Moon
Dances For printable graphics click on * printable image * below graphic. Look Up! The Moon, waxing and waning, impressively promenades across the dark sky, partnering with the sparkling stars and glowing planets. Who is the Moon dancing with tonight?
Click on the Moon links for meditative insights and additional information.
A New Lunar Cycle Begins east–left, west–right, north–top, south–bottom See Date Table for events surrounding the New Moon.
Annular Solar Eclipse This Annular Solar Eclipse occurs January 26 over the South Atlantic, the Indian Ocean and western Indonesia at UT Time: 06:02 - 09:54. The maximum annular phase occurs a few minutes before the time of the New Moon and lasts almost 8 minutes. No part of the eclipse is seen in the Americas because the Sun is positioned below the horizon. An Annular Solar Eclipse is produced when the New Moon crosses directly in front of the Sun and does not completely cover it. Instead, the Moon reveals a ring of solar fire around its circumference. This occurs because the Moon is a bit farther from the Earth than usual and appears smaller than the Sun. At total solar eclipses the Moon is closer to the Earth, appears bigger than the Sun and is able to cover it completely. See the difference. Note: A partial eclipse occurs January 26 primarily over southern Africa, Madagascar, Australia, southeast Asia and parts of southern India. Here the Moon crosses the Sun off-center covering only part of it. Observers in these areas should look down on the ground: crescent sunbeams will dapple the earth beneath leafy trees and garden latticework. Maps/Info ~ Eclipse Animation ~ Live Webcasts ~ Gallery Reflections ~ New Moon Solar Eclipse With every New Moon our soul goes into meditation and aligns with the inspiration of the Nirmanakayas; a potential is enlivened and a seed of consciousness is formed deep within. Take some time to create a sacred space. A new cycle is beginning. A solar eclipse is always a supercharged New Moon. In this moment of perceived darkness, spirituality and the psyche combine anew, beginning another cycle in the spiral of our personal development.
With all eclipses, as the supercharged energies are incorporated into one's consciousness, something ends and something else begins. How To Deal With Eclipses Reflections
~ New Moon, Capricornus, This New Moon marks the Chinese New Year of the Earth Ox.
The New Moon and Sun lie in the constellation Capricornus in conjunction with Jupiter. Neptune lies to the east, while the planetary pairing of Mercury retrograde (1/11-30) and Mars lies to the west.
Capricornus is aligning humanity with a new cycle of effort, initiation and service. It is tuning us to our immortal spirit and its earthly potential. This constellation and "stellium" of planets are opening the doorway to our divine head center, our connection to the greater world beyond, to a timeless, spaceless place of all-knowing. Capricornus reminds us, though lost in the light supernal, we turn our back on that light and journey back down the mountain to serve the radiant Life in the material world.
It is said that Jupiter transmits cosmic forces into our solar system, producing wisdom and the externalization of the Divine Plan in our solar system; its conjunction with the Sun now is potent. Neptune at its highest brings new spiritual insight and strength, guidance and protection. Mercury illumines the higher mind bridging the personality and soul; the last 10 days of its retrograde are about reorientation ... being receptive to the new and letting go of the old. Mars evokes the death of old ways through the action and interaction of opposing forces; it is the driving force of will, the passion that moves us forward in the world. See Date Table for events surrounding the New Moon. In Summary With this new lunar cycle the order of our lives is changing as we reap the harvest of our past and incorporate the infinite unknown. We are being tuned to our immortal Spirit and its earthly potential. This supercharged new cycle of effort promises to steadily move us forward into our future. When paving the path to the future, consider the Law of Compassion. Radiant
Life Global Meditation [Return to Menu at top]
Watch Luna's smile grow on its ascending path to Venus the goddess of love and you will find a smile in your heart! The Crescent Moon in the vicinity of our brightest planet Venus is considered to be one of the most exquisite sights in the heavens. We are now in a glorious season of such dazzling delights. You won't want to miss any, however if you do, more are on the way for several months! BTW: If you can see the slim Moon in the day sky January 29-30, try using it as a guide to locate Venus. Here's a helpful 1pm day Sky Chart that can be generated for any anytime on these two days. Use binoculars for this viewing challenge. Keep your eyes safe; never look at the Sun with an optical aide! Reflections ~ Waxing Crescent Moon Overcoming obstacles to the new incoming awareness begins with the waxing Crescent Moon. What was conceived at the New Moon, Steadily Moving Forward into Our Future, review above is now in the process of waxing or gestating. January 27-28, Tuesday-Wednesday, look for the thinnest and youngest vestiges of Luna after sunset, low on the west-southwest horizon. Binoculars improve visibility and are a special treat. The evening ecliptic rises high from the horizon now. This creates more prominent lunar views and later moonsets ... on these two nights, 7:00pm and 8:00pm respectively. The Moon journeys through the constellation Aquarius now. Aquarius focuses the attention of humanity on the good of the whole. Imagine HumanKind moving forward with the greatest good of all in mind. January 29-30, Thursday-Friday, Luna is at her two closest Venus approaches. Her smile has brightened in the brilliance of this goddess of love. Savor the view that lingers in a dark sky, until 9:15pm with the setting of Venus. As the Moon and Venus visit, ponder and practice paving the path to the future with right human relations.
