The Lunar Theme for the
July 30, 2011 New Moon

Emergence and Migration

The Lunar Month of
July 30, 2011 - August 29, 2011

Nick Anthony Fiorenza

Copyright © 2011 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 July 30, 2011 occurs in mid-sidereal Cancer and it conjoins Praesepe, the Beehive Star Cluster (M44). Cancer is commonly referred to as the Crab, but it is also the Egyptian Scarabaeus, an image that articulates the theme of humanity's emergence from darkness, dogma, and delusion and its reawakening back to light. The Scarab is an appropriate mythical figure here because the beetle emerges from its snuggle in its own dung, where it matures. This theme also applies to our individual emergence from the family nest or from the collective consciousness that we co-create. The Scarab is a symbol of regeneration, transformation and re-birth, of being self-created, or self-made, to rise from itself--hence humanity's association with the beetle’s emergence.

Praesepe embodies the essence of the Scarab / Cancer theme: emergence out of the antiquated dogmatic entrapments we had been living in, and our migration or new birth. Praesepe is of new beginnings, shedding old skins, skeletons, and cocoons. It is of emerging out of the frenetic confusion of mass consciousness; finding our new path and direction; leaving behind old dwellings and the structures of consciousness they represent; and getting out of our personal or collective dogmas and the darkness they create. The issue here is about making the move.

Several key events and shifts occur in this lunar cycle: Juno, the asteroid of covenant partnerships, stoic Saturn, and the newly discovered Dwarf Planet Haumea make a compounded synod (planetary alignment with the Sun) in sidereal Virgo. This begins a new many-year cycle with a theme created by the synthesis of these three planetary energetics nesting in Virgo’s stellar backdrop.

Mercury’s retrograde occurs in this lunar cycle, with Earth and Mercury shifting into their next ~116-day synodic cycle theme. Mercury’s retrograde provides an opportunity to redefine the logistical aspects of our lives.

Earth and the asteroid Vesta make a significant synod in sidereal Capricorn. This is the “Year of Vesta,” thanks to NASA’s DAWN spacecraft, which just entered into orbit around the asteroid in July of 2011. DAWN is producing spectacular close-up images of the asteroid and is bringing us a greater understanding of Vesta.

Earth, Neptune and Chiron also begin new synodic cycles in this lunar cycle, in sidereal Aquarius, the humanitarian waterbearer.

These are just a few of many events occurring in this lunar cycle. The Monthly Lunar Planner explores the details of these events and more--the underlying cycles upon which we evolve and which guide our daily lives--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.

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 2 (Aug 3 GMT) occurs on the cusp of sidereal Virgo. It conjoins Alkes of Crateris; Cor Caroli and the Super-giant Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) of Canes Venatici. Overseeing is Benetnasch of Ursa Major.

Sidereal Virgo supports the preparation and purity of self for our greatest wellbeing and highest evolutionary attainment. On a mundane level, Virgo is of hard work; is health conscious and methodical in development and progress; it is of order, continuity, stability, new beginnings, cultivation, and harvest--the sign of agriculture. Virgo imparts a meticulous, organized nature and a strong focus in communication and logistics. The first few degrees of sidereal Virgo have a transitional energetic--from the out-going dramatics of late Leo into the purer, intellectual and spiritual aspects of Virgo.

Benetnasch (Eta, Ursa Major) is the Tail of the Great Bear. The Arabic name for Benetnasch is Alkaid, which means "the leader." Benetnasch teaches us that leadership is about facilitating the self-empowerment and freedom of others rather than about exerting manipulative force that controls others, mistaken as leadership and being in power.

Benetnasch expresses the old dictatorial and totalitarian stream of consciousness that was predominantly dominant when Earth's polar alignment was tilted (had fallen) furthest from the galactic plane in Earth's great precessional year (about 6000 years ago). Thus Benetnasch is of this long-established totalitarian governing paradigm--generally of a patriarchal nature. It is of political-religious factions of big business.

