Scorpio New Moon: Mars stations direct unleashing the beast

“You must have chaos within you to give birth to a dancing star.”
Friedrich Nietzsche - Philosopher, Composer, Poet, and Philologist (1844-1900)

“It can be a cruel and random world, but the chaos is all so beautiful.”
Hiromu Arakawa - Japanese Manga Artist - (1973 -

"Moving into higher vibrations requires more energy. It is essential in the 21st Century the biofield (physical body) has sufficient energetic resources to serve as a strong foundation for higher energetic thoughts and connection to one's soul essence." 
Donnie Epstein, Founder of Network Spinal (1953 - )

Greetings from the East Coast, United States near Philadelphia

Destination Anywhere and Everywhere
Chicago O'Hare Airport - Terminal 1 passenger tunnel
by Joseph Mina Oct 2020

Perhaps one of the quotes to start this blog should have been "the best laid plans of mice and men....": a theme quite emblematic for 2020. Yet with any small or significant change, chaos or confusion is a prime ingredient and activator for something new; something different; and perhaps something game changing or ground breaking. And that requires energy. A lot of it.

At this Scorpio New Moon the focus shifts to life force, the very fuel we call energy.

New Moon arrives on the 15th shortly after midnight on the East Coast, US; 5:09 UTC. Any time zone to the west of EST to the International Date Line registers the New Moon on the 14th. The New Moon theme set out below is expressed over the coming two weeks.

The water sign of Scorpio focuses on the deepest depths of human interactions. Its qualities includes shared resources, trust, intimacy, and death/rebirth. And not surprisingly, its energy pattern is fueled by life force; that vital vibration that inspires, animates, incites and motivates us. 

This is the 4th and last perigee Moon (Super Moon) of 2020, and hence arrives with added energy (as if we needed more)! However, as this New Moon in Scorpio follows the Taurus Full Moon of late October, it further activates the theme of that Full Moon. But before I explain that part, know the switch from "New Moon preceding Full Moon" to "Full Moon preceding New Moon" began in August and continues now until next August when the bigger lunation cycle switches back to Full follows New.  

At this New Moon, the recent Taurus Full Moon theme emphasizes Uranian-type changes (surprising/unexpected/out-of-the-blue/progressive) in the Earth's vibration along with our connected physical body to this greater paradigm, eg the shock of the Corona Virus. It also points to the importance of integrity in our relationships with others. This theme influence remains in effect until later January. It's then Mars finally leaves Aries for Taurus (6th) leading to a conjunction with Uranus on the 20th in square to Jupiter/Saturn in Aquarius. I'll write about that meeting in January. And speaking of potent Mars....

AstroActivator© by Kathryn Andren

Yesterday, archetypal Mars stationed direct motion after what seemed like an eternal retrograde. At either station retrograde or direct, planetary energy stalls and intensifies (think of a pressure cooker). Then ever so slowly, the motion resumes in the opposite direction e.g. the swinging of a pendulum. 

Most Mars retrogrades (every 30 months or so) are periods of constrained or limited energy, which is the reversal of archetypal Mars' normal energy expression. If you are feeling constrained of late, this Mars cycle may be quite active in your natal chart.  

Typically, a Mars energetic vibe likes to be assertive, bold, courageous, determined etc. in alignment with the qualities of the astrological sign it transits. Yet, Mars' retrograde period is the very antithesis of these typical qualities. Here, its energetic expression becomes an internal pause, a time of reflection and reorganizational period before the big exhale begins anew with forward movement. Yesterday marks the start of that big exhale (rather slowly at first), and as mentioned above will be in play through at least early to mid January. 

This particular Mars retrograde though has been quite unique for a few reasons: 

