New Moon in Aquarius: The Quickening to Imbolc

New Moon in Aquarius: The Quickening to Imbolc

Moon conjunct Sun- 1/24/20 @ 3:42pm CST

Welcome to the Quickening Moon of 2020, the 1^st New Moon of this year. During this lunar cycle, we experience a ‘quickening’ or acceleration which refers to the underground first stirrings of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere (such as the first births of lambs, where the Cross-Quarter Holiday of Imbolc got its name)...or the first acceleration toward Autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. We are still immersed in Winter here (or Summer for our Southern Hemisphere friends), but we are beginning to feel the first signs of the changes soon to come...and we usher them in.

This Quickening Moon commences while all planets are in direct motion this year. Since Uranus stationed direct on January 10^th, we have been experiencing more forward momentum in our world...even as some of us are still in the ‘freeze’ of Winter. This All Planets Direct (APD) time lasts until Mercury stations retrograde on February 16^th. So, in this New Moon, we are planting seed-intentions that have an acceleration of this Quickening magic stirring within them.

The New Moon in Aquarius is in a square (dynamic 90 degree aspect which inspires necessary change) with Uranus in Taurus (the planet of sudden changes, surprises, awakening, and innovation). Uranus is the modern ruler of Aquarius, so this square is a prevalent vibration at this time. Aquarius and Taurus are fixed signs of Air (mind) and Earth (matter)...and the two energies can be very set in their own ways, clashing against each other while in a square. Aquarius wants authenticity, while Taurus wants something reliable...but the change needed now has to do with stirring up something that is both of those things. After all, the two ideas are not mutually exclusive. But there may be some initial struggle to understanding what it is that we need now that includes both characteristics. In that case, open yourself up to the possibilities coming through now. Allow for the awakening of your potential as you set forth through this lunar cycle. You may be surprised by what is revealed.

This New Moon is also in a sextile (beneficial aspect of 60 degrees which allows for subtle opportunities for harmony) with Chiron in Aries (the ‘Cosmic Shaman’). The teacher/healer archetype may present itself to you at this time in subtle ways, encouraging you to share your gifts in healing ways. If you pick up on these subtle opportunities, move forward in that direction your are being guided. There is a lot of support from Ancestors in this lunar initiation. They are always with us, but sometimes we forget that we have the opportunity to call on them when we need. They may be sending us signals in this time so that we may better connect with their guidance.

Art by Susan Seddon Boulet

Moon and Sun in Aquarius 5

Sabian Symbol- ‘a council of ancestors’

'Lightworker' by Alex Grey

The ancestral support of this New Moon may at first feel like electricity running through our bodies, needing to ground (the effect from Uranus and Saturn being co-rulers of Aquarius, and Uranus being particularly strong at this time). Chiron, which orbits between Saturn and Uranus, is the bridge between the limits of what we can easily see (Saturn) and breakthroughs into realms of the often unseen (Uranus). So Chiron acts as a conduit (or ‘the hollow bone’ in Shamanic terms) between our physical (ordinary) reality and our metaphysical (extraordinary) reality. Chiron’s key to healing at this time comes from grounding that electric charge we feel in our bodies from our ancestors into our physical reality. When a healer is awakened by their ancestors...there is often an initial discomfort from this charge within the body. It can at first feel like anxiety or dis-ease. The healer often learns to ground by connecting with the ancestors of their blood and bones...grounding that electricity of the call by dancing upon our Earth.

Of course, this story is about the guidance to ground your current ancestral calling...and does not have to be taken so literally. What does ‘dancing that call upon our Earth’ mean to you? Modern as we are in this age, an integral part of who we are is built upon the foundations of those who came before us. What did they do when they felt their own Quickenings? Ask them.

Though everything you are feeling may feel new, it is part of a well-trodden path that those before you remember through you. Some may have been grateful for their own choices, some may have been regretful. The Council of Ancestors that lives in you is guiding you to best possible outcomes...as each descendant holds potential as we continue the ancestral story.

In Aquarius, our Humanity is awakened to inspire our world forward. This energy creates networks of unique individuals inspired toward common goals. Whatever seed you are planting for this lunar cycle, may it be one that honors the past by contributing to our future.

For those of us that celebrate Imbolc (usually on Feb. 1st or Feb. 2nd, although the actual cross-quarter where Sun reaches the mid-point of Aquarius is on Feb. 4th this year), may Brigid's blessings be upon those inspirations stirring within.  Or perhaps it is Groundhog Day you observe in that time...a weather divination holiday that mirrors my own ancestors stories of the Cailleach (the Winter Witch).  As the story goes, the Cailleach comes out of her cave at this time to either do more winter work (if the skies are clear and sunny on Imbolc) or go back to sleep and allow Spring to return without Winter's extension (if the skies are overcast).  Interesting the magic kept alive in new ways these days that is rooted in the practices of those that came before us.  Also interesting that Mars is in Sagittarius 15 for this New Moon...the Sabian Symbol is 'a groundhog looking for its shadow'.  

