The Lunar Theme for the
December 27, 2008 New Moon

Power in Purpose
Postion for Change

The Lunar Month of
December 27, 2008 - January 26, 2009

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 New Moon of Dec 27, 2008 resides in sidereal Sagittarius and conjoins the Bow and Hand of the Zen Archer.

Sagittarius, stargate to Galactic Center, is commonly referred to as the Sagittarian Centaur, Zen Archer, or the First Horseman whose arrow points toward Galactic Center. Sagittarius, both a galactic constellation and an ecliptical constellation (lying upon the galactic equator and the ecliptic) oversees the "Gate of God" (5° sidereal Sag)--the primary fiducial (marking point) not only of Earth ~25,000 year precessional cycle, but also of the sidereal zodiak. Sagittarius is the Galactic City of Light responsible for the higher spiritual education about our galactic heritage and the evolution of the soul.

From R.H. Allen, "Star Names: Their Lore & Meaning": "…the Strong One, and Illuminator of the Great City (i.e., galactic center); Light of the White Face; and on the stones of Sippara (the Sepharvaim of the Old Testament)--a solar city Sagittarius, 'appears sculptured in full glory.'"

It is not uncommon for those with prominent a Sagittarian energetic to experience the entire world populous and life in general as intimately and intensely as they experience themselves--it takes the spiritual and soul maturity accompanied with the Sagittarian domain to embrace this fusion of consciousness. This Unified Galactic Consciousness also is what creates the incredible passion, zeal and pursuit for Truth that is often found driving the Sagittarian and guiding their arrow--they truly run on Galactic currents and Divine directive.

The Sagittarian Centaur can pursue only the totality of his dreams, blatantly states his truth, and calls a spade a spade. For the Centaur to pursue less would be to negate the Galactic Truth he lives and breaths. Loyalty to a higher vision is all he knows, to deny him intimacy with life, the majestic space he needs, or pursuit of his spiritual mission, is to break the sprit of a stallion, which has known only the wild and free.

In shooting his arrow of Truth, the Centaur destroys that which must die, the false truths and false gods of fear that lie hidden within self. It is this directness that causes the Centaur to often seem blatant and tactless. Behind this tenacity however is a galactic fire and profound love which few comprehend. Only those that know this find the true Centaurian to be a tremendously loyal friend.

Friend and siderealist Andrés Boulton Takra on Sagittarius: "Sagittarians are friendly, happy, ambitious and grandiose. They like to be noticed by others. They are often leaders in tribal affairs, politics and government offices, as well as in social-reform movements (Uranus exalted in sidereal Sag 9°). They are at home in organizations groups, meeting, and conventions. They are great organizers and directors, and compose what we call the bourgeoisie. They are the patrons of the arts (in contrast to Gemini-the artisans). They are fond of good food, wine, ease and comfort. You will never see people strongly governed by Jupiter living in squalor and misery. They seek quality and quantity! Sagittarians love to travel to distant places and are adventurous... Their colour is blue ...signifying nobleness, elevation and truth." www.andresboultoncosmictakra.com

The Sagiattarian Centaur sees beyond the limitations of human suffering and fearful expression. He sees raw human experience serving soul's greater growth, and it is this that he is willing to fight and die for. The Sagittarian Centaur sees with a unique angle (galactic plane 60° to ecliptic plane), view or perspective, with a “Zen Eye” and shoots his arrow of dreams toward a very unique and visionary pursuit.

The New Moon Star Chart

Our New Moon, lying at about 11° sidereal Sagittarius, nests between Mars and Pluto, which conjoin on the "Gate of God," and Juno, Mercury and Jupiter. Our New Moon stars are Meridionalis, the hand of the Zen Archer; Kaus Aus and Kaus Bor, of the Bow; and Alpha Telescopium. Also conjoining are the Eagle Nebula (M16) in Serpens; the Swan (Omega) Nebula (M17) in Sag; the SGR XR-4 Black Hole / Globular Cluster; Eta Serpens; and Gamma Scutum. Also near by is Facies (M22) Globular Cluster, the face of the Zen Archer.

