My Moon, My Soul

MY MOON, MY SOUL

How do you illuminate things in the dark? How do you connect with your psyche, the soul, and root of what matters to you? How do you adapt to the ebbs and flows of mood washing in and out in a continuous cycle—never in stasis, never exactly the same?

She speaks through the unseen depths of me:

Aries Moon

I feed a passionate imagination, with a quick reaction to anything that touches my bold emotional boundaries. I know what I want and when I want it. I bring security to life through a deep trust in Self, nurturing my independence.

Taurus Moon

I feed a sensual imagination, with an animalistic reaction to anything felt by my embodied emotional boundaries. I know what pleasure feels like and when I need comfort. I bring security to life through deep values, nurturing my voice.  

Gemini Moon

I feed a witty imagination, with threaded reactions to anything felt by my flirtatious emotional boundaries. I know what duality feels like and when I need variety. I bring security to life through deep connections, nurturing my belonging. 

Cancer Moon

I feed a rich imagination, with soulful reactions to anything felt by my protective emotional boundaries. I know what vulnerability feels like and when I need protection. I bring security to life through deep roots, nurturing my intuition.

Leo Moon

I feed a playful imagination, with dramatic reactions to anything felt by my hot emotional boundaries. I know what the spotlight feels like and when I can hold it. I bring creativity to life through a deep presence, nurturing my command.

Virgo Moon

I feed a rhythmic imagination, with analytical reactions to anything felt by my holistic emotional boundaries. I know what processing feels like and when I need to digest things. I bring skill to life through deep systems, nurturing my purpose.  

Libra Moon

I feed an elegant imagination, with harmonizing reactions to anything felt by my fair emotional boundaries. I know what a relationship feels like and when I need a dynamic exchange. I bring gracefulness to life through a deep balance, nurturing my charm.

Scorpio Moon

I feed an intimate imagination, with intense reactions to anything felt by my magnetic emotional boundaries. I know what power feels like and when I need to merge. I bring resources to life through deep investigations, nurturing my hidden resources.

Sagittarius Moon

I feed a visionary imagination, with optimistic reactions to anything felt by my expansive emotional boundaries. I know what the high road feels like and when I need belief. I bring adventure to life through deep truth-seeking, nurturing of my wisdom.

Capricorn Moon

I feed an aspirational imagination, with careful reactions to anything felt by my strict emotional boundaries. I know what responsibility feels like and when I need to focus. I bring achievement to life through a deep alignment, nurturing my authority.

Aquarius Moon

I feed a progressive imagination, with irreverent reactions to anything felt by my questioning boundaries. I know what rebelliousness feels like and when I need detachment. I bring groups to life with deep contributions, nurturing my humanity.

Pisces Moon

I feed a dreamy imagination, with compassionate reactions to anything felt by my sensitive emotional boundaries. I know what surrendering feels like and when I need to escape. I bring inspiration to life with deep fluidity, nurturing my magic.

In service of your development, through the phase she’s in:

New Moon (0-44 degrees past natal sun)

I am a symbol that your soul has grown through exposed mountainous elements over many lifetimes. Burrowing into rocky soils and harsh conditions, you’ve anchored roots atop a steep, visible peak, granting you a depth of influence in this life. Wear emotional wounds and weariness with honor and allow yourself a degree of detachment. I am teaching you to be an emotional rock through a gravity that needs you to deepen supportive roots on the edge of a cliff. I bring you lessons about holding pressure and foresight in this lifetime. My ebbs and flows are reflecting a need to SLOWLY build your authority, to accept vulnerability as you reach for responsibility, and deepen into integrity. You hold a mysterious depth that gives a tough love nurturing around past, present, and future sight. You will simultaneously feel compelled to dream of a new lifetime, in which you are free to break from emotional walls needed in this life’s call for focus.

RELAX into a ‘slow and steady wins the race’ growth pattern, align with pressures that are not too great or too little. Repeat.

Waxing Crescent Moon (45-89 degrees past natal sun)

I am a symbol that you are detaching from a cycle of life that’s spanned many lifetimes in preparation for a new many-life cycle to come. Breaking out of old walls and emotional programming in this life, allow yourself more space, compassion, and detachment in order to experiment and surrender into things less seen—in order to return to chaos where all must return before metamorphosis can take place. You are likely dealing with more baggage and complexity than most, but I give you a softer gravity in order to grow cosmic roots to mystically hold it all. My ebbs and flows are teaching you to ask for help from things bigger than you. I am teaching you to trust in a non-linear cosmic growth pattern.

Release emotional programming and find inspiration. Repeat.  

First Quarter Moon (90-134 degrees past natal sun)

I am a symbol that you are in a new dawn of a many-lifetime cycle. Alive with passion and impulse, claim your direction in this lifetime. You may be a beginner in many ways, likely born into a circumstance that’s pushed you to be your own support. But often it’s the beginner’s soul that’s got the brightest insights. Don’t let naivety hold you back in trusting your near psychic instincts and fighting spirit. My ebbs and flows are teaching you to be bold. I am teaching you to connect to emotional self-trust and a certain reliance on Self. I instill in you a gravity that requires you to grow new and independent roots systems, bringing lessons about clear and strong emotional boundaries.

Nurture self, grow self-trust. Repeat.  