In its old form and when expressing with influence of the stars of late Leo (the tail of the Lion, the racket of Canes Venatici and the hot air of Antilia), Benetnasch articulates those who tend to act as manipulating and controlling godheads, which perpetuates a dogmatic societal structure that keeps individuals from becoming self-responsible, and from evolving into their own self-mastery. It is of leadership that dictates what is right for people and what they should do by using dramatic and diversionary propaganda, rather than supporting others to make their own choices in freedom. It can be of the self-proclaimed saviors of the world who try to amass their blind followers for their own interest in maintaining a position of power and wealth. The days of dictators, gurus and followings, perhaps at one time served the sleeping masses, but they are now manipulative and suppressive to the emergence of a new soul-aware consciousness on Earth. When expressing with more of Virgo's influence (and the stars of Coma Berenices, Crateris, and Velorum), and for the more mature and spiritually awakened, Benetnasch articulates leadership that provides opportunity for people to live in the freedom of their own choices and to become self-empowered, and to awaken in consciousness rather than acquiescing as blind followers.

Lying just under Benetnasch and conjoined in longitude is the Super-giant Whirlpool Galaxy M51 of Canes Venatici, the barking hounds, and Cor Caroli, the Alpha star of the hounds. Cor Caroli, M51, and Canes Venatici in general, embody the diversionary tactics, usually of a grandiose scale and glamorous facade, a front large enough to draw attention away from what is really of going on by making the masses believe the staged show is what is of extreme importance and of real issue--corruption at the highest of levels. A Super Nova was discovered in M51 on Apr. 2, 1994, marking another upsurge in this energetic.

Southern Alkes of Crateris is the Golden Chalice, the Cup of Salvation, the Holy Grail. Alkes inspires us to seek a greater fulfillment that lies hidden beyond the diversionary shenanigans, dramatics and smoke screens occurring in the world around us.

Our Crescent Moon, expanding upon our Praesepe New Moon theme, impels us to apply our creativity to emerge through the diversionary dramatics that may be occurring in our lives, to make a migratory move from any old or antiquated entrapments we have been living in.

Mercury Retrograde

Mercury begins its retrograde about one hour after the Crescent Moon. The new 116-day Earth-Mercury synodic cycle will begin in the midst of the retrograde. Mercury’s retrograde creates an ideal time and impels us to redefine or shift the logistical aspects of our lives, fitting to our emergence and migration lunar cycle theme.

Mercury’s retrograde occurs under the auspices of the Head of the Lion (cuspal Leo). This is an area of the sidereal zodiak supporting us to explore and break new trail, to step forth and go where we have not gone before.

Saturn, Juno and Haumea

Saturn, Juno and Haumea begin a new compounded synodic cycle, which sets in motion a new evolutionary undercurrent in our lives. The Saturn-Haumea synod occurs on the Crescent Moon (actually a couple hours leading into it). The Moon synergistically conjoins Juno, Saturn and Haumea following the Crescent Moon. The Juno-Haumea synod occurs on August 9, a few days later and after First Quarter Moon. The Juno-Saturn synod then occurs on August 11.

The Saturn-Haumea synodic cycle is about 32.4 years in duration. The Juno-Saturn synodic cycle is about 5.5 years; and the Juno-Haumea synodic cycle is about 4.4 years.

Saturn

Saturn is of structure, form and time. Saturn's force tends to solidify and concretize, to halt that which is moving. Saturn is slow and methodical. It imparts a need to be responsible, accountable, dependable and stable. Saturn also forces us to confront our fears and address our karmic issues.

Saturn, in its clear and evolved expression, provides the ability to create a solid foundation and stable form. It brings the capacity for concentration and moderation and the ability to apply past principles and knowledge constructively. Saturn instills confidence in one's knowledge; and honors family and soul heritage. More about Saturn.

