Astrology Essentials Workshop
This is the third Astrology Essentials workshop I've been fortunate enough to hold with a small group of local women in the Byron shire. The first two were for absolute beginners and this one is for those who have some basic understanding of the 12 signs and four elements in Astrology. It'll be Part 1 of two workshops on the 10 Planets divided into "Inner" and "Outer".

It is coordinated with and advertised on the wonderful @kindred.women.together KWT platform, a local community initiative for women to get together and learn, share and socialise. For more information about the workshop, KWT and many other activities check out https://www.kindredwomentogether.com

Here's the blurb:
"Ever been curious to learn about the Planets in Astrology and what they represent in your Birth chart? A 3 hour workshop for those who are already familiar with the 12 Zodiac signs, 12 Houses and  Rising signs in Western Astrology. We will explore 6 planets together- the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus , Mars, their influences in the birth chart, energies and symbolism".

Everyone who attends an Astrology Essentials workshop gets a print out of their birth chart, a hand out and folder.

Right now there’s a moment in the astrological picture when all the planets in our solar system are moving direct. Which means none of them appear to be going backwards a.k.a Retrograde and that means that there’s a window right now after all the assimilation of what’s been tackled in the retrograde phases of the “Inner” planets Mercury, Venus and Mars, since the end of 2024 and the first few months of this year, to start shifting into another gear…putting into action all that we’ve been reviewing about the past and what didn’t work, revisiting old projects or perhaps revising old attitudes to tackle problems in a different way.

Hopefully while the timing has felt wrong or like forward momentum has been thwarted or perhaps things have felt in a stalemate we’ve shifted some inner baggage, blockage or at least allowed some light through the cracks. In a simplified nutshell Mercury is communication, transport and logistics, Venus is relationships, worth, value and finances and Mars is action, drive and the assertion of will.

But…Mars, who went Retrograde in the first week of December last year, turning direct in February is only now back in the seat of the sign it was in when it went Retrograde all those months ago- Fire sign Leo-and that means Mars themes of how we all take action and express our inner Yang mode of operation, has needed reflection for some recalibration. This also means that the area of our birth chart where Mars has been hanging out over the last 6 months in this backwards and forwards journey has been very activated and Mars won’t clear that old ground until the beginning of May. Mars has also spent much of the time in Water sign Cancer- so feelings around family, security, home base, country and defending what you care deeply for, are themes that have been undergoing a shift individually and politically! Note: Mars’s shadow aspect as God of War.

Delays or obstacles invariably offer us an opportunity to step back and reassess courses of action but frustrated ego energies and inner Masculine shadow self can lead to a desire  to control or dominate ( we all have Masculine/Feminine aspects no matter what we identify with ) and the shadow expression might still be getting triggered due to Mars’s interaction with transformation agent Pluto, the planet named after the God of the Underworld.

And on another note we had a Libra Full Moon back on April 12th/13th   so Venusian themes around relationship dynamics, boundaries and commitments are interwoven here….and this Full Moon followed March's Eclipses when there was a big planetary parade in the signs of Pisces heading into Aries. Much may have come to a head at this recent Full Moon around what we wish to experience, what to leave behind and what to carry forward. Venus, the ruler of that Full Moon was next to Saturn too, a combo which supports realistic appraisal.

Back to the Mars Pluto oppositions. Cast your mind back to the first couple of days in November 2024  ( It seems so so long ago!) That was when we had the first Mars Pluto opposition.Mars was in the final degree -29°- of Cancer. Pluto was also at 29°, about to exit Capricorn for good after being in that sign since 2008. If you look at global events that link these times there's a summary of what's going on collectively. Mars deals with courage but also conflict while Pluto deals with purging and regeneration. The combination requires caution because of the potential for extreme reactivity.

 The second opposition was the first week of January in Leo/Aquarius which marked a significant new era in their interaction because it was the first time Mars will oppose Pluto in it’s new sign of Aquarius.  This is a big deal because Pluto will be in this sign until 2044.

Do you have planets or points in the first 3 degrees of Leo, Aquarius, Taurus or Scorpio? If you do, triggers that cause irritation or anger may be afoot so it’s wise to try and not react or take a few breaths before responding,  We’re now approaching the third and final opposition on 26th April so this could be a positive time for use of will, being conscious of dynamics we enter into, how we respond versus react, and solutions that create win/wins rather than I win/you lose.

Some questions I have been reflecting on personally, that may be helpful:

What have I assimilated from my experiences over the past 6 months around communication, relationships and taking action- and how can I apply what I've learnt?

