Full Moon in Scorpio: A Tale of 3 Yods (Fingers of God)...

Sunday, April 29th, 2018 at 6:58 pm MDT the Moon sat directly opposite the Sun at the celestial longitude of: 09 degrees of Scorpio 39' (09 degrees of Taurus 39') with the Sun holding hands with the Vertex - something Fated/Destined This Way Comes! And we experienced the Full Moon in Scorpio.

The Moon is our Emotional Body; the Sun, our Vital and Soul Body. Scorpio is fixed water; Taurus is fixed earth. Together they support one another, yet are separate - there is no amalgam here, not like the Pisces/Virgo mutable water/earth opposite signs that can become muddled and co-dependent at times. Unless there is a major flood situation...the fixed earth of Taurus will support the fixed ice of Scorpio.

This Full Moon brings forth Illumination into our deepest and closely held fears of the Ego-self. Here the full Unconscious Light of the Sun shines upon that which you have been hiding away in the dark, perhaps for eons. Scorpio brings forth the skills of research and investigation (Inner depths), with strong passionate emotions/fears and the need for privacy, space and peace and quiet. As a water sign, deep emotions and insights via intuition and signs gleaned from around you bring keys that help to unlock those deeply hidden fears. There can be AHA moments and leaps of faith to DO some action that goes against your usual inner grain.

The Full Moon chart showed 3, count 'em, 3 (!) YODs or Fingers of God, two of which connected with the Full Moon! This dynamic planetary formation asks that we Let Go of Old Patterns of Conditioning (aka habits , mindsets, heartfelt feelings that have hindered our way forward in some regard) as much as possible, between the planet at the pointed part of the Finger and the two planets/asteroids that create the base of the Finger, while figuring out how to allow these two base planets to WORK TOGETHER in ways they haven't done before now in your life. In doing so, we release old patterns of conditioning that have prevented us from moving forward, speeding up our forward direction a wee bit more! Let's take a peek, shall we?

YOD #1: Pointing to the Moon (our Emotional Body) in fixed water Scorpio are Venus (our Desire Body) sitting in mutable air Gemini and Mercury (our Mental Body) sitting in cardinal fire Aries:

• Our Emotional Body has been filled with deeply-held fears, hiding our truest expression of passion and even to find our true passion. 
• Our Desire Body wants to push through these fears, no matter how daunting this action seems to be, and 
• Needs the assistance of our Mental Body - where the Ego-self can sit in judgement, restriction and illusion, and yes, FEAR! - to mentally allow these desires to be freed from the ice they've been frozen Within for how long now? Do you have the courage to change your mind (Mental Body) in order to allow that which you desire for your life and yourself to work together?
• Venus in Gemini is the networking guru, collecting data and sharing it along the way - like a fairy or Merlin using his wand to shower us with knowledge gained through others. 
• Mercury in Aries (which we've lived with since March 6th just before the Mercury pre-Retrograde Shadow timing began) brings forth the need for IMMEDIATE ACTION NOW (!) do you feel the impatience? To create instinctual change like a Warrior, Explorer and/or Pioneer within your life, mentally! Clearing away the chains of fear that have bound you mentally from tackling whatever project or problem or quest that has sat before you that seemed so daunting, until now...how many times, since March, have you CHANGED YOUR MIND about a decision you thought you'd already made? Vacillating back and forth and back and forth wondering if you'd ever get through ALL the mental fears and anguish to create something NEW? Within Your Life? Could be you were hiding Within your Darkness all this time, unconscious of this process acting itself out. Are you conscious about it now?

YOD #2: Points to Venus (our Desire Body) in mutable air Gemini, from the Moon (our Emotional Body) in fixed water Scorpio and Saturn Rx (earthly structures/restrictions/constrictions) in cardinal earth Capricorn:

• Here, our Desire Body is chock-full of ideas, thoughts and the need to discuss it all! Share it all! Who can we go to? Perhaps it is also about needing to LEARN something new? Like a HUGE whiteboard - we need to put it all down, map it all out somehow to 'see' our next steps forward within the Desires of what we want for this life, at this time and space.
• Our Emotional Body can be holding us back, literally and figuratively, due to extreme emotional fear of meeting up with our truest passion! What's been holding you back? What's been frozen in Time for you? Scorpio is the ice version of water in Astrology.
• Current structures/goals/plans you've put in place within your life could also be getting in the way. Is it time to remove them, perhaps tear them down a few feet/yards or completely? Like ripping off that band-aid - all at once or slowly over Time. Saturn IS Father Time - it took Time to build up those walls that have hidden us from seeing out (and from being seen, from without!).
• Saturn Rx (retrograde) at the moment, brings forth INNER directed energy, personalizing it, sensitizing it, and wherever Saturn resides, so too does a major fear: Failure. Within Capricorn (the sign Saturn rules by the way) there could be some aspect of the following, for all of us (according to Liz Greene, in her book, Saturn: A New Look at an Old Devil): 

"We have chosen to place the birth date of Jesus under Capricorn, the densest of the earth signs and the most ambitious in the worldly sense, although there is no historical evidence that this birth date is appropriate. We have also chosen to place the birth date of Mary at precisely 15 degrees of Virgo, that most mundane and critical of signs. We also celebrate the birth date of the Buddha under Taurus, that slowest and most inflexible of signs. The entire esoteric concept of initiation is connected with Capricorn specifically and the earth signs in general because the initiate has not earned his/her initiation until he/she is able to apply the higher consciousness he/she has discovered to the body and the environment in which he/she functions as a personality. Only when the physical world is made a fitting garment or symbol of the inner spirit is his/her task complete. The mysteries of the duality of spirit and matter have occupied the thoughts of occultists and mystics throughout the ages, and alchemy and astrology in the form we know them were both outgrowths of this attempt to understand spirit in terms of matter through the law of correspondences. The various myths and motifs which are connected with the symbol of Saturn, from Pan through Satan and Lucifer to the prima materia or "Mercurius Senex" of the alchemists, from the serpent in the Garden of Eden to the Hermit of the Tarot deck, should be sufficient to indicate that there is more to earth than meets the eye. And finally we must consider that we exist on the earth intricately connected through the "etheric" or energy field around us to every other kingdom of nature. There is much that we do not understand about the nature of matter. It may be that when we are told in esoteric literature that earth is the final test of initiation for man/woman, there is also an equally valid rational or scientific law which describes the same truth - but we do not possess it yet.

Saturn in the earthy signs pertains, on the surface, to those problems and limitations which affect an individual through his/her bodily comfort, his/her ability to support and sustain him/herself, his/her capacity to find meaningful work which allows him/her a share in the ordering of his/her environment, and his/her ability to achieve responsibility or authority in those areas where he/she has shown competence and skill. This is the simplest interpretation of Saturn in earth, and it will generally be found that this interpretation is valid. It is unfortunate that we are given in the Old Testament the inference that man/woman was driven in labour as a result of original sin for we no longer believe that work can be a creative act. Even God, according to the same document, worked for six days to create the world. There is a basic need in each man/woman to feel him/herself useful, and this is connected with what is called "group consciousness" - the sensing of a unity which implies individual responsibility and the need for a contribution, according to ability, to the whole. This group consciousness has nothing to do with enforced contribution or with mass consciousness where the individual has no meaning in him/herself. There is also a basic need in man/woman to know that he/she has earned through his/her labours something permanent which is his/her unique accomplishment or possession. By it he/she establishes a sense of his/her worth to the group. This "something permanent" may be actual material reward. It may also be more abstruse: standards, values, talent, honour, service. Commerce and trade are as valid a form of communication between people as the written and spoken word, and money, as well as being a symbol of emotional independence, may also be a symbol of individual worth and of skills and services which are offered to others. Consequently, when we look to mythology, we find that Mercury, among his many rulerships, was the god of merchants as well as being the divine messenger, and presided in his inimitably suave fashion over the business deal.

