The Lunar Theme for the
July 2, 2008 New Moon

Commencement & Dispensation
The Time is at Hand

The Venus Saturn Synodic Cycle (Addendum added July 20)

The Lunar Month of
July 2, 2008 - August 1, 2008

Nick Anthony Fiorenza

Copyright © 2008 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.

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 personalized lunar month's 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 Lunar Cycle marks our commencement based upon the shifts we have made in consciousness as we made passage though the very significant Solstice-Pluto Portal occurring in the last Lunar Cycle--Separating of the Ways / Parting of the Waters. We may start to see even more of a dramatic separation occurring between those who are making their inner transitions required to stay attuned to the evolutionary shift occurring in Earth's "Precessional Cycle of the Holy Cross" and those who refuse to change.

The time is similar to the story of Moses parting the Red Sea (Sea of Reeds), whether we take the story literally or figuratively matters not. Some people, who allow Pluto's aid to dismantle structures that are old, may find themselves making passage into a newly forming vibrational realm of consciousness, while others, who resist life with the fear of letting go, may find themselves experiencing Pluto's wrath, churning in the perfect storm.

On a more personal level, this lunar cycle marks the time to leave that which we had shed while making passage through last month's portal and to step forth into a new way ahead. This may involve a new mode of being or way of participating in the world; or perhaps stepping forth into new relations, involvements, endeavors or journeys in our lives.

Our New Moon of July 2, 2008 resides in mid-sidereal Gemini and conjoins the foot of Pollux, the ambassador of the Twins, which is formed by Alhena, Gamma Gemini and Alzirr, Xi Gemini. Also conjoining is the helping hand of Castor, Theta Gemini; the asteroid Ceres and Mebsuta, Epsilon Gemini, also a part of Castor; and the Cone Nebula / star cluster NGC2264 of Monoceros the Unicorn.

Alhena is the brand, mark or seal. Alhena (and Alzirr), creating the foot of Pollux, represents "commencement" and inspires us to act on our greater truth and purpose. Alhena is a marking stone for the unfoldment of what lies ahead and indicates a milestone or a turning point has been reached. It reveals our need to get off of the fence of indecision, to drop any hesitation, as the "time is at hand" to go forth anew. As the brand, Alhena also indicates that the time, events, or relations are marked or destined. Alhena can also indicate the need to sign a document or legalize a project, involvement, or commitment. It is the consecration of our commitment through demonstrable action that anchors the etheric vision of our soul truth into the physical plane to become realized truth. This concretization prepares for a greater event yet to come. Alhena can also manifest simply as a unique sign, indicating an opportunity is at hand. As the dividing star of the sidereal sign of Gemini, Alhena indicates a separation, a leaving, a departure, even an exodus. Behaviorally, Alhena marks the leaving an older or less fulfilling way of participation or way of life. Alhena marks the time of our transfiguration. The Cone Nebula of Monoceros adds the element of uniqueness of being, and draws those of unique character into the limelight.

Nearby is the asteroid Ceres closely conjoing Mebsuta, the helping hand of Castor. Ceres brings awareness to how we nurture and to that which is truly nurturing to us. Ceres embodies mothering and agricultural qualities and brings attention to our relation with the Earth, the land, and the seasons. Ceres reveals our ability to be in universal flow--the unification of giving and receiving as one flow of energy through ourselves. Ceres asks for acknowledgment of our inner needs, to have self love and self worth. Ceres is of concern and caring for others as well as for the Earth. Ceres is associated with the womb and stomach.

The Moon Venus & Varuna

Immediately after New Moon, the Moon conjoins Venus and Varuna as the two align in sidereal Gemini and conjoin Wasat, Delta Gemini and also Castor, Alpha Gemini.

Wasat is the link that unites and acts as a catalyst. Wasat brings the logistical pieces together. Wasat is of planning, coordination, assemblage of diversity and parts into a workable functional model. Castor is the liaison in the world of human affairs, of business and commerce, the constructor and coordinator.

Also conjoining is Delta Monoceris, another star of the Unicorn, bringing its unexpected magic with the arrival of and union with the unexpected.

