The Flow is a weekly blog published to better understand the flow of astrological, celestial, and magickal energies for the week, and how best to use them. It is intended for those with little knowledge of astrology. For newcomers, the idea is to start with the slowest moving forces, as they are the most foundational, and work up to the swiftest, as they are the most fleeting. If any of the material is unfamiliar to you, it is probably unfamiliar to others as well, please leave a comment so that any questions might be answered.
The Flow! is updated every Sunday.
Please note: all times are in the Pacific Daylight Timezone.
Synopsis:
We enter November with more subtle energies at play. Saturn is taking root in Libra. Mars energizes life in Leo. We have the Full Moon of Taurus. Mercury comes around to meet the Sun and Neptune goes direct. But none of these events are momentous in and of themselves, and of them all, perhaps the most important of all is Neptune going direct in Aquarius, because Neptune deals with our perceptions of our own lives and the progress of our long term plans. All of that added together is a slightly easier week than last week, and a week that might contain an opportunity or two if you slow down, relax a bit, and take in the scenery.
Full Moon of Taurus:
The Full Moon of Taurus, the Hunter Moon, occurs on Monday, November 2nd, at 11:12am. It is perhaps the most powerful full moon of the entire year, because the moon simply adores being in Taurus. The monthly cycle of the moon from New to Full and back to New again represents an important indication of the ebb and flow of energy surrounding us on Earth. Many religious traditions base their holidays, celebrations, and other important events on the phases of the Moon because it has such a strong impact on us, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
This Full Moon is particularly important because of the strength the Moon derives from being in Taurus. The Moon is nurturing, emotional, sensitive, and reflective. Of all the people in your life, the Moon is probably most representative of the woman who means or meant the most to you. The person who loved you right or wrong, left or right, who you felt you could rely on to take care of you come hell or high water, and who often revealed an inner bond with you that made life richer and more meaningful. The Moon also acts as the reflection of our own inner divinity and because of this connection often reveals to us that which we most need.
Taurus is practical, solid, earthy, rich, and materially luxurious. Taurus digs roots deep in the ground and is not uprooted without a fight. They are quick to defend their own territory, and can be insistent (read stubborn) when they think they are right. They are loving and kind and will quickly give you the shirt off their back, but they also know exactly what that shirt is worth. They are artistic, and love beauty and harmony and for the sake of harmony will often walk away or keep silent. They excel in the garden or on the farm, and know how to take care of growing things of all kinds.
Together they are a perfect match. They can be grandma baking chocolate cookies in the kitchen of the family farm, or of mom insisting that you be given the opportunity to go to that special after-school activity you wanted, or who took care of you when you were very sick. Or it could a woman outside the family circle who had a profound impact on your life as teacher, provider, or caretaker who peeled away the inner secrets of life and made it so much more worth living.
And when the Full Moon is here, the energies are particularly potent because they give the feminine nurturing power of bringing meaning to life with the solidity and practicality of Taurus. At this full moon we are more able than others to tap into the energies that will help fulfill our inner needs, and to make us more whole. At this full moon we can more easily bring to mind our plans for the future, and how we would like them to play out. At this full moon we feel as if we have the power to make our dreams come true, and if we are willing to take active, positive steps in the direction our dreams take us, they will lead us into the situations in which they can take root and be nurtured to fruition.
May this Full Moon of Taurus help you realize your most cherished dreams!
Wednesday November 4th, at 10:10am goes Neptune Direct
Neptune is the eighth planet from the Sun and fourth largest planet in the solar system. Named for the Roman god of the sea, seen through a telescope, it looks as if Neptune is covered in an icy blue sea. But it is not an ocean that covers Neptune, but an atmosphere of hydrogen, helium and methane. As is typical of Neptune, what you see is not what you get.
Neptune is 30 times further from the Sun than the Earth, and takes 164.79 of our years to make one revolution around the sun, or one Neptunian year. It spends just under 14 years in each sign.
If Saturn is structure, Neptune is the opposite and it is easier to say what Neptune is not than it is to say what it is. Neptune is not a destroyer – a job more usually handled by Pluto, and Neptune is not an agent of change – a task usually undertaken by Uranus. But like the sea, Neptune’s energies ebb and flow with a rhythm of their own, and they slowly erode and scatter the structures of our life.
