Full Moon In Libra...March 27, 2013...

("Libra", Artist: Subaru01rins)

Wednesday, at 5:29 AM/EST, is March’s Full Moon in Libra. An Air sign, Libra likes a harmonious atmosphere. Libra projects peacefulness, civility, and the desire to be surrounded by nature and beauty. If you jive with where Libra is ‘at’, then you might want to focus your energies on those being projected by the Full Moon…because with the effects of the collective aspects, this lunation is going to be a trying one. There are some strong lessons to be learned here. The main focus is in the realm of the emotional, and the need to be able to ‘spread your wings’. Freedom is desired, but there are some hard energies in the way that can have negative influences. A fair bit of conflict can be expected, but how you deal with it is key in maintaining your personal sense of harmony. Others may put the blame on you, but owning your role and working towards a place of compromise is the way to go. It could be hard at times, but don’t lose your sense of perspective.

The Libran Moon will be inconjunct Neptune and Mercury, both in the water sign of Pisces. It is important that, even in the most trying of situations, you make an effort to keep things as lifted and gentle as possible. With the Sun in Aries in opposition to the Moon, there is opportunity to form a united front between your conscious, and subconscious. Take the high road, and stay away from angry finger pointing when dealing with others. A dose of respect can trump any competitive edge others may have, which can move things in a more healthy and productive direction.

Venus, Mars, the Sun, and Uranus all have something in common this lunation. They are all in fiery Aries, and this Ram will be delivering some annoying head butts. Libran ruler, Venus, conjoins the Aries Sun, so that influence does serve to soften some blows to an extent. There is an emphasis on relationships of all kinds (personal, business, familial, etc.), and how to approach connected issues that bubble up. The Full Moon will be making a pretty tense aspect to Uranus in Aries, and Pluto in Capricorn. When dealing with a probable battle of wills, err on the side of expressive freedom gained via tapping into Libra’s compassion, rather than allowing egos to hurt yourself and others. If you look hard enough through the veil of cloudy negativity, you’ll be able to see the positive that lies on the other side.

There is a chief culprit dealing out all of the stresses during this Full Moon: Mars. Not only is Mars Aries ruler, it’s in the sign of Aries. Mars is one tough customer symbolizing a number of strong traits, some of the main ones coming to the fore here being confrontation, aggression, anger, drive…add Aries willfulness, forcefulness, and directness into the mix, and it spells some trying situations. Mars is in there swinging with several aspects: Jupiter in Gemini; Pluto in Capricorn, and Saturn in Scorpio. There is also a Yod with Mars, Saturn in Scorpio in position at the apex, and a sextile Jupiter in Gemini acting as the base. Pluto in Capricorn squaring Mars doesn’t help things. Add to that the fact that the Yod made up of Saturn sextile Pluto, with Jupiter inconjunct to both Saturn and Pluto, is still in effect…well, it is highly advised that you make a big effort to agree to disagree.

(Artist: David Palladini)

A lot of hot button issues and underlying emotional pressure will be on the bubble, so be prepared for some of that to boil to the point of eruption. The best course is to just let it do its thing. There could be some much needed healing that will result. Expect some upheavals on any and all levels within relationships. This is a prime time to work on owning your part in a situation. Work on individual inner wisdom and reach to your higher self. Studying things through that lens can help you heal (if necessary) and move on.  Some hidden truths could make themselves known. Be open when looking at relationships. Some old relationships may have run their course, and it’s time to severe whatever ties remain. Others may show a need to expand and move to the next level. No matter how confrontational or manipulative others can be, keep your side of the street clean.

With all of the planets in Aries, you may want to take a long hard look at your own anger management. Don’t let others light your fuse. Are you admitting your part in a conflict, or putting the blame elsewhere? With the number of inconjuncts happening this lunation, common ground will be hard to find. You might just want to decide to step back from things and go at them when the atmosphere calms a bit. Few will be in the listening mood. There are also a few squares to Pluto in Capricorn. Things kick off the day before the Full Moon with Mars, and continue on Easter Sunday with the Sun and Venus. The next several days are a good time to take a long look at any control issues you may have.

