Capricorn New Moon

Welcome to Astro Weavings and Happy Birthday Sagittarius and Capricorn!

This past week we had the full moon in a grand cross aspect to all of the mutable signs and now are on our way into the holidays, and our new moon this month is in Capricorn on the 27th. This moon is beautifully aspected with seven planets in Capricorn, which will all trine Saturn throughout late December and early January--what a nice way to enter into deep winter with Capricorn trining its own planet.

All planets are in direct motion until the 21st, winter solstice when Saturn turns retograde.

Sagittarius New Moon

Hi folks, I have been out of commission for awhile, moving my residence and managing the movement of Saturn through my fourth house stellium, clearing the foundation of any incongruencies and misalignments within my inner house so to speak.

This week of Thanksgiving takes us into the sign of Sagittarius, and November 27th brings us the new moon in the sign of the Archer. Happy Birthday Sagittarius!

The archer aims his arrow or sword in the direction he wants his beliefs to take him in. Jupiter, the planet associated with Sagittarius, is the gas giant of the solar system and literally inflates anything it focuses on. So, what do you believe in? What do you stand for? What do you focus your thoughts on? What do you have faith in? What areas of your life need fulfillment? If areas in your life are expanding in a direction which is not satisfying or fulfilling to you this new moon is the one to get clear about your intentions so you can manifest (Jupiter) them, especially if they are in alignment with the greater good.

Personally, I am standing for freedom and change, and coming out of hiding to share my writing. I have been experiencing a lot of inner turbulence and fear lately and realized last week, that the only reason fear has had such a tight grip on me is because of my thoughts (what I was choosing to believe in) of fear, loss, etc. which had a strangle hold on me. With Saturn in Virgo, stirring up healing for our deepest personal and collective wounds, and unearthing all the instability in the marketplace our deepest seemingly insurmountable issues and tasks as a collective and personal body are bound to surface.

The Sun, the moon, Mercury and Mars are in close partnership in Sagittarius during this new moon. The sun represents our will, the moon our emotions, Mercury our mind/thoughts, and Mars our physical energy and our actions, thus I am utilizing the fuel of these planets (they align well in my chart) to aim in the direction of courage, emotional freedom, belief in the light, and the energy to follow through to release my article about Pluto.

Pluto moves slowly, transiting through one sign for a minimum of fifteen years. The last fifteen years, Pluto has been raising our consciousness about spirituality, religion, government, shining it's light (Sag) into the dark (Pluto) corners of bureaucracy, banking, business, and religious falacies. Now as Pluto moves into an earth sign, transformation on a formiable level come front and center as the collective steps into the underworld with Capricorn as their guide.

Pluto officially moves into Capricorn as of this week without retrograding back into Sagittarius at all. Capricorn rules all structures of soceity as well as the physical structures of our bodies. Buildings, strategies, governments, banking, foreclosures, teeth, bones, gravity, management, etc....
Therefore all governing bodies, all businesses are up for deep and lasting transformation. Pluto, ruled by Scorpio is no lightweight. The Goddess of the underworld is aligned with the deepest and most thorough transformation of any planet in our solar system. And, although demoted to a "sub-planet or asteriod" or something by NASA, her status in the scientifc model will not persuade her from cleaning house.

Now, let's not get thoroughly frightened here. We have other helpers to guide us through of the change coming down the pike. Aquarius for instance is an ever guiding force for collective humanitarism and by February 2009 six or seven planets will be aligned in Aquarius and will continue to shed light onto us and the planet, as a means to spyhon off our remaining personal and collective toxins.

Feel the energy of Obama coming out on stage the night of the election. So much light was pouring down into the planet at that moment that it awakened our deepest issues to heal and transform. I saw waves of rainbow light move across the crowd as they cheered in utter glory and rapture as we collectively chose to bring forth change.

More of this astounding transformation is coming, so hold to that as we watch the crumbling of over-zealous, unconscious, and non eco-friendly firms fold and turn into dust.

