September's Full Harvest Moon 2012 - 7 Degrees, 22 Seconds Aires

Astrologically speaking, September has been a challenging month for some of us. If you were able to stay on top of the wave and ride the energy, you discovered some fantastic opportunities to accomplish your goals.  September's Full Moon, however, comes with a warning label.  The Full Harvest Moon of the 29th (the closest full moon to the Autumnal Equinox is called the Harvest Moon) is seven degrees, twenty-two seconds in Aires.  Aires, the Greek God of War is represented by the Major Arcana card, #4, The Emperor.  Mars, the Roman God of War is also the ruling planet for Aires. Can’t you just feel that testosterone surge?  Mars happens to be deployed in Scorpio now and is squaring off with Leo. (see blog: “Astrology Watch September 2012 - Shebang!)  As a Scorpio, I'd be better off hiding under my bed during this month's full moon phase.  It's a good thing I've labeled September as “Self-determination Month,” isn’t it? 

The word on the street for our Aires full moon is, ‘revolutionary.’  Astrologers advise approaching the run up dates, of the 27th and 28th, with a clear mind and a steadfast heart.  You will need both to navigate the riptides and shoals of this Harvest Moon.  

Uranus squares Pluto - again.  That’s happening a lot lately and will continue to do so for some time.  We have seven full-on Uranus Pluto squares from June 2012 to 2015. This particular square produces extremely powerful, even incendiary energy in the arena of social change.  We had Uranus Pluto squares during the 1960's.  Under the influence of Aires’ warrior energy,though, the Uranus Pluto square can easily take a fanatical turn, not only in your life, but also in the world around you.  It’s best to avoid conversations where tempers are likely to flair.  Don't talk politics, religion or reality TV shows.  

While the Uranus - Pluto square brings focus and energy to your goals, however under this particular sky, your ambition easily couples with your pride.  You may have no patience with people who see things differently than you , or who question what your saying.  “My way or the highway,” becomes “Get out of my way, you un-evolved, little wretch.” You’re going to damage a lot of friendships with an attitude like that.  Stay focused, positive and proactive.  Power past any distractions caused by other people flailing around in reactionary panic.  There’s tremendous opportunity for transformation right now if you maintain presence of mind.

Avoid personal addictions next week.  They’re a distraction - even the most benign stuff like chocolate, sticky buns or an addiction to exercise.  Surf’s up people.  Waimea has come in and you can either ride the crest of the wave or wipe out.  Your choice.  

Here are the tarot numbers for the dates from September 27th through the 30th, the Major Arcana cards, the lesson card (reduced from the card #) and the Major Arcana card’s ruling sign:

Date         Major Arcana                Lesson Card #s            Ruling Sign         Card Meaning                         

27th:        #14, Temperance              5s, loss and conflict      Sagittarius              Blending, moderation
                              (If you insist on all or nothing, that's usually what you'll get)

28th         #15, The Devil                 6s, communication        Capricorn               Enslavement
                     ( Turn off your smart phone and talk to the people you are actually with)

29th         #7,   The Chariot              7s, victory                      Cancer                  Triumph over adversity
              (It's been tough going today, but you will succeed.  Just don't run over anybody)

30th         #8,    Strength                   8s, movement                Leo                       Compassion, coping
    (The situation is changing.  You have the coping skills to see it through, but remember kindness)


Next month Saturn moves into Scorpio.  I might be posting my blog from under my bed after all.

LADY ORACLE


                 

Astrology Watch - September 2012, Shebang!

The word on the web amongst astrologers this month is, Shebang!  Although opinions vary on whether the cosmic winds blow fair or foul, there's one thing all astrologers agree upon regarding September's astrological forecast.  We've got some power going on out there folks.

The Sun and Mercury are on a road trip through Virgo right now.  Mercury, who also happens to be Virgo's ruling planet, governs the mind and communications, much like the suit of Swords does in Tarot.  What we are currently seeing is Virgo's attention to detail and analytical thinking, supped up by Mercury's intensity.  The Sun and Mercury are conjunct on September 10th, lending us a quickness of mind.  This mental agility comes in handy when dealing with complex endeavors.  Those of us who've planted conceptual seeds and nurtured them carefully throughout the summer saw our first seedlings pop up at the end of August.  We began to act upon our ideas.  Now is the time to take the next step.  Transplant your ideas into a larger pot.  (Okay - totally done with the gardening metaphors now) However, stay practical in your approach. Remember:  Analyze and pay attention to the smallest details.  Let the Virgo/Mercury mix guide you.

