☼☾Sun in Sagittarius -- Full Super Moon in Gemini 11°40’ ☼☽

☼☾Sun in Sagittarius -- Full Super Moon in Gemini 11°40’ ☼☽

Sunday –Monday 3^rd – 4^th December @15:47GMT

“Everybody has a geography that can be used for change that is why we travel to far off places. Whether we know it or not we need to renew ourselves in territories that are fresh and wild. We need to come home through the body of alien lands.” – Joan Halifax

☆ When faced with obstacles and difficulties that appear immovable and insurmountable, especially in the arenas of information and long and short distance travel, truth and wisdom, it sometimes feels like time stands still and all we can do is hold our breath, count to ten, then breathe deeply and mindfully, all the while witnessing a world spellbound by distraction and karma. Indeed, the Lord of Karma, Saturn, is asserting mega astral attention as this year draws to close – and is a major player in the last Full Moon horoscope of 2017.

Aside from gaining more kudos from currently being close-up and personal with quick-thinking Mercury (which is the associated ruler of this Gemini Moon (more on this throughout the commentary)), authoritarian Saturn will soon be with the life-giving Sun’s Solstice standstill on the 21^st December – only three days after the 18^th Dec New Sagittarian Moon (at almost the same degree as to where Saturn is right now: i.e. conjunct the Galactic Centre!). Heading towards the light, as the Solstice Capricorn Sun rises, so too will Saturn. As taskmaster Saturn ingresses into its home sign of the ambitious Sea Goat, the individual is initiated into the world of spiritual aspiration with the light of the New Born King. That’s some well-practiced and highly dramatic timing on behalf of the Time Lord, Saturn, ushering in a new sense of personal responsibility just as the light turns in the southern hemisphere and returns in the north (look to Capricorn in your chart to see where your reliability (as well as any fear) is reinforced.) 

A few weeks ahead of Saturn’s dramatic change of sign (which has not been seen in Capricorn since 1989) synchronising with our Solar time wheel, early December also sees the light of a Full Gemini Super Moon opposite the fiery Sagittarian Sun – with both Sun and Moon in a very tight and challenging ‘T’ square aspect to fantasy-orientated Neptune, the planet of illusion and delusion, glamour and dreams. Things could become bizarrely surreal during this Full Moon, which is also the first of two Super Moons. 

The next Super Moon following this glorious Gemini Full Moon will be Tuesday 2^nd January 2018! What an entrance into 2018 that will be! A Super Moon is one that is closest to the earth so, it looks slightly bigger than usual, with the geophysical effects, and our emotions also heightened (earthquakes and flooding, for instance, can happen approximately up to three days after the moon).
☆ Like Gemini’s quicksilver nature, I’m running ahead again with mercurial caduceus wand in hand, invoking a successful pass in any test we encounter – or set ourselves. Lets’ get back to this Full Super Moon in the sign of the Twins, and see what it means to relate to all beings as brothers and sisters, at the same time being cheerful as an individual, freely going about daily business happy wherever you are, ’d'être bien dans sa peau’, as the French say, ‘happy in your skin’, easy to talk to and easy to be with. Purely by being light-hearted, social creatures, Geminis possess an uncanny knack of charming all and sundry at the same time honing into important information. What one does with such info, be it gossip or gospel – or both, may remain to be seen as the mutable Gemini is ruled by Mercury, which goes into retrograde motion only hours before Luna culminates!  

By now regular dharma stars readers know the drill regarding a Mercury retrograde: for three whole weeks, from the 3^rd Dec until the 23^rd, triple check all important docs and files, especially those appertaining to sales, streaming and scripts; timetables and academic papers will also benefit with at least one review – and still expect delays. Because this Mercury retrograde sees the planet of communication in detriment, i.e. versatile Mercury can be too scattered in fiery Sagittarius: try not to spread yourself too thin. Stay focused. There is much to learn from Mercury’s conjunction with the more disciplined Saturn. For starters, this retrograde is about timing as Saturn is the Time Lord.

☆ Traditionalist Saturn can seem a slowcoach and stickler, patient for detail and long-winded bureaucracy, whilst Gemini’s ruler Mercury likes shortcuts and tweets to get the message across. And therein lays the dilemma: how to keep information, travel and ideas all flowing at a speed that satisfies both parties, i.e. the wise old Saturnian AND the Mercurial youth (or, in Jungian parlance, find a way to mediate between the Senex and the Puer aeternus).  This tight association between time conscious Mercury and Saturn is strong in so many ways, cropping up again and again throughout our Full Moon scope, connecting many planets during the only Super Moon of 2017. So when keeping appointments, take in the scenery on route by all means, but also keep a close eye on the clock: no one likes to be kept waiting, least of all those who have authority. 