Election Week

Wow, this week has been totally intense. Three young boys from my nephew's school were randomly shot, one boy died. My uncle had a major heart attack and died yesterday morning, a good friend is in the hospital on life support while Barack Obama swept the nation's heart into a collective landslide voting him into office. Our heart's are raw here at home while joyously embracing this momentous historical time.

In addition my personal life is in total transition while I attempt to harness my collective gift and bring it forward in the collective although this is not the week to force anything. Transiting Saturn is opposing Uranus in a T-square aspect with Venus. This configuration is conjuncting and squaring my angels, my 4th house Uranus, Pluto, Venus in Virgo and opposing my natal Saturn in Pisces, and squaring my nodes.

I know this too shall pass, so I will wait it out. Venus will move forward and everything won't be so personally intense. I can handle to transiting opposition as I am quite familiar with it.

I looked up my uncle's chart and although I do not have his birth time, the chart reveals, Mercury, Venus, Pluto conjunct in Virgo. Saturn had just crossed over. My friend who is in the hospital has Venus in Pisces 18 degrees, Saturn is opposing and Uranus is conjuncting. They both were/are sixty years old. My uncle has south node in Leo and my friend has south node in Sagittarius. Neptune and Chiron are conjunct his SN and Saturn is squaring my friends mutable chart.

Wow,I am glad I got all of that out of my mind. When you understand astrology, especially the complexity, it can be quite isolating when others don't have the same reference point to discuss current events, etc.

Signing off for now.

Deeper into the Mystery

This is usually my favorite time of year, besides the summer. The mysteries of life seem to birth forward now. The earth has been primed by Virgo, our relationships have been graced by the lightness of Libra, as we step into communion with our deep regenerative resources in Scorpio. Connecting with our ancestors, symbolology, and inner power are are all linked in the underworld of the Scorpion.

Several years ago, on All Hallows Eve of 2004, I had an incredible experience which I recorded in my journal.

Autumn was setting in and as Halloween approached the veil between worlds became increasingly thin. The dusk of All Hallow’s Eve was deliciously mysterious as I decorated the house with the help of my cats. My furry little babes literally flew around on their magical broomsticks and fairy wings as I sorted through the witch-hat lights to decorate the front entranceway of the house. Mystical waters were palpable as we floated through the house settling in for the night.

I awoke Halloween day embodied with the energy of Blessed Be permeating my psyche. The Goddess gracefully whispered into every molecule of air as I moved about preparing for the day. She silently invoked her sacred song into my complete essence, as she whispered aliveness and blissful wellness into every woman who sings her sacred song to today.

Literally moving within a cloud of joyful radiant knowing, my entire being is filled with the brimming veil of all that is sacred, and all that is unseen and alive as I drive to Unity for the Sunday service. I arrive confident and late to the service. I sit. My body goes through the motions to rise and sign the Lord’s Prayer. Nothing comes out of my mouth, my lips don't move. I am guided to go outside to keep the feminine sacred rather than sing in devotion to the masculine principle.

The Earth calls me to the creek along the edge of the church property. I sit on the earth, Indian style with my face to the sun enclosed by autumns' fallen amber, crimson, and clove. Streaming light illuminates my face and a luminescant spinning star appears with eight oval spheres.

Then Mary Magdalene appears, warming me with her soft, strong, and grounded presence. Her energy is maiden, mother and crone of the highest light, vibrating integrity and wise compassion. Then Guinevere appears. I ask her what her role is in this vision, and she shows me the veil to the ancient landscape of Avalon. She is the gatekeeper. As Guinevere lifts the veil, I am inside Avalon. I see the Lady of the Lake rising from the sacred water. Her sword is held high. I ask her what her message is. She tells me it is time for all women to awaken from their sleep, to awaken to their deep knowing and to rise in unison to reclaim the feminine.

The entire day is sheathed with the veil of ancient knowing, gifts and wholeness. It is so and so it is! I arise and give thanks and blessings to my sisters. Blessed Be!
Wow, I am happy to share some light and dreamy stuff, especially since reality seems all to real these days.

