between the planets Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, and some recent discoveries. They won’t fail to give you at least a weather forecast understanding. I don’t think that astrology can concretely predict the future, but it can provide a rough archetypal sketch that can be incredibly useful in discerning upcoming trends. 

We are currently reaching the end of the Uranus/Pluto square, the second peak of a cycle that began with the conjunction of Uranus and Pluto in the mid to late 1960’s. What happened then reached a crisis point from roughly 2012-2015. If we use a broader, ten-degree orb, the entire Uranus/Pluto square epoch encompasses the years 2007-2020. Richard Tarnas, a true authority on this topic, calls the peaks of the Uranus/Pluto cycle, “Epochs of Revolution”. As we saw throughout the 60’s, this period carried on the implementation of many progressive issues in the political arena. 

Two obvious highlights here in the United States: the first African American president and the national legalization of same-sex marriage. If we look back at the 60’s, the fight for civil rights for gays and blacks were at the forefront of the progressive movements at the time. These topics have gained considerable legitimacy and momentum during this period. The recent election (of 2016) is also a profound reflection of the “revolutionary spirit” of this cycle. Presidential candidates such as Donald Trump, Bernie Sanders, and Hillary Clinton all carried themes of breaking through the boundaries of tradition and creating upheaval in the status quo. 

Looking ahead, we see this process slowly diminishing and giving way to a drastic shift in the archetypal narrative in the next few years. The two major cycles to look out for are the upcoming Jupiter/Uranus opposition and the Saturn/Pluto conjunction. In particular, the Saturn/Pluto conjunction will likely correlate with a significant backlash against the liberal regime of President Barack Obama. While many people expected Hillary Clinton to become the first female President of the United States, Donald Trump gained victory, and because of that, there will be a definite shift of power to conservative republicans. 

The Uranus/Pluto cycle is a developmental process. The major breakthroughs that have happened during the square are stepping stones in a larger process that will fully peak at the opposition phase in the mid to late 2040’s. It’s possible, for instance, that the vision and movement catalyzed by Bernie Sanders, of creating a more democratic, socialist leaning American society will be more within reach at that time. We will also realize the full consequences of technologies that have developed throughout this cycle including the reality of mass surveillance revealed to the world by Edward Snowden (a major revolutionary figure of this period). 

It’s important to realize that what follows is only a rough sketch of significant, upcoming cycles. Every moment in history is unique because we must consider all cycles involved. To do that in an article would be impossible; to do so in a book would be exhausting. Also, as an evolutionary astrologer, I feel that human will and consciousness can elevate an archetypal complex to a higher level of expression. While it’s certainly much harder when we’re dealing with masses of people, it’s still possible that people can change, and that outcomes may not be so dire as they might initially suggest at first glance.

*The time frames listed represent the entirety of a particular era using 10 or 15 degree orbs between the planets involved. The exact contacts listed are not meant to predict anything on those dates, but are simply the peaks of the cycles discussed.  Often, the symbolism of a particular era becomes more evident at the latter phase of the time band. 

The Jupiter/Uranus/Eris Opposition

Day 14 of Occupy Wallstreet; photo by David Shankbone [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Oct. 2016-Sept. 2018
 
Exact contacts:
Dec 26, 2016
Mar 2, 2016
Sept 27, 2017
 

If you want to plan a creative breakthrough or revolution, do it under the peaks of the Jupiter and Uranus cycle. The last conjunction of Jupiter and Uranus occurred in the years 2010/2011 alongside the building Pluto/Uranus square. There was a lot more going on than just these two planets, but they definitely correlated with an amplification of this collective, revolutionary impulse. We saw uprisings all across the globe, including the Arab Spring uprisings throughout the Middle East and Occupy Wall Street in the U.S. 

The opposition phase of this cycle, which will hit its peak in late Dec 2016 through September 2017, will be the climax of what began around the 2010 time period. What might it look like? People across the world will be increasingly upset with oppression and restriction. Jupiter combined with Uranus wants to expand to new heights and horizons. Many visionaries, artists, and scientific geniuses will make breakthroughs in their fields delivering to us entirely new perceptions of reality and glimpses of what’s possible. But don’t expect to receive these gifts just now. New discoveries and creative works often take place during the cycle and reach the public at later phases.

What you will see is another intense wave of civil unrest and resistance to oppressive conditions in the form of marches, protests, and demonstrations across the world. There will be a collective mood that embraces a sense that new things are possible and infinite frontiers are within reach. Here in the United States, we’re likely to witness the empowerment of revolution and a sense that the status quo is actually changing. In some ways it might, but we must also realize that this archetypal current is easily co-opted by those in power to steer the masses in favor of their own agenda. 

Eris conjunct Uranus is a bit of a mystery since Eris is a recent discovery and we don’t know much about her yet. I do think that Eris, the trickster goddess of chaos and discord, will correlate with the release of unconscious forces within the collective psyche that will be frightening and difficult to fully comprehend. Her conjunction with Uranus is likely the beginning of a new revolutionary movement within the collective psyche that we will understand more fully in hindsight. I feel that Eris may be pointing to the limits of cultural imprinting, seeking to liberate and give voice to deeply repressed, primal impulses which exist in the collective unconscious, as many Trans-Neptunian objects symbolize. The next significant stage of the Jupiter and Uranus cycle, the conjunction, will peak on April 20, 2024. Expect the birth of another wave of revolution then.

 
Saturn/Pluto Conjunction

President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan pay their respects to the caskets of the 17 US victims of the 1983 attack on the United States Embassy in Beirut during the last conjunction of Saturn/Pluto. Image courtesy of the Reagan Library, via Wikimedia Commons.

Jan 2018-Dec 2021
 
Exact contacts:
Jan 12, 2020

Imagine the breakout of disease, the threat of atomic warfare, terrorism, fascism, intense economic contraction, or apocalyptic doom. You now have a good sense of the Saturn/Pluto cycle. That doesn’t mean all these things will actually happen, but their threatening presence often looms within the atmosphere under significant stages of this cycle. The conjunction and opposition phases often correlate with the rise of highly conservative regimes and the confrontation with their dark side. The last opposition took place from July 2001 through June 2002. You might note that Sept.11 fits right in that time band which paved the way for the invasion of Iraq. The last square between Saturn and Pluto occurred from late 2008 through 2010 and coincided with the Global Financial Crises. 
    
Major historical contacts between Saturn and Pluto are what astrologer/historian Richard Tarnas calls “Cycles of Crisis and Contraction.” If you want to understand the full history of this cycle fleshed out, read Tarnas’ book, Cosmos and Psyche. In it, we find correlations of this cycle with the rise and development of international terrorism, fascism, economic downturn, outbreaks of war and disease, and a lot of other unsettling things. This cycle, in particular, will occur in Capricorn and will touch the U.S. Pluto during its Pluto return. Pluto takes approximately 248 years to orbit the Sun. This is the first Pluto return since the birth of the United States. It will be a critical period where we must confront the shadow of America, and deeply reassess our true destiny as a nation.

It all looks rather ominous, but we’ve made it through plenty of other cycles and I’m sure we’ll make it through this one too. While this is likely to be an extremely challenging phase, especially here in the U.S., I’m hopeful that it will also bring to our awareness the need for more accountability, integrity, and ethics within our political structures. I’m hoping that along with the rise of the darker, shadowy elements of this nation there will be a systemic transformation of the establishment. This period has the potential to wake a lot of people up to dimensions of reality that have been deeply repressed, but that might only happen after incredible restrictions and challenges are placed on us for a period of time. 

If you’re hoping for a progressive government in the years ahead, I wouldn’t count on it. It may be another eight years before we see more liberal or progressive leaning politicians take the lead again. There is an element of fear and austerity within this cycle, so if you feel you should prepare for that, I’d suggest doing so. I’m not predicting anything specific, but historically, these are highly uncertain and difficult periods especially for the economy.  

I have an in-depth article on the Saturn/Pluto conjunction here.