Varuna was discovered in sidereal Gemini in 2000, synchronistically at the location of our New Moon, conjoining Alhena. Varuna is the all-knowing creator god in the Vedic mythology of India who controls the physical order of things. Varuna expresses a pro-creative power over the physical as he upholds natural order, not man's righteousness mentalized concepts of what is order. Varuna is considered to be the protector of people, but acting inconspicuously behind the scenes. More on Varuna.

The discovery of Varuna and the other minor planets in Pluto's realm provide us opportunity to relinguish the antiquated concepts held that Pluto is merely a planet of death and transformation, and to now recognize Pluto, Varuna and the others to be forces working together in behalf of our longer-term evolutionary awakening into new realms of being--into an paradigm transcending the antiquated one mechanistically arranged by mortal mind. Varuna invites us to participate in concert with natural order, not by man's limiting and restricting concepts of what is in order.

Although the astrological community is just beginning to gain insight into Varuna's influence, Venus and Varuna would seem to create a synergistic pairing; and in the context of our lunar theme and their conjunction with Wasat, support us to establish mutually supportive connections of the heart, but those which are true and natural, even inexplicable or seemingly magically arranged, not those chosen out of convenience, establish by deliberation, or maintained in the glue formed by the fear to change.

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 lunar 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.

This Crescent Moon occurs on July 6 in early sidereal Leo and conjoins Algieba, the mane of the Lion and Regulus, heart of the Lion. Here again we find inspiration to confidently live true to self, not to dogmatic beliefs or structures imposed upon us from the outside world.

Mars conjoined Regulus in the previous lunar cycle, one of the three energetics forming the Mars-Vesta-Pluto Grand Trine, which created the opening that led into this lunar cycle.

Soon after our Crescent Moon, also on July 6, the Moon conjoins Mars and Saturn, which are about to conjoin in a few more days, adding a bit of demanding creative intensity to our inspirational phase of this lunar cycle.

Jupiter's New Synodic Cycle

Earth and Jupiter begin a new 399-day synodic cycle in late sidereal Sag on July 9, 2008. This is when the Sun opposes retrograde Jupiter from Earth's view; and when Earth and Jupiter align as seen from the Sun. This is the first Earth-Jupiter synodic cycle since the new 13-year Jupiter-Pluto cycle began in 2007. Thus, the Earth-Jupiter synodic cycle nests within the context of the Jupiter-Pluto synodic theme presented in "The Synodic Cycles of Pluto, Ixion & Quaoar." The Jupiter-Pluto synod was the culmination of the three Jupiter synods occurring in 2007, which marked a sgnificant acceleration, mobilization and expansion of consciousness on Earth. This new 399-day Earth-Jupiter synodic cycle will now ground the profound mobilization and expansion of consciousness on Earth created by the Jupiter-Pluto synod in a more palpable way.

For those who have the Planetary Bio-Harmonics Audio Meditations, July 8 through First Quarter Moon is an optimal time to use the Jupiter Audio Meditation. See this Month's Lunar Calendar for exact aspect times.

The star alignments of Earth and Jupiter (the heliocentric conjunction) define the new 399-day Earth-Jupiter synodic theme. Earth and Jupiter reside in a very key location in late sidereal Sag, under the auspices of Lyra, nesting between Vega and Sheliak. They also conjoin Arkab, Albaldah and Alrami of Sag; Lambda & Epsilon of Aquila the Eagle; Delta Pavo of the Peacock; and Alpha Octans (a constellation in the far southern heavens).

Arkab and Alrami embody the foundation or essence of the Zen Archer. Arkab, on the calf muscle of leg, inspires action on our greater spiritual truth, a truth upheld and fought for by the Zen Archer. Arkab supports us to act energetically upon the myriad of opportunities (provided by Lyra) leading to the fulfillment of our souls. Alrami, the knee of the archer, indicates the spiritual transmutation made possible by such demonstrable action; the ability to embrace transformation. Albaldah, the "bright one" on the back of the head embodies the wisdom of the Zen Archer.

Inspiring Lyra, Harp of the Angels, embodies Hermetic Wisdom, all that is of esoteric art-sciences in the harmonics, geometry and mathematics of light, sound and form. More on the Lyre.