Where in my life have I been feeling stuck, and where can I move forward with more clarity and responsibility?

Am I reacting from old patterns or responding from a place of conscious choice, especially in relationships where power dynamics can play out?

Happy Full Moon in Cancer to all out there on the planet we share!

The first Full Moon of 2025 illuminates the sky today and the first thing that stands out is how much emphasis there is on the Water element,mostly the signs of Cancer and Pisces.

The Moon is at 24 ° of Cancer about to meet with Mars within a few hours of the Full Moon. Venus is approaching a conjunction to Saturn in Pisces, at the same degree on the 19th January. In the last couple of days Neptune, planetary ruler of Pisces, has been joined in the final degrees of this sign by the North Node moving to 29° Pisces!

When there’s a lot of Water element in the planetary atmosphere, feelings are heightened and the imaginative, intuitive or psychic faculties enhanced. Cancer is ruled by the Moon and governs desires for security, protection or emotional nourishment. The Full Moon in Cancer is a window to reflect on these themes in our lives and with Mars close by, family dynamics, domestic issues or the activation of past emotional patterns could be part of the picture. This may not be pleasant but the planetary setup is encouraging us to take responsibility for feelings including allowing ourselves to be vulnerable.

Along with other indicators, the Sun in opposite sign Capricorn along with Mercury and asteroid of creative intelligence, Pallas Athena, suggest that thinking, communications or solutions are possible at this time and this may play out in establishing boundaries or implementing strategies. With the Cancer/Capricorn axis balancing personal needs with demands of the outer world is a key theme.

In a birth chart the Moon close to Mars can give rise to an impulsive or passionate emotional nature but as they are both in Cancer and in a supportive conversation with Neptune there’s a universal flow towards adopting a more considerate, caring or yielding approach. As Mars is also retrograde through the signs of Cancer and Leo for an extended period, we are all getting an opportunity to review the way we assert ourselves, use our will and express desires. A more heart based, compassionate approach will not only influence those who are close to us but will ripple out into the world at large even if the way to navigate certain situations may not be entirely clear. Retreating before responding or reacting may be the most optimal use of Capricorn's natural caution!

 The big news this past week is that the Lunar Nodes have shifted signs. This is always significant because they point to where we are collectively and individually being pulled to grow. We’ve been through 18 months of the North Node in Aries and the South Node in Libra. The sign which the North Node occupies serves as the filter through which the line of greatest evolutionary development will be expressing over the next 18 months while the South Node in the opposite sign ( now Virgo) is the  sign signifying the line of least resistance. The South Node may highlight a default way of being where the shadow expression of that sign most likely expresses. I will expand on this nodal shift in another post.

The start of January was marked by the second opposition between Mars and Pluto, an intense dynamic which can highlight feelings around control, exploitation or a stark awareness of powers beyond our control. At this Full Moon there’s the potential for reclaiming power on various levels: with the Sun in Capricorn in a brilliantly aligned angle to planet of change Uranus in Taurus and Jupiter squaring to Venus and Saturn, this is an opportune time to weigh up where to place time, resources and energy and to reassess limits as well as anything which burdens or drains vitality.

The essence of the Cancer/ Capricorn polarity is commitment, duty and contribution, to family, the home base, the "bedrock" of society and the structures which define it. This axis governs parenting and those in authority, of being provided for and then providing for others. It’s the mastery we all need to learn in the maturing process whether you’re a care giver or not- of constructively tending to one’s self while nurturing and supporting those around us.

The underlying question to ask with the current planetary energies in any situation, experience or dynamic might be: will this support, sustain and nourish me or others for the long term?

The last New Moon of 2024, the annual New Moon in Capricorn, always offers us an opportunity to reflect on the year that’s passed and to set intentions for the one ahead. This New Moon aligns with the end of the calendar year, falling on December 30th or 31st, depending on where you are in the world. It’s a powerful time for considering not only what you want to achieve in the coming month but also what you want to build in 2025.
 
Capricorn, ruled by Saturn, is the sign of discipline, structure, and long-term goals. It encourages us to think about the bigger picture, build solid foundations, and make steady progress towards our objectives. The energy of this New Moon invites us to plant seeds for the future, grounded in practicality and patience, as we prepare for the next chapter.
 
This New Moon, falling just ten days after the December Solstice, highlights the transition from darkness to light or light to darkness depending on which hemisphere you live. While the Solstice marked the shortest day in the Northern Hemisphere and the longest in the South, the Sun’s entrance into Capricorn signifies a shift towards more grounded, constructive and energy after the more uninhibited, experience seeking, expansive nature of Sagittarius.
 
