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Back to the Middle and Around Again: Pluto Direct

Posted in Astrology, Auspicious Days, Magick, Pluto, Retrogrades, The Temple of Pluto with tags capricorn, cardinal, Pluto, Retrograde, Retrograde Planets on September 24, 2015 by themagickalpen

Pluto Stations Direct
September 25
2:55am (EDT)

Distant planet Pluto stations direct early tomorrow morning moving from its intensity of retrograde that began back in April of this year. Astrologically, this planet of mystery and depth remains in the Earthy and Cardinal sign of Capricorn. Capricorn is known as the “Sea-Goat” which speaks to its energy of navigating both the heights and depths of experience with sure-footedness and a very grounded demeanor. At times, this grounded predisposition leads to inactivity as just the precise placement of action is sought; a pursuit which is not always readily attained. So, with this caution applied to Pluto, the planet of regeneration, death, crossings and those far away and unknown experiences, you may have felt stuck in the same holding pattern of expression and the replaying of the same life’s lessons.

Astrologically, the planet Pluto rules the sign of Scorpio. Much like the ability of Capricorn’s Sea-Goat to reach deep into the emotional depths and rise to the mental heights, Scorpio is equally at home hidden in the earth(Scorpion), soaring for greater perspective (Eagle) and ascending within the Fires of Rebirth as the Phoenix. In this retrograde, Pluto’s shape-shifting is directed towards what is built as foundation (Capricorn) rather than intent upon reshaping the emotional selves. And, just as the Phoenix is the higher expression of emotion transformed into useable and regenerative desire, the goal of higher form here is one of knowledge of the truly Divine nature of our humanity held within the vessel of human form and experience.

I have always felt Pluto to be the point of return, that holds the patterns of all time. We cross the threshold of death (or release) carrying with us the lessons we have learned from experiencing that life. We enter into the unknown, hoping that we will return born anew and transformed through the gift of regeneration. We circle back, so to speak to what was our past, that has now begun our future as we stand in the present of our making. Pluto offers the gift of being able to simultaneously draw from our past, as we use the present action to weave the future that occurs seconds later.

The energy of this retrograde has been a drilling down deeply into the stores of what and who we are as manifest life forms. Think of drilling deeply into the earth, churning up soil, rock and more. Each layer being displaced in the uprising of this energy as the past story of each layer is revealed in present time. What is excavated dictates the response and reaction that will determine what the future steps will be.

Feeding into this revealing of sorts have been the counterpoints of Uranus (July 26) and Neptune (June 12) also being Retrograde. This gave the impetus of Fire (Uranus in Aries)- Water (Neptune in its Ruling sign of Pisces) and Earth (Pluto in Capricorn) weaving their magick of big and lasting change. Think the liquid flow of lava deep within the Earth’s core. I will be writing more about this over the weekend.

Now,as Pluto begins its cycle of return back to the mid-point of a present and processing state Mercury recently stationed Retrograde. This is the opportunity to slow down, unplug (from technology) and really listen to what your messenger self has to communicate about your experience of Pluto’s renewal. Take the time to carefully and thoughtfully review what contracts have been made during this Pluto retrograde at the level of Spirit and your place in the limitless flow of life, energy and intention brought into manifest form – namely you.

Take your time and assess your best vantage point to reach back to retrieve what of your past (lives) will inform this present form. Then, and only then move forward, each step with the sure-footedness of the (sea)Goat as you scale the mountain of the aspirations of your future being.

A Little Visualization:

Take some time looking at the picture I selected to accompany this post. Imagine the spinning of this top and its perfect point of balance as the cycle and flow of top and bottom move just so within the energy surrounding it. Each tip narrowing down(or up) to a thin and perfectly shaped point. If in perfect alignment it does not matter which end you begin the motion from, there are equal in their support of the center mass. This central point the place of flattening and leveling out providing enough circular surface to neither under or over tip. The top spins and simultaneously and seamlessly the energy of the top and bottom points spirals inward meeting centrally and providing the correct amount of tension for the center to spin, cutting through and creating its own vibration of energy rippling outwards, moving through time and space.

Now envision yourself as this top. The points of balance on either end, interchangeable and recyclable as past and future. Both points drawing inward to support the mass of your present experience. All simultaneously moving as one, yet distinctly apart. All shaping and reforming the energy that surrounds and is within you.

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But, I Thought You Were My Friend? Venus Stations Direct

Posted in Astrology, Auspicious Days, The Temple of Venus, Venus on September 6, 2015 by themagickalpen

Venus in Leo
Stations Direct
4:29am (EDT)

In the early hours of this morning, Venus, the planet of relationships and refinement, moved from its retrograde pattern and began its movement forward once again. The retrograde began July 25th and the dynamic of its focused intention caused a deeper than usual scrutiny of our relationships at all levels of interaction.

Venus is the ruling planet of Taurus and Libra which in and of itself gives insight to the way in which Venusian energy flows and changes its quality. Astrological Taurus is typified by its solid anchoring (Earth sign), stability of purpose (Fixed) and immoveable determination to secure anything it acquires. There is a deep emotional connection to those manifest things it assumes responsibility for and so deep attachment is fostered in guarding and standing ground in maintaining a safe and secure environment for those things or people.