The following excerpt is from the Farmer's Almanac:

• Full Worm Moon - March:  As the temperature begins to warm and the ground begins to thaw, earthworm casts appear, heralding the return of the robins. The more northern tribes knew this Moon as the Full Crow Moon, when the cawing of crows signaled the end of winter; or the Full Crust Moon, because the snow cover becomes crusted from thawing by day and freezing at night. The Full Sap Moon, marking the time of tapping maple trees, is another variation. To the settlers, it was also known as the Lenten Moon, and was considered to be the last Full Moon of winter.

Ostara, 2013 & A Wild Hare...

Spring has officially sprung with the Vernal Equinox, and Wiccans and Neo-pagans everywhere are celebrating its arrival with Ostara. The celebrations name is derived from the name of the Germanic goddess of Spring, Eostre. Ostara is often associated with the Celts, but there are no known Celtic Equinox celebrations in the history books. As with many pagan celebrations, Christians adapted Ostara into the celebration of Easter. I’m assuming it was done as another in a long line of moves by the church to try to Christianize the Pagans.

(Pagan/Wiccan Wheel of the Year)

For the early Pagans, the Equinox was a time to celebrate the new crop season, and the planting of those crops. The Spring Equinox is a perfect time to start new seedlings.

Ostara is acknowledged/celebrated by Pagans with the creation of Ostara eggs, trees, and altars.

(Some great egg designs I found online: Top Left ~ Leaf Eggs;
Top Right ~ Eggs decorated with beans and grains; Bottom Center ~ Handpainted Eggs)

(A couple of great examples of Pagan Ostara altars)

I think most people have heard the term “mad as a March Hare”. That phrase always makes me think of “Alice in Wonderland”. I conjure a mental image of the Madhatter’s Tea Party, and his friend the ‘mad’ March Hare (‘mad’ meaning ‘crazy’). The phrase actually has factual roots in the natural world.

('March Hare' from Tim Burton's, "Alice in Wonderland")

To Medieval society, the March Hare was viewed as a major fertility symbol. This particular species of bunny is nocturnal most of the year (only comes out at night), but that changes in March when mating season arrives. Then they spend the day looking for mating opportunities. It is a common occurrence during this time to see a couple of the bunnies boxing. Some assume that it’s two males duking it out over a female, but interestingly it is a female fighting off a male…either he doesn’t suit her fancy, or she has already done her mating time. The reaction from rebuffed males is one of frustration, the bunny bouncing around in an erratic fashion. It is this reaction that spawned the phrase “Mad as a March Hare”.

(Dueling Bunnies)

An interesting factoid about the females is that, like most rabbit species, they are “superfecund”. That means that they can conceive a second litter while still pregnant with the first. Guess that’s how the phrase “breeding like rabbits” came about…no wonder rabbits multiply so quickly.

("Spring")

For me personally, when I hear the word 'Spring', my mind conjures up a painting. Dutch artist Lawrence Alma Tadema is the creative mind behind my favorite painting at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, California, aptly named "Spring" (c. 1894). It is truly a breathtaking piece, the joy of the revellers and the vibrant floral colors bringing the paintings sentiment to life. The celebration of life. The celebration of Spring.

To the Pagans celebrating the Equinox, Happy Ostara. To everyone else, Happy Vernal Equinox and/or Hoppy Easter.  

The Hiatus Has Ended...

(A rainy day by the marsh...from a few weeks ago...)

My blog has been an oasis for me in many respects since I started it. I muse, review, share, and post. It’s not only an outlet for personal expression of various forms, but it serves a therapeutic need of mine. Creativity has always been my main form of therapy, and this blog falls snugly into that category. Why have I been neglecting it?

