The Lunar Planner

HARP OF THE ANGELS

The last New Moon eclipse, upon the Sting of the Scorpion, brought us the catalyst to sever from the patterns of our past so we may begin to function in a new way. In this lunar cycle, we find the inspiration to make that fresh start. This lunar cycle begins with the Sun and Moon lying in the last couple of degrees of sidereal Sagittarius, which embody the totality of the essence of the Zen Archer; and they lie under the auspices of Lyra, Harp of the Angels. The stars of Lyra embody various facets of the artsciences of harmonics in light, sound, color, and geometry--particularly the wisdom of the artsciences. They are of vision, creativity, and inspire all that is of multi-media, the arts, and higher education.

The primary stars stetting the theme of this cycle are: Sulaphat of Lyra; Deneb-Okab, Delta Aquila, both of the northern celestial hemisphere; and Alpha Pavo, the Peacock, lying far south in the heavens--all composing the last couple degrees of sidereal Sagittarius.

Sulaphat, one of Lyra’s stars, is the tortoise shell upon which the strings of the harp stretch. Sulaphat embodies all that is of physical resonance and emotional tone. Here we find the inspiration to re-tune the physical and emotional aspects of our lives after the initiatory trials we have been through these last few months. We find support to become fully and harmoniously resonant to our spiritual truth so we may access the abundance and love truly destined for us. Sulaphat brings impetus to access our highest ideals and to bring them into material manifestation. Alpha Pavo is of integration, illumination, and immortality, and adds impetus to express the exquisite beauty that we are, and that we truly seek in the physical world.

LORE OF THE LYRE

The lyre was invented by Hermes, son of Zeus and Maia. Hermes also gave the Golden Fleece to Nephele* and received the art of divination and a golden wand from his half brother Apollo--who was born of Zeus and Leto, also twin of Artemis**. Hermes, shown as the winged-footed traveler, was herald of the gods; a patron of orators, literature, athletics, good fortune, and fertility.

The lyre was originally bestowed with the qualities to invoke and communicate the messages of the gods. As the harp of the angelic messengers, its tuning and voice are not merely for pleasure, but specifically to harmonically translate divine information into vibration that supports healing and evolutionary unfoldment.

Hermes passed the lyre onto his half brother Apollo. Generally shown playing the lyre, Apollo was the ideal of male beauty, bringing the beneficence of eloquence and sensibility to humankind. Apollo, was god of medicine, music, poetry, and archery, caregiver for the flocks and herds. Shrines to Apollo can be found on the island of Delos.

Apollo was father of Asklepios, who is also Ophiuchus, knowledge holder of advanced healing processes and ascension directives beyond the cycle of life and death. Of radiant authority, and as the most prominent healer of antiquity, Asklepios was able to bring the deceased to life and restore health. His symbol is that of two snakes entwined around his staff. The Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidauros (where he was born) was the most celebrated healing center of the ancient world, sacred to the Asklepieion, the followers (cult) of Asklepios.

Apollo in turn passed the lyre onto Orpheus, musician of the Argonauts. Orpheus' fate was not so fortunate, being shredded to pieces by the woman of the Dionysiac orgy when the harp was mis-used to woo! - a message to those that use music for healing while covertly manipulating their subjects for unethical personal purposes. Prior to his end, Orpheus used the lyre to charm Hyades in the release of his wife Eurydice, but blundering with this one's fate too.

Lyra was at times depicted in stellar illustrations as hanging from an Eagle's or Vulture's claws, although not of our present Aquila. Lyra stands alone, placed appropriately between Cygnus, the Messianic Needle of the Heavens (Takra); Delphinus, the Dolphin star system; and Hercules, who, with out-stretched arm, holds open the portal through which our sun travels--the Solar Apex--all of which provide guidance for our "way" home. The lyre is said to have seven strings (the Sheliak), although its magical tuning is still quite controversial amongst those who fathom such divinely resonant harmonic scales, seeking to find the Lost Chord to illumine and open the way within--the solar portal of the soul.