Waxing Gibbous Moon (135-179 degrees past natal sun)

I am a symbol that you are in a phase of learning new things about who you are, how to use your voice, connect to body, and develop curiosity and roots of connection in this lifetime. You may feel a degree of anxiety, craving greater security and grounding that’s hard for you to grasp. But you have an attractiveness in your emotional openness that makes you appealing and interesting to others. My ebbs and flows are teaching you lessons about simplicity and values in life. I bring you a gravity that’s light, allowing your roots to move and explore themselves in the world.

Nurture lightness, grow security through the breadth of connection over singular depth. Repeat. 

Full Moon (180-224 degree past natal sun)

I am a symbol that you are in a phase of finding greater depth and soulfulness in this lifetime. Although you are in a fertile place, rich with imagination (like the roots of a tree in summer), you are growing and finding great feeding underground where intuition has to be relied on over clear reason. My ebbs and flows are teaching you about deepening in order to find the security that you need to feel adult. You are craving to show the world your ability to grow life and fruitfulness. I am teaching you lessons about grounding and stabilizing through your unseen depths and through the kind of strengthening you are required to find when you are relied on to support others as well. I infuse you with a gravity that is filled with intuition and empathy—a gravity that allows you to deepen into nutritious soils that all other moon phases crave—making you popular.

Nurture Self, use the strength gained to support others. Repeat.

Waning Gibbous Moon (225-269 degrees past natal sun)

I am a symbol that you are in a phase of cultivating greater maturity in this lifetime. You are getting the hang of creative ability and skill, which brings with it a lot of ripe harvests in your life. With an ability to produce also comes a demand for hard work and a need to feel whole and useful. My ebbs and flows are teaching you lessons about refinement and daily rhythms. I infuse you with a gravity that is both playful and useful, where your roots can mature and strengthen in order to hold fully ripened fruit. Just because you will always be able to produce in your life, and you crave feeling useful, doesn’t mean you should always give your fruits away. Find discernment in your helpfulness, but know that you have a lot to offer in service of your fellow man.

Nurture your maturity and deepen your usefulness. Repeat.

Last Quarter Moon (270-314 degrees past natal sun)  

I am a symbol that you are in a phase of vulnerably pushing aspects of your wholeness into the outer world where greater exchange requires greater cooperation and compromise. You have reached a halfway mark in the current many-life cycle that you are in. This is a turning point where self-development is matured and now partnering in the world is both triggering and beautifying for your soul’s medicine. I am teaching you lessons about nurturing relationships and fairness in this lifetime—about trusting the depth of another. With conflict comes the ability to learn skills in harmonizing and diplomacy. As you get better at intuiting fair exchanges in your emotional life, you will ease up with simpler elegance and an easier ability to loosen attachment to self-securing—something you have more than enough of. I offer you a gravity that is charming in order to attract more relationships, thus more practice in developing trust outside of Self.

Nurture trust in ‘other’, see if your souls can dance with trust. Repeat.

Waning Gibbous Moon (315-359 degrees past sun)

I am a symbol that you are in a phase of learning what it means to share your depths. Having reached a very potent point in a many lifetime cycles, you’ve developed emotional resources that need to be uprooted and merged with the resources of others for greater nurturing of magnetism. My ebbs and flows are teaching you about empowerment and precision. Deepen your wisdom through adventure and seeking that can help broaden your intuitive perspective of the world. You may gain emotional wounds, or sense some from other lifetimes in this cycle, that you need to witness—that are blocking how you merge your depths for deeply supportive expansion. A challenging phase, but one where I am teaching you very important lessons around holding a powerful psyche in the world. I give you a valuable gravity that seduces others to share their resources in order to access your mysterious insights.

Nurture your resourceful depths, share-based on intuition to attract potential expansion. Repeat.

Through the houses, she focuses your gifts of nurturance:

(this will be felt as going through cycles of impulse, to vulnerability, to stability throughout different times of the year, and more broadly, ages, in your lifetime)

1st House

I ask you to be vulnerable in personal passion, bringing up insecurity around impulse, which leads to deepening and nurturing roots that stabilize Self-trust.

2nd House

I ask you to be vulnerable in value, bringing up insecurity around self-worth, which leads to deepening and nurturing roots that stabilize strength of voice.

3rd House

I ask you to be vulnerable in communication, bringing up insecurity around connection, which leads to deepening and nurturing roots that stabilize belonging.

4th House

I ask you to be vulnerable in nurturing, bringing up insecurity around intuition, which leads to deepening and nurturing roots that stabilize a sense of protection.

5th House

I ask you to be vulnerable in creativity, bringing up insecurity around presence, which leads to deepening and nurturing roots that stabilize command.

6th House

I ask you to be vulnerable in productivity, bringing up insecurity around refinement, which leads to deepening and nurturing roots that stabilize skill.

7th House

I ask you to be vulnerable in relationships, bringing up insecurity around trust, which leads to deepening and nurturing roots that stabilize peace.

8th House

I ask you to be vulnerable in intimacy, bringing up insecurity around inner resources, which leads to deepening and nurturing roots that stabilize power.

9th House

I ask you to be vulnerable in vision, bringing up insecurity around faith, which leads to deepening and nurturing roots that stabilize wisdom.

10th House

I ask you to be vulnerable in authority, bringing up insecurity around integrity, which leads to deepening and nurturing roots that stabilize position.

11th House

I ask you to be vulnerable in co-creation, bringing up insecurity around uniqueness, which leads to deepening and nurturing roots that stabilize contribution.