The combination of smart and savvy Mercury with conventional Saturn can also be extremely judgemental, which is not necessarily a bad thing; sometimes we need to know what works and what doesn’t. But the heaviness associated with Saturn accents the importance of training one’s own mind not to fall into depressive states no matter how difficult the circumstance.  Make a note to concentrate upon what is important right now and maintain joyful enthusiasm; remember that information hungry Gemini thrives with freedom of choice as well as the freedom to determine that choice. Dates to watch out for Mercury’s potential mischiefs, exactly aligning with responsible Saturn, 28^th November, 4^th December and 13^th January, with the latter there may be a binding resolution of the issues relating to this sobering but also potentially expansive aspect – within Saturn’s guiding limits.

☆ Adding a challenge to this dynamic Super Moon astral mix is that both Sagittarian Sun and Gemini Moon are conjunct bright red Fixed Stars that represent intensity, power and action. The Sun at the height of the Full Super Moon is with one of the four ‘Royal Stars’, ‘Antares’, at the ‘Heart of the Scorpion’; indicating successful outcomes within extreme situations. There’s a warning that comes with this magnificent star, however, as Antares conjunct the Sun also indicates spectacular individual loss should one instigate any high drama purely for one’s own personal excitement. And with Mars and Uranus still within a rather explosive opposition, it’s time to raise a more altruistic intention, and do what is best for everyone. 

The Moon is also with another Royal Star, Aldeberan, ‘the Eye of the Bull’, otherwise known as the star of illumination, or Buddha’s Star. This Fixed Star also comes with a caveat; whenever the sensitive Moon is present with Aldeberan, the focus is to keep integrity intact and not fall into temptation – which is so much easier when you’re living your truth, secure in your own natural power and element. The alignment of these two great stars, Antares and Aldeberan, together with the ‘Lights’ suggests brilliance, riches and honours, but only by exercising the highest morals and ethics. Otherwise, Aldeberan is like Antares: one whiff of corruption, sleaze or skulduggery, and one could lose a lot. 

☆ Imho, this is not a Full Moon to take major risks, or make restrictions that prevent access to higher knowledge. To successfully navigate this Full Moon one will not only need to rely on highly refined intuition (The Lights in that tight T-square to Neptune, at home in oceanic Pisces), but also remain reliably informed have a strong grip of concepts, facts and law, and from time to time take a much-needed, reality check. Encourage a practical and broad mind, and aim towards reviewing the bigger picture that lies before you; then see how best to consolidate.  

☆ One last note I’d like to mention is that as the Sun and Moon now both make challenging aspects to both, Jupiter and Neptune, not only do we have the ‘T’square, creating a tense aspect between the lights – and some may feel a sense of loss (don’t give up now!), but we also see the Sun making a semi-sextile to Jupiter in Scorpio, and the Moon throwing a ‘quincunx’ to the currently insightful Cosmic Guru. And on the same day as the Full Super Moon these two spiritually affiliated planets also make the first of three ‘Trines’ (120°) between the water signs Pisces and Scorpio, which take place on the 3^rd December, 25^th May, 19^th August. So Jupiter and Neptune’s triangle phase will take eight months to complete the astral hat trick. Here, it’s important to note that Jupiter is Pisces’ traditional ruler, while Neptune is the modern ruler of the Fishes; both planets have a connection when bringing together soul and form. Jupiter may be the Sacred Teacher, but Neptune in Pisces has a collective influence, representing faith, prayers and mantras, and the heartfelt compassion and forgiveness that can ripple into the Biofield, the Noosphere of unseen thoughts and feelings, and thus have an influence upon all of us.  These two planets can reveal how a generation’s dreams can grow, especially with the profound inclination to regenerate and renew the resources we all share: water, air and earth. This wonderful planetary phase teaches us that purely by opening up to the sacred light within, seeing everything as a heavenly miracle, however minor, then everything else in the universe becomes divine too.
So much to look forward to, even in the middle of a conscientious Mercury retrograde!
Happy Full Super Moon to all!

