Lynda Hill's Sabian Symbols

Testing Times Or The Tried And True: August's Pisces Full Moon

One of the rules of caution is not to be too cautious. Bahya ibn Paquda.

There is perhaps nothing so bad and so dangerous in life as fear. Jawaharlal Nehru

Fear defeats more people than any other thing in the world. Ralph Waldo Emerson

Never feel self-pity, the most destructive emotion there is. How awful to be caught up in the terrible squirrel cage of self. Millicent Fenwick. 

Why not go out on a limb? Isn't that where the fruit is? Frank Scully.

Of all the thirty-six alternatives, running away is best. Chinese Proverb

August's full Moon, falling on August 25 in Australia and August 24 in the United States, is one that has some fairly strong emotions attached to it - and not only because it is a Pisces full Moon. The Sabian Symbol is Pisces 2: A Squirrel Hiding From Hunters. This is a very interesting, and, at times, rather confronting Symbol. It speaks of things such as using tactics to ensure survival, 'hiding' one's self away, not stepping out into the big wide world for fear of making the wrong move, security systems, caution and reserve, using commonsense, things that feel tiny, uncertain or insecure, refuges and the need for them, staying out of people's way, staying home, locks and keys, stockpiling for harder times.

The following is my take on this degree from my book 360 Degrees of Wisdom: Charting Your Destiny With The Sabian Oracle.

Is someone fretting about their position or future? There may be a sense of aggression in the air where you, or someone you know, may be one of the smaller players. Sometimes the "enemy" is actually not really there, and we make it up through fear or paranoia. To be cautious is wise, but hiding oneself away can lead to missed opportunities for any kind of nourishment and the possibility of freedom, sunshine and basking in the light. The provision of nourishment and sustenance may be difficult if one feels somehow threatened. This feeling of "threat" can happen on any level. It may have been a necessary process to go through the fright, care and worry facing you, but the time has to eventually come when you can feel safe and able to enjoy life. Is your neighborhood threatening or unsafe in some way? Although we may not like to admit it, sometimes 'Hiding' away is the best option, whether your fears are real or merely imagined. This can give you time to sort things through in your heart and mind to decide what your next move will be. This Symbol can bring nervousness and a lack of sleep. If you feel victimized and "holed-up" in this matter, perhaps a safer home, or living environment, would make things easier. It is true that if we project fear out into our environment, it will most likely manifest in a reaction or event somewhere. What creative solutions can you employ to ensure a safe (or satisfactory) outcome for all concerned? 

Obviously, not everyone is going to be feeling the above...one of the ways I've seen this degree operating around me is through people just wanting to spend more time at home enjoying their own space, concentrating on their needs and enjoying some 'down time' when they can.

As always, I look at the degree of the Sun at the full Moon as it's very telling about what's unfolding. This is a curious degree and one that had me thinking that, in Australia, the recent election for Prime Minister would return the conservatives to government as their head, Tony Abbott, has strong Catholic views. It seems that as it seems clear that Labor will regain power, we may be spared having to look at or listen to Tony Abbott just by the skin of our teeth, or, perhaps we'll have a hung parliament. But I digress...

The degree of the Sun is Virgo 2: A Large White Cross, Dominating The Landscape, Stands Alone On Top Of A High Hill. This degree can speak of feelings of loneliness or loss which can be healed with signs of hope and faith for a brighter future. A religious experience can change one's life and lead to spiritual fulfillment and the highest sense of joy. However, some may feel that they are being treated like a 'scapegoat' - hung out to dry, having a cross to bear, being a sacrificial lamb - the black sheep of the family, or that one has to shoulder too many responsibilities and live up to society's cultural norms. The controversy of the mosque (it's actually a community center and mosque) that's planned to be built near ground zero in New York would be one example. What a frenzy that project has built up in the last few months - tolerance, acceptance and love works far better than screaming about terrorists. Again, I digress, but truly, people speak about love and then scream profanities and slurs of innocent folk being terrorists -the very people who just want to live a peaceful life...

So, you can see that this degree could get some arguments happening or blood boiling or bigoted or scapegoating actions going on. 

Keywords for Virgo 2 include: Religious ideals dominating, the fear or the wonder of God, following a mystic path, the need to find a savior, being alone and forgotten, monuments to pain and suffering, tributes or memories of those lost or gone before, reminders of salvation, images of redemption, the Church, Christianity and other religions, martyrdom, the Inquisition. 

Without wanting to put the fear of God into anyone, this full Moon could be a very testing time. Certainly it will be for many, but not all. All full Moon's have challenges - although this one is a bit of a doozy. My take on it is that we're in a time of adjustments and finding a more level playing field.

Not wanting to sound like the Inquisition is about to arrive, but Venus and Mars are going to be holding a few people up to scrutiny. Venus is on Libra 18 and Mars will pass over this degree the day or so after the full Moon. The Sabian Symbol for Libra 18 is Two Men Placed Under Arrest Give An Accounting For Their Acts Before The Tribunal Of Society. This is a very interesting degree, especially as it's Venus on a Libran degree (with Mars following closely on Venus' heels). This Symbol speaks of having to plead one's case, the need for "legal help", unacceptable principles, blowing the whistle, people unable to relate, karma to be worked out, being framed, restrictions, people in handcuffs (stuck together?), identification parades, the law, tribunals, breaking laws. It can speak of shutting off to cope, not having one's point of view heard, losing authority, being bound karmically, feeling stuck, unable to move. 

Yes, that's a big placement for Venus and Mars to be occupying, especially as the degree following is another difficult Symbol. It's Libra 19: A Gang Of Robbers In Hiding. Both Venus and Mars will travel over this degree in the few days after the full Moon. Now, I don't want people worrying about this degree. I find it most often (more often than not) brings up issues of a subconscious nature - those ideas, thoughts and emotions that run through our minds that are not useful, that hurt and restrict yourself and others. The best bet when this degree is around is to identify what's going on - undermining of confidence can be around and suspicions can get out of hand with no real basis to support them. Identifying where you sabotage yourself or others (or where others are doing it to you or themselves), where you step over the line when talking about, thinking about or dealing with others, where you may be a bit off track in your responses. Of course, you may not be doing any of these things, but this degree will come up in some measure. 

The actual degree of Mars is Libra 17: A Retired Sea Captain Watches Ships Entering And Leaving The Harbor. This degree seems to imply the need to take some time out to sit and contemplate what's going on in your life. The 'Ships' can be people passing each other by, people moving around, or it could be speaking of the commerce of life with people coming and going. Even though you may want (or need) to get going with something, Mars might be saying to take time for yourself - to be a bit like the 'Retired Sea Captain'. 

Saturn is on Libra 4: A Group of Young People Sit In Spiritual Communion Around A Campfire. With Saturn on this degree, there could be the feeling of the need to find those of like mind to share your time with; companions on the path. It could also be, for some (seeing it's Saturn on this degree) that as the years progress the yearning to be with spiritually like-minded others is becoming more of an issue. It can also show people feeling their age and wanting to fling off responsibility and get away (perhaps to the wilderness - the 'Campfire') and spend time with people younger than themselves (or young at heart).

Pluto is squaring Saturn from Capricorn 3: The Human Soul, In Its Eagerness For New Experiences, Seeks Embodiment. This is a wonderful degree that speaks of wanting to manifest the self and one's creative urges, the desire to make a contribution, be noticed, drop into the self in an authentic way. This is a great degree for writing, being creative, getting published, finding what one really wants to do. Pluto is retrograde and has been on this degree a few times over the last few years. Many are feeling more and more that urge to create, to write, to contribute, to leave some type of lasting legacy. With Pluto squaring Saturn, many are likely to be finding a scarcity of time, energy or resources. The trick is to push through limitations to find creative ways to manifest your desires; to manifest the self.

Mercury is retrograde on Virgo 19: A Swimming Race. There will be issues of having to get things done, no slacking, no slowing down, just racing towards the main objective. This can speak of the striving for first place or greatness, swimming, sports, competition, wanting to be first at everything, concentrating on one's goal, medals and awards, training and practice, showing your abilities in front of others. Mercury is clapping his hands and saying "hurry up!", but we're hurrying as fast as we can. Besides, who is Mercury to talk (excuse the pun) when he's retrograding? I'm reminded of the Goon Show song (Google it, it's fun) I'm Walking Backwards For Christmas (Across The Irish Sea). Singing that loudly may bring some much-needed levity. 

We definitely need levity and fun and to be able to make light work out of difficult times. Both the Moon's south node and Jupiter have something to say about our ability to laugh, joke and enjoy. The south node is on Cancer 11: A Clown Is Caricaturing Well-Known Personalities. This is a degree of wanting to entertain, to enjoy, to make light of life. It can be parodies of personalities, making fun of someone (or people in general), life imitating art (we see it in our political systems all the time). Jupiter is on Aries 2: A Comedian Entertaining A Group Of Friends. This speaks of seeing the funny side of things, having insights, always being on the go mentally, putting on a show for others, cracking up with laughter, ragging on each other, inside jokes, the jester, etc. 

Soon after the full Moon, Mercury moves back onto Virgo 18: Two Girls Playing With A Ouija Board - seems we need to be listening to our intuition and psychic selves (and reliable others) in order to grasp what's going on. 

I like the message of Jupiter and the Moon's south node; to be able to joke, enjoy, have fun and see the light side of life. I reckon that's a prescription for getting us past the more difficult aspects of this full Moon. It's a meaningful time, but then it always is. 

Reaching Out And Starting A New Experiment: August's Leo New Moon

Observation is a passive science, experimentation an active science. Claude Bernard 

Everybody's a mad scientist, and life is their lab. We're all trying to experiment to find a way to live, to solve problems, to fend off madness and chaos. David Cronenberg

I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work. Thomas Alva Edison

The man who makes no mistakes does not usually make anything. Edward J. Phelps

The true scientist never loses the faculty of amusement. It is the essence of his being. J. Robert Oppenheimer

If you shoot for the stars and hit the moon, it's okay. But you've got to shoot for something. A lot of people don't even shoot. Robert Townsend

August's new Moon, falling on August 9 in the United States and August 10 in Australia, is one that is asking us to take a look at where we can create some miracles, changes, experiments or take some chances. The Sabian Symbol is Leo 18: A Chemist Conducts An Experiment For His Students. This is a wonderful degree of discovery, trial and error perhaps, but being prepared to take on the new in some way to see where it might lead you. The following is from my book 360 Degrees of Wisdom: Charting Your Destiny With The Sabian Oracle:

The 'Chemist' can be someone who is interested in trying something new. Even with all the appropriate credentials and experience, there may be a feeling of being unsure of the actual outcome. However, 'The Chemist' may be someone who is not prepared to take any risks and is performing the exact same mix of ingredients, again and again. The creative 'Chemist' knows that a mix of new ingredients can lead to new creations, solutions, observations and discoveries. You may find yourself discovering new things in an authoritative or observant position. The message for you in either situation, whether you are the 'Chemist' or a 'Student', is to pay attention to the small as well as the large details. Be prepared to take a few calculated risks with this situation, it may lead to new and satisfying solutions. Something unexpected and exciting may happen!

Keywords: Alchemy. Stepping out of the usual rules and taking a risk. New and untried procedures. Syllabus and education. Wisdom being passed on. Putting things "to the test". Throwing out what doesn't stand up. Ingredients. Bunsen burners. Test tubes. Microscopes. Seeking rational answers. Science and chemistry. Leading by example. The thrill of discovery.

The Caution: Always going "by the rules of the book" leading to inertia and suppression of creative ideas. Being afraid to take a chance because the situation may get out of control. Refusing to reveal one’s formula, lest it be copied. Narrow viewpoints. Skepticism. Being a stickler for conservative science. Not trusting other's abilities. Chemicals that pollute and distort.

So, whether you're a "mad scientist" or a more cautious experimenter, this is a time to put things to the test. How and where can you change your life so it's more fun, creative, rewarding and enjoyable? 

Certainly, it seems, some things probably need attention, especially as Venus is exactly squaring Pluto on this new Moon. This can bring up all kinds of intense energies and emotions, power plays, strong attractions or repulsions, the desire to rewrite the rules or the outline of the future. There can also be jealousy or a drive to throw out relationships or situations that have outlived their welcome. Being with others that support your goals, stimulate your life, provide fun and social and intellectual stimulation, and, perhaps, bring more passion your way is the way forward. 

The Sabian Symbol for Venus is Libra 4: A Group Of Young People Sit In Spiritual Communion Around A Campfire. This speaks of joining with others, taking care of communal matters, kindred spirits, soul mates, unity, fellowship. The 'Fire' can be anything that 'in-spirits' you; it can be a common cause or desire, the Internet, something you're studying, beliefs that inspire and generally being with friends and companions. 

Pluto, exactly squaring Venus, backs up this message. The Sabian Symbol is Capricorn 4: A Group Of Young People Entering A Canoe For A Journey By Water. This shows the need, or desire, for cohesive effort, cooperation and coordination. This, too, shows people with a common goal or destination in mind. After all, if people are rowing in different directions, the 'Canoe' could end up getting nowhere or just going around in circles. 

The square of Pluto to Venus is very likely to bring some dramatic changes to some relationships and friendships. Something may need to change and the changes may have been coming for some time. They may have been obvious, but some may be taken by surprise by the energies that are being stirred up by this configuration. Who are you rowing your canoe with? Who, or what, needs to be jettisoned in order for life to flow more smoothly. Rapids may be ahead, but whatever is happening is bringing a transformation on some level.

This square is backed up by Mars also being in the picture. It's conjunct (together with) and squaring Pluto, so the energies could get pretty fired-up and intense. Mars is on Libra 7: A Woman Feeding Chickens And Protecting Them From The Hawks. This degree brings the need for nurturing, protection and guardianship, being on the lookout for changes in the atmosphere, spotting problems (often those that others might not be noticing), shielding the innocents from the "bad guys", being firm with outsiders, asylum, protecting places of residence. 

Saturn is in this mix as well. It's on Libra 2: The Light Of The Sixth Race Transmuted To The Seventh. This speaks of ascension and evolution, finding kindred spirits, sharing visions, growing older and wiser, moving into a new state of being, waking up to a new life, etc. With Saturn on this degree, there could be a feeling of being stuck, not wanting to rock the boat, not wanting to take a risk to move into a new sense of being, a new sense of operating in the world. This is essentially a dynamic degree and Saturn may be challenging many to let go of the past, to evolve and move past issues that confine or stop growth. Growing in so many ways is the message from Saturn, if you can let go of the strictures that could be restraining you. Confidence is needed here, along with a plan that allows for us to step up to who and what we're meant to be. 

Venus and Mars and Saturn and Pluto all in aspect to each other is an intense configuration for sure, and the energies are ramped up with Jupiter being smack opposite that Saturn, Venus and Mars conjunction and squaring Pluto. Jupiter brings the desire for expansion, freedom and authenticity and this is made even stronger by its placement on Aries 3: A Cameo Profile Shows The Profile Of A Man That Suggests The Outline Of His Country. This speaks of being true to your 'Profile' - how do you see yourself? how do you fit in? how are you going in terms of being the person you're truly meant to be? how are you fulfilling your destiny?

What a doozy this new Moon is with all that going on. We haven't even thrown in Uranus yet and it's definitely in the mix. It's conjunct Jupiter and opposite Saturn, Venus and Mars and squaring Pluto. The degree of Uranus is Aries 1: A Mermaid Emerging From The Ocean, A Seal Embraces Her. This, as I've mentioned in previous writings, shows the necessity of emerging, finding the place where one is meant to be, and, as with 'The Mermaid' finding your feet and your voice and shedding old skins, somewhat like the Selkie myth (Google it and read up about it, it's very interesting).

Concerns with material or financial survival could be foremost in our minds as Neptune is on Aquarius 28: A Tree Felled And Sawed To Ensure A Supply Of Wood For The Winter. This shows the need for resources, being prepared for harder times, stocking up and stock piling, renewable resources, axes and tools, stores and provisions, money, oil, petrol, fuel of all kinds. Concerns about security could stop some from making the changes that are needed, or constrict from taking a chance on breaking free. Wood is used to make money and paper and this degree can show issues to do with publishing.

Last, but certainly not least, is Mercury on Virgo 15: A Fine Lace Ornamental Handkerchief. This can show a need to be mindful of your own and other's sensibilities and emotions. Treading carefully is the need here as trampling over emotions can lead to upset or disappointment or emotional reactions. Of course, none of this is necessary, but this degree does tend to show emotions rising up (or the need for it). It's how they're handled that shows whether that 'Handkerchief' is merely for show or if it's needed to soak up those emotional reactions. It can also show a case of "crocodile tears" (insincere emotions - it's an 'Ornamental Handkerchief'. 

It's interesting to note that Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are all retrograde. For some, this will mean that the forward impulse is strong but there may need to be some time taken to honestly evaluation where the 'Experiment' is taking you. This is a very dynamic new Moon, an exciting, challenging and promising one. Perhaps it's time for your magician's hat! - particularly as the Karmic Condition (the degree before) Mars is Libra 6: A Man Watches His Ideals Taking A Concrete Form Before His Inner Vision. What are you manifesting? Venus passes over this degree a few days after this new Moon. 

Listening To And Acting Upon Dawning Truths: July's Aquarius Full Moon

There are two freedoms - the false, where a man is free to do what he likes; and the true, where he is free to do what he ought. Charles Kingsley 

A man must consider what rich realm he abdicates when he becomes a conformist. Ralph Waldo Emerson

I had examined myself pretty thoroughly and discovered that I was unfit for military service. Catch-22

I was court martialed in my absence, and sentenced to death in my absence, so I said they could shoot me in my absence. Brendan F. Behan

Just because your doctor has a name for your condition doesn't mean he knows what it is. Anon

The doctor is to be feared more than the disease. Latin Proverb

You already have the precious mixture that will make you well. Use it. Rumi

July's full Moon, falling on July 26, is an Aquarian full Moon which seems to be bringing an opportunity to make sense of where your life is heading, with whom and how and why. The Sabian Symbol is Aquarius 3: A Deserter From The Navy Stands Suddenly Aware Of A Dawning Truth: Freedom Is Never The Result Of Compromise. 

This can speak of sudden realizations, rebellion, leaving although allegiance had once been pledged, opting out because of pressure, harassment or bullying, taking risks to get out of a dangerous/destructive/alienating or boring situation, being left behind by someone who's "jumped ship", going AWOL, standing by personal truths, refusing to compromise, knowing when to give up or leave.

It could be that in some situation in your life, the rigorous restraints and rules are no longer comfortable, desirable, bearable or tolerable. This can be about you, or it can be about someone (or something) in your life. Being "signed up" to some commitment can be restricting, limiting and sometimes confronting. There can be a feeling of being taken away from loved ones, home and family, for a reason you don't really understand and not wanting to accept the pressures of separation. However, it could be the exact opposite - home and family life can be too constricting and there may be a desire to leave to pursue another, more independent life. Following your heart's desires or adjusting to what's going on around you can be demanding and there are always consequences for opting out, running away or not playing the game. Are you prepared for them? Is there a 'sudden' realization, a 'dawning truth' that what you've been doing is not necessarily what you want to be doing?

The Cautions for this degree include: Not playing by the rules of socially structured games, being contrary for the sake of it, refusal to face social consequences, not turning up, withdrawing support in a physical, emotional or spiritual way, blowing security, rats deserting the sinking ship.

As you can see, this full Moon, especially as it's in Aquarius, could have some interesting, and, possibly, life changing consequences. This full Moon is at 2.59 Aquarius, meaning that it's right on the brink of the next degree - just one minute of degree off the next one. Hence, the following degree is especially strong. It's Aquarius 4: A Hindu Healer Glows With A Mystic Healing Power. 

The 'Hindu Healer' could be you or someone close to you or someone you meet. The 'Hindu Healer' can pass on the benefits of knowledge to the unwell through healing and purification. The message is to look to your spiritual center for genuine, lasting and healing solutions. This may require focus, practice and determination. You can heal yourself and/or others in some way. Perhaps someone will offer this healing to you. There may be a need to leave the pressures of modern society for spaces that are much calmer, more spiritual or self-focused. Take some time and effort to tune in as the healing experience is occurring. Indeed, a 'Mystic Healing' experience could descend over you and change your life in some way forever.

Keywords for this degree are: Divine healing potency, natural healing methods, going on faith, humility in the face of greatness, yogis and fakirs, finding one's center, healers of all kinds, glowing health, issues of love, spirit and calm, tapping vast reservoirs of healing forces, auras that radiate, pranic energy, urine therapy, reiki healing. 

As always, I look at the degree of the Sun on the full Moon. It's Leo 3: A Mature Woman, Keeping Up With The Times, Having Her Hair Bobbed. Although we cannot really become different by changing our appearance, feeling good about the image we display does radiate both inwardly and outwardly. When the Sabian Symbols were given birth in the 1920's, a woman showed her independence, sassyness and readiness to take on the world through getting her hair 'bobbed'. This degree speaks of keeping up with trends, asserting one's independence from social constraints, wanting to shrug off the years, adopting a younger attitude, changing appearances, hairstyles and hairdressers, hats and scarves, meeting the challenges of age, radiating sexuality, bad hair days, midlife crisis, being a trendsetter, feminism, etc. 

Just as with the Moon, the degree of the Sun at this full Moon is smack on the last minute of the degree. This means that the next degree is going to be very strong. It's Leo 4: A Man Formally Dressed Stands Near Trophies He Brought Back From A Hunting Expedition. This degree is especially interesting following on the one previous to it. Thinking about this, my mind went to the term "trophy wife" - gotta be slim, taut, terrific, pretty, well dressed and presented. Of course, that's not what this is necessarily about, although for sure this will resonate for some. Are you appreciated for your true values? Or, are you fulfilling a role that doesn't really show your talents, depths or abilities? Perhaps this degree is saying that it's definitely time to show your own 'trophies'; your skills, your abilities, what you've accomplished and what you hope to accomplish in the future. Perhaps there's someone in your life who's only ever interested in what they've accomplished, with you standing in the shade.

Keywords are: Trophies of conquest, the desire to show one's self, proving one's animal instincts for the benefit of social position, displays of manliness, the spoils of daring and courage, notches on the belt, victories over another, trophies for one's club, social standing or country, looking for pats on the back, diplomas, guns, rifles, ammunition, Academy Awards, animal liberationists.

There seems to be loads of insight, clairvoyant messages and intuition in the air as Venus is on Virgo 18: Two Girls Playing With A Ouija Board. This can bring through all kinds of energy, especially on the intuitive level or from the spirit world. Stay tuned for messages of all kinds, whether you overhear something said, or see an advertisement or catch a line in an open book. Messages are around for sure. Friends can provide answers that have been sought.

Mars is on Virgo 28: A Bald-Headed Man In Uniform Has Seized Power. This speaks of dominating other's space, taking positions of power, proving one's virility, strutting one's stuff, wearing the pants in the family. Mars may be playing the upper hand for now, although he may not be so cocky when he meets up with Saturn late July/early August. Saturn is a little stuck and Mars will be too when they're together, especially around July 31. The Symbol for Saturn is Libra 1: A Butterfly Preserved And Made Perfect With A Dart Through It. This speaks of holding onto things or events from the past, feeling pinned to the spot, stuck to something and unable to let go... it can be perfection and beauty made immortal and the sacrifice of one's self for an ideal or to be able to keep one's position, even if it means one can't fly free or do what is truly wanted. Here is a bit of a dilemma as Saturn's message is quite different from the full Moon's Deserter From The Navy.

