Category Archives: new moon

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new moon in gemini—givin’ that side-eye shade—june 16th

Mikalojus_Konstantinas_Ciurlionis_-_FORTRESS_-_1904_-_5_VarsuvaToday is the New Moon in Gemini at 25°. Mars is conjunct the luminary duo; Jupiter and Uranus move to exact their trine; Saturn sits at 29°.

It all goes down a couple of hours from now. Waning turns to waxing. We begin anew.

Yes, lovely, BUT has anyone but me noticed how stingy some have been the month of Gemini?

Not about money—I’m specifically talking about the doling out of human interaction. I have noticed example upon example of people who simply can’t be bothered to even acknowledge others, much less engage in a caring manner. Not aggressive mean, just choosing to turn a blind eye and simply ignore.

Just miserly and vacant. Social snubs of the highest order.

All over the place—for weeks now!

This is out of the ordinary behavior and I can pinpoint only that it coincides with the Sun being in the third sign. Do the Twins have a reputation for snobbishness that I have overlooked?

So, what’s the deal?

I realize the Twins is not the usual sign one goes to for depth of emotion and nurture, but come on!  The Twins don’t ignore the world! To the contrary, they are ravenously curious and can’t help but run those mouths about what they see and experience!

Why has it been so silent on so many fronts, then? Direct questions meeting crickets!

Is it due the fact every Gemini planet has had to oppose Sagittarius Saturn? But that doesn’t last the whole month! Is it because Mars is in the mix? No, again that speaks to engagement. The recent Mercury retrograde?  That doesn’t mean silence—quite the opposite.

Why the collective freeze out? Why, when a simple “hey, I see you,” would suffice?

So, this New Moon, I pose the questions: Where are you a stingy miser? Where, when and what do you ignore like a pouting child? Who do you punish with silence? Why? What are the repercussions? Who really suffers and what is really lost? Who has frozen you out?

Lona

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tarot tales: the Empress

This past New Moon in Taurus, I drew the Empress for the the next installment to Tarot Tales.

Precisely fitting!!

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The Empress III

  • Major Arcana—Earth Mother; the anima; Demeter; the Corn Woman
  • astrology: Venus, Taurus & Libra
  • numerology: three
  • basic themes: femininity, abundance, fertility, healing, feeling, love, productivity, generative forces, protectiveness

 

 

The last years of my twenties were spent living in a three storey communal punk house.  Man, that sounds so nice. But it was a nightmare! (You already guessed that, right?)

I won’t go into how it was awful—I’ll save that for other cards. No, I want to concentrate on something that was magnificent! This is about the Empress afterall, yes?

When I moved in, the tiny backyard was overrun with hip deep weeds. Where the weeds weren’t growing—tenants past had changed their car’s oil straight onto the ground! There were 4 feet wide hardened/slimy oil slicks in at least three different areas. There was trash everywhere.

It was a mess!

Blah.

Didn’t matter, though! I wanted a garden soooo bad and I was gonna have a garden. All my housemates were busy with other things, so my partner and I spent the Summer clearing out all the huge scrap metal and weeds and debris.  We put in a fire pit and compost bins. I fashioned flower pots from abandoned tires and made trellises from old bed frames.

I made it lovely.

Then the next Spring, I started seedlings and while they grew, we gathered up scrap wood and made raised beds. We kept and sold aluminum cans for money to get good quality soil. It took a year of planning and working but we got it done.

I was so proud. This was my first attempt at growing things on this scale, where I was ultimately responsible. I was worried I would be crap at it, but nope—it was awesome!

The whole process was beautiful. I would water my thriving garden every other day, if it hadn’t rained—a quietly potent meditation. The house’s compost went back into the veggies I grew for us all to eat. Even the ground somewhat healed from the abuse it had suffered beforehand. I showed neighborhood kids where food came from and they ate their fill on snowpeas and cherry tomatoes right off the vine.

