Full Moon – Hang On or Let Go? - The Pisces/Virgo Dilemma

The Sun’s move into Pisces on Friday sets the stage for the upcoming Full Moon.  This Full Moon on Monday, February 22, 2016 falls across the Pisces/Virgo axis.  At Full Moon the Sun is 180 degrees from the Moon. The keyword is polarity, opposition, the I and the thou.  The Moon in earthy, practical Virgo loves the details, wants to organize and casts a critical eye over any and all proceedings.  The Sun will have no truck with any of that down to earth stuff.  Dreamy and ephemeral Pisces' Sun is more at home in the land of the poet, the symbolic and the intuitive. 

The Full Moon is like a dumbbell, often we do one side or the other.  On one hand the impulse here is to drown in the details, dig into the facts and figures and gather all useful information to assist in navigating life’s ups and downs.  On the other hand is the impulse to let it all go, relying on faith, trust and the inner guide that leads us in the right direction.  The danger here is doing one extreme or the other.  Faith, trust and visions are a necessary part of the human condition. But we live in the real world and there are practical considerations that we must contend with. 

The balance between this Sun and Moon enables us to harness those preposterous dreams and visions and ground them in the real world.  Dream the dream and meditate upon how to manifest that dream in the material world. 

Mercury, ruler of this Full Moon, moves along during the week following the Full Moon.  On Thursday and Friday Mercury connects with Saturn, then Uranus.  Mercury in Aquarius is intellectual with the ability to process and digest information quickly.  In a connection with Saturn Mercury talks about what is.  With the connection with Uranus, the talk is about what could be. 

Waning Moon is the time to assimilate and disseminate.  Sunday, the 28^th  with Moon in penetrating Scorpio and Sun joining Neptune offers the perfect time to meditate and quietly contemplate the who, what and where’s of our lives. Ground and center, then   embrace the mysticism of Pisces.  From those misty waters emerge practical solutions, adjusted viewpoints, and clear intent.  Get clear on what you want to hang on to and what you want to let go.  Does it serve your highest good, your higher self? Are you clinging to the material at the expense of the spiritual?  Are you steeped in mysticism but ignoring the electric bill? The trick here is to maintain the balance.  Give it a try.

Waxing Moon Moving Things Along

Wednesday, February 10, 2016, with waxing Moon in Pisces and Venus rolling in the hay with Jupiter we are not much concerned with the material world.  We receive psychic impressions and sense intangible forces at work.  In the night sky the Moon is a fingernail that will continue to expand until it reaches fullness on the 22^nd.   It may be tough getting through this hump day especially if work and concentration is involved.  This energy is good for the artist and the dreamer.  Practical matters take a back seat.

Early Thursday morning Moon enters aggressive, action oriented Aries.  Waxing Moon in Aries is a great time to start an exercise routine.  Aries Moon is great for starting something new.  Be sure to think it through before you begin.  Folks can be impulsive under this Moon.  Friday night, date night, is perfect for a stroll under the moonlight or a night of dancing.  Aries Moon craves action.  So get out there and act already!

Saturday morning Moon moves into the more stable sign of Taurus.   Change is not on the agenda under a Taurus Moon.  It is a fertile sign and whatever is begun under a waxing Moon in Taurus is sure to grow and last.  Venus ruled Moon in Taurus is great for long lasting romance.  The danger here is if things go south, it is difficult to break up and break away.  An evening out under at Taurus Moon carries with it the warning: When they turn the lights out, it’s time to go home. Taurus Moon doesn’t want it to end.

After sundown, Mercury reenters Aquarius and is soon at the point where it turned retrograde back in January.  Mercury then moves out of that “shadow” and activities and ideas put on hold now really begin to move forward.  Mercury in Aquarius gathers the news and shares it with friends.  Exchanging ideas with like-minded and not so like-minded folks is the joy of Mercury in Aquarius.  Around this time Mars makes a positive connection with Jupiter.  Mars is action and energy, with Jupiter it means a lot of whatever is on the table.  Don’t take on more than you can handle and keep a close eye on your energy levels.  This is “sit down before you fall down” time.

Sunday, with Moon in Taurus is a kick back day.  In the wee hours of Monday the First Quarter Moon occurs.  Quarter Moon’s by their very nature create tension. The square between the Sun and Moon at this particular phase has Mars stirring up the action.  Mars in Scorpio stirs up the muck from the bottom of the pot.  In dynamic aspect to the Sun and Moon that muck is going to hit the fan.  Remember to duck!

