The Excitement Mounts

                                            photo: Bruce Lhuillier

Monday’s new Moon  falls on the astrological degree of Imbolc, a festival  of light, which marks the half way point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox.  There is  a fiery combination of Uranus and Mars in Aries in this chart, which will wake up the earth for many of us this weekend and culminate at the new Moon on Monday.

photo: Sarah Fuhro

Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune are all in their favorite constellations, and have tight relationships with each other and the new Moon.  The players in the sky are working together in a way that can inspire and encourage each of us to move through fear and into new realms of creative expression.  It’s an opportunity, to envision and take the first steps towards exploring new territory, a moment of optimism and courage, just like the green shoots coming from the dark and silent seed.

Imbolc celebrates the goddess Bride.  She is the Lady of healers and mid-wives, poets and artists,  and  black smiths and crafts folk.  A triskelion of talents is  available to each of us, if we trust in ourselves and her inspiration.  It’s traditional to light nineteen candles at Imbolc, the number of the Sun,  now returning to Northern lands.  Cleansing is also part of this season when Bride meets us between snow and mud, sunshine and winter storms.

photo: Bruce Lhuillier

And then there is the trio of well placed planets: Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune. Each brings a gift to this new Moon, a triskelion of delicious energy.  Jupiter says: dream big, Saturn suggests work hard to make the dream into a material reality and Neptune takes the dream to the level of vision, something we might share with our community.  Like Bride, they come at this sweet moment of the year to bring gifts to the new Moon in the sign of Aquarius where humanity is ready to evolve.

photo: Bruce Lhuillier

A theme of fiery intensity heats up this chart, and makes the triskelion into a twirling wheel of fire. It is  the fire of Aries, the chart ‘signature’ and the sign of Uranus and Mars who might be the kick start to our Jupiterian dream.   Or we can experience Uranus and Mars as anger and impatience.  Irritation will only increase the energy of Aries.    Eris, the Lady of discord is also in Aries, cheek and jowl with Mars.   If you feel chaotic instead of motivated and focused  this weekend, take a minute to converse with this energy.  To add to the intensity, Pluto who always knows what lies below the surface, is in a powerful square with the Aries players.   Expect a challenge, or learn how to call upon this vitality.

photo: Bruce Lhuillier

The Wisdom Tradition evolved over the centuries to address our deepest human needs. Sarah Fuhro is a practitioner of its many forms; including Astrology, Tarot, Flower Essences and Druidry. For an appointment call 508 652 9880 or email her at sarahfuhro@gmail.com.  In addition to personal consultations, Sarah teaches workshops and private classes, offering both clients and students knowledge powerfully rooted in the past, presented in the language of the present.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Imbolc

 

 

Full Moon is buried in our lungs.

She breathes with us.

 

Heart beats in a hurry
,

to keep in time,

with the passage of sweet fog.

 

The cold air fills

and empties

the magic chest,

treasure box

held within,

the holy ghost,

the spirit place,

the temple,

the toolbox,

the home sweet home.

 

The White Lady draws nigh,

twilight fills in her footsteps.

 

Feel her furry breath,

as she approaches.

 

She leaves muddy tracks

in the new snow,

and promises that someday,

one day,

when she consents,

spring will be here,

hot, with chill overtones.

 

Soundless, the Lady,

the moss under crystal,

thin February glass on small ponds.

 

She is the bird of early arrival,

the fox,

as he leaves his lair

to venture forth,

on a cold morning,

breakfast in mind,

after long hunger.

 

poetry: Sarah Fuhro

photo: Robert Fuhro

Lunar Fire

                  photo: Robert Fuhro

In one way or another everyone on earth has felt the Capricorn energy of the last few weeks.  The need to establish, organize, or define has whispered in our ear.  After the riotous Sagittarian energy of holiday fun, it seems only natural to create resolutions for new forms in the new year!   Here in the North, cold has stilled the flow of water into sculptural forms.  In America we have decided to stop everything until we can define our country with a wall of concrete.  In Britain, the task of separation has frozen that nation into cold isolation.  Perhaps an eclipse with the full Moon in fiery Leo can melt some hard hearts or reshape ‘firm’ resolutions.

            photo: Bruce Lhuillier

Aquarius and Leo, signs of the Sun and Moon for this Sunday’s lunar eclipse are ‘fixed,’  Each ‘fixed’ sign, Aquarius, Taurus, Leo and Scorpio, their symbols pictured above in this Armenian rood screen, contains an ancient festival of the  turn of the year.  At the very end of this Moon cycle we celebrate Imbolc, the first sign of spring after the winter solstice.  We have a vague memory of this old and very important sacred moment, and call it, Groundhog’s Day!   A subterranean  animal  comes out of the winter earth, checks for signs of spring, usually ‘sees his shadow,’ and returns to sleep for six more weeks.

