Leo New Moon Stokes the Fires of Creativity and Love

Hang on, folks the New Moon in Leo on August 14, 2015 in 22 degrees of Leo is bound to be an emotional one that will pack quite a wallop.  Generally speaking, the themes of a Leo New Moon include personal power, passionate love or friendship, and reveling in play and exploring our creativity.

This new moon is especially emotional because retrograde Venus in 23 degrees of Leo is in on the action.  Obviously it is conjunct both the Sun and the Moon, so we may be involved in the process of reassessing our values and relationships.  Venus rules love, values and creativity, so it is intensifying the emphasis on love and creativity.  Uranus in Aries is putting its two cents in as well by trining the Sun, Moon and Venus during this New Moon.  This is a good thing because it gives us support to make changes and adapt to new circumstances.

Chiron, the Wounded Healer is also making its presence known during this New Moon.  Chiron is in 20 degrees of Pisces and is inconjunct the New Moon.  It serves as a reminder that we need to have compassion for the part of us that fears the unknown.  We may feel like a frightened child who is about to be the new kid in a brand new school.  Be kind and patient with that inner child. That is quite an adjustment to make, and inconjuncts are all about the need to make adjustments.

The bottom line with this New Moon is that change is on the horizon and that we need to embrace it.  Uranus trining that New Moon is encouraging and facilitating that change while Venus retrograde is affording us the opportunity to reassess our relationships, values and creativity.  I would be very surprised if relationships don’t change as a result of the Leo New Moon and the Venus Retrograde period. This Venus Retrograde is a big deal because it is conjunct the New Moon.  Resolving old issues in relationships can be the featured attraction of this New Moon for many people.   Frankly, if there is no change, it may be due to resistance on our part and we all know that resistance is futile when Uranus is involved.  Haven’t we learned anything from the seven Uranus/Pluto squares of the past few years?

Personally, I have been feeling the effects of this New Moon all week.  While my Pluto is being activated, my Sun/Venus conjunction in Scorpio is also being squared, adding to the creative tension and fueling my natural impatience to see changes NOW. The Leo New Moon is in my 11th house and is conjunct my natal Pluto.  I have definitely been in a period of reassessing my goals and anticipating the opportunity to connect with like minded folks who will inspire me. I can also feel Chiron in Pisces’ presence because I am experiencing anxiety about my fears of the unknown.  I have made many changes in my life recently and several chapters of my life have ended.  Letting go has never come easily for me, being a member of the fixed sign Scorpio tribe, but I know that it is a necessary part of the soul’s evolution.  I sense that I am on the cusp of even greater changes with Uranus in Aries and I am looking forward to what benefits Jupiter in Virgo will reap for me because I have been sowing seeds like crazy in the past couple of years. I have new ideas to expand my business that I hope to launch within the next month.  

I literally feel like this Leo New Moon has lit a creative fire under my butt.  On the other hand with retrograde Venus in Leo squaring my retrograde Venus in Scorpio, I am conflicted over wanting to enjoy the rest of summer and get those creative juices flowing.  My natal Venus is in my 2^nd house, so it is all about the money, creativity and resources for me right now.  My relationships have undergone dramatic changes in the past few months and while I would be a fool to rule out more changes, I don’t have quite the same fear and anxiety about them as I do about expanding my resources and being open to taking new risks.

This New Moon is reinforcing the summer energy of the Sun and Venus in Leo.  Venus will be in Leo until October 8^th due to the retrograde. If you are curious as to how this extended Venus retrograde in Leo period will affect you, please consider getting an astrological reading with me.  A little insight is always a powerful tool.  Just ask for the Venus Retrograde Special, which will be $25 through the month of September 2015. Contact me directly at lindasim54@gmail.com.

I am also offering a Summer Solstice Special for only $25 at this link:

http://phoenixscorpio.blogspot.com/p/summer-solstice-special.html

This special is literally being offered through the entire summer season and features a two question tarot telephone reading with a look at your astrological chart to see how the summer planetary action is affecting you.  This is a great little reading if you just have a couple of questions and are curious about your astrological chart, but are a little hesitant to committing to a full astrological reading.

