Thu, 29 Dec 2005 12:47:53 -0800
Subject: New Moon
From: Stephanie Austin, EcoAstrology

Dear Friends,

The last New Moon of 2005 forms on Friday, December 30th at 7:12 PM PST at 9º 32' Capricorn, making this an especially potent time to review the past and prepare for the future. A New Moon in Capricorn invites us to carefully inventory our lives and reaffirm our goals. Ruled by Saturn, the mythic Reaper, Capricorn is the sign most concerned with responsibility and accomplishment. What do we really want, and what will it take to get there? Where do we need more discipline, and where do we need to say no? Where do we need to be our own authority?

This New Moon asks us to remember our real job, not what we do for money, but for Love. We each have a calling, a vocation, a soul mission. If you're not sure what yours is, read I Could Do Anything If I only Knew What It Was by Barbara Sher. Capricorn at the highest level knows it is Spirit incarnate, accepting limitation in order to learn and evolve. We forget so that we can have the experience of finding our way back. Give yourself some quiet time around this New Moon to review 2005. Where were you a year ago? Where would you like to be a year from now?

"The following passage occurs at the end of William Hutchinson Murray's The Scottish Himalayan Expedition (1951):

...This may sound too simple, but is great in consequence. Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, the providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way. I learned a deep respect for one of Goethe's couplets:
Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it!"

Note: The "Goethe couplet" referred to here has never been located with certainty in Goethe's work. It is probably an extremely loose translation.
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Hutchinson_Murray

Namaste,
Stephanie Austin
www.EcoAstrology.com

Tue, 13 Dec 2005 13:13:15 -0800
Subject: Full Moon
From: Stephanie Austin, EcoAstrology

Dear Friends,

This week is a very powerful time for transformative work; use the tools that help release limited beliefs and strengthen your connection to your higher self. Keep asking to be shown the truth.

The next Full Moon peaks on Thursday, December 15th at 8:15 AM PST at 24º Sagittarius, potentized by its relationship with Pluto and the Galactic Center. One hour after the peak of the Full Moon, the Moon conjuncts Pluto; 12 hours later the Sun conjuncts Pluto. Shift Happens quickly when Pluto is in the spotlight. Defenses are breached. Passions run high. Shadows illuminated. Three days later, on Sunday, December 18th the Sun conjuncts the Galactic Center, a source of intense higher dimensional transmissions. We're poised on yet another evolutionary edge, ready to expand our identity and understanding of reality.

Jupiter in Scorpio is close to squaring Saturn at 11º Leo (exact on Friday, December 16th). A square marks a turning point; this square shows us the assumptions that are holding us back as well as the parameters we need to accept. Jupiter tells us that everything is possible; Saturn reminds us that
everything has its price. Both deal with power--Jupiter, the power of belief, and Saturn, the power of intention.

Venus enters Aquarius at the peak of this Full Moon and is close to Chiron at 1º Aquarius. Their conjunction helps heal our hearts and strengthen our connection with like-minded souls. On December 24th Venus stations retrograde, marking a phase of reorientation. What's worth our time and energy? What needs to be resolved before we can proceed? Friendships, partnerships, and communities are redefined by February 3rd, when Venus turns direct.

New truths come to light around this Full Moon. Notice the sacred cows blocking your path. Use your heart as a Geiger counter. "Truth without love is too hard. Love without truth is too soft." (unknown)

Namaste,
Stephanie Austin
www.EcoAstrology.com

Tue, 29 Nov 2005 10:42:26 -0800
Subject: New Moon
From: Stephanie Austin, EcoAstrology

The next New Moon forms at 10º Sagittarius on December 1st at 7:01 AM PST. The Sagittarian Archer aims for the heavens, for understanding the big picture; the Centaur seeks to reunite Heaven and Earth, man and nature, intellect and instinct. Following Scorpio, Sagittarius strives to rise above the deep waters of the unconscious and realize the meaning of life.