It seems there's a pull between deserting ship and being pinned to the spot, at least in terms of the Symbols for the Moon and Saturn. This certainly seems to be a prime time to get a handle on getting one's life in order as Saturn is providing support by being in good aspect to the Sun and Moon. Further adding fuel to getting life sorted is the good aspects from Uranus and Jupiter. Uranus is on Aries 1: A Woman Has Risen Out Of The Ocean, A Seal Is Embracing Her (finding your voice and your feet) and Jupiter on Aries 4: Two Lovers Are Strolling Through A Secluded Walk (which can speak of walking love's path = together with someone or alone). 

Being clear and keeping lines of communication open may prove to be a bit of a challenge, though, with Mercury smack opposite Neptune. Mercury is on Leo 28: Man Little Birds Chirping On The Limb Of A Large Tree. This can be about gathering with people of like mind, sharing ideas, databases, the Internet and chat groups, books, tapes and CDs, publishing houses, telephone switchboards and the battle to gain attention. All this is great, but there could be a lot of twittering (the 'Birds') going on without much actually being accomplished (all talk no action?). It could be that some are judging, talking about or downright gossiping about others and what they're doing in their lives. Gossip in society is good to a point; it's part of the cohesion of society - without catching up on the stories about others, our lives would have less color and depth. However, when there's a lot of chattering that just ends up being no information but a lot of noise, this can get irritating, time wasting or downright hurtful to others.

With Mercury directly opposing Neptune, communications can be lost, misplaced in some way or just plain scrambled. It can help to follow up on agreements or conversations if things are not as clear as they should be. Interestingly, Neptune is on another tree degree (it's amazing how Elsie Wheeler, the spiritualist medium who gave birth to the Sabian Symbols in 1925 came up with these Symbols). The Symbol for Neptune is Aquarius 28: A Tree Felled And Sawed To Ensure A Supply Of Wood For The Winter. This speaks of gathering resources, being prepared for any eventuality, stocking up and stockpiling, log cabins, open fires, provisions, money, logging, timber, wood for burning, oil, petrol, fuel of all kinds, woodchips, storage. 

The question of this full Moon seems to involve issues of staying or leaving, being persevering or knowing when to cut your losses, choosing happiness over duty, etc. Listening to your 'conscience' could bring some very interesting realizations.

Solar Eclipse! Venetian Gondoliers In A Serenade: July's Cancerian New Moon

Love is like a violin; the music may stop now and then, but the strings will remain forever. Anon 

If music be the food of love, play on. William Shakespeare

The French are true romantics. They feel the only difference between a man of forty and one of seventy is thirty years of experience. Maurice Chevalier

If you describe things as better than they are, you are considered to be a romantic; if you describe things as worse than they are, you will be called a realist; and if you describe things exactly as they are, you will be thought of as a satirist. Quentin Crisp

Beware of over-great pleasure in being popular or even beloved. Margaret Fuller

He must have a truly romantic nature, for he weeps when there is nothing at all to weep about. Oscar Wilde

Tis not the many oaths that make the truth; But the plain single vow, that is vow'd true. William Shakespeare

Anything too stupid to be spoken is sung. Voltaire

July's new Moon is a total solar eclipse. Happening on July 11 in the United States and July 12 in Australia and lasting for 5 minutes and 20 seconds, the path of the solar eclipse cannot be seen unless you are in the Pacific, perhaps at Easter Island or the Cook Islands, although it does extend to the tip of southern Chile and Argentina. It's interesting that this is another 'boat image' as the lunar eclipse two weeks ago had strong boat influences. Click on the eclipse image and you'll see where the path goes (the speck in the middle is the exact path). 

The following is from my book 360 Degrees of Wisdom: Charting Your Destiny With The Sabian Oracle. This is a rather romantic eclipse as the Sabian Symbol implies. It's Cancer 20: Venetian Gondoliers In A Serenade. This speaks of the ideals of romantic fantasy. Although it can sometimes sound like an old cliché, the ‘Gondoliers Serenading’ is the sort of fantasy or special event that many people long for or desire. To be pampered, cared for and transported to a place of romance can be just what is needed, though there may be a need for caution if the romance is really just a fairytale.

This Symbol encourages the breaking away from any restriction of expectation and letting yourself float on the pleasure of romance. Someone (and this may be you or another) may be a little frustrated or bored, and looking to find ways to satisfy their emotional needs. Although this is not the time for seriousness, don’t be fooled by any insincere charades. You may need to develop trust in those around you to be able to surrender to your feelings spontaneously. If the circumstances are right, surrendering to romance should be enjoyed to the hilt. Don’t let doubts get in the way of love or passion; but, do be cautious that you’re not being used for someone’s imaginary or idealistic life. Look to see if you are ignoring the truth in order to satisfy needs. Read between the lines of what’s being said, or the emotions that are conveyed. Look for anything misleading or overblown. Someone may try to convince others of how good they are, or compete with others for love. Be wary of reacting to others who have recently come into the picture, especially those that are vying for affections. Those working hard at winning others over can lead to not being taken seriously. In the end though, people reveal who they really are. Seek out honesty and truth and love will fill your life.

Keywords: Romantic fantasy. Singing and music. Performance. Public speaking. Impressing people with joy, romance, fun and the wonder of life. Venusian displays. Issues of the truth. Ease of communicating. Working to win people over. Appealing to the beloved. Elegance. Floating on the emotions. Festive atmospheres. Nostalgia. Boats. Water.

The Caution: Insincere charades. Retreating into one’s self. Saying whatever it takes to get what one wants. Superficial displays. The delusion of being beyond criticism. Emotional manipulation. Sucking up to others. Misplaced trust. Competing for affections or attention. Losing one’s self.

The 'Karmic Condition' (the degree before) is Cancer 19: A Priest Performing A Marriage Ceremony. The idea of 'marriage' - partnering up with someone, finding the 'ideal mate', staying because one is 'throthed', the issue of vows and keeping them (or not), commitment to a person or a project, marriage guidance, handclaspings, ceremonies, celebrants, sanctified unity, expressions of loyalty and allegiance. So, issues to do with relationship, fidelity, being true to one's self and the other, commitment and staying on course are a big part of the issue of this solar eclipse. Please note that the day before the eclipse, the Sun is on this degree and for about two hours before the eclipse, the Moon is on this degree. 

Further emphasizing singing, romancing and emotional dramatizations is the Quest Symbol -the degree following - please note that this is the degree of the Moon for a few hours immediately after the eclipse and it's the degree of the Sun on the day after the eclipse. The Sabian Symbol is Cancer 21: A Prima Donna Singing. This speaks of having a powerful voice, emotional dramatizations, talent, taking center stage, messages that need to be heard for social reasons, playing out a story or the myths of society, makeup, hairstyles, wigs, costumes, feeling important or special, flowers or brickbats, charisma and presence, commanding attention, having control and good timing, years and years or training or improvising on the spot. Obviously, the 'prima donna' may be horridly demanding, controlling and narcissistic. 

So, this eclipse is about romance for sure with a need to see through what's being said or conveyed. Is there truth in what's going on, or is it merely a momentary illusion?

Venus has something to say about about how many are feeling about life, the universe, romance, everything. It's on Virgo 2: A Large White Cross, Dominating The Landscape, Stands Alone On Top Of A High Hill. This speaks of ideals dominating (often religious or spiritual), the fear or the wonder of God, following a mystic path, the need to find a savior, being alone and forgotten, monuments to pain and suffering, tributes or memories of those lost or gone before, reminders of salvation, images of redemption, the Church, martyrdom, the Inquisition, aloneness and/or sacrifice or the yearning for it, dogmatism, scapegoating, days in the wilderness alone, symbols that inspire guilt and anguish instead of love, acceptance and forgiveness, bullying under the guise of religion, etc. 

Venus is not particularly happy in Virgo on this particular degree. One can benefit by seeing how you may be pinned to the cross. 

As Leonard Cohen sings in his wonderful song The Sisters of Mercy:

Well I've been where you're hanging, I think I can see how you're pinned: When you're not feeling holy, your loneliness says that you've sinned.

Neptune, Chiron and Lilith are smack opposite Venus, bringing a certain amount of confusion, sacrifice, the need for healing and the need for standing strong and tall and finding the powerful feminine voice in amongst all that's going on. Neptune is on Aquarius 29: A Butterfly Emerging From A Chrysalis = time to spread your wings, break free of confinement, to find your feet. Chiron is on Pisces 1: A Large Public Market. How are you out there in the 'market place'? Are you available and willing to get out there? Lilith is on Pisces 2: A Squirrel Hiding From Hunters - perhaps hiding away is what you're wanting to do at the moment. But, are you missing your chance to be 'in the Sun', or finding real nourishment, friends, compatriots, etc. 

There's redemption available though (there always is), in the Quest Symbol of Venus (the degree after) of Virgo 3: Two Guardian Angels Bringing Protection. This is the degree of Venus on the day following the eclipse. This speaks of connection with a sense of inner guidance, visible or invisible protection, people appearing when they're needed, being saved in the nick of time, creative solutions to problems that seemed hopeless or lost. Call on your angels!

The Sabian Symbol for Mars is another Symbol of movement or traveling (as is the boat of the Venetian Gondoliers). It's Virgo 20: A Caravan Of Cars Headed For Promised Lands. This speaks of venturing into life with like minded companions, seeking new territory, leaving behind the known for the unknown, gypsies, Hollywood, California, "boom" towns, the "magic bus". It can be forsaking the individual path in favor of a more secure, common one, perpetual restlessness, constantly seeing the "pot of gold", far-off lands, inability to settle anywhere, being a rolling stone.

Mars seems to be implying that there's a need to get out of your own way, to find those that support your journey, being with those of like mind, getting out of a rut perhaps. 

Saturn's message seems to be to concentrate on issues that are vitally important and need attention. The Sabian Symbol is Virgo 30: Having An Urgent Task To Complete, A Man Doesn't Look To Any Distractions. This shows staying true to yourself and remaining on the path or on the job, one-pointedness, focus on a situation or state of mind, seeing something through to completion, taking the phone off the hook, one-eyed behavior - it can be letting the slightest excuse take you away from what needs to be done.

Saturn could also have many finding it boring, uninspiring or unfullfilling to have to do what they have to do. Mars could bring dreams of what's possible somewhere else and Venus could show feeling lost, alone or forgotten. As these three planets are in Virgo, analyzing things will help, but only to a point. Action may be the thing that pushes you forward to pursue your dreams. Where are those 'promised lands'?

Mercury may be asking the same question. It's on Leo 5: Rock Formations Towering Over A Deep Canyon. This speaks of old structures and deep hazards and the choice of taking chances or standing still. This degree can push people to realize where their backs are against the wall. There can be no going back, forward is the only way as painting one's self into a corner is not going to help. Perhaps there's a need to do a Geronimo and just leap into the unknown. 

Jupiter is on Aries 4: Two Lovers On A Secluded Walk. Jupiter is on this degree for quite a long time as it retrogrades on it. This Symbol can show lovers together and the need to spend time together alone or undisturbed, but it can also show people alone, having to find the lover within themselves. It's a beautiful degree but it can show loneliness. I hear of many people alone and wondering where 'the other' is. 

Perhaps the final word comes through Uranus on Aries 1: A Woman Emerging From The Ocean, A Seal Is Embracing Her. This speaks of finding your feet and your voice - mermaids don't have feet or a voice but as they come ashore they transfigure. Who, or what, do you want to embrace? Where will your voice and your feet take you? What is that serenade you're hearing (or projecting?).

Destinations and Destines - Rowing Your Boat: June's Capricorn Partial Lunar Eclipse

No man can paddle two canoes at the same time. Bantu Proverb 

I think it much better that... every man paddle his own canoe. Frederick Marryat

Like watermen that row one way and look another. Robert Burton

Don't insult the alligator until you've crossed the river. Haitian Proverb

He who rocks the boat seldom has time to row it. Bryan Munro

June's Capricorn full Moon is a partial lunar eclipse. Occurring on June 26, it is mostly visible in south east Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. Those in Australia might catch it if the sky is clear as the Moon passes through the southern part of the Earth’s shadow. At maximum eclipse - 9.39pm AEST - over half the Moon’s diameter will be covered. For those who want to catch the beginning of this eclipse, you could tune in around 7.30pm AEST.

The tenor of this blog is a little more intense than my usual newsletters as this is a very intense and meaningful event. Wherever you are in the world, this eclipse is set to have some interesting, intense and profound energies flowing from it. This is because this full Moon is conjunct (smack on) Pluto, the planet of transformations, death, rebirth, sex, and a slew of other deep and meaningful things. Combining Pluto with the full Moon, plus being an eclipse and taking into account the Sabian Symbols points to this being a meaningful, and for many, a deeply transformational time. Some will instigate major changes in their lives, some will have the changes landing on them, sometimes unexpectedly. The trick with this eclipse is, even amongst the more challenging manifestations that emerge, is to take advantage of the life transforming, empowering and engaging energies of this extremely strong lunation. The effects of eclipses stretch on for months, and, if you experience a major event on any level; physically, mentally, spiritually or emotionally, effects can stretch on through the coming months and years. 

This is a time of crossroads, decisions and change. 

The Sabian Symbol for the lunar eclipse and Pluto is Capricorn 5: Indians - Some Rowing A Canoe While Others Are Dancing A War Dance. This degree speaks of people working together in a communal effort to do something or to get somewhere. The fact that some are "Dancing A War Dance" may be the reason some are "Rowing A Canoe" in the first place. Perhaps they need to make a show of strength and define their boundaries. My friend Dale O'Brien says of this Symbol, "The purpose of the 'War Dance' is not merely to evoke frenzied anger, but to see a vision of the battle yet to come, a mystical warrior's preparation. It is as if the consciousness of the 'in trance' dancing warrior is also at once in the warrior's activity (e.g. rowing a canoe)." Maybe they have to row through enemy territory and are confronted by the prospect of an attack. It pays to make sure that the right man has the right job (rowing versus dancing the war dance) - thanks to Paula Wong from Thailand for this insight.

Pluto rules big business, the guys in charge and control, and, as Pluto is conjunct this lunar eclipse it seems that the horrendously offensive and distressing oil spill in the gulf is likely to be stirring up further distress and fairly heated emotions. Without wanting to look deeply into that picture of terrible distress in the Gulf, it's prudent to mention that Pluto rules oil, big (big) business, destruction, death and, often, a big confrontation with the dark side of life. It's also very likely to push people in positions of corporate power to make a show of strength and there could be struggles as people jockey for position. Some in very high positions look set to be called to account, by the law, the media or a higher power. Also, issues to do with Gaza and Israel and everything all the way to the World Cup (soccer for those who don't follow it), could be causing super-charged responses in people.  

With this degree emphasized, some people will be getting on with their lives while others are wanting to make a show of things, perhaps preferring to whip up responses, cause problems or perhaps want others to stop and consider what's really going on. 

So, the lunar eclipse is conjoined Pluto on a degree that challenges some to keep rowing and others to take care of things that have gotten way out of shape. There can be a strong desire to merge with others, and incredibly profound alliances, relationships and realizations can result, but there is also the strong possibility that spending time alone, processing what's going on and withdrawing in order to take a look at Pluto's dark and yet transformational world is in order. There can be the feeling of being held against one's wishes, kidnapped in some way, and a feeling of having to surrender to that bigger, brighter, higher power. 

The Karmic Condition of the Moon and Pluto is also a challenging degree. It's Cancer 4: A Cat Arguing With A Mouse. This can speak of aggressively and actively taking advantage of situations or people, hide and go seek games, harassment, standing up for one's self, questioning established power structures, looking out for one's best interests, shock and fear, cats, mice, hiding, waiting. It can show bickering and arguing and it can show thoughts that bounce around in one's mind - worrying, obsessing, finding it hard to let go of a thought, opinion or emotion. This degree can show a strain on one's nerves and sense of peace. Finding a quite space with friends who care and ensuring your safety, peace and quiet helps to ameliorate any situations that may pop up. 

The Sabian Symbol for the Sun is very telling and, also, a little foreboding. It's Cancer 5: At A Railroad Crossing, An Automobile Is Wrecked By A Train . This degree is always smack opposite - meaning these themes are always tied together - Capricorn 5: Indians - Some Rowing A Canoe While Others Are Dancing A War Dance. This speaks of being aware of going against the grain with people, when you're running counter to their intentions, desires or needs, getting in your way, being aggressive, not listening, pushing their own agenda at the expense of yours, going off the rails, valuing possessions before people, talking so that no one gets a word in, emotional panic, spinning out of control. Of course, you could find yourself doing this... There's got to be a good side to this Sabian Symbol; it can show being the one who takes on the 'big boys' of business, gets in the way, makes a noise to attract attention, refusing to just sit down and take whatever is dished up. The only way 'the car' can be 'wrecked by a train' is if the 'car' gets in the way of the 'train'. The car can equal your own personal destiny and the train can show the collective and it's power, strength and forward push. The train (as the collective) can really only go along the tracks and this they do mostly forwards; the collective rarely goes backwards, but the car has a lot of free will - it can run counter to the train, it can stop dead on the tracks, it can head off in another direction miles away from the train. The car, therefore, represents the individual path and perhaps sometimes one should be a little cautious about getting in the way of the much bigger, stronger, collective. Hence, there are likely to be situations where people are pitting themselves against each other in a big way which could lead to casualties. (Directly after writing this, I heard from my son that he's on his way down to Canberra -with Bob Ellis, for those who might know of him. Canberra is Australia's capital city - there's a leadership battle happening with the Prime Minister). 

The Karmic Condition of the Sun is very interesting as it's a double up of the boat theme of Cap 5. It's Capricorn 4: A Group Of People Entering A Canoe For A Journey By Water. This eclipse is clearly showing a journey, an emotional, spiritual or physical journey, with others, heading in the same direction. Having the eclipse on the Some Rowing A Canoe While Others Are Dancing A War Dance shows the difficulty of keeping everyone on the same page, rowing at the same skill or speed, or ensuring a cohesion of effort. 

Mercury is in the mix with this eclipse, being conjunct (together with) the Sun and opposite Pluto. Mercury is on Cancer 3: An Arctic Explorer Leads A Reindeer Through Icy Canyons. Just this last week, I've seen several photographs of icebergs and wondered whether the oil will make it to the arctic regions and the icebergs. It's a horrible thought, and hopefully not very likely. It's more likely that we've 'struck an iceberg' in some way, or feel like we're progressing through cold and rather austere realities with little to guide us. This degree can show having to make slow and measured progress through difficult conditions (often in very bad weather) and it can show feeling like you're being led around (perhaps by the nose), risky ventures, unfamiliar surroundings, having to work long and hard in places that are perhaps not the usual ones - like trying to put out an oil leak miles under the ocean. (BTW, this was the degree of Mars in the chart of the Titanic).

The message from this eclipse appears to include deciding who's going to be in your boat. Who are you going to include in your life? Who's along for the ride? Who's being irritating, getting in the way, not noticing other people? Who's making a big show of force or trying to intimidate others?

Mars and Vesta are conjunct on Virgo 11: A Boy Molded In His Mother's Aspirations For Him. This can speak about being directed on the journey or shaped against one's free will, plastic or cosmetic surgery, issues of how one should look or act or turn out to be, parents as patterns, the challenge of individuality, allowing others to dictate who you are, following in the family's footsteps, etc. Who is trying to live up to an ideal and perhaps feeling like they are falling short? This seems to be a dual issue, involving both male and female energies through the agency of Mars and Vesta (among many other things, Vesta represents the hearth fire). Someone may be failing to live up to expectations or appearances.

Venus is on Leo 15: A Street Pageant Moving Along A Street Packed With People. This can have people in the street, mixing it up, having fun, enjoying each other. It can also show solidarity of feelings, joining with others for a cause, rallying for some issue. 

Chiron - the Wounded Healer (which incorporates the stories we tell ourselves) is on Pisces 1: A Large Public Market. Well, the mess that the large market gets us into extends all the way from foreclosures on homes and businesses collapsing all the way to the BP spill in the Gulf. The Karmic Condition of Chiron is Aquarius 30: Moonlit Fields That Were Once Babylon Are Now Blooming White. This degree was very active during the oil fires in Kuwait and Iraq and it was the degree of Uranus when Bush and Co. went into Iraq. That these moonlit fields are 'blooming white' can show a 'blooming black' - this degree can mean oil - "once was Babylon". The Black Moon Lilith is also on this degree, sitting smack between Neptune and Chiron. 

Neptune is on Aquarius 29: A Butterfly Emerging From A Chrysalis. This speaks of coming out into a fuller participation in the bigger picture, leaving yesterday behind, opening your wings and learning to fly, becoming more and more beautiful, authentic, embodied, etc, finding one's feet or wings, metamorphosis, huge changes in the works, giving up struggling, the drama of a new life unfolding. 

Jupiter is asking how we fit into the larger scheme of things. It's on Aries 3: A Cameo Shows The Profile Of A Man That Suggests The Outline Of His Country. This speaks of figuring out where and how one fits in, observing one's limitations, standing by one's self, allegiances with creed, religion, race or country, nationhood, brotherhood, the land, people in uniforms of any kind, borders and limitations to activity, identification, expatriates, etc. 

Uranus shows issues to do with the oceans, which is rather telling with what's happening in the Gulf. The Sabian Symbol is Aries 1: A Woman Emerging From The Ocean, A Seal Embraces Her. This speaks, again as with Neptune's placement, of finding one's feet (and your voice), finding land, coming ashore, being reborn, the Selkie myth. It's a fabulous degree of emergence and often shows the process of individuation. 

Saturn may be telling us to go back to the ancient writings and truths to plumb what's going on. The Sabian Symbol is Virgo 29: A Man Is Gaining Secret Knowledge From An Ancient Scroll He Is Reading. This speaks of learning from ancient mysteries, looking for answers, study and its rewards, reading between the lines, finding clues from the past and applying them to the present, alchemy, the Bible, the Torah and the Koran, manuscripts, scrolls, secret papers, classified documents. The last two seem to be stand-out things as big business tries to hide what's really going on and why. The Karmic Condition of Saturn is Virgo 28: A Bald-Headed Man Dominates A Gathering Of National Figures. It seems certain that some heads are going to roll from this eclipse. 

The Moon's north node backs up this learning aspect with the Sabian Symbol of Capricorn 12: A Student of Nature Lecturing, Revealing Little-Known Aspects Of Life. This shows observing and translating so others may learn, green politics, issues the conservatives don't want revealed, nature and natural remedies, science and its rewards and drawbacks, issues such as global warming, whistle blowers, natural healing methods, documentaries, conspiracy theories, etc. 

It seems that often the most honest and deep answers come from the young and the innocent. This is shown now by the Moon's south node on Cancer 12: A Chinese Woman Nursing A Baby Whose Aura Reveals Him To Be The Reincarnation Of A Great Teacher. This speaks of nurturing innocence and its rewards, reincarnation and past lives, charisma and presence, Tibetan mysteries, the Dalai Lama, seeing greatness ahead of its time, Indigo children, visions, holistic perceptions, auras, special people, nurses and nannies. 

This is obviously going to be a big full Moon (a partial eclipse to boot), and one in which many things will be transformed. The trick is to be kind to yourself and others at this most meaningful time.

Celebrating The Providence Of The Earth: June's Gemini New Moon

Not what we have but what we enjoy constitutes our abundance. John Petit-Senn 

Plant a kernel of wheat and you reap a pint; plant a pint and you reap a bushel. Always the law works to give you back more than you give. Anthony Norvell

Earth is here so kind, that just tickle her with a hoe and she laughs with a harvest. Douglas Jerrold

Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. Romanian proverb

Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop. Ovid

Life is a festival only to the wise. Ralph Waldo Emerson

Wives are people who feel they don't dance enough. Groucho Marx

June's new Moon falls on June 12 on the Sabian Symbol of Gemini 22: Dancing Couples Crowd The Barn In A Harvest Festival. This is a wonderful degree of celebration, gratitude and fullness of body, mind and spirit, which augers well for the Equinox on June 21 which is traditionally a time of celebration and acknowledgment of the earth's bounty. This looks set to be a great new Moon but there could be some big adjustments, or even upheavals, in the days leading up to June 12 - these will be described below in the Karmic Condition of the planets. 