It's important to note that Saturn, Capricorn’s ruler, and Jupiter, Sagittarius’s ruler have been squaring off to eachother., a signature of the current time. Saturn is currently moving through Pisces, halfway through its 2.5-year cycle. In this sign, the ringed planet challenges our understanding of what is real, shifting the boundaries of time and space. This creates a more fluid relationship with our goals, dreams, and perceptions. I also believe that Saturn in Pisces is opening us up to greater awareness beyond what we've ever considered before, amplifying psychic sensitivity and quantum thinking as well as bridging into the mainstream previously shunned metaphysical arts and modalities like Astrology or Sound healing.
 
But with a frictional square between planets Saturn and Jupiter and with the input of another player, Mercury in Sagittarius, we're going through a period of reality checks around wider moral and social concerns like truth, justice, law and order. Jupiter and Saturn came together at 0 degrees Aquarius on the December Solstice 2020 and this is the first square when we're asked to evaluate how well things are progressing, individually and collectively.It's been quite a ride since 2020 and without wanting to sensationalise, 2025 is Astrologically a year like no other- so watch this space!

In a nutshell these planets in Mutable quality signs have been testing personal truth: to our own authentic flow- because the flexible and adaptable nature of these signs can get easily scattered being pulled in different directions, around belief and perceptions, what’s real and what’s not, multiple versions of reality, story telling, words flying, judging indiscriminately and potential deception or gas lighting. There is so much information to filter or discern it can be quite exhausting  to navigate. It’s wise to step back and unplug periodically to gain equilibrium


This is the second of three exact squares, with the most recent occurring on December 26th. Jupiter, in Gemini, is expansive, curious, and eager to explore new ideas, while Saturn, in Pisces, encourages us to create structure and discipline around these dreams. The square between these two planets can feel like a push-pull dynamic: the desire to dream big and explore new possibilities is tempered by the need to ground these ideas and make them practical. Or the desire to have time out  is in conflict with responsibilities
 
This tension between expansion and restriction, optimism and caution is playing out in both personal and global arenas, especially in financial markets. On an individual level, you may feel a tug between wanting to take risks or pursue big ideas and the need to carefully build a solid foundation for those dreams to take hold. In the global financial sphere, this energy can create volatility as throwing caution to the wind meets cautious conservatism. The key here is to find balance: aim high, but take the necessary steps to ensure your plans are built on solid ground.
 
The start of 2025 has a potent astrological event: there's a second opposition Mars and Pluto, which will occur on January 3rd. This is the second of three oppositions between the two planets, with the first taking place in early November 2024 when Pluto was in the final degrees of Capricorn. Now, Pluto is in Aquarius, bringing a new lens to this intense aspect which will happen approximately every couple of years between now and 2044. Mars being Retrograde in Leo means we will get another opposition in April when Mars is direct and finishes up it's Retrograde journey.

On a broader collective level, Mars Retro in Leo, could be guiding us inwards to review how we use our personal will, take the lead or motivate ourselves and others. Pluto in Aquarius may highlight where we give power away to leaders, causes, networks or people or where we harness power for the greater good.

 When these two planets oppose each other, there is heightened potential for inner conflict and power struggles. On a personal level, you may feel as though your will is being challenged or that you’re being controlled, manipulated or encountering forces beyond your control. Mars retrograde generally encourages introspection and reflection, offering the chance to examine where you may feel drained, stuck, thwarted or disempowered- or where you may be acting out of integrity to control or manipulate others!

With the North Node in Aries supporting individual authentic experience and the South Node in Libra urging the release of old relational patterns, this opposition challenges us to break free from feelings of victim hood and to embrace our own sense of sovereignty, warts and all.

This New Moon is a moment of stillness, offering the perfect opportunity to reflect on where you are in your life and where you want to go. As we enter a new year, take the time to set grounded, practical intentions for 2025 that are aligned with your long-term vision and personal growth

1. What long-term goals or dreams have you been dreaming of, and how can you break them down into practical, actionable steps?
   
   
2. Where in your life do you feel a sense of being stuck or limited by external forces or your own internal fears, and how can you begin to take back your personal power in those areas?
   
   

    3. If you could imagine growing into the ideal version of yourself in 2025, what would that feel like   and how would you change?
 
