Solar Eclipse in Taurus: Creating a Stable Foundation

©Cedar Lee

On April 28th 2014 at 10:14 PM (PDT) the moon will become new in Taurus and shortly after it will partially eclipse the Sun. Any event involving the moon can be an emotional time, but a Solar eclipse since it involves a new moon is a time of new beginnings and manifestation. This Solar Eclipse is in Taurus which is the sign that deals with manifestation, which makes this a really important time to decide what it is you want exactly so you can manifest it into being. This is particularly a good time to manifest a stable foundation before taking the next step in whatever it is you desire because Taurus is a sign of stability and security. At this time you may be desiring of financial, home, job or relationship security. Taurus is an earth sign that particularly deals with our physical world, so the security that you may be seeking, may be external. An important thing that we all need to remember though is that all true security comes from within. If we want security and stability on the outside, we have to find it within first. Another thing that is important during this time is to reflect on your values as Taurus also has to do with those. It's a good time to make sure you are living up to your value system and readjusting it if necessary. Mercury is conjunct this eclipse, so communication may be slow or difficult. 

During the Moon's passage between the Sun and the Earth just remember to reflect on what it is you desire. Write down what it is you want and what area/areas of life you would like to have more stability and security. This eclipse is the last event in April's astrological madness. We have all had to release things and sort a lot of things out, but now it''s time to sit back and manifest! 

Taurus: The Bull

© Soa Lee
Yin/Yang- Yin ( Feminine)
Planetary Ruler- Venus
Element- Earth
Modality- Fixed

Today, April 19th 2014 the Sun is moving into Taurus. So Happy Birthday to all you Taureans out there! In honor of the Sun's descent into Taurus I wanted to talk about the traits of Taurus and the personality of someone with their Sun in Taurus.

Taurus is the second sign in the zodiac and therefore it represents the second stage of evolution through the signs.  Aries creates an individual identity which Taurus gives form and structure to. Taurus grounds the individual identity in the physical realm and is focused on sustaining and maintaining  it. The Sun represents how we identify with our identity, because of this , Taurus seeks their identity in the material and physical plane. Taureans are usually  lovely people who are grounded and down to earth. Taurus is ruled by Venus. This makes Taureans quite sensual with an appreciation of physical/material pleasures and they love beauty in all it's forms.  Venus's rulership also usually bestows Taureans with a love for being in a relationship. They can make pretty great partners as they have a reputation for being loyal, steadfast and sensual. Taurus is a fixed sign. This gives Taureans a good amount of determination. They will see things through till the end, though they may do so at a leisurely, steady pace. The fixed part of Taurus can also bring out a Taurean's shadow side though, which is stubbornness and inflexibility. They can be 'bull headed' so to speak, which is a fitting term as Taurus's symbol is the bull. Taurus is an earth sign. This is the aspect that makes Taureans so grounded in the physical plane. This earthy side of Taureans motivates them to create physical manifestations of beauty. This could mean various things, some Taureans are artsy or crafty. Others may create a beautiful relationship and home. Others because of the earth influence may create a beautiful garden. In fact some Taureans have a strong connection to nature and appreciation of the beauty of the natural world. Taureans can also be quite productive and practical, making them great employees to have around at times.

Overall Taurus is such a stable, earthy and lovely sign. Taureans will  stick by the side of the one's they love, making such loyal friends and lovers. Taureans show us the beauty of the physical plane and help us appreciate the splendor of the world we live in.

Cardinal Grand Cross: Being Pulled in all Directions

©favim.com

"Alice came to a fork in the road.

'Which road do I take?' she asked"

-Lewis Carroll

Everyone may have been feeling like Alice lately, while the energy of the Grand Cross has been building up.  You may feel  confused about which way to go and pulled in all directions. The energy of this Cardinal Grand Cross has been increasing for quite awhile now and finally the Cross will be exact on April 22nd and 23rd. A Grand Cross happens when there are two oppositions and four squares linking four planets. Grand Cross energy can be frustrating and stressful. They push us to take action, yet to find balance as well. This Grand Cross is comprised of planets in Cardinal signs, which are concerned with taking action and moving forward. This will further our  feeling that we are being torn in all directions. The key is trying to find balance. 

This Cardinal Grand Cross will force us to focus on four different planets and what they represent. 

1. Mars retrograde in Libra- usually Mars is concerned with action, but since it is retrograde this will force us to reflect on action we would like to take in the near future. Since Mars is in Libra, the actions we are reflecting on taking will most likely be about relationships or ways we can bring more harmony and balance to our lives. 
2. Pluto Retrograde in Capricorn- Pluto will cause us to transform our selves and our lives. Forcing us to tear down behavioral or emotional structures that no longer serve us or any other type of structure not serving us anymore. For some this may literally mean moving. 
3. Uranus in Aries- Uranus will force us to shake up our lives and start new things, like a pioneer exploring uncharted territory. Uranus is the 'wildcard' so to speak in this Cross. It may cause the unexpected to take place.
4. Jupiter in Cancer- Jupiter will push us to grow and expand. We may learn to become more compassionate with this influence and we may grow spiritually or even materially. Also because of the influence of Cancer, we may be forced to grow in our family lives as well. 