Hmmm ... Venus rises around 9:15am and sets 12 hours later. This means her planetary emanations of understanding, wise love, unity, creativity and beauty are shining down upon us all day long, everyday! With the help of this goddess of love we can practice incorporating one or more these qualities into our everyday life and build a better future. Are you up for the challenge? Venus
~ Planetary Treat During Aquarius
It's
a Monstrous First Quarter Moon! Viewing the First Quarter Moon The First Quarter Moon transits 6 hours after the Sun and can be viewed in the day sky. Look for it rising in the east at about noon, in the southern sky at sunset, and setting in the west 6 hours after the Sun around the midnight hour. In the evening get out those binoculars for the best view of the Moon's terminator, the shadow line dividing the lunar day from lunar night. It is here that sunrise occurs on a waxing Moon. Lunar craters, mountains and valleys are accentuated along this line of contrasting light. The First Quarter Moon is located in the constellation Aries, north of the Circlet of Cetus and south of the star Algol in Perseus. 2/2 7pm Sky Chart Look west of the Moon to see breathtaking Venus which sets around 9:15pm; look east to see the bright winter stars that make up Orion, the Winter Triangle and the Great Winter Hexagon. Look Up! Reflections ~ First Quarter Moon The First Quarter Moon, exact February 2 at 3:13pm PST; 23:13 UT, squares the Sun at a 90-degree angle and brings up a tension between desires and emotions, as we struggle for fulfillment. Ideally any obstacles impeding the awareness conceived at the New Moon are overcome at this time. What new life is emerging within? Initiate actions that help it grow. February 2, Monday, Luna located in the constellation Aries, transits the jaws of Cetus to the south and the head of slain Medusa (the star Algol), held in the hand of Perseus, to the north. Cetus, known as the whale or the sea monster (Helpful Image), was sent by Neptune to devour princess Andromeda. Cetus was turned to stone when Perseus the hero showed the monster the head of Medusa, thus saving Andromeda.
The secret of Aries is the secret of beginnings, of cycles and of emerging opportunity. "It is the 'searchlight of the Logos [*], seeking that which can be used' for divine expression." Esoteric Astrology, p. 329 The First Quarter Moon signals the balance between light and dark ... moving toward the light. As obstacles arise and we struggle toward fulfillment, imagine humanity emerging out of darkness, moving toward the light of our future, our greater soul purpose. Andromeda, Perseus, The Royal Family Today is Groundhog Day and Candlemas.
February 3, Tuesday, the Moon lies near the sparkling Pleiades (M45) star cluster; an occultation occurs for viewers in northern North America. See IOTA. This open cluster marks the shoulder of Taurus the Bull. It is said that the Light of God, Buddhi, universal mind, sweeps into manifestation in our solar system via the Pleiades. See Path to Sirius. Imagine this eternal Light streaming forth into humanity giving rise to sons and daughters of God, who walk the Earth bringing freedom to all.
February 4, Wednesday, the Moon lies west (right) of the star Elnath, the northern horn tip of Taurus the Bull. This star lies opposite the Galactic Center; when we look toward it, we look toward intergalactic space. Call on Elnath for perseverance, breakthroughs and new spiritual vistas.
