“Black and white, please. Shades of gray—oh, I think I’ll pass, thank you very much.”

And yet, somewhere in our heart of hearts, we know that this is not really how things are. We understand that life is multi-layered.

Once we let ourselves take all of our complex feelings and allow them to be, to sit together—once we can say “I feel X and Y and while I may have previously perceived them to be opposing I now realize that they can co-exist”—we can find a sense of peace not previously known. Tension releases as we experience the energy freed up from not pushing away various facets of our feelings and perceptions.

We can just let things be. And allow ourselves to be.

While this may be a different approach than the one we oftentimes take, there is nothing like this moment—today—to take a step along this path, one that may very well lead to a sense of authentic liberation.

Share with others, and enjoy!

September 8, 2010: Virgo New Moon (exact at 3:30 am PDT)

“Are You Being Served?” is not only the name of a BBC comedy show but it is also a mantra that we are called upon to embrace during the Virgo New Moon. As Virgo is dedicated to helping and healing, today is a great day to focus our energies on being of service to others as well as showing gratitude to those who have extended themselves graciously to us.

During the Virgo New Moon, there’s also a focus on arts and crafts. If you are working on a creative project, you may find the additional attention to detail you need in order to further refine your creation. If you’ve considered venturing into a new hobby—knitting, cooking, jewelry making, or something else that’s caught your fancy—the Virgo New Moon may provide you with just the tools and motivation you need to embark upon your new artful enterprise.

Given Virgo’s propensity for pickiness and perfection, be aware of a tendency towards hyper-criticism during this New Moon period. This is especially important now since Mercury is still retrograde in Virgo—leading to the potential for misconstrued understandings. Additionally, Venus moves into stir-the-pot Scorpio today while Jupiter is standing on the Aries Point, about to swim back into Pisces. One way to constructively use the energies of Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter would be to pull back deep within the recesses of your mind and heart to intuitively discern effective ways to solve a problem or approach a situation.

This month’s New Moon falls at 16 degrees of Virgo (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 Virgo or the other mutable signs—Gemini, Sagittarius, Pisces—it may impact you more intensely.

New Moon Apothecary Suggestions

Virgo rules the small intestines and digestive system. Pay extra attention to these parts of the body around the time of this New Moon.

Pine flower essence: A striving for wanting things “just so” can be motivating in terms of creating order and beauty in our lives but, if not contained, it can lead to self-criticism and judgment that can sabotage our happiness. If you need some extra assistance releasing feelings of self-directed reproach and finding the forgiveness within that you deserve, consider Pine 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.)

Melissa (lemon balm): Melissa essential oil is a fragrant way to relax and dispel anxiety. Use some in a bath or unscented body lotion. Make a melissa-scented calming room spray by adding a few drops to a mister bottle filled with water. Check the labels carefully and buy a high quality product as less expensive melissa oils are sometimes adulterated with citronella or lemongrass.

September 8, 2010: Jupiter in Pisces

Every year, Jupiter—the planet of expansion, higher education, and philosophy—sojourns into a new sign, casting its glow on the realms of life represented by this zodiacal placement. Where Jupiter is placed represents the areas of our society that are highlighted and experience growth as well as where we may individually seek a path towards greater understanding.

Today, Jupiter moves from individualistic, initiating Aries (where it’s been since June 6, 2010) back into compassionate and artistic Pisces, where it will be through January 22, 2011 (at which time it moves back into Aries). Jupiter was in Pisces earlier this year, from January 17 through June 6.

As Jupiter once again strides through Pisces, our collective awareness may turn to such realms as the oceans, fish, artistry, mysticism, glamour and fashion, the cinema, heightened compassion, and a sense of the unity of it all. Pisces represent the ideal, the space where we are all connected, where universal and unconditional love exists.

As we may strive for this, this isn’t oftentimes what our “reality” reflects. So when there is heightened Piscean energy—such as when a planet resides in this sign—there may be a greater urge to want to numb the feeling of disillusionment we may feel. For some, this may be through substances—drugs, alcohol, or food—while for others this may be through activities such as shopping or television watching. It’s especially important to be extra vigilant during this time if we find that our desire to escape becomes self-sabotaging to our health, relationships, and/or general life course.

As Pisces also carries with it great inspirational energies, we can tap into these as a means to help work through the feelings of sorrow, confusion, or disappointment to which we may be connecting. For example, as Pisces allows us to fuse with the unseen, it can help usher in a great wave of artistry. Regardless of the medium—whether it be painting, photography, poetry, music, et al.—channeling Jupiter in Pisces energy through acts of creativity can be nurturing and healing.

With Pisces being the sign of the mystic and the coalesced everything, tides of spirituality may peak during this time, becoming more apparent and accessible. Practices such as prayer, meditation, yoga, ecstatic dance, and kirtans can be especially uplifting as we embark on the Jupiterian journey through Pisces.

As Jupiter once again travels through the late degrees of Pisces, those with planets or pivotal points (i.e., Ascendant/Descendant or Nadir/Midheaven) in 23-30 degrees of this sign may experience a sense of expansion. Unforeseen luck may very much come their way. While new opportunities and lessons may present themselves, it’s always important when Jupiter’s activating your personal chart to still be diligent and not rest upon laurels. This way the gifts you receive can be transformed from the potentially ephemeral to those that can take root.

September 23: Libra/Aries Full Moon (exact at 2:17 am PDT)

The Libra/Aries Full Moon reminds us that within relationships three participants are present–the I, the You, and the We—all with unique needs of their own. Today, we can gain additional insight into how the I and the You make the We and how the equation is more exponential than additive, as the relationship is its own entity, having its own personality and existence. We can see how we can contribute to a relationship and derive so much from it, but that inherently it is separate than the individuals that comprise it.

