Blood Moon, Lunar Eclipse in Aquarius 27th July 2018

It's not just the weather that's heating up. Mars the planet of passion, anger and impatience is going to be conjunct (in close connection) to the Full Moon, Lunar Eclipse in Aquarius this Friday 27th July at 4.44 degrees, 9.20pm London time. It's going to be the strongest Full Lunar Eclipse of the century lasting approximately 1.5 hours. So how may this effect you or people around you? A Lunar Eclipse feels like a triple Full Moon. Normally four days before and four days after a Full Moon this influence is felt stronger (heightened emotions, more tears, increased sensitivity, erratic sleep, strange dreams, more craziness generally) With a Lunar Eclipse, a few weeks before and a few weeks after the influence may still feel strong. Although the following 3 months can be particularly revelatory.

As this Blood Moon/Lunar Eclipse is in air sign Aquarius, a zany, independent, friendly, individual sign, some people may feel more detached with a desire for breaking free. Aquarius is a rebellious sign too, ruled by revolutionary Uranus. However as Mars is conjunct this Full Moon, it may well make some people feel more heated, angry, impulsive, reckless, restless and abrupt. The Full Moon in Aquarius conjunct Mars could cause rapid mood swings, lashing out, sexual frustration/tension or people who just want to rock the boat.

Of course whenever there is a Full Moon it means the Moon is in opposition to the Sun which will be in Leo on 27th. Aquarius is cool and freedom loving whereas Leo can be affectionate, generous and attention seeking. An urge to reinvent oneself/change one's appearance may be strong for some people, I suppose. Saturn's trine to Uranus could help you to remain calm and just being aware of this influence can help you to avoid taking risks and to drive extra carefully as there will be more maniacal behaviour on the roads.

On the plus side a Full Moon and especially Lunar Eclipses can bring huge revelations and facilitate change which can be cleansing and healing with time. This Lunar Eclipse has been described as a volcanic purge. I forgot to say that as Mars is still Retrograde with Mercury Retrograde, it's pointless to expect things to move forward. It's simply harder to get things done, it will take triple the effort. So do what has to be done but try not to get angry when simple tasks are challenged or delayed.

Mars turns direct on 27th August and Mercury turns direct on August 19th but it takes a good few weeks afterwards, for everything to settle. So these Mars/Mercury influences may increase frustrations, impatience and heated behaviour as blocks and delays and being forced to re-do/re visit things occur.

However, being forced to slow down and re assess during this period, especially with any out of the blue revelations or changes that can occur (during Lunar Eclipses) can ultimately be good, when you look back with time. The most important rule of thumb is the next approximate 2.5 months are not a good time to make any big changes or to take any big risks, if possible. If you can wait, do! There's no rush. Wait until the dust settles, so you can see clearly and calmly.

Mercury Retrograde in Virgo 12th August until 5th September 2017

Mercury turns Retrograde in Virgo on 12th August (11 degrees) and turns direct on 5th September in in Leo (28 degrees) so coincides powerfully with the Leo Solar Eclipse on 21st. The effects may start to be felt now, with an intensified pre shadow retrograde influence from 8th-11th August and in intensified post direct influence from 6th to 12th September. By 20th September everything will feel back to normal. Virgo is ruled by Mercury so this Retrograde is likely to be strong and with Mercury in opposition to Neptune, confusion, mistrust, mis communication, fuzzy thinking, mix ups with schedules all heightened. On the plus side re visiting, re writing, re scheduling, re organising are all good as earthy Virgo is practical and likes to sort things out. Getting out old photos, reading old emails, re making or rebuilding could be constructive. Mercury Retrograde is a good time to slow down and reflect, 'pause for thought' effect. Retrogrades increase the chances of machinery, technological or communication breakdowns, mix ups with dates and plans, along with more travel disruption. Time often feels slower and set backs and delays mean it's wise to leave extra time for travel and to be equipped in case you're stuck somewhere i.e water, food, a coat, a good book and even a torch or matches (dull but useful.) Virgo is perfectionist, can be obsessive, analytical and shy, so introversion, focusing on details or obsessively putting things in order are all accentuated. As always but especially with this Mercury Retrograde, think carefully before you speak, re read any posts or emails before hitting that send button and take care with the words you choose as criticisms can hurt and arguments could lead to relationship breakdowns. With the lunar eclipse on 7th August do be aware that any deceptions could come to the surface over the following months, so generally with this Mercury Retrograde, think before you act. All common sense really!

