The Lunar Theme for the
September 29, 2008 New Moon

Dare to Live Soul's Impulse
The Uniqueness of Being

The Lunar Month of
September 29, 2008 - October 28, 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.

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

Our last lunar cycle, the "Art of Personal Will," defined by the star Alioth of Ursa Major, was more about the appropriate or inappropriate use of forceful action based from personality-level, and the alignment of mind, heart, and creative force.

This lunar cycle, starting on the New Moon of Sept 29, 2008 in sidereal Virgo, is more magnetic and feminine in nature, but this does not imply a lunar cycle less potent--on the contrary. This lunar cycle is about the right use of personal will on behalf of our soul-guidance. It brings attention to how soul-level impulses and our actions extend or ripple through space and time and create the transcendent currents that steer our evolutionary course. It asks us to attune to our spiritual / soul-level guidance and to extend our perception to embrace or merge with the subtle transcendent guiding messages expressing throughout the world around us--to know right action in this embracing and extended awareness of self.

Mercury, currently in its retrograde, provides a time to release the intellectual or mental reasoning part of self, and to attune to a higher faculty or transcendent perceptual capacity permeating this lunar cycle. In this process, we also reassess our life choices that were based merely from a logistical mode of thinking and to engage in soul-level thought and the guiding impulses expressing throughout the natural world. Our New Moon also lies 30° to Venus creating an opportunity for growth regarding matters of the Heart.

Our New Moon stars are Zaniah, the Quasar 3C273, and the Pulsar P-0950, all of Virgo; Turais, Carina and Phi Velorum, both of southern Argo Navis; Eta Crateris, of the cup of spiritual fulfillment; the Antenna Spiral Galaxy in Corvus the messenger bird; and Diadem of Coma Berenices, the halo of the Virgin. North above Coma is the hand of Bootes, the protector of the Virgin principle, and further north yet is Ed Asich of Draco.

Zaniah, Eta Virgo, is an ecliptical star, less than 2° north in ecliptical latitude. Zaniah inspires the "right use of will" directed by soul-level impulses and unadulterated by personality or egoic-level influences. Zaniah is also the Chinese "Left-hand Maintainer of Law" (Allen). Zaniah is of Virgin purity--the need to be a clear vessel to know right action--a feminine quality.

Diadem of the Virgin (Alpha Coma Berenices), which lies just north of the Virgin's head, and the Antennae (of the Ark), the Spiral Galaxy NGC 4039, in Corvus the Raven, the messenger bird, which lies just south of the Virgin on the back of Hydra, work intimately together. Diadem is the jeweled crown in the Virgin's hair. Ornate Crowns in antiquity were designed with specific metals, jewels, and geometries to accentuate the wearer's telepathic and clairvoyant capacities, and for their communion with transcendent realms of consciousness. Diadem accentuates our capacity to attune to our spiritual / soul guidance which communicates through the magnetic forces of nature, through the world around us, as articulated by the stars of southern Corvus the messenger bird. Alpha Coma and the Antennae of Corvus reveals the importance of our attunement to the natural world to receive our guiding impulses.

Thus, our lunar cycle asks that we shift our perception from following logistical mind alone to following the messages expressing through the magnetic forces permeating the world around us. Here we are asked to listen to, watch, and trust what may appear to be subtle signs or coincidences occurring around us and to act upon them.

In the southern heavens lies Turais Carina and Phi Velorum, both of Argo Navis which lies along the galactic equator, and thus more associated with our longer-term soul-level sojourn and directing our evolutionary course.

Turais of the Argo is a reasonably bright star at ~2.25 magnitude. This Arabian name has led to some confusion regarding the nature of this star, even confused to be part of Puppis, the stern of the Argo, but it lies along the gunwale in Carina, the hull of the Argo, under Velorum the sail (Allen).

Galactic Turais and Phi Velorum puts ecliptical Zaniah's "right use of will" into a greater evolutionary context, one with cosmic ramifications that extend throughout spacetime. Our acts of will are not isolated, cut off and limited to the moment itself, but extend into the past-future time-stream of the soul influencing the continuous cosmic currents in soul's greater evolutionary journey in ways that are unseen in the action moment.