Here's my interpretation of Gemini 22 from my book 360 Degrees of Wisdom: Charting Your Destiny With The Sabian Oracle: Successful achievements have been accomplished, such as the ‘Harvest’, and efforts have come to a fruitful conclusion and now it is time to gather together with others to celebrate. Everyone should share the pleasure that comes from a successful ‘Harvest’. The hard work is put behind them and they reap the rewards of the benefits available to them in their leisure time. As ‘The Barn’ is ‘Crowded’, many people from the community come together to enjoy each other, the music and to dance. By gathering together and celebrating, a sense of community spirit can develop where there is always something worthwhile to be celebrated.

This Symbol shows the need to be in tune with seasonal rhythms and the natural flow of life. The ‘Harvest’ may mean many things. It can be the actual bringing in of a ‘Harvest’, the birth of a baby, the first performance at school, a religious ceremony, such as a communion or bar mitzvah, or a job well done. It is wonderful when people come together and warmly and sincerely. There is a need to get back to a simpler, conservative level of enjoyment where every person’s achievement is everybody’s pleasure. This can lead to an increased understanding and concern for the individuals within our community. It is also possible for one person’s pain to become everyone’s care. Whatever, the feeling of a healthy heart and a healthy mind, while taking a break from the struggles of providing, is what gives us the strength for the battles of life. Perhaps it’s time to kick up your heels and dance. 

Keywords include: The reality of rhythmical or seasonal adjustments, good old-time values, issues of pride in one's place, going out, having fun, listening and dancing to music, square dancing, barns and dance halls. 

This new Moon is, therefore, about celebrating, dancing, gathering together and enjoying life's bounty. Mercury, the ruler of Gemini, is on another Symbol which speaks of gathering together and enjoying each other. It's on Gemini 4: Holly And Mistletoe Bring Christmas Spirit To A Home. This is a lovely degree that reminds us to be caring and giving to each other and share the spirit of togetherness. Mercury on this degree is like a double whammy of celebration when combined with the degree of the new Moon.

Just as the 'Christmas Spirit' can bring people together, the degree of Venus adds to the theme. It's on Cancer 28: An Indian Girl Introduces Her College Boyfriend To Her Assembled Tribe. This degree sparks off themes reminiscent of the movie Avatar; the mixing together of people from different social stratas, clans or tribes. People may be quite different on many levels but what binds them is love, caring and a sense of community. This degree can show different streams of thought coming together in a common bond - such as the business person who enjoys esoteric teachings or people from different age groups being attracted to each other or people from different sides of the tracks forgetting their differences and finding a common cause or camaraderie. 

Mars is on a wonderful degree, but we have to remember that this is Mars which could have some being upset about outcomes or demands or problems that crop up. Still, the Sabian Symbol is a magic one of help, guidance and inspiration. The Symbol is Virgo 3: Two Guardian Angels Bringing Protection. This speaks of connection with a sense of inner guidance, visible or invisible protection, being saved in the nick of time, counseling and guidance, angels, security systems, salvation, social workers. Put out for the guardian angels to work their magic and see what happens. As Mercury and Mars are in a square aspect (which is considered to be a stressful configuration), it may pay to think twice before speaking or acting. Words could come from wounds and not from the current situation or may be overblown and not truly relating to current conditions. 

As in the Harvest Festival degree, nature is further emphasized by the degree of the Moon's north node on Capricorn 12: A Student of Nature Lecturing, Revealing Little Known Aspects of Life. This speaks of green politics, observing and translating so that others may learn, nature and natural remedies, issues the conservatives don't want revealed, issues such as global warming, whistle blowers, documentaries, conspiracy theories. 

As stated in previous newsletters, Jupiter and Uranus are together on the first degree of the zodiac - Aries 1: A Woman Has Arisen From The Ocean, A Seal Embraces Her. As previously stated, this is a time for finding your feet and your unique voice (mermaids have to do this in order to come on shore and take human form). This is a dynamic combination in a dynamic sign and on a dynamic Sabian Symbol and it could be a case of full steam ahead for many people with their new plans firmly in place. However, without wanting to be a wet blanket, it is prudent to point out that very soon both planets will go retrograde and dip back into the oceanic realm of Pisces. No worries, this is a time of going back over what you really want to be doing or where you want to be or with whom and why. 

The 'Karmic Condition' of Venus is Cancer 27: A Violent Storm In A Residential Canyon Filled With Valuable Homes. Of course, everyone's home is 'valuable' and the day before the new Moon could see some shifts, challenges, dramas or changes of some kind that need careful management so that things do not get out of hand. No matter what the intention, some may find the lead-up to this new Moon rather challenging emotionally, physically or mentally. The trick is to have things fall into their rightful place after the initial stirring up of energies. Being thankful will work wonders to restore a sense of calm and peace. For many, right before the new Moon, there is likely to be a big shakeup where things are thrown into the air in some way and come back down in a different shape, order or combination of factors. Staying calm in the eye of the hurricane is the trick here while knowing that all will be OK.

Also, the day before this new Moon, the Sun is on Gemini 21: A Tumultuous Labor Demonstration. This speaks of pushing for change, feeling hard done by or taken advantage of, protest about having too much to do, going on strike, people in the street, peace rallies, violent protests or sit-ins. People can throw up their hands and declare that they're quitting, giving in, letting go, not trying anymore. This, combined with the Violent Storm of Venus the day before can see us going through some tests as to the veracity of our commitment to be thankful, live in gratitude and love and stay on track. This is also magnified by the Karmic Condition of Mars: Virgo 2: A Large White Cross, Dominating The Landscape, Stands Alone On Top Of A High Hill. This can show monuments to suffering and loss, alienation, sacrifice, images of redemption (or the need for them), martyrdom, the Inquisition (Mars on this degree brings to mind - nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition! - Monty Python for those who appreciate this kind of sillyness.....)

To sum up, it seems that this new Moon shows us the need to relax and celebrate with loved ones and to take a break from the usual chores. Before we do that though, we may have to sort through some difficulties that life has thrown at us. The important thing here is gratitude - that above all else will bring the rewards of bounty that are inherent in this new Moon. 

Knock Knock Who's There? Cupid. Cupid Who?: May's Sagittarian Full Moon

I am not the one who loves - it's love that chooses me. Leonard Cohen

What is uttered from the heart alone, will win the hearts of others to your own. Goethe

Those that go searching for love only make manifest their own lovelessness, and the loveless never find love, only the loving find love, and they never have to seek for it. D.H. Lawrence

The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances; if there's any reaction, both are transformed. Carl Jung

You are a lover; borrow Cupid's wings, and soar with them above a common bound. William Shakespeare

Two friends, two bodies with one soul inspired. Homer

You kiss my lips and then it's done. Leonard Cohen

Know my love and my desperation were one and the same. Jackson Brown

Gravitation cannot be held responsible for people falling in love. Albert Einstein

Happening on May 28 in Australia and May 27 in the United States, May's Gemini full Moon has the wonderful Sabian Symbol of Sagittarius 7: Cupid Knocking At The Door Of A Human Heart. This Cupid degree is one of opening your heart to universal love and allowing an open and honest exchange on a heart level between you and others. Letting this Symbol into your heart will no doubt help with the enormous changing times that are upon us. Cupid knocking at the door is an image of love asking to be let in. Barriers and defenses may be keeping Cupid from coming inside, but how long will the heart be able to resist? Opening the door to one's heart can lead to new opportunities and possibilities around the issue of relationships. Finding the 'key' (to open the door) can lead to big realizations about one's self and others. 

Keywords for this Symbol are: Respectful invitation of love, seeing purity of motive, a key or an arrow, commitment, romance, one-pointed, focused energy which can become obsessive, softening one's boundaries, Cupid's bow, the need to lighten up one's approach to others - it can be the fear of commitment and the fear of romance and opening one's center.

The degree of the Sun at this full Moon is Gemini 7: An Old-Fashioned Well With The Purest And Coldest Of Waters. This degree shows a reliable, sustainable and refreshing supply of the essence of all life - water. Over the years, the water from the well has been available to all who came to draw on it. This well can supply water to a single person, a small family, or a big community. Wells symbolize sources of nourishment, the quenching of thirst, and can also show inner wisdom, and the depth of people, emotionally and spiritually. The people of old saw wells as gateways to the spirit world where the veils between human existence and the greater spirit become thinner, and communications could take place with the gods and goddesses of the nature religions. That this 'old well' has the purest and coldest of waters shows that wisdom and nourishment has not diminished over time. There is always a plentiful supply for those who draw on the well with the right attitude and with sincerity. 

The trick with this well Symbol is to notice if you've cut off your emotions, passions, belief in love, trust or whatever by being a little too self sustaining or cold or frigid. While this Sun degree shows a definite ability (or need) of going deeply and seeing others with the well of human kindness, there is a possibility of not seeing others for who they truly are. Do you see deeply into others to see what their hearts are wanting or needing, do you see the beauty and sincerity of your fellow man? Of course it's not easy to be 'on' all the time (showering your love over everyone), but this full Moon is asking that you spend some time opening that heart center and allowing love to flow out in order that love can also flow in.

The issue of love and relationships is further emphasized a few days after the full Moon when Mars moves to oppose Neptune. This shows a need to align your reality with your fantasy (and vice versa). The Sabian Symbol for Mars when it's opposite Neptune is Leo 29: A Mermaid Has Climbed To The Rocky Shore Of A Bleak Coast; She Awaits The Prince Who Will Bring Her Immortality. Although there are many permutations of what may happen with this opposition, the big message is that Mars may be getting antsy with wondering when this great love will come along. Some will be fed up with waiting for that 'special person' to arrive and may be feeling the necessity of giving themselves a sense of 'immortality' - that their life doesn't depend on a lover or relationship. Still, Mars can fire up one's engines and get the energy going when all hope looked lost and Mars on this degree can bring a fated and wonderful relationship into your life.

The degree of Mars at the full Moon will no doubt be very telling for many who are not in a relationship (many, from what I hear, have not been in a relationship for years and years), is Leo 25: A Large Camel Crossing A Vast And Forbidding Desert. This speaks of having to plug along, often by yourself, carrying a heavy load, continuing even though the load is heavy and the journey long. One needs to remember to eat, drink and take time off with this degree. Dehydration can set in as one forgets the needs of the physical body, even though the body is what takes one forward on this journey. 

Further, relationships are highlighted through the degree of Mercury on Taurus 12: A Young Couple Walking Down The Street Window Shopping. This can have people dreaming about their future - how to make 'it' a reality with all the necessities and joys of life that that entails. The 'couple' may be making plans, shopping for their happiness and succeeding beautifully at it. For those in a committed relationship, this degree can bring wonderful feelings of cohesion and planning a life together. They may, of course, be running themselves into debt in order to chase the good life. Further, this degree, as mentioned in former blogs, may show people 'tire kicking' - shopping around for someone to be with. They may be looking for love online, dating one person after another or just looking out to see if someone desirable comes into view.  

There's been a lot of commentary about the movement of Jupiter and Uranus into Aries. This is definitely a time of feeling like one is on the edge of something; something is going to give and life is going to change. Some may feel that life is set to change to bigger and better and more wonderful things in their lives and some may be worried that all hell is about to break loose. Of course, both can happen at the same time.

The message of Jupiter and Uranus on the last degree of Pisces is to take stock of your life, to see what you want to grow into - what do you want to become? Where is your life leading you? Are you directing your life or are you at the mercy of external events? The Sabian Symbol for Pisces 30 is: A Majestic Rock Formation Resembling A Face Is Idealized By a Boy Who Takes It As His Ideal Of Greatness; As He Grows Up, He Begins To Look Like It. So, what is the ideal that you want to look like? This Symbol speaks of concrete manifestation of one's ideals, enduring truths, defining one's self through conscious manifestation, morphing reality to suit an objective, ambition and growing into a clear sense of self and purpose. So, these coming few weeks offer a wonderful opportunity to really tune into what you want to be or grow into. Take that 'ideal of greatness' and grow into it.

This week, as Jupiter and Uranus move into Aries, we get the opportunity to see how we, possibly again, need to find our voice and our feet. The Sabian Symbol for Aries 1 is: A Woman Has Risen Out Of The Ocean, A Seal Is Embracing Her. This 'mermaid' degree shows the consciousness arising out of the oceanic world of Pisces and into the world of Aries (which is way more 'self centered'). The mermaid has come ashore, she may be in new territory, needing to adjust her lenses of perception after a long period in all encompassing Pisces. Now, we begin another journey into finding ourselves, our individuality, our sense of who we can really be. We begin another round of the zodiac at this point of Aries 1. Many will feel a huge shift with both of these planets moving into Aries. A question could be - where are you set to give birth to yourself? What ways could you both enlarge your perspective of your life while at the same time narrowing it down to what's really real or important or useful?

The journey of a thousand leagues begins from beneath your feet. Lao Tzu

Neptune is also at the end of a sign - Aquarius, although it is going retrograde (backwards) before it heads out of Aquarius and into Pisces. The Sabian Symbol for Neptune is a perfect companion to the Woman Arising From The Ocean - it's Aquarius 29: A Butterfly Emerging From A Chrysalis. This speaks of the slow building of confidence, coming out into a fuller participation in the bigger picture, growing up and out, emerging from the dark, leaving yesterday behind, becoming more and more beautiful, finding one's feet or wings, metamorphosis, huge changes in the works, giving up struggling, the drama of a new life unfolding, etc.

I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly dreaming I am a man. Chuang Tse

Chiron has just changed signs as well. It's on Pisces 1: A Large Public Market Place. This speaks about being out in the market - getting your wares out there - being visible, available and marketing what you have on offer. Chiron often shows the stories we tell ourselves. What stories do you have about your marketability, your desirability, your worth? Chiron is smack opposite Vesta on Virgo 1: In A Portrait, The Best Of A Man's Traits and Character Are Idealized. This speaks of how people look, their appearance in general, and looking at others in an 'idealized' way - perhaps overlooking their flaws, perhaps there's a need to overlook your own imperfections and to see yourself as beautiful and being worthy of love. Vesta and Chiron are bound to be stirring up the stories of being worthy of love (or not feeling that way). 

Last, but not least in a blog that's concentrating on love, is Venus on Cancer 10: A Large Diamond In The First Stages Of The Cutting Process. This speaks of coming to terms with inner worth, of growing perfection, things growing in general, things just starting to get going, things in the early stages of emergence. A few days after the full Moon, Venus will move onto the Moon's south node at Cancer 13: A Hand, Which is Held Out Receptively, Is Remarkable For The Suggestion Of Character In Its Prominent Thumb. This speaks of being open and willing to extend yourself to others. It's the handshake, the welcoming hand, the open palm showing love and that you carry no weapons. This degree shows the need to extend your hand to others and to take the hand that extends itself to you. 

Emergence seems to be a keyword for what's going on during these coming weeks. Emergence with love and the knowing that a whole new world is opening up for you. 

Open Wide and Say Aarrgh - The Dentist At Work: April's Scorpio Full Moon

A little neglect may breed mischief... for want of a nail the shoe was lost; for want of a shoe the horse was lost; and for want of a horse the rider was lost. Benjamin Franklin 

It is very vulgar to talk like a dentist when one isn't a dentist. It produces a false impression. Oscar Wilde

The first thing I do in the morning is brush my teeth and sharpen my tongue. Oscar Levant

The electric chair was invented by a dentist. Trivia.net

It is after you have lost your teeth that you can afford to buy steaks. Pierre Auguste Renoir

This won't hurt at all. Modern Saying

April's Scorpio full Moon, falling on Wednesday April 28, is on Scorpio 9, the Sabian Symbol for which is A Dentist Is Hard At Work. The "Dentist's" work involves finding out what's wrong in a situation and fixing it up so that things can work smoothly and efficiently once again. He concentrates on fixing damage that has probably occurred over a long period of time. The "patients" that the "Dentist Works" on may be nervous and restless and looking forward to the whole thing being finished. Although he has a very important or valuable job to do, many in society don't fully appreciate his "Work." Our "chewing ability" is important as our teeth make it possible to break down nourishment to its smaller elements or to a more digestible consistency so that we can integrate these into our wellbeing. 

All the factors of our bodies, teeth, mind and spirit, go into making up our wellbeing and these things regularly need checks, balances and maintenance done on a regular basis to ensure smooth functioning. We need to make sure we supply our bodies and minds with good nourishment and hygiene, not just indulge in band-aid treatments and cover ups. "Dentists", doctors and other physicians are needed in society in order to fix up the problems that occur in our lives. Society needs to invent a way of repairing the somehow inevitable but probably largely unnecessary damage. People in the healing, caring or fixing professions may be just what's needed in order to diagnose what's going wrong, what's not functioning efficiently, or to sort out what's going on that leads to a feeling of 'disease' or unease in your life. These can be therapists and treatments of all kinds, it may be social comment to invoke a cure, attention to detail, repairing damage, plugging up situations, etc. It can show someone being the responsible one who always has to fix everything. 

Just as the sound of the dentist's drill can set our teeth on edge, some feel it is their duty to continually point out where they think things need to be "fixed" and this can be painful in itself to endure. These people sometimes need to know when to back off; we should be able to assess and fix up our own mistakes. You may find that you sometimes fall into that trap yourself; feeling like you're the one responsible for 'fixing everything and everyone'. 

The Cautions include: Getting further into a hole by using more and more social solutions, causing pollution and damage when one should be honoring and fixing things, the fear of pain, the fear of letting go, the fear of being healed and being powerful and whole, always being "on duty", nagging away at things. 

Questions include; what needs to be fixed in your life? where and how are bad nourishment/bad habits/bad thinking/negative reinforcements/ingesting rubbish working against you? Just like the rot that can take off in your teeth, 'bad memes' can take hold in your brain and these can act like customary tunnels of difficult energy that are continually fed by damaging thoughts or habits.

Connecting with friends and family can be a way of fixing some of the damage that may have been done recently or in the far-distant past. The Sun and Mercury are on the same degree at Taurus 9: A Christmas Tree Is Decorated And Shines In The Darkness. This speaks of a rebirth of the spirit and can show a rebirth of feeling for one's loved ones, faith and the hope of happiness and goodwill of people to one another, celebrations bringing people that once were parted back together, decorations, things done with loving intent, the promise of good things, gifts, stars and angels. If there are gifts that you want to give, are you worried about how they will be received?

It's interesting to note that although we're in April (with the full Moon's effects lasting for at least the next month), the Sabian Symbol of Venus (the ruler of the Sun and Mercury) is Gemini 4: Holly And Mistletoe Bring Christmas Spirit To A Home. The themes mentioned above regarding the Christmas Tree that's Decorated and Shines in the Darkness also apply here. This can speak of rejoining with loved ones and those who have a special place in our hearts. It is a wonderfully warm and inviting image. The ancient Druids of Britain regarded "Mistletoe" as sacred and believed it had both magical powers and medicinal properties. They referred to it as the "heal all," although now we know the berries can be poisonous. Kissing beneath the mistletoe is a tradition that has developed over the years as we have built barriers to more spontaneous expressions of affection. It is almost as though the mistletoe and the spirit of Christmas have become an excuse for us to be able to show our feelings; we have developed these types of rituals to compensate for what has truly been lost. Mistletoe was so sacred to the Druids that if two enemies met beneath a tree on which it was growing, they would lay down their weapons, exchange greetings and observe a 24 hour truce.

Venus changes degrees exactly at the time of the full Moon to Gemini 5: A Radical Magazine Or Publication, Asking For Action, Displays A Sensational Front Page. This speaks of speaking one's mind, messages and news that awakes or shocks, the need for reform, challenging outlooks, issues of propaganda, headlines that promise more than they deliver, revolutions, social or emotional causes, printing presses, publishing, publicity, gaining attention, speaking one's truth without fear of consequences.

Mars is on Leo 12: An Evening Lawn Party Of Adults. This can show people mixing in a social setting, formal events vs. impromptu gatherings, gossip, leisure time, political correctness, With Mars here, it's likely that many will find that some parties or gatherings are too superficial for the desires of the heart. Perhaps there's only so many people one can meet that are not really connected to you. Of course, Mars on this degree could go either way - people could have a wonderful time socializing with like minded people or find it difficult to keep up the small talk with people you don't have an inner tie to. 

Jupiter is on the Sabian Symbol that talks about people having to get along together. The Sabian Symbol is Pisces 24: The Tiny Island Seems Lost In The Broad Ocean, But Its Happy Inhabitants Have Created A World All Their Own (otherwise known as An Inhabited Island). With Jupiter here, the message seems to be learning to get along, cohabitation and coexistence, apartments, living together, people moving in, having to compromise one's space and peace. 

Saturn and Uranus continue their dance opposite each other -are you going to strike out for the new or stick with the status quo? Are you wanting to usher in a new reality in your life or are you willing to put in the work in order to improve things and make the most of what you already have in your life? Saturn is on Virgo 29: A Man Is Gaining Secret Knowledge From An Ancient Scroll He Is Reading. This speaks of learning from ancient mysteries, looking for answers, study and its rewards, reading between the lines, finding clues from the past and applying them to the present. It's about manuscripts, scrolls, ancient writings, Akashic Records, classified documents, secret papers, scribes, alchemy, the Bible, the Torah and the Koran. It can show a sense of being privileged to look into something special. 

Meanwhile, Uranus is on Pisces 29: Light Breaking Into Many Colors As It Passes Through A Prism. This speaks of analysis, often spectrum analysis, color and crystal healing, facets of a situation revealing endless opportunities, optics, sight, seeing, copying and sharing ideas or things, disseminating information, auras and aura photography, triangles, polarization of light, reflection, laboratory tests, diffracted personalities. Above all, this degree can speak of analyzing things, often to the point of going into the finest detail. Analyzing things can be fine but if one loses the inherent joy while staring down the barrel of something with too much intent, one can miss the moment of what's really going on. 

Following the theme of healing in the Dentist at Work, we have the Moon's north node on Capricorn 15: In A Hospital, The Children's Ward Is Filled With Toys. This speaks of the need to look after one's health, whether it's your physical, mental, emotional or spiritual health. It shows the need to bring simple gifts (the 'Toys'), to the sick or disadvantaged, it can bring the need for nurturing people of younger years or those who've had less growth, waiting for and needing individual attention, drugs, crutches, cots, doctors, nurses, toys, magazines, waiting rooms, gadgets (especially healing ones), puzzles and games. 

The Moon's south node also shows the possible need for taking time out for healing or recuperating. The Symbol is Cancer 15: A Group of People Who Have Overeaten And Enjoyed It. This degree brings up issues of consumerism, communal cohesion through indulging in the senses, satisfied hunger, commercialism and the longing to own things, food and nourishment (and sometimes way too much of it), enjoying the good life, having plenty, abundance, temporary fulfillment. 

It seems that quiet times of healing, connecting and reconnecting with loved ones, employing restraint and celebrating community are the important themes now. Enjoy the ride and soak up the healing you can both get and give.

For a bit of fun, check out Steve Martin as The Dentist in The Little Shop of Horrors. If the link doesn't work in your area, try searching www.youtube.com - it's hysterical.  

