Mercury Retrograde Oct 4 - 25: a survival guide

To effectively communicate, we must realize we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others.

Tony Robbins, Motivational Speaker and Teacher

"A word to the wise is enough. The old proverb is, forewarned, forearmed."

©AstroActivator by Kathryn Andren 2001

Now that the recent Lunar Eclipse day has had its day in, or really "out of the Sun", I want to move on to Mercury Retrograde. I'm sharing this information because this particular Mercury Retrograde carries a stronger intensity than usual. Yes...MR can be more intense than its usual craziness!. That intensity mirrors Mercury Retro occurring amidst two eclipses in October.

I must laugh too. Visiting Sri Lanka during Mercury Retrograde has amplified the quintessential  "lost in translation" experience. The nuances of communication here exist in a world unto themselves. Head nods of varying angles say more than words. Thus...I've readily learned to be alert, pay attention to what feels easy or hard, and more than anything else, laugh and go with the flow. For example...my daughter and I are traveling north tomorrow to visit the ancient temple sites of Anuradhapura. Yesterday we learned the trains are not operating in the North due to a train strike. So now we're driving north. Going with the flow. And, I ask myself (good Mercury Retro strategy) "what wonderful spontaneous adventures await us?"

With that out of the way...please read on:

Total Lunar Eclipse Libra Full Moon April 15 and Grand Cardinal Cross: Intensity Clarifies

"...Intensity clarifies. It creates not only momentum, but also the pressure you need to feel either friction, or fulfillment." Marcus Buckingham, author & motivational speaker

©Energetic Expressions2014: "Emergence" by Joseph Mina

"A Wizard's Hat", as described by astronomer/philosopher Chet Raymo in one of my favorite books Soul of the Night, resembles the shadow area lurking behind every object, large and small, as it orbits our Sun. It is mostly a dark zone, seemingly oblivious to the Sun's brilliant light. In the case of the Earth's cap, its shadow light is a very dusky red, infused with the scattered remains of crimson solar light not held captive by the Earth's atmosphere. Tonight in Hawaii, or in the very early morning hours for North and South America, the Full Moon dips into this hallowed area, creating one of nature's infrequent sublime spectacles...a total lunar eclipse.

Eclipse chaser and observer extraordinare Fred Espenak tells me in his Observer's Handbook the Moon will first touch the outer regions of the Earth's penumbra at 4:53.37 UT today (6:54 pm in Hawaii; 9:54 pm on the West Coast US)...a moment in time no one will perceive. Yet within a matter of 65 minutes, the Moon will begin to lose its brilliant, silvery luster, as the Earth's shadow seemingly takes a bite out of this fabled block of cheese. For an astrologer, or someone who dwells in the realm of metaphor, this "as above, so below" moment opens the human psyche to our own archetypal shadow...that place hiding humanities inner secrets about the more primal parts of our lineage and heritage. Your cosmic homework assignment for this lunation: "look within".

This particular eclipse is one of the more unique ones in recorded history. No, not because of the Moon's passage through the Earth's shadow...a journey replicated every 18.6 months or so. Rather, an extremely rare geometric association of four planetary archetypal expressions occurs at the same time. On its journey tonight, the  Libra Full Moon carries a metaphorical cross on this shadowed trek...a "Cardinal Grand Cross", if you will. We have arrived at the 2014 Crossroads. What will we discover within our psyches about who we are and our potential to co-create on planet Earth??

As I have shared here over the past few years, this evolving grand cross dynamic is nothing short of

Gemini Full Moon 2013: Previews for 2014 Astrology

Overwhelming Moon
outshines my boy Orion
distant stars retreat

Impregnated Moon
aligning at silver gateway
celestial womb

on the occasion of Full Moon meeting Orion.
"Heavenly Haiku" by Kathryn Andren Mina
©Heavenly Haiku series 2013 all rights reserve

Aloha from Hawaii and Happy Gemini Full Moon!

