Sequence of the Lunar Eclipse (wikipedia)

Welcome to the time of the Lunar Eclipse, when the Earth blocks the light of the Sun from the Full Moon, and so it appears dark… often dark red. Recall that the Moon controls the tides and since we are made up of mostly water, it tugs on us too… emotionally. So, you may find strong emotions at play since the Moon is still there — just not bathed in the light of the Sun. What can come out are “dark” emotions sorely in need of the Light of Truth. Something to be afraid of? Not at all. We must embrace all parts of ourselves… even those parts we normally block, hide or project in order to live healthy lives.

Astrologers generally interpret the time of the Lunar eclipse in Sagittarius as an opportunity to search for meaning. If course we each have very different horoscope charts so this will affect us in different ways. Let’s look at some helpful meditations:

• Ask yourself what you can let go of, in order to gain a better hold?
• What have I buried deep that I really need to take a look at, then feel, deal and heal?
• What can the Spirit of adventure and curiosity tell me about by life journey as I look at powerful motivations in my life?

Poet Thomas Hardy wrote of the Lunar Eclipse:

Thy shadow, Earth, from Pole to Central Sea,
Now steals along upon the Moon’s meek shine
In even monochrome and curving line
Of imperturbable serenity.

How shall I link such sun-cast symmetry
With the torn troubled form I know as thine,
That profile, placid as a brow divine,
With continents of moil and misery?

Certainly in history the earth has carried continents of “moil and misery”, but even so, it is still a beautiful world. So the best thing to do is use Lunar Eclipse astro-energy as a good time to search your gut, your soul, and your heart for your own destiny. When it’s all over, we don’t have all the answers, but we have been to a celebration of the questions. Blessings!

Astro-Forecast: Power of Twos In Play…

At Mid-week we encounter the energies of a Lunar Eclipse which deals with hidden things and can sometimes indicate an emotional blockage. Also at play on Wednesday are some tension about getting going on some projects, and an emotional reaction to Communication. With all this in play, it’s a good time to check in on your core values and get in tough with your emotions. Don’t leave anything buried too deep.

Thursday brings us back from the Eclipse with a full set of astro-energies showing three harmonies, two blockages, two tensions, and two oppositions. Twos are in play which can indicate you need to check things twice and try twice as hard to make things happen. The harmonies come from the healthy spirit of prosperity… so do what you need to in order to cultivate it. Watch for a negative reaction to boundaries and use that strength of spirit to overcome it.

Friday ends the work week with Mercury, planet of Communication, appearing twice along with Neptune — planet of Spirituality also doubling up in astro-energy. Today, even though there’s a bit of emotional tension in the air, you have what it takes to talk to important people and make a good impression. Remember, people like to hear about well-thought out growth plans. And follow your gut instinct about your romantic life doing what it takes to get past any tension.

The weekend rolls in with Mercury (Communication), and Neptune (New Ideas) giving a double push of astro-energy. We also see a good day for boundaries in our romance relationships plus for energy to get things done. So, just enjoy your mate they way they are and do what’s comfortable together. Meanwhile you can launch a few new endeavors in the yard, around the house, and even for a mini day trip. Don’t try to do too much — just enjoy your Saturday.

Above are three columns of Mayan glyphs from 2nd century CE.

Well, 2012 is just around the corner, and a number of TV programs, books, and websites are inspiring conversation about how the Calendar appears to “end” on the winter solstice of that year — approximately December, 21st, 2012. This is according to the “long count” method of the Mayan Calendar as interpreted by scholars today.

“This is a good opportunity for us all to examine our spiritual nature and pray for discernment to learn ways to evolve through love and war, to a new way of being on earth.”

According to Wikipedia, “The Maya calendar is a system of calendars and almanacs used in the Maya civilization of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, and in some modern Maya communities in highland Guatemala and Oaxaca, Mexico.”

This calendar was very important to the Mayan world view, “the repetition of the various calendric cycles, the natural cycles of observable phenomena, and the recurrence and renewal of death-rebirth imagery in their mythological traditions were important influences upon Maya societies.”

Interestingly for followers of Astrology, the Mayans gave great emphasis to the Lunar series of appearances in their calendar — the seat of the emotions which move and guide us. Important also was the “Venus Cycle”, which in Modern Astrology relates to Love and Romance. But for the Mayans, Venus could be seen too as an indication of war: “The Maya kings had skilled astronomers who could calculate the Venus cycle with great accuracy. The Maya were able to achieve such accuracy by careful observation over many years. Venus was often referred to as both “The Morning Star” and “The Evening Star” because of its visibility during both times.” Venus was often depicted as “defeating” the Sun and the Moon, and Maya rulers planned for wars to begin when Venus rose.

And what forces drive our modern world more than Love and War? So… what exactly does the end of a particular cycle in the Mayan Calendar portend? “Gurus” speak of everything from calameties to new beginnings of higher level living on earth. Some scientists claim it simply means “December 21, 2012 is simply the day that the calendar will go to the next b’ak’tun (meaning 20 katun cycles of the ancient Maya Long Count Calendar. It contains 144,000 days, equivalent to 394.52 tropical years).”

We do know that on about that date in 2012, the our earth and solar system will be in a certain alignment with the Sun, and our Milky Way galaxy, crossing approximately the galactic equator.

What’s up with all that? It remains a mystery, with a number of theories put forward for now… but we will live through it very soon. This is a good opportunity for us all to examine our spiritual nature and pray for discernment to learn ways to evolve through love and war, to a new way of being on earth.

Astro-Forecast: Creative Tension, Emotions, and Listening…

On Tuesday, Mercury brings that astro-energy of Communication to bear on Saturn in a combined force that emphasizes boundaries. Boundaries like budgets are good both in the workplace, and at home. Another type of boundary is “personal space” which both you and your mate need from time to time. This may be at the root of some “blockage” you feel today in your romance. Life is in constant pull/push between restrictions and growth. Boundaries, and breakthroughs. Both have their time and place, and your task is to discern that and do what’s right.

At Mid-week, we find an interesting mix of astro-energies, promising both opportunities and challenges at the same time on Wednesday. Your key is to get to the root of an important communication you must make with someone close to you. You know “a talk.” This can lead to an emotional and spiritual breakthrough for you, but you have to listen well, and that doesn’t mean just waiting to speak. Instead — listen fully with your heart. Then have the courage to take the leap.

Mars, the planet of moving ahead and getting things done, makes an appearance twice on Thursday working with emotional energy of the moon, but showing tension at the breakthrough point. This astro-energy set-up leaves you feeling you hit a bit of a wall after things start out quite nicely. Why? In general, people resist change, even when they know it is the growth they need. Venus is also active today and showing emotional harmony, so enjoy the romantic part of your life.

The work-week ends, with Friday showing some opportunities within “creative tension”. Emotions make the world go round — they are the energy behind our motivations. Venus, planet of Love, appears twice today, showing blockage spiritually, and tension emotionally. Again you have an opportunity for “break through” as you honor the spirituality of your relationship. This means everything from praying together, to just enjoying some fun together recreationally.

The week-end rolls in with three astro-energy harmonies in the areas of spirit, communication, and personality. You can take advantage of that in various ways as you enjoy your Saturday. Think about places you can go that bring out a sense of wonder (hiking, the ocean, a lake, etc.), and especially favorite places of your family and mate. This is not a day to launch off on something new, but to visit familiar places you thought you knew and rediscover them again — for the first time, together.