The stars of Aquila the Eagle inspire us to have an embracing global-level vision (think globally, act locally); those of Pavo, demonstrable beauty and eloquence, and Octans is that of the healer.

This new 400-day cycle opens a multiplicity of opportunity on Earth and in our lives. The path is not narrow, ridged, pre-defined or destined, but now becomes vast and expansive. Tremendous mobilizing currents of visionary inspiration and high ideals are at hand for those willing to move with this Jovian force. This is not a time to be timid.

The Jupiter synod and Jupiter's mobilizing and expansive force also adds a signifincant dynamic to our "external stimulus to action" because it occurs in the crescendo leading into the First Quarter Moon.

Jupiter is undergoing a major climate change (predicted four years ago). This is believed to indicate global warming is occurring at this area on Jupiter, as is also the case with other planets in our solar system, including Mars, Neptune (and Triton), and Pluto. The wide spread planetary changes penetrating our solar system indicates the current global warming occurring on Earth is NOT caused merely by human antics--as has been erroneously popularized by some people. Scientists believe the climatic changes occurring throughout our solar system are due to changes in solar activity, It also indicates a cooling trend can also take place should the Sun change its behavior.

Excerpts from: University of California - Berkeley (2008, May 23). Jupiter: Turbulent Storms May Be Sign Of Global Climate Change. ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2008/05/080522121036.htm and NewScientistSpace: Third red spot erupts on Jupiter http://space.newscientist.com/article/dn13963-third-red-spot-erupts-on-jupiter.html

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.

This First Quarter Moon occurs on July 9 in late sidereal Virgo. It conjoins Seginus and Muphrid of Boötes, the shepherd and the consort and protector of the Virgin, who lies supine in the heavens as she prepares a new birth into the world. South is Corvus the Raven, the messenger bird.

The theme here is one of gestation, nurturing, protection and gentleness but also of the labour to harvest. It is a time of creating the proper environment or foundation for a new birth, for the harvest. It is a time of gathering the momentum to leap into a new realm of experience. Hidden forces are at work within, creating a metamorphosis that will allow us a new level of expression and participation, a breakthrough, and a breath of fresh air.

Corvus the Raven is the keeper of secrets, a knowledge holder, but is also a reveler, the messenger bird to those who are spiritually intented and who ask and listen. Corvus reminds us to pay attention to the signs or messages naturally expressing through the world around us moment-by-moment. The signs found in the simplest of life experience have meaning if we are willing to be attentive to them. In fact, we can even ask to receive guidance through prayer or simply by briefly holding the intent to inquire and then letting it go. It is the sincere projection of clear intent that vibrationally invokes a response from the world around us. Corvus is a protector as well, of both the animal and human worlds, and will forewarn of approaching danger as well as affirm fortuitous opportunities or events so we may prepare and participate accordingly.

Muphrid, on the thigh of Boötes, is the facilitator to the transmutational process involved in the new birth from the Virgin. Muphrid provides personal and intimate support by making possible and ensuring proper energetic environments are created so the spiritual (conceptual) to physical transmutation for the new birth can occur.

Conjoining Seginus, the left shoulder of Boötes, reveals our responsibility to ensure proper environments are maintained and not interfered with by meddling forces or ill-intended powers that would like to see otherwise and that attempt to manipulate our evolutionary fulfillment.

Boötes functions not by outward force but by spiritual awareness and intellectual prowess in the application of the knowledge about such environmental issues and transcendent subtle forces. Boötes' action is based from a place of receptivity and sensitivity to the situation at hand, action associated with planning, preparation, and strategy. Muphrid and Seginus lie over the lower spinal sacrum (sanctum) of the Virgin and the Virgin's womb--protecting these principles, its purity, and the secrets behind gestation, birth, and life itself.

Our Jupiter-Sun First Quarter stimulus to action can also involve the motivation to physically move, or re-locate into a more appropriate environment that supports our recent inner shifts in conscious and new modality of being.

Just after First Quartert Moon, on July 10, Mercury arives to the Gate of Man while opposing Pluto on the Gate of God stimulating a need to re-think or change our perspective in order to take the action at hand.

