May 20, 2012: Gemini Solar Eclipse (exact at 4:47 pm PDT)

Today’s New Moon is also a Solar Eclipse, the first of this season (with June 4 marking the other one, which will be a Lunar Eclipse). Even if we can’t see an eclipse in the sky where we live, these celestial events are renowned for being very powerful in the way in which they can impact our lives.

A New Moon Solar Eclipse signifies a time for beginnings. As such it usually brings with it endings. That’s because in order for something to firmly root so that it can flourish, space needs to be made. Therefore, while there is great focus on the initiation of the new, one usually can’t get away from the fact that something(s) may be inherently coming to a close at this point as well.

The Gemini New Moon is often a day of education and learning. Curiosity and wonder fill the air and it may seem as if your attention is pulled in a spectrum of directions as we gravitate to the facts, figures, and other pinpoints of information that seem especially intriguing today.

The mercurial and seemingly fickle energy of Gemini is often on display during this period, amping up agitation and nervous energy. Be patient with yourself if you find it more difficult to make decisions while also making space for others if they seem to be more capricious than normal. If you’re finding yourself indecisive, consider whether it’s because you are more clearly seeing the two sides of the proverbial coin and the fact that both of them have grace and value. Reflect upon whether it really is even necessary to choose between them; potentially you can create a structure where you are able to enjoy both paths.

Like Lunar Eclipses, a Solar Eclipse is often accompanied by identifiable life-changing events that manifest around the time of this celestial happening. It’s a very auspicious time to plant the seeds for that which you want to manifest over the coming months.

Doing ritual is always of benefit during an Eclipse and for this one may be even more so. That’s because the Sun and Moon are square Neptune, the planet that breaks down boundaries, connecting us to the invisible and the mystical. Tune into your intuition to discover what feeds your soul and what you want to create in your life moving forward. Be creative in capturing and expressing your intention—write it, paint it, dance it, sculpt it, make it into a song, or some other artistic way that best connects to your personal heart strings.

By tuning into the inspirational energies of Neptune we may help to assuage its potential to pull us off center through casting us into confusion, illusion, or delusion. The reason for this is that Neptune unifies and dissolves the separation. If you start tuning into others thoughts and feelings without a sense of clarity of the source, or find yourself yielding toward inappropriate boundaries, it can often be disconcerting. Remember when Neptune is prominent, like it currently is, we are called to find a higher sense of being, one where we come from love and compassion, not just for others, but also for ourselves.

We often feel the shake-up rumblings of an Eclipse beginning weeks before. Yet, often we don’t understand its full impact even the day it occurs. That is because something is eclipsed, obscured. Yet as time proceeds, its life-shifting impact becomes more apparent. Eclipses set trajectories in motion that unfold over the subsequent six-month period.

This month’s New Moon falls at 1 degree of Gemini (Sun and Moon). While everyone experiences the energies of the New Moon, if you have planets or pivotal points (i.e., Ascendant/Descendant or Nadir/Midheaven) around this degree in Gemini or the other mutable signs—Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces—it may impact you more intensely. Additionally, like with other planetary alignments, the house of your natal chart that this Eclipse falls in sheds light on how it may be influencing your unfolding.

New Moon Apothecary Suggestions

Gemini rules the shoulders, arms, hands, lungs, and nervous system. Pay extra attention to these parts of the body around the time of this New Moon.

Nadi Sodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing): With Gemini ruling the lungs and the nervous system, doing some pranayama breathing exercises like Nadi Sodhana can be beneficial if you need to calm a flurry of nervous energy. Sit in a comfortable position either on the floor or on a chair. Rest your left hand on your lap. Raise your right hand towards your nose, closing your right nostril by gently pushing your thumb against it. Inhale through your left nostril for four counts. Then release your thumb while closing your left nostril with your ring finger. Exhale through your right nostril for four counts and then inhale for four counts. Release hold on left nostril while closing right nostril with your thumb. Exhale through left nostril for four counts. Continue for twelve rounds or more.

Cerato flower essence: When Gemini energy is strong, there is a concentrated emphasis on information dissemination. And with that, it becomes tempting to seek advice and input from lots of people who are generally more than willing to share their thoughts and ideas. While this can be helpful, if you are unclear as to where you stand on an issue (which may be even more pronounced with the strong Neptune energy during this Eclipse), it can cause any decision you need to make even more confusing. If you are looking for a natural remedy that can help inspire your confidence that intuitive knowingness truly resides within you, consider Cerato flower essence. (Flower essences are made from flower-infused water and work energetically to restore emotional and mental balance. You can find them in natural food stores or holistic pharmacies.)