This Hallow's Eve follows the New Moon in Scorpio, October 28th which kicks off the elections and heads us full gear into a new world. Scorpio always presents to us what must die to be reborn. What is unnecessary, what needs transformation? The fixed signs of Aquarius, Scorpio and Leo are in a planetary T-square, showing us our collective and personal shadow, and our highest ideals and healing dreams and visions for all, and where our personal actions need resourceful power to generate and manifest real change.

The other dynamic and intense aspect is the opposition of Uranus and Saturn which I addressed in the previous Astro Weavings and in the Saturn in Virgo article.

Here are some quotes, called Sabian Symbols, from Dane Rudhyar, a famous and highly respected astrologer of the early twentieth century. The symbols offer real clarity for the present times when interperted with an open mind or metaphysically.

Chiron 17 degrees Aquarius--

"A watchdog stands guard, protecting his master and his possessions." "The development of the capacity to protect oneself and to safeguard one's individual rights under complex social pressure.

North Node 15 degrees Aquarius--

"Two lovebirds sitting on a fence and singing happily." "The blessing bestowed upon personal achievements by the spiritually fulfilled consciousness of the Soul."

Neptune 22 degrees Aquarius--

"A rug is placed on the floor of a nursery to allow children to play in comfort and warmth." "The warmth of understanding which comes to those who, early in life, are open to new possibilities."

Mars 18 degrees Scorpio--

"A path through woods brillant with multi-colored splendor." "The exalted feeling of a work well done and a truly consummated life."

Uranus 20 degrees Pisces--

"A table is et for an evening meal." "An indication that in the end and at the appointed time the invidual's needs will be met among those to whom he is linked by a spiritual (or biological) web of energies."

Saturn 19 degrees Virgo--

"A swimming race." "The stimulation that comes from a group effort toward a spiritual goal."

To expound upon this last quote this further, Rudhyar states, "When man has become an expert swimmer he has smybolically learned how to operate in a new element. This element, water, represents the ever-flowing stream of psychic energy, and, in a sense at least, the "astral" world. In a still deeper sense man is now able, mystically speaking, to cross the river and reach "the other shore"--or to swin back toward the source. Whether or not the symbol should suggest the competitive spirit at work is questionable. At the biological level a host of spermatozoa are swimming toward the ovum, and each presses on toward the goal, the act of impregnation. A seeker after spiritual rebirth actually does not strive alone. It is Man who, acting through the most advanced individuals of the race, is taking a step toward "rebirth" or toward a new mutation. The personal ego-centered ambition to succeed and to be "first" is indeed a sign of expectable spiritual failure.

At this stage we are confronted with a problem of interpretation. Is not ambition a subtle form of deviation under the pressure of ancient karma, and the competitive spirit so valued by our civilization a sign of failure to understand the deeper reality of existence? What is needed is EMULATION, not competition.

What is Wealth?

Driven now to redefine our ideas and beliefs regarding what is important and truly meaningful in our lives, our attention turns to our individual and collective  relationship to wealth, i.e., our resources and finances.

Typically wealth is associated with financial fortune and affluence, and yet true wealth is derived from a state of well-being and wellness.  Forming this balance in the bodymind and soul is imperative now.  Conscious aliveness leads to wellness which portends a prosperous and happy life, although human conditioning create dichotomies which encourages separation from the intimate guidance of our soul.

The spiritual sustenance derived of being in direct relationship with the Sacred and the Divine within is irreplaceable, especially now as the world hits bottom.  In our modern culture, the accumulation of things is advocated and reinforced as the means to a better life.  Granted "things" bring us comfort and ease, but real comfort comes from living integrated and consciously embodied, not split off from our multi-dimensional selves.  Living solely from a 3rd dimensional perspective makes this world mundane, heavy and all too real.

The 3rd dimension is linear, narrow, and judgmental, requiring scientific evidence before anything is considered “worthy”. Wellness, wholeness, and wisdom develop from within a connected, transformed and free bodymind, which requires a open-mind, to consider the possibility that more exists just beyond this reality.