1. Home Sign: Mars stationed retrograde in its home sign of assertive, bold, courageous, impulsive Aries back in September. Such happens infrequently in Mars' home sign (last cycles in Aries were in 1941 and 1988). Anytime a planet transits its home sign the energy of that sign becomes further amplified. At the Taurus Full Moon, 4 planets (Saturn, Mars, Venus and Mars) were transiting their home sign. It's no wonder late October into early November felt so intense. Further, a retrograde in that sign triggers even greater intensity due to the protracted time of the transit. In Mars case its retrograde period spans June 27, 2020, when it entered Aries to Jan 6 2021, when it leaves Aries for Taurus.
2. Visually Bright: In the sky story, this year's opposition in early October was the second brightest visual of Mars since 2003 (2018's was slightly brighter). Mars won't be this bright again until 2035. It's brilliant ruddy color transiting the night sky was a memorable sight, rivaling only Venus and the Moon in its luminance. 
3. Continuation: The last Mars retrograde in 2018 in late June>August started in progressive Aquarius back into late Capricorn. In the US, this augured the progressive (Aquarius) blue wave evident in the subsequent 2018 November elections and its focus on dismantling/melting down Capricorn's outdated rules, structure, politics and business for a more progressive agenda.
4. Intensity: This Mars Retrograde began in late degrees Aries and began in square to its 2018 station direct position in Capricorn. Events over the past two months fueled by a pandemic that won't let up, a very intense election cycle in the US (future vs past), along with a protracted dispute about election integrity/fraud speak to the strong energetic restraint at the moment around new opportunities, forward progress and initiatives that are progressively envisioned.

As an experiment for future media endeavors, I created a video about the Taurus Full Moon with the assistance of my friend Cara Reynolds from Vancouver, Canada. Alas, with every intention to release the video in late October, I encountered unanticipated computer  processing problems (no surprise there 😉). Further, a spontaneously planned week in the Sun at the New Jersey shore in early November (it was heavenly) put a big temporary dent in any remaining initiative I had to finish this project (Mars and Mercury retrograde were seeing to it!). Hence, it's only now that I am releasing the video. Nonetheless, its content about the Taurus Full Moon is quite pertinent to current events and what lies ahead in the coming weeks. Have a watch here:

Life Path Astrology Consultations: As 2021 rapidly nears, deepen your understanding of your natal birth chart along with a look ahead to 2021 and how to best navigate the planetary cycles of the new year. I am available for private one-to-one consultation sessions via Skype or Zoom (audio recorded). Gift certificates are available too! 

Great changes present great opportunities. My personal astrological counseling session is designed to help you create meaningful strategies for adapting and shifting with the current planetary cycles. Schedule your appointment today via this link.

Back to the Scorpio New Moon

The Sensor,
Voyager Tarot
James Wanless, PhD

Other dynamic aspects of this New Moon vibration over the next two weeks include:

1. Venus in Libra in direct square to Jupiter/Pluto and close square to Saturn in Capricorn. This signals a time to reflect on personal, work, and friend relationships (Libra) and whether they are in alignment with your evolving self. This represents one of the Taurus Full Moon themes too.

2. Sun/Moon in Scorpio create a 60 degree sextile with Jupiter/Pluto/Saturn in Capricorn and a trine to Neptune in Pisces further intensifying that on-going trio's influence on melting down/altering all things Capricorn (rules, structure, politics, governance, business), and all things hidden, e.g. viral (Neptune in Pisces).

3. Mercury in Scorpio (soon leaving its retrograde shadow on Nov 19) opposite Uranus in Taurus speaks to more information from the depths (Scorpio) unexpectedly coming to the fore about on-going earth and physical body changes, including virus information.

Reflection suggestions for this New Moon:

1. What does my physical body want me to know?
2. How can I strengthen my physical body?
3. Are there relationships in my life that no longer align with my values and desires? If so, what steps am I ready to take to create meaningful change or even closure?
4. Now is a potent time to reflect on 2021 and what you would like to manifest/create based on your 2020 experiences to date. Vision board is one type of medium. Be creative here. Let your passion be your guide.

Coming personal and business changes: 

Core Activation
design by Joseph Mina
and Alaya Rousseau

I expect to return to South Africa in early December where summer awaits me. And in this moment inTolkien's words "and wither then I cannot say". Much depends on how the bigger societal picture evolves, especially relative to national border policies, social distancing, and economic flow. 

Further, this blog entry represents the last one at this blogger page along with its related archives dating back to 2007. I am beginning a new Starman Astrology blog page under the name of my new web site: Core Activation. In turn, come early 2021 that blog page will switch from Google's Blogger to Word Press to coincide with the debut of my new web site.

Conclusion:

I welcome your comments below.

