Full Moon at 9* Scorpio on Wednesday April 28

It's a Full Moon in Scorpio, a sign whose reputation for intensity is well-earned. It's fixed water that often appears deceptively calm. It's still waters that run deep, and if you're at all intuitive, you sense shadowy places with unknown dangers lurking.

Some of your own mysteries may come dramatically to the forefront. It's possible to see wounded parts of the self more clearly, for example. And by being in the company of that private, deeply felt impression on your soul, to experience a transformation. You see how the wound can be transmuted into your greatest strength. This Full Moon asks us to have courage, to just be with what's revealed, and pay special attention to all the psychic goodies coming our way.

The influence of this Full Moon is often felt as an expanded awareness of one’s own reality. You may see or feel things outside the 'normal. The door is open to para-normal experiences that remind us that there's more to life than what we usually see.

Healing Fires

And there are tensions galore, notably to Mars in Leo, which adds to the demanding tone of the moment. There's a demand to transform that's intimately tied to the longings of the heart. It may be a continuation of the inner dialogue about your driving passions. And how to bring more of who you really are into everyday life. How to be animated, alive, and expressing your uniqueness through your life's work.

The mythological Phoenix, with its red and gold feathers, is suitably colorful for this Full Moon's dramatic convergence of fixed signs (Scorpio, Taurus, Leo). The Phoenix builds a nest out of cinnamon sticks and sets itself on fire. This is symbolic of the moments in life when we know we're surrendering to a mysterious transformation. The old You dies in the ashes, and then the new You is born. The paradox is you're still You.

This is a Full Moon to have faith in the process, and allow intensity to Be without repressing it. There are heaps of squares and oppositions that may turn a mild discomfort into an urgent drive to act. To witness Scorpio in its highest expression is to see both surrender to the soul mixing process, and the execution of well-timed actions. In this high stakes moment, Mercury retro in sure-footed Taurus reminds us that slow and steady wins the race. It's an ideal time to consider how to ground intensity, and fix those energies on your creative goals.

The Scorpio full Moon is a powerfully psychic time. All that's churning below the radar comes to the surface. The vitality of Scorpio, one usually controlled and compressed, is suddenly released! It's a lunar peak when buried emotions literally take on a life of their own. This sets the stage for extreme behavior, but also opens the door to healing at the deepest level. The full Moon in sixth sensor Scorpio can re-align us to the essence of things. It's a hopeful Moon for those ready to face fears, and welcome big and total change.

This full Moon illuminates what lies in the subconscious -- motivations, desires, longings and aspirations. If they've been denied, these primal energies come out with a ferocious roar, and can be very disturbing. The wild force that's perceived as threatening holds a lot of our potential for creativity and personal power. This full Moon is an invitation to experience -- not control -- your own fathomless depths. And to live with more integrity, because you've dared to venture into your own darkness.

For the Moon at 8°07′ Scorpio, the Sabian Symbol is:
Dental work, with the keyword PRACTICALITY. Most of us don’t pay nearly the attention to our spiritual health as we do to our physical bodies, and yet this is what’s needed in order to maintain a “healthy soul” that can connect with others in our soul community.

For the Sun at 8°07′ Taurus, the Sabian Symbol is:
A Christmas tree decorated, with the keyword SYMBOLIZATION. An image of the winter holidays might seem out of place at this time of year, but its message is of spiritual renewal through sharing with friends and family. One of the most important things we can share with others is our unique gift to the world, and often we must go through a spiritual “death” and regeneration to find it.

It’s the classic tale of the hero’s journey, which takes us to hell and back.

From out of the hidden dark, you get a glimpse of the soul's true face this full Moon. If you've been stagnating and lost, here's a chance to release what's dead, dying or diseased. In Scorpio, we turn the eye inward, grow surly or intense...the pressure builds, and we sense that something is really, really wrong. But there's also a knowing that the answer is not simple. This kind of change happens at the soul level, the kind that comes from facing those core fears. The word sea-change comes to mind, since Scorpio's depths are oceanic. The risks of change are great, but so are the rewards. Considered the most potent of the year by many astrologers, it's a portal to a total life make-over.