                                            photo: Bruce Lhuillier

Here’s another portrayal of the ‘fixed signs’ from a church screen.   The symbol for Aquarius is the human being.  Here he looks like a cool Aquarian guy from the 60’s with ‘shades.’  This year we enter the sign of Aquarius with a full lunar eclipse, a stormy introduction to a mysterious sign.   Aquarius promises  the evolution of humanity into something kinder and egalitarian.  Leo, the Moon’s sign values the expression of the individual and is symbolized by  Lion, King of the Beasts!

                         photo: Bruce Lhuillier

A full Lunar Eclipse is always exciting. An eclipse when the Moon is closest to the earth is especially breathtaking, and an eclipse with crazy Uranus making a close square to Sun and Moon will catch our attention for sure.   And once more we have a full Moon which takes place at the first degree of a new sign.   The Sabian Symbol for this degree refers to ‘conflagration.’   The Fire of Leo is Solar Fire by occult tradition.  The Solar Fire integrates heart and mind.   When the Sabian Symbols were envisioned by a psychic and astrologer in the 1920’s there was no concept of harnessing solar energy for electricity.   The sign of Leo is ruled by the Sun, and challenges us to shine, but to shine from the heart, not from the ego.

 

The world awaits the expressions of this powerful and total lunar eclipse.   The frenzy these events cause on earth often include extraordinary weather, earthquakes, tsunamis. Because of the placement of Uranus in relationship to the Moon and Sun, it would not be surprising for anyone who listens to feel they are receiving messages from a source outside of themselves.  Mercury and Uranus are in square to one another, and higher and lower frequencies may take on a personal expression.  The message from the degree of Uranus suggests this:       ‘The message to the seeker for meaning which is implied in this symbol is TO LISTEN TO THE INNER VOICE; to listen without personalizing this Voice in a glamour-producing manner. It is the Voice of the Whole, of which one begins to realize that one is a tiny little part – yet a significant part, for every note of the universal Chord has its place and its ineradicable meaning. ‘   

From The Astrology of Personality, Dane Rudhyar’s reinterpretation of the 360 Sabian Symbols of Marc Edmund Jones and Elsie Wheeler.

The Wisdom Tradition evolved over the centuries to address our deepest human needs. Sarah Fuhro is a practitioner of its many forms; including Astrology, Tarot, Flower Essences and Druidry. For an appointment call 508 652 9880 or email her at sarahfuhro@gmail.com.  In addition to personal consultations, Sarah teaches workshops and private classes, offering both clients and students knowledge powerfully rooted in the past, presented in the language of the present.

 

 

Still Waters

Yesterday  I watched as Venus and the last sliver of the Moon had a conversation in the dawn sky.  Many days I get up early to go to a yoga class, and when the Moon is almost finished with her journey, she rises with me.  If Venus is in her morning phase, we all three rise together.   I took a picture from my phone to record the beauty of their dawn rendezvous, but all you can see is the intense relationship between these two gems.

                                               photo: Sarah Fuhro

The New Moon on Saturday will feature an eclipse of the Sun visible in Asia.   The big excitement for most of us will come at the full Moon, when there is a total lunar eclipse, the Moon huge in perigee, a ‘blood Moon!’  visible to North and South America, Europe, Middle East, most of Africa, and part of Asia.