Too beautiful to not re-quote from Allen's essential and majestic work on the stars--he quoting Longfellow:

The Lyra, and prominent alignments with Lyra, indicate involvement with the music of the spheres, that is, the use of natural astronomically and resonant harmonics for healing, illumination, and for greater evolutionary purpose. Prominent alignments and aspects to Lyra are often found in musicians, artist's and those involved with art-sciences and multi-media projects--those with intent to use harmonics of light, sound, and geometry for the expansion of consciousness. Lyra is not just of the mathematical artsciences of natural harmonics in light and sound, but also of their application unfolding in geometry and time--all working intelligently together. Forty octaves up from our middle musical scale lies the spectrum of visible color--light-sound musical harmonics manifest from the mathematical unfoldment of time in geometric proportion to start with.

Lyra is also illustrated as the Tortoise Lyre, with the resonant structure being the shell from which rise elegant horns upon which seven strings are stretched, which our principle stars Sheliak and Sulaphat express. Sheliak, the strings, embodies the wisdom of the artsciences of harmonics. A remarkable and spectacular optical show of brilliantly changing color emanates from this extremely fast rotating binary star. Sulaphat, the resonating structure, embodies geometric resonance in form. The beautiful starseed Ring Nebula M57, a super nova of Lyra, is the result from which many diversionary rays of extraterrestrial starseed races began their evolutionary journey. Of most import, is the Harp-Star, Vega, where the re-unifying harmonic spectra of the Elohim culminate--a new home for some upon completion of their galactic missions. Vega is stargate to Mansion Universes of Light--and represents the fulfillment and radiance of starseed missions completed. Lyra's energy for Earth is particularly active during the Lyraids meteor shower, generally visible in late April.

GODDESS OF THE ETERNAL FLAME

Vesta, revered goddess of the Vestal Virgins, is daughter of Rhea and Saturn, the eldest sister of Jupiter, and is keeper of the sacred fire on Mt. Olympus--meaning keeper the eternal flame (truth) of the soul. Fire, the element of Vesta, is purifying for the soul--serving to enlighten. Vesta and the Vestal Virgins were highly valued and trusted for speaking the truth. They kept and protected all important documents and records. To learn of the astrological and psychophysiological characteristics of Vesta and the other asteroids see: The Asteroids

Saturn and Vesta together have been retrograde in sidereal Taurus and both complete their retrograde periods in this lunar cycle--Vesta immediately as the cycle begins, and Saturn just after Last Quarter Moon. To learn of this theme, see the snippet: Vesta & Saturn Retrograde – A Time to Refocus

In the last lunar cycle, Saturn and Vesta were in alignment with Aldebaran of Taurus and the Pleiades, respectively, adding significantly to the theme to the entire Saturn-Vesta retrograde cycle.

Vesta’s station on the New Moon contributes significantly to this month’s lunar theme. In brief summary, the Vesta-Saturn retrograde theme is about getting clear, committed, and focused on our responsibility to free ourselves from our diversional confusions in life, and to initiate action to ensure the manifestation of that which is of true importance to us.

As Vesta stations to return direct in earlier sidereal Taurus, she is imbued with the very significant energies of seyfert galaxy NGC 1275 in the constellation Perseus, which lies just north of the Pleiades star cluster. Seyfert galaxies, in general, express as an intensely focused soul purpose. The powerhouse of energy from a seyfert galaxy can be explosive when difficulties arise that confront our purposes. Seyferts require us to be solely dependent upon our inner beliefs and convictions, not upon those of others around us, or upon circumstances that may divert us from our true purposes.

This energy supports us to manifest our true mission or soul-purpose in the physical world without becoming diverted in the mundane affairs of the physical world. As Vesta moves direct, we have the power to move forward with focus, dedication, and commitment based upon the newly defined clarity we have gained over the last couple of months regarding our focus and purpose. This degree in the sidereal zodiak is also the exalted location of the Moon, asking us to stay astutely attuned to the natural cycles of experiential world while maintaining our focus. Vesta’s cycle around the Pleiades stimulates the need to be clear, focused, and committed to seed the action necessary to manifest the Vision of Aldebaran.

THE LORD OF TIME

Saturn completes its retrograde on Feb 7 in the Hyades asterism in sidereal Taurus and around Aldebaran, Eye of the Bull. This supports us to acknowledge the sometimes hellish conditions of mortal life and to take the responsibility to evolve the infrastructures, and manifest the many envisioned projects that support the betterment of human life. Saturn completes its retrograde period just after the Last Quarter Moon of Feb 4, motivating us to "Initiate Change" based upon the realizations we have had in this lunar cycle and those gained throughout the entire Saturn retrograde period since September of 2001.

