New Moon in Taurus Horoscopes

New Moon in Taurus Horoscopes

Plant seeds for your future at April’s New Moon


The New Moon in earthy Taurus on April 26, 2017, brings a break in the cosmic madness that has bounced us around during recent weeks. Since Taurus is a Fixed sign that pursues simple pleasures, this lunation gives us an obvious signal of calmer waters ahead. However, we must take advantage of the clear sailing while it lasts. Forget about all the mental gymnastics, complex rationalizations, and inspirational dreams. It’s time to move forward with our big ideas, even if our progress is negligible at first.

Nevertheless, we can’t avoid the more complicated issues that seem to recycle from the past while mischievous Mercury is still retrograde. In fact, Mercury hooks up with electric Uranus during this New Moon to reignite brilliant thoughts that we might have set aside. Fortunately, we have the strength of our convictions to follow through with our plans. Although we may be distracted by one thing or another, the Bull’s determination rules. We can effectively capture the essence of this powerful New Moon by acknowledging the fecund energy of the fertile ground and planting seeds of practical intentions.

Aries Horoscope (March 21 – April 19)

It may seem as if your life is easier to manage because you’re at the top of your game. You don’t need to push yourself very hard to demonstrate your competence while you make your tired old routines look completely new and different. But the easygoing Taurus New Moon in your 2nd House of Self-Esteem can lead to overconfidence, and too much self-assuredness creates its own kind of trouble. Sloppy logic inspires you to jump to conclusions and tempts you to take unnecessary risks. Stick to the basics and the details will quietly fall into place.

Taurus Horoscope (April 20 – May 20)

It’s fantastic that you can be so productive, even if the countless distractions in your life won’t leave you alone. You’re so wrapped up in your work while the pragmatic Taurus New Moon grounds the energy in your 1st House of Self that no one is able to talk you out of your current ambitions. Your infamous bullheadedness emboldens you to plow through obstacles and overcome resistance. With a little extra effort, you will surpass your own expectations; aim high and focus on your target with singular intent.

Gemini Horoscope (May 21 – June 20)

An odd mixture of mundane responsibilities and hopeful visions can confuse your progress. The Taurus New Moon shadows your 12th House of Spiritual Mystery, increasing tension between reality and fantasy. However, the earthy Taurus energy blesses you with enough stability to manifest form from an apparently unreachable dream. Don’t withdraw from the amorphous realms of unlimited potential because whatever transforms into your future starts within your imagination. Plant your garden and watch it grow.

Cancer Horoscope (June 21 – July 22)

Solid opportunities to build enduring relationships with your peers add richness to your world. The sensible Taurus New Moon highlights your 11th House of Groups, strengthening your social network and increasing your popularity. Nevertheless, it’s up to you to make the first move. Taking the lead and sharing your goals shifts the dynamics and turns a casual acquaintance into a lasting friendship. It may seem risky to initiate a conversation, but a well-intended overture to the right person could benefit you for a long time to come. If you don’t take a chance, you don’t stand a chance.

Leo Horoscope (July 23 – Aug. 22)

Your inspirational words can motivate people to continue on their individual paths with great determination. Thankfully, the reliable Taurus New Moon falls in your 10th House of Status, making it easier to express yourself on the job. Although you can succinctly explain your complicated recipe for success, you still worry about your inability to execute your own strategy. Unfortunately, playing the role of an entertaining speaker isn’t enough to make your dreams come true. Face your fears and lead by example. Don’t be afraid to fail; be afraid not to try.

Virgo Horoscope (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22)

You may be considering a major decision to alter the direction of your life. Or, perhaps, you’re overwhelmed with an array of projects at work. In either case, it helps to break down the dilemma into several smaller pieces and then attack them one at a time. Fortunately, the earthy Taurus New Moon adds structure to your 9th House of Big Ideas, enabling you to manage the complexity. Avoid the temptation to treat your agenda as a sprint because your destination is not as close as you think. Sustainability is your friend.

Libra Horoscope (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22)

Although Libra the Scales is all about creating balance in relationships, you crave more than harmonious interactions with others. The Taurus New Moon emphasizes your 8th House of Transformation, requiring you to sink beneath the social veneer. Unless you’re willing to go deep, you’ll likely be left feeling emotionally unsatisfied. You want to experience all the pleasures that life has to offer. Unfortunately, you could appear desperate if you act too obsessively. Intimacy is built on a strong foundation when it develops naturally on its own.

Scorpio Horoscope (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21)

Your relationships are often complicated by your tendency to feel things in the extreme. You aren’t one to moderate your passions just to put someone at ease. However, the practical Taurus New Moon focuses on your 7th House of Partners, encouraging you to seek salvation from life’s complexities through an easygoing interaction with someone you admire. You are being offered the gift of emotional security, even if you’re afraid of being trapped by the simplicity. Be happy; relinquish your attachment to drama and overcome your fear of boredom. Love isn’t meant to be so hard.

Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21)

There’s a pile of things to do on your desk and attacking it immediately enables you to finish it sooner. But beginning your work is only the first step. It’s critical to establish a sustainable pace and create a consistent schedule since the dependable Taurus New Moon influences your 6th House of Habits. Starting a new job is a no-brainer with planets kicking up dust in feisty Aries and flighty Gemini. Nevertheless, turning your excitement into an ongoing practice assures your success. Jim Rohn said, “Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.”

Capricorn Horoscope (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19)

You appear to express yourself without much forethought, but you still need a viable strategy if you want to be a success. The Taurus New Moon occurs in your 5th House of Creativity, helping you justify a calculated risk. However, you must follow through on whatever you begin or your efforts will be pointless. Under the right circumstances, trying something new can be a lot of fun. But to be safe, come back to your senses and step through your plan one more time before doing something you might regret. Haste makes waste.

Aquarius Horoscope (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18)

Although you can be an innovative thinker, your lack of flexibility makes it difficult to integrate the amazing ideas that continue to spark your imagination. Fortunately, your friends and coworkers are probably quite supportive of your efforts. But the obstinate Taurus New Moon grows roots in your 4th House of Foundations, convincing you that your point of view is the only relevant one. Nevertheless, remaining open to feedback lightens your load and makes your work much less of a challenge. An old proverb declares, “A problem shared is a problem halved.”

Pisces Horoscope (Feb. 19 – March 20)

Thankfully, the hectic pace is settling down, but the noise is far from quiet. Don’t wait any longer; it’s time to reflect on all the recent events before you take a few deep breaths and turn your attention elsewhere. But moving on isn’t about escaping the present moment; it’s about interacting with others while you adjust to your current position. The Taurus New Moon stabilizes your 3rd House of Communication, helping to ground the energy around you. Every conversation is an opportunity to learn; every person you meet is a teacher.

 

Part of the Daily Insight Group ©2017

Astrology of Today – Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Astrology of Today – Wednesday, April 26, 2017

 

  • The Moon is in Taurus.
  • The Moon is waning and in its Waning Crescent phase until 8:16 AM, after which the Moon is waxing and in its New phase.
  • The New Moon occurs today in the sign of Taurus at 8:16 AM.
  • Mercury is retrograde (Mercury is retrograde from April 9-May 3).
  • Venus is in its post-retrograde shadow until May 18th.

Revelations, Realizations and Resolutions: April’s Taurus New Moon

Revelations, Realizations and Resolutions: April’s Taurus New Moon

“Is this one tribe or a stranger?” is the calculation of the narrow-minded; but to those of a noble disposition the world itself is but one family. Hitopadesa proverb

We never know the worth of water till the well is dry. English proverb

Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart …who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside awakes. Carl Gustav Jung

It was . . . enough to suffer as a woman, an individual, on one’s own account, without having to suffer for the race as well. It was brutality, and undeserved. Nella Larsen

We need to feel the cheer and inspiration of meeting each other; we need to gain the courage and fresh life that comes from the mingling of congenial souls, of those working for the same ends. Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin

What I am is a humanist before anything… before I’m a Jew, before I’m black, before I’m a woman. And my beliefs are for the human race—they don’t exclude anyone. Whoopi Goldberg

This upcoming new Moon in Taurus happens on April 26, and, it is a very interesting, and yet challenging, period. It can feel like a real push-me pull-you experience, and, we’ve been feeling that for some time, but, now it’s getting more accentuated. Feelings are amped up as we are being pushed to change, and, change we will, at least in some measure.

