Solar Eclipse

Solar Eclipse in Virgo ♍ Sep 13, 2015

The New Moon Solar Eclipse in Virgo comes exact on Sunday, Sep 13 at 2:41 am EST

Click here to learn about the Moon. Click here to learn about Virgo.

If the Virgo cycle has felt a little clunky thus far, this New Moon Solar Eclipse will help us find a groove. The last New Moon in Virgo fell on August 25, 2014. Any themes/conflicts that predominated then will now resurface.

This cycle started with the New Moon in Leo and that may be why there’s a disconnect right now between our plans/intentions and the reality of our daily work. The lazy lion is hanging on for longer than desirable, lolling about summer’s endless golden fields. This new moon is going to lift us to where we really want to be: cleared out, elevated, ready to begin.

Virgo has been gentle with us so far, watching lovingly as we wander just a bit longer in the setting sun, but soon she’s going to stand up, take a deep breath and call our name. Unlike most new moons, this one will not be quiet. The moon is asking us to settle in and start working. It has been truly wonderful celebrating the release of dark tension over the last few months, and now we must turn to the task at hand. I’ve been feeling more hazy than predicted and craving Virgo’s renowned crystalline comportment. The weeks leading up to this phase will be crucial - are you going to prepare on your own, or will Virgo have to come find you at the last minute? In the Qur’an it is written that the teacher is silent during the test. I imagine the Goddess of Harvest waiting patiently, hands folded in her lap.

Maybe this is exactly how it needs to happen - a couple weeks post-celebration to move without direction, following the beat of nothing in particular - and then Virgo swoops in with galactic force to fling us towards the timespace spiral. So enjoy this snippet of free flow before you buckle down. I can feel her coming, footsteps in the great hall - but I’m still pretending not to hear, and that’s ok. The pendulum pauses in midair before it rushes back through center and on to the next extreme. It’s time to dismantle, let go and shake off all the bullshit from the spring and summer. Give yourself some love as you wade through this process. You are right where you need to be: one last dance beneath the moonlight before we plunge headfirst into the glory.

This leonine energy still wafting in our skies is bemuddling. Virgo says we’re ready, and have been for awhile, to leave this year behind and start walking a new path. And yet something dense and smoldering lingers with impressive strength. Let’s remove the coals, sweep the hearth and make room for fresh arrivals.

As I write more about the Virgo season, her voice grows louder. She keeps reminding me that yes, it’s going to be lovely, but you have to work for it. My enthusiasm initially whisked me to that comfortable corner of the mind where idealism shines. Here it all comes, in vivid form, and I’m still the one driving. Between Saturn in Sagittarius and Jupiter in Virgo, we really don’t have anything to worry about. The real satisfaction comes from the work anyway, from the empowerment we feel when we voluntarily direct our undivided energy toward that which makes the soul sing. Allow yourself to feel the love and joy that arises from this sacred realm.

I will emphasize once again that this New Moon Solar Eclipse is a major turning point. For the new moon, I suggest a ritual involving soil or some Virgo Yoga.

If you would like to learn more about how this transit affects you personally, please contact me for more insight. To ascertain your personal Moon sign, click here.

Mantra: time to harvest

Sun & Super Solar Eclipse in Aries ♈ Mar 20, 2015

The Sun transits Aries from March 20 - April 20. The Super New Moon Solar Eclipse in Aries comes exact on March 20 at 5:36 am EST.

Click here to learn about the Sun, the Moon or Aries: The Ram

Disclaimer: when talking about Sun signs, it’s really more accurate to say “the Earth’s relation to the Sun” since the Earth is the one moving. An appropriate name for this much-celebrated, often oversimplified astrological element would therefore be “Earth Sign.” Remember – you embody a whole soup of planets!

If you are an Aries, this is your Solar Return. The Sun moves into the realm of the fiery ram on the same day that the New Moon Solar Eclipse in Aries rises dark and silent in the sky. This one is a Supermoon – yes, even New Moons qualify – because, according to Richard Nolle’s definition, it occurs “…with the moon at or near (within 90% of) its closest approach to Earth in a given orbit.” (This phenomenon is also known as perigee.) And yes, we had one last month too (Sun and Supermoon in Pisces). And YES, it’s also the first Solar Eclipse since 2013 AND the Spring Equinox. The eclipse will only be visible to a select few here on Earth - check out this page from Space.com to learn more.

