THE NIGHT SKIES are
at their darkest during the week of a New Moon. In astrology, the days
leading up to the lunation, when the Moon is in its waning crescent
phase, are called the balsamic phase. This
week, the balsamic phase begins at about 8:15 a.m. PDT on Monday, May
18, and completes with the New Moon at 10:38 a.m. PDT on Friday, May 22.
The
Balsamic Moon is a time of incubation, of release and completion. Our
physical energy is lower during these days and rest is essential; but at
the same time, our instincts and intuition are heightened. Since we are
more open psychically during this phase, it is an ideal time
to meditate, to pay attention to our dreams, and to be more
energetically aware. As we allow ourselves to rest
and also to go within, we replenish our physical bodies and our spirits,
rebuilding our energy on all levels in preparation for the next lunar
cycle.
This
final phase of the Moon is not a time for beginnings. Instead, it is a
time for clearing away emotional and psychological debris that has
accumulated during the lunar cycle that is now ending. This allows us to enter the new Moon cycle – and to start new endeavors – with a cleaner energy field and clearer intentions.
MERCURY AND VENUS
also call us to spend time in reflection this week, with both planets
in hard aspect to introspective Neptune. Neptune is naturally sensitive
and receptive, and also enhances our imagination, idealism, and
spiritual vision.
It
is no surprise, then, that Neptune in hard aspect to other planets can
make it harder to focus on practical realities. With Neptune square
Mercury (exact on Wednesday), we can have difficulty discerning fact
from fiction, and it can be hard to keep our minds focused. We may get
intuitive hits, but it is advised that we wait before implementing any
new ideas, since it can be easy to miss important
details.
And,
with Neptune square Venus (exact on Friday), compassion and caring are
increased, but we may also be more easily drawn into unhealthy
rescuer/martyr roles. While it is always laudable to want to see only
the best in others, under this influence, the rose coloring in our
glasses can keep us from seeing an important truth about another person
or a relationship, or a financial
issue.
THE SUN enters
the sign of Gemini on Wednesday, activating themes of information
access, communication, logic and reason, and social interaction for the
next 31 days. This solar ingress sets the stage for Friday's New Moon,
which occurs when the Sun and Moon align at 2°04′ Gemini.
This
lunation marks the beginning of eclipse season, because the Full Moon
in two weeks is a Lunar Eclipse. Any lunation linked to an eclipse cycle
is considered to be especially significant.
(We have an extended eclipse season this year, with three eclipses on the schedule –
the
Lunar Eclipse on June 5, a very potent Solstice Solar Eclipse on June
21, and a second Lunar Eclipse on July 4. More about these in upcoming
Journals.)
AT THE TIME of
the New Moon, the Sun and Moon are in harmonious trine aspect to
Saturn, which should help us feel more stable emotionally. And, with
Saturn in socially-conscious Aquarius, this aspect is very
forward-looking, supporting the creation of new, more progressive forms.
However,
the New Moon is also in hard square aspect to Mars and Ceres,
indicating that it's not all smooth sailing. We talked last week about
Mars in Pisces, and how things can get complicated when this fiery
planet travels through a water sign. Mars' square to
the New Moon is likely to bring out the less-elevated traits of Mars in
Pisces: confusion about what direction to go, passive-aggressive
behaviors, and a tendency to withdraw rather than face issues head-on.
And
yet, with Mars conjunct Ceres, we are also strongly motivated by
compassion, and a desire to alleviate the suffering of others. This is,
of course, a very positive manifestation, so how might the square to the
New Moon show up? It could
indicate a struggle between heart (Pisces) and mind (Gemini), with
inner conflict and confusion causing us to feel frozen in place, unable
to take concrete action.
EACH OF THE SIGNS
has at least one planetary "ruler," and the ruler of a New Moon usually
plays an important role in the unfolding of the new lunar cycle. With
our New Moon in Gemini, we can look to Mercury for
some additional insights into the next four weeks (including the Lunar
Eclipse/Full Moon on June 5).
At
the time of the New Moon, Mercury and Venus are tightly conjunct,
separated by just 46 arc minutes. As Venus is the planet of love and
money, and Mercury is all about our thinking processes, we're likely to
be dwelling a lot on relationships and finances over the
coming weeks. However, remember that Mercury and Venus are both square
Neptune, so it's important to check the facts and make sure any
decisions are firmly grounded in reality.
And,
remember that Venus is currently retrograde. This means that throughout
our new lunar cycle, we will likely be revisiting relationship issues
from the past, especially those that involve communication and
truth-telling. We will also be expending mental
energy reviewing our use of resources, both monetary and environmental.
FOR THOSE
who are tracking important lunar aspects, here is this week's watch list, in Pacific Daylight Time:
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