This new Moon in Taurus carries a flavor of wanting (or needing) to be accepted, respected, a valuable member of the ‘tribe’, to not feel like an outcast, a reject, like someone who just doesn’t measure up. The Sabian Symbol for this new Moon is The Woman Of Samaria At Jacob’s Well, and, we may at times feel like an alien, as if we don’t fit in, are not taken seriously or take up too much space. None of this is what we want or where we want to be going, of course, but, if we can identify any of these reactions, thoughts or feelings, we can see them for what they are and purge them now. This can be a very healing new Moon.

The biggest thing with this new Moon period is that Venus (which rules Taurus) is now direct, and, about to move from Pisces into Aries. This will help things along: We’ve had Venus retrograde conjunct (together with) Chiron, and squaring Saturn for what seems like weeks now. Many have been experiencing the stress of the feeling of having to move away from familiar situations, the need (or the impetus) to let go of something or someone, and, many are feeling the pinch financially as a lot of confidence has been blown out of the economy (and the future).

Many feel as though they have been pushed to the wall, and, we may have recognised some old stories coming up about lack. This lack can be about money, absolutely, but, for many, there can also be feelings of loneliness, abandonment, or, the need to be alone (to be left alone) to go deeper in order to work things out. Self-talk and The Stories We Tell Ourself are very much accentuated with Chiron conjunct Venus in Pisces with both square Saturn in Sagittarius – we are shown that it is incredibly valuable to listen to the things we say, not only to our self, but to others. We may have felt tired, worn out, with not much in reserve. We may feel the need to get organised, get going, to break through barriers and to apply ourselves to the things that reward us, and don’t feel like continuing to have a heavy weight on our shoulders. Venus is direct now, and about to go into Aries. This will help bring about some big shifts as new ideas, new perceptions, new opportunities come to light.

OK, so Venus is finishing up (albeit rather slowly – Venus is just gathering steam) the very stressful Venus/Chiron/Saturn story we’ve had going on for several days now. It’s been hectic, but, rather illuminating. It’s good to remember that Saturn can be very rewarding; after all he is the Lord of Karma, and, the influence of Saturn on us, if we have done ‘the work’, can bring enormous rewards and breakthroughs and we can find ourselves in exactly the place where we wanted, or need, to be. But, we do still need to watch our thoughts and what we are sending out into the multi-verse. The Stories That We Tell Ourselves (Chiron) are always powerful, however, it appears that that is particularly true now.

Venus heads straight into Aries right after this new Moon. Venus is showing us the importance of figuring out we are being asked to both find our voice and our feet.

So, there is a welling desire to push forward, BUT, Mercury is still retrograde, and, it will be for another week or so after this new Moon. The message of Mercury at this new Moon is that we can bring back something that we thought was lost – we can renew or revive something (or, our selves). We may have to be careful that we don’t ‘drop any balls’…. we may need to keep juggling, but, if we’re meant to drop any, we will and perhaps we won’t notice in amongst it all. Mercury is in a very powerful aspect with not only Uranus (it’s conjunct or together with Uranus in Aries), but, it’s also trining Saturn. This can bring breakthroughs in understanding, decisions and/or moves made, final resolutions to old stories, a deep letting go of restrictions and moving into the future. In fact, Mercury goes direct smack on Uranus and trine Saturn, so, it’s a very strong period of out with the old and in with the new.

Mercury is also asking us to be pioneers; to reach out for new objectives, new shores, new beginnings, to do a big, deep let go. Mercury is conjunct Uranus and trine Saturn, giving us an enormous opportunity to break free of past barriers, limitations, sabotaging mechanisms, etc. Mercury might still be retrograde, but, it’s doing us some massive favours right now. It’s leading us out of the swamp of negative feelings and emotions, and, it’s asking that you concentrate on YOU, not on everyone else first, but YOU first. The trick is – are you up to it?

The Moon’s nodes contain some pretty heavy duty messages for us at the moment – check out the Sabian Symbols for them at the bottom of this newsletter. A sense of sacrifice, loss, wanting to (or having to) hide away can be strongly in the air, but, that is all going to change as the nodes go out of Virgo/Pisces and into Leo/Aquarius. Everything is likely to feel much better, and, we will find it easier to let go of the feelings of loss, sacrifice and displacement that we might have been experiencing.

The new Moon each month marks a time of new beginnings and realisations. It’s like a birth after a time of gestation or being ‘in the womb’. Here, the light begins to return and we can see new beginnings and possibilities. A new Moon means that the Sun and the Moon are both together – bringing a synergy of their energies together. The new Moon is a perfect time to set your intentions for the future. This period is wonderful for planting seeds of whatever kind. What do you want to manifest in your future? Whether you write it down, sing about it or just hold the thought forms in your mind, doing this at the new Moon can realise some fabulous results around the things that you want to draw into your life.

symbols_moon.jpg The new Moon is on Taurus 7: THE WOMAN OF SAMARIA COMES TO DRAW WATER FROM JACOB’S WELL – the following is from my book The Sabian Oracle: 360 Degrees Of Wisdom –

Commentary: ‘The Woman of Samaria Comes to Draw Water from Jacob’s Well’ is a Symbol that comes from the Biblical story of Jesus meeting ‘The Woman of Samaria’ at ‘Jacob’s well’. She, along with others, was taken by surprise that Jesus would actually speak to her, for she was a Samaritan and he was a Jew. The Jews and the Samaritans normally did not get along. She was also on the fringe of her own society as she was not married. As he spoke to ‘The Woman’, he revealed to her that he was the Messiah. This was a great blessing to her. The Buddhist tradition tells a very similar story of being accepted regardless of caste.

Oracle: This Symbol calls for universal love to be available to everyone. It speaks of the need to dispel prejudice, either given or received. With this Symbol, there can be the urge to seek and to find acceptance, love and redemption. If one’s elders have passed down prejudices, be aware that they lived in a different time; living in the present may require the updating of ideas and opinions. If your heart is clogged up with old emotions or spent feelings, it is time to clear these. In doing so, address situations that hold people apart. Take action to restore any lost self-respect. Own up, express your concerns to that stranger within yourself, your shadow, and then let them go. It may be that someone else needs your help. If so, draw on your inner resources and take time out to assist them. No matter your situation, you will be blessed by “higher powers” if you give others respect and reverence. It is about discovering what you share with others, not what separates you. Similarities lie deep within us all. Imagine yourself drawing ‘Water’ up from that special ‘Well’, then find yourself refreshed and ready for a more rewarding, compassionate and confident life.

Keywords: Dipping into family ancestry. Past lives. New ideas being revealed about one’s social and spiritual integrity. Going below the surface. Assimilation of divergent ideals. Feeling blessed. Life-altering experiences. The blessing of water. Freedom and respect for all. Stepping over social boundaries.

The Caution: Allowing social prejudice to rule decisions about oneself and others. Unacceptable behavior based on social conditioning. Feeling that one is from the “wrong tribe” and can’t assimilate or contribute. Issues of being acceptable, worthy or a “local”. Water disputes.

The Karmic Degree for the Moon is Taurus 6: A BRIDGE BEING BUILT ACROSS A HIGH NARROW GORGE

This Symbol speaks of the ability, or the necessity, of being a bridge for yourself or others in order to link people, things, places or understanding. People who act like bridges provide a great service for others as they make it possible to overcome limitations and to move forward. To build a bridge takes time, tools, energy, help and perseverance. Once it is completed, the dangers that it spans are no longer of any real concern, or, at least, the people can rely on getting across to the other side as there’s a space that’s been made for crossing over. One of your jobs may be to break down barriers between people.

