Astro Tips: Full Moon in Aquarius August 3, 2020

Astro Tips

Linda Sprague

Full Moon in Aquarius

August 3, 2020

 

 

The full moon in Aquarius highlights the polarity of the signs Leo and Aquarius.  Leo, ruled by the Sun, emphasizes the individual while Aquarius puts the focus on the group, or on humanity.

 

The big news with this full moon is planet Uranus forming a T-cross or T-square with the Sun and Moon. A T-cross is an irritation and a challenge. This formation often leads to something productive.  In natal horoscopes the presence of a T-cross means that the individual does not give up and often meets with success. The current full moon period with Uranus shouts out loud and clear that humanity is not giving up. We are on the road to freedom for humanity, not freedom for 2%. Uranus rules the sign of Aquarius.  If we are headed for the Age of Aquarius, these past few months are helping us get there.

 

What the full moon means for you

 

On the personal level, this full moon with Uranus sitting in between the Sun and Moon encourages freedom. If a relationship is suffocating, Uranus will cause a potential break. On the other hand, some relationship might find new areas of awakening, fun and even meaning.  Uranus tends to shake things up abruptly. Someone lands a job out of the blue. Someone moves to the other side of the country for career or opportunity. A relationship forms from one unexpected meeting. Someone else suddenly loses a position due to a company closing (so much of this with the pandemic).  So many structures are collapsing during this time. Uranus brings things suddenly and often the event is life changing. Individuals affected by COVID have had their lives altered forever. People who chose this year to leave their homes in Central American and migrate to the US have suffered from unexpected inhumane treatment.  We are all affected by these disruptions. The planet is suffering from disruption. If you are safe and well fed, you are indeed blessed at this time.

 

Some information about Aquarius

 

After so many years interpreting horoscopes, I have come to think of Aquarians as having one foot in the past and one foot in the future. We need to remember where we have come from in order to envision where we are going. The original ruler of Aquarius was Saturn, the planet that gives us structure, stability and tradition. Saturn also rules Capricorn. When Sir William Herschel found a planet beyond Saturn using a telescope in 1781, the planet was eventually named Uranus by an astronomer. The name Uranus is the name of Saturn’s father in mythology. Uranus (or Ouranos in Greek) was the primordial deity that helped seed Earth. Uranus ruled the heavens, came to visit Gaia, impregnated her, and flew back into the heavens without a care for her wellbeing. He was independent and sought his freedom in the sky. He demanded perfect children from Gaia and killed the ones he didn’t approve of. He was a dictator type, not yet evolved in his psychology and emotional body!  Eventually Gaia gave birth to Saturn (Chronos in Greek) and when Saturn grew up, he ousted his father, married his mother Gaia, and became the ruler of planet Earth. Saturn brought time, dependability, structure and process to earth. Saturn overcame the chaos of Uranus to give us human society.

 

Why Aquarius and Uranus are associated with Revolution

Just note that the American Revolution (1775-1783) was fought for our independence around the time of the discovery of Uranus. The American Revolution was followed by the French Revolution (1789-11799), which gave proclamations of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. The ideas for independence, liberty, equality for all has never stopped.  We have been in a state of human revolution every since (at least in the western world).

 

Since the beginning of January 2020, when the planet Uranus entered its forward motion stage, we have had nothing but intense challenge and change. A lot of this is due to the coming together of Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn, but Uranus has had a hand in the unfolding of the changes Pluto and Saturn are bringing. Uranus points to something new so we had a new virus. We have ideas galore (some dangerous, some iffy) trying to treat the virus and prevent the virus.  Meanwhile we have had new freedom for many who had to work at home. The old paradigm of going somewhere to work is shifting rapidly.  Perhaps going to a schoolhouse is a shifting paradigm as well or maybe the system just gets an overhaul.  But we also have a huge percentage of our fraternal citizens who have lost their jobs due to the virus.  They need support and financial aid. They don’t need to be criticized or called lazy for a pandemic no one can be blamed for. Then we had the killing, the alleged murder, of George Floyd.  This event triggered the airing of all such deaths in recent years. This led to Black Lives Matter, a revisiting of racial inequality, and the Aquarian need to examine law and order and bring more fairness. This is an ongoing revolution.

 

Uranus means Awakening!

 

The planet Uranus has another big meaning and that is AWAKENING.  The awakenings that are occurring during this COVID-19 era and during the protests in the streets era are not going to end.  Uranus has been the helper of Pluto, the energy that is destroying old structures and institutions.