It is possible that Saturn in one of the earthy signs offers an opportunity to learn about the deeper meaning of this element since the solution to the frustrations which he/she symbolizes when placed in earth rarely comes about through the applications of earthy tools. It would appear that the other three elements [air, fire and water] must be understood and integrated to form a tool effective enough to influence the apparent dead weight of earth and alleviate the pain of thwarted instinct."

• We bring forth the element of frozen water with the densest earth to work together while letting go of old patterns of conditioning to unfreeze our fears, bring forth earthly change in the direction of our truest desires, within air, and the duality of The Twins (Gemini). Here, if haven't completely let go of those old patterns of conditioning, we can BE of TWO MINDS, talking ourselves into/out of anything in a moment of Time. Be decisive, share your knowledge, and listen to the knowledge of others to carry you forth even further.

YOD #3: Points to Pluto (Empowerment vs. power and control over) in Capricorn (!) from Venus (our Desire Body) in Gemini, learning to work with Ceres (Nurturance) AND the North Node Rx (direction our Souls wish to head for further evolution) both within the fixed fire sign of LEO:

• After dealing with our Emotional Body and Desire Body's old patterns of conditioning in the first two Yods, we look for ways to create win-win outcomes, empowering one another despite our earthly fears, as we gather the information/data we desire from one another AND look for / give nurturance as we learn to evolve our Soul-self in the direction of the HEART. This, simply, is the ultimate goal. Cool! 
• With Leo, if we're coming from the heart, we're operating from our true heart's / soul's desire; if we're coming from the mind, there could be some Ego-self need to manipulate to create power and control over a situation, person or environment. For some, this means I'll nurture or go forward as long is there's something in it for me! Leo asks for heartfelt leadership within a team environment, with compassion. Then we ALL share the creative heart, and receive the love created accordingly.
• Ceres brings forth our need for nurturing people and situations and environments. Ceres reminds us of HOW we were nurtured as children and how/where we look for nurturance now as adults. Is it only mindful or heartfelt? Any changes required, perhaps due to a critical or abusive inner voice that keeps bullying us to stay within the dark? Something to let go of.

I realize this has been a LONG post - it surprised me too! As I wrote this post, we are still within the Full Moon phase. Liz Greene included the following quote from Alice A. Bailey, Esoteric Astrology creator, in the frontispiece of her book on Saturn. Take from it what you will:

"When the disciple knows Saturn as the God who offers opportunity and does not only feel him to be Deity who brings disaster, then he/she is on the path of discipleship in truth and in deed and not just theoretically." 

Namaste

PS I added all the her/she as the text was written in 1976 and we are now in 2018. LRR

Posted by: Laurie Rae Rezanoff - Astrologer | Teacher | Writer | Speaker

Photo Credits: April/May 2018 Sheep River and area, Okotoks, AB Canada + Gibbous and Full Moons April 28/29, 2018 by Laurie Rae Rezanoff

Full Moon in Scorpio: A Tale of 3 Yods (Fingers of God)...

Sunday, April 29th, 2018 at 6:58 pm MDT the Moon sat directly opposite the Sun at the celestial longitude of: 09 degrees of Scorpio 39' (09 degrees of Taurus 39') with the Sun holding hands with the Vertex - something Fated/Destined This Way Comes! And we experienced the Full Moon in Scorpio.

The Moon is our Emotional Body; the Sun, our Vital and Soul Body. Scorpio is fixed water; Taurus is fixed earth. Together they support one another, yet are separate - there is no amalgam here, not like the Pisces/Virgo mutable water/earth opposite signs that can become muddled and co-dependent at times. Unless there is a major flood situation...the fixed earth of Taurus will support the fixed ice of Scorpio.

This Full Moon brings forth Illumination into our deepest and closely held fears of the Ego-self. Here the full Unconscious Light of the Sun shines upon that which you have been hiding away in the dark, perhaps for eons. Scorpio brings forth the skills of research and investigation (Inner depths), with strong passionate emotions/fears and the need for privacy, space and peace and quiet. As a water sign, deep emotions and insights via intuition and signs gleaned from around you bring keys that help to unlock those deeply hidden fears. There can be AHA moments and leaps of faith to DO some action that goes against your usual inner grain.

The Full Moon chart showed 3, count 'em, 3 (!) YODs or Fingers of God, two of which connected with the Full Moon! This dynamic planetary formation asks that we Let Go of Old Patterns of Conditioning (aka habits , mindsets, heartfelt feelings that have hindered our way forward in some regard) as much as possible, between the planet at the pointed part of the Finger and the two planets/asteroids that create the base of the Finger, while figuring out how to allow these two base planets to WORK TOGETHER in ways they haven't done before now in your life. In doing so, we release old patterns of conditioning that have prevented us from moving forward, speeding up our forward direction a wee bit more! Let's take a peek, shall we?

YOD #1: Pointing to the Moon (our Emotional Body) in fixed water Scorpio are Venus (our Desire Body) sitting in mutable air Gemini and Mercury (our Mental Body) sitting in cardinal fire Aries:

• Our Emotional Body has been filled with deeply-held fears, hiding our truest expression of passion and even to find our true passion. 
• Our Desire Body wants to push through these fears, no matter how daunting this action seems to be, and 
• Needs the assistance of our Mental Body - where the Ego-self can sit in judgement, restriction and illusion, and yes, FEAR! - to mentally allow these desires to be freed from the ice they've been frozen Within for how long now? Do you have the courage to change your mind (Mental Body) in order to allow that which you desire for your life and yourself to work together?
• Venus in Gemini is the networking guru, collecting data and sharing it along the way - like a fairy or Merlin using his wand to shower us with knowledge gained through others. 
• Mercury in Aries (which we've lived with since March 6th just before the Mercury pre-Retrograde Shadow timing began) brings forth the need for IMMEDIATE ACTION NOW (!) do you feel the impatience? To create instinctual change like a Warrior, Explorer and/or Pioneer within your life, mentally! Clearing away the chains of fear that have bound you mentally from tackling whatever project or problem or quest that has sat before you that seemed so daunting, until now...how many times, since March, have you CHANGED YOUR MIND about a decision you thought you'd already made? Vacillating back and forth and back and forth wondering if you'd ever get through ALL the mental fears and anguish to create something NEW? Within Your Life? Could be you were hiding Within your Darkness all this time, unconscious of this process acting itself out. Are you conscious about it now?

YOD #2: Points to Venus (our Desire Body) in mutable air Gemini, from the Moon (our Emotional Body) in fixed water Scorpio and Saturn Rx (earthly structures/restrictions/constrictions) in cardinal earth Capricorn:

• Here, our Desire Body is chock-full of ideas, thoughts and the need to discuss it all! Share it all! Who can we go to? Perhaps it is also about needing to LEARN something new? Like a HUGE whiteboard - we need to put it all down, map it all out somehow to 'see' our next steps forward within the Desires of what we want for this life, at this time and space.
• Our Emotional Body can be holding us back, literally and figuratively, due to extreme emotional fear of meeting up with our truest passion! What's been holding you back? What's been frozen in Time for you? Scorpio is the ice version of water in Astrology.
• Current structures/goals/plans you've put in place within your life could also be getting in the way. Is it time to remove them, perhaps tear them down a few feet/yards or completely? Like ripping off that band-aid - all at once or slowly over Time. Saturn IS Father Time - it took Time to build up those walls that have hidden us from seeing out (and from being seen, from without!).
• Saturn Rx (retrograde) at the moment, brings forth INNER directed energy, personalizing it, sensitizing it, and wherever Saturn resides, so too does a major fear: Failure. Within Capricorn (the sign Saturn rules by the way) there could be some aspect of the following, for all of us (according to Liz Greene, in her book, Saturn: A New Look at an Old Devil): 

"We have chosen to place the birth date of Jesus under Capricorn, the densest of the earth signs and the most ambitious in the worldly sense, although there is no historical evidence that this birth date is appropriate. We have also chosen to place the birth date of Mary at precisely 15 degrees of Virgo, that most mundane and critical of signs. We also celebrate the birth date of the Buddha under Taurus, that slowest and most inflexible of signs. The entire esoteric concept of initiation is connected with Capricorn specifically and the earth signs in general because the initiate has not earned his/her initiation until he/she is able to apply the higher consciousness he/she has discovered to the body and the environment in which he/she functions as a personality. Only when the physical world is made a fitting garment or symbol of the inner spirit is his/her task complete. The mysteries of the duality of spirit and matter have occupied the thoughts of occultists and mystics throughout the ages, and alchemy and astrology in the form we know them were both outgrowths of this attempt to understand spirit in terms of matter through the law of correspondences. The various myths and motifs which are connected with the symbol of Saturn, from Pan through Satan and Lucifer to the prima materia or "Mercurius Senex" of the alchemists, from the serpent in the Garden of Eden to the Hermit of the Tarot deck, should be sufficient to indicate that there is more to earth than meets the eye. And finally we must consider that we exist on the earth intricately connected through the "etheric" or energy field around us to every other kingdom of nature. There is much that we do not understand about the nature of matter. It may be that when we are told in esoteric literature that earth is the final test of initiation for man/woman, there is also an equally valid rational or scientific law which describes the same truth - but we do not possess it yet.

