Astro Forecast
Astral Awareness & Insight by Gaia
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Pisces New Moon (2/23) and Mercury Retrograde: Embracing the Power of our Imagination
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"...the path to heaven doesn't lie down in flat miles.
It's in the imagination with which you perceive this world and the
gestures with which you honor it."
Mary Oliver
“It is the stuff dreams are made of…" This revised phrase from Shakespeare has come to mean something evanescent, vague and yet able to touch the cords of our souls and deepest yearnings. It speaks of some other "substance," one that, for some, could be a dream or an illusion, it could be almost at hand, or endlessly unreachable. It's through the experience of Pisces, the fishes, that we may fully grasp its meaning. This sign symbolizes this mysterious realm, a vast, boundaries-less complex dimension, that is akin to the regenerative, healing, and life-giving power of large bodies of water. In this magical world, the two fishes symbolize the mortal body and the immortal spirit that reunite in the waters of the womb before coming back to life. Likewise, this sign symbolizes receptivity to emotional and psychic currents, ideals and hopes, dreams and illusions, and the quest to be in touch with something divine, sacred, and more significant than our human realm. Pisces represents an exquisite sensitivity towards the deep currents of the collective psyches, their consciousness is permeable to divine and spiritual spheres that lay at the bottom of the sea. Such sensitivity also guides them to serve a greater purpose, such as coming to the rescue of those they perceive are suffering. Or they might channel this higher power through creative and selfless activities. At times, such porousness poses challenges as they might lose themselves in these oceanic waters, drowning in the endless yearning for the "stuff of dreams" that does not fully belong to our earthly realm.
The Pisces New Moon on February 23rd joins Mercury, who turned retrograde at 12 Pisces on the 16th, and it will bloom into a Full Moon in Virgo on March 10th. This will still have a strong Pisces tone, as the Moon will oppose the Sun and Neptune, ruler of Pisces. This new Moon cycle invites us to explore this world with no beginnings and no ends. It encourages us to access what the scholar and mystic Henry Corbin called the Mundus Imaginalis, or Imaginal Dimension, to differentiate it from the simple imaginary. He wrote that imaginary is often equivalent to something unreal and outside our existence, almost utopian. The Mundus Imaginalis instead, is perceived by our “Imaginative Consciousness,” an organ that we all are gifted with. With this "organ," we reach an inter-world with its own topography that lays in-between other worlds, as we are able to access our spiritual states and “transmute” them into guiding visions. These magical worlds are populated by spirit guides, angels, places, and beings that we get in touch with through dreams, shamanic journey and rituals, psychedelic, dance, art, music, or simply meditative and reflective states, when we sit in contemplation. At this new Moon, where the boundaries between worlds are softened, we might let what is sacred for us rising up from the depths as we tap into a force that can guide our soul from beyond.
This planetary configuration might also stir up deep longings, sorrows and nostalgia. The past might return like a wave that takes us out at sea or a deluge that might make us feel confused and exhausted. Pisces energy helps us floating in this state as we temporarily return to a protective cocoon that, like a comforting womb, allows us to use our Imaginative Consciousness to contact what arises. It may bring us creative inspiration, offer us guidance, and invite us to look at the challenge of the presents with a renewed sense of hope. Opening this energy-giving channel to this magical dimension of life offers us the possibility to recognize what fills us with wonder and awe, as we merge with something greater than ourselves. We might find fulfillment that comes from experiences that give us a sense of unity with the Cosmos, God, or whatever force each one of us might honor. As the boundaries between worlds are loose, the time is right to harness the power of our imagination, and ask ourselves what guide and replenish our souls? What fills us with wonder and awe and bliss?
Before the New Moon, on February 16th, a shift in energy is likely as Mars enters Capricorn and Mercury turns retrograde at 12 Pisces and begins walking backwards for a second time over the path he covered since around February 2nd. The house in our chart where Pisces is contained, show us where we might re-encounter the past. Those of us with planets between the stations of Mercury might experience this cycle more intensely. These are planets and points between 12 Pisces, Virgo, Gemini, and Sag and 28 Aquarius, Taurus, Leo and Scorpio as Mercury will station on March 9th. In addition, the new Moon will emphasize Mercury's path, like a swell from out at sea, she'll bring to shore what lays deep in the ocean.
The retrograde motion invites us to walk back, or swim back as if we could slow down and revisit that same path again. We might bring our awareness to the past and get to become more familiar with our actions, thoughts, and emotional responses. Looking at it with an open and compassionate heart, we might come to a different understanding. We might perhaps appreciate it, or realize our edges of growth, or recognize judgments that we are ready now to let go of. Maybe we might find more compassion for ourselves, more understanding for other underprivileged and unrepresented populations, and creatures that have suffered the consequences of our biased culture.
