Saturday, December 2, 2017

Jive Talking


Hang onto your hats, folks, this Full Moon, appearing tomorrow, Dec. 3, at 11 degrees Gemini, is not only a Supermoon, it comes just hours after Mercury stations retrograde conjunct Saturn! It makes almost exact aspects to Jupiter and Neptune, and is square to Neptune. The Sun is also square Neptune.

This means that mischief abounds - lies, deception, theft, loss, scandal, and possibly illness will mark this Moon phase. Overriding all will be Mercury's infamous influence on miscommunication. Holy moly - this is such a perfect backdrop to what's happening here on the political stage, and it'll be an interesting couple of weeks! You know that you'll need to be very careful when beginning any new projects, especially those dealing with contracts and negotiations. You'll also need to be aware that negative thinking like pessimism, or thoughts of doing bad things, does not mix well with the deceptive and treacherous influence of Neptune.

The saving grace of this Moon is Jupiter trine Neptune. Its direct aspects to the Full Moon make it easier to work with. You can use the benefits of this aspect to overcome the negative influences coming from elsewhere. This uplifting aspect encourages hope, generosity and community spirit. Use it to counter the pessimistic influence of Mercury retrograde. You may have fated encounters with priests, gurus, or psychics. Enlightenment can come through dreams, visions or meditation. Remember, when receiving spiritual guidance or using your intuition, also use your rational mind to filter out the nonsense.

This Full Moon will increase the level of suffering and injustice in the world. However, your personal value system and sense of justice can reach a higher standard. Use your moral compass to avoid the temptations to be sneaky or mean. You can draw on this aspect to be more generous towards people less fortunate than yourself. Your charitable nature may extend to environmental causes or animal welfare.

 While other factors in the Full Moon chart may cause disappointment, loss and suffering, Jupiter trine Neptune will focus attention on social justice and human rights issues like the plight of refugees and other innocent victims or war and greed. Your enthusiasm and belief can cause others to congregate around you for a common cause. In this time of political unrest, this could be a call to rally your friends to protest, have parties to write postcards to your elected officials, or lend your support to those feeling bereft. It's not all bad out there, just stay true to your highest and greatest good, just don't expect others to follow suit. Blessed be, and we'll see you soon!

Friday, November 3, 2017

Into The Mystic



 


Hello, moonchildren, what an amazingly romantic and spiritually beneficial Full Moon we have in store for us tonight! Rising at 10:22 pm in the sign of Taurus, this Moon will be sextile to Neptune, which will increase your level of sensitivity and emotion, and will center around family and friends. You may feel a deeper connection to them, which is a perfect way to kick off the holiday season!

All you empaths and mystics out there, beware - this Moon will increase your intuition and your psychic abilities. It would be a good idea to take precautions now to protect yourself and to strengthen your shields. The good news is that this is the perfect time for meditation, lucid dreaming, and other psychic activities. Also, remember that November is a power month, as it holds the vibration of 11. In numerology, the number 11 represents divinity, rebirth, and higher consciousness. The number 11 is also associated with angels. This vibration will be with us throughout the month, and, coupled with the energy of the Full Moon in Taurus, will make it glow with an abundance of opportunities for money, success, and romance!  If that's not enough, this phase of the Moon occurs at 11 degrees and 59 minutes of Taurus, forming an opposition with the Sun at 11 degrees and 59 minutes of Scorpio. This will affect people born with personal planets and points at approximately 8 to 16 degrees of the Fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius) most significantly - but look at all the 11s!

Remember our last blog post, where we discussed October's New Moon's proximity to two very fortunate stars? This Full Moon, Venus is in the same place that the New Moon was last month, and that gives a very strong connection to the events of the last two weeks. Venus is also directly opposite Uranus for 20 minutes before the actual Full Moon, and this might signal a change in your love life. An unexpected event may cause tension, but it will be short-lived. Our advice? Enjoy the prosperity this Moon brings, and try to side step any negative energies that may arise from Uranus' interference. A short but thorough cleansing with sage, palo santo, or copal before meditation will help with that.

This Full Moon is perfect for releasing all the self-imposed blocks we've been putting on ourselves. The only person standing in your way is you - this Moon will remind us that we all need to get out of our own way. As we release those things which no longer serve our best and highest good, we also need to reinforce those things that do. Blesssed be, and enjoy this month of gratitude!