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Reflections ~ Gibbous Luna Transits the Twins The waxing Gibbous Moon is more than half lit, moving toward its full sunlit phase. Illumination and growth are offered by this lunar phase, only if the obstacles from the past are cleared away. This must happen, if the energy released with the coming Full Moon is to be utilized. February 5-7, Thursday-Saturday, growing Luna transits the Gemini Twins, first at their feet, then near their heart and finally in a diagonal alignment with their two head stars. Sky & Telescope map Though opposites, representing the form (Castor) and spirit (Pollux), the Twins innately cooperate for the benefit of the whole. Pollux the eternal twin is associated with the fulfillment of the soul's greater evolutionary purpose.
Together they are and do something greater than either can alone. Imagine humanity co-operating, unifying its soul and personality, steadily building a new world, moving forward into an enlightened future.
Large Luna Lights Up Leo the
Lion! Dated
spheres represent the Moon's position on the given dates. Penumbral
Lunar Eclipse?
Reflections ~ The Full Moon Any Full Moon experience can offer us greater illumination of our essential divinity. Issues worked on since the New Moon come to a climax. If the restrictions of the past have been released during the waxing Moon, then the Full Moon can bring fulfillment. If not, the Full Moon might bring serious mental conflicts, possibly affecting the physical body. The Full Moon is exact February 9 at 6:49am PST; 14:49 UT Full
Moon Global Meditation What was conceived at the New Moon, Steadily Moving Forward into Our Future, review above now comes to fruition and is birthed into the full light of our conscious minds. Reflections ~ The Full Moon's Position The Full Moon is positioned in the constellation Leo the Lion. The exact Full Moon lies at the head of Leo the Lion and later in the evening moves south of the Lion's heart star, Regulus the Lawgiver. This blue-white star focuses and regulates the energy of Sirius toward the Earth. The Royal, Lion-Hearted Lawgiver can then stimulate a response in humanity that expresses the Christ consciousness, the quality we call love-wisdom. Leo the Lion’s highest expression is the fully integrated personality who stands out from the "herd" and is ignited by the fire of Divine Will. The Light of Leo is the Light of the Soul and represents a Higher Law of Spirit. Leo's illumination prepares one for participation in the New Group of World Servers. Leo's Lawgiver and Changer are presently co-operating with Saturn the Lord of Karma, as the planet transits the constellation. Humanity's leadership, honesty and integrity are being questioned and tested. Denebola, the Lion’s tail star known as the Changer, demands evolution. Saturn and the Moon in the vicinity of this star can create a powerful reaction and when the Lion's tail "wags" (is stimulated) swift judgment is passed and changes occur. Be aware! It's time to wake up to the Soul's Higher Law and take a stand for honesty, integrity and leadership in the world.
Saturn is retrograde 12/31/08 - 5/15/09. From now until May humanity has a "great opportunity to reformulate structures of belief that may be holding us back and to build new structures that easily support authentic expressions of our true radiant divine nature." Shamanic Astrology Reflections ~ Full Moon's Illumination The Full Moon during the sign of Aquarius is illuminated by the Sun in the constellation Capricorn. Neptune is in conjunction with the Sun, exact on 2/12 at 4:41am PST; 12:41 UT. The emanations of Aquarius are healing, purifying and move humanity toward greater freedom by awakening the spirit of group consciousness and service. The mountaintop experience associated with Capricorn represents a new cycle of effort, one that gives full expression to the earthly nature with immense spiritual possibilities. It opens the doorway to our divine head center and the immortal life of spirit. With Neptune conjoined the Sun in the constellation Capricornus we have the will (Sun) to actually accomplish (Capricornus) our dreams (Neptune) by rebuilding structures or creating a new ones Penumbral Lunar Eclipse The Moon will enter the Earth's "barely there" penumbral shadow over western North America, Hawaii, Australia and east Asia. It may be challenging to see any change in brightness. Maximum eclipse occurs Monday 14:00 - 15:20 UT (6:00am - 7:20am PST; 4:00am - 5:40am Hawaii time). Visibility Map ~ Eclipse Animation ~ NASA Details A lunar eclipse is a time of endings, culmination points and major changes. Consider whether one's material viewpoint (Earth's shadow) is standing in the way of "seeing the light". In Summary Humanity is being lead toward a new Aquarian vision, a consciousness that holds group awareness, service, individuality, progress and freedom at its core. The veils of a limited material viewpoint must be removed from each of us. It is time for new leaders with the greatest good at heart, to update old governing systems and align them with the all-inclusive love and wisdom of the soul. The Light of the Full Moon is opening us to Divine Will and to the dreams of the soul made manifest. Major changes are in store for humanity, for we are destined to give full expression to our earthly and spiritual natures. The structures of society must be rebuilt or created anew in order to steadily move forward into our future. The Lion, Lawgiver, Lord of Karma and the Changer are insuring this occurs. Saturn
~ Planetary Treat During Aquarius Geometric Gems Take Shape Around the Cosmic Giant Orion the Hunter, a cosmic giant, maps the winter sky. If you locate Orion's evenly spaced three-starred belt and hourglass shape in the heavens, you can easily do some night sky traveling. Orion’s red shoulder star, Betelgeuse, forms the apex of the equilateral Winter Triangle and his bluish-white knee or foot star, Rigel. forms a point of the Great Winter Hexagon. Watch giant Orion transit the southern sky as the evening unfolds. Look Up! Navigating
with Orion Winter
Triangle The
Great Winter Hexagon Orion's
Valentine Star?