We ate okra and squash and radishes and all sorts of yummy veggies. We had fresh herbs and flowers. We even had a watermelon one year—no small feat for Minnesota!! The butterflies and bees danced among the morning glory blooms and the squirrels stole my tomatoes!! When the harvest was in in late Summer/Fall, I made pickle relish, canned tomatoes and peppers, dried herbs, saved seeds for the following year and on and on.

I had myself a phenomenal garden for four great years!!

From trash to treasure. The bounty was endless.

In the decade since, my need to nurture and grow things has taken other forms, but that garden will forever be a source of joy and pride!!!

Lona

 

transits

  • Jupiter crossed AC; conjuncting natal Pluto, Uranus, North Node, Neptune, IC
  • Neptune opposite natal Moon
  • first Saturn return
  • Saturn transit 11H into 12H
  • Saturn conjunct natal Moon, Sun, Venus
  • Chiron opposite natal Saturn
  • Uranus opposite natal Venus

progressions

  • progressed Moon from Leo to Scorpio
  • Sun moved from Virgo to Libra
  • progressed AC conjunct North Node
  • packed 12H—Pluto, Mars, Venus, Moon, North Node, Uranus

 

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just enough is plenty—taurus new moon—may 18th

This evening, shortly after midnight, the Sun and Moon conjunct at almost 27° Taurus.

the-fruit-bearers-Taurus is Fixed Earth.

Solid and true. Stubborn and predictable. Abundant, sometimes greedy.

The two Luminaries make no major aspects with another planet, thus standing alone in their union—completely appropriate.

But hours before they exact, Luna trines Capricorn Pluto Rx and squares Leo Jupiter—bringing more Earth and more Fixed energy into the equation. (Jupiter and Pluto are currently quincunxing, preparing to exact on the 21st—more on that later.)

On her own, Taurus cares deeply about stability, longevity and bounty. But with the above celestial additions, issues of trust and security become paramount in tonight’s event. There will be a near obsessive questioning of how much is enough?

And do I have it?

Love. Health. Friends. Joy. Money. Food. Laughter.

Yes, the area this Lunation occurs in your natal is probably keeping you awake at night of late—nevermind if you have planets or points at the exact degree.

Scary business when fundamental surety is lacking.

We all know life is never a sure thing, but it still worries us from time to time—and some more than others and in very different ways and at different times!!!

Ok, so how to calm these fears using tonight’s Taurean energy? Well, it is quite simple, really—ritual and routine.

Start one!

The more personal and innocent the better—make it your own inside joke with the universe! A mini-prayer and promise that things are gonna be OK.

The Bull is slow and steadfast—the simple act of lighting a candle or brewing a cup of tea (or whatever!!) when certain fears surface, then doing it over and over, day after day, will pacify the demons and ground the spirit.

Will it fix the problem—uhmm, NO!! But it will center your resolve to carry on and carrying on is the Bull’s bread and butter!

Happy New Moon, ya’ll!

Lona

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for the weekend—roadblocks and resources—may 15th – 17th

Today, Gemini Mars opposes Sagittarius Saturn Rx—the atmosphere will be intellectually nervous with obstacle after obstacle popping up to stand in our way.

None of our attempts at action will go according to plan—best rethink the master scheme a bit or simply wait for better days.

Good thing it’s Friday, huh?  (Unless, of course, if it’s not your Friday.)

While Mars and Saturn go at it, the waning Aries Moon gets bolstered from a sextile with flighty Mercury and a trine from enthusiastic Jupiter but later she is slammed with a square from intense Pluto and a conjunction to erratic Uranus.

The day will feel like a nip of gin—burns but somehow warms, upturns but somehow steadies, calms but somehow excites—ALL AT ONCE!!!

Tomorrow is much better, for Cancer Venus trines Pisces Neptune—a lovely Water balm to ease frustration!

Although we will still be contending with the thwarted effects of the day before, it won’t matter that much since the vibe will seem so smoothly EMOTIONALLY transcendent.

And Sunday sees Luna in Taurus trudging along her way to the New Moon shortly after midnight Monday.