On September 6th, Venus enters Leo.  Behold the lioness.  She hunts.  She stalks.  She comes in for the kill.  Feminine energy runs high this month and guess what?  It runs straight into Mars in Scorpio.  Shebang, remember?  This square sets the stage for high drama is relationships, whether personal or professional.  We have particularly quick-minded lionesses circling their kill, not so certain they want to give any portion of it to the lion.  And she's probably singing Aretha Franklin's "Respect" as she hunkers down for her meal. Oh, she's just a tad bit territorial.  Lions, bolstered by Martian influences and being who they are, don't  understand why they are not being given their due.  In turn, lions might wish to retreat into their caves - a desire that should be honored.  Ladies may feel under-appreciated during this square and men may not understand why.  Hopefully you dusted off your copy of "Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus" in June ( see blog Strawberry Moon) as I suggested.  It's still one of the best relationship books out there and very timely this month.

Mercury leaves Virgo on the heels of the New Moon and enters Libra on the 16th.  Libra is about balance and we will begin to see a turn from cool, analytical communications towards a more genial, diplomatic approach.  The Major Arcana card for Libra is # 11, Justice.  In Tarot, Justice is about karma and fairness.  Be sure that what you've put out into the Universe this month has been fair.  Otherwise, you know what we say about karma.

We are continuing to pull power from the Uranus - Pluto square.  Individually, as well as collectively, we can get out in front of this energy and use it to release old concepts and welcome new ideas.  Again, this energy allows us to explore our individuality.  Our biggest advances as a civilization are built on the backs of just this sort of exploration.  Instead of asking 'why' our greatest innovators have always asked, 'why not.'  Step out of the pack.  Sure, it's not as safe.  Self-determination can be a scary thing.  But look at it this way; it's harder to hit a moving target.

We have the Equinox on September 22nd.  Can't you just smell the cider?  And this month's Full Moon is in Aries.  I'll be touching on these events later this month.  In the meantime, my key phrase for the month is 'self-determination.'  You are the sum total of what you choose to put into your life.  No more, no less.  No one has the right to determine your reality but you.  September is your month, the cosmic influences yours to do with as you choose.   You can step out and determine your course, or try to stay put and let yourself be tossed about on the winds of change.  Remember, though, you're not really alone.  We're all out there with you, regardless of where and how we live.  We are all connected and the fate of one has an impact, direct or not, on us all.  We can move forward together.

Below is a list of Tarot cards and corresponding planets and signs.  Consider the lessons in these cards as they appear in your readings this month, or use them as focal points for mediation.  Enjoy!

LADY ORACLE


Uranus   # 0   The Fool     (makes sense in term of Uranus Pluto, doesn't it? A new journey of the soul.)

Pluto     # 22  Judgment    (rebirth. Uh huh, see what I'm saying?)

Venus   #  3  The Empress

Mars     # 16  The Tower

Moon   #   2   The High Priestess

Sun      #  19    The Sun

Virgo   #    9     The Hermit

Libra   #   11    Justice

Aries   #     4    The Emperior

Scorpio  #  13   Death

"A Void Is A Void, of Course of Course" ( Apologies to "Mr. Ed") or "Slipping Into The Moon's, Void of Course"

Our moon completes one revolution around the Earth every

twenty-nine days, twelve hours, forty-three minutes and roughly 11 seconds.  During her monthly journey, our lady also travels through the twelve signs of the Zodiac and graciously presents herself to the planets she meets along the way.  When the moon and planets meet in the same sign, their angular interface is known in astrological terms as an 'aspect.'  The type of aspect they share, like any angle, is measured in degrees and seconds.  Once Lady Moon has met and passed all the planets within a given sign, we say that the moon is 'Void of Course' and that there will be no further influences from her until she enters another sign with new planets. When the moon is Void of Course, or, VoC, there is a brief pause in the breath of the Universe and you should, be all means, honor that pause.

It takes the moon approximately 2 1/2 days to enter and leave a sign in the Zodiac.  Consequentially, VoC periods occur about every 2 1/2 days.  These voids can last a few moments, several hours and occasionally, for the entire 2 1/2 day cycle.  That means we experience roughly twelve to thirteen VoC moons in a month.  We often sleep right through them as they can also occur in the middle of the night.  There is some debate amongst astrologers as to how many planets should be included in the calculation for lunar voids, as well as what particular aspects should be considered.  (See the basic aspect table below)  Some astrologers favour Ptolemy's ancient system, while others wish to include more newly discovered bodies like Pluto and Charron.  I'm not convinced that it really matters.

