New Moon in Taurus April 26th | keep it simple, what we seek is seeking us

interpreter of sunlight by equivoque

I hate writing headlines for posts because nothing is ever just one thing or just one way. We are all so busy these days and everyone is skimming - which is a good thing to do with a mosquito net to a dirty pool, but always makes me think of the Soprano's taking a little off the top. It is easy to be short-changed. Although I skim, too, sometimes, of course :)

Anyhoo, Wednesday's New Moon (early morning) is in steady eddie, fixed and earthy Taurus. New Moons are the times when the Sun and Moon are both in exactly the same degree. The Moon is hidden. The stuff we do now is hidden, too. After tomorrow the Moon, as it moves out of exact lineup with the Sun, will appear to grow larger in the night sky. This is called waxing. The waxing Moon is the time of every month's lunar cycle when things are growing. 

Fire Moons (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) may be the best times to start things and have them take off like a rocket, but earth, and especially the only fixed earth New Moon of the year (this one) is the best energy for the seeds we put into the ground to take root and last. Patience is required with Taurus. Think about a farmer with his field - he doesn't expect his plantings to bear fruit immediately and we can't either. Time is on our side here.

Remember the way this whole thing works - astrologically speaking. We initiate something (say an intention) and it carries the energy of the 'start' - that moment of time. It actually is that moment. Now the degree of this New Moon (6 degrees Taurus) will be activated by other celestial bodies as they move through this degree later. Venus and Mercury will walk this degree when they get into Taurus at some point over the next few weeks and impact it, other planets and points will square (tension) or oppose it (just what it sounds like). We've established a marker, and life, through its ceaseless cycle, continually interacts with it. It's always up to us what we do with/and through these interactions and of course some markers are stronger, and more impactful, than others. Because Mars has already passed 6 degrees Taurus we won't have his fiery active energy interacting with our marker later. This is just fine with Taurus though who likes a more stable, consistent path anyway.

Taurus doesn't like to rush. She likes comfort and ease and stopping to smell the roses. This isn't about being lazy. This is about our ability to savor. And to put down roots. We live on a beautiful, miraculous rock hurtling through space. How is this even possible? And yes, times are especially challenging (and I am finishing up that 'winter is coming' series - it's even challenging to write about and keep an open perspective believe me). But we came here and are alive at this time for these experiences - we carry (each of us our own little piece of the puzzle) the energy needed now.

Actions and intentions that are given root this week will carry this solid, straight forward, long lasting energy. Think - simple. It may not be the best energy to start something super complicated. For example, this is excellent energy to commit to a healthier diet and have it stick. But, the way to do this would not be with complicated meal plans. Keep things simple.

With Uranus (rebellion, sudden changes) conjunct a retrograde Mercury at the time of this New Moon there could be an energy of 'not wanting to take no for an answer'. The stuff that is restricting us will be more keenly felt now and talked about or communicated. There could be some surprising news about an old situation that moves us in a new direction or gets us thinking a new way.

This New Moon is the beginning of the "moving ahead" energy that will gain more momentum when Mercury stations direct next week. Probably a project or situation that has laid dormant, been on the back burner or in the planning stages is starting to show signs of life now or signs that things are wrapping up.  

NEW MOON INTENTIONS 

This new moon in Taurus is an excellent time to begin a grounding practice, make affirmations and set intentions about Taurean ruled themes (also the theme of your natal Taurus house): love, money, contentment with what we already have, patience, self-worth, releasing stubbornness, health issues regarding our neck, throat and voice in the world - this would be a great time to start a singing practice or class, simply committing to singing loud and strong every time you are in the car can begin to carry your voice to new spaces and places (are you wanting to get your voice heard? think about it, I am totally serious, this is how life works) - nutrition, nature, self-care.

AFFIRMATION TIPS: get into a happy, contented frame of mind HUG A TREE (she needs you, too!) - always make affirmations from a  positive place, and both definitions of positive apply here - happy and certain. Write your affirmations down by hand in script, speak them out loud - then release your attention from these things knowing that your intention is known. Know these things are already yours.

Also remember affirmations are action -  they set the energy in motion and by working with the right things at the time of the New Moon we are literally creating the affirmation within the energy that is needed to bring it to life.

Words are not just words. If done properly, in the right frame of mind and heart-felt, they line us up energetically with the thing we are seeking. Always. 

