Full Moon In Taurus October 2018 Sweet Surrender

The Moon became full just about a half hour ago, in the bountiful sign of Taurus. A full moon occurs when the Sun is opposite the Moon, and tends to highlight our lunar-influenced emotions and instincts. Full Moons are a perfect time to purge unwanted or negative energies, and to harvest seeds, or intentions, planted during the New Moon. 

Because the sign of Taurus likes to hold onto things, you might find a bit of difficulty releasing anything this lunation. Never fear - the Sun entered the sign of Scorpio yesterday, and Scorpio has no trouble at all showing us what needs to be discarded. Scorpio knows that nothing in the material world lasts forever, so it’s obsessed with stripping things down to the bare bones and getting to the root of what really matters. 

Taurus is also known for being the sign of what's comfortable and familiar, and anyone who's dealt with Taurus personalities knows that above anything else this sign craves stability and endurance. What this Full Moon will show us that if our roots remain firmly planted, we can and will weather storms and seasonal changes. 

There are two unhelpful aspects affecting this October Full Moon - it's conjunct Uranus and opposite Venus. Uranus adds unpredictability, upsets, and impulsiveness. Remember, also, that Venus is also retrograde, adding to the uncertainty of this phase. Luckily, this is all tempered by the Moon's favorable aspect to Saturn - it turns unexpected changes into opportunities and relationship uncertainty into reassurance and commitment. That brings us full circle, back to Taurus' love of stability. 

While this Full Moon carries some very intense energy and seems volatile, maybe shaking up some relationships, it will also show us where we need to set stronger boundaries and practice more self-love. We think it will also manifest our desire to remain rooted while the storm swirls around us, and that's always a good thing. Blesssed be. 
 

Venus Retrograde 2018 - Know Yourself

Venus, the planet of the Goddess of Love, stations retrograde in the sign of Scorpio on Friday, October 5. Since this planet goes retrograde only every 19 months, the least of any planet, and this makes a very big deal. On top of that, there's Venus' challenging squares to Pluto and Mars, which will put your close interpersonal relationships in the spotlight. It might also make you angry.

We're entering a period of approximately 40 days of Venus Retrograde, and that seems like a long time, doesn't it? While it seems like it is, it's really just a quick moment in time, which will pass before you know it. Let's take a closer look into what Venus Retrograde actually means, and what actions you can take to lessen its impact.

According to astrologist Jim Sher, "Venus represents the processes by which we discover our deepest values, our priorities and what is most important to us." In this period of retrograde action (the process of standing still, then moving backward) allows us the chance to reflect on our life and relationships. The symbol of Venus is the mirror, and this mirror may now show our shadow, self-sabotaging self. You now have the opportunity to correct any misguided attempts you may have been making to open a blocked heart.

With the square to Pluto, the focus is on death, and death equals rebirth. In this particular time, you may experience the death of old relationships anew. This give you the chance to finally put them out of your mind altogether, and go forward with your life. It also is an ideal time for creative pursuits, and you can channel any Pluto or Mars driven anger/anxiety into art, gardening, or some other physical act of creation.

A word of caution for our friends with empathetic abilities - be cautious. If you find yourself constantly drained by the energy of others, it may be time for you to check in and see how much of your energy you are allowing to be sucked away. Again, keep your mind busy and be selective about who you and what you give your power to.

This 40 day period sounds ominous, but in reality, this is a gift that allows us to know who we really are. Venus retrograde runs deep and we may see all of this energy manifesting in our relationships, in our creative projects, in our work, and with how we choose to love ourselves.

The New Moon in Libra comes on October 8. Until then, blessed be.