 

I'll be running an Intro to Astrology essentials workshop for beginners thanks to the wonderful Kindred Women Together platform, a initiative which focuses on providing opportunities for women in the Byron shire and beyond to engage in fun activities together and connect.

I have had the pleasure of teaching beginners Astrology before as well as  participating in some of the KWT events over the last few years. It will be a morning workshop held on Friday 22nd November at a location in Byron Bay. For details visit https://www.kindredwomentogether.com/

“Transformation’s not just for weekends” Carolyn Myss

“Both Light and shadow are the dance of love”  Rumi

According to medical intuitive, writer, speaker and teacher Carolyn Myss, there are patterns which we each have that either move us forward or hold us back, and if we acknowledge these patterns and consciously work with them – that is neither repress, deny or avoid them within ourselves or disown and project them on to others- we are essentially working towards a greater sense of peace and unity at the core of our being.

It may seem impossible to feel any peace when in the world everything appears chaotic, unjust, conflict ridden and polarised. The mind can’t fathom creating peace from the inside out because the linear rational way we’re taught is: work on external reality first and you’ll get the desired result. “If I do this, then I’ll feel fulfilled, happy, stable ….”

But here’s the thing….when you go within to find spaciousness, ease or to feel at peace, the volume goes up on all the thoughts and feelings that distract us endlessly. So going within means sitting at the table with all of your different thoughts and feelings without closing the door by saying certain aspects aren’t welcome! And essentially all of these shadow aspects are unloved- they’re the parts of ourselves we’ve ignored, judged or not dealt with. Choosing to acknowledge their existence is a message you send to yourself that you’re willing to embrace all of your self- the dark or unhealed parts, traumas, warts and all. And in doing this work you will create a really powerful ripple effect- integrating fractured aspects is an incredible service to ourselves and the field which we all share.

When we look at the Zodiac wheel in terms of a progression from the first sign of Aries through to the twelfth sign Pisces, we get an unfolding story. The Sun transiting through the 12 signs corresponds to a storyline that also plays out in myths from cultures around the globe and is a framework for many novels and screenplays

We each have every one of the 12 Zodiac signs represented in our birth chart and no matter if you have planets in that sign or not, when the Sun and Moon come together in this part of your chart there is an opportunity to uncover or even rewrite some of the story contained there.

Scorpio is the stage of the Zodiac story when the experience of dealing with hurdles, crisis or painful emotions gives rise to growth and transformation. This is the power gained from moving through the dark tunnel and rising from the ashes. It’s worth noting that the annual Scorpio New Moon marks the annual celebration of Diwali, the Hindu “festival of lights”. This year the New Moon also happened to synchronise with another ancient festival -Samhain- a Celtic celebration on 1st November, which marked the cross quarter point between Equinox and Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. This was considered a threshold time when the “veils” between this world and the spirit world were very thin. Around the world, festivities like Dia de Los Muertes in Mexico and the well known Halloween on 31st October, have their roots in honouring light and darkness, life and death.

Astrologically speaking, the Scorpio New Moon can heighten our awareness around Scorpio related terrain- as a Fixed Water sign, feelings run deep and the urge is to merge completely with others and with an experience. The Fixed quality brings stamina, grit and determination. With this in mind, the shadow expression of Scorpio operating unconsciously can be a desire to possess, control or manipulate.

 Scorpio themes include secrecy, trust, intimate bonds with others, passion and sexuality, shared resources, legacies, metaphysics, psychic phenomena and underlying motivations.
Scorpio’s planetary rulers are Mars and Pluto. Mars is the planet of will, passionate drive, assertion, boldness and action. Pluto on the other hand is the planet of metamorphosis and shape shifting, alchemy and regeneration.

Mars and Pluto are opposing each other exactly today and will do so again another couple of times in January and in April due to Mars’s extended Retrograde phase over the next five months. The nature of this opposition is tense and may challenge us to confront old patterns, especially around control and trust

With Pluto in the final degree of Capricorn, where it’s been in since 2008 and Mars in Cancer any intense feelings could be felt acutely. The 29° in astrology is considered a fated or mastery degree but it can be rather like a pressure valve for the accumulated energy of the sign’s qualities. So there can be a compulsive energy with timing, like it’s “now or never”. Mars and Pluto at this critical or “anaretic” degree is potentially problematic because of the volatile nature of both Mars and Pluto. The shadow play here is a power-over desire for dominance, the underlying shadow of all retaliation and war.

The astrological picture continues to challenge us to hold our peace and harness our personal energy and attention. Use this time to listen closely to your inner voice. If you feel tensions rising or feelings resurfacing, don’t shy away from them—hold the intention of bringing them into your heart and remember this is where healing begins. Transformation doesn’t happen overnight.

