The Lunar Planner

The Link which Unites

The last lunar cycle (June 10 solar eclipse) was one of disengagement from the patterns of the past several months. This lunar cycle is one of connecting with that which is new. In general, eclipse lunar cycles are much like throwing a circuit breaker, which temporally disengages the flow of electricity so that some changes or repairs could be made in the circuitry. Turning the breaker back on allows the energy to move again. However, it is not until the lunar cycle following the eclipse that we fully engage in the new expression of energy. Things occur one lunar cycle at a time with the experience of one becoming the seed for the next--creating a continuous spiral of experiential unfoldment.

Our New Moon lies in the midst of the Twins (sidereal Gemini). Two principal stars mark the essence of the Twins: Pollux the immortal, extraterrestrial twin, and Castor the mortal, terrestrial twin, the extraterrestrial incarnate. These two stars mark the last few degrees of sidereal Gemini. The Twins stand upon the galactic plane, which lies at a 60° angle to the ecliptic plane. Like Sagittarius, Gemini is a constellation common to both planes of consciousness.

The feet of the Twins lie in the earlier degrees of Gemini. The foot of Castor marks one of the galactic points (anti-GEN) of the fixed axis of the Holy Cross, which defines 5° sidereal Gemini as the "Gate of Man." Its opposite point at 5° Sagittarius, the GEN, is the primary reference of the Holy Cross, "The Gate of God." (These two nodes in the ecliptic mark where the galactic plane intersects the ecliptic plane.) The Gate of Man is the location where the sun resides on the June solstice--which occurred in the last lunar cycle.

The Twins work hand-in-hand for the betterment and evolutionary fulfillment of humankind. Gemini is of communication and activity, of brotherhood and sisterhood, of alliance, fellowship, and fraternity. Since astrological antiquity, Castor has portended mischief and violence, is fractious, obstreperous, and boisterous, while Pollux portends eminence and renown. Pollux is the orator, the link and liaison to more spiritual and extraterrestrial matters, while Castor's role is that of a terrestrial colleague applied in human affairs.

In mythical legend, Rome was founded by Romulus and Remus, the twin sons of Mars (or from Mars), god (or planet with a history) of war and conquest. As newborns, the twins were abandoned on the flooding Tiber River and ended up at the foot of Palatine where they were suckled by a she-wolf and reared by a shepherd. Romulus is said to have executed his brother for disobeying the city's first law (doctrine). This myth, along with that of Cain and Abel, articulates the essence of sidereal Gemini and its principle stars Pollux and Castor. Romulus and Remus were also the immortal and mortal sons of Zeus in Greek mythology who, along with Hercules, were members of the crew of the Argo.

This two-in-one sign represents the culmination of the fractioned half (last 12,000 years) of the precessional cycle of the Holy Cross--the paradoxical split of soul and incarnate personality--and the frustrations that occur due to it. Pollux represents the transcendent nature of man--the soul--working hand-in-hand with the often, discordant incarnate man, Castor. Gemini embodies the dual principle of the exoteric incarnate expression of the esoteric (transcendent) nature of the soul, which is embodied by the opposite sign of Sagittarius.

Friend and colleague, KHM9 Andrés Takra on sidereal Gemini: " 'The Ruler of Gemini is Mercury, the winged messenger of the gods, and his statues represent him as a naked boy wearing the winged traveler's hat and winged sandals.... He was the god of roads, traveling and travelers, and their protector. Being the god of shrewdness and sagacity, he was the author of numerous inventions such as the alphabet, speech, eloquence, numbers, mathematics, astronomy, astrology, weights, measures, schooling, education, music, and lyre and syrinx. Being the least religious of the gods and void of moral principles, he was also the god of thieves, fraud, perjury, cunning, exchange, barter, and of commerce in general.... Gemini was par excellence the constellation of gaiety and the delight of boyhood and youth. It produces those who enchant everybody with their conversational ability, wit, music and song, and their ability in mathematics, astronomy and astrology.' "--Takra quoting The Solunar's Handbook by Cyril Fagan. Takra continues: "Geminians are always busy, always moving, doing a million things at the same time! Ubiquity is a Geminian trait. They are the intellectuals of the zodiac and the creators in the arts and sciences (whereas Sagittarians, opposite them, are the patrons of the arts). Geminians are young at heart, nervous and polyvalent (whereas Sagittarians are mature, imposing, sanguine and intuitive). The House (of Gemini /9th) is the realm of education, schools, universities, higher thoughts, ideas, writings, publications, communications, publicity, teachers, teachings, guides, travels, moves, long and short journeys, and cool windy areas. ...where insight and perception are codified into a coherent and communicable form for the masses."

The New Moon Theme

In the midst of Gemini is the star Wasat, Delta Gemini, the primary contributor to the theme of this lunar cycle. Wasat is the middle, the umbilical cord or connecting link between Castor and Pollux. Wasat is the liaison, the means to bring the pieces together, a link that unites those on Earth with their greater destiny and acts as a catalyst for their evolutionary fulfillment. Wasat is of planning and coordinating, assembling the diversity of parts and personalities into a workable and demonstrable model.

The star Castor and Wasat closely conjoin creating the quality of the manager, engineer, technician, artist, and constructor (where opposite Sagittarius embodies the architect and vision holder). Here we find the union of colleagues in the physical world, of soul mates and partners uniting to create the way in physical logistics.

