The Lunar Theme for the
August 10, 2010 New Moon

Mobilizing a New Future
The Jupiter-Pluto-Saturn T-square

The Lunar Month of
August 10, 2010 - September 8, 2010

Nick Anthony Fiorenza

Copyright © 2010 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).

Lunar Cycle Overview

Our New Moon of Aug 10, 2010 GMT (Aug 9 MST) occurs in sidereal Cancer. Cancer, commonly the crab today, is also the Egyptian Scarabaeus, an image that articulates the theme of humanity's emergence from darkness, dogma, and delusion and the reawakening back to light. The Scarab is an appropriate mythical figure, as no one knows the exact time of the emergence of the beetle from its snuggle in its own dung, because it does not seem to follow any natural cycle in nature. This theme also applies to our individual emergence from the family nest or from the collective consciousness that we co-create.

The New Moon stars setting the theme of this Lunar cycle are Acubens of Cancer; Zeta Hydra (the head of Hydra); Dubhe of Ursa Major (the primary star of the Great Bear); Naos of Argo Navis; and Merak of Ursa Major. Sidereal Cancer is about humanity's gestation and emergence process. The individual stars of Cancer articulate the nuances of this process. In particular, this area of sidereal Cancer is about the emergence from collective and personal dogmas (belief structures), as well as from our limiting or undermining life patterns that keep us bound in life scenarios that are less than those we truly want. This precedes action to break new trail in our lives so as to move in the direction we seek to go.

The Grand Jupiter-Pluto-Saturn T-square culminates in this lunar cycle. This principal planetary configuration began to form as Jupiter and Pluto created their square in the previous lunar cycle. Now in this lunar cycle, Saturn joins in to perfectly oppose Jupiter and square Pluto, creating this potent T-square. T-squares stimulate dynamic action; and this one marks a primary turning from what had been the last few years of stasis, stalemate and a feeling of suppression and limitation (dominated by massive Saturn), and now shifts in to a period of mobilization and expansion of radical change (due to the Jupiter-Uranus conjunction and the Jupiter-Pluto square). The Jupiter-Uranus synthesis also forms an energetic supportive of expanded creative thought and new discoveries, whpecially in the arts and sciences.

This lunar cycle's Crescent Moon produces wonderful sunset stellar show, with the Crescent Moon, Venus, Mars and Saturn synthesizing in the heavens, along with the Perseid meteor shower following (peaking between August 11th and 13th), which occurs when Earth passes through the tail of comet Swift-Tuttle. The Perseids are so named because these sparks of light emerge from the constellation Perseus, our dynamic hero--providing a message regarding the type of action required in this potent and transformational lunar cycle.

The Full Moon of this lunar cycle occurs in sidereal Aquarius, conjoining Enif of Pegasus, while the Sun conjoins recently discovered Orcus and the star Regulus of Leo, the heart or essence of the Lion, offering a significant revelation. Our Disseminating Moon conjoins Revati of Pisces and Eris, the Great Disruptor, suggesting money and resources may play a significant role in this lunar cycle. Mercury begins its retrograde in this Lunar Cycle as well, during which a new 116-day Earth-Mercury humanitarian-focused synodic cycle will begin.

These are just a few of many events occurring in this very dynamic lunar cycle. The Monthly Lunar Planner explores the details of these events and more, based in star-level astronomical astrology and synodic astrology.

"The stars would not be in the heavens if we were meant to walk in darkness." 

About Synodic Cycles

Synodic Cycles are created when two (or more) planets align in their 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.

Zeta Hydra lies immediately south of Acubens. Delta through Zeta Hydra and Pulsar CP0834 (which conjoins Gianfar of Draco, the poisoned place) create Hydra's head. Zeta Hydra and surrounding stars indicate a multifarious undermining source of destruction (every time Hercules took off one the Hydra's heads, it immediately grew another). The conjunction of Acubens and Zeta Hydra reveals that the repetitive undermining experiences in our lives are manifest from our own tenacious belief structures.

Associated Quasar 3C206 of Hydra suggest that although our dogmatic beliefs can take rather strange and unexplainable forms, they are not outside the realm of our own creation. They are however laser-like in their power; and when overcoming the symptom of one underlying pattern, that pattern can emerge again merely in another symptomatic form. The underlying patterns must be addressed not just their symptoms. Quasar 3C206 reminds us to not be naïve to the powerful momentum of our beliefs and the undermining behavioral patterns they can create. This quasar tells us to not turn our backs on that momentum, to know it may take more than one attempt to overcome our dogma's hideous tenacity.

These conjoining stars indicate that to overcome the undermining and relentless manifestations created by our very sticky behavioral patterns requires perseverance to destroy (cut off heads of Hydra) the very beliefs we hold that crystallize that which repetitively undermining to our greater fulfillment. Ultimately, Dubhe asks us to do all we can to achieve a greater vision for the evolutionary freedom and fulfillment that we seek--freedom from the dogmas, both collective and personal that keep us entrapped.

Flanking the New Moon, to the east is Merak, the Beta star of the Great Bear; and southern Naos on the Puppis of the Argo. This lies just under the head of the Lion, which pears over the cusp from early sidereal Leo into late sidereal Cancer. It also lies under the hind foot of the Great Bear (Tania Bor and Aus.)