Saturn/Neptune Conjunction

A view of Hurricane Katrina over Louisiana and Mississippi on August 29, 2005 during the beginning stages of the Saturn/Neptune opposition; image from the NASA Earth Observatory website, via Wikimedia Commons.

Mar 2024-Apr 2027

Exact contact: 
Feb 20, 2026

Saturn and Neptune symbolize two very different ends of a spectrum. Saturn represents concrete form and worldly manifestation, while Neptune symbolizes the transcendence of the world and the dissolving of boundaries. Imagine that Neptune symbolizes faith, belief, hope, and spiritual yearning, while Saturn symbolizes skepticism, cynicism, rationality, and an aspiration for orderly structure. When these two planets combine, they often correlate with historical periods that pit the rational against the irrational. Such has been the case during the most recent Saturn/Neptune square which peaked from 2015 through 2016 and made its last contact just two months before the 2016 U.S. election. The peaks of the Saturn/Neptune cycle can correlate with periods tainted by the sense of extreme divide and polarity between opposite points of view.

It can generate a sharp contrast between things like religion and science or Democrat and Republican. Saturn can impose a sense of limitation on Neptune, correlating with a collective mood of immense disappointment, loss of faith, or despair. Saturn/Neptune cycles can also correlate with the death and breakdown of a dream or ideal. Such was the case with the recent election; the incredible ideological divide within both parties such as Bernie Sanders versus Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump versus the rest of the Republican establishment. 

Neptune can have a dissolving effect on the very structures we rely upon. With Saturn square Neptune we witnessed the breakdown of the two-party system, a loss of faith in the democratic process, and a collective sense of hopelessness with the American Dream. Past cycles have also coincided with ending of wars (such as both World Wars, the Cold War, and Vietnam), correlating with a collective mood of exhaustion, sorrow, and mourning. However, there is also an opportunity during these times to build bridges between both worlds, between the faith-based and evidence-based. The Dalai Lama, a spiritual leader who truly exemplifies the high end of this ideal was born under an opposition of Saturn and Neptune.

While these periods often correlate with periods of prodigious uncertainty, confusion, and collective disillusionment, they also help to provide awareness of certain blind-spots within our political, economic, spiritual, and scientific establishments. They are opportunities to reach beyond the boundaries which divide us to ultimately reveal the underlying commonality between us all. During these cycles, it’s important to distance yourself from any extreme view or party. The truth is likely between the dividing poles. This upcoming conjunction in 2026 occurs on the Aries Point, the first degree of the tropical sign of Aries. This cycle is likely to be incredibly significant for the entire world. Aries, the sign of the warrior will give this Saturn/Neptune alignment a thrust of power that has the potential to shake up the globe. 

You did not come to Earth without a guide. Evolutionary Astrology is a powerful tool for self-discovery and an exceptionally helpful guide in times of uncertainty, crisis or stagnation. Click here for reading options and pricing.

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Narrowing the Infinite: New Moon in Sagittarius 2016

New Moon @ 07 degrees Sagittarius 47'

November 29, 2016

5:18 AM Pacific

8:15 AM Eastern

November comes to an end alongside a New Moon in tropical Sagittarius. Saturn is currently moving through Sagittarius and widely conjoins this lunation. The sign of Sagittarius is a mutable, fire sign, ruled by the planet Jupiter which currently squares Pluto in Capricorn. The New Moon also makes a square with Neptune and the south node of the Moon. What is surfacing now may largely deal with your beliefs and the facts (or lack thereof) you have to support them. The asteroid Juno, also conjunct the New Moon, emphasizes the commitment required to sustain faith in a worldview.
 
The high-end of Sagittarius is not a rigid attachment to a belief, but rather an openness to contextual ways of thinking about or perceiving the world. Naturally, spiritual faith or religion fits into the Sagittarian archetype. Evolution demands that life changes in accordance with a changing environment. It also demands that organisms try new possibilities when old pathways no longer ensure success or survival. Saturn’s transit through Sagittarius serves to actually limit possibilities for the sake of finding more authentic pathways. It also asks that we question those beliefs that we’ve outgrown and that no longer serve us.

As the Sun and Moon conjoin in Sagittarius, it invites you to begin a process of exploring the possibilities that are available to you after a realistic assessment of their validity. This doesn’t mean throwing away all caution and taking a leap of faith, which you may be impulsed to do now. While Sagittarius naturally desires movement toward the infinite, instead focus on more sustainable beliefs and perceptions that have withstood scrutiny and challenge. Neptune’s station on the south node this month has generated a lot of collective hype and confusion. Beneath it, there is an opportunity to receive inspiration and authentic, numinous guidance.
 
The challenge with this New Moon is to distance yourself enough from the collective fog to see clearly into the epicenter of the what’s going on. What are you really devoted to now, when you cut away the superfluous? The challenge ignited by this New Moon is getting clear about that, and uncovering the passion, drive, and motivation to make your beliefs somehow work in the real world--to serve some concrete, valuable purpose for the benefit of others. At the moment, it’s not about being right; it’s about being relevant and useful. There may be a lot of directions to go, but this New Moon asks that you find that single guiding light in the mist, and to direct your enthusiasm toward it. Authentically doing that will likely elevate your personal purpose to a higher cause.

You did not come to Earth without a guide. Evolutionary Astrology is a powerful tool for self-discovery and an exceptionally helpful guide in times of uncertainty, crisis or stagnation. Click here for reading options and pricing.

Life on the Threshold: Terence McKenna

By Entropath (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons

American ethnobotanist, psychonaut, and mystic, Terence McKenna, was known as the Timothy Leary of the 90’s and the intellectual voice of rave culture. Born on November 16, 1946 (in Hotchkiss, CO at 7:25 AM MST), McKenna had the Sun, Venus, and Jupiter in tropical Scorpio in the twelfth house along with a Scorpio Ascendant. The sign of Scorpio is associated with death and rebirth, occultism, psychology, and sexuality. Scorpio dominant individuals have come into this life to play on the edge of existence--to experience the full and raw intensity of life experience. 
 
There’s something about the Scorpio archetype that is incredibly drawn to anything taboo, edgy, or controversial. As a spiritual pathway, Scorpio’s highest potential is to sit with uncomfortable truths about reality and to dare to share those truths with the world in some way, no matter how much it might offend or displease the cultural status quo. Terrance had an early interest in psychology. He read Carl Jung’s Psychology and Alchemy at the age of ten. As a young boy, McKenna was an amateur fossil hunter and had a profound interest in the natural sciences.
 
In his later life, he was a vocal advocate for the responsible use of naturally occurring psychedelic substances (catalyzed by his experiences in the Colombian Amazon in the late 1960's). His lectures focused heavily on his relationship with psilocybin mushrooms, which he eventually claimed to be an advanced extraterrestrial intelligence seeking to communicate with higher evolved species throughout the cosmos. If that sounds too far out, it should. McKenna had a powerful cluster of planets in the twelfth house of his horoscope, a house we associate with experiences of transcendence or which facilitate communion with higher consciousness. In its shadow side, the combination of Scorpio and the twelfth house can push too far beyond the boundaries of reality, tending toward the extremes of escapism. 
 
To many, especially critics of his work, McKenna did just that. His ideas about reality and psychedelic substances, would to most people, appear far-fetched or just plain insane. But, if we look closely at McKenna’s chart, it appears that his life story was pretty clearly in alignment with his spiritual mission--to push the envelope of consciousness and life experience, to dance on the razor edge threshold of reality and the numinous. As someone who has heavily researched (and dabbled with) psychedelics, I can honestly say that I don’t believe these substances to be a form of escapism at all. 
 
I'll admit that I share with McKenna the idea that psychedelics open the mind to a potential we don’t normally have access to. In accord with the Scorpionic archetype, psychedelic substances certainly reveal the raw truth of reality which makes the ego incredibly uncomfortable. It is their nature to momentarily disparage the ego’s grip on an individual’s conscious state, thus showcasing the mind from the perspective of an objective observer. Terence lectured heavily on the nature of the psychedelic experience and its impact on human evolution. He authored several books, including Food of the Gods, True Hallucinations, The Archaic Revival, and The Magic Mushroom Grower’s Guide, which he co-authored with his brother, Dennis McKenna. 
 