 

The intensity of destruction and upheaval may slow down for a while when Uranus goes into a retrograde period, starting August 15.  Since Uranus is sitting and traveling in the sign of Taurus, economy is greatly affected.  Taurus is a fixed sign. It doesn’t want things to change so we will have to slow down and reflect on all that has happened since early January.  The financial system will definitely slow down as those in leadership try to find a pathway through the pandemic losses. Hopefully they will awaken to new methods for the distribution of resources, like food and health care, to mention two basics.

 

Uranus has a shadow

 

Just a few remarks about the shadow of Uranus:  remember I mentioned that the deity, Uranus, went back out into black space without a thought for Gaia.  You might say Uranus was ideological. He wanted something perfect and he had good ideas but he didn’t have patience and he didn’t want to be involved in the actual process. He just wanted his own way. It is too easy to get ideological about change. Ideology is what puts us in the divide. We are falling deeper into the divide: one group resists change and cannot imagine more rights for minorities; one group imagines a kind of equality that is utopian, but ignores the time and process to get there (the now or never approach); another group would like a religious identity that dictates how things will be; and there is a fringe, a small percentage, that might prefer a dictatorship with zero individual rights.  A dictator is a kind of Uranian character who thinks he/she is a god who should make all decisions – no voting allowed. In the end, the dictator, like Uranus in the sky, doesn’t care for anyone except his own vision. He can be the evil one with the bomb in a James Bond story.

And, Uranus can be the bearer of heavenly love and energy.

 

The spirit and energy of Aquarius is best applied within the group. Communities come together to think and plan and create; some groups raise their voices for Liberty and Justice for all. Other groups raise their voices for the past, for a flag that didn’t win. We are on the road to the Age of Aquarius.  As people unite and gather, they will strive to save the planet, save the children, find more equality, sustainability and quality of life for everyone. As people mingle and share ideas, they will move forward. The solo types will become leaders or they will drop out when they don’t get their way.  The future belongs to the patient ones, willing to be tolerant, willing to work hard, willing to cooperate, willing to play fair, and willing to tap in to something bigger than individual ego, and being “right.” Aquarian energy supports all of humanity. It embraces something from the divine and tries to bring it into manifestation.

 

In closing, we have a full moon in Aquarius that highlights the importance of Leo joining with Aquarius in order to bring heart-centered life to our human society. Aquarius celebrates the ego of Leo and Leo celebrates the community of Aquarius. Everyone is on the stage and everyone is the audience as well.

 

 

Astro Tips: New Moon in Cancer

New Moon 28 degrees of Cancer
Moon opposes Saturn, Pluto and Jupiter

The New Moon yesterday, July 20, occurred at 28 degrees of Cancer. The Sun and Moon were opposing Saturn, Pluto and Jupiter.  This New Moon feels like a huge collective event.  Perhaps it is stirring all of us on a cellular level to wake and realize that we simply are not safe. The sign of Cancer has domain over our feelings and over what we need. We need to feel safe. In addition to the pandemic, we have other pressing issues in our society and on our planet. When mothers (Cancer rules the mother and the home) step into the street to protect peaceful protestors from unknown enforcement agents, we are in trouble. Who are these “law enforcers” wrapped up in disguise?  Our nation is on shaky ground. People don’t agree on the truth of what is going on. This makes us feel unsafe as well.

Perhaps this New Moon is an invitation to do even one small thing to be active in this crisis. One letter to Washington. One strong post on social medial. A commitment to support voter’s rights.  Saturn and Pluto travelling together will definitely destroy societal structures and institutions that we have relied on. Jupiter riding in the car with Saturn and Pluto makes it a very big show. I believe everyone wants to see this transformation have positive outcome. New institutions and structures should be better than before, not worse. We should not lose the foundation of our nation. We will not be safe if we do.

When a president silences the Centers for Disease Control, I don’t feel safe. This can only lead to more conspiracy ideas. When a president sends an unknown law enforcement group to a city and they interfere with the city and state, I don’t feel safe. Who are these people with guns? More mystery. More conspiracy thought.  When they put someone in an unmarked car and drive away, that’s not safe.

Small communities in Texas and other states are overwhelmed with medical/pandemic crises. The number of people sick and dying is so hard to deal with.  They don’t have enough resources. Then there is a whole segment of the population that feels SO UNSAFE and POWERLESS that they insist people are dying from heart attacks, not the virus.

If leaders cannot utilize scientific and sociological information to envision a better world, I don’t feel safe.  If our craziness (and greed) continue we will lose the ground beneath our feet and be lost.  We will all sink in the swamp and be gone. Citizens will shut down and become like sheep in order to find some degree of safety.

When a man dressed like a Fed Ex driver knocks on a judge’s door and opens fire when that door opens, where is anyone’s safety?  When a young girl can be snatched up and away for sale in some other country, is anyone safe?  If a black man is killed without reason by law enforcement, no one is safe.  If people are forced to live on minimum wage and have no health coverage, we along with them, are not safe. It can happen to me too. Will COVID-19 become be a preexisting condition that excuses health insurance companies from covering the fall-out of this disease?  That’s not safe!