Juno

Juno, goddess of love, is the asteroid of covenant relationships, soul colleagues, and true lovers. In the astrological chart, Juno indicates the nature of the issues and opportunities in significant relations of all sorts: those that are of a personal nature to those of political leaders and nations of the world. Mature Juno is diplomatic, tactful, cooperative, and mutually trusting. Mature Juno expresses with a sense of equality within self that provides the ability to draw true partners and those of equality into one’s life. There is an acceptance of another’s truth or opinion without need to challenge or debate. There is an ability to honor and support others in their own choices and decisions. Mature Juno expresses in mutual support and unconditional love to allow each other to grow and change through whatever issues surface. Potential Juno issues can manifest as superiority / inferiority complexes and inequality issues. More about Juno.

Haumea

The Dwarf Planet Haumea (pronounced how-MAY-ah) was discovered on Dec 28, 2004. Haumea has two moons, Hi'iaka (pronounced HEE-'ee-AH-kah) and Namaka (pronounced nah-MAH-kah).

Haumea is the goddess of childbirth and fertility in Hawaiian mythology. Her many children sprang from different parts of her body. She takes many different forms and has experienced many different rebirths. Martha Warren Beckworth suggests the name Haumea more naturally comes from Hanaumea, meaning "sacred birth." Hence we have an essence of "purity" or a birth of specialness, the ability to produce a fresh or clear state of consciousness.

Haumea's propensity is to intercede with dynamic motion from a state of equilibrium and poise to support a new birth in consciousness, especially the use of the fundamental primordial forces of life. Haumea also appears to motivate action to reorient world powers' militaristic destructive use of power and resources into a nurturing force that supports and protects life, home and family; and that aids humanity's emergence into a spiritually and primordial aware state of being. At a personal level, Haumea inspires the application of our personal attributes and resources for these same principles. More about Haumea.

This new compounded synod occurs in sidereal Virgo. Juno and Saturn lie in Virgo and Haumea lies north of the ecliptic on the Foot of Bootes. Conjoining stars are Theta Virgo; Seginus and Muphrid of Bootes; and Kraz of Corvus.

Boötes, stands over the Virgin and is the Virgin’s consort and protector. The stars of Bootes are of strength and responsibility. Boötes functions not by outward force but by spiritual awareness and astute intuitive prowess in the application of the knowledge (Nekkar, the Head of Boötes) about environmental issues and transcendent subtle forces. Boötes’ action is based from a place of wisdom, receptivity and sensitivity to the situation at hand, action associated with planning, preparation, and strategy.

Seginus is the left shoulder of Boötes and it conjoins Muphrid, the left foot of Boötes. Seginus and Muphrid inspire responsible action to provide personal and intimate support by making possible and ensuring proper energetic environments and physical conditions are created, maintained and not interfered with by meddling forces. Seginus will not hesitate to rebel against manipulative authority; yet this is to ensure an unadulterated and pure birth can occur form the Virgin, that is, so that souls have the opportunity to express their highest potential and can achieve evolutionary fulfillment.

One of the brightest stellar explosions ever seen occurred in March of 2008--called a gamma-ray burst (GRB 080319B). It conjoined Seginus and Muphrid in Boötes, and was just south of Seginus. This explosion energized and emphasized the theme of Seginus of Boötes for humanity in 2008. Its is also interesting to note that this is the ecliptical longitude of Makemake’s aphelion; and its was slightly later that year that began the avalanche of events catalyzing the restructuring of the financial banking arena and the exposure of massive fraudulent activity in that arena. This began with the Uranus opposition to Makemake and Saturn starting in the latter half of 2008, with the Uranus-Makemake opposition continuing into early 2011.

