Gemini New Moon & Partial Solar Eclipse

From fixed earth to mutable air... and so the dance continues, from a slow tango to a quick salsa~

We leave behind the sensual, steady spirit of Taurus to welcome the whirlwind ways of Gemini, who makes an entrance (as usual) with the help of a partial solar eclipse. This eclipse is actually the first of 3 we will greet this month, as our full moon on 6/15 has a total lunar eclipse and then the Cancer new moon completes the cycle with another partial solar eclipse. Yeah, it's going to be one of THOSE summers.

Eclipses intensify the sign they are in and make that energy more prominent and palpable. We'Moon 2011 has this to say about the new moon eclipse: "Gemini encourages us to look eye to eye, and get on the same side. Teamwork can move mountains."

We are coming off an earth cycle, and still draining away the effects of that watery Scorpio Full Moon. Hopefully, we have set clear intentions around what we want our lives to physically look like, and shifted our attention to healthy, sustainable, steady goals. The full moon probably flooded the foundation a bit and this waning cycle has been time to let the earth absorb the rest of the moisture so that we can have our feet firmly fixed on our path. Cuz, if not, get ready for a ride.

If Scorpio could be compared to a flood, then Gemini (especially coupled with an eclipse!) can easily be a cyclone. Mutable (dissolve/transform) Air (psyche/creativity) blows in, swirls around all that isn't rooted and then once everything is spinning, abruptly drops it and turns full attention to the next object of interest.

This is not necessarily a bad thing, it is a "wake up and pay attention" thing. Taurus is physical and Gemini is very mental. Last cycle we explored aligning Physical (Taurus) and Emotional (Scorpio), this month is Mind (Gemini) and Spirit (Sagittarius; the full moon sign). Gemini is not just about mind games, though, it is about communication. Symbolized by the twins, it is learning how to ask for the things you decided you wanted, and then figuring out how to network, socialize and create a buzz around those intentions. But, again, if you weren't clear on those goals, or your brain decides it isn't stimulated enough by them, you may spend this month with the "dark twin." That's the twin that flakes, tells white lies, is a little two-faced, tardy, gossipy, selfish and quite moody. I know her well, as my Sun (and several other celestial bodies) are in Gemini and it has taken me a long time to be friends with both sides of the coin.

My recommendation for moving into this cycle is taking lots of deep breaths, (Breath=air) stepping with open arms into the tornado and see where you get set down. If your intentions from last month are healthy, this will be the cycle to move around, get out of your comfort zone and find new peeps! Find people with similar goals, passions and start to work together. Step away from the rose bush and into the coffee shop, with cell phone, lap top and journal in hand. Be social, but in ways that support your life's vision. Keep away from the people and places that put your mind in places you don't want to be, and challenge your brain with new sights, sounds and possibilities. Oh, and get a mani/pedi, Gemini likes that.

Remember this is a new moon, which already holds such power for setting intention, but it is enhanced by an eclipse, so it is really, really important to take time to honor and connect with this lunation! Whether it is getting a manicure, going out for coffee with friends, just writing, writing your dreams, or joining our evening of fun, harness this energy and allow Gemini to bring out the lightness in you, and your life. This could be a tough cycle, as we can clearly see the damage tornadoes can do, but it doesn't have to be. We have the knowledge and the ability to greet challenges and changes with balance and strength, we just have to stay honest, open and let the Moon be our guide.. we might then even enjoy the ride!

Scorpio Full Moon: Feelings vs Form

So Venus and Pluto walk into a bar...

Welcome to the Scorpio full moon phase~

I hope you have been enjoying the fruits of Venus since the new moon two weeks ago. The weather has been perfect here, and the blossoming of fruits and flowers has taken my breath away every time I leave the house. I have been hiking almost every day, a wonderful activity during the Taurus cycle, and just marveling at the gifts of Spring.

The full moon is the mid point of the cycle, where the moon becomes a mirror, reflecting back our actions and intentions thus far and giving us the chance to either celebrate our success or meditate on anything that is not working. The waning moon is then the opportunity for solidifying the steps or preparing to release the effort and clean the slate. This particular moon is in later degrees, which means it is more directed towards the completion of a cycle and really finishing the task you started.

What did you set intentions for this new moon? In the cycle of beauty, abundance, sensuality, prosperity, physical form and love, what did you say you wanted? What are you trying to manifest in your physical world? and does it conflict with your emotions, how you truly feel?

Scorpio is the most intense of all the signs, such depth and feeling, so much passion, intensity, perception. This is a sign that says exactly how it feels. Ruled by Pluto: death, sexuality, transformation and power and Taurus ruled by Venus: love, abundance, sensuality and home~ this is also a tango between these two powerhouses, can the Goddess of love have a relationship with the Lord of the underworld?

Venus does not bow to another's will easily. While her light side is all that is loving, thriving, sensual and beautiful, her dark side can be stubborn, greedy, manipulative and pouty. Pluto is also not one you want to mess around with as his specialty is breaking down form, cutting through the BS, transforming, destroying and taking power. At odds, this will surely be a painful battle, as fixed signs do not bend.

So Venus and Pluto walk into a bar. The rooms lights up and all heads turn as Venus makes her way to the dance floor. Pluto scowls as he pulls a stool up to the darkest part of the bar and orders a shot of whiskey... this night can go two ways. Option one is Venus continues to flirt, dance and receive all attention while Pluto quietly rages into his drink, until at some point, his last button will be pushed and violence will commence. There will be anger, a stinging battle waged and the bar possibly burned down. This is inevitably what happens when form and feelings do not mesh. (Maybe not always this extreme, but you get the metaphor, yes?)

OR Venus may choose to sip some wine or sparkling water while they share their favorite stories, and Pluto can occasionally enjoy the center of the dance floor with her by his side. They can alternate dancing and drinking, hanging out together and being alone or with others. This can be a night of transformation, exploration and much fun. Venus can shine, but not take all the light, allowing Pluto to be his smart, deep, alluring self and Pluto can relax, knowing he can be himself and enjoy Venus's beauty, without wanting to dampen it. It's about being honest and creating a supportive, sustainable relationship where feelings are focused and form takes healthy roots.

The choice, as always, is yours.

When earth is fixed, there is no yielding, when water is fixed, there is no flow. The challenge of this moon is to either align your feelings with your actions, actions started at the new moon, or possibly have to start letting go of some ideal with love, not with anger. Whatever you choose to do to honor this full moon, let it reflect the light of both Venus and Pluto... something grounding, beautiful but also powerful and true to your very core. Pluto will not tolerate lies or faking and Venus is the queen of putting on the pretty mask. Next month moves us into 3 eclipses so this is a great opportunity to use the fixed energy to make decisions, explore your level of acceptance, firmly ground yourself on the path chosen and have fun.

Water and earth are the elements to honor here, and if you do find there is some conflict between them, bring in fire or air to shake them up a bit. I plan to keep up with my daily hikes (earth) and spend Monday night at my favorite korean spa (water).

No matter what you do, take time under the full moon light to check in with body and emotions. Do something that makes you feel beautiful and from that safe space, with the moon's glow shining down, get really honest. Are your heart and body moving towards the same goals? Are your actions matching your emotions and vice versa? Ask Venus and Pluto for their guidance and dream with the moon to hear your answers.