August 2018 New Moon In Leo Partial Eclipse - The Crossroads

Led Zepplin's song, "Stairway To Heaven" gives us all a glimpse on how this New Moon and Partial Solar Eclipse will affect us. Here are the words in the son that particularly pertain:

"If there's a bustle in your hedgerow
don't be alarmed now, it's just a spring clean for the May queen.
Yes, there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run
there's still time to change the road you're on.
And it makes me wonder....."

Yes, indeed, we all do wonder just where we're headed, how we're evolving, how we interpret life, and if we're on the right path. We also wonder, if we acknowledge we're on the right path or going in the right direction, what the ultimate culmination of our efforts will be. Luckily, this New Moon in the regal sign of Leo will give us the light and energy we need to do so. Conversely, the wild energy surrounding this New Moon/Eclipse can bring things to light that we've been ignoring, burying, or otherwise felt confused about.

As the last eclipse of the season, it will stimulate creative development and expression as part of a rebirth. The sign of Leo is known, of course, for grandiose posturing, but in this lunation, Leo is portraying the loving nurturer. This is due to the New Moon's proximity to the fixed star Merak, in the side of the constellation of Ursa Major, and the asteroid Pallas. Also, because of its conjunction to Mercury in retrograde, the major themes will be thinking, contemplation, deliberation, discussion and debate.

Speaking of retrograde Mercury, there are several other planets in retrograde - Jupiter, Saturn, Pluto, Mars, Uranus, and Neptune. Their influence on this New Moon/Eclipse doesn't go unnoticed. According to the Astrology King, "it suggests disagreements and arguments about ideas and beliefs about power and control issues between people, groups of people and nations. Asteroid Pallas conjunct the eclipse will focus debate on feminism and politics." Mars and Mercury will station direct by August 27.

As a whole, there is a strong vibrational energy surrounding this New Moon and Solar Eclipse that will show things in greater clarity. It's an illuninator, shedding light on areas of our lives that have felt confusing and obscured, as mentioned above. In order to take advantage of this opportunity to illuminate our own individual paths, it's recommended that you take steps to energetically cleanse yourself and your space. You can accomplish this with burning sage or palo santo, using a sound bath, or a combination of both. Crystals to use for this lunation are Jasper, Pyrite, Carnelian, Citrine, and Tiger's Eye. After cleansing, bring in positive energy with incense, or a ritual of cord cutting and blessing. For instructions on how to do this, see this page.

Enjoy this New Moon and Solar Eclipse - it'll be visible in the northern parts of the U.S. only, unfortunately, but its effects will be felt worldwide, and last for up to six months. Until next month, blessed be!

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.

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.