She sextiles both Neptune and Chiron and squares Jupiter—bringing a healing/spiritual dynamic to the Lunation as well as, unfortunately, a feeling of enough is NEVER enough.

I will dig deeper into that in an upcoming post.

Alright.

Lona

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new optimism, new courage, new direction—aries new moon—april 18th

This afternoon the Aries Moon moves into conjunction with the Aries Sun at 28°.

the-valkyrie-largeWe get an opportunity to utilize the irrepressible pioneering spirit of the Ram with this Lunation.

Depending on the house this occurs in your chart, you are likely to want to strike out independently and with full force. Or maybe you’ve been holding back—a little too insecure about things you know need to push in a more exciting direction. Or maybe just a wee little tweak!

New Moons are about taking baby steps toward a different and hopefully improved situation.

Aries embodies the spirit of courage and risk. We’ve all got the Ram somewhere in our lives and the poor guy may never get the chance to shine—well, that changes, NOW.

Below’s a quick list of how it all might go down.

If 28° Aries is in your:

1st House—that daring dress for that thing you’ve got this weekend—yep, it’s time

2nd House—call your financial advisor (or finally get one!) and move forward on those scary investments

3rd House—finally tell that someone the god’s honest truth—good or bad, the time has come

4th House—quit hemming and hawing and bid on that cute house in that cute neighborhood

5th House—those fun sexy-time games you’ve been fantasizing about with your new boyfriend—yep!!

6th House—that brilliant idea you’ve been mulling over to streamline something at work—tell your boss!

7th House—should you stay or should you go?—courage, brave heart!

8th House—meet your current life crisis (you already know which one I’m talkin’ about) head-on—no hiding, no secrets—channel the Ram

9th House—book that flight to that once-in-a-lifetime, far-away place—fun!!

10th House—can you say”pioneering business entrepeneur”?

11th House—join your community softball league—in shape or not!

12th House—plan the first annual charity event for the social issue (quite possibly controversial) nearest to your heart

Alright. I think you guys get the idea?

Let fear be your guide. Yes, fear—no fear, no brave!

Where do you need to place your bets and never look back?

Lona

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weekend augury—giving or getting?—april 17th – 19th

Alright.

crane-walter-the-horses-of-neptune.-mythological-fine-art-print-poster.-sizes-a4-a3-a2-a1-00237-9904-pLate last night, Capricorn Pluto began retrograde motion at 15°, while today sees a fixed square between Taurus Mars and Leo Jupiter.

If things have been going to your liking as of late, all this is gonna solidify the will to keep on keepin’ on. But if you’ve been frustrated with your daily energy levels and general productivity, suffering one roadblock after another—this is gonna make you want to beat your head against the pavement.

The waning Moon is currently moving through the initial degrees of Cardinal Aries soon to conjunct Uranus and square Pluto—further intensifying the above.

If it’s good, it’s gonna be real good. Hell, yeah!!!   If it’s bad—I am truly sorry.

But hold tight—there’s hope!

Saturday, at around 3PM EST, Luna will meet up with Sol for the Aries New Moon at 28°. I’ll dig deeper into this in a later post.

Let’s just say, if you are in the kickin’ ass group, this Fire lunation will continue to fuel the way. But if you are on the ass kicked end—a blessed new beginning is certainly possible.

Regardless, on Sunday, as the Moon slips into her Taurus comfort zone, Gemini Venus squares, and Taurus Mercury sextiles, Pisces Neptune.

I always like to see the God of the Illusion engaged on a Sunday. No matter what your work schedule looks like, I find Sunday’s to be the one day EVERYONE can use a break and dear Neptune certainly can deliver.

There will be a lazy haze shrouding the day.

Like a cool breeze (Gemini) drifting (Mutable) across a tranquil lake (Pisces) intent on whispering (Mercury) sweet nothings (Neptune) lovingly (Venus) to the statuesque pines (Taurus) ashore.

Lona

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nobody said it was gonna be easy—march 21st thru 24th

Mikalojus_Konstantinas_Ciurlionis_-_CREATION_OF_THE_WORLD_IX_-_1905_-_6_VarsuvaWell, straight off the heals of yesterday’s glide into Spring, today we are faced with a bit of a reality check.

