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

Aquarius New Moon Jan 30 2014: Year of the Horse

"Remember the Divine in everything you do."

"Ask for everything, like a child asks its Mother for everything, without shame. Do not stop at peace of mind, or purity of heart, or surrender. Demand everything."
Mother Meera, from the book Answers Part I

JosephMinaPhoto2014©, all rights reserved

Aquarius New Moon January 30, 2014 - Elevating Mind & Heart

Aquarius New Moon January 30, 2014 suggests a time to elevate thoughts. The air signs in the Zodiac relate to the mind and the mental element. As the last air sign, this New Moon at 10° Aquarius supports the intention to uplift consciousness for a greater good.

This day also signals the beginning of the Chinese New Year: the Year of the Wood Horse. Horse energy is about movement with purpose and passion. The transformative cycles of 2014 have great potential to shift the human perspective into a more uplifting vibration.

Aquarius also relates to friendships and associations.  This Aquarius New Moon, consider who are your playmates. Be sure you are positioning yourself with fellow humans who have similar vibration

Cancer Full Moon Jan 15, 2014: Sustainability

"You can never have an impact on society if you have not changed yourself."  Nelson Mandela

“The difference between what we are doing and what we are capable of doing would solve most of the world’s problems.”  Mahatma Gandhi

"Nesting" by Kathryn Andren ©2013

Last week, most of North America and Northern Europe felt the intensity of winter in no uncertain terms. "Polar Vortex" became a household word literally overnight in the United States. Extreme cold, snow, and ice brought structured life to a standstill.

Hundreds of millions of people were impacted directly or indirectly by this intense winter weather. Extreme, harsh weather on this scale is beyond comprehension. In a matter of a few days, this brute natural force literally shook the very pillars of life's 4 foundational anchors - self-identity, home, career, and relationship. These are the very 4 areas of life now being activated by the powerful planetary cycle named "The Cardinal Cross of 2014". [Maybe the weather stations ought to start naming storms after planetary cycles? ;) ]

Consider for a moment how a natural phenomena rapidly and unpredictably changed individual choices, economic and commercial flow, family and community interactions, and relationship connection time. This is a potent example of how the Cardinal Cross can express its energy through the consciousness.

And in the midst of these life altering events, we arrive at the 1st Full Moon of the new season, gracing our night sky on the 15th.  This Moon arrives at the fullness of its current lunation at 6:52 pm in Hawaii, 8:52 p on the West Coast, just before midnight on the East Coast, and continuing east, on the 16th for the rest of the world. (4:52 GMT) The zodiacal reference point is the sign of Cancer at 26°, an archetype for how

Capricorn New Moon January 1 2014: Happy New Year!

"To have the kind of year you want to have, something has to happen that you can't explain why it happened. Something has to happen that you can't coach."
Bobby Bowden, former football coach, Florida State (1929 - )

January 1, 2014 New Year's day is also New Moon in Capricorn, It occurs at 1:14 am in Hawaii, 3:14 on the West Coast and 11:14 am GMT. New Moon on the 1st day of the year has only occurred 12x in the past 300 years.

This New Moon occurs near perigee making it the closest New Moon in 2014. Perigee New Moon, also referred to as a Super New Moon, symbolically represents an enhancement or intensification of a lunar cycle. Do you generally make New Years resolutions?  This New Year’s day is a perfect time to do so. The astrology for 2014 suggests an extra special time for empowering thoughts into action!

The planetary patterns on New Years day 2014 hold extra potency to align your intentions for the coming year. Five planets in Capricorn plus other planetary alignments known as the Cardinal Cross are strong indicators for other rhythms occurring through the first half of the year, especially in April and May into June.

If January 1 were a hologram for the coming month and coming year, this powerful New Moon adds

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

Sagittarius New Moon December 2: Honoring The Inner Teacher

AstroActivators© 2001 Kathryn Andren Mina

Sagittarius New Moon occurs in Hawaii on Dec 2nd at 2:22:22 PM! 
(4:22 Pacific, 7:22 Eastern, and on the 3rd in Western Europe 12:22a UTC, east to the International Date Line)

It is the weekend after Thanksgiving. The good news: things are starting to lighten up from the intensity of November and the Mercury Retrograde. Last month was full of serious Scorpio energy near the north node destiny point. Fortunately, now with Sun in fiery Sagittarius through December 21, there is a more optimistic outlook on the road ahead.  Mercury moves through Sagittarius December 4 - 24 to uplift thought forms and motivate a lighter mood. Enjoy and optimize this time! The first few weeks of December offers an opportunity to get moving on projects before a long series of personal planet retrograde cycles commences on the coming Solstice through May 2014.

December New Moon at 11° Sagittarius is an invitation to explore the question of what is the truth.  What do I believe and what is right?  Sun and Moon in Sagittarius create a tight square to Chiron, the healing point, in Pisces. This square injects a deeper sense of compassion into Sagittarius’ otherwise strong directed energy. It indicates a greater depth of expanding vision to be of service to others. The glyph for Sagittarius is the arrow, a reminder and reflection to aim high. Set your sights higher; focus on a