McKenna died of an aggressive brain cancer in April of 2000 at the age of 54. Perhaps, in some way, at least metaphysically, McKenna pushed too far. Or, perhaps, it was a part of his destiny to do so. Before his death, Terence in true Scorpionic/twelfth house fashion, had this to say about facing the reality of dying, "I always thought death would come on the freeway in a few horrifying moments, so you'd have no time to sort it out. Having months and months to look at it and think about it and talk to people and hear what they have to say, it's a kind of blessing. It's certainly an opportunity to grow up and get a grip and sort it all out. Just being told by an unsmiling guy in a white coat that you're going to be dead in four months definitely turns on the lights. ... It makes life rich and poignant. When it first happened, and I got these diagnoses, I could see the light of eternity, a la William Blake, shining through every leaf. I mean, a bug walking across the ground moved me to tears."

Happy solar return, Terence!

You did not come to Earth without a guide. Evolutionary Astrology is a powerful tool for self-discovery and an exceptionally helpful guide in times of uncertainty, crisis or stagnation. Click here for reading options and pricing.

Be Gentle With Yourself: Full Moon in Taurus 2016

Image by Chad Woodward

Full @ 22 Taurus 37'

November 14, 2016

5:52 AM Pacific

8:52 AM Eastern

This month’s Full Moon occurs in the tropical sign of Taurus. It’s also a Supermoon, which means that the Full Moon is closer to the Earth, at its perigee, and will appear slightly larger and brighter than usual (about 7 percent larger than an average Full Moon). In fact, this is the closest Full Moon since 1948. A Full Moon won’t be this close to Earth until 2034. Some astrologers feel that Supermoons are more powerful and significant. Emotional sensitivity may be more pronounced. The size increase does make the Moon a little more striking to look at, especially if you catch it at Moonrise (just after Sunset) or Moonset (just before Sunrise the following morning) in relation to objects on the horizon (mountains, hills, buildings, etc.).

In the sign of Taurus, this Full Moon emphasizes the physical body, the natural world, and the cultivation of inner stillness. Utilize this lunar climax as a moment to ground yourself and find your center. With the election now over here in the United States, the collective energy could use a moment to calm down. The Moon is exalted in Taurus, which means it has more ease of expression. As a symbol of nurturance, safety, and comfort, the Moon generates a notable desire to attend to our needs, especially physical ones while in Taurus. You may find a slight heightening of your senses and an increased interest in good food, music, sensual pleasure, and natural surroundings.

While a Full Moon is usually a time of increased energy, Taurus isn’t a sign that stimulates interest in much activity. A good hike or walk in a park may be all that you need to expend excess energy. Be gentle with yourself. Take a breather. With the Sun in Scorpio conjunct the dark Moon Lilith, it is a good time to feel deeper into yourself and the situations in your life. To really take advantage of this, use this Full Moon moment to quiet your mind and get in touch with your primal self--that part of you that is often dampened down by society and modern culture. We must surrender our inner animal and abandon ourselves to receive full cultural imprinting, which leaves some part of ourselves neglected and caged.

With this calming Full Moon in Taurus, it’s a good time to let that wild part of yourself out for a bit. In fact, feel safe in the notion that you can surrender to your senses and desires without them causing much harm. Uranus, Eris, and Ceres quincunx the Sun and Lilith may create some hesitation in relation to fully tearing through any barriers in the moment, but that works well for the Moon and Taurus. Consider where you need to release any repressed parts of yourself in a gentle way that won’t incite too much upset, but don’t neglect or ignore whatever comes up for you. If you can find some space to relax and simply be yourself, you’ll come closer to your wholeness, inner animal and all.

You did not come to Earth without a guide. Evolutionary Astrology is a powerful tool for self-discovery and an exceptionally helpful guide in times of uncertainty, crisis or stagnation. Click here for reading options and pricing.

A Path to Wholeness

Image by Chad Woodward

We’re inching closer to election day (I’m sure you’ve heard about it). Politics isn’t a big interest of mine. I take part in the democratic process, but with this cycle, in particular, I’ve chosen to keep some distance from what’s happening. That doesn’t mean that I’m not aware of or engaged with what’s going on (I stay up to date with email newsfeeds). It means that I don’t allow what’s happening to affect me personally. I don’t identify with a party, candidate, or even a race, class, or national identity. 

Who I am is a deeply intimate and spiritual thing. No one can speak for me and my unique perception of the world, certainly not some talking head with a potential personality disorder. Something that I find a bit unsettling is how much the political process can affect us psychologically and emotionally. The media inundates us with this constant message that I feel is entirely untrue, “the world is broken”. And if you identify with the world, then by extension, you’re broken too. When we’re talking about the “world”, what are we actually referring to?

There’s the literal, natural world, which has been here a really long time, doing it’s thing and seems to be doing alright for itself. Then there’s the “human world” or society, which also seems to be doing pretty well for itself (our population is rapidly increasing along with improved quality of life). Are there problems in the world? Yes, of course. I could count quite a lot of them. Is the environment being harmed by humanity’s hubris? Yes, in many places and countless ways it certainly is. I’m not one to bury my head in the sand. I’m not advocating denial here. But, is there a place in this universe without problems or harm? I don’t know of one, at least not in this density. My point here is that the media creates (yes, even the alternative media) an idea which they attempt to market to you daily. 

Marketing is how they spread their message which keeps you hooked on what they’re selling you. And what are they trying to sell you? They’re trying to sell you an idea, image or perception of reality that fits their agenda. For the most part, the message is something along the lines of this: the world is broken and you’re broken too. The agenda is to offer you a prepackaged solution which will fix the world and by extension fix you. But what if there’s nothing broken at all? What if the world, where it is now in its evolutionary process, is a perfect reflection of what it needs to be at this moment? What if you, in this very moment, are also a perfect reflection of what you need to be?

Then, there’s nothing to fix and certainly no candidate to redeem us from our defectiveness. It seems to me that when people get worked up over politics, it's a reflection of repression within themselves (I am largely drawing from some of Wilhelm Reich’s ideas here). Whatever we’re upset about isn’t what we’re actually fighting over, in other words. The candidate that becomes the target of our anger is merely a symbol of something within ourselves that we’re really angry about. Maybe it's repressed sexuality, trauma or childhood abuse. It could be a whole mess or combination of things. But the reason I think that the candidate ultimately fails us (as the redeemer or as the enemy) is because they always fail to resolve the root problem. 

The root problem is an inner problem (often encapsulated in existential angst or spiritual longing). Our vulnerability, as human beings to get caught up in collective movements which offer us an identity, is because we crave connection and inclusion. It’s how we’re wired, and when that is denied to us, or we unconsciously avoid it because of past experiences which somehow taught us that human connection leads to pain or abuse, we seek it out in other external forms. There is also a natural longing within the human being that seeks something larger than itself to find meaning for its pain--a concept of God, Goddess or the Universe.

We each have an unconscious longing for experiences that provide a sense of self-transcendence. What better way to transcend yourself than to dissolve into a collective movement. The movement provides a surrogate feeling of connectivity while also offering a sense of purpose, direction or meaning. But ultimately, in the end, when it’s all said and done, I think we always come back to the inner problem unresolved. There’s always another election (another redeemer, devil and its denizens) around the corner, or another external crisis to focus on. But maybe it’s possible that we’re engaging in something which doesn’t ever fix anything, but rather serves as an eventful distraction which ultimately keeps us from what we’re really in pursuit of (we could argue this process reflects a kind of insanity).

And what is that? On the emotional and physiological level, that’s merely the desire to be what we are, human. I think the modern world has complicated that for ourselves in a lot of ways. On a metaphysical level, we’re seeking wholeness. I think that’s what everything in the universe really wants. You might fight against it at times, or do seemingly everything you can to deny it for yourself because you feel undeserving (the culture certainly sends a lot of messages about you not being good enough). But wholeness is the bottom line. The only way toward wholeness is to allow it to happen. You can’t fight for it and you certainly can’t fix things until they’re whole. 

