Moon
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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.
Image: Distant Suns / Adobe Photoshop eastleft, westright, northtop, southbottom
Reflections ~ The New Moon of Easter
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. The Sun, New Moon, Venus and the star Algenib form a striking line-up as this lunar cycle begins. Mercury and Uranus are nearby, positioned west of the west of the Sun. The Sun, Moon and Venus are transiting the faint constellation Pisces south of Algenib, the wing of Pegasus the Flying Horse. Their united line-up of energies are traveling through the solar system on the rays of our central luminary, the Sun.
The ancient Babylonians called the Square of Pegasus "The Doorway to Paradise." Today astronomers travel through this doorway or "window" to the edge of our Milky Way Galaxy and go beyond to other galaxies! Venus brings the Love Principle to emerging new Life and harmonizes humanity with the gifts of understanding, wise love, unity, creativity and beauty. The emanations of this planet help one begin to understand the causes and conditions of harmony and conflict. They thereby lovingly and wisely promote diplomacy and establish right human relations between all people and between nations. The qualities of Venus, when incorporated into the life give birth to the sons and daughters of God, the self-consecrated human beings who manifest their Divinity on Earth. Pisces is the constellation of the World Savior. The energies emanating from this constellation fuse the soul and form producing the Incarnated Christ, the fully liberated Divine Human Being, the Light of the World. These energies reveal the light of life itself, a light that ends forever the darkness of matter. Mercury conditions the personality life and creates Divine messengers. Its emanations first stimulate the concrete mind to distinguish between the self and not self. They then illuminate the higher mind creating a link between the soul and the personality. Uranus creates a difference through the use of the will. It's sudden, radical, revolutionary and evolutionary emanations strike at the established order and values. It sparks a freedom urge that shakes humanity loose from constrictions, ultimately leading to greater group orientation.
In Summary Easter's New Moon emphasizes we rise above the emotional dramatics of fear, anger, doubt, pain and loss through the Love Principle and its soul contact. Venus aids in this resurrection with the qualities of understanding, wise love, unity, creativity and beauty. Venus, Pisces and Pegasus help us transform evil into good with right relationship. Mercury strengthens our connection, communication and union with the Divine, while the willful and radical energies of Uranus ultimately point us in a direction of a more inclusive heart. The wisdom of an experienced heart is born of a united effort. This fosters optimism and gives rise to the sons and daughters of God, the self-consecrated human beings who manifest their Divinity on Earth. Easter's Lunar Theme: The Effort of the Heart Gives Rise to the Divine Ones Divine
Identification Global Meditation Venus ~ Planetary Treat During Aries Mercury ~ Planetary Treat During Aries
March 27, Friday, the youngest Crescent Moon continues its journey through Pisces. Take a few moments to review the New Moon reflections. Alrescha the knot star joining the two Pisces fish, lies to the left of the thinnest smiling Luna. Try spotting Luna and this star tonight. Binoculars come in handy and are a special viewing treat. Moonset occurs at 9:00pm. Spring is the best time to see whisker thin Cheshire Moons, for they rise straight up from the horizon. Map/Text
March 28, Saturday, the two brightest stars of Aries are to the right of a smiling slim Luna. Moonset: 10:00pm Map/Text Use binoculars for additional viewing pleasure. 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
Image: Heavens Above / Adobe Photoshop Dated
spheres represent the Moon's approximate position on the given
dates. Find Five Brightest Stars!