This point in the ecliptic is about our Zen stance, how to hit the target of our ideals, aspirations and dreams, which is an all or nothing deal. 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 as if it is 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 from our core and throughout our entire being. And only with such a stance will we make passage through the year ahead.

Telescopium, underlying the Centaur, reveals an additional facet of Sagittarius, of having a Zen stance, and the stability and strength of the Zen Archer's bow. Telescopium articualtes a long-range and long-term soul purpose and penetrating vision common to the Zen Archer. Alpha Telescopium suggests that we look past or through the distractions around us to focus in upon only the target of our highest ideals and dreams.

Facies, M22, a globular cluster of stars, marks the face of the Zen Archer and looks over the bow and hand of the Zen Archer. Facies brings undaunted conviction, stability and confidence to create and manifest our highest aspirations. 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 level of honesty creates the strength and undaunted focus of the Zen Archer, and his ability live for and defend his truth, and to hit his target.

This Lunar Cycle's theme invites us to refine our form, to get into a proper stance in life, to reorganize and prioritize so we become one with our purpose in all aspects of our lives. To establish the inner stability and strength in conviction, purpose, vision and ideals. There is no helter-skelter approach here, only undaunted clarity within and the execution of our purpose and intent to manifest our highest aspirations--lest we will merely blow in the increasing and accelerating winds of change. A good suggestion considering a brief look ahead--the Astrological Highlights for 2009.

A unique amassing of planets occurs in this lunar cycle, which will come to full influence around the next New Moon Annular Solar Eclipse of early 2009. Thus, a dominating force is building in this lunar cycle as we commence our new solar year (the astronomical start of the New Year occurred on the Dec 21, 2008 solstice).

Mars and Pluto conjoin a day after the New Moon in early sidereal Sag, as the Moon moves toward its first 30° aspect from the Sun, creating an opportunity for growth in this lunar cycle regarding our creative use of personal power. Although Mars and Pluto align now from Earth's perspective, the Sun, Mars and Pluto will align on the First Quarter "stimulus to action" Moon, which marks the start of a very significant and new 694-day Mars-Pluto synodic cycle. The Mars-Pluto synthesis adds a facet to this lunar cycle's theme regarding use of personal power. It provides vitality and motivation to direct our energy, steer our lives and realize our dreams.

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.

Mercury and Jupiter conjoin in early sidereal Capricorn just before the Crescent Moon of Dec 31, 2008, which occurs just across the cusp of sidereal Aquarius and just as the Crescent Moon conjoins Venus. This is the peak of the current Venus-Crescent Moon synchronization.

Mercury and Jupiter inspire expansive and embracing thought, while the Venus Crescent Moon initiates a heart-centered creative process in this lunar cycle and brings attention to all matters of the Heart.

The cusp of sidereal Aquarius is marked by the 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 on the wing near Gienah as well.

This point in the ecliptic is where we are motivated to strip off the cloaks of personality-based facades and shenanigans to reveal true heart-level self and to live from our deeper hearts' truth for the greater nourishment of all. The wing of Cygnus lifts us from a self-centered exclusive focus to a more embracing and inclusive level of participation. This marks the start of the true humanitarian facet of the zodiak.

Our Venus Crescent Moon thus inspires a creative process from the vision, passion, and artfulness that an open heart provides, especially regarding the arts and sciences, and a creative process that is inclusive of the needs of our greater human family.

Venus, Vesta & Sedna

Venus, Sedna and the asteroid Vesta begin a new compounded synodic cycle on Jan 2-3, 2009 in late sidereal Aries.

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

The Venus-Sedna synodic cycle continues through August 2009 and the Venus-Vesta synodic cycle continues through September 2009.

Vesta, keeper of the eternal flame, is the asteroid of focus, dedication & commitment; of physical, emotional, and mental clarity; of self-respect; and of sexual openness and its mysteries (knowledge). Vesta brings a capacity to be pure within self at all levels for the unbounded expression of one's highest potential and true essence. Vesta is of strength, purity, and perfection--of total dedication to purpose. Vesta brings attention to that which is of true importance and will ignite and burn away that which is not.