Naos, Zeta Puppis of the Argo, is one star of five creating the "Egyptian X" along with Procyon, Betelgeuse, Phaet Alpha Columba the Dove; and with the center star being Sirius--our impetuous Great World Teacher. Naos is the brightest star of Puppis and one of the brightest in the sky. Naos is an evolved and dynamic supergiant star, and sole star moving at a vast speed--indicative of a wise and old but very active soul. On the aplustre of the stern of the Argo, Naos holds an elevated position ideal navigation. Naos can be considered our inner sanctum of the soul, and provides motivation to observer and act from our inner perceptual and intuitive awareness. Naos is a star of transcendent power and purpose behind or directing the mission of the soul. In general, the stars of the Argo are associated with greater evolutionary matters and ensuring our evolutionary fulfillment.

Merak, Beta Ursa Major, asks for allegiance of personal will with the greater vision of Dubhe--to see to a greater evolutionary fulfillment of the Earth. Merak inspires personal action and marks the time, "to get on with it."

The Head of the Lion is of adventurism, exploration, breaking new trail, to go where we have not gone before, to get on with it--to engage. These are actions that require the courage of self-conviction, of belief in self, and in our paths in life; to have the inner confidence to step away from the convention of mass consensus and beyond the boundaries of known self.

Thus our lunar theme has a twofold dynamic: One is relinquishing our self created limits and the belief structures that keep us from changing and moving forward. The other is engaging in action that breaks new trail in our lives, and that steers our evolutionary course. This is also in tune with the nature of the Jupiter-Pluto-Saturn T-square.

Stimulus of the Heart

Venus squares Pluto immediately after the New Moon. It just conjoined Saturn, which is now about a degree within its opposition to Jupiter and its square to Pluto--in the potent crescendo of the Grand Jupiter-Pluto-Saturn T-square. Our Crescent Moon also conjoins Venus and the asteroid Vesta.

Mars conjoined Saturn, opposed Uranus and Jupiter, and squared Pluto in the previous lunar cycle, triggering the Jupiter-Pluto-Saturn T-square. Venus did the same starting at the end of the previous lunar cycle. Vesta does the same in this lunar cycle, just after the Crescent Moon. The Mars-Venus-Vesta-Saturn stellium, in early sidereal Virgo, stimulates focused, heart-centered, concretized, responsible creative action. You can see this stellium under the head of the Virgin in the above New Moon star chart.

Crescent Moon Phase Characteristics

The Crescent Moon
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 a 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.

The Crescent Moon of August 13 enters into the midst of our Virgo stellium and specifically conjoins Venus. Vesta, Saturn, the Moon, Venus and Mars all lie with a 7° orb, opposing Jupiter and Uranus and squaring Pluto. Our Crescent Moon stellium makes a beautiful sunset sky. Of course Vesta is there as well, but not visible to the naked eye. Our Crescent Moon also acts as a primary trigger to the Grand T-Square.

We have just entered one of the Crescent Moon-Venus synchronization periods, which will continue for the next few lunar cycles. (See: Venus Elongations & the Crescent Moon.)

The Moon (and Venus) conjoin Zaniah of Virgo, Ed Asich of Draco; Turais of Argo Navis; and Phi Velorum, on the sail of the Argo.

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--being a clear vessel to know right action--also a feminine quality.

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

Turais (Aspidiske) of the Argo is a rather rare white supergiant star that shines with a luminosity of 4900 of our suns, with a radius estimated to be about 43 times that of our sun. "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)

Phi Velorum and the adjoining Pulsar P 0950 reside exactly on the Galactic Equator in the Sail (Velorum) of the Argo. Pulsars in general are beacons for the soul, and in this case, inspiring our attunement to the evolutionary currents beyond our incarnational moment, those of the greater evolutionary process itself. P-0950 has a pulse rate of 1.436551 seconds, which is a frequency of 0.696111729 Hz. Raised a few octaves, this translates to an Alpha brain wave frequency of 11.1377...Hz; and this translates both to infrared and violet wavelengths in the light spectrum. Thus, P-0950 links energy currents occurring in the spiritual realm (crown chakra) with the very root / earth primordial response (Earth Chakra--about a foot below our feet). This pulsar reminds us that to receive our spiritual guidance we must be grounded--like any good antenna.

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 into 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 upon which soul travels. 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, effecting the meandering currents in an ocean of being. They set up resonances in spacetime that define the nature of experiences yet to come for our selves and in 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 expressed in action. Turais demands we act from the awareness of our greater evolutionary journey and adds a sense of "cosmic responsibility" for what is "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 colouring 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--thus something to be attentive to.

Also worth mentioning is Quasar 3C273 of Virgo, which conjoins Turais and Phi Velorum, and due it being the brightest of the quasars visually at ~12.9 magnitude, although the optical range of the electromagnetic spectrum is not 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 (Quasi-Stellar-Radio-Source) were once thought to be the signatures of distant galactic clusters or enormous luminous galaxies at the edge of the known universe but are now recognized as "laser type stars" within our own galaxy. Quasars are not only visible objects, but they emit a wide band of photons (light particles) in the electromagnetic spectra, from the infrared up through human's visible range of light, through the ultra-violet (UV), the gamma rays range, and into the radio range of the electromagnetic spectrum. Their multi-spectral emanations tend to stimulate an awareness that extends beyond or pierces our rather narrow band of visual perception, thereby offering new non-conforming possibilities of conceptual thought. They can express as images or non-conforming forms that can draw us into a transcendent perceptual exploration, which then motivates new behavior or a new expression fitting to our expanded awareness. In general, we might think of quasars as providing stimulus for alternative creative conception and expression.