Thursday, October 5, 2017

Highly Strung



October's Full Moon is called the Harvest Moon due to the fact that this is the first Full Moon since the Fall Equinox on September 22. Did you know that we haven't had a Harvest Moon since 2009? It's true! The October Full Moon is also called the Hunter's Moon. Whatever you call it, be prepared, because this one's real interesting.

We suppose we can call this Full Moon the most aspected this year - here's a list of what's impacting this lunation:

Moon opposite Mercury
Mercury and Sun Quincux Neptune
Sun square Pluto
Moon square Pluto
Venus conjunct Mars
Venus square Saturn
Mars square Saturn
Venus trine Pluto
Mars trine Pluto
Jupiter opposite Uranus
The Full Moon falls on the fixed star Alderamin in Cepheus the King

That's quite a list, and it would take forever to run down each aspect with you. Leave it to say that due to all these conflicting influences, we should all pay attention to how we communicate. There's a huge push of Mercury energy coming with this Moon and Mercury is the communicator of the Zodiac. Because of the negative influence of Neptune, we may become susceptible to (I hate to say this) fake news. Possible scenarios include self-deception, paranoia, lies, manipulations, and lack of understanding. Try your best to avoid negative people and negative influence. Only trust people you really know so you do not fall victim to lies, deception, fraud or gossip. It is important to keep up positive self-esteem but there is always a balancing act with these quincunx aspects. Too much pride would lead to a fall, just as too much self-pity will lead to failure.

Sun square Pluto and Moon square Pluto make this a very intense Full Moon. Their square to Pluto can involve compulsive and destructive behaviors. Just remember, whether you are the instigator or the victim of jealousy, manipulation, bullying, or abuse, challenges can be turned into an opportunity to transform and evolve. Transformation and evolving, then, are the crux of this lunation, particularly for your close relationships. A carrot to get you through all this is the Venus/Mars conjunction, which will increase your charisma and popularity, and make socializing more enjoyable and exciting. This is also a great time for creativity, so feel free to start that next art project.

Our best advice is to take advantage of your opportunities and avoid the potential pitfalls, so you can enjoy the next two weeks and use the intense passion of this full moon to get motivated and work hard on your goals. We'll check in next month to see how you did!

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Sept. 2017 Full Moon - A Double Edged Sword



After August's fiery spectacle of eclipses, both lunar and solar, we're heading into a quieter time with the September 6th Full Moon in Pisces. Are you ready for the shift in energy? We hope so, since this watery Pisces Full Moon helps us understand our true intentions.

Because of several contingencies, however, this Full Moon can, as our title reveals, be a double-edged sword. Remember, Pisces is the sign of intuition and psychic abilities, and in this lunation brings insights into our deeper thoughts, feelings, and emotions, as well as an occasional psychic flash or two.

We're predicting a stronger reaction to this Full Moon because it is conjunct with Neptune, which makes our already emotional sign of Pisces somewhat confused, weak, and vulnerable to illness and deception. Neptune begins retrograde at 12° 49' Pisces - how will Neptune's influence affect your mood and close relationships? As mentioned, Pisces is highly emotional, so this Moon will increase your emotional sensitivity and empathetic abilities. You may experience increased susceptibility to untruth and scandal, which can be worrisome in today's charged political atmosphere.

Mercury, in retrograde since mid-August, is stationing direct on Sept. 5, the day before this Full Moon. What's fascinating about this is that it is stationing direct in the same degree of Pisces! So this is the second edge of the sword, like a double dose of empathy - don't be surprised if the feelings of others (even televised or digital media reports of others' feelings) causes you some emotional distress. As the Messenger to the Gods, Mercury is responsible for communication. As such, expect him to reveal any messages or insights to the surface during the week that follows.

Conscious self-awareness will help filter out any negative distractions. Use this sensitivity for good and be of aid to victims, which is perfect advice during this time of great need and turmoil here in the U.S.. Your emotional comfort will carry a healing quality, so be generous and spread it like glitter!  Remember, the effects of a Full Moon last for about two weeks, just in time for the effects of the New Moon to take precedence.


