Astrology Forecast for Creatives | week of January 4th - freedom vs. control, mercury retrograde - part l

Whatever anyone does, anyone says, in the past, now, everything, let it bounce off the rock . . . . . of yr gladness (yr mirror) - Jack Kerouac, Book of Sketches

confrontation by pedro luis palenica

Are we ready for 2016? It's going to be a wild ride! I am waiting for the Capricorn New Moon on January 9th to start thinking about New Year's intentions and fresh starts. I know with all the personal planets changing signs last week, many of us will be feeling the change and the need for "new, new, new" but there is lots of astrological action this week - maybe the most all year, and it might be best to see/feel where it all lands first.
 
To back up a bit, Mars just moved into Scorpio where he will be spending a lot of time over the next eight months (yes, I said eight months!) due to his 2016 retrograde. Mars is the planet of fight, flight or freeze (usually not so much freeze, but we will see that this year with his lengthy retrograde).
 
In Scorpio, he is the ultimate survivor. We will be, too - of course this also presumes there will be things going on we will need to survive!
 
Mars is very much at home in Scorpio, the sign he once ruled (modern astrology recognizes Pluto as the ruler of Scorpio). Mars likes action and aggression and Scorpio is the space we carry our taboos, fears and compulsions. They fit together like a hand and glove. Scorpio isn't afraid to be uncomfortable and in fact knows that any time of action in the space where all the secrets lie is the time when things can finally begin to get interesting ....
 
Hubs met a guy last week who had traveled the world and was a "professional adventurer" - his words. He was now making his rounds in a Mandalay motor home that broke down near George's shop. He is, I'm sure, terribly clever, brave and committed to what he is doing; he is also ... not very interesting. I'm not sure why. 

But I suspect because his adventures are all on the outside, he is not so interested in anyone else's adventures that are mostly happening on the inside. He was oblivious to any clues from the person he is talking to about where the conversation should naturally go next. He already knew it all. Hubs said it was like talking to a page in a book. He seemed to have forgotten what other people are for. 
 
If we have come to a space like this man where all our adventures are on the outside - the next few months of Scorpio will likely be very challenging, very uncomfortable. Scorpio is the space in our chart where we squirm, we sweat, maybe we turn away and we will have the planet of fight, flight or freeze spending much of 2016 here. We will put on our big girl pants for this transit ....
 
(more on Mars retrograde later but check your Sagittarius and Scorpio natal houses for clues - in the United States we could see citizen unrest, clash of ideologies, secrets and hidden enemies, freedom vs control - with the election in full swing it's going to be interesting)

Last week all the personal planets changed signs - Mars into Scorpio where he is very happy, Venus into Sagittarius where she is much happier than she was in Scorpio and Mercury into Aquarius where he/she is happier than in Capricorn. All this positive (for the planets) change right out of the gates will enable our feelings, wants, needs and actions to change, too..

First up - Mercury squares Mars. Mars (action, control, anger) in Scorpio squares Mercury (communication) in Aquarius (freedom, liberty, group consciousness). Our buttons will be pushed. There will be tension between what we do and what we think or what others do or think. This is not a pretty aspect and it won't be valuable for me to sugarcoat it. It makes this first week of 2016 challenging.

Second - Mercury goes retrograde at 1 degree Aquarius - he will quickly back into Capricorn (a practical earth sign) so we will all be doing the "re's" in physical, practical ways. Know that projects, jobs, etc, started this month will have to be "re-done" in some way later when Mercury moves direct. Mercury in Capricorn seeks to find the correct way to express the reasonable. Retrograde, we will have the ability to rethink conventional points of view. The slow downs and second looks we take now are necessary. Our New Year "change" energy will be challenged right out of the gate.
 
If we obsess over everything that can go wrong during a Mercury Retrograde we will miss our chance to experience what can go right.

This is the time when we get sightings of what's arriving. Mercury says .... "hold up there a minute, don't rush forward too quickly. This may take a little time girl."

Mercury is retrograding in an earth sign - and because earth signs are practical and grounded and well, earthy, these are the kinds of skills and thinking we should be applying to problems that might crop up now.

Mercury retrogrades are the the best time of year to do all the re's - reconnect, redo, rethink, repeat, dare I say relax (it's winter, remember) - in business it is a great time to reconnect with old customers (as opposed to looking for new ones), go back over old projects, revise and redesign things, repair things or buy recycled (rather than buy new, no new mechanical items now) - yes, I have a dog in that fight (literally, Olive is one tough cookie), but it's still true. This is probably the most challenging Mercury retrograde of 2016 - take it seriously.

I will finish this up tonight, too much happening to write this morning we have - Mercury Retrograde while squaring Mars, a Sun/Pluto conjunction, Venus and the Moon squaring Neptune, Jupiter Retrograde, the Sun and Moon squaring Uranus, Mercury Retrograde changing signs, the Venus/Saturn conjunction, and a New Moon in Capricorn. Whoa baby, don't expect to sleep in!

For Monday, we have a moody (and deep) Scorpio Moon playing nice with the Sun and Pluto - good for dealing with authority and people in power, good for stepping into our power, just triple check everything. xo all - back tonight!

Astrology Forecast for Creatives | Week of December 28th - eyes wide open

wide eyed by worlds of smoke

Multiple fresh energy patterns as Venus, Mercury and Mars (the three inner planets) all change signs this week!

Our energy around communicating what we want and need, how we attract it and how we go after it shifts. All the planets are moving forward this week, so we will be, too.

On Monday the Moon is in passionate and generous Leo. Leo rules our 5th house of self expression, play, children, creativity, romance. Leo Moons are often great hookey days and falling right in the middle of two holidays - it will be hard to resist!

On the other hand Mars (action) and Mercury (in responsible Capricorn) are square today and the Sun (also in Capricorn) is sextiling Neptune (strong in Pisces) - doing the responsible thing to move our dream forward is supported by this energy.

I guess if we work - make some time for play, too. If we play - make some time to work.

People will want to be appreciated and will require our attention. We'd like a little of that limelight, too. That's OK. There's room on center stage for all of us. If no one is patting us on the back now - we'll take the time to do it ourselves!

(another good reason to incorporate yoga into our lives - so we don't throw our back out showing ourselves a little love!)

On Tuesday, the Moon is void until 2 pm, so best for routine work and production. Expect stuff could get wonky.

Communicative Mercury (in serious Capricorn) squares action-Jackson Mars (in sociable Libra). Squares show tension, frustration - something happens that requires us to act. With Capricorn - rules, official information, tradition, authority - will be challenged or challenging.

Discussions can turn argumentative, on the other hand whatever is communicated could just involve or usher in a lot of activity.

With Libra this could involve women, art, money, social mores, love. In the late afternoon the Moon moves into Virgo and we start to focus on the details that need to be attended to with whatever is happening. Our actions becomes more practical now.

EXAMPLE for Aries (rising and sun in whole house astrology) this square is between your career and relationship spaces. Business plans or ambition could create clashes with partners or something communicated in too authoritarian a manner could set you at odds with another or others in a social setting. 

On Wednesday, the first energy shift - Venus moves into Sagittarius where she'll be cruising through until January 23rd making Sagittarius Sun people more attractive and everyone more able to "attract what we want" through optimism, BIG thinking and pushing past boundaries.

A focus on ninth house matters (Sagittarius rules the 9th house) - travel, media, marketing, legal, religion, politics, wedding - can connect us with what we need/want involving Venus themes - women, money, love, values, art. This energy feels celebratory so any chance we get to celebrate anything - we'll grab it!