Saturn in the earthy signs pertains, on the surface, to those problems and limitations which affect an individual through his/her bodily comfort, his/her ability to support and sustain him/herself, his/her capacity to find meaningful work which allows him/her a share in the ordering of his/her environment, and his/her ability to achieve responsibility or authority in those areas where he/she has shown competence and skill. This is the simplest interpretation of Saturn in earth, and it will generally be found that this interpretation is valid. It is unfortunate that we are given in the Old Testament the inference that man/woman was driven in labour as a result of original sin for we no longer believe that work can be a creative act. Even God, according to the same document, worked for six days to create the world. There is a basic need in each man/woman to feel him/herself useful, and this is connected with what is called "group consciousness" - the sensing of a unity which implies individual responsibility and the need for a contribution, according to ability, to the whole. This group consciousness has nothing to do with enforced contribution or with mass consciousness where the individual has no meaning in him/herself. There is also a basic need in man/woman to know that he/she has earned through his/her labours something permanent which is his/her unique accomplishment or possession. By it he/she establishes a sense of his/her worth to the group. This "something permanent" may be actual material reward. It may also be more abstruse: standards, values, talent, honour, service. Commerce and trade are as valid a form of communication between people as the written and spoken word, and money, as well as being a symbol of emotional independence, may also be a symbol of individual worth and of skills and services which are offered to others. Consequently, when we look to mythology, we find that Mercury, among his many rulerships, was the god of merchants as well as being the divine messenger, and presided in his inimitably suave fashion over the business deal.

It is possible that Saturn in one of the earthy signs offers an opportunity to learn about the deeper meaning of this element since the solution to the frustrations which he/she symbolizes when placed in earth rarely comes about through the applications of earthy tools. It would appear that the other three elements [air, fire and water] must be understood and integrated to form a tool effective enough to influence the apparent dead weight of earth and alleviate the pain of thwarted instinct."

• We bring forth the element of frozen water with the densest earth to work together while letting go of old patterns of conditioning to unfreeze our fears, bring forth earthly change in the direction of our truest desires, within air, and the duality of The Twins (Gemini). Here, if haven't completely let go of those old patterns of conditioning, we can BE of TWO MINDS, talking ourselves into/out of anything in a moment of Time. Be decisive, share your knowledge, and listen to the knowledge of others to carry you forth even further.

YOD #3: Points to Pluto (Empowerment vs. power and control over) in Capricorn (!) from Venus (our Desire Body) in Gemini, learning to work with Ceres (Nurturance) AND the North Node Rx (direction our Souls wish to head for further evolution) both within the fixed fire sign of LEO:

• After dealing with our Emotional Body and Desire Body's old patterns of conditioning in the first two Yods, we look for ways to create win-win outcomes, empowering one another despite our earthly fears, as we gather the information/data we desire from one another AND look for / give nurturance as we learn to evolve our Soul-self in the direction of the HEART. This, simply, is the ultimate goal. Cool! 
• With Leo, if we're coming from the heart, we're operating from our true heart's / soul's desire; if we're coming from the mind, there could be some Ego-self need to manipulate to create power and control over a situation, person or environment. For some, this means I'll nurture or go forward as long is there's something in it for me! Leo asks for heartfelt leadership within a team environment, with compassion. Then we ALL share the creative heart, and receive the love created accordingly.
• Ceres brings forth our need for nurturing people and situations and environments. Ceres reminds us of HOW we were nurtured as children and how/where we look for nurturance now as adults. Is it only mindful or heartfelt? Any changes required, perhaps due to a critical or abusive inner voice that keeps bullying us to stay within the dark? Something to let go of.

I realize this has been a LONG post - it surprised me too! As I wrote this post, we are still within the Full Moon phase. Liz Greene included the following quote from Alice A. Bailey, Esoteric Astrology creator, in the frontispiece of her book on Saturn. Take from it what you will:

"When the disciple knows Saturn as the God who offers opportunity and does not only feel him to be Deity who brings disaster, then he/she is on the path of discipleship in truth and in deed and not just theoretically." 

Namaste

PS I added all the her/she as the text was written in 1976 and we are now in 2018. LRR

Posted by: Laurie Rae Rezanoff - Astrologer | Teacher | Writer | Speaker

Photo Credits: April/May 2018 Sheep River and area, Okotoks, AB Canada + Gibbous and Full Moons April 28/29, 2018 by Laurie Rae Rezanoff

Venus-Moon Underworld Gate - Moving Deep Fears into Passion

November 14th, 2017 is when the Moon entered the Balsamic Moon phase, the last phase of each Moon cycle. Here is where we RELEASE, emotionally, that which needs to go, that which we have held onto far longer than needed. Here we CLEANSE ourselves, emotionally (and sometimes physically!) of the toxic thoughts, feelings, beliefs and fears that have been holding us back in some regard until now.

Poles for a Tipi? Sheep River, AB Nov 2017

The Balsamic Moon phase occurred at 07 degrees of Libra 22' at 6:13 a.m. MST - Libra asks for renewed balance, peace and harmony Within and Without - within the WE - our relationships with others, and ourselves. A re-balancing act of release to make room for more light, love and beauty to enter Within and therefore Without. Like attracts Like - energetically if we are desperate for a relationship we'll attract desperation from others or attract nothing and no one. If we are at peace Within Self, content with our Inner and Outer lives, then we will attract more of the same. Whatever is going on Inside, we'll attract more of the same, from the Outside - via people, relationships, issues, situations. All in aid of awakening our awareness of where we sit Within ourselves, first.

The Moon met up with Venus, our Desire Body, as a Star Gate, on November 17th at 1:17 a.m. MST at 12 degrees of Scorpio 22'. We have successfully completed our descent into the Underworld, begun April 23rd, 2017, releasing distortions from each of our Chakras (Crown to Root) monthly during each Balsamic Moon phase along the way! The Root Chakra was our final challenge - all about our sense of stability, security, survival instincts. Considering the economic climate here in Alberta, and Calgary and area, these themes have truly hit home for most of us, connecting with our deepest and darkest Fears!

From THIS Balsamic Moon phase (November 17th) until early February 2018, Venus has disappeared from the skies and is considered to be in the Underworld. We are all now experiencing our respective Inner Death, dying in some regard as we release everything we thought we knew about our truest Desires. We are undergoing a mission - to be at our most vulnerable, naked and basic Self - to truly 'see' ourselves as we discern what we desire to hold onto to, and that which we desire to let go of.

Ask yourself: "What are MY True Desires, for ME? Are my Desires Truly MINE? Have I Desired what Others wanted for me, rather than what I wanted? How do I KNOW My True Desires are Mine? How do I unearth Mine?"