Keywords: Overcoming distance and separation. Endeavoring to build continuity. Solving problems with creative solutions. Bridging emotional chasms. Spanning gaps. Breaking down barriers. Structures spanning distances between places or people. Conquering time and space barriers. Physical limitations overcome. Taking one step at a time. Avoiding looking down.

The Caution: Taking the long way round to avoid asking for help. Using shortcuts to cut across the real issue. Only seeing the risks, not the solutions to problems. The fear of establishing connections. The pervading sense that it could all fall through at any moment. Extreme sports. Not forgiving or forgetting something better let go of.

The Quest Degree for the Moon is Taurus 8: A SLEIGH WITHOUT SNOW – this degree kicks in very soon after the new Moon, (first the Moon and then the Sun) and, it can feel like we’re stuck or mired in something and unable to move. This can be a temporary thing, after all, your desire to move forward, your ideas, your plans, etc, may be wonderful, but, they may need more tweaking. I see this degree quite often around when one is a little too early getting something going. It helps to rein in one’s energies, and, perhaps, do more ‘groundwork’ – more preparation.

This Symbol implies having the vehicle, but not the fuel, the gas or energy to get the vehicle going or make use of what’s available. It speaks about seasonal variations where things available some times are not available at others. You may have to make the most of situations without much help. Are you expending energy trying to make things work in difficult conditions? You can often fuel things by tapping into your imagination. What adjustments or improvisations can be made? You may sometimes need to wait until the time is right, to have the ‘fuel’ to complete your mission.

Keywords: Independence from outer circumstances. Using the creative mind to work through momentary shortages or problems. Anticipating future conditions. Having the “vehicle”, but not the time, energy or the “fuel”. Improvising things so that they work better or ahead of their time. Gas, oil, fuel. Snow. The value of timing. Lack of resources. “Tyres” that are missing or don’t work. Being ahead or behind one’s time.

The Caution: Forcing your ideas or feelings even though the time is not right. Lack of support from the environment. Missing connections. Running out of energy. Having the right thing in the wrong place. Ideas without the capital to make them reality. A lack of impetus or propulsion. Feeling stuck, unmoving. Traffic jams. Empty tanks.

The Moon symbolizes: Emotions, moods, mother, family, clan, domestic issues, relationship to home and country. Feelings, sentiments, nourishment, emotional nurturing, monkey chatter mind, lunar and menstrual cycles, clarity of emotions or lunacy. Female energy – yours and others

symbols_mercury.jpg Mercury is retrograde on Aries 27: THROUGH IMAGINATION, A LOST OPPORTUNITY IS REGAINED – what is it that you can do to retrieve something you might have thought lost – to regain something that looked gone forever?

This Symbol shows the talent or the ability to be able to use inner creative energy to revitalize ideas or opportunities that seemed to be lost. Whatever it is that you need to do, believe that it is possible and create an image in your mind and you will most likely succeed at gaining it or recovering it. Always take heart; there is energy here to recapture things that seemed to be lost. Visualizing what you want, allowing time and watching for it to manifest can bring astounding results. Sometimes, however, the “lost opportunities regained” are in a different form than we had first imagined. Creative imagination and visualization. Hope renewed. Second chances. Last minute reprieves. Being forgiven or pardoned. Imagineering. Making up for losses.

Keywords: Creative imagination and visualization. Hopes renewed when all seemed lost. Second chances. Last minute reprieves. Retracing your steps. Judging things to be positive when once they were thought to be negative. Being exonerated or forgiven. Pardons giving release. Imagineering. Retrieving things. Making up for lost ground or time. Changing your mind therefore changing your outcome.

The Caution: Relying on self-pity. Denying the imagination to recover the situation. Not noticing solutions to problems. Letting chances for recovery disappear through inaction or laziness. Going over and over lost opportunities. Finding it impossible to let go. Staring at loss and not realizing what one has.

The Karmic Degree for retrograde Mercury is Aries 26: A PERSON POSSESSED OF MORE GIFTS THAN THEY CAN HOLD – this degree is especially strong right now as not only is Mercury retrograding rather slowly over it, but, Uranus is smack on it. This can be a challenging degree as it can show us juggling more than we might normally be wanting to. Life can be quite demanding with this degree so accentuated. It often shows the need to ‘throw some things out’. You will know if this pertains to you. This can be on a physical level with situations or possessions, an emotional level with beliefs, memories or sabotaging thoughts, on the spiritual level where we can realise that it can all be much simpler than perhaps we’re making it for ourselves.

This Symbol often shows someone who has more talent, more possessions, more gifts than most other people. Perhaps too much is demanded or expected of you or you expect life to give you more and more and more. Recognize that you are surrounded by abundance, but perhaps you are unable to experience it all at once. If you don’t feel you have the ability to cope with all that life throws at you then look in your ‘storehouse’ and you could be surprised at talents you have that have never even been used. You may have to give up some things in order to make room for others.

Keywords: Potentials and the obsessions they can bring. Obsessions about “having things” or achieving goals. Counting one’s blessings. Jack-of-all-trades. Having to drop the bundle if one more thing is added. Being talented and blessed. Enormous responsibilities. Wanting to contain all possibilities. Storage. So many things to do—so little time.

The Caution: Not being able to focus on one issue at a time, or on ideas of real worth and therefore not really achieving anything. Inability to gain or contain everything that is desired. Ambition that knows no bounds. Greediness and insatiability. Being told that you can’t have what you want. Things piling up. Juggling and dropping the ball. Feeling as though you will lose everything. Being overwhelmed with possibilities.

The Quest Degree for retrograde Mercury is Aries 28: A LARGE DISAPPOINTED AUDIENCE – this can be a very disappointing Symbol, but, sometimes we benefit from taking a look at things and seeing that we might have been out of line in our ‘expectations’. Or, it can be that our expectations lived up exactly to what we were expecting or thinking, perhaps that needs a realignment?

This Symbol shows a sense of being an observer or a spectator, sometimes more than being a participant. You may have an inner critic that analyses things. In fact, you might feel as though you, or someone else, have failed and left something wanting. But how much is this because too much was expected in the first place? The ‘Audience’ sometimes only remembers the last performance, so get up and try again. Be aware that you may be your own ‘audience’. Do you feel that things have or haven’t lived up to expectations? Are you missing out through negative projections? Perhaps your need to feel satisfied, to perform or be fulfilled should be more realistic.

Keywords: Adjustments of expectations bringing realizations about what is really possible. Expecting the response of others. Walking out during a performance. Not listening to something through a lack of interest. Anticipating a different result from what is delivered. Relying on feedback. Lines and queues of people. Criticism. The need to inspire and enthuse.

The Caution: Feeling sad, sorry or letdown because of defeat and frustration. A lot of people left feeling emotionally “wiped-out”. Shattering of illusions. Fickleness. The attitude that one can’t do anything. Everything being out of one’s control. Watching what’s going on and not participating. Being at the mercy of the whims and fancies of others. Judging and analyzing oneself or others. Too many people crammed into one spot. Not getting a seat. Refusal of entry. Booing and hissing.

Mercury symbolizes: Mind, thought, communication, memory, expression, intelligence. News, exchanges, chatting, conversations, short journeys, connections with others, telephones, emails, siblings, neighbors, the reasoning mind. Day-to-day activities. Cars, keys, small animals.

symbols_venus.jpg Venus is on Pisces 30: A MAJESTIC ROCK FORMATION RESEMBLING A FACE IS IDEALIZED BY A BOY WHO TAKES IT AS HIS IDEAL OF GREATNESS, AND AS HE GROWS UP, BEGINS TO LOOK LIKE IT 

This shows being able to envision or decide what you want to be and as you grow and develop, becoming that vision. The “Boy” lived in childhood under a hill figure of a president and when he grew up he became a president himself. You may find that you are growing into the image that you have imagined and it gives you a sense of pride – assuming you have chosen a positive image. What or who do you “Idealize”? What is it that you’d like to become? What image would you like to project? Meditating on a goal or the projection of an ideal can lead to actuality. Just be clear about what you really desire in the situation – you just might get it.