Also since Venus is exiting Scorpio, if something has become an obsessive focus (involving those Venus themes or our Scorpio natal house) - this can lighten up as new opportunities show up for us or we just gain a fresh perspective through a Sagittarius glass half-full approach. Note - Mercury is about to go retrograde and is in his shadow now so just factor the time and resources for a few glitches into your planning. Also note - our Virgo Moon is challenged by Saturn (authority, endings, responsibilities, commitment) so something serious may need to be dealt with today. Take it seriously.

EXAMPLE for Scorpio (rising and sun in whole house astrology) Venus transits your 2nd house of values (the stuff money can buy and the stuff it can't) making the period through January 23rd a time when you can attract love and money. It can also bring in a woman to help. On January 3rd, Mars will move into your sign upping your confidence and energy level!

Thursday, New Year's Eve, Jupiter kisses up to the Moon and along with Venus in Sagittarius feels like a party to me - make your plans!

On Friday, the second energy shift - Mercury moves into Aquarius - the sign of the genius, rebel, criminal - plus we've got Aquarius ruling planet Uranus direct now!

Mercury loves Aquarius where he exalted - Aquarius is a sister sign to Mercury ruled Gemini (and fellow air sign Libra). We will be crackling with new ideas - electricity will be in the air for Uranian types. Our natal Aquarius house is where we find that genius/rebel/criminal energy - the space we are here to reinvent!

When Uranus stationed direct on Christmas he brought us a breakthrough, an aha moment as Oprah would call it, or maybe he is moving forward our story from last spring/summer when he went retrograde.

EXAMPLE for Virgo (rising and sun in whole house astrology), Mercury will enter your 6th house of work and health (and pets). This is the area you will connect with that genius/rebel/criminal energy. Innovation, communication and your attention, shifts to these areas. Mars moves into your 3rd house  of communication (siblings, local community, transportation) a couple days later - this is where you will take action - just keep an eye on your 'bluntness' (and yes, your temper, too) when communicating with others now. Of course with Venus in your 4th house of home and family - you may be stepping away from work and sprucing up your home or just finding enjoyment and attracting what you need there. Working from home works, too.

Since Mercury is in his shadow preparing to go retrograde pay attention to what comes up again this week - since we will be working with this story through his retrograde.

Also Jupiter is preparing to go retrograde and will station on the North Node next week - STAY OPEN for opportunities that will put us on the right path - especially involving 6th house (ruled by Virgo where Jupiter is hanging out) themes of work and health (where's your natal Virgo house - check that, too). Now, an opportunity or meeting or person who comes along now may not be exactly the right thing since Jupiter is going retrograde BUT it can lead us to something right when he moves direct in late spring. Let's keep our eyes open!

Jupiter stationing on the North Node (our collective north star future) will be asking us if we are doing our right work in service (Virgo) to the world. More on that later this week, plus on Mars' move into his lengthy journey through Scorpio and some big picture winter forecasting.

In the meantime BACK UP YOUR COMPUTER.

xo all

Merry Christimas - Full Moon in Cancer, Uranus Moves Direct

will we ever get home for christmas by frank and cary

We have a Full Moon at 3 degrees Cancer today - this will probably make our holiday more emotional and sentimental. Full Moons illuminate what is hidden. They also offer up endings and conclusions - we won't be able to just flip it over and blow it off this time. A story from June 2014 culminates now.

In Cancer - this will be about mother issues, self nurturing, family stuff, home, patriotism, the past. The Moon trines (brakes off) Neptune, sitting strong in Pisces. We will be feeling compassionate and empathetic.

This is a very imaginative, dreamy and creative trine, but can make us kind of blend with our surroundings. With the boundaries this thin we will feel any harshness in our current reality very strongly. Let's be tender with ourselves and others, especially any little ones melting down. We might want to watch our alcohol intake.

Mercury (communications, conversations) in Capricorn (seriousness, rules, structure) sextiles Venus in Scorpio and trines (more brakes off) Jupiter at 22 degrees Virgo. People will be really talking, listening, making plans, discussing their dreams and their ideas. There could be some self righteous rants and drunken dialogues but it still feels like wonderful energy for Christmas get-togethers - the stuff will be emotional and there will be some surprises, but it will be real!

Uranus (the unexpected, rebellion, revolution) has been retrograde in Aries since the end of July and he begins his forward movement today (check your natal and progressed houses for 16 degrees Aries - this space will start to get movement now) so expect some surprises. The Cancer Moon's love of tradition could clash with Uranus's need to buck it.

Our North Node approaches Jupiter in tidy Virgo - what mess are we being asked to clean up? or maybe I should say which messes? If we have been letting some situation play out until we know what to do, we are about to know what to do.

Merry Christmas everyone! Let's allow this Full Moon energy (get out and walk in it!) to carry our hearts home - this is water energy so tears, sweat and long baths are all good things ... xo

Sun into Capricorn - a little bit more light today ....

winter by autruche noire

I am learning (for the last few decades, no wonder I prefer the term human-kind to human-race!) to appreciate the tiny beginnings of things - you know, the ones we miss by either focusing on the other thing, the thing that is ending - or we are so busy skipping ahead to what, if anything, comes after the tiny beginning that we don't get to feel the tiny beginning at all. It becomes only a space in hindsight.

The energies today would be a good time to sit in this space and really know what it feels like to begin. The true beginning where there is just a little more light - no seed, no planting, a time and space many moons from any harvest - just a tiny bit of additional light for the Gods/Creative/God (choose your comfort zone with this) to see us a little more clearly, to see who we are now, to select a dance partner and begin the unconscious part of our journey that lines us up with next.

The creation point.

(the moon is void all day so a good day to kick back if we can or just do routine work if we must)

xo all

Note - Capricorn is the sign of leadership and as we step into this energy now remember we can be easily seduced by the idea of 'self mastery' - we don't want to treat the unconscious or the creative as though it were something to be 'controlled' or 'brought to heel'. The humility of realizing we are really more a tenant in our house than a master of it is what will really feed our soul and connect us with our bigger destiny.

Astrology Forecast for Creatives | Week of December 21st - winter solstice, capricorn season, christmas, full moon ... what did I miss?

winter by with accusing eyes

We start this busy-busy week with a practical, earthy and luxury loving Taurus Moon - something tells me the shoppers will keep the local stores hopping these next few days. This is a good day to get some quality purchases. Snuggling up by a warm fire sounds even better.

(if a problem or some clarifying information bolted into your life over the last couple days maybe the same energy will bring a last minute solution or understanding connection- the Pluto Uranus square is reactivated now, so truly whatever is happening wouldn't be 'out of the blue', we probably could have seen it coming, but maybe we were distracted with Christmas bells and shopping and cooking and carolers and things like that .... let this stuff shake itself out a bit)

The Sun moves into Capricorn marking the Winter Solstice and kicking off Capricorn season - the steady, serious, all-business sign that just doesn't feel quite as Christmasy as fun loving Sagittarius. Truly, I feel the new month at the New Moon myself which would start Capricorn on January 9th - far enough after the festivities to give Capricorn his due (structure, ambition, restraint).

Capricorn is a cardinal signs and cardinal signs initiate things and "take action", and me, I'm ready for a nap.

Maybe that's why I like working with the Moons better. After our Christmas Full Moon we will be winding down a bit. See what feels right to you. If you feel ambitious now you can definitely use this Capricorn energy to your advantage (he's ruled by Saturn so advantage comes with work now - there aren't any shortcuts here).

