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The Lunar Theme for the
June 14, 2007 New Moon

Tenacity of the Heart

The Lunar Month of
June 14, 2007 - July 14, 2007

Nick Anthony Fiorenza

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.

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 using the Lunar Calendar and Lunar Planner Introduction (links at the bottom).

New Moon Phase Characteristics

The New Moon

This New Moon of June 14/15, 2007 occurs in late sidereal Taurus, smack in the Horns of the Bull, near the cusp of Taurus-Gemini.

The last few New Moons occurred on the sidereal cusps creating extra
transformative lunar cycles. See the "Solunar Sidereal Synchronization."

Our last lunar cycle in early sidereal Taurus was more about the seeding of ideas. This cycle starting in late sidereal Taurus is about having the industrious and tenacious perseverance required for a breakthrough.

The Horns of the Bull are marked by El Nath and Al Hecka, which fall into the last few degrees of sidereal Taurus. They lie over the head of Orion, the impious wanderer and are just south of the charioteer, Auriga. The Horns embody the pursuit, struggle, and engagement in the physical world.

El Nath, Beta Taurus (also shared with Auriga as Gamma Auriga), is the north horn the Bull. El Nath brings the capacity for tenacious perseverance for accomplishment, and inspires the drive to continue to persevere to achieve a breakthrough. El Nath is of worthy pursuit for our future freedom.

Al Hecka, Zeta Taurus, the south horn, is of stalemates, standoffs, and brick walls--fighting old and antiquated crusades--particularly of a religious-political nature--and blindly or automatically continuing the fight out of habitual pattern even though the original purpose behind what we were fighting for is long gone. Al Hecka is of beating one’s head against the wall, a relentless and futile pursuit. Al Hecka may place emphasis on accomplishment but when the accomplishment pursued is of a time no longer applicable.

Alignments with the Horns ask us to discern the difference between causes of worthy pursuit verses those driven from antiquated motive. They can produce either type of experience depending on the exactness of the alignments to one horn or the other, as well as a blend of both qualities--thus the need to discern whether tenacious perseverance is required or if is time to simply let the struggle go. This is the true bullhead few degrees of Taurus, which can produce one who is driven, insistent, contentious, even forceful--for either the North Horn or South Horn theme.

Our New Moon tends toward the theme of the North Horn--tenacity. In fact, the Moon is a few degrees north of the ecliptic and passes just 1/2 of a degree under El Nath.

Hubble's Sharpest View of the Orion Nebula

Image & Caption Credit: NASA,ESA, M. Robberto (Space Telescope Science Institute/ESA) and the Hubble Space Telescope Orion Treasury Project Team:

A few additional entries add to this month's lunar theme:

The pulsar NP 0525 conjoins the North Horn. Pulsars are navigational beacons for the soul. This pulsar (with a period of 3.745490800 seconds) cross-resonates with Earth's sidereal period harmonic (Earth's year) and Uranus' rotation harmonic, providing impetus to break from the conformity of the past through persistent action that radically alters our Earthian experience. Its period also translates to a green-turquoise color. This pulsar reminds us to maintain self-awareness and focus of purpose, and to take dynamic unconventional action to achieve a breakthrough without falling into blind bull–minded action and allegiances that merely perpetuate a monotonous battle or lead us to become mere followers in a collective crusade.

Beneath the Bull's Horns is Orion, the Hunter or Impious Wanderer, and specifically Meissa, the head of Orion; the belt of Orion, with our New Moon conjoining the center star of the belt, Alnilam, the eye of Orion's Belt; and Ensis, the Great Orion Nebula M42 along with Trapezium, a quadruple star in Ensis.

"This dramatic image offers a peek inside a cavern of roiling dust and gas where thousands of stars are forming. The image, taken by the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) aboard NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, represents the sharpest view ever taken of the Orion Nebula. More than 3,000 stars of various sizes appear in this image. Some of them have never been seen in visible light. These stars reside in a dramatic dust-and-gas landscape of plateaus, mountains, and valleys that are reminiscent of the Grand Canyon.

The Orion Nebula is a picture book of star formation, from the massive, young stars that are shaping the nebula to the pillars of dense gas that may be the homes of budding stars. The bright central region is the home of the four heftiest stars in the nebula. The stars are called the Trapezium because they are arranged in a trapezoid pattern. Ultraviolet light unleashed by these stars is carving a cavity in the nebula and disrupting the growth of hundreds of smaller stars.

The Orion Nebula is 1,500 light-years away, the nearest star-forming region to Earth. Astronomers used 520 Hubble images, taken in five colors, to make this picture. They also added ground-based photos to fill out the nebula. The ACS mosaic covers approximately the apparent angular size of the full moon."