Gibbous Moon Phase Characteristics

Mars & Saturn

Mars and Saturn conjoin just after First Quarter on July 10 in sidereal Leo conjoining Alpha Sextans. Using our creative power to structure and concretize that which supports taking new tack in our life journeys.

The sextant reveals the need to reorient self so we know our position so we can plot our course, and take a new tack on our journeys in life. On a greater scale, this can be in regard to changing allegiance of our energies from the outer world, self-sacrificing to diversionary forces or currents 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 establish our position so we can plot or take a new tack toward our goals.

Mars and Saturn began a new synodic cycle on May 16, 2008 and this conjunction occurring now lies in the context of that synodic them, presented in the May 5, 2008 Lunar Planner.

Pallas & Sedna

Pallas and Sedna conjoin on July 12 in late sidereal Aries. Sedna recently discovered in 2004 lies at an extreme distance and in the coldest known region of our solar system. Sedna was named after an Inuit goddess who lives at the bottom of the frigid Arctic ocean. Sedna approaches the Sun only briefly during its 10,500-year solar orbit.

Both Pallas and Sedna can express as spiteful withdrawal of the feminine, a very dangerous scenario for all at this critical time in our evolutionary cycle. Re-emergence of the Universal Feminine principle with females taking and active role is essential to our evolutionary fulfillment--to state the obvious. Watch for feelings of bitterness and resentment around issues of deceit and betrayal, and the subsequent emotional re-action to withdraw from participation, as these can be of issue here, especially for females. Healing of the feminine is required (whether we are male or female). The opportunity here is to relinquish / heal long standing issues of resentment that turned into bitter judgment, and to artfully express the feminine creative wisdom in the world and in our relations, which is required to re-establish equilibrium (the male female compliment in balanced participation) in what has become a precariously out-of balance society. Learn more about Pallas and Sedna.

Pallas and Sedna conjoin the stars of Caelum, the chisel; Botein of Aries; and Rana of Eridanus.

Rana of Eridanus, another stopping point along the river of life, articulates the theme of those lost or tired through their initiations stopping in need of aid. Conjoining Botein, although meaning the belly (of the Ram) actually marks the hind, the anatomy articulating the theme of those either lost and stranded, or simply left behind, and who end up becoming the lost or following sheep.

Re-emergence of feminine in balanced and empowered participation with the masculine is essential to creatively sculpt our lives. It is much like the liver trying to work without the spleen, one cannot work without the other. Issues are second chakra related--the chakra of interpersonal relations and that which creates our gyroscopic balance in the world.

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.

This Gibbous Moon occurs on July 13-14 in sidereal Scorpio, lying between the Scorpion's head and heart (Antares). It also lies in the constellation of Ophiuchus, who stands over the Scorpion. It is an extra magnetic Gibbous Moon with strong attractive qualities luring those who may be lost in such sensual currents and those who consciously traveling upon the same currents destined to arrive at the same shore. The Moon conjoins Han, the knee of Ophiuchus and two potent entries: The Scorpio X-1, X-ray source and the Herculis X-1 Neutron star, X-ray source.

Han of Ophiuchus marks a very personal and experiential area of the zodiak regarding conscious use of our carnal nature and sexual energy; as well as our personal transmutation, self-mastery and spiritual adeptness in the application of the primal and carnal forces of life.

Scorpio X-1 can stimulate a state of high sexual excitement and emotional drive expressing as unconscious abandon for the less-masterful individual who has not yet matured to a level of self-awareness, and as a healthy passionate sensuality and altered ecstatic awareness for the self-masterful. Scorpio X-1 also has a resonance providing conscious access between the waking a dream state--the hypnagogic realm--or dreamtime.

Northern Herculis X-1 invites us to become self-aware and knowledgeable in the application of our primal and carnal nature. Hercules X-1 is an X-ray emitting neutron star, a star that has collapsed to such a magnitude that highly energized particles are forced outward creating a relentless and intense drive, one that also inspires the amalgamation of our creative forces to achieve a greater awareness, rapture, and freedom of being; as well as a desire for knowledge and spiritual prowess regarding the primal, carnal and dreamlike forces of life. This is the resonance between the base chakra and the pineal gland or epiphysis, the epiphany center of the brain. This is why sacred sex can fill the body with light, the rapture or ecstasy of God, by allowing "thine eye to become single" meaning to fully turn on the pineal, to open the all-seeing eye.