As we examine the economic foundation of our country, we have to face the face that a subtle slavery is still in effect.  There would be no United States of America if we had not had slavery. Nearly free labor allowed the European settlers to make money, and grow a nation. Now we have minimum wage to help the rich get richer. Ninety eight percent of the country pays money into a treasury and a huge portion of that money goes as social welfare for corporations and the rich.  That is not sustainable in the long run. So it’s not safe.  

People have come from all over the world to live here because of opportunity and because it has been safer than where they were. Now we face a crisis. We are sinking and losing our goodness and our safety. Where will anyone go?

This is what the New Moon in late degree of Cancer means to me. The moon quickly moved on into Leo yesterday.  Fire sign Leo can ignite our hearts. Let the lion roar, not only with demands, but with compassion for all sentient beings. Compassion for the 2%, compassion for the law makers who seem to be asleep at the bench, compassion for the people who believe things that aren’t even true. Well there we have it.

I am signing my name to this, but I honestly don’t know who wrote it.

Linda Sprague

Lunar Eclipse in Capricorn July 4, 20202

Astro Tips

July 4, 2020

Full Moon Lunar Eclipse 13 degrees of Capricorn/Sun 13 degrees of Cancer

First of all I want to thank the individuals who are attending the Thursday night group Denae Richards and I have been facilitating for many weeks. We are calling the event, “The Good, The Bad and the Beautiful.”  Our goal is to provide a safe and enriching environment to share and process how this time of chaos and crisis is affecting us.  Our sharing has touched me and it has also ignited some thoughts to share in my Astro Tips.

Humanity has had a long, complex, exciting, traumatic, challenging and rich history that somehow brought us to this current time.

The beginnings of what we identify as humanity go back as far as five million years. There are fossils to teach us about our very distant ancestry.  Proto-humans were living in caves and making crude tools as far back as 2.5 million years.  Between 50,000 and 35,000 years ago, humanity began painting on cave walls.  These paintings have many interpretations. For sure they indicate that there were humans living meaningful lives a very long time ago. 

The dawn of humanity as society and culture coincided with the onset of the most recent ice age that began approximately 2.5 million years ago, and according to geology, we are still in this ice age. We are in the interglacial period of this cycle.  Around 11,000-10,000 years ago, Homo sapiens became the best adapter to the changing climate and Homo sapiens survived the ice period by migrating and adapting to new environments wherever they went.

We could add another paragraph here and discuss the possible or probable visitation of people of a civilization from somewhere out in the Universe that helped direct the journey of Homo sapiens.  Whether or not such visitations occurred is not included in this discussion. 

Our human journey has been a long, complex, exciting, traumatic, challenging and rich history that somehow brought us to this current time. We had a Neolithic, agricultural period, where life centered on the feminine qualities of birth, life, death and rebirth. Earth based belief systems  (systems that adhere to polytheistic leanings) were refined during this period and continue to this day in many indigenous societies, prominently in India (and lightworker communities!). The Neolithic mushroomed into a city-state system based on divine birth, royalty, wealth and stratification of class. We continue in the same system today after a period of at least 5,000 years. How did that happen? We shifted from the feminine to the masculine and we are trying to shift again, but where are we shifting to?

Full Moon Lunar Eclipse today July 4^th:  The Moon is in the sign of Capricorn, ruled by Saturn (tradition)

And here we are. 2020. Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in the sign of Capricorn on July 4, Independence Day in America. Saturn is the planetary ruler of Capricorn.  Saturn is time and structure and systems that we need to stay grounded on our planet. Capricorn provides history, precedent, containers and protocol that allow for stability, advancement and development. This is the gift of the masculine energy.  It has given us pyramids, laws, art, music, science, and monotheistic belief systems. It has also given us a patriarchal social container and social Darwinism. We are at a cross roads where we are attempting to discern what traditions will support future generations and what structures in our government and society need to be overhauled or discarded.  Most people are thinking about these matters and lining up on opposite sides of the fence. One side wants to adhere to a colonial tradition based on a white race majority that acquired this continent because God wanted that to happen; and the other side wants to be open to a melting pot that honors all people. This second group wants new systems that provide more material sharing and social justice for all people.  That is too simply stated of course, but it is enough for now.