Keywords: Concrete manifestation of one’s ideals. Enduring truths. Culmination of efforts. Projections of ideal images. Wanting to be “big” and successful. Tutankhamen’s mask. Wanting a sense of immortality. Defining one’s fate through conscious manifestation. Morphing reality to suit an objective. Ambition. The ability to see life in inanimate objects.

The Caution: Not being at all clear about whom one is or what one can be. Becoming a screen for the projection of other’s ideals. Stony faces that show the hardships of life. Hardening of one’s personality. Stony faces. Idealizing others therefore losing one’s own identity.

The Quest Degree for Venus is Aries 1: A WOMAN HAS RISEN OUT OF THE OCEAN, A SEAL IS EMBRACING HER

This degree is the beginning of the zodiac where the old gets left behind and a new understanding and awareness comes to light. Something new is emerging and it needs to be welcomed and nurtured. This is the beginning of a whole new impulse, creative and responsive. There’s an emergence of a whole new potentiality. Resist looking back to outgrown and unsatisfactory conditions in your life as they can pull you back to old and unrewarding ways of being. This is also about finding your voice and your feet.

Keywords: Cycles starting. Beginnings. Emergence into concrete manifestation. Embracing and honoring the shadow. Recognizing our animal side. Tropical islands or lands. Rocky shores. Seals. Oceans and water. Shedding skins. Transmutation. The Selkie myth. Grounding one’s energy. Stepping between the sea and the shore. Androgyny. Love and its embrace. Finding your feet and your voice. Mermaids.

The Caution: Using masculine power to overshadow emotions. Refusing to move on. Feeling held back by fears and old life patterns. Falling back into previous, unsatisfactory conditions. Dragging others backwards. Immobilizing fear of the unknown. Feeling just another “fish in the sea”.

Venus symbolizes: Relatedness, cooperation, what attracts you. The experience of sweetness, beauty or delight. Social interactions, love, friends, how you reach out to people. Feminine persona, relationship with mother and females. Money, possessions, sense of values.

symbols_mars.jpg Mars is on Gemini 4: HOLLY AND MISTLETOE BRING CHRISTMAS SPIRIT TO A HOME – Mars here can have us wondering where the family spirit has gone, where is our sense of community, are we gathering together to celebrate our values, etc.

This Symbol speaks of sharing the joys of family and celebrations. There regularly comes a time when we need to reconnect with loved ones, family, or, in a larger sense, humanity, to discover the strengths and joys in the cultural and religious bonds that hold us together. Even though we may live our lives primarily as separate entities, this bond can serve to strengthen each and every participant. Remembering each other periodically helps to keep our connections strong and it reinforces our sense of spirit and belonging.

Keywords: Social celebrations of the spirit. Returning to basic joys. Remembering past celebrations of family and social cohesion. Kissing under the mistletoe. Simple gestures that remind us of larger realities. Warmth, joy and anticipation. The Festive Season. The spirit of special occasions.

The Caution: The use of superficial tricks. Performances to achieve the appearance of happiness or familial ties. Neglecting family. Excluding others because of religious beliefs. Rituals that have no depth or true meaning. Loneliness. Not being in the spirit of things. Having too much to do. The Silly Season. Scrooge mentalities that don’t want to know about family and celebrations.

The Quest Degree for Mars is Gemini 5: A RADICAL MAGAZINE OR PUBLICATION, ASKING FOR ACTION, DISPLAYS A SENSATIONAL FRONT PAGE – Mars here can see the need for speaking up, making our thoughts and voices heard, the need to be sure of our freedoms, our places in society. Of course, it can also show issues to do with ‘fake news’ and the population being manipulated for political or financial gain. Some messages are very worth spreading or hearing – some are not.

This Symbol speaks of calling for or being motivated for change. Revolution and revolutionaries come in all shapes and sizes; some instigate major changes in society, others are more into bucking the system and creating mini reforms in their own back yards. Although you may not be absolutely sure which direction to take, you are likely to be broadcasting your messages. Look further within for the change in direction you need. Dramatizing one’s situation can lead to overreaction, but doing nothing can lead to inertia and things staying exactly the same. Listening may be important.

Keywords: Speaking one’s mind. Messages and news that awakes or shocks. The need for reform. Challenging outlooks. Breaking out of constraints. The media. Issues of propaganda. Headlines that promise more than they deliver. Revolutions. Social or emotional causes. Conspiracy theories. Printing presses. Publishing. Publicity. Gaining attention. Speaking one’s truth without fear of consequences.

The Caution: Being argumentative. Arousing others for selfish reasons. Distortions of the truth. Misinformation and disinformation. Getting the whole picture wrong. Exploitation of situations. Overstating messages. Biased information. Old and outworn news.

Mars symbolizes: Drive, determination or agenda, how you get to your goals. How you express and handle anger, ambition, assertion of self and ability to step forward. The male principle, sexuality, the ability to step up to the plate when one needs to. Fight or flight.

symbols_jupiter.jpg Jupiter is retrograde on Libra 16: AFTER A STORM, A BOAT LANDING STANDS IN NEED OF RECONSTRUCTION

This Symbol shows the need to rebuild parts of our lives that get swept away in difficult situations or “Storms”. Even
things built on solid foundations can be swept away by the tidal wave forces of life or the emotions. You may at times feel overpowered and that you need to pick yourself up in some way. You may have to reconstruct some usually secure part of your life, but you are wiser and will in future build something stronger. Finding tools to rebuild can create brand new opportunities on every level. A great use of this degree is to find yourself in the helping role or being a counselor for others who have difficult issues to deal with in their lives.

Keywords: Temporary loss. Emotional repair. Tools to repair damage and build a new life. Having faith that the worst is over and recovery can begin. Calling in the experts. Taking time to put the pieces back together. Working to ensure the safety of the community. Insurance claims. The fragility of man’s world in the face of nature. Returning to work.

The Caution: Making excuses instead of fixing things. Feeling emotionally swamped and powerless. Being torn apart. Leaving things a mess. Feeling shot to pieces. Letting things wear down to the point of collapse. Having nowhere to dock. Arguments and violence.

Jupiter symbolizes: The big picture, expansion, exploration, aspirations, religious and philosophical ideals, issues to do with traveling, foreign lands, people and traditions, culture, education, generosity, luck, abundance, support, optimism. Insight through knowledge and wisdom.

symbols_saturn.jpg Saturn is retrograde on Sagittarius 28: A SPLENDIDLY BUILT BRIDGE, A HERITAGE OF UNKNOWN AGES, STILL SPANS THE BEAUTIFUL AND WILDLY PRIMITIVE STREAM

This Symbol speaks of building bridges between places, people and events in order to bring them together and to add cohesion to society. The “Bridge” implies strength, dependability and passage to other places. The bridge was built many years ago and it presents the ability to be able to reach back into time, to reflect on what was important then and what’s important now. Often these values are one and the same. Traditional ways of approaching things can lead to the best solutions. There is a linking of people, places and things with clarity. Note: the Galactic Center is on this degree. We need to act as bridges in order to truly create!

Keywords: Enduring elements from past traditions providing links with the modern day. Reverence for things of worth that stand as reminders of yesterday. Linking people, places and things with clarity. Connections with the “old country”, or past lives. Beautiful and inspiring landscapes. Getting in touch with people. Ever repeating journeys. Passages across the water. Permanence.

The Caution: Sticking with old, outworn methods, with no new ideas. Themes of buying the “Brooklyn Bridge”. Continually having to tread the tried-and-true path without deviating.