Friday, July 21, 2017

Rebel Moon - New Moon July 2017


 "You see, war is not the answer / For only love can conquer hate." - Marvin Gaye, What's Going On


July's New Moon enters at O° Leo, and we all pretty much know what the sign of Leo is famous for - creative, passionate, generous, warm-hearted, cheerful, humorous, and brave. Leo can also be arrogant, stubborn, self-centered, lazy, inflexible, and loud. Because this Moon phase is primarily influenced by Mars, we get to mix Leo's brashness with Mars' war-like, aggressive traits. Mars, the God of War, is the ruler of Aries. In astrology, Mars is the planet of energy, action, and desire. It is the survival instinct, and can be thought of as the “leftover” animal nature of man. Mars is the push that gets us out of bed in the morning, our drive and desire nature, and our active energy. When we are “acting out” our Mars, we are assertive, directed, forthright, and adventurous. On the negative side, we can be impulsive, rash, impatient, aggressive, and forceful. The combination of these two aspects of this New Moon cannot be ignored or glossed over - it's going to be messy! This is a new moon about energy, action, sex, sports, anger and war. A secondary influence comes from the planet Uranus. A tense aspect to this planet of change and excitement makes Mars more explosive, unpredictable, violent and dangerous.

With the upheaval going on right now on our American political stage, the influence of this New Moon has been given a spotlight. Whatever your age or political affiliation, I'll bet you've never experienced anything remotely like it, and I think that we'll be able to say that about this Moon phase after the fact. Our friends at Astrology King put it like this: "The July 2017 new moon will test your patience. The annoying little things that people do will be more irritating than usual. You will have to take extra care not to upset already angry and mean people. There will be an increased danger of assassinations, revolutions, military assaults and war." Uh oh, grab a seat and pass the popcorn!

Mars square Uranus gives a strong urge to break free from restriction and rebel against authority. A tendency to act rashly without regard for the consequences can lead to disruption and even violence in your life. Awareness of this dynamic energy can instead lead to inventive and creative breakthroughs and a reinvigorated personal life. One thing that will get us all through this weird phase, and it's your creativity! As dire as the astrological predictions sound, this is a great time for artists to battle pent up negative emotions by immersing themselves in their talents. Whatever it is you do, now's the time to get doing - paint, sculpt, dance, sing, and dance the troubles away. Hard work can be used as another outlet. If you have a home or office that needs deep cleaning, now's your chance!

The July 23 new moon influence lasts for four weeks up to the August 21 Solar Eclipse. The best time for making a fresh start and for beginning new projects is during the first two weeks of this new moon cycle. This waxing phase of the Moon lasts from July 23 to the August 7 partial lunar eclipse. We'll talk about the eclipses in another blog post, but remember, whatever this New Moon stirs is likely to be only half the picture as more energy is going to be revealed in August.







Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Risky Business

 
 
 
The Moon becomes full in the sign of Scorpio on May 10. The Astrology forecast for this Full Moon is both powerfully fortunate, and potentially maleficent. It is much like Scorpio itself, a kiss sealed with a sting. Let's take a look at the benevolent before we look at the bad.

This Moon is sextile Pluto (sextile: the aspect, or special angle, where planets or other horoscope points are about 60° apart in the Zodiac circle), and that's a good thing. This psychological, probing, and transforming nature of this planet can bring together the polarities in your life, represented by the Sun opposite Moon. We will all feel some very intense and deep experiences as a result. Because feelings are at their apex at a Full Moon, these deep experiences in our personal lives will reveal how you truly feel about someone - and vice versa. Relationships can and will most likely evolve to a deeper level or you will simply move on.

Things that is crumbling into decay in your life can be transformed now. Cleaning the distraction in your mind and in your environment is important now and you can get to the root cause of bad habits, addictions, and do away with chaotic behaviors. This all has to do with the Moon being in the same decan as the fixed star Beta Librae. Commonly called Zubeneschamali, this green star marks the Northern Scale of the Libra Constellation. According to our friends at Astrology King, "the old symbolical name for this star is the Full Price. This relates to the Karmic Scales balancing the good deeds versus bad deeds of a soul. Full Price means that all karmic debts have been paid and there may even be some credit. Therefore, Beta Librae, Zubeneschamali, the Northern Claw is a fortunate fixed star. Our full moon star Zubeneschamali has the planetary nature of Jupiter and Mercury. This, according to scholars, gives good fortune, high ambition, beneficence, honor, riches, and permanent happiness.”

Our friends at Darkstar Astrology note, though, that there is another star in this decan. "Unukalhai is a major star and found in the neck of the Serpens. This star has an unfortunate reputation according to the ancients. It is also connected with Lilith, Kundalini and sex magic. The Chiron medicine man is holding this forbidden fruit, which could be spiritual wisdom or poison. The Serpent is both deadly and sacred. The serpent revealed to Ophuichus how to bring the dead back to life, which could be seen as a transgression of natural law. The use of magic must be used responsibly and not for selfish purposes, which is why this star has the reputation that is does". The mysterious and sometimes eerie Full Moon is bound to emphasis the occult potential of this decan.

