The New Moon and Business

If you’ve been following my newsletter then you might remember that I’m also preparing to launch a line of all natural dog grooming products, Pure Pooch. It was something my partner and I have been talking about for a long time, but this year made the commitment to make it happen or stop talking about it. Well I’m happy to say that we’re getting close! We’re only slightly behind where I thought we would be by this time, but according to our marketing coach everything is in good shape. We’ll be launching the product in April 2011 at the Global Pet Expo.

So while we haven’t technically hit our bullseye yet, I can share a few tips in the spirit of this new moon that you might find useful in thinking about what you’re aming for this year.

The Astrology of the New Moon

Dec 2010 New Moon

The new moon (chart) occurs on Sunday, December 5, 2010 at 13° of Sagittarius. All new moons are an invitation and in the sign of the archer this new moon is about taking aim (and hence the bullseye motif).

When you close one eye and focus on your own personal bullseye, what do you see?

The Archer – Sagittarius

Sagittarius is considered a “mutable” sign since it ends one season (autumn) and transitions into the next (winter). Mutable signs are about flexibility and change. Sag, as the sign of inspriation, suggests that like the seasons, what we’re inspired by can, and may, change. The new moon in Sag is a favorable time to create a new vision, set our sights on a new goal, or understand a new univeral principle.

“Faith is, at one and the same time, absolutely necessary and altogether impossible.” -Stanislaw Lem (1921 – 2006)

Sagittarius is ruled (and fueled!) by the planet Jupiter, the granter of wishes, the opener of doors, and the giver of faith. Faith requires that we exist in two worlds at once, too. It’s about remaining in a state of complete certainty in an environment of complete uncertainty. It’s about seeing the goal, not the obstacles.

Tip 1: To hit your personal bullseye you have to have faith in yourself- that your choices are good, that your abilities are enough, and that your vision is the right vision- even when others don’t always agree with it.

Jupiter is expansive but in a disfunctional sense it can be “too much.” Mars challenges Jupiter at this new moon so there may be a tendancy to create impossible goals or set too many goals. That’s one area that I need to work on personally. I try to keep my to-do lists at about three items so that I don’t get overwhelmed. This new moon does receive a friendly sextile from Saturn in Libra, which means if we can remain objective in our thinking, rational in our judgment, and conservative with our time then we can mitigate the Jupiter effect of wanting to take on more and more.

Tip 2: To hit your personal bullseye you have to be really clear about your goal compared with other priorities in your life. Be honest with yourself about what you can and cannot do.

For our product, Pure Pooch, we hired someone to design our lable, even though my partner told me I was capable of doing it (I knew it too, but thought we should work with a “professional”). When we ended up firing the label designer I spent about 30 hours and designed a label that I love, I’m proud of, and feel as though it really represents the product and our brand. We could have saved ourselves time and money if I had the confidence (literally, “with faith”) to do it myself to begin with. This is really a combination of both principles- sticking to my vision and knowing what I was capable of.

This month Mercury, the planet that symbolizes communication, trade, and travel will be going retrograde (or backwards) from December 11-30. Remember that Mercury retrograde simply asks us to be more mindful- of what we’re doing, what we’re saying, and what we’re signing. It’s a favorable time for things that require your review, reassessment, or revision. Don’t be exasperated at having to do something over- be grateful for the opportunity to do it right.

Tip 3: To hit your personal bullseye you need to understand timing and how to use the different qualities of time for different activities. The process of reviewing and revising will help you to assess your results and milestones and make any necessary adjustments.

This Sagittarius new moon is about seeing a goal, setting a vision to reach it, and finding the faith and inspiration to take the first step on the journey. Next month, at the new moon in Capricorn it’ll be time to initiate the work, focus your attention, and persist in your efforts to reach your goal.

If you know your chart more deeply the new moon at 13° of Sagittarius will occur in whichever house contains this degree of the zodiac. The meaning and symbolism of that house will play an important part in personalizing what this cycle means for you. If you’d like to know more about your chart or how this new moon might affect you, please contact me to schedule a reading.

May you be inspired by the lights of this season and may they clearly illuminate the goal you set for yourself this year. Namaste’

Thanks for writing in Jane. Relocation is a popular topic in astrology and there are many ways of determining where and when to go. For the purposes of this column I’ll keep it simple and look at a few of your transits and progressions for later this year.

As I’ve noted before, astrology is good at describing conditions and not necessarily outcomes. A weatherman can predict rain for tomorrow, but he can’t say if you’ll get wet or not- going outside is up to you. In your case, Jane, it sounds like you already have the outcome in mind (moving to Canada) and want some assurance that the conditions will support your decision.