As this is the Full Moon appearing closest to the Autumnal Equinox, it is also the Harvest Moon, where Luna appears bigger and brighter than normal. It’s given this name because the extra light that it expresses provides farmers with additional time to work in their fields, gathering their precious crops. We can use the symbolism of the Moon’s radiance to help us illuminate where imbalances may exist in our relationships.

The path to these realizations and the work required to find accord may not necessarily be filled with complete poise and unfettered ease. After all, the Moon—which signifies our needs and what feels good to us—is in the sign of Aries. While Libra can express much patience, the concept of watching, planning, and waiting is relatively foreign to Aries. It wants things now, or before now. Therefore, be aware of the potential for outbursts of impatience or irritability. Yet, the influx of Aries energy isn’t necessarily negative; the Moon in this fiery sign can provide us with the spark that we need to express ourselves and get things accomplished.

This month’s Full Moon falls at 0 degrees of Libra (Sun) and Aries (Moon). This degree is known as the Aries Point. When planets fall on the Aries Point, a position that connects the personal to the collective, we are reminded that what happens to the individual impacts the world and what happens in the world impacts the individual.

While everyone experiences the energies of a Full Moon, if you have planets or pivotal points (i.e., Ascendant/Descendant or Nadir/Midheaven) around 0 degrees in Libra, Aries, or the other cardinal signs—Capricorn and Cancer—it may impact you more intensely.

Full Moon Apothecary Suggestions

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

Vetiver: Vetiver essential oil helps to calm pitta, dispelling the excess Aries heat and inflammatory energy associated with this Ayurvedic dosha. In addition to its calming and grounding effects, vetiver is rejuvenating for the Libra-ruled skin. Mix a few drops with some unscented massage oil for an all-over restorative experience. Or, carry a vial of vetiver with you, inhaling its fragrance whenever you need to relax and restore your grounded focus. As with all essential oils, it’s best to purchase vetiver from a high-quality, reputable manufacturer.

Partner Yoga: One example of an exercise ritual that can be shared by two people, partner yoga is a fun and relationship-building way to stay in shape. By relying upon another person to help you achieve greater depth and grace in asanas (poses), partner yoga can help you to strengthen and fortify your body, mind, and relationship. Inquire with your local yoga studios to see if they offer partner yoga classes and/or look into the various books and DVDs available on the subject.

Yet, with Mercury still retrograde and in a square to the Moon today, just ensure that the information and perspectives that they are sharing makes sense to you. Once you establish that what they are communicating resonates with you, apply these insights into your already evolving matrix of understanding.

It’s there to be captured. And it shines strongly today. This love isn’t just limited to romantic love; it embraces all facets of heart-centered regard and affection.

Love is a love-ly feeling. See if you can focus in on it and feel into it. Capture it and let it capture you.

Monday, August 30

With the fulcrum of Venus and the Sun on the Aries Point, love is in the air.

It’s there to be captured. And it shines strongly today. This love isn’t just limited to romantic love; it embraces all facets of heart-centered regard and affection.

Love is a love-ly feeling. See if you can focus in on it and feel into it. Capture it and let it capture you.

Tuesday, August 31

Today with the Moon squaring Neptune and Mercury still retrograde, watch that the expression of your feelings doesn’t get lost in translation when you try to put words to your emotions.

Wednesday, September 1

Today is a day for teamwork. If you’re looking to get the job done, to find the facts and figures that can help you to solve a problem (or even just tickle your mental curiosity), turn to your compadres.

Yet, with Mercury still retrograde and in a square to the Moon today, just ensure that the information and perspectives that they are sharing makes sense to you. Once you establish that what they are communicating resonates with you, apply these insights into your already evolving matrix of understanding.

Thursday, September 2

Today’s recipe:
* Take 1 part desire.
* Mix it with equal amounts of beauty.
* Stir in a pinch of compassion and heightened sensitivity.
* Top it with the openness for a unique experience.

Share with others, and enjoy!

Friday, September 3

We often want things to be simple.

“Black and white, please. Shades of gray—oh, I think I’ll pass, thank you very much.”

And yet, somewhere in our heart of hearts, we know that this is not really how things are. We understand that life is multi-layered.

Once we let ourselves take all of our complex feelings and allow them to be, to sit together—once we can say “I feel X and Y and while I may have previously perceived them to be opposing I now realize that they can co-exist”—we can find a sense of peace not previously known. Tension releases as we experience the energy freed up from not pushing away various facets of our feelings and perceptions.

We can just let things be. And allow ourselves to be.

While this may be a different approach than the one we oftentimes take, there is nothing like this moment—today—to take a step along this path, one that may very well lead to a sense of authentic liberation.

Saturday, September 4

A prototype to-do list for today with Venus trining Neptune, and the Moon squaring Mars and Venus:

• Read the poems of Hafiz.
• Write a love letter.
• Go to an art gallery.
• Get dressed up.
• Delight in your favorite foods.
• Dance.

All the while, not letting a sense of idealism get in the way of creating realities within relationships.

Sunday, September 5

AstroPoetry for the Day

Delight
In the light
Of generosity.
Giving leads to receiving,
Sharing defined as caring.

The Leo Moon
Dignified and noble
Reminds us
That we are royalty.

In others exists a mirror
Reflecting back
The love we radiate
Enshrining our deserved
Hearts.

And while We has the potential to be a beautiful space, if You and/or Me is not thoroughly and honestly embracing our I-ness, then the We that we compose will not have true sustainability.

It’s our right, responsibility, and obligation to bolster the Me so that if/when we choose to engage in We, it has the beauty and integrity necessary for the balanced expression of our will, passion, and desire.

With the Moon in Aries opposing Mars and Venus in Libra, these You + Me = We reflections may thematically underscore today.