The truly remarkable thing about a lunar VoC is that the Universe, in its wisdom, has created time and space for inconsequential drifting.  You'll hear the usual warnings about starting new ventures, unexpected results, etc.  Wiccan's and magician's won't normally try spell work during a VoC.   Regardless of all of that, during a VoC you have the Universe's permission...no, assertion that it's right and proper to slow down and simply enjoy the state of being.  You might feel a little aimless, slightly ungrounded as if life has an unreal quality to it.  Not really a surprise.  Reality as we perceive it is, after all,  is merely an illusion.

It's suggested that we use the minutes, hours and days of VoC to connect to ourselves, to promote our spiritual growth.  A hike in the woods, good music, a deck of tarot cards - whatever it is that helps you connect to your higher self.  During  VoC periods meditations can be deeper, more profound.  We have the ability to more easily slip our earthly bonds and do spiritual work in the higher realms.

Western society moves at an abominably fast pace.  As

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society increases its expectation of our productivity and status, we frequently judge ourselves as falling short of arbitrary guidelines as to who we should be.  We become so caught up in achieving, often only for the act of achievement itself, that we lose sight of what we initially wanted to do with our lives.  During the next VoC ask yourself whose guidelines you've chosen to use - your own, or those manufactured for you on glossy, media pages.

On August 15th at 21 minutes past midnight PST, we will experience the Moon's next Void of Course.  It will last until 10:04 a.m.  Here's your opportunity to begin your quest to find your own guidelines about who you are, what you believe matters above all else and what you truly want to create as your spiritual framework.  Just you and your Creator doing some inconsequential drifting.  Turn off the morning rhetoric and instead, start your day with a mediation.  Take a moment before 10:00 a.m. to just sit quietly in this space in time, on this tiny planet and honor the peace of the void.

LADY ORACLE




COMMON ASTROLOGY ASPECTS  (PLANETS AND/OR MOON)

Term                       Degree or Relationship To Each Other              

Conjunction          approximately on the same degree

Semi Sextile           30 degrees

Sextile                    60 degrees

Square                   90 degrees

Trine                    120 degrees

Opposition           180 degrees

August Astrology Watch - 2012

We've bid farewell to August's full moon in Aquarius, and though our Lady Moon wanes, we still have lots of energetic pizzaz from the other cosmic events this month.  Mercury leaves retrograde and turns direct on August 8th.  Keep in mind that you can still suffer a 'hangover' effect from retrograde such as a few missed communications and a more sluggish mental attitude for the three or four days prior to Mercury's turn, or for the three or four days afterward.  Generally, it's nothing a couple of quiet evenings with a good book and your favorite music can't fix.  As always, meditate to ground yourself.  Concentrate on tarot's Four of Wands.  Four is a firm foundation, numerically and the card denotes celebration and freedom - sort of joyously taking your show on the road.

As you will recall ( you will if you read my retrograde blogs) once Mercury turns direct, it's time to start implementing the changes and new ideas you've been pondering and revising since July.  July's Uranus and Pluto square gave us the opportunity for unparalleled growth, both in our personal lives and on a planetary scale.  During retrograde we had the space and time to revise, redesign and recommit to our new goals and ideas.  The energy from Jupiter's transit, coupled with Leo's love of self-expression, adds a massive boost to our confidence and ability to dream big right now.  You could easily find yourself believing that sorting wildcats is a valid career choice.  And it might be.  Just consider that any career opportunities or life changes you make still need careful thought and preparation.  They also need to be grounded in reality.  Again, and I can't say this enough, get your homework done before the 8th because we're looking at a great breakthrough opportunity after retrograde and your goals can take a tremendous leap forward.

On August 9th, Venus trines Neptune ( this means that their aspect is at 120 degrees - very favorable) and love is in the air.  Where love definitely feels a little magical, there are also some practical considerations going on.  Contemplate the tarot card the Two of Cups.  A man and a woman hold their loving cups, however the only thing they have to offer each other is the actual contents of their respective vessels.  Each person must decide for themselves if the contents of their partner's cup is really what they truly want from a relationship.

