A Lunar Celebration

Aquarians and Leos can soon do the happy dance; the Lunar eclipse in early August, affecting both signs directly, will be the last one in our signs for eight years. Not that eclipses are bad or anything…nothing is truly bad, per se. It’s just that the challenges we face during these celestial events can make us feel a little wuggy at times.

Eclipses always denote change…whether we like it or not. While both fixed signs, Aquarius and Leo tend to deal with change a bit differently. As Aquarius is naturally ruled by Uranus, change is our middle name. Well-adjusted (or perhaps well-acclimated is a more apt term) Aquarians have learned to actually thrive on it, finding excitement in a more dynamic environment.

Leos, however, are ruled by the Sun. They like being the center of their universes; calling all the shots, and get very uncomfortable when some uninvited celestial event comes along and shakes up their carefully constructed kingdoms. What Leo would do well to accept is that change is inevitable, even constructive. When change comes along and shakes things up a bit, we get to see the silverfish and other hidden varmints that have settled into the carpets of our psyches and can choose to finally be rid of them once and for all. A good spiritual, mental and emotional housecleaning is just the ticket for freeing us from all that clutter and self-imposed bondage.

So try not to practice avoidance maneuvers by shoving your faces firmly into the cushions of your thrones (Leo), or hiding away in your science labs (Aquarius) when the Lunar eclipse of August 5th rolls around. A much more joyful (and constructive) way of experiencing it is to join forces and throw one smashingly exceptional eclipse party! I’m game, how about you?

Leos, this is your queue to take the offered hand of that lovely Aquarian who’s been smiling at you with adventure in her (or his) eyes, let your hair down and run free with it to your heart’s content. You might be happily surprised at the outcome!

Okay, now just because I’ve been highlighting Aquarians and Leos for a few paragraphs doesn’t mean that everyone else is off the hook, so you other signs need to snap to attention here. The eclipse will affect everyone in differing ways. Wherever Leo and Aquarius lands in your natal chart, and whether the eclipse aspects any planets in your chart will denote the profound shifts that you can expect in your own lives.

For instance, if the eclipse aspects your Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus and/or Mars, the changes you can expect will be personal in nature. The house placement of each planet influenced will show what areas of your life these changes will occur in. Any aspects occurring on your outer planets will be more generational or global in nature. (Hint: This would be a very good time to contact an astrologer for more concrete information on how it affects you personally.)

What’s important to remember is that change is good. We are not meant to be static, but ever growing and shifting. Change helps us to thrive and continue our forward movement along our path. It’s a good thing. What we resist persists, so try to embrace the energies surrounding this eclipse. Better yet, come join the party that we fearless Aquarians and Leos are throwing…it’s sure to be a blast!

Happy August!

Namaste.

July’s Celestial Dance

The year so far has been rife with positive, forward movement on a global scale and we’re still going strong in that direction. A few unusual planetary occurrences have been slated for this year, and we’ve already seen a couple. In this article, I will focus on the energies created by the dance of Sun and Moon in eclipse.

This month, we’re experiencing a pairing of both Lunar and Solar eclipses, akin to the duet we experienced in January and February of an Aquarius/Leo energy, which signified a new beginning and a solid shift (finally!) into the much-anticipated Aquarian Age. While we’ll see an encore performance of the Aquarian/Leo pairing of eclipses later this year, this month will see the Lunar/Solar dance take place in the signs Capricorn/Cancer. We’ll witness a prenumbral Lunar eclipse, which will be barely visible with the naked eye, on July 7. If you detect anything at all visually, it will be a slight shading of part of the Moon…however astrologically, there will still be significant effects.

Lunar eclipses signify a period of major changes; the ending of old, outmoded ways of doing things and the beginning of a fresh methodology that promises great benefits if utilized effectively. Emotional by nature, these changes often refer to relationships in one form or another. These changes often have to do with how we relate, and the shifts we create will have lasting results. Emotions tend to be easily triggered, and can inspire upsets and sometimes disoriented feelings. The actions we take will likely bring higher awareness and illumination into ourselves and others. Those of us who like to keep our hearts hidden deep inside may suddenly feel compelled to put it all out on the table, finally freeing ourselves from our self-imposed limitations. This can be healthy on many levels, even if it initially feels strange and uncomfortable. It would be good for us all to ease any tension we may feel by engaging in some form of daily physical exertion to keep the energies moving through us and deepening our connection to the All.

