The Art and Astrology of Maria Kay Simms

	New Moon in 25 Aquarius 18, February 13, 2010 at 9:51 pm, EST
Aquarius, by polarity, is a masculine or "positive" sign, but increasingly, in recent years, the Aquarian Waterbearer is depicted as female. This interests me, of course, since my first book, Twelve Wings of the Eagle, published in 1988 and now out-of-print, predicted that by the time the Age of Aquarius arrive finally arrives, Goddess will have become the primary concept of deity. (The book's main theme was the precessional ages, from the past into the future.) I estimated that according to when the sky actually shifts enough so that Pisces, the constellational sign of the current age, becomes lost in the rising Sun and Aquarius becomes the sign of the new age, we'd be in about 2700 AD. This is not a popular concept ...that it would be so far in the future. But it is in sync with how the ancients, who studied
	actually looked at the sky to decide such things, saw the change of the ages. Their observations were based on when the constellation of the current age could no longer be seen in the sky when the Sun rose at Vernal Equinox,a new age had arrived. By studying star maps and actual precessional movement, it became clear that Age of Aquarius was still a long way away. In any case, I like showing male and female versions of the "gender-specific" signs, so I'll illustrate this lunar cycle with my cartoons based on "Twelve Wings" illustrations for both male and female Waterbearers.
		Planetary aspects for New Moon day and for Valentine's Day tomorrow look pretty smooth, although prone to sensitivity or sentimentality. The latter can be nicely fulfilled by something special with and for others. Valentine's Day is also the beginning of Chinese astrology's Year of the Tiger. In scanning various online references, I'm seeing that the Tiger portends a time of massive change, in the world and for individuals. So, a different astrology, but much the same in overall thought as what many western astrologers are thinking as we see the gatherin of outer planet aspects in connection with the cardinal points (world axis).
	Ritual for New Moon in Aquarius. For a solitary meditation to set your path for the new lunar cycle, try this: Gather a white or yellow candle and incense you like, and some paper and pen or pencil. (Aquarius is a sign of the Air element, power of thought.). You may also like some soft background music. Light the incense, center yourself and then light the candle with this charm: By New Moon's light, my path to see Lady, bring me clarity Guide me toward what's best to do Charge my thoughts to start anew By power of air, I look to see— And new ideas, flow to me! Mediate until thoughts come to you, then write them down. Make a list of what steps you will take going forward. When you are finished, give thanks, then extinguish the candle and go forward to follow through on your plan. Crescent Moon, 14 Aries 25, February 17, 11:51 EST Aries Moon increases energy to move forward....though maybe faster than everyone concerned is ready for. Actually, late day the 16th could be tense with Moon moving toward the Saturn-Pluto square in the wee hours of the 17th. The inclination may be to rush, but try to curb that. Emotional needs—yours and others call for attention, with kindness needed for both, so do take the time and thought to to be kind. First Quarter Moon, 3 Gemini 20, February 21 at 7:42 am EST Although this is the phase of action, aspects are mixed, so sledding may not be smooth and some shifts of plans necessary. But there's more than one way to proceed with honor, so believe you can find it and you will. Gibbous Moon , 21 Cancer 46, February 25 at 6:45 am EST This phase's aspect string begins with Moon trine Uranus, then conjunct the retrograde Mars. Likely there's a lot of activity now, so make it positive. It's a good time to be with others, communicate with them. This upbeat quality extends through most of the phase, though heading into the weekend there's a potentially confusing or illustionary element with Mercury conjunct Neptune and Moon opposing them. Use your words more carefully, and avoid being overly senstive to what others may say. Full Moon, 9 Virgo 59, February 28 at 11:38 am EST Sun is conjunct Jupiter in Pisces today, and Moon in Virgo opposes that conjunction— critical, exacting Virgo in challenging aspect with a potentially exaggerated overblown Pisces factor. Mmmmm? Best to err on the side of avoiding criticism, or at least make it kindly constructive. In reacting to others, keep your own feelings in perspective. March 1 and 2 may also present some challenges in keeping your balance, with Mercury moving into Pisces, Moon opposing Uranus, then conjunct/opposite that ongoing Saturn-Pluto square. I have a Virgo ritual of flexibility that may be useful if you feel the need to center and get back on track when your focus has been interrupted: Ritual for Full Moon in Virgo Face the East and call the Air: Air I call for clarity, balance, focused mind that's free. Turn to the South and call Fire: Fire I call for energy, passion, faith and spirit free. Turn to the West and call Water: Water I call for mystery, compassion and serenity. Turn to the North and call Earth: Earth I call my goal to see, complete and fine, so shall it be! Now, at center, raise hands high into the air and stretch: At center I call Cosmos above... Kneel to touch the ground: And Mother Earth below... Move hands and arms slowly outward as if to encompass the Universe and then slowly circle in place, saying: For as the Universe, so the soul! Now, centered and focused, you can get back to work! Disseminating Moon, 28 Libra 16, March 3 at 6:13 pm EST This phase looks to have greater ease than the last, though thinking remains likely to be caught up far more in feeling. For intuition, this could be of benefit. A bit of rest may be needed more than "disseminating," though in the latter, accent consideration, empathy and compassion for others. Last Quarter Moon, 16 Sagittarius 57, March 7 at 10:42 am EST Upbeat mood and potentially positive and productive thinking begin this phase on Sunday and can carry over into some shifts of gear toward changes that could be for the best...although not without some effort and discipline. Think things through before you act, then take practical, grounded steps (Moon moving into Capricorn now) to fix or let go of what isn't working, then move on with what is. Balsamic Moon, 6 Aquarius 03, March 11 at 1:03 pm EST Moon is back in Aquarius again as this phase cycle comes to a close. With Venus influences today and no exact aspects tomorrow until the Moon string ends with a whimsical conjunction ot Neptune on the 13th. Maybe this is a good time to use a little Aquarian ritual for the end of the cycle that I once wrote. There's no verses, just this: Ritual for Balsamic Moon in Aquarius Get out a broom and put on some sprightly, upbeat music. Play it loud, grab your broom and dance all around your space, sweeping away whatever from this month you'd like to banish. Be wild and free and happy! Enjoy! Sweep all that unwanted energy into a ball at your door, then open it, gather it up, step outside and release it to be carried away on the Aquarian wind. Then enjoy the waters of Pisces in a nice, cleansing shower.