Lean-To, Sheep River, AB Nov 2017

The answer to some of these questions can be found in the House of Life Experience within your natal chart that Scorpio resides within - at the 12th degree and 22nd' of Scorpio. This is the House from which your deepest-held fears to Desire your deepest passions this lifetime reside! Scorpio is the Scorpion, stinging self and/or others, out of fear, if we get too close to the Truth of the matter before our Ego-self is comfortable to look at it. I see Scorpio as digging deep, getting to the root of the matter, over and over and over again! And it takes as long as it takes - for each of us - we have our own process of Time and Belief and Letting Go. It takes as long as it takes. Period.

Assisting Venus this time is Jupiter (!) our planet of expansion beyond current boundaries set in place by our Ego-self. Jupiter brings forth LOUD and CLEAR messages, encounters, conversations, relationships and experiences to create AWARENESS of what it is we're afraid to 'see', let alone feel (Scorpio is the fixed deep water sign of the zodiac AND the MOST PRIVATE sign!). As we each experience our respective Underworlds, we will begin to understand that which has been a barrier or blockage, emotionally, so high and wide we were unable to 'see' or 'feel' past it. It's been deeply overwhelming in fact.

Navigating this Underworld phase:

• Scorpio brings forth our investigative/research abilities and skills. How far down are you willing to go to excavate your deepest-held fears/emotions/feelings that have buried your deepest desires?
• Deep Waters of Emotion - here it is most important that you seek support - professionally or otherwise - someone to help you navigate the mine-field of an emotional roller-coaster ride and tsunami wave(s) of fear/emotion/feeling along the way. 
• Breathe your way through this Inner Journey as you walk through it. The Ego-self will be very creative, along the way, to distract, resist, escape and/or run completely away from this journey. Be gentle with yourself and others. Whether we are conscious of it or not, we all undergo the cycles, together.
• Having Jupiter within Scorpio for the next year, we'll be assisted to keep on keeping on to find our Higher Truth - what's my purpose, why am I here, what do I have to offer? Again, after releasing the distortions we felt comfortable dealing with during the previous Balsamic Moon until this Balsamic Moon (all about our basic securities, safety and stability to feed, clothe and house ourselves) it is amazing timing to delve deeper, now, to see another perspective, another way to DO work, have a job that brings income that pays our way forward now, despite the current economic realities.
• Scorpio, ruled by Pluto, brings forth the death/rebirth cycle, over and over - the do-overs - to keep chipping away at those fears our Ego-self throws our way in the hope we give it all up! That power/control struggle Within that is mirrored Without from our key relationships, situations, events and experiences we draw to ourselves. 
• We are all learning to MASTER our respective Ego-self, to allow ourselves to work WITH our Higher Self/Future Self/Divine Self more by listening to our INTUITION and how we FEEL every step forward. What deep insights are you receiving? Are you spending time with them? Add it to your investigating To Do list, do the Inner research, dive deeper, listen closer, take action accordingly.
• Interestingly, Jupiter rules Sagittarius, the sign where the current Mercury Rx (retrograde) timing will occur! Here we will be MINDFUL (Mercury) of how and where we're seeking that Higher Purpose, who we communicate with about it, how we connect and partner with one another, out in the global arena. Both Jupiter and Sagittarius rule the 9th House of WE SPEAK - what are you saying, and what am I receiving from your message? The 9th House represents how we seek out the Higher Truth of what we BELIEVE to be True, for each of us. And we seek out Others to connect with, discuss between, decide on next steps from. We've been in the pre-Mercury Rx Shadow timing since November 14th until December 2nd, slowly coming up to the Rx phase. The actual Rx timing is December 3rd - 22nd. Thereafter, until January 10th, 2018, we experience the coming up and out of Mercury Rx as the post-Rx Shadow timing. I will write another post of more of the details soon.
• In the midst of all this, Venus is still with us, within the Underworld, showing us the way forward, casting off Desire that need to die, Within, psychically, emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. It can be that complete if we are willing, ready and want to. Note: these Desires can be ones held onto from other lifetimes and past lives, not just dreams and wishes from this lifetime. Take note of this. 

Dive deep. Be truthful with yourself in order to be truthful with others. Let go. Allow room and space for your True Passions to pop on up, having been deeply buried under all that fear and need to control life/others etc., before now. We are only aware of what we're aware of at any given moment. Breathe. Love your Self (Venus = self love!) and give yourself at least one hug a day! See you on the other side!

Blessed BE! Namaste!

Posted by: Laurie Rae Rezanoff Astrologer | Teacher | Writer | Speaker | Facilitator

Photo Credits: Laurie Rae Rezanoff, November 2017

Venus-Moon Underworld Gate - Moving Deep Fears into Passion

November 14th, 2017 is when the Moon entered the Balsamic Moon phase, the last phase of each Moon cycle. Here is where we RELEASE, emotionally, that which needs to go, that which we have held onto far longer than needed. Here we CLEANSE ourselves, emotionally (and sometimes physically!) of the toxic thoughts, feelings, beliefs and fears that have been holding us back in some regard until now.

Poles for a Tipi? Sheep River, AB Nov 2017

The Balsamic Moon phase occurred at 07 degrees of Libra 22' at 6:13 a.m. MST - Libra asks for renewed balance, peace and harmony Within and Without - within the WE - our relationships with others, and ourselves. A re-balancing act of release to make room for more light, love and beauty to enter Within and therefore Without. Like attracts Like - energetically if we are desperate for a relationship we'll attract desperation from others or attract nothing and no one. If we are at peace Within Self, content with our Inner and Outer lives, then we will attract more of the same. Whatever is going on Inside, we'll attract more of the same, from the Outside - via people, relationships, issues, situations. All in aid of awakening our awareness of where we sit Within ourselves, first.

The Moon met up with Venus, our Desire Body, as a Star Gate, on November 17th at 1:17 a.m. MST at 12 degrees of Scorpio 22'. We have successfully completed our descent into the Underworld, begun April 23rd, 2017, releasing distortions from each of our Chakras (Crown to Root) monthly during each Balsamic Moon phase along the way! The Root Chakra was our final challenge - all about our sense of stability, security, survival instincts. Considering the economic climate here in Alberta, and Calgary and area, these themes have truly hit home for most of us, connecting with our deepest and darkest Fears!

From THIS Balsamic Moon phase (November 17th) until early February 2018, Venus has disappeared from the skies and is considered to be in the Underworld. We are all now experiencing our respective Inner Death, dying in some regard as we release everything we thought we knew about our truest Desires. We are undergoing a mission - to be at our most vulnerable, naked and basic Self - to truly 'see' ourselves as we discern what we desire to hold onto to, and that which we desire to let go of.

Ask yourself: "What are MY True Desires, for ME? Are my Desires Truly MINE? Have I Desired what Others wanted for me, rather than what I wanted? How do I KNOW My True Desires are Mine? How do I unearth Mine?"

Lean-To, Sheep River, AB Nov 2017

The answer to some of these questions can be found in the House of Life Experience within your natal chart that Scorpio resides within - at the 12th degree and 22nd' of Scorpio. This is the House from which your deepest-held fears to Desire your deepest passions this lifetime reside! Scorpio is the Scorpion, stinging self and/or others, out of fear, if we get too close to the Truth of the matter before our Ego-self is comfortable to look at it. I see Scorpio as digging deep, getting to the root of the matter, over and over and over again! And it takes as long as it takes - for each of us - we have our own process of Time and Belief and Letting Go. It takes as long as it takes. Period.

Assisting Venus this time is Jupiter (!) our planet of expansion beyond current boundaries set in place by our Ego-self. Jupiter brings forth LOUD and CLEAR messages, encounters, conversations, relationships and experiences to create AWARENESS of what it is we're afraid to 'see', let alone feel (Scorpio is the fixed deep water sign of the zodiac AND the MOST PRIVATE sign!). As we each experience our respective Underworlds, we will begin to understand that which has been a barrier or blockage, emotionally, so high and wide we were unable to 'see' or 'feel' past it. It's been deeply overwhelming in fact.