The Capricorn house in our natal chart is where we are restrained - where growth comes from working with rules, process and tradition. For much of the world, the sign rules winter - it's the time we have either worked to prepare for or it's the time we freeze - for our ancestors this was a literal thing and our lives can crawl to a standstill, too, if we allow it (often in our natal charts it's the space we freeze, too!).

Mercury goes retrograde on January 5th. We are in his shadow period now - this is the stuff we will be tracing back over next month, so pay attention to what is happening, especially in your Aquarius and Capricorn houses. And prepare for all the usual Mercury retrograde "re's". This year the retrogrades are in air signs, making communication wonkiness extra wonky.

Tuesday's energy is all over the place. I'll get back here to post the rest of the week tomorrow - it's a humdinger - yes, I say things like humdinger now - maybe I am feeling the Capricorn energy! Of course, I have Saturn sitting on my Aquarius Sun, so have always felt like an out-of-step Capricorn anyway. :)

My last customer orders are shipping out today! I hope all the makers are caught up and ready for some eggnog and candy canes. xo all

may the force be with you ....

Star Wars Yoda by Anthony Foti

The Moon is void in Pisces today - if you can start your weekend early, so much the better!

If you must work, like me, stick to routine tasks and be prepared to go with the flow. We are at the First Quarter Moon now so whatever we started at the New Moon last week may require some adjustments or face some challenges. It's OK - we've got this thing!

This weekend the Moon moves into warrior Aries. Everything will speed up - so make an effort to slow down and be patient. People will be easy to anger and anyone channeling this energy could be itching for a fight. We'll keep our cool.

Mercury joins Pluto and squares Uranus (yes, the weekly explosive energy we have been dealing with the last few weekends) - take care driving, with fire, working with metals, in crowds - you know the drill. Once Pluto gets past the degree of Capricorn from March 16th's square to Uranus and Uranus turns direct on Christmas - we will be generally past this (there are a couple dates next year it kicks up again). This week we are still in the Groundhog Day (repeat) energy of unexpected news, explosive elements, health issues acting up. Mars opposes Eris on Sunday - more explosive energy. Glass half full - it's a passionate weekend people!

Maybe the best use of this weekend's energy is the new Star Wars movie. On Monday we have the Winter Solstice - our new season begins .... ready for a little hibernation? I know. I am, too. xo all

noticing the energy we are channeling ....

my intuitive fragments by SeaFairy

Today's Pisces Moon trining Venus in Scorpio and sextiling Mercury is a good space to really "get" why we are doing/feeling/being what we're doing/feeling/being. Time spent meditating today will be worth the effort. Get extra sleep. Take a long walk. Pay attention to your dreams.

Our intuition can guide us now. We probably won't get different things to do, we'll just get to do the same things differently. 

Our mission, should we choose to accept it (cue the mission impossible music here) is to be aware of the energy/archetype we are working with without pushing for anything to happen with it.

Mercury is still out of bounds and not playing by the rules, so be prepared for Mercury things (communications, siblings, transportation, thoughts) to come out of nowhere. Choose your words carefully now, they have consequences.

Finished my busiest shipping day of the year yesterday - hope everyone is "getting in the spirit". xo all

your creative business and the astrological generations | feeding your customer's Pluto - Part I

paradise peak by plavi demon

If you have a creative business you have probably done an "imagining your ideal customer" exercise where you determine you are selling to "Sue from the city - a 42 year old childless exec who needs to look polished and professional, has no time to get herself looking polished and professional and really, really needs your thingamajig".

Or maybe your ideal customer is "Debbie from Dallas (no, not that Debbie from Dallas) - a mom who prioritizes her children's homeschooling, supplementing her family's income with minimal sacrifices to family time and yes, still having great Texas hair (and I'm from New Jersey and not judging, yes, hair still matters)."

Being a definite square peg, I have never been much for pigeon-holing people - on the other hand this type of exercise is often strangely effective. With everyone seeing different things now - gone are the days of three TV channels and one local newspaper where sellers/makers/businesses knew where they needed to be - we need to know who we are making our thingamajig for or selling our thingamajig to, so we can try and figure out where they will be looking. So we can be there.

One way astrology can help with this process is by allowing us to look at the generational needs of our customers. The three outer planets - Neptune, Uranus and Pluto - most greatly impact collective energy over time. I'm writing this with an eye on the United States since it's the country I am most familiar with, but the same energies apply everywhere.

We've all heard of the Greatest Generation, the Baby Boomers, Generation X and Y - is there a Z or are they the Millennials? I'm not sure and I don't know exactly how they determine the birthday cut-offs with this stuff. The dates I've seen would make Obama a Baby Boomer and that doesn't feel right to me.

I think astrology is a good way of looking at generations if we analyze the natal placement of the planet Pluto. 

Pluto is a slow moving outer planet. The furthest planet from earth (yes, Pluto is a planet, don't get me started!) and represents karma and the "soul".

We experience a compulsive attention to matters related to the sign where Pluto resides when we are born.

NOTE - Pluto moves in and out of a sign as it retrogrades, stations and moves direct so a person born within the first couple years Pluto is in a sign may be more in tune with the previous sign and a person born in the last two years more represented by the following sign. And of course each person has their own individual chart with many aspects and placements including the energy of Pluto's house that may work against this collective energy - still, this way of looking at generations will be helpful when we think about our customers as a group.

nurture locket by polarity and shira sela

OK, let's start with the oldest generation alive today - the Pluto in Cancer generation (born 1914 - 1939) is ruled by the Moon. 

This is the 'Greatest Generation'. The United States is a Cancer Sun country so that name is probably pretty applicable. They fought for home and country and pretty much crafted the nuclear family and Norman Rockwell image of America.

Cancer is the sign of the mother, nurturing, fertility, security, patriotism, community, family. They are protective, moody, intuitive, secretive. Cancer is a cardinal sign ushering in a new season - think 'starting' here. Cancer is a water sign. A water sign needs to be balanced by rationality, groundedness and decisiveness.

Pluto in Cancer gives this generation a connection with the past, a strong sense of 'what was'. Change is/was hard for them. They like and honor history. They hold on to things. They gave up everything for their families. They are loyal and once they have 'bought into' something, it is hard for them to change. They might buy the same products they have always bought, even though things that are better for them are out there now. They do what they have to do.

If your creative business services this group - think about some of these Cancer buzzwords. Think about how this collective energy would feel merging with the energy at play today.

(today Pluto is in Capricorn - Cancer's polarity sign, so he is opposite this generation's natal Cancer - they can see things differently now - they can see both sides of the story and what they didn't want or couldn't hear before they can be more open to now)

What do they need/want now? Remember this is mature energy - they have worked through a lot of this stuff already, but their basic nature is still probably to hunker in; to protect. The best way to work with Pluto in Cancer people may be to offer nostalgia, a connection with something already familiar to them, security, less complex choices, etc. More than any other group, it is probably very hard for this generation to have the structures they have relied on their whole lives falling apart as they are now. Keep this in mind.

royal locket by polarity and solocosmo

The Pluto in Leo generation (mid 1939 - 1957) is ruled by the Sun. This is the hippie, rock 'n roll generation that brought us government protests, make love not war, women's rights, African American rights, basically turned everything on its ear.

They get blamed for mostly ending up conforming to society, but with the Leo archetype representing the "king", this was always more about "self realization" than group think. Lots of people were born during these years, so there was, and is, a lot of this energy for the universe to work with! Yes, they are self-absorbed (especially in comparison to the Pluto in Cancer generation), but also incredibly self-expressive. They were willful children, became willful parents and raised more willful children!