Turais asks us to extend our awareness to embrace this time-stream, while Zaniah inspires clear action in the moment from soul's and nature's guiding influence. Thus each action moment is one punctual droplet of many composing a continuous time-stream that formulates the "path or wave of the soul." Turais invites us to recognize our actions extend into and influence not only the nature of our own lives, but also the lives of others, affecting the meandering currents in an ocean of being. They set up resonances in spacetime that define the nature of experiences yet to come, not only for ourselves but for the evolutionary journey of all involved.

This is not to be confused with attempting to be responsible for others or to define their experience--which is a miss-use of will. The responsibility is for our active and conscious participation from the clarity of our spiritual soul-level guidance and to express that truth in action. Turais demands we act from the awareness of our greater evolutionary journey and adds a sense of "cosmic responsibility" for what we "put into motion" through Zaniah's "right use of will."

As far south as Turais, Ioto Argo is (~67° south ecliptical latitude), we find the Draconian Ed Asich, an Ioto designation as well just as far north (~71° north ecliptical latitude). Ed Asich, in the Dragon, is a fainter star and of far less significance, but none the less coloring the Zaniah / Turais theme. Ed Asich holds the quality of the male Hyaena--a carnivorous nocturne waiting around to eat what has been already killed by other means--laughing as it were, in this case about one's stupidity from not heeding their inner guidance. It is this stellar quality that can also taint this zodiakal longitude with a bit of a cowardice character--influencing one to ignore the messages expressing from the world around them--just something to be attentive to.

Also worth mentioning is Quasar 3C273 of Virgo due it being the brightest of the quasars visually at ~12.9 magnitude, although the optical range of the electromagnetic spectrum is not only what defines a quasar's influence. Quasars (Quasi-Stellar-Radio-Source) emit energy over a broad range of the electromagnetic spectrum, from the far-infrared up through human's visible range of light and into the X-ray range of the spectrum, peaking in the ultraviolet.

Quasars can be thought of as the signatures of distant active galaxies, alien realities outside of our local realm of consciousness that have evolved under a different evolutionary premise. Their foreign and wide-spectral emanations can stimulate an exploratory process of detailed or abstract imagery that extends beyond our rather narrow band of visual capacities and that may not seem to fit into our current experience, thereby offering new non-conforming possibilities of conceptual thought, which subsequently motivates alternative behavior and alternative solution.

Quasar 3C273 lies just above Zaniah and Porrima by 2 degrees in latitude and below Vindemiatrix by about 11 degrees. Quasar 3C273 principally expresses through Zaniah (right use of will), Porrima (fore-vision), and Vindemiatrix (attentiveness to timing), augmenting their qualities. This synthesis creates a perceptual time-warp that embraces more of spacetime than the current moment, in essence stretching our perception to embrace past-future time with the capacity to sense our distant past, and to see forward (as previews or fore-visions) to potentialities allreading precipitating in spacetime but which we have not yet met in time. This Quasar's emanations can activate imagery and phenomena in the natural world--such as though birds flying or in other animal behavior, through sounds or sights in the world, through synchronicities in meetings with people and events, or through any other natural phenomena occurring in our daily lives.

We must be perceptually attentive to such imagery or messages and have implicit trust to act upon the for-visions we see so we can meet opportunities already precipitating that we may otherwise miss. The purpose of future vision or telepathic awareness is so we initiate action beforehand, in present time to ensure that we meet or are prepared for the precipitating events in timely fashion; or so that we act in the present so help we may provide arrives to another in a timely fashion.

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 Oct 2-3 on the cusp of sidereal Scorpio. The first few degrees of sidereal Scorpio, approaching the head of the Scorpion, resides in the domain the benevolent Centaur, who teaches the right way to live to attain our self-mastery in the physical world and subsequently to claim our evolutionary freedom from entrapment in the karmic re-incarnational process of soul growth. The Moon also lies under the neck of the Serpent, held in the hand of Ophiuchus, which is reaching for the Northern Crown, which lies north of the Scorpion's claws and is symbol of attaining freedom from entrapment in cyclic patterns of growth. Here the theme of sacrifice and offerings arise, but sacrifice does not mean self-sacrifice, in the true sense of the word it means to give up a lower office for a higher office. When offering up the lesser (lesser modes of involvement or patterns of behavior), we are also faced with taking on a greater responsibility, moving from victim consciousness, where we merely acquiesce to the conditions of life in which we find ourselves--caught in the clutches of the Scorpion--to taking responsibility for creating our life scenarios and consciously choosing a life path that supports our experiential growth, our emotional and spiritual maturity, and our physical fulfillment.