December Full Moon is found near the belt stars of Orion, a powerful place in the sky, highlighting the polarity point of galactic center. On this week of Solstice, this is a potent time to align with our ancestors and look forward to the future.

Gemini is the Zodiac sign of the lovers and the twins. We have used the name Gemini Awakening for over a decade in honor of this symbolic archetype. Gemini is duality, from two becomes one. Seeing things from multiple sides gives a greater ability for awakening insights. Do you find yourself stuck in a perspective or thought process? December astrology for Gemini Full Moon supports being adaptable, seeking new ideas in communication, learning, networking and sharing. Consider how many people catch up at this time of year with communications, cards, and gift giving!

This lunation serves as a strong template for what's to come in 2014. The coming year is potent for

Libra New Moon October 2012: Relationship Reboot

"The quality of your life mirrors the quality of your relationships."  
Anthony Robbins (1960 -  )  Motivational teacher, author and speaker 

"Today we are faced with the preeminent fact that, if civilization is to survive, we must cultivate the science of human relationships...the ability of all peoples, of all kinds, to live together, in the same world, at peace.
Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945)  32nd President - United States

AstroActivator 2001©Kathryn Andren Mina, all rights reserved

Four times a year, the interactive dance of the Sun and Moon point their cosmic spotlight on the realm of relationships. And here we are again. At this Libra New Moon, opportunity is offered for resetting the balance of all significant relationships in your life. Right on cue, Saturn's recent completion of its 30 month journey through Libra becomes your inner benchmark at this lunation for relationship lessons learned in this essential area of human life.

New Moon occurs on October 15 at 2:03 am in Hawaii, 5:03 on the US West Coast, 12:03 pm GMT, and on the 16th from New Zealand east to the International dateline.

New Moon periods are akin to rebooting a computer. Everything gets refreshed. At 22°, this Sun/Moon positions at essentially the same degree location where Saturn completed its recent retrograde cycle this past June in Libra. Hence, the essence of Saturn lessons you have

Libra Full Moon and April Astrology Update: Relationship Center Stage

AstroActivator2001© by Kathryn Andren Mina

"We enter into relationship to be different."
Donald Epstein, DC, developer of Network Spinal Analysis

The Libra Full Moon is April 6, 2012  9:19 AM in Hawaii and 12:19 PM Pacific time; and on the 7th from India east to the International Date Line, when the Moon positions at 17° Libra.
 

Libra is for lovers; Libra is the sign of partnership and relationship. Libra Full Moon illuminates balance, harmony and union. There is a focus now on the arts, beauty, justice and co-creativity. Opposing the Sun in Aries, this Full Moon timing is potent for exploring how you express your unique individuality in relationship with others.

“Libra Full Moon time offers the opportunity to examine your relationships. Ask yourself, is this connection congruent with my individuated needs.... Bring

Equinox and Libra New Moon Sept 2011: Throttle Up

You will never truly know yourself or the strength of your relationships until both have been tested by adversity. J. K Rowling, Author 

Time has been transformed, and we have changed; it has advanced and set us in motion; it has unveiled its face, inspiring us with bewilderment and exhilaration. Khalil Gibran, Poet, Artist, Author (1883-1931)

The change of seasons is upon us as the Sun moves into the Cardinal sign of Libra on the 22nd before midnight in Hawaii, and the 23rd for the rest of the world. Approximately 5 days later, the Moon catches up with the Sun on September 27th, activating the Libra New Moon energies for the ensuing 2 weeks.

Kathryn Mina AstroActivator©2001

Equinox or Solstice days serve as theme builders for the ensuing season. Dependent on the potency of that day’s chart, the season will unfold somewhere between a flowing and heightened state. 

This particular version is not as intense as the last Equinox (heightened), however, it does continue the Uranus/Pluto square in Aries and Capricorn, respectively, initiated last March. 

This on-going theme in effect through 2015 of “change and dissolving” underscores the turmoil and new initiatives seen throughout the world. Hence, in the coming season, look for more destabilizing and reorganizational shifts in the Capricorn realm of law, rules, finance, politics and organized structure. Adding the qualities of Uranus in Aries to the mix, look for unexpected opportunities for shifting your life in a new direction. In any event, this coming season ought to make for a very interesting time on Planet Earth.

