A sky map of the heavens that shows the stars, constellations, and the sidereal signs.
Visually learn which stars and constellations create each sidereal sign.
July 28, 2003 New Moon
Faith & Trust
& The Mars Retrograde
July 28, 2003 - August 27, 2003
Astronomical Myth is a "picture language," imagery that articulates the qualities of cosmic intelligence expressing throughout the greater heavens and through our lives. We are not separate from the greater heavens, from the stars and planets around us, or from our beloved Earth, but are intimate parts of this dynamic, continually unfolding heavenly symphony. This entirety is our cosmic consciousness, the totality of our being. To explore the greater heavens and the heavenly cycles is to explore that which we are--our embracing consciousness and our spiritual evolution.
The stars would not be in the heavens
if we were meant to walk in darkness.
Emergence
Our New Moon of July 29 lies in the center of sidereal Cancer--the Egyptian Scarabaeus--and conjoins Praesepe, M44, the beehive star cluster, also called the crib or manger. Also adding to our theme is the southern star Azmidiske, Xi Puppis of Argo Navis, the highest star on the aplustre of the stern of the ship sailing along the galactic equator. Azmidiske, an exalted star lying exactly on the galactic equator, holds the signature of the mission of the Argo--the emblem of the mission of the soul. The ornately sculptured aplustre on ancient ships held a powefull energetic, like a talisman, as a guiding force for the purpose the ship was built.
Praesepe embodies the essence of the Scarab / Cancer theme: emergence out of darkness, dogma, and delusion, out of the antiquated entrapments we had been living in, and our transmutation from darkness into light. Praesepe is of new beginnings, migration, shedding old skins, skeletons, and cocoons. It is of emerging out of the 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. As the crib or manger, Praesepe also articulates the protective and nurturing environment supporting our emergence process.
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, on our inner compass, and to hone in on our new direction while honoring the inherent confusion of the emergence process.
Alignments with Praesepe can bring up the fear of letting go--a fear bound in our belief patterns and those of collective consciousness. Praesepe can bring our attention to the possibility of being lost in our own mental obscurations--in the reasons "why not" to go forward, why not to change--in the frenetic buzz of collective mass consciousness--in the dogmas of life, whether personal or collective. Praesepe asks us to step out of our limiting environments and structures of consciousness and to find new places fitting to our emerging new awareness.
Together, Praesepe and Azmidiske ask us to trust and have faith in the subtle currents at work in our lives, currents that are leading us on the next legs of our journeys in life and toward our highest fulfillment. They ask us to align with those guiding currents and move in trust with them.
The Retrograde of Mars
A dominating dynamic adding to the lunar theme is that created by retrograding Mars. Mars starts its retrograde period immediately as this lunar cycle begins (about 43 minutes after the New Moon). Mars will complete its retrograde in the following lunar cycle. This part of the retrograde period, throughout this entire lunar cycle, embodies the climatic completion of a 780-day cycle called the "Mars synodic cycle." That cycle began in June of 2001. The next Mars synodic cycle will begin on August 28, at the beginning of the following lunar cycle.
A retrograde period of a planet marks the time when we disengage from a planet's previous synodic cycle of expression in our lives and engage in its next one. The planet's previous synodic cycle ends and new one begins in the midst of its retrograde period. Retrograde periods are a time when the momentum of the planetary quality expressing in our lives releases, thus allowing us the opportunity to shift within and redefine its expression. During the retrograde period, lower-order patterns associated with the previous theme within ourselves can surface to be released so we can then engage in the new octave of growth to follow.
| New Moon July 28 | New Moon Aug 27 | New Moon Sept 10 |
| Mars Retrograde July 28 |
Mars Opposition The New Mars Synodic Cycle Begins Aug 28 |
Mars Direct Sept 27 |
| Earth-Mars Closest Approach Aug 27 |
The previous Mars synodic cycle theme was set by the stars of the "sting of the Scorpion" in June of 2001 (shortly prior to the sting of the world trade tower event). The theme of this coming Mars cycle is set by the beneficent and humanitarian stars of the "Aquarian Waterman." This two-month transition retrograde period is particularly potent and significant because Mars will be closer to Earth than it ever has been in about 73,000 years. The gravo-magnetic intensification created by the two planets creates an extreme intensification of the Martian expression in our lives as well as an intensification of the new Mars theme about to emerge.
The Mars retrograde period is a time of change in all aspects associated with the expression and manifestation of Mars in our lives: how we use our creative force; in our ability to initiate action; in our expression and experience of sexuality and passion; in the masculine experience in our lives; and in the nature of the expression of the patriarchal force in the world.
To learn more of this Mars retrograde, the astronomy of the synodic cycles of Mars, the astrological themes of the current Mars cycles, and the expression of Mars in our lives, please visit " The Mars Cycle & the 2003 Close Encounter."
Relationships of Mutual Respect and Equality
The First Quarter Moon of Aug 4 / 5 conjoins the asteroid Juno at the "foot of the Virgin and under the auspices of the stars to the Southern Cross and the Northern Crown." Our stimulus to move from the inspiration phase of the lunar cycle into the creative action quarter of the lunar cycle centers around the issues and themes of the goddess Juno and the inspiration of these stars. Here we find stimulus to return to the "original cardinality" (purity of intent) of our souls as we co-create our significant relations. Here we have inspiration to step from the limiting entrapments of past relations and ways of relating in our current relations, and to co-create relations anew for our freedom and fulfillment of being.
