The Cosmic Story: Leo/Aquarius Blood Moon, Lunar Eclipse, 2019

Embodying Our Lion-Hearted Being of Light

Even though I promised myself a break after 12 years of writing New and Full Moon reports, I find myself wanting to write about this lunar eclipse. Perhaps because it sits on my Aquarius Jupiter, or because the Cancer North Node is on my Moon or that Neptune is squaring my ascendant. Or that the first eclipse of this series, the total solar eclipse of August 2017 occurred on my Saturn in Leo.

This final eclipse in Leo/Aquarius is a bookend to the Leo Solar Eclipse of August 21, 2017, which marked the shift in nodal axis from Virgo/Pisces to Leo/Aquarius. For one last time, we are experiencing an eclipse in these signs before all the eclipses shift to Cancer/Capricorn for the next year and a half.

It is said that the constellation of Leo represents our urge to evolve our consciousness, to evolve to a higher state of being human. Carl Jung saw Leo as the sign of individuation -- the act of becoming uniquely oneself. Leo is associated with the Sun, the source of light, warmth and life. And Leo is associated with the heart, which is the real source of greater consciousness.

And in Linda Turner's book, The Mystery of the White Lion, she brings up the point that while here in the northern hemisphere we are watching the precession of the Equinoxes from the world age of Pisces into Aquarius, it also gives rise to the fact that in the southern hemisphere, they will be precessing into the Age of Leo on their Spring Equinox.

Each astrological Age has a shadow side reflected in the southern hemisphere. As we approach the Age of Aquarius, we are also engaging in its' opposite sign of Leo, which was rising on the Spring Equinox in the North about 11,500 BC.

So while we wait for the Age of Aquarius, we are also preparing to engage our Leo side -- each of us has to individuate and become the queen or king. That means, we each have to mediate between heaven and Earth, between spirit and matter, between individuals and the group.

So the reason I'm writing to finish off this amazing eclipse series on the Leo/

Aquarius axis is to share what I've learned during these past 19 months.

I've finally understood what it means to be 'lion-hearted' and to live with my 'heart's hope'. While I am an initiated priestess of Sekhmet, the lioness Goddess of Egypt, it has been this Leo/Aquarius eclipse series that has brought me full awareness of what it means to be lion-hearted. 

 

To be lion-hearted means to be protective of life, to be strong, to be wild and fierce, to be loving and playful, to live according to natural law, connected to all the rest of Nature through Gaia's web of life.

Lions are the stewards of the land. Lion and Lioness, both literally and symbolically, show us the mystery of love, truth and light. Any study of history and mythology will show that lions and lionesses always attended the kings and queens, heroes and heroines. They are humanity's friends and protectors.

To be lion-hearted, we must first leave behind fear. Fear is coded into our reptilian brain - our fight or flight instinct -- but it doesn't have to take over our conscious attitude. As King of the Animals, the lion walks and guards his land, he eats of the animals (who eat the plants and drink the waters) who live on the land and keeps the balance of Nature. Lions teach us that we are all connected and if we can face our fears (shadows) and embrace them as our Beloved, we can create balance, calm and peace within and around ourselves. The lion reminds us that it is time to remember that all life is a blessing and that we're connected to Mother Earth's web of life.

It's time to come in from the cold. We are all related.

If we're lion-hearted, we know it is our responsibility (Saturn in Capricorn) to steward and protect our land and our people, to be kings and queens/leaders when we see what needs to be done. In ancient times, the falcon-headed god Horus, associated with the Solar Logos of Cosmic Law (Aquarius and the eagle), is associated with lions as well. Horus is a culture-bringer, as is the Lion who stewards his land and keeps things in balance.

Leo shows us how to become women and men of heart, of integrity and authenticity. We need to find our courage to be leaders, so we can protect what we love in the coming years.

If you want to learn more about the mystery of being 'lion-hearted', I recommend Linda Tucker's The Mystery of the White Lions.

The Super Blood Wolf Moon total lunar eclipse 2019

 

This Blood Moon, Wolf Moon, Super Moon total lunar eclipse in Leo and Aquarius is as powerful as its many names.