Libra Full Moon: A Question of Balance

"I believe that uncertainty is really my spirit's way of whispering "I'm in flux; I can't decide for you; something is off-balance here". Oprah Winfrey

"The national budget must be balanced. The public debt must be reduced; the arrogance of the authorities must be moderated and controlled. Payments to foreign governments must be reduced, if the nation doesn't want to go bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance." Cicero, Philosopher (106 BC - 43 BC)

"We pray to God when our foundation is shaking only to discover God is shaking the foundation." Donald Epstein, DC, Wise World Seminars

Pacific Expanse by Joseph Mina

I write this at 35,000 feet flying over the might blue Pacific, en route to Hawaii after a 3 week inner healing journey with Kathryn in eastern Colorado (yes, we were traveling during a Mercury Retrograde, and grace, serendipity and spontaneity were definitely our guides!!!).

As I look out over the seemingly endless expanse of ocean and clouds below, I'm struck by the enormity and beauty of Planet Earth.

From this lofty, serene perspective, I find it hard to fathom an intense societal struggle now rages in various areas of the globe for something new...something different. Yet, the current planetary aspects continue to point distinctly in that direction, creating more and more fuel for evolutionary shift...radical change...passion...and freedom. Can you feel it?

Look back over the past 3 years and reflect how change has impacted your life and those close to you. Does this “look back” fuel a desire for returning to something familiar, tested and seemingly reliable, or add impetus for something new, uncertain, and exciting? Therein lies the polarity of choice now vividly expressed and amplified world-wide.

Aries...first zodiac sign, currently provides the high octane fuel driving this shift. This unusually strong preponderance of raw, cardinal energy, spawned in March, continues unabated through the next Full Moon in May.

Today, the Moon reaches its opposition with the Sun in Aries at 28 degrees at 4:44 pm in Hawaii. Other times for the Full Moon are 7:44 p (PDT) on the US West Coast, 10:44 p, East Coast US and after midnight on the 18th in western South America, east to the International Dateline (2:44 am GMT).

This is last of 3 consecutive super Full Moons for 2011. A super Full Moon occurs when the

Libra New Moon - Creating a New Balance

"Please remember as you continue on your quest for balance, happiness, inner peace, and lack of suffering, that everything in Nature goes through cycles… the ebbs and flows that allow us to experience the ecstasy of contrast. Without the constant sway, we would feel nothing at all. Neither extreme is sustainable indefinitely; and as the pendulum swings, we are renewed." Anonymous

Venus Retrograde Video Blog coming soon! 

AstroActivator© by Kathryn Andren

On October 7th, the Moon completes its 28.5 day cycle, meeting the Sun at 14 degrees Libra. New Moon time in Hawaii is at 8:44 am (11:44 a on the West Coast; 6:44 pm Universal Time; and 3:44 am on the 8th in Japan). 

Here, the familiar cycle of a New Moon leading to the Full Moon in its opposite sign is reestablished after 15 months of the reverse (Full Moon leading to the New Moon in the opposite sign). This more familiar pattern supports creative endeavors initiated at the New Moon, then reaching fulfillment at the ensuing Full Moon. This more familiar cycle continues for the next 20 months. 

New Moon: Libra qualities  - air sign: relationships and companionship, beauty, artistry, curiosity, harmony and diplomacy, This particular New Moon adds to the "pairs effect" discussed in our last blog entry, upping the number of pair conjunctions to 5 and changing the mix slightly.  

The 5 pairs today are Sun/Moon in Libra, Jupiter/Uranus in Pisces, Chiron/Neptune in Aquarius, Venus/Mars in Scorpio and Mercury/Saturn in Libra. I must say this chart is not only unusual because of the pairings, but also because there is very little interaction between the chart aspects.  This mostly "non-aspected" vibration tends to amplify the energy of the Sun/Moon combination.