(in 2023 Pluto will move into Leo's polarity sign of Aquarius and the age of Aquarius begins)

They came here to be bigger than life (Sun) and make things better. They have the Leo lion's courage "We can do anything!". They took center stage. They took charge. They wanted/want to show the world what they can do. This energy is still running things, although the next generation, Pluto in Virgo, who is cleaning up Leo's mess (change is messy and wanting to be special has its drawbacks) is slowly taking over.

Ruled by the Sun and ruler of the 5th house - Leo is a fixed sign; stable and dependable. The energy is dramatic and creative. They are generous and proud. They are natural leaders. They are the most self-concerned generation, took therapy to new heights partly because they love to talk about themselves, but mostly because they are here to break through the barriers of the ego (Sun).

If your creative business services this age group - think about some of these Leo buzzwords. Think about how this collective energy would feel merging with the energy at play today. The structures they railed against in their youth are collapsing, but they have come to embrace these same structures - so what does that feel like for them? What do they need now?

Again this is mature energy - they have worked through a lot already, but their basic nature is still to "shine". The best way to work with Pluto in Leo people might be to offer them a feeling of being special, a way to be center stage, a place at the head of the table. They want thingamajigs that make them look and feel good. Think luxury, royalty, boldness, color. Think about "what's in it for them".

Next up what your Pluto in Virgo and Pluto in Libra customer needs :)

Astrology Forecast for Creatives | Week of December 14th - the crossroads ...the price we are willing to pay

crossroads by xeneras

On Monday, our Sagittarius Sun squares Jupiter (in Virgo). This aspect could provide a "lucky" opportunity for success but comes with something like a test of character. Big head = big bust with this kind of thing.

The key to working with this energy is not to get too far ahead of ourselves. In its position square to our Sun, Jupiter is testing our ego. Too much of a good thing is still too much. Focus on the groundwork now. We'll channel grandma and let our mantra be "all things in moderation".

We'll plow toward Friday when the same Sagittarius Sun squares the North Node (in Virgo) as he prepares to exit Sagittarius (sniffle) - events will carry us toward a crossroads.

Let's allow this week to play itself out before we make any big decisions if we can.

This is really all about the dream we are building now. Virgo (north node) is our way forward which means we need to move from what is hazy, vague and general toward what is structured, grounded and precise (Virgo).

Mercury (in Capricorn) is out of bounds this week. There will be an element of a lack of control or things, particularly Mercury ruled things (like communications) will be out of our control. Some rules may go out the window. The inmates will be running the asylum. The cat will be away.

We might be able to get away with some rule breaking now, but we will still have to pay the price for our decisions. Our decisions (and dreams), yes, we're back to that crossroads, can go either way now. Boundaries are weakened. We can buckle down and do the work or we can walk away. And so can other people. There are no easy (or correct)  answers.

There is energy this week around "the cost" of what we want and "the price" we will have to pay. These words will probably be floating around us on multiple levels. This will be part of our crossroad/decision making as we decide what we really value now.

In the outer world we have the climate change talks - a decision made, a cost to be paid - we arrive at a crossroads. What do we really value?

The decisions we make in our own lives influence this energy. 

What do we value now? What path are we taking? Are we willing to do the hard work our dreams require? 

As we make the choices now about our own values we impact the same energy that influences worldly events. It can't not influence them. We really are that powerful!

At the end of the week, Venus (in Scorpio) is inconjunct Uranus (in Aries) this could bring a surprise or maybe some kind of pressure around Venus ruled stuff - money, love, women, art - (the things money can buy and the things it can't) - the things we value. The next day Venus trines Chiron (in Pisces) so probably whatever comes up will work itself out somehow or lead to some kind of healing or clearing of the air. We won't be able to have everything we want ... but when have we ever, right?

xo all - will try to do a few dailys as we move through this busy week!

UPCYCLED Christimas Ornaments | Wine Corks and Wire Hangers = Yoga Love | Tutorial

Here's an easy-peasy wine cork tutorial you will love.

You will need two wine corks

(yes, this will require you to drink the wine - you can thank me later .. or just fall asleep, that's what I do)

2 large eyehooks

(I used 1-15/16" - you can also use the wire hanger wire for the heads if you are feeling particularly strong - maybe do this before you drink the wine) and 1 wire hanger.

You'll need some tin snips or pliers to cut the wire, something to bend the wire around (I used a nail in a board clamped to a table), a hand drill and glue.

1. gather your supplies

2. mark a center hole and screw in your eyehooks - you will see when you do this why I love to work with this nice, soft wood (of course, my arms and shoulders are still a mess, so go figure)

3. cut corners of wire hangers for arms - the sizing isn't as important as consistency, so just make them both the same size - bend as needed around your nail using two sets of pliers, bend hands - work carefully the wire will be sharp

drill arm holes and glue in arms

4. cut straight wire for legs, bend as needed for knee and both feet, drill holes, glue in legs

My lotus pose (sitting) wine cork ornament's legs were a little wonky, but here is a closer look. I used the top folds of the wire hanger. Just make yours more consistent than mine! But you can see perfection is not needed with these little guys - have fun with it. ---->

NOW drop and give me ZEN :)

being a better spokesperson of our own views ....

conversation by aegis illustration

With the Moon joining Mercury in Capricorn and going void after a trine to Jupiter (in Virgo) this would be a good weekend to think about the future, our choices and what/how we are communicating. 

Saturn is in Sagittarius presenting us with practical realities. 

We might find we have to pull in the reins a bit on our ideological stances. We can take a breath. We can count to ten. We can listen to the other person. It is probably best now to be moderate in sharing our principles with others. This is more respectful of them.

Instead of unloading against their view - it's important to be a better spokesperson for our own view. 

Then we take full responsibility for the success or failure of our communications. We don't put it on other people to understand us. This is the important part. That's not our job. The essential word for Saturn in Sagittarius is "truth". The better we can articulate our own"truth", the more our clarity will make us understandable. Others do not have to agree with us. If we need "agreement" to win maybe we have already lost .... xo all

New Moon in Sagittarius | what we do about what we believe

winter by Si3art

Today's New Moon is at 19 degrees Sagittarius. With the Sun and Moon both in Sagittarius we have lots of fire energy - the best kind for universal kick-starts.

(we may not have kickstarter funding but we can use magic!)

The days of the New Moon are dark and we are literally 'working blind'. This allows us to most easily feel our way into new situations and out of old ones. Our other senses are heightened now.

The challenge of working with our instincts during a fire Moon is that since instincts are pretty much habit, we could get caught up in the exuberance of the Moon and recreate the same situation we are leaving. Focus. Get clear. Remember that what is seeded at a New Moon will grow and with Sagittarius we are dealing with the 'big picture'.

The best use of this New Moon energy is to set intentions for Sagittarius ruled themes.

Sagittarius is a fun-loving sign that rules travel, freedom, adventure, legal stuff, higher education, good luck, faith, religion, prayer, optimism, problem solving, truth seekers, boldly going where no man has gone before, the quest  -

it also rules carelessness, taking shortcuts, thinking we are right, making assumptions, throwing pink paint on problems and hoping they will go away, overconfidence, impatience and superficial fluff.

Sagittarius is a mutable sign. The mutable signs prepare us for the change into the next season.

Mutable signs are service signs and Sagittarius is in service through the exploration of Truth - this could be legal truth or political truth but its most especially spiritual truth - its highest purpose is enlightenment and expanding what is known. The lower level energies rule religious wars, legal battles and political bullshit.

