LUNAR ASTROLOGY

Each month the moon teaches us about many truths.  It teaches us about the cycle of birth and death as it waxes and wanes in the evening sky.  It teaches us that change is a certainty of life and that nothing is truly permanent.  The interdependence of all phenomena is brought into focus by the moon when we realize that without the light from the sun, the moon could not be seen at all. 

Astrology can give us the right time to make significant changes in relationships, career, diet, and more.  An excellent starting point for all of these matters is the energy found in the period from New to Full Moon.

By being more in tune with the natrual, it is possible to start projects with the enthusiastic energy of the New Moon and then to develop ideas as the Moon goes from its Full to its Balsamic phases.  In this way, personal growth and business success on a small scale can be achieved very quickly and easily, something which will allow you to build later success on a much larger scale.

The New Moon is the time when the Moon is said to be "conjunct" the Sun.  No moonlight is seen at night as the earth, Moon and Sun are in a straight line, with the Moon between the Sun and the earth (when the line is exact a solar eclipse will occur).

When the first silver of crescent moonlight begins to appear in the sky, it is time to begin new activities, to embark on new projects, to buy, sell, advertise and talk about original ideas.  You will move new activities started at this time forward quickly and with great enthusiasm, and you may see some useful results in just a few weeks.

The Crescent Moon can be seen in the early evening in the western sky as the Moon "increases in light" from the New Moon.  As the crescent begins to show, you should begin to share ideas and plans with others.  Originality, creativity, artistic, musical and other creative skills are especially strong.

As the Moon phase progresses toward Full Moon, you should make changes to improve and direct projects, since after the Full Moon it will be more difficult for you to make changes.

The Gibbous Moon is the name for the phase that occurs in the few days before the Full Moon.  During this time, people tend to become busier and more frantic.  Anyone who works with the public, in law enforcement, in a hospital emergency room, restaurant or store, may have noticed that certain times in the month are crazier.  And the Gibbous Moon is likely to be craziest and most crisis-ridden time of the whole month.

One reason for this is that people begin to feel that projects must be completed quickly (with the time sense being provided by the approaching Full Moon) and thus they generally move more quickly, perhaps even cutting a few comers in their haste.

The Full Moon is a time to give thanks and to celebrate, and many cultures even believe that this is the best time either to attract more love from the "outside," if you are looking for a new relationship, or to cultivate more from the "inside," if you just want to make your current one better.  In all areas of your life this is a good time to attract friendship and to develop partnerships.

The three or four days following the Full Moon are good for sending out bills or invoices, since this is the best time of the month to collect money that is owed.  In general, wishes are more likely to be fulfilled, and good things you have done in the past may come back to you in the form of gifts, favors or compliments.

At the time of the Last Quarter Moon, the Sun and Moon are at a ninety-degree angle to each other, and the Moon, which by this time rises around midnight and can be seen in the eastern sky early in the morning.  This is the time when certain Native American people pray for a "letting go" of something like a hurtful love affair, an aching heart that only remembers the past, dreams that have not be fulfilled, or a need for revenge.  This time after the Full Moon is thus a period to turn attention toward helping or inspiring others.

Balsamic Moon:  This is the term for the last few days before the New Moon; attention should now be given to completing projects already started, since there may be little enthusiasm for these jobs once the Moon starts a new cycle.  This generally should be a time to be reasonable, practical and to share ideas and concerns for the future.

Moon Void-of-Course:  As the Moon goes through the 29-day new-to-full cycle, it also moves through the twelve signs of the Zodiac, but between each sign there is a time when it is not making any major aspects to the planets.  Judgement is not reliable at this time and contracts that are signed or projects started will not turn out as expected.

Research by astrologers suggests that people who are prone to make mistakes almost seem to choose this period to make decisions, thereby establishing a spiral of failure.

If the Moon is going to be void-of-course for a whole day or evening, it is best to plan activities (for that time) which are recreational and fun, but that are not intended to be productive of anything more.  People often find it difficult to work together under a void-of-course Moon and thus there may be an increase in arguments and disputes.

Shortages come to light at this time as well, so items bought during Moon-void-of-course rarely fulfill their intended purpose.  Sometimes items turn out to be more valuable and useful than one thought they might have been, but more often the purchase is a "lemon."  Finally, and on a more positive note, meditation, dreams and psychic abilities are often more powerful during this time.

To find those times when the Moon is void-of-course, look at an astrological calendar and notice those times when the Moon moves into a new sign.  Working back, reivew the aspects that led up to that change, and note the time that the Moon made a trine, sextile, conjunction, square or opposition aspect to another planet.  That will be the moment that the Moon became void-of-course.

Personal Power Days:  These are the days when the Moon is in your Sun sign.  During such periods you will have more influence on those around you, a firmer grasp of changing events.

(5/15/04)