Mars flexes his muscles a little on August 11th as a precursor to his move into Scorpio on the 23rd.  Wives and mothers may find themselves battling 'Mama Bear' syndrome on the days leading up to the 23rd - their protective and territorial instincts coming to the forefront.  In the work place, ladies will take a more assertive, possibly even aggressive stance defending their ideas.  If it gets too intense and you're in danger of over-playing your hand, focus on Major Arcana's # 8, Strength.  Remember, power flows through natural channels. Never over-power by forcing energy where it shouldn't go.  Keep your vibration level high.  By the 23rd, however, Mars is firmly at home in Scorpio and all of us can take advantage of its particularly intense focusing energy to create dramatic effects in our lives.  Harness your passions, use Mar's fuel to focus your energy, take aim and achieve.

Other reminders for this month:  Don't forget to take the opportunity to enjoy the Perseid Meteor Shower on August 12th.  I'll post more on that later this week.  There's nothing like watching cosmic fireworks to put life in perspective.  Last, and most excitingly, we have a Blue Moon coming to us on the 31st.

Have a terrific August!

LADY ORACLE

July's Buck Moon or "Sky Rockets In Flight"

Not all the pyrotechnics will be on July 4th this year.  July 2012 promises to be loaded with challenges and equally dramatic rewards.   July 3rd offers us the full moon commonly referred to as the Buck Moon, or Thunder Moon.  Traditionally, horns begin to show on young male deer at this time of year; hence Buck Moon, while the alternate name, Thunder Moon, refers to the frequency of summer thunder storms.  Another popular name for our July lady of the night is, Hay Moon, referring to the first hay crop of the season.

Astrologically, the Venus Transit ended on June 27th and now it's time to implement the ideas you've carefully pondered through the transit period.  July 3rd's full moon is in the first 12 degrees of Capricorn.  Mars has left Virgo and is now keeping company with Libra.  There can be issues of sensitivity, even volatility if you have personal planets within the early degrees of Libra.  However, the aggressive quality of Mars works well with a Capricorn moon.  A Capricorn moon calls out to you to take action and create
positive changes in yourself and in the world around you. Do you have a goal?  Reach for it.  Use good communication skills to express a positive, new idea at work.  Avoid finger pointing.  Family and personal relationships can still be a little awkward right now, so concentrate on changing and developing yourself.  Come from a point of what you do want to create in your life, not from a point of what you don't want to create.  This is a powerful moon.

We are in a three year period of phenomenal growth and change due to the square of Uranus and Pluto.  You can utilize the square's power to fuel your personal development - spiritually as well as materially.  If you believe that all your efforts to make strategic gains so far have either run into massive hurdles or impenetrable walls, now is your time to rise and shine.  You are capable and you are coming into your own.

To be clear, astrologers aren't simply referring to personal growth when they talk about the power held by the Uranus and Pluto square.  They are talking about societal, even planetary growth.  The rigidity and stagnation we've been collectively experiencing is dropping farther away from us every day.  However, just as surely as we can take steps forward, we can just as easily take them backward.  It comes down to personal responsibility within our collective fate.

Living consciously means that you take responsibility for your decisions, your beliefs and the road you've chosen to travel.  It's a tall order, but frankly, I can't think of anything more challenging or rewarding.  There are no ordinary moments.  You are here, so be present, be engaged, be the moment.  If you have personal history that holds you back, meditate and release it as the moon moves into it's waning cycle.  Don't really meditate?  Then it's time to learn.

In terms of the tarot, look for the suit of Wands in your tarot spreads.  Wand energy (element of fire, creativity and action - do, don't observe) should be embraced right now, but be clear and focused on the positive.  The Page of Wands heralds a new endeavor, while the Knight of Wands carries terrific energy for your new project.   The Fool may appear, but remember, he is divinely protected as he begins his journey.  Be responsible in your decisions, but stretch the borders of your reality.

Lest I sound as if the Aquarian Age has miraculously arrived, remember that July's Buck Moon will carry a lot of energy and not all of it, stable.  It is imperative that you control your emotions and not let them control you.  Also, July 14th is not just Bastille Day this year.  It begins the next Mercury Retrograde ( see blog post on Mercury Retrograde)  period which will last until August 8th.  So get your sage ready.

As always, if you have questions or comments, leave them here or email me directly: ladyoracle56@yahoo.com


LADY ORACLE