Looking at your progressions and transits for December I would say that, yes, the time does look right for making a move. A person’s natal chart will always be the same, so to account for how one changes, and describe the experiences encountered that enable those changes, astrology employs transits and progressions.

Transits match the current placement of the planets to those in your natal chart. For example, as of this writing the planet Saturn is located at 15 degrees of Virgo. If your natal chart has planets at this degree, or in aspect to this degree, then we could reasonably say that your current conditions are going to include increased responsibility, duty, or hard work.

Progressions assign a day for a year of life and give us the broad landscape of one’s life. They also help to describe the inner conditions and responses of the person. For example, when your progressed Moon moves into the 12th house then you may find yourself feeling more introspective, meditative, or confined. Astrolology is not only a symbolic language but a tool to determine timing through the study of cycles. We can describe the conditions and give an approximate time to expect them. Thus, having the correct birth time is critical for accurate timing of changes and events.

The first set of progressions in Jane’s chart (Jane’s Charts) describe conditions that will be ideal for releasing the past, a home, or female relative. Soon after, in early November, the conditions will be open for pursuing a new direction, participating in lots of activity, and asserting oneself. The first is the progressed Moon quincunx her natal Moon (home, family, mother); and the second is the progressed Moon conjunct natal Mars (action, activity, assertiveness). Selling a home and severing old ties, then putting ones energy into packing up a house and moving certainly fit these conditions.

In late November transiting Neptune makes a stressful aspect to Jane’s midheaven and describes a time when there’s confusion around how she is seen by others. Since she’s considering moving out of the country she may have issues around paperwork or passports. The particular aspect betwen these points says that it will be a stressful time but that patience is the best course of action.

Mid-December brings the transit of Uranus, planet of change, through Jane’s 9th house and passing over her natal Saturn-Mercury pair and opposing her natal Moon. Last minute doubts will be replaced by an excitement for change and new experiences. This coincides with the date Jane suggested (December 2009) so it sounds as though she’s putting these astrological conditions to good use!

The last progression I’ll note occurs in early January, 2010. Jane’s progressed Sun will meet up with her natal North Node. The meaning of the North Node is enough to fill a book, but in this context it represents new people, new groups, and new situations. Jane will be experiencing conditions that bring her into contact with new groups of people. This sounds like what happens after one moves to a new place and finds she must meet new people and create new social networks.

Jane, all of this sounds very positive for making your move in December. I do want to tell you about one important planetary condition: Jupiter, the planet of travel and expanding one’s horizons, will be retrograde from June 15 to October 12, so use that period to review, recalculate and reimagine the upcoming move. You may not feel like you’re making any progress during this time, but once Jupiter rolls forward in October you’ll feel a real sense of movement begin to happen. Jane, I wish you the best of luck in your move! Do keep us posted.

Astrologically these new moons can be seen as an invitation for making plans to use the lunar energy for your benefit. This month the new moon will also be a solar eclipse- an extra powerful new moon that acts like an invitation you can’t refuse. A regular new moon is like mom setting out dinner. A new moon eclipse is like an Italian mother who grabs your plate and says “Mange’! – EAT!”

The new moon occurs on January 26th, 2009 at 2:55 am (EST) at 6 degrees and 30 minutes of Aquarius. The constellation of Aquarius is the water- bearer, however Aquarius is not a water sign but an air sign. What he’s pouring out of his jug is the collective consciousness on mankind- for Aquarius is the sign who perceives, embraces, and shares the progressive ideas that move group consciousness into the future. The basic message of this month is to engage in group activities,  unite with people who share your ideals, and come up with original and inventive solutions to your problems. With President Obama in the White House we will see these themes played out on the national stage and in the news. 

Download the PDF new moon chart: january-newmoon-2009

Looking at the chart for the new moon we also see a few other noteworthy items. First, Jupiter snuggles right up to this new moon, adding a sense of humor, optimism, and opportunity. On the collective level the new administration has certainly infused our country with a new sense of hope for the future. On an individual level use this expansive energy to dream big but be careful not to be too greedy or make promises you can’t keep.

Secondly, Mercury is retrograde in Capricorn. It’s time to re-examine (Mercury retrograde) our lives, particularly how we’re using our resources (Capricorn is concerned with the responsible use of resources). What will we need to reach the mountain top? By being clear about how we’ve been using our time and energy we can make small shifts that will result in major gains.

And lastly, the Saturn-Uranus stand-off continues forming another exact opposition on February 5th (the second of five) at 20 degrees of Virgo/Pisces, respectively. The last exact opposition occurred on November 4, 2008. Ring a bell? Convention and Form (Saturn) versus Progress and Potential (Uranus). Progress won on that day and it’s even more likely to win this time with Venus joining up with Uranus in the sign of Pisces where she is exalted.

