February 21 New Moon: Sink or Swim

The February 21 Pisces New Moon (2:35 p.m. PST) inaugurates this new 14-year phase, as it joins Neptune to christen the ship. At this New Moon, all things that elevate the spirit are favored. Now’s the time to take that art course you’ve been dreaming of, sign up as a hospice volunteer, study mysticism or take a trip to Hawaii and swim with dolphins. ... Read more

Aquarius New Moon: Let the Dragon Roar!

The Aquarius New Moon (Jan. 22, 11:39 p.m. PST) occurs just hours before Mars’ retreat into the underworld. The Aquarian need for freedom and innovation is intensified by squares from Jupiter and Saturn and a sextile from Uranus. But we may feel as if we have one foot on the gas and another on the brake, due to the immobility of Mars and Saturn’s cautious square. Resist the urge to leap into the fray. ... Read more

January 2012: Cracking the Facade

The year ahead promises enormous benefits, both material and spiritual (Jupiter), if we’re willing to release old patterns (Capricorn) and try something radically new (Uranus). Both the Solstice and New Moon charts also spotlight Venus, newly into experimental Aquarius, as she advocates for growth and freedom via aspects to Jupiter and Uranus. ... Read more

December 2011: Out of the Comfort Zone

Sagittarius rules thankfulness as well as wide open spaces. This New Moon asks: Do you need to incorporate more time in nature into your life? How about a gratitude ritual on Thanksgiving before sitting down to eat, and then a hike afterwards? You may also find that playing a game dissolves any tensions. The Sabian Symbol for the New Moon’s degree, 3 Sagittarius, is “Two men playing chess; the transcendent ritualization of conflict.” ... Read more

The Shadow and the Psychopomp

The psychopomp is a Scorpionic figure. Scorpio rules the Underworld—the realm of death as well as the subconscious mind. This is the Shadow—dwelling place of all we have repressed, from our greatest talents and desires to our worst fears and faults. When the Sun traverses the shadowy terrain of Scorpio (Oct. 23 thru Nov. 21), it illuminates both good and bad. We recognize our Shadow and have the chance to break its death grip on our spirit—facing our darkness while embracing our blessings and brilliance. ... Read more

October Theme: Speak Up and Unite!

Ladylike yet tough as nails, Eleanor Roosevelt was a classic Libra. Not only was her Sun (essential self) in the sign of the scales of justice, but so was her Mercury (mind, voice). With Mercury conjunct radical Uranus and trine to political Pluto in persuasive Gemini, Eleanor used her unique platform to bring about social change—though she made many enemies in the process. ... Read more

September Theme: Clean-up Time

In one of my earliest memories, my mother and I are bent over the nubby brown living room carpet, painstakingly picking up crayons. I scream as she forces me, her hand clasped over mine, to keep my promise of putting away my toys–no matter how long it takes. Mom was a Virgo. Though caring and gentle, she was a stickler for order. As the Sun moved into her sign this week, I invoked her patience and perseverance to help me make it through the final lap of renovations. My parents’ home, which I inherited, has been in disarray since April. Now it’s almost complete, and I’m moving back in. ... Read more

August Theme: Chasing the Daimon

The daimon is associated with the sign of Leo. Fiery and willful, the Lion represents the fierce drive to express yourself. It’s the unstoppable urge to procreate, to tear your prey limb from limb, to paint a masterpiece or party till dawn despite exhaustion. Yet when balanced with Aquarius, its altruistic opposite sign, Leo transcends egotism to contribute to the collective good. ... Read more

July Theme: Labor Pains

Cancer rules birth. And summer is a time of ripening and fruition. Because this birthing season is more powerfully potent than most, we can create something extraordinary— if we’re willing to go through the pain of labor. The July 1 eclipse forms a Grand Cross with Uranus (sudden change), Saturn (reality), and Pluto (pressure), all in cardinal action signs. This alchemical pattern unfolds between June 26 and July 2. It’s the moment when lead transforms into gold. Through intense heat and pressure, something new is born. ... Read more

June Theme – Taking Flight

Adding to its catalytic potential, this eclipse series occurs during the final, Universal Underworld of the Mayan Calendar. During this Ninth Wave (March 9 to Oct. 28), according to Carl Calleman, time is accelerated 20-fold; we’ll experience the same amount of change as occurred from 1999 until a few months ago. Consciousness is rapidly evolving as dimensions merge and a new world is born. It’s our choice: adapt and flourish or resist and suffer. Does something in your life need dramatic improvement? Since eclipses break through stagnant patterns, now’s the time to align with the incoming energies and make a change. Gemini promotes rapid-fire learning. Though this mental air sign tends to be all over the place, a stabilizing trine from Saturn in Libra to the June 1 New Moon eclipse helps to ground our visions so they can take flight. ... Read more