September-October 2007For the New
Moon Cycle in Virgo:
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Happy Solar Return to all Libras! While the Sun is in Libra, it brings experiences into our lives that focus us in the areas of love,
close relationships, one-on-one interaction, diplomacy, negotiation, strategy, fairness, equilibrium, balance, harmony and beauty. This time also marks the point of
equal balance between day and night -- the Autumnal Equinox. In the Northern Hemisphere, the nights now become longer than the days, and in the Southern Hemisphere,
the days become longer than the nights, until the December Solstice. Balance is the key concept here! What is out of balance in your life? How can you negotiate or
strategize to bring that area of your life back into harmony? Libra encourages you to balance your life in diplomatic, discreet, "win-win" ways. But if that's not
possible, it will do it aggressively (creating conflict in order to break the stalemate of the imbalance) or manipulatively (people-pleasing to co-dependently get
its way). Thus, Libra is known as both the peace-maker and the war-maker. If you find yourself instinctively trying to smooth out conflict -- or instigate it! --
take a step back and ask yourself if that is your best choice in the situation. Just don't get stuck in Libran indecision! Make your choice and then see if it
brings what you want.
Penetrating insights and passionate communication are possible under this transit ...although, so is speaking more forcefully than you
intend to about things that require a bit of delicacy or discretion. It is also a time when your mental concentration can come together so easily that you become
obsessed. You may prefer in-depth discussion to small-talk, and it might feel awkward if you aren't able to explore the depths in your interaction or communication
with others. However, you likely have an increased ability to pick up on undercurrents of what's happening around you. This is also a time when you can start to
shed and leave behind old worn out perceptions and ways of communicating. You also have an increased ability to take thoughts, ideas and information and transform
them into something healing ...or wounding. Choose your words carefully and mindfully. Writing down your thoughts and ideas to capture the energy of this transit
can help you gather the deeper qualities.
It may be easy to find the courage to speak your mind and say what needs to be said, under this transit. In fact, your ideas and words may come so quickly and easily that it's hard to stop them from tumbling out of your mouth before you've had a chance to evaluate the best way to say them. Your communication is likely to be direct, concise and right on the mark, even if it might also be a bit blunt or pointed. If you need to confront someone about a difficult situation, this transit can provide courage and clear words to help you do that -- although perhaps not as good for a situation requiring a more delicate, sensitive touch. It is a time when you could potentially find the nerve to take risks, or to defend yourself if the need arises (especially verbally). Overall, this is a wonderful transit for anything involving direct communication (e.g., public speaking, writing, debating), as well as mental agility (e.g., generating ideas, finding solutions, making decisions).
This is the first of 3 passes of this transit, as both planets enter their retrograde shadows (where they will later go "backwards" or
retrograde). The other dates are: Oct.17 and Nov.19.
The Full Moon in Aries brings an explosion of energy! This might be expressed physically (Aries loves to be active) or emotionally (the Moon is our emotional centre). It is also the Full Moon following the Solar Eclipse in Virgo (which was also a New Moon). Any Full Moon brings fruition and a turning point in the unfolding process that began at the previous New Moon. In this case, that fruition expresses the powerful energy released at the Solar Eclipse! An eclipse can bring out unusual, unconscious energy. The Full Moon in Aries is the midwife of the emergence of that energy.
Pure Aries energy isn't usually interested in subtleties or unconscious ambiguities. It wants to find the most direct way to get from Point-A to Point-B. No messing around, just "do it!" (as the slogan goes) Aries can therefore be very impulsive, sudden, fast-moving and candid. We all have a part of our nature that is Aries (since Aries and Mars are always somewhere in your chart, whether emphasised or not).
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The question is: how will this Aries part of you carry and deal with the nebulous energy that was released at the solar eclipse? In an effort to make sense of a difficult, bewildering or overwhelming situation, you might try to reduce an intricate situation down to its most basic, essential terms. This may be done so that it can be dealt with quickly, directly and effectively. But in doing so, is it possible you are missing the details, the richer texture, multi-dimensional complexity or the "fine print?"
This is the effect of going from the New Moon in Virgo to the Full Moon in Aries � from the meticulous minutia of Virgo to the straightforward, blunt force of Aries. The advantage of these combined energies is that one can, potentially, boil the vast complexity of a situation down to an essence which points to an action or a choice or a straightforward way of understanding it. The single most important part can rise to the top where it can be scooped out and used.