During the Monday morning commute Moon enters Gemini.  Gemini Moon rouses our curiosity and we begin to look around to see what going on outside our own little world.  Tensions roused by the Quarter Moon can be discussed now.  Gemini Moon loves to talk.  Moon in an air sign brings a bit of detachment, more logic than emotion.  Gemini Moon is great for starting the work week.  Multi-tasking becomes second nature to us all and the usual Monday morning clutter gets cleared up quickly.  This light and airy energy spills over into Tuesday. The energy is great for brainstorming, solving puzzles, and intellectual pursuits.  The mind is quick and gets bored easily.  Keep busy and survive the juggling energy of Gemini Moon. 

February Begins - This Weekend Packs a Punch

With Moon in exuberant Sagittarius Wednesday, the hump of hump day feels like a mountain.  We’re feeling restless and long for anything but the daily routine. In the morning Mars tangles with Pluto bringing complex energies to the surface.  Mars, the warrior currently traversing through Pluto’s home turf of Scorpio, is excellent at delivering that famous Scorpion sting. This aspect, exact for the early morning commute, rouses anger. Be aware and alert while on the road.   In the afternoon Sun and Saturn get together bringing some of that “nose to the grindstone” energy that helps us make it through the day.

Moon is Void of Course through most of Thursday until 7:44 PM EST when Moon leaves freewheeling Sagittarius and enters the more grounded Capricorn. The Capricorn motif continues throughout Friday and Saturday setting the tone for the weekend. Capricorn is all about business, duty and doing the work that moves us along in life.  Friday evening Venus gets up close and personal with Pluto in the sign of Capricorn.  Venus is about love and money. Pluto is about power, control and can bring obsession to the head of the class.  With Moon, Venus and Pluto all in Capricorn romance and money deals may be slow to start but there is a promise of longevity.  A Venus in Capricorn romance may not have the sparkle and sizzle of other types of romances but this romance does have stability with both partners grounded in reality. We recognize that each has feet of clay.

Around midday on Saturday the action begins when the Sun connects with unpredictable Uranus.  This aspect favors the spontaneous and unexpected. Be prepared for a change in plans due to unforeseeable events.  Busy little Mercury links with big boy Jupiter and facts get blown out of all proportion.  This brings a lot of wind, whether it is in the atmosphere or from the blowhard next door.  Rounding out the day Venus agitates Uranus.  This aspect can bring romance that is exciting, capricious and very spur of the moment. 

As Saturday rolls over to Sunday the Moon enters forward looking Aquarius.  Humanitarian causes, friends and groups of like-minded individual attract our attention. Aquarius Moon is somewhat of a kick back Moon with none of the usual emotional attachments.  Detachment is a key word here.  Hiking with a group, working on a campaign or for a cause do well while Moon travels through Aquarius.  It’s not all brotherhood and sisterhood when Sun squares off with Mars around sunrise.  Mars rules fighting and war.  Sun can rouse Mars’ anger.  By mid-morning Venus enters the picture sparking romantic passion.  Venus and Mars together in any aspect can be the glue that holds a relationship together.  Venus in earthy Capricorn and Mars in sexy Scorpio say let’s get physical.  It’s not only the eggs that will be frying this Sunday morning.

Monday morning we start the week with New Moon in Aquarius. The New Moon also sets the tone for the Lunar Month.  In Providence, RI this particular New Moon 

January Ends With a Bang!

On Wednesday January 27^th with Mercury now direct and waning Moon in Virgo it is a good time to clear the decks, desks and tie up any loose ends that have been hanging. Finish and complete are the buzzwords for this energy.  Thursday morning Moon enters Libra at 9:59 A EST bringing conversational skills to the fore.  This is a good time to resolve any issues within a personal relationship.  Libra Moon sees both sides of the picture, promotes fairness and favors teamwork and partnerships of all kinds.

Moon goes Void of Course at 8:34 PM EST on Friday evening and remains so until entering the sign of Scorpio on Saturday at 10:50 PM EST.  This is one of those long Void of Course periods, best to kick back and just let things flow. It is best to ground and center, engage in any spiritual practice and avoid making decisions.

As Friday rolls over into Saturday Mercury joins Pluto for some intense conversation. No idle cocktail party chitchat for these two.  Deep, penetrating and profound questions, answers and conversation is the hallmark of this signature.  With the Sun directly overhead in the sky on this Saturday, Venus connects with Neptune.  This is a great aspect for the artist.  Everyone becomes more aware of the love and beauty around them.  The danger here is clinging to the ideal and not the reality.  This is the original rose-colored glasses aspect.  In areas involving love and money be sure you are seeing what is, not what you want it to be.

Sunday with Moon in Scorpio all day, the Last Quarter Moon occurs.  Quarter Moons create action.  This Quarter Moon has Mercury squared off with Uranus. And the Moon while squaring the Sun snuggles up to Mars in Scorpio.  January will end with a bang. This could manifest as a weather related event, an aviation or transportation mishap or outrageous words and actions by a prominent figure.  With Uranus involved the unexpected rules, things that one could not possibly conceive of, occur. These aspects also set the stage for the following week.  Expect more surprises as the first week of February unfolds. Hang on to your hat!