Libra’s approach is also one of safeguarding, but because of the mental (Air sign) nature of this sign, it naturally seeks to refine and harmonize those relationships and attachments. It mentally takes inventory of all that is of beauty and quality and all that is lackluster in appearance and form and then weighs and deliberates how it will interact and forge a relationship with each aspect. In considering both of these approaches that Venus presents, it is no wonder that she is enigmatic and selective in who and what she offers her time, attention and gifts of engagement towards.

Venus began her retrograde in the very beginning degrees of the astrological sign of Virgo, sorter and analyzer extraordinaire. The focus on relationships took on the mantle of dissection and calculation; the first steps towards breaking down who and what were worthy of your time, affection and attention. As Venus transited into the later degrees of astrological Leo (Fixed Fire and electromagnetic attraction), this attention to the relationships, loves and beauty that was until then acceptable in your life was brought fully into Leo’s spotlight. Some of what was revealed in this light was the truth surrounding who you have attracted into your life that no longer meets the tests of greater discernment.

And, because this action was taking place when Leo was at its strongest and most developed degrees of energy, the wisdom and ability to release the illusion of old loves raised the intensity of your desire for change and perhaps, even higher standards around those who would receive the beauty of your affection.

The release of this intensity of Venus’ call to acknowledge and realize your own power to choose wisely and fully embrace those who will share your love and gifts of relationship and interaction may have caused you to second guess those in your life. Powerful change has been at play and you now have a different sensibility about what love and friendship, relationship and harmony, balance in all things and the freedom to choose your companions mean to you. How others will react to this change is of no matter and those who try to manipulate you into unhealthy relationships will have to go.

Venus is very good at allowing us to deceive ourselves by the glamour of what we idealize as beauty and love. She is also very good at showing us the truth of our own beauty and the value of ourselves, first in the manner in which we love ourselves and then as the organic flow of that love towards others. Being open to these lessons and heeding her wisdom in all of our affairs will dramatically lesson the times we will be called to say- “But, I thought you were my friend!”.

Read More about Venus:

Retrogrades:
Stop, in the Name of Love!

The Temple of Venus (Asstd Posts)
Learning to Love

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My Beloved! The Full Moon in Pisces

Posted in Astrology, Esbat, Full Moon, Lunar, Magick, Mercury, Neptune, Waxing Moon on August 29, 2015 by themagickalpen

August 29.2015

Full Moon in Pisces
2:35 p.m.

Sun in Virgo

Step softly into my arms
Feel the feathery brush of my kiss
For you are my Beloved
And I tremble within your embrace.

Our hearts beat strongly as one
Our bodies no longer defined and
I rest in the sweet breath of your exhale
Gazing back into your loving face.

Our union in rapture complete
Soul’s yearning finally at peace
The Illuminated One my beloved
Mirror of SELF in Divinity released.

The Moon waxed Full just a few hours ago and the atmosphere is filled with a quiet and gentleness that has not been so for some time now. It is a momentarily reprieve from some very dynamic and charged astrological energy and much like the solace found in the arms of a loved one after the battering of the world; this is a time to renew and languish in the healing waters. Mother Moon is in the astrological sign of Pisces, the mistress of compassion and healing; and although She squared off with Saturn in Scorpio early this morning, the tension between the two is offset by Retrograde Neptune also in Pisces, the astrological sign it Rules.

Water is everywhere, Pisces and Scorpio- the Moon and Neptune – and Saturn has a part to play in the order it is striving towards much like the Mother that accepts nothing but the best for her beloved and will stop time itself to provide what is needed. The intuitive heart of Scorpio (Saturn) guides this process but what it reveals may not be what you feel is needed. Put aside fear of reaching into those dark waters and remember that change and ultimately transformation are the same components needed to heal a wound or repair a heart that has been broken.

There is a great depth to felt with this Full Moon; Neptune supporting that deeper reach into waters that are filled with unseen potential, but carry the gift of bioluminescence to protect and to light the way. Saturn in Scorpio provides the Gate to probe into those deeper mysteries of our emotions and intuitively seek what is needed to bring structure to a compassion that flows freely and strongly (Pisces) often without regard to its own nurturing. This is the tension of a conflict (square) that is balanced by foundational sides that are not so dissimilar in nature; each having a valid point and perspective in a tug of war between giving too much and holding back.

We can call upon the aid of clarity from the Sun in Virgo. Here we will find the balance of will and strength that has practiced long the work of analyzing, sorting and finding the best that can be had towards productive result. Here we have informed (Virgo being ruled by Mercury, the master communicator) Will that stimulates this flow of waters that rise high and reach deeply. Compassion, for self and others, loosened the hardest of hearts. Deep and abiding love for self and others, unblocks any challenge that wish to pull us away from a path of understanding. And, a heart that knows what lay on the surface as well as what remains in the abyss below can bring resolution to what prevents us from seeing the truth of the world.

Tonight I will hold my beloved
Tonight I will honor my ability to feel deeply and strongly
Tonight I will allow the hand of the Divine to guide me
Tonight I will breathe deeply into the gentle light of my compassionate self

Tonight I will hold my beloved
And the illusions of the world will fall away

Lions and War and Love! Oh, My!