The Inner and Outer Meanings Of The Double Promise: April's Aries New Moon

The reverse side also has a reverse side. Japanese proverb 

We must not promise what we ought not, lest we be called on to perform what we cannot. Abraham Lincoln

Words are words, explanations are explanations, promises are promises but only performance is reality. Harold S. Geneen

What a difference there is between what we say and what we think. Jean Racine

A wise man hears one word and understands two. Yiddish Proverb

If you can't convince them, confuse them. Harry S. Truman

Right now I'm having amnesia and deja vu at the same time. I think I've forgotten this before. Steven Wright

I have an existential map. It has 'You Are Here' written all over it. Steven Wright

If you're in a war, instead of throwing a hand grenade at some guys, throw one of those little baby-type pumpkins. Maybe it'll make everyone think of how crazy war is, and while they're thinking, you can throw a real grenade. Jack Handy

April's new Moon, occurring on April 14, has a rather interesting and quixotic Symbol - Aries 25: A Double Promise Reveals Its Inner and Outer Meanings. This speaks of something that may look good on the outside but prove to be difficult when one gets to the heart of the matter, OR, it can show things said that don't reflect the true depth of feelings or emotions. Something could be far different from what's expected, for better or for worse. It's about possibilities and promises, the ins and outs of situations, the issue of turning up, keeping promises, issues of living up to one's word, the need to look at situations from all sides, internal vs. external realities, Catch-22 situations, contracts, looking for consensus. There can be rewards, but what do they bring with them? There may need to be an honest appraisal of what was actually said, thought or "Promised," and what is actually possible in the real world. There can be situations of integrity but also duplicity. Are you or someone close to you assuming more than was actually delivered? This Symbol often indicates a choice that arises between the heart and doing what you want to do and social obligation and knowing what's right. 

The Cautions include: fickleness, insincerity and two-facedness in relationships, expectations without clarification, reversals of decisions or promises, manipulating people in order to achieve outcomes, promising more than can be delivered, endeavors or projects that are not worth the effort, lies and misleading statements, having a hidden agenda, momentary pledges that are soon forgotten, contracts that bind too tight.

Obviously, it's probably a good idea to check the fine print on anything you're agreeing to. Perhaps that fabulous new thing in your life has too much glamor, too much promise and no substance, or an air of inauthenticity to really be taken seriously?

Mars, the ruler of this new Moon, is on Leo 7: The Wonder Of The Constellations Of Stars In The Night Sky. The message of Mars seems to be to take a moment out to look to the signs around you in order to know how to proceed. This Symbol brings to mind the amazing sense of beauty that can be felt when observing the heavens. Just as our ancestors saw pictures in the "Stars," a "Constellation" is an expression of how our imagination can see designs and symbols in things that we usually take for granted. There can be questions such as "What am I here for?", "What is life really about?" and "What difference do I (or can I) make to this world?". The bigger questions are often on our minds with this degree around and we can feel like a tiny fleck against the backdrop of the vault of the sky.  It can also show the study of astrology and astronomy.

With the inherent duality of this new Moon degree (the "Double Promise"), it's interesting to note that Venus has a degree that has an element of duality about it. The Symbol is Taurus 17: A Symbolical Battle Between "Swords" - The Disciples of Might, And "Torches" - The Disciples of Enlightenment. This speaks of the battle of "might vs. light", spiritual differences, arguments, the Crusades, bringing love and light to war zones, weapons, the might of the media, the inner battle of whether to use love or force in situations. This degree can have people worrying over the effects of their words, thoughts or actions. Rightly or wrongly, there's a need to be discerning and to work towards love and acceptance. One should choose to come from love, however this is not always possible; you may have to lay down the law in order to not let any abuses continue. 

 Mercury has a lovely message for many as they plan their lives. The Symbol is Taurus 12: A Young Couple Walks Down Main Street, Window Shopping. This speaks of people assessing their goals, taking time together, working as a couple, seeing what their future looks like. It can be the longing for "things", the allure of ownership, consumerism, trying to save money, worrying about the "cost" of things, weddings and engagements, credit cards, finances that are shared, shared dreams, young people or people young at heart, shopping, the honeymoon period.

It can also feel like so much is so close but so far away (it all looks so good in the "window", but loses it's gloss upon closer inspection), perhaps there's a feeling that what's wanted in the future is just that, in the future (which could prove to be illusory). There can be "tire kicking" where people are assessing a mate - somewhat like taking a car for a test drive. It can be a perfect fit or perhaps it's an illusion and things are parked and dreams come to a stop. Even though this degree is about a "Young Couple", it can imply single people bringing their individual desires to situations. People can have similar hopes and dreams for the future, but have different ideas of how it looks or how it will pan out.

The Moon's north node (a point of destiny) is suggesting the reminder to be in your body, to ensure you look after your physical needs (on any level), to get out and about with people and have fun. The degree is Capricorn 16: School Grounds Filled With Boys And Girls In Gymnasium Suits. This shows the search for identity in amongst your peers, developing muscular coordination, working out, sexual energy, attraction or satisfaction physical fitness, being one of many, gyms, level playing fields, getting along with the opposite sex, singing songs of unity.

Laying out plans for the future is also inherent in the Moon's south node (a karmic point): Cancer 16: A Man Studying A Mandala In Front Of Him, With The Help Of A Very Ancient Book. This is, as is the degree of Mars, one of the degrees of astrology, it also speaks of architecture, strategic planning, lessons to be learnt from history, numerology and tarot; systems of thought that are laid out, maps, the rules of warfare, inward attention, mandalas, Tibetan Buddhism. It can be solving puzzles that seem unsolvable without the wisdom of those who went before (including "the ancients"). The Cautions include trying to gain the better of others by outstrategizing them or not wanting to put in the work to solve issues. 

Jupiter is bringing a sense of wanting to get to the heart of matters, being sensitive, sheltering, caring and receptive. The Symbol is Pisces 21: A Little White Lamb, A Child And A Chinese Servant. This shows one being protected by higher, more aware energies, the privileges money and social status bring, differing perspectives, helpers, servants, care, being watched over, pets and animals, the supervision of youngsters (or younger beings), purity of vision, caring for the child within.

Saturn has dipped back into Virgo and is on the last degree - Virgo 30: Having An Urgent Task To Complete, A Man Doesn't Look To Any Distractions. This can show staying true to yourself and remaining on the path or on the job, meditation, maintaining on direction, deciding what is truly worthwhile or important in your life, finding one's true focus, getting things done because they have to be done and not allowing yourself to be distracted by things that just get in the way, impede or hinder.

Staying on the path (whatever that may prove to be) can be an interesting challenge as Uranus is asking (perhaps demanding) that things to analyzed, broken down, changed, challenged, varied, thrown out or radicalized. Saturn and Uranus are opposites in nature - this is a period of breaking down old structures that didn't work, rebuilding ones that do, finding satisfactory positions or answers to life's dilemmas. Along with the duality inherent in the Sun degree of The Double Promise and that implied in Venus' degree of The Battle Between Swords and Torches, this opposition of Saturn and Uranus can bring duality and confusion. Stick with the tried and true or march out into life into the unknown? Uranus here seems to have the upper hand - breaking free is always a good alternative as long as the structures that you can depend on (Saturn in Virgo) are not threatened.

Uranus' Symbol is Pisces 29: Light Breaking Into Many Colors As It Passes Through A Prism. This speaks of the many facets of a situation, endless opportunities, optics, seeing, auras and aura photography, diffracted personalities, analyzing things (often way too much). Finding balance and equilibrium can be difficult with Saturn asking us to focus on what's important and what's right in front of us and Uranus urging us to take everything apart and analyze it. 

Good luck in finding that balance. Check those promises and see if there's any substance to what's unfolding. It could be that the "Inner and Outer Meanings" reveal enormous gifts that far outweigh expectations.

Getting There From Here: The March Full Moon in Libra

The winds and waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators. Edward Gibbon 

I said here's the river I want to flow on, here's the direction I want to go, and put my boat in. I was ready for the river to take unexpected turns and present obstacles. Nancy Woodhull

The man who is swimming against the stream knows the strength of it. Woodrow Wilson

In this world there is always danger for those who are afraid of it. George Bernard Shaw

I am driven into a desperate strait and cannot steer a middle course. Philip Massinger

God promises a safe landing but not a calm passage. Bulgarian proverb

March's Libra full Moon, occurring on March 29 in the United States and March 30 in Australia, is an interesting one that brings the promise of things easing up, calming down, and, it also holds out the possibility of finding a pathway to where you want to go or be. 

The Sabian Symbol is Libra 10: A Canoe Is Approaching Safety Through Dangerous Waters. This speaks of the calm after the storm, navigating difficult straits and coming out okay, whitewater rafting, risky activities, rough waters vs. plain sailing, recovery, remission, light at the end of the tunnel, personal initiations, trials of test and defeat, being stoic, retaining dignity and graciousness, exercising care and restraint, avoiding over exaggerated enthusiasm, deliverance on many levels, salvation and staying on track.

The cautions include: Neglecting to take time to rest, taking foolhardy risks, believing that all will be okay, pre-empting situations without completing things in the present, thinking that "lightning never strikes in the same place twice", shooting more rapids, freezing up and not moving.

Here, the "Canoe Is Approaching Safety," however, it is not quite there yet, and it may be that the hard times are not completely through. Many may not be quite where they'd like to be just yet, but the difficulties are lessening as one "Is Approaching Safety Through Dangerous Waters". The coming calm is an opportunity to review what has passed, and prepare for whatever is yet to come. Before long we can realize that we've come through difficult straits and the worst of it is over.

So, are you in the "Canoe" or are you body surfing the straits without a life jacket? Have you had the necessary navigational equipment or are you going by instincts? Do you feel things coming together or are you afraid you may still land on the rocks? As the Indian proverb says

Call on God, but row away from the rocks.

The Moon's north node holds an interesting back-up to this image. The Sabian Symbol is Capricorn 18: The Union Jack Flies From A New British Warship. Talk about sailing through difficult straits! This Symbol is about the need to defend our ideals, lifestyle or culture from outside influences. It is important to show one's power, but also to continually renew strength. This can be a show put on for others, but also an affirmation of safety for yourself and those who are in your circle of influence or protection. If there is a threat from outside your boundaries, or from within, there needs to be a swift response to snuff it out. If anarchy erupts within the ranks, political ploys may be used, such as the concept of "divide and rule" - the political rule that government is more easily maintained if factions (or people) are set against each other and not allowed to unite against the ruler. Disrespect or distrust of "authority" can lead to problems with people branded traitors. Having confidence in your ability to hold, maintain and protect your own "turf" will ensure others do as well. The trick with this degree can be to protect your borders but not to fire your guns at others as you yourself could be taken out by "friendly fire".

The Sun degree shows how we can make this journey through the straits easier. Basically, it's asking that we rewrite the book. The Sabian Symbol for the Sun is Aries 10: A Teacher Gives New Symbolic Forms To Traditional Images. This shows a need to analyze and perhaps rewrite what has been observed and learned in the traditional roles we've been living out. Things may need a new interpretation to bring them up to speed with today's thinking. You may have truly original ideas, but there's a possibility of holding these back, feeling it has all been done before. The message is to allow yourself to be creative and look for modern answers, seeing things in a different light or from a different angle. This may lead to realizations you have never considered or imagined. It can bring new understandings about people and the way things work. There could be a re-visioning of how one sees something like marriage, or work, relationships, education, systems of thought, etc. 

The keywords include; new dimensions breaking old thought forms or behavior, quantum science, innovation and re-creation, working with educational tools, finding new inspiration, being ahead of one's time, new-age consciousness, ideas out of the past for the future, sticking one's neck out. 

The Karmic condition (the degree before) the Sun is Aries 9: A Seer Gazes Intently Into A Crystal Ball Before Him. This speaks of flashes of inspiration, tuning in and looking within for answers, creative visualizations, aura readings, cutting through irrelevant messages, looking carefully at the structure of things, seeking perfection, clairvoyance, illumination and deep insights, looking ahead to see the signs.

One may well need to look deeper and to reassess what is and what isn't possible as Venus is on Aries 28: A Large Disappointed Audience. This shows the need for adjustments of expectations bringing realizations about what is really possible, walking out during a performance, not listening to something through a lack of interest, anticipating a different result from what is delivered, relying on feedback, lines and queues of people, criticism, the need to inspire and enthuse. This degree is interesting in that it can show you being disappointed in someone, or, disappointed with yourself. Of course, others could be disappointed in you, or you could be imaging things and being your own worst critic. Looking into that "Crystal Ball" may help sort things out. 

A good way to reconnect with what is possible and rewarding in your life is through music. This is because Venus quickly flips onto the next degree at the time of the full Moon. The Sabian Symbol is Aries 29: The Music Of The Spheres. This speaks of music, singing and musical ability, voices bringing messages, attuning to the messages inherent in astrology, numerology, sound healing, numbers, it's about circadian rhythms and the timing of things, the beauty of the planets, the measurement of time, the humming of bees, days of the week, sending love, harmonies, chords, keys, octaves, tones and things heard. 

Pluto is making some hard demands as it stands square to the Sun and square to the Moon, forming a t-cross that can bring stress, opposition, challenges, demands and the need to get straight about what's really going on. This aspect can bring stand-offs between people who need to get their relationship sorted out or separate and go their own ways. Pluto is on an interesting degree that speaks of not being sure where one's headed. The Sabian Symbol of Pluto is Capricorn 6: Ten Logs Lie Under An Archway Leading To Darker Woods. This brings journeys into the unknown, getting past the past, tenacity, stamina and energy preservation, things to consider before moving deeper, thresholds, archways, delving into the subconscious, memories that lead into deep or strange places, gateways, fallen trees... it seems that journey that we're on sure could use that "Canoe Approaching Safety". The trick with Pluto is to trust the process; to allow what's going on to unfold while removing obstacles (the "Ten Logs") and getting past the past.

Mars will have many wanting to show their independence, to shrug off social constraints (and their age) and there can be a desire to get rid of the evidence or remnants of the past. The Sabian Symbol is Leo 3: A Mature Woman, Keeping Up With The Times, Having Her Hair Bobbed. When the Sabian Symbols were given birth in the twenties, it was customary for women to cut their hair to show their independence. The thing to be aware of is that merely changing one's appearance doesn't necessarily alter (or fix) what's happening inside. However, feeling good about one's self on an external level can lead to greater self respect and confidence and a feeling of reeling back the years that one may feel have been lost.

There is a promise of redemption and renewal inherent in Jupiter's message on Pisces 17: An Easter Promenade. This can show renewed faith in one's life circumstances, rising up from doubt, fear and loss, rebirth, forgiveness and joy, spiritual unity, renewal and transformation. This is one of the "rising from the ashes" degrees - like the Phoenix, we can attach ourselves to others who feel the same way as ourselves and connect ourselves to the journey that is surely bringing us through "Dangerous Waters".

May your journey steer you away from the rocks and take you down the pathway that feels rewarding, safe and secure.

Celebrating Astrology - International Astrology Day

A child is born on that day and at that hour when the celestial rays are in mathematical harmony with his individual karma. Sri Yukteswar

The signs of the zodiac are karmic patterns; the planets are the looms; the will is the weaver. Anon

The starry vault of heaven is in truth the open book of cosmic projection... Carl Jung

Astrology is a language.  If you understand this language, the sky speaks to you. Dane Rudhyar

The stars which shone over Babylon and the stable in Bethlehem still shine as brightly over the Empire State Building and your front yard today. Linda Goodman

At the moment I am looking into astrology, which seems indispensable for a proper understanding of mythology.  There are strange and wondrous things in these lands of darkness.  Please, don't worry about my wanderings in these infinitudes.  I shall return laden with rich booty for our knowledge of the human psyche. Carl Jung

Men should take their knowledge from the Sun, the Moon and the Stars. Ralph Waldo Emerson

I don't believe in astrology; I'm a Sagittarius and we're skeptical. Arthur C. Clarke

This Sunday, the 21st March, is the spring equinox in the northern hemisphere and the autumn equinox in the southern. Every year, on this day, we celebrate International Astrology Day and this year we have a special treat in store; one you don't even have to leave home to enjoy. My wonderful friend and colleague, Donna Cunningham, has put together a fabulous collection of blogs, articles and special bits and pieces, over 70 in all, to help us navigate the very interesting and rather challenging alignments happening this year. Please do check out what's on offer and follow the links and you'll discover a minefield of wonderful information:

Worried about the Cardinal T-square of Pluto, Saturn, and Uranus? See a huge collection of useful articles on how to handle those transits by over 50 talented astrologers. Coming March 19-21, The International Astrology Day Blogathon will help you sort it out at: http://2010astrologycarnival.wordpress.com

Something else to really sink your teeth into is my great mate Johnny Mireheil's blog on this month's new Moon - this is a great, insightful article. Check it out at http://www.palmspringsguides.com/Johnny-Mirehiel/march-new-moon-over-the-southland.html

To mark this special day, I'm offering the CD of my book for A$30 - around US$27.60. Pay through this link: http://www.sabiansymbols.com/donate.asp (it's set for Australian dollars, so please input $30). This CD is the entire book 360 Degrees of Wisdom: Charting Your Destiny With The Sabian Oracle published by Penguin USA and in Japanese by Sony Japan and it comes with it's own random Oracle generator. If you are one of the folks who contributed $20 or more to my special fund when my website was down, please email me and I'll let you know how to go about getting the CD at a very special (insanely cheap) price. 

Further, consider purchasing the CD of the video of Lynda's lecture in San Diego. Running at just under two hours, you will learn a lot about the Sabian Symbols, their history and application and hear some of Lynda's wonderful stories. If you want to purchase this CD, please pay through the same link: http://www.sabiansymbols.com/donate.asp The cost of the video is A$40 which equals roughly US$36.85. You'll be paying in Australian dollars, so please input A$40. 

To celebrate International Astrology Day, you might like to have a reading with Lynda Hill. For details: http://www.sabiansymbols.com/page.asp?id=1404

Commitment To True Values: The Pisces New Moon

Write your wishes on the door and come in. Stand outside in the pools of the harvest moon. Carl Sandburg 

Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character; reap a destiny. Anon

Sow much, reap much; sow little, reap little. Chinese Proverb

There is a star above us which unites souls of the first order, though worlds and ages separate them. Christina of Sweden

We must change in order to survive. Pearl Bailey

Talk unbelief, and you will have unbelief; but talk faith, and you will have faith. According to the seed sown will be the harvest. Ellen G. White

The Pisces new Moon, occurring on March 15 in the United States and March 16 in Australia, is a fully charged lunation that promises to bring insights, illumination, change and movement, commitment or separation, and is likely to give us the push to get going with the things we need to be doing.

As were the past new and full Moons, this one is dynamic and powerful, being in the last sign of the zodiac, we're getting set to give birth to ourselves in a brand new way.

The Sabian Symbol for the new Moon is Pisces 26: A New Moon Reveals That It's Time For People To Go Ahead With Their Different Projects. This Symbol signifies the necessity of seeing the need for a clear path ahead whilst letting go of people or circumstances that don't further you, support you or have your best interests at heart. There's an image here of the emergence of new possibilities and new horizons. It can imply a moving away from or a splitting up of people, however this may not always be the case. Obviously, our world would fall apart if everyone was to go their separate ways. There could be a call for people to make a commitment to each other, whilst agreeing that they have to have their own autonomy, their own goals, their own space. People may decide to split off from others in their family; to get away from abuse, neglect or controlling behavior. Some couples may decide to commit as they see this dawning of a new day means spending more time together with more commitment to the things they want to achieve. Hence, it doesn't have to mean a split or a separation, although it certainly can. People have their own responses to situations, so it is important not to expect everyone to react in the same way when something unexpected, or new, comes up. 

Periodically, there is a need to let go of things from the past. Relationships, jobs, friendships; in fact any situation at all might be coming to completion, or needing a break for a while. Dividing walls may come up between you and others and the situation may have been brewing for some time and now the consequences of it are coming to light. 

Over recent weeks, Uranus, Mercury and Venus and now the Sun and the Moon have passed over the degree before - Pisces 25: The Purging Of The Priesthood. Uranus has asked that we examine who are those we want to spend our time with and who we don't. It seems that it's more important now, perhaps more than ever, that we have people in our lives that we can rely on, trust, communicate with and enjoy on an equal basis. If you're in relationship with people who don't support you in your quest in life (particularly in your spiritual and creative life), you may find yourself pulling away from them or deciding that you don't want to see them again. Naturally, this needs to be done with love and respect, but possibly also firmness as Pisces can do with more firm boundaries and less sloppy thinking. 

Further, Saturn, the lord of karma, is asking that we spend our lives with those who share similar intellectual, spiritual or relationship interests. It's on Libra 2: The Light Of The Sixth Race Transmuted To The Seventh. This speaks of finding kindred spirits, sharing visions, ascension and evolution, gurus and avatars, demarcations of evolution, transmutations and the fruits of the new age. It can be leaving others (who don't measure up) behind. Saturn is retrograde until May 30 and it's asking that we analyze our values and where we're meant to be heading in terms of making our lives real and solid. 

This can be a time of illumination as Mercury and Uranus are now on Pisces 27: A Harvest Moon Illuminates The Sky. This speaks of situations that are very ripe and full of fruition, celebrating what you have, expanded perspectives making everything clear. It can bring a sense of harvest and achievement and it speaks of seizing the moment to make the most of what's available. Just what are you harvesting? Do you feel nourished, supported and loved? This degree asks that you take some time out to celebrate and reconnect with family and loved ones. Capture this magical moment as the energy of the Moon, even though we're on a new Moon, is coming through loud and clear in this "full Moon" Symbol. With all this light "Illuminating The Sky", take a good look around with open eyes and see what can be seen. 

Venus in Aries is asking that we get our acts together in order to have a sense of direction and confidence in our ability to be in charge of our lives. It's on Aries 11: The President Of The Republic Or The Ruler Of One's Country. This speaks of accepting responsibility for one's actions, calling the shots, taking charge, developing willpower, discipline and integrity, discipline of thoughts, emotions and actions. It speaks of taking a sense of leadership, power and ability along with the responsibilities this can entail. 

Mars has just gone direct after months of being retrograde. It's on Leo 1: A Man Is Under Emotional Stress And Blood Rushes To His Head. Although there's lots of forward momentum now, with a release of stored-up energy, there's also a need to think things through and to approach things with an attitude of moderation and care. This degree can show impulsive acts without consideration of outcomes and headaches can result. On the other hand, if too much caution is employed it can bring about frustration and tantrums. With Venus in Aries and Mars in Leo on this degree, there can be too much selfish energy or a desire to get one's way. This can alienate others or cause disruptions in relationships that are important or meaningful. The trick here is moderation and to allow others their freedom without judgment if they appear to be acting impulsively or without thought for your feelings or needs. As always, boundaries are an important part of the process; your boundaries and their's.

Mars and Saturn are moving into a holding pattern over the next several days. They are sextile to each other which will provide some discipline to the forward movement that Mars so wants to employ. 

Neptune is on Aquarius 28: A Tree Felled And Sawed To Ensure A Supply Of Wood For The Winter. This speaks of gathering resources, being prepared for harder times, stocking up and stockpiling, making money, the publishing of books, etc. Many will be looking to how they can, or do, earn a living and have enough for their needs while being true to themselves. Neptune on this degree can have people staying in situations out of fear of not having enough money, possessions or security. Obviously, we need to feel safe and secure, but compromising our values can lead to confusion and a lack of integrity over who you align yourself with. 

Chiron, the Wounded Healer and The Stories We Tell Ourselves, is on the degree following (where Neptune will be soon), Aquarius 29: A Butterfly Emerging From a Chrysalis. This speaks of the slow building of confidence, coming out into a fuller participation in the bigger picture, growing up and out, emerging from the dark, leaving yesterday behind, becoming more and more beautiful and aware, finding one's feet or wings, metamorphosis, huge changes in the works, giving up struggling, the drama of a new life unfolding. Are you struggling to give birth to yourself? Are you longing to let go of restriction and constriction? Do you feel yourself growing and maturing and emerging?

