The Lunar Planner

Money & The Flow of Abundance

Our April 8 New Moon conjoins the star Revati in late sidereal Pisces. It also conjoins Venus, which resides at its exalted location in the ecliptic, conjoining Baten Kaitos of Cetus.

Revati literally means riches, financial resources, money, the wealth of the human world. This lunar cycle's theme brings attention to what we have, what we do not have, the flow of it--what we are doing with the wealth we do have--in all of its forms. Prominent alignments with Revati can indicate wealth gained from participating in the dramatic psycho-emotional world of human affairs. It is about allowing the flow of abundance in our lives that only becomes possible when living from an open heart.

Below the sidereal sign of Pisces lies the belly of the psycho-emotional fear-instilling, technobureaucratic monster of collective human consciousness, Cetus. It is here where the turn of wealth occurs. Above flies Pegasus, the magical flying horse that Perseus flew above Cetus to save his beloved Andromeda. This cycle helps us to learn how to participate triumphantly in the all to human world without getting entrapped in the psycho-emotional clutches of ole' Cetus. To learn the full story about Cetus and Pegasus, and its astrological meaning, please see: The Royal Family.

This is also an eclipse lunar cycle. Our New Moon is a Hybrid Solar Eclipse and our Full Moon is a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse. For technical information regarding these eclipses, viewing information, and maps, please visit:
http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/OH/OH2005.html

Generally, an eclipse lunar cycle is a time of relinquishment--the solar of releasing roles that are no longer appropriate in our lives, this having to do with self, our self-perception, and self-expression. The lunar eclipse is about releasing the emotional bonds within ourselves that reach out and glue us to involvements that are less than we truly want or deserve. This is about our experiential aspect of our relations with others and with the world. The eclipse lunar cycle marks the ending of a life phase and the beginning of another. Of course, the area where an eclipse occurs in each individual's chart defines the unique area in one's life where the eclipse has influence.

Our Revati Eclipse Lunar Cycle is about the relinquishment of ways of participating that create the limits and restrictions in the flow of wealth, health, and happiness in our lives, and also the attitudes we hold that define (or limit) the flow of abundance in our lives. This relinquishment in turn opens the way for a new octave of creative participation, one that results in a more nurturing life with greater flow. Relinquishment can also be thought of as letting go or giving away something or some part of that which we have so something greater may become. If we are afraid to let go, it is only because we forget to trust in Heart (why Venus is exalted at this location in the ecliptic).

Flanking Revati and coloring its theme is the Second Node of the Dragon entering the ecliptic on one side, and Baten Kaitos, the belly of Cetus on the other, and this is also where Venus is exalted--indicating the power of the heart is of extreme significance here--while in the belly--that is, the power of love. Love simply is the conscious act to unconditionally accept that which is unfolding in our lives without placing limits upon its unfoldment by the judgments or fears we hold.

Nodus Secundus of Draco and the irregular shaped galaxy IC 1613 of Cetus conjoin the theme of the entrapped princess Andromeda. Here we are asked to become attentive to the fact that our intent of purpose can be diverted and dispersed by psycho-emotional forces that congest us when toxic physical conditions exist, or when we are naive to the power of such forces. Our psycho-emotional fog can then perpetuate confused life scenarios, antiquated involvements, or entrapments that are no longer in our highest interest. The Second Node of the Dragon can indicate initiatory lessons regarding this theme.

Baten Kaitos latitudinally aligns (is parallel in ecliptical latitude) with Katain of Pisces--the knot of psychic or emotional entanglement. Further south yet is Beta Fornax (the furnace), which provides the perpetual fire (digestive juices) for our transmutation while participating in the psycho-emotional technobureaucratic world. Baten's ecliptical longitude marks the exalted seat of Venus--thus, honing our hearts to gold (revealing the relation of the flow of abundance and living from an open Heart). Alignments with Baten can indicate the need to embrace the drama of mortal life and to emerge in transmuted form. The value here, if we are willing to come out of the whale transformed, is to be able to participate from the intimate wisdom of having been there--knowing our way around the tumultuous human world, conscious of its foul influences and diversions, and also of its potential rewards, abundance in all of its forms.