Navigating this Underworld phase:

• Scorpio brings forth our investigative/research abilities and skills. How far down are you willing to go to excavate your deepest-held fears/emotions/feelings that have buried your deepest desires?
• Deep Waters of Emotion - here it is most important that you seek support - professionally or otherwise - someone to help you navigate the mine-field of an emotional roller-coaster ride and tsunami wave(s) of fear/emotion/feeling along the way. 
• Breathe your way through this Inner Journey as you walk through it. The Ego-self will be very creative, along the way, to distract, resist, escape and/or run completely away from this journey. Be gentle with yourself and others. Whether we are conscious of it or not, we all undergo the cycles, together.
• Having Jupiter within Scorpio for the next year, we'll be assisted to keep on keeping on to find our Higher Truth - what's my purpose, why am I here, what do I have to offer? Again, after releasing the distortions we felt comfortable dealing with during the previous Balsamic Moon until this Balsamic Moon (all about our basic securities, safety and stability to feed, clothe and house ourselves) it is amazing timing to delve deeper, now, to see another perspective, another way to DO work, have a job that brings income that pays our way forward now, despite the current economic realities.
• Scorpio, ruled by Pluto, brings forth the death/rebirth cycle, over and over - the do-overs - to keep chipping away at those fears our Ego-self throws our way in the hope we give it all up! That power/control struggle Within that is mirrored Without from our key relationships, situations, events and experiences we draw to ourselves. 
• We are all learning to MASTER our respective Ego-self, to allow ourselves to work WITH our Higher Self/Future Self/Divine Self more by listening to our INTUITION and how we FEEL every step forward. What deep insights are you receiving? Are you spending time with them? Add it to your investigating To Do list, do the Inner research, dive deeper, listen closer, take action accordingly.
• Interestingly, Jupiter rules Sagittarius, the sign where the current Mercury Rx (retrograde) timing will occur! Here we will be MINDFUL (Mercury) of how and where we're seeking that Higher Purpose, who we communicate with about it, how we connect and partner with one another, out in the global arena. Both Jupiter and Sagittarius rule the 9th House of WE SPEAK - what are you saying, and what am I receiving from your message? The 9th House represents how we seek out the Higher Truth of what we BELIEVE to be True, for each of us. And we seek out Others to connect with, discuss between, decide on next steps from. We've been in the pre-Mercury Rx Shadow timing since November 14th until December 2nd, slowly coming up to the Rx phase. The actual Rx timing is December 3rd - 22nd. Thereafter, until January 10th, 2018, we experience the coming up and out of Mercury Rx as the post-Rx Shadow timing. I will write another post of more of the details soon.
• In the midst of all this, Venus is still with us, within the Underworld, showing us the way forward, casting off Desire that need to die, Within, psychically, emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. It can be that complete if we are willing, ready and want to. Note: these Desires can be ones held onto from other lifetimes and past lives, not just dreams and wishes from this lifetime. Take note of this. 

Dive deep. Be truthful with yourself in order to be truthful with others. Let go. Allow room and space for your True Passions to pop on up, having been deeply buried under all that fear and need to control life/others etc., before now. We are only aware of what we're aware of at any given moment. Breathe. Love your Self (Venus = self love!) and give yourself at least one hug a day! See you on the other side!

Blessed BE! Namaste!

Posted by: Laurie Rae Rezanoff Astrologer | Teacher | Writer | Speaker | Facilitator

Photo Credits: Laurie Rae Rezanoff, November 2017

Full Moon in Taurus: Senses & Sensibilities

Okotoks, AB Full Moon 2017

The Full Moon phase began Friday November 3rd at 11:23 p.m. MDT at the celestial longitude of 11 degrees of Taurus 59'.

Venus, our Desire Body, rules this Full Moon. Check within yourself: what do you truly Desire for yourself, your life, right now?

Taurus is the fixed earth sign of Astrology, where you are hands-on, creating something you require, using your values, personal resources, talents and skills, within your current level of self-esteem, self-confidence. Herein lie your issues/challenges with the energy of money - how you attract it, fear it, use it or abuse it.

The New Moon phase (and this Moon cycle) began October 19th within the cardinal air sign of Libra - initiating NEW ways of relating, communicating and interacting with the people in your life. Be they close friends, partners, partnerships (personal and/or business) and/or clients.

The Full Moon phase, now, brings forth an Illumination of how well you show up within those relationships/partnerships. Venus rules BOTH Libra and Taurus. In order to show up within the WE relationships (you and me) the Full Moon is shining its light squarely on the YOU portion of the ME - what do I truly Desire for MY life? Then, how does this carry over into the WE of relating ME with another? Anything go sideways, becomes buried, hidden, denied in order to BE within that WE? How authentic is that? How can you possibly bring forth what YOU truly Desire if you aren't first clear within yourself about it, then clearly communicate these Desires to the other within the WE relationships/partnerships?

Stormy Fall, Okotoks, AB 2017

Taurus can be stubborn (as a Bull!) affecting the throat, neck and thoracic areas of the spine - if you're NOT speaking your truth, or keeping secrets! Laryngitis, sore throats, neck kinks, upper back pain, thyroid issues - this is how the physical body speaks to you if you aren't listening to, attracting, and receiving, your true Desires! Over time, these areas can become chronic in some regard.

During this Full Moon phase, be honest with yourself and check in on your values. Where are you spending your time, energy and focus within ALL areas of your life? Equally or imbalanced? What area needs MORE attention from you? What do you need to do to change it? What action, communication, goal, commitment is required, now?

If you need help with determining what your VALUES truly are, check out Dr Demartini's website and connect with his Values Determination questionnaire! Insightful and revealing!

NAMASTE!

Posted by: Laurie Rae Rezanoff, Astrologer | Teacher | Writer | Speaker

Photo Credits: Laurie Rae Rezanoff 2017

Full Moon in Taurus: Senses & Sensibilities

Okotoks, AB Full Moon 2017

The Full Moon phase began Friday November 3rd at 11:23 p.m. MDT at the celestial longitude of 11 degrees of Taurus 59'.

Venus, our Desire Body, rules this Full Moon. Check within yourself: what do you truly Desire for yourself, your life, right now?

Taurus is the fixed earth sign of Astrology, where you are hands-on, creating something you require, using your values, personal resources, talents and skills, within your current level of self-esteem, self-confidence. Herein lie your issues/challenges with the energy of money - how you attract it, fear it, use it or abuse it.

The New Moon phase (and this Moon cycle) began October 19th within the cardinal air sign of Libra - initiating NEW ways of relating, communicating and interacting with the people in your life. Be they close friends, partners, partnerships (personal and/or business) and/or clients.

The Full Moon phase, now, brings forth an Illumination of how well you show up within those relationships/partnerships. Venus rules BOTH Libra and Taurus. In order to show up within the WE relationships (you and me) the Full Moon is shining its light squarely on the YOU portion of the ME - what do I truly Desire for MY life? Then, how does this carry over into the WE of relating ME with another? Anything go sideways, becomes buried, hidden, denied in order to BE within that WE? How authentic is that? How can you possibly bring forth what YOU truly Desire if you aren't first clear within yourself about it, then clearly communicate these Desires to the other within the WE relationships/partnerships?

Stormy Fall, Okotoks, AB 2017

Taurus can be stubborn (as a Bull!) affecting the throat, neck and thoracic areas of the spine - if you're NOT speaking your truth, or keeping secrets! Laryngitis, sore throats, neck kinks, upper back pain, thyroid issues - this is how the physical body speaks to you if you aren't listening to, attracting, and receiving, your true Desires! Over time, these areas can become chronic in some regard.

During this Full Moon phase, be honest with yourself and check in on your values. Where are you spending your time, energy and focus within ALL areas of your life? Equally or imbalanced? What area needs MORE attention from you? What do you need to do to change it? What action, communication, goal, commitment is required, now?

If you need help with determining what your VALUES truly are, check out Dr Demartini's website and connect with his Values Determination questionnaire! Insightful and revealing!

NAMASTE!

Posted by: Laurie Rae Rezanoff, Astrologer | Teacher | Writer | Speaker

Photo Credits: Laurie Rae Rezanoff 2017

Venus-Moon Gate via Root Chakra

Okotoks, AB Fall 2017

We have been in the Balsamic Moon phase since October 15th at 7:25 p.m. MDT at 07 degrees of Virgo 52'. We began this Moon cycle in Virgo and we will end it in Virgo. Processes, perfection, procrastination, being of service, assimilating / eliminating / sorting / organizing. Physical health and daily work.