Wholeness happens because it’s actually all that is happening. That’s a big concept, but it’s also quite simple. You are whole. It’s all a matter of allowing wholeness to happen, to allow yourself the freedom to be what you are. So, what about what’s happening on the world stage? Maybe it’s a part of a larger process of becoming whole. I’m choosing to trust that, no matter what the media or my Facebook feed is telling me. I am whole. I am good enough and the world isn’t broken; it’s seeking wholeness. So, maybe, instead of getting swept up in the political storm (which takes up a lot of energy), get swept up in your own inner drama and do something with it. You see, the inner problem isn’t actually a problem at all. It’s just that part of your wholeness you’re not ready to accept, and there is a gift there. That gift is what the world really wants and needs. 

You did not come to Earth without a guide. Evolutionary Astrology is a powerful tool for self-discovery and an exceptionally helpful guide in times of uncertainty, crisis or stagnation. Click here for reading options and pricing.

Dive in but Don't Drown: Neptune conjunct South Node

The planet Neptune is stationing direct this month. It will be at a standstill at 9 degrees of tropical Pisces on the Moon’s south node. If you think things have been weird lately, confusing, or just hard to pin down, it’s in the air. The world (and current events) may take on a preternatural glow. Neptune has a powerful influence on the collective psyche. When prominent such as now, Neptune empowers massive groups of individuals brought together by a common cause, ideology or belief. 

The Moon’s south node tends to emphasize the shadow side which can lead many into the trap of projecting an inner crisis onto external symbols, unconsciously hoping for a resolution that will never be found in the outer world. It can also greatly stoke strong desires for escapism and avoidance of reality. Utilize this powerful portal as a time to connect inwardly to find your connection to God/Goddess/Universe within. From there, you’ll discover a pool of inspiration, imagination, and spiritual insight which you can utilize to bring to the service of others in some practical way. 

This powerful Neptunian focal point may enhance your dream life or create a longing for higher, ecstatic states of consciousness. Many may be starving now for some savior to deliver them from their inner hell. But remember, the true savior is in you. No one can save you from the inner work you must eventually do yourself. The outer demons are reflections of our own repressed desires, fears, and hatred. Dive in but don’t drown! As difficult as it might be, don’t get pulled out to sea. Stay close to shore and learn how to engage with life more consciously.

You did not come to Earth without a guide. Evolutionary Astrology is a powerful tool for self-discovery and an exceptionally helpful guide in times of uncertainty, crisis or stagnation. Click here for reading options and pricing.

Honest Assesment: New Moon in Scorpio 2016

Image by Chad Woodward

New Moon @ 7 degrees Scorpio 44'

October 30, 2016

10:38 AM Pacific

1:38 PM Eastern

October's New Moon in tropical Scorpio highlights a time to go deeper within yourself and with those you are connected to. During any New Moon, we are consolidating our energy, turning inward, and recharging ourselves for the new lunar cycle ahead. Notice what emerges around you now. This New Moon is likely to reveal to you insights about life and yourself you may have been unconscious of or weren’t ready to face. The sign of Scorpio deals with uncomfortable truths and favors blunt honesty.
 
With Mercury’s conjunction to the New Moon, use this time to explore subjugated topics--sex, death, occultism, psychology. Take conversations to a new level of depth and meaning. Look around for opportunities to bond, make eye contact, and to say what you’ve been afraid to say. New seeds are being planted for the honest assessment of yourself, your relationships, and more truthful communication. Often, we move through our social interactions behind a superficial veneer.
 
That works well to establish connections, rapport, and social cohesion, but too much politeness deprives us of expressing who we truly are. As the Sun and Moon conjoin in Scorpio, expect that veneer to disappear, exposing us to the raw dimensions of others, ourselves, and the world around us. With Venus and Saturn conjunct in Sagittarius, consider how new or established relationships take on a tone of seriousness, tending toward the assessment or possibility of commitment. Saturn conjunct Venus is stirring up our ideals about partnership, favoring a more sober and realistic assessment of what’s possible (and what supports further growth and maturity).
 
Combined with this Scorpio lunation conjunct Mercury, this might be a time to openly discuss what you really want from yourself and others. Don’t settle for small talk or superficial exchange. This is the season to take things further, maybe even take a risk to fully express yourself to another person you trust. The New Moon makes a trine to Neptune in Pisces. Expect certain topics of exploration or conversations to lead toward an expansion of consciousness or an opportunity to glimpse spiritual insights. If you get anything from this New Moon, keep your mind and heart open to a reality you’ve been avoiding. It has the power to greatly alter your perception, leaving you more insightful and aware of what’s possible.

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You did not come to Earth without a guide. Evolutionary Astrology is a powerful tool for self-discovery and an exceptionally helpful guide in times of uncertainty, crisis or stagnation. Click here for reading options and pricing.

Full Moon in Aries 2016: Feed The Inner Fire

“The price of sanity in today’s society is a certain level of alienation.”
-Terence McKenna
 
Social rejection is such a painful thing that we crave inclusion and tend to do what we must to retain it. That means we’re susceptible to believing some dangerous things and correspondingly adjusting our lives around those beliefs. The planet Uranus, aligning with this Full Moon, asks that you scrutinize where you have compromised yourself for the sake of keeping everyone else happy or fitting in. In the days surrounding this Full Moon, keep a look out for the collective process of intense individuation that may get stirred up. Be mindful of this in yourself, as well as the potential hostility from others attempting to break themselves free.
 
This month’s Full Moon occurs in the tropical sign of Aries and aligns with both the planet Uranus and the dwarf planet Eris. As the lunar cycle culminates, it correlates with a dynamic breaking point in the collective psyche. That may show up in the culmination of several circumstances in your personal life. The combination of Uranus and Eris in the sign of Aries might create powerful momentum and a desire for decisive action. However, opposing the Full Moon is the Sun in Libra, which alludes to the validity of alternative points of view of which you may be also considering.
 
With the Sun in Libra, there is the necessity of compromise; you may have to contend more with the will and needs of others. The planet Uranus always highlights the need for authenticity. Consider whether your current direction is congruent with who you really are. There is likely to be a focus on independence and autonomy, which may result in breaking free from what limits your full self-expression. Be cautious with this energy, however. Eris and Uranus in Aries can be volatile, hostile, rebellious and unpredictable. If you’ve been repressing your feelings about certain matters in your life, expect this Full Moon to pull them out.
 
The conjunction between Eris and Uranus is reflected all around us in current events. Not much is fully known about Eris astrologically since its discovery in 2005. But when its existence was confirmed, it completely altered the solar system from the astronomical point of view. Eris may have a trickster quality, correlating with massive upheaval within established structures. Uranus, the rebel, and outlaw of the planetary pantheon will likely amplify this tendency. Aries, the first sign of the zodiac, correlates with the sense of new beginnings. While a Full Moon is not technically a new start, it may feel that way.

Mars is currently approaching a conjunction with Pluto in Capricorn which receives a square from Mercury. Now is the time to begin thinking and brainstorming about possible strategies and plans of action. That will require facing up to reality honestly and soberly. Mars and Pluto can help you to think carefully about your future survival. With this lunation, it’s likely that you’ll find yourself fed up with something in your life, perhaps an old approach has become stale and prosaic. Use this high-energy Full Moon to make some fresh changes. Free yourself from any shackles you feel are binding you, and connect with who you really are, and who or what truly feeds that and keeps it alive.

Reaching Out From Within: New Moon in Libra 2016

Two statues representing two communities in Derry, Northern Ireland; photo by Kenneth Allen.

New Moon @ 8 degrees Libra 15'
September 30, 2016
5:11 PM Pacific
8:11 PM Eastern

Take a deep breath. You’ve made it to the New Moon in tropical Libra. Feel the inner peace that exists within you; connect with that potential state. Something holds the universe together. No matter what we endure, life seeks to achieve homeostasis. It’s really an amazing thing. Life always finds a way around things. Every obstacle, challenge, or blockage is just an accent along the pathway to wholeness. And each perceived limitation can always be worked with and incorporated somehow. Whatever flaws you might think you have can become your allies. They can be a beautiful piece of your wholeness.