There's always more vitality and potential ready to be drawn out from our cells and being. Scorpio's gift is eliminating what's grown mildewy, fetid, rank, etc, in our souls. The regeneration emerges once you've stripped down to the essence. It is coming home to your Self, and the integrity of your own psychic depths. As the inner swirl of dreams and messages evolves, so do we have to die to the old, and step into the new

Sign of the Month: Taurus

All about Taurus

Fixed Earth

Feminine (-) Yin
Key: "I Have"
Symbol: The Bull
Ruler: Venus
Exaltation: Moon
Detriment: Mars
Fall: no traditional fall
Critical Degrees: 9 & 21

With sensual Taurus, the Bull, as your star sign, the Sun shone through an earth sign on your birthday. The Sun in astrology stands for your inner nature, the stamp of your true character. The second sign of the Zodiac, Taurus is ruled by Venus, the planet of love and desire. A fixed (strong and solid) sign, Taurus governs practicality and security. It is a feminine sign and very magnetic.

Practical, reliable Taureans are great lovers of sensual pleasures, although you do tend to be rather stubborn, possessive, and conservative. Firmly anchored in the material world, you have a fine grasp of what is needed in order to lead the good life. Of course, you are capable in emergencies, where you have an instinctive understanding of what to do, but under normal circumstances, no-one can force you into anything without due time for thought and consideration.

Tactile and Sensuous

Tactile and sensuous, you have a nose for personal comfort and physical pleasure. You are nevertheless quite pragmatic, with a good appreciation for the financial values as well as any aesthetic qualities. Taurus loves nature and natural things, but due to a fondness for comfort and ease, the Bull can be quite lazy. To preserve your health, you need to take some regular exercise and control that tendency to overindulge in rich foods and the other pleasures in life.

Taureans are very strong-willed and often quite creative. The Moon is exalted in Taurus, giving success with matters to do with the public and, combined with the influence of Venus, a passionate nature endowed with a strong sense of loyalty and fidelity. You are kind and generous with friends, with whom you develop an unspoken rapport.

Love of Music

Taurus rules the throat, giving a powerful, often beautiful voice. The influence of Venus opens up a world of musical talent and appreciation, so Taureans are good singers and musicians, or at least, love music and can be a force on the business side of music.

You also like to potter around the garden, and delight in other outdoor activities: picnics, hikes, trips to botanical gardens or the zoo. You tend to be rather subdued, but you have a fine sense of humour, and enjoy your social life.

Strong and Solid

Hunky Taurus is physically strong and solidly built. Many of you favour weight lifting or other body-building routines to keep in shape and you enjoy sports requiring strength and endurance. Health issues are often focused on problems to do with the throat and neck, or by polarity with the reproductive organs, the kidneys and so on. Taurus is naturally lazy and tends to overindulge, so a good approach to health and wellbeing would include a well-planned regimen of disciplined exercise and diet.

Taurus colours are brown, russet, and turquoise. The beautiful emerald, a rare variety of the mineral beryl and as costly as a diamond, is your birthstone. The emerald's rich green colour is quite appropriate too, since it is the colour of money, lush countryside and relaxation. Geometrically, the emerald takes the shape of a six-sided crystal and six is the number of love. Flowers for Taurus are the red rose, daisy, lily, and daffodil.

Taurus Rising gives you a stubborn streak, combined with a sturdy physique and tremendous physical stamina. Tenacious in getting what you want, your great patience can be the very key to your success. You need, however, to overcome a tendency to procrastinate and a certain difficulty with undesirable habits and behavioural patterns.

Ruled by Venus, planet of sensuality and beauty, you are considered physically attractive. Appreciative as you are, my dears, of good food and fine wines, you may yet avoid an expanding waistline... physical fitness and staying in shape having such a high priority with you. Since you enjoy presenting yourself in the best light, you simply delight in cosmetics and other beauty aids and, no slave to fashion, you select clothes that either show off your best points or are extremely comfortable. Physical comfort is paramount and you do so love the feeling of soft, luxurious materials.

Sociable, yet unobtrusive, you enjoy social occasions, especially in the company of friends, even though you can be rather rude and obnoxious when the mood takes you. This is no doubt due to your innate shyness. Some of you need to overcome a fixation with personal appearance and learn to grow old gracefully. On bad days you can be despicably lazy and take little or no interest in your physical appearance or manner of dress.

Taurus has materialistic, status-seeking tendencies. You take pains to hide it, but you can be unduly influenced by the powerful or wealthy. Although your practicality is often self-serving, you are pragmatic and can usually be relied upon for constructive suggestions that help others as much as yourself.

The finer things in life must include art and music, for you are innately talented, with a pleasant, resonant voice. Beware of infections and injuries to your neck and throat and you are subject to earaches and infections.