May 15 – June 27, 2012: Venus Retrograde

Retrograde periods are times for reflection and heightened inner awareness. Since Venus symbolizes relationships, values, and pleasure, the six-week period when she retrogrades can yield great insights in related areas of your life. Venus retrograde is a perfect time to re-evaluate what it is that we value.

Venus’ current retrograde cycle begins on May 15 and lasts through June 27. During this retrograde period, Venus travels from 25 degrees Gemini to 8 Gemini. While everyone experiences the energies of Venus retrograde, if you have planets or pivotal points (i.e., Ascendant/Descendant or Nadir/Midheaven) in this range of degrees in Gemini or the other mutable signs—Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces—it may impact you more intensely.

Venus retrogrades occur approximately every 18 months; the last one took place October 8 to November 18, 2010 (in Scorpio and Libra).

This time period is one where it’s beneficial to turn inward to receive clearer answers to such questions as:

• What brings me joy?
• What allows me to experience inner harmony?
• What inspires my creativity?
• What really fulfills me in a relationship?

Use these queries of reflection to guide you through this period. They can serve as great barometers to measure your reactions, attitudes, and motivations.

Yet, it’s important, if possible, to not act on this heightened awareness or undertake significant decisions related to Venus-ruled areas of life until after June 27, when this planet goes direct. The decisions that you come to, and from which to act, will likely have more clarity if you wait since outward action is often stymied during retrograde periods.

Relationships are always highlighted during the time that this planet goes retrograde. It’s a better time to focus on the past and the present rather than the future; so instead of beginning new relationships now, look to your current ones to see how they may better serve you. If you’re single, it’s a great time to inventory the qualities that you are looking for in a mate, and if you are in a relationship, you’ll likely gain deeper insights into the patterns that shape your partnership. Don’t forget, though, it’s better to sit with the relationship awareness that emerges rather than act on it now.

This time also heralds heightened creativity, notably if you can tune into your inner fire of inspiration. If you’ve already begun a project, now is a powerful time to look at it with fresh insights to gain another perspective on your unfolding masterpiece. Given that Venus is in mental Gemini, creativity will more than likely center on communicating thoughts, ideas, and visions in the pursuit of wanting to express oneself as well as educate and inform others.

Venus retrograde periods are not a time to splurge on luxury items (given that Venus is in Gemini, this extends to high-end electronic/communications items). Instead use these weeks to sincerely evaluate what you need. You’re likely to find new uses and applications for things that you already own. Once Venus goes direct, you’ll be able to better evaluate whether the need for something aligns with the monetary outlay required to attain it.

A Venus retrograde period can offer a gift of enlightenment, allowing you to discover what you need to allow your inner peace to more gracefully unfold. It can help you more clearly identify what it is that you value as well as the inherent value that you have.

Venus Retrograde Apothecary Suggestions

Journaling: As you reevaluate what you value, write about it in a journal. Since the energy of Venus retrograde is more internal than external, writing at this time may be especially helpful as a way to express pent-up energies. Plus, it will help your thoughts and feelings to become clearer, and you’ll have a record of your reflections that you can turn to in the future. While typing your thoughts into a computer may work well, consider using an actual journal; the tactile and tangible beauty of paper is well matched to Venusian aesthetics.

Collage project: Even for those who consider themselves not artistically inclined, a collage project can be a wonderfully therapeutic and relaxing activity to partake in while Venus is retrograde. Not only is making a collage a creative expression, but it can be a great vehicle for inventive problem solving. For this aim, focus on a challenge in a relationship for which you seek a solution. Holding the relationship in your mind’s eye, cut out words and images from old magazines and newspapers that reflect aspects of the situation as well as its potential resolution. Glue these to poster board adding fabric, shells, charms, or other small bric-a-brac in an arrangement that makes sense to you. This type of project honors the retrograde energy really nicely because we can repurpose material objects, finding a new value for them as they help us create a work of art that can offer some insight and clarity. Remember that there is no right or wrong here when it comes to the collage; just use your imagination and allow your creativity to flow in your quest for discovery.