The Sun is in the opposite sign, Cancer, rules by the Moon (family)

The Sun opposing in the sign of Cancer brings up matters pertaining to family, the tribe, childhood, nurturing, food, the mother. This particular eclipse reveals the shadows of family and society and our role in those containers and systems. Many people are being gifted with family experiences right now that are helping them release and let go of old patterns and hurts

Without family, the human infant/child cannot survive. We cannot discard family. How do we find ways to ensure loving nurturance and healthy survival?  An example is the new prevalence where more men are taking part in child rearing; men are utilizing their hearts as well as their masculine ability to provide stability and practical guidance.

Summary

The full moon in Capricorn suggests that we will have more information unveiled-- brought out of the vault, shaken from the shadows. It’s coming. The so-called leaders who think they can say anything and do anything have had their day.  We need new leadership that has a vision of new cultural systems for the world to come.

And that brings me to The good, The bad, and The beautiful!

Life is full of goodness, difficulties, and beauty.  We are living in such a time. According to Carl Johan Calleman, PhD, we are struggling to release our attachment to living inside a Hologram of Good and Evil.  Calleman is one of the important researchers who unraveled the Maya Calendar. There are nine waves of creation in our planetary history. He maintains that the May calendar helps us understand out history. The Hologram of Good and Evil emerged out of one of the waves of creation. Now we are into the 9^th wave trying to find our way to a Hologram of Unification.  This will not happen over night.

According to Calleman’s book, The Nine Waves of Creation, we are sitting on 2.5 billion years of collective history and experience. We hold these billions of years in our DNA.  Some say our DNA is shifting in its structure and this will lead to a new earth experience.

For me, the bottom line is this:  We are sitting on everything that has ever happened. Everything is in our cellular memory. That is one of the messages of the Maya Calendar that completed a huge cycle in 2011-2012.  Consequently, we are inside the chaos of our Hologram of good and evil.  We are in the process of moving into a new cycle in our Galaxy and in the Universe.  Cycles don’t change in one instance.  They unfold. We are unfolding and we are crazy in the process.

We are struggling to create a bridge between the duality we live in.  We are taught that life is duality; but actually, life is an essay full of color. Life is not black or white. It is full range of gray tones and colors.  Life is not right or wrong. Life is experience full of nuance, learning, love, regret, joy, error and grace.  Astrologer Robert Ohotto says the bridge between the Right/Wrong duality is a Rainbow. I like that.  Perhaps the way we transmute the Hologram of Good and Evil is by focusing on a colorful bridge linking duality.

Today’s eclipse in Capricorn brings up the duality of prescribed authority versus subjective knowing and feeling (the sign of Cancer).  The bridge between the two is life experience and openness to the awareness that we are souls in a Universe and each soul is unique, worthy and loveable. Many are called to lead with new visions for a new cycle (for new waves of creation?).  Some are called to hold the boat steady as we move through troubled waters. Some are here to demand we not let go of everything we cherish.  Everyone is needed on the bridge.

In closing, here is the Sabian Symbol for Capricorn 13-14 degrees:

An Ancient Bas-Relief Carved In Granite Remains A Witness To A Long-Forgotten Culture.

Summer Solstice 2020

Astro Tips for Summer Solstice
June 20, 2020
Linda Sprague

Happy Summer Solstice, the longest day of light of the year.  The Sun is just stepping into the sign of Cancer.  Sitting right with the Sun the North Node of the Moon sits at 29 degrees of Gemini and the Moon itself is at 28 degrees of Gemini.  The South Node at 29 Sagittarius sets up a tension between past and future.  Today is another moment in time when we can step through a portal to make a commitment to becoming co-creators with the Universe. Review the teachings and beliefs from your past. Discern what to keep and what to release into the nothingness. Let your heart guide you to teachings that support a new cycle for humanity’s survival and the survival of our home, Earth. This can all end soon, or we can support a new cycle of existence.  The Maya Indians believed a 25,722-year precession of the equinoxes shifted around 2012.  How did they know that?  Knowledge and wisdom have been around a long, long time.  We are in the liminal transition between that 25,000-year cycle and the next 25,000-year cycle. Take that in. We are walking unsteadily into the haze and breathing new energy into our cells. Where are we going? Many teachers say that we are learning to co-create with Creation. It is important to dream big, not for the self, but for all forms of life on Planet Earth.   Robert Green Ingersoll, often called the great agnostic in the 1800’s, said this:  “In nature there are neither rewards nor punishments; there are consequences.”   Together we can put aside our attachments to ideologies. Instead, we can create beautiful consequences.