The fifth year anniversary of the discovery of the Dwarf Planet Sedna occurred just recently on the Full Moon of November 14, 2008. To recap a bit about Sedna: Named for the Inuit goddess who lives at the bottom of the frigid Arctic ocean, this dwarf planet is cold and removed, nearly double the distance from the Sun as is Pluto. Sedona approaches the Sun only briefly during its very long 10,500-year solar orbit.

Although astrologers are just beginning to gain appreciation for the astrological nature of Sedna, from my observations so far I suspect the following: Sedna, of the feminine principle, having drown in dramatic scenario of deceit and betrayal over eons of time, and having been deeply hurt, has unfortunately self-exiled into a deep sea of loneliness and simply refuses to commit to any participation in fear of being deeply hurt again. However, Sedan's discovery indicates she it ready to make her re-emergence. Humanity's must however recognize the truth about the suppression, persecution, and sexual abuse of the feminine, and although it is quite obvious about our need for the female's re-emergence and balanced reintegration with more dominant masculine world, there is still dire hesitancy for such participation due to man's often awry and deceptive use of creative power, although this is now changing by the more awakened males emerging in the world.

The unfortunate truth is that this long suppression, continued withdraw, and subsequent refusal to commit for one reason or another, only hurts and makes the unfoldment of the feminine's future more difficult, creating further entrapment (Menkar) of the feminine principle. Now, as we cross the threshold in the Earth's ~25,000 year precessional "evolutionary cycle of the soul," and Earth's polar inclination leans back toward the plane of galactic light, where our re-unification in consciousness occurs, our sensitivity to, respect and encouragement for the feminine is of utmost significance.

The theme of this compounded several month cycle is defined by Botein of Aries and Rana of Eridanus; the long-standing location of Sedna due to her very slow movement.

Botein, although meaning the belly (of the Ram) actually marks the hind foot. At the hind of the Ram, Botein can also indicate those either lost and stranded, or simply left behind (the lost or following sheep), and thus can create a sense of frustration; but this is also a place of an energetic potential about to erupt.

Rana of Eridanus, conjoining Botein, marks another stopping point along the river of life and articulates the theme of those lost or tired through their initiations stopping either in need of aid or regeneration in preparation for what is yet to come.

Overall, this location in the ecliptic asks us to trust instinct rather than reason. It is of a regenerative nature--primal, sexual, erotic, creative and inventive. It can also be volatile, quickly eruptive or explosive like a volcano, penetrating, sharp-tongued and competitive, even hostile.

This Venus-Vesta-Sedna cycle invites focus, dedication, and a compassionate heart to bring what has been along-suppressed and exiled feminine principle back into participation, prominence and rapture on Earth. It invites the openness to embrace the behavior the deep emotional feelings of women and to receive the gift of the feminine has to offer and role the feminine has in the future on Earth yet to become. It is also a time in which the feminine force is renewing, preparing, and building up its momentum to emerge in a dynamic expression on Earth and in our lives.

A sexual healing: This tri-fold feminine synod and its cycle with Venus, goddess of rapture, eroticism and love; Vesta, goddess of conscious healthy sexual openness and expression, knowledge holder of the entwined physical-spiritual purpose of sex in the illumination of consciousness; and Sedna, basically forced into sexual submission and subsequently self-exiled; obviously offers a profound opportunity for sexual healing.

Also obvious is the massive and long standing imbalance and sexual discord between the feminine and masculine on Earth, and how its perpetuation only continues to worsen the sexually perversive and abusive nature of the masculine, and the further suppression and spiteful withdrawal of the feminine. Sex and sexual openness, its beauty and spiritual purpose has been bastardized into beliefs and emotions based in shame, guilt and wrongfulness. Attempting to heal and balance the feminine and the masculine on Earth, and to bring forth a healthy empowered feminine expression and a healthy and emotionally mature masculine expression as entwined spiraling forces--as is articulated by the double serpent spiraling around the human spine, rising from the base chakra to a crown of spiritual illumination--without starting with sexual healing and establishing a healthy sexual expression is as ridiculous as trying to make wine without grape. It is curious the the double serpent rising around the staff of life is the symbol of the American Medical Association that promotes the chemical drugging of the human populous, which ultimately suppresses the human neurological system rather than awaken it--the ultimate hypocrisy.