The Centaurian training is not merely an intellectual understanding of these principles but is learned through an experiential journey moment-by-moment that leads one to true inner wisdom and knowledge on an energetic neurological level, resulting in the inner realization that makes self-mastery of the primal forces of life actualized and right action crystal clear.

The near by Circini at the feet of the Centaur reveals a choice must be made: either the higher path of the soul, fulfilling one's greater purpose on Earth, or a path of personality convenience.

Also conjoining from the southern heavens is Alpha Chamaeleon, generally a symbol of adaptability, change and new beginnings, the Chamaeleon articulates the ability to adjust to any situation, but not through subservience or acquiescence, but in mastery of self and with intuitive sensitivity and individuality.

The principal cuspal stars are Unukalhai, the Alpha star of Serpens, marking the neck of the Serpent; Alpha Lupus of the beast (lower self) which the Centaur places upon the altar with conscious deliberation for transmutation; Beta Lupus, the contortionist, which is sometimes associated with epilepsy, heart firing issues, spasms, and convulsions; and Algena (Hadar), Beta Centauri. Also conjoining is The Nuclear Galaxy AP Lib in the clutches of the Scorpion; and the Irregular Galaxy NGC 2915, the shapeshifter, nesting in the Chameleon, in the far southern heavens.

The mythical image here is of the Centaur placing the "wild beast" Lupus, which he holds "firmly clutched" in his "right hand" on the Centaur's altar to be sacrificed. The meaning is that a sacrifice and offering of the "beast" must be a "conscious and deliberate action" (indicated by the right hand) and requires one to "energetically take hold" (firmly and energetically clutched) in "determination and conviction" because the beast is relentless and will not go to the altar of transmutation willingly. In fact the first few degrees of early sidereal Scorpio can express as avoidance, of contortions and squirming to get out of having to surrender lower self and to address, own up, and take responsibility for our life experience in self-mastery.

Beta Centauri embodies the essence of the “experiential transformational process.” This is a training process of growth, a way of living that allows the death of one way of life for a rebirth into a refined way of living, or more so a birth, or return, into a purer, cardinal (pure heart) way of being. This is a life-long journey of personal (mental, emotional and physical) refinement, and it is the prerequisite to true spiritual self-mastery in the material world. The Centaurians are the leaders back to the original cardinal virtues embodied by the Southern Cross. As Alpha Centauri is the master Centaur, the teacher, the shower of the way, Beta is the process itself, the way. Beta Centauri requires that we do whatever is required in the physical to achieve our paths of self-mastery in the world--exemplified by Unukalhai, the neck of the Serpent reaching for the Northern Crown.

The influence of the nuclear galaxy AP Libra; the irregular galaxy NGC 2915 of Chamaeleontis, the shapeshifter; Beta Lupus, the contortionist; and Zuben el Akrab, Gamma Libra (on the arm of the northern chelae / poisonous critters, creatures, or viruses of the underworld)--all compose the potent cusp of sidereal Libra-Scorpio. These entries conjoin Beta Centauri, Alpha Lupus, and Unukalhai of Serpens. The opportunity potent AP Libra offers is found in the stellar themes of all of these conjoining stars. Here carnal forces coalesce to create whatever type of scenario is required to challenge us to master these forces and free ourselves from any patterns and naiveté that may perpetuate our entrapment.

Beta Lupus and the Irregular Galaxy of the Chameleon bring the ability to morph, to shapeshift, to change as the situation requires. In its lower order expression however, this can be used to avoid what is required to claim one's true self-mastery, or to manipulate a situation. In its higher expression, used in self-mastery, it brings the ability to work with primal and carnal (incarnate) AP-Lib forces in a way that accesses the transformative power they or a situation offers. In this octave, one is relinquishing a lesser form or human mold for a refined, more empowered form in tune with the natural creative forces of life and death, intimately participating and merging with them.

Thus, our New Moon Zaniah-Turais-Virgo theme, now expands to embrace the very primal and potent forces of life with opportunity to demonstrably claim our mastery in life.

The Venus-Pluto & Earth-Mercury Synodic Cycles

A new 225-day Venus-Pluto synodic cycle begins on Oct 5-6 in sidereal Sagittarius. At the same time a new 116-day Earth-Mercury synodic cycle begins on Oct 6 in sidereal Pisces.

