Judgment Day

 A very gentle Taurus moon greets us on October 1^st and boy, do we need all the calm resolve we can use.  With the tumultuous Full Moon in Aries only just past days before at the end of September, it is important to take a beat, take a moment to gather yourself together.   Even for just 10-15 minutes, find an outlet such as walking in nature, cooking nutritious food or working on a creative project; these will help you face the coming month ahead with a steadier mind and heart.

Cosmically, we move into smoother waters during October. Life is indeed, finally, moving forward again; unlike the planetary fits and spurts stopping and starting (let’s be honest, there was not much starting going on with six planets retrograde in September), it felt like spinning our wheels in heavy mud.  No more.  You will feel the wind behind your back encouraging you to get going now.

What is it you are called to do?  Where are your talents needed most?  Be discerning so that you do not spread yourself too thin.  Your time is a very precious commodity.  And the Taurus moon conjoining Uranus-Jupiter on day one and two of October reminds us to use our resources wisely. 

Only several days into the month, on Wednesday, October 4^th, Messenger Mercury turns into Libra joining Mars and the Sun.  Seemingly endless decisions and choices face us.  We are indeed at a cross roads.  There is no going back to the way life was.  The structures we knew so well, for good or ill, continue to crumble.  There seem to be very few rules any more.  Chaos and creativity abound.  Opportunists and optimists alike know that out of chaos comes order; that creativity when done right, is incredibly messy. So it is now: a time of infinite possibilities.

One everlasting rule continues to reign:  the principle of love.  Going forward, our decisions must be heart-centered and rooted in love.  So when facing multiple choices, ask yourself which path makes you feel calm, peaceful, relieved, excited (even if a little nervous)?  That points you in the right direction, toward the answer you seek and your best path forward. If a choice elicits dread, feels dull, stagnant or spikes fear, your intuition is guiding you in another direction.  Suffice it to say, it is not selfish to make choices that are in your own best interest or for your own well-being. 

Assisting our decision-making, Valuable Venus moves into analytical Virgo on Monday, October 9^th.  This is no small event.  After a very lonnnng run in Lively Leo, from early June until now, Venus played and partied hard.  Moving into Virgo, she doesn’t shine quite as easily in this efficient, work-oriented sign.  The upside of this energetic combination is Venus’ ability to prioritize, how to make the most of what we have, to help us arrive at the best decisions for our future.

Just two days later, Powerful Pluto turns direct motion.  Generally, we do not feel this cosmic gear shift; however, it occurs as its younger sibling Mars moves into Scorpio, the sign Pluto rules.  Desires emerge.  Sexuality sparks and power plays evolve.  We feel much more deeply.  We yearn to get to the bottom of the matter; we want to know, to be sure of the whys and the hows scratching at us. The gloves are off and the veil is pierced. There is absolutely no pretending any more.  We must be our purely genuine selves.  If we do not know who that is yet, we must own up to our innocence and be clearly honest about our unknowing.  No fakers allowed here.

It is OK not to have all of the answers.  Better to ask and learn than be a fool pretending to know something you do not. Instead, ask those wiser than you.

Authenticity is the basis for the New Moon solar eclipse in Libra on Saturday, October 14^th.  The more sincere, honest and real we are with ourselves and each other will serve us well in the long run.  With Messenger Mercury, Sun, Moon and the lunar south node all in Libra, prudent judgment is on the table. We can disagree about the facts all we want; the questions is:  where do we go from here?  How do we get there based on the reality of our situation?  In the maelstrom surrounding many of us, aim for common sense.

By all means, avoid making rushed decisions or allow others to pressure you into making choices you have not fully thought through. Take your time. Ask thoughtful questions:  what’s in it for you?  Does this feel healthy?  The more sound and reasoned our judgment, the better.

Careful, deliberate consideration is essential as you hand write three to five goals and intentions on this potent New Moon.  Understand your motives:  why you want what you desire.  Feel into your desires.  Allow yourself to tune in to Mars’ exact alignment to Saturn in Pisces.  Together, they inform our intuition and offer absolute clarity.  You will be drawn to the best choices.  Even if others do not understand or call you crazy, it is imperative to follow where you are led.

“I am who I am because of the choices I made yesterday.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

Then plant your goals in the potent autumn earth or set safely alight.

Just days apart, both Messenger Mercury and the Sun move into Scorpio, joining Motivating Mars.  On Sunday, October 22^nd, Mercury forms a powerful pairing with Mars.  Mercury guides our thoughts and words while Mars rules our actions.  Together, they unearth what must be seen and recognized.  Expect a lot of dirt to be dished up, the good, the bad and the ugly. We drill down further when the Sun rolls into Scorpio on Tuesday, October 24^th.  Along with a whole lot of muck and mire, treasure will also be revealed.  For anyone in scientific, healing or research fields, this is a highly productive stretch as Venus aligns with Jupiter in manifesting earth signs:  think prolific results and beneficial, useful outcomes.  It is harvest time in a major way and all of us profit.

We move toward a Full Moon lunar eclipse during the final week of October.  The last eclipse of 2023 occurs on Saturday, October 28^th.  Sun, Mercury and Mars in Scorpio oppose the Full Moon tied to Jupiter in Taurus.  Full Moons are markers of culmination and completion.  As a lunar eclipse, this Full Moon signifies the ending of all endings with limitless opportunity for transformation and reinvention.  Our focus is drawn toward resources:  our time, energy, money, skills, talents, power and influence. How will you make the best use of yours?

Our journey takes us to the bottom of ourselves, to the heart of our situation where we unmistakably see it all:  the grime, the grit and the glory. We cannot look away now.  There is so much work still to be done. Taskmaster Saturn prepares to turn direct motion in a few days.  In Pisces, we are called to have faith even where there is very little reason to believe. Which is precisely why we must.

Trust the Process

Thick as molasses:  Some may describe the cosmic energy of September just like that.  Like a stubborn hangover from August, an energetic quagmire looms over much of this month as six out of ten planets cycle retrograde motion. 

