Merry Month of May: Sparking the Summer

The blessings of Beltane to one and all! :)

This is one of the eight Sabbats of Pagan traditions. It was the start of summer in the Celtic calendar, featuring the kindling of the "Bel Fires" to renew the hearth fire of the home and to purify oneself and one's flocks. With the arrival of stable warm weather, it was an excellent excuse for folks to get out, dance around Maypoles (to invoke fertility for the coming year), jump the fire (for said purification), and pair up and head for the woods to make some whoopie - okay, a lot of whoopie.

In modern practice, most Pagans still treat this day as the start of Summer, and for whoopie-making in many cases. Summer is the season of Fire (as the days in the global north get longer and warmer), Creativity, and Transformation, sometimes of the Radical variety. This is certainly the case as we kick off May with a pair of "sparking" Astro events...

First, Pluto starts its retrograde journey on this very day (May 1st). Unfinished Business is the flavor of this particular retrograde, as Pluto returns to Capricorn for its last big hurrah. Pluto in Capricorn has shown us where our social structures are failing us, and where decay has set in. When it finally stations direct, it will be in the same degree, though not at the exact same point, where it was when the United States was sparked in 1776. Expect the socio-political rhetoric to heat up between now and when it stations direct, roughly mid-October, and to cool slowly through the end of the year. Break out the hip-waders, because we'll need them in a few months!

Second, there's a Lunar Eclipse in Scorpio on May 5th. This is the other end of the Eclipse Sandwich that we were served a few weeks ago. Whereas the focus of the first eclipse was on our Passion Projects, now the focus is on what cutting loose we need to do before our deep dive of Commitment. We articulated our significant desires leading up to this full moon; now we see what we need to Release in order to make room for their fulfillment. As Mercury is still retrograde, this is more of a time of planning and less of a time for action. Come Mercury stationing direct on the 14th, and the Taurus new moon on the 19th, that will be the time to take the first steps in our bold new directions. (More to be revealed around those events as well.)

A final note: my schedule became unexpectedly busy to kick off the week, so the Intuitive Reading for this month will be slightly delayed. It will, however, be up by the Eclipse, so watch this space!

Today's Special: Eclipse Sandwich

Tomorrow (4/19) will be bringing us a significant energetic pulse: a black moon eclipse in Aries. The reason it's called a "black" moon is that it's the second new moon in a month, an Astrological month in this case, as it comes at the end of the sun's trip through Aries. (Black moons relate to new moons as Blue moons relate to full moons.) Eclipses always prooduce Big Energy when they happen; as this will be a solar eclipse, it will be a glimpse into the Shadow realm, which is not often illuminated. We will have the corresponding lunar eclipse in roughly two weeks, and I will discuss more about that then.

As we have a second new moon in a fire sign, and as we're looking into the Shadow, the message that was presented to me to share is: Look at your Passion Project. What is it and what is its status in your life?

When I say "Passion Project," I mean: that thing you've been wanting to do for years, and/or that thing you keep returning to year after year to work on it, a little bit at a time, as your life permits. Can you articulate what your Passion Project is? Have you started it? Are you working on it now? Have you set aside a time to work on it? These are the questions for us to consider during this eclipse "sandwich."

Though we are going to be on the receiving end of a lot of energy from this eclipse, it won't be the time for immediate action and implementation, because Mercury will be going retrograde two days later, on the 21st. Anything started might very well have to be restarted once Mercury stations direct again in a few weeks! Instead, this is an invitation to dive deep into our desires and how they relate to our Passion Projects, and what realignment, if any, needs to take place. We are Measuring Twice to Cut Once, as the axiom goes. The time for concrete action is soon, but not yet.

For those who are (also) highly sensitive to the energetic currents of the cosmos, it will be especially important to take time out in Nature, schedule mid-afternoon siestas and solo playdates, and cue up the meditation music playlists. In order to show up for the world, we must care for ourselves first, and make sure our own cups are full before we share our bounty with others.  Balance yes with no and don't be afraid to sleep on it before you RSVP one way or the other.

In the midst of the eclipse sandwich, we will arrive at Beltane, and I will be back around the end of the month with the next tidbits. Until then, stay safe and stay sane!

Notes from the Pause

The Full Moon in Libra (April 5th) brought with it a pause in the energetic momentum, as we were encouraged to consider where we had become unbalanced in our lives and what we could do to restore some balance. Personally, the Pause kept me offline a bit longer than I had planned, with a flaring of neurological Long Covid symptoms dovetailing with my erratic (but maybe settling down again?) Moontime. We have all felt this slowing down in various ways. The main goal of the shift has been for us to slow down, turn inward, take inventory, and plot our next moves.

This Pause presages a shifting of the overall energetic tone. Coming up on the 19th, we have an Astrological Black Moon (the second new moon in an astrological sign) combined with the first Solar Eclipse of the year at the Dragon's Head (North Node). Two days later, 2023's Retrograde Parade officially kicks off with Mercury going retrograde again on April 21st, followed by Pluto going retrograde at Beltane (May 1st). We will be exploring those events more in depth in the near future - as in, the start of next week. 