May 5, 2012: Scorpio Full Moon (exact at 8:35 pm PDT)

During the Scorpio Full Moon we experience the juxtaposition of the practical (Taurus, the sign of the Sun) and the emotional (Scorpio, the sign of the Moon). The interplay between these two signs helps us to forge an awareness that what we see—what has form—is reliant upon that which is unseen but deeply felt.

As it reflects the relationship between the ground (Taurus) and the underground (Scorpio), a garden is a great image to consider when looking at the meaning of this Full Moon. Our senses appreciate the glory of the flowers, trees, ferns, and other earthly Taurean gems that flourish. Yet, it’s important to remember that none of this growth would be possible were it not for that which occurs out of sight, below the surface—such as the complex root structure, the hardworking earthworms, and the decay that feeds the soil. What we are called on to appreciate during this Full Moon is that the beauty we see is not just on the surface but also exists in the places that we may often shy away from, those we may consider “unseemly” or “out of bounds.”

There is a tenacity that fills the air during this Full Moon since both signs are known for this quality: Taurus is stubborn and likes to do what it wants while Scorpio clenches tightly to that which it desires to possess. Combine this with the sexuality inherent in both signs—Taurus from the perspective of enjoying the sensual and Scorpio because of its appreciation of transformative experiences—and you’re looking at a day filled with passion and pleasure.

Yet, with Mercury opposing Saturn today, it may appear challenging on the surface to easily access the words you need to express your feelings. Yet, don’t give up. Be patient. Stay with it and do the work required to access ways to know and say what’s going on in your mind and heart. And then carve out ample time for dialogues, and take responsibility for the sentiments you share. By doing this you can transform what could have been a sense of restriction into communications that will have lasting value in building relationship structure.

This month’s Full Moon falls at 17 degrees of Taurus (Sun) and Scorpio (Moon). While everyone experiences the energies of a Full Moon, if you have planets or pivotal points (i.e., Ascendant/Descendant or Nadir/Midheaven) around this degree in Taurus, Scorpio, or the other fixed signs—Leo and Aquarius—it may impact you more intensely.

Full Moon Apothecary Suggestions

Taurus is associated with the neck, throat, and inner ears while Scorpio is associated with the genitals, bladder, and large intestine. Pay extra attention to these parts of the body around the time of this Full Moon.

Flower  bath: Submerge your body in a sensuality-inspiring bath. Fill a small drawstring muslin bag (available at health and beauty-aid stores) with petals or dried buds from your favorite fragrant flowers. While the bath is filling, hang the flower bag on the tub’s spout, and then let it float in the water after the bath is ready. (If you have a good drain cover, consider floating some petals themselves in the bath.) Enhance the aromatics of your experience by adding a few drops of floral essential oils—such as jasmine, rose, or rose geranium—mixed in with some minerals salts to the bath.

Mud therapy: Mud holds great therapeutic benefits, including detoxification and muscle relaxation. As mud reflects aspects of Taurus (the earth) and Scorpio (the dark and dirty), treatments using this powerful material are well suited during this Full Moon. Many spas offer body polishing mud treatments (also known as fangotherapy). Or purchase some mud at a natural apothecary, applying it as a mask to your face and/or body, reveling in its ability to uncover more of your natural beauty.

April 21, 2012: Taurus New Moon (exact at 12:08 am PDT)

The Taurus New Moon yields a great opportunity to look within and see what it is that brings you comfort and a greater sense of security. Taking the time today to examine what activities and earthly delights yield pleasure can help you discover a sense of rootedness that can serve you well in the coming year.

As part of this exercise, think about your habits: Do they actually serve your personal needs for health and happiness or is the pleasure they provide mostly linked to their familiarity? Do they assist you in productively structuring your life or are they on some level limiting, as they don’t let you move readily outside of a narrowly defined comfort zone? Reflecting upon your routines and rituals can be a great fount of awareness during the Taurus New Moon.

As Taurus is a very sensual sign, it’s a good time to listen to music, buy yourself some fragrant flowers, work for hours in the garden, or engage in other experiences that give you pleasure. Your kinesthetic senses may be especially heightened today and can serve as an additional tool to tune into how you feel about certain situations and people. For example, if you’re wondering whether you should pursue a certain project, let the idea of it sit within you and tune into how your body feels. Do you feel relaxed and comforted or jumpy and agitated? Your body may be able to help you filter truths that your mind is unable to clearly perceive.

