Last Quarter Moon Phase October 2014

Last Quarter Moon Phase-2

The current energy:  The head/Sun squares the heart/Moon… well, that’s one (of many) ways to say it.  Today the Moon is in it’s Last Quarter Phase (270° to 315°).  This phase started at 1° Leo and enters  the last phase, the Balsamic at 1° Libra and then the next New Moon is 1° Scorpio.  These phases happen every month of course as the Moon moves through it’s monthly cycle.  So where are we now exactly as far as what we can expect will occur based on our New Moon intention from the last New Moon when we planted our seed and conceived something during the dark of the Moon last? 

What is this phase all  about?  Well, we start with the fact of the square that the Moon and Sun are making and that brings frustration, uneasiness, the energy being at odds, conflicting.  The Moon wants one thing and the Sun another and both must be resolved–but differently.

Dane Rudhyar calls this phase “Crisis is Consciousness” — and I think too “crisis in belief”.  Internal conflicts, therefore, mark this phase.  Do we deserve what we asked for during the New Moon?  Is it possible to achieve? Are we in harmony with our own ideals?  –these types of questions could be possible now.  I can see this within my own self as I look back to the start of the cycle (Sept. 23/24) at the last New Moon and all that has happened over these last 3 week and I feel myself having to grapple with a few things internally.  Here in this phase we should be careful that we don’t create a pattern called “the undoing of the doing”.  We must not take things for granted and undermine our own creative efforts and all the while try to understand our own actions. 

We are likely to seek a deeper cosmological understanding–again, crisis in belief.  We begin to feel the pull of Source Energy now pulling us into the next phase.  We may be confused about what to believe and the value system that we associate with those beliefs.

What you believe determines your values which in turn determines your lifestyle relative to your beliefs.  There can be a crisis in lifestyle and a crisis in identity as well.  An inner question such as “Am I living my life according to my own values?”    Something in consciousness is being re-polarized so that a new foundation of awareness can occur–the soul strives for a new foundation!

There is society and then there is ‘me’–values may differ.  We feel the new cycle and want to move into that but we are finishing up something in this cycle that must come first—thus, the frustration.  

the Psychic in this last quarter moon phase

The psychic, the sensitive individual,  feels the longing to go home, to withdraw, and seeks solitude more frequently in this lunar phase. Thoughts of what is left behind as a legacy are typical of this phase,  And so perhaps in this lunar phase the psychic professional works on that class, that book, those teachings or the project of one kind or another.  There is still engagement with the outer world but it is like the autumn if we equated this to a season.

The Moon wanes and the monthly cycle ends and now the psychic starts to review the month, the work and perhaps takes inventory of successes and perceived failures and maybe considers how to improve or change in some way. 

There is a sense of wanting to finish unfinished business and so reviewing connections with others perhaps by checking over Email to be sure everything was addressed… just anything to tidy things up because subconsciously and intuitively the feeling of needing to withdraw again is nearing. 

So there is a feeling of culmination and completion here and shedding the skins that were worn in the world this time/this month.  The time is coming again soon to enter the cave once again where perhaps only a loincloth and meditation beads are needed—perhaps not literally but at least metaphorically.


No matter what your role in life or what profession you are in the emotional nature responds to an important principle or value that you feel you must uphold.  However, it is important to be flexible about this because as you feel like you would like to reform the whole system of society and the world to be in harmony with your own ideals, there is a need to be reasonable.  We can only do our best in our own corner of it working within the system (and societal values) that are already in place while being in harmony with our own system and values at the same time.

And we should remember that we are talking about the Solar-Lunar factors… the Sun relating to the Moon.  We’re talking head (Sun) versus heart (Moon). The purpose and outer persona (Sun) and the evolving emotional and soul dynamic (Moon) and we started this phase with the 270° square.  I wrote a post a while back about the difference between the energies of the Sun and the Moon which may be good to review:  CLICK HERE.  

This phase is like a sweet sorrow.  Like sensing a return to the homeland after being away.  Time now feels even more precious because we know something is soon going to change but before it does we ask ourselves, “Have I been doing my best?”    These types of questions permeate our gradual return to the inner world as we move through this phase.  Longing increases to return to the dharmakaya, the place of divine truth.  We remember the “Cosmic Joke” as some say and we focus on today, now, and …. well, I just now realize that this very morning, I made a Facebook post that epitomizes this:

“In our lives there’s ‘this n’ that’ happening and then there’s the other ‘not’ happening and then again there’s the ‘meanwhile’… deep within; the eternal presence in the eternal now is meanwhile. Always meanwhile at the core of us, there’s exists, always, the divine connection meanwhile and the practice of the virtue of patience.”

There’s a sense of autumn about this phase and an acceptance of the imperfection of our lives, our values, our beliefs and those of the others and the outer world of society.  We can almost laugh about it realizing how little it all really matters in the end.   Yet, we still know we have to participate in it and so our grip loosens.  We accept what we haven’t done and may not get to do and we also see that tendency in other people–that which has not been accomplished not only in this monthly lunar phase but in life generally.  Yet, despite this, we’re okay with the imperfections of Samsara.  

