Become more aware of Moon in the sky—and feel her flow!
Seek guidance from Goddess in her changing face.
Experience the magic of Moon within!

	Within a day or two after this New Moon we'll hear the outcome of the vote to be taken by the International Astronomical Union on a proposal to add more planets to the solar system. Ceres, the largest of the asteroids orbiting between Mars and Jupiter, is "up" for promotion from asteroid to planet. If Ceres is voted in, then Virgos arise! This is your chance to dump Mercury as your ruler and lobby for Ceres Reigns! This idea was put forth years ago by the late, great astrologer, Zipporah Dobyns, Ph.D. who often wrote and
taught about the asteroids, and had her own Sun in Virgo. Zip was right! That old Mercury-ruler designation was an arbitrary 2000-year old decision that never was a good fit for the earthy zodiacal Goddess of the harvest, who holds a sheaf of grain in her arms. If new planets are named, Virgo should get Ceres...and it's high time!
Ceres, a Roman deity, is perhaps better known by her Greek name, Demeter. By whichever name we call her, she is a strong Earth Mother archetype whose mythology explains the change of seasons. With a slight bow to Mercury, though if we must, I'd prefer Minerva, Virgo types are often analytical thinkers. But like Ceres, it's solid, practical thinking. She wants to know what's working, and if not, how to make it work. She, like Eve, would certainly have eaten that apple from the Tree of Knowledge...and why not? What kind of deity would want to prevent her from knowing more? Likely only one who wanted her to remain in subservience to the more complacent Adam. Well, enough of that. This entire New Moon cycle leading right into the next is an excellent time for contemplating Virgo, and what her themes might mean in your life. She's not only the sign of this New Moon, but she'll still be with us for the New Moon of September. At that time she'll be in the 29th degree of Virgo, and this New Moon is also a Solar Eclipse.

Ritual for New Moon in Virgo

By doing your New Moon rite on August 24, you'll include the theme of Mercury applying to trine Pluto, an aspect that completes at 4:33pm August 24. Deep, transformative thinking is favored, and this can lead to renewed focus. When I have things to think through, I often make a ritual out of work that helps me clear my mind. This could be anything from clearing out a cluttered closet and then organizing things neatly, to weeding a garden and then moving plants or planting new ones so that all is looking good again.Just the process of sorting, clearing, and reorganizing always helps me sort out whatever internal issue I allow the work I'm doing with my hands to symbolize. Try it, and see if it works for you. Assemble the tools you'll need, and before you start, center yourself in meditation. Clearly define the internal process to yourself, call on Ceres/Demeter for guidance, and then begin to work. I think you'll be surprised at how the various things you're working with will begin to take on symbolic meaning. Open yourself to the insights that will surely come...and be sure to thank the Goddess when your task is finished.

First Quarter Moon, 8 Sagittarius 24, August 31, 6:56 pm EDT

Saturn opposite Neptune challenges our sense of balance between dreams and reality. Dreams can come true, but a key to making that happen is accepting one's own responsibility to take the necessary actions. Sagittarius, a fire sign, conjures images of the Archer's flaming arrow sent to hit its mark. What do YOU need to do to achieve your dream? Charge your energy to take action!

A First Quarter Rite for Action to Fulfill a Dream

You have a dream, a goal. But, have you done your "homework" to figure out how to achieve it? Do you have an "plan of attack" as to what you need to do? If so, you may first need to do some research. There are online or library sources to find out what steps need to be taken for all kinds of goals. If you know some of the steps you need to take toward achieving your goal, then list them and priortize. What should be done first? Then, next? Refine the list until it is both clear and realistic—step-by-step. Bring the list to your ritual space, along with a red marking pen, a red candle that will burn fairly quickly and a safe non-burning holder for it. A small one, such as may be used on a birthday cake will do. If you don't have a metal holder, plant the candle in a small container of soil or sand. Also bring a drum, or have recorded drumming music available and work in a space that allows free movement.