To learn of the astrological character of the Hyades see the story of the Starseed Journey in the Dec 14, 2001 lunar month’s theme: "Sting of the Scorpion."

REDEFINING PERSONAL MOTIVE AND PROFESSIONAL STRATEGY

Mercury begins and completes its retrograde period within this lunar cycle, although it will not be until the following lunar cycle, in late February, when we fully engage in the growth we have gained from this retrograde period. This entire Mercury cycle is one of redefining the logistics in our personal lives and our strategies in our professional lives.

Just after the first crescent Moon of Jan 17, as we begin to apply our creativity with the emerging theme, Mercury makes its station to begin its retrograde period in late sidereal Capricorn. Mercury stations on Jan 18 in alignment with the star Armus, the shoulder of the goat bringing emphasis to our responsibility to our families and colleagues in the world. This area of the zodiak is where the constellations of Capricorn and Aquarius overlap. The theme is one of shifting from personal motive to our personal responsibility to our colleagues and greater human family. Over the upcoming weeks, we will be redefining our neurological function and our mental attitudes in this context.

Mercury will complete its retrograde period in early Capricorn, at the end of this lunar cycle and just after the Balsamic Moon of Feb 8 when we are looking forward to the following lunar cycle. The stars of early Capricorn are those of war, covert maneuvers, and self-interest, but also of secret places, sacred sites, and mystical orders. To learn of these stars and their themes, see the snippet: The Tools of War.

As Mercury returns direct on Feb 8, we will be asked to participate with an expanded personal sense of humanitarian responsibility. We will go fully forward with the growth gained from the retrograde on Feb 28, when Mercury passes the point in the ecliptic at which it went retrograde.

FULL MOON AND THE SCARAB

Our Full Moon of Jan 28 occurs in the Egyptian Scarabaeus (sidereal Cancer) and aligns with Praesepe, M44, the beehive star cluster, crib or manger; and the stars that make the ass of the crab (and dung of the beetle). Praesepe embodies the essence of the Scarab / Cancer theme. The theme of the Egyptian Scarabaeus is of the emergence of soul awareness from the darkness of human consciousness--the spiritual awakening of the human species--much like the beetle emerges from the hive made of its own dung.

Praesepe is of emergence, migration, new beginnings, shedding old skins, skeletons, and cocoons. It is of emerging out of the collective frenetic confusion of mass consciousness; finding our new path and direction; leaving behind old dwellings and the structures of consciousness they represent; and getting out of our personal or collective dogma and the darkness it creates. The image of Praesepe as the crib or manger articulates the protective and nurturing environment supporting the birth / awakening / transmutation from darkness into light.

Alignments with Praesepe may indicate a new dwelling place is at hand or that one is in order to find. As with the migration of bees from an old hive, before identifying their new direction, there can be frenetic confusion at first, a scattered sense and lack of direction before moving toward their new home. This is temporary and is part of intuiting the feeling for the right direction, much like turning in a complete circle to identify the way that feels right. Praesepe asks us to trust in our magnetic sense, our inner compass--and to hone in on our new direction while honoring this confusion of the emergence process.

Alignments with Praesepe can bring up the fear of letting go--a fear bound in our dogmatic beliefs and those of collective consciousness. Praesepe can bring our attention to the possibility of being lost in religious dogma or in the frenetic buzz of collective mass consciousness, and the need to step out of that environment, to find a new place fitting to our new awareness.

A TURNING IN RELATIONS
URANUS, AND JUNO

Another prominent shift occurring in this lunar cycle occurs in the Juno-Uranus opposition cycle just after the Disseminating Moon on Feb 2.

Uranus and the asteroid Juno have been in an opposition cycle while Uranus makes its move into sidereal Aquarius--truly commencing the era of Humanitarianism. The theme of Juno's cycle began on October 21, when Juno (in sidereal Cancer) aligned with the star Dubhe, of Ursa Major. Juno is the asteroid of covenant partnerships, mutual equality and diplomatic relations. Dubhe asks us to be willing to fight for a greater vision (in our significant relations) in a way that serves the greater well-being of all parties and of all humanity. This expresses in our interpersonal relations as well as in relations between countries.

Juno then began its retrograde period in this last lunar cycle on Dec 25, which will continue through March 27, 2002. This time serves as a re-defining period for relationships. The Juno cycle of growth will fully complete on June 13, 2002, when Juno moves past the point in the ecliptic where it originally went retrograde--at the Heart of the Lion, at 5° sidereal Leo. The Juno-Regulus retrograde theme was discussed in the Dec 14, 2001 lunar month’s theme.

