The New Moon this month occurs in the sign of Virgo (2'19) on Monday, August 25th, at 7:13 am (PDT). Virgo is the archetype of the Virgin goddess, originally meaning, “whole unto herself”.  And, no matter how devoted Virgo is to the people in his or her life, a certain part of Virgo’s psyche always remains “untouched” by the opinions or influence of anyone else. Virgo is a Mutable Earth sign, meaning it is a threshold sign, bridging one season into the next, and it resonates with the grounding and stable element of Earth. Virgo season is summer transitioning into autumn, and this energy is indelibly imprinted into the archetype, giving way to a Mercurial nature in the Virgo personality. The Virgo archetype echoes with the preparation for harvest: we begin the task of separating the grain from the chaff in our lives.  This requires clear-headed logic, as well as attention to our deep intuition about what crops we will harvest, and what needs to be turned back into the soil, or allowed to die on the vine.  The Virgo personality is often lauded as analytical, discerning, and as having a superior flair for organizational activities. When you think of the qualities of the season, this makes sense.  And, although this time of year is fast paced and busy as we get ready to go back to school or work, there is also a quiet turning within now.

Virgo embodies the aspect of the Priestess that is self-purified and dedicated to the practical expressions of serving the divine.  The archetype is associated with all types of ritual, and integrated daily spiritual practice. There is a visceral body/mind connection with Virgo, and you can find many with Virgo strong in their charts working as nutritionists, yoga teachers, herbalists and holistic practitioners.  Health, healing and daily care of the body are all Virgo preoccupations. Virgo is also the inspired craftsperson, using their attention to detail to produce beautiful works in a variety of mediums.  Additionally, they have an innate talent to elevate what others might term “puttering”- beekeeping, gardening, flower arranging and so forth - into an everyday art form.

Weekly Sun Signs August  18^th-  24^th

Virgo Season! Stepping Over the Threshold
Mercury entered Virgo on August 15th at 9:44 am (PDT) heralding the beginning of the change from fiery Leo energy into the practical earthy energy of Virgo. The planet Mercury is the harbinger of this sea change, followed by the Sun on the 22nd, and the New Moon in Virgo on the 25th. A palpable shift has begun towards the transition into autumn. I know lots of people who shriek at the sight of a lone yellow leaf in the sea of green, but I love this time of year! Everything is saturated with a golden glow, and even the sunsets are more vivid.  Sunday, August 17 (and into Monday) marks one of the most auspicious aspects in Astrology – Venus conjunct Jupiter.  This is sure to be replete with all of the good things in life: romance, creativity, and pleasure to spare.  Take advantage of this day, and plan something really special.

Full Supermoon in Aquarius: A Turning Point

Although the Full Moon is not until tomorrow morning (August 10^th) at 11:09 am (PDT) I thought you might want to get a jump on what this Moon is all about, because we're already feeling it today, and will be until at least Tuesday.  First of all, this is a Supermoon, appearing bigger, brighter, and closer in the night sky than usual. Full Moons illuminate hidden potential, and often bring something important to a culmination point. Stay tuned for sudden realizations, a solution to a seeming dilemma, or a catalyst that pushes you definitively in one direction or another. A Supermoon has an even more intense effect, expect a turning point.

The Aquarius Moon highlights our urge to be wholly and completely ourselves. This energy opens us up to radical individuality, and we will be prompted to challenge anything (or anyone) that stands in the way of our full expression of originality and independence. This is the Moon that reminds you that you came here for a reason, and only YOU can fulfill your unique purpose/contribution. Remember what that is, it is important.  And, then figure out what is required to get back on track and do what you came here to do.  We need you!

The Week of Sunday July 27^th 

What better time to launch a creative project than the New Moon in Leo?  Welcome to my new weekly sun sign column! 

The sexy and playful New Moon in Leo on Saturday sets the tone, not only for the coming week, but until the next Full Moon on August 10th.  (See my post on the Leo New Moon here: )  Mars has finally moved out of its extra long stint in Libra into Scorpio, which is great news for the Cardinal signs: Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn – but Aries and Libra will be the ones that really breathe a sigh of relief.   And, Mercury the archetype that rules communication leaves the emotional terrain of Cancer for dynamic Leo, joining the Sun and Jupiter, and bringing sparkle and play to all.  August 2^nd is the cross quarter day Lughnasadh, or Lammas, marking the first of the three ancient Celtic Harvest festivals.  Read on to see what this all means for you.

I'm thrilled to announce the launch of my brand new weekly Sun-Sign column, that will be posted to this blog - beginning this weekend, on the New Moon!

The New Moon this month occurs in the sign of Leo (3’ 52) on Saturday, July 26th, at 2:41 pm (PDT).  Leo is the archetype of the Queen/King and embodies the principle of Sovereignty – the entitlement to freely express one’s unique personality with radiant confidence and self-possession.  Leo has faith in the abundance of life, and is associated with the heart center, echoing themes of love, courage, affection, and luminous warmth.  Leo is also associated with the pleasure principle: living with intent, and luxuriating in the fruits of life with unshakable joie de vivre.  The Arts, entertainment, recreation, creative expression and romance all fall under the sign of the Lion.  Creativity in all its forms, including our children, is also Leo terrain.  Leo is radical self-expression, and delights in dramatic displays of personal adornment.  Leo loves to play dress up, and is usually not shy about flaunting their personal style, whatever his or her personal tastes.  This doesn’t mean that every Leo is a fashionista; you’re just as apt to see the characteristic Leo flair for costuming fun at Burning Man as on the catwalk.  It’s all about playing with possibilities.

The New Moon occurs in its own sign – Cancer - at 1:08 am (PDT) on Friday June 27.  Cancer is the archetype of the Great Mother, and shelters within its embrace comfort, sustenance, security, family, empathy, and tradition.  Cancer energy prompts us to explore our roots, unearthing cues and clues to our own emotional nature and psychic foundation.  Where do we come from? What is our inheritance from our family, the lost homeland, the tribe?  The closest aspect to this New Moon is an ethereal Trine to mystical Neptune in Pisces at 4:53 am.  Here we have both the Moon in its own sign, and Neptune in its own sign, underlining the intuitive, romantic, and yes, otherworldly pull of the subjective.  This is a wildly potent and fertile combination of energies; a deep meeting of body, spirit and extra sensory perception.  Whether you are a writer, artist, lover, or magic-maker, this is the current you want to dive into to bathe in divine inspiration.

Cancer is a Cardinal Water sign, meaning that it is a sign that begins a season, and resonates with the emotionally receptive element of Water.  Cancer is the only sign associated with the Moon.  It is changeable, and like the tides, moves in and out of waxing and waning cycles from receptivity and emotional fullness to introspective retreat.  Cancer is a sign of intuition, empathy, and inner knowing. It resonates with ancestral memory, shifting internal currents, and the unfathomable depths of the psyche.  When Cancer is out of balance or acting from its shadow, it can become entangled in subtle emotional undercurrents, arising in deep melancholic un-nameable longings, strange compulsions and inward vision, which has come to be known as infamous Cancerian “moodiness”.

This morning, May 28^th at 11:40 am (PDT) the New Moon in Gemini occurs, hovering for less than a moment in that space between breaths, and begins waxing even before she is visible in the heavens.  Gemini energy encourages us toward radical experimentation and wild imaginings.   We have the urge to get up and go, and explore new ideas, terrains, and paradigms.

Gemini is a mutable air sign, and as such is connected to the realm of the mind.  Gemini is associated with imagination, communication, language, culture, the Internet, and study. Because it is a mutable sign, it bridges one season into the next, and connects ideas, people, and things.