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Sabian Symbol for the
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Ottawa, Canada and
Washington DC, USA:
Apr.9, 10:56 AM EDT
London, UK:
Apr.9, 3:56 PM BST
Sydney, AU:
Apr.10, 12:56 AM AEST
Read more about the Sun-Moon cycles.
Read more about how you experience LIBRA energy in your life.
There is a little-known fact that floods can occur when water flows over ground that is very dry. You would think that dry dirt would soak up water like the proverbial sponge! And it does after a while, but the ironic truth is that there needs to be a certain amount of moisture already in the earth and the earth needs to be relatively loose and open for water to be most easily absorbed. Water can't penetrate into ground that's hard and dry, so the water will flood over top of it instead of seeping into it. The other extreme is also true ground that is saturated can produce flooding because there is no room to absorb the water. These curious bits of trivia are actually very relevant for this Full Moon in Libra, as you'll see in a moment.
Libra is the sign of love having that inner sense of well-being; feeling loved and lovable, feeling a close connection with another person, and being able to give these things to others. How do you attract love into your life? What makes you feel loved and lovable? And how do you bring that energy into your life to quench your need for love and connection? Other people are probably the first place we look for love, although other popular sources include your cat or dog, your teddy bear or the cupboard where you keep the chocolate.
We seek out relationships with people who can recognize and appreciate our better qualities and mirror them back to us. Relationships are like having a mirror that allows us to see aspects of ourselves that we can't see on our own. It's a little like trying to look at the under-side of your chin you need a reflection of some kind in order to really see it. So we tend to attract people who mirror parts of ourselves that live in our blind spot, which we either don't realize we have or don't know how to embrace in a positive way.
However, even when you get that approving or appreciative gaze from another person, it may be frustratingly unsatisfying if you aren't able to absorb it. If you have been blocked off from human affection for a long time, you can become like parched earth that has forgotten how to drink in the moisture of caring affection. Conversely, if you are waterlogged with other feelings, worries, obsessions or thoughts, you may not be ready to take in the kindness of others. In both cases it may seem like warmth is all around you, but none of it is for you. You might be aware of others reaching out to give you love, but no matter how much you try to consume, you are always left hungry for more. And when you're reaching out for chocolate instead... well, I'm sure you get the idea on a "gut" level.
This is the kind of energy dynamic that is likely to emerge at the Full Moon in Libra. It will play out over the next two weeks directly in your relationships or perhaps more symbolically in your ability to give and take, for example. On one hand, there is a lot of potential for love, affection, appreciation and connection and interaction with others right now. On the other hand, it may not be as satisfying, fruitful or easy-going as you hope it will be.
One of the culprits in this scuffle is Venus, planetary ruler of the Libra Full Moon. Venus is retrograde right now, but will be changing direction on Apr.17. That means all things Venusian are in flux and therefore somewhat unstable relationships, finances, social interaction, negotiations, balance, harmony, beauty, fashion, etc. The fact that Venus will station conjunct Mars, after dipping briefly into Pisces, only further complicates her energy. It's a good thing Venus is exalted and strong in Pisces because being stationary and conjunct Mars is bound to be a challenge! At its best, it will give intuitive strength for whatever choices you need to make when Venus turns direct. At its worst, it could bring an erratic, confused, passive-aggressive kind of energy into relationships, negotiations and financial decisions.
The other rascal stirring up trouble at the Full Moon is Mars, who has been opposing Saturn since near the end of March (exact on Apr.04). During this time the evening news seemed to report a disturbing rise in explosive violence. Meanwhile, Mars is marching closer to conjoin Uranus (Apr.15). Mars is effectively lighting the fuse of the Saturn-Uranus powder keg that has been building for several months, even though their orb is quite wide at the moment (just over 8 degrees). (Saturn and Uranus are exactly opposite on Nov.04.2008, Feb.05, 2009, Sep.15.2009, Apr.26.2010 and Jul.26.2010.)