A supportive angle between the Sun and Saturn at the same time of this opposition supports the potential to take responsibility for emotional release, to respond with greater maturity and seek any necessary practical or professional help.  

Looking at the astrology of the current annual Full Moon in Aries and some of the challenging geometry we’ve had over the last week or so, the phrase “We live in exceptional times” comes to mind! I would definitely say that some of the notable planetary alignments since the start of the decade have been exceptional, especially ones involving the slower moving planets- Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto- which seem to emphasize this being a historical time of major changes.

We just had the last Eclipse season of 2024 which may have stirred up some uncomfortable truths or revealed aspects which we’d rather keep buried, especially from the past and within one-to-one relationships, family dynamics or social dynamics. Mars in Cancer will be spending many months in this sign due to it’s upcoming Retrograde phase and I would interpret this long stay as an important opportunity for us all to release any emotional baggage which impedes progress.

Mars is in several tense conversations at this Full Moon, with the Sun and Juno in Libra on one side and the Moon, Eris and Chiron on the other. Discussions may also not be easily had as Mars in Cancer may trigger defensiveness.

The annual Full Moon in Aries always highlights the dance between self and others, “me versus we” dynamic as it opposes the Sun in the balance seeking Air sign of Libra. The Aries/Libra polarity is  at 23° and all the planets are all at odds- the assertive, projective “me” needs of Aries may feel pushy to Cancer while Libra’s desire to relate in a harmonious way or support others before themselves may impede honest in depth discussion. With the Moon and Chiron close knit in Aries, wounding may be surfacing around the experience of how we were mothered or around being a mother, or around family and ancestral/ intergenerational traumas.

Eris is a Dwarf planet who has a rather eccentric orbit out beyond Pluto and is tightly aligned to this Full Moon/Chiron alignment. She was the sister of Mars in mythology, was originally named Xena (after the Warrior Princess in the TV series) who became associated with strife and discord for her part in inciting the Trojan war. Like all the Dwarf planets discovered over the last 20 years, Eris is extremely slow moving, having been in Aries since 1926 so this influence in Aries impacts humanity for 120 years.

According to Alan Clay with whom I am studying these dwarf planets online, she represents a higher octave expression of Mars and Pluto. She represents a consciousness that embraces diversity, a truth seeker who battles for ALL shining a light boldly onto injustices and inequalities.

Juno ( known as Hera in Greek mythology)  is a completely different female archetype, revered as the  the triple Moon Goddess who ruled over committed relationships, marriage, phases of sexuality, the relating urge and female creativity. She was married to Jupiter ( Zeus) who was unfaithful so the balance of power, mutual sharing and trust are associated with this asteroid. Having been in Libra since mid August, Juno has been playing a role in activating Libran principles of fairness or cooperation within our significant one-to-one relationships.

With Juno opposite Eris commitment is not just to another person but to our inner self and the individual path we are each here to explore. By truly committing to our unique journey in space and time we  contribute to the unified field we all share and the consciousness of all people AS WELL as the ancestors that came before us.

Adding to potentially emotional, volatile or sensitive reactions, the Moon, followed by the Sun and Mars are all going to be facing off one at a time with Pluto in Capricorn over the coming week. The Moon will square Pluto a few hours after the Full Moon then the Sun will square Pluto on 22nd October when the Sun enters Scorpio.

Mars will be opposing Pluto on 2nd/3rd November a couple of days to be aware of how you manage or harness personal energy. Mars opposite Pluto is a potentially hot headed or volatile signature which we all need to be wary of especially when communicating, operating machinery or when driving. It would be wise to remain as calm as possible if buttons get pushed, as irritation is likely  and situations or dynamics might be intense and confrontational in a counter-productive way.

The higher perspective is that Pluto gets us to unearth or explore shadow aspects which operate on a subconscious or unconscious level to undermine and lower, not only our own but others', energy. On the upside with Mars in this dynamic, we may find courage to act from a place of greater emotional intelligence and integrity .

This planetary dance is making a Grand Cross configuration in signs collectively known as Cardinal signs. Cardinal signs mark the seasonal gateways and major compass directions so their power is initiatory. But in the case of this Grand Cross the potential for conflict arising or escalating whether within a blood family or between nations is one core signature of this Full Moon’s energy. BUT with Eris  and Juno involved in the mix, any rage or outrage within may require some honest self-reflection around where the boundaries are with another person, what is appropriate sharing or if we've projected authority and control onto another person or external source.