What should we do?  How can we make the most of this energy happening at a time when the calendar calls us to swing back into action with school, life and work?  Patience. Patience and the knowledge that by mid-month, planetary gears will shift forward motion once again.  In the meantime, let’s set expectations to manage the days ahead:

On September 1^st and 2nd, the Aries moon has us eager to get a move on, expending our time and resources to yield results.  Not so fast.  Messenger Mercury and Valuable Venus are cycling retrograde while Generous Jupiter is preparing to reverse gear.  The Labor Day holiday weekend is tricky, sticky and dicey.  Communication snafus abound particularly with relationships, whether personal or work. 

Although it is human nature to make assumptions about other people’s lives and their motives, this is one time you want to avoid doing so.

”Never judge another man until you have walked a mile in his moccasins” – Native American Proverb

Instead:  focus on your own lane. Rather than racing to judgment, give the benefit of the doubt, something that is in direly short supply these days.

Practicing the RE words helps greatly:  research, review, rest, rebalance, reclaim, restore, and more, to navigate the first two weeks of September. Hold off on any major purchases or signing significant documents for two weeks, until September 15^th if possible.  Of course, if essentials need to be replaced, any electronic equipment or appliances such as a laptop, cell phone, washer or refrigerator, buy the extra warranty.  This is one time you will be very glad you did.

After 40 days cycling in reverse, on Sunday, September 3^rd, Valuable Venus finally turns direct motion.  Venus rules love, money and relationships.  In Leo, Venus has tempted us to take risks, spend big, indulge in illicit romance, or return to that creative project shelved a while back.  The fires within have been stoked since mid-July.  Any self-aware folks paying attention during the past six weeks noticed emotional triggers and wondered how best to respond; these have perhaps even begged existential questions asking where to go from here?

Such timely reflection is no accident.  Humanity is at a critical pivot point.  While chaos seems to dominate, make no mistake:  Divine Order and Diving Timing reign.  Our human clock wants to race ahead and get going.  Not yet. There is still more to uncover, to recover and sort through. We are asked to trust the process.  Keep the faith like never before. This is the lesson of Venus retrograde, the mythological descent into the underworld to face our shadow selves, pieces of our being we’d rather not acknowledge, particularly our unique, riskier creative selves. 

Now after Labor Day, it’s as if we are back in elementary school with the teacher asking: What did you learn this summer?   Maybe, that we are all more alike than not; that our individuality is to be celebrated rather than scorned; that each of us brings certain special pieces to complete the whole puzzle of life.

Now pushing forward again on Monday, September 4^th, Venus invites us to share our unique qualities, bring them out in the open, loud and proud as only Look at Me Leo would have us do. However, we may still be reticent to walk outside wearing our boldest colors.  Messenger Mercury, ruling our thoughts and words, is still retrograde while Generous Jupiter turns retrograde just as Venus rolls forward.  

There is time.  Like getting our wheels under us or recuperating from a long journey, we slowly emerge from the depths of our experience.  Journaling, meditation, walking and being in nature are particularly useful now to process everything we discovered about ourselves since July. 

Reflections on our life lessons are highly relevant now as the education planet Jupiter shifts into reverse on Monday, September 4^th.  With outer planets, Jupiter and beyond, we do not feel their gear shifts as intensely as we do inner planets Mercury, Venus and Mars.  Like an ebbing tide, Jupiter now has us internalizing and integrating our experiences gained over the past year. 

During the week following, when many are back to school and work, a plethora of sturdy earth energies ground us into the routines at hand.  This is an incredibly practical and useful stretch between Tuesday, September 5^th and the New Moon on the 14^th.  Fully half of the planets, five out of ten are aligning in real-deal earth signs.  The Sun-Mercury in analytical Virgo aligns to Jupiter-Uranus in Taurus and eventually to Pluto in ambitious Capricorn.  Whatever you are seeking to build, grow or harvest now, go and do! 

This immensely strong structural alliance is integral to the particularly potent New Moon. Late in the day on Thursday, September 14^th, the New Moon in useful Virgo occurs just as Messenger Mercury turns direct motion.  Virgo rules Mercury.  And with both Sun and Moon in this efficient sign aligning to Jupiter and change agent Uranus, we are afforded a choice opportunity to set intentions now. What are your goals and desires?   Take advantage on September 15^th and 16^th to hand write three –to-five intentions you want to manifest over the coming months or season.  Virgo is detailed. So the more specific your intentions are, the better.  Then set them safely alight or bury in the earth.

And so it begins.

After a very long pause over the summer, all three interior planets (Mercury, Mars and Venus) are now cycling forward.  We can feel this gear shift, the forward thrust of life again. You will feel momentum build. Certainly, we are ready to jump right back into life.  Go ahead and book the travel plans, purchase the big ticket items and sign the major deals and documents.  It is GO TIME!

Thirsty after a long drought, you may feel you cannot get enough of a good thing as the beneficent planets Jupiter and Venus go at it, squaring off in Taurus and Leo.  Several ripe opportunities may surface all at once; or you could be pulled in several directions at the same time. The upside of this duo is they aren’t fazed by much:  go big or go home.  Challenging each other, Jupiter and Venus call each other’s bluff and dig in with Herculean stamina and grit. Just make sure your choices feel aligned with your personal goals and fit into YOUR schedule. This energy is about maximizing your time and talents rather than pleasing others.

The downside is overspending, wayward romances, and foolhardy risks.  Jupiter in Taurus offers a treasure trove of abundance while Venus in Leo is ready to shop til she drops.  So you may still want to watch your wallet until this planetary stand-off begins to wane as the Sun enters Lovely Libra on Saturday, September 23^rd. marking the Autumn Equinox.  Heading into the Full Moon at month’s end, our energies are channeled creatively as Motivating Mars and Valuable Venus join forces the entire last week of September.  Endless ideas soar as this dynamic design duo align to the Aries North node:  our creative engine and productivity shift into overdrive.  Inventors, artists, problem solvers, scientists of all kind take note!  