Synodic cycles are created when two (or more) planets align in thier orbits around the Sun. The synodic cycle theme, defined by the planets involved and the star alignments at the time, will unfold until the two planets align again, marking the completion of the synodic cycle and the beginning of the next one.

There are many synodic cycles with unique astrological themes occurring simultaneously creating a harmonic symphony of creative unfoldment in consciousness. Synodic cycles can be thought of as longer-term underlying currents, much like the backdrop chorus of a symphony, providing the underlying astrological context guiding our evolution.

Learn the basics about Synodic Cycles & Synodic Astrology

Our Heart Line

A Venus-Pluto synod occurs on the Gate of God (5° sidereal Sag). Pluto's extremely significant passage over the Gate of God is best presented in the June 3, 2008 Lunar Planner: The Full Moon Solstice Pluto Portal.

This Venus-Pluto synodic cycle starting on Oct 6, 2008 begins a very significant 225-day period catalyzing transformation of the heart and of personal relationships. It may also mark a significant change regarding all Venus-Pluto matters, especially fear-based issues surrounding abundance, wealth and resources. It may provide a separating of ways for individuals and relations not in integrity and functioning from fear, that is, for those who may not be living true to their heart's passion and desire. On the other hand, it can provide a profound opening for those living from their heart's truth. The Venus-Pluto Gate of God placement occurring now, as the evolutionary portal created by Earth's Precessional Cycle Holy Cross is active, provides a primary transformational force in the structure of matter, energy and consciousness that drives a deeply driven inner need to initiate personal change regarding all matters of the heart. It may also mark a significant change regarding all Venus Pluto matters, including global wealth and personal resources. This is the first of three overlapping Venus synods to occur in this lunar cycle. (The other two are with Juno and Jupiter--discussed below.)

Oct 5 is an ideal day contemplate our heart's true passion and to discern if we are living it.

Mercury's Message

The new 116-day Earth-Mercury synodic cycle starts on Oct 6 just hours after the Venus-Pluto synod and in the crescendo of the First Quarter Moon. This occurs when retrograde Mercury conjoins the Sun in sidereal Virgo. Retrograde Mercury and Sun conjoin Algorab of Corvus the Raven, the messenger bird.

Haumea also conjoins the Sun and Mercury. Haumea is a newly discovered Dwarf Planet (Dec 28, 2004) formally named in our last lunar cycle on Sept 17, 2008--a significant event. Haumea is the "Hawaiian Goddess of Childbirth and Fertility." Haumea thus plays a role in this Haumea-Sun-Mercury-Earth alignment. Haumea privides impetus for a new birth in consciousness.

See the new article: "The Astrology of he Dwarf Planets: Haumea & Makemake."

October 7 (the day of the exact Earth Sun Haumea alignment) is an excellent time to intuitively gain insight into the astrological nature of Haumea--as this Sun-Haumea alignment marks the point of Vision and Realization regarding the current Earth-Haumea synodic cycle. So let us pay attention.

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.

The theme of the new 116-day Mercury synodic cycle is found in the opposite part of the zodiak, looking from the Sun toward the Mercury Earth alignment, which defines the synod. This occurs in sidereal Pisces.

The last Mercury synodic cycle began in the same lunar cycle as the Full Moon Solstice Pluto Portal of June 2008.

Our new Earth-Mercury 116-day theme is defined by Alpheratz, the head of Andromeda, and Alderamin, the head of King Cepheus. Also conjoining is the Irregular Galaxy C1613 in Cetus, and Nodus Secundus of Draco (the second node or fold of the Dragon).

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.

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 success and riches through social popularity and achievement in business.

Although the stage setting in which Andromeda is trapped (chained to 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 our 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 psycho-emotional human world, to claim our true galactic birthright and evolutionary destiny. Alpheratz's fortuitous position ultimately brings success and reward in this worthy pursuit.

Alignments with Alpheratz can indicate being caught in the power plays unconsciously created by the arrogance or denials of others. Alpheratz can also 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 is the head of king Cepheus, often portraying one in an authoritative position. Alderamin can expresses as denial, avoidance, or turning one's head from dealing with 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. Alderamin ultimately comes to aid, but often after an initial aloofness. Alpheratz and Alderamin amalgamate to form a fortunate outcome, but sometimes drawn out through the emotional Piscean waters, and a long period of unwillingness or simple naivete to look at and acknowledge how we are immersed in a pool of psycho-emotional denial.