This is what Libra ultimately teaches us. As the archetype of the artist or the lover, Libra seeks to create beauty from whatever it has to work with. As you settle into this New Moon, take a deep look at your life, and see the opportunities that exist allowing you to turn your challenges into a work of art. It might take the form of stabilizing a relationship, friendship, or professional partnership, or it might take the form of a literal creative endeavor. Whatever it is, this New Moon plants the seeds for increased stability and cooperation in some aspect of your life.

Mercury’s retrograde cycle is now over. Perhaps you’ve encountered some setbacks in the past few weeks. But it’s also possible that those setbacks served to gift you with a different perspective. I don’t think that Mercury retrogrades ever pass by without teaching us something, or helping us become more aware of the universe we are enmeshed within. The final eclipse season of this year is also over, and it has likely left you a bit altered, perhaps it has significantly rerouted your present course. Where do you go from here? This is a time when you may begin to get a better sense of that.

The planet Jupiter conjoins this New Moon. The God of expansion, abundance, and opportunity steps in to open new doorways. This New Moon is a time to make some choices and feeling sure ourselves to do that. In Libra, consider the possibility of receiving help from trusted allies, whoever or whatever they might be. Don’t feel like you have to step into the darkness all by yourself. The most powerful theme of this lunation is a spotlight on the human need for companionship and support. It’s our nature, as social creatures, to reach out and support others on their journey.

How can you reach out? And what do you need for yourself? You may find that the best use of your time right now would be to see who needs help and to equally see where you could benefit from support as well. Again, don’t step into this darkness alone. This powerful New Moon amplifies our social instincts. If you’re open to that, you’ll find that new ways to connect and bond will emerge all around you. While it might not be clear where these connections will ultimately lead, this is a potent starting point. Also, consider Jupiter’s innate ability to bring about restlessness and the need for new experience. It will likely catalyze action to help you move beyond those attachments that hold you back, and to embrace those that can help you step forward.

The New Moon makes a sextile to Saturn, which makes it easier to work with current life challenges. You might find that, at the moment, the heaviness of recent obstacles are lifted. Neptune also makes a quincunx with the New Moon. What is emerging now does not appear with crystalline clarity, but it’s probably enough to entice you to keep going with whatever you’ve been struggling with. Neptune reminds you that you’ll never have it all figured out anyway, so stop pretending you ever will. Trust in the great mystery, and along the way, grab the helping hand that is offered to you (be discerning, of course). Life might still be confusing, but at least you can grapple with that confusion in good company.

You did not come to Earth without a guide. Evolutionary Astrology is a powerful tool for self-discovery and an exceptionally helpful guide in times of uncertainty, crisis or stagnation. Click here for reading options and pricing.

Bare Attention: Penumbral Lunar Eclipse in Pisces 2016

Great bronze statue of Amida Buddha at Kotokuin Temple in Kamakura; photo by Fg2 via Wikimedia Commons.

Full Moon/Penumbral Eclipse @ 24 Pisces 20'

September 16, 2016

12:05 PM Pacific

3:05 PM Eastern

September’s Full Moon is a penumbral lunar eclipse in the tropical sign of Pisces. As with all Full Moons, you may notice things coming into clearer focus now. Whatever you have put into motion two weeks prior, will begin to manifest, culminate, or reach a breaking point. The lunar eclipse will often amplify this process. In the sign of Pisces, the Full Moon/eclipse points to the power of your perception and the quality of your conscious state. As the final sign of the zodiac, Pisces embodies the truth that what we experience throughout life is always filtered through our own biases, judgements, or quality of awareness.

 In a conjunction with Chiron, the Full Moon/eclipse can also bring to your attention deeply buried wounds related to feelings of disconnectedness from life, God/Goddess, or the universe as a whole. The opposition of the Moon/Chiron and the Sun create a t-square with Mars in Sagittarius. The tension of this Full Moon may feel uncomfortable. It may ignite a subtle crisis of meaning as it illuminates an existential void that exists within each of us, but contained within this Full Moon/eclipse is the potential for much healing and resolution.

How you choose to respond to this Full Moon energy is the key. Pisces’ deeper, esoteric truth is that the outer world doesn’t actually exist as we experience it. What we see is only a perception of the universe, not what it actually is. The vast majority of spiritual teachings suggest this. While ultimately that’s probably true, experientially, life is pretty damn convincing. Subjectively, the world appears to be real, and we’re kind of stuck with that for a while. So, what do we do with such a realization? We could yield to nihilism and write  life off as meaningless, or we could use such insight to engage with life in a more conscious and meaningful way.

The choice is always ours. And whichever choice we make will be reflected in our perception of what happens to us. The centaur asteroid Chiron, aligned with this Full Moon/eclipse gives you an opportunity to change your perception and squaring Mars, it amplifies the need to actively engage in that process. The best way to resolve this Full Moon/eclipse is through the practice of mindfulness. As we move throughout life, things happen to us and we have reactions. From our perspective, our reaction is actually all that we experience.

Chiron’s message is that pain is an inevitable part of being human. Our reaction to pain can lead to suffering or it can serve as a catalyst for change in our lives. Consider what is presented to you at this Full Moon/eclipse with mindfulness. Instead of reacting as you normally would, see that it’s possible to notice your feelings without identifying with them. 

Use this final eclipse portal of the year as an opportunity to shift your view, maybe even your attitude towards some difficult things in life. You may realize that while difficulty and pain are sometimes inevitable, your response actually lies in your hands. In other words, we can’t control life, but we can control how we see life and how much we allow it to dictate our choices. As Buddha so wisely stated, “Your worst enemy cannot hurt you as much as your own thoughts, if you have not mastered them.”

You did not come to Earth without a guide. Evolutionary Astrology is a powerful tool for self-discovery and an exceptionally helpful guide in times of uncertainty, crisis or stagnation. Click here for reading options and pricing.

New Possibilities: Annular Solar Eclipse in Virgo 2016

By Gummigoof [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Annular Solar Eclipse/New Moon @ 9 Virgo 21'

September 1, 2016

2:03 AM Pacific

5:03 AM Eastern

September begins with a dynamic, annular solar eclipse in the tropical sign of Virgo. Two weeks later, we will pass through a penumbral lunar eclipse in Pisces. Eclipse season is underway, and it happens to coincide with the onset of Mercury’s retrograde cycle through Virgo until Sept. 21/22. Eclipses are mysterious events and hard to fully understand. It’s as if they correlate with changes that occur on some other dimension that  we only experience emotionally or psychically. The days (and sometimes weeks) surrounding the eclipse can generate a field of emotionally charged energy. 

Eclipses are moments of accelerated change and notable shifts in perspective. They allow us to glimpse deeper into reality, beyond surface appearances. A solar eclipse occurs during a New Moon and can often correlate with feelings of deep uncertainty or a subtle crisis that’s hard to make sense of rationally. It’s a time to step back and observe more deeply what’s happening within you without needing to act drastically or impulsively. As you get closer to the eclipse, try to remain grounded, conscious, and centered within yourself. If possible, use the eclipse day to take it easy and allow yourself time to recharge. 

This final solar eclipse of 2016 creates a powerful t-square with Neptune and the Saturn/Mars conjunction. This will likely generate immense internal tension, especially for those of us with placements in Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces. The Saturn/Mars conjunction suggests having a task or mission for which you can focus your attention. Having a point of concentration with something you’re attempting to accomplish will help to relieve confusion, distraction, or escapist tendencies.

Mercury retrograde, the ruler of this eclipse, invites you to slow down and take your time when considering your options at the moment. Accept that not all the information you need is available yet. And due to its backward movement, may bring situations from the past into conscious view. It’s important to consider that this eclipse is a time to increase your awareness of opportunities you may not have been fully conscious of. These opportunities may assist you greatly in reorganizing your life and getting yourself back on track. 