The Moon's north node brings us a message about carrying too much of a load, or attempting to do or take more responsibility than perhaps we're ready for. The degree is Capricorn 19: A Young Child Carrying A Huge Shopping Bag Filled With Groceries. This shows being the one everyone counts on to do the job, feeling weighed down, having to carry the "bag", lifting weights and bearing the consequences, taking on things above and beyond what one should OR adapting yourself to being able to take on more, to shoulder your own "stuff", to carry the load for yourself and others. The trick is not to take on too much as bad backs and necks can result. There can be the feeling that others aren't pulling their weight or are expecting way too much of you. Perhaps you're doing this with others, expecting them to carry the load.

 The Moon's south node brings us a further cautionary warning when it comes to relationships. The south node is a karmic point and it indicates where we need to do work on ourselves. The Sabian Symbol is Cancer 19: A Fragile Miss, Representative Of Proud Old Blood, Is Wed In A Marriage Ceremony By A Priest To An Eager Youth Of The New Order (otherwise known as The Priest Performing A Marriage Ceremony). This speaks of expressions of loyalty and allegiance, making sacred vows, commitment to a person or a project, integration of heart and mind, contracts signed and honored, hand clasping ceremonies, celebrants and the need for ritual and a binding sense of care for yourself and others. It seems that for many there will be a jettisoning of the old and an acceptance of the new. How are your relationship patterns going? How do you value and honor yourself in amongst your relationships with others? What do you have in common with others and what drives you apart?

Here's a song from Crowded House with their evocative lyrics. Are you coming home or leaving? What and where is your destination? Can you take your significant others with you or do you have to travel by yourself? 

Waiting To Hit The Gas Pedal: Mars Turning Around - Pass Go and Collect

Perhaps there is only one cardinal sin: impatience. Because of impatience we are driven out of Paradise; because of impatience we cannot return. Franz Kafka

The ruling passion, be it what it will, the ruling passion conquers reason still. Alexander Pope

How forcible are right words! But what doth your arguing reprove? The Bible

Anger is a short madness. Romanian proverb

It's been lovely but I have to scream now. Bumper sticker

Many will heave a collective sigh of relief as Mars goes stationary (seemingly stands still) and turns direct over the next week or so, having been retrograde since last Christmas. March 10 sees the red planet stopping in his tracks, gathering steam and energy to start his forward movement through Leo - a fire sign. Interestingly, Mars is stationing on Leo 1 and Leo 2, both degrees having fiery, mad, worked up and rather over-the-top Sabian Symbols. Leo 2 is An Epidemic of Mumps, which can have people feeling worked up, infected, feeling the need for immunity, rampaging gossip, rampaging thoughts (especially those that take over, possess and obsess), and a general feeling of needing to quarantine, separate or reject. It's a curious Symbol as one can feel the infection taking hold like a virus, spreading as it will. Sometimes people figure they've already got the 'contagion' and they may as well be 'in for a penny or in for a pound' - throwing themselves right into a situation that perhaps they should have shielded themselves from. Boundaries are big with this Symbol, as is the need to discover the truth of situations and act accordingly before things get out of hand. Mars has been on this degree for the last several days.

Mars is turning into prograde (forward) movement on Leo 1: A Man Is Under Emotional Stress and Blood Rushes To His Head. This is an incredibly
archetypal degree to have Mars linger on, let alone station on for several days. The emotional stress, blood rushing to the head, issues to do with the head, all very Mars archetypes. Mars is on this degree until March 21 when it moves onto An Epidemic of Mumps where it sits until March 28. So, we're in a holding pattern for the next three weeks with Mars on these degrees. Perhaps a good supply of Ibuprofen, a few shots of vodka, a few sad movies (or comedies), a box of tissues and friends who can share what's going on on the inside are in order. A big dose of patience is needed as well. 

You may have plans, projects and ideas that you want to set in motion, the time is coming to make these manifest, but perhaps you need to sit with them for a while, not racing forward into something half-baked and ill-thought out. This is your opportunity to get clear on what you want to achieve. Forward momentum is coming, but it's possibly a little too early to really get going. Meditation on what you want may not come easily, but thinking things through is the way to move ahead as you'll get a clearer sense of movement in the coming weeks. 

Adding to the mix is Venus in Aries on Aries 4: Two Lovers Are Strolling Through A Secluded Walk. This degree can speak of walking love's path, secret love affairs, wanting or needing to be undisturbed, being by one's self and wondering where the "other" is, romance, desired destinations, walking and strolling together, relationships that are solid and satisfying, issues of seclusion, inclusion or exclusion. This Symbol can show people in relationship, happy about it or not, alone and happy about it or alone and unhappy about it. Couple this (pardon the unintended pun) with Saturn smack opposite Venus on Libra 3: The Dawn of a New Day Reveals Everything Changed and you have all kinds of situations around relationships with shifts, movements, adjustments, endings and beginnings. What will happen in your life is dependent on your circumstances, but for sure there's adjustments being made, regardless of what's going on or how stable your relationships are. This degree often speaks of the need to take time for yourself. How's the lover inside you going? 

Jupiter in Pisces could be offering a solution of sorts. It could be time to drop the fight, to drop the need to prove yourself. It's on Pisces 13: A Sword, Used In Many Battles, Is Now In A Museum. This speaks of having willpower, putting aside thoughts of having to battle, trophies of conquest that remind us of the past, history, aging and maturing, retirement, souvenirs of the past, the Sword Excalibur, disarming weapons, the search for truth and justice, suits of armor, peace at last. It can point to sexual impotence, a realization around sexuality and what you have to offer. 

Mercury is on the rising from the ashes degree. Like the Phoenix, it could be time to renew your belief in yourself. This can come about from Mercury being on Pisces 17: An Easter Promenade, which speaks about renewed faith in life and life's circumstances, rising up from doubt, fear and loss, dressing up, the fertility rites of spring, rebirth, forgiveness, joy, spiritual unity, religious holidays, worship, renewal, parades, transformation. Transformation is the major key word here. 

For many, the trip is about not knowing where you're heading. Pluto is on a rather mysterious degree, Capricorn 6: Ten Logs Lie Under An Archway Leading To Darker Woods. This is about journeys into the unknown, getting past the past, tenacity, stamina and energy preservation, things to consider before moving deeper, thresholds, archways, entrances, dark forests, the unknown and the "unknowable", delving into the subconscious, memories that lead into deep or strange places, gateways and fallen trees. Basically, there's a need to get past the log jam that's in the way of where you want to be or where you want to go.

The trick here is to keep a sense of equilibrium, to have faith in yourself and your abilities and to focus on what is possible in life. There's messages to be heard as the Moon's north node is on Capricorn 20: A Hidden Choir Singing During a Religious Service. This speaks of background messages, voices not heard or noticed before, sensitivity to spirituality, the voices heard behind closed doors, voices from "nowhere", melodies from the past, channeled voices. 

Be aware that something is trying to tell you something, focus on what is possible and jettison the rest. 

Here's a song for you from Crowded House. Click here. If you want to subscribe to Lynda's newsletter, send an email to sabiansymbols@gmail.com

Two Heads Looking Out and Beyond The Shadows: the Virgo Full Moon

Hearing both sides brings enlightenment. Believing only one side brings obscurity. Vincent Wei Chang 

I don't understand you. You don't understand me. What else do we have in common? Ashleigh Brilliant

Do I contradict myself? Very well; I contradict myself. Walt Whitman

Doubts are more cruel than the worst of truths. Anonymous

The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds, and the pessimist fears this is true. James Branch Cabell

We don't see things as they are. We see them as we are. Anais Nin

Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows. Helen Keller

The Virgo full Moon, occurring on February 28 in the United States and March 1 in Australia, is a wonderful one as Jupiter is very closely aligned with the Sun and opposing the Moon. This configuration can bring all kinds of good luck, abundance, joy and celebration. Yet it presents us with an interesting challenge; how to integrate duality in its many forms, but particularly duality of observation. The Sabian Symbol is Virgo 10: Two Heads Looking Out And Beyond The Shadows.

This speaks of duality of observation or thought, being able to see all sides of a situation, fear being the opposite of faith, people peeking and peering, secret service and government agencies, gunfights of the old west, trench warfare, the media, the press, paparazzi, spies, private detectives, conspiracy theories, crossed eyes, eavesdropping, voyeurism.

Quite the thing to really skew the view, eh? The artist Magritte who painted the picture above seems to have had quite a perspective on the duality inherent in this degree. Looking out and beyond the shadows could have people relating to each other like this - another painting from Magritte. It all depends, of course, on what your perspective is. This degree often shows people not getting it together in their thoughts, plans, observations, beliefs, attitudes or expectations. As there are "two heads" pictured here, it can be hard to get a grip on what needs to be done in order to move forward, or it can be people checking out each other from afar, often surreptitiously or people observing exactly the same thing yet coming to very different conclusions. Seeing both sides of a situation can result in difficulty in making up one's mind. Losing the ability to make firm decisions and the loss of faith can open the door to fear. Regardless of potential confusion, it is beneficial in some respect to look at every possible aspect of the situation you are in. This may provide an understanding of just how another person may feel or react. Remembering that this is a Virgo full Moon, with the propensity of Virgo to analyze things to death, combined with the Sun in Pisces, the energy could lead to deliberating too long ending up in agonizing indecision that can be a great time waster or lead to missed opportunities. 

On the other hand, this degree can show the ability to read people or situations, working out where reality stops and 'the shadow' starts. This means that with careful observation, one can work out what's really going on, what's your's and what's their's, etc.

Speaking of what's theirs, the Moon quickly moves onto the next degree: Virgo 11 - A Boy Molded In His Mother's Aspirations For Him. This speaks of the challenge of living up to other's expectations, being an individual versus taking on the shape others would have you be. Some keywords include: being directed on the journey or shaped against one's will, DNA, inherited values, following in the family's footsteps (or not), parents as patterns.

Observation is definitely on the cards as the degree of the Sun carries a similar type of image. Further, Jupiter is smack on the Sun. The Sabian Symbol for the Sun and Jupiter is Pisces 10: An Aviator In The Clouds. The Sun and Jupiter opposing the Moon can bring strokes of good luck, being in the right place at the right time, expansion, abundance, joy and wonderful warm feelings. The trick is to believe in the goodness of life and the possibilities that lay before you. The following quote from Susanna Moodie sums it up quite nicely:

Ah, Hope! What would life be, stripped of thy encouraging smiles, that teach us to look behind the dark clouds of today, for the golden beams that are to gild the morrow. 

Keywords for this degree include: Elevated views, always seeing the best in people and things, peace and tranquility, the longing for transcendence, not seeing limitations, being in a refined "head space", mastery, flight, planes, pilots, avoidance of time constrains, Pollyanna attitudes, free flights of fantasy and escapism, the need for accurate navigation, being in charge of the controls, seeking higher truths, maps, compasses, global satellite positioning, clouds, mist and fog, hang gliding.

Helping along the emerging need for clarity is the degree of Mercury, the ruler of the full Moon in Virgo, on Aquarius 29: A Butterfly Emerging From a Chrysalis. This speaks of slow building of confidence, coming out into a fuller participation with the bigger picture, growing up and out, emerging from the dark, leaving yesterday behind, becoming more and more beautiful, finding one's feet or wings, metamorphosis, huge changes in the works, giving up struggling, the drama of a new life unfolding.

Spreading one's wings certainly compliments the Aviator image of the Sun and Jupiter, and getting clear about one's objectives, dreams, ambitions and reality is emphasized by Venus on Pisces 22: A Prophet Bringing Down the New Law From the Mountain. This shows the revelation and channeling of new information, truths being revealed, thoughts, ideas, guidelines, laying down the law, new resolutions, new pathways of living and being, the Ten Commandments, legislation, social justice messages, people of the book. 

Mars is bringing some interesting challenges as it is still retrograde - has been since Christmas, and will be stationary on Leo 1 for a few weeks. The Sabian Symbol for Leo 1 is A Man Is Under Emotional Stress and Blood Rushes To His Head. This will be a testing time for many as patience is likely to be a bit thin on the ground. There are, as always, good sides to this Symbol, especially if you're paying attention to where you're putting your energy. It can imply ambition and getting fired-up about something, but also charging off in all directions at once, events coming to a head, too much excitement, too many plans, too much pressure... but then there's the shove that's often needed to get yourself out of your own way. I imagine that many will be relieved and pleased when Mars gets going again on March 10 (slowly but surely) and starts to bring relief from the frustration and feeling stuck that so many are feeling. Many thoughts, emotions, events and problems could have gotten out of hand over the last week or so with Mars having been on Leo 2: An Epidemic of Mumps. This can have situations getting out of control, gossip, rampaging issues that need calming down, the desire to have time out or the need for "immunization"... all in all a very strong station of Mars on two Symbols that can have one's head exploding (which is not always a good look). 

Messages of hope, trust, faith and redemption come through the north node on Capricorn 20: A Hidden Choir Singing During A Religious Service. Listening to the background messages, possibly of voices not heard or noticed before. This can speak of voices from "nowhere", melodies from the past, the voices of the women and the men coming through the halls, bringing joy and inspiration. What messages do you hear? Do they hold substance or are you finding difficulty in really listening, hearing, receiving...

The trick is to employ Jupiter with all the promises of abundance, expansion, freedom, joy, hope and rewards that come from Jupiter aligning with the Sun and opposing the Moon. By staying with the feeling that all will be well, this full Moon can be a wonderful opportunity to sort out what needs to be sorted out.

Measuring Emotional Responses: February's Valentine New Moon

Humanity is moving in a circle. The progress in mechanical things of the past hundred years has proceeded at the cost of losing many other things which perhaps were much more important for it. George Gurdjieff 

The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools. Confucius

One's suffering disappears when one lets oneself go, when one yields - even to sadness. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Any emotion, if it is sincere, is involuntary. Mark Twain

How much has to be explored and discarded before reaching the naked flesh of feeling. Claude Debussy

We boil at different degrees. Ralph Waldo Emerson

With 5 planets in Aquarius (counting Lilith), February's new Moon is a doozy - it's one of idealism, color, love, vibrations, things in the air, our wounds, the stories that run through our minds, the need for clarity and with a touch of the propensity for confusion. Occurring on Sunday February 14, this new Moon in the minds of many will be colored by the fact it lands smack on Valentine's Day. Most years, depending where we are in the leap year cycle, the Sabian Symbol for the Sun on Valentine's Day is Aquarius 27: An Ancient Pottery Bowl Filled With Fresh Violets. This is totally in rhythm with the inherent and underlying meaning of Valentine's Day; the need for beauty, simplicity, sensitivity, care, love and sharing (more on this later).

This year, on Valentine's Day, the Sun is on the degree before; Aquarius 26: A Garage Man Testing a Car's Battery With a Hydrometer. This speaks of situations that have "boiled over", bringing all to a stop, breakdowns and the need for repair, checking water levels, anticipating future problems, the need for good batteries, cars being serviced, checkups and tuneups, bringing forward movement to a halt. 

It can show the need for testing our earthly vehicle for its road-worthiness... how are you traveling in the health department? How are your emotions? Do you get to say what you feel? Do you gauge what's going on or do you let others take the lead while you adjust your levels constantly? Performing the necessary checks and balances to ensure the smooth running of our lives is part of the everyday maintenance of society, our appliances and ourselves. The "Garage Man" could be "Testing the Battery" because there is a problem he needs to analyze or he could be performing routine preventative maintenance. Certainly it is better to keep an eye on things before they go wrong. However, we can find ourselves being too vigilant, keeping a watchful eye on outcomes rather than cruising along and trusting our own emotional levels. 

This is quite a special Valentine's Day (acknowledging that it's actually a commerciall construct) as this year Chiron and Neptune are smack on the new Moon. The Sabian Symbol for Chiron and Neptune is Aquarius 27: An Ancient Pottery Bowl Filled With Fresh Violets. Such a Valentine's image of love, simplicity, sharing and caring and containment. So, how are you going around this story? Remember that Chiron is "the Wounded Healer" and the stories we tell ourselves and Neptune can be the dream or the nightmare... are you looking after yourself, your emotions, your sensibilities, or are you doing the 'what ifs' and the 'how to's' and the 'if onlys'. 

So, here we have the Sun, the Moon, Chiron and Neptune all within one degree of each other. This speaks of gentleness and caring, sense and sensibility, responses and responsibility and the necessity of being true not only to others, but to yourself. How is your emotional measure? How 'topped-up' emotionally are you and those with whom you share your journey?

Lilith - the Dark Moon and the woman who would not be subjugated by Adam (who would not 'just lie down and take it' - on any level) - is on Aquarius 15 right up to this new Moon. The Symbol is quite telling: Two Lovebirds Sitting on a Fence and Singing Happily. This speaks of faith in love or waiting for signs of commitment, friendship and companionship, issues of fences, borders and barriers, showing love for all to see, mating for life versus failing to commit, sitting on the fence, complaining about relationships, waiting to see what the other will do, being stuck in a situation when one would rather fly off and be free, having a fixed position, not wanting to comply with the other, neighborhood disputes, noises from next door... On Valentine's Day, Lilith flips onto Aquarius 16: A Big Businessman at His Desk. This can speak of needing to take care of business, get things done, be organized, make money, be 'managerial', all the way to situations where things are 'business as usual' (which can drive one bats). 

Mercury, the ruler of communication, thoughts, thinking and getting one's mind clear is a rather interesting Symbol - it's on Aquarius 6: A Masked Figure Performs Ritualistic Acts in a Mystery Play. This speaks of rituals, shamanism, archetypes of personality, putting on a show, portrayals of performances that don't always add up, the unmasking of someone, comedy, banditry, mystery, drama, acting, smoke screens, doing the technical but not the emotional, saying or doing things because one "should", having alternate personalities. With this Sabian Symbol, Mercury is likely to be one confused bunny. The "Mystery Plays" can be hard to pierce, often being a front for a bigger agenda - the trick is to see past the performances and into the hearts of those in the "Play". 

Venus is at Pisces 4: Heavy Traffic on a Narrow Isthmus Linking Two Seaside Resorts. This can have people running back and forth, going with the flow or experiencing 'road rage', plans for arrivals and departures, traffic backing up, detours, packing and unpacking, luggage, travel itineraries, impasses, nervous systems, constant phone calls, switchboard jams, heat and smog. It can show situations where people are in one place and want to be in another, bringing an interesting interaction all the way to annoying indigestion as one finds it hard to settle or to know exactly where someone or something is going to be. After all, where is the real party when there's so much to-ing and fro-ing?

Mars is on Leo 5: Rock Formations Towering Over a Deep Canyon. This speaks of old structures and deep hazards and the choice of taking chances or standing still. Mars can have us walking very close to the edge, painting ourselves into a corner, having to leap into the void or doing a 'Geronimo'. Do you stand with your back to the wall with the whole gamut of experience reaching far out in front of you while you wonder what the risks are of leaving safety?

Uranus, the planetary ruler of this new Moon and the ruler of Mercury, Lilith, Chiron and Neptune, is on Pisces 25: The Purging of the Priesthood. This brings up issues of revealing the truth of people for who and what they truly are, cutting people off, throwing out things that don't measure up, forced retirements and redundancies, payouts at the end of employment, dismissals, opting out for moral reasons, being fired (or being fired up about people not living up to expectations), holes left where someone took up a lot of space, etc. Needless to say, some will fall from grace over the next month or so. However, some will take their rightful place in the scheme of things as others either vacate their positions or seats, or, there's a change in the guard. The Purging of the Priesthood asks you what, or who, do you want in life... are you operating under old strictures, with the same old reasoning, with the same people that have perhaps let you down again and again?

The trick now is to regain faith and Jupiter, the planet of abundance, faith, hope and many good things is on Pisces 7: Illuminated By a Shaft of Light, a Large Cross Lies on Rocks Surrounded By Sea and Mist. This speaks of the need for renewed dedication after loss, looking for signs of hope and recovery, coming to terms with loss or failure, important and substantial sacrifices, being devastated by events, finding your way through the dark, etc. Jupiter here can bring back that hope - but on this degree after periods of loss it can strip away trust and the belief in the goodness of life.

The image of the cherubs with the heart and butterfly wings fits perfectly with the Sabian Symbol of Aquarius 29: A Butterfly Emerging From a Chrysalis. This degree will be a focus of energy in the coming days, weeks and months as first the Moon, then the Sun, then Chiron and Neptune will all be going over this degree. It seems certain that we're emerging from our shells, from those things that have bound us, to a more perfect representation of what and where we're meant to be.

Combining the beauty and simplicity of the new Moon on An Ancient Pottery Bowl Filled With Violets with the need to rebuild hope through the Shaft of Light degree of Jupiter, we can see how beauty, simplicity, joy, love and acceptance are the right tools for measuring our emotional responses and finding those things that are near and dear to our hearts.

Feeling Safe, Secure and Loved and Moments of Inspiration: January's Leo Full Moon

One generation plants the trees; another gets the shade. Chinese Proverb

Woodman, spare that tree! Touch not a single bough! In youth it sheltered me, and I'll protect it now. George Pope Morris

Cut not the bough that thou standest upon. Charles Dickens

One that would have the fruit must climb the tree. Thomas Fuller

The forest laments in order that Mr. Gladstone may perspire. Sir Randolph Churchill

The full Moon occurring on Saturday January 30 is a wonderful degree of play, hope, protection, joy, security, childhood memories and the need to remember to put in the time to share and play and feel free with others. The Sabian Symbol is Leo 11: Children on a Swing in the Safety of a Huge Oak Tree. Oak trees infer enormous strength; the oak's strength, the hardness and durability of the timber, and its long life give the oak a special significance. In England, the oak has been referred to as the "monarch of the forest". Cowthorpe Oak in Yorkshire can hold 70 people in its hollow. It is said to be over 1,600 years old. The Ellerslie Oak, near Paisley, is reported to have sheltered Sir William Wallace and 300 of his men. Honour Oak in Tavistock was the place where money was left in exchange for food during the cholera epidemic of 1832.

Keywords for this Symbol include: Creativity in safe surroundings, being secure and privileged, social security and other forms of governmental protection, humanitarian agencies, agencies that bring food, education and basic needs to children in difficult circumstances, children, trees, grass, swings, parks, amusement parks, childhood memories, climbing trees, spontaneous activity, security coming through family and environs, safe confines. 

The Oak, then, shows us the need to feel protected while we play or go about our lives with our friends, family, neighbors, etc. The Oak promises protection, structure, shade and sanctuary from the elements or those things that may be less secure or even harmful.

The Cautions include: Expecting others to take all the responsibility while one just plays, children not being looked after, disadvantaged people, desertion by government and big business, not wanting to grow up, always relying on others to provide fun, safety or shelter.

The Karmic Condition of the Moon is Leo 10 which also happens to be the degree of Mars = Mars is smack in the middle of this lunation. The Sabian Symbol for Leo 10 is Early Morning Dew Salutes the Sunlight. This presages an emergence from the dark; coming out of the night, possibly from experiences such as 'the dark night of the soul'. This can speak of the dawning of a new day and the new experiences of light, joy and hope that it can bring. However, some may still have the lingering effects of that long night. Play, being lighthearted and opening the heart can disperse feelings of separation or loneliness. As Mars is so closely involved in this lunation, there can be lots of emotion, loads of feelings and reactions and a sense of being 'up', agitated or eager to get going or to have your own way. Mars conjuncting the Moon and opposing the Sun can be very magnetic, passionate and arousing in many ways. Watch for knee-jerk reactions or people not fully understanding each other. First impressions may not give the complete picture as projections can be around with this aspect. 

Adding to the concept of play is the issue of sensuality and sexuality with Mercury on Capricorn 16: School Grounds Filled With Boys and Girls in Gymnasium Suits. This brings up issues to do with bodies, fitness, learning to get along, the blending of the sexes and feeling free about your physical self. 