This month’s New Moon falls at 2 degrees of Taurus (Sun and Moon). While everyone experiences the energies of the New Moon, if you have planets or pivotal points (i.e., Ascendant/Descendant or Nadir/Midheaven) around this degree in Taurus or the other fixed signs—Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius—it may impact you more intensely.

New Moon Apothecary Suggestions

Taurus rules the neck, throat, inner ears, and thyroid gland. Pay extra attention to these parts of the body around the time of this New Moon.

Chestnut bud flower essence: Sometimes habits can be supportive and necessary to create productive structure in our lives. Other times they can hold us back or keep us in an unsupportive loop of behavior. In the latter case, we may derive great comfort from doing the same thing again and again, even if we know that it’s not necessarily something that is in our highest interest. If you find yourself stuck in a “been there, done that, but I’ll do that again” rut and would like assistance releasing it, consider Chestnut Bud flower essence. It’s a great natural remedy to use when we need a little assistance breaking out of well-tread but unsupportive routines. (Flower essences are made from flower-infused water and work energetically to restore emotional and mental balance. You can find them in natural food stores or holistic pharmacies.)

Honey and lemon tea: Enjoy a soothing cup of honey and lemon tea. Its warmth is nurturing while the honey and lemon serve as wonderful balms for the throat. If possible, use raw honey (unless you’re pregnant or immunocompromised), which has more antioxidants, and juice from a fresh lemon rather than a bottle. For more throat support, add a tea bag of slippery elm or marshmallow root, two herbs known for their palliative qualities.

April 6, 2011: Libra Full Moon (exact at 12:19 pm PDT)

The Libra Full Moon calls upon us to integrate our desires with those of the people with whom we are in relationship. It can help us gain insight into whether our approach to accommodating our needs and those of others is a balanced one or whether the scale is tipped to one side. (For example, do we over accommodate others to the detriment of own needs, or vice versa?) Additionally, it’s an opportunity to inventory whether we are being our true selves when relating to others rather than being the person we think they want us to be.

Different people draw out distinct parts of who we are. With some people, we may find ourselves more connected to our humorous side, others our serious nature, and with others our adventurous disposition. Use the Full Moon energies to get a sense of which aspects of yourself are brought to light when interacting with different friends and family members as well as your romantic partner(s).

This may not be inherently obvious on the outset. After all, we are still in the spell of the stressful alignment (exact yesterday) between love planet Venus and imaginative Neptune, which may cause things to be a bit cloudy.

We should also practice care today about being too idealistic in love. Try to see the other for who they are, rather than getting caught up in who they may possibly be one day. It’s great to give people the benefit of the doubt but being in the land of “what’s possible” can be done while holding ground along the shores of “what’s probable.” If not, you may find yourself disappointed and/or discouraged.

That said, the day may also bring an upswing in creative pursuits. We’re pulled to the poetic and drawn to tap into a huge well of artistry. Inspiration abounds if we can quiet our minds enough to be able to tune to it.

This month’s Full Moon falls at 18 degrees of Aries (Sun) and Libra (Moon). While everyone experiences the energies of a Full Moon, if you have planets or pivotal points (i.e., Ascendant/Descendant or Nadir/Midheaven) around this degree in Aries, Libra, or the other cardinal signs—Cancer and Capricorn—it may impact you more intensely.

Full Moon Apothecary Suggestions

Aries is associated with the head, muscles, and circulatory system while Libra is associated with the skin, lower back, kidneys, and blood sugar balance. Pay extra attention to these parts of the body and areas of health around the time of this Full Moon.

Scleranthus flower essence: Making choices may be challenging today given the polarization inherent in a Full Moon, the placement of the Moon in the accommodating sign of Libra, as well as the oversensitivity that comes with the Venus/Neptune square. If you need assistance in connecting to a sense of inner resolve, as well as support to find the clarity to help you steer through ambiguity to find a certainty of knowing, consider Scleranthus flower essence. (Flower essences are made from flower-infused water and work energetically to restore emotional and mental balance. You can find them in natural food stores or holistic pharmacies.)

