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Copyright © 2006 Nick Anthony Fiorenza, All Rights Reserved
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.
Please remember that the purpose of the Lunar Planner is to learn to live in the experiential awareness of the present. Although the material below can provide philosophical context for your personal experience, the New Moon is the ideal time to experientially "tune in" to get your unique new lunar month theme. Then, consciously participate with the changing Lunar Phase Characteristics in the unfoldment of that theme in your daily life.
New Moon Phase Characteristics
Our last lunar cycle produce a Full Moon lunar eclipse offering opportunity to address and clear any emotional issues within ourselves that glue us to involvements that are less than we truly want or deserve.
This New Moon of March 29 produces a total solar eclipse, offering us the opportunity to release roles we play in the world that are no longer appropriate--how we perceive self and our self-expression. The solar eclipse lunar cycle allows us opportunity to begin a new way of life or new way of participating.
Eclipses mark the ending of one life phase and the beginning of another. Of course, the area where the eclipses occur in each individual's chart defines the unique area in one's life where the eclipses have influence.
The Solar Eclipse will be visible in Africa, Europe, and Asia. Technical details and maps about the 2006 eclipses can be found here:
http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/OH/OH2006.html
This New Moon solar eclipse occurs in the midst of sidereal Pisces and conjoins the very principle and fortuitous star Algenib of Pegasus, tip of the horse's wing. Now in sidereal Pisces, part of the aquatics, we enter the wet emotional arena of life and are asked to use our intuitive, sensitive, and imaginative nature, but not to self-sacrifice or give away personal will and acquiesce to the fear-based illusory dramatics around us.
Perseus on Pegasus
by Lord Frederick Leighton
(1895-96)
Image courtesy of www.ArtRenewal.org.
Below Pisces is Cetus, the technobureaucratic monster of fear-based mass-consciousness, above is Pegasus, the flying horse, which Perseus uses to rise above the monster. To learn of the story of Pegasus, see the story of the Royal Family.
Marking the epitome of sidereal Pisces, Algenib is one of four stars creating the Great Square of Pegasus. The principles and qualities embodied in each of these four stars reveal the requirements for our psychophysiological preparation to become free from the bounds limiting us from participating in a more fulfilling and purposeful expression in the world. These four stars have long been associated with the feet of a table or stand, thus recognized as a supporting foundation or stage upon which something else transpires or rises from--much how Earth serves us in our spiritual evolution.
Algenib invites us to refine ourselves, to lighten up, so we can lift ourselves above the dramatics and tumultuous fear-based aspects of human life and live our greater dreams and passion in life.
Algenib can be thought of as the O of H2O and may indicate issues with air and those pertaining to breath or the purity of what is brought into the lungs. Living in smog and smoke will keep a fog upon one's aura maintaining the inability to see clearly. Oxygen deprivation to the cells will keep the nutrients within the cells of the body from igniting into the refined forces of light necessary to bring illumination into the structure of consciousness, the DNA. Algenib is of the breath, of oxygenating the waters of life, of the life giving air necessary for us to breathe while in the thrashing waters around us.
Algenib can indicate the need to physically lift ourselves above our human experience to see the way clearly, to removed ourselves from the reaches of any entrapping human dramatics. Algenib may simply indicate the need to lift self up and out of a situation to gain a clearer view--what ever it takes to get above it all--to fly.
As our eclipse is occurring, Pluto is stationing, about to begin its retrograde just afterward on March 29. Pluto is currently aligned with the Center of our Galaxy (GC), having recently entered sidereal Sag--beginning its many year passage though the Zen Archer--marking a major shift in our experience from that of the last decade due to its previous passage through Scorpio.
Pluto's station adds an additional dynamic to our eclipse theme and to this lunar cycle. As "opener," Pluto-GC will destruct that which is driven from personality motive so that which serves our greater soul-level fulfillment and purpose can reign. This added dynamic suggests the need to be very open to endings occurring that are out of our control so new paths of participation and expression in the world can subsequently begin.
Crescent Moon Phase Characteristics
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 (a fitting time for the start of Mercury retrograde). 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.