We know we cannot always be right, have everything we want, remain young all the years of our life but…

we must be very careful now not to become cynical.  We should let go of all judgments of ourselves and others–that’s all irrelevant anyway and we can get a glimpse of that now.  

Don’t snatch defeat from the jaws of victory

We do not want to repeat the past — this for sure is what we know and we must be careful not to “snatch defeat from the jaws of victory”.  

It is important not to judge circumstances now, no matter how things appear!  It’s best to say “I have no idea…” right now rather than to draw an erroneous conclusion about anything or anyone.  Enlightenment, after all, in the end is knowing that you don’t know all that you thought you knew!  

Next up:  Balsamic Phase at 1° Libra starting on Tuesday the 21st.  And then we go thought the cycle again, so you can come back and start again with the New Moon phase entry on this blog and let the Moon phases guide you through another month.

 

QUICK MOON PHASE LINKS: 

New Moon 

Crescent (Waxing)

First Quarter

Gibbous (Waxing)

FULL MOON

Disseminating (Waning)

Last Quarter

Waxing Crescent – Balsamic 

 

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Jupiter just moved into Leo – Time to give your new creative self-expressive purpose some real legs!

Jupiter in Leo

You’ve got to know what it is!  Our Sun is just about to move right over Jupiter (last 2 weeks of July 2014).  Pay attention this next week as the Sun moves closer to Jupiter and goes right over it!  (Exciting stuff!)

Jupiter says, “Go big or go home”.  Well, that’s what I’ve heard anyway–and it makes sense.  Jupiter is a big planet and on an astronomical level it’s pretty protective of earth too, deflecting a lot of space rocks that would otherwise hit us.  No wonder it has the reputation of good fortune as one of it’s archetypes.

Leo is associated with that 5th house ruled by Sun and is all about creative self-expression and purpose, special gifts and talents.  Each of us has something within us that nobody can do better!  And that something is likely getting tickled out of us or we’re getting flashes or insights about that creative purpose right now.

If you knew the house of your natal Jupiter (where it was the day you were born)  this could help us understand your own juices a bit more and of course what house Jupiter is moving through in your chart right now that could help with more detail too.  But chances are you already know what it is and an astrologer could simply validate it for you and help give you some added kick-start encouragement. 

Belief and opportunity are key words in association with this recent energy shift in our psyche that is associated by Jupiter’s recent move into the Leo part of the star systems.  As above–so below.

Oh–wait!  Let’s add the word “fun” to the mix.  So think about it…  its probably been on your mind for a while anyway and now you see the opportunity to give this project some real legs.

Jupiter in Leo for you could very well involve the following… here are some HINTS:

  • it’s big
  • it involves your purpose here
  • it’s expressive and creative
  • nobody can do it like you can
  • its going to be really fun to do
  • it’s an opportunity
  • you’ll need to really believe in it
  • and it’s going to help protect you here or enhance your survival
  • you will use your right brain and intuition
  • it could involve teaching or philosophy in some way, perhaps writing (Jupiter rules the 9th house so all those archetypes are part of it)
  • it’s likely to get you the attention you’ve been wanting for the purpose of your soul’s evolution
  • teaching, studying, philosophy, writing (all Jupiter associations with the 9th house it rules) and traveling afar
  • divination could be a huge part of it since Jupiter rules intuition and right brain energy and Leo will give it a creative purpose

If you know astrology, just combine Sun/Jupiter/Sag/5th house/9th house and then look at your own chart–where’s your Jupiter in Leo, meaning what house–what area of life is this going to awaken or include as part of this energy shift into this enlivened creative self-expressive new purpose?

It’s going to somehow involve “relating” to others in some way since the transiting North Node (our evolving soul’s growth, evolutionary intention) is in the sign of Libra so all those Libra qualities are likely to be part of it.  Venus ruling Libra and Taurus is therefore involved in the mix.  Beauty, harmony, survival, security–those archetypes are likely part of this package too.

(Aspiration:  May this little post be encouraging, informative and helpful for those who come upon it. )

On the Life Path: Boulders, Vows, Evaluating Goals, Tarot 7 of Swords, Wood Bethony, and Buddhism

Imagine standing at the edge of a forest and  you want to reach the other side...
THE FOREST OF LIFE!  Imagine standing at the edge of a forest and you want to reach the other side…

Imagine standing at the edge of a forest, and that you want to reach the other side. 

Would you walk a straight line through it? Or, might the path meander in every possible direction, around boulders, between trees, along a stream, feeding the deer, conversing with the owls, and roasting marshmallows? 

Yeah, every possible direction, because this is how things are in a forest. 

Tree! 
    The Universe

[the clever lines above received by email this morning from tut.com]

I’d just been thinking such a similar set of mental phrases.  I sure am going the long way around wherever I’m going — and I quit trying to second-guess the ultimate destination a while back.  I adapted the attitude of one of my teachers who said, “… you go where you’re sent in life.”