Juno Psychophysiology
Juno is the asteroid of covenant relationships, soul colleagues, and true lovers. In the astrological chart, Juno indicates the nature of the issues and opportunities in significant relations of all sorts: those that are of a personal nature to those of political leaders and nations of the world. Mature Juno is diplomatic, tactful, cooperative, and mutually trusting. Mature Juno expresses with a sense of equality within self that provides the ability to draw true partners and those of equality into one's life. There is an acceptance of another's truth or opinion without need to challenge or debate. There is an ability to honor and support others in their own choices and decisions. Mature Juno expresses self-confidence in humbleness and without defense.
Potential issues are: Superiority / inferiority complexes - competitiveness, defensiveness, lack of self confidence, arrogance and judgment of others; unconscious manipulation of others - power struggles seeking contention; betrayal, bitterness, spitefulness and standoffs; jealousy and possessiveness; one-up-man-ship--validating self by invalidating others (or reverse); dictating behavior--telling others what they should or should not do--minding others' business instead of one's own. A form of denial of Juno issues within self can express as needing to fix others or have them change or leave, instead of working on the issues within that surface while in partnership. Mature Juno expresses in mutual support and unconditional love to allow each other to grow and change through whatever issues surface. Other Juno issues are meddling; fear of abandonment, rejection or betrayal; inability to draw or participate with equals and true colleagues; hiding behind teacher-student relationship (on either side) or in any relationship of inequality or non-compatibility; partners drawn are those providing intense lessons only for both parties, rather than providing true, mutually supportive growth in equality and participation together in life purpose.
Juno's placement in the astrological chart is one of several points that determine the types of significant relations drawn into our lives. Juno specifically is involved with drawing our true soul-mates or twin-hearts--those truly compatible.
Because Juno is where we deal with our inferiority / superiority complexes, and if this issue is prominent, partnerships drawn in earlier life can be full of lessons regarding such issues and not much else. Once a certain level of clarity is attained within self regarding the asteroid issues, true soul level covenant relations begin to show up. This does not mean we still do not grow regarding Juno issues, but there are those individuals with which we may also have a mutual soul bond and mission to pursue together.
Vision, Enthusiasm & Realization
Our Full Moon of August 11 lies in the overlap area of the constellations Capricorn and Aquarius, and under the auspices of Delphinus, the Dolphin star system, which lies in the northern heavens. The Dolphins, an expression of angelic dominion, are guides for the wayward, and reveal the way for safe passage on course. The Dolphins provide the call Home and articulate a higher guiding intelligence. Shall we heed that intelligence and follow our angelic inspiration?
A Bit of a Wobble
On August 17, just after the manifestation and demonstration (disseminating) Moon, we experience what is confusingly called a "moon wobble." This does not refer so much to a physical wobble of the moon, but to the unstable wobble of our emotional world. This is the time when the sun squares the lunar nodes. Statistically speaking, this is notoriously a time of unstable and poor judgment (especially of those in leadership positions), as well as a time of increased incidents involving fire. This vertigo confusion is generally felt for a few days surrounding the aspect. This particular one involves matters of the heart!
A Change of Heart
Not to worry, our Last Quarter Moon of Aug 19 (on the North Node squaring Sun-Venus) brings true heart's needs to surface, asking us to honor heart's call.
Righting Imbalances
The last significant event of this lunar cycle is the beginning of the Pallas retrograde cycle occurring on Aug 22. The asteroid Pallas will remain retrograde through December 6, 2003. This period marks the disengagement of the previous Pallas synodic cycle and the beginning of the next, with the transition occurring in October. Although we will explore the new Pallas theme then, issues associated with Pallas may surface in our psyche and experience now, particularly those associated with any material-emotional entanglement or entrapment in the mortal world (abdominal / solar plexus issues) due to the associated star alignment with Kaitain, Alpha Pisces the knot of the fishes; also conjoining Mirach, star of commitment and betrothal. Pallas will then retrograde back through the emotional waters of sidereal Pisces where we will have opportunity to clear emotional imbalances in our (second chakras of) interpersonal relations. To learn more about Pallas please visit "The Asteroids#Pallas."
As always the experiential wisdom gained in this cycle prepares us for the next. The closing of this cycle occurs on Aug 23 as we coalesces the lunar cycle's experience into seed form and then focus to the future in anticipation for the next lunar cycle to come. Our next New Moon occurs on August 27 as we also commence the new Mars synodic cycle. More to come then…
A sky map of the heavens that shows the stars, constellations, and the sidereal signs.
Visually learn which stars and constellations create each sidereal sign.
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surface turbulence of our growth and awakening process.
We can establish an inner peace instead, with life
becoming a graceful dance when we attune ourselves to the
natural spiral of growth that is guiding our lives.
Living in attunement to the natural Lunar Cycles
is an effective and empowering way to do this.
cycles of life is living in faith and trust in the
Divine Creative Intelligence expressing throughout our lives.
how to live in attunement to the natural lunar cycles.
Astronomical Sidereal Astrology and Star Lore reveal each
lunar month's theme, and the planetary
themes unfolding throughout the year.
Each lunar month's theme weaves a continuing story line
of the patterns of growth unfolding in our lives
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To learn to live in attunement to the phases of the Lunar Cycle,
you can download the Lunar Planner Introduction PDF file and
the current Lunar Calendar PDF file and use them daily.
changing characteristics as well as key planetary alignments. Use this like a calendar or
daily planner.The Lunar Calendar goes hand-in-hand with the introductory material.
Use this daily to learn how to live attuned to the Lunar Cycles of Life.
Step by step instructions on how to use the Lunar Calendar and
detailed description of the changing lunar phases.
Teaches you how to live in attunement to the Lunar Calendar.
The INtroduction goes hand-in-hand with the Lunar Calendar.