The New Gemini Moon of the Fire Bird Year (20:44BST) is perigee,
meaning it is the closest New Moon to Earth of the year, with tides
higher than usual - and emotions could also overflow up to three days
after the New Moon.
For the Himalayan Buddhist this New Moon is
the start of Sakadawa, and a karma multiplied month x100 that gains
momentum until the Full Moon June 9th, when karma is multiplied by 100 billion as we celebrate the Buddha’s enlightenment.
Although this sounds delightful in the need to be mindful of action and
results, this is also a New Moon with two rather difficult astral
signatures within its scope: one is how the Goddess of Love, Venus – now
conjunct asteroid Pallas Athena - is bringing out the fearless warrior
woman looking for serious change. And as Venus and Pallas square up to
Pluto, the secretive planet of control, it puts the feminine archetype
into a powerful position, which may or may not work. Successful outcomes
depend upon intention and insight.
Another factor to take
into account is one of my least favourite transits, that of feisty Mars
in opposition (Rx) to taskmaster Saturn. This combination of the two
planetary malefics can signify all kinds of hard-hitting bully-boy
tactics. And as the Moon connects to this aspect over the weekend, it
brings home harsh realities and how much work needs to be done to
overcome doubt and fear. We would all do well to take an active
responsibility within our various walks of life, so that can we find
within the strength to overcome any fear that could stultify positive
potential.
Back in the 80’s there used to be a popular phrase
that I always found helpful which was ‘feel the fear – but do it
anyway’; and Pema Chodron says in her book 'When things fall apart'
"Usually we think that brave people have no fear. The truth is that they
are intimate with fear. When I was first married, my husband said I was
one of the bravest people he knew. When I asked him why, he said
because I was a complete coward but went ahead and did things anyhow."
So be brave, my friends, as life goes on in its myriad of changes.
Thankfully the planets begin to brighten up somewhat towards the middle
of next week.
May all our new Moon intentions be helpful,
especially to be free from the fear of suffering by the means of
enlightened thoughts, words and activity. 
π
πΉ
With many thanks for 'Chenrezig, Lord of Compassion', to unknown artist _/\_ 
_/\_ 
Transforming the Life of the World Soul _/\_
Sun in Taurus 
♉ & 
♏Full Moon 20°24 Scorpio @ 22:42BST
At the time of a Fixed cross-quarter Full Moon (i.e. halfway point
between an equinox and solstice) Wednesday 10th May, the steady Taurus
Sun shines also with a Fixed Star, Botein (meaning back leg), adding a
frolic with gusto to the Bull’s usually slow and sturdy gait. While
planets wander skies and signs, ‘Fixed Stars’ remain static (to the
human eye), bestowing a universal dimension to any horoscope. Fixed
Stars broaden the astrological background picture from personal to solar
to cosmic, from singular Spirit to a union with the heart of the
Divine. Always augmenting the qualities of whichever planet activates
the Fixed Star, all sorts of tendencies come into sharper focus – often
in an extreme manner, positive or negative, depending upon the intensity
of a star’s magnitude and its’ position in the heavens.
It’s
interesting to note while the often stubborn stuck-in-the-mud Taurean
Sun receives Botein’s playful boot towards earthy abundance and flowery
fertility with all the Bull’s material blessings, the highly intuitive,
extremely-intense, super sexy Scorpio Moon conjuncts a rare green-star,
Zubenelshamali. This is a Fixed Star under which the ancients advised
little movement; emphasising instead a careful balancing act,
weighing-up the qualities and value of the planet in question, which in
this case is the Moon, i.e. what makes us feel secure on an everyday
level. Indeed, according to fixed star expert, Robson, when the
sensitive Moon transits Zubenelshamali (the northern pan of a set of
scales) it’s good to buy cattle but not to navigate. And though this
might not stop a desirous Bull from shopping or flirting, it may well
bring out another Taurean trait, such as lazy procrastination when not
much gets done (and this may be a good thing!).
Therein lies (on
the sun lounger) this Full Moon’s polarising factor: Sun is Spirit’s
essence – not to be confused with the brash ego authority, as it
receives a cosmic light to swing into action; all the while the Scorpio
Moon illuminates personal and intimate relationship (sexual as well as
financial); and our global families need’s signal a time to count
blessings and stocktake assets and chattels (cattleπ
included, food as well as finances and taxes, buildings and intimate
affairs) all of which will require a modicum of patient, careful
handling in order to tally successfully poised.
The portents are
helpful to remain optimistic and open-minded when assessing our
resources, especially those we have to share, be it finances or friends,
gifts and/or talents. And though still in its’ ‘separating shadow
period’ Mercury now going forward to return May 20th, to the very same
place as when it when retro, indicates the chances are that rifling
through your address book could easily reveal connections and/or
reconnections with those who can help you perceive value in life, which
then enhances your physical, emotional or spiritual wellbeing.
Evaluation of self in comparison to others, however, is not a helpful
hobby and should also come with a warning: do not compare yourself to
others! Be aware that no one, anywhere, at any time, will ever
do/be/have anything like the same as you. Amazingly, even though we are
‘One under the same Sun’, when it comes to our personalities, paths and
relationships, we are all exceptionally different (as indicated by our
unique birth chart).