1st Sept 2016 NEW MOON SOLAR ECLIPSE VIRGO

With the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Jupiter and North Node all in Virgo and with yesterday's New Moon, Solar Eclipse, 1st September 2016 at 9 degrees Virgo, it is a strong, positive time to embrace this earth energy to plan what you want to do! A Solar eclipse is when the Moon stands between the Sun and the Earth, cutting off the light to the Sun. Solar Eclipses herald big life news, often new beginnings or endings that will bring about new chapters. Eclipses force changes and help life to move forward. Dates that you will remember for years. If it doesn't impact you directly, then family or friends may experience these major life changes. Generally though New Moon, Solar Eclipses bring about new beginnings and new opportunities whereas Lunar Eclipses are more about emotional changes, revelations or facing the truth. Positive unexpected occurrences that bring about changes often happen as a result of a Solar Eclipse too. Virgo is an intelligent, practical, dexterous, perfectionist energy. The fact Mercury in Virgo is in Retrograde and Mercury rules Virgo, gives us an opportunity to re think and re do things, a second chance. A Solar Eclipse is a much more powerful New Moon and so it's effects and influence can be felt for up to three to six months afterwards. Not everyone will feel the effects of an eclipse strongly unless you have your Sun, Moon or Ascendant in this sign. It also depends in which house (which area of life) this occurs as to how it may manifest. What is not so easy, for everyone is the Saturn (in Sagittarius) square Neptune Retrograde (in Pisces) Saturn is about structure, responsibility, lessons/karma. Neptune is about illusion, mysticism and magic. Sagittarius is about freedom, truth, expansion and Pisces is about imagination and fantasy. Neptune in Pisces is rose coloured, romantic and sensitive. So this square can be felt negatively as fear, paranoia and a struggle between responsibilities and escapism. The harsh reality of life may leave you feeling bereft, disappointed or depressed. “The shattering of illusion is like waking up from a bad dream” Questions about what we believe in and dreams we have that have may have died pave the way for a new path. It's a hard time and there have been several squares between Saturn and Neptune since November 2015 but this final aspect culminates on 10th September. So once this influence settles after 10th, with open eyes we should find we are able to start to move forward and build new foundations or deal with the reality which will be less scary than feared.

Pluto Retrograde April 17th 2016

Pluto will be turning Retrograde in Capricorn on April 17th/18th until September 26th 2016. Retrograde influences regardless of the planet is about reviewing, revisiting and many other 're' associated words. Capricorn earth's energy is a practical, materialistic, ambitious sign. Pluto is linked to the Underworld in mythology and issues that are buried or deep down, so can relate to subjects like psychology, mining, detective work, analysis but also dramatic transformation. Pluto when Retrograde may be felt even more intensely as Pluto rules Scorpio and Scorpio energy is extreme, never wishy washy or mild. What may this all mean for people? Well, these months could be a positive time for looking deep within at what you want to transform. It could be a period akin to the Phoenix rising from the ashes, breakthroughs, positive changes, detoxing or regeneration are possible experiences too. Reform or changes to one's psychological behaviours that may affect one's physical body are possible too, so detoxing could be an option or letting go of addictions or negative behavioural patterns. It is a beneficial time to go deep within our souls to review things especially as Jupiter (an optimistic, spiritual/religious, philosophical planet) has also been Retrograde in earthy, health conscious Virgo since January and will be until 9th May. Jupiter trine Pluto around June 26th is a peak, positive influence for self dedication and a win/win effect. Mars in Sagittarius will be Retrograding too on 17th April until June 29th (entering Scorpio on May 28th, until it returns to Sag on Aug 2nd.) Mars Retrograde may simply be felt as plans being thwarted or it being harder to keep up the drive to succeed. None of these Retrogrades are to be feared though. Mars Ret is a great time for planning and stategizing especially as Mercury will be Retrograde too from 29th April in Taurus (until May 22nd) which I will write about in more detail another day. Mercury Ret in Taurus can bring about slower thinking, delays with money or practical matters and communication may seem more gritty, cumbersome or blocked.