Sagittarius is a fire sign like Aries and Leo.

Fire signs like action - their reasons for taking action are different though. Aries energy wants to climb the mountain, first because it's there and second because there is a competition going to see who can get there first.

Leo energy wants to climb the mountain because they have heard there is a film crew waiting at the summit :)

Sagittarius energy wants to climb the mountain to see what the hell it feels like to climb a mountain and how it feels to reach the top. They want the adventure; they want the quest.

(they could be unprepared and throw their back out 100 yards from the summit, too, then they will turn their convalescence into a party for the sherpas and make THAT the adventure)

This is the energy any new intentions set now will step into. What part of our life can use a little adventure? That's the space to use this energy most effectively! The real gift of Sagittarius is the freedom to be who we really are - how are we going to use this gift?

As always, write your New Moon affirmations down - I sometimes use strips on paper and bowls of rice, so I could jiggle them around now and then - but again this month I am feeling the urge to burn them and just know they are done. You don't have to make stuff happen with this, you just have to see what comes up and then take the action that feels right on that.

Trust the process. We have cast our spell.

People always say that affirmations "only work if you take action". And this is true, but not in the way most people think because the affirmation is action.

It sets the energy in motion. Words are not just words. If done properly, in the right frame of mind, it lines us up energetically with the thing we are seeking. The new moon is a time of darkness but there is lots of hidden action in the dark.

(yes, even that kind, all creation starts in the dark after all)

Look at what kind of experiences have been coming your way lately. How have you called them into your life?

My car has been in and out of the shop for weeks. Yesterday I finally got it back. I was happy to find I had to pay nothing at the service center since the repair was totally related to a recalled part. I high fived the dealer, drove home, grabbed Olive and my bags of packages to ship out and backed up in my driveway. I do this turn around thing in the grass, since it's hard to pull out due to traffic. And I backed right into hub's truck. Damage to both vehicles in one swoop. Not little minor scraping damage either. And I knew the energies yesterday said "go slow, be cautious". Expect the unexpected. And I pulled this exact same move (different car, different truck) maybe 15 years ago, except then it was more minor. Now, he rarely parks in this spot (although more often than every 15 years), usually he pulls up next to me and moments before the accident Olive was about to run into the road and I had to yell at her and grab her and my heart was racing (she never does this). I need to think about this. If anyone has any 'backing into myself' thoughts let me know.

Also the entire time my car has been breaking down (pretty much since our trip to Maine), my entirely unearned good health has been stalling out, too (which metaphysically speaking makes total sense). On my last trip to acupuncture - the acupuncturist asked me how much water I drink, told me I seemed a little dehydrated. What she actually said was, "how much water do you drink? how often do you go to the loo?" - this had me screaming WATERLOO - in my own head, of course.

Anyhoo, back to New Moons. There is often a wave of resistance that arrives when we begin stepping into our power. This resistance can manifest as physical health problems, relationships that mirror our shadows, self-sabotaging "mistakes" or when it seems like “fate” intervenes and creates road blocks or sends us  back to “feeling and playing small” - back to square one.

This "upper limit" thing, set by familial programming and energy patterns that is so common when we are in the process of shifting our self-definitions and expanding our influence and responsibility. Something gets in the way, often something that appears to be outside our control - this is all illusion of course, but how do we work through this? How do we move outside our energy patterns?

One thing we can do right now and it sounds like a small thing but there are no small things - is to set a few affirmations (some astrologers recommend 10, 11 feels even more Sagittarian to me) within the energy of this New Moon - it will just take you a few minutes of concentrated effort. Do it tonight.

Today's Moon is in a T-Square with Jupiter (Sag's ruler in Virgo) and Chiron (in Pisces). Since Sagittarius energy is about freedom and the big picture - we might be feeling stuck in the details and the "work" now. Health matters have cropped up. Saturn, hanging out in Sag, too, for the next couple years is making sure nothing comes easy now. That's OK - we will value it more later this way. Uranus (in Aries) is in a positive aspect and can help us get unstuck and move into something new. 

xo all

Astrology Forecast for Creatives | Week of December 7th - ready to pounce

cat pounce by vlue

Ok, here we go. We will all be busy. The energy is similar to last week.

(this energy really breaks up around Christmas which will maybe give everyone one more thing to celebrate)

Mars has multiple major aspects. He squares Pluto and opposes Uranus. Both of these positions are challenging. Let's look at them separately.

1. Mars square Pluto (this aspect is past exact - it was exact on Sunday - but still in play).

We might ask ourselves now:

"Where do I need to stand up for myself? How can I focus my will? How do I express anger? How do I work with power? When is my anger out of proportion to the situation?"

Hubs used to get really crazy in traffic when we were younger. I could never understand the big emotional response he would get when someone followed closer than he would like or pulled in front of him.

Being cut off  - other spaces where we have been cut off, where someone has shut us up, where someone appears to be have gotten "ahead of us",

being followed too closely - other spaces in our lives where people are on our back, where people have been nipping on our heels, breathing down our necks, where we have not been fast enough -

when we feel an emotion that is out of proportion to what is happening we know it is activating something else - something our physical or emotional self is holding.

If we are conscious this week - we might note what is activated in us and work on releasing it in healthy ways. Physical exercise is very helpful right now.

Anger can be a “negative” emotion,  when perverted into rage or violence or when it is repressed, so that it squeezes out sideways in passive-aggressive responses and actions. But anger is passion, too. We can't get angry if we don't care. Passion is the energy of creation - passion makes the world. Anger is a similar energy alerting us to the need to remake our world when our creation has gone wrong. Let's try to stay conscious.

Mars (war, starting energy, the development of will, the expansion of courage, anger, selfishness, what we go after, violence) squares Pluto (power, control, karma, transformation, authority). A square is a transit that creates growth through tension and frustration. Something happens and forces us to do something. Mars is in Libra (women, love, money, values, art). Pluto is in Capricorn (integrity, solitude, business, power).

Toss all the parenthesized words into your salad and see what you come up with in your own life.

(interesting there was a rare woman involved in last week's shooting while Mars is in Libra)

This transit will affect us most strongly if we have planets in our natal chart between 11 and 19 degrees of the cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn). Check your natal chart. Also see what natal houses hold Libra and Capricorn. Those will be the fields of play.

2. Mars opposing Uranus (this aspect is building, in play all week and will be exact on the 10th)

Mars (war, starting energy, the development of will, the expansion of courage, anger, selfishness, what we go after, violence) opposes Uranus (genius, innovation, technology, rebellion, eccentricity, fast change). An opposition is a transit that creates growth through opposition. Something or someone else is doing something to us. Something happens that requires us to make a decision. Mars is in Libra (women, love, money, values, art). Uranus is in Aries (starting energy, the development of will, the expansion of courage, anger, selfishness, what we go after, a love of the battle). You can see how this transit's similarities to Mars square Pluto makes it all the more powerful.

EXAMPLE - for Aries (rising, Sun in whole house astrology) : Mars (1st house) triggers Uranus (7th house) - this triggers the unexpected in a relationship. The other person (or you) makes an unexpected move. A bridge is burned. A fire started. Think this through first. Wait for the New Moon to make your next steps.

And of course we have the background Saturn/Neptune square requiring us to face reality and dissolving our illusions. Which sounds like a good thing until we are actually living through it. Also remember we are approaching winter and in the days of releasing what we don't need. Productive Moons all week, but expected the unexpected and with aspects to Jupiter, there will be a tendency to overdo things and have more to do than we can get done. Take time for yourself!