Nodus Secundus and the irregular shaped galaxy IC 1613 of Cetus adjoin the theme of Alpheratz and Alderamin. The adjoining Irregular Galaxy C 1613 of Cetus nests slightly south of the ecliptic manifests as apparently monsterous psycho-emotional life scenarios by which we may seemed helplessly trapped. The Second Node of the Dragon can indicate initiatory lessons to claim our own power regarding this theme, rather than turning our heads in denial about it and falling into a sense of perpetual helplessness.

Here we are asked to become attentive to the fact that our intent of purpose can be diverted and dispersed by psycho-emotional forces that congest us when toxic physical conditions exist, when we are naive to such forces, or simply in mental-emotional denial. Our psycho-emotional fog can then perpetuate confused life scenarios, antiquated involvements, or entrapments that are no longer in our highest interest nor serving our well-being, especially regarding our emotional and physical needs and desires.

Our new 116-day Mercury Synodic Cycle provides opportunity to get clear on these issues of entrapment and denial and to redefine the daily logistical aspects of our lives accordingly. This theme will fully commence as Mercury completes its retrograde on October 15, just after the Full Moon.

Any messages we may be getting through the natural world around us regarding any psycho-emotional entrapping life scenarios also serve as part of our "external stimulus to action" as we enter the First Quarter Moon and move into the action quarter of the lunar cycle.

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.

This Gibbous Moon occurs on October 11 at a significant location is sidereal Aquarius and conjoins several principal and fortuitous stars: Enif of Pegasus; Sadalmelik and Ancha of Aquarius; Fomalhaut of Pisces Aus. (the southern fish); and Deneb of Cygnus

This is one of the purest points of resonance in the ecliptic and one of the most fortuitous.

Enif of Pegasus, the nose of the magical flying horse, brings intuitiveness and sensitivity to the humanitarian / Aquarian pursuit. Enif is characteristic of altruistic people, those with the intuitive awareness to recognize what is of essence, of value, and worthy of humanitarian support. It is of those who are capable of providing material and financial support and who have the sensitivity to do so. A fortuitous star, Enif asks us to follow our intuition to do that which is truly supportive to our greater well being and to those around us.

Sadalmelik Alpha Aquarius is the "lucky one of the kingdom." Sadalmelik and Ancha creates an air of recognition and acceptance in the kingdom of human affairs--especially for those involved in the arts and sciences. Sadalmelik brings fortuitous opportunity for those with humanitarian interest, and who are in those arenas where such interest can be expressed.

Fomalhaut, one the "Four Royal Architects" the administrative seat of the aquatic quadrant of the heavens. Fortuitous Fomalhaut embodies the essence of sidereal Aquarius--inspiring future vision for an evolved humanitarian-based society. Fomalhaut inspires new ideas and pursuits in the art-sciences and in social issues of the world. It is of the human populous and the flow of resources within that populous that creates a wholesome human condition.

The word 'social' is derived from the Old French or the Latin 'socialis', meaning 'allied', or from 'socius' meaning 'friend'--good words to describe the essence of Fomalhaut and Aquarius. Here all are recognized as allied friends, as one human family. Fomalhaut embodies the essence of philanthropy and a spiritually evolved society.

Deneb, the principal star of Cygnus, marks the top (head) of the northern galactic cross. Deneb embodies our God-essence; our unadulterated androgynous pure soul essence before fragmentation into race, sex, or creed. Deneb inspires us to stand in the awareness of our pure soul essence, in our God-self wholeness and to participate from the maturity of this awareness, unbiased, from beyond the segregations and categorizations common to modern-day mass-consciousness. Deneb of Cygnus embodies the principle of unity consciousness.

Our magnetic and social Gibbous Moon can draw us into many fortuitous encounters and opportunities.

Relationships of the Heart

Venus and Juno begin a new 260-day synodic cycle in sidereal Sagittarius on October 12-13. Juno lies about 12 degrees north of the ecliptic in Scutum, conjoining Beta and Delta Scutum. Juno is the asteroid of covenant relations and those of mutual compatibility. Learn more about Juno.