If you want to know more about precession of the equinoxes, here is a link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axial_precession

Astro Tips New Moon May 22, 2020

ASTRO TIPS

New Moon in Gemini

May 22, 2020

Linda Sprague

The New Moon in the sign of Gemini joins the Sun today, May 22, at 2 degrees of Gemini. This New Moon squares Mars in Pisces and Mars gives us an energy boost.  Friday and Saturday are good days to ponder what our intentions are during the Sun’s passage through the sign of the Twins. Maybe we have more than one intention since Gemini is a sign of multiplicity.  Grab on to the gift from Mars--a kick in the brain cells. Gemini is known for changing its mind and for getting sidetracked.  Write down your intentions if you can. Maybe they are physical things like take a walk every morning. Or maybe the intentions are internal things, like work on self esteem and confidence.

Mercury and Venus are also currently sitting in the sign of Gemini. Mercury rules Gemini and Virgo. Venus rules Taurus and Libra.  Venus is in its retrograde cycle in Gemini and that cycle began May 13 and continues until June 25.   This means the planet Venus has slowed down in its orbit and it appears to move backwards in the heavens. Of course it is not actually moving backwards. It is going slowly in its orbit. This particular Venus retrograde holds the same energy as the Venus in Gemini retrograde cycle in the May/June of 2012.  If you can recall what was happening in your life at that time, you will have some rumbling of what needs your attention right now. If that period in time was not significant for you, then perhaps this Venus retrograde period is not going to rattle your cage. However, all of us might expect to reconnect with people from the past or reach out to people who keep popping into our mind.  That is the people, relationship part of Venus.

Venus not only influences our external relationships and belief systems.  From the time we were little children the planet Venus gave form to how we thought and felt about ourselves.  This is not a cause and effect rule. Venus in Gemini, for example, does not make someone feel a certain way.  However, there is a connection or relationship between where Venus is in your horoscope and how you experience yourself. Venus influences how you talk to yourself on the inside as well as the outside. What is your self-talk? What ideas and beliefs do you hold about your essence and your life?

I mention self-talk because Gemini rules communication. Communication begins inside us. What and how we think is how we express externally.  Gemini also rules short trips and everyday travel. Due to the Coronavirus we are limited in how much we are traveling.  For some people this is a hardship and it is irritating. The internal talk can turn to blame and conspiracy. Whose fault is it that I have to stay home and cannot do what I want to do?

Gemini is the third sign of the Zodiac. It is the third house of the horoscope. The third house does pertain to communication and learning. Gemini’s never stop learning.  We can think of Gemini as going to grade school and beginning to learn what we need to know in order to navigate our society and the cultural landscapes. This includes fundamentals like the ABC’s and how to play baseball, as well as the belief system of our particular tribe and community.  We learn these beliefs from family, friends, teachers and institutions like churches.  Grade school is where Gemini energy begins and where we start to adapt to our surroundings.  This is where we learn how and what to perceive in the world. We learn what is good and what is bad.  We learn what we are interested in and what we are good at. Because we are young, the learning is concrete and goes straight to the unconscious..

We grow up and we forget where we learned the beliefs we had to accept when we were young in order to get along in our world.  It’s easy to become unconscious about many of our behaviors, preferences and beliefs.  When Venus is retrograde in Gemini we have an opportunity to think back to grade school.  What did we learn? Do we still believe it?  If we were raised to believe that other people are not as good as our tribe, do we still believe that?  Were we raised to believe we were inferior to others and do we still believe that? In short, Venus retrograde in Gemini asks us to go a little deeper and get conscious about what we believe and how it affects our behavior, our life and the lives of others.

Gemini is very black and white. When we were young life needed to be black and white. Otherwise we might stick our hand in the fire. Now we are grown-up. It’s time to look at the nuance of life and do that without judgment. Not easy.

We are living in a time of open duality. It’s no secret that we are a divided society and our beliefs often exclude understanding others and life nuance.  Journalism should be open. It should start with a question and accept many answers and then sort through them. We have lost that ability.  Mercury rules the signs of Gemini and Virgo. Gemini is the collector of data and Virgo is the analyzer of  that data. We have lost our way.  The data is sometimes altered and the analysis is often full of prejudice. As a society we seem to be operating from a grade school mentality that lacks consciousness. We are third grade bullies who didn’t learn how to do the Virgo analysis in high school.

It is worth mentioning that President Trump is a Gemini (June 14, 1946).   Gemini rules journalism but Trump has no ability to accept journalism that does not support his reality.   Perhaps all of us have areas that we reject because they do not support our reality.  As little Gemini’s we learned how to perceive in order to survive. As grown-up Gemini’s we are asked to review our beliefs about life and to open our doors of perception.   “All this universe is in this eye of mine.” Seppo (Zen Calendar  May 13, 2020).

Astro Tips Full Moon in Scorpio May 7, 2020

May 7, 2020

Full Moon in Scorpio

It’s time to do your deep work.  Scrub the kitchen and bathroom, clean out the chest of drawers, look deep inside to examine fears and motivations; and be a detective. Try to uncover some hidden information, try to solve a mystery. What is conspiracy and what isn’t?  Is there any way to know for sure? Isn’t there some truth in everything? These are clearly Scorpio topics.