Navigating with Orion ~ Winter Triangle ~ Great Winter Hexagon
Reflections
~ Waxing Crescent Moon, As
the Moon grows in the light provided by our Sun, Overcoming obstacles to the new incoming awareness begins with the waxing Crescent Moon. What was conceived at the New Moon, The Effort of the Heart Gives Rise to the Divine Ones, is now in the process of waxing or gestating. March 29-30, Sunday-Monday, as Luna's Crescent phase waxes and smiles down upon us, the new incoming awareness grows within and we open to receive more light. At this time Luna draws our attention to the Pleiades star cluster and the red star Aldebaran, respectively imaged as the shoulder and eye of Taurus the Bull. Review this map and the sky chart above. Look Up! The Moon and the Pleiades are a special treat when viewed with binoculars. The enlightened mind is the gift of Taurus the Bull when one transforms desire into spiritual aspiration. The Pleiades, intimately linked to Sirius and the higher aspect of mind, seed the enlightened vision of Aldebaran, which in turn holds a divine ideal that can aid humanity's evolutionary process through its political systems, its nations. When the mind receives illumination, the heart opens and an effort is made to evolve. Take a moment to imagine all the nations of the world being showered with seeds of light that are carrying an illuminating, heartfelt vision for our world. Let there be Light! March 31, Tuesday, Luna lies near Elnath, the northern horn tip of Taurus the Bull. This star lies almost opposite our galactic center. Tune to Elnath for perseverance and breakthroughs. Allow Elnath to expand your horizons and free you from influences that may be limiting your heart's expression. Align with the heart of our galaxy and its blessings.
The First Quarter Moon, exact April 2 at 7:34am PDT (14:34 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. April 1-2, Wednesday-Thursday, the First Quarter Moon transits the Gemini Twins. Wednesday evening Luna can be seen at their feet. Thursday, at her exact First Quarter phase, Luna lies at the heart of the Twins, between the stars Mebsuta and Wasat. See this constellation image. Thursday evening Luna is positioned southwest of Pollux and Castor, the head stars of the Twins. Review the map above. 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. Gemini represents a sacred union of the earthly and divine fires within; these "twin flames" unite as one in the heart. Together they are and do something greater than either can alone. Mebsuta and Wasat Mebsuta, the knee star of Castor, means treading under feet. This relates to triumphant Castor the mortal one. With his heart ablaze, he transforms evil into good and overcomes death because of the sacred covenant he has with his divine twin. We too can establish a sacred bond with our divine twin, and in daily co-creation, share in the glory of Heaven on Earth.
A co-operative heart requires effort and an aspiration to unify the soul and personality. The Gemini Twins and First Quarter Luna are giving rise to this heartfelt human effort. Imagine a hearty response, one that works toward bringing forth unity and expresses an inner divine potential that benefits all.
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. The Buzz ... April 3, Friday, Luna creates a buzz in the heart of Cancer, when she lies near the the Beehive star cluster! Review the map above. Ponder group endeavor. How do the many become the One and live in a lighted house? Cancer's keynote: Love builds a lighted house wherein Life dwells. The Roar ... April 4-6, Saturday-Monday, the heart of Leo the Lion roars with Luna's growing presence! Saturday Luna enters the Lion's Den. Sunday she nestles near Leo's heart star, Regulus, and Monday she joins Saturn at the Lion's hindquarters. Review the map above. Here's another helpful map. Leo the Lion, Regulus the Royal Hearted Lawgiver, Saturn Lord of Karma and Luna's increasing light are preparing us to work together with divine will and purpose. They are evoking the Law of the Soul within humanity.
With Saturn positioned at the hindquarters of the Lion, we are bound to experience the hot air and foul breezes of our leaders and lawmakers! The planet's retrograde motion (12/31/08 - 5/15/09) is bound to show us our limitations and make us question the laws that are governing our lives.
Saturn also opposes Uranus. This lengthy aspect lasting into 2010 brings about major social, religious and cultural transformations. Innovation, practicality, resourcefulness, compassion and the willingness to change are our allies now. Cultivating practices that support genuine self-love, goodwill and the connection with the soul help one transcend these stressful times. It is the effort of the heart that gives rise to the Divine Ones. Saturn ~ Planetary Treat During Aries
Image: Galileo Mission / U.S. Geological Survey, Flagstaff, Arizona Larger Image (700 kB)
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. What was conceived at the New Moon, The Effort of the Heart Gives Rise to the Divine Ones, review above now comes to fruition and is birthed into the full light of our conscious minds.
Easters Full Moon ~ Festival of the Risen One Easter's Full Moon is exact April 9 at 7:56am PDT (14:56 UT). It marks the first of the Three Major Spiritual Festivals, The Easter or Aries Festival, celebrating the Risen One. In 2009 Passover occurs April 9, Good Friday April 10 and Easter Sunday April 12.