12th House

I ask you to be vulnerable in surrender, bringing up insecurity around chaos, which leads to deepening and nurturing roots that stabilize inspiration.

Monday Mantras: Invest in Curiosity

[one_third][/one_third][two_third_last]Invest In Curiosity
By Allie Couch | Image via Perla Marek

This week we’ve newly entered the solar season of Gemini. Ruling over the last of the zodiac’s spring seasons, this sign wants us to wander and flirt with life, to find our curiosity, and to buzz around like little hummingbirds, engaging with life in a multitude of ways to see what sticks: Try a new hair color; start writing; spark a conversation with a stranger; say yes to something different.

In the words of Elizabeth Gilbert from her book, Big Magic: “Keep your eyes open. Listen. Follow your curiosity. Ideas are constantly trying to get your attention. Let them know you’re available.”

Taking this a step further, during this curiosity amplifying Gemini time of year, Gemini’s ruler, Mercury, is back in the sign of Taurus. This will add a layer of making our ideas need to feel valuable to us—or create value for us.

Invest in your ideas this week and see how this valuing of curiosity pays off throughout the year. With our Gemini new moon arriving on Thursday, doing this sooner than later will serve us best. [/two_third_last]

Monday Mantras: 1 + 1 = 1,000

[one_third][/one_third][two_third_last]One Plus One Equals A Thousand
by Allie Couch

“A miracle is when the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. A miracle is when one plus one equals a thousand.”
― Frederick Buechner, The Alphabet of Grace

Dear Muses,

This week’s Monday Mantra is a reminder that our yearly full moon in Scorpio, the sing of joint forces and power, arrives on Wednesday—but affects us all week. Find others who can help you. Join hands and hearts with those who can lift you up and empower your current position. This requires grace in intimacy, but when we allow others in and entangle what we can do, or own, with what others can do, or have, miracles can materialize.

Maybe this full moon brings a cycle of grief and we need the support of others to help swallow up what’s too much to bear. Maybe great windfalls of wealth in finances or other resources actualize through allowing your 1 to join with the 1 of another (or many.) Maybe all of those 1’s that join forces are different kinds of 1’s, and when put together, they equal something so very great and so very graceful. Surrender to a need to keep your things separate and your own. Risk their wandering and their death by taking a chance on merging and see what transformations arrive. [/two_third_last]

Courage In Maitri

[one_third][/one_third][two_third_last padding=”5% 0 0 0″]In all of her eloquence, Ann Whittaker brings us some inspiring words and thoughts around developing a kind and friendly relationship with ourselves as we approach the end of Aries Season; a season all about recognizing ourselves.

Developing loving kindness + friendship with ourselves

MAITRI: unconditional friendliness, loving kindness, love

What if the bravest, most meaningful, most powerful thing we could do was to befriend ourselves? To show ourselves a deep and honest love? What if we began to cultivate a curiosity about every aspect of ourselves? What if we took time to get to know our whole selves–to know who we are when we’re sad, when we’re content, when we’re angry, when we crash and burn, when we forget to call a friend, when we welcome a stranger into our midst, when we take time to listen to a broken heart? What does it take to really show ourselves unconditional loving kindness? What does it mean to befriend ourselves?

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[two_third padding=”8% 0 0 0″]Stay. We must stay with ourselves––our whole self. Pema Chödrön says that

Maitri strengthens us. One of the qualities of maitri is steadfastness, and that’s developed through meditation. So through boredom, through aches, through indigestion, through all kinds of disturbing memories, to edgy energy, to peaceful meditation, to sleepiness, it’s steadfastness. You sit with yourself, you move closer to yourself, no matter what’s going on. You don’t try to get rid of anything—you can still be sad or frustrated or angry. You recognize your humanity and the wide gamut of emotions you might be feeling.

I think it is difficult to stay with ourselves–especially when we are feeling intense emotions–especially when so many planets are in retrograde and everything is undefineably off. Parts of ourselves might show up that we’re not fond of, and, yet, if we stay with these pieces, if we befriend the bits that make us human, we will find strength where we thought there was weakness; we will move closer to ourselves and accept our complex humanity. If we allow ourselves to experience the full spectrum of emotion, and allow ourselves to travel along the spectrum of sadness, anger, joy, and gratitude, we will open ourselves up to loving kindness. [/two_third][one_third_last][/one_third_last]

[one_sixth][/one_sixth][two_third]When we accept our own humanity it’s easier to accept others’ humanity–we are curious about them as well as ourselves. Instead of practicing self-criticism and self-doubt, we can begin to nurture self-curiosity––become intensely interested in observing yourself and simply let your emotions and thoughts run their course. Nothing is permanent. Thankfully. We do not have to cling to or identify with any emotion we’re feeling. When we’re feeling sadness, that does not mean we are a sad person––it simply means we are human. If we can love ourselves even when we are angry, jealous, or sad then we can love others when they too experience the ebb of happiness.[/two_third][one_sixth_last][/one_sixth_last]

[one_third][/one_third][two_third_last padding=”7% 0 0 0″]So how can we show ourselves loving kindness? Pema Chödrön explains:

For example, you might say that taking a bubble bath or getting a workout at the gym is maitri. But on the other hand, maybe it isn’t, because maybe it’s some kind of avoidance; maybe you are working out to punish yourself. On the other hand, maybe going to the gym is just what you need to relax enough to go on with your life with some kind of lightheartedness. Or it might be one of your 65 daily tactics to avoid reality. You’re the only one who knows.