Posted in Astrology, New Moon, Retrogrades, Venus on August 13, 2015 by themagickalpen

August 14.2015

New Moon in Leo
10:53am (EDT)

Sun in Leo
Venus Retrograde in Leo
Mars in Leo

The Lion roars and all know that raw power is soon to be exerted. Tomorrow mid-morning Lady Moon calls to Father Sun in her garb as maiden. She heralds new beginnings that are infused by passion (Venus) and aggression (Mars). Four celestial bodies are clothed in the regal Fires of Leo heating up the energetic plains as the Lion stands in authority.

Three of these energies, Sun-Moon and Retrograde Venus are aligned in an astrological aspect of conjunction. A conjunction occurs when two planets are very close to one another (within a 10-degree span) at any given time. This is much like a dialogue that is supportive and sustaining, particularly when the planets energies’ involved are compatible. Imagine an acquaintance leaning in to tell you something they wish to share with only you. In this current dialogue the duos of the Sun (dynamic force) and Venus (relationships and refinement) and the Sun and Moon (as always when a New Moon occurs) are in deep conversation as the polarities of Masculine and Feminine find the place of cohesion.

The New Moon in Leo offers ample opportunity to bring those emotions and passions that flow a little cooler normally, front and center. The catalyzing aspect of Fire are well used in this beginning flow that will ultimately find its fullness of expression as the Moon waxes towards its next phase on the 29th of the month.

Venus stationed retrograde in late July and the focus of its attention has been directed in refining relationships, expressing the beauty and love that can be achieved when that “extra effort” is given. Additionally, this Venus retrograde now resting within the pride of Leo can explore a deeper approach to matters of the heart. This dynamic energy is not limited to romantic pursuits, but flows into all aspects of our life. Wherever we experience the rising of passion for whatever is the object of that excitement a deeper connection and opening to the reciprocity of this flow will occur. This is one of the reasons why addictions can be so insidious and unexpected. What begins as a harmless yearning, has potential to become a driving force that consumes rather than feeds.

Read more about Venus:

The Temple of Venus: Learning to Love

Add to this mix Fiery Mars. Assertion, aggression, challenge and explosive change are all within the directives of this planet’s basic nature. A little extra Fire and action that is driven by fierce will are what is necessary for the Lion (Leo) to sustain all that it considers part of its territory. This is the desire and need of a passionate tryst that ignites the consummate union of lovers whose loving action creates new life in the months that follows.

This is the perfect recipe for any working that needs an extra boost of quickening, that will persevere through every challenge (Mars), engage at the deepest seas of refined relationship (Venus) and flow through the emotional landscape (Moon) held lovingly in the strength (Sun) of a light that guards, protects and releasing the Roar of its own power (Leo).

Lady Moon moves silently
Cloaked in the womb of
Newly birthed form.

Father Sun lights
The way of a heart
That seeks its
Fierce mate.

Passion Stirs
And what was
Unsure and afraid
Of its own desire
And hunger pushes
Forward in pursuit
Of its prey.

Loosening Its Hold-Saturn Stations Direct!

Posted in Astrology, Retrogrades, Saturn on August 1, 2015 by themagickalpen

Saturn Stations Direct

The planetary energy that is the controlling structure of Saturn has begun the process of loosening its grip as it stations direct Aug. 1/2 (10:53pm-Pacific and 1:53am-Eastern). Saturn has imposed its standards of rigid order and opposition to timeliness since March 14th.

Whenever Saturn looms large in the equation, authority rises to the surface; guiding and directing each action that is taken. Think back to being a teenager and Mom and/or Dad put up roadblocks to your most imaginative (and fun) plans of rebellion. Time stood still under this watchful gaze and you strained and stretched to find creative and covert ways around this mature intervention. Much of the straining at the lease that we have seen in others and world events was the stressful energy of Saturn trying to call to order what it perceives as chaotic and unstructured.

The good news is that if you found points of surrender in this rigid atmosphere and allowed the productive work of establishing order to come to the foreground, you have probably grown and matured in all of your perspectives. Now, as Saturn loosens its hold, it’s time for the fledgling to take flight and find appropriate ways of sustaining a state of order that allows for smooth and steady progress towards any goal perceived.

Change is inevitable, but how we adapt and re-order our lives to move in accord with that change is something that takes time, patience and the authority we allow over ourselves to exercise Free Will.

Read more about the Saturn Retrograde:
Time to Clean House

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Destiny Calling, Again! The Blue Moon of July

Posted in Astrology, Auspicious Days, Full Moon, Neptune, Pluto, Retrogrades, Saturn, The Temple of Pluto, The Temple of Venus, Uranus with tags #templeofcosmicspheres, aquarius, astrology, Blue MOon, cancer, earth, Full moon, Retrograde Planets on July 30, 2015 by themagickalpen

Full Moon in Aquarius (Blue Moon)
July 31.2015
6:43am (EDT)

Sun in Leo

The Blue Moon of July waxes full tomorrow morning at 6:43a.m. This is the second full moon to occur this month. The first punctuating the first day of July and this one underscoring the last. And, these two full moons were held in Father Sun’s mantles of polarity calling forth the power of Nurture (Sun in Cancer) and Nature (Sun in Leo).