A Lunar Eclipse happens when the Moon passes into Earth's shadow. Since this eclipse will be a total eclipse, the entire Moon will pass into the Earth's dark shadow. During the period of totality the Moon will glow a crimson red (hence the title Blood Moon). This happens due to sunlight filtering through Earth's atmosphere effectively scattering the violet side of the visible spectrum of light.

A Super Moon means that the Moon is at its closest to Earth, so it appears bigger (14%) and brighter (30%).

The Wolf Moon is the Native American name for the first full Moon in the month after the Winter Solstice. It's also called the Old Moon or the Moon after Yule by the Anglo-Saxons.

So how will this lunar eclipse live up to its names?

Leo-Aquarius total Lunar Eclipse, January 20-21, 2019

This Leo total Lunar Eclipse occurs on January 20^th at 9:16pm PST and on January 21^st at 12:16am EST/ 5:16am GMT.

Leo is the sign not only of individuation but of creative self-expression, fun and play, children and lovers. All the things that make life worthwhile. Aquarius is the sign of collective consciousness which is transforming out of patriarchy into partnership. 2020's Winter Solstice conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn at this same degree in Aquarius will mark a real shift in collective consciousness.

The Sabian symbol for the Moon at 1* Leo is: Blood rushes to a man's head as his vital energies are mobilized under the spur of desire. This indicates a need to be innovative and pioneering. Something has shifted and we become more vital and alive as new ideas come into play. It's time to dream of something more.

The Sabian symbol for the Sun at 1* Aquarius: An old adobe Mission in California. This symbol is such a mixed metaphor. The adobe Mission is a symbol of a guiding spiritual ideal that was made concrete. But at what price? The Catholic missionaries took away the Native Americans own way of being in connection to the spirit in nature. Objectively, this symbol shows a great concern for humanity which calls for people to step into leadership positions. With Aquarius, we need to look beyond the bounds of what has been established and discover new ideas and techniques to reconnect to Spirit.

The Sabian symbol for the total solar eclipse that began this series in August 2017 at 29* Leo: A mermaid emerges from the ocean waves ready for rebirth in human form. This Mermaid symbolizes the longings of the heart, the rejected knowing of the heart which is now coming to the forefront of consciousness. That is why mermaids and sirens are known for their singing -- they sing the longing of our hearts. Hopefully we are becoming open-hearted and finally listening to our heart's hope.

Astrological Energies of this Eclipse

Whenever we have a total lunar eclipse, the Earth's shadow blocks out the sunlight reflected on the Moon and we have a break in the cosmic flow of energies. We get to see what shadow elements block us from achieving the potential consciousness offered by the Full Moon.

What keeps us from being more lion-hearted? Is it fear fostered by religious or cultural beliefs? Is it fear we've inherited from our families and tribes? Is it the fear of what the culture does to people who speak out against the norm? Once we face our fears and embrace our shadows, we can begin to be lion-hearted, we can begin to live free and create our own lives and a new culture.

The lunar eclipse is challenged by Uranus 29* Aries, so there can be some surprises in store. It is also a renewed call to remember our archetypal identities, our unique call to life. To strengthen our resolve. The square urges us to find ways to incorporate our inner rebel while still being concerned with the needs of the group.

The eclipse is also challenged by the asteroid Pallas in Libra, the supreme strategist and diplomat, which is opposite Uranus, the rebel and innovator. It's important to stay in balance. Since these two energies are in cardinal signs, they are the movers and shakers of this fixed sign eclipse. Find a way to become a rebel with a cause. During the eclipse, figure out what you need to do to be free to act in alignment with your heart's wisdom.

We have some wonderful fiery vital energy to help us be inspired during and after this lunar eclipse. Venus and Jupiter in Sagittarius are about to connect in the early morning sky on Tuesday, January 22^nd, so try to get up early to see it. Venus and Jupiter are called the great benefics, meaning they bring good luck and ease to us. Before they join together, they each make a square to Neptune in Pisces: Jupiter on January 13^th and Venus an hour before the eclipse.

Both Jupiter in Sagittarius and Neptune in Pisces are in the signs of their rulership, so they bring a strong spirituality to these times. The Jupiter/Venus square to Neptune can open up our divine creative imagination or it can cast us into illusion and delusions of grandeur. The best way to work with this energy is to move it through your body (Sagittarius loves to combine the physical, mental and spiritual energies) and then go create something.