Exercise with a friend: Looking for an additional spark of motivation to help your spring get-in-shape resolution get underway? Instead of going solo to that yoga class or taking a walk alone in the park, invite a friend. Not only will the exercise pump your blood, work your muscles, and regulate your blood sugar, but you’ll get to enjoy it while having a social experience, which is always nice to do when Libran energy is around.

Mercury ends its current retrograde period today, April 4 at 3:11 am PST. The retrograde period–which began on March 12–was a great time for harnessing insights gained from inner reflection rather than external focus. Did new ideas spring forth from inward contemplation? Did you discover novel ways to communicate ideas? Did you realize better ways to utilize technological equipment/systems to transfer information to others? (Provided, of course, that they didn’t completely break down during this time, which in this case means you’re still likely to have gleaned the characteristics of those that may better suit your needs.) If you want a refresher on what Mercury retrograde is about, see this post.

March 22, 2012: Aries New Moon (exact at 7:37 am PDT)

Since Aries and the New Moon both symbolize the ushering in of beginnings, this lunar event signals the advent of a new cycle. If Mars were not retrograde, it would be an auspicious time to start a new project. Yet, the planet of action doesn’t turn direct until April 13.

Therefore, instead of creating something anew, use the initiatory palpable energy to reposition and redirect an existing action. For example, rethink your approach to your exercise regimen or kick-start your current dietary strategy, shifting it into a whole new gear.

The Aries New Moon can really be a great motivator. And if you’ve wanted to tackle a problem but found yourself lacking in the moxie department, the Aries New Moon may give you an infusion of courage and daring that can help you persevere.

A caveat, though. With so much initiating energy around, it may seem as if everyone wants things to happen now, or even before. Since Aries prizes immediacy, impatience and/or bursts of anger—within your self or expressed by others—may be heightened around this time (this may be compounded given Mars’ being retrograde). While the go-get-‘em energy instilled by this New Moon can help motivate us into a challenge, rushing can often lead to rashness, a surefire prescription for stress and accidents.

The fact that the New Moon is conjunct Uranus can give the day a flair of the erratic. There’s a sense of adolescent rebellion in the air, a sort of “Don’t fence me in and don’t tell me what to do.” Watch that you don’t get in others’ proverbial line of fire. And if it’s you that’s at the helm of this rebellion, try to keep your eye on the prize–your desire to liberate your authentic being from self-imposed shackles—rather than revolt for revolt’s sake. After all, it’s often counter productive to throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Uranus reflects the earthquake archetype. Something may happen, and it may not last long, but it changes the landscape forever. Knowing to expect the unexpected itself (what I call “Living in the I-Don’t-Know”) may give solace today as then you are open to the any and the all, and won’t be as caught off guard should something occur you weren’t anticipating. This doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be negative. The day may very well have beneficial and productive initiatory surprises in store. If you can find the courage to assert your individuality in a new and expanded way, this time can offer you great potential. Yet, do be aware that many may be on edge with a sense of low-level anxiety potentially more palpable.

With Mercury also connected to this New Moon (itself being at 0+ Aries), expressing your thoughts and feelings takes prime importance. Blocking your expression is a recipe for frustration and sensations of nervousness.

This month’s New Moon falls at 3 degrees of Aries (the location of both the Sun and Moon). While everyone experiences the energies of the New Moon, if you have planets or pivotal points (i.e., Ascendant/Descendant or Nadir/Midheaven) around this degree in Aries or the other cardinal signs—Cancer, Libra, Capricorn—it may impact you more intensely.

New Moon Apothecary Suggestions

Aries rules the head, muscles, and circulatory system. Uranus is related to the nervous, bioenergetics and peripheral circulatory systems. Pay extra attention to these parts of the body around the time of this New Moon.

Impatiens flower essence: As its name implies, Impatiens flower essence help quell impatience, one of the premier characteristics associated with Aries. So, if you find yourself being overly impetuous or running a short fuse, consider this remedy. Take a few drops several times a day until you feel the impatience lifting. (Flower essences are made from flower-infused water and work energetically to restore emotional and mental balance. You can find them in natural food stores or holistic pharmacies.)

Scalp massage: Start your New Moon morning with a scalp massage. It’s simple to do and only takes a few minutes. Just take a nourishing oil (such as coconut or avocado) and rub it into your scalp before you shampoo your hair. Start at your hairline and work backwards toward the nape of your neck, rubbing your scalp with moderate pressure in small circular motions. For additional scalp-health benefits, add some rosemary essential oil to the massage blend. Regular scalp massages—which you can even do without the oil—can help stimulate circulation, alleviate tension, and reduce flaky scalp conditions.