Our Crescent Moon of Apr 1 resides in the first degree of sidereal Taurus conjoining Algol, Beta Persei, the head of slain Medusa held in the hand of Perseus, also called the Demon Star--marking the cusp of sidereal Taurus. Of the Gorgons, Medusa, who is crowned with seven snakes for hair, represents the chaotic and aberated self-defeating forces within self, driven by fear. It is fear that freezes us in our tracks, the force that can turn us to stone. Perseus can not look at Medusa directly lest he turn to stone. He instead uses his shield to see her reflection. This mythically articulates the need to look at that which we hide behind to see the demon apparently outside of self--our own fea
Algol indicates an initiatory and experiential process is required or is at hand. This process begins by slaying our deepest fears to claim our true personal power, or be forever frozen in our tracks unable to complete our greater soul mission and purpose. Alignments with Algol can draw a relentless assault of experience that can block or divert us from our purpose until we realize the monster is but within--the fear based reflection of self. Algol forces us to look at self rather than at the apparent monsters in the outer world--to recognize they are of our own projection, to own and embrace the demon within. Slaying Medusa (our fear) establishes an inner neurological order that in turn allows us to become soul integrated and empowered as master of self, capable of our greater role and destined purpose.
First Quarter Moon Phase Characteristics
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 First Quarter Moon occurs on Apr 5 in late sidereal Gemini conjoining Sirius and Canopus. Sirius, Alpha Canis Major, the impetuous and blazing Great World Teacher, knowledge-holder of ancient hermetic wisdom, can bring events or lessons of a global proportion. Canopus of Argo Navis is navigator of our greater evolutionary unfoldment, concerned with directing us in directions that are lead us in our greater soul-level growth. Stimulus may challenge us to take actions that may be of life-changing proportion.
Our First Quarter Moon also conjoins the asteroid Vesta, suggesting the need for undaunted clarity, focus and dedication in the actions we take. To learn more of Vesta see: Asteroids#Vesta
Gibbous Moon Phase Characteristics
Also during our First Quarter Moon, Saturn is stationing about to return direct, one hour after the quarter moon. This, and the actions we take now, mark the full commencement of Saturn's 378-day synodic cycle, which began on Jan 27, 2006. Saturn's new synodic cycle theme 'Emergence" can be found here: Saturn
The 24-hour period just before the Gibbous Moon is a time of perseverance, of pushing through in the midst of the action quarter of the lunar cycle. The Gibbous Moon is when the pressure releases and we enter the Pollinating Phase of the lunar cycle, which begins a social and communicative time of magnetic attraction. Our Gibbous Moon occurs on Apr 9 in sidereal Leo conjoining Alpha Sextans. The sextant reveals the need to plot a new course, to take a new tack on journeys in life. On a greater scale, this is in regard to changing allegiance of our energies from the outer world, self-sacrificing to diversionary forces in the world around us, to the vertical integrity of our inner soul / source directive and truth. On a mundane level this can be in regard to changing our fundamental approach or path in life, to take a new tack to reach our goals.
Full Moon Phase Characteristics
The Full Moon marks the culmination point in the lunar cycle, the climax, the point of excitement and celebration. The hours leading up to the Full Moon provide a time of "vision and enthusiasm." The time just after Full Moon is a one of "realization of the lunar month's theme," a time to kick back and relax to allow our realizations to surface in consciousness.
Our Full Moon occurs on April 13 in the last degrees of sidereal Virgo conjoining Spica of Virgo and Archturus of Boötes. The festive full moon eve will occur on April 12.
Archturus, the primary star of Boötes, is the administrative seat responsible for the safe evolutionary unfoldment and ascension of Earth and humanity--supporting the pure birth and healthy and harmonious incarnate life of the soul. Archturus marks the genitals in the figuring and embodies the essence or seed of Boötes, the provider for and protector of the Virgin principle. Archturus lies directly over, and conjoins Spica, the base chakra (Vesica Pisces) of the Virgin. This conjunction indicates a destined, sanctified, and perfect Divine Union. This ecliptical location is also about creating the proper and harmonious environmental resonance for such a union and its eloquent creative manifestation and expression.
More embracing material on Spica and Archturus can be found here: Boötes
Disseminating Moon Phase Characteristics
The hours leading up to the Disseminating Moon generally is an accelerated and busy time of last minute preparation that leads into the birth point in the lunar cycle, the time of bearing the fruit in the cycle.
Our Disseminating Moon of April 17 occurs in latter sidereal Scorpio conjoining Restaban, eye of the Dragon. Restaban (Beta) and Etamin (Gamma) of Draco create the eyes of the Dragon. Draco is the constellation that encircles and guards the northern pole of our ecliptic. Both stars are of a high administrative order overseeing the initiations of the incarnate soul. They lie north of and express through Hercules and Ophiuchus. Restaban expresses between the Head of Hercules (Ras Algethi) and the Heart of the Scorpion (Antares) into sidereal Scorpio. Etamin, also the head of the Egyptian Hippopotamus, the primordial mother, expresses just into sidereal Sagittarius and oversees the heart center of our Galaxy (Galactic Center).