We often hear the phrases "male-female equality" or "masculine-feminine balance, yet these phrases still instil an image of two forces maintaining separation, as if merely placating one-another, willing at best to arbitrate and compromise. These forces are from one source and they must intimately unite from that source and rise with a healthy sexual expression as one creative entwined spiral of creativity to awaken and illuminate the world.

As a new synodic cycle occurring just before First Quarter Moon of January 3, the Venus-Vesta-Sedna theme also creates an underlying current behind our external stimulus to action in this lunar cycle. More about Vesta and Sedna.

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 Jan 4 in sidereal Pisces conjoining Alderamin of Cepheus and Alpheratz of Andromeda--quite fitting with our tri-fold Venus-Vesta-Sedona feminine underlying current.

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; however means to be freed from bondage, to be free to love.

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 naiveté to look at and acknowledge how we are immersed in a pool of psycho-emotional denial.

Our First Quarter Moon stimulus to action is to encourage and support the emergence and freedom of, and to act upon, the feminine principle, perhaps long suppressed passions and longings of the heart--rather than to turn away--to adress our denials of the heart.

The Mars Pluto Synodic Cycle

PIC M20 Trifid Nebula (Star Nursery); or M8 Lagoon Nebula (Star Nursery)

Just after First Quarter Moon, The Sun, Mars a Pluto align creating the start of a new 694-day Mars-Pluto synodic cycle. This is a principle cycle due to the recent Earth-Pluto synod occurring on the Gate of God, a cycle in which we are in the midst of. Pluto is now just starting to move forth from the Gate, adding the influences of the Al Nasl, the tip of the Zen Archer's arrow, which points to Galactic Center; and the "Solar Apex."

The Solar Apex marks the unique location in the heavens toward which our Sun is "currently" traveling, which lies north in the heavens near the Vega star system. Vega is stargate to mansion universes of light where a multiplicity of opportunity exists for souls' evolutionary fulfillment. The Solar Apex is held open by the outstretched hand of the god–man, Hercules, who stands upside-down in the heavens with feet (soul purpose) in the realm of the Gods and hands (daily work) in the realm of incarnate souls. The Solar Apex embodies the unique and majestic path of the soul. At personal level, the Solar Apex asks us to honor that we each have a soul path that is totally unique to ourselves, a path which is beyond what others may see or even relate to. The Solar Apex invites us to honor and to walk our very unique sole/soul/solar path's in the world--daring us to take a stand for our personal truths--no matter what those paths may look like to others or how they may or may not fit in with mass-consensus.

The themes of the Solar Apex, The Gate of God, the tip of the Zen Archer's arrow, and the dazzling surrounding nebulas all amalgamate. Here we are asked to take aim and undauntingly pursue our ideals and dreams in total trust. To Believe! This amalgamation asks us to focus without hesitancy or doubt upon our soul purpose in life and to know that our unique paths, although often obscured, nest within the greater directive and in the spacetiming of the evolutionary cycle of the soul collective on Earth. Here we are asked to live true to our soul intent and to live and act in the now, in the moment-to-moment focus, undaunted, and in the zeropoint power of Divine Love.

Pluto's alignment with the Solar Apex (about 7° sidereal Sag) is just starting in 2009, and the forthcoming Earth-Pluto synodic cycle with the Solar Apex will start on June 23 of 2009 and will continue into 2010.

Pluto's synodic progression through early Sag, first conjoining the cusp of Sag in 2006, then Galactic Center in 2007, the Gate of God in 2008 (the primary Holy Cross portal), and the Solar Apex in 2009, were presented in the article "Pluto's First Synod in Sidereal Sagittarius: Revelation of the Gate of God."