Full Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse July 2018 - Goat's Head Soup

This should be an exciting occurrence for our moon watchers - a Full Blood Moon and a total Lunar Eclipse all in one! This particular Moon is rising tomorrow in the astrological sign of Aquarius, but when viewed, is actually smack on the head of Capricorn the Goat. And just to shake things up a bit more, it has a conjunction (planets and points that form a conjunction are energies that are united - they are blended; therefore, they act together) to Mars; a T-square (aspect pattern is formed when points in opposition also form a square with another point. The pattern resembles the letter T when viewed in the chart) with Mars that's square Uranus (figure that one out!); and a trine (a term for when the powers involved are in harmony, so that they stimulate one another to increased activity and success) to Saturn.

What all this means is that there will be some crazy Mars energy flying around, with some help from the Uranus square that will be hard to rein in without the influence of steadying Saturn. We also have the influence of the stars in the head of the Goat - fixed star Gahib and the two stars in its horns, called Giedi. Ancient astrologers gave meaning to these stars. Gahib portends “success in business but retires under a cloud, favorable for wealth, influential position but scarcely realizes ambitions, trouble through opposite sex, deserved criticism and censure.” The Giedi portend “peculiar events, unexpected losses and gains, sometimes great good fortune.”*

It looks like a mixed bag this lunation, with heavy emphasis on the Mars/Uranus square. There may be some emotional fireworks for those susceptible to Mars energy (those born in the sign, and those whose moon, ascendant, or significant houses are in Mars). The lunar eclipse makes this stronger, and, because of the extraordinary length of this eclipse (1 hour 23 minutes), the effects will last longer than others. This will be an emotional time, with many feeling short of patience and prone to outbursts of anger. It will require Herculean feats of energy to calm down, and even when out of direct conflict. 

Keep in mind, however, that Mars is still in retrograde. So, while this Moon and eclipse brings upheaval and emotional stress, the palliative backwards motion of Mars, along with the help of Saturn, the promise of purging our unwanted negative energies and resolution of issues brought forward will be realized. As our friends at Darkstar Astrology explain, "trust, composure and persistence are needed and inner demons will have to be faced. As with all T-squares, once worked through, the rewards from this lunar eclipse July 2018 will be well worth the effort." As an added bonus, Mercury goes retrograde today, July 26. Go out, have fun, be cautious, guard your words, and be aware that impetuous actions might bring unintended consequences. We'll see you next month, and until then, blessed be.



*Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson, 1923. p.168. and p.157





















 

Jaunuary's Blue Blood Full Moon And Lunar Eclipse

The Sun is in Aquarius, the Full Moon is in Leo, and we also have a full Lunar eclipse occurring at 11 degrees Leo. Because of the Procession of the Equinoxes, though, this Lunar eclipse actually sits between two fixed stars in the Cancer constellation. The result is this is really more of a Cancer eclipse than a Leo. Cancer rules home and family, mothers, housework, and comfort. We can expect to feel more caring and responsible as a result.

Reinforcing that theme is the eclipse's very close conjunction to minor planet Ceres. Ceres rules motherly love, female issues, family bonds, and relationships. Ceres also rules what we refer to as modern motherhood, comprised of working mothers and single parenting whether female or male. Nurturing, multi-tasking, powerfully outspoken, and extremely emotional, this lunation will highlight social discussions and political debate in regard to parenting styles, custody rights, maternity leave, childcare and equal pay. Seems pretty timely, doesn't it?

The discussion we'll be having will be very illuminating, too, due to the fact that the Sun itself is in Aquarius, and Mercury, the planet of communication, will move into the sign at just about the same time as the Moon does. Expect fresh news, and we're advised to pay attention to facts.

The Moon or Ceres or both represent the women, mothers, working women and single parents. The Sun represents the dominating men, politicians and religions. The Sun also represents the role of provider as opposed to nurturer. So finding a balance between work and family will be another issue highlighted by the January 2018 total lunar eclipse. Sun opposite Moon and Ceres means you will need to think about the polarities in your life relating to parenting and the roles of women in families and society. Balance between family and work, children and career, or between looking after yourself and nurturing others. The key to finding the right balance is trust and faith in yourself and in your belief system.