The coming two United States Senate elections in the state of Georgia occur on

Phoenix Rising

January 5th, just 3 days after Mars leaves its retrograde shadow and a day before it enters Taurus. The theme for that January 5 chart points to an opportunity for significant change. If the Democratic party were to win both races, they would be the majority party in both houses of the US Congress. Such a change would have wide implications that go well beyond the US borders. As with anything, progressive change requires progressive action and more energy than usual. As its counter-point, apathy fuels a continuation of the status quo. The choice is ours and ours alone.

If anything has been learned from the 2020 pandemic, doing nothing is no longer a viable option. Regardless of who you voted for, the record vote turnout in the recent US elections points to a much more engaged country populace than ever seen before. The same holds true for many other countries in the world. And in my opinion, that's a good thing. Power to the people!

As Jupiter (19th) and Saturn (17th) begin moving from Capricorn towards their Aquarius ingress in mid-December, further emphasis on progressive ideas and initiatives will continue to increase and strengthen. In that vein, the traditional world we once knew, the day-to-day social interaction/functions, and traditional global alliances are rapidly changing. In fact, huge social changes being seeded currently will become more and more evident as Pluto completes its epic 15 year transit of Capricorn in 2023. 

Remember, it's been only 28 years since the use of personal computers and cell phones began to spread through the general public. Amazingly, children born at that time (now going through their first Saturn Return!) through the present have little, if any understanding of the world that existed in the 1980's and prior. Their world of social media, progressive ideals, and gender equality and acceptance is what is most important to many now in their teens and twenty's. And in that way, the Universe through the endless march of generations has shown us the potential future for a more progressive, interconnected and viable world society. 

Is humanity ready to make such a significant leap? Younger generations have readily said YES! And therein lies the future. There's really no going back. In the courageous words of Chuck Yeager back in 1947, he uttered "throttle up" when facing potential air disaster while attempting to break the sound barrier for the first time. At that critical moment his aircraft shook violently, then passed into silence as he moved through that barrier. Previous attempts by others to exceed the speed of sound all came to the same extreme oscillating moment, and they all pulled back. Death was usually the result. Quite telling. Now retired General Yeager knew in that moment what had not worked (pulling back). His only option was to "throttle up". 

This is such a telling lesson for those taking leaps of faith along the life path. In times of growth and significant change, courage, determination and trust always surpass safety and stability. Throttle Up!

Next update in December: December Solstice and a look at 2021.

Sat Nam

Starman, Joseph Mina
Malvern, Pennsylvania USA
November 14, 2020 

Top 10 Reasons this Solstice season says "Pay Attention": Weaving a New Dream

"Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Graphic by Joseph Mina; Center image by artist Eva Ruiz

Sobering times. Intensity in its most hideous form enters our awareness. This time it's Orlando Florida. Could have easily been Syria, Iraq, parts of Africa, China, or any number of other locations around the world. Senseless mayhem persists on a global scale, but then again, isn't all mayhem "senseless".

A little over a month ago, I wrote a piece for this blog titled "Top 10 Reasons Current Planetary Cycles are saying "Pay Attention".  In that piece I highlighted the unfolding retrogrades of Mars and Mercury, Venus' inner dance with the Sun, and Saturn's current on-going quest for the truth. The word "intensity" was sprinkled throughout the article.

No need here to opine about how the insatiable traditional and social media juggernauts fuel themselves with tragic events around the world. However, important to remember intensity comes in many flavors. As dark as something may appear, its opposite equally exists in the human consciousness. This coming solstice season offers you a choice between light and dark; higher vision

Top 10 reasons current planetary cycles are saying "Pay Attention"

“In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you.” Deepak Chopra (1947 - )

Taurus New Moon occurs on May 6 or 7th depending on your locale. But I’m not surfacing to write about that lunation…there are other astrologers doing so. Rather, I’m here to weigh-in on the more significant astrological cycles now very strongly in play through early July and rippling outward through the end of August.

The other day en route to Japan I was pondering the tumultuous state of the world’s current affairs. As an astrologer, I instinctively compare events with the influences of the current planetary cycles. Recently, friends, acquaintances and clients have been asking or telling me "What is going on?", "I feel so unproductive",  "Is Mercury Retrograde?".

Well yes, a lot is going on energetically, however its triggers are much more than Mercury Retrograde, or even the bigger generational cycle of Uranus square Pluto or Neptune in Pisces. An unusual spate of mystically connected astrological cycles and influences have recently come together in related signs, accentuating and directing the energetic flow inward...inward...inward.