Speaking of Beltane, and plotting my next moves: if all goes according to plan, I am going to debut a new shiny thing on this blog as May begins. I am going to be presenting Intuitive Oracle Readings, using one of my decks to help suss out the energetic flow. There will be some Astro tidbits as well, but mainly it will be the cards talking. At the very least, you'll see the spread and my notes on it; at most, an Actual Video will be available for viewing! The Cosmic Energies are inviting me to up my Priestess game, and this is one of the ways I am responding. I do intend to post between now and then, but Watch This Space for new developments starting in May!

New Moon in Aries: Ramming Speed!

It is a heady combination of energies that kicks off the week, with today's Aries New Moon hot on the heels of yesterday's (Spring) Equinox. We might find ourselves getting an unexpected boost of energy in our lives; I myself embarked on some much needed Spring Cleaning today, with more to follow in the days to come!

For some, this energetic surge is exactly what they've been waiting for, and they're ready to take advantage of it. For others, this surge can be irritating, unnerving, and/or anxiety provoking. Indeed, all sorts of things are set to bloom in the world, and not everyone is looking forward to what is emerging. It's okay if everything isn't coming up roses (or tulips or daffodils).

This is a prime time to set intentions, for the season and for the year. This is also a prime time to take inventory of your life and see what is ready to be released to make room for what is to come, what is being anticipated and what is being dreaded, or at least generating feelings of discomfort. When in doubt, exercise self-care.

The momentum will continue to build with the double jolt of Pluto entering Aquarius and Mars entering Cancer within the next week or so. Significant Changes are most definitely afoot, even if the exact contours are still a little fuzzy. Have faith that all is working out for the best and stay in touch with your friends. We get through together. :)

March Likes to Move It (move it)!

We have some important shifts in the skies above us to go along with the energy of the Equinox and the Astro New Year (which starts over with Aries). So let's sample the flavors that are scheduled to unfold...

Full Moon in Virgo: Pay Attention to the Details (March 7th) Since all the planets went direct in January, we have received a big energetic boost to our dreams and goals. Until now, we've been encouraged to envision our futures in big, broad strokes. With the upcoming full moon in Virgo, and the support of the other planetary movements (see below), we are now being encouraged to focus on the details of our dreams, and perhaps even set up some structures to help us reach our goals more efficiently. Dig out all the to-do lists and see what can be crossed off, what can be removed entirely, and what needs to be added. Set your priorities for moving forward with a full moon ritual.

Saturn moves into Pisces: Order Arising from the Void (March 7th) The Grand Taskmaster moves from Aquarius (innovation) into Pisces (dreams and visions). In this mutable sign, Saturn's energy can bring forth form and structure from the formless dream. The full moon in Virgo starts the process off with a bang, inspiring further (re)definition of whatever epiphanies might leap into your awareness. Saturn will be in Pisces for a while, so no worries if your grand vision doesn't receive clarity overnight. If this is your Saturn Return (where Saturn takes up the same position it was in the skies when you were born), you might suddenly see a realisitic way to achieve a long-held and cherished dream - just before your life gets turned inside out and upside down!

Venus moves into Taurus: Re-feather the Nest (March 16th) Venus moves into one of the signs she rules over (the other being Libra). In Taurus, Venus is all about the creature comforts and the delights of home. This would be a good time to throw open the windows and doors and start in on some good old fashioned Spring Cleaning in the Global North. In the Global South, this would be a good time to sort through all the belongings you've acquired thus far to see what still Sparks Joy and pass along what does not, so that everyone can enjoy the fruits of the harvest to come.

Ostara/Equinox: the Heart of the Season (March 21st) As you might have guessed, the flavor of this Sabbat is Dreaming the New into the Now, in both the practical and the speculative realms. This is the time to plant your most important seeds and/or harvest all of the abundance that is coming your way.

Pluto moves (temporarily) into Aquarius: a Preview of the Housecleaning to Come (March 23rd) As ruler of the Underworld, Pluto is really good at revealing what lies beneath the surface and what needs to be worked upon in order to Make Amends and Make Things Right. Pluto in Capricorn has shown us where the systems that support us have become corrupted, and suggested ways to repair the damage. Pluto in Aquarius will show us where our guiding visions for the future have become too narrow and invite us to rethink the way forward to include Authentic Unity in Diversity. Of particular note will be the further shaking up and (hopefully!) subsequent reinvention of what is known as the "New Age" Community. Those who call themselves Lightworkers will have a choice: either commit to Real Change in this reality, with ALL of its joys and pains, or get off the path altogether and find a different way to live. Pluto will step back into Capricorn in a few months to finish up its business there, but will return to Aquarius next year to get down to business. Make notes for future reference!

Mars moves into Cancer: Tough Love from the Fierce Mother (March 25th) Mars is a planet of action and big Warrior energy; Cancer is the deeply Maternal sign of the Zodiac. Combine the two and the Fierce Mother arises, taking no prisoners and accepting no excuses. She exercises Tough Love on her children, occasionally advising us with concise words, occasionally kicking us in the pants, but basically forcing us (as her children) to sink or swim on our own. Being maternal, though, she will have a towel and a validating hug ready for us when we finally do emerge from the waters. Combine this with Pluto moving into Aquarius, and this might come across as the cosmic slap in the face some of us need to come back to our senses and get our acts together! 

Those are the big movements in store for us coming up in March. As always, Your Results May Vary. ;) My other bit of advice is the enjoy the ride on the energetic wave as long as you can.