With love and light from Astro Dakini ☆•*¨*•.¸¸❤☼☾

☄ _/♥\_ Dark Moon in Scorpio - Dec1st ♏ ♄ ☽ ☿ ☄ ☉ ☼✶•*¨*•.¸¸✶

Dark Moon in Scorpio with ISON, Mercury & Saturn - Dec 1st '13
_/♥\_ ♏ ♄ ☽ ☿ ☄ ☉ ☼✶•*¨*•.¸¸✶
Dark moons are just as much times for sowing the seed as they are for releasing and letting go of old issues and sticky problems - sending them back to void. Because this particular balsamic Moon is conjunct the planet of the mind, Mercury, and karmic Saturn, the planet of limitation and endings, there’s a sense of finality to certain difficult issues (which could have been around for years). And as this weekend’s dark Scorpionic moon phase could trigger profound feelings - fear, loss, hopelessness - bear in mind how even these emotions can now serve as the means for dramatic alchemical transformation, from base ordinary things/ideas/relationship into treasured golden enlightenment.

It’s also worth noting that informative Mercury, disciplined Saturn, and the sensitive Moon are with Comet ISON! Though much is now hidden with the dark Moon, if there is ever a story of life, death and regeneration, it is Comet ISON. Pronounced dead and gone after its perihelion sungraze, ISON reappeared and perhaps may even able to grow its glowing tail once again – we just don’t know yet, as it has still yet to come into view, which it could well do again after the forward-moving New Moon in Sagittarius Dec 2nd/3rd. Though on December 1st, early bird sky dancers will catch the last slither of the Moon, with Mercury & Saturn in the pre-dawn sky – and possibly the comet. This combination of planets and comet is actually an extremely sobering stellium that once again determines the importance of understanding the nature of reality, in order to combat debilitating fears and doubts: that all is ultimately pure love and bliss.

Comets always bring unknown factors from deep space into play. And, in ISON’s case, coming from beyond magical mystical Neptune, its dynamic transformational energy affects us all. Generally speaking comets are not considered to be good omens, as they excite and heat disordered conditions. However, ISON – in whatever state it is in, is still under Sun’s beams, in the ‘crossover’sign between Scorpio & Sagittarius sometimes called the 13th sign, Ophiuchus. This part of the sky is attributed to the teacher of Hippocrates, the healer ‘Asklepius’ who is holding a snake; his staff the symbol of modern medicine.

ISON’s passage becomes doubly symbolic during the year of the Black Water Snake. In Tibetan Buddhism, the snake depicted in the wheel of life is symbolic of hatred, the root emotion to violence and war, when the way of peace is by transforming that angry emotion into compassion for all beings. Remembering also that the third week after enlightenment, Lord Buddha (whose rebirth we recently commemorated, at LhaBab DuChen, only a week ago) was sheltered by the coiled snake energy (Kundalini) of the seven headed snake (in line with seven chakras). Thus, to my mind, the symbology of a Dark Moon touching the tail of Asclepius’ Snake, aligned with the healing brother Mercury, earthy Saturn & ISON, it suggests the importance of global healing, activating Kundalini Earth energy, transforming consciousness and raising the Diving feminine Shakti power to the max.

And December's Venus retrograde dance at Solstice will again teach the importance of Five-Star LOVE ☆☆☆☆☆

Image is of Vajrayogini, the Goddess for degenerate times, as she is the manifestation of ultimate wisdom and compassion, aiding in the transformation of mundane experience into higher levels of spiritual understanding.

No Mud No Lotus - Mercury / Saturn - November 26th '13 ~> _(♥)_

Planet of the mind, Mercury, conjuncts karmic Saturn for the 3rd time in a month, due to Mercury’s Scorpionic retro loop-de-loop; which means that whatever problem was going down at Halloween, and the 8th November, is once again given karmic Saturn’s powerful scrutiny. Issues raised back then could even now see some kind of practical resolve. This is because Saturn with Mercury urges us to examine traditional power structures, and the way we deal with authority, as well as any negative thinking or stuck thought patterns such as obsession, jealousy or control, by planting the responsibility for our own thoughts firmly back into our own heart-minds. This conjunction encourages us to transform and train the mind in a practical manner, which in Buddhism we would call ‘lojong’: training the mind towards awakening, through difficult and trying situations. So don’t worry if your rational mind is stuck in the mud today, reaching for lotus-like clarity will happen soon enough, as fleet-footed Mercury swiftly makes a good aspect to loving Venus AND the cosmic teacher, Jupiter on Thanksgiving Thursday, November 28th (when ISON sungrazes with the Sagittarian Sun!). _(♥)_

✴️ Behind closed doors at the Dark Moon in Scorpio ☾♏ Nov'13

Retrograde Mercury, planet of the mind, and karmic Saturn in Scorpio are enhancing the power of deep introspection; for Scorpio is secretive sign, with the need for privacy when delving into interior of one’s heart-mind; it is often behind closed doors that the most powerful transformations take place.