Corvus is of high intelligence, ingenuity, imagination, insight and adaptability. The brains of Ravens are among the largest of any bird species. They are problem solvers, inventors and are highly opportunistic. Corvus is the keeper of secrets and a knowledge holder, but is also a prophetic revealer--the "raven messenger bird" to those who are spiritually and physically attuned, and who ask and listen. Corvus reminds us to pay attention to the signs or messages naturally expressing through the world around us moment-by-moment. The signs found in the simplest of life experience can have meaning if we are willing to be attentive to them. In fact, we can even ask to receive guidance simply by briefly holding the intent to inquire and then letting it go. It is the sincere projection of clear intent that vibrationally invokes a response from the world around us. Corvus is a protector as well, of both the animal and human worlds, and will forewarn of approaching danger to avert unnecessary mishaps, as well as to affirm fortuitous opportunities, meetings or events so we may act accordingly. Corvus invites us to maintain acute attentiveness to everything occurring around us; to read the signs in the moment occurring in our everyday lives; and to adapt accordingly.

Conjoining Algorab and Kraz of Corvus is Quasar 3C279, which lies exactly on the ecliptic plane, along the spinal column of the Virgin, its spinal placement again articulating the natural mechanism or neurology of subtle energy communication.

Quasars (Quasi-Stellar-Radio-Source) are not only visible objects, but they emit a wide band of photons (light particles) throughout 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 3C279 can manifest as imagery in the natural world for those perceptive enough that can be interpreted as "messages through nature," which must be listened to and acted upon, as nature’s expression is the guidance itself at this zodiakal longitude.

This Saturn-Juno-Haumea compounded energetic may be quite synergistic. It may motivate partnerships to create new and sustainable business structures with lasting value. A Juno and Saturn synthesis alone impels the formation of solid and grounded relationships; as well as motivating realistic, well defined and well thought out approaches in partnerships. Haumea’s additional presence adds a dynamic force to produce a new and purer expression through these types of partnerships that is supportive of and in harmony with the natural world. The conjoining stars invite astute attentiveness to messages expressing through the natural world and action that supports progressive personal and collective fulfillment though working relationships. This synthesis supports a practical focus to create an integrated sense of wholeness in our relationships and in how we interrelate.

Vesta’s New Synodic Cycle

Earth and Vesta begin a new 492-day synodic cycle in mid-sidereal Capricorn on August 5, just before First Quarter Moon. Vesta’s previous synodic cycle began in February of 2010. It was presented in the February 14, 2010 Lunar Planner.

There is significant emphasis on Vesta this year due to NASA’s spacecraft DAWN, which just entered into orbit around Vesta for an in-depth exploration of this asteroid.

Vesta

Vesta is the asteroid of Focus, Dedication & Commitment; of physical, emotional, and mental clarity; and of self-respect. Vesta brings a capacity to be pure within self at all levels for the 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 so we can become clear.

Potential Vesta issues are: scatteredness, with an inability to focus, commit or carry through; and avoidance of one’s true purpose. Vesta can express as denials to address the mental, emotional and physical purification to support being a pure bio-logical vessel for the expression of Spirit--the requirements to express our true soul intent and purpose. This can manifest as fear of commitment, fear of sex and intimacy in all of its forms, and an invalidation of the emotional and physical aspects of self.

Vesta was discovered on 29 March 1807 by the German physician Heinrich Wilhelm Matthaus Olbers (1758-1840), He named the asteroid for the Roman goddess of virtue at the suggestion of Carl Friedrich Gauss. Vesta was near the Super Galactic Center, the spiritual mother center of the Heavens, in sidereal Virgo--a placement quite fitting to Vesta’s relationship to the Virgin principle.

In mythical language, Vesta is the revered goddess of the Vestal Virgins, the daughter of Rhea and Saturn, the eldest sister of Jupiter, and is keeper of the sacred fire on Mt. Olympus--meaning keeper of the eternal flame (truth) of the soul. Fire, the element of Vesta, is purifying for the soul--serving to enlighten. Vesta and the Vestal Virgins were highly valued and trusted for speaking the truth. They kept and protected all important documents and records.