Jupiter, the ruling planet of Sagittarius, is now in Scorpio, exaggerating and enlightening what has been held in the dark. Jupiter is forming a waning semi-square to Pluto in Sagittarius, signaling the closing of a major cycle and way of life. Jupiter and Pluto will be in mutual reception (transiting each other's associated signs) for the next year, instigating a double dose of disenchantment but also liberation from lies and limited perspectives. Both Jupiter in Scorpio and Pluto in Sagittarius offer peace and wholeness, if we're willing to face our shadow and reclaim our power. Mercury is in Scorpio also, exposing new information and new conclusions as he nears the end of his retrograde phase, which began on November 13th and ends on December 3rd.

Mars at 9º Taurus will be opposite Jupiter on December 4th; contradictions intensify and priorities shift as the God of War approaches the close of his ten-week retrograde (exact on December 9th). We've been re-evaluating our bottom lines since Mars stationed retrograde on October 1st. The ongoing
Grand Cross formed by Mars' opposition to Jupiter and square to Saturn in Leo and Neptune in Aquarius compels us to question our most fundamental assumptions of reality. What if peace and abundance were our birthright? What if we all knew we were immortal, infinite Spirit, always safe and supported? What we believe, we experience. By Jove, (the Roman name for Jupiter) knowledge is power, and this Grand Cross pushes us to find the real answers to our problems--our assumptions and beliefs about life and ourselves.

We are trained from birth to see "the way things are"--the borders of reality defined by our parental, cultural, and religious conditioning. We've been intensively programmed; the movie The Matrix vividly illustrates this metaphysical truth. We are being offered "the red pill" or "the blue", the choice to see the truth, or remain in the illusion. "Everyone must decide whether he wants the uncompromising truth or a counterfeit version of truth. Real wisdom consists of recommending the truth to yourself at every
opportunity." --Vernon Howard

Namaste,
Stephanie Austin
www.EcoAstrology.com

Sat, 12 Nov 2005 20:05:22 -0800
Subject: Full Moon
From: Stephanie Austin, EcoAstrology

Dear Friends,

The Ascension, the Great Awakening, the evolutionary journey of humanity continues. This coming week brings several important shifts.

Mercury begins his third and final retrograde period of the year on November 13th at 11º Sagittarius, advising us to question our assumptions, revamp what is not working, and reorganize our priorities. Retrogrades are times to reassess and realign. Mercury, the mythic Messenger of the Gods, turns
direct on December 3rd.

A very powerful full moon peaks on November 15th at 5 PM PST. The Sun at 24º Scorpio shines light on the facts and fears we need to face. The Moon at 24º Taurus illuminates our core values and what we need to uphold. Uranus ends his five-month retrograde phase just as the full moon peaks, catalyzing
revelations and quantum shifts. Uranus, a.k.a. The Awakener, urges us to "think different" and trust our intuition.

November 18th, Mars squares Saturn, frustrating imprudence but rewarding discipline and practicality. Mars at 11º Taurus is part of an ongoing Fixed Grand Cross, opposing Jupiter at 5º Scorpio and squaring Neptune at 14º Aquarius as he receives the reality check energy of Saturn at 11º Leo. Longstanding patterns and priorities shift as we align more closely with our dharma, our divine nature and purpose.

November 22nd, Saturn takes his yearly turn retrograde on at 11º Leo, initiating a four-month review of our commitments and limits, especially in regard to our creativity and personal power. The Reaper will be
retrograde until April 5, 2006, promoting greater authenticity, integrity, and expression of who we really are.

This week watch for edginess and impulsiveness. Go for progress, not just a change. Stay centered and take extra good care of your body so you can hold the higher vibrations and messages these alignments offer. Spend some time in nature and schedule extra time for journaling and healing activities. Purge old beliefs and belongings.

At every choice and challenge remember: "There is no god higher than truth."--Mahatma Gandhi

Namaste,
Stephanie Austin
Stephanie@EcoAstrology.com
360-379-3060

Subject: New Moon
From: Stephanie Austin, EcoAstrology
Sent: Friday, October 28, 2005 8:18 AM

Dear Friends,
The next New Moon forms on Tuesday, November 1st at 5:25 PM PST, at 10º Scorpio. All New Moons are optimal times for reflection and setting new intentions; a New Moon in Scorpio invites us to check our motivations and how we are dealing with intimacy, shared resources, and power. The 8th sign involves the journey into the dark, into the unconscious--the repressed, the feared, and the simply unknown. Pluto, the ruler of Scorpio and the mythic Lord of the Underworld, semi-squares this New Moon, intensifying the need for truthfulness and transformation.