Peel away structure and what do you get? To some, you get the most fundamental essence of life – life at the atomic, or subatomic level. To others, you get spirit and divinity at work. At to still others, you get magick and the paranormal. And as Neptune’s waves beat upon the shore, they carve “but they are all the same” in the sand.
Fathom Neptune’s deeps and you wind up on a journey down the rabbit hole. Neptune plays by its own rules, makes its own demands, and writes its own script. And like the fussy screenwriter, may change your lines during filming.
Because of this, Neptune can often appear confusing, doubtful, deceitful, and deceptive. It rules over oceans, drugs, anesthetics, and the paranormal.
But sip deep of Neptune’s waters, and the fogs disperse in a wave of sparkling jewels of dew and reveal the hidden realms of reality. Here, Neptune does not deceive but inspire. Here, Neptune opens the floodgates of creativity for art of all kinds. Here, Neptune touches the spirit with messages so pristine and meaningful that they ring our souls as if they were bells.
And Neptune is no rinky-dink operation. Its movements are slow and methodical. They ebb. They flow. They embody the very essence of the movement of the oceans, the very movement of the waves of energy of the universe, the very nature of the movement of The Flow. They are, then, long-term energies, and Neptune’s position in relation to you can reveal much about your direction and what requires your attention to manage some very important long-term projects on your plate.
One final word about our Planet of the Month: Neptune’s ability to speak English is limited. Its preferred language is in symbols and synchronicity (things happening at the same time.) If you want to surf Neptune’s waves without wiping out, you need to watch your environment carefully and take note of what the universe is trying to tell you. It rarely bothers to play the same tune twice.
So what does this mean for you?
Most astrology columns gear their advice toward one’s sun sign. Last month, I initiated the “flowcator,” a tool that you can use to find your place in the astrological flow, regardless of where certain planets happen to be.
The best way to use this is to think of your self in the various spheres in which you function. You may be hot as a rocket at work, but more manageable at home among family. In each of our realms, we are often different, depending on the realm in which we are operating. Since we all have different ways of being in the different parts of our life, we can better assess how the astrological energies are going to affect us by knowing where we stand in relation to them.
Are you:
A) Incredibly active, always busy, starting lots of projects whether you finish them or not? Always the one who’s coming up with ideas about what to do and where to go? Have definite ideas about what you want, but not necessarily fixated about how you go about achieving your goals? When push comes to shove, you enjoy grasping the reigns of leadership. You are CARDINAL.
B) Totally fixed. Stubborn to the max, you can be relied on come hell or high water to hold your ground and fight for what you believe is right regardless of the consequences. You are the rock of Gibraltar when it comes to this part of your life, and most of the time people give in to you. You know what you want, you know how you want to get there, and nothing in this universe is going to stop you. You are FIXED.
C) Go with the flow. You’re amenable to almost anything, within limits. You don’t care about particulars much, but enjoy what comes your way. You are most likely a loyal follower of others, and have definite loyalties that mean a great deal to you. Leadership gives you the hives, and stubborn people give you a headache, but hives and headaches are your lot in life, and even though you have definite goals, you are thrilled with the journey. You are MUTABLE.
Got that? Are you also:
1) The firebrand. Wherever you go you bring a bit of light and energy to the proceedings. You may have your opinions about things, and you’re not afraid of sharing them with others. You are constantly on the go and find sluggards obstacles to be pushed out of the way. You have things to do, places to go, and your life is just always busy, busy, busy. You are FIRE.
2) The practical one. Your pace tends to be slower, and find yourself always thinking of the practical considerations of everything that comes your way. Resourceful to the max, like old TV show McGuyver, you can take toothpicks, dental floss and little bit of chewing gum and build a helicopter. You love making do with what you have, and are very, very good with finances. You are EARTH.
3) The thinker. You are always thinking. Always. Your brain never stops, and your head is filled with at least one conversation at all times. Even when you’re sleeping, you dream in Technicolor and in amazing detail. You try to understand the basic principles of things, and love creating rules. You have rules for where to put the milk in the refrigerator, and where to put the keys when you get home. Your life can be so full of rules you need a yardstick to find freedom and spontaneity. Yet you are also a wizard figuring things out and following instructions. Gadgets, computers, and communication devices are your toys, and you take pride at expressing yourself and the world around you well. You are AIR.