The sign of Virgo relates to the path of self-improvement and the impulse to contribute to the human community through practical service. You may glimpse new ways to improve your overall health through a modification of  your current routine. You may also realize ways of improving a work or job-related situation. With this eclipse, the practical and imaginal must find some way to compromise. Dealing with the Saturn/Mars conjunction can feel like coming up against the resistance of reality’s harsh limitations. But Neptune in Pisces suggests that contained within those limitations is a clear view to a new vision. 

Consider this eclipse passageway as a point of transition into a new landscape. If you work consciously with it, you’ll find it easier to accept reality the way that it is without losing hope or your ability to dream of new possibilities for your life. If the eclipse presents you with a crisis, trust that it will resolve itself in the following days or weeks. Remember, an eclipse tends to amplify unconscious contents. What is emerging is not so much concerned with the ego’s comfort. The psychic instability of the eclipse is a reminder that ultimately the unconscious underwrites the life events we actually experience in our waking life. As unsettling as that realization can be, it’s also liberating to know that we don’t always need to fix things; often, life has a way of coming to its own resolutions if we get out of the way. 

Mars Conjunct Saturn: How Far Will You Take It?

By Sonoradocent (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Over the next several days, the planets Mars and Saturn will make a conjunction in the tropical zodiac sign of Sagittarius (exact on Aug. 24). You can see this in the sky after the Sun has descended. Looking westward after sunset, you will first notice Mars and the supergiant, binary star Antares (known as the heart of the Scorpion). Both objects have a distinctly reddish hue. In fact, the name Antares derives from a Greek title which meant “equal to Ares” or “equal to Mars”. While Antares rivals Mars in its brightness, you will glimpse its distinctive, effervescent twinkle; its light reaches us from a distance of 550 light years. 

Mars, however, has a steady glow and will appear directly to the right of Antares. And just above and to the right of these two red, luminous objects, you will find Saturn, much fainter but just as steady in its brightness as Mars. Mars, Saturn, and Antares will be slowly descending behind the Sun as they come into alignment. And how might this event show up in your life? As with anything astrological, the possibilities are vast. But Mars, Saturn, and Sagittarius represent a specific archetypal field, one that will be quite distinctive. 

Mars is the archetypal warrior--but deeper, it represents the archetypal field governing primal desire, getting what we want from life, fighting for our right to what we want and our right to life. Mars symbolizes the “fight or flight” response ubiquitous to any sentient being with the ability to run or defend itself. And also, Mars is the sex instinct. It’s deep, red color evokes passion and primal thirst--craving, wanting, desiring. It is an archetype that is reactive and impulsive; it doesn’t think things through. 

Mars is also out of bounds (through the end of Oct.), beyond the Sun’s highest declination in the sky. While Mars is inherently autonomous from the ego (if you’ve acquainted yourself with your sexual instincts you know what I’m talking about), it is even more so when out of bounds. So, while you may notice your inner Mars on overdrive lately (creating a deeper awareness of addictive tendencies, violence, hostility, or rage), it presents a unique opportunity to rise above these destructive qualities. Why? Because Mars out of bounds is a time to detach our primal instincts from ego-driven motivations. 

We might say, it’s an opportunity to channel our Mars-like passion toward something above and beyond what we’re used to. It gives us a chance to gain objective insight into these “lower” manifestations of Mars, allowing us to gain perspective about a deeper purpose they could be utilized to achieve. And along comes Saturn, the archetypal task-master. Saturn is the God of time, it represents the archetypal field dealing with discipline, focus, hard work, structure, and great works. Saturn is restrictive and presents us with obstacles, challenges, limitations, and the harsh lessons of reality. 

If Mars is about impulsive action, Saturn is the braking mechanism. In the brain, Saturn has a resonance with the prefrontal cortex which deals with impulse control, and interestingly, this brain region isn’t fully matured until we’re in our late twenties, after a full cycle of Saturn around the horoscope (the infamous Saturn return). So, if you find yourself coming up against a wall, presented as a limitation, rethink your strategy or realize that you need one. If your impulsive behaviors have been on autopilot lately, it might be time to reel yourself in and channel your enthusiasm toward productive activities that require discipline, focus, and long-term planning. The combination of these two archetypes is difficult to integrate. Mars wants the freedom to explore all of the possibilities it desires, but Saturn says, “No! Make a choice and commit to something”. 

Saturn can present Mars with some harsh realizations about reality, but can also assist this archetype in uncovering its ability to focus its passion toward more rewarding and long-lasting achievements. How will you focus your passion over the next several days? You may already be considering it. Conversely, Mars can temper Saturn’s overt, practical focus by adding some adventure and life force back into the current narrative. If you have been under the dark spell of Saturn, ready to give up, losing the will to move forward, depressed, over-burdened by some overwhelming limitations, Mars can help by rejuvenating your passion or willingness engage with life.

Both Mars and Saturn are square to Neptune, too. Those things that are failing or collapsing may be giving way to new visions and the awareness of deeper realities more aligned with your spiritual purpose. This brief window in time also offers a deeper glimpse into our delusions and self-deceptions. If you strive to remain realistic without losing the will to live, this configuration will give you access to a new way of relating with those things you never thought could work together. Take advantage of this launching pad; it will assist you in carrying out your ideals in the real world. Remember that a reservoir of strength and courage lies deep within you. It’s more available to you now than ever. How far will you take it? 

You did not come to Earth without a guide. Evolutionary Astrology is a powerful tool for self-discovery and an exceptionally helpful guide in times of uncertainty, crisis or stagnation. Click here for reading options and pricing.

A Focused Passion: "Lunar Eclipse" in Aquarius 2016

The Third Eye by Irina Belova; oil on canvas, 2009.

Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse

August 18, 2016

2:26 AM Pacific

5:26 AM Eastern

August’s Full Moon is technically a lunar eclipse, but not a notable one. The Earth’s shadow will just barely graze the face of the Full Moon. However, it paves the way for two eclipses which will occur in the month of Sept. (an annular eclipse on Sept. 1 and a penumbral eclipse Sept. 16). The eclipse passageway, which will become noticeable towards the end of the month and into Sept., can mark a subtle or profound shift of perspective revealing the presence of things beyond the visible reality. This process will be greatly enhanced by Mercury’s retrograde cycle (from Aug 30 to Sept. 21/22).
 
This Aquarian Full Moon, while not a powerful eclipse, occurs alongside the building conjunction of Mars and Saturn in the tropical sign of Sagittarius. Exact on August 24, this conjunction is an opportunity to focus your attention and stamina toward productive endeavors in your life. In Sagittarius, that may manifest as a yearning to channel your desires in the direction of a greater purpose or mission. If you find yourself completely off track, Mars and Saturn can help to get you back into alignment. But these two archetypes are not often friendly in their interaction. If you’re not prepared, they will gift you with a classic kick in the ass.
 
This is especially true for those with significant placements in Sagittarius or Gemini (such as the Sun, Moon or Ascendent), and perhaps placing considerable pressure on those with placements in Virgo or Pisces. The sign of Aquarius is traditionally associated with Saturn. This Full Moon symbolizes a breaking point in collective and personal awareness, gifting us with a moment of sharp focus and much-needed objectivity. The Saturn end of Aquarius relates to reality testing via the necessity of social collaboration. It’s a moment to gain clarity about how your efforts fit into the boundaries of society. It may equally shed light on how you may have alienated yourself from the social structure.
 
In the modern world, Aquarius is associated with Uranus, the planet of revolution, genius, rebellion and a fierce commitment to individuation. Aquarius is a sign wrought with intense inner tension created by the dualistic desires of cooperation and the need to break the rules. Uranus makes a sextile to the Full Moon while creating a trine with the Sun. It opens up pathways which allow for increased freedom and independence, but Mars and Saturn require discipline, strategy, and adherence to a structure. To acquire the freedom and self-sufficiency you may be seeking now will require awareness and respect of natural limitations.