The morning I watched the little Moon and sparkling Venus I received  a clear message about the new Moon: the word was ‘sensuality’.  I could feel that sensuality in the yoga class.  I felt my body become integrated with a larger body, the human body!   All this makes sense with the huge amount of Capricorn stacked up in this chart.   Form, structure, organization, materialization, embodiment, are all characteristics of Capricorn.  The sign is usually associated with government or business, and this new Moon takes place as a new Congress is sworn in, after a complete breakdown of government function.  The ‘body politic’ needs some embodiment!

          photo: Robert Fuhro

Maybe the ice of the winter season after the Solstice is part of that Capricorn structure.  Water stilled in the form of ice is reflected at this new Moon moment in the position and degree of Neptune, King of the Waters, in the Water sign of Pisces.   Does Neptune work to wash away the Capricorn organization?  Or does Capricorn freeze up the watery nature of Neptune in Pisces.  This next week should be interesting!!

This much Capricorn, especially with Saturn, ruler of Capricorn in the crowd of planets can create a sense of stillness,  felt as depression.  Daylight is short.   Yet  there is also a message of quiet possibility.    This is a time  to begin to manifest whatever wishes, dreams, visions  you have held for many years or lifetimes.   Do some magic to focus on the possibility of creation!  Put a message into a bottle and send it out into Neptune’s deep waters, beyond the ice jam!

                                          photo: Bruce Lhuillier

Saturn is the planet of bones, Capricorn is in charge of the joints of our body,  structure which holds us together.  This new Moon gathering of Capricorn planets includes Sun, Moon, Mercury, Pluto and the South Node, the eclipse point in the chart, what was learned and used but is the tail end of experience, all that which is used up, ready to be left behind!

                                               photo: Bruce Lhuillier

Sometimes

Sometimes
if you move carefully
through the forest

breathing
like the ones
in the old stories

who could cross
a shimmering bed of dry leaves
without a sound, 

you come
to a place
whose only task

is to trouble you
with tiny
but frightening requests

conceived out of nowhere
but in this place
beginning to lead everywhere.

Requests to stop what
you are doing right now,
and

to stop what you
are becoming
while you do it,

questions
that can make
or unmake
a life,

questions
that have patiently
waited for you,

questions
that have no right
to go away.

– David Whyte

In Between Times

Wander under the shrinking Moon light.

Drink water from leather leaves of green.

Wait for instructions where they can be heard!

Let darkness swallow me, while it still can.

These are the dead and quick days of in between.

 

poem: Sarah Fuhro

photo: Mia Tagano

 

 

Music of the Spheres

The full Moon celebrates the Winter Solstice on Saturday, December 22.  Both Luminaries, Sun and Moon are at 0 degree  of Capricorn and Cancer, constellations which mark the entry into winter and summer.   This is a moment when we can hear the Music of the Spheres.  It is a moment of absolute stillness, a chance to begin anew in a place of cosmic attunement!

                                              photo: Bruce Lhuillier

The approach to the dark winter solstice always feels dangerous and death ridden.  But there is an opportunity for healing at this moment.  The position of Mars and Chiron as they relate to the Sun and Moon speaks of healing, finding a doctor within.    What can be done to lighten the mood?  Mars says: party like crazy, go to concerts, sing and feast!  Chiron recommends embracing all the colors of your crystal, knowing how important is your ray of light in this spectrum.   Leave nothing of yourself behind in the cold.

         photo: Bruce Lhuillier

There’s a strong suggestion of surprise in this chart as Uranus, the Wild One shakes Sun and Moon with fiery energy.  The Sabian Symbol for the position of Uranus is Attunement to cosmic order.  ‘Listen to Your Inner Voice!’ he says from his perch in Aries.    Look into the crystal, a reminder of all the frequencies of colors which must go into a ray of pure white light. To hear the Inner Voice, we have to trust our own light, our own music!

Venus and Neptune are in a harmonious trine of Water signs.  They play the background music for this Sun Moon dance.  What will the entry of the Moon into Cancer (more Water),  mean for the  planets of love?   Perhaps Venus and Neptune  will tune us to the cosmic order.  Cosmic music, like the light of the crystal, requires each vibration of sound.

                                            photo: Bruce Lhuillier

A musical theme seems right for a full Moon at the season when we sing or hear music the most.   The Sabian Symbol for Uranus continues with the theme of ‘cosmic attunement.’  ‘If you are ready to enter into new possibilities of action, you must also learn the harmonic principles in operation! The Music of the Spheres.’    All we are asked to do is to stop a moment to feel the Sun’s journey and the full Moon’s sweet voice!     