Venus is on Aquarius 15: Two Lovebirds Sitting on a Fence. Commitments may be made during this coming month, ones that resolve issues that have been hanging in the air. On the other hand, the 'lovebirds' may just continue to sit on the fences that divide them. Perhaps they're waiting for a sign to either commit or separate. Certainly, issues to do with letting go of some people, jobs or memories is at the forefront with Uranus on Pisces 25: The Purging of the Priesthood. This speaks of deciding who is and who isn't going to be in your life = many are going to be making decisions based on who they believe live up to what's now important or will contribute to life in a productive, fun or healthy way. 

As always, I look to the Sun on a full Moon as it sheds a lot of light on situations at the full Moon (the light of the Moon is the reflection of the Sun). The Sabian Symbol is a wonderful one: Aquarius 11 - During a Silent Hour, a Man Receives a New Inspiration Which May Change His Life. 

The Keywords are: Welling creative power, inspiration = breathing in the spirit, coming to terms with one's reality, visionary people and events, being reborn, spiritual awakenings, meditation and reflective thought, intuitive awareness rising up into conscious awareness, spending time alone, thinking, contemplation, reversals, flashes of insight.

Whatever you're doing at this full Moon, whether it's having fun, swinging underneath that oak tree, being carefree or looking for direction, this full Moon is bound to change the lives of many. Seek that moment of inspiration and breath in the creative spirit that is indeed inspiration!

Photo of 'the love birds' taken at Katoomba by moi.

Dancing Lightly vs. Being Escapist: January's Solar Eclipse in Capricorn!

The Universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper. Eden Phillpotts 

Let your life lightly dance on the edge of Time like dew on the tip of a leaf. Rabindranath Tagore

One must still have chaos in oneself to give birth to a dancing star. Friedrich Nietzsche

Light be the earth upon you, lightly rest. Euripides

Dance like no one is watching,
Love like you'll never be hurt,
Sing like no one is listening,
Live like it's heaven on earth. 
Anonymous

SYLPH,n. An immaterial but visible being that inhabited the air when the air was an element and before it was fatally polluted with factory smoke, sewer gas and similar products of civilization. Ambrose Bierce

January's new Moon, falling on January 15, is a wonderful symbol of effervescence and fun, skipping lightly through life, there's a feeling of mischief about it, with joy mixed with escapism and the thrill of being alive. The Sabian Symbol is Capricorn 26: A Nature Spirit Dancing in the Mist of a Waterfall. Being a solar eclipse magnifies its intensity and gives it a longer life span into the future. Some say that the influence of a solar eclipse lasts about nine months. I would say that it can be much longer than that, depending on what's going on in your life at the time and what unfolds. 

Keywords: Dancing in a carefree manner, water and fun, Peter Pan characters, mountains, mists, fog, reveling in nature, picking up subtle energies, being healed because of the atmosphere (altitude), celebrations of the natural worlds, waterfalls, water spraying or dripping, finding one's habitat, chinese water torture, water nymphs, fairies and nature spirits, elementals, devas and angels. 

The Caution: Irresponsibility, avoidance of real situations, not taking anything seriously, flitting off, being held down and repressed when one is longing for light relief, feeling abused by pressure, being subjugated by cold, icy elements, thoughts or emotions, tricks or perceptions of lights, fear of dark places.

This is an especially light, fun loving and enjoyable time as Venus, the planet of beauty, love, resources and refinement, is exactly conjunct (together with) this new Moon, and is on this Nature Spirit in the Waterfall degree.

The 'Nature Spirits' dance in the 'Mist' because they know to avoid the areas of heavy pressure in the 'Waterfall'. Even though the strength and power of emotional flow is in the middle of the 'Waterfall', it is not possible to survive under such a torrent for very long. It is not always good to assault one's self with the full brunt of pressure from life. If we are going to dive in, we need to be like the image in this wonderful painting by my friend Carolyn Tyrer of her lovely daughter, Jessica.

Saturn, the ruler of Capricorn, is going retrograde just two days before this new Moon. The Sabian Symbol is one of finding new understandings, new realizations, new beliefs perhaps, new ways of being, but one has to be paying attention. The Sabian Symbol is Libra 5: A Man Teaching The True Inner Knowledge of The New World to His Students. This speaks of guidance and protection on the path, being a guiding light for others, wisdom, looking for truth, seeking answers to complicated questions, listening and learning, turning to others to receive guidance, instinctual knowledge, pioneers on the path, teachers and students, secrets of the new age. Saturn is sitting on this degree for weeks and weeks, which is a good thing; we can live and learn - sometimes the lessons are a bit harsh and often we may feel like we're being hit over the head to get the message, but the message is definitely there and worth getting.

It seems that this new Moon is like a gift with it's lightness of being as Mercury is sitting stationary (but turning direct right around the new Moon) on Capricorn 6, almost exactly square Saturn. This square can bring about heavy thoughts, negative thinking and feeling defeatist or going over things too much or too darkly in one's mind. The Sabian Symbol indicates the need to let go of knowing where you're going or what your destination is. It's Capricorn 6: Ten Logs Lie Under An Archway Leading To Darker Woods. This speaks of journeys into the unknown, getting past the past, tenacity, stamina and energy preservation, things to consider before moving deeper, thresholds, archways, entrances, dark forests, the unknown and the unknowable, delving into the subconscious, memories that lead into deep or strange places, gateways, fallen trees. It can be things blocked or obstructed, especially pathways, looking for directions that are obscure or concealed. 

Just as Mercury seems to imply letting go of things from the past before plunging ahead into the unknown, the North Node shows that we have to sometimes just acknowledge that certain things aren't working in our lives, whether it's relationships, our job, thoughts, attitudes, emotions, ways of life. The Sabian Symbol is Capricorn 22: A General Revealing Nobility of Character By Accepting Defeat Gracefully. Time to pull the plug on things that are leading you in the wrong direction. There's no use waging a battle that leads to nothing, nowhere or to no good. 

This letting go motif is amplified by Chiron, the Wounded Healer and the stories we tell ourselves, on Aquarius 24: A Man Turning His Back on His Passions Teaches Deep Wisdom From His Experience. Neptune, Chiron and Jupiter have all inhabited this degree for some time, showing the need to take with you what works in your life but to turn away from those things that don't. It may sound like obvious advice, but sometimes we need a shove in order to actually do it. Chiron may be just the shove we need. 

Jupiter also shows us the need to let go. It's on Aquarius 30: Moonlit Fields, Once Babylon, Are Blooming White. This speaks of the past and taking what's valuable into the future. It can show big changes in how we see our 'civilization', are we operating in ways that benefit our futures, or destroying what was once valuable? 

Mars offers us some sense of joy and hope in amongst all that may be going on in our lives. It's on Leo 16: Brilliant Sunshine Just After a Storm. It seems we're meant to dance in that mist of the waterfall; to find joy, to celebrate and to endeavor to stay away from the harsher aspects of life that batter and hurt. 

Remember to dance, celebrate and enjoy life at this new Moon!

The New Year Lunar Eclipse: Being Real Vs. Clowning Around

We take greater pains to persuade others that we are happy than in endeavoring to think so ourselves. Confucius

Clown and guru are a single identity: the satiric and sublime side of the same higher vision of life. Theodore Rozak

Art must discover and reveal the beauty which prejudice and caricature have overlaid. Alain Locke

There are no greater wretches in the world than many of those whom people in general take to be happy. Seneca

He's a fool that cannot conceal his wisdom. Benjamin Franklin

Happy new year to everyone and warm wishes for a fantastic year of joy and all kinds of rewarding things in 2010! The new year starts off with a partial lunar eclipse on new year's day. The Sabian Symbol is Cancer 11: A Clown is Caricaturing Well-Known Personalities.  As we go into 2010, it seems that issues to do with entertainment, putting on a happy face, being optimistic and cheerful, keeping your deeper or darker thoughts to yourself versus being real, authentic and transparent about your emotional reality. 

Keywords of this Symbol are: Exaggerated responses, wanting to entertain, show business, trying to be something or someone that one's not, putting on a face, comic performances, parodies of personalities, making fun of someone, clowns and clowning, life imitating art, always performing, irony, satire, objective observance, criticism, laughter, caricatures, cartoons, lampooning, voice impressions.

The Cautions include: being foolish in the face of positive potential, trying to cover up reality through buffoonery, being constantly "on stage", living vicariously, inauthentic behavior, not having the courage to display one's true self, putting on a face to manipulate or fool others, irritating behavior that wears thing after a while, being the laughing stock, overblown impressions, loss of true identity.

Apologies! I started writing this on new year's eve and was interrupted by a circus troop arriving at my house for a party. No one knew about the clown degree being the Symbol for the eclipse on new year's, it was all serendipity. We had Ian Mortimer (Mort) on mandolin, Jorge from Chile on guitar, both Mort and Jorge singing, acrobats, fire spinning and various other wonderful things going on around a fire on the front lawn of my house. It was brilliant. The party went on for 42 hours, so this blog is brief!!

Please do remember that the "clown" motif will be in full swing for the entire month, although as it's a lunar eclipse, the effects are likely to be felt way into the future. We are being asked to put on a brave face, smile, sometimes when we don't want to. On the other hand, though, we always need to remember to be authentic. A fine balance, especially as we head off into 2010.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY. I will write more later!

Cheers from Avalon, Sydney, Australia - Lynda

P.S. My website: www.sabiansymbols.com is back up and fully functioning! Please check it out and enjoy the Oracle.

A Message From Lynda Hill About the Sabian Symbols Site

Greetings from Avalon Beach, Sydney, Australia!

There may be some good news; I believe we've located the site and I'm hoping that it is all intact. I have worked on this day and night for the last two weeks. I have finally made contact with the company that hosted the Oracle. So, progress is being made. 

I want to thank so many of you so much for leaving a note on www.sabiansymbols.com - it's so wonderful to hear your thoughts and stories. People offering help of web services, sending thanks and love, taking the time to give something back. Thank you to the many who donated to keep things going. These funds have been a lifesaver and have allowed me to do things I wouldn't have been able to do. To those of you who sent me personal wishes and stories, I wish I could write back to you all but several hundred emails is a lot to reply to personally!

A Chubby Little Rich Boy Rides Upon a Hobbyhorse: The Sagittarius New Moon

Do not handicap your children by making their lives easy.
Lazarus Long

In this era of affluence and of permissiveness, we have, in all but cultural areas, bred a nation of overprivileged youngsters, saturated with vitamins, television and plastic toys. Judith Crist

It is amazing how quickly the kids learn to drive a car, yet are unable to understand the lawnmower, snow blower, or vacuum cleaner. Ben Bergor

Well, you know when you're rocking in a rocking chair, and you go so far that you almost fall over backwards, but at the last instant you catch yourself? That's how I feel all the time. Stephen Wright

Nothing is so hard as for those who abound in riches to conceive how others can be in want. Jonathan Swift

No use flogging a dead horse. Saying

Although I'm late sending out this newsletter for the new Moon in Sagittarius, please know that the influence of the new Moon on the coming month is still very strong and is yet to completely unfold. We can say that the influence lasts for a month, right up until the next new Moon, on January 15. It is also true to say that events that are sparked off this month get a life of their own; they can last for months and years into the future. It depends on what seeds are being planted or what harvest you're reaping now.

The Sabian Symbol for this new Moon, occurring on December 16, is Sagittarius 25: A Chubby Little Rich Boy Rides Upon a Hobbyhorse. Can you see what this might mean in the attached graphic? The boy rides his horse, knowing that other gifts are coming, not a care in the world, off and running in his own fantasy world, whipping his horse onward and upward, ready to take on the world, safe and secure, well fed and his every need catered for.

"Funny", you're saying, "that doesn't sound like me"... Perhaps you're not so sure of your safety and security, or your place in the scheme of things, or that you're going to be looked after by others, or that you can pursue your own 'hobbyhorse'; your dreams, your aspirations, your visions of how life could, or will, be. 

Look again at the boy in the graphic. He has everything, which we all do really. Unless we're living under a piece of cardboard under a bridge somewhere, we have many of the things we need. We only have to check our situation to realise how lucky we are. We have so much to explore in our leisure in amongst our hectic and very meaningful lives. Remembering how lucky we are is so valuable. Still, the boy could be somewhat frustrated in his efforts to get things going. How long will he be happy with that movement, as satisfying as it is, rocking backwards and forwards, possibly staring into space, without charging forward and getting in amongst the action. It seems he's dreaming of the action rather than participating, except in his own fantasy world. For sure he's growing and learning - one day he will take on all of life's challenges and will participate in the excitement of being alive with all it's wonderful progress and precarious pitfalls. 

To me, this Symbol is a mix of pleasure and frustration. It feels certain that we're meant to perfect something, to enjoy the practice and play and prepare ourselves for the unfolding that is coming. 

The Karmic Condition (the degree before) this new Moon is a lovely one - Sagittarius 24: A Bluebird, a Sign of Good Luck and Happiness, is Standing at The Door of The House. This speaks of the promise (or promises) of "Happiness", reminders of joy, real estate, house boundaries, cottages and picket fences, waiting for invtitations to enter, omens of good luck, blessings, front doors and back doors. This is the conventional picket fence with the happy people living inside with promises of luck and happiness. It can be domestic bliss, the beauty or the joy to be found in others but it can be arguments and not noticing the good things in life.

The Bluebird at the Gate of the Cottage degree is a great Karmic Condition for the Chubby Boy on His Hobbyhorse. Hopefully, his home is safe, secure and loving. Of course not all homes are. This is a matter of one's own personal perspective. 

When I look at the graphic above of the boy on his hobbyhorse, I can't help but think that he's incredibly keen to get going, eager as mustard to take on the world, to put himself out there, to race headfirst into whatever he can. Of course, that horse ain't moving; it's not going anywhere. Mar's current stationary retrograde motion can feel like that. "Here I am, I'm ready for it, I'm going for it, but it's not moving". Add to that the fact that the Mars degree is Leo 20: American Indians Perform a Ritual to the Sun - I imagine them riding their horses and get quite a different image. 

The Quest degree (the degree following) the new Moon is Sagittarius 26: A Fl ag Bearer in a Battle. This smacks of having the courage of one's convictions, being up front, exposing yourself, facing the possibility of being shot down, carrying the standard or the flag, David and Goliath, being the messenger, advocates, self sacrifice, fighting for political ideas.

There's shades of Copenhagen in all this; the 'Hobbyhorse' of the lobbyists and the vested interests. To some, Copenhagen will have felt like flogging the proverbial 'dead horse'. The Flag Bearer may have lost his horse, he is most likely on foot now, older and wiser, and, possibly a bit war weary.

A theme going on at the moment seems to be the theme of people moving house, changing jobs or leaving relationships. This is somewhat reflected through the position of Venus on Sagittarius 19: Pelicans Disturbed By The Garbage of Men Move Their Young To a New Habitat. This degree was one of the prime degrees while those in charge were nutting out their strategies (or lack of) in Copenhagen. The garbage of men alright. And vested interests, the vested interests of so many 'Chubby Boys in Their Hobbyhorses'.

With all this archetypal societal bliss we're either having, meant to have or are missing, there's a sextile (a useful free flowing positive energy) from Jupiter (the ruler of Sagittarius - the new Moon) at Aquarius 24: A Man Turning His Back On His Passions Teaches Deep Wisdom From His Experience. It seems that many are finding they are turning away from what they don't want and turning towards what they do. Many lessons are to be learnt here, wise ones about finding meaning in life. 

Uranus is squaring this new Moon from Pisces 23: A Materializing Medium Giving a Seance. This is a very spiritually 'attuned' degree, one of spiritual channeling, a need to free "stuck" or earthbound entities, giving voice to spirit, tarot readings, clairvoyance and clairsentience. It speaks of things seen ahead of their time, bringing messages from the other side, etc. 

I guess the questions for this next month include; where do you want to be? what do you want to be doing? who's interests are you serving? and, are you having fun?

************************

My website is still down but hopefully that will be fixed in the next week or so. Please know that your support, comments, emails, donations and offerings of help are so appreciated. I try, but I can't answer every email I get but please do know that I read them! Please drop by www.sabiansymbols.com and leave a message on the feedback form and consider leaving a donation!

Happy Holidays! May Loads of good things come to you and yours!!

Resurrecting The Sabian Symbols Site! Send in the cavalry!

Every separate thought takes shape and becomes visible in color and form. Liu Hua-Yang  

The universe is one of God's thoughts. Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller

A Man paints with his brains and not with his hands. Michelangelo

Art is not a mirror to reflect the world, but a hammer with which to shape it. Vladimir Mayakovsky

If you do not find yourself beautiful yet, act as does the creator of a statue that is to be made beautiful: he cuts away here, he smooths there, he makes this line lighter, this other purer, until a lovely face has grown upon his world. Plotinus

Right now, and for the next twelve hours or so, the Sun is on Sagittarius 27: The Sculptor's Vision is Slowly But Surely Taking Form. The quotes above illustrate this degree. It is the degree of the Galactic Center, which is said to be 'the Mind of God'. We are our creations; we create ourselves and our world with our hearts, minds and bodies... I will have more to say about this as the degree of the Galactic Center is changing from Sagittarius 27 to Sagittarius 28: A Splendidly Built Bridge, A Heritage of Unknown Ages, Still Spans the Beautiful and Wildly Primitive Stream = we're going from the 'sculptor's degree' to the 'bridge degree'. This is fantastic and quite a movement. The GC has been on Sagittarius for some 72 years, so this is a shift that many are feeling now. More on this in another blog. 

Meanwhile, this is not my standard blog, apologies for not doing one this new Moon, I hope to do it on the weekend. This is, instead, a request for assistance.

Celebrating Our Differences Or Being Stuck in Our Egos: Mars Retrograde in Leo!

Life is pure flame, and we live by an invisible sun within us. Thomas Browne 

What is to give light must endure burning. Viktor Frankl

Hide not your talents, they for use were made. What's a sundial in the shade? Benjamin Franklin

Be glad of life because it gives you a chance to love and to work and to play and to look up at stars. Henry Van Dyke

The beauty of the world and the orderly arrangement of everything celestial makes us confess that there is an excellent and eternal nature, which ought to be worshipped and admired by all mankind. Marcus Tullius Cicero

We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Are we having fun yet? Modern Saying

Are we there yet? Modern Saying 

Mars, that planet of ambition, assertion, competition, drive, sexuality, raw ego and courage, is about to go retrograde (appearing to go backwards through the zodiac). Happening only every two years and two months, we are generally used to the energy of Mars marching forward, taking on challenges and reacting as Mars tends to do; self-directed, with forward drive, taking on opponents and being generally antsy. In Leo, Mars is going retrograde 5 days before Christmas; on December 20 and will stay retrograde until March 10 2010. There's great information on Rob Tillett's site: Astrology On The Web (interestingly, some few years ago, we both used the same graphic to illustrate Mars retrograde). 

Mars retrograde in Leo is well represented in the graphics I've used in this blog; the warrior has not quite laid down his sword, but he's feeling in need of a rest, to take things a bit more slowly, to give more time and energy to recuperation, finding his center, finding his feet again - to feel potent and not impotent, useful and not worn out, attractive and not unattractive (in any sense of the word). Perhaps he needs a shower and some psychotherapy? :)

Mars is hanging out in Leo for a very long time - from mid October 2009 to the second week of June 2010. That's a lot of action going on in Leo and if you have planets in Leo, you'll be feeling it rather strongly. Also, if you have planets in Taurus, Scorpio or Aquarius, you are likely to be pushed or tested or spurred on in some way. 

Speaking of being spurred on, we all may feel under a lot of pressure with this Mars retrograde but feel that we can't really achieve much in the way of actual results. It's probably necessary to go over old ground, to sort through what's happened in the last few years, to check out where you've succeeded or pushed through opposition and where you've folded or given in. Now, it seems, we are given a second chance to sort through our objectives, aims and reasons for being. Mars is very much directed by Venus and Venus is trine (a good, free flowing aspect) Mars at the time of Mars going retrograde on Sagittarius 24: The Bluebird of Happiness at the Gate of the Cottage. This is a good thing as Venus is saying we should invite happiness (and luck) into our lives, but we may still find ourselves a bit unmoored and not sure where our next step is going to take us. This is largely because Mars, right up until the actual retrograde, is on Leo 19: A Houseboat Party Crowded With Revelers; The Water Reflects Its Lights. This is a great degree for partying, getting out with friends, being mobile, social pleasures and joining with others in an adventurous spirit. However, the downside of The Houseboat Party can be a feeling of being unmoored, cast adrift, not able to disembark, not having a solid and secure dock to land on. One can keep partying for sure, or not taking life seriously, but sooner or later one will probably hit a brick wall and find the need for getting "solid" about life; in control, in charge and in demand in areas of life that are truly meaningful instead of rather transitory.

Mars in Leo has been bringing some very interesting things to light. Many have reported extreme difficulties with relationships and partnerships. This has largely come about through Jupiter, for months, being on the degree opposite where Mars is going retrograde. Jupiter was on Aquarius 18: A Man Being Unmasked at a Masquerade in March 2009 and again in September, October and November. For many, there have been realizations about infidelity, issues of control and manipulation and other actions that have led many to mistrusting others. There seems to have been a huge spike in things such as Narcissistic Personality Disorders and other psychological issues as Jupiter dredged these things up for people to see (The Man Unmasked at a Masquerade). Again, for many, this has led to people looking at their own behavior in relationships; sorting through what has allowed this kind of thing to show up in their lives. Co-dependent relationships seem to have been more and more in evidence, especially with Uranus on Virgo 24: Mary and Her White Lamb for some months through 2009 (this Symbol speaks about co-dependence, but with Uranus there, issues have been erupting to the surface about it). We are being asked the questions: are we being truly authentic? are those around us being that way? what are our objectives in relationships? are we controlling, pushy, assertive or indifferent, lazy and expecting others to do everything?

Mars, on December 11, moves onto the degree that it goes retrograde on on December 20. The Sabian Symbol is Leo 20: American Indians Perform a Ritual to the Sun. This is a wonderful degree for restoring spirit, rituals and worship, the desire to return to nature, shining through one's life (not necessarily through social credentials), sweat lodges, drum beating, celebrating a unique social heritage, participation with nature's cycles, eclipses, smudging, fire, passion, spontaneity, vision quests, fasting, courage, conquering bad habits and attitudes, the truth of conviction, prayer, baptisms of fire. It can also point to the hypocrisy of religions that exclude a sense of personal direction and responsibility, especially at Christmas.

Mars sits on this degree until the end of December, when, on New Year's Eve, it moves back onto the Houseboat Party. This is great for New Year's celebrations, but it suggests that for us in this new year, we have to find a place to be, to settle, to be most effective, to feel moored, safe, loved, held, respected. Are you dealing with places, jobs and people who are merely transitory or don't have your best interests in their hearts? Do you have your own best interests in your heart?

Mars in Leo wants us to be self directed, focused, enthusiastic and forward thinking. It wants us to have healthy egos, not squashed, not inflated, not retarding, not self negating. Working on seeing our patterns is a great way to celebrate the end of 2009 and move forward in a healthier, freer and more authentic manner!

Newly Opened Lands Offer the Pioneer New Opportunities for Experience: The Gemini Full Moon

Take a chance! All life is a chance. The man who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare. Dale Carnegie 

In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration. Ansel Adams

Explorers have to be ready to die lost. Russell Hoban

Explore thyself. Herein are demanded the eye and the nerve. Henry David Thoreau

In my writing I am acting as a mapmaker, an explorer of psychic areas... a cosmonaut of inner space, and I see no point in exploring areas that have already been thoroughly surveyed. William S. Burroughs

Occurring on Wednesday 2nd December, the Gemini full Moon has the Sabian Symbol of Gemini 11: Newly Opened Lands Offer the Pioneer New Opportunities for Experience. This speaks of getting off the beaten track and trying something new, being prepared to strike out for new territory, finding new and better ways of living, the need to start a new, more vibrant life, heading for the Promised Lands, new time zones, foreign customs and languages and generally leaving one's comfort zone. 