I think it’s difficult to admit that you are on a journey to love yourself unconditionally. So take courage. Practice maitri for yourself so that you will have the strength to share maitri with others. Be real and honest with yourself––you are a human being running the full gamut of experiences and emotions. No one is exempt, no matter how hard you try to mask it. Own it and take care.

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Mapping the Earth, Bodies, & Stars | Aries Ecologies

[one_third][/one_third][two_third_last padding=”0% 0 0 0″]Writer and creative, Anne Marie Vivienne, joins us with a beautiful exploration through the woven ecological thread that the solar season of Aries and the spring time of year breathe life into.

Spring starts with a seed that has been planted deep inside the earth, in a dark womb of soil where the seed must have courage to break open. The seed cracks, opening to the nourishment around it: the rain that has fallen and that light that is dawning. Roots begin to reach out into the dark, down deep to establish a network of sustenance, while a sprout takes heart and reaches above. It can feel the light before it can see it.

One seed. One plant. Growing in, above, and through the earth.

And so we have courage to crack wide open when in the depths of a dark and unknown place. We’ve been growing roots for months now. We know what we want most. We know who and what we are. And now, now is the time to break through the ground and become visible–to photosynthesize and feed ourselves so that we may feed others when called upon later in the year. We find our place in a natural ecology where our self-care transforms into the oxygen for others to breathe. [/two_third_last]

[one_sixth padding=”0% 0 0 0″][/one_sixth][one_third padding=”0% 0 0 0″][/one_third][one_third padding=”4% 0 0 0″]We walk between the earth and the stars; we are bodies that dance between the tangible and intangible; we are hungry (tangible) and we feel courage (intangible). Somehow, magically, we are living our lives between the cosmos and nature herself.

Often we only think of spring as form coming from the earth–green plants breaking through the surface. But what if it works another way as well? What if spring is a time to give form to ideas that have been taking root in your mind, in the cosmos? What if all the dreaming you’ve been doing for the past few months are the imaginative roots you’ve been establishing, and now your dreams are breaking through the intangible world and sprouting into this tangible world of form and existence. [/one_third][one_sixth_last][/one_sixth_last]

[one_third][/one_third][one_third][/one_third][one_third_last padding=”19% 0 0 0″]What if the cosmos are the fertile soil of our dreams? What if we tend to our imagination just as we would the seeds we plant in the ground? What if we had seeds in both the ground and the cosmos that were growing toward each other to create the life we’ve always wanted? It’s exhilarating, isn’t it? This Aries season your seeds are clearly above ground and thriving.

So here’s to growing in all directions as we walk between the tangible and intangible, creating a cosmic ecology where the earth meets our bodies that meet the stars.
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Cultivating Networks of Generosity: Aquarius Rituals

[two_third] (Photo by Ann Whittaker of our Seasons of Greatness Workshop, January 28, 2017)[/two_third][one_third_last]Ann Whittaker, our muse of eloquence, guides us on a journey through beautiful mid-winter rituals to help us take advantage of Aquarius Season’s connection to humanity.

“Conquer the angry one by not getting angry; conquer the wicked by goodness; conquer the stingy by generosity, and the liar by speaking the truth.”
– Gautama Buddha, The Dhammapada

My desire for tenderness, compassion, and generosity are potent these days. It’s midwinter, and all I want to do is make sure that hearts are warm, and that we are gathering to propel each other’s dreams forward–working together to unearth any dormant resources or to uncover the pathways that will move humanity into inspiring systems that can create beauty.[/one_third_last]

[full_width]None of us can do anything meaningful alone. We need each other. We need collective courage when we are afraid; we need collective trust when we are uncertain; we need collective imagination when we forget that darkness is where creation begins; we need collective tenderness when criticism lashes out.

DAILY, WE REACH OUT
Aquarian Rituals

Most days I run into fear, anxiety, anger, self-doubt, stinginess, or regret in some form or another. I’m hoping to be more present and aware when the ego creeps up by tending to these daily rituals that will keep me focused on contributing to this good world and the humans who inhabit it. [/full_width]

[one_sixth][/one_sixth][one_third padding=”3% 0 0 0″]MORNING: Light up your room, light up the world
Light a candle in the dark of the morning. Take notice of your breath. Notice if you have any fears, any self-doubt, any feelings of scarcity or possessiveness. Notice. Then present yourself with other options. If you are worried a new project isn’t gaining traction, reach out to friends or colleagues that you admire. Or, better yet, take a break from your own work, and be a light for someone else–who can you give your time, your heart for an hour or two? [/one_third][one_third][/one_third][one_sixth_last][/one_sixth_last]

[one_sixth][/one_sixth][one_third][/one_third][one_third padding=”3% 0 0 0″]MIDDAY: Turn on the music, identify the patterns
Find some inspiration in music or any art that you particularly enjoy. We love art because we love patterns. How can you tap into an art world of ideas, patterns, composition, and imagination to move forward on a project? Let the work of others inspire you–continue and expand upon conversations that have been going on for centuries.