Full moon sensitive females might find that they cannot help but become the ultimate femme fatale. On the other hand, males touched by this full moon will play the typical Don Juan. Both sexes need to watch they don’t become too ruthless in the quest of bedding the object of their desire. This Full Moon position can almost be too cartoon-like in its potential to produce scoundrels. This Full Moon in Scorpio will open our eyes further to the degeneracy in the world (if they weren’t open enough already.)

Our advice this month? Gird your loins, dear ones, for this could be an epic battle of good vs. evil. It will be interesting to watch how this affects our political goings-on.




Monday, March 27, 2017

But, There's A Catch.....

 
 
 
The New Moon debuts tonight in the fiery sign of Aries. Aries is the first sign of the Zodiac, and as such, always marks the beginning of something energetic and turbulent. This describes this Moon phase perfectly, as it is conjunct Venus and Venus is in retrograde. Venus retrograde is supremely uncomfortable in Aries in the best of times.

While everything seems to be coming up roses, it's the thorns you must be aware of - it's very tempting to jump first and ask questions later, yet it would be wise to first investigate a situation prior to leaping. Moon conjunct Venus is hungry for affection, and so will try valiantly to keep things harmonious. This means that we will try to please those around us but our egos may take a beating for anything that's out of the norm. And this is a time when things are anything but normal! Our friends at Darkstar Astrology say: "This Aries Moon conjunct Venus can also attract violent behavior as it goes about trying to bring fairness to situations. At this new Moon we have to watch out we don’t become a doormat with all that people-pleasing. Sociable Moon conjunct Venus is so hypersensitive to the needs of others that paradoxically the only way to get any ‘me’ time at all at this New moon might be by shutting off from company all together."

There's an analytical component to this New Moon as well. The star Alpha Reticulum highlights scientific, astronomical, and astrological skills. This would be a great time to check out the night sky with friends and ponder the meaning of the universe and your role in it. What's important to you, and how do you actively go about achieving it? As noted, this is both an energetic and turbulent Moon phase - positive and negative. Are you serving yourself or are you working to serve others?

Now is the perfect time to contemplate what you want and need to manifest and create for the balance of the year. Do you need to enhance or even revamp your needs and goals? Perhaps it's time to wipe the slate clean and bring fresh energy into your plans. The New Moon gives us this chance to restart, renew, and recharge. Take some alone time and meditate on just what it is you need to get through - just make sure there are no hidden snags on what could be a bumpy ride to a fresh, new you!

Saturday, March 11, 2017

Getting Down To The Real Nitty Gritty

                                                                       
 
 
 
This Full Moon in Virgo, directly following Venus going retrograde* and with Mercury square Saturn, could be thought of as a period of deep personal healing. We have the ability to look within and deal with our firmly seated beliefs that may be holding us back, but first we must jump the hurdle of this Moon's difficult position. Virgo is the archetypical nurse figure, taking care of the universe. This lunation, however, the nurse must heal within before healing without. The buildup of resentment is real - has anyone taken the time to repay Virgo's charity & dutiful attentions? On the other hand, patients may not have asked for the ‘medicine’ at all, and in frustration are apt to throw it all back in the Virgo Full Moon’s face. Quite the conundrum, isn't it?
 
Our friends at Mystic Mama.com say, "Mercury square Saturn is a test to think your way out of the box. These are tough aspects yet we can make them work by being willing to be open to suggestions from our intuition as Mercury is in Pisces. The highly efficient Virgo Full Moon is saying that we need to get down to the nitty gritty if we want to achieve our dreams (Sun in Pisces). Virgo sometimes wants to shy away into the background but right now it’s important that we step up to the plate. Let others see your work. This Full Moon it’s about having the confidence to show what you can do. Learn to control those fearful lions that tear at the meat of your courage."
 
Getting our courage back is key at this Full Moon, and using it for a good cause is crucial. Perhaps this is a cosmic push for us to speak truth to power, yes? For those of you who are following politics, know that this Full Moon has the pathological need to shock and outrage, so don't be surprised if this plays out on the political stage. However, the upside is that we also have the opportunity to rise and achieve personal enlightenment and awakening. There is also the promise of being freed from the bondage of imprisoning mindsets. Sounds good to me!
 
*Venus is in retrograde from March 4 to April 15. You may find out more about it here.
 