This is also the ideal time to purge and release any old issues you perceive as holding you back from your goals. According to Jamie Partridge, the Astrology King, "Like a regular full moon only stronger, a lunar eclipse focuses your attention on intimate relationships, your home and your family. A total lunar eclipse has an even stronger influence on your private life. Sun opposite Moon qualities of emotions and instincts reach their peak at a lunar eclipse. This lets you take an objective and balanced look at your close relationships. Because you will be in touch with your own needs and intentions, you will clearly see any relationship imbalances causing disharmony." This total Lunar eclipse represents resetting your emotions, and clearing away the baggage of the last six months. It promises a heart-clearing, path-altering and ultimately self-affirming burst of emotions, predominately involving nurturing and relationships.

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!

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.

 

   

 

 

 

 

December 13 2016 Full Moon In Gemini - Expect Magic

December's Full Moon holds both sobering and exciting elements, which seems to mirror this season of celebration. I suppose we could say this is a bad news/good news situation, however, I wouldn't put too much emphasis on the bad news part.

The bad news of this Moon is that it's opposite Saturn. Because of this, you might experience loneliness or difficulty expressing your feelings. Coupled with the festivity of the holidays, that can create distance, and a possible strain in your relationships. Jupiter opposite Uranus can add an extra dollop of rebellious feelings on top of the melancholy you may be experiencing. The thing is, if you recognize that these are just dark aspects of this Full Moon, to be acknowledged but not wallowed in, you'll be able to enjoy the brighter, warm and fuzzy feelings that will also come.

Those warm and fuzzy feelings are on the way - because of the Full Moon trine Jupiter, Jupiter sextile Saturn, Saturn trine Uranus, and the fixed stars Phact, Capella, and Mintaka all bring different but positive aspects to the dark energies at work here. Communication will be crucial, and we're lucky that the stars' influence will make it easier to iron out any difficulties in relationships that may arise. Making changes will become easier, opportunities for growth abound, as will patience and honesty. Mutual respect and understanding can lead to very successful personal and business partnerships. In this case, Saturn will tend to act as a glue, bringing commitment and loyalty.

The December Full Moon is special because it's the last Supermoon of the year, which tends to heighten and magnify its effects. This Full Moon also holds another surprise - the Righteous (or Mystic) Rectangle. In the diagram below, you'll see that the calm blue rectangle surrounds the inner conflicting aspects. A Mystic Rectangle occurs in an astrological chart when four or more planets are connected by oppositions, sextiles and trines. According to Astrologist Kelli Fox, "The four corners of the box represent the four planets involved in the Mystic Rectangle; the short sides of the box represent the sextiles; the long sides represent the trines; and the diagonal lines crossing each other in the middle are the oppositions. This results in six related aspects among four or more planets — two oppositions, two sextiles and two trines. Sextiles and trines are ‘soft,’ or beneficial, aspects, and oppositions are ‘hard’ ones that can cause conflict. But since there are four soft aspects and only two hard ones in a Mystic Rectangle, the overall effect of this configuration is considered helpful — with just enough of a challenge thrown in by those two oppositions to keep things interesting!" In other words, it's suggested that you use your "soft" aspects to correct the "hard" ones.

It should all end up being what we all envision the holidays to be, a season of peace, beauty, and magic! If we all live in our own personal integrity, speak our truth, and work to untie the knots of miscommunication, we'll be able to celebrate without any reservation. Here's hoping that you all have a wonderful holiday!

Full Supermoon November 14, 2016 - Dealing With All That Bull

 

 

Monday's full Supermoon will be huge at 14% bigger and 30% brighter than others, due to its being the closest to Earth than at any time since 1948! And, like the girl on the swing in the picture above, we'll all be see-sawing back and forth in the wind for a little while longer, it seems. As eventful as this past week was, fasten your seatbelt because we've got some karmic drama yet to play out in our lives, and the lives of the rest of the souls on this planet.