Allowing non-judgment to reside in our deepest core, encourages light to  radiate in every cell of our beings.  This light unites us with our highest purpose and fills our hearts with compassion.

Compassion is what will gracefully carry us through today's changing times.  What we have aligned with in the past no longer serves our collective evolution, and as we shall see, the old paradigms will fall away as new conscious systems establish themselves in service to the greater good of all.

When we become so self-responsible for what we create, we eradicate every thread of untruth that we had carried.  Self-responsibility comes first from taking an inventory of what we are storing, cleaning house, and making room for grace, miracles, and transmutation to occur.

October Transformations

Welcome Libra & Happy Birthday
October is usually the month we find balance and harmony within our homes and pesonal relationships, both Librian traits, yet, this year we are deeply challenged to hold our balance as political drama and financial chaos come close to tipping us over.

It seems that all is askew and that there is no answer, no solution, yet now more than ever it is important to remain grounded, joyous, and prayerful, so we can see clearly, and earnestly listen to Spirit's calling and direction. For the next two weeks the collective mind will be busy, dreaming up scenarios which seem hopeless, so be mindful to stay in your body and to create abundance in your thoughts and actions.

There are several reasons everything feels so intense right now. The new moon on September 29th also brought us Mercury in retrograde. This retrograde period is probably the most confusing Mercury retrograde periods we have experienced, maybe ever, so hold on to your hats folks.

With numerous planets in air signs, squaring Jupiter in Capricorn we will feel a strong tendency to overthink. If you are feeling overwhelmed, slow down, breath, and visualize the center of the earth and your core. Turn off the news and know that we are just at the tipping point of a new world, which is shaking foundations which have been unstable for a long time. This is part of the dismantling which is necessary for change to come forward. It seems that the addictive and dysfunctional patterns of the collective and the masked fear--constant adrenaline rush--this country tends to run on is being revealed.

Venus is in Scorpio showing us where are values are and how deep they run. Jupiter is in Capricorn representing the consistent grounded sides of our natures. We can utilize Venus by getting into the juiciness of your bodies, or deep transformative healing. Jupiter offers us the pragmatism needed to apply our beliefs in our business, financial life, and communities.

With Neptune and Chiron maintaining their positions in Aquarius, we can continue to hold the vision of a conscious world, healed and highly aligned, therefore continue to utilize positive clear thoughts as they are our prayers. It makes a difference. This is not the first time we have been tantilized with fear dominated scenarios and this will not be the last, therefore we can choose to see through to the truth (Scorpio & Jupiter). Evolution is speeding up, which basically means that our thoughts are literalized within seconds of having them, so continue to be mindful, and clean house, inner and outer, as we move further into this season.

The other reason for the intensity is the upcoming opposition between Uranus and Saturn, exact on election day, November 4th. So don't be surprised if something changes, like election day having to take place on Wednesday instead of Tuesday. The candidates, and our consciousness or lack there of, are literally being symbolized by the Uranus Saturn opposition.

Uranus wants change, it wants to open to new ways while Saturn wants to stabilize and tighten its control. Uranus is associated with the astrological sign of Aquarius which is described as the change-agent, humanitarian, brillant, genius, and high-minded. Uranus can and will operate through shocking and intense events to create the necessary change to break through to new and viable avenues for the greater good. Saturn associated with Capricorn is interested in bringing form into ideals, it molds, shapes and builds communities, etc.

With Uranus currenlty in Pisces and Saturn in Virgo, the archetypes and functions of their repsective signs are expressing within our minds, our lives and our culture. Pisces is about Oneness, spirituality, and Christ Consciousness. Virgo, the healer is associated with the Virgin, the Virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene, as well as the planetoid Chiron, the wounded healer.

Uranus, for close to seven years now, has been breaking up the stagnant and hidden truth about our ability to commune directly with the Divine Source of the universe, with God, without the need for religious constraints and dogma. Saturn in Virgo is bringing up our deepest wounds to be healed, revealing where we are in excess, where we are still holding to tight, where we are not honoring and devoting our time and energy in sacred service, where we are greedy and abusing our bodies, our minds, our authority, etc.