4) The feeler. You are an emotional sponge. Wherever you go, you pick up on the feelings of others. When someone needs a shoulder to cry on, it is your shoulder they leave wet. People are the only part of life that truly matter to you, and the currency of your reward is the respect with which others treat you. You are sympathetic and empathetic to a tee, so that when someone you love gets a stomach ache, it is your stomach that hurts. You are WATER.
Cardinal and Fire = Aries
Cardinal and Earth = Capricorn
Cardinal and Air = Libra
Cardinal and Water = Cancer
Fixed and Fire = Leo
Fixed and Earth = Taurus
Fixed and Air = Aquarius
Fixed and Water = Scorpio
Mutable and Fire = Sagittarius
Mutable and Earth = Virgo
Mutable and Air = Gemini
Mutable and Water = Pisces
Read the following from the chart above. You may also use your sun, moon, or ascending sign for the following if you know it.
ARIES: As Neptune moves forward, look to your communities for support. Your friends and those you share things with in common are the ones who will be most important to achieving your long-term plans. Some of the events that will happen to you will seem unexpected and unusual, but they will also help guide you to be in the right place at the right time. You folks have a VERY important contribution to make in your lives, and some of you are very much involved in making them real. Others of you are still waiting for a green light. The light is changing to GREEN. Look before you leap, but if there is one piece of advice for you to follow at this time, it would be for you to identify what it is that is special that you contribute to others, and how you can best manage that within the communities in which you live.
TAURUS: Neptune is activating the career part of your life. There have been many changes in your career path lately, and few of them have felt helpful. It almost feels as if the solidity and security on which you depended has eroded, and you are left confronting a situation in which your career path seems muddied, hindered, or blocked. This should change as Neptune moves forward through 2010. You should begin to sense that new opportunities are headed your way by the middle of December, and by the time late February comes around you should feel much more secure in your work environment. You need to make it happen, but the opportunities are there if you are willing to look in the right places. And there’s the rub. You may have to look in some unusual spots or try an unusual path in order to achieve the stability you crave. So pay attention to what Neptune here is trying to tell you. And its ability to speak English is limited. Its preferred language is symbols and synchronicity (things happening at the same time.)
GEMINI: Particularly lately, you folks might have felt as if you’ve been through the ringer. Tossed and thrown about by the vicissitudes of life, you feel as if the gods have been taking delight in challenging you where it hurts most. At times feeling as if you’re at a loss of what to do, all you have had to go by has been faith and the grit of your fingertips. You will find that over the next few months, you can relax your grip and begin to make sense of the problems you have had to face. And that is the most important task you face, making SENSE of your challenges, not making them out to be obstacles or mountainous difficulties. Some things you have been able to change and others you have not. But that does not mean that they NEVER will change, and you may find that understanding the nature of your challenges can give you new insights into how to surmount them.
CANCER: Do you feel as if you are stuck in a classroom taking a test, but you don’t understand the questions, and aren’t even sure what the subject is? Have you been feeling as if life is just a series of tests, examinations and lessons? Are you tired of feeling as if your character is constantly being tested? The purpose of your classroom nightmares is that in about a year or so, you will graduate from student to teacher. It may be a child, co-worker, friend, or other person who enters your life who will need your mentoring and guidance. But you are now building your curriculum, so remember what you learn so that you can help others with the benefit of your experience.
LEO: Do you feel as if everyone in your life has gone loco? Does no one in the universe make sense to you anymore? Are the only people you can rely on are me, my Self, and I? For the past few years, your relationships have gone through some significant transformations. You have helped others in your life towards a greater sense of harmony and balance, but still may feel as if the progress in your relationships is tenuous. You are in the process of understanding what is important to you in other people, and even more significantly how you need to be in your relationships with others. This may entail being more compromising, but it may also mean standing your ground, creating boundaries, and speaking your piece. Every relationship is different, but sometimes speaking your piece at the right moment, can be the carrier of peace.
VIRGO: Do you feel as if you have been bounding between the fat and the fire over the past few years? Have you been watching the Food Network looking for the Magic Spatula to bring you relief? You have been through situations and tribulations that would make other signs pale and head for the hills. You are in the process of understanding what your life is all about in some important ways, and while you may not have “life, the universe, and everything” figured out, you are developing a better understanding what your life means to you. By the time Neptune leaves Aquarius in April of 2011, you may have struggled to get there, but will agree that it was well worth the journey.