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 already precipitating in spacetime but which we have not yet arrived to 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 our impulses or the for-visions we see so we can meet opportunities already precipitating into manifestation 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 act in the present so we help may arrive to meeting in a timely fashion.

Thus, all of this expounds upon this lunar cycle's theme and to the nature of the stimulus building as we enter and move through the Grand Jupiter-Pluto-Saturn T-square.

The Jupiter-Pluto-Saturn T-square

The exact Saturn-Jupiter opposition occurs on August 16, just after First Quarter Moon. The exact Saturn-Pluto square occurs on August 21, just after the Gibbous Moon and just after Mercury begins its retrograde. There will be many triggers to the T-square throughout this lunar cycle, as there were in the previous lunar cycle, but the primary finale of this event is marked by the Gibbous Moon / August 21 Saturn-Pluto square. From then onward the T-square will start to dissipate. Keep in mind, however, that the energetic of this T-square and its effects continue to express throughout the entire lunar cycle.

Since I have discussed the nature of the Jupiter-Pluto square part of this T-square at length in the previous lunar planer, I will forgo repeating it here. If you wish to review it, you can find it here: The Jupiter-Pluto Square & the Jupiter-Pluto Synodic Cycle.

How this T-square Works

The Jupiter-Saturn opposition creates a tension of polarity, providing perspective between mobilizing and expansive Jupiter and constricting and conforming Saturn. Alone this would seem like a stalemate between two giant forces. Oppositions serve us to gain "realization" regarding the polarizing forces. In this case, thanks to Pluto squaring both Jupiter and Saturn, we have a very dynamic stimulus for profound action and change in the very structure of our lives and in our consciousness.

The Jupiter-Pluto (90°) square creates an external stimulus to engage in mobilizing and expansive action. Jupiter and Pluto resonate quite well with each other. However this action may involve letting something go or die in the process. The Jupiter-Pluto square requires that we step off of our existing platform entirely before being able to step to another. We can not keep both feet in two worlds, and the step (action) requires profound trust. Thus, this action is, in a sense, a separating of the ways.

The Saturn-Pluto (270°) square creates an internal need to create change. The change is in regard to that which is established and concretized in our lives, whether physically or in the constructs of our consciousness. It requires a removal of the constricting limitations in our lives.

These two squares occur simultaneously, hence the T-square. The emphasis, or attention grabber, is Pluto, which may appear like radical endings or a very deep undoing. However, the important thing and the solution is found in the (Jupiter) action and (Saturn) change. We simply cannot move onward with the accelerating evolutionary transition at hand in our existing societal mode.

In the longer scheme of things, we are also shifting emphasis from the Saturn-Pluto square to the Jupiter-Pluto square. So this event occurring now hallmarks that shift--from the dismantling of our existing paradigm, to expansive mobilizing action. Also keep in mind that Jupiter and Uranus have recently begun their conjunction, an allegiance of forces that inspire radical and expansive change, a massive breaking away from the conformity of the past, which continues throughout the year. The Jupiter-Uranus synthesis will mobilize, magnify and expand upon the radical changes already occurring in our lives; and it inspires the expansion of higher mind, alternative thinking, and new discoveries and advances, especially in the arts and sciences. In addition, the Jupiter-Uranus conjunction surrounds the start of an entirely new Jupiter-Uranus 13.8-year cycle (occurring in September 2010).

Another "key" to this T-square is Orcus (Pluto's compliment). Orcus, in sidereal Leo (Regulus), is semi-sextile (30°) to Saturn; inconjunct (150°) to Jupiter; and trine to Pluto. Orcus, working in harmony (trine) with Pluto, is creating an opportunity for growth (the sextile) with Saturn and stimulating a creative opportunity (the inconjunct) with Jupiter. Thus we have motivation for maturing or graduating in our lives, via expansive action and willingness to change the structures of our lives. Orcus, our key, motivates us to live true to our souls' deeper intent and purpose on Earth; and its placement with Regulus, invites living in our personal integrity, aligned within; and for those so aligned to step forth in leadership. More about Orcus.

The asteroid Vesta adds an additional facet to this T-square as well. Vesta moves to conjoin Saturn during the peak of the T-square. Vesta motivates us to get clear, focused and committed, and in this case to the changes required in our established paradigm--perhaps as well, to realign our focus and commitment in the process. More about Vesta.

The Synodic Cycles of Jupiter, Saturn & Pluto

Jupiter-Saturn

The Jupiter-Saturn opposition occurring from May 23, 2010 through March 28, 2011 surrounds the actual synodic opposition, which occurs on February 22, 2011. It is the midpoint of "vision and realization" in the current Jupiter-Saturn ~20-year synodic cycle, which began on June 22, 2000.