The Full Supermoon will enter the sign of Taurus at its rise on November 14, at 5:51 am PST. Taurus, the Bull, is the sign of all things steady and practical, but it's also the harbinger of illumination. The past couple of weeks have been extremely fractious and emotional, but that will change and you'll feel a calmness and grounding with this full Supermoon, and you'll be able to see with a newfound clarity. That's the good news.

Due to several planetary aspects, this calm feeling you experience on the full Supermoon will soon dissipate. Mars entered Aquarius on November 9, and you might have felt that shift as it left methodical Capricorn, the sign of discipline and organization. The take-away from Mars in Capricorn is how you can improve your life if you follow through on the plans and/or goals set during the time of the New Moon. Aquarius supports unique, unconventional, free expression. Mars in Aquarius will propel awareness into a distinct turn toward the future.

As we've mentioned before, the past 18 months have been very distressing and disrupting because of the Saturn/Neptune square. These two planets have been wreaking havoc, stirring up illusion and controversy, as well as uncovering subterfuge and hidden agendas. For all the noise of people vying for attention and proclaiming truth, the truth still remains elusive until around mid-November, when Neptune enters a direct phase and Saturn transits into new territory around the time of the New Moon.  This full Supermoon comes as a reminder to think about our self-worth and security. It may also bring up issues with finances that need to be dealt with. If you have a poor relationship with money, this Moon's energy may be the perfect time to think about mending your relationship and start thinking more abundantly.

But then there's Saturn and that may mean that are great obstacles to be climbed. Dreams may be especially vivid, perhaps even prophetic. You may want to keep a record of your dreams in a journal for the next few weeks, to see if you can discern a pattern that might clue you in as to what you need to work on. Performing or taking part in a ritual to banish phobias and paranoia would be a good idea. If this full Supermoon triggers a deep melancholy or depression, it may be your intuition sensing future catastrophic events affecting a large portion of the population. See Astrology King's synopsis of what other minor planets and stars are affecting this month's forecast.

On a more personal note, if this election cycle has left you feeling like you need a good cleansing, Hoopla! Emporium has a fully stocked selection of premium sage bundles, sage & copal, sage & mugwort, resin incense, sage sprays, and palo santo sticks for space clearing! Along with a full complement of essential and fragrance oils, crystals, candles, and ritual salts, we're ready to help.

Full Hunter's Moon In Aries - Control Is The Name Of The Game

We've all had an interesting past few months, astrology-wise, haven't we? We are now past the major retrograde season (whew!), came through eclipse season intact, are still dealing with the nasty fallout from Saturn/Neptune square, plus we lived through last month's Black Moon. Now we deal with the aftermath!

You can comb through all the astrology pages on the internet and you'll find sensationalistic warnings of the Mercury-Pluto-Eris square and all the havoc it will wreak; how Moon conjunct Uranus will keep things crazy; and how the Sun's opposition to Uranus will challenge the status quo. What to keep in mind while reading all this is to remember to stay in control.

You'll also hear that this is a Supermoon. A Supermoon occurs when the Moon is close to the earth, and this helps  amplify its energy. Because the aspects of this full moon are very challenging, even more so because of the conjunctions and squares (Mars/Pluto/Mercury), it's important to know that anger, arguments, and rebellious behavior are to be expected. Keep your ego in check and don't take things too seriously. In fact, there's a great opportunity here to take that negative energy and get creative with it. Speak your mind, but be aware - the Aries Full Moon demands action and courage, not anger or blame, so use your journal, make art, or ground that excess energy in Mother Earth!

This is also a auspicious time to stand in your truth, to confront and finally deal with old issues that have recently come bubbling up to the surface. One of this Full Moon's conjunctions is with the bright star Eris, the Greek Goddess of strife and discord, even chaos. She is also the feminine warrior Goddess. Use her energy wisely to control base emotion, to take the higher road, and realize that over-reaction to anything during this time will not serve you well. Once you've controlled the ego, you can stand strong against any negativity, send it back to Earth, practice patience, and speak respectfully. Above all, remember that there is truth in this Moon - you may have to dig deep to uncover it, but when you find it, it'll be a razor sharp, but precious thing.