Venus lies along the fletching of the Zen Archer's arrow marked by Knuki and Phi of Sagittarius. Nunki, Sigma Sag, is the "Proclamation of the Sea." Nunki and Phi of Sagittarius, at the Archer's hand, mark the fletching of the Zen Archer's arrow. The fletching of an arrow is what causes it to spin and have stability in flight, making it possible for the arrow to accurately travel through space to hit its target. This is a point of stability, confidence, and attunement. Nunki inspires us to attune to and trust in the flowing waters of spirit substance, the underlying power of the galactic ocean of divine love. Nunki teaches us to steer our intent with undaunted love, which is the guiding and stabilizing force used to direct the Zen Archer's arrow. It is our capacity to invoke and access the power and confidence of divine love that enables our intent of purpose to manifest our heart's truth from the unified field of creative intelligence.

Just above the Zen Archer, lying along the Galactic equator, is Scutum, Galactic Shield of the Holy Cross, emblazoned with the Holy Cross symbol (the cross in a circle). Scutum is "Defender of the Holy Cross"--the greater evolutionary fulfillment of the soul--that which the Zen Archer undauntingly lives, stands, and is willing to die for. In personal and practical terms, here is inspiration to live for, claim, and defend that which supports our greater fulfillment.

Conjoining Nunki is the Coronet Cluster in Corona Australis, the Southern Crown protected by the Zen Archer. Corona Australis, considered an auspicious constellation, had been in existence since time immemorial. It is associated with the "Laurel Crown," a sign of victory, as worn by the Greek god Apollo--and hence the name "Laureate."

The Coronet Cluster in Corona Aus. is an active star forming region, like that of the Orion Nebula, but over three times closer to Earth.

"This composite image shows the Coronet in X-rays from Chandra (purple) and infrared emission from Spitzer (orange, green, and cyan). The Spitzer image shows young stars plus diffuse emission from dust. In the Chandra data many of these young stars appear as blue objects, revealing their output of high-energy X-rays and the amount of obscuring dust and gas in the region."

Image and Caption Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/CfA/J.Forbrich et al.; Infrared: NASA/SSC/CfA/IRAC GTO Team

This Venus-Juno synodic cycle, immediately following the theme of the Venus-Pluto synodic cycle presented above, provides covenant relationships and partnerships of mutual focus and compatibility the ability to participate in a greater universal flow. It provides inspiration to learn to use this bond of love to steer intent and manifest ideals.

The Venus-Pluto synod (Oct 6, 2008); the Venus-Juno Synod (Oct 13, 2008), and the upcoming Venus-Jupiter synod (Oct 22, 2008), all occurring in this lunar cycle, create a tri-fold progression that begins a several month cycle in the refinement of our passion and truth of the heart used as an applied force to steer and direct our future. It is a time supporting a significant maturing, transformation and expansion for relationships.

The Venus-Pluto synod on the Gate of God first provides a separating of the ways individuals and relationships not living true to heart, who are not mutually aligned in their heart's desire and have fear to change, and it opens passage for those who are. The Venus-Juno Nunki synod invites new relationships of mutual compatibility to form and for those already existing to address and refine any issues of incompatibility. The Venus-Jupiter synod sets it all in motion with a powerful expansion of heart; to move into a greater flow in the manifestation of purpose.

From Earth's view (geocentric), Venus will conjoin Pluto, Juno and Jupiter in November 2008, in the following lunar cycle, which is when this will become more palpable, but it is these (heliocentric) synods occurring now that reveal the longer-term and underlying themes unfolding in consciousness that these planets are creating.

Full Moon Phase Characteristics

Vision, Enthusiasm, & Realization of the Theme
The Eris Full Moon & The New Earth-Eris Synodic Cycle

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.

This Full Moon conjoins Eris and occurs on October 14 in late sidereal Pisces. It also marks the start of the New Earth-Eris 366-day synodic cycle. This occurs when the Sun, Earth and Eris align, just hours before the Full Moon, which occurs just hours before the Full Moon, in the high-energy crescendo leading into the Full Moon. The complete alignment is: Sun-Earth-Full Moon-Eris.

Eris is one of the most significant newly discovered planets in the new family of Dwarf Planets. Eris is currently south of the ecliptic moving through Cetus, the fear-based technobureaucratic monster of collective human consciousness. Eris is the Great Disrupter. Eris has a more extreme orbital inclination than that of Pluto's, tilted dramatically to the ecliptic indicating its capacity to cut through personality-level crap in a sharper, more intense, and dramatic way than Pluto. Although Eris is newly discovered, its dramatic repercussion surrounding its discovery (heralding the total re-classification of planets and the resultant formation of the Dwarf Planet class in which Pluto now resides with the rest of his family) indicates Eris serves as a disrupting force, but so a greater re-organization can follow, one more fitting to our accelerating and expanding evolutionary transition in consciousness. Learn more about Eris.