With Juno opposite Eris commitment is not just to another person but to our inner self and the individual path we are each here to explore. By truly committing to our unique journey in space and time we  contribute to the unified field we all share and the consciousness of all people AS WELL as the ancestors that came before us

Anyone with planets or points in the Cardinal signs Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn especially in the last 10 degrees( roughly between the 10th -20th of April, July, October and January-give or take a couple of days) might be particularly affected by this Grand Cross configuration in the next week or two.

A few questions that may be helpful to reflect on:

- Do I acknowledge my presence in this world as unique and valuable?

-Where am I feeling the need to assert myself, and how can I do so in a way that is mutually empowering?

-What old emotional patterns or family dynamics am I aware of that I do not wish to carry further?

-How can I balance my personal need for autonomy with the diverse needs of others so we can all thrive and grow?

The New Moon /Solar Eclipse in Libra is the second Eclipse in the last Eclipse season of 2024, following the Full Moon/Lunar eclipse in Pisces we had two weeks ago.

As these are Full Moons and New Moons with far reaching potentials compared to the usual monthly Moons, it’s worth looking back at what’s transpired over the last two weeks since the Lunar Eclipse. Have there been any themes, reoccurring thoughts, significant exchanges or situations on a personal level playing out?

This Eclipse was an Annular Solar Eclipse, which means the lunar disk wasn’t covering the entire disk of the Sun (like it does at a Total Solar Eclipse). The ring of fire effect this creates is on account of the Moon being at it’s farthest point from the Earth.

Astrologically speaking, this is a highly potent Eclipse for new beginnings in Libra related departments of relationship,partnering, harmony, choices, the art of deliberation (weighing things up) and compromise.

Plus this Cardinal Air sign marks the halfway point of the Zodiac wheel .Libra’s strength comes to the fore when it takes action to mediate and listen or communicate from a place of equality. This drive for harmonisation can help create win/win rather than I win/you lose which is the age-old narrative underlying all major conflicts and war. Libra is the sign which seeks to find balance between extremes and symbolized by the scales of justice, represents “civilized”  fairness and negotiation.

Of note, this New Moon is aligned with the lunar South Node, associated with where we’ve come from and the past . This may bring up uncomfortable feelings or there may be the resurfacing of old stories or patterns. This could be part of a longer process. It's also worth looking back at the Libra Solar Eclipse a year ago in mid October 2023 or if you're old enough to go back in time to the Annular Eclipse that happened at this degree on the 3rd October 2005, because Eclipses belong to individual families called Saros Series, which repeat at the same degrees every 18 years!

With Mercury in Libra 1° away from this Eclipse and Libra being an Air sign, overthinking choices or  trepidation when it comes to making the right choices could be arising. Eclipses can signify significant crossroads so with this Libra emphasis look at what is out of balance- and be prepared to truthfully ask "where do I stand"? while considering others in the whole equation.

This is the fifth of six Eclipses along the Aries/Libra axis which defines the journey of Self and Others, and the balance of give and take, autonomy vs cooperation. In truth all of life is in relationship and the starting point is the Self. Are you experiencing energy which is unloving and unkind? If you were to speak aloud the thought patterns you have on repeat throughout your day would they be loving and kind?

Within the Venus ruled archetype of Libra, there can be a desire to avoid uncomfortable feelings and confrontation at all costs. This drive for keeping the peace isn’t going to create harmony if unexpressed feelings get swept under the carpet and ignored. If we don’t take responsibility for our own feelings, warts, shadows and all, self-esteem will eventually suffer.

The astrology of this Eclipse does offer some cosmic support. This comes in the form of a harmonious flowing Grand Trine in Water, a great configuration for dealing with the messy emotional realm and which is playing out in the days after the Eclipse!

 Plus the Sun/ Moon/ Mercury are aligned with a very slow moving Dwarf planet called Make Make and opposite another slow moving Dwarf planet Salacia. I’ve been beginning a journey of study with this collection of new planets out beyond Pluto through the Dwarf Planet University run by Alan Clay.

Their energies are reflections of the expanding consciousness of humanity. The fact that so many have been found in the last 20 years and are mainly named after creator gods in indigenous cultures from round the planet, is also a reflection of humanity’s evolution in relationship with our planet Earth/Gaia, ecological systems, our Solar system, galaxy and beyond. Their high frequency energies are here to lend cosmic support as we go up another notch in the spiral of time.