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!

New Moon/Solar Eclipse, Or, How I Spent My Summer Vacation

 

 

Actually, I guess we should title this post "How I Spent My Year", since we've been dealing with the effects of a Saturn - Neptune square since the end of last November. If you've been feeling like you've been lumbering around in a dark room while being covered in gauze, you'll look forward to this ending at the end of September. There'll be just one more hurdle, ok, two hurdles if you count Mercury Retrograde, and that will be the Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse set for September 16.

 

On Thursday, September 1, we'll all experience a New Moon and a Solar Eclipse in the sign of Virgo. A doorway is opening, through which we'll be able to catch a glimpse of what's in store for the rest of the year. It will be at this time that we can really understand where exactly this new cycle is going to take us. In the meantime, we have to get clear about what we want and about which direction we want to head in. Many have interpreted the meaning of this New Moon Solar Eclipse to mean a continuation of the "fear mongering" that has lingered since last year, easily seen in our political campaigns and playing out on social media. They predict that during this moon cycle, you must take extra care against depression and worry.

 

Like any New Moon, a solar eclipse signals the end of one cycle, and the beginning of a new one. This is the perfect time to end old, bothersome behaviors, or at the very least, question them. This is the time to search for new and innovative ways to make progress in your personal evolution. Don't get caught up in the final, dying aspect of the Saturn-Neptune square - to free yourself of fear, guilt and worry you must get back to basics. In other words, make your new goals practical, simple and defensive. Because of Mercury Retrograde, accomplishing your new plans may take a lot of work, so you need to learn to say no and mean it.  Positive thinking can overcome your fears and insecurities. This brings hope and self belief, a line of sight to your brighter future!

 

Blessings to all during this difficult, albeit hopeful, time!

 

 

 



New Moon/Solar Eclipse, Or, How I Spent My Summer Vacation

 

 

Actually, I guess we should title this post "How I Spent My Year", since we've been dealing with the effects of a Saturn - Neptune square since the end of last November. If you've been feeling like you've been lumbering around in a dark room while being covered in gauze, you'll look forward to this ending at the end of September. There'll be just one more hurdle, ok, two hurdles if you count Mercury Retrograde, and that will be the Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse set for September 16.

 

On Thursday, September 1, we'll all experience a New Moon and a Solar Eclipse in the sign of Virgo. A doorway is opening, through which we'll be able to catch a glimpse of what's in store for the rest of the year. It will be at this time that we can really understand where exactly this new cycle is going to take us. In the meantime, we have to get clear about what we want and about which direction we want to head in. Many have interpreted the meaning of this New Moon Solar Eclipse to mean a continuation of the "fear mongering" that has lingered since last year, easily seen in our political campaigns and playing out on social media. They predict that during this moon cycle, you must take extra care against depression and worry.

 

Like any New Moon, a solar eclipse signals the end of one cycle, and the beginning of a new one. This is the perfect time to end old, bothersome behaviors, or at the very least, question them. This is the time to search for new and innovative ways to make progress in your personal evolution. Don't get caught up in the final, dying aspect of the Saturn-Neptune square - to free yourself of fear, guilt and worry you must get back to basics. In other words, make your new goals practical, simple and defensive. Because of Mercury Retrograde, accomplishing your new plans may take a lot of work, so you need to learn to say no and mean it.  Positive thinking can overcome your fears and insecurities. This brings hope and self belief, a line of sight to your brighter future!

 

Blessings to all during this difficult, albeit hopeful, time!

 

 

 



New Moon/Solar Eclipse, Or, How I Spent My Summer Vacation

 

 

Actually, I guess we should title this post "How I Spent My Year", since we've been dealing with the effects of a Saturn - Neptune square since the end of last November. If you've been feeling like you've been lumbering around in a dark room while being covered in gauze, you'll look forward to this ending at the end of September. There'll be just one more hurdle, ok, two hurdles if you count Mercury Retrograde, and that will be the Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse set for September 16.