(Try our Aquarius Season Spotify playlist: a mix of all our Muses Aquarian inspired faves)[/one_third][one_sixth_last][/one_sixth_last]

[one_sixth][/one_sixth][one_third]EVENING: What have you gained, and how will you share it?
Each day we acquire new knowledge, new hopes, new wounds, new insight, new resources. The truth is, none of it is really ours. How does a person actually “own” knowledge? Do we even really “own” our wounds, or can we let them pass through us, and let them exit us with tenderness? Can you be vulnerable without being dramatic? How can your new insight help someone who is struggling? What knowledge did you gain that can help a friend? Perhaps you are sitting on an abundance of resources that need to start flowing into the community. Write down the things you gained during the day, and identify a person or group who you would like to share it with. [/one_third][one_third] (Another image by Ann Whittaker of our recent Seasons of Greatness workshop, gathering and sharing with our loved community)[/one_third][one_sixth_last][/one_sixth_last]

[full_width]“One of the marvelous things about community is that it enables us to welcome and help people in a way we couldn’t as individuals. When we pool our strength and share the work and responsibility, we can welcome many people, even those in deep distress, and perhaps help them find self-confidence and inner healing.”
– Jean Vanier[/full_width]

Aquarius New Moon: Complex Progress with Eris

[two_third][/two_third][one_third_last]Wander with us as Astrologist, Allie Couch, takes us on a tour of a new moon post that is complex and longer than usual, as it’s a pertinent one. Don’t worry if you don’t grasp it all, take what you can, and use it toward making the best Aquarius new moon intentions that you can.

Tomorrow marks our yearly return of the sun and moon aligning in the sing of Aquarius, or, the Aquarius new moon. New moons mark times to plant new seeds, walk through new doors opening to you, and to set new intentions. In Aquarius, our group orientation and need to see progress for humanity are the focal points. It’s time to break out your CosmoMuse 2017 Seasonal Astrology Guide, review Aquarius Season, if you haven’t yet (or get yours here if you don’t have one yet), and starting tomorrow evening, write out your new moon goals in this guide so you can refer back to them during the year. [/one_third_last]

[full_width]It’s been a complex year in the Aquarius realm, as seems obvious with the angst and powerful movements currently rising up, and the trend will continue with plenty of cross-roads, challenges, and oppositions to contend with regarding the initiations in the Aquarius realm of our charts, this year. It’s a mess really, but not without golden nuggets. This new moon is quintile Uranus and Eris, bringing creative activation through a warrior goddess (hence the successful Women’s March), and planet of earthquakes, lightening and awakening. We also look at the planetary co-rulers of Aquarius, Uranus and Saturn, to get the whole picture of what will play into our initiations at this time.

Uranus is conjunct the goddess of retaliation, Eris, in the ultimate warrior sign of Aries. Aries is great for getting things off of the ground but is also rash, confrontational, and more than a bit selfish. Be sure that your new intentions have the good of your relationships or issues of equality in mind or you’ll have some equilibrium problems this year. With Eris here, feelings of wanting retribution may arise, a negative thing that will ultimately lead to discord—this goddess asteroid, in Aries, has lots of symbolism and linking to the epidemic of terrorism. We need to ask ourselves: With things initiating now, are we just trying to make progress in the race for personal glory and advantage? As well as: If there’s a fight aspect involved in an initiation, will it bring warranted and important winning for the collective or is it flavored with a need to see others fail badly and bloodily, out of retaliation (here’s a whole article about just Eris’ discovery and alignment with our seasonal ruler of Uranus, that I would HIGHLY suggest reading). Jupiter is in opposition to these two planets, so our new goals will also find opposition around expansive themes of fairness and equality. To make it even more complex, Pluto, planet of transformation, as well as messenger, Mercury, will square off to Uranus and Eris. I’m not going to sugarcoat this, these are some pretty heavy aspects bringing cross-purposes and issues of control. Get creative by pushing into the challenge, or heat, brought and take initiative to solve things in this vein.[/full_width]

[two_third]Luckily, our second seasonal co-ruler, Saturn, sheds a bit of relief, but not without its own challenges. Saturn makes a nice angle to Uranus and Eris, so some responsible planning and structuring can help us in our new initiations. Jupiter and Saturn are also in good angle, so this same planning and structuring can be used to alleviate and bring peaceful mediation to some of the oppositions coming our way from issues of fairness, partnerships, and equality. This is the thing that could actually spark responsible innovations that are inspired from the strife and competitive atmosphere. On another note, Mars, planet of war, and Venus, planet of beauty, are at odds with Saturn, throwing some illusionist and delusional traps at our feet. Ugh.

We all have this sign of Aquarius reigning over an area of our charts so we all have new things that will initiate, connected to the area this sign rules for us. Check your guide for the cycle it brings up for you.

My plea: Remember, no matter what area of your life this group, cause, and future oriented sign ignites for you, the divide and contentions in our communities, nation, and world, are already fragile. Really, all anyone wants in this part of their chart is to feel progress and hope for the future. This is the root of all of the dramas that will play out over the course of the year in connection to what starts in the next week. Give positive energy and a collaborative spirit to all that surfaces at this time, as well as remember that when conflicts arise, you do not have a full perspective of anything unless you have listened with kindness and empathy (putting yourself in another’s shoes) to your foe’s story. Although you may still feel that they are incorrect, once you’ve listened, if you understand where and why they are taking the stances they are, you can create movement and foundations that are more inclusive, whether or not they recognize that. [/two_third][one_third_last][/one_third_last]

[full_width]I like to call this the power of yin. When we listen to another with compassion, if we do not agree and still decide to act in opposition to them, minimally they have felt heard, softening them to you and your actions, even if only slightly. A seed has been planted, and it may take a year, or the seed may never break open, but when and if it does, you are the originator of a heart opening in this foe, who may then feel comfortable seeking you out for guidance on how to graciously change their stance. There is no guarantee, and likely no immediate gratification in this yin practice, but just that act of empathetic listening has the power to change people, in time. This also takes place in you, and you may suddenly feel a jolt of insight, helping you realize you have been on the wrong side of things.