The theme of this major world cycle is now approaching its climax. This synod occurred in late sidereal Aries. Overall, this location in the ecliptic is of a regenerative nature--primal, creative and inventive; but it can also be volatile, quickly eruptive or explosive. Conjoining was Zaurak of Eridanus, which marks a point of pause along the River of Life. Here we must trust our inner heart light and intuition, regain our strength, and follow through despite the path may not be entirely visible, even tumultuous. This was presented in the May 14, 2010 Lunar Planner. The New Moon of that lunar cycle occurred at the same ecliptical location as the June 2000 Jupiter-Saturn synod.

A Saturn-Jupiter synthesis, in general, affects areas of life such as economics, business, politics, law, social issues, education, philosophy and religion. Jupiter wants to expand and mobilize what Saturn has concretized and put into place, and conversely, Saturn wants to structure and conform Jupiter's grander expansive ideals. Jupiter and Saturn cycles play a principle role in our societal cycles of growth.

Saturn-Pluto

The Saturn-Pluto 270° square occurring from November 15, 2009 through August 21, 2010 surrounds the actual synodic opposition, which occurred on June 11, 2010. It is the second square (270°) of "internal need to change" in the current Jupiter-Pluto synodic cycle, which began on December 24, 1982. We are now in the last quarrter of this cycle--initating change.

The theme of this cycle (and the current square) was presented in the 2008-2011 Timeline and in the "The Synodic Cycles of Pluto, Ixion & Quaoar with Jupiter, Saturn, and Nessus: A Historical Timeline & Astrological Exploration 1982 - 2020."

An excerpt:

Saturn in general, is of restriction, limitation, established structures, those physical, administrative, and those of consciousness. These structures, paradoxically, can be supportive, but they can also be experienced as barriers to progress and restricting our freedom unless they change and evolve as the changing times require. Pluto is about use of power and about our inner transformation regarding our responsibility to change, to address our patterns of behavior that keep us entrapped, and regarding how we participate in society.

A Saturn Pluto synthesis in general demands that we make an inner transformation regarding our own use of power in order to move beyond the external authoritarian imposed control and restriction that we may experience in our lives. This can be a hard lesson until we learn that the change required is one we need to make on the inside before the release of restriction occurs on the outside. Thus the Saturn-Pluto cycle is one demanding an evolution in the very structure of our consciousness. It demands we evolve our capacity to become increasingly more responsible with our use of power.

A Saturn Pluto synthesis is also about the administration and control of power and the structure through which those in power function; as well as overthrows or turnings in authoritarian systems of power and in their administration. The systems of power emerging in 1982 are thus of significance, and we will be making the 270° point of transition / change occurring in this cycle in 2009-2010, and completing the cycle in 2020.

Jupiter-Pluto

The Jupiter-Pluto 90° square occurring from July 23, 2010 through February 25, 2011 surrounds the actual synodic opposition, which occurs on December 2, 2010. It is the first square (90°) of "external stimulus to action" in the current Jupiter-Pluto synodic cycle, which began on November 23, 2007. Thus the remainder of this year will continue to provide external stimulus to action.

This synod occurred in early sidereal Sagittarius, between Galactic Centre and the Gate of God. This was presented in the November 9, 2007 Lunar Planner and in the "The Synodic Cycles of Pluto, Ixion & Quaoar with Jupiter, Saturn, and Nessus: A Historical Timeline & Astrological Exploration 1982 - 2020."

The Lunar Triggers to the Jupiter-Pluto-Saturn T-square

These are the primary "lunar triggers" to the T-square occurring in this lunar cycle. There are other triggers as well, and they can be location specific when they occur on the angles of a location; i.e. on the horizon plane (ASC-DSC axis) and / or the meridian (MC-IC axis); or in aspect to the angles of a location.

August 12 and 13: The Moon opposes Uranus, conjoins Vesta and Saturn, opposes Jupiter, squares Pluto, and makes its Crescent.

August 19: The Moon conjoins Pluto, and squares Jupiter and Saturn.

August 26-27: The Moon conjoins Uranus and Jupiter; squares Pluto and opposes Saturn.

This T-square can be especially significant if aspecting planets or angles in a natal chart. It is also quite significant for people born around 1982 and 2000.

First Quarter Moon Phase Characteristics

First Quarter Moon
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. Our First Quarter Moon occurs on August 16 at the last couple degrees of sidereal Libra, Here the Moon lies within the claws of the Scorpion and faces the Scorpion's head.

The Moon conjoins Unukalhai of Serpens; Alpha Lupus; Beta Centauri; and the nuclear galaxy AP-Libra.

Beta Centauri lies south of the ecliptic on the sidereal cusp of Scorpio. Beta Centauri embodies the essence of the "experiential transformational process." This is a way of living that allows the death of one way of life and a rebirth into a refined way of living, a purer, cardinal 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. This is body wisdom gained only by doing, not by amassing information that is not lived.

The benevolent and wise Centaurians are teachers, leaders back to the original cardinal virtues embodied by the Southern Cross. As Alpha Centauri articulates the master Centaur, the teacher, the shower of the way, Beta Centauri articulates the process itself, the way. Beta Centauri requires that we do whatever is required in the physical world, in assertive action, to achieve our paths of self-mastery in the world--exemplified by Ophiuchus, who stands over the Scorpion and holds the serpent, with the neck and head of the Serpent reaching for the Northern Crown, an image that articulates attaining freedom from entrapment in the cyclic re-incarnational process of soul growth and from our karmic-based patterns of the past.