Any appraisal you may now take should also
take into account how others also have their own karmic path to walk and
talk. And you have yours. It doesn’t matter how much money you have, or
how good-looking, rich or privileged xyz is, or the kind of car anyone
drives, there will always be someone else smarter, cooler or cuter
behind you, and someone else similar in front.
The point about
self-worth is to be happy with where, and who you are now. Richness
isn’t about material possession or what you have or own. Finding your
passion and making it work for you enhances self-worth (which is, of
course, where astrology really works as it highlights skill and
challenge). It’s also important to recognise that you have within your
power, especially with a Scorpio Moon, to change your personal
relationship to your own obsessions and envy – and maybe, just maybe, to
even rejoice in other people’s success.
Also note how Luna is in
her fall in Scorpio. So best avoid making a drama out of any crisis, in
relationship, at work, with friends, or at home. Even if you feel like
you are going through difficult times of releasing the old and outmoded,
be good to yourself and simplify goals (and possibly join that lazy old
Bull on the sofa).
In actuality this could be quite an intense Moon, with a couple of very interesting opposing factors to consider:
☩ As well as ‘The Lights’, Sun & Moon, both also making helpful
aspects to outer celestial wanderers Chiron, Neptune and Pluto –
illuminating collective wounds amid the longing to transform. Couple
these astral configurations with the alignment of Sun and Moon, in the
latter degrees of Taurus and Scorpio, plus how the nodal axis has
shifted backwards into Leo-Aquarius. And iIt means this Full Moon
carries with it the transformational qualities of a ‘Grand Fixed Cross’.
So not only is it a ‘cross-quarter’ Full Moon in fixed signs,
but the Lights also form an actual ‘Fixed Cross’ formation with the
destiny fulfilling Nodes. A ‘Cross’ formation has four celestial
markers, ninety degrees apart to form a large square that dominates the
chart; and this particular case it also means the Lights are coming to
perfect a position known as being ‘at the bends’, i.e. when a planet
squares the karmically connected Nodes (Dragon’s head and Dragon’s tail,
the unseen portals Rahu and Ketu respectively). In this configuration,
learning from past collective issues is crucial to remaining true to
one’s ethics and principles.
☩ Carrying a metaphoric cross can
obviously stress and crucify the human spirit, which seeks freedom from
pain, suffering and sacrifice, free to skip the light fantastic through
the noosphere of ideas and concepts, and into the playful sphere of
enlightened happiness. Such is the calling of Spirits’ consciousness.
To remain in one’s flow with faith, in trust, untouched by phase or
fortune, one needs to relax the heart and mind comfortably. A powerful
stimulation from the Fixed Cross can deeply impact upon the heart,
however, provoking transformation from within. An emotional heart
struggles, as we all do from time to time, to unknot the confusion and
chaos of our heart’s desire, our anger or ignorance, which, unless we
get a handle on a runaway psyche, habitually haunts our lives; but this
often self-imposed psychological torture need not blight us, though it
requires practical training to calm the heart and mind, and remain
authentic to one’s true nature.
☩ Such discipline and training
are the astrological domain of Saturn, always a key player in any Fixed
Cross. Saturn’s presence is made all the more significant whenever there
are crisis turning points (as in the current association with the
nodes). Even a retrograde Saturn can teach one how to be resilient in
the face of the torrent of life’s demands – as in that delightful
Scorpio meme: what doesn’t do you in makes you stronger. With the Fixed
Cross, a healthy soul also develops sunny Leo’s generosity, plus the
Aquarian ability to keep an open mind and look on the bright side of
life (even if it is a little weird); add the Taurus talent of holding
attention, and one’s welfare could soon be secure enough to allow
intuition to go beyond superficial instruction. With such consciousness
one can also transform selfishness into selflessness.
There are two key ways to harness the transformational quality of a Fixed Cross:
1) ♄ With Saturn in Sagittarius urging us to develop philosophical
understanding, the higher mind and ethical wisdom, we can tamp-up
personal disciple and self-control by working with our own natal Saturn;
and/or empower by tuning into the Phoenix Fire Trine, to which Saturn
will be a key player for almost the rest of the year.
2) ♆
Neptune can dissolve the fears Saturn may bring up, and activate from
within what is known in esoteric astrology as ‘love-aspiration’, which
is the desire for all beings to be well and happy. Once again, you can
find support from your own personal Neptune, and if inclined merge with
the current passage of oceanic Neptune through magical Pisces, by
further developing compassion and loving kindness by bringing the
love-aspiration into daily life.
Lastly, this Full Moon is also
known as ‘Wesak’ or ‘Buddha Purnima’ across much of the Asian world, a
festival celebrating a most famous Taurus, Shakyamuni Buddha, who, in
good earthy Taurus style was born under a tree, gained enlightenment
under a tree, and even died under one. Just that simple fact alone about
the historical man of peace tells us that inner-peace and happiness can
all be found in nature! Thus when dealing with issues of shared values
and self-worth over this Full Moon, an easy way to begin to cherish all
life and raise self-esteem may well be found in the great outdoors,
where you can literally transform your soul with a magical Moonbathe,
and possibly even make a difference to the world’s soul too, the ‘anima
mundi’ – heaven knows Mother Earth also needs to know she is loved too
sometimes π.
And fyi: there are
still a few places available for my summer retreats (ongoing throughout
the season), please click details
With love and thx to unknown artist for beautiful enlightlightened Buddha <3