Orion is industrious and architectural, often of grandiose extravagant projects. They are also known for going off on their own crusades, doing their own thing without consideration of Divine Directive--hence the name "impious wanderer," and often battle to the death for their diversionary causes.

The belt stars of Orion are: Mintaka, Alnilam, and Alnitak. Mintaka conjoins the North Horn; Alnitak conjoins the South Horn; and Alnilam, is the center star of the belt--our New Moon belt star.

Although a bit out of context, here is an interesting excerpt (I think) from my yet to published book regarding the belt stars from a chapter about the "Evolutionary Cycle of the Soul" being governed by Earth's precessional cycle of the Holy Cross; i.e., the moving vernal point in the ecliptic, which is also called "the Birthplace" and the "Office of the Christ":

When we explore the birth of Jesus in mythical astronomical language, articulating the movement of the "birthpoint of the sun" (the precessing vernal point) in the cycle of the Holy Cross, we find extensive coinciding evidence in the sidereal heavens. One such interesting and elucidating event is the abnormally long conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter that occurred in 7 B.C. due to their synchronous retrograde cycles. Their actual conjunction lasted from May through November of 7 B.C. This event was brought to my attention by my friend Shine Richards who suggested that perhaps this was considered to be the Star of Bethlehem, which would have provided additional inspiration for the Christian writers to assign the birth of Jesus to around this period. At the least, it seems to have provided additional material for the story.

On the spring equinox of 7 B.C., when the sun was on the Birthplace (vernal point), Jupiter and Saturn, just approaching conjunction, were heliacally rising, along with Mercury. Planets rising in the morning sunlight are imbued with solar fire, making them not only beautiful and brilliant, but especially potent and significant in their astrological effect. Ancient temples were built in alignment to heliacally rising stars for this reason. The spring equinox of 7 B.C. was thus quite special, a resplendent event. At the same time, the three stars of the Belt of Orion were rising--following the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction. This abnormally long conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn continued to rise higher in the sky each night, culminating (at its highest point in the sky at midnight) around the autumnal equinox. Thus, it was majestically visible all year long.

Several names were in common use for the three stars of the Orion’s Belt, with one name often referring to all three stars. Two of these names were the Magi and the Three Kings. Thus, in our 7 B.C. scenario, the rising belt stars were the Three Kings following the rising Star of Bethlehem (the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction) while seeking the Birthplace of the Christ (the vernal point of the sol / soul).

Today the belt stars are Mintaka, Delta Orion, from the Arabian Al Mintaka, the Belt; Alnilam Epsilon Orion, from Al Nitham, the String of Pearls; and Alnitak Zeta Orion, from Al Nitak, the Girdle. These names also were indiscriminately used to refer to all three together, although today they apply to each star individually. Classical sidereal astrologers held the three to portend fleeting public honors to those born under their influence--fitting to the story of our rebel Jesus.

Alnilam, eye of the belt, our New Moon belt star, longitudinally entering the ecliptic between El Nath and Al Hecka, marks the middle ground for the theme of the horns. Alnilam is arbitrator to split or opposing forces. Here also lies the famous Great Orion Nebula, Ensis M42 (one of many star nurseries in the heavens), and Trapezium (a quadruple star in Ensis). The theme here is one of negotiation and arbitration.

Mercury plays an important role in this lunar cycle as well and is empowered here; thus all that is Mercurial, communication, negotiation, re-defining logistics, etc. is of significance.

Mercury begins its retrograde on Jun 15 in sidereal Gemini, a day after New Moon. It will begin its new synodic cycle in the midst of the lunar cycle, and will return direct on July 9, before the end of the lunar cycle.

The Sun moves into sidereal Gemini on June 16, shortly after the New Moon.

Crescent Moon Phase Characteristics

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.

Like occurred in the last couple of lunar cycles, the Moon and Venus conjoin on the Crescent Moon. The Venus-Crescent Moon orb as been getting tighter and tighter, and now the Moon-Venus conjunction occurs within a few seconds (in time) to the Crescent Moon. Again, we are inspired to live true to heart, beauty and rapture in life, and to relinquish any fears that may limit our heart's true expression, to claim the beauty and abundance life has to offer.

Occultation of Venus on 18 June 2007 (Report from SpaceWeather.com)

European sky watchers should be alert on Monday, June 18th, for a mid-afternoon eclipse of Venus by the crescent Moon. Hanging high in the sky, Venus will appear as a pinprick of light beside the Moon, visible to the naked eye in broad daylight until the edge of the Moon covers the planet. (Technically, this is called a "lunar occultation.") Binoculars will improve visibility, but be careful not to point them at the sun.