 

On Thursday, September 1, we'll all experience a New Moon and a Solar Eclipse in the sign of Virgo. A doorway is opening, through which we'll be able to catch a glimpse of what's in store for the rest of the year. It will be at this time that we can really understand where exactly this new cycle is going to take us. In the meantime, we have to get clear about what we want and about which direction we want to head in. Many have interpreted the meaning of this New Moon Solar Eclipse to mean a continuation of the "fear mongering" that has lingered since last year, easily seen in our political campaigns and playing out on social media. They predict that during this moon cycle, you must take extra care against depression and worry.

 

Like any New Moon, a solar eclipse signals the end of one cycle, and the beginning of a new one. This is the perfect time to end old, bothersome behaviors, or at the very least, question them. This is the time to search for new and innovative ways to make progress in your personal evolution. Don't get caught up in the final, dying aspect of the Saturn-Neptune square - to free yourself of fear, guilt and worry you must get back to basics. In other words, make your new goals practical, simple and defensive. Because of Mercury Retrograde, accomplishing your new plans may take a lot of work, so you need to learn to say no and mean it.  Positive thinking can overcome your fears and insecurities. This brings hope and self belief, a line of sight to your brighter future!

 

Blessings to all during this difficult, albeit hopeful, time!

 

 

 



The Planets Are In Fine Formation This Month

 

 

 

Veteran and novice astronomers are very excited this month - not only do we have five planets* visible in our night skies this month, the Perseid meteor showers are scheduled for tonight and tomorrow night. While this is an unusual occurrence, topping it all off will be a Mercury retrograde on August 30.

So, when is a retrograde not a retrograde? When it falls in the sign of Virgo, that's when. Star scholars believe that when this happens, as it will at the end of this month, it signals a cruise on the Love Boat, because of Mercury's proximity to loving Venus and magnanimous Jupiter. Jamie Partridge, the Astrology King, opines that "travels, studies and business deals can be undertaken with more confidence than during other Mercury retrograde cycles. Mercury direct does point to some minor adjustments or renegotiation but the fixed stars involved point to profit and even marriage." Well, well - we'll still be wary of communication gaffes, misfortunes with computers and such, and starting any type of new relationship.

We should be cautious with our communications and plans but life must go on. Here is a list of the healing crystals we recommend for getting through this Mercury Retrograde, in no particular order:

1. Aquamarine
2. Angelite
3. Blue Quartz
4. Hematite
5. Aqua Lemurian Quartz
6. Fluorite
7. Amazonite
8. Blue Lace Agate
9. Blue Scapolite

Mercury will be in retrograde through September 22.




*Planets seen in the night sky during August are Venus, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, and Saturn.

Oh My Stars, It's Retrograde Season!

 

Yes, indeed, friends, it's Retromageddon in the heavens, and on Earth this translates into "you can be all, or nothing, it's all on the table and your resistance is futile"! This month, we have five planets in retrograde - Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Mercury, and Pluto. What does that mean for you and yours? Read on to find out!

Jupiter, that huge, gaseous planet, was named for the king of the gods (Latin - in Greek, Zeus), and as such, is the planet of plenty. Jupiter is the thinking-person's planet. As the guardian of the abstract mind, this planet rules higher learning, and bestows upon us a yen for exploring ideas, both intellectually and spiritually. It's been in retrograde since January, and stations direct on May 9. Because retrograde means going backward, some may have been experiencing a feeling of being tested, perhaps in the area of self-control. However, this is mainly a beneficial retrograde, suggesting a period of increase in areas of wealth, travel, love, and/or breaking addictions.