The Saturn-Uranus combination is about finding a balance between the straight-laced, ordered side of life and the chaotic, individualistic side of existence. Mars is acting as a lightning rod in this titanic struggle, challenging us to strike a balance in Saturn-Uranus areas through our actions, intentions and attitudes. With the Full Moon being in Libra a sign literally about balance the aspiration for equilibrium is there, although the balance point might feel more like a moving target that is elusive and slippery. Awareness is the initial step, and adjustment is the key. Venus and the Libra Full Moon aim to do this through diplomacy, compromise and negotiation. Mars in Pisces would say it's like steering mindfully through the rapids, requiring a delicate balance between deliberate action and surrendering to the flow of the surrounding energy.

Mars is at the apex of a "Little Eye" aspect figure: semi-sextile (30°) to Jupiter on one side and the Sun on the other, with the Sun sextile (60°) to Jupiter. This aspect pattern makes Mars ultra-sensitive, especially to issues about self-confidence, knowledge and having a sense of purpose and meaning. The Mars part of you may feel pressured to act on this, although not very well thought out or perhaps believing that action can be achieved effortlessly by faith alone. Better to plan out your moves carefully than to rely on impulses that could be more erratic than effective.



In
addition, Mars is in a quincunx aspect (150°) to the Full Moon, forming an
aspect figure that is called a "Megaphone" in Aspect Pattern Astrology. In this case, the Libra Moon is the
mouthpiece of the megaphone, and the
"Little Eye" is where the message gets amplified and broadcasted. Alternatively,
the wide end can act like an old fashioned ear
trumpet that was once used as a device to amplify sounds for the hard-of-hearing.
This amplification factor is made more-so because expansive Jupiter is in a position where it acts as a creative outlet for much of the tension in the aspect figure. That outlet can inspire you to reach beyond your familiar sense of self or your usual style of relating to others. You might be able to "listen to" a broader spectrum of information, or you could "speak to" a greater perspective of understanding in others. Combined with Mars, your instincts may be finely tuned and able to respond automatically to the "subtext" of what is happening around you. This could inspire the urge to act on (or act out) the bigger picture of what you pick up on.
The thing is: we often instinctively give what we want to get. It's like the little boy who gives his father a child-size baseball mitt for Father's Day. Someone who needs love and affection might go out of their way to give that to others, while secretly or unconsciously hoping to get the same in return. However, if we aren't able to absorb what we get back, we might feel compelled to do more and more and more, still trying to feel the appreciation and connection that always seem to elude us. When we do this, we are like the parched earth that isn't able to absorb refreshment, so the very thing we need floods out from us onto others instead. Don't get me wrong I'm not saying that giving is always motivated by what we want to get back, but it is one strategy that our human nature sometimes uses to get what we need. That in itself is not necessarily a bad thing the right thing done even for the wrong reasons is still the right thing. However, a problem can arise when we do get what we need but are unable to absorb, receive and hold it within ourselves.
The energies at the Full Moon could possibly bring out this kind of issue. If you start to observe yourself being a bit compulsive in your interactions with others, it can help to take some time out and get some feedback and insight about it. Find someone who can be objective and who cares, since they can be a mirror in which to discover what is in your blind spot.
Awareness is the first step and adjustment is the key. Awareness shows you the door; adjustment of your perspective and actions can give you the means to move through it. Interaction with others provides a mirror that helps you discover what's been holding you back and what you can do about it. A soul mate, trusted friend, counsellor, astrologer or other advisor are all excellent candidates to hold up that mirror.
This is a time when your understanding of the Big Picture and your place within it has the potential to click into place. As a result, your confidence and self-esteem can be quite high right now. Your ability to see opportunities and possibilities more clearly can produce an experience of being "lucky." Your insight into life and the world around you may be especially bright, optimistic and inspired. This is a "feel-good" transit, when your sense of self can seem to expand and become free. You may feel especially connected to spiritual energy during this time. Just be careful that all this self-assurance and "knowing" doesn't backfire, by overestimating the extent of your knowledge or underestimating the reaction of your audience. It is possible to become a bit self-indulgent under this transit, so be careful not to overdo it. Beyond a reasonable caution, this is a transit to enjoy!