Today I am also thinking of the Bodhisattva  vow:  May I attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings.  May my action bodhichitta grow

Yeah, okay.  I’m doing my best–so don’t laugh!  And I seem to be meandering around a few boulders in the forest of life  this year in general and this week most recently, but as my grandmother used to say “little by little” progress is made. So T-minus 4 days to take off!  The next move is in 4 days and some final cleaning took place here in the kitchen yesterday and the skin on my fingertips are a  bit raw to prove it.  Never have gotten used to cleaning using rubber gloves.  Clumsy and too much time taking them on an off as I’m pulled in other directions while cleaning–take answering the phone  for one example.

Where is the ultimate destination?  I don’t know!  But I’m willing to let that be okay.  I’ve located a number of possible paths and applied for the hiking permit (so-to-speak, speaking symbolically) and we’ll see what opens up.

Meanwhile, I have two small mirrors to un-anchor from the wall and some things to drive over to storage before the end of the week, aside from that, I don’t know what more I can do as I’ve always applied that girl scout motto:  BE PREPARED

My trip to the rental office yesterday was productive in that I was able to tie up the loose ends and end the confusion about final notices and paperwork:  there was a change of staff right in the midst of the apartment change.  (Long story–don’t ask.)  All’s well that ends well and I’m ending my association with this particular apartment about as well as I can do it.

So on to the next adventure, around this boulder here in 4 days.  Maybe then I will see more clearly what’s ahead.  I think sometimes my vision is blocked for good reason–perhaps I’m being spared in some way and that’s a blessing.

As I sometimes do, let me pull a card and ask (reaching for my tarot cards)… let me ask what is ahead around this current boulder, perhaps the card will show me?  (I do love divination! but then I’m a psychic after all and should, right?)

For clarity sake, the boulder represents the current move into the new apartment with my sister.  What is beyond that?  At least for the near future–this is my question.  Near future representing let us say the next 6 months.  So here we go…  asking for just one card, just to get a feel for the energy beyond the T-minus 4 days….

7 of swords wood betony collage

Well, it’s the 7 of Swords.  Well first thing I get here is “confrontations being avoided” — and that may be a good thing.  The herb associated with this card is WOOD BETONY which some wear to avoid evil spirits.  That’s a bit dramatic.  Let’s just say that Wood Betony can help one release fearful visions of the future… that I’ll go with.   It helps with one’s nerves when used medicinally.  There’s some reference to hidden intentions and deceptions.  Sounds like honesty all around will be important on the other side of this boulder.

The affirmation for this card [according to the book] is:  “With a peaceful heart, I gather information and truth for my plans and goals.”

This card involves “keeping something to yourself”  and being a loner–like those blackbirds who keep to themselves and bow and then fly away when they see other birds.  (Just this past week many blackbirds have been coming to the feeder–highly unusual)  Blackbirds stay to them selves so much that it is said when you actually see two blackbirds together at once, it’s a good omen.

So this “keeping to one’s self” sounds like blackbird medicine advice.  This card is also about preferring solitude–and that of course is no secret about me.  This will likely not change is what the card is indicating.  This card involves “separation from others”.   And further, this card relates to self-reliance and using one’s own wits to solve problems and resources.

Boy O boy!  The feeling that I’m getting here is that my life won’t really change all that much from what it is now.  That “loner” and “self-reliant” energy that I carry (that blackbird energy) will not change.  That’s a comfort to me.

This card also carries a meaning that relates to “running away” in some way—and that has to do with confrontations being avoided in this case (or so it feels).  There’s a testy teenager who will be part of the household and since this card applies to my question about what is around the corner for me, the avoidance of confrontations (bow and fly away; blackbird energy) may be what this card indicates.  (Astrologically speaking:  If you’re an astrologer, this girl is a Leo Moon and Aries Sun with Saturn (in Aries)  in the 7th, Virgo rising–3rd house Pluto.  My Sun and Moon are  in her 1st house within orb of her Chiron.   Her Moon is on my 12th house Mars/Pluto/Saturn  stellium.  My sister is an very early Leo Sun and Aquarius Moon affecting her daughter’s 5th House Uranus.)  Yeah, that 7 of Swords and Blackbird loner stuff …. probably good advice.  A big message of the 7 of Swords has to do with the need to be calm and to keep things to yourself–I so get that.

I may re-evaluate my plans or goals once I get on the other side of the boulder too but meanwhile, I will meander just  as I have been through the forest of life and enjoy whatever is beyond the boulder or around the curve in the path.   Meanwhile, I will do my best to hold to my Bodhisattva vows and the 37 Practices.

I also may totally plan a get away camping trip for a week  or so in the mountains too, providing I have the increase in $$ to do so.   Anybody want to order a reading or sign up for my class?  🙂   Help!  LOL

Part of the Vow:

Just as all the previous Sugatas, the Buddhas
Generated the mind of enlightenment
And accomplished all the stages
Of the Bodhisattva training,
So will I too, for the sake of all beings,
Generate the mind of enlightenment
And accomplish all the stages
Of the Bodhisattva training

This includes practice the “six perfections”:  giving, moral discipline, patience, effort, concentration and wisdom in order to attain enlightenment for the sake of all beings.