Conjoining Wasat from the south is Muliphen (Mirza) of Canis Major inspiring partners and soul mates that have disappeared or withdrawn to re-emerge as a steady and dependable presence. Also conjoining is Delta Monoceris, a star of the Unicorn, bringing its unexpected magic with the arrival and union.

As the lunar cycle unfolds, Jupiter and Vesta conjoin under the auspices of the stars Pollux and Procyon (of Canis Minor) creating a beautiful opening for those who can be clear vessels to allow the spirit of divine will to mobilize movement upon the new links making possible their fulfillment.

Procyon is "Star of the Crossing" and is one of the five stars creating the "Egyptian X"--with Betelgeuse of Orion, Naos of the Argo, Phaet of Columba the Dove, and with the center star being Sirius. In classical astrology, Procyon portends wealth, renown, and good fortune. More specifically Procyon supports allegiance to a greater cause, and partnering with another or with a group for a greater purpose than one could pursue alone. The desert Arabs knew Sirius and Procyon as "Al Ahawat al Suhail"--the (radiant, glorious, and beautiful) sisters of Canopus: recognizing all three to be associated with greater evolutionary matters and the fulfillment of soul's purpose.

Enough esoterism--this is a blessed alignment! Here we find the bridge between worlds opening before us in a soft, nurturing, protective, and gentle way.

Sealed with a Kiss

The Crescent Moon nestles cozily between Venus and Juno on July 13. The crescent moon and Venus can be seen in the western sky at sunset. The bright star next to Venus is Regulus, Heart of the Lion. (Juno is not visible to the naked eye, but lies just under the Moon.) The opportunity of this lunar cycle reveals itself. By July 22, Venus and Juno conjoin in the pollinating phase of the lunar cycle--an alignment made for love, lovers, and soul colleagues, a union for those partners here to co-participate and co-create. Juno is the asteroid of covenant relationships, mutual respect and equality, and Venus, of course, is of the heart, art, beauty, and love--a perfect kiss.

Miracles of the Heart

On the Gibbous Moon of July 19-20, the sun conjoins Jupiter followed with Mercury conjoining Jupiter mobilizing open and expanded communication--a prelude to the exquisite Venus and Juno conjunction (trine the Moon) occurring just prior to the Full Moon.

The stellium of planets comprised of Jupiter, Mercury, sun, Vesta, and Mars occupies the first decan of sidereal Cancer. The zodiakal quality expressing through this synthesis of planets is that of uniqueness and the unexpected. Here are found those who stand out from the norm and who often have abnormal or special abilities as well--a capacity to bridge between worlds or dimensions. They often appear from nowhere, as if arriving through a spontaneous and unexpected crack in the world. The communion, connections, and involvements made now are those that open portals for miracles of the Heart.

The Full Moon

Full Moon's eve occurs on July 23. Although all is not quite visible behind the veils of mortal reality with the moon in the first decan of sidereal Capricorn, the sleek, stealthy, leather-and-lace side of human life is sensuously luring.

The first couple of degrees of sidereal Capricorn are involved with translating and applying the high visionary ideals in light, sound, and geometry inspired by the stars of late Sagittarius (and Lyra) into concretized artechnologies for practical application in the physical world. These first few degrees of Capricorn can also involve esoteric artsciences and the secret places and orders associated with those artsciences. Moving a bit further into Capricorn, we come to the area of strategic application of such artechnologies, of our personal strategies and arsenal of special tools--where our Full Moon lies. Whether those tools are used for war or peace is up to the individuals involved--but the result is one co-created whether acknowledged or not. We tend to play roles of victim and victor under our own delusions with influences from this part of the zodiak, but from soul-level awareness it is clear we are mutually responsible for our mortal experience--no matter what roles we dress for.

Last Quarter Moon

Our "inner need" to "initiate change" emerges on July 30 as the moon conjoins Ceres just before the Last Quarter Moon. Whether our pursuits and involvements are truly nurturing or are initiatory lessons is based upon our naiveté or clarity created by our own inner psycho-emotional state of being. Our actions and reactions reveal whether we succumb as victim to a monstrous frightening co-created intelligence seemingly running our lives or responsibly claim and apply our own wisdom to create a new reality based on that which is truly nourishing.

Cry of the Bear

Jupiter and Vesta conjoined as the Lunar Cycle began and now as the cycle closes on August 7, Jupiter and Vesta are the last planets that the moon aspects. Jupiter now lies under the auspices of the fore-foot of the Great Bear, marked by Talitha, Iota; and Kappa of Ursa Major, which I dub as protectress, guardian and nurturer of humanity. This duo is the Chinese "High Dignitary" (also of this quality). Although minor stars they should not be taken lightly as they lie in principal stellar orientation in the Bear. Of the Great Bear they are associated with the global scene and world powers and hold the responsibility to be a caring and nurturing force for the people--supporting humanity's reawakening. Jupiter-Talitha asks us to mobilize our resources for the "Cry of the Bear."

Emergence

Vesta, asteroid of focus, dedication, and commitment, conjoins Praesepe, M44, the beehive star cluster, crib or manger, in the Egyptian Scarabaeus (sidereal Cancer); and the stars that make the ass of the crab (dung of the beetle). Praesepe embodies the essence of the Scarabaeus--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 honing in on the guiding magnetic currents that guide them toward their new home. This confusion 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 the inherent scatteredness 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. As the finale of the cycle we are asked to surrender all that keeps us from being a clear vessel for the expression of spirit / soul to guide us into and through the next Lunar Cycle to come.