Elsewhere, in the Middle East, India and Pakistan, the eclipse can be seen around sunset and after dark. From those places, a clear view of the western horizon is essential because the Moon and Venus will be setting, but the sight should be spectacular. Except for a small region around the Canadian maritime provinces, this event will be completely invisible from North America.

Time Tables and Maps
http://www.lunar-occultations.com/iota/planets/0618venus.htm

This Crescent Moon of June 18 occurs in the midst of sidereal Cancer and conjoins Alpha Lyncis, and Kochab of Ursa Minor.

The Lynx, or mountain cat, is known for its extraordinarily effortless ability to quietly move through the physical world, it is of intuition and of secrets shared or revealed. Symbolic of the ability to see the hidden mystery and secrets of life, our stellar Lynx represents the ability to see the spirit moving or expressing through matter. To have this perceptive and sensitive ability is to see where doorways become accessible in what otherwise may seem to be just a mundane world.

Here is a key regarding our Venus-Crescent Moon--the place where this perceptual sensitivity lies, in the quietude and confidence of the knowing and open heart. This is how to simply come to "know" the way, to see through the art of "watching" what is not openly shared or visible.

Kochab is the second most significant star of Ursa Minor, the Little Dipper, with Polaris, our current North Star being the primary one. This is the ideal time of the year for viewing the Little Dipper (for those in the northern hemisphere). Kochab was our North Star around 400 BC.

Each change in magnitude indicates a 2.512 times change in brightness. Thus a 2nd magnitude star is 2.512 times brighter than a 3rd magnitude star. This is derived by taking the 5th root of 100, which represents a change of 100 over five magnitudes. Thus a 1st magnitude star is 100 times brighter than a 5th magnitude star.

Kochab and Pherkad are the two brighter stars marking the bowl of the Little Dipper. (Polaris is the tail of the Little Dipper.) The stars of Ursa Minor are called the "polar sequence" by astronomers because their brightness is near exact to their respective magnitudes; i.e., Polaris and Kochab are second magnitude stars (2.0), Pherkad (Gamma) is third magnitude (3.0), Zeta is forth magnitude (4.0), and Eta is fifth magnitude (5.0); thus they serve as the primary reference for star magnitudes.

The stars of the Little Dipper are of stability, consistency, reference and context. They suggest we stay centered in the midst of the dramatics of the world rotating around us. Kochab and Pherkad are considered the guardians of Polaris.

Also in the vicinity is that which is old and established (Acubens and one of the oldest open clusters of stars M67), established ways of life as well as in established thought and belief structures, which may at times seem to be a relentless or even monumental force to overcome.

So our Venus-Crescent Moon reveals the opportunity for growth this lunar cycle has to offer--to augment our lunar theme of "tenacity" with the elements of gentleness, perceptiveness, and persistent heart centeredness.

Venus and Moon of course make another beautiful appearance in the western evening sky, just after sunset.

* A dynamic set of events build into the "external stimulus to action" as we approach our First Quarter Moon.

Pluto, in the midst of its retrograde begins its new synodic cycle in early sidereal Sag on June 18, just after the Crescent Moon.

Mars and Uranus start a new synodic cycle on June 18/19.

Mercury, Vesta and Jupiter start a new compounded synodic cycle surrounding the Solstice of June 21. This activation precedes the principal Jupiter-Quaoar synod that will occur a bit later in the lunar cycle.

The Pluto Synodic Cycle

Pluto's synod of June 18, the second in sidereal Sagittarius, conjoins our Galaxy's center. The last Pluto synodic cycle starting in June of 2006 was the first in sidereal Sagittarius. It started a primary turning in the role of Pluto in our lives. This previous synodic theme, as well as Pluto's astrological infuence, and the nature of early sidereal Sagittarius is presented in "Pluto's First Synod in Sidereal Sagittarius."

The previous cycle merely opened the many-year passage of Pluto through sidereal Sagittarius. It marked the shift from the harsh lessons regarding use of power provided by sidereal Scorpio into the greater revelation sidereal Sagittarius has to offer.

Now in June of 2007 we shift into the second of the Sagittarian Pluto synodic cycles in revelatory Sagittarius. Here conjoining Galactic Center, Pluto will continue to destruct lower resonance veils of illusion to reveal a greater Galactic (soul-level) Truth, as well as open a more refined vibrational resonance for humanity. I would expect that more of those who are desperately holding on to lower-resonance forms, ideas, and beliefs about life will find less and less support for such illusions and more crumbling of the false realities around them. Those who are surrendering their egoic selves to the greater and accelerating evolutionary cosmic forces may find a greater flow and acceleration of consciousness--perhaps with the chasm between the two widening as Pluto approaches the "parting of the waters" at the "Gate of God" over these next few years.