Conjoining stars setting the them of this new Vesta cycle include: Armus of Capricorn, Albali of Aquarius; the SMC X-1 neutron star; and the Cyg X-1 eclipsing X-ray binary-star system.
This ecliptical longitude marks a significant shift in sidereal Capricorn. It begins the overlap of the constellations of Aquarius and Capricorn, starting with Albali of Aquarius. This shift is also caused by the influence of the wing of Cygnus, which begins with Delta and Kappa Cygnus, marking the northern wing tip; the influence of Delphinus, which lies just under the wing. The stars of Gruis the Crane and also those of Pisces Australis also influence the latter half of sidereal Capricorn. All of this shifts the nature of Capricorn from a more detailed, exclusive, and self-focused character to one more inclusive and embracing.

Armus, Eta Capricorn, and Theta mark the body and back of the fish-goat. Armus brings awareness to our need to take personal responsibility for our material and physical wellbeing. Armus is about our responsibility in the world. Armus is also of legal agreements, partnerships in business, and negotiations. Conjoining Armus is Albali, Epsilon Aquarius, which marks the start of the Capricorn-Aquarius overlap--where the Aquarian humanitarian influence begins to be felt in mid-sidereal Capricorn. Albali of Aquarius extends Capricorn's zodiakal quality from personal level motive to a sense that our responsibility must extend beyond ourselves, to embrace the needs of those around us, and to our extended families.

Armus, Theta and Albali also indicate a barrier to cross, or burden to surrender, yet this becomes easy when we embrace the mature awareness offered by conjoining SMC X-1 neutron star in the southern Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) and that of Cygnus X-1 and Eta Cygnus in the neck of the Swan.

The Small and Large Magellanic Clouds (SMC and LMC) are small galaxies that orbit our Milky Way galaxy. We might think of them as our galaxy's young, although not necessarily birthed from the Milky Way, they are being cared for and raised by our galaxy. The Small Magellanic Cloud resides quite south in ecliptical latitude on the border of Toucan and the more southern Hydrus (not to be confused with Hydra the Water Snake). Julius Schiller (1627) combined Hydrus, the Toucan, and the Small Cloud as his biblical constellation Raphael (Allen). Although I do not have a propensity for Schiller's bastardization of the heavens into religious figuring, this is a mythical articulation I think fitting here.

Raphael is "the Shining One who heals." In Hebrew, Raphael meant healer and guardian of the Tree of Life, which more appropriately can be taken as knowledge about natural law. Raphael, also considered to be the angel of the Sun--correspondingly the essence of the solar fire and solar plexus--brings life to the body through the administration of proper physical remedies. In this light, we have the "angel of science and historical knowledge." Raphael was said to have presented Noah with a book of medical knowledge). Knowledge of science and law is fitting to the later half of sidereal Capricorn--the Aquarius /Capricorn overlap.

Raphael is said to be quite gregarious, both the chummiest and funniest of all the angelic flock. He is often depicted chatting merrily (Rapp-ing) with some unsuspecting mortal" ("Angels An Endangered Species" by Malcolm Goodwin, Simon and Schuster, 1990.) This loquacious quality, also articulated by Tucana, is an aspect fitting to this part of Capricorn.

Within the Small Magellanic Cloud is the neutron star SMC X-1 of Tucana. It lies at the southern edge of the Lesser Cloud (at 66S29 ecliptical latitude) and actually lies south of an arc drawn from Alpha Hydri to Beta Hydri, as if it were in this constellation. SMC X-1 embodies the essence of both constellations. In this light, Schiller, in creating one constellation, Raphael, from both Toucan and Hydrus, although tainted with religious overtones of the times, is not such an odd envisioning at all.

