Thursday, January 18, 2007

Two Weeks No Smoking & A New Moon in Capricorn

Well, it's 15 days no smoking to be exact, as every second still counts :-) I've been looking forward to this New Moon, as it was during the Full Moon two weeks ago that I gave up the cigs, and decided to use this New Moon time as my first milestone. Lot's of tears and a few tantrums later, here I am. Smiling too.

The New Moon is exact around 4am GMT on the 19th January, though there's always a day or two either side when the energy is in full flow. It's happening in the late degrees of Capricorn, which means the Sun is about to change signs from Capricorn to Aquarius. This will correspond to a shift of focus of energy very soon, but as Capricorn and Aquarius share Saturn as a ruler, the essence of that planet will still be at work, and no doubt hard at work, being Saturn.

New moons indicate new phases, where we are most receptive to the qualities of the sign they take place in, and where we can set intentions using these qualities to benefit our current circumstances. Capricorn is big on commitment, on responsibility, on discipline, and on step by step progress, because this sign looks long-term, holding a plan in mind to work to, without needing to see immediate results. An instinct for timing and the patience for satisfaction through a slow unfolding of events means Capricorn energy has an edge all of its own.

So during this New Moon, in true Capricorn-style, I'm setting fresh intentions for the future, as well as marking a milestone - the first of many I hope.

Saturday, January 13, 2007

Mars, Pluto, Galactic Centre And The Comet

Apparently the comet McNaught has been more visible than expected, shining bright in the sunrise and sunset skies of the northern hemisphere over the past few days. I haven't had a glimpse due to the relentless stormy weather that has been battering most of the UK, but there are great pictures on the BBC site here.

Along with the brightest comet of the past 30 years, Mars and Pluto are sharing the same spot as the Galactic Centre. The Pluto/GC conjunction was last seen around 250 years ago, but I'm not sure whether Mars was ever part of that line-up back then (which would make this an even more extraordinary and rare event if not).

These unusual patterns in the skies symbolise the unusual energies around at the moment. It's these sort of times that with hindsight, can end up as being stand-out, life-shaping moments in your diary. Especially with Pluto involved.

I use 'transformation' and 'rebirth' as my keywords for Pluto, as they best sum up the process that Pluto expresses, and hint at the sort of experience encountered during that process. There's a lot of letting go of the past wherever Pluto is. And because of that, there's often unfinished business that comes with this planet. It's all about closure, as getting those loose ends tied up means moving on and letting go. Closure makes room for rebirth and fresh experience, and on the cycle continues.

There hasn't been a comet so visible in the skies since 1997 (it was Hale-Bopp that year), which in astrology terms would mean '97 and 2007 share a significant link, and looking between the two years for connections can be revealing. For example in the news this week, at the time the comet was coming into view, the UK press was covering the story of Prince William's girlfriend Kate Middleton, who has been smothered by press and tv cameras ever since the media decided it was time for the couple to announce their engagement. Things came to a head this week on her 25th birthday, leading to the landmark decision of certain tabloid newspapers to ban paparazzi style photos of the possible princess to be; a decision born from the circumstances surrounding the life and death of Prince William's mother, Princess Diana, who died in 1997.

While not everyone's story is like Prince William's or Kate Middleton's, everyone has an individual theme that harks back to '97 in some form, and thinking back to what connects that year to this one for you personally might also shed light on how the Pluto/Galactic Centre/Mars alignment is expressing in your life; therefore indicating how to make the most of the energy available in abundance now.

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Full Moon In Cancer 3rd January

2007 kicks off with a full on kind of Full Moon on 3rd January at around 2pm GMT, when the Moon in comfort-zone craving Cancer stands in exact opposition to the Sun in duty-bound Capricorn. This is an annual occurrence, and part of the solar/lunar cycle we’re all naturally attuned to on the deepest levels, but the question is how best to tap this current energy and work consciously with it?

A Full Moon in any sign can lead to an emotional shift or turning point of some sort, often arising from an ever-increasing tension around an issue that there’s suddenly no escaping. The tension is symbolised by the Sun and Moon positioned at opposite ends of the zodiac, 180 degrees apart, each expressing according to the nature of the particular sign they both occupy.

The Moon rules the sign of Cancer, emphasising the focus on all emotional attachments. The emotional ties can be with anything from actual home and family bonds, to our most familiar friends, as well as routines and habits, and memories and nostalgia for old faces and forgotten places. Meanwhile the Sun in Capricorn speaks of responsibility, duty, maturity and authority. It's all about expectations and demands, terms and conditions, as well as creativity through timing, planning, progress and discipline.

Mix and match these or similar keywords for your personal Full Moon theme. My theme is about a habit I know I have to break. A few months ago, I started smoking again after over two years smoke free. My excuse was the stress of my current living circumstances - I live right on a very busy crossroads, where the traffic literally shakes the walls and rattles the pots and pans. As well as this, I have a noisy neighbour who plays music every night. And I mean EVERY night!

Alternative accommodation is hard to find where I live, but I have a potential new place just perfect for me, that I first heard about last March (on the day of the solar eclipse in Aries!), and I'm just waiting for the call to say it's mine. But it’s been a long wait! And I started smoking again in a misguided attempt to cope with the relentless stress and pressure of the constant noise and disturbance.

So here I am feeling at odds (Full Moon) with this habit (Moon/Cancer), versus the need to get real (Capricorn) and admit smoking is a coping mechanism that isn’t working, having only really brought a new stress all of its own. I've taken the first step and bought my nicotine chewing gum, but haven't had the guts to set the date yet. As far as the astrology goes, I’m well aware this is a great time to be planning to break a habit, as Uranus is in strong and supportive aspect to the Full Moon, and in my own chart the South Node of the Moon is currently crossing my natal Pluto (old habits dying hard!).

Thanks to astrology, I'm also aware that the best way to deal with the at-odds feeling of conflict and opposition is to not push against the feelings that are brought up. I know at some point very soon I'm going to have to feel those nicotine cravings through without resisting by lighting up another cig.

So wish me luck! And I wish you the same if the Full Moon is raising your interest in making a resolution or two...