Galactic Center, this stillness, eye of the vortex, or heart center of our galaxy is the zeropoint spacetime reference for our evolutionary system. The Galaxy (from galacto se. milk; that which provides a greater nourishment--hence the “Milky Way”): specifically Galactic Center, and the galactic plane radiating from Galactic Center, is and provides the greater evolutionary context for souls participating in our galaxy. The soul (solar) plane for our planet in this solar system lies at a 60° geometric harmonic orientation to the Galactic Plane, and it is through the nodal axis of these intersecting planes that allows a transference of galactic awareness with soul-plane consciousness. This occurs at the Gate of God, the Galactic Equatorial Node (GEN) at ~5° sidereal Sagittarius. Pluto opens that gate next year in 2008.

Galactic Center exhibits a back hole characteristic, as do all galactic centers: Black Holes in general are quite potent. Entering a black hole deliberately in conscious awareness requires the willingness to cross the event horizon, the point of no return, where matter/light is then swallowed at super–luminal velocities, where occurs a total collapse of what one knows as reality and identity of self in the establishment of mind, to allow self to be consumed, to be pure consciousness simply in undefined stillness; and to allow a re-assemblage of awareness and subsequent re-emergence in new wisdom and refined form, which must then be applied in conscious awareness in one’s life. Typically this is an all or nothing deal, no in-betweens. Black Holes require total surrender to relinquish lesser vibrational modes of being and ways of participating in the manifest world, and require pulling forth the totality of soul essence into expression in the incarnational mission. The level of ability for such a maneuver is a function of one’s spiritual adeptness, discipline and personal power at the incarnational level to go within one’s own consciousness and to turn inside-out, to allow disintegration of all that one holds themselves to be, and to emerge only with true essence.

Planetary alignments to black holes determine the psychophysiological (mental-emotional-physical) parts of self that must be surrendered in totality for reinstatement and reemergence in new awareness. If the maneuver is pursued in fullness than this part of self is forever redefined in its higher-order expression. If attempts are haphazardly made, one at best is left only with a unyielding need to surrender what yet must die with the inability to live in the totality of their greater potential, which beckons relentlessly from within as a tormenting vortex that eventually must be faced.

Overseeing Galactic Center is Etamin of Draco, one of the eyes of the Dragon. Draco has been getting some bad press in some new-age / ET-focused communities due to comments about the so called Draconian ET species over the last few years. Realize Draco is a vast constellation surrounding the North Ecliptic Pole with many stars of diverse quality. Both Restaban and Etamin, the eyes of the Dragon, are of a high administrative order overseeing the initiations of the incarnate soul.

Etamin oversees the high altar of the Centaur upon which the Heart Center of our Galaxy resides. This is where reinstatement of the evolving soul occurs after having been through the initiations and completions occurring in Scorpio. Etamin opens the Galactic Center portal for those who have claimed the wisdom and empowerment by embracing the initiatory lessons of life (who drank the transmutational elixir provided by the sting of the scorpion--the sting of life's lessons), and who are now prepared for a greater mission, a greater revelation and vibrational attunement to ensue. We could call this Divine Dispensation.

Pluto's arrival here and this Earth-Pluto synodic cycle occurring over the next 367 days opens access to this next shift into galactic awareness for those who have been doing their inner Earth-work.

The Mars-Uranus Synodic Cycle

In another part of the heavens, in sidereal Aquarius, Mars and Uranus begin a new 700-day synodic cycle on June 19, 2007.

The previous Mars-Uranus cycle began on July 20, 2005 conjoining Sadachbia, Skat, and the Urn of Aquarius. Mars and Uranus in general inspire radical new creative action that serves to break us from the conformity of the past. The stars of this previous cycle inspired research and exploration to uncover something of value around which we could act upon to promote our greater freedom and well-being. They inspired action to formulate radically new humanitarian-focused projects and organizations that could serve as foundations or vessels through which greater sustenance could flow for all humankind.

This new Mars-Uranus synod of June 19, 2007 conjoins Achernar, Alpha Eridanus, which marks the end of Eridanus, the River of Life; and Ankaa, Alpha Phoenix. A very fortuitous star, Achernar indicates 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.

Conjoining Achernar is Ankaa, Alpha Phoenix, the lucida of the Thunderbird. Ankaa embodies the essence conveyed in the symbol of the phoenix rising from the ashes of the trials of the long and winding road in full illuminated glory. In another mythical imaging, Ankaa is the talisman upon the staff of the high priest-scientist Aaron, brother of Miriam and Moses. The Ankh / Ankaa is emblematic of the fulfillment of a journey, a mission begun long ago. It is Aaron’s amulet of power--having claimed the wisdom and fulfillment from the journey. Ankaa is the emblem of Universal (Uranian) Love.