Now, in this lunar cycle, on Feb 2, Juno and Uranus make the second trigger in their cycle. This date marks the turning point in the Juno and Uranus opposition cycle where we shift from examining the old way to identifying the new in how we interrelate and coparticipate in our significant relations.

The Time Line

Juno opposite Uranus Cycle
(as Uranus moves into sidereal Aquarius)
and the Juno Retrograde Cycle

Uranus fully enters sidereal Aquarius in Feb, 2002 with the asteroid Ceres	Uranus Retrograde Begins June 2, 2002

--------------------------------- Juno-Uranus Cycle ---------------------------------
Juno-Uranus 1st trigger Nov 6, 2001	Juno Ret Station Dec 25, 2001 Regulus	Juno-Uranus 2nd trigger Feb 2, 2002	Juno Direct Station Mar 27, 2002 Dubhe	Juno-Uranus 3rd Trigger June 9, 2002
--------- Juno Retrograde Period ---------
----------------------------------- Juno Retrograde Cycle -----------------------------------

Juno Ret Cycle begins
Oct 21, 2001 / Dubhe

Juno Ret Cycle completes
June 13, 2002 / Regulus

NURTURING GODDESS OF THE WOMB

While the Juno and Uranus second trigger occurs, the asteroid Ceres conjoins Uranus (on Feb 8) just as Uranus makes is debut into sidereal Aquarius. Uranus will retrograde in the first few degrees of sidereal Aquarius over the months ahead fully engaging in the essence of the sign of the Waterman. The movement of Uranus into sidereal Aquarius marks a significant and radical shift into a humanitarian focus for Humanity.

The arrival of the goddess Ceres to escort Uranus back into its home domicile stimulates radical change in the nature of how we nurture and co-participate on the land of the Earth. Environmental conditions, both of an ecological and biological nature, will come to the forefront over the months ahead, as well as how we coparticipate as individuals and as countries to ensure the betterment of all humankind. Children birthing from women after this time may carry a strong and radical humanitarian resonance.

NOTES

* Nephele

Originally, Zeus shaped Nephele from a cloud, gave her life in the image of Hera, his wife, for reasons not pertinent here. Nephele became the wife of the Greek king Athamas in the mythical (picture language) story of the Golden Fleece, where Hermes sends the ram*** to rescue Nephele's two children, Phrixus and Helle. In terms of Greek mythology, which, in my mind, is a bastardization of the astronomical truth, the golden fleece (the deposition of the golden light of the soul) made into the "winged ram" Chrysomallus, (the ram being the term given to the moving vernal point; i.e. the first point of Aries that governs the "Evolutionary Cycle of the Soul"; also the Birthplace, Christ Point, and the Office of the Christ--hence Chrysomallus**** referring to the fallen "Point of Christos") refers to the deposition of golden light (soul awareness) that occurs as we re-awaken to our divine origin now in Earth's ~26,000 year precessional Cycle of the Holy Cross, as the birthplace of the soul (the vernal point) moves back across the antahkaranic bridge (soul's fourth dimensional bardoic realm) into the field of Unified Awareness--into our fifth dimensional soul essence awareness. That tops it for my long sentences!

*** From about 1800 to 3900 years ago, the vernal point was passing through the constellation Aries. This is no longer true of course, due to Earth's precession--the vernal point has now precessed to 5° sidereal Pisces, having passed through 25 degrees of sidereal Pisces as it moves toward the sidereal sign of Aquarius. But confusingly, tropical Aries is still regarded as the first constellation in the zodiac. When the vernal point was in sidereal Aries, the Ram, or first point of Aries, was the term referring to the vernal point; with first point of Aries representing the Golden Fleece pursued by Jason and the Argonauts. To learn of precession, and the tropical and sidereal zodiacs see: The Sidereal Zodiak

**** Chryso is from the Greek khrusos meaning gold, that which is precious; also from which the term chrysalis is derived, referring to the cocoon from which a butterfly emerges—mythically articulating our metamorphosis, or birth of the soul. RETURN

** Artemis

Artemis, (the Roman Diana) virgin goddess of the Moon, twin sister of Apollo, born from Zeus and Leto on the Island of Delos. RETURN