 (Note - if you are prone to panic attacks, this week's energy might bring one on. I had one last night. Haven't had one since March. Played Taylor Swift - Shake It Off. Went to bed early.)

On Monday, the Moon slides into Scorpio, conjuncting Venus and trining Neptune. Good time to focus on Scorpio stuff (Mon/Tues) - loans, taxes, insurance, finances, reproduction, death/birth issues. Venus trine Neptune can offer up a fresh start with a woman, love or income issue and help us attract what we need/want. Anything we have going on that requires intuition or Neptunian themes will get movement (brakes off). Some people will attract great inspiration (or possibly isolation - where'd everybody go?) - yes, those ideas really are already out there just waiting for the right person to "pluck" them like an apple. Be warned - commitment comes with the "pick".

Mars opposition is building - unexpected anger or angry actions can come anytime this week. Let's keep our heads. Negotiations can break down now. 

On Tuesday, there is a Sun/ Uranus aspect that brings the spotlight, an opportunity for sudden change or evolves us forward in some way. Anything that comes up quickly would have to be jumped on.

Mercury enters Capricorn on Wednesday where he will hang out for the rest of the month. Talks get serious. Communications take on a more professional tone. Watch peppering our conversations with nonsense and chitchat. Serious talk gets serious results now. Ideas presented to higher ups must be practical and structurally sound. Just the facts, jack. Mercury is answering to Saturn now. Take what you hear seriously, too. If you don't understand, ask for clarification. Mercury squares the Nodes of Fate and presents us with a crossroads. Make an adjustment.

On Thursday Mars opposition to Uranus is exact. Who is standing in our way? Who are we trying to control? How's that working for ya'? Whatever is happening between us and someone else is highlighted now - could be something that kicked off around November 24th is wrapping up or relate back to last weekend. Watch for fires. Don't leave candles burning. Drive safely. We'll keep our cool. There could be a lightning bolt attraction or leap for freedom that takes us by surprise.

On Friday we have a New Moon in Sagittarius - fire sign New Moons are very potent for fresh starts. There are also some other aspects (mystic rectangle - yes, there are things called mystic rectangles ... don't you love astrology!) giving this one the potential for something BIG. Will post about this in a couple days. Check the house of 19 degrees Sagittarius in your natal chart to scope out the territory. xo all

the story gets serious ...

age by samlin

I'd say I've been feeling my age this week, but actually I have been feeling this woman's age

(although she can thread a damn needle and I can't seem to make a jump ring without dropping the wire even though I treated myself to two brand new pliers for my busy season and a tabletop magnifier although maybe that doesn't count since I have never actually attached it to the table and just keep pushing the box with my foot when it wanders too close to my chair)

OK- so here's the stuff to finish up the weekly forecast.

There is potential for violence and danger when Mars (war, action, initiation) engages either Pluto (power, control, destruction, rebirth) or Uranus (rebellion, sudden upheaval, revolution) and Mars has been and continues to engage both.

On Sunday, Mars square with Pluto is exact. Mars/Pluto is aggression, bullies, force. With Mars (Scorpio ancient ruler) in Libra (ruled by Venus) and Venus in Scorpio - although both planets are in spaces where they are not so comfortable and usually not as powerful, they are strengthened by each other now. For better or worse. It's important for us to make conscious choices and take conscious actions. And next week we have Mars opposing Uranus retrograde in Aries. Mars/Uranus is accidents, explosiveness, hair trigger tempers - combine it with Pluto and we get riots, mobs, things out of control. Nobody wants to be subservient anymore. Nobody wants to be ignored. There is righteous anger here. Mars in Libra can offer up manipulation, jealousy and insecurity. Dangerous weather. 

(if you were on a boat I would suggest dry land and a trip to the local pub - actually avoid the pub, too)

Snooze buttons are turned off. We're awake now, right? This is a time for real heroes (not action figure heroes, truly we need less action and more kindness and compassion) and for togetherness. It's really not us against them - there really is only us.

Since Mars will be retrograde for many months in 2016 we really want to be in a better space before we start backtracking and doing this all over again. One of my first astrology teachers (in the early 90's) said the 2010's would be like the 1960's married the American Revolution. It had all sounded so exciting back then and almost romantic. I had imagined a pot smoking Thomas Jefferson with flowers in his hair and the Beatles riding through the streets on horseback carrying muskets and proclaiming "the British are coming" ... uh, not so much ....

There are ways to make productive use of this energy though. So, we'll find them. If we are facing a challenge, Mars/Pluto will bring us the strength, willpower and courage to overcome great obstacles. Just don't take this too far - there is the potential to get hurt or hurt others.

Mars/Pluto can be the catalyst we need to get us "unstuck". It's very good energy to restore or rehabilitate older, previously strong structures (yes, including ourselves!).

Mars/Uranus gives us the courage to address inequality. It shows us we do not always have to do things the way we have done them in the past. New actions get momentum with this. The momentum creates freedom. Mars/Uranus brings us the courage to change.

And remember, we have the beautiful Sagittarius Sun in the middle of this - illuminating the good stuff if we take the time to look, the higher wisdom, the bigger perspective.

Truly, I think humanity has always struggled with the same problems we face today. What made the past different was just far fewer numbers and smaller scale. We made all the same mistakes then that we make now, but our errors carried less cumulative impact. 

The past is important (although I doubt earlier
cultures were appreciably more moral or ethical than ours - probably more was just hidden out of sight). A rear-view mirror is essential for safely driving forward. 

But we can't move ahead looking backward. And we have to move ahead. There is no option to go back. We burned that bridge.

This weekend be safe. Stay away from fire (no actual bridge burning, please). Watch your temper. Give other people space. Be civil. Be kind. This would be a good time to practice gratitude for what we have. Neptune and Chiron in Pisces asks us to hold our hands and arms wide open to gather what comes and allow for those things that are leaving to slip away; to love our life as it changes .... so here we go. xo all

precision ....

"I have always cherished old things, used things, things marked by the passage of time and human events.

I think of my own self this way, as something much handled, much knocked about, as worn and polished with use and abuse.

As something serviceable, perhaps I should say. More serviceable for having had so many masters, so many wretched, glorious, haphazard experiences and encounters" ... Henry Miller

fingertip precision by earthhart

The Virgo Moon fills us with a need for precision, organization - a "want" to focus on the details. There may be limits, an ending, an authority figure in the doorway, a need to push ourselves harder. Wonderful energy for servicing others. Tonight she opposes Neptune and squares Saturn and the Sun forming a mutable t-square. What's real? What's not real? It can be hard to see/feel/know the difference now. We may all be up to our elbows in mud .... xo all

p.s. good news for those working through that "feeling sorry for ourselves/envy" thing - Venus in Libra conjuncting Juno will start to move us past this ... a rising tide really does lift all ships, there really is only one of us here ... 

At the deepest level, there is no giver, no gift and no recipient... only the universe rearranging itself.  - Jon Kabat-Zinn

Astrology Forecast for Creatives | Week of November 29th - getting honest with ourselves | itching for a fight

How To Listen
Tilt your head slightly to one side and lift
your eyebrows expectantly. Ask questions.

Delve into the subject at hand or let
things come randomly. Don't expect answers.

Forget everything you've ever done.
Make no comparisons. Simply listen.

Listen with your eyes, as if the story
you are hearing is happening right now.

Listen without blinking, as if a move
might frighten the truth away forever.

