New Moon in Capricorn: Feeling Stuck in a Rut

Today ( December 28th 2016 at 10:23 PM PST) there is a New Moon in Capricorn. Usually this would be a time of new beginnings, getting down to business and getting practical about what we'd like to manifest. This New Moon however we won't really be getting much work done because it's joining up with Mercury Retrograde. 

The New Moon is conjunct Mercury Retrograde within one degree, so the Retrograde energy is just so strong right now. It's really stopping any forward motion. We are all being forced  to retreat inwards. Capricorns and the other cardinal signs will probably find this the most frustrating, especially since cardinal energy loves to plunge ahead. People may be feeling as though they've hit a rut. Of course we can always think about what we'd like to manifest, but it isn't time to put it into motion. On January 8th Mercury goes direct and things will start to move forward, but we won't get out of the shadow of Mercury Retrograde till the end of January. It may be the beginning of a new year, but it's gonna take a month to feel like we're moving forward again. 

As far as the Moon in Capricorn goes, it's not my favorite placement. The Moon is in it's detriment in Capricorn. It's a bit of a cold placement. We're being forced to review and turn inwards right now, but the energy supporting this is emotionally cold and very practical. Those who are sensitive may find this energy unsupportive and harsh as they turn inwards. 

Another aspect made to the New Moon is an exact sextile to Mars. The appearance of Mars seems like it would infuse us with energy, but it's probably a bit more frustrating than anything else. Mars is in Pisces ( not a high energy sign) and may leave us feeling more energetically sensitive and fatigued. There may also be some fogginess since Mars is conjunct both Neptune and the South Node in Pisces. 

Stepping away from the New Moon for a second, let's talk about some of the energy that is going on around it. We have the Jupiter Uranus opposition, which is exact right now. This has been affecting us for awhile. This is urging us to find the balance between compromise in relationships and independence. Venus is also making aspects to these planets, just further emphasizing the effect on relationships. Growth and change are inevitable with these planets. It's an interesting time because Jupiter, Saturn, Chiron and Uranus are all around 20 degrees right now. These outer planets are very activated at the moment. 

Let's talk about Saturn and Chiron now. They are making a bit of a harsh aspect to each other. Although, Saturn is making a nice aspect to Uranus and Jupiter, which may be a nice grounding influence. It also is just adding another area of our lives to find balance with. Uranus is bringing up the desire to focus on ourselves and our independence, Jupiter, the desire to compromise and have harmonious relationships, and Saturn is showing us our responsibilities. Saturn and Chiron however are bringing up wounds. Yikes! This is a harsh combo. There may be a crisis in belief and feeling separated from source. People may feel lonely, victimized and even a bit depressed with this energy.

So how does the Mercury Retrograde energy tie into everything going on with outer planets? Well with Mercury Retrograde we are being forced inwards and also being forced to look at our pasts. So we are reflecting on the balance of relationships, past relationship issues are coming up, and old wounds are coming up for processing. It's a bit of a hectic time. It's an interesting ride we're in for at the moment, but a ride into the depths of ourselves, which may be a bit frightening. Hopefully we come out of this energy with a lightened load though. We must process through the old energy, so in the new year we can really start fresh. By the next New Moon, we should finally be ready for some wonderful new beginnings. 

Mercury Retrograde: Time for Patience and Turning Inwards

Today (December 19th 2016) Mercury has turned retrograde. It will be retrograde till January 8th mostly in the sign of Capricorn and then ending in the sign of Sagittarius. 

A retrograde = A planet's orbit slowing down and the appearance of the planet going backwards.

Basically a retrograde is a slowing down of energy and a turning inwards. During a Mercury retrograde communication can be slow and there can be communication mix ups, confusion and misinterpretation. Technology/appliances etc. can go on the fritz and travel plans can go awry. 