Venus

Rules: Taurus & Libra
Exalted: Pisces
Detriment: Aries& Scorpio
Fall: Virgo
Exalted Degree: 27* Pisces
Day: Friday

Venus, the goddess of love, represents female relationships and social interactions at every level. She rules our social attitudes and behaviour, along with our aesthetic tastes and inclinations. Venus, queen of taste and of the arts, represents the principles of harmony, justice, and equilibrium.

Venus shows where our values lie and how we set our priorities. She governs our desires. Her placement in the horoscope describes our inclinations with regard to romance, marriage and other partnerships, our capacity for humour and the pursuit of pleasure in all its forms.

Known as the Morning Star and also as the Evening Star, Venus, the second planet from the Sun, is pretty much a sister planet to the Earth, although the Shining Planet currently has no moon. Brighter than any star in the sky, Venus is almost the same size as Earth, though scientists tell us the planet is somewhat less dense and has a day that lasts more than a year! Curiously, the Sun rises in the West and sets in the East on Venus, due to her unusual retrograde rotation. The Love Goddess spends around four weeks on average in each sign, taking a little under one year to complete her journey through all twelve signs. Venus turns retrograde only once every eighteen months, for around 42 days, being stationary for some 11 days.

From a romantic point of view, Venus in a man's chart shows the kinds of women he desires instinctively, whilst the placement of Venus in a woman's chart indicates the ways in which she is likely to present herself in order to attract the interest of romantic partners.

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New Moon in Aries on April 14th at 8:29 AM EDT at 25* Aries

Daring to Just Be/Coming Alive



This is the first New Moon of the astrological year. There is so much energy present, we will accomplish much, but, we are required to continually find a practical outlet for our feelings.

The New Moon in Aries is to honor what animates you; it’s the ultimate moment to let the alchemical magic of the fire element do its thing. Like spring’s happy mood boost, it can burn off stagnation, and put you in active mode. As you pass through this window of potential -- where the Sun and Moon are aligned in Aries -- you get fresh bursts of whatever's being born in your life. Aries is the impulse to surge forward, and the joy of being alive.

At a Crossroads

There's a popular metaphysical theory about timelines these days. The premise is that the future depends on which one we empower. This New Moon is making several supportive sextiles to Neptune in Aquarius, which is about how we're allied in networks. It has to do with what visions of the future we're choosing to invest our life force in.

Neptune in Aquarius involves the mysterious, often unseen way we're creating our collective reality. At this New Moon, it's worth asking if you're aligned with those that see a bright future. Your fresh start may need the infusion of inspiring new people and groups.

The Sabian Symbol for 25* Aries is:

A Double Promise Reveals Its Inner and Outer Meanings. This speaks of something that may look good on the outside but prove to be difficult when one gets to the heart of the matter, OR, it can show things said that don't reflect the true depth of feelings or emotions. Something could be far different from what's expected, for better or for worse. It's about possibilities and promises, the ins and outs of situations, the issue of rewards, turning up, keeping promises, and issues of living up to one's word. There can be rewards, but what do they bring with them? There may need to be an honest appraisal of what was actually said, thought, or "Promised”, and what is actually possible in the real world. This Symbol often indicates a choice that arises between the heart and doing what you want to do and social obligation and knowing what's right.

The Cautions include: fickleness, insincerity and two-facedness in relationships, expectations without clarification, reversals of decisions or promises, manipulating people in order to achieve outcomes, promising more than can be delivered, endeavors or projects that are not worth the effort, lies and misleading statements, having a hidden agenda, momentary pledges that are soon forgotten, contracts that bind too tight.

Obviously, it's probably a good idea to check the fine print on anything you're agreeing to. Perhaps that fabulous new thing in your life has too much glamour, too much promise and no substance, or an air of inauthenticity to really be taken seriously?


New Moon in Aries themes:

• Daring action.
• Taking risks that temporarily throw you off balance.
• The courage to stand your ground.
• Defiance of conventions that stifle or feel like obligations.
• Bravery in fighting personal battles.
• Being true to your own destiny.
• The quest to establish a strong sense of Self, and honoring what's been established.
• Going beyond your own comfort zone.


It's a Good Time to:
• Face fears that keep you from trying something new
• Be directly flirtatious
• Go after what you want
• Fight for what you value
• Resist being branded by someone else's logo
• Do some shameless self-promoting
• Prove you can do it
• Act on a strong hunch
• Be honest, even if the truth hurts
• Defiantly live the way you want to live


The New Moon is a time for visioning, and a New Moon collage helps you focus your intent. The act of making it is also a kind of ritual. It's gathering up images, photos and anything else that has a strong pull for you.