With all of this in mind, look closely at the candidates. What do you see? What and who are they representing? If we take a step back and allow ourselves to consider for a moment the pattern of victim and perpatrator/victimizer, good versus evil, etc. we may see that each one of us has been in either role at some point in time and space, this life or another. When we can truly focus on releasing the need to hold on to these patterns of punishment and the details of the story, we will be freed from them, personally and collectively. Granted, that may require some serious soul-searching as well as truly applying the concept to all of our circumstances.

Sometimes, it is only through extreme change that we awaken to deep transformation and healing.

Consider this, all of the lives we have lived run simualtaneously with our current lives, therefore, whatever we are dealing with now personally and collectively is similar to that which is unhealed from the past. Thus remembering ancient and sometimes karmic patterns bring forth release and true healing. Brain Weiss, an esteemed and respected world-renowed psychciatrist wrote the book, Many Lives Many Masters and Same Soul, Different Bodies. One day his very scientific practice expanded while digressing a very physically sick client under hyponosis to address what he thought was early childhood trauma. She entered into a past life, to Dr. Weiss' surprise and shock, remembered a tragic death, and upon her reentry into present time all of her illnesses eliminated permeantly.

We are not as limited and small we as think we are! The following quote was written by Marianne Williamson for Nelson Mandela:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

The other reason for the intensity of our times is the planet Pluto is crossing the Galactic Center of the Universe, as it changes signs from Sagittarius to Capricorn. I have addressed the upcoming opposition and Pluto in two articles, Saturn in Virgo and Pluto Across the Center. May the articles bring education and deeper insight and understanding to our collective path.

Blessings.

Virgo Harvest

With the season of Harvest upon us the Virgo sun gives us the energy to accomplish a great deal now, as it puts us directly in touch with what is important and what demands our attention, especially because Virgo knows how to separate the wheat from the chaff.

This is why the digestive tract and alternative health are ruled by Virgo.  For instance, the energetic function of the small intestines in Chinese Medicine is described as the organ of assimilation. To assimilate one must discern what to keep and what to release; what to let in and what to discard.  Therefore, one could say Virgo is a gatekeeper.  She is very detailed and can pinpoint any mis-alignments or incongruities, so clarity can come forth and clear focus and devotion can be at the forefront of our lives.

While the practical side of Virgo encourages us to be focused on discernment, service and work, Saturn in Virgo calls forth another aspect of the virgin, to align with the sacred temple of our bodies.  Conscious movement and exercise, such as, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Yoga, Energy Pilates, weight training, and choosing whole food nutrition, herbs, flower essences, homeopathy, acupuncture, as a means to clean up and organize our inner infrastructure is totally supported now.  All forms of alternative healing and medicine are ruled by Virgo, so check in with you inner goddess and ask her to guide you to the best avenues of healing for you.

Meteor Shower & Lunar Eclipse

Wow, this week's energy is incredible. We are experiencing gorgeous weather here in Maryland, as we receive the culminating light from the Perseid meteor shower and move full steam ahead into a Full Moon Lunar Eclipse, August 16th.

Usually August is hot and steamy. It seems the meteor activity and the lunar tides are shifting the intensity of the climate though, to grace filled air to touch upon our skin while the radiant Leo sun continues to beam our creative visions through Aquarian avenues of fruition.

The combination of these astronomical and astrological events makes this a time to blissout. To tap into our dreamy natures and feel the mystical song of ourSelves. We are invited to glide along on a collective magic carpet ride, and to hold close to the higher truth allowing Spirit to whipser into our inner ears, our dreams, and within our higher minds.

Allow the direction of your highest self to guide your choices and descisions this week and weekend. This ensures a receipe for the highest expressions to come forth. Most likely, with effortless ease you will meet, communicate with, and establish business partnerships with the exact person, place, or thing which supports your highest mission. Any efforts (masculine energy) put forth now which are not based in truth and healing for all will be met with resistance and conflict.