SMC X-1 is an eclipsing binary neutron star, with a visible magnitude of 13.3 that emits a high level of X-rays. SMC X-1 has an X-ray eclipsing period of 3.9 days with a pulse width 0.7 seconds long. SMC X-1 of Tucana creates a portal in consciousness where diverse concepts and fragmented ideas can be assembled into a coherent expression. The ability to coalesce this fragmentation into a coherent expression can be the challenge here, and often leads to excessive mental chatter (the nature of the Tucan / and Raphael), but this coalescence does eventually occur, which can then be expressed as a theme that unifies what was once before seemingly unrelated pieces. The image of a lawyer in a courtroom amalgamating a set of fragmented information over many days into a coherent closing statement also articulates this theme. (I acknowledge Philip Sedgwick for aptly summing this one up, and only add an expounded statement.)

As a young galaxy being raised by a parent, the SMC and associated SMC X-1 source seem to adsorb and become witness to that which occurs for the incarnate soul, acting much like a karmic library or Hall of Records holding souls' personal history. Alignments with or meditation upon SMC X-1 can yield access to this information, which can then be brought forth and formulated into a reportage about souls' accumulated experience gathered over time--a Saturn-Capricorn theme (Capricorn is domicile for Saturn).

Cygnus X-1, an eclipsing X-ray binary-star system, with an X-ray eclipse period of 5.6 days, lies in the northern heavens on the galactic equator, almost equidistant between Albireo and Sadr, near Eta Cygnus in the neck of the Swan. Cyg X-1's placement on the galactic equator provides opportunity to access and express from a mature soul-level awareness. Cyg X-1 inspires us to surrender the personality-based motives, facades, cloaked maneuvers, and religious fanaticism common to earlier Capricorn and access, participate from, and express the greater maturity and truth of a soul-aware awakened being cognizant that we are not victims at the mercy of forces outside of self but that we co-create the dramatics in our lives and must take responsibility for doing so.

This is the ecliptical band of hard knocks, of law, courts, psychiatry, and all that is of mental justification in jurisdiction of the offenses and defenses of human experience. It is where we must get to the whole truth and nothing but the truth, to learn how both parties co-create incarnational experience in the world of dualism from a deep resonance within, even when one appears to be victim of the other.

Cyg X-1 demands we look behind the human facade and graduate from the who did what to who, the sue me sue you blues, from this side verses that, and to take mutual responsibility for the games we play and lives we choose. Here we can learn to own our experience and to seek a mutually benefiting solution. Cyg X-1 demands we look at our transcendent issues underlying our life experience--any judgment, grief, or anger carried that perpetuates our experience and that averts our attempts to responsibly create our lives the way we want them to be.

This new Earth-Vesta synodic cycle inspires a dedicated focus toward responsibility discipline, organization and accomplishment. Personal ambition and commitment to succeed is required. This cycle is quite favorable of the formulation and administration of business plans designed to support self, family and friends.

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 6 in sidereal Libra. The Moon lies just before Zubenelgenubi of Libra and it conjoins Zeta Centauri; the Kappa Crucis Cluster in the Southern Cross; and Gamma Corona Borealis of the Northern Crown.

The Centaur is protector of the Southern Cross and benevolent teacher of its principles. Cruces, the Southern Cross, embodies the original cardinality (pure intent) of the soul (also the four cardinal virtues seemly lost to most of humanity)--embodied by the Kappa Crucis Star Cluster, called the Jewel Box. This is the purity of the soul before the aberrations and attitudes incurred by the soul throughout the re-incarnational process. The Centaur teaches that it is essential to seek the original cardinality of the soul and live it. This is to claim that cardinality as our foundation as prerequisite to reach beyond the entrapments we find our selves in, our repetitive patterns of the past, and to claim our evolutionary freedom and fulfillment, embodied by the Northern Crown.

Our stimulus to action Moon provides opportunity or reveals a choice to take responsible action to free our selves from stepping back into the entrapping patterns of the past.

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.

Our Gibbous Moon occurs on August 9 in early sidereal Sagittarius. The Moon conjoins the Solar Apex in the hand of Hercules and Polalris Australis in Octans. Also of influence is Al Nasl of Sagittarius.