The Full Moon of July 1 set the stage for healing at both the emotional and the levels of will. The foundations and earthiness of Capricorn provided the structure for those lunar waters to flow strongly and productively. Father Sun gently warmed those Cancerian waters to bolster, strengthen and nurture what lay within and provide just enough electromagnetic stream to attract what would serve.

Curtain up and lights full blaze as this Full Moon steps into the spotlight calling to itself what it requires-what it demands and what it will claim as its own to ensure success. Father Sun now wearing the brilliance of Leo’s power sets the waters of an Aquarian Full Moon ablaze as the emotional landscape opens itself to uncharted streams and rivers that lead out to a sea of new vision. The will to survive and to create is fueled by the desire to know and the instinctual actions taken to sustain.

This Full Moon offers a date with destiny as solar will attracts to itself the tools and emotional adjustments required to allow the revelation and truth of your power at all levels of your being. We, as a collective whole have been changing and evolving just as surely as the planets and stars have been moving into dialogue and positioning themselves just so in their orbital paths. Individually, the increased dynamics of cosmic energy we have experienced, this year alone, has affected even the most stable and grounded of persons; taking them outside of their comfort zones.

As we embrace the fullness of this moon’s dynamic, remember to reach back into the space of nurturing and honoring oneself that has been established. Then, allow yourself to be open to the experience of seeing beyond the horizon of what you believed yourself to be capable of achieving.

The Fantastic Four (FIVE)

There have been some very interesting events over the past few months that have stirred the underpinnings of life as we know it. Potent Solar flare activity electrified our planet’s energy fields at multiple levels and those sensitive to the solar fires felt the amplification up of neurological function.

And, with the retrograde of Venus last week on the 25th and Uranus the next day, we currently have five planets in “pause”. Saturn will station direct on August 1st., but the Lord of Time’s impact has been felt as boundaries of linear time and the resultant shattering of an outdated structure have re-assembled and reconfigured to maximize our greatest potential for growth.
Read more …..Saturn Retrograde- Time to Clean House

As Saturn loosens its point of focus, four planets will remain in retrograde:

Venus in Capricorn- July 25 through September 6
Venus Retrograde- Stop in the Name of Love!

Pluto in Capricorn April 16 through Sept. 25
Pluto Retrograde- You’ve Been Served!

Neptune in Pisces June 12 through November 18
Neptune Retrograde- Lifting the Veil

Uranus in Aries July 26 through December 25
Uranus Retrograde- Deflecting Light

As we move through the next several months the place of emphasis and potential for reshaping these areas will relate strongly to what we have crafted as our foundations of past effort and the relationships cultivated in our current world of manifestation (Pluto and Venus in Capricorn), boundaries of compassionate and healing flow (Neptune in its natural ruler of Pisces) and stimulating enough disruption to the status quo to create the fires of will that are undaunted by challenge (Uranus in Aries).

Being mindful that these dynamics are at play and spurring us on towards healing our past and accepting accountability for our future will add the component of intention to each challenge we face. Intention that knows when to surrender to our Higher Will and nurture all that is the best and the worst in us. And, intention that realizes the need to act and follow our natural and instinctual drives that make us uniquely human and connected to all of life on this planet.

Time to Simply Be…

In the fullness of this Moon of Aquarius. I will simply “Be”
I will not script out a ritual or working. I will simply “Be”
I will allow the energy of the day to move through me. I will simply “Be”
I will sit in the evening’s light looking up to the fullness of my Lady. I will simply “Be”

And, in this space of quiet, surrender and communion
I will simply “Become”

Join me in the Temple of Uranus
Beginning August 2015

Speak! Speak Not!-New Moon in Gemini and Retrograde

Posted in Astrology, Auspicious Days, Esbat, Gemini, Mercury, New Moon, Retrogrades, The Temple of Mercury, The Temple of the Sun, Waxing Moon on May 18, 2015 by themagickalpen

May 18.2015

New Moon in Gemini
12:13am

Mercury Retrograde
May 18 @ 9:50pm – June 11

Speak!
The Moon waxed New in the early hours of the morning in the astrological sign of Gemini. Gemini is the sign of mind and communication. So, this New Moon brings with it the opportunity to re-craft how we communicate and more importantly build in a waxing effort the creative expression of that communication. As the New Moon also announces the soon to be transition of Sun into the same sign, beginnings and fresh starts are additionally enhanced when the Sun spends a complete solar cycle in that sign’s energy giving it the strengthening and support that began as the gentle flow of Mother Moon’s caress.

In this cycle, the Moon arrives at Gemini prior to the Sun moving into place. This means that Father Sun is in its last burst of the fertile and firmly anchored Taurean energy before it transits into its astrological Temple of Gemini on Thursday, May 1st. This energy lights the way for a more structured and manifest foundation and forging the connection between heaven’s ebb and flow and earth’s cradle of solidarity.

Gemini is ruled by the planet Mercury and the deft hand and agility in moving from one expression to the other typically opens the way for interactions and the sharing of thoughts, ideas and creative efforts is in peak form. The day’s energy began that way, but the Mercury Retrograde that will take hold tonight will slow things down and make clarity a bit more tenuous to achieve.

The general feeling for this Moon and the next few weeks ahead will be one something like the conversation that occurs when bits of information randomly slip out and the speaker catches themselves quickly and abruptly shutting up so as not to spill more details that should remain in unsaid. This is largely because of the Mercury Retrograde that tends to slow down the normally rapid processing of Gemini’s style of communication and it is this slowing down that is the caution of communications being misunderstood and left to shoddy translation.