Saturn, lord of time and Karma, is also Jupiter's father in the Roman tradition (Zeus' father, the Titan Cronus, in Greek mythology). Saturn stationed retrograde on March 26, and will station direct on August 15. This retrograde, Saturn is in Sagittarius, which means that we'll all be slowing down to contemplate just what we believe in, and that we may become pressured by circumstances to fully commit to where we're going, or, conversely, pull back. Whatever we decide, know that although the work involved in making these decisions will be hard, at the end you'll be able to put into practice what you've learned. The tag line for this period would be "timing is everything".

Mars, lord of war, stationed retrograde yesterday, April 17, and will station direct on June 29. Mars typically personifies vitality, motivation, and the desire to act, but when retrograde, his normal outward nature is turned inward, and informs us to be our most authentic selves. This is a period of review, reassessment, and internal inspection, again, as in Saturn, leads us to question our beliefs. How are your beliefs enhancing your life? Are you being guided by your spiritual consciousness, or are you allowing other peoples' dogma to limit and restrict you? All food for thought during this most introspective of times.

Pluto, Roman god of the underworld (Hades, in Greek mythology) stations retrograde today, 4/18. A tag line for this period would be "keep your wits about you", but this should be a positive experience in general. When Pluto is transiting retrograde, we are urged to let go of attitudes, thinking or communication patterns, security drives, rigid emotions; a time to undergo an internal form of house cleaning. It is a good time to research into our own Souls in order to determine exactly what we do or do not need, again, like all three of the above planets. Pluto retrograde is a good time for internal cleansings, detoxifying diets, Eastern disciplines that put you in touch with the inner self and even intense psychological reforms. Never had a Reikki session? Now's the time to do it! There is also an aspect of danger to those afflicted with diabetes, or similar issues with blood sugar, and are advised to be watchful.

Mercury, the Roman god of messengers and communication, stations retrograde on April 28. At this point in time, there will be five planets in retrograde, something that hasn't happened in 10 years! Mercury retrograde normally means that Murphy's Law holds sway, that anything than can go wrong, will go wrong, particularly in the areas of machinery, travel, and communication. Hold that thought, though - because this time around, our Mercury retrograde is being softened by Taurus, the lover of all things beautiful. Often times retrogrades are said be the time to avoid starting anything new—jobs, or relationships. This three to five week period is all about review, and that is precisely why while starting something new may not be a good idea—going back to something old is always encouraged. There are no coincidences during retrogrades—the biggest challenge we face is simply to follow the direction that our hearts are pulling us. A good tag line for this would be "love is all that matters". The questions you're asking yourself as a result of the other retrograde planets find a possible answer here, because Mercury in Taurus can assist in identifying that which is of true value to you.

 

To top off all five planets going retrograde, there's a full moon in Scorpio on April 22. The planet ruling the sun sign Scorpio is Mars, in retrograde during this full moon, and is also the second full moon in Mars this year. This is a time of extremes, so success here could be all-or-nothing, or the survival of the fittest. It's time to strengthen our physic immune system, echoing lessons from Pluto, above. This full moon points to a fear of negative karma and fated events holding you back from making progress. This impact of Saturn square North Node on the full moon is reinforced by having five retrograde planets during this moon phase. It's not all bad, though - it does present an opportunity to rise above fear and prejudice by focusing on your maternal, caring and instinctive side. Being inclusive instead of separating people into groups in not the easy way forward. It is the only way forward to avoid your fears turning into reality.

All in all, this is a tremendous time in all our lives, and much good could come from this seemingly stark astrological prognosis. It's never a bad thing to examine your motives, to see where you've gone, and verifying where you want to go. Crystals that could aid you during this period of planetary retrogrades are (in no particular order) Emerald, Blue Lace Agate, Rainbow Fluorite, Black Tourmaline, Amazonite, Aquamarine, and Hematite. Essential oils that could also help are lavender, to relax you, and peppermint, to sharpen the mind. Luckily, you can find all the crystals mentioned, as well as the essential oils, here at Hoopla!