Al Nasl is the tip of the arrow of the Zen Archer, which points toward the Heart Center of our Galaxy. Al Nasl inspires us to hold undaunted focus upon our goals in the higher spiritual interest of our souls. Al Nasl inspires us to pierce the veils of illusion and hit the mark of our highest ideals and dreams.

The Solar Apex (also called the Sun’s Way) 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. 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 and leads to the evolutionary fullfilment articulated by Vega, the Harp Star. 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 amalgamate 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.

Our Gibbous Moon brings us inspiration to trust in our unique paths in the world and to hold the vision and focus to achieve our goals.

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 13 in late sidereal Capricorn. The Moon conjoins the Centaur Nessus.

Nessus

Nessus, the third Centaur, after Chiron and Pholus, was discovered in 1993. The eccentric orbit of Nessus extends from between the orbits of Saturn and Uranus and extends across the orbits of Neptune, Orcus and Ixion, with its aphelion between the orbits of Neptune and Pluto. Like all of the Centaurs, which are a bit rogue, rebellious or unconventional in their approaches and retreats, are also teachers, aids, or liaisons for those willing to awaken to a greater path of exploration in self-mastery. Nessus inspires our need to radically sever from the conformity of the past and pierce our veils of illusion, to relinquish our denials, and to enter new realms of vision and creativity.

Nessus can help to bring us from our past conditioning that keeps us in a mode of self-diminishment or living in a mode less than who we really are; and open us to our greater self worth, ultimately becoming able to participate from our soul wisdom and to pursue our greater soul purpose on Earth. This conditioning may have been the result of having been suppressed or suppressing self early in life, reflecting self worth issues at a soul-level that may have been brought forth from a previous incarnation and that act as obscuring veils that need to be cleared.

Nessus can also bring to awareness suppressed issues surrounding the tyrannical use of power of about sexual abuse or exploitation, but in a way that may aid in dissolving such issues into a greater universal awareness and to help place such experience into the greater context of the soul’s incarnational process of growth. Nessus may manifest experiences and issues of deceit or betrayal, but which lead to a cathartic metamorphic healing. For the less mature, Nessus may express as a revengeful attitude surrounding issues of abuse, especially of a sexual nature; or if there is judgment of sexuality or the denial of one’s sexual nature.
More about the Centaurs.

The Full Moon and Nessus conjoin Nashira of Capricorn; Beta Gruis; Sadalsuud of Aquarius; and Kitalpha of Equuleus

This is an expressive and articulate area of the zodiak, with gregarious and loquacious qualities. It is of libraries, courts, congresses, publishing houses, literary agencies, or where any legalities are formulated, agreed upon and concretized. Nashira is the bringer of good news, especially regarding legalities, business dealings, and constitutional matters, as well as sanctioned matters of the soul. Beta Gruis inspires the verbal expression of related wisdom (Alphs Gruis). As the stork, Gruis is carrier of bodies of knowledge, information, and news associated with new life and new beginnings. Prominent alignments with Beta Gruis and Nashira are exemplary of carriers of good tidings associated with legalities.

Sadalsuud of Aquarius is the luckiest in the kingdom or worldly affairs, and is said to embody the Fortune of the Fortunate. Sadalsuud, along with Deneb Algedi, produce genuinely wise, articulate, unique, and beneficent leadership.

Kitalpha, and the stars of Equuleus, the little foal, conjoin Sadalsuud . According to R.H. Allen, some mythologists associate Equulei to Celeris, the brother (or son) of Pegasus, presented by Mercury to Castor; or Cyllarus, given to Pollux by Juno; or the creature struck by Neptune’s trident when contesting with Minerva for superiority. Kitapha and the stars of the little foal bring a quality of freshness, lightness, swiftness and vigor to the communicative and fortuitous nature of the last few degrees of sidereal Capricorn. They also indicate a distinguished and successful position.