 

Friday, February 10, 2017

Sometimes We Need A Little Magic




According to Gostica.com, "The last eclipse was in September 2016 and February’s Eclipse is going to bring an end to whatever energy was brewing at this time. This ending is to pave the way for a new beginning, which will come at the end of the month on the New Moon Solar Eclipse." So, this is big news - we have a Full Snow Moon (in the sign as well as the Constellation of Leo) along with a Lunar Eclipse and the New Year Comet! We're looking at this event as a gateway into new energy paths that have the potential to change the direction of your life, and as the "final purge of 2016".

What does that signify for you? For one thing, it signals a clean(er) internal slate. As a final purge of leftover energies from 2016, you'll experience an end to things that have attached themselves to you and are unwanted. As Jamie Partridge, the Astrology King, has said, "with a Lunar Eclipse, the blotting out of the moon represents a resetting of emotions, clearing away the emotional baggage of the previous six months". Together with the February 26th Solar Eclipse, this Lunar Eclipse will remain active until the August 2017 Lunar Eclipse. A Lunar Eclipse. "Lunar Eclipses are always viewed in astrology as being deeply transformative times that can bring abrupt and sudden change. - Gostica.com" On the other hand, Eclipses are like the hand of cosmic forces pushing you along to wherever you need to be. You might not like where you're pushed, or it might not be where you thought you'd be, but it's definitely where you need to be.


There is also this awesomely portentous pattern to the planets around this Full Moon. A couple months ago, we described what is called the "Mystic Rectangle". This month, we have a beautiful Pentagram formation, crowned at the top by the planet Saturn. This is pure serendipity, the icing on the cake, the luck of the draw - it signifies that empathetic vibrations are increasing, and you can rely on your instinct and common sense. Saturn is the god of time (Cronus is his Greek counterpart), of wealth, of agriculture, and of liberation. As such, consider this an auspicious time to make some positive changes, as well as bringing people together in a cause. I think we're starting to see this play out on our political stage as we speak. Not since the explosive 1960s have we seen so many people working for positive change!

Speaking of the political arena, we have seen how the challenging astrological forecasts of the past year that played out. There has been so much dissention surrounding the recent election, one can not find it difficult to attribute this unforeseen negative energy to the last inauspicious Lunar Eclipse, and its effect on the dreaded Saturn/Neptune Square. Gladly, this Full Moon, along with the Lunar Eclipse, and Comet will give us the fortitude we need to recognize the source of our inner tensions, and the tools with which to resolve them. Perseverance along with a strong work ethic will equal success!


Thursday, January 12, 2017

Full Moon January 2017 The Eternal Struggle

 
 
 
Happy New Year, friends, and welcome to the Wolf Moon of January! This is an interesting Full Moon, with several aspects combined, but none greater than the Grand Cross we're experiencing today. A Grand Cross aspect pattern is a square formed by at least four planets, which are Sun opposite Moon at right angles to Jupiter opposite Uranus. We also have the Moon in the sign of Cancer, a tranquil Sun sign, however, Cancer sits square in the middle between the two stars of Gemini, Castor and Pollux. According to the Astrology King, Jaime Partridge, the Full Moon January 2017 shines a spotlight on the original cause of war, the rivalry between two brothers fighting over one woman. It is still being waged today and had developed into a battle for land, oil, and even God. He reports that "the internal battle shows as anger, fear, guilt, shame, fear, paranoia, mental illness, addiction, depression and nervous breakdowns. Externally we see two tribes going to war as Jews against Muslims in Palestine, blacks versus whites in America, and Islamic State against the old Crusader nations."
 
This is a time of great conflict, and current events bear that out. Luckily for us, there's another aspect to this Full Moon that tends to soften the effects - Saturn, the great dealmaker, is semisextile the Sun, is quincunx to the Moon, sextile Jupiter, and trines Uranus. All these aspects help mediate the effects of the Grand Cross, and depend on the ability to compromise and make deals to end conflicts. This is actually a great time to make positive changes. Working toward understanding, cool heads, and using our innate common sense will allow us to push forward toward permanent positive goals.
 
In this vein, be aware that because of the electrified influence of Jupiter and Uranus (both share thunderbolts in common), anything could happen! Hoopla! Emporium is hosting a great little workshop on Thursday, February 2nd, featuring Niki Elliott, Phd., highlighting her book "I Feel Your Pain". Written for empaths of all sorts, Dr. Elliott will talk about her seven step survival guide for us intuitive folks. Be sure to watch our social media sites, or sign up for our email newsletters, for further information.