The Grand Trine at the time of the Eclipse is between Venus at 11° Scorpio, Mars at 14° Cancer and Saturn Retrograde at 14° Pisces. This is potentially a let’s be real with what we’re feeling and deal with it responsibly ( Saturn) with empathy (Pisces)....while Venus and Mars are in signs connected to our desires within our intimate bonds, the people and matters we care for deeply. This includes the often private worlds and psychology of family dynamics. This geometry could really aid the processing of intense feelings or facilitate deep investigation into the core of certain issues.

Make Make was the creator deity of the Rapa Nui people on Easter island- interestingly this is one of the places that the Annular Eclipse ring of fire was viewed! He holds a key around quantum thinking- how we create the world according to how we perceive and interact with it. Salacia on the other hand was a nymph who became the wife of Neptune. She holds a key around the interplay between light and water and intimacy. According to Alan Clay she represents higher love consciousness.

As you reflect on what this Eclipse might be highlighting or what may be ready for release, pay attention to your state of being. How are you breathing, where do you feel tension? 

 In my world view we are all on a journey of co- creation and we are partnered with that force that is the whole of creation and the universal intelligence within all that exists. In human terms this is hard to grasp as we seek that merging with people or causes external to ourselves. Perhaps the dwarf planets are helping to nudge us towards a more multi-dimensional understanding of who we are, so we can more easily navigate our personal reality from a larger perspective of our place in space . I sense that their influence at this Eclipse hold keys for me personally in growing into a more conscious and illumined version of myself and one- to-one relationships are pivotal in this process of growth.

Questions to reflect on:
1.What patterns or relationships have come into focus for you over this Eclipse season? Are there themes repeating themselves, or decisions you’ve been called to make?
2️. Libra asks us to consider balance—between autonomy and cooperation, giving and receiving. Where in your life are you being asked to adjust this balance?
3️. Eclipses often reveal what’s hidden. Has anything from the past resurfaced, asking for resolution or deeper reflection? What choices are presenting themselves ?

Happy start of Libra season! The September Equinox happened two nights ago, one of the four seasonal turning points of the year. The September one leads us into the Sun in Libra, one of the four Cardinal signs that initiate Earth’s seasons throughout the year at the Equinoxes and Solstices.
Contrary to what I’ve always thought, day and night are not exactly equal at the Equinox!

I heard a completely new and lovely sounding term the other day- Equilux. The word is used in Astronomy to describe the day on which day and night are exactly equal. The Equilux happens a few to several days after the Autumn Equinox, and a few to several days before the Spring Equinox if you’re in the Northern hemisphere and the other way round if you live in the Southern hemisphere….but regardless, at Equinox the whole planet gets nearly equal amounts of sunlight due to the Earth’s hemispheres being neither tilted towards or away from the Sun.

Libra is an Air sign, the seventh sign of the Zodiac wheel which takes the systems consciousness archetype of Virgo and gets us having a conversation  ( Air) around the interdependence, harmony and quality of relationships, personal and social within human systems and dynamics. Depicted by the scales this sign guides us to co-create by weighing up the pros and cons and on a higher level seeks to maintain harmony through fairness and equality.

As my business name Living Balance Designs and this off shoot Living Balance Astrology suggests, a quest for balance is something that I think about alot! I have find answers personally through the lenses of Astrology, Feng shui and an interest in Holistic health. Exploring the different needs of my energetic and physical body and working with meridian- based therapies as well as checking out the balance of elements, colour and layout within a physical space have been sources of fascination through my adult life. I’m not a Sun in Libra but I do have two of the outer planets Uranus and Pluto in Libra and these express through areas of my natal blueprint which connect with sibling relationships, concrete thinking and home environment!

Two approaches I align with to assist me living in greater balance:

Ancient Chinese Taoist Wisdom
Taoism, an ancient Chinese philosophy dating back 2500 years, emphasizes accepting life without resolving it's many contradictions, to observe the cycles of life and live in harmony with nature and the cosmos.  Ancient Taoist wisdom expressed by the sage Lao-Tsu, in the foundational book, the Tao Te Ching, teaches that there is an underlying order that governs the universe and if we're sensitive to it we can work with it instead of against it. It offers guidelines for living a contented and happy life

But us humans are often out of synch with the balance inherent in nature, We're taught to perceive what we experience as good or bad and to try hard, force, strive and compete. The art of living in balance requires yielding, moderation and softness as well- which in turn cultivates greater ease and flow, empathy, compassion or trust. Stillness of mind and effortless action is summed up in the principle of Wu Wei, a state of being which isn't easy to translate from Chinese & no easy task if you have an overactive mind like me which lingers in the past, gets caught up in the future....and tends to rush ahead....a lovely Lao-Tsu quote is "Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished".

