A Jovial Full Moon

Firstly, I apologise for the brevity of this post and the absence of horoscopes. I hope the below will at least be of some utility.

Today's Full Moon has, as my good friend Amanda pointed out, proved something of a callback to 2023. It took place at 5+ degrees Leo and Aquarius, squaring Jupiter (currently at 6+ degrees Taurus) along with the 5+ Taurus degree, in which Mercury and Jupiter both stationed direct last year. The Full Moon of late October 2023 also occurred at 5+ Taurus-Scorpio. All this has invested that one small part of the zodiac with a lot of significance.

You Are Holding the Thread

This Monday, 7th August, is another of the cross-quarter days among those pivotal moments in the turning of the seasonal wheel when profundities tend to make themselves more apparent, just for a whisper.

The one in question is known to some in the north of the world as Lammas or Lughnasadh, the first fruits harvest (its equivalent in the southern hemisphere being Imbolc). It's usually celebrated around the first of the month, but astrologically it occurs when the Sun reaches the midpoint of Leo - exactly halfway between the Cancer solstice* and the Libra equinox**.

In astrological symbolism, the solstices and equinoxes occur as the Sun enters each cardinal sign. Cardinal signs represent initiation, pioneering, leadership - the first to set foot in new territory. Thus at these moments a new season commences. At the cross-quarters, the Sun is in the middle of a fixed sign. This indicates continuation as well as manifestation: the culmination of the seasonal forces in action.

A Tale of Two Retrogrades

When working on a set of charts, one of the things astrologers look for is patterns. Patterns in divination usually tell a story of sorts, pointing the seeker in the direction of more precise knowledge. They are generally to be found somewhere; at times following a bit of digging out, archaeology-style.

At other times, they can be staring you right in the face.

Comfort Zone Ejector Seat

It's almost time for that impressive astronomical light show otherwise known as eclipse season. First is a hybrid solar eclipse, taking place on 20th April at 04:12 UT; this is followed up by a penumbral lunar eclipse on 5th May at 17:33 UT*.

Astrologically, these phases can be pretty intense, as if time were compressed and everything happening at once; the decisions made during them can be far-reaching and potent. In order to harness the power of an eclipse window, it is useful to understand where we are in our present life, where we seem to be headed, and where we would like to be - in every sense. As possessors of free will, we are capable of turning certain circumstances to a variety of possible accounts. For the two weeks in question, that ability may get an extra boost.

A Celestial Reveille

Something pretty special is due to happen in the skies this week.

First, a bit of background. The Earth year, depending on which part of the planet you inhabit, has certain seasons at certain points. In much of the Northern hemisphere, the winter solstice (the shortest day of the year) is around 21st or 22nd December. The summer solstice is halfway round the year from that, usually on 21st or 22nd June. The spring and autumn equinoxes take place between those times, in March and September respectively. At corresponding latitudes in the Southern hemisphere, these times are reversed: summer in December, winter in June, and so on.

The exact date and time is not always the same, because the seasons are aligned not with the Gregorian calendar but with certain points in the Earth's orbit, which cause the Sun's latitude from our point of view to appear as far North or South as it can be, or (in the case of the equinoxes) right on the equator.

Astrologically, the solstices and equinoxes, from December onwards, correspond with the Sun's apparent entry into the (tropical) signs of Capricorn, Aries, Cancer and Libra respectively. These four are known as the cardinal signs, those that commence their seasons - associated with pioneering, leading and pushing forward.