It is possible to dive deep below the surface now, in your perception of situations, other people and yourself. If you have been working on trying to understand the deeper motivations and dynamics of what is happening in your life, there could be a breakthrough now. The light may finally go on in the darker corners that have eluded you, and your penetrating insight. You could find a way to articulate these perceptions and speak your mind in a way that is unusually powerful or intense (so be careful you don't inadvertently blow your audience out of the water). This transit can bring an opportunity to shed and leave behind old worn out perceptions or ineffective forms of communication. Try writing down your thoughts and ideas to capture the energy of this transit. This is the only exact pass for this transit, since Pluto was out of range when Mercury came through this area two months ago.
Creativity, harmony and compassion permeate our experiences while Venus waltzes through Pisces. If you are an artist, musician, writer or other imaginative artisan, this can be a time of great creative inspiration. Even if you're not, this can still be a time when your appreciation of the arts is heightened and your sensual enjoyment of life increases. Relationships can be influenced by this placement, by encouraging more openness to love and romance. While this can make interaction smoother and more magical, it might also make you more vulnerable to deception or disappointment. Be receptive don't misplace your better judgment. This can also be a time when you are prone to feeling a Universal Oneness with humanity. You may find you have increased capacity for compassion, caring and connection with others. This, too, can be a mixed blessing -- it can bring out your most loving side, but could also make you more easily taken advantage of. You might feel inspired to make a selfless sacrifice, or to donate money or resources as a form of service. It is all done in the name of Universal beauty, truth and compassion. Celebrate this transit by going to a concert of beautiful music, or stroll through an art gallery, or indulge in dreamy sensuality, or let yourself feel a loving connection with all that is around you.
Venus has just dipped back into Pisces briefly, where she will go Direct on Apr.17. She remains at 29 degrees of Pisces for almost 2 weeks: Apr.11-24.
This is a time when you have an opportunity to mend and heal the chronic struggles in your life. You may find new inspiration, motivation or confidence that can help rejuvenate waning enthusiasm or reconcile persistent problems, although you'll still have to apply effort to bring it all together. You might get the chance to demonstrate your ability to walk your own path in a new way. Or, you might get a peek inside the hidden shadow of your worries and discouragement, giving you new insight into how you might be unconsciously sabotaging your conscious efforts. You may have to face a bit of your own fear of failure or low self-esteem before you can get beyond these feelings and tap into the benefits of this transit -- not because you are failing but because these concerns may arise in response to the new potential now available to you. By tapping into this potential for creative problem solving, you can bring some healing to whatever your situation is.
This can be a potent, exciting and/or explosive time! Your energy level may be a bit wonky with a lot of ups and downs. However, there is also likely to be a lot of energy to harness for whatever purpose you want to apply it to -- just don't expect to always be able to draw on it predictably or consistently. If you have wanted to take action to break free of old habits or patterns, this is a great time to do that. Or, you might want to begin a new project that is unusual or experimental. This spurt of energy probably won't last, so you'll need to follow it up with some structure, discipline and realism if you want to continue whatever you've started. In the meantime, make the most of this upsurge of energy, motivation and drive, but remember that if you become reckless or destructive, you'll have to live with the consequences.
Faith in the bountiful blessings of the Universe is within reach under this transit...but then, so is the fantasy that you will be magically granted anything you wish for. Although this is mostly a very positive energy, you could become so immersed in your longing for the ideal that you have trouble dealing with the less-than-ideal realities that still must be dealt with. Gaining the benefit from this transit will still require some effort. Hope, optimism and imagination are in the air, which could bring some relief from any depression or discouragement you might be feeling. Your creativity and imagination can be very inspired under this transit. Your sense of self could also get an infusion of uplifting vision, and you may experience a sense of mission, feeling that you are truly a Child of the Universe. There is potential now to lift you out of the ordinary and into the sublime -- spiritually, creatively, romantically or compassionately -- although this will require your cooperation to take advantage of it. Enjoy it while it lasts, but before you make changes based on what might feel like a permanent condition, remember that this is mostly a temporary influence and you will still have to live within the bounds of the physical world after it passes. Don't make overly optimistic promises now, that you will have to fulfil later when the euphoria wears off.