This new 700-day Mars-Uranus synodic cycle inspires creative action to claim the rewards of that which we have been establishing and working on that serve our greater well-being. It suggests a radical break from the limits, bounds, and conformity of the past is at hand provided we continue to apply the dynamic creative action required for the betterment of all involved.

This cycle will continue through May 18, 2009. The next Mars-Uranus synod will conjoin Markab of the Great Square of Pegasus.

Solstice and the
Mercury, Vesta, Jupiter Synodic Cycles

This is a pre-activation of the 13-year Jupiter-Quaoar synodic cycle:

Mercury creates a synod with Vesta on June 20-21 and then with Jupiter a couple hours later, and then with Quaoar a couple hours after that. The June 21, 2007 Solstice then occurs also on June 21, and then Vesta and Jupiter create their synod on June 22, 2007. The First Quarter Moon occurs, and thenVesta creates its synod with Quaoar on June 23 (just after First Quarter Moon).

These compounded synods occur because Mercury, moving faster around the Sun than either Vesta or Jupiter, aligns with Vesta, and then Jupiter and Quaoar immediately before Vesta arrives to align with Jupiter. All of this occurs in sidereal Scorpio under the auspices of Ras Algethi, the Head of Hercules on the Solstice. This compounded event is a precursor (adding the Mercury-Vesta dynamic) to the primary 13-year Jupiter-Quaoar synodic cycle that will begin a bit later in this lunar cycle. The main synodic theme is presented there.

Mercury's arrival on the scene can be thought of as an activation of and augmentation to the new Vesta-Jupiter-Quaoar theme. Likewise, the Vesta's arival on teh scene can be thought of as an activation of and augmentation to the primary Jupiter-Quaoar 12-year synodic cycle about to begin.

Jupiter's sequential synods with Ixion (last lunar cycle); Quaoar (in this lunar cycle) and then with Pluto (later this year) create a major and expansive mobilization in 2007.

This particular set of synods is extra significant because it occurs at the same time as the solstice and the First Quarter Moon, with the Sun and Earth lying in alignment upon the primary galactic axis of the Holy Cross.

During the June solstice, the Earth resides upon the Gate of God (5° sidereal Sag) and the Sun reside upon the Gate of Man (5° sidereal Gemini)--the galactic axis of the Holy Cross. While the solstice occurs, the Sun, Mercury, Vesta, Jupiter (and Quaoar) align in sidereal Scorpio, creating the compounded synods.

Mercury-Vesta supports us to get clear and focused in thought, plans and logistics. And this is an opportune time to redefine, negotiate, and formulate logistics due to Mercury's retrograde occurring in this lunar cycle. This is prerequisite to Jupiter's expansive mobilization. Timing is everything.

First Quarter Moon Phase Characteristics

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.

The First Quarter Moon occurs on June 22 in sidereal Virgo upon the anti-vernal point of the Holy Cross--another synchronistic occurrence. First Quarter Moon conjoins the North Galactic Pole, and "The Eyes" NGC 4438, a spiral galaxy in Virgo. This is also close to the Super Galactic Center, which embodies the Divine Mother principle. The Eyes suggest there is a greater Spiritual Intelligence watching. They suggest we participate in concert with this greater vision and its guidance.

The dynamic set of events leading into this First Quarter Moon, as well as the Quarter Moon alignments, suggest that action taken now is extremely significant and needs to be in alignment with our greater life directive and true intent, as it can set in motion currents profoundly setting the course of our future.

Gibbous Moon Phase Characteristics

Attraction & Involvement

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 June 26 in late sidereal Libra and conjoins Zubeneschamali, the northern claw of the scorpion, or north scale of Libra's balance; Beta Serpens; and Alpha Musca.

Of the two primary stars of Libra, Zubenelgenubi and Zubeneschamali, the later is the dharmic seat for humanity. The claws of the scorpion reveal incarnating souls' process of growth through the balance of experience. Zubenelgenubi, the karmic seat, reveals our past experience, established patterns and karmic scenarios. Zubeneschamali, the dharmic seat and the theme of our Gibbous Moon, reveals our need to move forward from our past patterns, experience, and karmic involvements by taking new actions and creating new experience--in essence bringing equilibrium to our incarnate experience so we may fulfill our incarnational mission.

Beta Serpens marks the head of the Serpent held in the hand of Ophiuchus, with the serpent's head reaching for the Northern Crown, emblem of bringing fulfillment to our unresolved incarnate experience. The Northern Crown lies north of and above the claws of the Scorpion. The image here is that of claiming self-mastery over the creative/destructive forces of life and applying those forces for our greater achievement, fulfillment and evolutionary freedom.