Love and Gratitude,

Felina Lune Kavi

Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse in Cancer: Into the Watery Womb

Full Moon/Penumbral Lunar Eclipse in Cancer: Into the Watery Womb

Moon opposite Sun- 1/10/2020 @ 1:21pm CST

There are so many dynamics thrown into this Eclipse Cauldron that’s been brewing since Dec. 25^th...and the contents, worldwide, have been so volatile that the water has been bubbling over the edge. The larger scene is of unrest, aggressive destruction, emotional turbulence...and whole countries are ‘fired up’ (unfortunately, even literally). How can we possibly transmute this raging brew of energies into a medicinal elixir for our world?

'Womb of Universe' (Artist Unknown)

Enter the watery womb. This Full Moon in her home sign of Cancer is a powerful reflection of Creatrix energy, strongly linked to the lunar cycles of the Feminine Mysteries. This Cardinal Water sign holds the wisdom of generation and regeneration...the way of carrying a seed into life with loving care. It is protective, as our women’s wombs are...and acts on the emotional instinct to nourish those in need. She is water, and she can take any form of water that is necessary to protect life. She is the global intention ceremonies shared as prayers for Australia...where we transform tears for the lives lost into rainfall. She is the calls for compassion and peace in response to the inflammation of war-mongering behavior. She is even the loving bonds shared between one understanding person and another. She is everywhere, guiding us toward cooling the contents of this Eclipse Cauldron to extract the medicine within.

Not everyone will be so attuned to the Divine Mother’s guidance...but the opportunity is there for anyone. There is an almost imperceptible shadow from our Earth upon this Moon...but even the hint of our shadow can incline some fear-based reaction. While we are tuning into the wisdom of the womb, others will still be drumming up the shadows of this Eclipse Season. However, the more we respond with love...the more the fear dissipates.

We know this. It is not new information. It is as ancient as the Divine Creatrix herself. Yet this call to compassionate response resonates as the strongest medicine in these changing times.

Reflections on the Capricorn Confluence of the Current Kairos

'Capricorn' by Kirk Reinert

I was born in 1982, the last time Saturn was conjunct Pluto (in Libra). Now as Saturn and Pluto approach their conjunction in Capricorn, my generation is definitely feeling the call to respond in ways that will alleviate the tension we feel inside and the tension we see outside. Our Saturn-Pluto in Libra inclinations are to transform the way we relate with each other with balance and fairness.  And now we are relating that inclination to the structural changes currently necessary in the world. We’re not the only Pluto generation at work here (we’re all feeling a transformative call in some way), but it’s not one this Libra generation can ignore. It speaks within us loudly, saying ‘the time is now’.

And what it is time for is also particular to each of us...but it is all for the same purpose: transforming the structures that are not working into more sustainable structures for our lives. That’s essentially the point of what we’re all feeling...no matter when you were born or where you live.

The International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers
www.grandmotherscouncil.org

Capricorn Medicine finds what works from what hasn’t worked. It’s why this sign holds so much energy of tradition and history to it. Understanding precedents allows us to better model our future actions, as my high school history teacher would say. This is Capricorn, wise about the roots of our past so we can provide something enduring for future generations. This is Cardinal Earth, Grandmother energy. The Council of Grandmothers has been the most resonant, collective voice of our time...sung like a sacred chant by the spheres in our Sky. Can you hear their call, set to rhythmic drumming? I distinctly hear the song of our next generations in the voices of our elders. There are lyrics of caution, as well as lyrics of triumph.

Just hours before this Full Moon, Sun and Mercury meet in Capricorn for their Exterior Conjunction (9:18am CST). This means the idea that grew from a thought-seed on 11/11 last year is in full bloom. It began in the watery depths of Scorpio and has grown through the visionary fires of Sagittarius into the tangible earth of Capricorn. In this, we have the power to manifest what this Capricorn message needs to be. Each of us responds to this energy in our own ways, with our own ideas, but there is also a Collective message we will share together. It is one of great importance to our next generations of life on Earth.

And two days from this Full Moon, on the 12^th, is the exaction of this Saturn-Pluto conjunction in Capricorn that we have been feeling for months now. We will continue to feel it throughout most of this year because this is a long-lasting transit. It’s not just a day of influence...though we’re in the thick of it this month...it’s a process that takes some time. The lesson here is a thorough one, because we have a lot of buried history to unearth, transform, and release.