Every New Moon falls in the same sign as that of the Sun as this is precisely what makes it a New Moon. With the Sun in mutable water Pisces for the last month, our attention was directed toward matters of the spirit. I find that the Pisces cycle is actually quite arduous because it incites turmoil in the psyche. Life felt sweet and dreamlike at times, and at others was fraught with indecision, incommunicable frustration and inexplicable moodiness. Prepare for life to pick up considerably over the next few weeks.

The Martian cycle

The New Moon in cardinal fire sign Aries marks the kickoff for the coming month and the official end of the Piscean/Neptunian cycle. Needless to say, the combination of Supermoon + Solar Eclipse + Equinox + New Moon energies pack a serious punch. But the cherry on top is really the fact that it’s all going down in the sign of Aries. Balanced Aries are incredibly outgoing, self-determined and energetic. Aries energy is fresh like morning dew, sharp as a sword and fearless as the warrior running headfirst into battle. Imbalanced Aries energy is reckless, aggressive and impulsive. I’ve had to really watch my mouth lately! For those who normally have trouble keeping cool, prepare to be tested. We have to try harder than ever now to be patient, compassionate and tactful. Aries energy emanates from the Self - it’s easy now to get stuck in the raging fires of the ego. Those flames will be leaping and multiplying with unprecedented vigor!

Proud of you

Studying the polarities of the zodiac wheel is an effective method to learn more about the signs. You may recall that cardinal air Libra is Aries’ opposite sign, 180 degrees across on the wheel. Libra encourages us to share, cooperate and compromise. Aries, first sign of the realm, is Libra’s crude yet dazzling predecessor. It’s not that Aries are utterly self-absorbed, although they can be when imbalanced, but rather that the ram knows, from deep within the soul, that one of life’s greatest joys comes from taking pride in the Self. When I visualize Aries, I see a blood red flower blooming over and over from the base of the spine up to the head; the flower emanates heat, generates life, creates endlessly. Yet we must find a balance. Yes, I want to walk around with total confidence, boldly expressing my truest Self, and yes, I also want to make sure I’m giving, being considerate of others and learning how to live and take part in a community. Aries burns through space with a brightness that has the power to blind even the Self while Libra travels calmly and with purpose, ironing out all the wrinkles left by the ram’s swift, impatient hooves.

The Aries cycle aims to achieve the same end by one of two means: by capitalizing on the self-confidence we’ve built over the last astrological year to move forward with exciting plans, effectively laying the groundwork for another spectacular year; or by smashing your face in the proverbial ditch, forcing you to get your act together right here, right now because time’s run out and there’s nowhere left to go, my friend. Don’t be surprised if it feels like the Universe throws you on a treadmill flying top speed and screams RUN. Prep time’s over - the exam starts now. Aries energy is like a punch in the gut, a flash of sun in the eyes, a rough landing, a vicious fight; the ram only cares how strong and prepared you are. For the Pisces cycle, I recommended relaxing into the process so that you could more easily find the sunshine, but I’m going to suggest exactly the opposite now: it’s time to get tough.

Channeling cardinal energy

Under the influence of Aries cardinal energy we feel invincible. This cycle presents yet another opportunity to hit the restart button: your blank sheet of paper, New Year’s resolution, second chance. Passion and ambition link arms now. We are direct, focused and extraordinarily driven. Pain and suffering burn away in the face of Aries’ insistence on LIFE and HAPPINESS and MOVEMENT. This is it! You can let it all go now! Drop it into the belly of the blaze, watch it disappear in a column of sparkling orange smoke. Just when it seems that there will never be any method to the madness, the Universe comes along and grabs you full force by the ears: wake up! All of your progress will be illuminated now. Final results await you. First? First we have to run up this motherfuckin mountain.

We’re at the beginning of the the zodiac wheel, watching crimson fire ravage our soul forests. None of us will pass through this cycle without having to work - no, things will not just “fall into place.” Both Aries and Libra have demanding roles to play. The hard truth is that we must learn to love the Self before we can really love or support another. And you know what? It’s difficult, it’s so damn difficult, learning how to love yourself. That’s what the ram is really here to do. For so many, this is the defining quest. This is the journey of all journeys.

Burnin’ up

If Pisces is the last breath, Aries is the first. Did you know that the force with which newborns take their first breath exceeds our deepest inhale by tenfold? That first breath must be powerful enough to rip open the bronchial pathways for the very first time. The natural changes and endings heralded by the Pisces cycle were designed with something inconceivably magnificent in mind. Watch now as the Universe unveils that magnificence. You are in control. This is where the pen first touches the page; where the planets form; where the dust settles to reveal a space that is both empty and full. Recognize this cycle as a primordial period. This is only the beginning, the first clay molding. Do not attempt to create and analyze simultaneously.