The Centaur is depicted as grasping Lupus the beast in his right fist, and with conscious deliberation placing the beast upon Ara, the sacrificial Altar of the Centaur to be consumed in the Centaur's pyre. This is the relinquishment or offering of the lower-self personality desires to be burned upon the altar. This is required to claim the profound level of self mastery implied and embodied by that which is above the ecliptic--Unukalhai, the neck of the Serpent whose head reaches for the Northern Crown. The meaning of the word "sacrifice" as used here is important to understand. To sacrifice means to give up something of a lower nature for a higher office--not self-sacrifice. So our southern Alpha Lupus aligned with our northern Alpha Serpens indicates this process of the "sacrifice" of the lower self pursuits (even the human form or mold) for the attainment of one's higher self mastery and subsequent ascended mastery in the world--the power and wisdom embodied by the Serpent. Alpha Lupus can also indicate an attachment to a lower order expression and a required need to relinquish that attachment for a higher order expression to emerge or manifest.

The sacrifice of Lupus is not a light matter, merely a blind act executed on whim, but a seriously sober and conscious act that will change one forever. To accomplish such a profound life-changing step, one must have cultivated the inner preparedness for such an initiation. An undaunted inner conviction of purpose must be clearly established in consciousness to be willing to sacrifice what is a powerful, and most often time, a primal and automatic behavioral way of life, that which at one time may even have been held quite dear.

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, which lies on the arm of the northern chelae. Zuben el Akrab is of poisonous critters, creatures, or viruses of the underworld, or of such scenarios in our lives. These all compose the potent cusp of sidereal Libra-Scorpio and they conjoin the principle stars 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, we are relinquishing a lesser form or human mold for a refined, more empowered form that is in tune with the natural creative forces of life and death, intimately participating and merging with them. It is this that the mythical image of the Centaur placing Lupus the beast with conscious deliberation upon the Altar of the Centaur (Ara) articulates.

Nuclear Galaxies of the BL Lacerta Category, of which AP Libra is one, exude powerful primordial forces. AP Libra is a part of the southern chelae (claw) of the Scorpion, reaching from the Scorpion’s head, via Brachium (Sigma Libra) to Zubenelgenubi of Libra--the south claw--the karmic seat for incarnating souls.

AP Libra forces can lure us into intense carnal and karmic-based scenarios. However, these experiences provide the transmutational force that serves us to claim our self-mastery in the incarnate world, to free ourselves from lower-order patterns of behavioral and from our past karmic entrapments by learning to master those forces.

AP Libra forces are only entrapping when we are naive about them due to our lack of experience with them. The forces here are however very active at the physical, psychic, and carnal levels, and it requires the physical clarity and empowerment only gained through carnal experience that leads to our personal empowerment and subsequent attainment of evolutionary freedom--gaining spiritual prowess over such forces. AP Libra is a radiant powerhouse of primordial forces holding us in the entrapment of the Scorpion’s clutches until we gain this mastery, until we awaken from our naiveté about the power of such forces. AP Libra's primordial forces generally resonate through the root chakra, from what could be considered the controlling, carnal, sexual, survival-based realms of life. AP Libra (with the Irregular Galaxy of the Chameleon, the Shapeshifter; and Beta Lupus, the Contortionist) can manifest as squirming grotesque creatures or scenarios that seem destructive or poisonous to life, if their transmutational elixirs are required.

AP Libra is not a negative force, it simply is primordial. How we participate with this force is of issue. Avoidance of it can simply result as denial of life, with intensified physical contortions resulting, like cancerous, neurological or sexual related problems both physical and emotional. Participating in and through the carnal aspects of life is a basic lesson for the incarnating (incarnate / in carnal form) soul. AP Libra forces can be deliberately used with manipulative intent, or they can be used with pure intent to aid ourselves to claim our self-mastery and freedom from entanglements that keep us bound from our highest creative ideals and expressions. In its lower octave, AP Libra’s resonance can engage us in a struggle that simply perpetuates our entrapment. The lesson here is to cultivate the inner refinement and awareness of the dynamic at play so we can avoid this deadly game.

When mastered and empowered (as taught by Beta Centauri and Unukalhai of Serpentis), AP Libra can manifest as exquisite intimate experiences that lead us to higher levels of personal transformation, healing, intimate creativity, carnal maturity, spiritual growth and personal freedom. Here this raw primal force is used responsibly and with mature carnal and spiritual prowess. Sacred sexuality refers to a spiritual expression of sexuality that honors that participation in and through the carnal world in total openness, honesty and sexual intimacy, opens a portal to our true divinity--our undivided nature with our Source.

Either way, the nuclear forces of AP Libra (and stellar friends) serve as an initiatory teacher--forces that challenge and test us to see if we have done the inner work to become free from life's entrapments and to ultimately attain our evolutionary freedom as illumined beings immersed in Divine (undivided) Love.

It seems we have a potent stimulus to action Moon. The important thing to remember is that any scenarios or events occurring on the day of the pre-First Quarter Moon can bring up fear or hesitancy to take action, and that stepping though any hesitancy is what is required to effectively move into the action quarter of the lunar cycle.

The Sun moves into sidereal Leo on August 17-18, just after first Quarter Moon.
The pre-Gibbous Moon conjoins Pluto on August 19, triggering the Jupiter-Pluto Saturn T-Square.