For up to a week before and after this date, you may experience or witness a shifting of energy affecting finances, relationships, love, resources, values pleasure, beauty, harmony and/or balance. Situations or issues related to these areas that have been occupying your attention during the past 6-7 weeks (while Venus has been retrograde) may reach a turning point now. It is a time when decisions and choices could be madeperhaps out of necessity. .
If you have felt unusually introverted or extroverted during the retrograde period, this could shift back the other way again. If you have experienced difficulties or challenges in close relationships, this may be a time when decisions can (and perhaps must) to be made about them. Adjustments, compromises or renegotiations may be necessary; and if this is not possible or tolerable, it might be necessary to consider ending the relationship. During the retrograde phase, you may have encountered people or social situations from your past, and now it's time to decide if you want to continue with the contact or to bring closure and move on. You might have experienced a change in your financesfor the better or worse. This change could simply revert to its previous state, according to a natural cycle of ebb and flow. Or, you might be faced with a choice of what to do from hereto change something in your life so that your situation improves (or so that an improvement continues), or to let go and move beyond this period of temporary change.
Whatever you have learned, embraced, questioned or invested your time in during the last 6-7 weeks, you will begin to apply and integrate in a new way over the next 4-5 weeks (while Venus is in the Shadow). This has been a detour allowing you to explore hidden territory, complete unfinished business or reconsider possibilities in the affected areas listed above. It's time to come back to the main path again, bringing with you new learning and values that will gradually be integrated into your life. The Direct Station is another shift in your life's balance point that enables you to keep moving, changing, growing and evolving.
When Venus stations this particular time, she is conjunct Mars. Mars takes 4 days to catch up (exact on Apr.21), but is just 3 degrees away when Venus stations today. This puts an interesting spin on the Venus station! It underscores the possibility that this is a time to make decisions and put those decisions into action. However, both the Venus station and the exact conjunction take place in the final degree of Pisces, which is also the final degree of the Zodiac another intriguing quality of this station! Venus remains at this degree for almost 2 weeks (Apr.11-24), so this period is likely to be quite intense and powerful.
The Sabian Symbol ("What's
a Sabian Symbol?") for the last degree of Pisces is "The Great Stone
Face" which alludes to the story of the same name by
Nathaniel Hawthorne. The symbol reflects
the magical moment when all preparation, development and manifestation come
together to form the result, which then becomes the beginning point of a new
cycle. It is the creation of a seed, produced by its parent tree which itself
was grown from a seed, and this new seed will go on to produce a whole new tree.
The fact that Venus stations on this momentous degree indicates not just a time
of fresh beginning, but also of selecting carefully and wisely which seed you
choose to plant, since this will largely determine what kind of results are
possible. The Venus station brings you back to a point where you can
double-check the decisions you have or are about to make. It's a second chance
to consider whether you are making the best choice for all concerned.
With Mars conjoining stationary Venus on this degree, it suggests there is great power in your desire, intuition, decision or compulsion about which fork in the road to take. Caution is advised, however: although this impulse could feel like the Hand of God propelling you in a certain direction, it could just as easily be colored by your own unconscious motives, yearnings or fears. It's always a good idea to acknowledge and work with those unconscious feelings, but it might not be wise to equate this with "what is meant to be." This is a time when self-honesty and self-integrity (consistency between inner motives and outer intent) are important assets.
It can be easier to take a logical, practical approach to problem-solving and pursuit of your goals now. Your mental outlook is likely to be calm and grounded. This is a good time to make plans and work out the logistics of how you're going to get from "here" to "there" in pursuing your goals. You may find it's time to bring closure to finished goals by distilling and systemizing what you've learned in the process of pursuing those past goals. Or, you might find you are able to draw on past achievements to assist and support your current goals and plans. It is a good transit to bring structure to your thoughts and communication. You may find it's a little easier to accept authority -- yours or someone else's -- and that you are able to speak authoritatively about things about which you have knowledge or experience.