The full moon relates back to the previous new moon and brings forth whatever was claimed, focused on or asked for at that time. What came forward then is now being channeled and bridged through socializing and meeting new partners and companions which fuel our personal and collective creative visions, artistic longings, and humantarian missions. Add the Lunar Eclipse to this full moon and the volume increases signficantly, fueling us and carrying us forward for years to come. Whatever social collaborative events and engagements, futuristic and forward thinking you engage in definitely comes to life now for the good of the whole.

Enjoy and Blessings.

Leo the Lioness

Welcome Leo! Like any cat, lions are demonstrative, freedom loving and courageous. Their main activities are hunting, feasting and sleeping. Leo's are very much the same, though they use their strength of heart to hunt, seeking creative expression; physically, artistically and emotionally. Full of creative childlike delight, Leo's love the heat, social play, and performance. They enjoy the best in life and desire to be treated as royalty. They are imaginative, intuitive, dramatic, magnanimous and typically beautiful.

Leo self-focus is a necessary component of the astrological sign, as Leo's are learning about self-love. Their self-centered love radiates vibrant light, like the sun, igniting the latent fire within others, reminding the rest of us in case we forgot, of our courage and strength. With planets in Leo one is sure to find the heartpath in this world, if not found and channeled, the unlived energy of Leo will create melodrama. Whereever Leo is in your astrological chart is where your passionate heart wants expression.

This month so far, we have a clean slate to play, create, and express ours heart exuberantly. So live it up! This Friday, August 1st, a Leo New Moon Solar Eclipse comes to excuentate and fuel our dreams with warmth, vitality, aliveness, and life-giving energy, yet, the fuel for our dreams only have juice when they are aligned with the greater good of all. Neptune, Chiron, and the North Node in Aquarius are opposing Leo, offering a cosmic time to truly embody our dreams and visions through our hearts and live them out. Think of the entire world. The middle east, Iraq, the children in the world, your community, family, the animals in the world, and yourself and bring your deepest heartfelt desire into your conscious mind, then place that desire within the heart of the universe and send your prayers for peace, love, and mindfulness to take form in our physical realities. Let's allow the magic of Leo and Aquarius perform their highest callings!

In the ancient world eclipses brought dread, yet we now know eclipses are powerful portals of energy. The disapperence of the sun's light is a magical timing in which to consciously enter into the sign being eclipsed. And this eclipse is all the more powerful because it is a Solar eclipse of the Sun, Leo's natural astrological placement. The fire of Leo is dynamic and easily manifests. This is what is in the air now, so be sure your dreams are big enough to hold all of us. With the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, and the South Node all in Leo, our conscious yang force (the Sun), our unconscious emotions (the Moon), our creative mind (Mercury), our playful communication (Mercury), and our Golden Goddess (Venus) is ignited through the generosity of the heart.

This eclipse is phasing out the excesses of false-pride in mass to make way for Leo's divine authenticity to come through. No more hiding your heart, no more masks. Dare to shine bright. Be your authentic Self. Share from your deep heart. The signature of Leo says, "Yes," I can create and express like the heart of a child in this world and reap rewards for doing so. Imagine all the colors of the universe splashing onto a white canvas for your heartmind to paint your deepest desires and dreams. Allow all of your actions to stem from Love, the highest form of Leo energy, throughout this weekend and beyond, and watch your (our) world open up to the rhythms your (our) creative nature. Paint, play, eat, swim, write, draw, perform, and radiate Love.

You can have it, Leo. Shine on and ride into the realm of blinding light, for the good of all, so we all may see with new eyes!

To the Sun Goddess
May she Always Radiate within your Heart and Soul
May she Always Shine on you
I know you Know Her, I See it in your Eyes
Turn it and it will take you home
Home to the Truth of Who you Are

Honor the Lion and Lioness of your Being
Roar with all your Might, Roam your Land
and Sleep the Sleep of Lions
And Always Remember the Sun.

There you have it Leo! Your papers are in order! Go out and fill the world with your courageous strength of heart!

August 16th, Full Lunar Leo Eclipse...coming soon!