The Full Moon in Scorpio encourages us to get to the bottom of things.  We may never know the full truth of Corona virus and this pandemic.  I totally believe the personal experiences of patients, nurses and doctors. Everything else I’m not so sure.  Is it from an animal? Is it from a lab? All we can do is our own detective work and live with what we figure out. There is consistent information that this virus is most dangerous to people over 65 and to people with serious conditions.  AND there is consistent data that the virus occurs mostly where there are a lot of people in close contact:  prisons, nursing homes, and factories, cruise ships, etc.  When we wear a mask we are helping to protect others. This is like being in kindergarten and learning that the other kids are as important as I am.  The virus is a lesson about learning we are all one.

The full moon today is occurring on the tail end of the Saturn/Pluto conjunction in Capricorn.  Saturn is the established agenda. Pluto is the intense means that might be used to maintain the established way of life. Pluto is also the energy that destroys the old useless parts of something. The process is complex, slow and mysterious.

Jupiter is close to Pluto and that makes the misuse of power potentially exaggerated (because Jupiter makes things big—like gaining weight).  The ultimate meaning of Pluto is this:  not my will, but THY will be done.  When we are little, the world revolves around us. We throw a tantrum if we don’t get our way. That is a natural expression of immature Pluto in action. Most of us grow out of that phase (at least for the most part).  Sometimes the Pluto energy turns from tantrum to manipulation.  Most pathetically, some of us never outgrow the need to physically express the raging inner Pluto child-- it’s all about me!  Right now we witness groups of people demanding their so called god given rights to carry around semi automatic guns to intimidate others about wearing a mask or opening doors for business.  It’s hard to understand why it’s difficult for people to grasp that this pandemic is about everybody. It’s about the inhabitants of our planet. It’s not just one place or one nation. This is not a time to be selfish.

And on that note we see an outpouring of goodness during this difficult time. Jupiter makes things bigger and that includes compassion and good deeds.  Food, money, caring for those in need, nurses and doctors working under extreme stress wtih long hours, truck drivers still driving to deliver goods, people working in necessary jobs that keep us feed, keep our medicines on schedule, give us the supplies we need to keep on living-----so many good deeds in spite of the opposite manifestation of fear, greed and selfishness.

As we move through this Scorpio full moon period, it’s good to remember that Scorpio is one of the big gates into the other realms.  This here reality is not the only dimension!  We are not confined to our homes. There are many other realms to visit during this quarantine.  Meditation, visualization and ceremony can free us from the worry of these times. Whatever big or small thing you can be grateful for, be grateful. And stay safe.

Astro Tips

April 22, 2020

Linda Sprague

Today is the 50^th anniversary of Earth Day.  Thank you Mother Earth. Today is also the day of the New Moon in Taurus, the-most-earthy of the earth signs!  New Moons are connected with new beginnings, planting seeds, setting goals.  Some people will be planting crops and flowers. Others will be setting tangible goals related to values and finances.

The Sun and New Moon are conjunct Uranus, all in Taurus. Uranus is the planet of awakening and revolution.

The Sun and New Moon in Taurus are lining up with the planet Uranus, currently transiting the sign of Taurus for seven years.  All planets have a variety of meanings. Uranus is associated with shocking change (like the Rune of Disruption: due to bad weather, a tree may fall on your house).  There is another meaning for Uranus that is very fitting for Earth Day and for this time of ordained quietness. We associate planet Uranus with awakening.  Awakening leads to revolutions.  Uranus was discovered in 1781.  It was the first planet identified with the use of a telescope, thus symbolizing a new age of enlightenment and technology.  Both the American Revolution and the French Revolution awakened humanity to a new way of life.  Our Republic grew from the revolution against Great Britain.

Everything is interconnected and the web is holy. Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor

I am going out on one of the tree limbs in the forest outside my window here in the Ouachita wilderness to say this:  The Earth is re-awakening and we are reconnecting to the Earth.  The NBC evening news paid homage to Earth Day with scenes from all over the planet showing the positive effects of humans staying home, for example no smog in LA and diminished pollution in New Delhi, India. Then there was a rainbow in the sky and the song, Over the Rainbow. Earth is looking good. It’s feeling good. Can we keep it that way?  Maybe we don’t have to get in a car and go to work every single day.  Some astrologers say that Uranus brings events that are irreversible. Once the tree falls on your house, you must get a different roof.  Now that we have been silenced by a pandemic, can we find a new road to walk down? It should be a road that includes our awareness of the interconnectedness of humans and planet earth and all sentient beings. It might even include our awakening to our connection with the entire Universe!