The Karmic Degree for retrograde Saturn is Sagittarius 27: THE SCULPTOR’S VISION IS SLOWLY BUT SURELY TAKING FORM

This Symbol shows being able to project one’s visions, thoughts or ideals out into the world so that they take form and come into conscious manifestation. This is the degree of the Galactic Center and it holds an enormous charge of energy and power, something not to be taken lightly. There is a responsibility inherent in this for you to understand that your thoughts will take shape, so be careful about what you think! You may find yourself in situations where you can manipulate events into something of value and lasting integrity. Slow, painstaking work will bring rewards as things come to fruition. You are able to project shape and form onto materials to have a desired outcome. Follow your “Vision”, be creative; picture an outcome and watch it materialize!

Keywords: Concrete creative manifestation. The Godhead. This is the Symbol of the Galactic Center. Creating the ‘Vision’. Evolution. Things going from crude beginnings all the way up to concrete outcomes. Sculptors and sculptures. Molding shapes and forms. Seeing and visualizing things ahead of their time. Sticking with the creation.

The Caution: Disregard of others’ needs. Unnatural focus on the goal. Being one-eyed about the outcome. Watching a situation, or one’s life “crystallize” into unbending shapes. Having one’s designs set in stone. Sitting back and thinking that things will just magically happen without any effort being made. Others believing they know what you should do or be.

Saturn symbolizes: Authority, rules, discipline and obligation The heavy stuff. What we fear, loss, karma, aging, the establishment, orthodoxy, tradition, status, the concept of time, walls, boundaries, limits, older people, restrictions, patience, conquering difficulties.

symbols_uranus.jpg Uranus is on Aries 26: A PERSON POSSESSED OF MORE GIFTS THAN THEY CAN HOLD

This Symbol often shows someone who has more talent, more possessions, more gifts than most other people. Perhaps too much is demanded or expected of you or you expect life to give you more and more and more. Recognize that you are surrounded by abundance, but perhaps you are unable to experience it all at once. If you don’t feel you have the ability to cope with all that life throws at you then look in your ‘storehouse’ and you could be surprised at talents you have that have never even been used. You may have to give up some things in order to make room for others.

Keywords: Potentials and the obsessions they can bring. Obsessions about “having things” or achieving goals. Counting one’s blessings. Jack-of-all-trades. Having to drop the bundle if one more thing is added. Being talented and blessed. Enormous responsibilities. Wanting to contain all possibilities. Storage. So many things to do—so little time.

The Caution: Disregard of others’ needs. Unnatural focus on the goal. Being one-eyed about the outcome. Watching a situation, or one’s life “crystallize” into unbending shapes. Having one’s designs set in stone. Sitting back and thinking that things will just magically happen without any effort being made. Others believing they know what you should do or be.

Uranus symbolizes: The unexpected, things that are individual or ‘different’. Charged, energetic dynamics, electricity, light, lightning bolts, sudden changes, those who live on the fringe of society. Sudden turns and twists of fate. Rebellion, surprises, liberation, freedom.

symbols_neptune.jpg Neptune is on Pisces 14: A LADY WRAPPED IN FOX FUR

This shows being able to present an image that shows intelligence, cleverness, glamour and beauty, along with knowing how to move in social circles. The “Lady Wrapped in Fox Fur” is someone who’s sure of themselves, able to bend to situations and have situations bend to their own desires. It often shows getting out of, or into, anything they want. You can present an image that enhances your position in society. Intelligence and wit will probably see you through, with others noticing your beauty, grace or intellect. If, however, the guise was stripped away, would you still express the same qualities? You may have to display your capabilities because of negative prejudice, chauvinism, or being underestimated.

Keywords: Outer expressions of real inner worth. Animal magnetism and attraction. Intelligence and its display. Cloaks of feminine wit and sexuality. Beguiling minds. Animal totems and furs. Perceived beauty. The sense of having class and money. Beauty, fashion and talent. Being forward and upfront. Sense of personal style. Grace and composure. Elegance. Knowing what to say and when. Dressing up. Money spent on beauty. Tempting others with sexual signals. Perfumes. Pheromones. Taxidermy.

The Caution: False fronts and expressions of wealth. Selling out for momentary, or monetary, gain. Wrapped in intellectual superficiality. The fatal allure of beauty. Scoring points solely through charisma. Being so caught up in fashion and glamor that one loses a true sense of self. Being overdressed.

Neptune symbolizes: Mystical, “out there,” spirituality and con artists. Dreams, mysteries, mystics and religious issues. Intuition, clairvoyance, seeing into the invisible. Addictive, chaotic, charming, deceptive, illusory, co dependent, sensory awareness.

symbols_pluto.jpg Pluto is stationing retrograde on Capricorn 20: A HIDDEN CHOIR SINGING DURING A RELIGIOUS SERVICE

This Symbol shows singing, playing or enjoying music, and, also, to be able to pick up on things that others don’t see or hear. The “Hidden Choir” brings songs, or sounds, with messages of salvation and faith. The fact that they are hidden shows something coming out of the background, something subtle, something others may miss. It can be important to be receptive to your feminine, intuitive side, as there are messages to be heard. Realize that you are not alone; there are other people who feel the same things. Watch out for mental noise. The voices of the women heard more through orthodox halls. Do you want to contribute?

Keywords: Background messages. Voices not heard or noticed before. Men, women and the church. Sensitivity to spirituality. Speaking behind closed doors. Voices from “nowhere”. Melodies from the past. Choirs, organs and organ music. Channeled voices. Songs, sheet music. Hidden speakers. Clairvoyance.

The Caution: Taking undue credit for group qualities. Keeping the feminine out of the picture. Discriminating against people as not being “spiritual” or finding that some just plain aren’t! Background voices telling people how they should live. Using hidden messages to manipulate people, sometimes through guilt. Gossip. Messages that don’t make sense. Being afraid to sing.

Pluto symbolizes: Unconscious motivations, depth psychology, history. Sex, procreation at a deep level, intensity, profound emotions, taking hold of one’s power. Being king or queen of one’s underworld. Strength, survival mode instincts. Big money. Big power. The Plutocracy. Power vs power struggles.

symbols_chiron.jpgChiron is on Pisces 28: A FERTILE GARDEN UNDER THE FULL MOON

This shows enjoying nature and the fruits of your life, your country, your culture. There’s often a sense that one has all that’s needed, and emotions can be running high. The “Fertile Garden” signifies that you have things that you need at your disposal. This Symbol has a strong clairvoyant sense to it, with the ability to pick up on subtle energies and life forms in the environment. You’ll get a lot of opportunities to enjoy the moment, but keep a sense of equilibrium, as soon the energy will be on the wane and you’ll have to get back to more practical, everyday tasks.

Keywords: Fullness and fertility. Peak of energy and experiences. Brilliantly active unconscious life. Cycles. Waiting for the right time to approach or handle a situation. The effect of the moon. Astrology and predictive practices. The time for harvesting the rewards of hard work. Nature sprites. Vegetables, herbs and nature’s bounty.

The Caution: Jealous protection of possessions. Not being able to make one’s mind up because of the number of possibilities. Missed opportunities. Difficulty shutting down the mind. Emotions that get out of hand. Night shadows.

Chiron symbolizes: Our wounds, Chiron is known as The Wounded Healer. The wounds are The Stories That We Tell Ourselves, it is where we have to focus on healing, it can show things that are out of shape or misplaced or in need of repair.

symbols_north_node.jpg The Moon’s North Node is on Virgo 2: A LARGE WHITE CROSS DOMINATES THE LANDSCAPE

In the situation facing you, you may feel like you’re being treated like a scapegoat “hung out to dry”; punished for doing something or being different or special. Signposts and other expressions of faith have a powerful influence. Instead of having a “cross to bear’, we can work at realigning ourselves with our true desires and allegiances. This can lead to a stronger sense of purpose and spirituality, dissipating feelings of sacrifice, separation or loneliness. Believing that suffering is the way to salvation has significance for many, but what does it really mean? Don’t sacrifice for others; you may not get much appreciation for doing it anyway.