On this astrological stage you’ll find all the personal planets, namely Mercury, Venus, and Mars, moving decidedly inward in unusually  strong and interconnected ways. More so, personal planet cycles have an amplified influence on…you guessed it...You!!! Scorpio, Taurus, Sagittarian and Gemini types pay particular attention!!!

And while personal planetary cycles are usually quick passages due to their relatively fast

Total Solar Eclipse Super New Moon March 8...Pisces Flood

"Infuse your life with  action. Don't wait for it to happen. Make it happen. Make your own  future. Make your own hope. Make your own love. And whatever your  beliefs, honor your creator, not by passively waiting for grace to come  down from upon high, but by doing what you can to make grace happen...  yourself, right now, right down here on Earth." Bradley Whitford, Actor and Political Activist

#supermoon #totaleclipse #PiscesNewMoon

Aloha Everyone

This update is rather out of the blue...in fact, quite Uranian. I haven't created an update here for a year as I have focused on other pursuits instead of astrology writing. Yet thanks to a rather recent and persistent voice in my head, I’ve decided to weigh-in on today’s significant total solar eclipse. That voice was fueled in part by a very recent unexpected last minute astrology consultation for a new client whose significant Piscean natal aspects just happened to be exact to this eclipse position.

As an aside, I'll surprisingly drop-in here once in a while as the spirit moves or nudges me, offering my Aquarius big picture thoughts about certain significant astrological events. If you are looking for the astrological nitty-gritty (usually Virgo types do), there are plenty of other astrologers writing on a much more frequent basis. An internet search will hook you up with them.

Before I get to the eclipse, I want to mention I expect 2016 will prove to be more intense than the

Cancer New Moon June 27: The Evolving World Community

"It is in our hands -- yours and mine, each person here today -- to make a decision to work, to work together, and to work with others around the whole world, to build friendship, and love, and understanding among all people."  Alice Bartow Hobensack, Author

Aloha Friends of the Night Sky

New Oxford Dictionary's definition of "Community":
• a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common
• a particular area or place considered together with its inhabitants, eg. a rural community.
• a body of nations or states unified by common interests
• a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals

AstroActivator© 2001 by Kathryn Andren

Over the past 10 years, the very concept of community has rapidly evolved into an extraordinary awareness of the human family. In the on-going building Aquarian vibration of the 21st century, the circle of connection around the Globe has become greater and smaller simultaneously. Technology, and its child "social media" has stretched the parameters of our connections to every habitable corner of the Earth.

Today, it is quite easy to have a video chat with someone living on the other side of the Globe, or to collaborate with a team of people from a variety of locations. Yes...we are embracing a new concept of Community...the global human family. In turn, this is preparing us for a much bigger step...one that embraces our connection to other civilizations in the cosmos.

This Cancer New Moon provides the opportunity to reflect and celebrate the growing web of human connection, diversity, and inter-relationships. It is also a time to honor the traditions and gifts of the past, as well as embrace the new wave of co-existence and inter-dependency beginning to unite the human family. Peter Russel's description of the Global Brain and this unfolding unification is more relatable  and revealing

Astrology June 2014 Sagittarius Full Moon: Truth and Liberation

"You need to challenge your fear of life becoming unreasonable - because it is already unreasonable. In truth, your life has never been reasonable, it’s just that you keep hoping tomorrow will be different and that you will find a way to bring more control into your world. Recognize that life will always be full of challenges and crisis. The wise way is not to attempt to find one path that promises you will never have to endure the pain of loss and illness, but instead to learn how to endure and transcend when unreasonable events come your way. Learning to defy gravity in your world - to think, perceive, and act at the mystical level of consciousness - is the greatest gift you can give yourself, because it is the gift of truth. And as we are bound to learn again and again in this life, the truth does indeed set us free.” Carolyn Myss, author and spiritual teacher

"Mercury Retrograde" sketch by Joseph Mina

Whenever the Moon comes into New or Full aspect in the sign of the Sagittarian Archer, the notions of "truth" and embracing/attaining a higher spiritual perspective enter our human conversation. This month's Full Moon seeds this theme in unusual and compelling ways. Are you ready to face life's unpredictable ups and downs from a new or more enlightened perspective? If so, I suggest first re-reading Carolyn Myss' quote, then reading on.