Speak Not!
Mercury Retrograde

Astrologically, when a planet changes direction in its normal path of progression through the zodiac, this is called a “station”. The planet’s progress slows down in is orbit until it appears to pause in its motion giving the appearance of moving backwards. The Retrograde Station occurs when the planet begins this slowing down and seeming movement backwards. The Direct Station occurs when the forward motion of the planet begins again.

Whatever astrological sign the planet retrogrades in gives added emphasis and more intensity to how the planet expresses its own energy now given a full and prolonged dose of the sign’s own specificities. These highly potent effects can be building or waning (depending on which end of the station you find yourself) for days prior or after. Much like, the concentrated effort needed in slowing down to come to a traffic light, pausing, and then having to carefully and incrementally apply enough gas to reach your top speed again.

Mercury remains retrograde through June 11th. which is approx. half of the Solar cycle of Gemini. The usual ability to strengthen and give more clarity to communication in all of its styles will be dimmed a bit by the focus on reiteration and further digesting of what has already been said and done. And, although many bemoan the dreaded Mercury Retrograde, this can be a truly rewarding time to give more attention to what is being presented to you.

We live in a highly active society where barely a second can pass before that text is answered and another is on its way. We are bombarded with video and audio stimuli continually and even in the quiet of our rest at night, if there is reliance on the cell phone for a waking alarm, the subtle waves of technology are communicating with sleep cycles and more. With these statements being made, I will also suggest that a mercury Retrograde is exactly the hiatus much needed to re-tune us to a place of greater observation and deeper connection simply by listening more intently to what is being said, communicated or otherwise expressed.

So, as we enter this ebb and flow of waxing moon kicking us off in the direction of “speak not-unless it be profoundly filled with attention and presence in the moment” I will honor this New Moon as one that allows me to breathe into my communications in preparation for the lessons to be learned in the space of silence created y Mercury’s pause.

Other Readings:

Temple of Mercury
Temple of the Sun: Gemini

You’ve Been Served! Pluto Retrograde

Posted in Astrology, Auspicious Days, Retrogrades, Saturn, The Temple of Pluto on April 16, 2015 by themagickalpen

EnergyBall2

April 16.2015

Pluto Retrograde
11:51 p.m. (EDT)

Under the cover of a night sky and just prior to crossing the threshhold into a new day, Pluto will station retrograde this evening. It remains retrograde through the waxing of solar light and heat and begins its path forward once again in late September, just as the First Harvest begins.

Pluto’s planetary energy holds the potency of reaching deep into past experience, just beyond what is the normal level of introspection and rooted in what has first hand knowledge of death. Mythologically, Pluto is Lord of the Underworld and allows nothing to escape his intense scrutiny. Pluto was known more commonly as Hades and, as the son of Saturn, God of time and structure, learned the measure of time and order as the ultimate place of judgement at the end of life. Pluto stood in good company, his brothers being Jupiter and Neptune; one of expansive force and the other having control over the seas. Pluto took his place as final judge of the dead when the ebb and flow of breath and the waters of life were no longer part of a living being. In much the same way, Pluto stands as the final determiner as we evolve from what we believe of this world and pass into those territories lesser known.

Pluto begins its Retrograde at the mid-point degree (15’33) of the astrological sign of Capricorn. Capricorn is an Earth sign of the Cardinal (first stirrings) modality and as irony would have it, Capricorn’s ruling planet is Saturn. Here we have Pluto wearing the garb of his Father, Saturn, so that structure and order that is typical of Capricorn will be the underpinnings of Pluto’s energy. That statement has even greater depth of meaning given that Saturn is currently Retrograde (March 15th) and in its earliest degrees of astrological Sagittarius. Here we have Saturnian energy fired up and ready to send out its streams of light, always with goal of forging connections. Retrograde Saturn as the dutiful parent is adding his catalytic energies to that of Pluto’s making ready those who will pass through his Gates.

The retrograde stationing of a planet allows for that planet’s energy to be focused fully and directed in such a way that is similar to be under the spotlight of that energy for the duration of the retrograde. The work begins as an in-drawing of breath and energy, distributes itself wherever provocation will provide reaction and then allows the final products to be exhaled forward and out to what becomes the outward expression of what has been changed. Change will always occur, and as they say, you can go kicking and screaming in resistance or surrender to the process and learn from the ride, no matter how bumpy in spots.

Pluto is calling forth the darkness of our underworld and what we thought we had escaped laying them to rest as old and dead issues. Reaching int the darkness of Pluto’s energy also means we are moving into the coldest and furtherest reach we can, with very little concrete information to go on; it largely being an excursion into those “forgotten” realms. I say “forgotten” because we have access to the full breadth of our timeline and its experiences, but have forgotten how to extricate ourselves from the concept of linear time.