In terms of this lunar cycle, our Eris Full Moon indicates there are powerful forces catalyzing a significant reorganization of our lives. Our Full Moon's Vision, Enthusiasm and Realization may surround a radical disruption of plans or an upsetting of the status quo in the world or in our personal lives. This does not mean change in a bad way, although perhaps any disruptions may seem so in the moment, they eventually will be for the better and serve our capacity to live more in concert with theme of this lunar cycle and with the nature of the alignments occurring within this lunar cycle as presented above.

Our Eris Full Moon in sidereal Pisces conjoins the Belly of ole' Cetus; Revati of Pisces; and Acamar of the river Eridanus.

Cetus, the technobureaucratic monster of collective human consciousness, is the whale of human emotional experience. Baten Kaitos is the belly of ole' Cetus. 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. Alignments with Baten can indicate the need to embrace the 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. Here lies the theme expressed in the story of Jonah and the Whale.

Lying above Baten Kaitos and Cetus lies Revati, Zeta Pisces. Revati literally means 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--where the bucks are. This zodiakal longitude is also the exalted seat of Venus--bringing attention to the relation of the flow of abundance and living from the heart.

Acamar of Eridanus creates another primary stop or stoppage along the long and winding river of life. Acamar is the dam, and indicates that emergence from the belly of Cetus (the technobureaucratic monster of collective human consciousness) requires a breakthrough that will lead us from the foul digestive juices of Cetus and into a greater freedom of being. Alignments here can fool us into thinking the forging we have just gone through in the belly, and our emergence marks the end of our journey, when in fact it is but the door merely opening to be worthy to begin the real work. Alignments here can also manifest as aliments due to the denial to pursue the physical clearing required to purge what has been taken on through our earlier journeys in life.

Our Eris Full Moon realizations regarding this month's lunar theme suggests deep stirring emotions, matters of the heart, money and resources may all be involved in catalyzing a re-organization of how we participate in life.

The Earth-Eris Synodic Cycle

The theme of this new Earth-Eris 366-day synodic cycle is the same as that of our Full Moon--need I say more--all providing a signifcant shift in the nature of how we participate on Earth.

Mercury Direct

Mercury returns direct on Oct 15 just after Full Moon, on the day of "realization of the theme," fully engaging our new Earth-Mercury synodic cycle theme.

Sun Libra

The Sun moves into sidereal Libra on October 17-18 minutes before the Disseminating Moon.

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 October 17-18 lies exactly in mid-sidereal Taurus and conjoins Aldebaran, Eye of the Bull. Just past Aldebaran in ecliptical longitude and also conjoining is Tabit, one the stars of the Shield of Orion. Both stars bring attention to the physical infrastructures supporting our lives.

Aldebaran, Eye of the Bull, is one of the "Four Royal Architects" bringing order to the heavens. Directly opposite Aldebaran is Antares, Heart of the Scorpion. Both of these stars mark the centers of their respective signs. The other Royals are Regulus of Leo, Heart of the Lion (Leo), the king or law-giver; and humanitarian Fomalhaut in sidereal Aquarius.

Aldebaran holds the vision for global leaders and world servers inspiring the administrative planning of world affairs, specifically for physical logistics and a global infrastructure designed to support humanity through evolutionary unfoldment and global change. Prominent alignments with the Aldebaran / Antares axis can express into the business and political arenas and is of their leaders.

At a personal level, Aldebaran is of business and the home, of vision and action for our physical wellbeing. Aldebaran indicates involvement with physical places, abodes, and projects supportive of our modalities of living. Aldebaran also inspires businesses that support our family and friends. Aldebaran inspires us to take the physical action required to manifest our visions in the physical world.

Tabit (Pi 3) is one of several stars composing the Shield, a sub constellation of Orion. The theme of the Shield is one of providing protection in the world of human affairs. Associated with the essence of Aldebaran, this is in regard to physical abodes and sustenance. The Shield also is a star of endurance and victory in this pursuit.

Thus, our manifesting moon has very much to do with getting grounded and applying the lunar theme at a very physical way in our lives--including our personal and family needs and any business and home affairs.

Last Quarter Moon Phase Characteristics