Retrograde periods are times for reflection and heightened inner awareness. Since Mercury symbolizes communication, they way we learn, our siblings, and our neighborhood, this period can yield great insights in related areas of your life. Mercury retrograde lasts about three weeks and occurs three to four times per year; the last one took place November 23 – December 13, 2011.

Mercury represents the bridges and channels that allow us to connect varied pieces of information in order to synthesize them into the whole of understanding. During Mercury retrograde periods, the inherent weaknesses of these conduits may be revealed. As such, this period is known for the breakdown of tools that help us to share information (such as phones, computers, and printers) and well as those that assist us as we move from place to place (such as cars, bikes, and buses); therefore, do what you can to make sure they are in good working order. With data and information transfer stressed, it’s a great time to ensure you’re backing up your hard drive, keeping track of whether you’re due for an oil change, or inventorying your supply of extra batteries necessary for the remote or your child’s favorite toy.

Any planetary retrograde reflects a period where the energy is focused more internally. Therefore, it’s a wonderful time to turn communication inward to seek insights and understanding. Meditation, journaling, and nondominant handwriting are great activities to do during Mercury retrograde to help you find the pieces of the puzzle and the teachings of wisdom that you seek.

While inner reflection is heightened, external communication may be stressed. Therefore, try to avoid misunderstandings by being extra diligent about the words you use, while also making sure to listen even more attentively than usual. Whether it be with writing or speaking, put a little extra effort into dotting your I’s and crossing your T’s. Be especially aware of this if you have to sign any binding contract during Mercury retrograde (putting off doing so if possible), as oftentimes all of the information you need to make a decision isn’t available or especially clear.

When you think of how to approach this period, just remember the first two letters of the word retrograde—“re”—and apply it to the activities you undertake. As such, Mercury retrograde periods are a great time to reassess, review, reanalyze, revisit, rethink, re-edit, and recommunicate.

During this retrograde period, Mercury travels from 7 degrees Aries to 24 degrees Pisces. While everyone experiences the energies of Mercury retrograde, if you have planets or pivotal points (i.e., Ascendant/Descendant or Nadir/Midheaven) around or aspecting these degrees, it may impact you more intensely.

What may be particularly interesting in that Mercury retrogrades from Aries to Pisces is that the planet of communication will therefore be on the Cardinal Axis (at 0 degrees Aries) three times within six-plus weeks (March 2, March 23, and April 16). Mercury on the Cardinal Axis may bring issues related to communication, transportation, merchandising, marketing, and bridges to the forefront.

Mercury Retrograde Apothecary Suggestions

Nondominant handwriting: This exercise is easy to do and takes minimal time commitment. Just think of a question to which you seek an answer, something that you’ve been pondering. Then pick up a pen or pencil and place it in your nondominant hand (the left one for righties, and the right one for lefties) and write out the answer on paper. Write freely and don’t judge what may seem like chicken scratch. The beauty of this exercise is that by using our opposite hand we are able to able to access more of our subconcious mind and tap into our intuitive knowingness. What you compose on the paper should provide you with an insightful perspective on your question.

“Spring cleaning”: Mercury retrograde is a great time to literally clean your closets. That’s because our abilities to reassess, reevaluate, and reconsider are heightened. Cleaning closets can be wonderfully therapeutic: It provides a trip down memory lane and it also helps to unburden ourselves of things that no longer best serve us. If your closets don’t need to be cleaned, consider organizing your desk drawers or pantry shelves.

March 8, 2012: Virgo Full Moon (exact at 1:39 am PST)

The Virgo Full Moon calls on us to see both the differences and the similarities. While we may be drawn to classify and criticize, remembering that everything is connected—even if we can’t immediately perceive it—can yield a greater acceptance of self and others. This Full Moon provides an opportune time to heal imbalances in our physical bodies through meditation, prayer, dreamwork, and our creative imagination.

If we find ourselves called on to be of assistance, it’s important to remember that service need not equal sacrifice. To give is one thing, to give everything away is yet another. If we don’t replenish our personal ocean of inspiration, we will experience an emotional drought that will not only deplete our life force but also our ability to be of service to others.