Michael Moore has been on several talk shows this week to announce his new documentary,  “Planet of the Humans.”  This documentary about humans and the environment makes its debut during this New Moon in Taurus. The timing of the film is perfect. 

Life is inter-relational. We are moving beyond the cause/effect paradigm.

The planets do not make things happen. They are a part of everything else. There is truth in the esoteric phrase, As above so below. We are connected to Earth, our solar system, the Milky Way and the Universe. And the entire Cosmos is connected to us. It’s an ongoing relationship with cycles, evolution, destruction, rebirth and on and on. We sit with our family, we hold a crystal, we ask what it means to be a Taurus, a Gemini or any sign.  We learn from these connections and we find meaning in the cosmic relationships.

All of these current events are connected:  NBC honors Earth Day with uplifting visuals that touch us with humility and gratitude;  “Planet of the Humans” offers insight on the environment and the need to find new ways for sustainability; there is a rainbow in the sky on Earth Day; an organization reaches out to ask us to sing to trees for a month; nature offers solace during a time of fear and uncertainty; the Sun and Moon meet up with planet Uranus and insist we reflect on our connection to magnificent planet; our hearts open as we receive love from Mother Earth and we give love back to her.

We are walking down a new road. Listen to the wind for further instructions.

Sun. New Moon. Uranus. Beautiful day. A population has returned to the cave to wait out an epidemic.  This is a cluster of events that brings hope, clarity and determination. Taurus is a fixed earth sign. We can commit to a different path. Tuning into the natural world and allowing its inhabitants to speak to us and inspire us, is part of our Earth Day awakening. Allowing the energy of the Sun, Moon and Uranus to guide us through the transformation we need at this time is a gift from the heavens. Let this energy flow beyond one day. Let is become our new life style.

Astro Tips Full Moon February 9, 2020

Full Moon is 20 degrees of Leo, with Sun in Aquarius (20 degrees)

The Full Moon today, February 9, 2020, is in the sign of Leo. Leo encourages us to individuate and to enjoy being the center of attention. Leo’s opposite sign, Aquarius, requires that we unite with our peers and cooperate for the good of all. This is the polarity of Leo and Aquarius.  For most of us mortals, we live in a balance of self and others.  We enjoy being the centerpiece and we enjoy being in communion with others.

Today the full moon makes an aspect to Neptune that indicates we are all somewhat emotionally sensitive.  Some people will go overboard with sensitivity and even experience some paranoia or victim type feelings.  The lesson is about balance.  We don’t have to reject our feelings, but rather have some perspective. Perhaps a talk with a good friend will help sort things out.

Donald Trump has a Leo ascendant with planet Mars in Leo sitting on that spot (this is in his natal horoscope).  The full moon is only a few degrees away from his Mars and ascendant.  The full moon in Leo sitting on his Mars in Leo can cause agitation, sensitivity and anger. Furthermore today Mars is in the sign of Sagittarius (25 degrees) opposing Trump’s Sun in Gemini. This aspect has been happening this past week. It encourages anger and retaliation. It suggests that he is convinced that he is right to be at odds with his foes. The full moon today amplifies his emotional sensitivity to the events of the past few weeks.  Perhaps he is feeling victimized. For sure with the Moon quincunx Neptune and affecting his Mars, there is lack of clarity.   His behavior in the past few years has not shown us a person who seeks emotional balance. This full moon suggests that President Trump will continue his retaliations in the days ahead.

I guess that means the rest of us must strive for clarity and balance to make up for the lack of it on the collective level. The president does hold the kettle of negativity and hot water that is brewing everywhere we turn. He is the big archetype for the narcissism that is epidemic in our society.  Healing begins with each individual.  Today, I strive to balance my burning Leo need to be the center of attention with my heart felt Aquarian yearning to be of service to humanity.  How’s that for a little full moon mantra?

Linda Sprague

Saturn Pluto Conjunction January 12, 2020

Astro Tips

Saturn/Pluto Conjunction

January 12, 2020

The planetary cycle of Saturn and Pluto

Saturn and Pluto have been together in the sign of Capricorn for two years, since 2018. During the past week the planets have been lining up to form what is called a conjunction. They are sharing the same degree (22 degrees) in the sign of Capricorn.  Today, January 12, the two planets are forming the exact conjunction. Mercury is sitting with them. The impact of the conjunction is indicated by what has been going on during the last year and especially during the past week. However, hindsight is always better than foresight. We won’t know the full impact for some time.

The union of Saturn and Pluto occurs every thirty years. If you want to reflect on how the interaction of Saturn and Pluto affects our planets, here are some dates to research:  Saturn and Pluto united in the sign of Aries in 1851; in the sign of Taurus in 1883; in the sign of Cancer in 1915; in the sign of Leo 1951; in the sign of Libra 1982.