The stuff we start now will benefit us later in the year. With Taurus, this is pretty much guaranteed, providing we keep things SIMPLE.

xo all


via GIPHY

Astrology Forecast for Creatives | Week of April 24th - news we can use, seeds in the ground, sudden revelations

in the form of a dream by equivoque

This is another big week.

It's a chapter in our story that would keep the reader up all night - it has a little bit of everything - work, creativity, old passion, karma, new decisions, endings, fresh starts and a plot twist at the end we won't see coming.

The early part of the week will probably be easier to work with. Get a jump on things Monday morning and take advantage of the Aries/Taurus Moons on Monday and Tuesday to get as much done as possible.

On Monday, Mercury (retrograde in Aries) trines (brakes off) Saturn (retrograde in Sagittarius). Any news now will be something we can build on - it will likely be about an old situation. It's a good time to accept reality and be practical. Step into responsibilities. Slow down and double check the facts. Use grown up language and be respectful of yourself and others with the words you choose to use. Communications and conversations with authority figures can go smoothly. A tendency toward negative self-talk could show up now - that inner critic should be respectfully silenced. "Thank you Saturn for bringing this to my attention. I can handle it." Then move on.

There are multiple challenges to Vesta (hearth, devotion) today including a square with Mercury and inconjunct with Saturn. So the smooth energy between them is giving her a headache! Maybe what we know we have to do is creating tension with what we are obsessing about or some 'tribal' matter. Now, Mercury squared Vesta back at the end of March while he was direct, so it could be an old situation/conversation regarding something that 'nurtures us' and/or something we are 'devoted to' is back on the table. Use that Mercury trine Saturn to discuss/work with these old energies in a new, more structured way. We might have to have the same conversation or rework the same idea again.

The New Moon in Taurus on Wednesday is an excellent Moon for planting NEW seeds. With the Sun and the Moon in fertile Taurus and sextiling (opportunity) the planet of our dreams and imagination, Neptune, who is very strong in Pisces - it will be well worth taking the time to set those monthly intentions!

A fixed sign, Taurus loves structure and routine, and the next few weeks will be all about creating new systems in our everyday life that support our highest values. We will have to be willing to leave behind what isn't working for this to happen. Post to follow.

The New Moon's sextile with Pisces is exact it is good energy to be proactive with our dreams and creativity. It trines fated Pluto. The time could be finally right for something. Plant those seeds! This is excellent healing energy. What needs healing? How can we benefit from merging with the collective energies? If we are exhausted this would be good energy to take a mental health day, especially if we can get our body near or into water. A walk in the woods can do wonders now also. Crying or sweating will work, too.

On Friday, Venus moves back (going forward) into Aries. Something finalizes here that has been ongoing since at least February. She is back in warrior mode and we are focused on ourselves (and so is everyone else). On the same day Mercury (information, communication, conversations, transportation) conjuncts Uranus (rebellion, unexpected, sudden) bringing unexpected news and plot twists! This will be a hell of a day! Post to follow.

xo all

Venus Squares Saturn (again), Mars into Gemini | what did you do about that wall?

k.m. by snjezana josipovic

Today is the 3rd and final time Venus squares Saturn - first direct (that's us hitting the wall) then retrograde (that's us going back over the situation and hopefully figuring out what to do about it) and now direct again - so, what's it gonna be?

Are we going to climb it, go around it, head in another direction? Or have we done this already. Venus energy is about love, money, self esteem, our values, women, beauty. This could/is also about the theme of our late Pisces natal house.

After this final roadblock this area of life will ease up.

Whatever has been standing in our way will be in our rearview mirror - maybe because we've figured out a way over or around or maybe because we've let go of that Venusian desire, released it as something that just ain't gonna happen right now, and moved on.

With Venus and Saturn this can also be about loneliness and isolation. Some things need to be done solo, but if this whole "put on your big girl pants and just do it" has become too much - the opportunities will arise now to involve other people. Walls can come down. Also learning to love time spent in solitude is a wonderful gift. There could be experiences with that energy now.

With Saturn squares what usually happens is the reality of the situation can no longer be ignored. With Venus it's time to find the beauty (and love) in that. 

Note the fly in the ointment of this whole situation beginning to lighten up after today (although it will to an extent) is we have Chiron and Saturn getting closer to their exact square in pretty much this same area. There is probably some later (within the next couple weeks) ouch still to be felt/dealt here. Sorry.

Also today firey Mars moves out of Taurus, where he has been kind of grinding his heels, and into energetic, frenetic Gemini. You can decide if this is a good thing. With Mars now in Gemini answering to Mercury and Mercury in Aries answering to Mars - these planets are in mutual reception and both strengthened. You decide if this is a good thing.