Pisces is the sign where Venus’s ability to relate, harmonize, and sympathize is transformed into compassion, unconditional love, and empathy in watery Pisces. This bodes well for Uranus, the maverick of the astrology, by imbuing him with a heart-felt sense of  love for the humanity he’s desperately trying to inspire.

You can take advantage of this energy by asking yourself how you can demonstrate a more sympathetic attitude towards your fellow humans. Choose to act altruistically and you will reap the benefits both on a soul level and on the material plane.

If you know your chart find 6 degrees of Aquarius and make plans to do the kinds of things that will best utilize the available energies. For example, if you have 6 Aquarius in your second house then try finding original ways to increase your income, developing more tolerant and inclusive values, or sharing your resources with a group or social network that appeals to your heart. 

To order a PDF copy of your natal chart click here.

If this new moon eclipse is hitting a sensitive part of your chart and you’d like to explore it more deeply then contact me for a personal consultation. And remember that each Wednesday night prior to the new moon I’m holding a new moon workshop at Shin Wellness.

The Moon moves through all of the signs of the Zodiac over the course of a month. As it moves through the signs it is also making aspects to the various planets. For example, when the Moon moves through Pisces it will (as of this writing) be making an aspect called an opposition to Saturn, which is in Virgo (remember that Virgo and Pisces are on opposites sides of the sky). The Moon moves through one sign in about two and a half days and between the time of its last aspect to one of the planets but before moving into the next sign it’s said to be “void of course.” A void of course Moon can last a few seconds, minutes, or a half a day or more; and it occurs a few times each week.

I liken a void of course (henceforth “VOC”) Moon to a trapeez artist who let’s go of one bar in mid-air and is reaching for the other bar-  those moments when she’s disconnected from both and transitioning between the two. The VOC Moon is useful for somethings but not others. On the downside I see the VOC Moon as a time when things fail to take root. The Moon is disconnected and there are no channels or connections for it to imbue its energy. I’ve had several personal experiences where I’ve initiated something during a VOC Moon only to find that nothing really becomes of it- it never crystalizes and the outcome could not have been predicted. 

As one astrologer describes it: “Decision making in such periods turns out later to be unrealistic. Creativity diverges into unpleasant directions, improvisations, false starts, error. Business moves fail to generate profits, or meet unexpected difficulties. If you buy any object it usually fails of its intended use.”

I recognize astrology’s usefulness and application in our lives, but I don’t see any need to obsess about it. However, if I were making a big decision or big purchase I would just check to see where the Moon was at that time. If you do find that the moon is VOC when you’re supposed to be in an interview, or on your first date be proactive and see if the time can be changed. This is what astrology is for- like a weather forecast- to inform your own decisions.

You can use the VOC Moon positively too. Things that are favored during a VOC Moon are meditation, completing things you started earlier, daydreaming, relaxing, and luxuriating in the present moment.

I use Jim Maynard’s “Astrologer’s Datebook”  as a personal calendar and it lists the Moon sign for each day, major planetary aspects, and when the Moon is void of course. I also found another website that lists the dates and time of the VOC moon.

I believe astrology is about recognizing our connection to the world we live in and partnering with the cycles and the seasons around us instead of resisting it. I encourage you to observe your place in this world and how different times affect your growth and productivity. And should you need any help getting a handle on your cycles I’m always available for a consultation.

Re-orientation is the keyword for the last quarter moon. The lunar month is now three-quarters over. The current cycle/pattern is reaching a conclusion before the next pattern/cycle begins. Re-orientation means to “find ones position again” lending to its place within a cycle and not along a linear plane. 

The Moon is our emotional and experiential self. Transits of the moon around the chart are transitory and fast moving, and, because it is a short cycle, they tends to describe our habits (the Moon rules our habits and reactions to life). Habits are the things we tend to repeat in shorter, more regular cycles, unlike, say,  our career or relationship cycles.

During the new moon we set our intentions- plant the seed. At the first quarter moon action is taken- things begin to flower. At the full moon we experience a culmination- fruit bearing. Now, at the last quarter phase, is the time to re-orient. That which was produced at the full stage must now be turned under and let go of, so that it can become part of the next cycle. This corresponds to a farmer turning over his soil after the harvest; on a soul level it’s our ability to recognize and be aware of ourselves and make the necessary adjustments for the future. We “turn over”  the lessons of the month in our mind and integreate them into our psyche.

It’s surrendering now with the knowledge of eventual return. It can be a bitter-sweet time when we begin to let go of the past and immediately before we settle into our hibernation until the next cycle begins.