Keywords: Religious ideals dominating. The fear or the wonder of God. Following a mystic path. The need to find a savior. Being alone and forgotten. Monuments to pain and suffering. Tributes to or memories of those lost or gone before. Reminders of salvation. Images of redemption. The Church. Christianity and other religions. Martyrdom. The Inquisition.

The Caution: Aloneness and/or sacrifice or the yearning for it. Dogmatism. Scapegoating. Days in the wilderness alone. Religion dictating against one’s desires or needs. Symbols that inspire guilt and anguish instead of love, acceptance and forgiveness. Institutions disregarding individual rights. Lording it over others. Bullying under the guise of religion. Imposing figures.

The Moon’s North Node symbolizes: This is known as quite a ‘karmic point’ (although all planets and points in a chart can be ‘karmic’). One’s destiny in this life. The things you are meant to integrate, move towards, become. Destined relationships and relationship issues can show up here.

symbols_south_node.jpg The Moon’s South Node is on Pisces 2: A SQUIRREL HIDING FROM HUNTERS

This shows being able to sense when to move and when to stop, to be out in the world or “Hiding” away. There can be a heightened sense of awareness or alertness, and, possibly, an ability to hear or perceive subtle things in the environment. There may be aggression in the air with you probably one of the smaller players. You may feel threatened which can come from out of the blue. Not watching the news or avoiding negative stories can be one way of “Hiding”. To be cautious is wise, but hiding can lead to missed opportunities for nourishment. Be wary of being bullied or “holed-up”.

Keywords: Using tactics to ensure survival. ‘Hiding’ one’s self away. Not stepping out into the big wide world for fear of making the wrong move. Security systems. Caution and reserve. Using commonsense. Things or people that feel tiny, uncertain or insecure. Refuges and the need for them. Staying out of people’s way. Staying home. Locks and keys. Stockpiling for harder times.

The Caution: People picking on each other. Being bullied out of what you deserve. Giving those “out there” more power than they warrant. Not trusting life. Paranoia. Running away from things. Not wanting to go out and socialize. Truancy. Not speaking up for fear of being shot down. Threats of terrorism. Having to lie about one’s whereabouts. Not answering the door. Being caged in. Agoraphobia. Claustrophobia.

The Moon’s South Node symbolizes: Past karmic patterns to be overcome, can be habits that are good, but can describe things, relationships, issues that you need to let go of, or, hold you back from manifesting your true destiny. Relationships that feel karmic and difficult, memories from the past.

The Witches Moon Phase for April 26th is The New Moon

April 26
New Moon
Illumination: 0%

The Moon today is in a New Moon phase. During this phase the Moon is to close to the sun in the sky to be visible. The moon rises and sets with the sun and is not present in the night sky. Because of this the night sky is darker and an excellent time to view other celestial objects. Like the Full Moon, a New Moon happens at a very specific time when the sun and moon have the same ecliptic longitude and it can be measured down to the second it occurs.

 

PHASE DETAILS FOR – WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 2017

Phase: New Moon
Illumination: 0%
Moon Age: 29.52 days
Moon Angle: 0.54
Moon Distance: 366,155.82 km
Sun Angle: 0.53
Sun Distance: 150,574,534.76 km

Source

A Little Broom Lore and Superstition For Your Wednesday

Look at me...Medusa

A Little Broom Lore and Superstition For Your Wednesday

 
*Certainly, the most common superstition connected with brooms is that they were used by witches to fly on… However, did you know that it was in the fourteenth century that brooms were first regarded as a vehicle for witches’ transportation? This tradition may stem from the fact that, in many of their ceremonies, witches did dance with a stick between their legs, jumping high in the air. Toward the end of the eighteenth century, the question of witches flying was settled once and for all in an English law court. Lord Mansfield declared that he knew of no law that prohibited flying and, therefore, anyone so inclined was perfectly free to do so.bShortly thereafter, reports of witches flying on broomsticks ceased (except for isolated reports of East Anglian witches skimming across church spires).

*It is said that a new broom should sweep dirt out of a house only after it has swept something in.

*An ole English Rhyme…..”Buy a broom in May, and you will sweep your friends away.”

*Also never sweep after sunset since so doing will chase away happiness or hurt a wandering soul.

*According to Yorkshire belief, should a young girl inadvertently step over a broom handle she will become a mother before a wife…..
(I will add here….this belief is also Appalachia and rural country folk)

*Among the Dyak people of Indonesia brooms made out of the leaves of a certain plant (doesn’t say which plant) are sprinkled with rice water and blood. These are used to sweep one’s house, and the sweepings are placed into a toy house made of bamboo. The toy house is then set adrift on a river. It is believed that bad luck will be carried out to sea with it.

*In Africa, should a man be struck by a broom, he will grab hold of it and hit the broomstick seven times, or he will become impotent.

*In Sicily, on Midsummer’s Eve, people often put a broom outside their homes to ward off any wickedness that might come knocking.

*In Wales, among the Gypsies, an old custom of the broomstick wedding persisted for some time. The couple solemnized their rites before witnesses by leaping over a broom placed in a doorway, without dislodging the broom. Should they wish to dissolve the marriage, they simply had to reverse the process, jumping backwards out of the house, over the broom, before the same witnesses.

*American country folk say no good can come of carrying a broom across water, leaning a broom against the bed, or burning one. Good luck can be had by sending a new broom and a loaf of bread into a new home before entering it.

*Likewise, brooms laid across the doorways are believed to keep out bad…

*And a few more traditional ones….
Never use a broom when there is a dead person in the house.
Never use a broom to sweep outside the house, unless the inside of the house has been cleaned first. (oops!)
Never walk on a broom.
Never sweep upstairs rooms in the afternoon.
Never sweep the room of a departing guest until he has been gone for some time, or else your sweeping will bring him back
Never bring old brooms into new houses…(remember a broom becomes attached to houses…always leave the old one behind….)
Finally………always sweep dustballs into the middle of a room…..they will protect against bad luck

*One old wart cure consists of measuring a wart crosswise with a broom straw, then burying the straw The straw, so intimately connected with the wart, will decay, and so too should the blemish.

*Placing a broom across any doorway allows your departed friends and family to speak to you if they so choose. As long as the broom remains in place, they can communicate freely.

*If you feel as though you are being followed and haunted by unfriendly ghosts, stepping over a broomstick will prevent them from disturbing you.

Celebrating Legends, Folklore & Spirituality 365 Days A Year for April 26 & 27 – African Fertility Festival

Goddess Isis

z6 and z7 April

African Fertility Festival

In many African republics, this New Year’s Day celebrates the ancient seed-sowing ceremony performed in honor of the Goddess of fertility, Mawu. Associated with the moon, Mawu is considered to be cool and gentle. She is the creatrix who made people from clay and brings abundance to the land. In some areas, Mawu (moon) is combined with Lisa (sun) to create a dynamic union between the two controlling factors of universe for the protection of crops and people.

The Aspects of Mercury

Goddess Hera

The Aspects of Mercury

 

Weekday Ruled by Mercury:
Wednesday

Stones:
Emerald
Adventurine
Agate
Soadlite
Hematite
Pearl
Moonstone

Herbs & Plants:
Fern
Lavender
Cherry
Periwinkle
Star Anise
Licorice

Magickal Intentions: Communication, writing, Knowledge, transactions, divination, business, debt, fear, loss, travel, money matters.

 

Wednesday Is Ruled By Mercury

Goddess 2

Wednesday Is Ruled By Mercury

 

Wednesdays are wild and wacky days. They are for communication, change, cunning, and the arts. This is a Mercury day, and just its patron god this day is full of contradictions, change, and excitement. Some suggestions for Wednesday enchantments would include:

Pulling a little Wednesday color magic into your life by wearing purples or orange

Carrying a multipurpose agate with you and tapping into its various charms

Working with magical plants such as the fern for protection. This plant will also boost the power of any other magical plants with which it is arranged.