New Moons & Full Moons

New Moons shed fresh light onto the planet and into our lives, bringing new growth cycles and opportunities with them, thus, it is a good time for planting new seeds, literally and figuratively.

If we are ready to call forth new opportunities, new pathways, or new patterns into our lives, three days before and after a new moon is a profound time to write down our intentions, desires, and commitments to the universe. Spend time ritualizing your dreams. Read them out loud to or silently to Spirit as a prayer, light a candle, or plant something in the soil.

Then watch your intentions bloom into fruition.  By the Full moon whatever you have aligned with, whatever you have planted in the mind of the universe comes to bear or it falls away. Full Moons bring the shadow to its fullest expression. Whatever we have been repressing, disowning, or hiding from is illuminated in full light. Therefore, it is important to be very sincere and clear about our "heart prayers" in the new moon phase, especially if they include asking for the removal of old patterns, obstacles, etc.

The New and Full moon cycles are times of going within, to develop solitude and harmony with our emotional natures. Full Moons are notorious for the expression of the unconscious, personally and collectively. Thus by communing directly with the specific messages the lunar tides bring us each month--we gain insight in how to relate to the rhythms of our planet, and our inner emotional tides--so we can consciously create or clear whatever needs to be dealt with.

The Earth's climate is regulated by the moon's tides and so are we. Women's menstrual cycles flow in a similar pattern. When we are in conscious rhythm with our inner and outer climates, and our mental and emotional bodies, our triple heater (our thermostat/or boundaries), we are in union with ourselves, and this alleviates symptoms of menstrual stress. For more information about this check out Dr. Christiane Northrup's work.

New Moons & Full Moons

New Moons shed fresh light onto the planet and into our lives bringing new growth cycles and opportunities with them, therefore, it is a good time for planting new seeds, literally and figuratively. If we are ready to call forth new opportunities, new pathways, or new patterns into our lives, three days before and after a new moon is a profound time to write down our intentions, desires, and commitments to the universe. Spend time ritualizing your dreams. Read them out loud to or silently to Spirit as a prayer, light a candle, or plant something in the soil and watch your intentions bloom into fruition.

By the Full moon whatever you have aligned with, whatever you have planted in the mind of the universe comes to bear or they fall away. Full Moons bring our shadow to its fullest expression. Whatever we have been repressing, disowning, or hiding from is illuminated in full light. Therefore, it is important to be very sincere and clear about our "heart prayers" in the new moon phase, especially if they include asking for the removal of old patterns, obstacles, etc.

The New and Full moon cycles are times of going within, to develop solitude and harmony with the moons influence and our emotional natures. Full Moons are notorious for the expression of the unconscious, personally and collectively. Thus by communing directly with the specific messages the lunar tides bring us each month, we gain insight in how to relate to the rhythms of our planet, and our inner emotional tides, consciously creating or clearing whatever needs to be dealt with.

The Earth's climate is regulated by the moon's tides and so are we. Women's menstrual cycles flow in a similar pattern. When we are in conscious rhythm with our inner and outer climates, and our mental and emotional bodies, our triple heater (our thermostat/or boundaries), we are in union with ourselves, and this alleviates symptoms of menstrual stress. For more information about this check out Dr. Christiane Northrup's work.

July Astro-Weavings

June brought us the ingress of the Sun into the sign of Cancer at the Summer Solstice, and so far, July has ushered in a New Moon in Cancer just before the 4th of July, and will bring us a Full Moon in Capricorn this Friday, July 18th.

Moving into a full moon phase out of a new moon phase either brings a flowering of the seeds we planted at the new moon, or a necessary weeding. The Cancer new moon encouraged us to nourish and feed ourselves and our families. Now, this Capricorn full moon asks us to set limits and boundaries, so we can mature into pragmatically providing our "civilized" function in soceity.

The containers of our lives provide us with arenas for growth. When they are healthy and functional, we mature and develop our own inner authority. Eventually outgrowing the old strutures, ready then to provide the containers of our work in the world. If we are unable to care deeply for ourselves and our families, we are ill-prepared to manage in the outer world.