Full Moon occurs at 22° Sagittarius (chart below) on June 12 at 6:11 pm in Hawaii, 9:11 on the West Coast, 11:11 in the Midwest USA, and shortly after midnight on the 13th on the East Coast USA, east to the International Dateline. GMT for the Full Moon is June 13th at 8:11 am.

In this lunation, powerful transformational forces continue to dominate the astrological landscape. As I mentioned in my end of May update, Mars in cardinal sign Libra continues its ever-so-slow direct motion as it retraces its retrograde movement of March through mid-May. This "slog" continues

Astrology Gemini New Moon May 28th: Mercury Retrograde Nears

“Nothing endures but change.” ― Heraclitus

“The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.” ― Albert Einstein

Turbulent Waves, Hookena Beach, Hawaii
iPad Energy Sketch by Joseph Mina

The season of Gemini-style change is upon us. Gemini energy imbues change into everyday life. It's Gemini's nature.

Ruled by Mercury, Gemini thrives in the realm of communication, thoughts, movement and ideas. Usually, this playful nature manifests as spontaneous, humorous, connective, highly creative and changeable.  Yet, these are no ordinary times. In this current vibration, Gemini becomes a ninja-like shape shifter, ready to turn the energetic tables in the blink of an eye. Are you ready for more spontaneous change???

This Gemini New Moon also brings Neptune in Pisces into the conversation, evoking Neptune's connection to imagery, dreams, inspiration, and most importantly, confusion. "What is real and what is not?" will be a powerful theme generator in the coming months, especially in Pisces' realms of spirituality and illusion.

Gemini New Moon arrives on the 28th at 8:40 am in Hawaii, 11:40 am PDT, 2:40 EDT, 6:40

Astrology May 2014 Scorpio Full Moon: Emotional Intensity 101

“There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique, and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium; and be lost.”  Martha Graham

"Big Wave Day Hawaii" sketch by Joseph Mina

The month of May nears its half way point (these months are sure flying by) as the Scorpio Full Moon takes center stage. Each year, the Scorpio Full Moon lights up the mid-spring sky (or mid-autumn sky for those down-under). Here, we are encouraged to go deeper into our life force, exploring new ways to use this precious vibration in our day-to-day lives.

Full Moon arrives on the 14th at 9:16 am in Hawaii, 12:16 pm on the West Coast; 3:16 pm on the East coast; 7:16 pm UTC; and on the 15th from western Russia east to the international date line.

This Full Moon joins Saturn in Scorpio in the current sky story. Over the past 90 years, this is only the 4th time the Full Moon and Saturn in Scorpio have come into close aspect (2nd closest). Archetypally, the Moon's

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

Aries New Moon March 30: Are You Ready???

"Re-examine all you have been told in school or church or in any book, and dismiss whatever insults your own soul, and your very flesh shall be a great poem, and have the richest fluency, not only in words, but in the silent lines of its lips and face and between the lashes of your eyes, and in every motion and joint of your body." - Walt Whitman, Preface to Leaves of Grass

"Let the beauty we love be what we do...there are hundreds of ways to knell and kiss the ground". Rumi

AstroActivators© 2002 Kathryn Andren

We arrive at the Aries New Moon. A gong sounds...loudly. We begin anew...yet this time the ground is highly fertile and ripe for significant shifts in your individuated expression, how you relate to others, what fuels your persona in the world, and what nurtures you to the core.  Yes...cardinal sign energies are building for the Cardinal Cross of late April...this fiery Aries New Moon opens a significant door for that vibration, rippling its vibration through early June. Wow O Wow!

Archetypal Aries is raw, primal, highly creative, in the moment, passionate about their inner dance and ready to set the world on fire. Abraham Hicks might have been considering Aries-types when this came through "people will love you...people will hate you...and none of it will have anything to do with you." And I'll add "your life won't be boring"!

Pure Aries is entirely self-focused on individuated growth and experiences. To others it may seem narcissistic or self-absorbed. Yet, someone has to take the lead...someone has to get the ball rolling in a particular direction or trend. Oh yes...Aries types are rarely around to see things completed, especially anyone with Ascendant, Venus or Mars in this individuated vibration. "On to the next greatest thing" is their fuel and passion, and sometimes their greatest challenge. As such, following impulsive urges can prove to be a 2 edged sword. Learning the art/balance between discernment and action is very helpful for the Aries mojo.