Incorporating lavender into charms and spells for transformation

Using the charming scent of lily of the valley to improve your memory, or working with the aspen tree for communication

Calling on Athena, patron of arts and crafts, for inspiration for a new project

Fanning out a Tarot spell to increase you creativity

Calling on Hermes on a Wednesday night to bring movement and good luck into your life

 

Correspondences for Wednesday, April 26th

Goddess 3
Correspondences for Wednesday, April 26th

Magickal Intentions: Communication, Divination, Writing, Knowledge, Business Transactions, Debt, Fear,Loss, Travel and Money Matters

Incense: Jasmine, Lavender, Sweet Pea

Planet: Mercury and Chiron (though this is a moon of Pluto)

Sign: Virgo

Angel: Raphael

Colors: Orange, Light Blue, Grey, Yellow and Violet

Herbs/Plants: Fern, Lavendar, Hazel, Cherry, Periwinkle

Stones: Aventurine, Bloodstone, Hematite, Moss Agate and Sodalite

Oil: (Mercury) Benzoin, Clary Sage, Eucalytus, Lavender

This day is governed by Mercury. Wednesday’s vibration adds power to rituals involving inspiration, communications, writers, poets, the written and spoken word, and all matters of study, learning, and teaching. This day also provides a good time to begin efforts involving self-improvement or understanding.

The Perfect Spell for the New Moon – Ringing in the Muses Spell

Egypt Goddess

The Perfect Spell for the New Moon

Ringing in the Muses Spell

Materials
5 small bells
1 yard each yellow, red, blue, green, and purple ribbon

Thread a bell on each length of ribbon, then tie the first four ribbons to tree branches in the order listed above, saying with each:

To ring these bells, all breezes blow
Carry their sounds both high and low
To wake the Muses from Their rest
Heed ye now this firm request

Then tie the purple ribbon to a branch, saying something like:

From East and South and West and North
Muses hear me: now come forth
From South and West and North and East
Inspiration now release
From West and North and East and South
Creative powers bud and sprout From North and East and
South and West Heed my call and this request
As these bells ring in the breeze
Let ideas flow forth with ease
Bring inspiration with the wind—
In constant stream without an end—
Unleash Your creativity Muses, bring it now to me

Creative blocks will begin to dissipate within twenty-four hours.
 

Source


Everyday Moon Magic: Spells & Rituals for Abundant Living (Everyday Series)

Dorothy Morrison

 

The Magickal Side of the New Moon

Egypt Goddess

The Magickal Side of the New Moon

 

The time of the new moon is a time of new beginnings. This period also represents the youthful aspect of the Goddess. In the form of the Maiden, she represents youth, change and a fresh start. Children can also be Named and Dedications can be made. New Moons are great times to move, start new projects or cast new spells. It is also a good time to shed your past ills and to refresh yourself for coming trials.

 

The New Moon can be thought of as a time of learning. Don’t be hesitant to try new spells at this time. You might also like to set in motion house protections or wards. Some Witchs celebrate the exact night of Dark Moon by honoring the Crone aspect of the Goddess (such as Hecate), focusing on lessons they have learned in the past cycle and banishing negativity from their lives.

 

MOON IN TAURUS

Goddess Athena

MOON IN TAURUS

Magical Work
When this Moon comes to call, work on efforts that require long-lasting results. Good candidates for this energy include home affairs and matters of finance, as well as efforts that involve stability, security, and protection. It’s also useful for resolving issues related to self-esteem, and for adding spice and romance to intimate relationships.

Mundane Event Planning
Taurus Moon energy is stable, sensuous, and luxurious, and lends itself to all matters that make us feel secure, pampered, and worthwhile. For this reason, its appearance not only provides a good time to buy a new home (or delve into remodeling or redecorating the one you already have), but to open bank accounts, reorganize stock portfolios, and restructure retirement plans. Don’t discount it either when it comes to meeting the perfect mate, for love affairs begun during this Moon tend to be constant, stable, and long-lasting.

Gardening Tips
Any root crops (carrots, potatoes, radishes, and so on) planted now tend to bring a very fruitful harvest. This is also a good time to fertilize.
 

Source

 

Everyday Moon Magic: Spells & Rituals for Abundant Living (Everyday Series)
Dorothy Morrison

 

Magickal Applications for Wednesday

...Royalty of the Goddess...

Magickal Applications for Wednesday

 

To the Romans, this day was called Dies Mercurii, or “Mercury’s day” Mercury was a popular character in the Roman pantheon. A messenger of the gods, he presided over commerce, trade, and anything that required skill or dexterity. The Celts also worshiped Mercury and eventually equated him with the Norse god Odin (some spelling variations on this name include Wotan, Wodin, and Wodan). In Norse mythologies, Odin, like Mercury, is associated with poetry and music. Interestingly enough, both Odin and Mercury were regarded as psychopomps, or the leaders of souls, in their individual mythologies.

Odin, one of the main gods in Norse mythology, was constantly seeking wisdom. He traveled the world in disguise as a one-eyed man with a long gray beard, wearing an old, beat-up hat and carrying a staff or a spear (which brings to my mind images of Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings). In the Old English language, this day of Mercury evolved into Wodnes daeg, “Woden’s day,” or Wednesday.

Wednesday carries all of the planetary and magickal energies and associations of the witty and nimble god Mercury himself. Some of these mercurial traits included good communication skills, cleverness, intelligence, creativity, business sense, writing, artistic talent, trickiness, and thievery. And don’t forget all of those wise and enigmatic qualities associated with the Norse god Odin/Wodin, not to mention the goddess Athena’s contributions of music, the arts, handmade crafts, and writing. Wednesdays afford excellent opportunities for seeking wisdom, changing your circumstances, and improving your skills, be they in trade and commerce, music and art, or in communication and writing.

 

Source:

Book of Witchery: Spells, Charms & Correspondences for Every Day of the Week
Ellen Dugan

 

A Little Witchery for Your Wednesday

GODDESS

A Little Witchery for Your Wednesday

Be bold and daring today! Expand your knowledge of the Craft by working with the planetary energies of Mercury on this multifaceted day of the week. Consider the Greco-Roman gods Mercury and Hermes and all of the many lessons they have for you. Embrace change and movement, and work on your communication techniques. Conjure up a little good luck for yourself with that Mercury dime spell. Call on Athena to inspire you to try magickal arts and crafts and to be more creative in your own spellwork and witchery.

Meditate on Odin and see what you can discover about him. I wonder what sort of fabulous and fascinating magickal wisdom you will uncover? Odin is a shaman, after all; he may appear in many guises and faces. I guarantee that he will make you laugh at yourself before he is through with you, but you will learn. It’s up to you what you do with that knowledge. Will you let it shapeshift into wisdom?

Wednesday is the wild and wily day of the week, so try to go with the flow; don’t fight the quirky energies of the day. Most importantly, follow your heart, and always keep a good sense of humor, because of Wednesdays you will really need it.

Book of Witchery: Spells, Charms & Correspondences for Every Day of the Week
Ellen Dugan

 

The Witches Guide To Wednesday

Freya Norse Goddess~Pro Challenge

The Witches Guide To Wednesday

 

Ruler: Wodin, Mercury

Colors: Orange, light blue, and gray

Power Hours: Sunrise and the 8th, 16th, and 24th hours following

Keywords: Success, creativity, communication

The word Wednesday is reminiscent of the Norse wind god Wodin, which is referenced in the popular rhyme verse “Wednesday’s child is full of woe.” This does not mean that those born on this day are full of sorrow or trouble. To be full of Woden (Wodin) means to be full of wind, to be spirited. Woden was such a powerful pagan god that the German church fathers changed the name of his day to Mittwoch, meaning midweek, in an attempt to exorcise his influence.

In the Spanish word for Wednesday, miercoles, we clearly see its connection to Mercury. Under the guidance of Mercury; Wednesday is a day of swift activity, communication, correspondence, and phone calls. This is a good day for journalists, writers, poets, bargaining, hiring employees, and visiting friends.