Musca (a pesky fly) confusingly became the modern name that replaced the more appropriate name, Apis (the Bee). Apis is a constellation just south of the Southern Cross (embodiment of soul's original cardinality or pure intent) lying along the galactic equator. Alpha and Beta Apis conjoin the north chelae of the Scorpion. I consider Bees to be guides for the soul. Bees are quite industrious and cooperative. They play a key role in the (agricultural) sustainment and nourishment of life on Earth through pollination. They also are master navigators, riding upon natural geomagnetic currents. Their vision is shifted a bit further from ours in the visible spectrum, they can see into the ultraviolet range. Bees are pollinators, about the environment, places of residence and community, and of the importance in creating a healthy environment in attunement with the natural forces of life. Apis mythologically articulates another aspect about the soul's navigational journey to freedom. The recent decline of the Apis may be a statement about the disruptive nature we have on our environment, one that may also disrupt our ability to find our own way home.

Our Gibbous Moon theme is about choosing new path, one that changes the repetitive patterns we have been in and our past experiential scenario--to step forward into a new future.

The Mercury Synodic Cycle

As retrograde Mercury conjoins the Sun in sidereal Gemini on June 28, from the Sun's perspective, Mercury and Earth align in sidereal Sagittarius, commencing a new Earth-Mercury 116-day synodic cycle.

The previous Mercury synodic cycle was presented in the Feb, 17, 2007 Lunar Planner.

The theme of this cycle is reveled by the stars Earth and Mercury align with in sidereal Sagittrius. Here we have Kaus Bor of Sag, one of the three stars that create the bow of the Zen archer. Athletes know the principle of the Zen archer's bow well. To achieve one's goals, whether a golfer, pole-vaulter, billiards player, skier, archer, or martial artist, the stance or form one holds is essential. Only if the archer is holding the bow firm as if an integrated part of the body will the arrow hit the target. Only will the skier be able to take on the most challenging of slopes if the skies are felt as extensions of one's legs, firmly and gracefully moving in concert with the entire body. Only will the billiards player make the pocket if the entire body stance is solid, with the cue nesting in a properly formed bridge made by the hand. Simply this can be called our Zen, a whole body form or stance requiring all of our focused awareness expressed throughout our entire being.

Also lying under the auspices of Gamma Scutum, of the Galactic Shield of the Holy Cross; and Facies, M22, the globular cluster of stars marking the face of the Zen Archer. The theme here is one of total honesty with self. Facies asks us to face our naked truth, focus our intent, and manifest it. To live in that honesty creates the strength and undaunted focus of the Zen Archer, and his ability live for and defend his truth and to hit the target of his ideals and dreams.

Our new Mercurial theme invites us to refine our form, get into the proper stance in life, to reorganize and prioritize so we become one with our purpose in all aspects of our lives. There is no helter-skelter approach here, only undaunted clarity within and the execution of our purpose and intent throughout our entire being to manifest our highest aspirations.

In concert with this dynamic lunar month's theme and the expansive mobilization occurring through 2007, this new Mercurial cycle asks us to rise to the occasion; to bring a greater clarity, order and discipline into the day-to-day logistics of our lives so that we may function attuned to the accelerating energetic occurring in our world.

This new Mercurial theme will fully engage as Mercury returns direct on July 9-10 in the last quarter of this lunar cycle.

The Jupiter-Quaoar Synodic Cycle

This 13-year synodic cycle is one of a sequence occurring with Ixion, Quaoar and Pluto created by Jupiter's passage through sidereal Scorpio/Sag in 2007. These cycles are (will be) presented in a greater context in "The Synodic Cycles of Pluto, Ixion & Quaoar - A Historical Timeline 1982-2020."

This very principal Jupiter-Quaoar synod occurring on June 28/29, 2007 sets in motion a return to natural order. It inspires a vast movement and expansion of consciousness to reestablish the "sacredness of life." It occurring under the auspices of Ras Algethi, the head of Hercules, brings to light our responsibility to support this return; to help others attain their freedom so they may live in harmony with nature and natural law, their natural birth-right; and to challenge authoritarian systems that impose upon or disrupt a natural and free way of life. More about Quaoar.

Hercules stands upside down in the northern Heavens, above Ophiuchus and Scorpio, with his feet (foundation) in the celestial dome (seven Heavens), in the realm of the gods, and with his head and hands at work in the realm of humankind. The stars of Hercules express though the entire sidereal sign of Scorpio. Hercules teaches and aids those in the incarnate world to claim their freedom from perpetuated mortal entrapment.

Ras Algethi, the head of Hercules, is the lucida (brightest star) of this constellation (~21° sidereal Scorpio). Ras Algethi embodies the essence and knowledge of Hercules, and contributes significantly to the Ophiuchus / Scorpio theme. Ras Algethi indicates one of another realm who's presence upon this solar system's (soul's) incarnational plane is of a service capacity and mission of evolutionary proportion. Ras Algethi is of undaunted dedication of one's entirety of being to ensure the evolutionary freedom for all souls on the Earth plane by teaching the truth and knowledge about the divine birthright of the incarnating soul through demonstrable action.