It hasn’t been on purpose. I have had a list of posts ready and waiting. A list comprised of a little of this, and a bit of that (I generally post whatever I am moved to write about). I am about to 'get back to it' on here. To start in on my ‘To Write’ list. Really. Promise.

Why did I veer off my blogging path in the first place? Mainly, my fairly new part-time gig. It has taken me a few months to work it into my daily life in such a way that I can get back to my usual “free time” projects (those I do out of necessity and otherwise). My schedule changes from week to week, so that has been the cause for the adjustment. I have gotten my sea legs at work, so I can get back to my regular day to day doings. Blogging is one of the top two keys to my continued mental health. It’s a vital part of stress relief for me.

The other ‘key’ is photography. Taking my photo snapping constitutionals. The weather has warmed up enough that extended walks are more bearable. No more outings where I return home unable to feel my hands from the cold. Actually, we had a virtually non-existent Winter. In my opinion, anyway. My explorations of the surrounding natural, bucolic world of Savannah are resuming.

There have been a few quick doses of camera usage here and there to prevent my going completely mental. Some of those pics are in this post.

More posts to follow.

(This is one from this batch that I especially like...I think the final product reads more as a painting than a photo...)

New Moon In Pisces...March 11, 2013...

Monday, March 11^th, at 3:53 EST, is the next New Moon. This month the Moon is in the mystical and energetic water sign of Pisces. This cycle is attuned to the vibrating energies of the cosmos. There is an abundance of peaceful and loving energy to be had, and boundaries are dropped allowing us to partake. That may sound a bit ‘hippy dippy’, but this lunation provides plenty of strong spiritual energy for healers and those possessed with talents of a creative nature. There is a Stellium at hand with the Moon, Sun, Chiron, Mars, Mercury retrograde, Neptune, and Venus all in the sign of Pisces. There is a peaceful ‘stillness’…a calm that should be taken advantage of. Allow yourself some time to just be in your own skin. The Pisces New Moon gives us the opportunity to open ourselves up to the universe and be of spiritual service to ourselves and others. Allow yourself to feel the positive energy/power radiating from the higher planes, and pass it on to those close to you. Be loving, and be compassionate. Embracing the human aspects of ourselves, as well as the spiritual aspects, aids us in getting in touch with our individuality…with our ‘self’. It also gives us a renewed perspective on the bigger picture of our life as a whole.

New Moons are typically times of new beginnings. However, this lunation is a bit different. We are looking at the end of one astrological year, and the start of a new one. There are twelve signs in the zodiac, Pisces being the last…the sign that marks the end of the zodiacal year. This ending puts great emphasis on the resolution of the old. Quite a few of the planets are positioned in Pisces, so it is advisable to make dealing with old issues the top item on your ‘To Do’ list.

As far as what other business some of the planets are up to, Mars is ready to move on to its next position…it doesn’t jive much with the mellower and more neutral Pisces. Mars is preparing to ascend and take up position with Aries, a sign that is more focused and more to Mars’ liking. On the other hand is Venus who is all about love, so this is a great time for new love/lovers to make some new moves in the direction of new love.

(Artist: David Paladini)

Jupiter in Gemini is square retrograde Mercury in Pisces, and conjunct Chiron. Tempers can flare here. Be prepared for disagreements around plans forgotten. Try your best to keep yourself in check, and stay away from finger pointing. There is great probability that any outbursts or rage fueled reactions will cause damage to important relationships. Also, Jupiter is still within orb of sextile Uranus in Aries. Mercury is getting ready to station direct on March 17^th, which is going to make things a tad more complicated. There may be a tendency to not see the forest for the trees, so make an effort to not assume and let the facts present themselves. You know what they say about “what happens when you assume”…

This New Moon cycle will also see a repeat performance. A Yod with Jupiter in Gemini, and Saturn in Scorpio sextile Pluto in Capricorn as the base. The Yod will hit its peak strength during the next Full Moon in Libra. During the next couple of weeks or so try to keep your head on straight. Stay calm and centered, kicking impatience to the curb. Things will happen in their own time.