After the eclipse, as the Moon travels through Leo, it will create a fire grand trine between Mars in Aries and Venus/Jupiter in Sagittarius, activating some positive outcomes for us if we do our work -- Mars square Saturn.

Hours after the eclipse, Mars in Aries squares Saturn in Capricorn -- each in the sign they hold rulership over. As you can see, the cosmic energies downloading to us now are pure and free to assume their most potent purpose. Usually Mars and Saturn are opposite types of energies -- Mars is the puer, the energy that just jumps into life, while Saturn is the old man who upholds rules and limits and tries to crush Mars' enthusiasms.

Saturn's purpose puts pressure in our Mars action, so it's important to be resilient. Learn (if you haven't already) to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. Learn to witness the chaos in the world without being swept into it. Learn to let Mars act as the cosmic warrior while Saturn works to establish a stable new form of society or a new routine in your own life. Learn to get these energies working together within yourself and they will begin to work together in the outer world. The highest and best good that comes from this challenging aspect is that we give structure to our actions, that we act to enhance our unique purpose in life for the sake of the world. It is to learn discipline and to be responsible for our actions. 

 

Saturn's sense of purpose is putting pressure on our Mars action. We must learn resilience, to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. Just witness the chaos without becoming the chaos. Let a new organizing principle, that originates from the Higher Self, recreate your life.

Our cosmic instructions from this total lunar eclipse seems to be:

1. Learn to be lion-hearted.

2. Learn to believe in yourself and your purpose.

3. Learn the discipline needed to achieve your purpose.

4. Let that Mermaid's longing to incarnate bring a new song to the world.

It's a call to live in joy!

Here in Rhode Island, the weather shifted from clear to snow and rain so we probably won't get to see the eclipse. But if you have clear skies, go out and enjoy the show that Mother Moon and Mother Earth have graced us with.

Bright Blessings,

Cathy

The Cosmic Story: Sagittarius New Moon 2018

The Cosmic Story: Sagittarius New Moon 2018
 
"All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the
                      flame of a single candle."   Saint Francis of Assisi

A light in the Dark, like Galadriel's gift to Frodo. 

 

A candle flame, like the candles that glow from windows to light our way home. 

 

A fiery arrow, like a comet shooting across our night sky. 

 

Fire is the source of life, a gift of heat and light. This is the creative fire of growth. Fire is the source of death, as it was in California recently, when it ignites the land. In astrology, Aries' divine fire flashes down from the heavens and Leo's personal fire becomes a warm, community bonfire. Sagittarius' cosmic fire is more unique and individual, at the same time as it is universal. Sagittarius' flaming arrows are our personal hopes and intentions, lighting up the darkness and aiming for the future.

With our Sagittarius fire, we shoot our flaming arrows towards our hopes and intentions, towards our life's purpose. Out of the darkness of unknowing (for that's all the darkness is) we light the fire of our passion and send it off into the world to mark where we're going and hope for what we'll find there.

Like the lights on our Christmas tree, Sag's many fires are a network of individual lights that create something essential to our souls -- our hope of new life. Our hopes for ourselves, for humanity and for the Earth. And just as the ornaments we hang on the Christmas tree symbolize our wishes and intentions for the new year, where we aim our arrows signify those same wishes and intentions.

We are in the darkest time of the year here in the northern hemisphere. And so, during this month of Sagittarius, which Catholics call Advent, we prepare ourselves for the birth of the new light. During Advent, we light candles to invite hope, faith, vision and renewal to blossom in the darkness. It's a very Pagan idea, a very Earth-oriented understanding of the seasons and their sacred purpose.

For as the darkness deepens, we instinctively yearn for light. After our deep plunge into Scorpio's transformative waters, we emerge with a needed image of light -- the light we hope will be birthed again on Winter Solstice.

Sagittarius' archer shoots his flaming arrows into the sky, watching how far they travel. Sagittarius wants to expand his horizons, but he also wants his way to be lit by the fiery passion he's regained from his regeneration in Scorpio. What are you passionate to learn, where do you feel you need to go? What new life are you going to imagine for yourself next year? What is your new story going to be?