Conjoining Ras Algethi is Restaban, eye of the Dragon, and in the very southern Heavens, Alpha Apodis (Apus) the Bird of Paradise, known for its brilliant plumage and elongated tail feathers, birds believed to be visitors from Paradise--Hercules' true home. Apus also holds a quality of swiftness and too is a messenger.

Restaban opens portals and pathways in the physical world for those who have truly embraced the initiations of life, who have aligned with the path of soul rather than the convenient path of personality gratification, and who demonstrate their self mastery and who live true to self and in service to others, as our Hercules exemplifies--portals that are otherwise blocked to those of immature selfish intent or who are resistant to or in denial of the initiations of life.

Vesta's and Mercury's preactivation of the Jupiter-Quaoar synod occurring on the Solstice augments the Ras Algethi-Jupiter-Quaoar synod theme: stimulating a clear and focused intent through communication and logistics.

Full Moon Phase Characteristics

Vision, Enthusiasm, & Realization of the Theme

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.

The Full Moon of Jun 30 occurs near the same location of the Mercury synod (within 1°) in mid-sidereal Sagittarius and conjoins Facies M22 of Sag, Alpha Scutum, the principle star of the Galactic Shield and the x-ray source AM Hercules. Full Moon realizations will bring insight into the nature of the new 116-day Mercury synodic cycle about to unfold.

This self-reflective Full Moon inspires a deep and honest look at self, to face up to the fact that it is within each of us to gather up the powerful magnetic synchronizing force within and to funnel that force though clear intent to manifest the lives we want.

Venus and Saturn conjoin on the day of realization (just after Full Moon) under the auspices of the Head of the Lion bringing a sobering but heart-centered realization about our paths ahead yet to be forged.

The Ceres-Eris Synodic Cycle

Ceres and Eris begin a new 4.6-year synodic cycle on July 2, 2007 in late sidereal Pisces. Eris, our recently discovered "Dwarf Planet" seems to create a disrupting commotion, but which leads to a more embracing understanding that subsequently leads to a reorganization or new expression. Ceres brings awareness to how we nurture and to that which is truly nurturing to us, especially in relation to the Earth, the land, and agriculture.

This synod in late sidereal Pisces conjoins Baten Kaitos, the belly of Cetus; and Revati, Zeta Pisces. Cetus, the technobureaucratic monster of collective human consciousness, is the whale of human emotional experience. South of Baten Kaitos is Fornax (the furnace), which provides the perpetual fire (digestive juices) for our transmutation while participating in the belly of ole' Cetus, in the wet, sensual, and emotional world of human affairs. Baten's ecliptical longitude also marks the exaltation of Venus--bringing attention to the relation of the flow of abundance and living from the Heart. Alignments with Baten can indicate the need to embrace the sensual and emotional aspects of mortal life and to emerge in transmuted form. The value here is to be able to participate from the wisdom of having been there, and to claim the potential rewards, the abundance that life has to offer in all of its forms.

Just above Baten Kaitos and Cetus lies Revati, Zeta Pisces--literally meaning riches, money, wealth, and financial resources. Prominent alignments with Revati can indicate material wealth gained from participating in the dramatic psycho-emotional world of human affairs.

This current Ceres-Eris cycle may have us reevaluating our priorities regarding money verses quality in the agricultural community, and reassessing what is truly nourishing and what is undermining to our true nourishment.

More about Eris syndos can be found at The Path of Eris & The Eris Synodic Cycles 2003 - 2016.

Disseminating Moon Phase Characteristics

Manifestation & Demonstration

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, of claiming its gift.

The Veil (Lacework) Nebula NGC 6960

This image of the Veil (Lacework) Nebula was taken with the Mosaic camera on the WIYN 0.9-meter telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory.

Image & caption credit: T. A. Rector/University of Alaska Anchorage and WIYN/NOAO/AURA/NSF

The Disseminating Moon occurs on July 3-4 and resides just across the cusp into sidereal Aquarius. It conjoins a wing of Cygnus the Swan, which extends from Sadr, the heart of the Swan, to Gienah, the tip of the wing. We also have the Veil (Lacework) Nebula residing here in Cygnus as well.

"The Veil Nebula (NGC 6960) is part of a supernova remnant known as the Cygnus Loop. It is the shattered remains of one, and possibly two, supernovae that exploded more than 15,000 years ago at a distance of 2,500 light-years from Earth in the direction of the constellation of Cygnus, the Swan. At the time of the explosion, it would have been seen as a very bright star, rivaling the crescent Moon. The bright star near the center of the image, known as 52 Cygnus, is not associated with the supernova."