The disadvantage is that, although this may allow you to make decisions and move forward, you also risk losing some important complexity and subtlety. This may be a necessary sacrifice in order to make progress, but it's also possible to resort to "overkill" that seeks only to "get on with it" and therefore leave behind a residue that becomes important later.
At the time of the Full Moon, Mars is in the last degree of Gemini and Mercury is in the final degree of Libra. This would be significant in its own right. However, Mars is the ruler of Aries, the Full Moon's sign, and Mercury is the ruler of Virgo, the sign of the New Moon that began this lunar cycle. It is therefore especially important and meaningful that these planets occupy these potent degrees!
The last degree of any sign tends to be a rather ominous degree! You've felt its energy before � you've almost finished something and are already thinking ahead to the next project or day or lover or whatever. You're not fully in the previous situation anymore and your heart just isn't in it. You're focused on what is coming, on the potentials that lie ahead. Your attention is split between the past and the future, which can leave you not present in the present (so to speak). Perhaps not the best frame of mind if you need to make focused decisions.
On the other hand, Mercury and Mars are in exact trine aspect to each other, which is usually seen as a positive influence. This alignment could bring out your creative intuition. Perceptions that come in flashes may contain valuable insights. You may recognise opportunities now whose portals of opportunity open only briefly and must be taken advantage of now or else wait for a more conventional encounter. The trick is to be able to tell the difference between a wise choice made on the spur of the moment versus an erratic lunge that turns out to be poorly timed. If you are able to stay grounded and centered, this is likely to work out better than if you suddenly decide to change your direction in mid-leap.
Another interesting point is that both Mercury and Mars are both in their retrograde shadows. In other words, each is within the span of the Zodiac where it will go retrograde, and thus will cross the 29th degree 3 times. This is the first pass through that degree for both planets; however, in future passes they will not be at the 29th degree at the same time, as they are right now. (You can read more about the 29th degree in this article by Eric J. Uberseder.) This reflects the whole split-attention experience, in which you will likely have to go back later and revise decisions and actions that are forming now.
It is entirely likely that this pending revision will need to be done because you're not fully paying attention now � you're not present in the moment. Your awareness may be somewhat scattered or fragmented, as your mind searches for something stable to hold onto. Yet, the prevailing energy is one of transition and change, so stability is not likely to be easy to come by. Staying present in the moment when you're in flux is never easy!
Best to ride with the current, using your mental focus to steer you away from the obvious rocks and hazards. If you can't manage it, at least try not to make any decisions now that can't be undone or changed later. It may be wise to avoid saying things impulsively now, which you may later regret if you have to "eat your words." On the other hand, if you need to make a quick decision that speaks to the future, while also having one foot in the past, this transit can make this easier to do.
Mars is also opposite Pluto (exact Sep.21), adding intensity, urgency and strength to all of the above energies. Since Mars is about to go retrograde (Nov.15.2007 to Jan.30.2008), this is the first of 3 passes that Mars will make in opposition to Pluto. I'll write more about this in November.
Saturn, having recently entered Virgo (Sep.02), forms what I call
an Irritation Wedge
("What's a Wedge?") to the Full Moon. Saturn is quincunx the Moon and semi-sextile the Sun, and not even half a
degree from being exact. While you are wrestling with impulses and the desire to make courageous strides into the future, Saturn is reminding you that the past is
just as important. The value of tradition is its ability to act as a keel that provides stability and a rudder to allow you to steer in the direction of your
choice. Fast or sudden moves can create instability and problems. Saturn's message to Aries is: Don't "just do it" � do it right!
Of course, Saturn in Virgo can set some rather strict standards. At worst, the rebellious Aries Moon may pull against the quincunx aspect to Saturn. You might feel an "itchy" feeling that you must preserve your independence, yet never quite be able to keep Saturn's rules from nipping at your heels. However, with Saturn in sextile to both Mars and Mercury at the time of the Full Moon, Saturn can be an ally if you give him half a chance. Try seeing the benefits of rules, standards and stability�not to stifle your autonomy, but to support and strengthen it. If you need some help understanding how to make friends with Saturn without feeling like you've just handed over the keys to your independence, consider getting a personal reading. I can help you see how all this applies to your individual life.