The Cautions for this degree are: Clinging to the old and familiar when it is outworn and boring, restricting growth and change, not moving on, invading other's space, claiming what's rightfully someone else's, hanging on when it's time to let go, running off to avoid involvement or responsibilities.

An X-Ray Diagnosis: November's Scorpio New Moon

Life is uncharted territory. It reveals its story one moment at a time. Leo Buscaglia

Creativity is piercing the mundane to find the marvelous. Bill Moyers

To him that watches, everything is revealed. Italian Proverb

A smart mother makes often a better diagnosis than a poor doctor. August Bier

DIAGNOSIS, n. A physician's forecast of the disease by the patient's pulse and purse. Ambrose Bierce

God is the Sun and when His rays fall upon your heart, not impeded by the clouds of egoism, the lotus blooms and the petals unfold. Sai Baba

November's new Moon in Scorpio occurs on November 16 in the United States and November 17 in Australia. This is an incredibly perceptive new Moon, not just because it is in Scorpio (which is enough in itself) but because so many of the Symbols speak of getting below the surface of what's going on. This new Moon is very much about digging; emotionally, mentally, spiritually. The Sabian Symbol for this new Moon is Scorpio 25: An X-Ray Photograph Helps With the Diagnosis.  This speaks of penetrating insight, piercing through external appearances, pure understanding, incredible insight and revelations, having the eyes to see, spying, detective work, reaching conclusions, evaluations, photographs, negatives, radiation, x-ray vision, expensive and up-to-date equipment, chemotherapy, mammograms, scanning equipment, finding causes, Paparazzi. 

Tending Your Garden: October's Full Moon in Taurus

Cultivate more joy by arranging your life so that more joy will be likely. George Witkin

Flowers always make people better, happier and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine to the soul. Luther Burbank

Cultivate peace first in the garden of your heart by removing the weeds of lust, hatred, greed, selfishness, and jealousy. Sivananda

By cultivating the beautiful we scatter the seeds of heavenly flowers, as by doing good we cultivate those that belong to humanity. Vernon Howard

November's Taurus full Moon falls on November 2 in the United States and November 3 in Australia. How wonderful with Taurus ruling gardens and gardening, that the Sabian Symbol for this full Moon is Taurus 11: A Woman Sprinkling Long Rows of Flowers.   

This Symbol often speaks of the need to take time to nurture the physical self. Along with smaller, less able things that need care, your body needs water, sustenance and nourishment too. Drinking plenty of water and nourishing yourself with good food is part of this. Hence there may be the need to pay attention to what your body is telling you. Sometimes the mind needs to take a rest, and the body needs to be allowed to come to bloom and bask a little in the sunlight. Now is the time to enjoy the fruits of one's work. Also, looking after younger and smaller things so they may grow to maturity and fullness brings its own type of reward. This might require patience and a determination to work at something. Keeping an eye on things that you are responsible for will ensure that they don't dry out and fade away ahead of, or before, their time. Weeding out undesirable factors is often a necessary part of this process. Taking time out to actually water plants or the garden may bring some wonderful realizations to your life. As fairies and nature spirits are said to live in gardens, meditating whilst "Sprinkling" the garden, or pot plants, may bring nourishing insights to questions that arise at this full Moon.

The Pilgrim's Progress: October's Libra New Moon

To see the world in a grain of sand, 
And a heaven in a wild flower;
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
And eternity in an hour.
William Blake

A traveler without observation is a bird without wings. 
Moslih Eddin Saadi

To see a hillside white with dogwood bloom is to know a particular ecstasy of beauty, but to walk the gray winter woods and find the buds which will resurrect that beauty in another May is to partake of continuity.
Hal Borland

Nature will bear the closest inspection. She invites us to lay our eye level with her smallest leaf, and take an insect view of its plain.
Henry David Thoreau   

Occurring on October 18, the Libra new Moon promises some interesting insights and realizations. The Sabian Symbol is Libra 25: The Sight of an Autumn Leaf Brings to a Pilgrim the Sudden Revelation of the Mystery of Life and Death. This Symbol can indicate an insight into something that can change the course of one's life. The "Autumn Leaf" in this Symbol brings to the "Pilgrim" the "Sudden" understanding of the cycle of life, death and rebirth. The "Mystery of Life" seems to unfold before the "Pilgrim's" inner vision. He can see that the seed has grown into a tree and the tree's leaves have now fallen with the change of the seasons, ready for the new birth in the spring. The "Autumn Leaf" becomes the composted material that nourishes the new seeds and fosters and nourishes new growth. Often we go through our lives without noticing the information that can be gained from looking at small or seemingly insignificant things. The "Revelation" that is experienced can change one's life, if time is taken to stop long enough to really look into it. At this point, you may feel that you've learned much but have grown tired of seeking information for life's meaning through more conventional channels. Look for answers to your problems in simple, everyday moments. They are fleeting, but they are around you. Look for the signs, they can have profound effects. 

Emerging From the Mine to Flying in Formation: October's Aries Full Moon

I met a hundred men going to Delhi and every one is my brother. Indian Saying

There is a destiny that makes us brothers,
No one goes his way alone;
All that we send into the lives of others,
Comes back into our own.
Edwin Markham

In isolation I ruthlessly plow the deep silences, seeking my opportunities like a miner seeking veins of treasures. In what shallow glimmering space shall I find what glimmering glory? Jamaica Kincaid

Underground issues from one relationship or context invariably fuel our fires in another. Harriet Lerner

Don't refuse to go on an occasional wild goose chase. That's what wild geese are made for. Henry S. Haskins

October's full Moon promises to be a very interesting one. Falling on Sunday October 4, this Moon has very interesting mixed messages for our consideration (consider is an interesting word literally "to observe the stars".) The full Moon degree is Aries 12: A Flock of Wild Geese:

Head Honcho or Playing Second Fiddle: September's Virgo New Moon

Everybody can be great... because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The second fiddle. I can get plenty of first violinists, but to find someone who can play the second fiddle with enthusiasm - that’s a problem. And if we have no second fiddle, we have no harmony. Leonard Bernstein

A man who pays respect to the great paves the way for his own greatness. Chinese proverb

It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit. Harry S. Truman

Freedom - to walk free and own no superior. Walt Whitman

Have you felt the tension and the pressure? Many are saying they have felt pushed and rather drained from their responsibilities and the energy has been pretty full on. There's so much to say about this new Moon that it's a bit hard to know where to start...

The Saturn Uranus opposition last year was smack on November 4, the day of the US elections when Barack Obama won. The opposition then was surely about the titanic struggle between the old and the new, the tried and untried and in many people's minds, the good and the bad. Indeed, for many, it felt like the possibility of a new beginning and it certainly felt that way; many felt euphoria and release as Obama won the election and the old guard fell quickly into obscurity. Of course, the old guard is trying to scramble their way back - almost using 'castration techniques' (if you're interested, Google it and read the myth of Saturn castrating Uranus) in an effort to destabilize and undermine the new President, to discredit, defame and generally teabag and deflate. Naturally, as happens, things haven't magically become better and a lot of people have been, and still are, feeling a sense of disillusionment. The birth of the new can be painful and it takes time. Of course, the castration of Uranus lead to the birth of Aphrodite (Venus) and it seems to me that a good, considered dose of Venus is the way to soften the edges of this opposition.

Well, this new Moon is a doozy - exactly conjunct Saturn and opposing Uranus = it is a new Moon largely defined by and constrained by the current Saturn Uranus opposition. The new Moon occurs on September 19 in Australia and September 18 in the United States. The Sabian Symbol is Virgo 26: A Boy With a Censer Serves Near the Priest at the Altar. The 'Boy' doesn’t have the experience or social position of the 'Priest', but that shouldn't put him off his duties or what needs to be done. His position and responsibilities are still important. In a Catholic church service, wine is drunk as a symbol of the blood of Christ. Wafers are placed on the tongues of the believers as the representation of the body of Christ. How the 'Boy' reacts to the ritual or ceremony will depend on his upbringing, beliefs or temperament. He could be rapt with fascination at what is being played out or he could be indifferent, bored and really preferring to go home. It is unclear whether the 'Boy' wants to eventually take the position of the older 'Priest', or colleague, or not. He may grow up to do other things, but right now he's got his position or duty to fulfill. This may be less than he's actually able to do or is truly "qualified" to do. 

This Symbol brings up feelings of being second best, playing second fiddle; feeling like one has no authority. Of course, one can be 'The Priest' - you don't have to be 'The Boy With the Censer', however it is very likely that issues of having a position will come up. Are you fulfilling your duties, your karma, your desires, so completely that you will be able to take your position as the authority in your life? Are you living your life with people that talk down to you, abuse you, don't give you credit, don't listen, don't care and are only there to fulfill their own feelings of aggrandizement and glory? It could be time to stake your claim to those things that will reward you.

I would be remiss if I didn't bring up the Symbol of Virgo 27 as the new Moon falls right on 25Virgo59 = the very last minute of Virgo 26. The Sabian Symbol for Virgo 27 is Aristocratic Elderly Ladies Drinking Afternoon Tea in a Wealthy Home. This definitely has the spirit of feeling 'at home', feeling amongst your peers, taking time out, being able to relax, handing responsibilities on to others. So, this is a fine mix of having to do and finding time to just relax and catch up with others. The pic to the left is my interpretation of this degree ;) (love it!).

The Saturn Uranus opposition is asking for big changes, big let goes and for us to take charge of a sense of personal authority that can (and will) move us into new life, new possibilities, new realities. We must accept the rewards that personal authority can bring, of course, and we may have to stand up and be firm about it. This is made more manifest by Pluto's placement at Capricorn 1: An Indian Chief Claims Power and Recognition From the Assembled Tribe. This clearly speaks about claiming power and recognition from those around you. Still, we often find that others are doing this at our expense. How to rectify this? Check out the parameters of your own influence, your own sphere and stick to those with a sense of authority, grace and strength. Your 'Assembled Tribe' can be the disparate parts of yourself that can contain differing messages; your career self may feel very much in charge while your relationship self is floundering (or vice-versa). You may be quite strong when it comes to issues to do with your family and those close to you, but like a fish out of water in social situations (or vice-versa). This placement of Pluto asks that we line up the various parts of our personalities and get them to work in concert. This is an empowering placement for Pluto, but we sometimes have to face what we fear before the rewards come flooding in.

Mercury is retrograding back into Virgo now. The Sabian Symbol for Mercury on this new Moon is Virgo 30: Having an Urgent Task to Complete, A Man Doesn't Look to Any Distractions. We all feel 'distracted' from time to time, this is quite normal. Distracted is an interesting word; going off the tracks, going off the rails, not being on target. We need one pointedness of application with Mercury here, staying true to yourself and remaining on the path or on the job. Mercury asks that we don't look to things that derail us. There's a reward here as well - Mercury will very soon head back to Virgo 29: A Man Is Gaining Secret Knowledge From an Ancient Scroll He Is Reading.  This is a wonderful degree, particularly for Mercury to be going over. During the coming week, Mercury will retrograde over the degrees that Saturn is currently highlighting: Virgo 25: A Flag at Half-Mast in Front of a Public Building and Virgo 26: A Boy With a Censer Serves Near the Priest at the Altar. It's certainly time to be letting go - big time! Along with letting go is the acceptance of personal authority.

All of the above can relate to your relationships, of course, and the issue of relationships comes up pretty quickly with Venus on Leo 29: A Mermaid Has Climbed to the Rocky Shore of a Bleak Coast; She Awaits the Prince Who Will Bring Her Immortality. This speaks of coming into conscious form, new ways of being, transformation, looking for love and a relationship that confirms rather than denies your sense of integrity. This is particularly interesting because in this last week Saturn has been on Virgo 24: Mary and Her White Lamb. This speaks of dependence and co dependence and asks you to examine the spaces you have between you and others, particularly significant others and close friendships. Allowing that space for everyone to be more authentically who they are meant to be can bring wonderful rewards and realisations.

Push Me Pull You: It's All Happening With the Saturn-Uranus opposition

Life must be lived and curiosity kept alive. One must never, for whatever reason, turn his back on life. Eleanor Roosevelt

Letting go doesn’t mean giving up, but rather accepting that there are things that cannot be. Anon

There are things that we never want to let go of, people we never want to leave behind. But keep in mind that letting go isn’t the end of the world, it’s the beginning of a new life. Anon

Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. Anon

Happening every 45 years or so, the Saturn/Uranus opposition marks a time when we feel we can't live any longer under certain conditions, limitations, systems, relationships, belief systems, jobs, careers, etc, and a part of us comes tearing out. We seek change, reform, relief and the new instead of ploughing on with things that are not working.

Saturn often speaks of the status quo; those things we know to be stable, long lasting, reliable. If not always rewarding, Saturn can bring us familiarity with things we know to be at least predictable. Solid and often quite demanding, Saturn provides us with boundaries, some restrictive, others dependable and life affirming. Uranus, on the other hand, often brings about revolution; it stirs the pot and stretches us to change, it can take things from us without giving us time to reflect, stir up the furies, making us mad, bringing tempers to the boiling point and demanding equality.

This is a simplified estimation of these planetary energies - Saturn can take away things too, just as much or even more so than Uranus. Both have that hard-edged quality that can leave our hearts and minds in tatters... but all the while growing (jeez, these 'learning experiences' - can't we just learn from other people's mistakes)?! Uranus has a particularly 'metal feeling' about it - like a big knife descends and cuts the cords, the tape, the glue or the bindings. The first pass of this opposition occurred on November 4 2008 - the week Barack Obama got elected (btw, the US chart was having a progressed full Moon then on Virgo 4: Black and White Children Playing Happily Together). 

Laying One's Sword to Rest: September's Pisces Full Moon

All those who take the sword will perish by the sword. The Bible

Do you know what astonished me most in the world? The inability of force to create anything. In the long run, the sword is always beaten by the spirit. Napoleon Bonaparte

You mean, you'll put down your rock and I'll put down my sword and we'll try and kill each other like civilized people? The Princess Bride

Never give a sword to a man who can't dance. Confucius

God grant me a good sword and no use for it. Polish proverb

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control. Proverb

September's full Moon, happening on September 4 in the US and September 5 in Australia, is on the Sabian Symbol of Pisces 13: A Sword, Used in Many Battles, Is Now In a Museum. This Symbol points to dropping issues, laying down one's sword, giving up the fighting, opting for more peaceful solutions. The following is my interpretation from my book 360 Degrees of Wisdom: Charting Your Destiny With the Sabian Oracle:

Mercury Retrograde: Watching Your Visions Take Concrete Form

The pure impulse of dynamic creation is formless; and being formless, the creation it gives rise to can assume any and every form. Cabala

The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul. The Bible

Speak of the devil and he appears. Arabic proverb

Plant the seed of desire in your mind and it forms a nucleus with power to attract to itself everything needed for its fulfillment. Robert Collier

When an idea exclusively occupies the mind, it is transformed into an actual physical or mental state.Sivananda

Determine that the thing can and shall be done, and then we shall find the way. Abraham Lincoln

Mercury is heading for it's retrograde period, set to do it's apparent backwards dance from September 7 until September 30, bringing all kinds of issues and events to the surface - things we need to deal with and some things that we'd perhaps rather not have to deal with. This period can be wonderfully reviving, revising, re visioning, revamping, redoing, redirecting and can be a time of adjustments, making life easier, smoother and more efficient AFTER the retrograde period (not during when all hell can, and sometimes does, break loose!). When things go awry, it's usually because they need repairing or re visioning - and Mercury retrograde has well earned the phrase that I sometimes call it 'Mercury Wretchrograde' - a "wretch" (and sometimes a "wrench") it can certainly be. The thing to be mindful of is that Mercury won't clear it's shadow (the degrees that it's already passed over) until around October 15, so this really is a longer period than we might at first think.

It seems to me that the rewards often outweigh the difficulties that this period poses. The rewards are part of the re visioning, rewriting, rewiring even, of our lives, our realities and potentials.

If you're already feeling the effects of Mercury retrograde, it's no surprise as although the actual retrograde period starts on September 7, we're now in the shadow period which started around August 18. This means we're heading over the zodiacal degrees now that Mercury will be soon traversing backwards through the retrograde. Hence, the Symbols that are being highlighted now will be highlighted again in September and then again in October, so it pays to take notice of what's going on now as these things may require revising again in some way.

Now, Mercury goes retrograde on Libra 7: A Woman Feeding Chickens and Protecting Them From the Hawks, a degree that Mercury hangs around for around 4 days - from September 5 until September 9. This degree speaks about nurture, protection and guardianship. It's about being on the lookout for changes in the atmosphere, to be mindful of possible intrusions or intruders - without being worried or imagining things that aren't there, of course. It's a lovely degree unless it gets a little out of hand which can lead to imagining problems when there aren't any and attributing hurt and blame where it is not warranted. Having said that, it still pays to be watchful and certainly nurturing and protective in a way that gives those people, things or situations that you're guarding plenty of room and scope for freedom, expansion and self autonomy.

So, the major thrust of this retrograde Mercury is based around feeding, protecting and being a caretaker. However, Mercury sits for quite some time on Libra 6: A Man Watches His Ideals Taking a Concrete Form Before His Inner Vision. Not only is Mercury transiting this degree for a number of days in September, it comes back for revisioning in mid October. Further, not only is Mercury transiting this degree, but the Sun and Venus pass over it as well. This is a fabulous degree that is very much about conscious manifestation, having one's ideas and ideals taking shape and the need to have positive, empowering and useful stories, images or plans in the forefront of your mind. Negative, dis empowering or harmful thoughts or messages are likely to bring difficult or bad results.

Below is my interpretation of this degree from my book 360 Degrees of Wisdom: Charting Your Destiny With the Sabian Oracle:

This is a good time to visualize your needs, wants, thoughts and feelings. In the situation facing you, what are the 'Ideals' that need to be made real? Something that we're learning in this new and exciting age of human progress is that conscious concrete manifestation is entirely possible, especially when we feel aligned to our core purpose. When you decide what it is that you truly want, allowing the energy of it to be focused through the power of the mind will allow it to manifest. Here, something new is being formed, even if it is only in its preliminary stage or early days. If these 'Ideals' are really meant to be brought into 'Concrete Form', focusing intently on them will bring them into reality. By doing this, you will make it possible for your creative ideas to be projected out into the real world. However, one must be truly thoughtful about what one wants to create. You may find that your hopes and dreams are not only brought into the light of reality, but are truly being put to the test. Be careful what you wish for. The mind is very powerful, and, if your focus is not used correctly, difficult situations can emerge. Concentrate carefully on what it is that you want and 'Watch' what happens. Think positively as this Symbol can create wonderful magic in your life.

Keywords: Vivid confrontations with one's objectives. Creative visualizations. Imagining things. Meditations and affirmations. Ideas crystallized. Putting things out into the universe. Making things happen. Seeing things take shape and form. Clairvoyance. Film making. Writing and getting published. The power of manifestation. Solidification. Builders. Sculptures. Dreams.

The Caution: Being dissatisfied with what was thought to be the true ideal. Feeling that things are "written in stone" and can’t be changed. Calcified situations or emotions. Neurosis. Focusing on the negative thereby bringing the negative.

Another degree that brings to mind very interesting, useful and dynamic realizations and breakthroughs is the Karmic Condition (the degree before) the Watching Your Visions Take Concrete Form degree. It's Libra 5: A Man Teaching the True Inner Knowledge of the New World to His Students. This speaks about guidance and protection, being a guiding light for others, imparting knowledge, wisdom, looking for truth, seeking answers to complicated questions, listening and learning, turning to others to receive guidance, speaking one's truth, instinctual knowledge, pioneers on the path, teachers and students, secrets of the new age, etc.

There's more to say (there always is) - but suffice to say that this Mercury retrograde period is very much about the thoughts, aspirations, dreams, visions, desires, fears, insecurities, etc, that we allow to enter our mind and heart. We need to project a positive image on out onto the world as for certain it's going to reflect right back at us. We all have lessons we need to both learn and to share with others. Now's a great time for rewiring your possibilities, potentials, dreams and realizations!

The Leo New Moon: Many Little Birds Chirping on the Limb of a Large Tree

The higher you go, the wider the spread of the network of communication that will make or break you. It extends not only to more people below, but to new levels above. And it extends all around, to endless other departments and interests interacting with yours. Donald Walton

After all is said and done, more is said than done. American proverb

All of our operators are busy. Your call is important to us and will be answered by the first available operator. The constant recurring message of busyness 

If the first person who answers the phone cannot answer your question it's a bureaucracy. If the first person can answer your question, it's a miracle. Gerald F. Lieberman

The eagle suffers little birds to sing and is not careful what they mean thereby. William Shakespeare

The Leo new Moon occurs on Thursday, August 20 on Leo 28, the Sabian Symbol is Many Little Birds Chirping on the Limb of a Large Tree.  Below is my interpretation from 360 Degrees of Wisdom: Charting Your Destiny With the Sabian Oracle:

Things Lynda Loves

The word 'oracle' comes from the Latin word meaning "to pray". It is also connected to the word for mouth. An oracle is a "divine announcement" and "the medium by which a god reveals hidden knowledge or makes known the divine purpose". Further, it is said to be "an authoritative or wise statement or prediction."

In 1925, an extraordinary thing happened: two people - a clairvoyant medium and an astrologer - received messages from the world of spirit for every degree of the zodiac. These messages were channeled from a brother of the Sabian alchemists, astrologers who lived in Mesopotamia in the first millenium. Now, Lynda Hill brings you the Sabian Oracle in an easy to understand guide. This book is about answering questions, and no matter whether you're a complete novice or a seasoned professional in astrology, you will find amazing insight into your self, your friends and your world.

Great news! The book 360 Degrees of Wisdom: Charting Your Destiny With the Sabian Oracle is available on CD and also as an e-book. All 400 pages of Lynda's interpretations including commentary, oracular meaning, keywords, cautions and over 3,000 quotations. For those of you who already own the book with the cover similar to the one above, please note that this edition is the result of two entire rewrites - you will find Sabian Symbol interpretation far improved!

In a few week's time, I will have the e-book available for downloading from my site. However, if you'd rather have a copy on CD mailed to you, no matter where in the world you live, if you go to my Donate page and pay A$40, which is equivalent to around US$33, you will be posted the CD ASAP. The price includes postage and packing. After you pay through the Donate page, please send an email with your name and address to me at sabiansymbols@gmail.com. The e-book, whether on CD or downloaded from my site, allows you to print out pages, something invaluable for giving to clients or using yourself.

Also available soon will be a video of my lecture that I gave in San Diego last month, an hour and three quarters of my stories, the origins and uses of the Sabian Symbols as an oracle, in astrology and the fabulous story of my links to Elsie Wheeler, the fabulous spiritualist medium that gave birth to the Sabian Symbols. BTW, the Sabian Symbols are having their Uranus return, something I also speak about in the video. Here's a link to a teaser of the video of the lecture in San Diego.

Also, I commend you to check out my good friend Paul Smyth's tribute page at www.paulsmyth.com - in memory of Paul, who did a fabulous design of my book (Penguin were very impressed with the design and layout). Extremely talented, Paul passed away almost four years ago and is greatly missed. If you want to hear some wonderful music, please go to the player on Paul's page and listen to his songs. My favourite is song number 9 - The Ring, a hauntingly beautiful song.