These are the main issues we will be pushed to deal with under this Grand Cross. If we break it down a little though, there are some other themes that may come up during this time. First of all let's look at the two oppositions and the zodiac signs that are opposing. 

• Cancer opposing Capricorn- This opposition may cause us to re balance our career( Capricorn)  and our home life (Cancer). Father (Capricorn) and Mother (Cancer) issues may come up as well, which may mean we need to balance our relationships with our  parents. 
• Libra opposing Aries- This opposition may push us to balance our self (Aries) with our relationships (Libra). This was a big theme in the Lunar Eclipse we just had and will be ongoing through this Grand Cross. 

Every Grand Cross is composed of one planet in each element. Therefore in every Grand Cross we are torn between; expressing ourselves and our individuality (fire), our emotional identity (water), our intellectual/mental identity (air) and our physical/ material identity (earth). 

I know this Grand Cross sounds frustrating and confusing. We are being forced and pulled to figure out different areas of our lives and to express different parts of our identity. We may feel like we are Alice at that crossroads, utterly confused about which direction to take, but Alice found her way out of her confusion eventually and so will we. We must focus on balance, because that is the key. We must not let ourselves get pulled in all directions. We must stay centered and from a place of centeredness we will be able to put our lives in the state of balance that they are meant to be in at this time.

Swinging into Balance With the Libra Lunar Eclipse

© Shawna Erback

On April 15th 2014 at 12:42 PM (PST) there will be a Lunar Eclipse in Libra.  The Earth will move between the Sun and the Moon, creating a blood red effect which should be visible here in North America. This will be a marked time for change. Forcing us to acknowledge anything that we have pushed down deep inside, so that we can face it and release it. Pluto will go retrograde an hour before this eclipse, further helping to release repressed energies and feelings.  In this Lunar Eclipse, the Moon in Libra will be opposing the Sun in Aries. The South Node will be conjunct the Sun and the North Node will be conjunct the Moon. The nodes conjunction makes eclipses karmically significant. The karma and energy surrounding this Lunar Eclipse has to do with balancing independence with relationships. 

During this eclipse it is important to review your relationships to see if they are balanced. Do you have enough independence within your relationships? Do you give of yourself enough in relationships? Do you compromise, establish and respect boundaries within your relationships? These are important questions to ask yourself at this time. The South Node is in Aries, because of this, past (or past life) issues could arise. If you were selfish at any point, that could come up forcing you to realize that you need to give more of yourself in your relationships to maintain love and harmony. If you were restricted from being independent in the past , that could come up forcing you to relinquish codependency in return for your individual freedom. The goal for this Lunar Eclipse is to release these issues of independence from the past in order to fulfill your Dharma regarding balanced relationships in this life. This Dharma is represented by the North Node in Libra. The North Node in Libra pushes us to learn how to have balanced, harmonious , and compromising relationships. We must cast away our old selves and our old emotional baggage, so that a 'new' self can emerge. 

This eclipse will affect us all a bit differently depending on which natal house it falls in and whether or not it is conjunct a natal planet. Overall though it will push us all to achieve balance and equity in all our relationships. This will be an intense time, some of us may feel excessively emotional or even  psychically sensitive. Hang in there though, this could be a life changing time. Just be willing to release on this dark night of the eclipse,  and then you will be bestowed with the gifts of freedom and balance.

Pluto Retrograde: Change is Inevitable

©createabellalife.com

"I'm a Phoenix, if I die it's only to be reborn- hopefully better and brighter than before"

-Anonymous

                 

On April 14th 2014 at 11:47 PM (PST) Pluto will turn retrograde in Capricorn until September 23rd. This will be an intense retrograde that may cause us to make big changes in our lives. During this time we will all be forced to delve into the very depths of our souls and examine the structures in our lives. This is a time to detox ourselves and let go of things that are no longer serving our highest good. Retrogrades cause us to turn inwards and examine our insides, because of this it's a time for us to change inwardly. It's time for an internal cleanse so to speak. Think of any mind sets, thinking patterns, emotional patterns or any other structures you have made for yourself and decide whether they are helping or hindering you.  If anything is hindering you, it's time to tear that structure down, so that you may come out of this retrograde a lighter and better person. During this retrograde we will get greater insight into our subconscious mind, making it easier for us to review our behavior patterns.

At the beginning of this retrograde, Pluto will be opposing Jupiter. This will help stimulate growth and force us to eliminate things that are stopping our soul's evolvement. During Pluto's retrograde, it's square with Uranus will be continuing. This will just encourage further  change in our lives, shaking things up so that we can start fresh. At the moment Mars and Saturn are also retrograde. Mars and Pluto retrograde will work together to decide what action to take in the future regarding outside structures in your life. Some people may literally decide to move or change homes. Saturn and Pluto retrograde will work together to eliminate authoritarian, controlling or manipulative people from your life.  Overall these three retrogrades will really push us towards introspection and we may feel more introverted than normal.

Change is in the air. It may be scary at times, but after all change is the only constant thing in life. Overall though,  it's positive and helps us to evolve into the people we are meant to be. This Pluto retrograde will definitely evoke change in our lives pushing us to regenerate ourselves like a phoenix rising from it's ashes.