It Is Written in the Heavens! The Heavenly Holy Grail reveals the significance of the Easter Full Moon and its position in Virgo the Virgin's Holy Grail. It describes the celestial Virgin's relationship to the Big Dipper, Arcturus and Spica, and how Easter's Full Moon relates to the Sun in the constellation of the World Savior.
Aries
2009 Global Meditation
Image: Earth&Sky Graphic altered with Adobe Photoshop
April 12/13, Sunday/Monday night, 11:30pm Sunday Luna rises near Antares, the red heart star of the cosmic Scorpion. In the wee Monday morning hours, Scorpius and Luna paired with Anatares slink westward along the southern horizon. About an hour before sunrise both are located in the south as shown in the image above.
Look east (left of) Luna and Antares for brilliant, easy to see Jupiter. Further east, literally perched on the horizon, are blazing Venus and difficult to see Mars. 4/13 5:30am Sky Chart Wait another 20 minutes for a better view of Venus and get out those helpful binoculars to seek out Mars. 4/13 5:50am Map (The brightness of the planets, in the sunrise twilight, is exaggerated on the map.) Jupiter lies between Venus and Gibbous Luna. April 14, predawn Tuesday, Luna moves above the Scorpion's stinger at the foot of the medicine man, Ophiuchus. Moonrise: 12:30am 4/14 5:30am Sky Chart
Reflections
~ Waning Gibbous Moon, Ideally the waning Gibbous Moon is a time that readies us to manifest anew. It brings illumination to the influences of the entire lunar cycle. If not, dis-ease results. Morning Luna dances through the transforming burning ground of Scorpius, first near Antares the fiery heart of this cosmic Scorpion, then at the stinger! Antares demands we take a stand for our truth, keeping visions current and ensuring growth, evolution and change, especially for humanity's governing systems. Just like Luna arrives at the heart of the Scorpion's burning ground, we too must arrive at the heart of any challenging matter to reach the truth. Luna's message encourages us to make an effort of the heart to give rise to the Divine Ones on Earth. The stinger of Scorpius insures we make the effort. The painful sting brings about a death of the personality, one that awakens us to the Life giving energies of the heart and soul. Ophiuchus the medicine man and master of the initiatory forces governing life and death, guides us toward greater spiritual fulfillment. Fear not the death of familiar ways. Instead, allow the potent heavenly forces to bring forth death and in turn new life. It is time for individuals and nations of the world to rise like the Phoenix from the burning ground. Call forth the healing energies that give rise to a sacred planet.
Reflections
~ Waning Gibbous Moon, April 15-16, predawn Wednesday-Thursday, Luna transits Sagittarius the cosmic Archer. Use this helpful constellation image to imagine Luna's position in the following description. As if guiding the Archer's aim, Luna first positions herself on the arrow near the right hand top of the teapot asterism, then on the Archer's arm at the "teapot's" handle. Note: Telescopic Pluto lies north of the "teapot's" top (not shown in the following maps) and the Moon is at apogee April 16. 4/15 5:30am Sky Chart ~ 4/16 5:30am Sky Chart The celestial Centaur rides toward the light with the help of Luna and the long lasting partnership of "invisible" Pluto (2006 - 2020). They are bound for the Heart of our Galaxy (Galactic Center) impressing humanity to aim for the spiritual vision that expands the heart to include the “Whole” Truth that unites us all. Sagittarius Keynote Pluto the agent of death packs a powerful punch in Sagittarius, where it brings unrelenting transformation to humanity's most basic belief structures. Expect that, which no longer serves the greater whole to fall away. With an effort of the heart embrace the needed changes. Ask for inner guidance during these times of transition and rebirth.