With the dark moon also going into Scorpio today, there’s already a growing sense of tomorrow’s oncoming Scorpio New Moon Solar Eclipse 3rd November (12:48pmGMT), when we welcome the newly risen Phoenix that rises from the Sun’s ‘Fiery Path’. And as we approach the cosmic union of Sun, Moon and Earth in heavenly alignment, we could also sense the need to raise consciousness so that Spirit can fly like the proverbial reborn Sun bird. But in order to be ready to cross this threshold, from dark to light, we may need to rest and retreat into our own sacred space, to dig deep within and remove obscuration, releasing old and outworn, negative aspects of our psyche and personality.

Now, therefore, is the optimum time to assess, from this day forward, exactly what it is that we wish to be karmically responsible for. In other words, no one else is able to do our practice – we have to do the work ourselves in order to polish the most precious Dharma jewel, so Spirit naturally radiates: When the doors of perception open, infinite LoveLight shines._/♥\_

☿ Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio ☿ ♏ Rx - 21st Oct - 10 November

Usually swift in winged attire, Mercury, sparkling planet of mind and movement slowed down yesterday to become retrograde at 18 Scorpio for three weeks, until November 10th. Going all the way back to 2Scorpio, Mercury now goes undercover to be the guiding light when delving into dark recesses, a covert celestial agent with a responsible mission.

Secretive, enigmatic and transformational, Mercury in Scorpio is magnetic, thoughtful and extremely incisive when dealing with difficult subjects. In Scorpio, Mercury is the psychopomp, escorting people, things, ideas, through various transitions: from life to death, to life after death through the bardo, and rebirth.

When the planet of the mind delves into powerful Scorpio it does so fearlessly, teaching that when something/someone dies it is to be reborn. Holding steady with laser-like perception, Mercury in Scorpio deals sensitively with taboo subjects such as power, sex, death, and shared investments, such as emotional investments within intimate relationship, spiritual investment with tantric commitment, or financial such as big business, taxes, and inheritance (environmental, cultural, or monetary); none of these are easy topics, often requiring trust and faith, and an ability to stop and step back to release the old and outworn in order to be renewed and reborn. As Mercury will conjunct karmic Saturn twice more during this retrograde/direct phase (and twice more Sextile both Pluto & Mars, plus Trine Neptune), busy Mercury is able to magically facilitate healing at any time, thus encouraging the development of insight, intuition, and the psychic sensitivity to transform past life (past events/past psychology) into a potentially powerful force for good by taking personal control of one's life, and sharing the best with the rest. _/♥\_

Thanks to unknown artist for evocative Buddha _/♥\_
If you would like to know more how this period constellates in your own horoscope, please contact me for rates

LOVE conquers ALL ♥ New Libra Moon 2010

♥ New Moon 14Libra at 19:44 bst --> LOVE ~ PEACE & UNITY

♥ Being human, we need someone to talk to, hold, and most of all, LOVE.

♥ So while the new Moon is in Libra, the sign of the heart in harmony, it's time to look at the way we relate: Partnerships, in relationship and business, now call for fairness, committment AND passion.

♥ And by some Divine twist of fate, the planets are also now in sharing mode, all currently operating in pairs: Spirit Sun with Soulful Moon; Loving Venus with macho Mars (in deeply magnetic Scorpio); communicative Mercury with karmic Saturn (weighing heavy on thoughts & speech); transformational Pluto with Earth mother Ceres; Healing Chiron with dreamy Neptune; expansive Jupiter with visionary Uranus. Get the picture? The heavens are saying that we’re meant to be working with another (or other part of ourself) to create a partnership on an even keel, however that might work, be it sexual or spiritual, romantic or business. Now is the time of healing, reality and togetherness. Bring every possible positive aspect of self to the fore; and cosy up with someone or something you love that stimulates wholeness: a person, book or hot-water bottle!

♥ While BALANCE is the cosmic order of the day, the aligning Mercury Saturn also means we need to encourage a mind of healing, and watch negative thinking by being diciplined and nippping it in the bud right away. We can do that by making a commitment (i.e. setting the intention) to attain the clear mind (of enlightenment) without fear or desire clouding our view or judgement.

♥ Of course, that's the theory. ;) But Saturn is practical, and if we can just stop ourelves from just once spiralling into a black hole over the next few days, we create a clearer connection to our own spiriutal light. And practice makes perfect. (Shamatha) Calm abiding meditation is the key today.

♥ Note that unless we are in a complete state of trust, there is no need to reveal everything we want, feel or think, to those who have yet to show unconditional friendship. Indeed, we may to hold back from confrontation, in order to understand emotional fears.

♥ Remember that LOVE conquers ALL things: let us too surrender to love ♥