Full Moon Weekend

Wednesday, January 20^th Moon in Gemini welcomes the Sun as it moves into Gemini compatible Aquarius.  Gemini and Aquarius are air signs and deal with the world of ideas, some of it abstract and under the influence of Aquarius, forward looking and inventive.  Sun in Aquarius can rouse the rebel in us all but Aquarius’ co-ruler Saturn retains the inclination to trod the straight and narrow.  Under this influence new ideas emerge to perform the same old, same old. In the afternoon retrograde Mercury in Capricorn squares Aquarius’ more daring co-ruler Uranus.  This can trigger sparks of genius with the ability to manifest that genius in the material world.  Hold on before implementing those ideas until Mercury goes direct on the 25^th.  This aspect can also trigger accidents involving transportation in all forms, auto, air, trains etc.

Leading into the weekend Moon slides home to Cancer on Thursday morning.  Moon belongs here and the emotions rule the next few days.  Instinct takes over on many occasions.   We’re feeling vulnerable, exposed and often overly sensitive.  Folks want to nurture and be nurtured.  It’s easy to go for the comfort food under this Moon.  Remember, it may feel good going down but once it hits the hips, there is where it will stay. 

Mercury gets in the picture before dawn on Friday, the 22^nd when the winged messenger hooks up with Pluto.  Wherever Pluto goes the crap comes to the surface first.  With Mercury involved, it is verbal crap. Once the crap has floated away it is time for some deep, penetrating conversation.  Time to get to the bottom of something, whatever that “something” is in your life.  Retrograde Mercury will come back to Pluto at month’s end after turning Direct, so this conversation, which may have begun around the Winter Solstice, when these two were together in the sky for the first time, may not attain resolution until after the 30^th.

Saturday is Full Moon day. Moon enters Leo at 2:21 PM EST.  Venus enters Capricorn at 3:32 PM EST and the Full Moon is exact at 8:48 PM EST.  Moon rises at 4:45 PM EST and sets the following morning at 7:08 AM EST.  So if the weather is clear you will have ample opportunity to view the Moon in all its glorious fullness.

There is a lot of tension in the Full Moon chart.  These tensions can bring a nudge to move us along into a different or the right direction.  It is a good time to get together with friends, speak from your heart and take a look around to find out where you are at and where you want to go.  Friends may bring some drama into your life or they could simply drag you out of the house for a rollicking good time.  Remember this Full Moon is in Leo and folks like to be appreciated under this Moon so give that compliment or thank that person for whatever.  This is a great weekend for romance if you are so inclined.  Folks want to have fun so let your inner child out to play.

On Monday, Mercury goes direct at 4:50 PM EST.  When planets change direction they are moving very slow and appear to stop then begin to move again.  With Mercury, new information and ideas begin to percolate.  Moon entering Mercury ruled Virgo at 10:45 PM EST brings with it the energy to sift through the various threads, retaining and discarding as you go along. Virgo Moon enhances or powers of discernment.  With waning Moon in Virgo it is a good time to eliminate that which does not serve you. Issues of diet and health predominate.  This is the optimal time to start a diet to lose weight or take that last drag of nicotine.  We are totally aware under this Moon of what is good for us and what ain’t.  Act accordingly.

Winter Solstice and Beyond - A Rock and Roll January 2016

The Sun entering Capricorn is the moment that winter begins. A time of the year that has been celebrated since before recorded history.  This marks the turning of the wheel of the year, it is the longest night and hereafter the days begin to grow longer. It is and has been a celebration of the return of the light. 

Astrologers cast a chart for a given location for the moment that the Sun enters Capricorn to ascertain what the season will bring.  This is called an Ingress Chart.  I cast the chart for Providence, RI, which is my neck of the woods. The location gives you the angles, i.e., the cusp of the 1^st, 4^th, 7^th, and 10^th houses. The angles change for a chart erected for a difference location.  In Providence, the Ascendant or cusp of the 1^st house is 0 degrees, 59 minutes of Libra.  A chart erected for Washington, DC has 26 degrees, 29 minutes of Virgo Rising on the Ascendant.  This changes the tone of the chart considerably and moves the planets into a different house than the one set for Providence. If you want to know what is going on in the country you set the chart for the capitol of that country.  If you want to know what is going on in a particular state you set the chart for the state capitol. 

Wherever you set the chart, the planetary configurations remain the same. The Sun, indicating the head of state, Governor/President moves from the third house in the Providence chart to the fourth house in the Washington, DC chart.  Here the Governor sits on the angle so her actions will be more noticeable.  The President with the Sun off the angle into the fourth house will take action that is more foundational.