LIBRA: You have been doing a lot of letting go lately — not that you haven’t also been doing some receiving as well. In fact, the enlightened of you may have realized that the more you let go, the more you get back in return. You have been working on matters that are truly important for your happiness, and understanding getting a better sense of what they really mean to you. You have been getting glimpses of what your life might be like if you travelled a slightly different path. This is a great gift of Neptune’s, and if you like what you see, grab that brass ring and ride it all the way to the end of the ride. These are golden opportunities, and Neptune is trying to show you the way.
SCORPIO: Have you been spending much of your free time and resources on your home? Have you been devoting yourself to a house, piece of property, or apartment that has, frankly, not been returning the love? Your innermost Self is going through a transformation in which your needs, means of expression and perhaps very sense of who you are, are changing. Redecorating or remodeling is a great way to reaffirm these changes as they reflect in your everyday environment the progress you have made with your Self. You may find studying Feng Shui rewarding during this time.
SAGITTARIUS: Isn’t the world a wonderful strange place? Just think of all the amazing places you have been! They are all bits and pieces of the process of self-discovery. Along the way, you have discovered some gems and jewels that you want to keep, treasure, and reveal to the world. Do not fear! Not only will they not be taken from you, but you will be rewarded richly for doing so. To be fair, you have also picked up a bit of dirt, slime, and goo that you need to let go of. Do not fear! You will not miss them a bit. Only you can decide which is which, and what to do with them. Just listen to the whispers of your inner Self, and decide what you think is wise.
CAPRICORN: Neptune’s travels through Aquarius have been no laughing matter for you. For many of you, finances and other physical resources have been coming in and going out with a maddening ebb and flow. Do not despair! The tide is turning, although this time does not turn on a dime. For those of you who experienced difficulties during the summer, your boats are returning to shore laden with opportunity. By early December, look for their masts to be visible over the horizon. Over the holidays, and by the beginning of the year they will reach your shore. When they do, do not delay because they are on a tight schedule. By early June, they must respond to Neptune’s call and take sail to journey to other ports.
AQUARIUS: You have been in the center of the maelstrom that can be Neptune. At times lost, confused, and insecure, you have been pulled in all sorts of different directions at once. Essentially, people have been making all sorts of new demands on you, and some of them have been down-right uncomfortable. So here’s the deal – Neptune is giving you the opportunity to grow and expand in new directions. The times you are most uncomfortable are the times you are at the threshold of the biggest opportunities. Step lightly. These are important times. Take a moment to let it all sink in, or you may rip to shreds a gift of great value.
PISCES: You have been doing a lot of cleaning. Life appears to you as a cosmic mop with an infinitely dirty floor. You have been making peace with loved ones and giving up things in your life that have meaning no longer. You are in the process of clearing the stage of your life for new opportunities and a new way of living when Neptune enters your sign of Pisces in April of 2011. But before the new can arrive, you must review the old. Some of it will be lovingly given places of respect, some like tarnished silver will be polished, and some just need to be tossed. Be patient. A new life, a new way of living is coming and it will be well worth the wait.
On Thursday, November 5th, Mercury conjoins the Sun at 12:02am Pacific Time (November 4th at 9:02pm Eastern)
Many of you are familiar with Mercury Retrograde. (Read the September archive for more information) The conjunction of the Sun and Mercury (when these two planets occupy the same place, and their energies are somewhat combined) is actually the beginning of the cycle. At this time, Mercury “the Geek” is returning to the same place as the Sun King. The Geek is in the service of the King, and they are both in the Kingdom of Scorpio which is like what a country would look like if it were run by the FBI. Scorpio is the realm of secrets, investigations, deep meaningful purposes, profound emotions, and everyone runs around wearing black suits and Bluetooth devices.
If you have a problem that needs to be resolved, tonight would be an opportune time to ask for information on how to resolve it. Light a candle, take a warm bath, or take a long walk and ask for help to find a solution. Hopefully, the planets will respond with some useful advice, and only you can apply your own wisdom to determine its value to you. Just one bit of advice from me – don’t discount what comes too quickly, you may be surprised what the true nature of the solution to your issue may truly be.
Have a great week!