Use the energy of this Full Moon to free yourself of crippling fear, anxiety, rage, or addiction. The Aquarian, Uranian, and Saturnian archetypes symbolize the potential within the psyche to transcend behaviors which prevent us from actualizing our higher, evolutionary potentials. Free-will may be the true gift of the gods and goddesses--something which makes humans unique within the animal kingdom. As the Full Moon culminates and wanes over the following week, notice what comes up for you and the choices that you have in regards to transmuting something destructive into a focused passion. Notice behaviors that drain your life force and how you can redirect your focus to activities which fill you with purpose, accomplishment and a deeper sense of meaning.

You did not come to Earth without a guide. Evolutionary Astrology is a powerful tool for self-discovery and an exceptionally helpful guide in times of uncertainty, crisis or stagnation. Click here for reading options and pricing.

Holding It Together: New Moon in Leo 2016

Dusty 'Sunrise' at core of galaxy; image by NASA/JPL-Caltech

New Moon @ 10 Leo 58'

Aug 2, 2016

1:44 PM Pacific

4:44 PM Eastern

August’s New Moon in tropical Leo might feel like a welcome relief from the tension and seriousness of recent, past lunations. Leo correlates with a strong desire to play and cultivate joy. The subjective nature of Leo relates to the shaping of a consciousness attuned to the demands of the immediate experience. But like any New Moon, this is a moment of inner attunement in light of the conscious anticipation of new potential. In other words, the collective energy is low and directed toward conservation but ready to expend energy in new expressions.
 
Leo’s extroverted nature extends this New Moon’s manifestation outwardly and its fiery element helps to vitalize and nourish willpower to renew any lost enthusiasm. Carrying the rulership of the Sun, Leo’s signature at the start of August can help you to revitalize and begin a process of recovering purpose, strength, presence, and gravitas. The Sun, the central star of our solar system, has a gravitational force that is rather demanding, to say the least. With the power of a star, this Leo New Moon carries tremendous force which you can use to build up confidence and sanity.
 
The past two lunations, involving contacts with Pluto (an object symbolic of archetypes antithetical to the Sun), can have the effect of dampening personal significance. Plutonian events can mitigate willpower as they dredge up an awareness of harsh realities beyond one’s control. That may have been a subtle or significant experience over the past month for you. In the awareness of the shadow, the ego can often feel frightened or overwhelmed in the face of such powerful inner truths. If you’ve felt that way recently, focus your attention on this lunation as a source of motivation and self-definition.
 
Saturn’s trine to the New Moon from Sagittarius promises that effort and hard work (begun now or from past efforts) will accelerate progress toward certain goals and objectives. Saturn invites us to channel this building enthusiasm in directions that have practical applicability and that can help us grow in new directions. This fits well with Saturn turning stationary direct on Aug 13, which will bring to an end a period of consolidation and adjustment of priorities. Uranus in Aries, though far from a close trine, aids the building energy through the formation of a loose grand trine.
 
This is enough to help you to get excited about something, to breathe new life and energy into things that have been neglected or stagnant. Fire energy creates the impetus and motivation to continue moving forward, to keep thriving in the face of adversity. Two quincunx aspects to the New Moon from both Neptune and Pluto also amplify a sense of purpose and direction. To get to where you want to go now may require some seemingly awkward adjustments, and it may not come easily, but there is some magic with this New Moon that can help you find the stamina or determination that you need.

New life is being put into motion at this lunar beginning. Never underestimate the life force--the will to live. It moves through us biologically as well as spiritually. Whether you’re conscious of it or not, it moves far beyond your body, shaping the experiences throughout your daily life. If you desire something, know that the life force will see to it that you have the opportunity to attain it. With this Leo New Moon, perhaps you simply need a reminder of the joy and playfulness that is an essential part of our human experience. And also, if you make the effort, you can find stability and purposeful direction in your life. Let loose and allow yourself a moment to shine in some way; trust that the Sun, the central star in the solar system, will hold things together (at least for a while).

You did not come to Earth without a guide. Evolutionary Astrology is a powerful tool for self-discovery and an exceptionally helpful guide in times of uncertainty, crisis or stagnation. Click here for reading options and pricing.

Health Beyond the Shadows: Full Moon in Capricorn 2016

Photo by Denise Womack-Avila via Flickr

Full Moon @ 27 Capricorn 40’
July 19, 2016
3:56 PM Pacific
6:56 PM Eastern

July’s Full Moon culminates in the tropical sign of Capricorn. In the distant shadows lurks Pluto, far away from a tight conjunction, but close enough to share the spotlight. Capricorn is a cardinal earth sign. Saturn, the ruler of Capricorn, favors action and initiation through sustained effort and concentration. Perhaps this Full Moon has you narrowing your gaze a bit. It symbolizes a brief window through which we can gain some clarity about our purpose or ultimate objectives. Practical matters and their efficient implications are a much higher priority right now.
 
A Full Moon, a time of increased energy and emerging awareness, often brings to our attention important information. With Pluto, that is crucial information we need to ensure our survival and that we have everything we need to make it through the challenges life often presents to us. The awareness needed to become more organized and to make your life more efficient is likely to be available now. Use this time to reflect and turn inward if needed. A brief period of soul searching around this Full Moon wouldn’t be a bad idea. The challenge with this lunation lies not only in the need to face reality with sobriety, but also the need to honor and stay true to yourself--your unique path and destiny.
 
The planet Uranus in Aries makes a square to this Full Moon--presenting a t-square between Pluto and the Sun in Cancer. The light of the Moon points to the emergence of realizations about life’s inherent limitations, but Uranus in Aries, and the Sun in Cancer suggest that you not lose sight of your heart and the power of your will to change what might seem like daunting circumstances. The forecast may appear grim on the surface, but it can always change. Your attitude and your ability to step up to new challenges has immense power in your life and in the world.
 
But a t-square promises a challenge. Whatever you seek to resolve right now, it won’t be easy to do. In fact, it’s probably going to take some hard work and discipline to make it happen. But, the Full Moon’s promise is that if you can fess up to reality and see what hides in the darkness, you’ll have a better chance of conjuring up a strategy to overcome it. As Carl Jung once said, “when the diagnoses is correct, the healing begins.” Mercury and Venus in Leo will help to lighten the mood and empower us to engage more playfully with life’s challenges. While this Full Moon is heavy, it’s not out to get you. Trust in the moment, no matter how difficult. Through the will, many new possibilities can be realized.
 
You did not come to Earth without a guide. Evolutionary Astrology is a powerful tool for self-discovery and an exceptionally helpful guide in times of uncertainty, crisis or stagnation. Click here for reading options and pricing.

Trust That You Are Loved: New Moon in Cancer 2016

Photo by Theophilos Papadopoulos, via Flickr

New Moon @ 12 Cancer 54'
July 4, 2016
7:01 AM Eastern
4:01 AM Pacific

This lunation is the first New Moon of summer in the tropical sign of Cancer. It also occurs on the United States’ Independence Day which is widely celebrated here in the U.S. For this reason, the New Moon points a spotlight on the U.S. because it correlates with its birthday. The New Moon is joined by both Mercury and Venus, which all stand in opposition to Pluto in Capricorn. The zodiac sign of Cancer stands as a symbol of safety, nourishment, protection, healing, and comfort. In its high expression, Cancer seeks to provide this in gentle, loving ways.

The Moon, which we associate with the sign Cancer, has an archetypal link to the symbol of mother--the one who provides sustenance needed to bring and sustain new life into the world. Here at the New Moon, we stand at a beginning--a moment imbued potentially with mystery, uncertainty, and anticipation. With any New Moon, you may feel less energized, but with Mars recently turned direct and now picking up speed, feel free to begin planting the seeds for forward movement and the initiation of new endeavors. A reservoir of strength and momentum will gradually become available to you. You may notice more energy and confidence build over the coming two weeks.

Pluto, in opposition to the New Moon, dredges up the shadow of Cancer. While the mother seeks to protect those she has brought forth into the world (with whatever it takes to do so!), all things are vulnerable in this reality; nothing is ultimately safe and protected from harm. In Cancer’s shadow, there is a chronic paranoia of dangers which seek to annihilate oneself and loved ones. Cancer, in its shadow, blocks the flow of life and love as it recoils from the world, building walls, and segregating one’s life from full participation in the unfolding of the moment.