Our New Moon Eclipse-Venus-North Node is also approaching square to Saturn, which lies in late sidereal Gemini, and which recently completed its retrograde in the previous lunar cycle: Embracing the Palpable. An approaching square (270°) is one that stimulates an inner need to initiate change--in this case regarding that which has become old, outdated, or dysfunctional, especially in the logistical aspects of our lives, and also regarding our karmic-based or past relations. Doing so allows us to begin to establish and concretized new foundations or alliances that support the manifestation of this lunar month's theme--opening the door for a new flow of abundance to fill our lives.

Expanding on the Theme

The hours before the Crescent Moon provide a time when we relinquish patterns of the past that would limit our creative ability to expand on the theme now unfolding. The Crescent Moon is the time when the sprouting seedling sloughs off its protective coat of the past, and emerges in its new expression. As the Crescent Moon unfolds, the growing phase of the lunar cycle begins as we start to amalgamate our personal creativity with the original lunar theme.

Mercury completes its retrograde in early sidereal Pisces on April 12, immediately before the Crescent Moon supporting us to move forth into Mercury's new synodic theme was presented here: The Exaltation of Mercury. Basically this is about living in the presence of the divine guidance that expresses through the every-day moment-by-moment events unfolding in our lives--trusting in the flow of the natural world, of that which is naturally unfolding in our lives. Some might call this getting out of our own way and letting God.

Our Crescent Moon occurs under the foot or Perseus in sidereal Taurus, here creating impetus to heroically lift ourselves above the bounds of our lives into a new octave of expression--this is especially true regarding business and / or family matters.

Mars and Neptune conjoin on April 13 just after Crescent Moon. Up until this point action may not yet be quite clear, but now we feel inspired to act upon our ideals, dreams, and visions.

Initiate Action

The First Quarter Moon of each lunar cycle draws an external stimulus to initiate action as we move from the inspirational quarter of the lunar cycle into the action quarter. Our external stimulus occurs on April 15 the day before First Quarter Moon, which occurs on April 16.

Our action moon conjoins Procyon of Canis Minor. Procyon is the Babylonian "Kakkab Paldara," which means "Star of the Crossing." In classic astrology, Procyon portends wealth, renown, and good fortune. Procyon supports allegiance to a greater cause, purpose, or faction. Procyon inspires us to ally with others or with a group to achieve a greater purpose than we could achieve alone.

Attraction & Involvement

The 24-hour period just before the Gibbous Moon is a time of perseverance, of pushing through in the action quarter of the lunar cycle. The Gibbous Moon is when the pressure releases and we enter the magnetic pollinating phase of the lunar cycle, which begins a social and communicative time.

Our Gibbous Moon occurs on April 20 in latter sidereal Leo conjoining Mizar of Ursa Major. Mizar embodies raw fiery energy that must express one way or another. Mizar must have a creative outlet, but for its proper expression, we must apply it with creative vision. Mizar brings attention to use of our creative energies; creative and destructive tendencies, and the fear to create lest it results in destruction. Here we learn nature of such volatile forces. Mizar, with averted alignments is also known for catastrophic fires or massacres. Mizar can however express quite artistically. Gunpowder can express as beautiful fireworks or devastating explosions. Mizar expression is always noticed in a grand way, in character with showy and dramatic Leo.

Vision, Enthusiasm, & Realization

Our Full Moon eclipse occurs on April 23-24 in sidereal Libra but under the skirt of the Virgin conjoining Syrma, knee of the Virgin, star of Atlantis. Our Syrma Full Moon Eclipse marks the climax of this transformative portal. Syrma inspires our transmutation by unlocking what has been frozen in the past so we can move onward. Syrma can also bring emotional pattering to surface awareness so we may clear any blocks they create in our lives. Syrma inspires use of the artsciences to unlock crystallized patterns held within our cellular makeup, freeing ourselves from biological conditions and behavioral patterns that keep us frozen in past time so we may step forth into our evolutionary fulfillment. Conjoining Syrma is Quasar OQ 172 of Bootes, lying just over the feet of the Virgin. This quasar inspires artistic vision, imagination, and the drive to create a portal of beauty to reach our highest attainment--the purpose of art combined with the passion of love.

Manifestation & Demonstration

The hours leading up to the Disseminating Moon is an accelerated and busy time of last minute preparation leading into the birth point in the lunar cycle. Venus and the asteroid Vesta conjoin in sidereal Aries conjoining Alpha Horologium of the pendulum clock just before the Disseminating Moon of April 27, asking us to get clear, focused, and committed in our heart.