Heightened by the Full Moon in trailblazing Aries on Friday, September 29^th, we are ready to get a move on.  As life moves full steam ahead with the Sun joining Mars in Libra, we are invited to take all of our summertime ruminations and craft our days with equilibrium.  What are you inclined to design? What do you want your life to look like?   

 

 

                                                                                                                                       

 

 

 

 

 

The Serpent's Subtle Whisper

Full Moon fever spreads and makes itself felt on Day 1 of August.  During the final days of July, we feel the energy building with tremendous force, like a volcano silently churning beneath the surface.  This is one highly creative Full Moon:  with the playful Leo Sun opposite the innovative Aquarius Full Moon.  Ask: what is trying to be born?  In yourself, in your life?  Both Sun and Moon challenge Generous Jupiter in practical Taurus pushing us to keep it real, to have sound methods to our inventive madness and ground our ideas in reality. 

The planetary friction may spark resistance in yourself to change, how we can accomplish the task at hand; or we might also experience others digging their heels in over how to problem solve.  Watch for “my way or the highway” attitudes.  At such a time, it is vital to remember:  all roads lead to Rome.  There is no one right way to do something, or live life itself. As long as no harm is done, live and let live.

Better to turn the energetic push back from the Full Moon into good old perseverance and grit.  When we apply this planetary strength to see our tasks through, we can truly move mountains.  So turn an internal obstacle into long-lasting stamina to finish what you start.  Helping us source solutions, Motivating Mars and Messenger Mercury in efficient Virgo align with Jupiter, heightening our versatility and adaptability.  We have what it takes to do the heavy lift right now along with a killer work ethic.  Applied mathematics comes to mind.  Our ingenuity is off the charts combined with inner resources to do the thing at hand.  Take advantage!

It is wise to remember that Valuable Venus is retrograde motion all month and into early September.  Venus rules love, money and relationships, the good stuff.  Retrograde in festive Leo, this is the time for reflection on whom and what we value in ourselves, in others, and in life.  The peak of summer is a very convenient moment for Venus retrograde cycle to occur while many are on vacation or working shorter hours, lending itself to the RE words:  relaxing, rest and refreshment. Be sure to indulge in these!

Please think before you spend during August.  Hit the pause button and ask yourself if you really need that pricey jewelry, car or gadget.  Venus retrograde comes with a notorious tag line of Caveat Emptor, Buyer Beware.  We tend to buy stuff we really do not need and end up not using.  So before you wallow in buyer’s remorse, sleep on it, your latest have-to-have.  For essentials, such as replacing a refrigerator, phone or washing machine, make sure you buy the extra warranty as you very well may end up needing it.

Between August 10^th and 16th, is a particularly tempting time to splurge as Venus and the Sun in Leo challenge change agent Uranus.  Ask:  Are you getting the best value for your money?  What could you otherwise do with that money?  Temptation is very strong this week and this applies to affairs of the heart as well our spending. Watch for new flames and especially old ones resurfacing from the wee corners of your life, looking to re-ignite passions quelled by time and/or distance.  Others from your past may re-enter, or those you never knew you had any connection to begin with, from the likes of 23 and Me, or Ancestry.com. 

In short, watch your heart and your wallet this month.  Be cautious with both.  Have your long-term best interests in mind when facing choices. This is vitally important heading into the New Moon in Leo on Wednesday, August 16^th which joins the Venus-Sun duo.  Take a beat and really feel into the intentions you choose to set.  Carefully hand write three to five goals that you want to manifest over the coming month or season.

Lean into the abundant super practical earth energies that are also fortunately, built into the New Moon energy.  Like a trusted old friend and ally, the earth energies tame our urges to throw caution out the window.  Like a caped crusader, fully half of the planets, five out of ten, give us much needed support to counter any reckless notions we harbor.  Mars-Mercury align helpfully to Pluto, Jupiter and Uranus now, serving as a strong and sturdy ladder on which we may climb to our goals.  They say, “stay the course, focus on your intention, don’t look down”.  Do not become sidetracked by the serpent’s subtle whisper, seeking to distract you with all of those glittery and shiny Leo Sun-Venus objects.  Later on, you will thank your lucky stars you did.

Instead, remember all of your hard work that has brought you to this stage; the hours of love, resources, energy and skill you have invested to date.  Before you lapse into forgetfulness, toss out who and what got you here, remember the backbone and structure of what will get you across the finish line.  Make the most of Venus’ retrograde and remind yourself of the solid systems all around you. Take a day or week or two from life to regroup and reset.  Then be sure to plant your New Moon intentions in the warm, rich earth. 

Cosmic waves stir heavily after the New Moon.  Prepare for some stellar gear shifts as the end of August is fairly bumpy.  If you haven’t taken time off by the final week, you may want to as not a whole lot of work will get done through early September.  Back-to-school and work details or calendars may have to be re-designed as Divine Timing has other ideas of how we are to focus our energy from August 22^nd onward.

Expect the unexpected.

Wednesday, August 23^rd Messenger Mercury turns retrograde.  In case we did not get the message, the galaxy is doubling down with two interior planets, Mercury and Venus now cycling in reverse. The good news is, we move through this all at one time.  The challenge is:  our plans to push forward may have to wait.  If ever there were a time to hold off on larger purchases, this would be it. By mid-September, life starts smoothing out.  But from August 22^nd through September 15^th, if you can delay buying homes, cars, appliances, signing for loans, major documents, or purchasing electronic and communication devices, DO. If you absolutely must proceed during this window, buy the warranty and know your out clause.  You may very well need them.

By Monday, August 28^th, Motivating Mars moves into Libra.  The mythical god of war, Mars is not especially comfortable in Lovely Libra, sign of relationship, balance, art and beauty.  Watch any urge to pick fights with others; practice giving the benefit of the doubt, even when you are certain you are correct and in the right. This stretch is topsy turvy energetically and you do not want to alienate anyone unnecessarily.  So if applying the law is called for, such as filing a lawsuit or going to court, you really want to have your facts lined up.  Even if you do, there is little guarantee you will win, or that the law will be on your side now. 