This point in the ecliptic is where we are motivated to strip off the cloaks of personality-based facades and shenanigans to reveal true self at all levels of being, and to live from that truth in the interest of the greater nourishment of all.

To live a lie in attempt to protect others from their own emotions is to deny others the opportunity for their own growth, as well as to deny our selves the opportunity to grow and change. This act lowers our resonance into a sympathetic vibration, which only perpetuates conditions we would really like to change. Living true to self is the real gift we have to offer each other. To be humanitarian is not about self-sacrifice, it is about living in our personal integrity and supporting others to do the same. From this stance we allow a natural spiral of creative growth to carry us forward into a new humanitarian-based era.

Our Disseminating Moon supports us to bear the fruits of this lunar cycle from this level of personal truth and integrity for the betterment of all.

Last Quarter Moon Phase Characteristics

Time for Change

The Last Quarter Moon creates our "inner need to initiate change" in the lunar cycle as we move into the cycle's last and transitional quarter.

Last Quarter Moon occurs on July 7 in latter sidereal Pisces conjoining Alpheratz of Andromeda, and Alderamin of Cepheus.

Alpheratz is one of four stars of the Great Square of Pegasus and is part of Andromeda and Pegasus both. As Alpha Andromeda, it is the head of the princess in chains. By its alternative name Sirrah, it is Delta Pegasus, referring to the horse's navel (the umbilical tie between the two themes).

Alpheratz is unadulterated, innocent, naive, uncorrupted by evil, wrong-doing or malice; and holds a position of extraordinary honor and advantage--this star often portending honor and riches. However, this requires removal of any psychic webs of entanglement in order to fulfill our greater soul destinies.

Although the stage setting in which Andromeda is trapped (chained to the rocks, about to be devoured by Cetus) seems complex, two primary things must occur for her freedom. One is an inner metamorphosis, a psycho-emotional maturing into the readiness to receive aid, the other is the assistance from her destined partner, who also had to mature through his own initiatory rite. The two go hand in hand.

Often time, we are ready to change only when in the chains of the human struggle. And our inner readiness precedes receiving support to change. Forceful attempts to break free before we are ready only tighten the chain of bondage. Here lies the need to break free from the human mold, from the genetic, cultural, and personal pattering forming our lives. Andromeda represents the struggle for freedom from the collective and tormenting forces of the human world, to claim our true galactic birthright and evolutionary destiny.

Alignments with Alpheratz can also indicate being caught in the power plays unconsciously created by the arrogance or denials of others. Alpheratz can indicate our vulnerability to the emotional and psychic delusions of others, especially those in our genealogical line or karmic past--often manifesting as elaborate emotional dramatics. Alpheratz asks us to get un-entangled from the human psycho-emotional drama, or accept a sentence of bondage not rightfully ours.

Alderamin embodies the aspect of the king turning his head the other way because of seemingly more important matters, ignoring the arrogance of the Queen that got Andromeda sentence to start with. Alderamin expresses as denial, avoidance, what we do not want to look at. Alderamin can express as denial of the manipulative power plays causing our or other people's entrapment, and the unwillingness to do anything about them. Here we can live in submission to manipulative forces rather than to stand up for self and for those unjustly punished, even when it is our responsibility to do so.

Mercury returns direct on July 9-10, fully commencing the new 116-day Mercury synodic theme (presented above). Mercury's retrograde period occurring over the last couple weeks was a time of shifting from the previous cycle into the new cycle, much like shifting gears in car (when the clutch is in). Now as Mercury returns "direct," we fully engage in the new Mercurial octave / cycle of growth.

Mars and Ceres conjoin on July 10-11 inspiring creative action for that which is truly nourishing.

Balsamic Moon Phase Characteristics

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 180° from looking back over the past cycle and look forward toward the next cycle to come.

The Balsamic Moon of July 11 occurs in sidereal Taurus and conjoins Mirphak, Alpha Perseus and the foot of Perseus composed of Zeta Perseus and the intense X-Perseus neutron star.

Here we are asked to claim the true gift of the inner refinement that the past initiatory fires of life have catalyzed, and to accept that our trials had to precede stepping forth into our greater fulfillment and destiny. Here we are motivated to manifest our longer-term purpose and destiny in the physical world.

Vesta returns direct on July 11-12 at the Head of the Scorpion fully commencing Vesta's synodic cycle set in motion and presented in the last lunar cycle. See Vesta's New Synodic Cycle.

Our next New Moon of July 14 occurs in the Gemini Twins--more to come then.

The Lunar Theme for the June 14, 2007 New Moon