Cunning communication and insight are at their peak, as Mercury skulks through Scorpio. It�s a time for unearthing secrets and delving deeply into the psychological Shadow (Carl Jung�s term for the unconscious parts of ourselves that we don't want to or know how to face). There is opportunity for healing and grounding now, but you may have to resist the temptation to manipulate others to control that process. Your awareness of the undercurrents around you could be increased...or you might stir up those undercurrents in others without intending to, by blurting things out in a blunt or harsh way. This transit presents an opportunity to learn new ways to wield words with the skill of a surgeon - to heal and remove what is toxic, not to wound or retaliate. Use it wisely. If you are not crystal clear with yourself about your motives and feelings when communicating with others, your unconscious or hidden agendas could seep through and cause hurt when that was not your intention.
Mercury will go retrograde in Scorpio on Oct.12. This means that while Mercury is in Scorpio (Sep.27 to Oct.12), your mind is likely to be especially intense, shrewd and perceptive. You might find you slip more easily into suspicious thinking and a defensive mindset. Try not to let it dictate your choices or actions, but do listen to the underlying intuition�it's probably telling you
The fiery energy of Mars is poured through the sensitive, emotional waters of Cancer. This is not the easiest placement for Mars, since its sharp edge becomes somewhat softened and diluted. However, this is also a time when it is possible to use your assertive and proactive energy for the protection of yourself or others. This is like the mother bear that can become extremely fierce when protecting her young, and in the same way you have an abundance of energy to defend your "children" -- literally or figuratively, in the sense of creative projects, loved ones, your Inner Child, or your home "nest." This is also a time when deep emotional issues may erupt to the surface, like buried anger, repressed frustration or unconscious fear. The focus of your feelings may be a little unstable and moody, but it also gives you an opportunity to nurture, vent and express those feelings. Observe how you respond to any deep feelings that emerge, either in yourself or in others. Does your Inner Parent try to repress or scold that Inner Child, or are you able to respond lovingly, caringly and sensitively? This is a learning experience that can teach you how to nurture yourself ...and others.
Mars will go retrograde in Cancer on Nov.15. Mars will be increasingly slowing down over the next several weeks. With this happening in Cancer, your more sensitive emotions may seem to linger a bit longer than usual. You may be more easily hurt by harsh words or actions during this time. On the positive side, though, you can also be more receptive to the needs of others. Your empathy may guide your actions and choices more than usual. And your creative potential is higher during this time.
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It can be easier to take a logical, practical approach to problem-solving and decisions now. It's 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 ambitions. Or, you may find it's time to bring closure to finished goals, by distilling and systemizing what you've learned in the past several months. This will probably require a bit of effort on your part to make it happen, but the opportunity is there if you choose to take it. This transit can bring mental stability and the ability to apply your mental focus in a practical and grounded way. It may be easier to see things realistically and objectively. Creative energy can become productive and rewarding, if you use it methodically or logically.
Close one-on-one connections with people (close friends, lovers, partners of all kinds) will tend to gravitate to a deeper, more intense level now. Instead of automatically doing the diplomatic, "nice" thing, you may find it is more fulfilling to share more of your authentic feelings. It may be possible now to connect with people on a deeper level, while still ensuring that your interests are equally balanced with theirs. The trick is to do this without trying to control or overpower the other person, and it may be easier to avoid those traps now. You could make some deeply intimate connections with people under this transit. Financial dealings with other people may also go smoothly, although it might be wise to get clear confirmation that you're both on the same page about the fine print.
This is the last of 3 passes of this transit (Jul.08, Aug.15 and Oct.03). This is due to Venus going over the area of the Zodiac where she formed a trine to Pluto, while in her retrograde cycle. How have you expanded your intimate relationships to embrace deeper meaning and closeness? How have you transformed your finances, possessions or resources during this time? In what ways have you adjusted your values and priorities to strengthen your self-protection or empowerment, or to reflect your deeper beliefs, standards and ethics? These are issues that Venus trine Pluto has encouraged you to explore and embrace during this time.
