Last Quarter Moon, Mars RX (From the Know to Flow Forecast, Vol. 74, Week of 9/7)

(From the Know to Flow Forecast for Consciously Creating Life, Vol. 74, Week of September 7th.)

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Last Quarter Moon, Sun in Virgo,
​Mars Stations Retrograde in Aries

This week, we arrive at the last quarter moon for this lunar cycle, and Mars stations retrograde in Aries, both on Wednesday the 9th.

The last quarter moon, as always, brings tension, as the waning moon squares the sun, because it brings us to choice-point.  Here there is a decision that must be made to move forward.

The good news is, Mercury has just moved into Libra, and Venus has just moved into Leo.  Mercury in Libra supports healing conflicts through diplomacy, partnership, cooperation, balance, justice, and Venus in Leo brings a return to romance, passion, glamour, self-care, and love (and playfulness in love).

(Check out my latest on the blog about how smudging with yerba santa is perfect for honoring the current astrology here.)

Mars retrograde is the big deal now, though.  This only happens every two years, and this year it is extra strong because it is in its own sign of Aries for the entire retrograde, and is going to be squaring up to Pluto and Saturn at the end of Capricorn.  Saturn will actually be stationing direct in square to Mars retrograde in Aries.

This is not easy astrology.  Mars retrograde is the biggest energetic signature in the second half of 2020, and its going to be stirring back up the big issues from earlier in the year, having to do with Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn.  

Mars is our passion and desire, our motivation to push forward in life.  In retrograde we are being asked to put everything on hold and review.  So this can feel frustrating.  In square to Saturn stationing direct in Capricorn, it could feel even more frustrating, especially considering the territory we have covered this year.

Just know that the focus now is going to be on this review.  While we are in this review (Mars retrograde), Jupiter stations direct at 17 degrees Capricorn on September 12th, Saturn stations direct at 25 degrees Capricorn on September 28th, and Pluto stations direct at 22 degrees Capricorn on October 4th.  Mercury stations retrograde in Scorpio October 13th and stations direct in Libra on November 3rd.  Then on November 13th, Mars wraps up the whole thing stationing direct in Aries, the same day Jupiter and Pluto make their final of three conjunctions in Capricorn, now both direct.  (The first Jupter-Pluto conjunction was on April 5th, and the second was June 30th.)

Mars retrograde is the big finale to everything that has been up this year, from the full moon eclipse in Cancer with Uranus direct in Taurus and the Saturn-Pluto conjunction in Capricorn in mid-January on.  

It may very well feel like a never-ending slog right now.  I am feeling that as I write this, but at the same time, I am looking ahead in the astrology and seeing how Mars retrograde is the final act, so to speak (of this particular play), and how November 13th is going to be bringing a big completion - especially with everything stationing direct in Capricorn during this time AND Mercury also completing its retrograde within the umbrella of Mars retrograde.  

It feels like wave after wave, but we need to have patience now - Mars retrograde does not favor the bold, nor the instigator. 

Consider that Mars always wants action, but in retrograde its a different type of action - actively meditating, actively understanding, actively offering compassion, actively observing - and as it is bumping up against Saturn, this is really a huge cue to sit it out until after the energies have shifted.  We need to keep channeling our energies back into self-development, reconnaissance, and strategy.  (I have returned to trail running in an effort to maintain some sort of sanity over the next two months - I don't come by patience naturally, and my Aries moon demands part of my self-care be burning off all of that excess energy. Strategy honors Mars retrograde - what can you do to work with this energy?)

I have a complete guide to navigating Mars retrograde up now with Elephant Journal!  Read "Accessing the Magic of Mars Retrograde" here.

In everything there is magic, if we know where to find it.  

Love & Gratitude,
Kasey

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(Sample of Daily Notes for the Week)