Values of Connection, Fairness, and Unity Consciousness:
Living in balance extends beyond our relationship with nature. It also involves fostering connections with others and embracing our uniqueness while exploring where we feel lack or esteem themes through our most significant relationships. Committed partnerships is where learning about shadow and light and projecting or disowning the parts you'd rather not accept has really played out for me personally. Equally I find great joy in the dance of connection. As an identical twin this is something I’ve been doing since being in utero when we split from being one cell and grew into two!

If you had to come up with two things that might define living in balance for you, what would they be?


 
 

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Letting go is a big part of being human. Nothing stays the same forever; everything has a cycle and as old ones complete and new ones begin, we all learn to relinquish the past and brave the unknown. This process can be difficult as experiences of attachment, sadness and grief accompany many of the minor and major milestones of life.

The upcoming Lunar Eclipse/ Full Moon at 26° Pisces on the 17th/18th September, may shine a light on what we are clinging to or on situations naturally concluding in our lives. It could also illuminate what is lacking or what needs healing. It’s the first Eclipse along the Virgo/Pisces axis which we’ve had since 2015 -2016 and before that 2006-2007. It can be helpful to look back to what was happening on a personal level in those years.

Solar and Lunar Eclipses are New and Full Moons which have bigger implications. How they impact any individual largely depends on their birth chart but when the presence of the slower moving “transpersonal”  planets- Uranus, Neptune and Pluto -figure prominently in the planetary picture, there may also be notable shifts in the zeitgeist of the times. I like to imagine what the souls born in these times will bring to our planet in the future.

Pisces is the 12th and final sign of the Zodiac wheel so this points us to where it might be time to conclude an old cycle. At this Lunar Eclipse, the Moon is also next to Neptune, Pisces’ ruling planet. Neptune’s elusive energy tends to dissolve past attitudes or patterns, so feelings of loss, uncertainty, spaceyness, fatigue or disillusionment could result. On a higher level this Moon/Neptune combination can awaken feelings of empathy, creative or musical inspiration, enhanced sensitivity or extra sensory perception.

The Virgo/ Pisces polarity is known as the health and service axis so the relationship between mind, body and spirit as well as the micro view versus the macro are some of their themes. Finding a balance between daily health habits and those coping mechanisms we turn to for unwinding is part a dance we all face in physical embodiment with addictive tendencies and unconscious patterns all part of the journey of self-improvement.

 Amplifying this Lunar Eclipse from the sidelines is Jupiter and Gemini. I wrote in a recent post was about the Sun square Jupiter, both now in a conversation with the Moon and Neptune. This T-square dynamic highlights the tension between hyper focus on practical details, faith in the bigger picture and approaching something from different perspectives.

I used the honeybee as a wonderful example of the role of gathering information from many different plants while playing a small part in working to benefit all. To truly extract nectar from any experience, see the opportunities for spiritual growth rather than the human failings. Saturn is opposing Mercury and asteroid Vesta fueling potential communication difficulties, doubts or reality checks around perceptions and commitments. Mercury and Vesta together in Virgo want to concentrate but if this is proving a challenge, this Full Moon urges us to create space for some grace- relax focus or attention onto music, breath or mindfulness practices- sometimes you must zoom out first to help zero in!

On a final note Uranus at 27° Taurus and Pluto at 29° Capricorn are forming a Grand Earth Trine or triangle formation with the Sun in Virgo. This harmonious Earth element Trine are supporting the Moon and Neptune creating a beautiful Kite formation. The late degrees of any sign contain the potential mastery and/or finishing up of that sign’s journey and with the transpersonal outer planets involved, we are all being offered a window to ground higher awareness in our lives.

Uranus can bring insights as intuitive flashes or light bulb moments and as it’s in a supportive connection with Neptune and Pluto, deep understanding may come through paying attention to dreams, through body work or dance or through therapies that involve shadow or psychological inner work.

If feeling “pulsed” or like you’re getting two or more signs about something- pay attention! These could be sign posts guiding you to course correct or a new direction to take or towards resources for spiritual growth.

Questions to reflect on:

1.What are you ready to let go of?
2. How can you balance daily routines with self-care that serves you on a deeper level?
3.Are there signs or dreams guiding you to turn in a new direction or onto a new path?


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