  

You can learn more about my menu of astrological services at:

http://phoenixscorpio.blogspot.com/p/services-offered.html

Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter for my daily astrological insights at:

https://twitter.com/danceofphoenix

Lunar Eclipse in Libra Connects the Past with the Future

The second eclipse of 2015 is coming folks, and it packs a wallop of emotional intensity. It occurs in 14 degrees of Libra on April 4th. Lunar eclipses always increase unstable energies, but this one is triggering the vibes created by the last Uranus/Pluto square on March 17th. It squares Pluto in Capricorn and will revolutionize how we act in relationships. Libra is, after all, the sign that loves relationships. Mark my words, there are bound to be endings and new beginnings in relationships and careers.

The pull of the past meeting the promise of the future is illustrated by the cardinal T-square that this eclipse forms. Anyone who has planets in 9-19 degrees of the cardinal signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn will feel like they are in the crossfire of transformational relationships. The Sun in Aries conjuncts Uranus in Aries, Mercury in Aries and the south node of the moon in Aries. The south node represents the past and the baggage and outworn patterns our soul needs to release for its highest good. And that Libra moon is conjunct the north node, which is our future. This lunar eclipse squaring Pluto is literally forcing us to undergo explosive endings of one phase of our personal development in order to make fresh starts in a whole new chapter of life. The theme of change is pervasive but it needs to be well thought out and implemented.

A major complication exists because Mercury entered the sign of Aries on March 30th, where it will stay until April 14th. Mercury affects our thought patterns, but in fiery, impulsive Aries it is likely to take us to a place of conflict. On March 30th I tweeted:

"Mercury enters Aries tonight and communication becomes more impulsive and direct."

Mercury in Aries has a tendency to tell it like it is without any filters for fact or etiquette, so debates and instances for provocation are common.  It is not prone to rosy filters like Pisces or careful planning like Taurus. Mercury squaring Pluto in Capricorn on April 7th will be prime time to confront hidden agendas.  And when it collides with Uranus on April 8th, impulse and sudden change take center stage with surprising messages or ideas that are total game changers. But Mercury in Aries is not all bad. On April 2nd, it trined Saturn in Sagittarius for a new vision of the future and on April 6th it will trine Jupiter in Leo, affording us the opportunity to initiate that big idea.

The eclipse forming a conjunction with the north node in Libra signifies that emotional balance is our priority. Remember that symbol of Libra with the scales? Libra may not always be balanced, but it is always seeking balance in its highest form. With the nodes of the moon featuring so prominently in this eclipse, we need to revisit the past in order to move forward. It is nothing short of due diligence!

I loved the way Michael Lutin described this eclipse on his site:

www,michaellutin.com

"The lunar eclipse pops your balloon, thank Heaven. The message is to restore balance in your life."

As for me personally, I am definitely feeling the emotional intensity because this eclipse conjuncts my Libra ascendant and squares my Cancer midheaven. I have recently started doing more psychic readings through a business opportunity which allows me the flexibility to set my own hours.

Yet another reason this is a time for me to restore emotional balance in my life is my gratitude for my current Chiron transit. During the past year transiting Chiron in Pisces was squaring my natal Gemini moon and it was a very painful process.  It ended in February and I could definitely sense the difference; I felt like I had stared down some very deep rooted and long standing wounds and managed to come out on the other side with a feeling of freedom and happiness.  I won't deny that the healing process was agonizing at times, but it was worth it.  Last week transiting Chiron in Pisces began trining my Scorpio Sun and that transit will play out for the next year. And we all know that trines are much easier to take as transits or aspects than squares, right? The words easy and flowing come to mind.  I read about this long-term transit on the Astrodienst site:

www.astro.com

I highly recommend this site if you haven’t checked it out already because you can enter your chart information and get your daily transits free and long-term transits free on Thursdays.

Basically, it described this transit as "fair weather" which had the potential to bring old wounds to light in a less painful manner and allows one to further heal relationships without hurting others in the process.  I'll happily take that transit! It's my own version of Spring!

Happy Passover and Happy Easter, everyone!