This Gibbous Moon's attractive force articulates through the sensual world, though the amalgamating chemistry and vibrational resonance common to what may be consider the tantric, shamanistic or the hypnagogic realms.

Juno & Quaoar

The Moon, Juno & Quaoar (pronounced kwah-whar) conjoin on July 14 in late sidereal Scorpio and align with Ras Algethi, the head of Hercules. Juno is the asteroid of covenant relationships. Juno's mature expression is of mutual respect and equality. Its immature expression is superiority / inferiority complexes and jealousy.

Quaoar supports a return to the "sacredness of life"; to have respect for natural order and to live in harmony with this intelligent force permeating nature. The Sacred World should be differentiated from the Physical World and the Human World, but it is not to be confused with concepts of after life, spirit life, heaven, or the such, but it is a key and integral component functioning in our lives here and now, whether we are aware of it or not. These three worlds create one Trinity. It is this that I attribute to the nature of Quaoar.

To lose awareness of the Sacred World, the sacredness of life, is to lose a key component of this fundamental tri-fold relationship, which leaves us to think we are merely Human on Earth, dismembered and separate from the sprit force breathing within all of life. This is a bit different than the linear thinking that we are merely humans on Earth disconnected from God, and instead acknowledges that we are participants what one might call God on Earth. Perhaps Quaoar's current message is to own up to the fact that we have lost awareness of our own sacredness and the sacredness of all life. More on Juno and Quaoar.

The Moon Juno Quaoar conjunction invites us to surrender egoic consciousness and righteous attitudes and any Juno issues of arrogant separateness that we may hold and that may block ourselves from allowing the sacredness of life to establish, and be the foundation of, our interpersonal relations. Partnerships drawn together through natural resonances occurring in the Sacred World are those who are drawn to each other in a fundamentally natural way, they may even seem to be just destined to meet, or to be together. Getting out of our own way and trusting the vast force of Quaoar to guide our relations is the key.

Sun Cancer

The Sun enters sidereal Cancer on July 17.

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.

Our Full Moon of July 18 resides on the cusp of sidereal Sag-Capricorn. (Full Moon eve July 17.) This transition point in the ecliptic is where we apply the high ideals and unlimited opportunities inspired by Lyra/Sag and manifest them into physical practicality. The last degree of Sag is marked by the southern star, the Peacock, Alpha Pavo, which is of Integration Illumination & Immortality and is a demonstrable example of the multi-spectral emanations of Lyra manifesting in its ideal eloquence. The first few degrees of sidereal Capricorn are marked by Eta Mensa (Table Mountain), a Planetary Nebula NGC 6818, the Irregular Dwarf Galaxy NGC 6822. Moving across the cusp into sidereal Capricorn brings a sobering light to the reality of translating and applying our high visionary ideals (those of earlier Sagittarius and Lyra) into concretized practical form in the physical world. Here we have the support to actualize our ideals, but are also faced with the aberrations or distortions of those ideals when doing so.

These first few degrees of Capricorn can also involve areas of all esoteric sciences, as well as the secret places and orders associated with those artsciences--places of personal retreat, seclusion, hermitages--places strategic to one's purpose. We also have support to identify and move to such places as well. The first few degrees of Capricorn can also be of magic, hermetism, esoterism, and religion.

In the context of our Alhena Lunar Cycle theme, our Full Moon realizations are about actualizing, manifesting, and concretizing our commencement-- to ground the new directions, paths, ways of life, that we have decided to take in our lives.

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 of the cycle, of claiming its gift.

Our Manifesting Moon of July 21-22 resides in late sidereal Aquarius and conjoins Achernar or Eridanus and the Ankaa of the Phoenix.

Eridanus is the River of Life, and Achernar, Alpha Eridanus is the end of the river. 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.

Ankaa, Alpha Phoenix, is 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.

Last Quarter Moon Phase Characteristics