November 1st is also Samhain, the first day of the year in the Celtic calendar, a time of purification and communion with the Underworld. The Christian celebration of All Saints Day was created to coincide with
earlier traditions of honoring ancestors and the occasion when the veils between the living and dead are the thinnest. The ancient ritual of Dumb Supper, where one dines with a departed loved one by setting a plate of their favorite foods and conversing as if they were present, is a ceremony that can offer great wisdom and healing in modern times as well.

This New Moon forms part of a very potent Grand Cross (or Grand Square), composed of the Sun and Moon in Scorpio, Mars in Taurus, Saturn in Leo, and Neptune in Aquarius. Consisting of the fixed signs which consolidate energy and maintain continuity, a fixed Grand Cross symbolizes an imperative to confront long-standing issues and imbalances. This energy configuration exerts a strong influence for the first week of November and beyond as Mars, Saturn, and Neptune travel slowly this Fall due to their retrograde
phases, thus extending the time they are in relationship to each other. As Jupiter moves further into Scorpio, a fixed Grand Cross continues through mid-January, increasing the opportunities see new truths and move into new realities.

"Here we are at the junction of love and fear, and if we stay on the all-too-familiar path of ScareCity -- we're totally forked. Yes, in a shrinking world that could definitely use a good shrink, we can do the same old same old and get the same old results, or ... we can try something different for a change. Instead of ScareCity, we can go for ABunDance. That is when we get up off of our assets, move our buns, and dance together in rhythm and flow. Can it work? Well, consider what hasn't worked." -- Swami Beyondananda

Namaste,
Stephanie Austin
www.EcoAstrology.com
Stephanie Austin has been a professional astrologer since 1986. She holds a Master's degree in Consciousness Studies and is a graduate of Leslie Temple Thurston's Teacher Training program. For more on her background and services, visit www.EcoAstrology.com.

Subject: Lunar Eclipse
Sent: Sat 10/15/2005 1:07 AM
From: CoreLight for Stephanie Austin, EcoAstrology

Dear Friends,

We¹re approaching a Lunar Eclipse, an extra powerful Full Moon, which forms on Monday, October 17th at 5:14 AM PDT. During a Lunar Eclipse the Earth is poised between the yang radiation of the Sun on one side and the yin magnetic force of the Moon on the other. As the Moon slivers into the shadow of the Earth, darkens, and re-ignites, habitual perceptions and patterns are altered. Like the Solar Eclipse of two weeks earlier, this Lunar Eclipse traces back nineteen years; associations begun then are ready to complete or go to the next level.

With the Sun at 24º Libra and the Moon at 24º Aries, the Scales of Justice and equality are sharply illuminated. In partnerships of all kinds‹personal, professional, political‹opportunities for compromise, collaboration, and reconciliation come to light. Ruled by Venus, this eclipse helps open and heal our hearts.

Jupiter at 28º Libra is close to his yearly conjunction with the Sun (exact on October 22nd), encouraging optimism, generosity, and tolerance, and reminding us that there are as many ways of looking at life as there are people. Jupiter is approaching the end of his passage through Libra; his time in Scorpio (October 25, 2005 to Nov 25, 2006) will bring a mutual reception with Pluto in Sagittarius, catalyzing an even greater awareness of the power of belief, the power of the shadow, and the power of truth.

Neptune, which helps us to see our similarities and interconnectedness, turns direct on 10/26 at 15º Aquarius. While his station signals a eagerness to move forward for everyone, those born during between 1946-1952, who have Pluto in the mid degrees of Leo in their natal charts, are feeling the celestial push to shift their identity from ego to essence most strongly.
Pluto was in Leo from 1939 to 1956; as Neptune makes his passage through Aquarius from 1998 to 2012, the generation born known as the Baby Boomers become more aware of their unique role to play and their interconnection with all of creation.

Use the light of this extra potent Full Moon to reflect on what is no longer true, what was never true, and what is important now. ³There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn¹t true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true.² ­Soren Kierkegaard.

Namaste,
Stephanie Austin
Email: Stephanie@EcoAstrology.com