If you are confused during these challenging times and need some guidance in empowering you to move forward, please consider getting an astrological reading.  You can learn more about my menu of astrological services at:

http://phoenixscorpio.blogspot.com/p/services-offered.html

Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter for my daily astrological insights at:

https://twitter.com/danceofphoenix

Ceres Dominates -The Dwarf Planet Rules for Valentine's Day

Ceres, the former asteroid reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006, is presiding over and ruling the action for Valentine's Day this coming weekend. In a week where the only other major astrological activity going on was Mercury resuming direct motion on February 11th, Ceres became the key player.

Ceres is currently in the sign of Capricorn, and this placement has a tendency to align our self-worth with our latest accomplishments, but on February 12th it squared Uranus in Aries. This could have definitely triggered a rebellious attitude in this area and a strong desire for change.

What exactly does Ceres represent astrologically? In her groundbreaking book Asteroid Goddesses written in 1984, Demetra George said:

"Ceres describes the ways in which we face the issues of self-worth and self-esteem, relationships to our parents and children, attachment, dependency, loss and separation, rejection, grief, sharing, work and productivity."

She also says that the multitude of psychological traits Ceres governs make it impossible to rule just one sign. As the ruler of Cancer, Ceres addresses the issues of how we give and receive nurturance, develop feelings of self-worth, how we provide and care for others and how we respond neurotically if these needs are not met. Ceres also rules the Taurus-Scorpio polarity, which involves lessons of attachment and aversion, the pathology of loss and rejection, the capacity for grief and sorrow and the principle of sharing. And finally, Ceres' rulership of Virgo addresses the issues of productivity, growth, self-reliance and work. I don't know about you, but I think that calling Ceres a dwarf planet is kind of a misnomer with her workload!

Ceres was once thought to be part of Pluto and on February 15th, Ceres will conjunct Pluto in 15 degrees of Capricorn. How is this aspect going to play out? For starters, it will demand that we release goals and attachments that no longer serve us. We will also need to accept that our fear of loss might very well represent a necessary death on some level which precedes a rebirth.

Ceres is becoming a major player in the ongoing Uranus Pluto square, which will be exact on March 17, 2015 in 15 degrees of Aries and Capricorn. But many of us are already feeling its effects now, especially in the area of relationships. I don't think it is a cosmic accident that Ceres formed major aspects with both Uranus and Pluto around Valentine’s Day. It is preparing us for the final round of changes the last Uranus Pluto square will deliver. Changes in relationships are a huge issue for many folks these days.

Naturally, this prompted me to examine my own Ceres. I have Ceres in 27 degrees of Scorpio conjunct my natal Venus in the 2nd house and squaring my Pluto in Leo in the 11th house. I'm sure this placement has a lot to do with my love of harmony and beautiful things (Venus conjunct Ceres knows no bounds when it comes to self-nurturing through shopping), but it also explains my desire to nurture others, provide for them and be an agent of healing and transformation. Ceres squaring my natal Pluto is not so easy to deal with, however. This is definitely where the power struggles and negotiations for nurturing comes from. It also contributes to my frequent inability to let go--I can be like Ceres negotiating with Pluto for Persephone!  But the positive side of Ceres squaring Pluto can be the ability to nurture others back to health and transform them through nurturing. I sense that my becoming a healer is a more constructive use of that aspect.

I also have Ceres trining my natal Uranus in Cancer, which has led me to pursue a path of spiritual growth in some rather unique ways. After all, I am an intuitive astrologer, psychic and Reiki healer. The other piece with Ceres trining Uranus is that it makes me cherish and appreciate the need for both intimacy and space in relationships.

I am also pondering how transiting Ceres in Capricorn will be affecting me during the Uranus Pluto square in March. It won't be in the middle degrees of Capricorn then; it will be closer to the end of Capricorn and conjunct my natal Chiron in the 4th house. I am no stranger to Chiron transits, having recently survived Chiron's long-term square to my moon, which was not exactly a day at the beach, despite the waterworks it triggered.  But it did manage to achieve a great deal of emotional healing. Hopefully, this upcoming transit will require a less painful form of surrender for any more healing to occur.