It is not just Sun, Mercury, Saturn, and Pluto in this Capricorn Council this weekend. They are also joined by Ceres (Earth Mother, Goddess of Agriculture) and Chariklo (Chiron’s wife, who holds loving space for the healing process of old wounds). All of these forces combining in the last decan of Capricorn communicate an important message from our ancestors and descendants about the necessary transformations we are here for in this time.

Saturn, the strongest influence in this Capricorn Council, teaches what we need to scale down or stop altogether and the hard work we need to put in for sturdy foundations. Pluto, who has been transforming Capricorn energy out of its patriarchal hold and into its feminine root wisdom since 2008, brings to the surface our subconscious fixations of the darker side of Capricorn that are being forced into a death/rebirth process. Sun illuminates this all in our consciousness and fuels the large-scale changes this season. Mercury gives voice to the underlying message of these changing times. Ceres responds with what is needed to nurture our next generations, even if that means withholding abundance in the present. And Chariklo is dedicated to helping us through this long, painful healing process we’ve been going through.

'La Discordia' bronze inkwell from Italy

It is important to note that this Capricorn Confluence is being squared by Eris in Aries (Warrior Goddess of Strife, Discord, and Chaos), and so she is at the apex of a T-square with our luminaries during this eclipse. The square is a dynamic aspect of 90 degrees which stresses the need for change. All of this tension pools at the apex right now (Eris) to demand that change through some discord. These necessary changes that Eris pitches into the party (like the ‘Apple of Discord’ in her mythic storyline) at first appear to be chaos, but they are very purposeful. The purpose is to protect those who are not being seen, heard, or appreciated.

Though we’ve been in it for a while, this is very much the turning point this week. It is a large part of why there is so much discontent, so much unrest, and so many crises all over the world now. We’re in that phase within the Chrysalis of Transformation where the imaginal cells begin to take over and dissolve what was once the Collective Caterpillar to form something unrecognizable and new. It is not an easy process...our former existence has been fighting this inevitable change all along. But in the turning point, we shift toward re-building and re-birthing something drastically new from the old. Bringing things to birth is the way of the Cancer Full Moon. And because of the eclipse, what we are birthing now will have a lasting effect.

Uranus Stations Direct

Throughout the day, Uranus will be stationed and have a potent influence on us too. Several hours after the Full Moon, Uranus’s retrograde will end (7:49pm CST) and direct motion will gradually commence. When any planet stations, the themes of that planet are more prevalent. And since Uranus is an outer planet, the themes carry out for a few days before and a few days after.

Uranus Stations bring up shocks, surprises, and disruptions to the status quo. The energy is electric and means to make some innovative changes in the world. Underlying this energy is a need for freedom and liberation...so any tight constraints or set backs tend to be met with a force that breaks through barriers. It is an interesting combination...considering Saturn (the planet of traditions and restriction, and the constructs of time) is potent right now too. I see this as a catalyst for breaking through the limiting karma of our collective past, and innovating for the future.

'Gaia' by Minjae Lee

Since Uranus is in the earth sign of Taurus, much of this is focused on sudden changes with Mother Earth herself, and our response to her. With so much energy in Taurus and Capricorn earth signs right now, there is no doubt about the root that needs addressed. At the very root of all these energies and these large-scale changes that are happening globally as well as individually, is the need to re-connect with our Mother Earth. For far too long, humanity has been a collective force of destruction upon her. And yet, she holds the key to the sustainability of our next generations. All of these planets in earth signs are calling for a more nurturing, healing, and sustainable way of life...and so the planetary change-agents (Uranus, Pluto, and Eris) are amplifying the call to make some drastic changes. We are here at this time to address the chaos by breaking from what was previously about comfort and convenience.

The Individual Call

Art by Susan Seddon Boulet

What changes are happening in your life right now? Some of them will be beyond your control, but with a purpose for your soul’s journey. Some of them will be of your own choosing, but likely backed with a feeling of necessity. Saturn-Pluto is a powerful combination of forces which has been breaking down worn-out patterns and structures in our lives for months now...making us look to what fixations are damaging and need to go.

It is important to remember that while each of us feels the collective pulse of what these transits signify for our world...we also have different natal energies interacting with this energy. Which natal houses these planets are transiting through, and what aspects they make with our own planets, has a lot to do with how it shows up in your own life. If you would like to know more about what all of it means for you...you can always research these things for yourself or you can ask an Astrologer (there are many of us all over the world and we’re always happy to help as many people as we can)!

Wishing you all a happy Full Moon and many blessings throughout 2020!

Love and Gratitude,

Felina Lune Kavi