This Sagittarius New Moon calls us on a quest of discovery, igniting our curiosity about what we might want to come next, what old/new gifts and talents we want to develop, and what we feel we need to possess to be happy. Do we really need more things in our lives? What about intangible presents for ourselves and others -- such as a promise to be kinder, to be more present in a relationship, to be more truthful, to take better self-care. Every New Year we make pledges to change, to become more excellent, to become more our truest selves. Perhaps if we give ourselves over to another (by gifting them with our new 'self'), we'll actually do it. I've always found that if I promise someone something, I'll do it. If I only promise myself, I might not.

What we imagine strongly enough, we can manifest. Where we send our thoughts matter. What better time than at this fiery, expansive New Moon to seek out our core values and expand our vision of who we think we are and what we can do for our world. It's time to prepare to do the work we incarnated to do.

May Sagittarius' fiery arrows find their marks.

Sagittarius New Moon

The Sagittarius New Moon occurs on December 6th at 11:20pm PST and on December 7th at 2:20am EST / 7:20am GMT.

The Sabian symbol for the Sun and Moon at 16* Sagittarius is: A calm ocean; a motionless ship; lazily soaring seagulls. This is a moment of pause which precedes change. Like Advent, it is a time of quiet reflection, a moment to prepare to act. If you're feeling distress, it's because you're afraid of not knowing what's to come. Instead, imagine what you want to come.

The words that describe this Sagittarius New Moon are optimistist and hopeful, especially with Jupiter occupying his own home sign again for the first time in 12 years. What were you doing 12 years ago (2006)? Did you expand your horizons? Learn something new about yourself? What do you now want to learn, explore, journey to for the next 12 years? Find Sagittarius in your chart and see where Jupiter begins his journeying for you. This is where your luck resides.

The Sabian symbol for Jupiter at 7* Sagittarius is: A smiling Cupid knocks at the door of the human heart. What a beautiful symbol, a call to Love's Feast. What would happen if we all listened to our hearts instead of our heads? What joy and happiness might we pursue? It's a good thing to think about while you're getting your flaming arrows notched to fly.

With Jupiter in Sagittarius making our search, our journey much more expansive and important than in other years, we need to center in on our real mission this lifetime -- the need to know ourselves and find our destiny. Because both Jupiter and the New Moon square/are challenged by Mars and Neptune in Pisces, we need to go big, we need to embrace Source in our search. With Mars and Neptune swimming in the waters of Pisces, we might find ourselves wanting to manifest our Mars doing in an archetypal way -- perhaps manifesting a form of the archetypal spiritual warrior. This square can be energized by imagining great archers of legend and myth. Katniss, Robin Hood, William Tell are just a few archers who aimed their arrows against tyranny and for freedom. Be the archer and the arrow. Aim high and true.

With Mars joined to Neptune, you might start to feel tired and fuzzy, especially if you're doing something that no longer feeds your soul. This combination can wear you out, so if you're tired, rest. Rest and dream. Imagine!

The Sabian symbol for both Mars and Neptune at 14* Pisces is: A young lady, wrapped in furs, displays supreme elegance. For those of you who know my work, this image of a lady in a fur mantle is a symbol for the emerging new feminine wisdom. This is the wisdom of the body and of the Earth. The natural elegance that emerges from the truth of our inner being is awesome to behold. There is something elegant about the way Katniss shoots her arrows, just as it is for Robin Hood. Perhaps our spiritual warriors will weld beauty as a gift and a blessing.

Mercury retrograde is finally over! (Happy dance!) There were more technological glitches than usual it seems. With all the retrograde planets this past year, it will be a relief to have the first few months of 2019 retrograde free. For the holidays, Uranus is still retrograde until January 6th. 

Uranus in Aries makes an inconjunct to Mercury in Scorpio, testing the waters, making us stretch our minds and hearts a bit before we decide what we want. 

Mercury turns direct about 10 hours before this Sagittarius New Moon. The Sabian symbol for the degree of Mercury's station at 28* Scorpio is: The King of Faerie is solemnly welcomed to his realm. While the Queen of Faerie is the life-blood of the land, the King symbolizes the protection and power of the realm. Perhaps we'll finally see the return of the King. It would seem that's what Mercury is asking us to consider. It is time to honor the spiritual forces of life, of nature and of ourselves.

The New Queen needs her New King to birth this new world.