Last Quarter Moon ~ Riding
the Clouds [Image]
The Last Quarter Moon can bring a crisis in consciousness as the Moon squares the Sun. This cycle's experiences have culminated and one must now prepare for rebirth by initiating change. The Last Quarter Moon is exact Monday, February 16, at 1:37pm PST; 21:37 UT. It can be seen rising in the east, in a dark, early morning sky at 12:00am February 16 and at 1:00am February 17. The exact phase of this Moon lies at the western border of the constellation Scorpius. The Moon moves deeper into the realm of the cosmic Scorpion with each additional hour, until it lies near Antares, the heart of Scorpius, Tuesday, February 17. The cosmic Scorpion demands personal transformation, while "rebellious” Antares keeps humanity’s vision current by testing outdated governing systems and old ways of being.
The Last Quarter Moon brings crisis for it stimulates change and rebirth. As this Moon moves through Scorpius and approaches its heart star Antares, evolutionary tension is magnified regarding that which governs our lives globally, nationally, locally and personally. When paving the path to the future, stand up for that which supports freedom and fulfillment. Steadily make the needed changes and prepare for rebirth. February 18, Wednesday morning, the Moon rises 2:00am east of Antares. During this day the Moon moves below the star Sabik in Ophiuchus, as it approaches the stinger of the Scorpion.
Sabik, Scorpius and the Moon underscore transformation from our head to our toes and the Scorpion's stinger insures it! Imagine everyone you see today glowing with bio-illumined light. Know this evolutionary light is glowing within you.
Look for Luna's Triple Planetary Treat!
A first good view of dawn's triple planetary treat performance starts Monday morning, February 16. Check out the following link for additional information, ponderings, maps, and a video! Triple
Planetary Treat for Early Birds Reflections
~ Waning Crescent Moon, The waning Crescent Moon phase brings enlightenment at a deep level, a time of conscious growth, clarification of values and the surrender to a new future. Rebirth can occur and playfulness can come forth. The last vestiges of the old Moon lead us to the morning line-up of Mercury, Jupiter and Mars. Luna and the three planets lie in the constellation Capricornus, which is invisible in the dawn's early light. The mountaintop experience associated with Capricorn represents a new cycle of effort, one that gives full expression to the earthly nature with immense spiritual possibilities. It opens the doorway to our divine head center and the immortal life of spirit. Mercury in Capricornus helps the everyday human being to consciously realize itself as a spiritual being. This brings the Creator's Divine Plan down to Earth through the soul-inspired mind. Jupiter in this constellation assists one in transcending their crystalized lower nature. Jupiter replaces desire with love, bringing a triumphant soul into manifestation. Mars in Capricornus demonstrates the right use of will, with desires being placed under the total dominance of the Soul. This supercharged-2-eclipse lunar cycle has been changing the order of our lives, and as it ends we continue to be tuned to our immortal Spirit and its earthly potential. With the last lunar vestiges we are being reborn into a new cycle of effort that promises to keep us steadily moving forward into our future.
Let
us leave the me, Aquarius Radiant Life Meditation Take some time to celebrate and bless humanity's spiritual birthing process. See Date Table for additional events. February 24, Tuesday, a New Moon occurs at 5:35pm PST; 01:35 UT 2/25. Stay tuned for the next edition of Moon Dances.
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