Restaban opens portals and pathways in the physical world for those who have truly embraced and mastered their initiations in life, who have aligned with the path of soul rather than the convenient path of personality, for those who live true to self--as our Hercules exemplifies--portals that are otherwise blocked to those who have not claimed their self-mastery and self-responsibility.
Venus conjoins Uranus on April 18 in sidereal Aquarius just after the Disseminating Moon. They lie a mere 0°17' apart, Venus of course being the one visible to the unaided eye rising in the east just before sunrise. They conjoin Achernar of Eridanus, the River of Life. Achernar, Alpha Eridanus is the end of the river indicating fulfillment, completion, integration, and rewards from what has been gained from the long and winding incarnational journey of life. Achernar reveals we have paid our dues, we have arrived from the winding tumultuous river of life to the ocean of being.
This conjunction inspires spontaneoty of the heart, for the unconventional, breaking from the conformity of the past. Unexpected "gifts of the heart" may not be uncommon.
Last Quarter Moon Phase Characteristics
The Last Quarter Moon creates our "inner need to initiate change" in the lunar cycle as we move into the cycles last quarter. Our Last Quarter Moon of April 20/21 occurs in early sidereal Capricorn conjoining Sham, Alpha Sagitta, the missile of Zeus; Albireo of Cygnus; and Altair of Aquila, eye of the Eagle, here bringing attention to how we are using our strategic tools--what ever they may be.
Altair, eye of the eagle, in northern Aquila, is of global and extraterrestrial vision; of strategic locations to achieve our purpose, also of military sites as well as Earth's sacred sites. Altair inspires us to perceive from a global, even extraterrestrial perspective; and not merely from a local, isolated view, but with a focus of precision detail. In classical astrology, Altair is of assertive authoritarian militaristic leadership, of military force and power. Siderealist Andrés Takra adds: "Altair has been associated with kings, emperors, conquerors, tyrants, politicians, but also with mystics, occultists, and wise spiritual hierophants of mystery-religions…."
Sagitta, the Missile of Zeus, extends over the first decan of sidereal Capricorn. Sagitta embodies our strategic arsenal of tools--whether applied for war or peace--this includes our personal tools to accomplish our goals in the material world.
Albireo, the beak of Cygnus the Swan, is of sexuality-based pursuits and personality-level relations; of our mutual compatibilities in everyday life and our agreements about them; also about how our incompatibilities, when we have denials about them, can lead to covert or forceful actions that sacrifice the needs of one party or the other. Here we find motivation to look behind the sexy, alluring and seductive disguises, cloaks, facades, appearances, masks, makeup, costumes of the incarnate form, those that are deliberately or unconsciously used to get what we want to fulfill our human needs.
This, an appropriate last Quarter Moon alignment, is asking us to look at if we are living a lie or living our truth, honoring our mutual needs, and the changes we need to make accordingly.
Balsamic Moon Phase Characteristics
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.
This Balsamic Moon of April 24 resides in our humanitarian-focused Aquarius conjoining Venus--inspiration to follow our new heart's desire. Our next New Moon occurring on April 27 lies in sidereal Aries. More to come then.
To learn how one lunar phase shifts and changes into the next, and to learn how to live in attunement to the lunar cycles, in the experiential empowerment doing so offers, please download the Lunar Planner Introduction and each monthly Lunar Calendar, and use them daily (PDF file links below)--its all a gift.
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We need not live in endless struggle, overwhelmed by the 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. Living in attunement to the natural astronomical cycles of life is living in faith and trust in the Divine Creative Intelligence expressing throughout our lives.
The Lunar Planner is an experiential tool teaching us 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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Download this month's Lunar Calendar PDF File
The Lunar Calendar reveals the dates and times of each lunar phase shift and their 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.
Download the Lunar Planner Introduction PDF File
Step by step instructions on how to use the Lunar Calendar with a detailed description of the changing lunar phases. This will teach you how to live in attunement to the Lunar Cycle. The Introduction goes hand-in-hand with the Lunar Calendar.
Learn more about the Asteroids
Learn about Sidereal Astrology
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Copyright © 2006 Nick Anthony Fiorenza, All Rights Reserved
