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