The key with all this is patience. Mercury retrograde affects us so much in the modern world because we have forgotten patience to an extent with all our fast paced technology. If you slow down, have patience and roll with the punches, all these things shouldn't be too frustrating. Also, remember it's not a time to start new things. If you start something new the dynamic of it could change when Mercury goes direct.

Instead of starting new things, Mercury retrograde is good for anything that starts with re. Reviewing, reevaluating, reflecting, redoing etc. are the things you want to focus on. This energy can be helpful in many circumstances. This Mercury retrograde happens to fall at the end of the year, which may be helpful because we can process everything that has happened and think about how to preceed forward when Mercury goes direct. 

Mercury turns mental energy inwards, so this can really help illuminate things hidden in the depths of our psyche. Make sure you rest and recuperate, so you have the time and space to turn your thinking inwards. This is a good time to rest and review after the last three months of crazy super moons. This is a time for self care and more alone time. 

Mercury retrograde brings up the past as well. This energy resonates with the energy of the holidays. People from your past may be showing up and you may be thinking about past memories etc. 

This Mercury retrograde mostly takes us back through the sign of Capricorn. This is a very practical sign and energy. This may help us review things in a practical manner and in a businesslike approach. This is good because perhaps the retrograde won't be as emotional as it would be otherwise. Mercury retrograde starts out conjunct Pluto. This sounds intense and power struggles may come up at first. The good news is that as the retrograde goes along, Mercury will be moving away from Pluto. So we will move away from these power struggles and come back to them when Mercury is going direct. So perhaps during our reviewing, we will become better equipped to deal with power struggles etc. 

Lastly, Mercury ends it's retrograde in Sagittarius. At the very end of the retrograde, we will have to face up to our inner truths, which may be highlighted and illuminated. We might be reminded to deal with beliefs and thinking patterns that no longer serve us, which was something brought up during the Full Moon in Gemini. 

~Yes Mercury retrograde can be frustrating. There are many positive and beneficial things brought about by Mercury retrograde though. If you have patience and really take the time to turn inwards and review, this shouldn't be too tough of a time. ~

Full Moon in Gemini: Time to Release Old Thinking and Belief Patterns

On Tuesday ( December 13th 2016 at 4:05 PM PST) we are having a Full Moon in Gemini, which will be the last super moon in a series of 3! Since October, I'm sure a lot of you have felt the intense energy of the Full Moons and now that energy is about to hit it's last point. We've had a period of releasing right before the new year, so we can go into it ready for a fresh start. 

Mercury Retrograde is right around the corner (starting on December 19th, look out for a post about that!) so this week before the retrograde and during the retrograde, we are taking a look at the past and issues we've been carrying around, so that we can finally release them. 

With the Moon in Gemini and the Sun in Sagittarius, the 'axis of the mind' is being highlighted. That means that the main things we have to let go of during this Full Moon are our old beliefs, thinking and thought patterns that aren't serving us anymore. No more stinkin' thinkin'!

There are a lot of aspects surrounding the Full Moon as well, which I will now discuss. 

Saturn conjunct the Sun and opposing the Moon

With the Moon across from Saturn, I would say beware of sinking into a bit of depression during this Full Moon. Saturn is working in a more beneficial way with the Sun though, so perhaps depressing feelings won't be too big of an issue. Full Moons are known to be emotional times though. With Saturn touching the Sun it should help us restructure our thoughts and beliefs and help us deal with things a bit more practically. 

Mars trine the Moon and sextile the Sun

These are nice aspects involving Mars. This brings some action oriented energy. Especially with the energy of Saturn there is an air of getting things done. This is truly the week to get things done before the holidays as Mercury retrograde starting next week could slow things down. Mars is of course influencing us to take action with releasing our worn out thought patterns as well of course. 

Uranus trine the Sun and sextile the Moon

These are some nice aspects that bring the energy of change. I'd say mostly good change though, so don't freak out. Something nice and unexpected could come out of the blue as well. Uranus being in Aries is also pushing us to release beliefs and thought patterns holding us back from being our unique, quirky and independent selves.