Each Balsamic Moon phase (the last of the 8 Moon phases within each Moon cycle) brings forth an emotional release in some regard. We release that which we've been working to become conscious of, about Self, since the Moon cycle began at New Moon (in this case, September 19th). By Full Moon there is an illumination/awareness of what it is that is to be released, and perhaps the Ego-Self is reluctant to let go of. We navigate through the Disseminating Moon phase to draw about the wisdom of what we've learn about within Self, then the Last QTR Moon phase brings some form of 'crisis of consciousness' whereby our Ego-Self must reorient itself in preparation to ALLOW this emotional release to occur during the Balsamic Moon phase. Hence the timing of resistance, denial, blame, diving into our addictions - all ways our Ego-self wants it all to just go away and leave me alone!

Please note: every Moon cycle, occurring every 28-29 days, brings a new opportunity for Self Growth, some aspect of our respective Inner Unconsciousness brought up out of the Darkness of each New Moon phase, to be fully illuminated by the Full Moon's light as to WHAT the heck that was all about (!) then as the Moon's light wanes from Full to New again, we learn to ALLOW the Letting GO of whatever emotional distortions we've been hanging onto that no long serve us on our respective Life Paths.

Sheep River, Okotoks, AB Fall 2017

THIS is the cycle of the Moon, also ruler of Cancer and the 4th House of Home / Mom / Mothering / Nurturance and how we learned of love/nurturance from our family of origin (within our respective birth charts). Within our original Home. How we DO nurturance - or not - for Self, then Others.

Each Moon cycle brings up emotional stuff to the surface to BE revealed, healed, and finally let go of during the Balsamic Moon phase - if we're ready to do so. If not, we bring it all with us into the next New Moon and Moon cycle and it either is buried again, or we deal with it, along with whatever new aspect of emotional healing comes forth in the new cycle. Cool, eh? We each have the CHOICE to grow or not grow, to learn or run away or bury it all over again. "And the beat goes on...."

Venus and the Moon have been meeting up during the Balsamic Moon phases since April 23rd, 2017. Each meeting created a Venus-Moon Star Gate associated with one of the major Chakras - those energy centres we carry along our spines from the crown of our head to the root base where the tailbone is. Tuesday, October 17, 2017, the current Venus-Moon Star Gate began at 7:57 p.m. MDT at the celestial longitude of 04 degrees of Libra 33'. Here we began our journey of releasing distortions associated with the Root Chakra.

Libra, as a cardinal air sign of the Zodiac, brings forth the renewed need for balance, harmony, peace, love, negotiation, love and beauty in all things/people. There will be a re-balance for all from this Balsamic Moon phase of yesterday until the next, November 17th.

The Root Chakra brings forth some, or all of the following, for each of us to grapple with:

• Ruled by Saturn - brings forth our connection to Earth - how grounded are you, truly? What do you need to do daily to bring this about? Walking? Running? Meditating? Just being in Nature? Saturn is where we discern the right and proper structures within our respective lives, the goals we set for ourselves and hopefully achieve, and is where our Ego-Self's greatest fears of achievement, success and abundance reside!
• Chakra Colour is RED
• Action - Structure, Limitation, Physical Identity. If there is too much or not enough of the first two, then we undergo an identity-crisis in some regard.
• Element - is Earth! Connect connect connect as much as possible this next month! BE grounded.
• Main Issues - Survival/Stability, our Physical Needs, and Sense of Safety! Do any or all of these issues trigger a response within you? Is it a happy response or ?
• When Imbalanced - Anxiety disorders, unfounded fears, nightmares, issues with colon, bladder, elimination; lower back, leg or feet issues. For men, prostate issues. Eating disorders may also be a sign of imbalance here.
• When Blocked - Anxiety, lack of physical energy, a sense of being ungrounded - feeling disconnected from Mother Earth. Here we can seem like balloons racing all over the place and not accomplishing much! Slow down, breathe, and walk step by step...
• Mantra to use during meditation to create balance/release these blockages - LAM
• Sanskrit Name is Mulhadara (for those of us who do Kundalini Yoga - the mool band is a tool used to release blocked energy herein during the Kriya for Elevation - as warm-up and tune-up of the spine, aids in circulation of prana to balance the chakras)
• Affirmation to use - "I am safe, protected and secure. All is as it should be."
• NB: The above chakra information is from The Chopra Center; astrological affiliations from Medical Astrology; Kundalini Yoga information from the booklet "Keeping Up With Kundalini Yoga".

Stormy Weather Okotoks, AB 2017

Each Venus-Moon Star Gate brings forth an opportunity to become conscious of some aspect of the Self in order to heal it. The Balsamic Moon phase conjunctions of Venus and the Moon since April 23rd have brought us slowly through each major chakra, Crown to Root, as we slowly descend with Venus/Inanna into the Underworld, casting off distortions we've held onto that have affected each of the chakras. We let go of whatever distortions we feel comfortable with at the time. Some of us purge wholeheartedly, others with fear, hold back. 

There is NO right or wrong way of how we each navigate these Venus-Moon Star Gates, each of the Moon's phases or Moon cycles! We each have our unique process (Virgo) of how, and when, we LEARN about what was hidden deep inside before now. This is the beauty of Astrology! There is always another turn of the Wheel of the Month, Year and planetary cycle within which to delve wholeheartedly into change, healing and letting go!

During this last Venus-Moon Star Gate, we will cast off the last of the chakra distortions for this particular Venus/Inanna Journey of Descent into the Underworld. We've all been experiencing this since April 23rd, consciously or not, and will culminate with a symbolic Death Within as of November 17th when we truly enter the Underworld phase of our Journey. There will be an aspect of Self that we truly let go of. Venus rules our Desires, what we attract to ourselves through wishes and dreams via people, events, experiences. The Desires we thought were key before now will undergo a deep transformation - all due to the people, circumstances and experiences we've been undergoing since April 23rd! Fear Not! 

Okotoks, AB Fall 2017

Bottom Line: our Ego-self clings to safety, security and the same-old, same-old - likes to keep the status quo as much as possible! Hence the denial phase, running away phase, distraction phase, anger/blaming phase, diving into addictions phase - escapism - in order to prolong the agony or totally ignore what is loud and clear to others around you. This will be a huge learning/healing Venus-Moon Star Gate folks! Breathe, walk, and know whatever you consciously become aware of is GREAT! We are all doing the best we can at any given moment in time. LOVE THYSELF. As Above, So Below, As Within, So Without.

We are all mirrors to one another. We see, hear, feel, touch and taste our lessons, one step at a time, within many cycles, occurring, seemingly, all at once! Be aware of the lessons coming forward, the distortions you are learning to let go of, heal, and love through. There is ALWAYS a greater reason for everything!

NAMASTE!

Photo Credits: 2017 Laurie Rae Rezanoff, in and around Okotoks, AB September/October

Posted by: Laurie Rae Rezanoff, Astrologer | Writer | Teacher | Speaker

Venus-Moon Gate via Root Chakra

Okotoks, AB Fall 2017

We have been in the Balsamic Moon phase since October 15th at 7:25 p.m. MDT at 07 degrees of Virgo 52'. We began this Moon cycle in Virgo and we will end it in Virgo. Processes, perfection, procrastination, being of service, assimilating / eliminating / sorting / organizing. Physical health and daily work.

Each Balsamic Moon phase (the last of the 8 Moon phases within each Moon cycle) brings forth an emotional release in some regard. We release that which we've been working to become conscious of, about Self, since the Moon cycle began at New Moon (in this case, September 19th). By Full Moon there is an illumination/awareness of what it is that is to be released, and perhaps the Ego-Self is reluctant to let go of. We navigate through the Disseminating Moon phase to draw about the wisdom of what we've learn about within Self, then the Last QTR Moon phase brings some form of 'crisis of consciousness' whereby our Ego-Self must reorient itself in preparation to ALLOW this emotional release to occur during the Balsamic Moon phase. Hence the timing of resistance, denial, blame, diving into our addictions - all ways our Ego-self wants it all to just go away and leave me alone!