This New Moon invites you to conjure new ways of expressing your passion in the world. How do

Virgo Full Moon March 16: Endings & Beginings

"Great is the art of beginning, but greater is the art of ending."
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow~

There comes a time in life when a door closes to allow another door to open. This Virgo Full Moon signals the end of the astrological year, and on a personal level, the significant end of a life chapter.

Kathryn and I have been in relationship for almost 14 years. We met at a Dolphin Mediation Night here in Hawaii back in May 2000. "Hi I'm Kathryn" were her first words, as she extended her hand to me. That wondrous meeting set in motion a most amazing ride...one with many twists and turns, ups and downs and much growth. And now sadly the ride has come to its conclusion: endings and beginnings.

In part, Gemini is the "lovers", "twins", or "troubadours" sharing information and raising consciousness. We created Gemini Awakening in 2002, reflecting our desire to share astrological news and tandem healing services with the world in new and innovative ways. Our creative expressions through imagery and video have been a wonderful way to reach out and connect with many people. We thank you for supporting the expression of the life we love to share.

In the realm of completions, and being aware of what this coming Virgo Full Moon offers (more below), the other day we returned to the place where we married in Hawaii...Pu'u Honua O'Honaunau...the City of Refuge. There, we created a 4 direction design made from plants from our land. Through the symbolic nature of each offering, (Ti leaf, fig, noni, herbs, fruits etc) we acknowledged how that energy had been expressed, and been an integral part of our lives together. Amazingly, especially as we were in a remote part of the Refuge, someone appeared unexpectedly (how Uranian) to give us a donation and tell us how much he appreciated all that we generously share in our astrology work. Perhaps he was a Universal emissary for everyone who has been the recipient of our healing work over the past 14 years? We were deeply touched by this unexpected gesture, and "out of the blue" Uranian visitor.

Kathryn has now created her own web site where you can contact her at KathrynAndren.com.  There, Kathryn now features her "Cosmic Collage" Gallery, Astrology Consulting and Insights, and Massage and Bodywork services. Check it out here. You can also "Like" her new Facebook page: Kathryn Andren Art.

In the the meantime, I'm continuing to post under the Gemini Awakening banner. However, this too will change over the coming months. I am creating a new web site with greater integration between my Astrology, Bodywork, Photography and Creative Expressions. You'll receive notice when this is

Pisces New Moon Feb 28: Sensitivity 101

“It really boils down to this: that all life is interrelated. We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied into a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one destiny, affects all indirectly.” ― Martin Luther King Jr.

"Integration Station" iPad sketch by Joseph Mina

"To everything, turn, turn, turn, there is a season, turn, turn, turn...." Pete Seeger, American folk singer and activist, penned then sang these mystical words back in the 1950's. His recent death in late January brings to mind how seasons end...then begin anew. As we reach the Pisces New Moon on February 28, we embrace both the end of the astrological procession through Pisces...and await the new and seemingly exciting season to come through Aries. Turn...turn...turn....

Pisces calls us home to be part of the greater collective. Yet, despite its sensitive, compassionate and peaceful magnetism, this calling occurs in a sea of great planetary uncertainty, intensity, change and transformation. In some quarters, such as the Ukraine, Syria, Iraq or Pakistan, a boiling fervor ignites a call for freedom from oppression, while in other areas highly

Leo Full Moon Feb 14: Fueling Heart Desires

"Let the beauty we love be what we do. There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground."  — Rumi

"Heart Activation" sketch by Joseph Mina

The desires of the heart move in mysterious ways. The brain does not understand this mystery. Where our mental perspectives are fueled by "this or that", the heart, fueled by love,  only knows desire and passion. Yet, our thinking and desires are potent forces. This Leo Full Moon invites you to reflect on what you truly desire to create in passionate, loving ways.

Full Moon occurs on the 14th at 1:53 pm in Hawaii, 3:53 on the West Coast; 11:53 pm GMT; and on the 15th from Italy, Germany, Eastern Europe east to the International Date Line.