The Solar eclipse in Cancer on July 21 will be a total eclipse, and the Moon will be in her Maiden (New) aspect. This is a time of the powerful union of feminine and masculine energies on all levels; both within and without. It’s a time for nurturing of oneself and others, for rejuvenation, healing and renewal. I’m speaking here of both inner transformation and its outward manifestation; it is our choice what we choose to do with this opportunity, on both a personal and global level. This Solar eclipse is asking us to open ourselves to the promise of unconditional love…the highest level of fearless love that is both healing and freeing. It is our choice whether we choose to utilize this golden opportunity, bravely showing up in our own lives and allowing the healing to happen, or if we choose to let it flow by. What do you think? Are you ready? I know I am.

Namaste.

The Lion’s Share

I’ve known many Leos in my time thus far, and each of them in their own unique way has inspired a greater understanding of the complexities of this human experience. They are a dynamic lot, these courageous souls, and while at times infuriating, they do have the potential to really spice up the mix a bit!

Leo is the fifth astrological sign of the Zodiac, and therefore finds its natural home in the fifth house of pleasure, fun, creativity and romance. Not all Leos take full advantage of these qualities, but enough of them do to make things memorable for the rest of us. Masculine by nature, Leo’s element is fire and its quality is fixed and stubborn. Ruled by the Sun, Leo exhibits a passionate, vibrant, fiery quality that is at once attractive, if not a little dangerous. Those of us who feel compelled to fly a little too close to the warmth of Leo’s center may get our wings singed a bit from time to time…ah but such is the nature of the beast, and some prices are worth paying dearly for. That is, if you’re into that sort of thing.

The Sun dances through Leo every year from around July 23^rd to approximately August 22^nd, depending upon the year. The symbol for Leo is the lion, due to its proud, regal and dramatic nature. Leo likes to be in charge, and those with Sun in Leo definitely rule over his or her particular patch of the jungle. Every Leo I’ve ever known makes it quite clear from the get-go that they are most assuredly in charge, and woe to the individual that attempts to assert their own brand of authority in the realm of the Lion. Anyone blessed by the presence of a Leo in their lives have experienced both the highest levels of affection, and the loudest spine-rattling roar from their Leonine loved one when circumstances inspire.

Leo loves the drama, comfortably taking center stage at any party or production and delighting us with its playful, yet powerful sense of nobility. I had a Leo friend during my teenage years who would enter a room full of people with a flourish, and a resounding “Hi!” We simply had no choice but to pay attention to him when he was present, and he made it worth our while by amusing us with his lordly theatrics. The only people remotely miffed by his flamboyant, attention-grabbing behaviour were the other Leos in the room…and there were quite a few. The smartest of us simply ducked out of the path of all Leos present and watched the drama unfold from the sidelines. Each lion – male and female alike, would vie for the center seat in all gatherings using every clever method they could devise, (sometimes subtle…sometimes not so much,) and the rest of us would simply pop popcorn and wait to see which one remained unscathed to the end. Hey, in those days they rolled up the sidewalks at 5 pm in Royal Oak…we youngsters had little else to do to amuse ourselves!

Leos generally make loving, affectionate parents who dote on their children as extensions of themselves. They take their role as parents very seriously, and their children quickly become the measure of their abilities. Care should be taken by all Leo parents to allow their children the freedom to spread their own wings, to develop their own unique sense of self, and to express their individuality. Trust me, if you give them the option, they will make you proud. Your strength, loyalty and devotion have given them the greatest tools to venture out into the world, and at some point, you will have to let go and let them fly. This is especially true if your little ones are also little Leo cubs. See yourself in them. Remember the freedom of expression you craved as a young lion. Know what would have inspired you to thrive as a child growing into adulthood, and behave accordingly. You will then know the realization of your greatest accomplishment as a parent: the complete acceptance and devotion of your children in the form of strong, self-assured, successful adults.

Leos can be the most loyal, supportive and enthusiastic of friends. Their sunny dispositions and clever sense of humour add to their already attractive nature, and they can be a great deal of fun to be around. The Leos who exemplify this trait will be there for friends and family through thick and thin, fiercely defending them to a fault, and always showing up with a lavish gift on special occasions or a bottle of wine and Belgian chocolates when one’s heart has been broken to pieces. A Leo’s heart is a big one, and those who have been raised to know their own power will courageously share their affections expansively.

The most rewarding careers for Leos are those which allow them to express themselves creatively and powerfully. Politics, law, entertainment in the form of music, theater and other art forms are ideal choices for Leos. Bill Clinton, Madonna, Amelia Earhart, Mick Jagger, Peter O’Toole, Menachem Begin and Martin Sheen are just a few of the many Leos who have stepped into the public spotlight and dazzled us all with their abilities, in addition to providing us with dramatic, provocative and colourful situations that really turn our heads!

Namaste.