With the combination of Scorpio and Sagittarius, the Cosmic Story says it's time to face the truth. What is your truth? Once you understand that, you'll understand your purpose in this lifetime.

I was reminded of a story I always enjoyed. It's a story about Jesus when he was about 12 -- a Jupiter cycle. When Jesus was 12, he and his parents journeyed to Jerusalem. On the day they set out to return home, Mary and Joseph discovered that Jesus was missing. And so they hurried back to the City to find him. They went to the Temple to start their search, praying to Yehweh to find their lost son. And then they heard his voice coming from an inner courtyard of the Temple and followed it.

They saw their son sitting among all the learned priests, disputing with them. What do you think he had to say to these learned men? The old patriarchs. That young child/man who knew his purpose. If it were you, what would you say if you had a chance to speak with our leaders?

But the part of the story I loved was Jesus' reply to his parents' worry for him. When they asked him how he could just stay back in Jerusalem without telling them, he said, "Don't you know I have to be about my Father's business?"

Isn't it time we were all about our Father's/Mother's business? Our world is in chaos because we needed to let things descend into chaos so something new can be born. But it is up to us to rise up out of the chaos with our vision, our hopes and our wisdom. That's what we came into this world to do.


This year's Winter Solstice (Summer Solstice down under) occurs on December 21, 2018. The Cancer Full Moon occurs 12 hours after the Sun enters Capricorn, the Winter Solstice. Enjoy this beautiful time of year. If you celebrate the seasons, have an outdoor ritual even if it's cold. That is what Winter is all about -- the cold and dark that longs for the Light. Let yourself feel the longing, the yearning.

I"m taking a break for the next Moon cycle (I'm journeying) so I want to wish you a blessed Winter Solstice and a joyous New Year.

Blessings for the New Year. Walk in the Light. Happy Solstice.

Cathy

The Cosmic Story: Gemini/Sagittarius Full Moon 2018

Gemini Full Moon 2018

The Truth Will Set You Free

When we walked through the Wheel's Gate of Samhain/ All Hallow's Eve a few weeks ago, we entered into the death season of the year here in the northern hemisphere. The days are getting shorter, the Dark is rising and we are finishing up old business as the holidays approach. This is the time to shed old skins and let go of the old year in a 6-week long process until Winter Solstice. This year it feels as if the veils between the world are especially thin, perhaps because our collective psyche is lost in the chaotic clash of old vs. new. We are in the tidal flow of the changing of the ages -- the tug and pull of conflicting currents. With this inter-penetration of dimensions, reality can and will begin to vibrate at a different frequency.

Believe it! Change is happening.

As we emerge out of Scorpio's deep well of emotional memories, we can release them to burn up in the Phoenix's flames. As Scorpio's emotionally instinctive Snake transforms into the Eagle's insight, there is a sudden burst of awareness as the Phoenix rises from the ashes of these transformations. 

 

The fire sign Sagittarius follows the watery sign of Scorpio. Out of the dark depths comes enlightenment. We'll especially feel this change now that Jupiter has left Scorpio and entered Sagittarius. Jupiter in Scorpio expanded our vision so we could see our shadows -- both personally and collectively. In Sagittarius, he can help us find our truth now that we've released the old wounds that taught us our life lessons. What we do with the meaning of those lessons will be shaped by Jupiter's cosmic truths.

Jupiter brought up quite a lot of shadow material for individuals as well as the culture while he traveled through Scorpio. The first weeks after Jupiter entered Scorpio saw the Harvey Weinstein accusations and the birth of the MeToo# movement. He left Scorpio with more women winning seats in the American Congress than ever before. Women used this past year to stand up for what they believed in. And others followed.

When the Scorpio New Moon occurs at the power gate of Scorpio, it usually brings results. It is the true Samhain/ Day of the Dead (15* Scorpio), leaving us more open to the unseen real, those powers and energies which are unseen by us but which influence our world so deeply. Patriarchy has deliberately denigrated and persecuted people who are open to these unseen energies, but more people than ever are learning to listen to these messages for their personal life.

It is interesting that the US holds its elections every year around the power gate of 15* Scorpio -- the energetic gateway to death and rebirth. According to Thomas Jefferson, America needs to have a revolution/evolution every 20 years or so. This year's Scorpio New Moon gave us a message about our collective life here in the US with this past election: we can make change happen on a societal level if we take back the system.