Two days later, the higher octave and older sibling of Mercury, Change Agent Uranus turns retrograde on Tuesday, August 29^th.  This is a notoriously unpredictable gear shift.  If you can lay low the 28^th-30^th, best to do so as Uranus notoriously provokes and kicks up dust.  Its purpose is to keep us on our toes, awake, on path and aware.  When we become complacent or fall off path, Uranus realigns us through surprising and often unsettling events.  So as this outer planet, the only one in our galaxy to rotate vertically rather than horizontally, shifts into reverse, make sure to have a Plan B, C and even D just in case.

By month’s end, six out of ten planets are cycling in retrograde motion. Trying to get anything done may feel like pushing a boulder up a mountain. The energetically thick stew stays in place through mid-September; so use this time to ask questions, do your homework, research and reflect on what you want your life to look like and directions you may want to take.  If you try to initiate anything right now, you may spin your wheels in the cosmic mud. 

Timing is everything.  Soon, the right time to advance and proceed will appear.  Until then, make love not war.

Of Special Note:

Artist Toni Carbone and I are offering our Creativity and Moon Cycles workshop again this fall.  Join us for this popular class on Saturday, September 16^th in Norwood, MA or Saturday, October 14^th in the beautiful Berkshires mountains of western Massachusetts.  The class runs 3 hours and is $180 including all art materials.  For more information or to enroll, please contact me:  hilary@hilaryharley.com

Do the Thing You Think You Cannot Do

June’s clear, cosmic pattern stays with us as July begins.  This steadier, sturdier and stable energy continues to serve us especially after the tumult of 2023’s first five months.  Surely, a welcome relief. The party atmosphere stirred up by Venus and Mars in festive Leo continues well into July, summertime’s peak month.  Time to play like you mean it!

Invitations to play abound as we head into the Full Moon over the July 4^th holiday weekend.  Fireworks are off to an early start on Saturday, July 1^st with the heavily waxing moon in adventurous Sagittarius aligning to the Leo Venus-Mars. Can you spell F-U-N?   If you are hosting a party, getting married or simply vacationing, this is your day!  We will all feel the larger than life, go big or go home aspects.

It may take a day or two to recover; but we have help getting our legs beneath us as the moon shifts into practical Capricorn on Sunday afternoon where she turns FULL on Monday, July 3^rd.   Aligning to Generous Jupiter in earthy Taurus, reality reigns with this Full Moon. Opposite the Sun-Mercury pair in sensitive Cancer, this moon makes warm memories with family or friends who feel like family. 

Radical Uranus in Taurus challenges Venus-Mars during the holiday weekend, encouraging us to lean into new patterns and replies favoring your evolving values, those which are more financially sound, long-term and grounded rather than fleeting, momentary fixes.  There is a maturity and wisdom about this Full Moon. It is grown up and proud to wear big boy and girl pants.  In its best expression, this Full Moon says, “you can count on me.  I am here for you.”

How refreshing.

The beginning of July marks a changing of the guard of sorts, sober yet playful.  It says:  you can have a fun, a really super, awesome time without spending a ton of money, right in your own back yard, enjoying the simplest pleasures, and without using recreational substances.  It can be done! 

Grounded, reality-based and efficient energy rises further when Motivating Mars shifts into hardworking Virgo on Monday, July 10^th.  For the next six weeks, Mars gradually aligns to the Lunar North Node, Jupiter and then Uranus giving us fertile soil to plant our dreams and the ambitious muscle to get the job done.  If you have a large task to accomplish, this is your window from mid-July through August.  Time for the heavy lift!  You’ve got this!

As Eleanor Roosevelt said, “You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”

The caution here is that the very next day, Tuesday, July 11^th, Messenger Mercury turns into festive Leo, challenging the lunar nodes.  At mid-month, watch for impatient toddler tantrums, whiney resistance, in yourself and others.  Your work will get done but not without others testing you, questioning you, or perhaps, you harboring unrealistic expectations or placing demands on some who might otherwise be helpful.  Avoid drama, drama queens and definitely do not create unnecessary scenes.  In short:  check yourself.  Pause 1,2,3 before replying.  These are pivotal days indeed that test our versatility and adaptability.  You may feel life pushing your buttons, that you are auditioning for the reality TV show Survivor, that every day is one big survival of the fittest competition.  So it is vital to remain focused on your goals and your bedrock values, during mid-July. 

Fortunately, this energy dissolves heading into the New Moon in nurturing Cancer the Crab on Monday, July 17^th.  The comforting and compassionate Cancerian Sun-Moon align helpfully to spiritual Neptune:  we KNOW the way to go, the answer, if only we listen to our deepest self.   Awakener Uranus aligns to the Sun-Moon as well, bending our will toward what feels most loving and caring for ourselves, and ultimately others as well, whether they realize it now or not. If you are not in the habit of radical self-care, this is your New Moon.  Time to embrace what feels right for you, regardless of what others say, think or do.

Enter the Aries Lunar North Node.

For the past 18 months, our evolutionary calling, directional true north indicated by the Lunar North Node, has been cycling through earthy Taurus.  Now, the day after the New Moon, the North Node shifts into Aries the Ram, on Tuesday, July 18^th.  It is critical to note the difference in energetic quality.  For the past year and a half, the Taurus north node focused on our individual and collective values, whom and what we value, in ourselves, others, and life. This includes moral and spiritual values (right to life vs. right to control our own bodies; banning drag shows vs. parental rights); as well as more material worth:  the everlasting bottom line, ROI, show me the money.

At mid-month, a shift occurs when the north node moves into Aries.  The primal spark, the initial sign of the zodiac, Aries is action-oriented, up for anything, pioneering and trail blazing energy.  Unlike Taurus which deliberates, chews slowly, considers, Aries RUNS.   By the end of July, you will feel a different energy pulling you, to get a move on.   