I'd like to wish you all a very Happy Valentine's Day by engaging my Ceres with a special Valentine's Day promotion. During the month of February to celebrate Valentine’s Day and Venus being exalted in Pisces, I am offering a 20% discount on my Healing Your Love Karma and Composite Couples reports.  You can learn more about this special offer at:

http://phoenixscorpio.blogspot.com/p/valentines-day-promotion_30.html

 You can also read about my other astrological services at:

http://phoenixscorpio.blogspot.com/p/services-offered.html

Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter for my daily astrological insights at:

https://twitter.com/danceofphoenix

During the month of February to celebrate Valentine’s Day and Venus being exalted in Pisces, I am offering a 20% discount on my Healing Your Love Karma and Composite Couples reports.  You can learn more about this special offer at:

http://phoenixscorpio.blogspot.com/p/valentines-day-promotion_30.html

You can also read about my other astrological services at:

http://phoenixscorpio.blogspot.com/p/services-offered.html

Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter for my daily astrological insights at:

https://twitter.com/danceofphoenix

Lunar Eclipse in Aries and Its Transformation of Relationships

Fasten your seat belts, folks, we are headed for one bumpy ride with the upcoming lunar eclipse in 15 degrees of Aries on October 8th.  Relationships will definitely be feeling the heat from this eclipse and the prelude to this transformative eclipse actually begins on October 4, 2014. On that day, Mercury stations retrograde in 2 degrees of Scorpio. Prepare to hear from past loves, friends and acquaintances.

The Sun in Libra also squares Pluto in Capricorn on October 4th, which can lead to power struggles and run-ins with authority. Chiron in Pisces also squares Mars in Sagittarius on that day, which can have the effect of compassionate acts being met with rejection and fueling the flames of anger. It brings to mind the old saying that no good deed goes unpunished! However, our ace in the hole that day is that Mars in Sagittarius trines in Uranus in Aries, providing us with energy for new beginnings and liberation.

This eclipse activates the ongoing Uranus Pluto square. There really is no escape from Pluto's dogged quest for transformation or the unpredictability and volatility of Uranus because this full moon in Aries conjuncts Uranus in Aries. How will this play out?  Issues of personal power will emerge in relationships. We can anticipate power struggles, relationship breakups and relationship breakthroughs. The nodes of the moon are also getting into the act, especially with the Aries moon forming a wide conjunction to the south node of the moon. It is inevitable that issues from the past will come up for review.

I am trying to rely on the sage advice of fellow astrologers Stephanie Austin and Michael Lutin who literally look forward to the guidance of the north node in Libra during this transitional, transformative period. Stephanie Austin said:

"We are ready to take another step toward shifting from the love of power to the power of love."

And Michael Lutin's interpretation on having both Venus and the north node in Libra simultaneously is that we should use gentleness rather than confrontation as our best approach to dealing with relationships. Work that Libra energy!

As difficult as this eclipse may prove to be for so many of us, I don't think we should discount the power of the Grand Fire Trine involving Uranus in Aries, Mars in Sagittarius and Jupiter in Leo.  It has the ability to ignite inspiration and motivation.

The effects of this eclipse could very well be felt for up to six months. Events will occur that deliver great intensity but it is also important to remember that it may take awhile before all is completely revealed. Remember that if you have any planets between 11 and 16 degrees in the cardinal signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn, you will be impacted by this eclipse. Eclipses have a tendency to help us make important life changes by breaking down outworn patterns so that we can build new ones that serve our highest good.

This eclipse occurs at the end of my 6th house opposing my Libra ascendant, sextiling my Gemini moon in the 8th house and widely squaring my Cancer midheaven. I am literally right in the crossfire, but for the past 3 1/2 years my life has been dominated by the energies of Uranus and Pluto. As challenging as this has been, a part of me is still clinging to the belief that healing will come as a result of these disruptions. As an astrologer, I am also aware of the Metonic cycle of eclipses that repeat every 19 years. The last time we had a lunar eclipse in Aries was on October 8, 1995 in 14 degrees of Aries. When I cover eclipses in consultations for my clients, I frequently urge them to think back 19 years to see if a similar theme is playing out again. I can see the relevance in my own life with this eclipse. In October 1995 I was job hunting after having gone back to school to earn a paralegal certificate in June 1995. I did secure a new position by the end of 1995, which I began in January 1996 and resigned from in August 2013. Currently I am seeking to build my new business as an astrologer, Reiki healer and tarot reader. I am definitely breaking down old outworn patterns and trying to create multiple streams of income with mixed results so far. But eclipses are indeed game changers, so it will be interesting to see what new opportunities arise as I continue to put myself out there.