Pluto is the ruling planet of Scorpio, and although it is not in the sign of Scorpio the afterglow of its companionship still remains. These are the subtleties of expression, much like those that we acquire the more time we spend with friends and loved ones. Mannerisms, traits and at times more, shimmer through our own individual nature. Scorpio is intense and prone to addictive behavior if not balanced and stabilized. It is also the penultimate sign of change and literal transmutation when accessed in its higher expression. Much like the experience of Death itself that is only the leaving behind of what is known and the passing into a new transmuted form of expression. Sounds like Pluto, huh! This Plutonian gift can be either an echo or a guiding force that navigates the Retrograde from depths (Capricorn’s Sea Goat again) unfathomable to heights unimaginable.

You’ve Been Served!

This Pluto Retrograde is a space where all the joys and garbage of our lifetimes is going to come back full cycle for re-addressing and the calling of ourselves to stand in the place of judge and jury as to what may finally find peace and gain admittance into our own underworld. These will come suddenly and seemingly out of the blue and knowing precisely where you have left yourself most vulnerable.

When you begin opening to these planetary energies, it’s really interesting to note how you can sense the changes coming on a few days (or at times weeks) prior. The air has been thicker as of late and several people I have interacted with have been increasingly dredging up old issues spanning the gamut of emotions and thoughts. This is one of the Capricornian effects. The Sea Goat who is equally at home in the waters (emotions) and the heights of the this air of the mountain tops(mind).

This retrograde will be one of earth experience and hit home at the level of the physical and all that is part of your own secure little world. Issues of health with the recurrence or flair up of what has lain quiet are potentially things that will need to be dealt with and the replacing of old habits that are not in support of longevity and health could use the analysis and rigors of Pluto’s intense focus. Do not be surprised if you feel more weary than usual. It’s a long way out to reaching Pluto and what is occurring at the subtle levels of your being is that long stretching of everything you have as the foundations and reserve of your lifetime (s) not ricocheting back at you. This takes great effort and fortitude with much of this exertion transparent in the space of your conscious awareness.

Pluto’s first stirrings are at the unconscious level and with enough prodding they are brought into the subconscious, often as dreams. Be aware of your dreams during this period. These will give glue to what is being jostled free from those furtherest recesses. The choice then lay within you as to how much further into your waking self you allow them to rise.

There is much to be learned in the dark and the opportunity to cultivate new ways of seeing and navigating. Take this experience of Pluto’s “unknown factor” and use it as an opportunity to reinvent ourself. Use the Capricornian energy to manifest in your present life a resiliency and sure-footedness that keeps you strong and stable on the path of your life’s choosing. Nurture yourself as the son/daughter of a demanding Father (Saturn as the Lord of Time) and call forth the experience of the Primordial Mother that births the universe (Saturn and its Qabalistic relationship to the sphere of Binah, the Great Mother). As Pluto is king of the land of Death, he is also the psychopomp and mid-wife to the new life that will lay in wait to be eventually birthed from that Death in the never ending cycle of time.

Read more about Capricorn here: The Temple of the Sun-Capricorn
Read more about Scorpio here: The Temple of the Sun-Scorpio
Read more about Saturn Retrograde here: Time to Clean House-Saturn Retrograde

Full Moon in Libra- Weighing In

Posted in Astrology, Auspicious Days, Full Moon on April 3, 2015 by themagickalpen

April 4 .2015

Full Moon in Libra
8:05a.m. (EDT)

Sun in Aries

Total Lunar Eclipse
5:01 am (EDT)

I see the many
Truths of my being
As time weighs and
Measures their value.

I stand strongly in
The light of their power
And hold this strength
Within the core of my
Manifest form.

I move with the tides
Of ebb and flow that
Is held within a mind
That seeks balance.

The fires rise from
The great depths of
Healing and what is
Birthed from these
Waters if quickening
Is Beauty in all of
Its forms.

The Moon waxes full in the astrological sign of Libra tomorrow morning at 8:05am(EDT). Libra is a sign of balance and harmony through refinement.It is also a sign of Air or Mind/Intellect and a Cardinal Modality which give emphasis to the catalytic nature of mind and thought. The energy of this Moon is one of realizing our power over mind and the ability to harness the natural flow of mind to be productive in its creative efforts in restoring inner and outer balance.

This is not the balance of equilateral scales, but the dissonant harmony that occurs when the correct amount of action is exerted leaving enough of a lack in its opposite form that creates something of refinement and beauty of its own accord.

We have the support of Father Sun in these endeavors in its mid-point of Aries fiery energy. The Full Moon occurs when the Sun and Moon are directly opposite the other in astrological sign. The combination here provides Fire (Aries) of the Mind (Libra).

The Lunar Eclipse

Last weekend I taught a workshop entitled Celestial Magick. One of the components was about the energy of the eclipses. When a Lunar Eclipse occurs the Earth finds itself as mid-point between the Sun and the Moon.

I see this as an opportunity to infuse the earthly and manifest realm with the strength of the Sun as it gathers to itself the healing of the Moon. In the action of reciprocity, the manifest realm becomes the place of filter for the Sun’s enlivening and the Moon calls into itself a dynamic potency that has been “flavored” by physicality.

The total Lunar eclipse will begin at 5:01am (EDT). Read more about it here::::

The Total Lunar Eclipse

“In New York City, the moon will be below the horizon at 6:36 a.m. although the partial eclipse from that location would actually end at 9:44 a.m. They only get to see the beginning of the eclipse,” Edelman said.

