Monday, September 26, 2016

Black Moon Blessings, You'll Need Them!







We all know that the New Moon was on September 1, and coincided with a penumbral lunar eclipse. Get ready for another new moon on September 30, called a Black Moon because it's the second New Moon in a month!

Having two New Moons in the same month is generally known as super beneficial, as amplified feminine energies bring us into a time of great awakening and clarity. Of course, all New Moon's are great times to go within, plant seeds of intention, and let go of things that no longer serve. The Black Moon can provide us with a powerful blossoming of intentions planted prior to this phase, but it's also a time of some intense tribulation.

This second New Moon is in Libra, our sun sign of the month, conjunct Jupiter at 4 degrees. This signals party-time, my friends! I mean, hallelujah, after all this heavy stuff with the Saturn square Neptune we've been dealing with, we get a little break, right? Libra conjunct Jupiter is happy time, making it easier to find joy and have a great time with others! The sextile to Saturn in Jupiter-ruled Sagittarius gives a nice opportunity to turn new friends or flirts or acquaintances into long lasting ones. Oh, wait....Saturn is still square to Neptune, and we just can't seem to shake off their negative effects. We have all this positive energy generated by the Black Moon, but are still unsure about how and where to expend it.

This Libra New Moon/Black Moon is also square to Mars and Pluto in Capricorn. New Moons in cardinal signs (such as Libra) often signal anger and power struggles. Our challenge is to intuit where the initial struggle is coming from - an outside source, or your own internal shadow? You may discover that it's your own manipulative or controlling tendencies at work, so be careful!

Jupiter tends to exaggerate situations, blow things out of proportion, and the Libra New Moon conjunct Jupiter, sextile Saturn, and square Mars and Pluto will create some over the top emotions and encounters for sure. Get yourself out there and deal with it - you'll be glad you did!

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Shine On, Harvest Moon



""Harvest Moon"

Come a little bit closer
Hear what I have to say
Just like children sleepin'
We could dream this night away.

But there's a full moon risin'
Let's go dancin' in the light
We know where the music's playin'
Let's go out and feel the night.

Because I'm still in love with you
I want to see you dance again
Because I'm still in love with you
On this harvest moon.

 ------Neil Young



Happy September, everyone, and welcome to what we refer to as the "dog days" of summer. Those hot, hot days before it finally cools off, when we all wish it were October, already! That said, we just might wish this part of September away, due to the intense, and somewhat intimidating, astrological forecast for this Full Moon / Penumbral Lunar Eclipse cycle. A Penumbral Lunar Eclipse is the most subtle of the eclipses (the others are termed "full" or "partial"), because the Moon is passing only through the outer edge of the Earth's shadow, and if you're not looking for it, can be easily missed. If you're interested in the special attributes of this month's Moon, here's a lovely article about it from Treehugger about it, and an audio recording of the song by Neil Young, the lyrics of which are posted above.

So, we can be assured that the West Coast won't be able to see this particular Penumbral Eclipse on September 16th (only Europe, Australia, Africa, and parts of South America will be able to view it), but that doesn't mean we won't feel it. If you read our last post, you'll know that Mercury is in retrograde. Add to that the fact that this Moon's eclipse happens in the sign of Virgo, and that we're still dealing with the Saturn square Neptune aspect from earlier this year. Toss in the fact that this Eclipse is squaring Mars, and we've got quite a tempest on our hands.

While feelings of depression, loss, and belligerent anger are part and parcel of where we're at astrologically now, there are bright spots of hope we can grasp onto, until this period is over in the next couple of months. It's advised to still rely on the basics - start new projects or state intentions on the New Moon, finish and/or harvest those intentions on the Full Moon. Also, remember to formally let go of what doesn't serve at the Full Moon, as well. Mercury conjunct Jupiter is favorable, and will help you overcome fears and insecurities (feelings most prevalent during Mercury Retrogrades). A little later,  there will be another boon for those of us sick of this morass that the Saturn square Neptune has gotten us into. From Mystic Mama,  "But in the midst of all this challenging pattern, the eclipse is conjunct the North Node. There is an opening here, to use this potent energetic pattern to its highest frequency." That means using your creativity well this month - make art, make love, make some positive energy! If you're feeling angry, channel that into fueling hard physical work (training? Pilates?) or a creative project (writing? painting? decorating?). Similarly, if you're feeling angsty, use that as fodder for internal work - look inward and work toward any type of metaphysical work you're interested in.

It will be interesting to see how we all do during this period. Feel free to leave a message about it in the comments, and be assured, we will make it through! Hope to see you at Hoopla's Autumnal Equinox Celebration, on Sat., Sept. 24, from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm, where we'll be hosting Shaman Carol Woodliff, who will be leading an Earth-based blessing ceremony, and a special prayer circle for the protectors at the Sacred Stones site at Standing Rock.