If you are feeling confused during these challenging times and curious as to how the October eclipses (yes, folks we have a solar eclipse coming up on October 23^rd in Scorpio), Saturn, Mars, Uranus, Chiron or the Black Moon Lilith are affecting you, please consider getting an astrological reading to obtain more insight and assistance in the healing process. I have also added a one question astrology reading to my list of services for $40 that is an even more intuitive approach based on your natal and progressed charts with transits to both.

Check out my services page on this site at:

http://phoenixscorpio.blogspot.com/p/services-offered.html

To celebrate the spirit of Mars in Sagittarius, I am offering a special on my tarot readings.  Recently some of my clients have been requesting shorter, one or two question tarot readings over my general astrological spread which covers all the issues pertaining to the 12 houses of the horoscope. They want answers to specific answers, so I am offering one or two question telephone readings for $15 and $25. You can check out the details at:

http://phoenixscorpio.blogspot.com/p/special-tarot-offer.html

Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter for my daily astrological insights at:

https://twitter.com/danceofphoenix

Full Snow Moon in Leo on Valentine's Day

How terribly ironic that as I began writing this post, a snowstorm was raging in full force with the moon in Leo!  I always associate the sign of Leo with the sun, warmth, optimism, and the heat of summer yet here we are in the midst of a long, cold snowy winter that is becoming downright depressing for many of us.  Leave it to a Leo moon to dramatize the contrast.  And that moon is full at 26 degrees of Leo at 6:53 p.m. tonight.  Happy Valentine’s Day!

I have no doubt that this will be a memorable Valentine’s Day astrologically speaking.  This whole week has been building up to an emphasis on relationships.  On February 11^th the Sun in 22 degrees of Aquarius squared Saturn in 22 degrees of Scorpio.  This aspect certainly delivered a reality check and forced us to confront some rather inconvenient truths.   The recent Venus Pluto conjunction in Capricorn has caused a major shift in relationships by forcing us to get real and serious.  There is a take no prisoners’ quality to this aspect; it is all or nothing.  It was high time to let go of grudges and get to the bottom of things in order to heal and rebuild on a more solid foundation.  If fear of commitment was one of those issues, it had to be addressed.  Venus and Pluto in Capricorn want deep, committed love, no bones about it.  We also have Mars in an extended stay in Libra, the sign of relationships, triggering issues of control versus surrender and compromise in relationships.  Mars in Libra wants to achieve a balance between dominance and submission because it is the key to ensuring a lasting bond.

This full moon amplifies the potential for emotional outbursts, but the wisest course of action is step back when things get too hot and don’t react.  I know that sounds easier said than done, but we do need to be mindful of balancing the heart (Leo) with the head (Aquarius).  The full moon also features in a t-square with Saturn in Scorpio testing the limits of relationships and urging us to be mindful of our decisions. Saturn’s role in this full moon is to help us create a balance between male and female energy. Molly Hall succinctly pointed out that we need to trust in the process of death and rebirth during this full moon.  A full moon in Leo also supports the need to love ourselves by paying attention to that inner child, awaken to our heart’s desires, and act on our truth so that we can more fully love others.

I confess that this full moon is impacting me pretty intensely.  The full moon forms an exact conjunction with my natal Pluto in the 11^th house.  I have endured emotional extremes and constant confrontations of my fears.  I am sure that power struggles will loom on the horizon as well before this full moon is over.  I am conscious of the 11^th house implication because I am contemplating becoming an independent contractor with a healing center by practicing Reiki.  There is definitely a part of me that wants to belong to a group that is doing work that resonates with my soul.  But this involves renting space and interestingly enough, this full moon also squares my natal Venus in Scorpio in the 2^nd house.  Is it any wonder that I am unsure of how to proceed with financial matters?  I am hesitant to sign anything with Mercury still retrograde!  My instincts are telling me not to commit to anything until late March when Mercury is finally out of its retrograde shadow.  And this full moon is also sextiling my natal Neptune in Libra, which reinforces my intuitive insights and creative abilities.  I need to trust those instincts and find the best fit for an alliance that will best serve all parties, including my potential new clients.