Please note: every Moon cycle, occurring every 28-29 days, brings a new opportunity for Self Growth, some aspect of our respective Inner Unconsciousness brought up out of the Darkness of each New Moon phase, to be fully illuminated by the Full Moon's light as to WHAT the heck that was all about (!) then as the Moon's light wanes from Full to New again, we learn to ALLOW the Letting GO of whatever emotional distortions we've been hanging onto that no long serve us on our respective Life Paths.

Sheep River, Okotoks, AB Fall 2017

THIS is the cycle of the Moon, also ruler of Cancer and the 4th House of Home / Mom / Mothering / Nurturance and how we learned of love/nurturance from our family of origin (within our respective birth charts). Within our original Home. How we DO nurturance - or not - for Self, then Others.

Each Moon cycle brings up emotional stuff to the surface to BE revealed, healed, and finally let go of during the Balsamic Moon phase - if we're ready to do so. If not, we bring it all with us into the next New Moon and Moon cycle and it either is buried again, or we deal with it, along with whatever new aspect of emotional healing comes forth in the new cycle. Cool, eh? We each have the CHOICE to grow or not grow, to learn or run away or bury it all over again. "And the beat goes on...."

Venus and the Moon have been meeting up during the Balsamic Moon phases since April 23rd, 2017. Each meeting created a Venus-Moon Star Gate associated with one of the major Chakras - those energy centres we carry along our spines from the crown of our head to the root base where the tailbone is. Tuesday, October 17, 2017, the current Venus-Moon Star Gate began at 7:57 p.m. MDT at the celestial longitude of 04 degrees of Libra 33'. Here we began our journey of releasing distortions associated with the Root Chakra.

Libra, as a cardinal air sign of the Zodiac, brings forth the renewed need for balance, harmony, peace, love, negotiation, love and beauty in all things/people. There will be a re-balance for all from this Balsamic Moon phase of yesterday until the next, November 17th.

The Root Chakra brings forth some, or all of the following, for each of us to grapple with:

• Ruled by Saturn - brings forth our connection to Earth - how grounded are you, truly? What do you need to do daily to bring this about? Walking? Running? Meditating? Just being in Nature? Saturn is where we discern the right and proper structures within our respective lives, the goals we set for ourselves and hopefully achieve, and is where our Ego-Self's greatest fears of achievement, success and abundance reside!
• Chakra Colour is RED
• Action - Structure, Limitation, Physical Identity. If there is too much or not enough of the first two, then we undergo an identity-crisis in some regard.
• Element - is Earth! Connect connect connect as much as possible this next month! BE grounded.
• Main Issues - Survival/Stability, our Physical Needs, and Sense of Safety! Do any or all of these issues trigger a response within you? Is it a happy response or ?
• When Imbalanced - Anxiety disorders, unfounded fears, nightmares, issues with colon, bladder, elimination; lower back, leg or feet issues. For men, prostate issues. Eating disorders may also be a sign of imbalance here.
• When Blocked - Anxiety, lack of physical energy, a sense of being ungrounded - feeling disconnected from Mother Earth. Here we can seem like balloons racing all over the place and not accomplishing much! Slow down, breathe, and walk step by step...
• Mantra to use during meditation to create balance/release these blockages - LAM
• Sanskrit Name is Mulhadara (for those of us who do Kundalini Yoga - the mool band is a tool used to release blocked energy herein during the Kriya for Elevation - as warm-up and tune-up of the spine, aids in circulation of prana to balance the chakras)
• Affirmation to use - "I am safe, protected and secure. All is as it should be."
• NB: The above chakra information is from The Chopra Center; astrological affiliations from Medical Astrology; Kundalini Yoga information from the booklet "Keeping Up With Kundalini Yoga".

Stormy Weather Okotoks, AB 2017

Each Venus-Moon Star Gate brings forth an opportunity to become conscious of some aspect of the Self in order to heal it. The Balsamic Moon phase conjunctions of Venus and the Moon since April 23rd have brought us slowly through each major chakra, Crown to Root, as we slowly descend with Venus/Inanna into the Underworld, casting off distortions we've held onto that have affected each of the chakras. We let go of whatever distortions we feel comfortable with at the time. Some of us purge wholeheartedly, others with fear, hold back. 

There is NO right or wrong way of how we each navigate these Venus-Moon Star Gates, each of the Moon's phases or Moon cycles! We each have our unique process (Virgo) of how, and when, we LEARN about what was hidden deep inside before now. This is the beauty of Astrology! There is always another turn of the Wheel of the Month, Year and planetary cycle within which to delve wholeheartedly into change, healing and letting go!

During this last Venus-Moon Star Gate, we will cast off the last of the chakra distortions for this particular Venus/Inanna Journey of Descent into the Underworld. We've all been experiencing this since April 23rd, consciously or not, and will culminate with a symbolic Death Within as of November 17th when we truly enter the Underworld phase of our Journey. There will be an aspect of Self that we truly let go of. Venus rules our Desires, what we attract to ourselves through wishes and dreams via people, events, experiences. The Desires we thought were key before now will undergo a deep transformation - all due to the people, circumstances and experiences we've been undergoing since April 23rd! Fear Not! 

Okotoks, AB Fall 2017

Bottom Line: our Ego-self clings to safety, security and the same-old, same-old - likes to keep the status quo as much as possible! Hence the denial phase, running away phase, distraction phase, anger/blaming phase, diving into addictions phase - escapism - in order to prolong the agony or totally ignore what is loud and clear to others around you. This will be a huge learning/healing Venus-Moon Star Gate folks! Breathe, walk, and know whatever you consciously become aware of is GREAT! We are all doing the best we can at any given moment in time. LOVE THYSELF. As Above, So Below, As Within, So Without.

We are all mirrors to one another. We see, hear, feel, touch and taste our lessons, one step at a time, within many cycles, occurring, seemingly, all at once! Be aware of the lessons coming forward, the distortions you are learning to let go of, heal, and love through. There is ALWAYS a greater reason for everything!

NAMASTE!

Photo Credits: 2017 Laurie Rae Rezanoff, in and around Okotoks, AB September/October

Posted by: Laurie Rae Rezanoff, Astrologer | Writer | Teacher | Speaker

A Moon Cycle of Eclipses and Mercury Rx!

Full Rainbow, Okotoks, AB 2017

Hi All! It's been a busy time for me - selling a house, moving out of Calgary, settling into a new space in Okotoks, Alberta! Love that we had a quick selling time - and move. Always a great sign that all is moving forward as it was meant to. I am glad to return to my Astrology practice. Thank you for your patience whilst I devoted my time and energy to other challenges.

This current Moon cycle has many twists and turns! Let's see how it's been unfolding so far:

• New Moon began Friday July 23rd at 00 degrees Leo 44' whereby both the Moon and Sun stood together at these celestial coordinates AND holding hands with Mars at 01 Leo 52'. Hence my theme for this Moon cycle is: "Heartfully taking Creative Action! If you don't feel it from the Heart - don't do it!" Leo rules the heart, and the back (supporting ourselves) and the Sun rules Leo! This Moon cycle is all about creating and shining our heart light out into the world around us, with fun and play, and ensuring our Inner Child comes along for the ride. Leo can be the King or Queen of the Mountain, wanting everyone else to DO what I DO. Drama King or Queen ensues if we're not listening to our inner self for what we truly NEED to DO for ourselves this cycle. Leo is fixed fire - taking creative action and dealing with the details yet stubbornly so - not going with the flow and coming up for air from time to time for fun and play!