Mon. 9/7

​Moon transits Uranus in Taurus:  Today the moon remains in Taurus, and will pass by Uranus, which recently stationed retrograde, at midnight.  Uranus is the ruler of Aquarius and the outer planet of change via sudden upheaval and out-of-the-blue insight.  Uranus is restlessness, rebelliousness, and innovation - Uranus brings us the future. It began its transit of Taurus in 2018, but we really started getting a better idea of what this transit (going until 2026) is all about in mid-January when Uranus stationed direct at the same time as the lunar eclipse in Cancer.  By equinox, the traditional ruler of Aquarius (before technology discovered Uranus), Saturn, had moved out of Capricorn and into Aquarius and we were preparing for lockdown.  As Saturn moved forward, it began to apply a square to Uranus in Taurus, but then Saturn went retrograde and back into Capricorn over the summer while Uranus moved forward.  Now Uranus is turning backward and Saturn is about to move forward, and will be back in Aquarius in December for good. A big defining energy of 2021 is going to be Saturn and Uranus repeatedly squaring each other.  Uranus innovates and Saturn is a traditionalist, so this is going to be big energy to work with.  Right now we can pay attention to what Uranus is doing and what we are reviewing during its retrograde.  We have already seen over this year issues come up having to do with how we feel secure and the old ways versus coming up with more new and innovating ways - Taurus is Venus-ruled earth - it loves stability, it governs the environment, the earth, our food supply, and the ways we feel stable and secure, and especially through the experience of the senses and through possessions.  Uranus in Taurus is already asking us to look to the future and think outside of the box and innovate in these areas.  Uranus retrograde is an opportunity to check in with how this is playing out in our lives and to work on our relationship with these energies and themes.    

Moon Phase:  Waning Gibbous (Permeating Awareness)  Expansion, assimilation.  As we truly begin to see ourselves, our consciousness expands.  The stardust that flows through all our veins begins to shine a trillion tiny beacons in the growing darkness.  Our most feared recesses are illuminated; our masks, torn away.  Our smaller selves begin to fade as our radiant truth begins to bloom in the fertile shaded soil.  Ritual:  Create a vision board, but one with this intention:  A New Map to Your Higher Self.  Choose imagery that you may not have previously associated with, but that speaks to you on a deeper level.  Shrug the superficial in favor of elevated depth.  Consider what ‘elevated depth’ means to you, your heart, your soul.  Then, allow it to come through your hands, onto the board.  Ally:  Music - whatever inspires, uplifts, and transports you.  Play it as you create your (higher) vision (of yourself) board.  I Allow My Truth to Come Forward.  (From the Wild Moon Lunar Phase Deck)

Tues. 9/8
The moon goes void-of-course at 6:46 a.m., MDT, this morning, and then enters Gemini at 3:27 p.m., MDT.  

Void moon:  Today until 3:27 p.m., MDT, its a VOID MOON DAY.  Stick to routine tasks and admin and put decisions off until the moon is active again.  This is a great day for wrapping up loose ends, sefl-care, and getting rest.  This is NOT a good time for big decisions or firming up plans or initiating anything.  The energy is more floating and drifting, as the moon goes void when it has made its last aspect from one sign until it reaches the cusp of the next sign.  During these times, the moon is not in communication with the other celestial bodies and that can leave us feeling lost or directionless, and trying to push can leave us frustrated and putting in a lot more work and effort than a task would normally take when the moon is online.  So flow with this one and pull out your void moon to-do list of miscellaneous chores, organization, and old projects to finish up with and focus on that and you will glide right through, just like the moon.  Check out the link above to find out more about working with void moons.  

Moon in Gemini:  After 3:27 p.m., MDT, the moon enters Gemini, where it will remain active until it goes void-of-course Thursday evening.  Gemini is Mercury-ruled air, the sign of the mind and dualities.  Mercury is "the messenger."  (Also "the trickster" and "the magician.")  Today is great for communication, errands, and connecting with community.  Ideas should come easy, as does research and brainstorming.  This is not about deciding anything - it's about gathering the info and allowing all of the info to exist, even when it conflicts.  

 Moon Phase:  Waning Gibbous (Heightened Awareness)  Understanding, seeking.  With heightened awareness comes an entirely new set of coordinates.  A new plateau has been reached, presenting you with myriad new doors to open and pathways to explore.  Ritual:  Choose an area of study that has either always called to you, or has recently come into focus.  Carve out special solitary time for study, contemplation and when you are ready, sharing and communication. This forms the structure for community-strengthened, awake and aware. Ally:  Anoint a candle with either cinnamon or mint oil.  Both revitalize and reawaken the mind.  I Am Open to Knowledge.  I Am a Perpetual Student.  I Know Nothing & Everything.  (From the Wild Moon Lunar Phase Deck)

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As an ambassador for consciously creating life, Kasey serves as an advocate of the magic that exists in this life and in each and every one of us.  She is a champion of the journey to access our own powerful magic by returning home to ourselves and reclaiming the thrones of our hearts as sovereign rulers of our realms, through practicing the Art of Consciously Creating Life.