Initially, we are still so acclimated to Taurus’ plodding pace that a period of adjustment with the fiery new developmental energy at play.  Like dipping a toe into foreign waters, we are not so sure how this energy feels.  Whether we like it or not is irrelevant….it is here to stay for the next 18 months, through the end of 2024.  So rather than deciding if we like it, we’re better off figuring out how to use it to our advantage. 

Many will resist and push back, especially when the sun enters Leo on Sunday, July 23^rd.   Opposing Powerful Pluto and challenging the north and south nodes, we might feel stuck in a rut, face stiff head winds or confused about which direction to go, strong push me-pull me syndrome.  Whenever this occurs, heads up.  This is our cosmic cue to pay attention.  Hit the pause button now.  You can dig your heels in and try to force a situation or relationship that is just not meant to budge. 

OR:  surrender to life’s current.  Use this pause and moment wisely and well; because Venus turns retrograde on the very same day.  From July 23 to September 4^th, Valuable Venus cycles in reverse gear, inviting us to review our relationships, our worth, whom and what we value.  She tells anyone in a hurry, “not so fast, just wait one minute now…”

Venus rules all of the yummy aspects of life:  love, money and relationships.  During its six-week retrograde cycle, how we manage this energy is key.  Here are some basic Dos and Don’ts:  DO take vacation; relax and unwind; review your relationship to yourself and others; reflect on how you earn a living and manage money; reconsider your skills and talents and how you might tweak these to earn more; reunite with old friends and people from your past.

What to avoid or DON’T’S:  starting a new job, career or financial venture; romantic relationships; buying expensive items, especially luxury goods, real estate, cars, boats, jewelry and accessories. 

Venus retrograde cycles are notorious for temptation…over buying or over spending; also returning to unhealthy former romantic partners or relationships, investing in something or someone without doing due diligence.  So it is especially important to pay attention to how you spend your time, energy and resources while Venus cycles through Leo, a fire sign known for its generosity, extravagant and gambling nature. 

With Venus in Leo for an exceptionally long stretch, June 6^th to October 8^th, due to its retrograde cycle, make sure you watch your wallet as well as your heart.  Be careful not to throw money, time and attention at what you already know does not work or truly do not need. Instead, employ the RE words, similar to mercury retrograde:  review, research, reflect, relax, renovate, renew, remember, etc.

Fortunately, Messenger Mercury comes to our aid several days later when it enters down to earth Virgo on Saturday, July 29^th.  Gradually conjoining Motivating Mars over the following week, Mercury steers our minds and words toward grounded and efficient systems and practices.  Yes, the sparkly jewelry is lovely, says Mars-Mercury; but if you splurge, how will you pay your utility bills?  Guilt tactics much?  You bet.  That is Virgo’s forte.

So before you reply to an old lover, or press the buy button on line, ask yourself if this is a worthwhile remedy for the temporary hole you are attempting to fill.

Of Special Note:

The inimitable Veronica Drake, psychic medium, joins me on Mystical Messages podcast.  “Vee” as she is known far and wide shares her story, of the work she does, how she became a highly regarded psychic advisor as well as her favorite stories from the “field”.  My interview with Vee drops Friday, July 11^th and is one episode you want to hear!

Put Your Party Shoes On!

From the title of this message, you may think all struggle and strife are over and done with.  As last month taught us, however, the work is never quite finished.  But the incredibly heavy lifting we experienced on many fronts during the April and May have passed.  We can put the weighty spiritual bar bells down now.  We squeezed through life’s eye of the needle and come out whole on the other side to tell the tale. Take a breather and savor the fruits of your labor for a moment.  It is vital to give yourself permission to live a little.

Cosmically, our feet are firmly planted on the ground with three planets and the lunar north node in earthy Taurus.  This is rock solid energy making it an excellent time to plant what you want to grow more of in your life, whether education, relationships, business, home life, etc.  It is OK to spend a bit now as you will reap a terrific return on wherever you invest your time, talents or resources. 

You may think twice about exactly how to spend the currency and fuel of your life as the Gemini Sun challenges Taskmaster Saturn in Pisces the first week of June.  We feel the push and pull of life’s obligations versus our desires and dreams; and oh yes, then there is only so much money in the bank and time in any given day.  The struggle is temporarily amplified by planets in all four fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius) battling it out on June 1, which is decision day about the national debt ceiling limit.

Any road blocks in your progress will not last; this is especially important to note as we head into a Full Moon in Sagittarius on Saturday, June 3^rd.   Do what liberates you is the message.  We are offered alternative routes and helpful detours if you will, afforded by Neptune and Venus aligning in Pisces and Cancer; so make sure you lean into their flow in early June.  Some may call this taking the path of least resistance.  Another name for this is surrender, or saying a BIG YES to what IS working for you rather than continuing to bang on closed doors. Embrace opportunity right under your nose.

If the last couple months showed us anything, it was to build more of what gives you PEACE, JOY and LOVE. We are at the beginning stage of a completely new paradigm in the history of mankind.  The veil is off; patterns operating on old and outdated programming and conditioning will not stand.  Anything built on the dark arts of revenge, hate, or greed simply will not work now. 

The beauty of the Sagittarius Full Moon rests in its honesty.  Truth pours forth from its bright spotlight, liberating everyone. Its energy feels like a gigantic AH-HAH!  Now I get it.  Now I understand. Any confusion or mystery will be cleared up by this educational and wise Full Moon. Sagittarius also rules the law, as above, so below.  So watch for where the rule of law applies in your life or the world at large around this time.

Aligning to Motivating Mars in Leo, this is one creative Full Moon.  Go Big or Go Home, it says.  Definitely:  go explore, go venture forth beyond your immediate world and discover how others live and do.  Let’s get this party started!  Says the alignment of our emotions (moon) and energy (mars).  Feel the release, the joy and passion.  YAAAAAAS!  We can all use the delicious juice supplied by this planetary flow.  If you are getting married, graduating or celebrating any event, the first weekend in June will be a blast!

Even if you don’t have a specific occasion to toast, put your party shoes on anyway as Valuable Venus joins Mars on Monday, June 5^th, just two days after the Full Moon.  Joy is here to stay, at least for the next month as both Venus and Mars revel in Leo, the sign of romance, creativity and FUN, until July 10^th.  TAKE ADVANTAGE of their combined force. 