• Mercury Rx (retrograde) Shadow timing began July 24th within the late degrees of LEO (!) and is currently moving through the mutable earth sign of Virgo - being of service, perfecting processes, and looking after the health of your physical body. Mercury rules Virgo, so there may be significant mental changes coming your way this Moon cycle if you've felt mentally blocked in deciding what program or regimen to get back into now. Virgo also rules our daily work and work environments. If there's too much distraction, noise, etc. getting in the way - what is it you need to decide upon, discuss and strategize on how to mentally move forward in these areas of your life now? The Mercury Rx timings always make us aware of how we are mentally getting in the way of ourselves. We learn information we didn't know we needed to know, before now. I love Astrology! The circle of 12 Houses in our natal charts shows the progress of the Moon (monthly) and the Sun (yearly) around it. As each luminary and fast-moving planet completes its journey and returns to where it began in our respective charts - we see how we've evolved since the last time that luminary/planet came by. What have you learned about yourself since the last time Mercury traveled through Virgo (July 31 - October 8, 2016? Where are you still struggling within the above-stated themes that Virgo brings into your awareness now? 

• The actual Mercury Rx timing begins August 13th at 11 degrees of Virgo 38' going BACK through the degrees it has already traveled through since July 24th! When a planet seemingly goes back over its orbit (Rx - retrograde) the usual forward-moving energy is now brought Inward - making it all very personal - up close and so personal we canna hide from the awareness and challenges of the WHY am I feeling this way? Whatever isn't working for you, mentally, will show itself, in spades! Be aware that Mercury rules how we think, what we think, how we communicate - with others and within to self (Inner Talk) - and relate our Self with Others in our life. Be aware that speaking up and standing up for Self (all that Leo!) is what we require to do now. You won't be able to move forward in your own life if you don't let others around you know what it is you NEED for you. We are experiencing a do-over right now. Another opportunity to speak up, converse, decide, learn, study and practice - via the Mental Body - all that we've been putting off doing before now. The timing of Mercury Rx ends as of September 5th as Mercury stations Direct at 28 degrees of Leo 26', moving ahead yet again over the degrees/minutes it was at as of July 24th! This time, we have Direct and forward-moving energy to help us with the direct ACTION (via this New Moon in Leo) to make positive decisions and have those forthright conversations, heartfully, that need to be had. And remember: Expect the Unexpected during Mercury Rx! Plans and ideas will change. New information and decisions will come into play. New people - people from your past - will come forward, adding to the mix. I love watching how each new Mercury Rx timing plays out! Very cool!

• The post-Mercury Rx Shadow timing begins when it stations Direct, September 5th, until Mercury finally moves PAST the celestial coordinates of where it went Rx August 13th - which will be September 19th, moving past 11 degrees of Virgo 38'! Do you see how the Mercury Rx timing brings forth 2 more opportunities to revisit conversations, mental thinking, decision-making, and Inner Talk scenarios?! Take advantage of all of this for your inner growth. The Sun assists with Heartfelt Action during this Moon cycle, while the Moon assists with your Emotional Body's feelings and intuitive insights along the way. Those of us who have Pisces / Virgo Sun's, Moon's and/or Rising Signs, will be especially affected. Sagittarius and Gemini Sun's, Moon's or Rising Signs will also find some stress and tension to make changes mentally too. The other earth signs - Capricorn and Taurus - may find some ease along the way, while Aries and Aquarius signs will definitely need to let go of old patterns and conditioning during this Mercury Rx timing. Keep on keeping everyone!

Prairie Storm Clouds, 2017

Now for the Eclipses! We experience two eclipse seasons per year - the first set occurred February 10th (Lunar Eclipse in LEO during the Full Moon) and 26th (Solar Eclipse in PISCES during the New Moon). A Lunar Eclipse brings forth the Emotional Body's needs to express itself via feelings and intuition, receiving from others - mainly our Inner Feminine energies at play. A Solar Eclipse brings forth the Inner Masculine energies - to take action, assert self, be creative in some way, to give to others. Take note of what occurs in your life just before/during/after each eclipse. The Eclipse themes highly continue for 6 months after, and for up to 3 years thereafter. Yet another opportunity for Self/Soul Growth. Here's when the next eclipse set will occur and their themes to take note:

• Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse August 7, 2017 at 12:11p MDT at the celestial coordinates of 15 degrees of Aquarius and 25'. At each Full Moon we experience some sort of AHA moment of understanding self in some regard - seeing what has unfolded within our respective lives since New Moon (July 23rd in LEO) amid the themes I related earlier -  heartfelt creative action, supporting self along the way. The Lunar Eclipse will make us EMOTIONALLY aware of how well we learned what we needed to learn, and includes following our intuition. Aquarius brings forth an aspect of knowing what it is our Future Self requires and wants for us NOW - and being a fixed air sign, much to talk about with friends and groups and peers! Plans for the future - with others - in community. As true authentic selves, within community - we look for what it is we truly require to BE ME, AND ask for assistance within our community AND give back to community. This is a central theme for the New Age of Aquarius - BE authentic to self, connect with community, and together we will move forward, each on our respective true life paths. Interestingly, Leo is the opposite sign to Aquarius, and brings forth the creativity, fun and play, leadership and Inner Child themes that assist with all the Aquarius themes. We cannot BE one without the Other. How do you create an AND between both? This is the challenge!

• New Moon/Solar Eclipse August 21, 2017 at 12:30p MDT at the celestial coordinates of 28 degrees of Leo 53'. Another New Moon brings unrealized potential of soul/inner growth - which we are 'in the dark' about until the following Full Moon phase. This eclipse brings forth ACTION of some sort that we've emotionally been working on within this current Moon cycle begun July 23rd! Ensure you are consciously AWARE of how you feel, intuit and wish to receive during this Moon cycle and will then BUILD upon with Heartfelt Creative ACTION right away as the upcoming New Moon begins August 21st! NB: this Solar Eclipse is a TOTAL Eclipse that will be seen from most parts of North America! Very much bringing forth HEART to those living in economic straits and coping with interesting political changes and leadership personalities. LEO rules leadership - is it coming from the Heart or from Ego? Who do you wish to follow? Work as a team or dictated to? Here is where we 'see' in the outer world what we each are working on in our respective inner worlds. As the Shadow of this eclipse passes over North America - what hidden fears and anxiety will be brought up and out of your heart to heal and love through? Consciously ride this wave of heart-opening moments, challenges and awareness.

Moon Globe, Okotoks, AB 2017

Interestingly, the Balsamic Moon phase of the previous Moon cycle (the last Moon phase for that cycle that begun July 19th at 9:11p MDT within the celestial coordinates of 12 degrees of Gemini 39') when Venus and the Moon came together to create the latest Venus Star Gate via the 5th Chakra - the HEART Chakra! How cool is this? Another reason why I love love love Astrology! Previous cycles of the luminaries/planets set us up for succeeding cycles - all in aid of assisting each of us on our onward/inner soul path journey here on Earth! So cool considering the CURRENT Moon cycle theme is LEO too! And the next New Moon/Solar Eclipse is LEO too! 

Venus, our Desire Body, is assisting us to open our hearts, while the Balsamic Moon (all about LETTING GO of distortions we've hung onto, until now) brings opportunities to let go, emotionally! For those of you who have been following the course of the current Venus Star Journey from Aries, we journey through all 7 Chakras from Balsamic Moon phase to Balsamic Moon phase. We've been descending into the Underworld via Venus and the Moon since March 2017, healing distortions, so far, within our respective Crown, Brow/3rd Eye and Throat Chakras. Now it is all about the heart, our hearts, and heartfully what it IS we truly want/Desire for ourselves, NOW and in the FUTURE.

For those curious and interested in learning MORE about Astrology and how it brings forth 

timely insights and healing within YOUR particular soul/life journey - 

call Laurie Rae for a truly insightful Astrology chart reading today!

Call 587.437.3520 or email myhouseofastrology 'at' shaw.ca for an appointment either 

In Person, Over the Phone or via Skype/FaceTime

and begin your conscious Soul/Inner Growth Journey today!

Posted by: Laurie Rae Rezanoff, Astrologer | Teacher | Writer | Speaker

Photo Credits: Laurie Rae Rezanoff within and around Okotoks, AB 2017