Invoke the Sagittarius Moon as Warrior Goddess, charged with action to send her flaming arrow straight to your goal. Then, draw bold red arrows next each items on your list, from start to finish. Light the red candle and place it, in its holder, on top of your list. With the palm of your hand, scribe clockwise circles in the air above the candle flame nine times while chanting. Start slowly and build the energy to a peak by the ninth repeat.

Will, conviction, faith and fire!
Hearken onto my desire!

Then, after the 9th repeat:
By all the power of three times three, my will be done, so mote it be!

While the candle burns all the way down, visualize your goal and charge your will to carry out the steps to achieve it. Celebrate it as if you already have it. Either drum or dance to drumming music. When the candle is burned down, thank the Goddess for her presence and assistance in your rite. Keep the list where you can see it daily. Celebrate each step toward your goal as you fulfill it by boldly and firmly crossing it off your list with that bright red pen.

Lunar Eclipse Full Moon, 15 Pisces 00, Sept. 7, 2:42 pm EDT

Our Pisces Full Moon, eclipsed, suggests an even stronger and farther-reaching emphasis on the need for balance between dreams and the practical realities of one's current situation and what must be changed to achieve one's dream. Moon, in dreamy Pisces, reflects the full light of Sun, who for this cycle, passes through Virgo's realm. Mother Earth moves between Sun and Moon, shadowing Sun's light so that Moon glows darkly, giving an eerie emphasis to our eyes...and to her meaning. She is Pisces, the dream. Yes, we must do the work, but we also need time to be with our dreams, to nourish our souls. This is a a potentially transformative Full Moon, leading toward that Solar Eclipse in Virgo at next New Moon. We've worked magic for the Virgo end of this polarity, but practicality at the expense of the dream, the quest for something greater, is out-of-balance, too.

An excerpt from my interpretation for pre-natal lunar eclipse in Pisces from
Moon Tides, Soul Passages may apply at this time for anyone who has a dream: ...to follow your dream is as necessary as breathing, food or shelter...What matters is your devotion to a larger quest—to create beauty, to heal, to inspire, to (as is sung in The Impossible Dream) "right the unspeakable wrong." Nothing else will feed your soul and spirit...Keep to your highest ideas and let nothing dissuade you from them, for through them the spirit flows.

A Full Moon Water Ritual for Dreaming and Clarity of Vision

At this Full Moon, spend some time alone with the Full Moon, and if possible, the sea. If not, then another body of water, a lake, a stream, even a city fountain. Take this time to flow with your dream and visualize it as reality. See yourself in the dream, but allow others to remain shadowed. This is your dream. Others you now know may be part of your dream, but if not, someone else you do not yet know may be, in a similar role. Having your dream come true cannot depend upon any other specific person being part of it. In positive magic, others must always be allowed the freedom to choose for themselves.

Wade or dip your hands in the water, feeling its energy and movement. Lift up your arms and draw down the energy of Moon, feeling her flowing through your body. Take your time in visualizing your dream as if you already have it. Close with thanks to Mother Earth and Moon Goddess for this magical rite.

Mother Earth and Lady Moon
I see my dream with clarity
Thank you for this magic night
All hail to you and blessed be!

Last Quarter Moon, 21 Gemini 40, Sept. 14, 7:15 am EDT

This is a time when, to all appearances, you may be continuing on as usual, but it the time of the month when from a point of balance, the dark overtakes the light. From this time until next New Moon the energy is rapidly waning. It's time to complete the shorter term goals and tasks of the month, and let go of what isn't working or is finished. In a larger sense, as when one goes through the Last Quarter lunar phase (of one's personal birth chart) by progression, it is a time of inner change, change that may not be shown to others just yet, but it's going on inside. There's something else beyond this. What will it be? Instead of a rite, I'll show you one art page from Moon Tides, Soul Passages (2nd Edition) that you could contemplate as a meditation:

PAST COLUMNS

October 2005
November 2005
December 2005
January 2006
February 2006
March 2006
April 2006
May 2006
June 2006
Cycle of New Moon in Cancer, 2006
Cycle of New Moon in Leo, 2006