We might also reconnect with our forgotten longings and memories that return to our consciousness. Imagine a dense fog that slowly dissipates, allowing our eyes and soul to bathe in the beauty of a familiar magical landscape, as memories flow in and our in that ever-changing space between the darkness of night and the gentle light of dawn. Pisces way is not straightforward but subtle, and so engaging with all that Pisces represents might help foster this process. Perhaps we might re-organize that box of pictures in the back of our closet or those pictures folders scattered in our computers or online that contains years of memories. Or our cd and vinyl collection needs a visit so that we might rediscover some precious jams from the past. Or we might return to a poem we never finished or reading old journals with kindness that show us our former selves and offer us an opportunity to reflect. Pisces connection with emotional and physical healing might assist us in reviewing our spiritual practices, and invite us to review our rituals. The past might also return in the shape of old friends, lovers, acquaintances that we might serendipitously connect with us.
During the time in which Mercury is in Pisces, we might experience the trickster aspect of Mercury, for Pisces is a realm in which our messenger gets easily lost. If we try holding water in your hands, we might sense how retaining facts might be challenging at this time. This might look like in information that slips away from our mind, dates get confused, schedules that were set get scrambled up, forgetfulness and misunderstanding might take hold. It might be wise to wonder if other hidden reasons are behind such slips, recognizing where there is deception, and where we might be a bit blind because a part of us might not really want to see.We might also witness such attempts in world events about Pisces matters, such as the current epidemic as hidden information might be disclosed.
Overall, the fine details might be likely to slip away, so it might be helpful to carefully look twice. However, Mercury will receive the help of exalted Mars in sextile from Capricorn. It will offer support in time of challenge, like a responsible friend coming to rescue when we have forgotten to fill our car tank/recharge the car battery.
On 2/16, Mars makes its ingress in Capricorn, the earthy sign that supports and strengthens Mars's assertiveness. Its journey in this sign until March 30th might be quite eventful, particularly around the 20th to the 24th, when it triggers the December 25th eclipse at 4 degrees Capricorn. At the same time, it will receive the support of Uranus from Taurus, and of the Sun in Pisces, a much-needed beneficial configuration in time of unraveling. Developments, opportunities, and actions might be taken or happen for those who have planets and points in those degrees, especially for Capricorn and Cancer that resonated with what emerged at the eclipse time.
For all, look at where Capricorn falls in your chart, to harness the discipline, pragmatism, and energy of this archetype, which evokes a masterful carpenter, a conscious and committed builder that might feel ready to tackle the project. We might all gather strength and discipline, along with opportunities for taking action in innovative and unexpected ways, as it is with Uranus, the maverick of the zodiac.
New Moon in Pisces Ritual
The couple of days before the new Moon is best to find time to rest and retreat with our community or by ourselves and harness the energy of this powerful Pisces New Moon. We might honor water and its capacity to heal, purify, and give life. We might possibly sit by a body of water, such as by the ocean, or a river, a lake, a pond, or have water in our altar. We might take time to allow our imagination to bathe, and floating, noticing our bodies sensations as we experience the healing and purifying powers of water. We might imagine returning to our mother's womb, or to a soft and comforting cocoon where we can replenish our souls. In this state of receptivity and openness, we might find time to meditate, journal, and keep a receptive stance to what comes from Beyond. As we let go of the past, we might wonder what replenishes our soul? Where do we find a sense of sacredness that fills us with awe and wonder? Where do we feel bliss and blessed?
We might welcome these visions, messages, and felt experiences on the shores of our consciousness with curiosity and openness. We might also attempt to give it a form, through art, photography, video, music, journaling, or whatever might feel right for each one of us. In such a way, we might use our imagination to perceive and create a symbol of those messages that hold this sacred experience. We might take that "stuff of dreams" and bring it in this world so that it might remind us of its magical power and guide us as we navigate this ocean called life.
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Thank you for reading this astro-report. Please note that this is a general description of the upcoming and unfolding planetary weather. To know more about yourself and the ‘seasons’ you are experiencing and what is up for renewal in your own life, you are welcome to reach me at gaia@astrothink.com for a personal and more accurate astrological reading based on your natal chart, calculated with your time, place and date of birth. Couples readings are also available.
Consider giving the gift of astrological insight! Gift certificates are available for astrological readings for your loved ones. I offer 30 minutes, 1 hour, and 1 hour and 45 minutes for individuals, or couple readings. Happy to provide you with personalized gift certificates and answer your questions.
Please reach me at gaia@astrothink.com
Moon pictures by Gaia www.instagram.com/astrothink
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 Gaia Somasca is a professional astrologer in private practice and therapist-in-training with a deep interest in psychological and humanistic astrology.
Her rich background includes extensive astrological studies in astrology in NY and London, Jungian psychology, dreamwork, focusing, mindfulness, eco-psychology, and nature-bonding practices.
In 2014 she completed the Master Degree in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology at the University of Wales, and she has achieved Level 3 certification with NCGR. (National Council for Geocosmic Research)
She offers astrological consultations in person in the Santa Cruz Mountains, or via Skype. With her holistic approach to astrology, she provides guidance inspired by the rich symbolism and wisdom of the sky and nature aimed at self-understanding and personal growth.
Gaia is also a photographer exclusively focused on sharing the beauty of Moonrises and Moonsets.
Visit Gaia: www.astrothink.com
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