Those in the Eastern U.S. will likely not have the best viewing conditions anyway due to clouds, but especially in New England, which will be facing stormy weather, AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Mark Paquette said. Elsewhere, Paquette said conditions look average in the mid-Atlantic and the Ohio and Tennessee valleys, with good viewing weather for Florida, the Mississippi Valley and western Great Lakes.

On Oct. 8, one early riser arrived at work early enough to capture the lunar eclipse next to the Corning Tower in Albany, N.Y. (Photo/Matt Pollock‎)

The blood moon moniker is derived from the red color that is cast over the moon from light refracting in Earth’s atmosphere.

“The red portion of sunlight is what makes it through our atmosphere to the other side, bent toward the eclipsed Moon, so that even though the Moon is within Earth’s shadow, the red portion of the Sun’s light can give the Moon this ghostly illumination,” Edelman said, adding that how red an eclipsed Moon gets depends on the characteristics of the atmosphere on that day such as clouds, and temperature. (Accuweather)

Esoteric Implications

This is another way to utilize and contemplate the Lunar Eclipse.

Within the practice of Esoteric astrology the Sun has a tri-fold nature. Its physical energy is that of the fohat, pure electromagnetic dynamics. The spiritual overlay is that if Prana, pure life force energy that sustains and enlivens us. And, at the level of the individual the Sun is the space of awakened consciousness. The potential of what we strive towards as spiritual beings that has been charged by the flow of solar energy in our physical form.

The Moon is the storehouse and keeper of memory and the subconscious space of desires, want and need. This is the space of reconciliation between our physical and mental processes and what it is that our Soul truly desires to make it whole. This is often the deeper disparity between what we feel to be true and what we know to be true. When these are working collaboratively there is no separation between mind and heart as each informs the other.

The Earth is the place of our inner and outer journeys. The outer is one of physical experience and the weight of responsibility held in what that physical experience has as offering. The inner journey is one of recording the lessons of these experiences, the acceptance of the effects of what we cause to be and what visions we infuse to quicken this lifetime. This is the place of service and the yearnings to make whole that service in offering to the Divine.

The experience of these three planets of alignment as the lunar eclipse comes into focus of energy is one of wholeness. It is one of moving into a collaborative state with the physical you, the will-filled you and the you that remains outside of space or time that is reflected in our HIgher Self.

Weighing In

How will you align strength of will(Sun/Aries), body(earth) and healing mind(moon/Libra) at this Full Moon? he eclipse offers the power to infuse body with the Fires of Will and the Healing of Mind and our perceptions. I will call to the fullness of a state of balance that vacillates between will and mind, at times each having more weigh in than the other. I will call to the continued flow of healing and refinement of where that healing exerts more of its weight in response to my need. I will contemplate my place as manifest form in the stream of Father Sun’s Light and the compassionate reserves of Mother Moon. I will become the scales that are flexible and resilient in their receipt and offer freely from what has been accumulated as the treasure of greatest worth- the wholeness of my being….

All Fired Up, Again! – New Moon in Aries

Posted in Astrology, Auspicious Days, Magick on March 19, 2015 by themagickalpen

March 20.2015

New Moon in Aries
5:36 a.m. (EDT)

Sun in Aries
6:45 p.m. (EDT)

Vernal (Spring) Equinox

A Solar Eclipse

Fiery New Beginnings

March 20th is packed to the brim with cosmic opportunity and new life. Not only does the Sun begin its Solar Temple journey anew, but we also have a New Moon, Solar Eclipse and the pause of balance that is the Vernal (Spring) Equinox). Wow!

This new moon occurs during the space of void as the moon has just completed its final outpourings of Pisces and crosses the threshold at 6:28 into the astrological sign of Aries. This is exactly, the out-picturing of that neutrality (void) between the match just hitting the surface of striking with purposeful intent (Pisces) and the motion of creating enough friction to produce a spark of new flame (Aries).

The Moon’s Phases-Back to Some Basics

There are many ways to honor the cycles of lunar phase; some being formal ritual (Esbat) and others being simple meditation or sitting under the light of the Full Moon and breathing in the energy and beauty of its force. For most, the Full Moon is the easiest to connect with given the visual presentation that graces a night sky if weather is clear. The phases of New and Dark Moon are not visible in presentation and connecting to these energies requires a fully open and responsive sense of awareness and being able to feel what cannot be seen yet is potent, viable and present nonetheless.

The New Moon is an excellent time to begin workings that require the energy of the initial flow needed for beginnings. One of the correlates would be the energy of the sunrise or dawn. A new day is a beginning that is packed full with the potential to become whatever you desire most by the time it reaches the fullness of mid-day. So too, the lunar cycle of the New Moon offers the opportunity to harness the energy of expansion towards the fullest expression of what you wish to bring into manifestation at the Full Moon.

The next point of focus is which of the astrological signs the moon phase flows through. Some considerations would be (in this case, Aries):

Keywords and Energy of the Astrological Sign:
Aries= enthusiasm, assertiveness, experimentation and fresh perspective

The Element of the Astrological Sign:
Fire= a call to action, will, transformation and ultimate change

The Modality of the Astrological sign:
Cardinal= the process of Initializing, catalyzing and crafting the beginnings of whatever this modality is applied to

Putting It All Together

Workings for a New Moon Ritual in Aries might include:

A dedication to a new plan of action
Breaking through the barriers that hold you from taking those first steps
Firing up your enthusiasm and asking for a new course of action to be revealed
Adding additional bolster to projects requiring deeper commitment of will and action

Meditations may include:

Sitting openly and receptively to enliven the spiritual will to right action
Calling the child in you to see with new vision and insight
Visioning to seek the place within that burns with the newly quickened fires that require tending and care as they are brought forward into the light of the Full Moon
and the maturing of the Solar Month.