Happy Solar Return to everyone born in the sign of Taurus! This is a time when we all get in touch with the part of us that wants things tangible, practical, plentiful and pleasurable! Taurus is also connected to money, finances, possessions and resources of all kinds, so this is also a time to take stock of what you HAVE in your life -- literally and figuratively. Take some time to examine your values. What people, things or principles are worth spending your time, effort, energy or money? It's also an opportunity to explore how separate or enmeshed your sense of self is from your possessions. Do you think less of yourself if you can't surround yourself with wealth? What forms of abundance and blessings are in your life, and are you consciously grateful for them or do you take them for granted? Use this Taurus energy to approach goals in a methodical way, appreciate your blessings, and understand life at its most concrete, basic level. This might sound about as exciting as watching the grass grow, but the Taurus way is to slow things down enough that you can experience and take pleasure in the simple things, in the Here and Now. Enjoy it!
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Diplomacy and harmony combine with forcefulness and enthusiasm under this transit. How you experience the results will depend in part on which you value more -- winning (Mars dominant) or resolution (Venus dominant). One possibility is being able to negotiate agreements with others in assertive ways; another possibility is being able to confront others with gentleness and diplomacy. The courage to act could become either blunted or enhanced by an increased sensitivity to how your actions could affect others. Your ability to negotiate a diplomatic solution to a problem might be sabotaged by impatience, frustration or too much directness -- or that same forcefulness might help by keeping things from getting bogging down or by injecting an infectious enthusiasm to the discussion. Although the effects could look very different in various situations, the best results will likely be found by using the best of both of these opposite energies.
Venus is still virtually stationary when this conjunction becomes exact, which makes this an unusually powerful transit. See Venus Stationary Direct on Apr.17 for more about the station. Because of Venus' unusually slow motion right now, Mars overtakes Venus in this transit. Venus finally catches up to Mars again in mid-Taurus on Jun.21. In the meantime, these two planets travel in tandem, about 6 degrees apart until mid-July. That means Venus and Mars are effectively in conjunction for about 4 months, stretching the interpretation above throughout that time. While they are in Aries (until the beginning of June), Mars is dominant since it rules that sign and Venus is in detriment in Aries. The energy flows in the direction of individuality, direct action and fast decisions. After that, and when they again conjoin, Venus is dominant since they will be in Taurus, a sign that Venus rules and Mars is in its detriment in Taurus. The energy will likely be slower, methodical and focused on pleasure and enjoyment.
Mars is in his own sign while in Aries, which stokes the fires of passion, enthusiasm, drive, and a pioneering spirit. Assertive, decisive action can come more easily now...but then, so can anger and conflict. This is a good time to initiate new projects and activities, and move old projects forward, taking advantage of the courage and daring that is in the air now. However, the results will be better if you are able to channel this energy through a focused goal, rather than going on impulse alone. The tendency to take risks is also high right now, which can be a mixed blessing. It's best to avoid complications and problems that can arise from being reckless or irresponsible, but do use this energy to muster the courage to take pre-planned action.
Mercury now enters the area of Zodiac where it will later go retrograde (May.07-30). During its retrograde cycle, Mercury travels through the same span of the Zodiac three times (called the Shadow). The first time through, it is going in direct motion (moving forward), then retrograde (looks like it's going backwards), and then direct again. This means there is a more involved process of development and change involved with things that Mercury influencesideas, thoughts, frame of mind and mental focus. It also concerns the collection, exchange, analysis and organisation of information. All forms of communication are also affectedemail and snail mail, the Internet, the media in general, books and magazines, as well as public transit (buses, trains, etc.) and neighbourhoods. The situations developing over the next 2 weeks (leading up to when Mercury actually goes retrograde) will likely require further research, deeper consideration and adjustments to unexpected discoveries over the next couple of months. Expect changes in your plans, increasingly disrupted communication, and new information coming to light that may not fit conveniently into your plans. It's wise to leave lots of extra time to do things, plan future projects and get to wherever you're going. If you must make important decisions during this time, try to build some flexibility into your plans to allow for later changesor if possible, you may want to delay final or irrevocable decisions until well after Mercury goes direct (May.30/31).
Mercury in Taurus is aspecting the Aquarian planets during this retrograde cycle square Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune, and sextile Uranus: Apr.22-25, May.20-21 and Jun.09-10. You may be called upon to find practical ways to manifest the greater vision that is now being born out of disruption, old festering problems and the yearning for a higher sense of purpose and meaning in your life. Be ready to first become aware of what is holding you back from this, and then to gradually find practical solutions to shift those blocks.