Jupiter trine the Moon and sextile the Sun

Yet another good aspect! Jupiter is inspiring positive growth and has been making a lot of aspects lately as well. With Jupiter's year long transit through Libra, relationships have been highlighted. This is the one aspect of the Full Moon that specifically could have to do with relationships because of this. Letting go of beliefs and thinking that no longer serve us could help us have more harmonious and compromising relationships at this time.

Chiron square the Sun and Moon

This is the hardest aspect of the Full Moon. Chiron has been coming up a lot lately, which is why I wrote a post about it recently, which you can checkout here. We are being majorly encouraged lately to let go of our wounds. Especially how they are affecting our thinking and beliefs about ourselves and life in general. With Chiron's transit in Pisces, the best way to heal any wounds would be to connect spiritually. Positive affirmations may be an extremely powerful way to change our old thought patterns as well during this time. 

~ Overall this is a powerful Full Moon! Remember to do your best to release those icky thought patterns that have been keeping you stuck. It's time to make way for more positive thinking in 2017!~

Chiron's Transit Through Pisces: You Are a Child of the Universe

As we have just emerged from a Chiron retrograde on Dec 1st (2016), I thought it was a good time to discuss Chiron's current transit through Pisces. Chiron has been transiting through Pisces since April 2010 and it will end in April 2018. 

Chiron is an asteroid that has a pretty big impact in Astrology compared to the other asteroids. Some Astrologers these days love to incorporate Chiron, where as others aren't quite as onboard with it yet. I fall into the first category and think that Chiron is a very interesting influence and that it can be beneficial to have an awareness of. Chiron is the 'wounded healer' in Astrology and signifies wounds we have and it pushes us to heal them, and once we have healed our own wounds we can then even help heal others if we so choose. 

Chiron's transits impact everybody and we've all been dealing with Chiron in Pisces in different ways. Of course during specific transits to your own natal planets you may feel more of an impact from this energy than at other times. This energy is one we've already been dealing with for a few years and we don't have too long before we complete this transit, so it's an energy we are probably quite familiar with at this point. It's also interesting to note as you keep reading about this transit, that the last time Chiron transited through Pisces was in the 1960's. 

The Wound 

Chiron in Pisces has to do with feeling disconnected from or a loss of union with the divine/source/the universe. There may be a loss of faith or trust and this is where the collective wound we are dealing with is stemming from. Besides a loss of faith or trust, some may feel a deep seated sense of loneliness and disconnection from all that is, whether they are aware of this or not is another matter.

Problems Arising From the Wound

When people are dealing with this wound and not healing it there may be a lot of escapism. Especially through substances in an effort to try to feel what they are lacking or to fill the emptiness that may be felt within.  People could shut down their connection to the divine/source/the universe or 'God'. There could be a greater rise of atheism and avoiding spiritual questions. On the flip side people could buy into deceptive religions or beliefs. There may be a lot of confusion and victim consciousness. It's interesting to note that this transit is happening at the end of The Age of Pisces. It's like we have to deal with healing all of The Age of Pisces type wounds before we are able to move on into new energies. 

The Healing

To heal this wound it's important to feel connected to the divine/source/universe. To feel connected to all that is. To feel connected to your soul. Realizing that in truth you are divine and part of all that is can be healing. Realizing that we are all part of collective energy and that there is no separation from all love and life and that we are all innately part of this grand puzzle of life can be so deeply healing. Trusting in the omnipresence of love is healing. Basically getting in touch through some sort of spirituality, meditation, or deep contemplation of life can be helpful in healing this wound. 

When You are Healed 

When this wound is healed there is an ability to have real trust and faith in the universe and all that is. An ability to see that everything is part of a divine plan of sorts. A feeling of oneness, wholeness and completeness. And best of all seeing the presence of love everywhere.