What do you envision for the year ahead? With Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus respectively occupying each of the fire signs, this is a sublime occasion to ask for whatever we really want. Open from root to crown, chakras reenergized, raring to go. Fire energy is inherently liberating. You can and must reject doubt, insecurity and fear. Fire does not reflect. It simply moves. No thoughts or questions now as to whether or not you have become - you are. Balanced Aries are as humble as they are enthusiastic. The ram has the heart of a visionary. I expect that this transit will feel like the sunrise that follows a long night of grief. We’re all about to dance ecstatically upon the hearth of Life’s sacred fire. Here you are free to be yourself and no one else. Fill the dark sky with your light. You are being lifted now by an unseen force. Namaste.

If you are an Aries or if you would simply like to know more about how this transit affects you personally, please contact me for more insight. To ascertain your personal Moon sign, click here.

Mantra: I start anew

New Moon Solar Eclipse in Scorpio - Oct 23, 2014

The New Moon Solar Eclipse in Scorpio comes exact on October 23, 2014 at 5:57 PM EST

Click here to learn more about the Moon. Click here to learn more about Scorpio.

Tomorrow we have the New Moon Solar Eclipse coinciding with both the Sun and Venus moving into Scorpio as well…!

This is not just a New Moon but also a (partial) Solar Eclipse, making it even more powerful. Every New Moon falls in the current sign of the Sun. This is precisely what makes it a New Moon. With the Sun now moving into Scorpio, the New Moon falls in Scorpio also.

From CafeAstrology:

This is the final eclipse in a series falling along the Taurus-Scorpio axis. Even though we are starting fresh, we’re also cleaning up.

Click here for a full report courtesy of timeanddate.com

The New Moon in fixed water sign Scorpio marks the kickoff for the coming month and the official end of the Libra cycle. In classic astrology, Scorpio concerns power, control, intimacy and finance - all that underlies. Scorpio lives in the unseen, the hidden, the omniscient. As a result, our attention is now directed inward to examine both the Self and others. We are curious about what motivates people to act and say the things they do; we also ponder our own habits and reactions - what is really causing me to feel this way? What is the root, the true source? Our objective is to understand every layer of every situation, but not just cerebrally. We want to feel wisdom reverberate in the soul and psyche.

Which elements in your life make you feel out of control? Be honest with yourself about relationships, debts, addictions or other heavy burdens that no longer serve you. The scorpion constantly seeks cathartic release. When balanced, Scorpio energy is deeply spiritual, empathic, intuitive and perhaps even psychic. Sometimes the scorpion is illustrated as a strictly dark and morbid entity. I would like to remind everyone that the scorpion is ultimately swimming towards the depths in order to be reborn. The goal is transformation: endlessly cycling from one blissful metamorphosis to the next, pure joy.

In the process of investigating where we need more control in life, we also come to understand what is really causing us to gravitate toward bad habits. Maybe something is missing, or dragging you down? This is the perfect time to detox from negative behavioral patterns. The scorpion is a masterful minimalist and essentialist. Get rid of anything you don’t need. Be lighter. Take deep breaths, close your eyes. Feel your spirit spiral out into the space you create within.

One more from CafeAstrology:

An intimate partnership may be left behind, or a source of money might end, and either of these situations pushes us to learn to depend on ourselves and to recognize that we don’t necessarily need these things to survive. Ultimately, we are now in a position to understand that changes or endings are necessary for our own growth, and that we can handle these things.

The Libra cycle encouraged us to create order in our surrounding environment. Now we probe the inner workings. In understanding the subconscious motivations of others, we become ever more powerful. The greatest challenge for the scorpion is learning how to use this power correctly. On one hand, being able to read people so accurately allows for manipulation and deceit. However, this can also be channeled as empathy. Insight to the emotions of others makes forgiveness easier. Remember all that we have learned over the past month from Libra: we have a duty to be respectful to both the Self and others lest we superciliously create imbalance in our environment.

The fixed nature of this phase manifests in the apparent urgency of our desires at this time. Our passion is best harnessed when funneled into one major project or relationship. Scorpio values quality over quantity, no exceptions. One key to unlocking scorpion magic is spending time fixedly and passionately on one endeavor; this is much more satisfying than diverting our attention to other things that are not as meaningful.

On a personal note, this New Moon has been, yet again, quite symbolic for me. I am moving into a new apartment! Yay!

If you would like to learn more about how this transit affects you personally, please contact me for more insight. To ascertain your personal Moon sign, click here.

Mantra: I am fearless