Those who can see the positive side of competition and challenges are our greatest hope for this year’s Aquarius new moon initiations, and as always, AMAZING work can come from such issues of complexity (such as this musical piece). Look for those who rise above vengeful feelings, be inspired by them, and model yourself after them. This is the season that can ignite our greatest forward thinking and out-of-the-box solutions to propel our species forward in more harmonious alignment with our dying earth and polarizing issues. We also need to confront the initiations and goals put in place now to make sure they are not related to vengeful feelings towards others, rather competitive and progressive hopes for humanity. [/full_width]

Capricorn Rituals: Daily Steps for your Summits

[one_half][/one_half][one_half_last]Tune into the seasonal Capricorn energy as we start recognizing the peaks of success we wish to summit as the sun slowly grows in strength. Ann Whittaker’s rituals for our personal summits can help us build a solid ste-by-step foundation as we trek along on our steep climb to acclaim as we’re about to make our yearly resolutions. Photography by Ann

Capricorn Rituals

DAILY STEPS TO GET TO YOUR SUMMITS

“Our imagination is struck only by what is great; but the lover of natural philosophy should reflect equally on little things.” -alexander von humboldt

Almost every day, I find myself on a mountainside; almost every week, I find myself on a mountaintop. It’s easy for me to take the first steps on a trail; it’s not so easy for me to take those mid-steps or final steps when I’m tired and hungry and cold. However, my endurance has everything to do with daily training, and the way I pace myself in the beginning. If I get too excited and try to run to the summit, I burn out and end up hating that stupid ol’ mountain anyway.
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[two_fifth padding=”5% 0 0 0″]And, so, I find myself reading about the life of the Prussian 17th-18th century explorer, Alexander Humboldt. I’ve been reading his biography all year–slowly, bit by bit, because I, for once, am savoring the words that describe this prolific naturalist’s expeditions and his accounts of what he discovered. How did he do it? One observation at a time; one step at a time; one sentence at a time; one conversation at a time; one day at a time.

The little things matter.

Because the little things create the muscles we’ll need to get to where we’re going. If you’re like me, it’s much more pleasing to look at the majesty of a summit, rather than my feet that I’ve seen every day of my life. So, here’s to looking right in front of you, and cultivating rituals that will gently get you to the place you’ve been longing for.[/two_fifth][three_fifth_last][/three_fifth_last]

[one_third][/one_third][two_third_last padding=”7% 0 0 0″]CAPRICORN RITUALS – TO THE MOUNTAINTOP WE GO

Morning Rituals

Identify the goal, the summit, the destination. If it’s a new job, write it down. If it’s a crazy idea, you should really write it down and take it seriously–so very seriously. If it’s climbing Denali, write it down. If it’s starting your own business, write it down.

Then, identify the first step. Take the first step every day until it becomes natural. If you want to be a writer, write one page every day until one page feels easy. Then step it up to a page and a half. If you want to climb a mountain, start by walking on a trail or around your neighborhood. Every day, go a little bit longer–one minute at a time. You don’t have to do an ultra marathon tomorrow.

Make the first step a part of your morning ritual. Begin with the first steps every day.[/two_third_last]

[two_third padding=”4% 0 0 0″]Evening Rituals

Acknowledge the work you did–especially the tiniest of steps. Give the little things more weight, more value than you have in the past. You’re that much closer to your summit. Even if one day takes you around a corner you didn’t expect, you’re still that much closer. Declutter every evening. Did you get distracted or take on too much? Overwhelm sneaks up on you. Bite-size is the name of the game. If you find you’re feeling really good, try not to overdo it and exhaust yourself by the time you get further along your path.

Once you feel ready to take on the next step, stop and enjoy the view. Acknowledge where you’ve been. Wasn’t that pretty?

Ya. It was pretty.

And so is the summit. Take it nice and easy. And take along a friend or two.[/two_third][one_third_last][/one_third_last]

Great Summits: The Capricorn New Moon

[two_third][/two_third][one_third_last]CosmoMuse Seasonal Astrologist, Allie Couch, brings us some guidance around tonight’s aspiring Capricorn new moon, breaks it down by sign, as well as shares a practice to help us connect on a deeper level with our pinnacle goals of the year. Set your sights on tall peaks on this winter night, Muses; ones that will bring you glory and acclaim for the authority and responsibility that you are capable of carrying—and remeber to write your new moon goals in your CosmoMuse 2017 Seasonal Astrology Guide (or get one here if you don’t have one yet). Photography by Dan Peck

A quick refresher: New moons signify a point in time when the energies are ripe to initiate new goals. Each solar season gets a new moon of the same sign when the sun and moon share the same degree of the Tropical Zodiac. [/one_third_last]

[two_third]This season, Capricorn is up, marking our highest point in the zodiac and connected to the things we aspire to be recognized for, whether that’s through career, achievements, titles, awards or things we hold authority and responsibility in. Just as Capricorn Season starts at the winter solstice (in the Northern Hemisphere), when the days are at their shortest but start slowly growing in length, our Capricorn new moon goals will reflect this new found desire to slowly, step-by-step, climb the peaks we start seeing outlines of as we seek more light and glory. The goals we initiate now are ones that we will summit at the summer solstice (in the Northern Hemisphere), when the days are at their longest. They may feel like heavy burdens to bear and will require singular focus and a limiting of what we allow into our sphere of duties. Just as one who climbs a tough mountain needs to be prepared, plan and train for their journey, your Capricorn goals should take on the same seriousness and austerity.