People are fighting to count every vote, minorities are being elected and the energy of hatred has received a tsunami of blue love. In this giant blue wave of new energy, those of you who are caught up in the rhetoric of fear will discover this wave will bring you peace and opportunity. We can take care of each other and our world before we take care of the profits of corporate monopolies. We can care about the future enough to change our lifestyle as we change our economy, and gear it toward a sustainable future for all of us, not just a privileged few. We can change the course we're on.

To set the seal of new 'possibilities' opening up, the day after this intense New Moon, Jupiter left Scorpio with a job well done and went home to his own sign of Sagittarius. Now that Jupiter has left the intense waters of Scorpio behind, he can bring his enthusiasm and expansion to his own concerns -- the workings of cosmic law. Now that he's given us the opportunity to face our shadows, we need to stand and judge ourselves according to cosmic law, to determine what we need to do with these deep shadows in our collective American psyche. As well as how to shine our light and help.

I believe this is where the return of the divine Feminine will help us. As women step into our power as we step out of patriarchy's rules, we will discover our gift for Wisdom and living according to cosmic law. And Jupiter in Sagittarius will stand us in good stead this coming year as we all clean up the mess of things like 'fake news', a synchronistic occurrence perhaps triggered by the 'truth vs illusion' Saturn/ Neptune square of 2016. When Jupiter squares Neptune in Pisces in 2019, perhaps we'll discover our spiritual truths will win out any time against 'fake news'.

Jupiter in Sagittarius can bring us expanded vision, not only for our own lives but also for the collective. We can imagine a different future if we open up the doors of our perception. Use this Gemini/Sagittarius Full Moon to begin the process.

Gemini/Sagittarius Full Moon

This Full Moon occurs on the day after the Sun enters Sagittarius on November 22, 2018 at 9:39 pm PST and in the early hours of November 23, 2018 at 12:39am EDT and 5:39am GMT.

This Gemini Full Moon's energy belongs to Jupiter, so it can feel very expansive and energizing. Both Gemini and Sagittarius have fun energy -- energies that are curious and expansive, social and physical, mental and philosophical. So we Americans can look forward to an interesting Thanksgiving weekend -- perhaps we'll start to heal some of our differences over this national day of gratitude and actually have real conversations about the state of our world.

This Full Moon brings together the Sun and Jupiter in Sagittarius, the Moon in Gemini and Mars in Pisces. Jupiter/Sun in Sagittarius can get self-righteous if he doesn't watch out, but otherwise, he can be an inspiration to others. The Gemini Moon just laps it all up, reflecting back both the good and bad ideas floating around without judgment.

Mars in Pisces wants us to be spiritual warriors and challenges us to look at things with an encompassing and compassionate vision that includes what is normally left out of the discussions -- those rejected, needful things we've pushed into the collective unconscious. Like homelessness, poverty, war. Like a woman's worth and a child's needs or the care of our elders. It urges us to listen to our Native people and Mother Earth. It asks us to be kind to ourselves and hopeful for others.

Mercury is the planet said to 'rule' this Gemini Full Moon, although Jupiter certainly carries more weight with Mercury residing in his home sign. This Mercury retrograde (November 16 -- December 6) is in Sagittarius, conjunct Jupiter and the Sun, opposite the Gemini Moon and square both Mars and Neptune in Pisces. So be conscious of what you say, mean what you say, and say it with kindness and intelligence. Neptune can make your mind fuzzy or it can fill it with true images, which you need to interpret correctly. It's really a great time to fine tune your listening skills. And it can be a time to really imagine what you want this next part of your life to look like.

Put this all together and this Full Moon can set the stamp on a new vision of life to set our course by. Personally, it can be a time when the bigger picture clicks in and you understand yourself in a whole new way. Collectively, it can be a time of vision and hope that we can turn around old policies and beliefs that no longer serve our collective needs.

The Sabian symbol for the Sun at 1* Sagittarius is: Joyous reunion of army veterans around a campfire. Knowing your tribe and standing by a commitment to serve a larger vision.

The Sabian symbol for Jupiter at 4* Sagittarius is: Watched by happy parents, a child takes its first steps. Having an emotionally supportive environment in which to try new things.