This month’s Full Moon falls at 19 degrees of Pisces (the location of the Sun) and Virgo (the location of the Moon). While everyone experiences the energies of a Full Moon, if you have planets or pivotal points (i.e., Ascendant/Descendant or Nadir/Midheaven) around this degree in Pisces, Virgo, or the other mutable signs—Gemini and Sagittarius—it may impact you more intensely.

Full Moon Apothecary Suggestions

Pisces is associated with the feet, pineal gland, and the immune/lymphatic systems while Virgo rules the intestines and digestive system. Pay extra attention to these parts of the body around the time of this Full Moon.

Pedicure: Why not give your Pisces-ruled feet a treat during this Full Moon? If it’s not convenient to schedule a salon pedicure, you can easily do one at home. Whether or not you apply polish, a pedicure can including soaking your feet for a few minutes in a warm mineral-salt bath. After drying your feet well, massage them with some lotion or body oil. You can add a few drops of peppermint oil for a pedi-pick-me-up or some myrrh oil if cracked heels need some tending. During the massage, consider paying special attention to the reflexology areas associated with the small intestines—governed by the sign Virgo—and the liver—ruled by the planet Jupiter. Use this interactive map to find the locations of these sole connections.

Sandalwood: Sandalwood essential oil is a divine fragrance that can help you open to the Piscean gifts of imagination and connection that are more accessible during this time. It is a great aid for a meditation practice and said to stimulate the pineal gland, associated with psychic abilities in spiritual traditions. Sandalwood is calming and centering and may help alleviate spells of anxiety. Like with other essential oils, you can use sandalwood in many ways; for example, you can mix it with body lotion, use it in an aromatherapy diffuser, or add a few drops to a mister bottle of water and use as a room spray. (Note that the widely used sandalwood variety, Santalum album, is now close to extinction in India because of unsustainable harvesting; therefore, look for alternate varieties such as Santalum austrocaledonica.)

February 21, 2012: Pisces New Moon (exact at 2:35 pm PST)

The Pisces New Moon inspires us to connect in with the well of compassion that resides within each of us. As we dive into our empathetic hearts, it’s important to remember that giving of ourselves doesn’t need to equal giving away of ourselves. It’s one thing to hold space for another and desire to foster their enhanced joy, and another to let go of our needs and sacrifice ourselves in that pursuit.

Not only may our nighttime dreams be more vivid but so may our daydreams. If we find ourselves wandering in our minds, it would be of benefit to not discount the ideas, thoughts, and images that come through to us. During this Pisces New Moon the veil to our subconscious may be thinner and therefore we may be able to better access its jewels of wisdom.

Both the Sun and Moon conjoin with Neptune, the modern ruler of Pisces. Therefore, we may feel even more unbounded and sensitive. There’s a greater potential to pick up on the feelings and thoughts of others. It’s a wonderful day for inspiration. Music may touch you deeper, a piece of art may strike a more resonant chord in your soul.

With strong Pisces and Neptune coloring the day, there’s the potential for feeling unmoored and a bit spacey. It’s important to try to stay grounded, especially when driving or doing other activities where you don’t want an absentminded mishap to occur.

This month’s New Moon falls at 3 degrees of Pisces (Sun and Moon). While everyone experiences the energies of a New Moon, if you have planets or pivotal points (i.e., Ascendant/Descendant or Nadir/Midheaven) around this degree in Pisces or the other mutable signs—Gemini, Virgo, or Sagittarius—it may impact you more intensely.

Pisces New Moon Apothecary Suggestions

Pisces is associated with the feet, pineal gland, and the immune/lymphatic systems. Pay extra attention to these parts of the body and areas of health around the time of this New Moon.

Dream journal: During the week of the New Moon, if you don’t already do so, keep a notebook by your bed. When you wake up, jot down any threads of your dream that you remember. Don’t worry if you can’t remember the whole “story line” as even capturing select images, people, or scenes may provide great fodder for learning, wisdom, and healing. If it feels right, bring the journal with you during your waking hours to write down any inspiring daydreams that you may have.

Holy basil: Also known as tulsi, holy basil makes a delicious non-caffeinated “tea” that provides a meditative sense of centering while at the same time boosting the immune system and helping the body guard against stress. Holy basil is delicious hot or prepared as iced tea. Holy basil is also available as an essential oil to be used in aromatherapeutic applications.