Venus rules love, money, art, beauty and relationships; while Mars directs our energy.  Leo rules risk taking; remember, you can only win if I you play.  No risk, no reward.  So go ahead and throw your hat in the ring.  Put yourself out there and take a chance.  Luck is on your side now.  This is one fun, romantic and playful stretch that doesn’t come along too often.  With warmer weather, take time to dance, explore and enjoy.  Your adventures do not need to be expensive, or even scheduled.  In fact, the simpler and more spontaneous the better; be full of childlike wonder and imagination.  Take an unplanned detour to allow for surprise.

Messenger Mercury shifts into its own sign Gemini on Sunday, June 11^th aligning to Powerful Pluto.  Our powers of observation are super sharp now.  This is a terrific time to gather and share information. Knowledge is power.  Equally, our words are on point.  Express yourself and speak your truth but be mindful of gossip and hearsay. Your words carry particular strength between June 9-12^th; so choose your words and thoughts wisely.  We become what we think.

Trickster energy is afoot the week leading into the New Moon on June 17^th.   Gemini Mercury challenges Saturn in Pisces as the taskmaster turns retrograde.  Watch for con artists, spin doctors, people and situations that are too good to be true, pretending to be someone/something they are definitely not.  Focus, focus, focus your attention intently from June 13^th-18^th.  A pervasive illusion, disillusionment and delusion, smoke and mirrors permeate everywhere along this stretch. So be sure to look under the hood.  Do not be shy about asking hard questions.  If someone becomes uncomfortable due to the questions you ask, that tells you A LOT.  Everything, actually.

Use caution during the weekend of June 17-18^th when Taskmaster Saturn turns retrograde at the same time as the New Moon in Gemini.  Set your New Moon intentions with special care:  understand WHY you are choosing particular words and the reason behind your goals and wishes. Think long-term, what will happen if you reach your goal.  What happens then?  This New Moon could very well let the proverbial genie out of the bottle…so be careful what you wish for.

This is underscored by the precise alliance of the two cosmic titans:  Jupiter and Saturn. Both planets have to do with manifestation, albeit in different ways.  Generous Jupiter rules expansion, growth, learning and abundance while Taskmaster Saturn teaches and builds through life lessons.  Saturn now cycles through spiritual Pisces, encouraging us to act on our beliefs, dreams and visions, as Jupiter in earthy Taurus offers plentiful resources to plant and develop our dreams.

Both planets teach us:  Jupiter by supplying opportunities and Saturn via trials and challenges.  Jupiter offers a full ride scholarship while Saturn sends us through the school of hard knocks.  As the two align and work seamlessly together, it is deeply important to understand any motivation beneath your dreams:  why you want something or someone; because you will receive what you ask for now.  Carefully selected words and language are always important but now more than ever when inviting a goal into your life.  Choosing words well, hand write 3-5 goals or intentions to plant in the ripening earth or set safely alight.

By the end of the week, the Sun enters Cancer the Crab, reaching its apex in the northern hemisphere and marking the summer solstice on Thursday, June 22^nd.   With the Moon in Leo tightly wedged between Venus and Mars, get your festive attire out.  Under the long, lingering light, celebrate life and practice gratitude for all you are and have accomplished.

Before long, Messenger Mercury joins the Sun in Cancer on Monday, June 26^th.  Four planets and the lunar south node cycle through water signs, strengthening our intuition.  Your internal GPS is deeply accurate now.  Follow where it leads. Trusting divine guidance and timing never fail to deliver.  Draw nearer to water and music, home, family, food, and the mystical realms.  Dip your toe in the stream, sing a song, row your boat, build a sandcastle and watch the ocean tide reclaim it.  Life is the daydream you make of it.

 Of Special Note:

Back by popular demand:  Know Your Moon, Unleash Your Creativity workshop is being offered again on Sunday, June 4th and 11^th 1-4 pm in Norwood, MA.  Come learn about how the moon in your astrology chart influences your creativity and leave with a personalized mandala.  To register, please message me:  hilary@hilaryharley.com.

Tune into Mystical Messages podcast to hear upcoming healing arts experts Veronica (Vee) Drake and Kerri Hummingbird.  Veronica is a well-known psychic medium who shares her spiritual journey and current practice with listeners.  Kerri Hummingbird joins Hilary to discuss her fourth book Inner Medicine.   You may find Mystical Messages podcast on Apple, Google or Spotify.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fertile Ground

May gently invites us into her month of Taurus.  The more softly and considerately we step into her rays, the better.  Think Audrey Hepburn, a famous Taurus, a dancer before she acted, and consummately light on her feet.  We are between eclipses now, with Pluto and Messenger Mercury are turning retrograde; so treading gently eases us into this deliciously inviting month.

There is also a real-deal cause and effect rationale for moving into May with grace. Mercury has two more weeks of its retrograde cycle giving us pause to consider, reflect and review where we stand in our lives:  our relationships, our employment and how we spend our days.

Taurus the Bull is particularly occupied with ROI:  return on investment. Outcomes, results and yield.  No wonder then that Taurus rules the stock market…remember the term:  Bull Market?  Taurus follows bombastic Aries, the fire starter, and says “now that your projects are moving forward, how are you going to manage, tend to and help them grow?”  This is practical, grounded and down to earth energy.  As the first earth sign of the zodiac, Taurus gives life and form to our ideas, dreams and visions. She reminds us that what you plant, you shall grow.  The corollary is: you reap what you sow.  No small matter, this.

So it simply makes sense to step lightly into what is beginning to take form in your life now. We have a lot of divine guidance as we shift into May.  Spiritual Neptune in Pisces aligns with Motivating Mars in caring Cancer to steer us toward more meaningful and resonant pursuits.  Follow your intuitively guided internal GPS. Four planets and the lunar north node in earth signs keep things real to put your dreams into action.