Don't attempt to copy anything down.
Don't bring a camera or a recorder.

This is your chance to listen carefully.
Your whole life might depend on what you hear.
... Joyce Sutphen

completely honest by bright white kite

There are 24 shopping days until Christmas. How is this possible?

OK. We have a Sagittarius Sun so we are all burning Sagittarius fuel and feeling a bit like what it feels like to be a Sagittarius. There is expansion, passion and fire. We should all be standing a little taller now.

(yes, we might need the right boots - and what the hell, they are probably on sale)

This particular holiday season is influenced by Virgo where Sagittarius ruler Jupiter is hanging out. This will make it particularly busy - we need to stay organized, we will all be working, servicing others and attending to (and likely buying) practical things.

(I had an email from a customer asking me about a bracelet "does this have a function?" - at first I thought this was a very odd question, but then I knew Jupiter in Virgo!)

On Monday afternoon (and Tuesday) the Moon is in Leo - this would be a good time to take a creative risk. Enabling other people to shine more brightly puts the spotlight on us, too, somehow. On the other hand a lack of attention (or appreciation) can be challenging now (see yesterday's post).

Monday is the last hard aspect with Neptune and Saturn until mid January - we can use the next few weeks to work out how far off course our ships have drifted (dreams vs reality) and how to get ourselves back on track. The more major a course correction we need before the next storm hits, the more volatile the activity we are probably seeing now. If we are still blaming someone or something for our current situation - the sooner we let that crap go, the better, and faster, we get the outcome that moves us forward.

Then it's December 1st and the energy changes right away.

On Tuesday Mercury trines Uranus in Aries (brakes off) - this feels like information coming at us quickly and suddenly that allows us to see something (or ourselves) in a new light - Mercury squares (tension) Chiron in Pisces - this feels like, well, maybe ...ouch.

We may be compelled to speak up. We may hear about an out of the blue opportunity. Whatever happens, comes with the caution flag out (this isn't a stop, just a stop and think). New information can be freeing and painful.

The wound that’s triggered may be a result of us saying the wrong thing or discovering the right thing too late or at the wrong time. On the other hand any opportunity to see something in a new light is a good thing. And our triggered vulnerabilities brought to the surface is a good thing, too. We can't toss off those self limiting beliefs if we don't get them out of the closet and into the trash can. With Chiron involved we know whatever happens this information/opportunity is healing. Some kind of uncomfortable truth may be shown to us or a space where we have gotten carried away becomes clear. The results can lead to liberation and authenticity. And I realize that sounds airy fairy, but it's the best I have right now.

(did I say there were 24 shopping days until Christmas?)

EXAMPLE for Mercury in 11th house - we might be compelled to say something on Facebook that startles people about who we really are and we can't "unsay" it. The blow-back might force us to think about and deal with the way we hide who we are to "fit in" or "stay safe" in social spaces. 

On Wednesday the Virgo moon says "let's get this mess cleaned up". So we do. We could be dealing with paperwork or co-worker issues or something with a pet.

Mercury squares Jupiter. Venus (love, money, women, art) moves into Scorpio - making whatever is happening here more intense. What we want (Venus) will be deeper (Scorpio) - shallow stuff will not hold our attention now. People may want more from us than we can give. We might over promise. We could speak about what we believe in ways that are over the top. We might say something we don't even believe when we get caught up in this energy. Let's give others a break when they do this, too.

Thursday is the last quarter Moon in Virgo. Something is winding down.

Intense aspects at the end of the week with Mars (war, anger, initiation) squaring Pluto (power, control, destruction, rebirth) - both strengthened and working together. Something is building/itching toward a fight. I'll talk about this in a couple days - just know this will be added pressure, intensity, tempers flaring, crankiness, edginess as we build toward this ...  xo all

feeling sorry for yourself?

insecurities 2 by xxprettywhenucry

Asteroid Chiron (wounded healer) stationed direct today in Pisces.

This could intensify our recognition of the space we "go it alone" or are "treated worse/have less/receive less attention than other people" - it sometimes manifests as the space we "feel sorry for ourselves".

And I don't say this to trivialize it or to make it something less than something real. It's real. It can eventually manifest as physical illness.

It's time to call it out of the shadows and give it an armchair and a hot cup of cocoa.

Chiron's issues (shame, vulnerability, inadequacy, emotional pain) including health issues, will get some kind of movement now.

The irony with Chiron is that this is often the space we can heal others whether or not we can heal ourselves.

That thing we can do for others but can't seem to do for ourselves - the good advice we always give but don't follow - those spaces are connected.

For some of us instead of a foul mouthed Jiminy Cricket (anyone remember Jiminy Cricket?) sitting on our shoulder telling us how awful we are, we do the job ourselves. And then because it’s now part of our self structure, we will hang onto that conviction with a death grip (as if it were something precious ... because it is actually - it's part of our gift to the planet, but we have to transform it first).

The salve/cure is always empathy - cue Brene Brown. There could be a breakthrough moment with this now.

If you have any planets 16-21 degrees of the mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces) you have probably been working through something in your Pisces house since Chiron went retrograde in late June. You may not get what you need from others with this. Self nurture. Read some Brene Brown. Play some Adele. Give yourself a break.

sometimes we hear the music that is always there ....

"Sometimes it's okay. Sometimes it's not one desperate act after another. Sometimes we hear the music that is always there. As the old Irish homily goes: "The most beautiful music is the music of what happens." It is not necessary to run to a remote, quiet place to hear it. It is here already, always. The essence of eternity is how we experience the present. The witnesses are here in ourselves. The fullness of our inheritance denies nothing."
- Terrance Keenan

home by dechobek

This morning's void Moon advises us to avoid any store sales since impulse purchases won't fit or work right or will be of little use. Ack! That's probably drastic for some - but buying things we had previously planned to buy usually works best during void moons.The Moon moves into Cancer this afternoon so a focus on home, family, belonging, nurturing sounds about right.

It could make us (and others) a bit moody but today will be a bit of a breather for most. Take it.

Tomorrow and Sunday will be more intense so let's enjoy the leftovers while we can .....

xo all

(my car is in the shop ... again - I usually just swipe hub's truck but it's been making my shoulder/arm/hand issue worse, so I'm going to rent a small car for the weekend and take myself to a movie this afternoon and go with Kella and Chris to take Sully to see Santa tonight - enjoy your day everyone!)

FULL MOON in Gemini | taste as much as you can ....

"Taste as much of this as you can. Swallow what you need and spit out the rest." - Taizan Maezumi

thanks by kariiissa

With the Sun in Sagittarius we know without following the moon that tonight's Full Moon is in Gemini (Sagittarius polarity sign). It is the culmination of June's New Moon in Gemini, so something from that time is finishing. Also energy from the New Moon two weeks ago is reaching its peak now. The Gemini/Sagittarius polarity is mutable. It's flexible, adaptable and thrives on change.

Mutable signs are restless and prepare us for the change of seasons. They are the breakdown and break away before the breakthrough.

Gemini is ruled by Mercury.

(who also rules Virgo - Mercury was the messenger of the Gods and the Messenger God)

and Mercury rules our 3rd house of day to day communication and language. It also rules siblings, neighbors, local travel, early education, transportation - movement. Its polarity sign is Sagittarius, where our Sun (and Saturn and Mercury) is hanging out right now, rules the 9th house of the larger world aspects of movement. So big picture thinking and processes, philosophy, higher education, foreigners, long distance travel, etc.