Now we have Saturn and Pluto together in Capricorn.  This same conjunction occurred in 1518!  The Religious Reformation in Europe lead by Martin Luther was underway.  The first printing of the Bible, called the Gutenberg Bible, happened in 1454.  This printed version of the holy text allowed dissemination of Judeo-Christian history into the populace. This in turn led to the questioning of religious authority. Individuals began to realize they could pray directly to God. They did not need a priest to mediate between them and the higher power. Martin Luther stuck his neck out and said the Catholic Church was in error to charge people for forgiveness. The custom was to pay for indulgences that helped with your forgiveness. Martin Luther called attention to the misuse of power and wealth in the church. The Roman Catholic Church did everything possible to maintain its power. Many people sacrificed their lives to bring this Reformation into the world. This is an example of how we look at planetary cycles—in this case, the union of Saturn (planet of structure and the status quo) and Pluto (ruler of secrets and abuse of power) that produces transformation and evolution. These ideas are based on the meanings assigned to deities in Greek mythology.

Saturn -  Pluto conjunction January 2020: As Above, So Below

Here are three areas that show relationships between this planetary cycle and Earth activities.  Astrology does not say that the planets are causing something to happen.  Astrology does say that there is a relationship between planetary activities and life on Earth. As above, so below.

EARTH CHANGES

Earthquakes, Fries, Tornadoes, Hurricanes.  Saturn is earthy and heavy. Pluto is the underworld. It seems that the intensity of earth events is greater than we have seen in a long time. The fires in Australia are horrifying. Scientists are saying that human behavior is a primary contributor to these horrific events. Puerto Rico experienced how many earthquakes in a few days? And not long ago Puerto Rico had its devastating hurricane.  These earth catastrophes are deepening (a Plutonian attribute) our awareness of our connection to the earth and to each other. They are also deepening our love and appreciation for animals and all the floral being taken out.  The long term effect of the Saturn/Pluto upheaval experienced as earth changes is hopefully one of elevated consciousness to make changes in our life styles and to overcome our hubris of being the most important thing here on planet earth.

POLITICAL SOCIAL CHAOS

Saturn rules governmental institutions, structures, operations, rules and regulations, the law, etc.  Pluto rules chaos and destruction.  Saturn rules the status quo. Pluto rules the abuse of power by those in leadership. Huge entities are Plutonian.  Corporations are both Saturnian and Plutonian.  Same goes for governments. There are solid structures that help society and there are hidden agendas. Remember, Pluto is Hades! Pluto also rules wealth. How much more abuse of wealth can we tolerate?  On the one hand, Pluto wants to destroy the misuse of energy, wealth and power. On the other hand, those who HAVE the wealth and power want to destroy anything that stands in the way of their holding onto what they have. This is a serious struggle.  Our comprehension of the Saturnian reality of what is going on is greater now. Plutonian secrets are being pulled up from the underworld.  The recent activity in the Middle East is full of historical secrets and manipulations. Do we really have to get involved in a war to show off?  Those who talk about the end of times and the rapture are giving in to leaders full of hubris. They stand in the way of clarity and potential movements towards peace.

INDIVIDUAL TRANSFORMATION

What does Saturn/Pluto cycle in Capricorn mean for the individual?  For people living under dictatorships or under the gun of violent crime organizations, this is a time of despair.  Pluto is winning in those locations. People want to get somewhere that assures safety.  The United States and other countries are halting the hospitality. Where do people go for a safer life? For those of us lucky enough to live in relative freedom, our job is to wake up and smell the misuse of power and to do whatever small thing we can do to put a stop to it.  Our job is to grow up and to be responsible in our own lives.  We need the structure, organization and reality that Saturn provides. However, we are challenged to let go of turning over our power to leaders, organizations, churches, or cults that give lip service to the needs of humanity.  Leaders need to be held accountable to their behavior and lies. The old paradigm that the good father, or patriarchal system, will take care of us is over. Humanity is searching for another paradigm to live by.  We are trying to figure out how the distribution of wealth can be different so that people are not suffering so much. There is no need to call it communism or socialism. It doesn’t have a name yet! We are on our way to a different way of living. We are trying to evolve to a consciousness that shows respect for our planet, for all sentient beings and all of life. Is it possible?  This current Saturn/Pluto cycle in Capricorn is shaking our earth cage.  Can we move beyond our arrogance and co-habit this earth space?  Can we grow up and be responsible for this beautiful earth? Can we learn discernment?  Can we learn to share? Capricorn is an earth sign.  This planetary period demands that we pay humble attention to our behavior on Planet Earth.