Overall in Rhode Island and across the country money, debt, interest rates and unexpected action from open enemies will occupy the government and the people.

The first week of January 2016 will start the year off with a bang.  Mars goes home to Scorpio. The warrior is vengeful in this sign. He takes action and cuts to the quick. Mercury and Jupiter go retrograde and the Sun squares off with Uranus.  This is a lot of energy packed into one week.  Jupiter can be a real good guy bringing plenty of pizza and a couple of six packs to the party but he can also bring a lot of hot air.  Folks promising more than they can deliver, exaggeration and a philosophy that says my way or the highway.  Sun, square Mr. Surprise Uranus, lights the torch of anything goes. 

On January 25^th Mercury goes direct.  When planets change direction they slow down and seem to sit in one spot, the energy of that planet is strong at this time.  At this moment of direction change Mercury sits on the degree where Pluto was in the Ingress Chart, the Winter Solstice.  Pluto goes to the extreme, in the 4^th house of the Ingress chart he speaks of extreme weather.  A 60 degree Christmas Day is pretty extreme. But be ready because he can go just as extreme in the opposite direction. At the Solstice there was only 4 degrees separating Mercury and Pluto, this is considered a conjunction.  When two planets are conjunct they energy melds, combines and can be either positive or negative depending on other circumstances.  When Mercury changes direction on that degree we revisit what went on at during the Solstice period.  Weather wise Mercury can be windy, with Pluto strong wind.  The wind could come from the mouths of those who wish to keep societal constructs in place or from those who want to do just the opposite.  Remember Pluto can destroy, but always something better comes after.  But the transition is always tough.

Remember to keep your cool during this period. Don’t fall victim to fear and hysteria and try to maintain compassion.  Not an easy thing to do.  During difficult times it is important to operate on the highest vibration possible.  Get your inner Mother Theresa going. Breathe, meditate and go to your happy place.  Get outside and touch the Earth. Stay grounded and stick to the high road. 

Sky Talk Week of December 13, 2015

Last week, on the 7^th there was a 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Tajikistan. Tajikistan is a mountainous country located between Afghanistan, China and a couple of other “stans”. Throughout last week Mars moved from a square to Pluto and an opposition to Uranus; an earthquake is the perfect manifestation of these aspects. If these aspects made a direct hit on your horoscope than a more personal type of earthquake may have manifested.   On the brighter side, a climate agreement was reached in Paris. Whether countries will follow through is another matter. Only time will tell.

The New Moon on Friday brought a collective sigh of relief as the intensity of Scorpio passes and we move into the hopeful optimism of Sagittarius.  New Moons are just that, new beginnings as one cycle ends and another begins.

On Monday the confidence and optimism of Sagittarius goes into exaggerated mode when Sun squares off with Sagittarius’ ruler, Jupiter.  This is an aspect of “too much”

We try to do too much, may say too much and often get a feeling of overload in general. During the holiday season overload is easy, this aspect enhances that energy.  Slow down and breathe.

Monday afternoon when Mercury connects with Neptune don’t believe everything you hear. Imagination runs wild.  Do some fact checking before you succumb to the prevalent paranoia. Moon in Aquarius until 12:45 PM Wednesday brings a feeling of fellowship and folks operate from an intellectual stand point rather than emotional.  Good for that fact checking.

On Thursday Venus promises some intense relationship issues when she connects with Pluto. Venus is in Scorpio, ruled by Pluto. Placed here there can be jealousy, suspicion and lots of passion.  Once again, don’t get paranoid.  “They” may be crazy but they are not out to get you.  Moon in Pisces throws logic out the door and folks are more in tune with the intangibles paying attention to the subtle vibes around them.  It’s really hard to differentiate between what is real and what isn’t.  With Pisces it pays to take the high road. Escape from reality, what Pisces Moon wants, is best done through meditation, not a bottle of scotch. But do pay attention to the signs and symbols around you.

Friday morning the First Quarter Moon is a time for action.  The little seeds planted at the New Moon are beginning to sprout.  You are going to have to do something to move that growth along.  Often this is unconscious, instinctive action that requires little thought. Simply the natural unfolding of events.  Don’t over think it. 

On Saturday, with Moon in impulsive Aries, Mercury joins forces with Pluto.  Mercury in practical Capricorn lays out the facts.  Pluto promises an intense conversation, perhaps relationship oriented, perhaps a business meeting.  Remember with Moon in Aries people want to start something new, have a lot of enthusiasm but may not think things through. Mercury in Capricorn calls for logic and the emotional need for change has to get past that.  If you have been thinking about something for a while, a waxing Moon is a good time to begin. My class on Astrological timing gives more information about when to start, stop and plan.