It doesn’t get a whole lot more real than the Full Moon on May 5^th.  The second of two eclipses in 2023, this eclipse occurs at attention-getting degrees of Taurus and Scorpio.  The Full Moon lunar eclipse means business, and serves as a veritable kick in the pants, wake up call.  If you are out of alignment, or off path in any way, you will be re-directed and course corrected now as the Sun tightly conjoins Change Agent Uranus. 

Here’s why:  Taurus (the Sun) rules values.  It is the original show me the money sign. Scorpio (the Moon) rules power, transformation and our very own psyche itself.  With the Sun conjoined to Awakener Uranus at the time of the eclipse, we are shaken up and made to pay attention.  Opposite the Scorpio Moon, we are stirred to the very bottom of our beings.  To transform, change, be and do life differently than we have before.

Because of the hyper-strong degree at which this eclipse occurs, this is one giant alarm bell going off in our lives.  There is the potential for all we thought we knew or possessed to turn upside down now. This includes internally (our mind) and externally (our actual possessions).  It is VITAL to note that this eclipse energy may be immensely positive as well:  a dire prognosis turning around, landing a coveted position at work, buying our dream home, and of course:  winning the lottery, either literally or in some way that feels like we hit the jackpot. 

This is particularly true and relevant for anyone with planets or chart angles between 14-16 Taurus, Leo, Scorpio or Aquarius. Key questions to ask now are:  what do I value and WHY?  What do I stand for? How do I want to use, INVEST my time, energy, resources, power and yes: money, from now on? 

There’s no more foolin’ around, says this eclipse.  It is high past time to live purposefully, on purpose, with purpose and for a purpose.  If you have been looking for a reason, something to devote your time and attention to, this is your eclipse.  You will know with absolute certainty why you are here now on planet earth.

A good thing then that Valuable Venus (ruler of Taurus) turns into nurturing Cancer the Crab two days later on Sunday, May 7^th.  Come home to mama, she says.  Eat home-made comfort food; snuggle under a blanket; hand make your favorite pastime and hobby.  Soak up the warm and cozy rays of Venus in Cancer, especially in the wake of the roiling eclipse energy.  With Mercury retrograde for one more week, use this time for the RE words:  refresh, reclaim, research, etc.

Because one week later, on Monday, May 15^th, Messenger Mercury turns direct motion in Taurus conjoined to the lunar north node:  the message is perfectly simple.  The meaning is clear: sign the contracts, book the travel plans, purchase the large ticket items, invest in yourself.  As if the message couldn’t be any sharper, Generous Jupiter joins the Taurus collective two days later on Wednesday, May 17^th. 

The delicious ripening earthy soil is waiting for you.  What do you want to plant?  What do you want to grow more of in your life?  What do you want to leave as a legacy?  To share with others?

A word of caution here:  The Jupiter-North Node duo clashes with Powerful Pluto in Aquarius now through the rest of the month.  The dominant Taurus energy wants to stick to tried and true paths, doing what it knows will work while Aquarian Pluto pushes us out of our comfort zone to change things up, try new ideas and methods.  In short, there is a clash between old and new. 

To be clear:  we are just getting a taste of the New Order with Pluto’s brief trial run in Aquarius.  Soon he will cycle back into venerable Capricorn in early June.  Still, for now, we are given a heads up, a window into shades of life to come in 2024 and beyond.  So stepping out of your old routines and practices will help you prepare for next year through 2043 when Pluto will be in Aquarius. 

The struggle between old and new is embedded in the New Moon on Friday, May 19^th.  With five planets in Taurus, we could not ask for any more fertile ground to plant our desires.  Deliberately hand write three to five goals or intentions that you seek to grow over the next month, season or year.  Then bury in the softening earth or safely burn. 

With Mercury now turning direct and the energy of the New Moon drawing us forward, we’re ready to get on with life.  Especially as Motivating Mars turns into fun and feisty Leo on the same day the Sun shifts into communicative Gemini, Sunday, May 21^st.  While Mars and Sun align helpfully to each other, the following week holds some tricky energy as Mars and Pluto square the lunar nodes.   When pushed to the edge of yourself about any given matter, pause and ask is this the hill you want to die on?  Where can you find common ground, be flexible and adaptable?  It is OK to give an inch or two without giving yourself completely away?

This is our collective challenge now:  how to retain the good stuff, what gives meaning, purpose and substance to our lives while adapting to a rapidly changing world. 

 “Mingle the starlight with your lives and you won’t be fretted by trifles.” – Astronomer Maria Mitchell

 

Of Special Note:

Back by popular demand, Creativity and Moon Cycles workshop:  Know Your Moon Sign, Unleash Your Creativity, will be running again on both Sunday, June 4^th and 11^th.  If you are curious about the source of your creativity, or think you are not creative, this is the workshop for you!  Class runs 1-4 pm in Norwood, MA, and the fee is $180.  Contact me if you are interested in joining the fun!  Hilary@hilaryharley.com

The Engine of Progress

I have a tenuous relationship with the phrase “no pain, no gain”; yet the times call for us to make friends with this sentiment. No one alive has ever moved through passages and transitions that are now unfolding.  As a whole, we are navigating a completely New Frontier.  In the words of Star Trek, we are truly “going where no man has gone before.”  Or woman, I might add.  We have chosen to be here on Earth to live and learn lessons at this precise time. It must be acknowledged, that we are doing some very, very heavy soul lifting. Both for our own distinct lessons and also helping to usher in new paradigms for everyone at the same time.

Now in the final two signs of the zodiac, cosmic heavy hitters Pluto and Saturn mandate our attention to focus on the collective:  what benefits the greater good, most, if not all of us. Both planets shifted signs last month and now gain steam, transformer Pluto in innovative Aquarius and taskmaster Saturn in spiritual Pisces.  It is no accident that together in concert, these serious planets direct us toward connectivity and unity.

All planets are still turning direct motion as April begins.  If you need to purchase large items: houses, cars, appliances, technical devices or book travel plans, better to lock these in during the first ten days of the month; since the last half of April is particularly dicey.  When possible, plan ahead so you are not caught short.