The New Earth-Neptune & Earth-Chiron Synodic Cycles

The New Earth-Neptune 367-day synodic cycle begins on August 19, 2010. A new Earth-Chiron synodic cycle will begin as well a day and one half later, just after the Gibbous Moon. Thus we can consider this a compounded synodic cycle.

Although Neptune and Chiron have completed their conjunction several months ago, Chiron is just one degree further along in the ecliptic. Both lie in the first few degrees of sidereal Aquarius. The new Chiron-Neptune 85-year synodic cycle began in February 2010, on the cusp of sidereal Aquarius conjoining Sadr of Cygnus, the heart of the Swan. See the February 14, 2010 Lunar Planner New Moon theme. In brief, the Chiron-Neptune synthesis, in part, inspires us to create entirely new revolutionary and visionary alternatives to cross the vast abyss we may currently face in our lives--to create a new world paradigm.

The Earth-Neptune / Earth Chiron synods are the first occurring in the new underlying Chiron-Neptune 85-year synodic cycle, and thus take on the underlying tone of the new Chiron-Neptune theme. The current Earth-Neptune / Earth Chiron synods occur just a couple degrees later in sidereal Aquarius. This is also the first Earth-Neptune and Earth-Chiron synodic cycles occurring in sidereal Aquarius. The pervious synod occurred in late sidereal Capricorn--presented in the July 22, 2009 Lunar Planner. It too was a compounded synod--with Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune; and which led into the new Jupiter-Neptune 12.7-year synodic cycle, which began in September of 2009.

The point is that we are beginning a series of new Earth-Neptune cycles with an entirely new and expanded humanitarian future-oriented focus. Our dreams, visions and the inspiration we intuit will break the conforming bounds of the past.

The conjoining stars for this synod are Gienah of Cygnus, which marks the wing of Cygnus the Swan extending from Sadr; and the Cygnus X-3 X-ray source, a potent entry lying along the galactic equator.

Sadr of Cygnus, Heart of the Swan, marks the transition from sidereal Capricorn into sidereal Aquarius, inspiring the transition from personality-based interest to the open heart of humanitarianism. Sadr marks the point in the ecliptic where fears must be confronted about blatantly living our genuine open heart truths yet in the interest for the greater nourishment of all--striping off the cloaks of personality-based shenanigans to reveal true self at all levels of being. We encounter Cygnus X-3 a couple degrees past Sadr.

Cygnus X-3, an exotic and powerful x-ray source, lies along the galactic plane in Cygnus. Cyg X-3 exhibits the character of a binary star system, a neutron star, a black hole, a micro-quasar, now even a quark-star. Neutron Stars, Quasars, Quark-stars, Black Holes--a plethora of deep space objects, or are they?

Like most humans, astronomers tend to name observed astronomical behavior with names that characterize the behavior witnessed. In essence putting a name to that which they really do not understand--creating an ever-expanding description of the unknown. They compound the descriptions, attempting to make them more 'factual' by dissecting and analyzing the details of the observed phenomena. This is a process called reductionism in the scientific community--a process of dissection to understand the whole. They then create hypotheses of how things work, and through consensus, the hypotheses are accepted as truth until, inevitably, something else is discovered to prove it wrong. In fact, we all do this from the start of our lives, assembling a description of the world apparently around us by isolating, dissecting, and categorizing.

Our fallacy is that we mistakenly limit ourselves and our perceptual capacity by creating a virtual library filled with words describing all of that we witness and then mistake that library as wisdom when it merely describes the surface ripples of a greater underlying, perhaps indescribable, truth. We start to adhere to our library, and reinforce it by adding to it, assembling an evermore complex description of the world we experience. Paradoxically, this mode is one of isolationism, separating ourselves, creating literally a bubble of perception where we merely see the inside reflective surface of our own consciousness comprised of our library of thought--thoughts about everything.

We then pass this information on, teaching it to each other and to our offspring, the plethora of names that compose what we think is the whole, thinking we are giving others a head-start in understating truth. Are we, or are we are merely getting others to agree with what are mere beliefs conjured up from an assemblage of descriptions of that which we do not really know? To "see" as we see. We forget words and language are merely descriptive tools, and the description is not Truth. Oh, to be so human!

Out of habit, we refer to everything by their categorical names, as if the thing is its name. We do this with every thing in our lives from the objects discovered in the heavens, to people, to the intangible objects in our daily lives. We say he is an American, a Frenchman, an Islamist, a Jew, a Christian, a woman, a man, a gay, as if the individuals in each category are the same. We lose our capacity to see and experience the uniqueness of each thing and each person. We write them off as if we already know what they are all about, just another item to categorize on the library shelf.

To relinquish our library of words allows us opportunity to directly experience the fathomless diversity of life. This is the Uranian consciousness of Aquarius--to have an unconditionally open heart to experience the uniqueness of each new encounter without preconceptions.

With the recent advent of more advanced technology to peer into the depths of the heavens, astronomers are now learning there are a plethora of astronomical entities so diverse they can no longer place them neatly into the previously defined astronomical categories. Cygnus X-3 is one of these.