Capricorn, a feminine signature of the earth element, is coming home to her original function in the collective now, as the matriarch of the Earth. Therefore, this full moon is asking us to follow the course we set at the new moon, and step with intention into its fulfillment on the Earth plane, through whatever "civilized"practical roles and choices we make now.

In today's world 'civilized' is not necessarily the standard or default of what our outer culture deems appropriate (living without mindfulness and heart-centered bliss). So follow your bliss and show up in ways which help you responsibily manage the boat you are navigating in life.

Moving into Leo
Tuesday, July 22nd the Sun moves into the Heart of the Lion, Leo. August is a power packed month so live it up! The month bring a Leo Solar Eclipse, August 1st, an Aquarius Full Lunar Eclipse, August 16th, and a New Moon in Virgo, August 30th.

Listening & The Web of Life

Listening is a language sometimes long forgotten.  A concept abandoned, years ago, when earth, ocean and sky were still honored and held sacred for their innate wisdom.  Today, though, it is not unattainable for us to sit and listen to all of life.

The sand, the wind, rock, tree and rain sing a song, just as animals and children do.  We, are invited guests here on this beautiful planet earth, with a fine tuned ability to listen with our hearts and minds, to the symphony all around us.

When we listen, rather than impose our thoughts onto people, places, and things, we experience the web of life and it teachings.  Learning to listen to inner guidance, our  body's voice, subtle energy, and the heart is an art form that can be cultivated.

When we sit to listen initially, we may be confronted with the voices from the outer world and our ego persona's, but choosing to go deeper, opens us to an inner world of wonder, peace, beauty and grace. It is from this place that universal heart intelligence speaks, and it is from this place that we truly commune and join with each other.

Children use play and fantasy to establish our inner guidance to inherently lead us towards our unique and specific gift or role in life. Circumstances, events, and culture typically lead us away from our listening to our inner barmoters. When we have been away or directed away from the inner voice, it finds another means to get our attention, our bodies.
This is the basis of mind-body connection.

Compost-A Metaphor for Life

Last year I decided to learn about composting. I picked up a free bin through the county and started a rudimentary pile. I threw all my kitchen scraps in with yard trimmings and turned it a few times, leaving it to basically rot through the fall and winter.

It was a mess, it stunk. and it was gross! To my surprise, in late February, when I checked it, the most beautiful deep rich brown soil was before my eyes. I was completely delighted. I made dirt!

I was so excited! I felt that I was taking responsibility for the refuse I created, and my excitment was akin to a two year old learning how to poop for the first time.

Our emotional, mental and spiritual garbage needs to be recycled on a regular basis and so does our physical trash. Composting puts me in touch with the Earth's abundant natural resources and her innate intelligence. Participating in this act nourishes and feeds the earth element within me.

As we all become more and more comfortable with our own backyard we will be more and more connected to the natural rhythms of nature.

Composting does not have to stink if you follow the basic and easy guidelines. This year I have three compost bins going and I love it.

Happy Composting! The photo above is of my herb garden, 2006.

Biodegradable

Plastic is out and biodegradable is in. For years now I have been getting my groceries in plastic and paper bags, because I used the plastic bags to clean the litter box for my cats everyday throwing them out in the trash. Plastic doesn't decompose for one-hundred years or more and highly toxic conventional kitty litter doesn't either.

It has been on my mind for years to begin using biodegradable bags to go along with the biodegradable litter I buy. Now, since the organic and health food stores no longer provide plastic bags, it encouraged me to change.

Yesterday I bought 30 biodegrabale bags for $4.99. That will last one month or more because I don't always clean the boxes every day. Hundreds of thousands of us are throwing away toxic cat litter in plastic bags everyday, let alone with kitchen trash bags we dispose of. Eliminating plastic altogether is a big job for all of us.

It is a wonderful act of love to adopt animals and provide homes for them and we can go further. Developing deeper kinship with the earth by making new choices creates a cleaner environment for us all, giving the next generations less to clean up, one choice at a time.