Tic-tock, the pendulum clock, Alpha Horologium holds the characteristic of "impending time." Here there is a relentless and underlying sense that there is a finite period with time ticking away, and that more than is humanly possible must be done with need "to go back before going forward." Seemingly, a miracle is required, and often time, at the last minute, one arrives--usually provided by another party. But here, we must be willing to release the pressure we are applying in attempt to free ourselves, as it really creates the tension that keeps us entrapped. Only then can we make our passage.

The Little Dumbbell Nebula paints this scenario nicely. Using brut force is a stupid move that only tightens the chain of human bondage. Patience and gentleness are required to make this birth, but also the inner strength to persist.

The Disseminating Moon conjoins Pluto--the sting, the opening.

Time for Change

April 30 provides our day of inner need inspiring us to initiate change on the Last Quarter Moon in mid sidereal Capricorn. The Moon conjoins Albali, Epsilon Aquarius, which marks the Capricorn-Aquarius overlap--where the Aquarian influence begins to be felt in mid-sidereal Capricorn. Albali of Aquarius extends Capricorn's zodiakal quality from personal level motive to a sense that our responsibility must extend beyond our immediate selves and family, and embrace the needs of the human family and our extended soul families.

Also adding to this theme is Epsilon Indus which conjoins Alpha Tucana and Theta Microscopium creating a loquacious and negotiative quality that demands extreme attention to detail, and which can be pompously petty but is ornately detailed and precision minded.

Albali also conjoin the SMC X-1 neutron star / black hole in the Small Magellanic Cloud. The Small and Large Magellanic Clouds (SMC and LMC) are small galaxies that orbit our Milky Way galaxy. We might think of them as our galaxy's young, although not necessarily birthed from the Milky Way, they are being cared for and raised by our galaxy. The Small Magellanic Cloud resides at quite south in ecliptical latitude on the border of Toucan and the more southern Hydrus.

Julius Schiller (like others who "have sought to alter the sky figures") combined Hydrus, the Toucan, and the Small Cloud as his biblical constellation Raphael (Allen)--but I see this to be a mythical articulation fitting here.

Raphael is "the Shining One who heals." In Hebrew, Raphael meant healer and guardian of the Tree of Life, which more appropriately can be taken as knowledge about natural law. Raphael, also considered to be the angel of the Sun--correspondingly the essence of the solar fire and solar plexus--brings life to the body through the administration of proper physical remedies. In this light, we have the "angel of science and historical knowledge." Raphael was said to have presented Noah with a book of medical knowledge). Knowledge of science and law is fitting to the later half of sidereal Capricorn--the Aquarius / Capricorn overlap. Raphael is said to be quite gregarious, both the chummiest and funniest of all the angelic flock. He is often depicted chatting merrily (rap-ing) with some unsuspecting mortal" ("Angels An Endangered Species" by Malcolm Goodwin)--this loquacious quality, also articulated by Tucana, is an aspect fitting to this part of Capricorn.

Focus to the Future

The Balsamic Moon marks the time in lunar cycle when we coalesce the experience of the lunar cycle into its seed essence, which will then sprout through the theme of the following lunar cycle. It is when we turn our attention from this lunar cycle in anticipation of the next to come. The hours before the Balsamic Moon provide our time of coalescence while those after mark the time when we turn from looking back over the past cycle and look toward the future cycle to come. The Balsamic Moon occurs on May 4 in early sidereal Pisces conjoining Scheat of Pegasus and the vernal point of the Holy Cross, marking the end of this lunar cycle.

Scheat is the essence of sidereal Pisces, and brings attention to the waters of life and to the purity of our body fluids, especially the "lymph," which means Flowing Spirit of the Living Water of Life. Scheat pertains to all waters of the world, but also to body fluids, especially water's relationship to the purification of the physical vehicle and the body's requirement for refined life force energies to express through the fluids molecular matrix. Alignments with Scheat ask us to consider what we are doing with our primordial life force, how we are using our Chi / Xi. Scheat also asks us to integrate our primordial essence with the spiritual essence--to realize they are one flowing life-giving force.

Our next New Moon occurs on May 8 in later sidereal Aries conjoining the asteroid Vesta--more to come then.