On Wednesdays, the hour of sunrise and every eight hours after that are also ruled by Mercury, making these times of the day doubly blessed. These are the strongest four hours for ritual work. Check your local newspaper, astrological calendar, or almanac to determine when sunrise occurs.

 

Source

 

Gypsy Magic

Wednesday’s Conjuring

Ancient civilizations Gods--Athena Greek Goddess

Wednesday’s Conjuring

Wednesday – is associated with Mercury

Candle colors – Purple

Magickal Conjuring for the Day: Mastery, Domination Work, Wisdom, Healing, Dealing with Legal problems.

 

—Starr Casas, Old Style Conjure Wisdoms, Workings and Remedies

The Sky This Week for April 26 to April 30

Sunflower goddess

The Sky This Week for April 26 to April 30

The Lyrid meteor shower, a young Moon, and other exciting things to look for in the sky this week.
By Richard Talcott

Wednesday, April 26

Although Jupiter reached opposition and peak visibility earlier this month (on the 7th), it remains a stunning sight nearly all night. It appears about 30° above the southeastern horizon during evening twilight and climbs highest in the south shortly after 11 p.m. local daylight time. Shining at magnitude –2.4, the giant planet is the night’s brightest celestial object with the exception of Venus, which doesn’t rise until morning twilight commences. Jupiter resides among the background stars of Virgo, 9° northwest of that constellation’s brightest star, 1st-magnitude Spica. When viewed through a telescope, the gas giant’s disk spans 44″ and shows incredible detail in its cloud tops.

New Moon occurs at 8:16 a.m. EDT. At its New phase, the Moon crosses the sky with the Sun and so remains hidden in our star’s glare.

Thursday, April 27

With an age of 4.5 billion years, “young” might not seem an appropriate word to describe our Moon. But tonight, you have an exceptional opportunity to see what astronomers call a “young Moon” — a slender crescent visible in the early evening sky. With New Moon having occurred yesterday morning, only 4 percent of our satellite’s disk appears illuminated after sunset tonight. (Tomorrow evening, a 9-percent-lit lunar crescent hangs noticeably higher in the sky.) You should notice an ashen light faintly illuminating the Moon’s dark side. This is “earthshine,” sunlight reflected by Earth that reaches the Moon and then reflects back to our waiting eyes.

The Moon also reaches perigee, the closest point in its orbit around Earth, today. Our satellite lies just 223,275 miles (359,327 kilometers) away from us at 12:15 p.m. EDT.

Friday, April 28

Be sure to check out the waxing crescent Moon against the backdrop of Taurus the Bull this evening. Our satellite stands just 4° to the upper left of 1st-magnitude Aldebaran while Mars and the Pleiades and Hyades star clusters reside a bit farther to the lower right.

Saturday, April 29

Venus appears brilliant in the eastern sky from the time it rises around 4:30 a.m. local daylight time until close to sunrise 90 minutes later. It stands about 10° above the horizon 45 minutes before the Sun comes up. Shining at magnitude –4.7, it appears slightly brighter today than at any other time during this morning apparition. (The difference is essentially imperceptible, however — it appears only a thousandth of a magnitude brighter today than it did yesterday or will tomorrow.) When viewed through a telescope this morning, Venus spans 39″ and appears one-quarter lit.

Sunday, April 30

This is a good evening to hunt down asteroid 29 Amphitrite through a telescope. The 10th-magnitude space rock lies in the constellation Leo, just 0.3° due west of magnitude 3.8 Rho (r) Leonis. The Lion appears about two-thirds of the way from the southern horizon to the zenith as twilight fades to darkness.

 

Source

 

The Astronomy Magazine

About the New Moon – the Invisible Phase

Moon Goddess

About the New Moon – the Invisible Phase

 

In modern astronomy, the New Moon is when the Sun and Moon are aligned, with the Sun and Earth on opposite sides of the Moon.
Illustration of the Moon’s position in space in relation to Earth and the Sun at New Moon.

The New Moon is invisible from Earth.

There are several reasons why it is impossible for us to see the New Moon in the sky.

The alignment of the Sun, the Moon, and Earth, leaves the side of the Moon that faces Earth in complete darkness. Technically, this is called a conjunction or Syzygy in the Sun-Earth-Moon system (see illustration).

In addition, the New Moon rises and sets around the same time as the Sun, bringing it too close to the Sun’s glare to be seen with the naked eye.
New Moon in Different Cultures

About a day after the New Moon conjunction, the Moon becomes visible again as a Waxing Crescent Moon.

The initial period, as only the thinnest sliver of a Crescent Moon becomes visible, used to be called New Moon while the darkest phase was called Dark Moon.

This traditional definition of New Moon is still in use in some cultures, defining the beginning of the months in the Islamic calendar.

As New Moon nights are dark, they are often the best time to view other celestial objects like planets, meteor showers, and deep sky objects such as star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies.

 
Higher Tides at New Moon

The greatest difference between high and low tide is around New Moon and Full Moon. During these Moon phases, the gravitational forces of the Moon and the Sun combine to pull the ocean’s water in the same direction. These tides are known as spring tides or king tides.
Sun Lights Up the Moon

The Moon does not radiate its own light, but the Moon’s surface reflects the Sun’s rays. Half of the Moon’s surface is always lit up by sunlight, except during lunar eclipses when Earth casts its shadow on the Moon. Just how much of that light we can see from our point of view on Earth varies every day, and this is what we call a Moon phase.

 
Primary Moon Phase

In Western Culture, we divide the lunar month into 4 primary and 4 intermediate Moon phases.

The New Moon is the 1st primary Moon phase. The next 3 are the First Quarter Moon (Half Moon), the Full Moon, and the Third Quarter Moon.

In addition, there are 4 intermediate Moon phases; the Waxing Crescent Moon, the Waxing Gibbous Moon, the Waning Gibbous Moon, and the Waning Crescent Moon.

 

Causes Solar Eclipses

Even though the New Moon cannot normally be seen from Earth, there is an exception: 2 to 3 times a year the New Moon phase coincides with the Moon reaching the lunar nodes of its orbit. The lunar nodes are the points where the Moon’s orbit crosses the ecliptic, which is the path of the Sun, seen from Earth.

At these points, the dark New Moon positions itself between Earth and the Sun and blocks some of the Sun’s rays from reaching some areas on Earth, causing a solar eclipse. The New Moon, or at least a part of it, is then visible as a silhouette in front of the Sun. Solar eclipses can only happen in the hours around New Moon. Lunar eclipses, on the other hand, only happen at Full Moon.

 

A Black Moon Is a New Moon
Most years have 12 New Moons, 1 each month. But our calendar is not perfectly synchronized with astronomical events. Therefore, every now and then, a year has 13 Full Moons. When this happens, at least 1 of those New Moons is a Black Moon.

 

Great American Eclipse 2017
On August 21, 2017, a Black Moon will cause a total solar eclipse which is an extremely rare combination.

This eclipse will be a spectacular sight and will be visible all across the United States. This has earned it the nickname the Great American Eclipse, although it will also be visible in other countries.
Super and Micro New Moon

The Moon orbits Earth counterclockwise on an elliptical path, and the same side of the Moon always faces Earth. However, the Moon rocks slightly from north to south and wobbles a little from east to west. This motion, known as lunar libration, makes it possible, over time, to see up to 58% of the Moon’s surface from Earth, but only 50% at a time.

The point closest to Earth is called perigee and the side farthest point is known as apogee. When the New Moon is close to the perigee, it is known as a Super New Moon.

A Micro New Moon, on the other hand, is when it is farthest from Earth, at apogee. It’s also known as a Minimoon or a Mini New Moon.
No Permanently Dark Side

The notion that there is a permanently dark side of the Moon, a side which never sees sunlight, is wrong. When the side of the Moon we can see from Earth is dark, the opposite side is lit up, and vice versa.

 

Source

timeanddate.com