Mars in Gemini will have us running here and there. This is the energy that loves multi-tasking. Yes, we know now that multi-tasking really just means doing everything half-assed, but sometimes half-assed is good enough. And sometimes it isn't. You decide.

Too many balls in the air, can be an exciting thing, until they are all in a pile at our feet. If everything is equally important than nothing is really important. Skills to prioritize and stay on track will come in handy now.

With Mercury retrograde alot of our energy will be going into old situations. Maybe we can say/do it differently this time. Watch for flashes of temper and tricky situations to come and go quickly. What is that old expression - don't get too worked up about the weather because it's about to change. Well, that's a good way to look at life right now.

Stay flexible. Things are in flux. And we will soon be headed into Gemini season (I don't mean to rush Taurus season, but already this is how Gemini makes me think!) when even more will be in flux. Use a loose grip now and don't count your chickens until they have hatched. This isn't the final, final round.

My car broke down this week and I've decided today to stop this shared car drama by renting a car for a few days. Usually I can't bear to toss money away like this, but it's Taurus season and equally hard to be uncomfortable. Naturally I will rent a teeny tiny, terribly uncomfortable car, that requires contortions to enter and exit, that saves me ninety nine cents a day. Because ... well ninety nine cents a day. And I do love zippy little cars and there is the whole Mercury (transportation) and Mars (action) in mutual reception thing now.

(also I should report the whole renovation hell with the money pit camper continues)

We'll talk more about Gemini as we move through it. Just know we are about to get alot done or at least alot started or maybe just be running in a whole lot of different directions at once.

That mutual reception with Mercury thing and Mars ruling war thing means we need to watch that our language doesn't start a war. So don't start a war. Just do something else on that never ending to-do list until the weather shifts ..... xo all

Pluto Stations Retrograde | an insider look at control, power and resources

Pluto stations retrograde this morning (in Capricorn) and the Sun conjuncts a retrograde Mercury in Taurus. Maybe something comes to light today that has been buried.

ania 3 by aprelka

Pluto's retrogrades are times to do some deep inner work. Fear that is ripe for release will come up to be looked up. Fear can arise through uncomfortable situations, but we can see it for what it is, ask ourselves if it serves us any longer and decide what to do with it. Really deep insights are possible while Pluto is retrograde and he is particularly powerful when he stations. 

Now we have four planets retrograde again. The revisions and delays we encounter are part of the process. We can be assured they will pay off later. Pushing against these seemingly never ending blockages (remember things have to fall into place with other people, too), trying to control stuff now and trying to swim upstream (you still don't look like a salmon to me) aren't going to work.

Outworn controls, rules and power systems are getting re-looked at. Remember this year's retrograde energies are getting us ready for next year's solidification. We are deciding now what gets to stay, what we are going to keep, what changes need to be made in our structures. Really think through those decisions because whatever is built by the end of this year is going to stick around.

The Taurus aspects now are about our resources. What do we have and what is it worth? How can we use what we have in more effective ways? What are we missing?

Remember these are transits meaning transitory - they won't last forever.

Our New Moon on April 26th will start the ball rolling with new energies to work with then after Mercury stations direct on May 3rd (give him a day or two to get his wings ironed out) we will be really moving forward.  

In May, our holding patterns and revisions will start to pay off. By June when Jupiter turns direct it is all about the NEW energy (some of which is new and some of which is new again) and all systems are GO.

(note - all systems GO doesn't mean whatever we want to do is the greatest idea we have ever had - we could still fall on our ass, but those are mostly pretty cushioned anyway, right? the universal resistance will be much, much less)

Right now we are still "re"vising, "re"visiting, "re"flecting. We are doing an inventory of our resources, making plans and stocking up. We are polishing up our skills and education. We are expanding our relationships. We have more resources than dollars in the bank, but, of course, we need those, too. What's bringing us stability? What's sucking us dry?

We are giving voice (Taurus rules the throat and voice) to what we want with positive language and heartfelt prayer - Neptune IS DIRECT and our connection to the ethereal realms is uber strong now. If we have planets or points if the middle degrees of the cardinal signs this has been/will be even more impactful - check your Aries, Cancer, Capricorn and Libra houses - or just do an inventory of what is happening in your life now. Whatever it is that is creating that pit in our stomach and those sleepless nights (this could be through worry or enthusiasm) is the area that is ripe for change this year ....

xo all