Enter into these workings with the knowledge that you are anchored and strengthened by the outpouring of the Sun acting collaboratively on what you most desire. This is both a blessings and a caution as the combustible nature of sun and sign being in sync must also rely on the soothing, healing and newly warmed (Aries) waters of the Moon. The underlying current that flows through this New Moon is that of the first strike of a match; the crisp intent of the initial spark and the resultant flame that serves to Fire up the Will to become the blaze of new making.

Flame burns brightly
In milky white orb
Of New Moon’s darkness.

Innocence carries the
Lantern of desire’s
New goal and flame
Ebb and flows as
Will follow youth’s course.

One final striking and
The spark takes hold
A tiny flash of hope
That will blaze new trails.

Other Posts to Re-Read:

New Moon in Aries- Fire It Up!
Temple of the Sun- Birth Rite: Aries

The Vernal Equinox

Starlight and brilliance
Of Sun’s solar flare
White and golden red
Woven tapestry of
Jet black Cosmos.

Green and brown
Of fertile land
Blue of sun kissed
Watery basin
Rainbow of color
Spread across
Pattern of cloth
Textured and etched
In crystal and stone.

Blackness of heat
Striation of rock’s core
Gentle bud pushes upward
Stretching towards sun’s
Radiant blessing as
Gaia sheds her skin
And dons Spring’s
Celestial mantle.

We find ourselves now at the time of the Vernal Equinox and the exuberance of the Maiden takes hold. This is the pause of respite when there is equal balance of day and night. This is the point of integration and synthesis of the work and effort offered beginning at the Winter Solstice. The Vernal Equinox holds the product of renewal and the stirrings of the increasing state of awareness illuminated by the potential that is held within the fertile space of manifest form. We find the space of balance within ourselves and seek out the opportunity to shine that light more brightly as it has strengthened and we open to taking in more of the light that surrounds us. We begin the dance of enlivened exchange shifting eagerly between what has been and what will be in anticipation of the lover’s embrace and the sacred union to occur at Beltane….Read more at Womb of Light:

Maiden’s Breath: The Spring Equinox

WitchVox Sabbats:
Gaia’s Mantle: The Greening of the Earth

The Solar Eclipse

Credit: Space Telescope Science Institute

A Solar Eclipse occurs only at the time of a New Moon and when the Moon passes between Sun and Earth, partially or fully blocking the sun’s light. I think of this as a veiling of the Sun’s Light with the Moon’s energies acting like the polarized lenses of glasses. You are aware that the sunlight is strong and intensely bright, but the glare has been filtered and the shading serves to bring out the deepest and richest colors and details that would otherwise be lost in the brilliance of the light. Today’s eclipse is a partial one, so being receptive to where that greater detail ebbs and flows as the Moon moves across the path of the Sun of strengthening can give additional insight that is needed to begin the process of gaining more stable ground.

Credit: MrEclipse.com

New Beginnings

I have always viewed the Solar Eclipse as a time when my emotional bodies (the moon) and intuitive senses are strengthened and illuminated by the Sun’s direct potency. This energy then can be drawn into my physical forma and manifest experience (Earth). With both Sun and Moon in Aries, the opportunity at this time is one of renewal and catalyzing a fresh beginning to action fueled by what I feel the most strongly about. This is further supported by the energy of the Spring Equinox- a space of balance of sunlight and darkness, the potential for harmonious flow between what would ordinarily be the extremes and the promise of fertile growth and flowering of what seeds are planted in these rich deep watery (Moon) beds of body (Earth).

On This Auspicious Day

On this day of new beginnings I will use this energy to tend to the seeds that need planting as a new project is begun. Spring calls to awakening all of the potential towards successful new growth and my physical being will stand in the strength of a catalytic Sun. I will bring my heart’s desires into balance with the physical actions needed to bring to fruition the goal of my working.

I will embrace my working wholly remembering that as Sun, Moon and Earth- Will, Heart and Manifest Form align anything can be accomplished. And, as the Maiden breathes life into the pause of integration of all parts of self, I will carry this energy forwards towards the Fullness of mother moon in Libra as the waxing of my intent flows in the waters of quickening.

So Mote It Be!

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Temple of the Cosmic Spheres

Archive for the Astrology Category

Back to the Middle and Around Again: Pluto Direct

But, I Thought You Were My Friend? Venus Stations Direct

My Beloved! The Full Moon in Pisces

Lions and War and Love! Oh, My!

Loosening Its Hold-Saturn Stations Direct!

Destiny Calling, Again! The Blue Moon of July

Speak! Speak Not!-New Moon in Gemini and Retrograde

You’ve Been Served! Pluto Retrograde

Full Moon in Libra- Weighing In

All Fired Up, Again! – New Moon in Aries

Credit: Space Telescope Science Institute

Credit: MrEclipse.com

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