Statistics indicate the human race is in information overload. This means that the amount of information and the ever increasing rate it is being communicated has surpassed the natural evolutionary rate of the human brain, yet we only use a small part of our brains' capacity. We experience this as a compression of time--too much to do and assimilate in too little time. Perhaps this mental crisis crescendo will lead us to surrender our bio-logistical mode of being and shift into a new superluminal mode of being, where we perceive a universe of life beyond our isolated little biosphere. To relinquish thought is to let down our bubble of isolation and to experience what is outside of self as self--to merge with that which we do not know. In this mode we need not describe what we do not know to figure it out, the use of bio-logistical mind is then put in its proper place, merely as means to communicate.

Many people await some type of intelligence to show up, to enter into our collective bubble, in the comfy cozy sphere created by our descriptions of the universe at large--some think to even save us from our own demise. What we do not realize is the fear to relinquish the descriptions that create our bubble is that which keeps us separate from expanding to embrace the galactic intelligence that awaits to meet us. As long as we perpetuate the discord within our biospheric bubble due to endless argument over whose description is truth, we quarantine our selves, maintaining our isolation as if we are the only "intelligent" life forms in the universe.

Accumulating information, as well as everything around us, is a mode that keeps us filling our mental library and that keeps us bound-up inside our limited bubbles of perception, a way that keeps us out of the present, stretched / stressed out in time. The other mode is one of creative expansion and expression, where we dissolve the bounds of the bubble, releasing our need to amass, learn to breathe, and merge with the limitless abundance the unknown has to offer, simply to be in the ever-present--and receiving its gift.

As we have a collective bio-sphere of consciousness, we also have our personal little bio-spheres as well. So let us begin there and relinquish our fear-based consciousness where we think we need to amass information and resources to survive, ultimately suffocating ourselves--particle anarchy--to unconditional love, where we free ourselves from the limits of a static mind and open our awareness to all life has to offer, moment-by-moment, through creative co-participation.

Cygnus x-3 invites us to surrender our preconceptions of self and those we hold about others, to break from the conformity of the past, from the descriptive judgments that uphold our isolationist way of being, and open to radically new experience only available when we are willing to embrace the uniqueness of life around us.

Cyg X-3 resides in a unique galactic equatorial area, one of the galactic "sacks of coal," a dark void along the galactic plane (a void seen between Sadr and Deneb on a dark starry night). Cyg X-3 provides opportunity to peer beyond the dualities of life due to the absence of "forms" created by the interplay of light. Cyg X-3 offers the opportunity to relinquish segregations based on sex, creed, or culture. Here we cannot wear or hide behind our mortal facades. We are asked to participate from our true unique soul essence and to see the same in others. We are asked to embrace all people from an androgynous perspective transcending soul's incarnational experience in the duality of sexuality. Mutually exclusive attractions based on gender, race, or creed create factions amongst our true soul-level friends and families. Here lies the embracing aspect of the Aquarian Waterman, the inclusiveness of Universal / Uranian love.

Gibbous Moon Phase Characteristics

The Gibbous Moon
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 August 20 in sidereal Sagittarius; also conjoining the North Lunar Node.

The Gibbous Moon stars are Nunki of Sagittarius; the Coronet Star Cluster of Corona Australis; and Beta Scutum.

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 move through space to hit its target. It 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.

Conjoining Nunki is the Coronet Star 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."

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)--the symbol of the Earth's Precessional Cycle of the Holy Cross. 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 evolutionary fulfillment.

Mercury Retrograde

Mercury stations on August 20, just hours after the Gibbous Moon, as we begin to wind down the previous 116-day Earth-Mercury synodic cycle, and shift into the next, which will begin later in this lunar cycle.

The Time of Global Change is at Hand.
What is the end of the World for some is a New World for those who realize it is.

Full Moon Phase Characteristics

The Full Moon
Vision, Enthusiasm, & Realization of the Theme

The Full Moon marks the culmination point in the lunar cycle, the climax, the point of excitement and celebration. The hours leading up to the Full Moon provide a time of "vision and enthusiasm." The time just after Full Moon is a one of "realization of the lunar month's theme," a time to kick back and relax, to allow our realizations to surface in consciousness.

The Full Moon occurs on August 24 in early sidereal Aquarius. The Sun also conjoins Orcus in early sidereal Leo. Thus the planetary alignment is Orcus-Sun-Earth-Moon. This alignment also aspects the Jupiter-Pluto-Saturn T-square. The Earth-Sun-Orcus alignment marks the mid-point of vision and realization in the current Earth-Orcus synodic cycle. Thus the day after this Full Moon may bring a fused revelation regarding the theme of this lunar cycle and the role of Orcus in our lives.

Orcus was discovered on Feb 19, 2004. Although Orcus is a bit smaller than Pluto, Orcus has a nearly identical orbital size, orbital period (year), and orbital inclination. However, Orcus' orbital plane's orientation in our solar system is tilted in the opposite direction from Pluto's. For this reason, I tend to think of Orcus as Pluto's compliment. Just as Pluto has Charon as its primary moon, so too does Orcus have a moon, Vanth, discovered on Nov 13, 2005. Just as Pluto and Charon are considered a dual planetary system, so is Orcus and Vanth.

Although new to the astrological world and thus with an astrological influence not yet fully comprehended, based on Orcus' orbital parameters, Orcus addresses how we are applying our personal will for the greater well being of all humanity; how we are contributing to human society. Orcus' nodal axis motivates the use of our day-to-day lives, our daily activity for soul's greater purpose on Earth. Orcus seems to express a quiet profundity, almost unnoticed as it serves us to get in touch with our deeper soul essence and purpose--the oaths of our souls--what we are really doing here on Earth. More about Orcus.