This is a time when you may find that your recent efforts to mend and heal the chronic struggles in your life start to come together. You likely have the confidence now to try new solutions, or at least to approach problems from a different angle that sheds new light on the situation. Some of this progress may come from daring to walk your own path, or from finding the courage to face the hidden shadow of your worries and weaknesses (the hidden benefit that those worries give you). There may be a variety of different struggles and wounds in your life that could benefit from this kind of healing, although it can be tempting to let this transit pass by without taking advantage of it. Strive to reach a midpoint between merely dipping your toe in troubled waters and thinking that is enough, versus jumping in the deep end and marinating in it.
Under this transit, it is possible to fall in love with purity, precision and analysis. It is a time to invest in health, efficiency, and your contribution to the world around you. The beauty is in the details, as you embrace a labour of love in your life. Just don't get so enamoured with pristine splendour that you get lost in perfectionism and unable to accept the natural imperfection that exists in all life and humanity. Each of us is the Universe's perfect child, but we are also in a state of becoming and growing and are therefore likely to make human mistakes. Remember that we're here for the journey, as much as the destination. This part of the journey takes us into service and devotion, whether that is focused on another person or on ourselves.
Venus' entry into Virgo now brings her back to the sign where she went retrograde back on Jul.27. The final processing of your Venus retrograde experience is to come back to Venus' quest for purity in love and worth. How has your perspective about these areas changed since late July?
There is an opportunity to harness the energy of willpower using practical discipline. Your physical and mental energy are likely to be stable and enduring, or else they can become this way more easily than usual by applying a sustained focus of effort. This is a great transit if you need to be productive or to make progress in a goal that you are working toward. The thing to watch out for is a tendency to be over-cautious to the point where you get stuck in the planning stage and don't get much done. Or, you might try to rush into the production phase before your plans are fully formed. This transit works best when these areas are brought into balance.
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!
Just when you think you've got it figured out, life surprises you! And the revelation might not come as a welcome surprise. New information or insight might be getting in the way of your ability to be confident in your knowledge of life. It's also possible that your beliefs, judgments and assumptions are getting in the way of your ability to see something more clearly. Therefore, a conflict or struggle can develop under this transit that shows how your understanding of life needs to be adjusted in some way. It is time to let in new ideas, perceptions and truths; to expand your worldview and allow your mind to think more freely. However, we often cling closely to what we believe is Truth. We guide our lives and decisions by what we see as the Truth, and it is tempting to believe in absolutes � that there is only one Truth and we have it. This transit will likely challenge your view of life and bring you in contact with experiences, information or a new perspective that requires you to open your mind a little wider. At its worst, this transit could bring a strong conflict of interest, resulting in a lot of finger pointing in an attempt to figure out who is "to blame" for the fact that the same old ideas don't work in predictable ways. At its best, you can gain flashes of insight that liberate your thinking and increase your wisdom. Fighting for a cause � especially involving humanitarianism, spirituality, multiculturalism or technology � could be the inspiration or trigger that sets these changes in motion. For best results, seek to stretch your understanding beyond your usual boundaries.
This is the last of 3 passes of this transit (Jan.22, May.10 and Oct.09). This transit may have put you in a pensive mood, doing some soul-searching, speculating about where you are going, having to refine or reform your spiritual beliefs, and forcing yourself to look beyond your usual zone of comfort and familiarity. At this final pass, take a look back on what this year has been for you in these areas. What have you learned about Life, the Universe and Everything? How have you had to change your perspective so that it matches or supports your actions (or vice versa). This pass will be in effect throughout most of October, giving you lots of time to process and apply whatever your learning has been this year.
Venus finally finishes her retrograde cycle. She has been in the retrograde shadow since Jun.24 and now This means Venus has been going through the same span of the Zodiac since that date � first direct (Jun.24 to Jul.27), then retrograde (from Jul.27 to Sep.08), then direct again (Sep.08 to now, Oct.11). Look back on these periods of time and see if you can identify a pattern in your life. The first direct phase may have seen the development of issues, problems, challenges or desires in relationships, finances, resources or the need for balance. During the second phase, you may have reconsidered and re-evaluated these areas, seeing things you wanted to change or perhaps allowing yourself to express feelings or desires that you normally keep locked away. The last phase (which ends now) is the time when you make changes or choices based on what has emerged during the other two phases.
Next Update: NEW MOON in LIBRA - October 11, 2007. Available by Oct.11.
� 2007 Wendy Guy. All rights reserved. This material may not be copied without the author's written permission.