Cancer, in its shadow, can also lead to the desire to cling to dying circumstances--to keep things as they are for the sake of the comfort and sense of safety that they provide. This New Moon carries the potential for realizations relating to how you can extend love outward to make changes in your life and in the larger world. To be truly loving, we must accept what we love for what it is and not try to change it. Where in your life is this needed? How can you express more love in authentic ways? As the Sun and Moon conjoin, they invite you to look deeply at the expression of love in your life, by finding new ways to love and trust the moment the way that it is.

While this is a deeply sensitive and emotional New Moon, which highlights fears related to security, vulnerabilities, and sensitivities, it asks that we keep our eye on the higher path--the bigger plan or mission that is seeking manifestation in the world. When we look at our own lives, as well as the events in the world, it can be hard to accept what is. Mars will assist you to make the changes and take the appropriate actions to free yourself of oppressive or stagnate situations. But ultimately, this New Moon is offering signs and omens in regards to the love we need to express to vitalize and nourish all aspects of our lives. And finally, trust that YOU are loved and supported by the universe in your wholeness, no matter what.

 You did not come to Earth without a guide. Evolutionary Astrology is a powerful tool for self-discovery and an exceptionally helpful guide in times of uncertainty, crisis or stagnation. Click here for reading options and pricing.

Anaretic Gemini: Edward Snowden's Gift of Knowledge

Edward Snowden speaking at the 2015 International Students for Liberty Conference; photo by Gage Skidmore via Wikimedia Commons.

While actually a Gemini Sun, Edward Snowden was born near the summer solstice of 1983 (June 21, 1983 @ 4:42 AM Elizabeth City, NC). Snowden was a former employee of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and former contractor for the United States government. He gained international attention in 2013 for leaking thousands of classified documents to journalists from the National Security Agency (NSA)--revealing several global surveillance programs. Stories based on the leaks appeared in the Guardian, The Washington Post, and The New York Times.

Snowden’s natal Sun sits at the 29th degree of Gemini, conjunct the entry of Cancer, the point of the summer solstice. His Sun touches what is known as the Aries Point (the first degree of all cardinal signs: Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn). Astrologer Noel Tyl suggests in his book, Synthesis and Counseling in Astrology, that when the Aries point is prominent in the horoscope, “there is the potential of public projection for the person”. It’s what Hans Niggemann, in The Key to Uranian Astrology said, “is every being’s connection to the larger world”. And what Planet Waves founder, Eric Francis, calls the “intersection between the personal and the collective”. 

Astrologer Brenda Brush says of the 29th degree (the final degree of a sign), that it is “something you must give away”. In an e-mail correspondence with Brenda, she stated that “The 29th degree is where you have to accept what it is asking of you. I feel like it is a bit like the 12th house, the sign Pisces. It is the last of a sign just like the 12th house is the last house or Pisces is the last sign. Something has to be accepted and surrendered at the same time.”

Snowden is considered to be a hero/patriot or a traitor/dissident from differing viewpoints. No matter the opinion, he made an obvious sacrifice in an attempt to help people become more conscious of the world we now live in. He used his Gemini potential (the gift of the storyteller, writer, and researcher), to freely give information critical for the world to acknowledge. His chart features five major placements in the sign of Gemini such as the Ascendant, Mercury, Mars, the lunar North Node, and the Sun. 

With such heavy emphasis in Gemini, especially tapped into his lunar North Node, Snowden had a clear destiny tied to the need to communicate a message to the world. And we can’t forget, as with last week’s featured chart, that Gemini is notorious for being a trickster due to its association with the trickster planet Mercury. And any good trickster can easily cross between realms to undermine societal structures that have become too rigid and controlling. In trickster like fashion, Snowden left the U.S. for Hong Kong in May 2013 before releasing the documents to journalists. He now resides at an undisclosed location in Russia and has been granted a three-year asylum as of 2015. 

In an article from The Washington Post in Dec. 2013, Snowden was quoted as saying, “For me, in terms of personal satisfaction, the mission's already accomplished. I already won. As soon as the journalists were able to work, everything that I had been trying to do was validated. Because, remember, I didn't want to change society. I wanted to give society a chance to determine if it should change itself. All I wanted was for the public to be able to have a say in how they are governed.” Snowden’s words reflect the heart of his gift to the world, the ability of society to change itself in light of the information he freely provided. Whether a hero or a traitor, it’s clear that Snowden is fulfilling his evolutionary path--the destiny of the trickster who gave an important message for all.

 You did not come to Earth without a guide. Evolutionary Astrology is a powerful tool for self-discovery and an exceptionally helpful guide in times of uncertainty, crisis or stagnation. Click here for reading options and pricing.

Below is a recent episode of HBO's VICE featuring Edward Snowden....

Photo by Mactographer via Wikimedia Commons

Maximum Light: Sagittarius Full Moon and Summer Solstice 2016

Summer solstice at Stonehenge; photo by Bill via Flickr. 

Full Moon @ 29 Sagittarius 32'

June 20, 2016

4:02 AM Pacific

7:02 AM Eastern

June's Full Moon occurs in tropical Sagittarius on the summer solstice. It also occurs at the 29th degree of Sagittarius, a degree known as the anaretic degree. To compound the significance of this lunation, it also conjoins the opening of Capricorn--the point of the winter solstice which connects us to the “Aries Point”. Significant events or lunations that happen near the Aries Point (technically the first degree of Aries), tend to correlate with major shifts in the collective and events that have widespread, global ramifications.

 Astrologer Eric Francis from Planet Waves calls the Aries Point the “intersection between the personal and collective”--a place where collective events influence our personal lives. In my experience, events that hit the end of a sign, the 29th degree, have a catalytic quality and carry with them a feeling that “something is about to explode”. I don’t say this to make any kind of prediction, although if you pay attention to events occurring on these degrees, you will notice an uncanny synchronicity with major political or world events taking place. On the personal level, it may simply feel like a highly charged Full Moon culmination, a feeling that certain aspects of your life are beginning to bear fruit or that certain realizations are flooding your conscious awareness.

Sagittarius is a sign that emphasizes an openness and acceptance of life experience. It’s the human ability to say “yes” to new experiences in an attempt to expand consciousness. This Full Moon carries with it a sense of anticipation, and due to its anaretic nature, a sense of something breaking through to a new level of expression in some explosive or catalytic way. The Sun and Venus stand on the other end of this Full Moon, with Venus over the sign line in tropical Cancer. The Sun and Venus’ close proximity throughout the last few weeks have emphasized our connections with others, a focus on relationships, and a need to slow down heightened activity. Venus’ entrance into Cancer takes certain relationships to another level, one that emphasizes bonding and intimate connection and the need to take better care of ourselves.

Venus in Cancer invites each of us to open our hearts to those we love as well as cultivating self-love, and the Sun’s transition into Cancer will amplify this heart opening need within us. Thus, this Full Moon can correlate with this feeling or need to say yes to love in some new way in your life. Perhaps that happens through an honest acknowledgment of your feelings or your attitude towards yourself. Its correlation with the summer solstice can give you a deeper sense of connection and trust in the life force impulse. Mercury opposite Saturn and t-square with Neptune, however, encourages honesty and realism in communication. Make sure that you’re making a mature and sober assessment of situations in your life without losing sight of the magic working through them.

Jupiter, the ruler of Sagittarius, also aligns with the North Node in Virgo. Jupiter encourages you to be of service to others using your talents, abilities, and competence. You may find that during this Full Moon, you have something to share that can be of significant use to someone, or it may correlate with opportunities to be helpful in some practical way. Jupiter’s encroaching trine to Pluto in Capricorn, connects the need to serve to some larger, socially viable outlet. Use this expansive, Sagittarian energy to widen your awareness to a greater field of vision, to simply see, through your heart, what’s possible to make your life more purposeful and meaningful to yourself and others.

You did not come to Earth without a guide. Evolutionary Astrology is a powerful tool for self-discovery and an exceptionally helpful guide in times of uncertainty, crisis or stagnation. Click here for reading options and pricing.