This Leo Full Moon positioned at 26° arrives accompanied by a host of retrograde planets, or planetary energies in strong aspect to each other. Usually, a Full Moon period represents an

Pisces New Moon Feb 21: Prayer Express

"All of us have in our veins the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean, and, therefore, we have salt in our blood, in our sweat, in our tears. We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea...we are going back from whence we came."  John F. Kennedy (1917 - 1963)

"Can ye fathom the ocean, dark and deep, where the mighty waves and the grandeur sweep?" Fanny Crosby, Musician (1820 - 1915)

"To understand water is to understand the cosmos, the marvels of nature, and life itself." Masaru Emoto, Scientist and Author, Hidden Messages in Water

AstroActivator©2001 Kathryn Andren Mina

The Moon catches up to the Sun on February 21 at 3 degrees Pisces. New Moon time in Hawaii is 3:35 pm; 5:35 on the West Coast, and on the 22nd at 1:35 AM GMT, then east to the International Date Line. This New Moon theme focuses on Piscean qualities of unification, transcendence, transitions, karmic completions, sensitivity, and empathic awareness. With its ruling planet Neptune now fully immersed into Pisces, the cosmic spotlight turns to selfless, compassionate service on the global stage, the state of the world's waters and environmental health, and creative use of imagery and film.

As the last sign of the zodiac, Pisces provides a reminder and reflection about the infinite depth of the collective consciousness. Pisces dissolves form. Hence, inherent to its archetypal expression is the merged essence and awareness of all other zodiac members. This New Moon is a

Neptune in Pisces and Leo Full Moon Feb 7: I See You

"...there is a moving palace that floats in the air 

with balconies and clear water flowing through, 

infinity everywhere, yet contained under a single tent."

excerpt from Rumi's "Moving Water"

"The beauty of the heart is the lasting beauty:

its lips give to drink of the water of life....that oneness you can't know

by reasoning." excerpt from Rumi's "The Beauty of the Heart". 

AstroActivator©2001 Kathryn Andren Mina

"Mysterious", "nebulous", "the Oneness", "feeling my way", "dreaming the dream", and many more similar expressions underscore a significant turning of the page at this Full Moon lunation, one that guides us into the realm of the unknown...the eternal fog...the bigger vision. Time for a reality check, you are about to embark on a 15 year journey into Pisces land, the sea of everything.

The Leo Full Moon on February 7/8th shines its fiery, illuminative light on this Piscean water realm, and in turn, its potent ruler Neptune. How appropriate we begin this journey into the realm of "the All" with the blazing heart of Leo lighting the way.

Leo Full Moon occurs on the 7th at 11:54 am in Hawaii, 1:54 p on the West Coast, 9:54 p GMT, and on the 8th from the Middle East, (AST) east to the International

Aquarius New Moon, Mars Retrograde Jan 22, 2012

"The outward freedom that we shall attain will only be in exact proportion to the inward freedom to which we may have grown at a given moment. And if this is a correct view of freedom, our chief energy must be concentrated on achieving reform from within.  Mahatma Gandhi (1869 - 1948)
 

"Consider what you need to tidy up, then take action." Sharon O'Hara, The Growing Place

The Aquarian New Moon encourages us to "get out of the box". Starman visits Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles in February for Astrology Presentations, Classes and private sessions (leaving the Hawaiian warmth for the mainland cold is definitely out of my comfort zone). Schedule, registration, and information found here.

An intense 2 week cycle of energy comes to a close as the Full Moon in Cancer now shifts its frequency to the Aquarius/Leo axis. While Cancer/Capricorn focuses on how we are nurtured and produce, the Aquarius/Leo axis points to a more futuristic, expanded perspective, one which is fueled by social

Total Lunar Eclipse and Gemini Full Moon: the Dance of Unpredictability

Between the desire
And the spasm
Between the potency
And the existence
Between the essence
And the descent
Falls the Shadow
T. S. Eliot, Author (1888 - 1965)

The last Full Moon of the current season occurs for most of the world on Saturday, December 10th at 4:37 AM in Hawaii, 6:37 AM on the West Coast, 9:37 AM on the East Coast, and 2:37 PM GMT. Eastern Australia,New Zealand and parts of the Western Pacific welcome the Full Moon in the early morning hours on the 11th.