Back to our new 694-day Mars-Pluto synodic cycle starting now, which amalgamates the themes of the Gate of God and the Solar Apex: As presented in earlier Lunar Planners, Pluto's placement upon the Gate of God, and coinciding with the Earth's Precessional Cycle of the Holy Cross, marked a sorting point for humanity, demanding the relinquishment of lesser modes of being, opening safe passage only for those who are willing to leave their antiquated personality baggage behind and align with their greater soul purpose on Earth, while causing more discord for those so resistant--all revealing a greater truth we can no longer hide from in arrogant denial.

After having made this passage, the new Mars-Pluto gate of God / Solar Apex two-year cycle now invites us to not only relinquish antiquated ways of using our creative power and to align with a more embracing and longer-term focus in support of our greater evolutionary purpose and well being on Earth. It also invites us to re-direct the use of our creative power in a very unique way, perhaps a very different way than we had been. Fear of survival issues may surface even more so than before, but the way is through and in total trust of the unique paths only now being made possible to open in our lives. We can either freeze in fear and be torn apart, or we can redirect our creative forces with the demanding and far more embracing currents at hand.

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 January 7 in early sidereal Taurus and also conjoins the retrograde asteroid Pallas. Pallas invites the artisitc application of creative intelligence that finds solution beyond what are opposing sides of the same coin. More on Pallas.

The Moon and Pallas conjoin Mirphak, the primary star of Perseus; the right foot of Perseus composed of Zeta Perseus and the potent X-Perseus neutron star; and Menkhib, the calf of Perseus.

The Moon lies slightly north of the ecliptic just east of and at the same latitude as the Pleiades. Pallas lies quite south of the ecliptic, about 52° south, in the constellation Eridanus near the star Theemin, a turning point along Eridanus, the river of life; and just over Caelum, the chisel. Pallas is stationing, about to return direct from its retrograde, which marks the full commencement of the new Earth-Pallas synodic cycle presented in the previous Lunar Planner.

Mirphak, a fortuitous star marking the elbow (charisma) of Persues and early sidereal Taurians, embodies the totality and success of all that Perseus has been through in his initiatory trials with need to now live his destiny. (The story of Andromeda, Perseus and Royal Family)

The foot of Perseus powered by the intense neutron star X–Perseus brings a powerful capacity to infuse the spiritual power gained from our initiations in life and to manifest our longer-term purpose and destiny in the physical world.

Our Perseus Pallas Gibbous Moon magnetically draws us together with and to communicate with those who embody this theme, who have claimed the true gift of their inner refinement that the past initiatory fires of life have catalyzed, and who are ready to forge and bring to fulfillment with audacious (not arrogant) confidence and artistic expression of their creative intelligence above and beyond the petty judgments common to those lost in competitiveness and side-taking. Otherwise we may be drawn to those who may group in spiteful withdrawal or adamant side-taking. As always, the relations we draw are determined by the energetic we carry within that create our magnetically attractive force.

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 January 10-11 Full Moon aligns with Varuna, one of our newly discovered Dwarf Planets, and the two lie in later sidereal Gemini primarily conjoining Castor of the Twins. Also conjoining is Adhara of Canis Major and Gomeisa of Canis Minor.

Castor is the liaison in the world of daily human affairs, and is of partnerships and cooperation. Castor brings resources and people together that serve to get logistics accomplished in the world of business and commerce.

Also entering this band of the ecliptic is Adhara creating part of the hind-quarter of Canis Major; and Gomeisa of Canis minor. The Arabic Adhara means virgins (and should not be confused with Aludra, the pure one of the bread, which is near by in longitude but not in distance). Adhara is the aid, assistant or manager, those in liaison position in larger cooperative groups or organizations. Gomeisa is assistant to the principal star of Canis Minor, Procyon, which inspires allegiance with those focused in a greater cause or purpose. Gomeisa can indicate those with essential expertise and who are perhaps behind the scenes but who should be included in the credits and rewards for efforts well done.