Mercury Retrograde in Libra 17th Sept - 9th October 2015

Mercury Retrograde commences from tomorrow 17th Sept until 9th October. In the air sign of Libra at 15 degrees, this influence accentuates indecisevenss, changing your mind about what you think and re evaulating ideas from the past. Libra is about truth, justice and relationships with others. So close partnerships may be affected. You might find you re think things about past relationships (this doesn't just have to be romantic, it can be platonic or work relationships.) Be aware that Libra energy is idealistic and with my previous post, past memories may be filtered with rose coloured glasses but these thoughts could change again after the end of October onwards. As this astrological influence happens three, sometimes four times a year and it's effects can be 8 weeks at a time, it's something to look at as part of life. Yes, there will be misunderstandings and miscommunications, yes, technology and traffic will have breakdowns and delays. There might just be an bit of an increase with these incidents. Mercury Retrograde makes us more 'right brained' than usual. Perhaps this means that left handed people are less effected as they are inherently orientated to a right brain side way of thinking and operating. Anyway, it can be a good time to slow down and reflect and mull over things. A pause for thought. As always just pay more attention to what you say (as what you think you've said may be different to what was understood) and if you make any agreements or purchases or sign any contracts (make sure the terms and conditions are clear to you and read extra carefully) I still believe it's a good rule of thumb to avoid buying technology or machinery during this period but if you have to, just make sure there is a good returns policy etc...Although Mercury turns direct on 9th Oct, the post shadow phase can still feel like Mercury Retrograde is on. So from 25th October all should feel like it's returned to a normal pace.

18th May - New Moon in Taurus & Mercury Retrograde in Gemini

Today May 18th brings a New Moon in earthy Taurus and Mercury Retrograde in Gemini. The New Moon and the approximate 24 hours can be a good time to set about initiating new intentions or planting new seeds. A beneficial point to look at what we might need or want to acquire and manifest in the physical realm plus what we could do to get what we want, as Taurus is one of the most materialistic and physical signs in the zodiac. Make the most of this Taurus energy too as soon the Sun will no longer be in Taurus but moves into faster paced Gemini. This New Moon in Taurus is opposite Saturn Retrograde in Capricorn so try not to allow ambitions to be thwarted simply because of a lack of self confidence or self believe. Today Mercury Retrogrades until 11th June in Gemini (passing back from 14 degrees Gemini to 4 degrees Gemini.) Pluto and Saturn are still Retrograde too so combined with Gemini Mercury revisiting old schools of thought, reflecting on new ways to communicate and reviewing mental insights are possible in this air sign. Don't be surprised if strange computer or technology blips increase or increased miscommunication occurs during this Merc Ret period. A good time to revisit or think about old matters and possibly play devil's advocate sometimes to revolutionise old concepts. Deciding what you intend to begin during this New Moon while finishing or re visiting or re writing or making adjustments to past projects during this Mercury Retrograde is all positive.

Venus entered sentimental Cancer on May 8th and remains there until June 5th - a sympathetic, romantic yet potentially moody influence. As this Venus is in opposition to Pluto Retrograde in Capricorn from 21st be aware power plays, emotional manipulation or feelings of jealousy, fear or insecurity could be aroused or experienced over a several day period.

June 13th 2014 - Full Moon in Sagittarius

Today's Full Moon is in the fire sign Sagittarius. Many of you may have experienced more heated discussions or arguments in the past few days leading up to today's Full Moon amongst other things like weird dreams, restlessness and impatience. Tomorrow's Mars in opposition to Pluto can increase hostility and tension, so try to chill if someone has an attitude problem. Merc Ret heightens miscommunication at the best of times. This Full Moon is in challenging opposition to Mercury which is Retrograde so rehashing old ideas and arguments about 'same old' stuff may make little progress. Emotions heighten generally at Full Moon time and the effects may be felt for the next few days so just try to unwind, stay calm and perhaps watch a classic film (Mercury Retrograde in Cancer). Venus is in opposition to Saturn so indecision may be experienced too. On the plus side Venus is in a nice angle to the Moon tomorrow so a nice aspect if being sociable.