For parts of the world, a total eclipse of the Moon will be visible. This is the last total lunar eclipse visible on Earth until 2014. Hence, this Moon's shadow influence is a theme setter for 2012 and 2013. The Moon positions at 18 degrees Gemini. This Lunar eclipse also further

Aries New Moon - stepping into spontaneous change

"Times of general calamity and confusion create great minds. The purest ore is produced from the hottest furnace, and the brightest thunderbolt is elicited from the darkest storms." Charles Caleb Colton (1780 - 1832)

"He not busy being born is busy dying"  Bob Dylan 

"All things must change to something new, to something strange."
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807 - 1882)


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

April 13th 2010 Solar Image from NASA Stereo Satellite 

A lot has shifted significantly in the ethers since beginning to write earlier this week about Thursday's Aries New Moon. For example, strong volcanic eruptions in Iceland ground most airplanes flying in Europe. The strongest solar prominence/flare in the past 15 years erupts on the Sun just 3 days ago. Many other oddities fill the news. Each reminds us we live in extraordinary times, requiring extraordinary measures to surf this vibrational wave of change.


With that said, I present my perspective on this New Moon cycle we have just entered, plus reflect on the building Saturn/Uranus opposition taking place on the 26th. Oh...as if we needed one more thing, Mercury turns retrograde tomorrow (17th).


Aries New Moon: the Moon returned to its new position on the14th in the sign of Aries. New Moon is a time of resetting the vibration. This restart phase is further accentuated as this New Moon represents the first new lunation of the Spring season. 

Virgo Full Moon - Awakening the Dreamtime

"The longer I have lived and the more knowledge I have got from the achievements of people, the narrower and smaller the world of knowledge have appeared to me. And it has become more clear to me that even we are ruled by the forces beyond our knowledge."

Toivo Pekkanen, Finnish writer

"I always wondered why somebody doesn't do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody."  Lily Tomlin, humorist

On February 28th, the Moon comes into direct opposition with the Sun at 6:38 am, Hawaiian Standard Time (8:38 am PST; 11:38 EST; 4:38 pm GMT). This is the last Full Moon of the winter season in the Northern Hemisphere.

The actual Full Moon window begins some 16 hours earlier on February 27th as the Moon enters Virgo, and continues 16 hours beyond Full Moon, when the Moon reaches 20 degrees Virgo. This 20 degree span represents the orb influence the Full Moon exerts on our psyches and body vibration during the Full Moon Window. It also explains why the Moon appears "full" for more than one night.

This is the 2nd of 5 consecutive Super Full Moons, as the Moon reaches its direct opposition with the Sun just 19 hours past its perigee point, or closest point to the Earth. This "syzygy" effect puts the Sun/Earth/Moon in direct alignment with each other. This tight line-up, amplifies the Full Moon's pull on the Earth's fluid tides, which incidentally includes the body fluids of all living organisms, including us!

Also, as with all Full Moons, the solar wind effect on the Earth's magnetic field creates a magnetic "tail" sweeping away from the Earth. The Full Moon passes through the tail's field of highly charged particles about 3 days before Full Moon and exits 3 days later. Having a highly charged Moon surface explains in part why Full Moon's can feel intense. That "syzygy" occurs at the same time adds an additional jolt to a very potent lunation. "Lunatics" start your cosmic engines.

Aquarius New Moon - the Paradox of Enlightenment

"The significant problems we have cannot be solved at the same level of thinking with which we created them." Albert Einstein

"If knowledge can create problems, it is not through ignorance that we can solve them." Issac Asimov

Greetings from Denver, Colorado. I'm here for two weeks sharing private astrology sessions and preparing to experience the Network Transformational Gate and the work of Dr. Donald Epstein on New Moon weekend.

While Colorado is certainly not the warm, tropical weather of Hawaii, it's nonetheless refreshing to experience the vibe of the Rockies. Good energy for this New Moon.

The Moon closes its current lunation, beginning a new cycle on February 13 at 4:51 pm in Hawaii (6:51 pm on the West Coast; 2:51 am on the 14th Greenwich Mean Time). As this is the second New Moon since the Winter Solstice, it also signals the start of the Chinese New Year and its Metal Tiger theme.

Briefly, the Metal Tiger is quite the energy form. Much more alive, energized and assertive than the stabilizing, steady force of 2009's Ox theme. As such, 2010 will be a year of impact, movement and significant shift. The quality of this energy and how it is expressed throughout the world will mirror whether people individually or collectively move forward with courage (as a healthy Tiger would), or hesitate out of fear and doubt. The choice is up to each of us.

On to the New Moon....