This is the absolute last chance to take advantage of my special Valentine’ Day promotion.    I am offering a 20% discount on my Composite Couples, Healing Your Love Karma and Black Moon Lilith Shadow reports. You will need to contact me directly by email at lindasim54@gmail.com or call me at 617-304-2205 to receive this special discount.

Please go to this link to learn more about  this special offer:

http://phoenixscorpio.blogspot.com/p/valentines-day-promotion_30.html

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Venus Retrograde in Capricorn: A Time for Second Chances

Here we go again.  Last week it was Mars in Libra and now we have Venus in Capricorn retrograde.  This is in addition to this week’s full moon and Uranus going direct on December 17^th.  With both of these planets being retrograde, especially with Mars in the partnership sign of Libra, of course this will be about relationships, but with Venus in the business sign of Capricorn it will entail taking love seriously like a business proposition.  Ironically, Venus was all set to go into the sign of Aquarius when it stationed retrograde at 29 degrees of Capricorn on December 21^st.  So there will be no Venus in Aquarius until March 5^th.  Am I as worried about Venus retrograde as I tend to be about Mars, Saturn or Mercury retrograde?  Surprisingly, no.  Why—well, as the old Maybelline slogan went, “Maybe she was born with it.” Yes, folks, I was born with Venus retrograde, so it is not a huge stretch out of my comfort zone.   My Venus retrograde is not in Capricorn, but in the detrimental sign of Scorpio. 

What does Venus retrograde feel like?  Well, I can tell you from personal experience that Venus retrograde internalizes hurts and experiences difficulty in finding fulfillment in relationships.  Generally it feels like there is a lack of love in life.  If you have Venus retrograde natally, you tend to have difficulty expressing love due to an inherent reserve, reticence and shyness.  You can literally feel unloved, unappreciated and disappointed if you are in a committed relationship.  Venus retrograde also has a tendency to delay marriage or the development of relationships.  Venus retrograde is literally a “late bloomer” in the relationship department of life.

Past relationships will figure prominently in this transit; don’t be surprised if ex-lovers show up during this Venus retrograde, but when Venus goes direct you may also remember why you broke up with them in the first place! This Venus retrograde transit will force us to face our past and either let it go or claim it once and for all.  It can be about second chances to commit to love.  But the trick is not to expect instant progress.  This can be an excellent time to learn whom you can really trust.  It can also be a good time to determine what you can tolerate in a relationship and understand the differences between you and your partner. Whatever you do, don’t get engaged or married during Venus retrograde because you will probably see the relationship in a completely different light when Venus goes direct.  It’s probably not a good idea to break up with anyone either, because you may be setting the stage for an on-again, off again type of relationship.  Things will be much clearer when Venus goes direct and when it enters the sign of Aquarius there will be an enhanced sense of perception and detachment.

Venus retrograde is also about revising approaches to financial matters.  Venus rules finances and values, so it is not a good time to purchase luxury items.  I don’t think that retailers want to hear that with Christmas approaching.  There could be more returns than usual this year.  Ironically, it is a good time to purchase antiques and second hand goods, so feel free to hit the antique shops and auctions.

As for me, I have some pretty interesting transits coming up with this Venus retrograde. Venus will be conjuncting my natal Chiron.  I am viewing it as an opportunity to release some blockages from old wounds and unresolved issues and trust in the healing process.  I can reprioritize my spiritual values and let the creative juices flow. Venus will also be opposing my natal Uranus, which could bring sudden changes in agreement and erratic actions on the part of others.  If I am craving excitement, I probably won’t be bored with this transit.  And since I have a natal Jupiter/Uranus conjunction, Venus will also be opposing Jupiter, so I am definitely going to be in the mood for pleasure.  I just have to be careful not to overindulge and go easy on the after-Christmas sales.

Christmas is just a few days away and I would like to remind you that I am offering a 20% discount on all of my services during the month of December.   An astrological reading is a thoughtful, unique gift and the insight it imparts can keep giving throughout the coming year.  Please review my Services Offered page and go to this link to learn more about this special offer.

http://phoenixscorpio.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_719.html 

You will need to contact me directly by email at lindasim54@gmail.com or call me at 617-304-2205 to receive this special discount.

  

Merry Christmas!