For the weekend into the week, Venus and Mercury will be put through the paces.

Venus is how we relate and bond—what we value. Mercury is our mind and communication style—how we learn. These are the areas of concentration for the next couple.

First, Taurus Venus begins her I/O/Q cycle with Sagittarius SaturnRX today at 4º.  This tense aspect creates a low-level feeling of self-consciousness, possibly about our values (Sagittarius) or even our physical looks and social relationships (Taurus). How we manage money and resources, too, may pop up.

Wherever Taurus is in our chart’s, we want the “good life”. The stable passions of a Fire Saturn can make it so. Fire is uncomfortable for Earth—so an adjustment (inconjunct) of perspective is needed.

 

Continue reading →

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the vanguard sets out—super new moon/vernal equinox/total solar eclipse—march 20th

warwickgobleWell, to say the Heavens have a lot going on tomorrow is an understatement.

Beautifully rare to have a super moon eclipse on the day of an equinox!

It all amounts to a potent time to set intentions—this time not just for a month but for the season and whole damn year!

Here’s a chronological list of all that happens:

  • ∼4AM – 8AM EST: a Total Solar Eclipse occurs that can been seen over parts of Europe, Africa, etc.
  • ∼5:30AM EST: the SuperMoon New Moon occurs at 29º Pisces
  • ∼2:00PM EST: the Aries Moon trines Sagittarius SaturnRx at 4º
  • ∼6:45PM EST: the Spring Equinox occurs as the Sun ingresses into Aries

During the length of the day, Taurus Venus approaches her inconjunct with SaturnRx and Pisces Mercury, his with Leo JupiterRx. Both of which perfect on Saturday.

And of course, the Uranus/Pluto square is still holding strong at 15º.

Alright. Let me parse the pieces of this special day—

Continue reading →

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reversing on a dime—feb 18th

preliudas-1024x871Alright, today is the second Aquarius New Moon, the first occurring back on January 20th.

It is also the second New Moon after the Winter Solstice, therefore signaling the Chinese New Year!!

As if that weren’t enough, the New Moon is followed shortly by the Sun ingressing to Pisces.

Big day, you guys!

Continue reading →

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good yod, ya’ll—feb 17th – 26th

So, today a Finger of God is forming between Chiron, Pluto and Jupiter Rx, as the focal planet and lasts well into next Florence-Mary-Anderson-Illustration-041week.

It will be in effect for tomorrow’s New Moon and the Sun’s ingress into Pisces, as well as Mars & Venus into Aries.

Although the yod proper falls apart on the 26th, when the quincunx of Jupiter/Chiron busts up, the inconjunct between the God of the Underworld and the King of Planets remains strong.

It is further bolstered by the addition of a trine from Aries Uranus at 14º on March 3rd, solidifying the ever present Chiron/Uranus/Pluto thorn.

This thorn has been around since last Fall, so we are well acquainted with its particular demands.

The introduction of Leo Jupiter Rx provides an extra area of release to the transforming progressive energies being doled out from Aries, Capricorn and Pisces.

Yes, today’s Eye of God is shaping up to be one last good ol’ purge before Spring. A necessary celestial cleanse to ready us for the rigors of the coming warm-up into Summer.

Pluto and Chiron are working to root out and weaken the roadblocks standing in your way, while Uranus lends quick mental acumen to ridding you of their scourge for good. Jupiter simply wants to rule your Leo sector with pride and pizzazz and certainly won’t hinder any attempts at making this a reality.

As the lone planet currently opposing all others, Leo Jupiter Rx has had no time to rest for the last few weeks. Consequently, the house in your natal the dear King of Planets is traversing is being put through the ringer.

But, thankfully, with jolly Jupiter absorbing the hits it is usually a relatively pleasant experience.

Think on his childlike but mighty, warm-hearted joie de vivre while contemplating tomorrow’s New Moon intentions and you can’t go wrong.

Lona