                                            photo: Bruce Lhuillier

The celebration of the journey of the Sun and Moon, gives depth and comfort to every person, no matter who they are, where they live.  Each voice in praise of the Earth and Sky are more powerful than all the forces of destruction and despair!   The bird of this season is the Wren, smallest of all, with the sweetest note!   The old song says: ‘Who sees the Wren sees God.’  Our song is never too small to move hearts and to brighten the dark season.

                          photo: Robert Fuhro (Carolina Wren)

 

The Wisdom Tradition evolved over the centuries to address our deepest human needs. Sarah Fuhro is a practitioner of its many forms; including Astrology, Tarot, Flower Essences and Druidry. For an appointment call 508 652 9880 or email her at sarahfuhro@gmail.com.  In addition to personal consultations, Sarah teaches workshops and private classes, offering both clients and students knowledge powerfully rooted in the past, presented in the language of the present.

 

The Seer

                                    photo: Sarah Fuhro

This might be the New Moon of ‘the Seer.’   A Seer, a visionary, a psychic describes a scene for us. She must state clearly what she sees, even if it is only a partial view of a situation, a glimpse through a key hole.

If we take a moment for a new Moon ritual over the next few days, we may feel that potential for something new, even unexpected in our body.  The message might appear in our  hips, for that is the part of the body, which is ‘ruled’ by Sagittarius.  But it might speak to us through some other channel completely.  I wonder if we listen to these messages, could we  avoid the louder, more insistent  voice of illness and discomfort in our body.

                                 photo: Bruce Lhuillier

Once more, we are at a moment of new beginning, a black Moon seed ready to be planted in the dark earth, with hopes for a harvest of …..what?   Maybe the rest of the chart for this tender passage into new territory will have give a clue as to what is the potential for sprout and harvest.  An astrology chart can be a theatrical moment, when a group of players (planets)  are aligned to interact in various dramatic ways.   Let’s see if we can make out what happens on the cosmic and earthly stage, and how it is reflected in our personal lives.

 

The Sun has now traveled the first half of his journey through the constellation of Sagittarius.   Sagittarius is associated with a kind of joyous idealism, an enthusiasm for philosophy and travel and partying.  The energy of this sign is not blocked unless the ideals become a stick to hit other people.   Sagittarius is both very enthusiastic about other cultures,  and religions, or the same energy  can be equally fanatical and intolerant of differences.

photo: Bruce Lhuillier

At the moment of the new Moon, Jupiter,  the king of Sagittarius is in close connection to the Sun and Moon.  The Symbol for the degree where Jupiter is located speaks of unexpected emotions: ‘CUPID KNOCKS AT THE DOOR OF A HUMAN HEART.    KEYNOTE: A stirring-up of individual longings for romantic love. Emotional rebirth.   Sagittarius is an archer with an upraised bow, who shoots at the stars. Cupid is a child of Venus who creates mischief, or ’emotional rebirth,’ with his arrows, which do not respect the rules of society.   Cupid’s arrows break the grip of the mental process, and open the heart.

                                    photo: Bruce Lhuillier

And speaking of action.   We have a very interesting pair in the wings.  They may not be immediately visible to us as we take a moment for a new Moon ritual, but they will be strongly felt.   Mars, the warrior and Neptune the mystic are  in perfect conjunction with a strong (square) relationship to the Sun and Moon.   Mars is full of energy and fury, but in watery Pisces and conjunct the ruler of Pisces, Neptune, he may not be able to focus his passion.   Neptune never can be seen head on.  He is a dream figure, without a clear strategy, yet he can sink our ship or keep us afloat in the sea of our emotions.

                                    photo: Bruce Lhuillier

The theme of elements in Fire and Water can make a beautiful melange, a poem, an inspired piece of music or art.  Or it can all escape in steam.  We call upon earthy Saturn in Capricorn to ground it in form.  He promises us: AN ANGEL CARRYING A HARP. The revelation of the spiritual meaning and purpose at the core of any life situation. ATTUNEMENT.  Creativity, is the essence of this Moon moment.

                    photo: Bruce Lhuillier