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You may be seeing the weak links in your knowledge, understanding or beliefs right now. Your ideas and words might seem to fall short of what your mind envisions, or you might be unable to convince others of your point of view. As a result, it can be tempting to over-compensate with more self-confidence, faith or optimism than you actually have. Or, you might give out "too much information" by over-explaining or through nervous rambling. Alternatively, you might encounter someone else who does this and perhaps have a blaming or judgmental reaction to them. This is an opportunity to learn something about how you might jump to conclusions or blame, possibly triggered by a situation that challenges your beliefs, opinions or perspective. To learn more about this part of yourself, try taking some time to think about what is really bothering you or what you really need to say in that situation. There may be a higher truth to be found if you open your mind to something you're reluctant to acknowledge, rather than looking for a "final truth" around which to close it.
This is the first of 3 passes of this transit: Apr.22, May.20 and Jun.10. You may have a dawning awareness of ways that your perceptions and thoughts are out of sync with a greater truth, and you will have the chance to change this over the next couple of months.
Your sense of purpose is strong now, as you are able to tap into a deeper level of energy and determination. Your personality is likely to be more forceful now, which can be great if you need to make a strong impression but perhaps not so much in situations requiring delicacy or subtlety. Your ability to see below the surface of things is especially clear, and it may be possible to unearth secrets or get at the core of unconscious patterns (yours or others'). This is a time when your personal presence may come across as somewhat "larger than life," so you need to remember that a little goes a long way during this transit. This could be a time when you suddenly find the strength to stand up and assert your personal power in a situation that has felt overwhelming or discouraging. On the other hand, if you are still struggling to learn how to own your power, without using nuclear bombs to make your point, you may still feel a bit overwhelmed or daunted by this transit. In that case, take smaller steps and don't try to push the river.
Your style of handling relationships, finances, resources and values now take on an attitude of assertiveness, directness and the pursuit of freedom and independence. Impulse buying may be a stronger temptation than usual, so be sure you can afford whatever it is! Your way of interacting may be somewhat more direct, open or flirtatious during this transit. You may have opportunities to acquire money quickly and casually...and spend it too! You may also be more open to trying new things in the areas of finances, relationships, interactions and your values. Trying out new ideas can take you into uncharted territory...which may or may not be welcome depending on how comfortable you are with change. But this still may be just what you need to get you out of a rut in the affected areas. This can also be a good time to celebrate and appreciate yourself just as you are, as a unique individual.
Venus now returns to Aries after hovering in the final degree of Pisces (and of the whole Zodiac) since Apr.11! See Venus Stationary Direct (Apr.17) for more information about this.
There is potential for brilliance and excitement under this transit. You may be more spontaneous, upbeat and eccentric than usual. If you are used to a fairly predictable lifestyle, it is a time when you may be inspired to experiment with something out of character. If you are used to being whacky, zany and impulsive, this transit can provide opportunities to express this. You may have an increased ability to "think outside the box" if you stretch your mind a little, and there is the possibility of having an "ah-ha!" experience, when answers and realisations fall into place. There is also the possibility of being mentally restless, so that it's hard to slow down your thoughts or apply yourself seriously to your responsibilities. Your attention span may be a bit short for a couple of days. This energy can be used to consider new ideas that seemed outlandish or impossible before, and see new potential in them.
This is the first of 3 passes of this transit: Apr.24, May.21 and Jun.09. Be alert for flashes of insight or recognizing a spark of potential. These may lead to innovative ideas that can help you let go of old cynicism, stubbornness and rigid attitudes that are getting in the way of progressive solutions to problems.
Next Update: NEW MOON in TAURUS- April 24, 2009 (Apr.25 in UK, AU). Available by Apr.24.
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© 2009 Wendy Guy. All rights reserved. This material may not be copied without the author's written permission. Animated image of Moon compiled by Tom Ruen (public domain); source: Wikimedia Commons. Image of rabbi from painting by Maurycy Gottlieb; source: Wikimedia Commons.