Public Relations and liaison articulates the nature of the Twins--linking individuals together in larger groups or organizations that can serve a purpose far greater than the separate parties can accomplish alone. Here we find motivation for the coordination and exchange of resources and information between individuals and groups, and the planning of more encompassing joint ventures.

Varuna's presence adds a significant component to our Full Moon's enthusiasm and revelation regarding this month's lunar theme, and brings a ray of hope. Varuna, discovered in earlier Gemini inspires us to re-establish order out of chaos; to make a turning, a separating of the ways for the better, to get off the fence of indecision and make a major move, to go forth, to act upon our greater truth and purpose. More on Varuna.

Simply, our Full Moon illuminates the requirement for our mutual interaction, communication and cooperation as an essential component that can lead us upon new paths that make way through these tumultuous times if applied with the art and undaunted focus of the Zen Archer.

Full Moon Perigee

The Lunar Perigee (when the Moon is closest to the Earth during its monthly orbit) occurs about 16 hours before the Full Moon of January 2009. Like the December Full Moon (where the Lunar Perigee occurred about four hours after Full Moon), the January Full Moon will look extra large as it rises in the eastern sky at sunset; adding to an extra festive and more dynamic Full Moon eve and Full Moon energetic.

Generally, the Moon looks about 14% larger at its perigee compared to its apogee (furthest distance from Earth). The Moon looks additionally larger when it is on the horizon due to atmospheric distortion.

Lunar Perigee & Apogee 2009

Mercury Retrograde

Mercury begins its retrograde on January 11 as we begin to disengage from the previous Earth-Mercury 116-day synodic cycle. Our last Mercury synodic cycle was presented in the August 9, 2008 Lun ar Planner. We will start a new cycle a bit later in this lunar cycle, just after Last Quarter Moon, and fully commence the new 116-day cycle when Mercury completes its retrograde on Feb 1, 2009 in the next lunar cycle. This Mercurial retrograde, occurring in sidereal Capricorn and in the midst of the stellium of planets gathering here, marks a primary re-synchronization in our lives, especially regarding relationships, a dynamic that will continue throughout 2009 along with a major movement and expansion of consciousness.

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 Jan 14 lies in mid-sidereal Leo, in the midst of the Lion, and conjoins Alioth and the seyfert galaxy NGC4051 of Ursa Major; and Beta Sextans.

Alioth of Ursa Major is the star of personal will. Alignments with Alioth teach us that our personal actions can alter the evolutionary currents that create our souls' evolutionary destiny. Alioth stimulates the use of personal will and our need to initiate personal action. Alioth is one of the classical seven rays of the Great Bear teaching incarnating souls the ramifications of the use of personal power. Alioth can express as forceful and manipulative use of power merely for personal gain, or when mastered, it can express as personal will attuned to Divine Will in phenomenal accomplishment that responsibly steers our evolutionary course.

The Sextant is an instrument used in navigation. The stars of the sextant reveal our need to determine our present position / situation, and to set our bearings to the direction we wish to move with conscious consideration for the current evolutionary winds and currents upon which we ride.

Our Disseminating Moon invites our conscious and responsible use of personal will in the application of this month's lunar theme--to establish a Zen-like stance, to take aim, and to become one with our longer-term vision in undaunted strength and conviction--and to re-orient ourselves based upon the demands of changing currents so we are able to move with eloquence and grace, like the Zen archer's arrow, through the continuing and dynamic changes occurring in our personal lives and in our world. This clearly is a lunar cycle requiring we establish a stable position that makes it possible for us to personally participate in concert with continuing acceleration and expansion of human consciousness. As said earlier: "There is no helter-skelter approach here, only undaunted clarity within and the execution of our purpose and intent to manifest our highest aspirations--lest we will merely blow in increasing and accelerating winds of change."

Sun Capricorn

The Sun moves into sidereal Capricorn on Jan 14-15, (the Capsolar Ingress) just after the Disseminating Moon--as our stellium of planets coagulates. From the Last Quarter Moon, through the upcoming Solar Eclipse, and into the next lunar cycle, a dynamic set of planetary conjunctions occur.

Last Quarter Moon Phase Characteristics