Only look to goals that you know are within your attainment but push these and yourself bit beyond your norm this year as the planetary ruler of this event, Saturn, is in Sagittarius, the sign of expansion, vision and optimism.

This lunar event will happen at the tail end of the 28th for some of us and in the wee hours of the 29th for others. Either way, the optimal time to set your goals and intentions for your Capricorn themed yearly goals should be within six hours of the exact new moon. Starting no earlier than 5pm PT, 6pm MT, 7pm CT, 8pm ET is your best timing and into the night, with a 12 hour window. Don’t fear if you miss this, you can set and work on these goals for the whole week ahead, this window is just the ideal.

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[one_third][/one_third][two_third_last]CAPRICORN GOALS BY SIGN

Capricorn rules a different part of each sign’s chart. Read below for a little extra context around how to direct your goals based on your sun sign AND rising sign:

Aries: Your career and public aspirations are doubly in focus. Own your authority in the professional world and watch your responsibilities and acclaim grow.
Taurus: Your ability to give structure and prestige to global and enterprising pursuits could win you some public favor. Let go of any limiting notions of belief and allow yourself to climb foreign mountains.
Gemini: Authority follows you into taboo areas. You are responsible and structured in the things you share and transform with others. Own your ability to make responsible choices in entanglement and find your acclaim this summer as you see what you’ve helped rebuild, step-by-step, through joining forces for exponential growth in shared possessions.
Cancer: Relating and relationships are what bring you glory and acclaim. You may sometimes feel limited or too responsible when it comes to your relationships, but own your ability to bring structure and focus to the give and take that makes great partnering and climb big peaks in front of you with a graceful flow of taking the lead and following that takes your ability to equalize to new heights. [/two_third_last]

[full_width]Leo: Lifestyle and your daily processes (or work duties) are what get your most structured capabilities. You may take a lot on your shoulders but your step-by-step approach to getting through your days is enviable and you are capable of tackling more projects than the other signs and having a rigorously purified life. A new project may come your way that will push your limits but open the door to a new stream of work that rises your prestige.
Virgo: Structure and responsibility are where you shine. Don’t squash your authority for fear of the limelight. Embrace your leadership and creative expression and watch as the world praises your ability to structure and achieve.
Libra: Growing roots and self-nurturing are important things in life and you take this very seriously—or you should. By taking care of your family and home or things related to nurturing, sustaining and protecting, your structured abilities here help you grow prestigious roots in life.
Scorpio: Words and connecting with others may at times seem a burden to you but this is where you build and take on authority in your life. By realizing that your linear thought process is enviable and respectable, you can let go of any feelings of communicative inferiority. Use your authoritative style to stay connected to those in power, bringing you more respect.
Sagittarius: What comes around goes around. Share your authority in something to increase your self-worth and give of your possessions to keep the flow of value streaming into your life. Or, use your resources to increase your authority and skills in something that you feel is important to your self-worth. This will help you let go of feelings of lack or inferiority.
Capricorn: This is your new moon of the year; the time when your agenda is in motion and getting green lights. You are a responsible breed and no doubt your new moon goals will be tinted with practical, step-by-step goals that will give you more respect and authority in your life. Whatever you most desire should be sought now.
Aquarius: Arts, spirituality, composition and healing may feel like serious areas to you and they are. This is your time to initiate new goals that fill you with inspiration. You are capable of becoming an authority in your artistic and spiritual pursuits but you have to put in solid, structured building to get there.
Pisces: Groups, causes, and friends may sometimes make you feel inferior but they need you. You bring structure and responsibility to humanity and causes bigger than the individual. So on our behalf, not yours, please shed your feelings of limitation around what you can contribute and dive in to help the rest of us bring structure and acclaim to the things we all need as a collective for the progress of our world.

*Only incorporate the above contexts into your Capricorn themed goals if you can hold or understand the complexity – do not stress about these if it feels too overwhelming confusing. [/full_width]

[one_third]CAPRICORN NEW MOON INTENTION SETTING & SUMMIT-ING: A GUIDE

Normally I suggest making 3 or 4 goals for both your sun and rising sign (6-8 total) as not all of them will grow the needed roots but this time I’m suggesting a limit to this. Make one or two goals for each and treat them like a expedition plan that then may incorporate other smaller stepping stones, base camps (or goals) to help you reach your main peak to summit. So here’s the question to help you set your gaze on the right challenging peak for glory this year: What do you most aspire to be recognized for and stand on top as an authority of?

o Make a 4-5 step plan that will help you attain your main goal— this can include some sub-goals.

o With each of your sub-goals, write out a few sentences of how you will start those goals.[/one_third][two_third_last][/two_third_last]

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o Make a list of ‘gear’ need for your big trek ahead.

o As soon as you are ready to take a step into your first sub-goal, light a candle and repeat the following (this should be within a week of making your goals): I accept the responsibility that I am asking for and know that this will lead me to more authority and acclaim in my life, which in turn I can use to give others more authority in their lives.

o Enjoy the trek you set out on but stay focused and take time to look back every now and then, leading up to July (or the scheduled summit), to see how far you’ve climbed toward this goal.