Reflections
~ Last Quarter Moon, 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 Friday, April 17, at 6:36am PDT (13:36 UT). It is easily seen above the southeastern horizon at 5:00am local time and lies due south at 7:00am. Look for it in the southwestern day sky until moonset around noon. Last Quarter Luna lies below Altair the head or eye of Aquila the Eagle. 4/17 5am Star Chart Aquila reminds us that vision and freedom come when the intellect can make the leap to intuition and we awaken to the promptings of our essential divinity. In flight Aquila is known to carry mighty thunderbolts in his talons. These can shake one to their core, if one fails to hear or resists the divine promptings. Listen! Prepare for rebirth. Initiate change. Co-create with the Divine Ones! Two Potent Predawn Triangles Look for the triangle formed by Jupiter, Altair and Luna. This temporary triangle shape-shifts with the movement of Luna. Jupiter in the constellation Capricornus helps humanity replace desire with love, thereby bringing one’s soul into manifestation. Tune to soul love with Jupiter, intuition with Aquila and unity through effort with Luna. 4/17
5am Star Chart Altair is the southern point of the permanent Summer Triangle, a transformational gateway. The qualities of this gateway, when personally activated lead one on the path of the gods to divine unity. BTW: These triangles lie invisibly overhead in the day sky until they set, just after high noon.
Rise
and Set Times
April 19, predawn Sunday, waning Luna nestles near brilliant Jupiter. Begin looking for the striking duo as they rise low in the southeast, in a dark sky, around 3:45am. They get easier to see higher above the horizon around 5:00am. 5am Map 45 minutes before sunrise around 5:45am look for Venus low on the eastern horizon in a twilit sky. Use binoculars to spot Mars, however take care not to focus on the Sun!
April 20-21, predawn Monday-Tuesday, diminishing Luna lies between brilliant Jupiter found in the southeast and blazing Venus paired with faint Mars low on the eastern horizon. Moonrise: 4:00am + 4:30am Venus rises around 5:00am and is closest to Mars Tuesday morning.
April 22, predawn Wednesday, the Lyrid Meteor Shower peaks with 20 shooting stars per hour in a dark sky. Look east 2:00am - dawn. Map The Moon rises with Venus by 5:00am. The Moon conjoins Venus at 6:29am PDT (13:29 UT) and occults (hides) the planet for North America except in the far South and East. See IOTA for more details. A
Moon Hop Finds Planets + Occult Occurence for
Some
Jupiter
Near the Edge of the Sun
Reflections
~ Easter's Waning Crescent 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. Viewing an elegant Crescent Moon anywhere in the vicinity of dazzling Jupiter and Venus is bound to raise one's Spirit. In addition, the Moon and Jupiter bring about a concern for social welfare, a feeling of optimism and an inner need to change. The Moon and Venus give us a balanced outlook on life, a love of beauty and harmony and a desire to socialize and party. These energies make unity seem effortless! Jupiter and telescopic Neptune in Capricornus aid in our rebirth and resurrection into new life. Together with waning Luna they foster soul manifestation and a new cycle of effort, one that gives full expression to the earthly nature with immense spiritual possibilities. Venus, Mars and Uranus are all located in the constellation of Pisces the World Savior. With Venus in Pisces wise love conquers all opposition and difference. With Mars in Pisces personality driven lives can be swept away by and lost in the consciousness of the masses, however soul-infused individuals are better able to direct divine will into any situation, creating transformation and a reorientation of the lower energies. Uranus in Pisces creates a rejection of the current reality with a shift into new visions that encompass the greater whole. With all these energies an effort of the heart and soul is needed for unity. At their best we have the loving female energies of Venus uniting with the willful male energies of Mars to express the Spirit's freedom urge on Earth through rebellious Uranus and the World Savior constellation. As these days unfold, begin surrendering to a new future. Ponder your experience of Easter's lunar cycle. You may even want to share how are you growing and clarifying your values on WeCycle Wisdom.
Celebrate! Wednesday, April 22, begins with a celestial display of shooting stars and the union of Venus the goddess of love with Easter's slim Luna. It's Earth Day all day long! Honor the Earth and your manifestation of spirit on Earth. Check out New Life for Earth Day! Participate in National Dark Sky Week: April 20-26.
April 24, Friday, a New Moon occurs at 8:23pm PDT (03:23 UT) 4/25. Stay tuned for the next edition of Moon Dances.
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