The first week of April we are literally all fired up.  The Sun, Generous Jupiter and Messenger Mercury are in fiery Aries pushing us to get a move on.  Some are looking for a fight.  Steer clear.  Turn your BIG ideas and energy to give life to your dreams. Make sure you ask open ended questions and gather necessary information before signing on the dotted line or hitting send, or the buy now and submit buttons. This is especially important from April 1^st to the 4^th.  You do not want any lingering April Fool’s surprises coming back to haunt you.

More considerate energy arrives on Tuesday, April 4^th when Mercury shifts into deliberate Taurus.  Our thoughts and minds want to know exactly what we are getting for our hard-earned money; what in fact is the return on any investment, whether in exchange for our time, talents or treasure.  We are not so quick to the draw now and exercise some measure of impulse control for the rest of the month.

Mercury joins Valuable Venus and Change Agent Uranus already cycling through earthy Taurus. The trio lends a steady sturdiness and practical mitigating hand to what might otherwise get out from underneath us. They offer balance and ballast to any decisions we face, as well as a brake to the fast and furious Aries Sun-Jupiter gas pedal.  Grounding energy is especially useful heading into the Full Moon in Libra on Thursday, April 6^th when justice will be served.  The Libra Moon ensures all is brought into balance and alignment.

Especially important to note that Mercury pairs tightly to the lunar north node, our directional calling, over the next week, strengthening and empowering our thoughts and words, how we communicate. We say what we mean and mean what we say now.  A word of caution here:  this practical duo challenges Pluto in non-mainstream Aquarius. 

Taurus Mercury-North Node is real deal, result-oriented and traditional.  It likes to stick to what it knows will work and has been time-tested.  Aquarian Pluto could care less about tradition and customs; desires a shake-up and stirs up situations for the sake of seeing what will happen.  Truly, a rebel with a cause. The clash may make for some highly charged scenes:  of status quo versus change, of shifting values, of known versus unknown. Welcome to the New Frontier of humankind. The last time Pluto cycled through Aquarius:  the American and French revolutions occurred, upending feudalism and monarchies that lasted a thousand years. It also marked the Age of Enlightenment ushering humanity forward by leaps and bounds.  

For three months now, we are given a taste, a preview of how life will change with Pluto in Aquarius. On a personal front, we are pushed out of our comfort zone in terms of what and how we think and speak. We have a choice to stubbornly dig our heels in and resist growth or different responses, or, stay open to change.  I recommend staying open.

The annual pairing of the Sun and Jupiter on Tuesday, April 10th, this year in pioneering Aries, ignites us to blaze new trails and forge our own path from a jungle of choices.   Know there are no wrong choices except to ignore what feels right and true for our own soul.  The very same day, Valuable Venus turns into versatile Gemini, giving tremendous flexibility to how we manage relationships and utilize our skills and talents.

Focus on the work at hand and effectively harness the grounding Taurus elements.  Put these to work crafting useful communication (Mercury-Lunar North Node) that yields innovative outcomes (Uranus).  Indeed, the Taurus duo offers a solid foundation to help navigate what crosses our path.  Even more so, the duo serves as a reliable support for a series of planetary events occurring on the exact same day, in fact:  within hours of each other on Thursday, April 20^th. Three separate events so closely string together that it will be difficult to distinguish individual cosmic effects. Suffice to say:  you will feel these energetic shifts. 

First, the initial eclipse of 2023 occurs at the final degree of Aries during the very wee hours of Thursday, April 20^th. The last degree of any zodiac sign is notable as it bears a crescendo of energetic emphasis.  The lunar month began on March 20^th, also the Spring Equinox, at the very first degree of Aries. That New Moon ushered in a formidable fierce energy, marking the dawn of a New Era. 

Now, one month later, a solar New Moon eclipse at the 29^th and final degree of Aries serves as a bookend, a clarion call to bravery.  How you respond depends on your soul path.  Some will stand and fight (literally); and some will wade into new terrain (whether emotionally, physically or intellectually).  To understand how you will be impacted and where you may be called to act, look at the decisions and choices you face, be it family, work, finances, and otherwise.  It is in these areas that you will be called to take a stand and act courageously.

Only hours later, the second shift occurs:  the Sun (our will) enters real-deal Taurus.   The eclipse incites us to act, to get a move on.  The Sun in Taurus considers practical aspects: how to be most effective and resourceful.  In the northern hemisphere, we are now firmly footed in springtime, the time for planting what we want to grow more of. 

Then, only an hour later, Messenger Mercury turns retrograde motion at an attention-getting degree of Taurus, tightly conjoined to change-agent Uranus.  The reverse gear shift brings to an end the unusually prolonged collective forward motion of all ten planets. The conclusion of this cycle reminds us:  Not so fast.  Slow down.  Consider all of the facts, hows and whys of any proposition.  Yes, it is the season to sow and plant. Mercury-Uranus ask:  exactly what will you plant?  What do you want to grow more of in your life?  How will you go about planting the seeds to yield the greatest beneficial result?  With Uranus, the older sibling and higher octave of Messenger Mercury in the mix, there is now even an existential question: why.  Why do you want to plant any certain idea or object?

Mercury’s retrograde motion says there is no rush to plant a thing.  Reminds us to consider the consequences of our decisions and choices.  Before you open your wallet and say yes to anything or anyone, take time and hit the pause button.  Ponder the impact on you, your loved ones, and your future.  Use the next three weeks of the messenger planet’s reverse gear to use the RE words:   Review, Remember, RESEARCH, renew, recharge, etc. 

RE-flect on what you want your life to look like; consider all angles of a relationship and situation that you find yourself in; take into account the various means to accomplish your vision and goals.  Then formulate a plan. 

Soon it will be time to harness your plan to sow the seeds of your future; not quite yet though; only after the second eclipse on May 6^th and following Mercury’s shift direct motion in mid-May.  For now, through the remainder of April and first half May, review your options and consider all possibilities.  We are only limited by how far we allow our imagination to wander.