I wish you wonderful days! I'll soon be posting an entry about the upcoming Leo new Moon at Leo 28: Many Little Birds Chirping on the Limb of a Large Tree (sounds very much like the internet, reading my e-book, watching the video, listening to Paul's wonderful music).

Best wishes, Lynda, Avalon, Sydney, Australia

Lynda's Back!: Raptors and San Diego and Revelations of Elsie Wheeler

Greetings from Avalon, Sydney, Australia. Apologies for the lack of newsletters through what was a very special period of eclipses - more on that later.

I've just returned from a five week lecture tour of the US - my 25th - and most definitely my most significant trip to date. I had amazing revelations, amazing experiences, fabulous insights and breakthroughs and spent time with very special people in Arizona, California and Oregon.

There are so many highlights of my trip, it's hard to know where to start. I stayed with Eileen Nauman in Cottonwood, Arizona for the first week. She took me up to Flagstaff to the Arboretum to meet some very special birds and it was as special as Eileen believed it would be. I met Luna (the owl pictured here) and Bella, a Harris Hawk that felt like family to me. Luna is a European Owl and absolutely stunningly beautiful. Her energy is so amazing. We had a lovely connection on two separate visits to Flagstaff. She has an amazing presence and it's hard to take your eyes of hers - they are so big. Owls have exceptional sight and hearing and can turn their head almost completely around (talk about 360 degrees of wisdom!).

Another amazing raptor that I met was Bella the Harris Hawk. What a beautiful and intense friend! She and I were so color coordinated that those watching gasped in unison. Later, I was to realize that 'bella' is a name I've been called many, many times in my life as Lynda is bella in Spanish. Bella's story of her early years so reflected mine that I felt an instant kinship with her... and her Scorpionic look (me being a Scorpio), it felt like a kinship that went way back. A very special meeting for sure. Thanks go to Eileen who was very determined to get me to Flagstaff to visit with these wonderful birds and make a photographic memory of it for me. These moments will stay with me forever.

San Diego was amazing; I visited Balboa Park, the site where Elsie Wheeler and Marc Edmund Jones bought through the Sabian Symbols. I also went twice, once with April Elliott Kent and again with Terry Lamb, to Elsie's grave which was very stirring and it was lovely to see her next to Frank Baxter (some will recall that I almost changed my name to Baxter when I was 9 or 10 as that was my step-father's name - also, Elsie's mother's maiden name was Louisa Hill, and other amazing synchronicities). Terry and I also went to the Fraternal Spiritualist Church for a Sunday service. As the minister was giving me a message about my link to Uluru (Ayer's Rock in Australia) and my spiritual abilities, I was thinking 'Elsie, Elsie' and as soon as she finished, she turned to a young woman sitting to my right and said 'Elsie' - this young woman's name was Elsie. Terry and I got enormous chills! Right next to the spiritualist church was a barber's shop (Frank Baxter was a barber - although this was not his premises, it was a clear message coming through of his and Elsie's presence.)

After the service, Terry took me to an amazing spiritualist medium named Barbara. This reading was totally extraordinary. Barbara knew nothing about me but the messages were very clear; Elsie was speaking through Barbara. Words don't describe how amazing it was and I'm still processing what was said. I'm very glad that I taped it.

We've had 2 eclipses during the time I was away and  these are very meaningful times. I will write more about this soon, but wanted to make contact with you all to let you know that things are really cooking. One message that came through not only in the reading with Barbara but again and again was that I am to take Elsie's work to another level and, when ready, I will take on the work of a spiritualist medium. I had not truly considered doing medium work before this trip but I can now see that my life has been leading up to it. It is so exciting! More later...

Waving to all from Avalon, Sydney, Australia...

Lynda's Lectures in San Diego and Laguna Hills, CA in July

Super Special Event!! - join Lynda for a special weekend topped off with Sunday picnic in Balboa Park and visiting Elsie Wheeler's gravesite.

San Diego Astrological Society presents Lynda Hill 

Lecture - Sabian Symbols Oracle: Degrees of Consciousness - Friday, July 10, 7:30 p.m. Joyce Beers Uptown Community Center, 3900 Vermont Street, San Diego CA 92103 (Hillcrest)
Check out the SDAS website for details of this lecture and the workshop

Our July speaker, for both the Friday night lecture and a Saturday workshop, will be Lynda Hill who is regarded as one of - if not THE - world's leaders in Sabian Symbol research and expertise. You’ll be able to see how astrology AND the Sabian Symbols are one of the best tools for self awareness, insight and discovery.  

Lynda says that she is thrilled to be presenting for the San Diego group in this, her 25th lecture tour of the States. In this lecture, she will explore with us the birth of the Sabian Symbols, the life of Elsie Wheeler and the astounding story of how she came to give birth to the Symbols right here in San Diego’s Balboa Park.

She will talk about how the Symbols give us a brilliant and amazing tool for understanding the degrees of the zodiac, bringing depth, clarity and meaning to life; they bring insight into the hologram we call life. They illuminate the degrees, but can also be used with astounding accuracy as an Oracle. In this lecture, Lynda will show you how to use them as an Oracle. Whatever your level of proficiency in astrology, whether total novice, beginner or seasoned professional, you will learn how to apply this wonderful tool in your life and in the lives of friends and clients. Her writing and presentation styles are captivating!  The cost of the lecture will be $15 for members and $20 for non-members. 

SAN DIEGO WORKSHOP WITH LYNDA HILL

The Sabian Symbols as a Hologram Workshop Saturday, July 11, 9:30-5:00 p.m. Location:  Sleepy Hollow Canyon View Club House:  4201 Sixth Ave., San Diego.

In this workshop, Lynda will teach you how to use the Symbols in astrology charts and how to work with them to reveal so much more about any chart you are working with. The Symbols work in a holographic way and bring all of the 360 degrees to light. You’ll learn how the degrees interact with each other, how to interpret a chart using the Symbols and you’ll learn more about your own chart. Bring your chart along with your progressed chart to get the most out of this workshop. By the end of the day, you’ll know more about yourself, the challenges and gifts in your chart and how to apply the Symbols in your everyday life. Lynda will also use examples of famous people and events to illustrate. 

Workshop Fees and Registration:  Fees are $55 for non-members, $45 for members.  Please make out checks to SDAS and mail to SDAS, 1010 University Ave., PMB 1772, San Diego, 92103-3395. If you get lost call Jim Hennum (619.) 299.4633.

Southern California Astrological Network (SCAN) presents Lynda Hill

Lecture - Sabian Symbols Oracle: Degrees of Consciousness - Wednesday, July 8th, 6.30pm
Polly's Bakery Cafe, 23701 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 - 949-380-8383. Lecture is $8.00 for members and $12.00 for non members.
Check SCAN's website for details.

Special! At both lectures and the workshop, Lynda’s brand new Sabian Oracle program on CD (with 400 jam packed pages and a special Oracle selection feature) will be available for $30. There will also be copies of Lynda’s 1995 handy purse-sized book The Sabian Symbols as an Oracle (these will soon be sold out) - these are $20. Both come with a set of Oracle Cards.

Lynda will also be available for consultations. Email sabiansymbols@gmail.com for details.

Special event! To make the weekend very special, bring lunch and join Lynda for a picnic in San Diego's Balboa Park - birthplace of the Sabian Symbols -  for a talk on Elsie May Wheeler (the spiritualist medium who gave birth to the Symbols), followed by a very special visit to Elsie's gravesite. Email sabiansymbols@gmail.com to register your interest in this wonderful day.

Bio: Lynda Hill, Dip Astro (FAA), has been a professional astrologer for more than 18 years. 2008 marked her 24th lecture tour of the States, in addition to the many lectures she has conducted for astrologers and the public in Australia, England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Russia, South Africa, New Zealand and Canada. Lynda is the astrologer for Take Five Magazine, and writes astrological commentary for publications all over the world. She divides her time between Sydney's beautiful Northern Beaches and the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains when she's not traveling the world delivering lectures.

Flying High or Trying to Escape Reality: The Cancer New Moon

Happy Solstice to all! and may the new Moon bring you all kinds of great possibilities

I'll need a magic carpet to get out of this one! Donald Davis

Imagination is more important than knowledge. Albert Einstein

What if everything is an illusion and nothing exists? In that case, I definitely overpaid for my carpet. Woody Allen

I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor. Henry David Thoreau

Caution: Cape does not enable user to fly. Batman costume warning label

Happening on June 23 in Australia and June 22 in the United States, June's new Moon is the first of two to occur in Cancer. The Sabian Symbol for June's Cancerian new Moon is Cancer 2: A Man on a Magic Carpet Observes Vast Vistas Below. July's Cancerian new Moon, on July 22, is right at the end of Cancer and is a solar eclipse on the Symbol of Cancer 30: A Daughter of the American Revolution. More on that one closer to the time.

Babies in Sunbonnets: June's Sagittarius Full Moon

"I am May.   See May's sunbonnet.  It is my sunbonnet. Do you see May ?   Do you see the Sunbonnet Baby ?"

"I am Molly.  This is my blue dress.  See my pink sunbonnet.   I am a Sunbonnet Baby.  Who are you ?"

The Sunbonnet Babies Primer, written by Eulalie Osgood Grover, published in 1902, was illustrated by Bertha L. Corbett and revolved around the adventures of Molly and May, two little girls whose faces were completely hidden by large sunbonnets.

This month's Sagittarian full Moon is on June 8 in the US and June 9 in Australia. The Sabian Symbol is Sagittarius 18: Tiny Children Playing in Sunbonnets. The children in this image appear to be looked after, protected, sheltered from bad elements and difficulties, whilst being able to play, be creative and live like children are meant to live.

This is a beautiful image, one that should have people feeling safe, secure and looked after, and many will feel this way, but, unfortunately, not all are likely to be feeling that way right now. Still, this image says that we must strive to protect the innocent, the young or the naive, protect and shelter them from harmful or damaging elements that may rob them of their peace and quiet, their ability to be creative and enjoy life.

May's New Moon: Gemini 4: Holly and Mistletoe Bring Christmas Spirit to a Home

Love is like the wild rose-briar;
Friendship like the holly-tree.
The holly is dark when the rose-briar blooms,
But which will bloom most constantly?
Emily Bronte

"Mistletoe," said Luna dreamily, pointing at a large clump of white berries placed almost over Harry's head. He jumped out from under it. "Good thinking," said Luna seriously. "It's often infested with nargles."
J.K. Rowling

Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.
Calvin Coolidge

May's new Moonfalls on Sunday May 24 on Gemini 4: the Sabian Symbol for which is Holly and Mistletoe Bring Christmas Spirit to a Home. It is to be noted that the recent Mercury retrogradeoccurred on Gemini 2: A Nervous Gentleman, Dressed in an Elaborate Santa Claus Costume, is Filling Christmas Stockings Secretly. What's with the Christmas theme? you may ask. Well, it appears to me that we're being asked to invite more and more love, kindness, caring for loved ones and family members and generally more sharing and caring into our lives. Obviously, these values are not just reserved for Christmas, but, hopefully, should be played out on a continual basis.

The Jupiter, Chiron, Neptune Conjunction: Healing and The Stories We Tell Ourselves

Forgiveness is the fragrance the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it. Mark Twain

We should let our godliness exhale like the odor of flowers. We should live for the good of our kind, and strive for the salvation of the world. Alexander Crummell

Big doesn't necessarily mean better. Sunflowers aren't better than violets. Edna Ferber

We're all in this together and everyone is important. Dale O'Brien

Like cures like. Samuel Hahnemann

You already have the precious mixture that will make you well. Use it. Rumi

People have been asking me to comment on the Jupiter Chiron Neptune conjunction. This feels like less of a transit and more of a social movement. These planets together bring quite a story to our collective unconscious and stir us up in one way or another. And rightly so - this IS a big story. The Sabian Symbol for the conjunction is Aquarius 27: An Ancient Pottery Bowl Filled With Fresh Violets. This is a beautiful Symbol, one that evokes purity, softness, kindness, thoughtfulness and provides us with a link to things that feel old, worthwhile, enduring, stable, beautiful, romantic. Chiron, Jupiter and Neptune are all rather 'healing' planets, or at least linked very strongly to spirit and the spirit realms and their healing possibilities.

Mercury Wretchrograde! It Could Be Bah-Humbug, But I Reckon Bring On the Gifts!

I'm walking backwards for Christmas,
Across the Irish Sea,
I'm walking backwards for Christmas,
It's the only thing for me.

I've tried walking sideways,
And walking to the front,
But people just look at me,
And... say it's a publicity stunt.

The Goon Show (Youtube vid)

Mercury, that trickster of planets, that elusive and brilliant mind-playing planet, has just gone retrograde again in an air sign - Gemini. Mercury retrograde periods are times when movement forward is littered with "detour" signs and dead ends. Especially in Gemini, the sign that Mercury rules, we want forward movement, not backwards and not sideways. Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on what's going on in your life and how you view it, the retrograde periods of Mercury push us to revise, redo, reconsider and go back over things from the past rather than instigating new projects, new ideas, new promises. The past often needs re visioning, and Mercury's retrograde period of 21 days every three or so months gives us that opportunity. It went retrograde on May 7 and will turn direct on May 31.

Getting it Right the First Time: May's Scorpio Full Moon and Mercury Retrograde

The best time to hold your tongue is the time you feel you must say something or bust. Josh Billings

Accept your genius and say what you think. Ralph Waldo Emerson

When you talk, you repeat what you already know; when you listen, you often learn something. Jared Sparks

You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be misquoted then used against you. Anonymous

INTERPRETER, N. One who enables two persons of different languages to understand each other by repeating to each other what it would have been to the interpreter's advantage for the other to have said. Ambrose Bierce

May's Scorpio full Moon falls on the evening of May 8 in the United States and around the middle of the day on May 9 in Australia. The Sabian Symbol for this full Moon is very interesting in the light of the fact that Mercury is just now going retrograde, Mercury retrograde bringing snafus and problems and issues to do with communications, messages and the issue of getting things right the first time. The Symbol is Scorpio 19: A Parrot Listening and Then Talking, Repeats a Conversation He Has Overheard. The following are my Keywords and Cautions for this degree:

April's New Moon: A Bridge Being Built Across a Gorge - You Can Get There From Here

Being on the tightrope is living; everything else is waiting. Karl Wallenda

Faith is building on what you know is here, so you can reach what you know is there. Cullen Hightower

People are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges. J.F. Newton

The hardest thing in life to learn is which bridge to cross and which to burn. David Russell.

Voyager, there are no bridges; one builds them as one walks. Gloria Evangelina Anzaldua

April's new Moon falls in the evening of April 24 in the U.S. and midday on April 25 in Australia. The Sabian Symbol for this new Moon is Taurus 6: A Bridge Being Built Across a High Narrow Gorge. This Symbol speaks of finding creative and concrete solutions to situations. There can be dilemmas or separations to face and at times we may indeed feel like a tightrope walker. As always, it probably pays not to look down but to keep your focus on your trip and your destination.

Venus Goes Direct! And Emerges From the Ocean Yet Again

Life is a quarry, out of which we are to mold and chisel and complete a character. Goethe

For a man to achieve all that is demanded of him he must regard himself as greater than he is. You must see your goals clearly and specifically before you can set out for them. Hold them in your mind until they become second nature. Les Brown

We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful what we pretend to be. Kurt Vonnegut

I always wanted to be someone, but I should have been more specific. Lily Tomlin

After some forty days, Venus is now going direct and there's the promise of moving forward after this recent rather long period of retracing our steps in many ways. To recap, I said in my Venus Retrograde newsletter:

Venus is retrograde for 40 days. This reminds me of the "40 days and 40 nights" story from the Bible. Jesus wandered in the wilderness, fasting, after which he is said to have been tempted by Satan. It was the number of days in Noah's flood. For more information click here for a Wikipedia page on the number 40.

The Benefit of Rituals, Performing One's Duties and Going by the Book: April's Libran Full Moon

Any ritual is an opportunity for transformation. Starhawk

Rituals are important. John Lennon

Impart as much as you can of your spiritual being to those who are on the road with you, and accept as something precious what comes back to you from them. Albert Schweitzer

I call that mind free which jealously guards its intellectual rights and powers, which calls no man master, which does not content itself with a passive or hereditary faith, and receives new truth as an angel from heaven. William Ellery Channing

April's Libran full Moon falls on April 9 in the United States and April 10 in Australia. The Sabian Symbol is Libra 20: A Jewish Rabbi in a Tiny Room Full of Manuscripts and Books, Performing His Duty. This is a wonderful degree of connection with ancient sources of truth and understanding. Regardless of one's religious or spiritual affiliations, this degree holds that we are to 'do our duty', and to perform society's rituals in ways that suit your sense of center and spiritual conscience.

March's New Moon: A Man Successfully Expressing Himself in Two Worlds at Once

I've been trying for some time to develop a lifestyle that doesn't require my presence. Gary Trudeau

Each of us lives in two realms, the "within" and the "without".Martin Luther King Jr

I'm happy when I'm juggling, but I feel like I've gone from, like, 3 balls to 10 bowling balls. Kirstie Alley

Our plans miscarry because they have no aim. When you don't know what harbor you're aiming for, no wind is the right wind. Seneca

The new Moon in March falls on March 26 in the United States and March 27 in Australia. The Sabian Symbol for this new Moon is fabulous and rich and contains a lot of promise, diversity and possibilities as it's on Aries 7: A Man Successfully Expressing Himself in Two Worlds at Once.

This new Moon shows the necessity, during these very interesting and testing times, of being adaptable, moving with the times, taking on new information as it arises and being able to focus our energies on the things that are rewarding or necessary, or, perhaps, dealing with the things that just get in the way of what we need to be doing.

A Man Successfully Expressing Himself in Two Worlds at Once shows someone having the ability to be versatile and adaptable. When operating in 'Two Worlds', one's life may seem divided, with divergent responsibilities, needs and urges. But this image implies that this person is 'Successfully Expressing Himself', which shows that this is a time when it is possible, or necessary, to integrate or successful deal with separate or diverse areas of life.

The Value of Love, Compassion, Goals and Teamwork: March's Virgo Full Moon

Individual commitment to a group effort - that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.
Vince Lombardi

One man can be a crucial ingredient on a team, but one cannot make a team.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Life begins when you get out of the grandstand into the game.
P.L. Debevoise

The Full Moon falls on March 10 in the United States and March 11 in Australia. The Sabian Symbol is Virgo 21: A Girl's Basketball Team. This degree talks about people teaming up; banding together and working together for a common goal. There's the give and take and taking turns in playing one's role; sometimes you're on the edges of the court and other times you're the star shooter going for the objective to score. In an organized team with rules to follow, everyone has their place and needs to work together. A disorganized arrangement just won't cut it nor will being all over the place or merely working alone.

Of course, we can work alone, but we need our support systems, our teams, our friends and family, those we can count on. Here "A Girl’s Basketball Team" is pictured. They may be lighthearted about their game, enjoying the fun, the friendship, and the sportsmanship. Whether this is a professional or amateur game, there is a need to cooperate with others and to play by the rules to achieve the "Team’s" goals. Some on the team may take the outcome very seriously, like it's a 'life and death' situation. Playing the game to the best of their ability is necessary, as they will be judged by the others in the team, their coach and those on the sidelines. Popularity is often a factor, with some being star players and trendsetters and others merely making up the numbers, there to close the gaps and pass the ball. We all play our part, that's what being human is about; sharing and caring and having a sense of belonging. 

Retracing Our Steps: Venus Retrograde! The Prescription? Invite the Brownies

Venus favors the bold. Ovid

When archaeologists discover the missing arms of Venus de Milo, they will find she was wearing boxing gloves.  John Barrymore

At worst, a house unkempt cannot be so distressing as a life unlived. Rose Macaulay

Few tasks are more like the torture of Sisyphus than housework, with its endless repetition: the clean becomes soiled; the soiled is made clean, over and over, day after day. Simone de Beauvoir

To the man who himself strives earnestly, God also lends a helping hand. Aeschylus

We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another. Luciano de Crescenzo

For the elemental creatures go about my table to and fro. William Butler Yeats

Happening only every 18 months or so, Venus is going retrograde on March 6, 2009. Venus will station (seemingly stop) at 15 Aries 27 and retrograde (seeming to go backwards) until April 17 when she turns direct on the last degree of Pisces - Pisces 30. This backwards movement of 16 degrees feels extremely meaningful as the myth of Venus has her born out of the sea, which fits the cusp of Pisces and Aries, the place that Venus crosses over in her retrograde journey.

Seeing the Light and Rebuilding Faith: February's Pisces New Moon

When things are at the worst they begin to mend. Proverb

In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present. Francis Bacon

Crosses are ladders that lead to heaven. Proverb.

No pain, no palm; no thorns, no throne, no gall, no glory; no cross, no crown.
William Penn

February's Pisces new Moon occurs on February 25 in Australia and February 24 in the United States. The Sabian Symbol is Pisces 7: Illuminated by a Shaft of Light, a Large Cross Lies on Rocks Surrounded by Sea and Mist. This is an image that inspires feelings of chaos, concern and a sense of misplaced priorities. There is hope, though, and plenty of it; there is 'illumination' from a 'shaft of light'. One needs to focus on the light that can lift one up from the 'rocks surrounded by sea and mist'.

Lunar Eclipse! February's Leo Full Moon: A Messenger Fulfilling Their Mission

When you discover your mission, you will feel its demand. It will fill you with enthusiasm and a burning desire to get to work on it.
W. Clement Stone

Here is the test to find whether your mission on earth is finished. If you're alive, it isn't.
Richard Bach

If you love something, you set it free. With homing pigeons, that is absolutely the seminal step you take. One day, you watch them take off and disappear. Almost all of the time they come back. For a child, that is a pretty magical thing. It makes you a better person.
Jim Jenner

February's full Moon is a lunar eclipse. Falling on February 9, it's influence is likely to be felt for several months to come. This is a very powerful eclipse in that Chiron, the Wounded Healer and the archetype of the stories we tell ourselves, is smack on the Sun on this lunar eclipse, which means that Chiron is exactly opposite the Moon. Neptune, just a few degrees on, is firmly in the mix, as well. The lunar and solar lights, representative of female and male energies, are tuning up for a healing and the messages we tell ourselves and others are the focal point of this eclipse, especiallyas the Sabian Symbol for the eclipse is Leo 22: A Carrier Pigeon Fulfilling its Mission.

Solar Eclipse! The Aquarian New Moon: The Birth of a New Creative Impulse

Man's main task in life is to give birth to himself, to become what he potentially is. Erich Fromm

We are all cells in the same body of humanity. Peace Pilgrim

The creator, Awonawilona, thought himself into being. Zuni Indian Saying

"Exovo omnia." Everything from an egg. William Harvey

Monday's new Moon in Aquarius is an annular solar eclipse. Partial phases of the eclipse are visible primarily from southern Africa, Australia, Southeast Asia and Indonesia. More information click here. A solar eclipse is a concentration of energy and signifies a time of both death and birth - the death of something old and outworn and the birth of something new. It is said about eclipses that the effects last in as many years as the eclipse lasts. This eclipse is 3 hours and 46 minutes, meaning it is laying down seeds that take us past 2012.

This solar eclipse has a very Aquarian energy with Jupiter, Moon, Sun, the Moon's north node, Chiron and Neptune all in that sign. Jupiter's contribution, especially, will magnify it's effects enormously. The Sabian Symbol for this solar eclipse is Aquarius 7: A Child Born Out of an Eggshell. This degree signals the birth of an entirely new, creative and original impulse and it ushers in the urge to individuate and to give birth to our creative and spiritual ideas. It seems that Jupiter has a big hand at our backs; pushing us forward. The Sabian Symbol for Jupiter is Aquarius 5: A Council of Ancestors Has Been Called to Guide a Man.