The Sabian symbol for the Moon at 1* Gemini is: Glass-bottomed boat drifts over undersea wonders. Opening up to the images of the Collective Unconscious and being open to different perspectives.

The Sabian symbol for Mercury retrograde at 11* Sagittarius is: An ever-burning lamp throws light upon an archaic idol. Perhaps a warning to watch for old patterns of belief that hold us in the past.

Other Influences

So what did you learn from this Venus retrograde?  She forms part of the background to these new perceptions.   We're still involved, although in different signs then at the New Moon, with the grand cross between Venus in Libra opposite Uranus retrograde in Aries squared by the North & South Lunar Nodes now in Cancer and Capricorn. The energy now is cardinal (Aries/Libra, Cancer/Capricorn) rather than fixed (Taurus/Scorpio, Leo/Aquarius). So it wants to initiate things. It offers us a look at life from a different perspective (Cancer/Capricorn). Now it's about what nurtures our souls, and not about the economy. Now it's about loving freely (Venus) while being unique and independent (Uranus).

Put it together this way: we need a vision of life that honors our unique individuality and values cooperation and peace, because these values give us security and help us to build civilizations rather than destroy them. In a relationship, it means stop trying to own the other. They are free and unique souls who have their own path to walk. Possessiveness is very patriarchal you know!

In terms of a new vision for society, patriarchy is destroying nations and societies all over the world, hypnotizing them with the delusion of riches and abundance that capitalism offers, while offering them weapons of destruction for their enemies and environmental disasters leading to climate change. But it is a dead and deadening system when it isn't anchored to the important things in life like family, love, health, creative work, community and 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness'.

Let's get away from Capricorn's need to dominate and own everything on the monopoly board (South Node in Capricorn) and look to what really matters to our souls (North Node in Cancer). What kind of life do you really want to live? That's the big question. Are we really living an authentic life or are we still chained to patriarchy's unpalatable vision of haves and have-nots? Are we going to be members of our community, country and the world or are we just consumers? We all are here on Earth to have a fulfilled and creative life. The more of us who opt in for that vision, the more it will become a reality that others can step into as well.

Venus in Libra once more squares Pluto in Capricorn just as she opposes Uranus, bringing back the intense square vibe set up in 2012-2015 between Uranus and Pluto. Venus brought back this vibe all through the year as she transited through her Evening Star phase as well as stationing direct as a Morning Star in Libra, once more in relationship to these change agents. Venus and her cycle which creates a 5-pointed star, a pentacle, in the sky over 8 years, is playing a bigger role in our consciousness now than ever before.

This says to me that a great part of our evolutionary process now concerns the renewal of the divine Feminine. It is the revelation foretold of 'a woman, clothed with the Sun, standing on the Moon, crowned with Stars, giving birth to the new age'. It is up to women to be our unique and original selves -- different from men but also complementing their energies. This way is more balanced then having women owe our allegiance to the masculine in all things, giving the masculine energies more weight than they need or we want.

This image of the new feminine is a woman, not a goddess, although she is certainly an archetypal symbol of who women can become. A conscious woman who is balanced between the feminine/yin energies and the masculine/yang energies of life. I've written about this new feminine energy in my book, Wisdom's Daughters: How Women Can Change the World. We're seeing it happen before our eyes now.

With Venus moving forward once again and becoming a Morning Star, she is ready to bring new values into the world. Venus stationed at 26* Libra: An Eagle and a white Dove change swiftly into each other. This images speaks to the need for cooperation between mind/will/spirit and heart/imagination/love. It is the unity of Self which the Woman clothed with the Sun teaches us.

Walk with the Light,

Cathy

Sonnets to Orpheus, Part Two, XII

Want the change. Be inspired by the flame
where everything shines as it disappears.
The artist, when sketching, loves nothing so much
as the curve of the body as it turns away.

What locks itself in sameness has congealed.
Is it safer to be gray and numb?
What turns hard becomes rigid
and is easily shattered.

Pour yourself out like a fountain.
Flow into the knowledge that what you are seeking
finishes often at the start, and, with ending, begins.

Every happiness is the child of a separation
it did not think it could survive. And Daphne, becoming
a laurel,
dares you to become the wind.

~ Rainer Maria Rilke ~

(In Praise of Mortality, translated and edited by Anita Barrows and Joanna Macy)

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