The Full Moon lies just past Neptune and Chiron and conjoins Enif of Pegasus and the pulsar 2217+47 in Cygnus. Also of influence is nearby Sadalmelik of Aquarius.

Pegasus, in general, is of strength and support, that which lifts humanity above the entrapping forces and scenarios common to a less than socially mature world. Enif, Baham and Homam are a group of fortuitous stars that lie over the Aquarian waterbearer, forming the head of Pegasus. Enif of Pegasus, the nose of the 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. Enif asks us to follow our intuition to do that which is truly supportive to our greater well being and to those around us. Homam, Zeta Pegasus, is "lucky star of the hero," also "lucky star of the high-minded man." Homam, Baham, and Enif embodies the essence of the Pegasus theme in its wisdom. Homan and Baham inspire the inner drive to find a solution to our basic human needs. All of these stars are of achievement and success.

Conjoining Enif is Pulsar PSR 2217+47 of Cygnus. Pulsars are "beacons for the soul." Pulsars are neutron (collapsed) stars that emit electrically neutral, subatomic particles at consistently dependable pulsating intervals. They are one of the means through which "Evolutionary Intelligence" communicates through the heavenly hierarchy of consciousness of which we are a part. Pulsars are usually found along the galactic equatorial plane and thus provide an ever-present guiding message associated with our greater evolutionary purpose as sentient souls incarnating on Earth. A pulsar's messages is received in our sub-atomic coding that transcends the gross level of language and human diversity. This guidance expresses as a continuous and dependable subtle current articulating through the zodiakal character created by the conjoining stars. Pulsars guide us in our spiritual growth and evolutionary fulfillment. They require we listen to and patiently follow the subtle soul-level impulses guiding us in our daily lives----this is about trusting the impulses of Spirit.

This specific pulsar, PSR 2217+47, has a period of 0.5384673780 seconds which translates to a fundamental frequency of 1.8571227445 Hz., the alpha brain wave frequency of 7.428490978 Hz., the audio frequency of 237.711711296 Hz., and the light wavelength of 5733.8 Ångstroms (a yellow-lemon color); with a cross-resonance to Earth’s "Circumference Harmonic"--thus interacting directly with the emotional and psychic weather of human collective consciousness and daily global affairs.

This specific pulsar beacon reminds us to use our intuitive capacity to discern when and how to apply our humanitarian capacity through the emotional and psychic weather of collective human consciousness and daily global affairs. It also stimulates the need to make a definitive choice, to bring to completion any process of perpetual deliberation. In essence, a purging of mind is required, to move from diversity (fragmented) consciousness, which is driven by the mindsets of collective human consciousness, to the wholeness of essence consciousness, to participate from our individual soul-level truth, which is articulated by the star Deneb of Cygnus. It also expands us from the concept of personal family to soul family.

This is also fitting with the nature of Orcus--living true to one's soul oath.

The Grand T-square Begins to Dissipate

The Moon conjoins Jupiter and Uranus, squares Pluto and opposes Saturn on August 26-27, just before the Disseminating Moon, triggering the Grand T-square. Jupiter, in its retrograde, is now moving away from its exact aspect with Pluto and Saturn, as it moves to create its next Jupiter-Uranus conjunction, which occurs in the following lunar cycle. At that time, the Sun, Earth, Jupiter and Uranus align, producing a "Synodic Synchronization"--which will be our next turning point in our current planetary timeline, shifting emphasis fully to the Jupiter-Uranus synthesis. The upward swing of Jupiter (violet) in the Graphic Ephemeris below is Jupiter's retrograde.

The three +7.3 Phillipines Earthqukes occurred in the previous lunar cycle; exactly at the time of the Jupiter Station square Pluto with classic lunar aspects triggering the event. Several after shocks >6.0 continued through the Full Moon of July 26. Presented in the Lunar Planner Forum.

Disseminating Moon Phase Characteristics

The Disseminating Moon
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, of living that which we have been learning.

The Disseminating Moon occurs on August 28 in late sidereal Pisces, less than two degrees from Eris, the Great Disrupter. Eris, a very slow mover, is deep in the belly of Cetus the technobureaucratic monster created by collective human consciousness. Eris has been conjoining Revati of Pisces and Baten Kaitos; which, I suggest, adds a significant dynamic to the dramatic disruption occurring in the global economy. See "Eris, The Great Disruptor, Revati & the Global Economic Crisis."

The Moon conjoins Revati, Zeta Pisces, one of the few principal stars of Pisces. Revati lies above Baten Kaitos the belly of ole' Cetus--the whale of human emotional experience. 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 a couple of degrees to that of Baten Kaitos, the belly of ole Cetus, where the transformative process occurs while in the whale of human emotional experience. This is also the exalted seat of Venus--bringing attention to the relation of the flow of abundance and living from the heart. Venus rules money and assets; and Venus (especially its retrogrades) dramatically influences the stock market, as is well known in astrological market forecasting.

Our Enif Full Moon and our Revati Demonstrable Moon suggests money and resources may play a significant role in this lunar cycle.

Last Quarter Moon Phase Characteristics