During a Full Moon we always have the Moon and Sun in their polar positions (that's what creates the full moon!) so the energy we are working with is the play between the two signs in this case Gemini and Sagittarius.

Tonight's Full Moon is a bit more complicated than usual though.

With Mercury conjunct Saturn (exact yesterday) and squaring Neptune tomorrow and Mercury ruling Gemini - this Full Moon feels like the kick off (wait why do we say kick off, does anything actually start with a kick off?) to the Saturn/Neptune journey (first exact line up on Friday) we will be going through together in 2016. Actually, we are well into the journey now - some of it was just playing out behind the scenes.

Full Moons illuminate something, they show us what we are holding on to. In Gemini this is about communication and learning, opinions and options. Gemini is the sign of change; it holds the space of the crossroads.

The Saturn/Neptune square asks us what we really believe in now. Or maybe it shows us what we really believe in now by what happens to us and what we do with what happens to us.

Saturn represents discipline, time and rules - he reigns over the material world; the things that give life structure. Saturn tells Neptune to, "sit up straight, obey authority, get a job, to pull himself up by his bootstraps." Neptune rules the metaphysical world. He represents our dreams, our imagination, the things that give life meaning. He asks Saturn to feel, to have a heart, to show compassion, to understand that not everyone has bootstraps to pull up.

We all carry both these archetypes and they work out their energies and move their stories forward through us.

On their own neither of these big boys would give us a functioning world. They need each other. And individually we need to balance both these parts of ourselves. We need Saturn's structure to bring the dream to life and we need the dream (Neptune) to give our life meaning and purpose.

Neptune is all over this Full Moon, so things may not be quite as they seem. With Gemini there is always a choice, a spotlight on some new information. If we are unsure what is real or where to look for balance - check your natal chart. Where is 2-6 degrees Sagittarius? Focus on that.

If you have planets 2-6 degrees Sagittarius, Pisces, Gemini or Virgo you will feel this New Moon strongest.

As always, get out and walk in it - this one is challenging - don't go walking into a tree or a ditch or something. You don't have to be able to see it, don't worry about clouds, it's there, you'll feel it.

And Happy Thanksgiving to everyone in the U.S.

xo all

REMINDER on Friday the Saturn/ Neptune square is exact at 7 deg Pisces. If something's dissolving, please just let it go. If something vague and imaginative needs to be firmed up - work on that - baby steps.

the light of late November ....

Praise Song
Praise the light of late November,
the thin sunlight that goes deep in the bones.
Praise the crows chattering in the oak trees;
though they are clothed in night, they do not
despair. Praise what little there's left:
the small boats of milkweed pods, husks, hulls,
shells, the architecture of trees. Praise the meadow
of dried weeds: yarrow, goldenrod, chicory,
the remains of summer. Praise the blue sky
that hasn't cracked yet. Praise the sun slipping down
behind the beechnuts, praise the quilt of leaves
that covers the grass: Scarlet Oak, Sweet Gum,
Sugar Maple. Though darkness gathers, praise our crazy
fallen world; it's all we have, and it's never enough.
 - Barbara Crooker

autumn neighborhood by gnato

After this week we will know what we are dealing with from the Saturn/Neptune square - it will unwind itself over the next 10 months, but the issues will be on the table. They probably already are. A square always means there is work ahead.

Mars is active today - we are taking action, maybe with a key person. The Moon is in Taurus. We won't be rushed. Others won't be rushed by us either. Settle down. We are craving security and the comfort of things we can see, smell, touch and taste - a great day to get things ready for Thanksgiving, if you are in the U.S. Tomorrow (Mercury square Neptune) we could see traffic delays, information and agreements dissolving, wet weather, etc so get your stuff done today if you can.

Vesta connects with the south node (now in Pisces) allowing us to disconnect (dissolve) from things and people that do not fit/work anymore. Remember, Jupiter is in Virgo so everything expands through discipline and details now. Baby steps people. If we can relax and put important decisions on hold for another week or two all the better. We’ll be facing issues around what roles we’re playing and which ones we’re releasing. It's a process. Simplicity is a strength now. There are opportunities for those who have a precise plan and a way of executing it, so we'll take a broad view of future possibilities that may take some time to come to fruition. November and December are foundation building time. Balance.

Back tomorrow with the Gemini Full Moon! xo all

Astrology Forecast for Creatives | Week of November 23rd - Neptune Saturn Square | Full Moon Gemini | NOTE If you are hosting Thanksgiving dinner, think about lots of wine (or wait maybe no wine!) and plastic knives and forks, yes, things could get that dicey!

just a dream by Amr Elshamy

OK,this week we have the first of the exact squares between Saturn in Sagittarius and Neptune in Pisces (two more in 2016), a Full Moon in Gemini and Chiron stationing direct - if you are getting together with family members who hold dissenting beliefs for Thanksgiving ... well, good luck with that. Lots of paths that have diverged in the wood, maybe much longer ago than we would want to admit will be made clear now.

We start the week - Monday - with an opposition between Venus in Libra and Uranus in Aries. An opposition is exactly what it sounds like. So we have Venus (love, money, women, art) all snuggly in Libra (balance) the sign she rules. Suddenly she is at odds with Uranus (independence, freedom, rebellion, stuff from 'out of the blue') in Aries (initiating energy, action, anger, war) where he has recently been freed from his south node tie up.

This could indicate a sudden change (inspiration, perspiration or disintegration) for Venus ruled stuff - love, money, relationships, women, art. Expect the unexpected here. With Uranus, this stuff could flip on us again, so know that whatever happens - if it's good - enjoy it, appreciate it, be grateful. If it's not what we had hoped for - let's not overreact - think Libra and balance, be diplomatic. We will get through it. With Uranus changes just lead to more changes. And Uranus in Aries is answering to Mars who is a bit uncomfortable in Libra. If last week was a bit of a clusterf*ck for you - this aspect could bring a conclusion of sorts.

it all matters ....

echo of small things by karezoid

"It all matters. That someone turns out the lamp, picks up the windblown wrapper, says hello to the invalid, pays at the unattended lot, listens to the repeated tale, folds the abandoned laundry, plays the game fairly, tells the story honestly, acknowledges help, gives credit, says good night, resists temptation, wipes the counter, waits at the yellow, makes the bed, tips the maid, remembers the illness, congratulates the victor, accepts the consequences, takes a stand, steps up, offers a hand, goes first, goes last, chooses the small portion, teaches the child, tends to the dying, comforts the grieving, removes the splinter, wipes the tear, directs the lost, touches the lonely, is the whole thing. What is most beautiful is least acknowledged. What is worth dying for is barely noticed."
 .... Laurie McBride | We Are Called To Rise

Mercury enters Sagittarius and information speeds up. Opportunities may present themselves now (yes with Saturn here they will come with the price tag of hard work - we get to decide what is worth it or maybe life forces our hand) - communications involving learning or teaching, ethics or travel (all Sagittarius ruled things). Our Sag house wakes up now and with Saturn here we will be made to walk our talk. The stuff Saturn has been sitting on since September gets some movement. Great energy to be "salesy", yes, the "s" word. Others can be convinced if we really believe in what we are saying, writing or peddling. There is also truth to be said/heard now - with Jupiter in Virgo it could sting - be kind and compassionate (Neptune in Pisces). A fact vs. fiction wake up call is here/coming.

The BIG idea can provide the enthusiasm that gets us thinking/moving/dreaming and the small things (and steps) will move us forward. (back up your computer this weekend always a good idea before or after Mercury changes signs). xo all