With Mercury retrograde connected to your yearly Capricorn goal/s, be sure you are clear and double check any communication around your journey/s with these goal/s. Take things slow as certain paths may not lead where you think they will—planning and research will help you to choose the correct routes so there is little back tracking needed. Mars and Neptune send supporting guidance on your mission so inspired, artistic, and cosmically entangled action and healing will be with you every step of the way—but you do need to ask for this when you need it. These guides are available to you but they can’t read you mind. Happy trails muses. May you find all that you aspire to accomplish on this new trek and summit with grand fulfillment come July.[/full_width]

[full_width]FOR OUR FRIENDS IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE

With this being your summer solstice time of year, we flip the seasons around and so in some astrologers theories (including mine), this is your Cancer time of year.

With your Cancer new moon falling today, it’s the perfect time for you to make goals around how to nurture and grow your roots. Pay attention to your inner stirrings of what you need to feel safe, nurtured and protected in this world. The sun has reached the tropic of Capricorn and will start backing away as the nights slowly grow in length, making it your ideal time to start thinking about and planning for the future darker times coming, when your autumn months will ask you to tap into your inner resources.

I know this is just a bread crumb but more for your side of the world is in the works! [/full_width]

Seeking All Possibilities for Expansive Perspective

[two_third][/two_third][one_third_last]Pack your bags muses! We’re about to travel the world right from a local coffee shop or cafe. CosmoMuse contributor, Ann Whittaker, takes us through her expansive Sagittarius Season rituals. Photography by Ann Whittaker | Location: La Barba Coffee

I’m sitting in a cafe in Salt Lake City, but I might as well be sitting in a teahouse in Hagi, Japan. Because the universal lives in the particular. Would I rather be sitting in Hagi? Absolutely. But am I happy to be working in Salt Lake City? Yes. No question. Because it’s all a piece in the puzzle. Sometimes my mind contracts around what I’m not doing, where I’m not traveling, and wondering if I’ll ever get to where I’m headed. Because right now I’m sitting in a coffee shop in Salt Lake City–far, far away from a teahouse in a place I want to be.

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[one_third padding=”10% 0 0 0″]Enter Sagittarius. Enter perspective. Enter truth and expansion.

This small moment in Salt Lake City is Hagi, Japan because it’s one of the steps that will lead me there sooner or later. So, I repeat to myself, “This is Salt Lake City. This is Hagi.” I’m already there. I’m exploring this moment to its depths, so that I can explore Hagi to its depths when I get there. Practice expansion. Practice seeing the universe in this very moment.

Here’s some rituals for Sagittarius season you can implement into your daily routine to bring visionary wisdom and experiences.[/one_third][two_third_last][/two_third_last]

[one_half][/one_half][one_half_last padding=”5% 0 0 0″]SEEK
Seeking is about asking questions–the kind of questions that ask you to see something in a new light. Seeking is seeing. We get caught up in our daily routines, and they become a burden to us because we don’t open our eyes to the subtleties and nuances that make the mundane remarkable. The small details truly are threads in a universal tapestry that you’re weaving into the wholeness of your life.

Think about one of your daily tasks. Ask yourself these questions to bring new light, new vision to something you see/do every day:

1. Why do I do this?
2. Whom do I do it for? (The answer can be you do it for you.)
3. Who else probably does this same task day after day?
4. How does this thread, this task, tie in to your entire life tapestry?
5. Why does it matter?[/one_half_last]

[full_width]QUEST
A quest is about bringing movement to your questions. The ultimate adventure is to ask a question, and then walk the path that presents itself to you. Do something different; open a new door; sing a new song.

A quest takes courage–it requires all the faith you can muster. All you know is the question. You don’t know the answer. Stay open, and listen to new ideas that present themselves to you–the more absurd, the better.

Try any of these things to bring a Sagittarian quest into this season:

1. Find the world in your community. Look for a new international restaurant run by immigrants in your area, and make it one of your go-to eateries. Befriend other patrons and the people who work there. Open up your world through food, new friends, and new experiences.
2. Read a book you wouldn’t normally read. Think of a friend who would love to know you’re reading it, and will “guide” you as you approach a new subject or genre. See where it leads your imagination.
3. Identify something you’ve been avoiding–something you’ve always wanted to do, but haven’t because you didn’t know where to begin or just haven’t made the time. Do it. Put it on the calendar this week. [/full_width]

[one_third padding=”6% 0 0 0″]SHOOT FOR THE STARS

Sometimes we diminish our own dreams, our own desires, our own passions. Because something is “easy” for us, we feel we don’t have the luxury to spend time on them. Truthfully, we all know that the “easy” things are our callings–it’s what we can really contribute to the world. And it matters. It matters like the stars matter in a dark sky. You are the guiding light for someone else. Even if your talent seems small, it’s huge to someone else.

Initiate one of your dreams into your daily routines. After all, you’ll never become a writer later in life if you’re not writing today, right?[/one_third][two_third_last][/two_third_last]