After what seems to be a somewhat intense first half of this lunar cycle, our Full Moon brings us to our realization about this lunar cycle’s opportunity for growth. Along with our Full Moon’s fortuitous placement, a key phrase here is “Nessus can help to bring us from our past conditioning that keeps us in a mode of self-diminishment or living in a mode less than who we really are.” This certainly seems like a lunar cycle inviting us to graduate into a more refined and more fulfilling mode of participation in life.

The New Nessus Synodic Cycle; the mid-point of Vision and Realization in the current Earth-Venus synodic cycle; and the new Mercury Synodic Cycle

Within a couple of days after the Full Moon Venus, the Sun, Mercury, Earth and Nessus align, with Venus on the far side of the Sun (a superior conjunction in astronomical terms) and with retrograde Mercury on the near side of the Sun (an inferior conjunction in astronomical terms).

The Sun Mercury-Earth-Nessus alignment marks the start of a new Earth-Nessus Synodic cycle and a new Earth-Mercury synodic cycle. This compounded new Earth-Mercury-Nessus Synodic theme is the same as our Full Moon theme and about the realizations we have on this Full Moon.

The Venus-Sun conjunction marks the mid-point of Vision and Realization in the current Earth-Venus synodic cycle. This cycle began on October 29, 2010. The theme of this cycle was presented in the October 7, 2010 Lunar Planner.

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 17 in the mid of sidereal Pisces. The moon conjoins Algenib of Pegasus and the Garnet Star of Cepheus.

The Great Square of Pegasus is created by Markab, Scheat, Algenib and Alpheratz (occurring in that order in ecliptical longitude), with Algenib entering mid-sidereal Pisces. The principles and qualities embodied in each of these four stars reveal the requirements for our psycho-physiological preparation to become free from the bounds limiting us from participating in a more fulfilling and purposeful expression in the world. This "refinement of self" allows us to rise above the bounds of the psychic-emotional entrapments common to collective human consciousness in accomplishment of soul's greater mission. These four stars have long been associated with the feet of a table or stand, thus a supporting foundation or stage upon which something else transpires, is supported, or rises from.

Algenib, Gamma Pegasus, tip of this horse's wing, is a fortuitous star and marks the center of sidereal Pisces. Algenib articulates our need or capacity to lift ourselves above Cetus, the techno bureaucratic monster of collective human consciousness, that is, above the psychic-emotional fear-based realm of life. This does not mean in denial of it, but in the personal clarity to not be entangled or caught in it. Algenib asks us to refine the entire spectrum of self, our mental, emotional and physical density, so as to become vibrationaly light enough to lift ourselves above the dramatics of human life.

Conjoining Algenib and marking mid-sidereal Pisces is the Supergiant Garnet Star, Erakis. Most people naturally tend to notice the bright stars of Cepheus when looking into the heavens, but the blood-red Garnet Star of Cepheus is often missed--a beauty, especially through binoculars. Similarly, we miss seeing the opportunity for attainment or solution when only watching the obvious around us. The Garnet Star lies at the head of King Cepheus forming a triangle with Alderamin and Zeta Cepheus. Erakis imparts a quality of royalty, prominence, largeness, passion, prosperity, abundance and wealth; and the appreciation of such. North of and conjoining Algenib, Erakis exemplifies the role or crown of the King--to govern without being lost in the drama of that which he may need to govern. As a supergiant star (about 1420 times our Sun's radius), Erakis imparts a significant astrological influence along with fortuitous Algenib, especially regarding financial affairs and opportunities.

The Disseminating Moon impels us to demonstrate our capacity to lift ourselves beyond our previous entrapping entanglements and beyond our dependencies upon fear-based mentalities, psychic webs, and systems of living that keep us bound in lack and despair.

The Sun enters sidereal Leo on August 18.

Last Quarter Moon Phase Characteristics