New Moon in 24 Aries 27, April 14, 2010 at 8:29 am, EDT

First Quarter Moon, 1 Leo 32, April 21 at 2:20 pm EDT
Fiery Leo rules the day, although impulse could cause problems. It's the phase for action, but think first, especially when others are involved. At this phase of the cycle, something new has begun and this is the time to take charge of moving it forward, so by all means, do something!

Ritual for Fortifying Intended Action
Pick out some music to play that makes you feel like moving—drumming would be good for this, but whatever works best for you. Take a deep breath, start the music, stand tall and focus on the energy as you hear the sounds. Visualize energy moving through your body and you'll almost irresistibly begin to move with the rhythm of the music Let yourself go, dancing to the point of trance. When Spirit tells you that your energy has peaked, then kneel with hands and head to Earth to ground the energy. Accept with thanks the energy you need to charge your goal with a new sense of momentum. Now, get on with whatever you need to do to achieve your goal...this is the time for ACTION!

Gibbous Moon , 19 Virgo 50, April 24 at 11:24 pm EDT
Saturday and Virgo Moon, with aspects that support getting things done, maybe this time on the home front. Practicality and good sense can make this a productive weekend

Full Moon, 8 Scorpio 07, April 28 at 8:18 am EDT
Full Moon occurs in Scorpio this month, rather than in the more usually expected oppposition sign of Libra to our Aries New Moon. It's potentially a bit aggressive with Moon heading into a square with Mars, so be mindful that you avoid either stinging or getting stung. If the latter, try to let it go and in the longer run, I think you'll be glad you did.

Ritual for Full Moon in Scorpio
A lesson of Scorpio is to know when it's best to let go control, realizing that power and control struggles are full of tension and ultimately futile, other than in striving for mastery of self. As the old saying goes, "you can't take it with you." Soul growth, though, is another matter. That you can maintain and build. Think about how that may apply to you and your current situation, and stand very firmly. Tense every muscle until ou are rigid. Too much? Is it becoming clearer to you what you may need to release and change, the better to be free? Let go, then, and relax. Walk, run or dance freely and joyfully as you notice and enjoy all the signs of spring around you. Soon you will feel you energy shift and grow. Reach down to the ground to give some of that energy back to Mother Earth, while keeping what you need to go forward with newly charged purpose.

Disseminating Moon, 26 Sagittarius 39, May 1 at 11:37 pm EDT
May 1, the traditional Beltane...Disseminating phase is a time to share what we've learned or may have achieved with Full Moon. Now, we demonstrate what we can do. Sagittarius is an outgoing, optimistic and enthusiastic sign, so let's see if we can get "into" that and make the most of it. However else you may decide to express this theme, how about perhaps gathering May flowers to present to someone whom you think might especially enjoy and benefit from receiving them?

Beltane, May 5, 2010 Sun at 15 Taurus 00
May 5 is the time of the actual cross-quarter of the solar-seasonal cycle, Sun at 15 Taurus, the optimum point of for release of energy. Actually, my Circle will hold our Maypole Dance on May 1st this year, just because it is Saturday and thus more convenient than midweek. Whatever you do, though, particpate in a Maypole Dance if you possibly can. It's magical rite to weave your intents, but it's also a lot of fun!

Following are links to my article on the lore of Beltane, which includes instructions for dancing the Maypole. There's a personal ritual for those who must work alone... and for a personal ritual that can be done alone. But if you possibly can, do gather with a group for a Maypole Dance!

Beltane Lore and the Maypole Dance

A Personal Beltane Ritual

Last Quarter Moon, 15 Aquarius 33, May 6 at 12:15 am EDT
Now we come to the waning square of Moon and Sun. Energy begins to wind down. Especially with Moon conjunct Neptune approaching in the wee hours of tomorrow, we may be dreaming of what may come next, once whatever we're presently doing is done. We may be feeling a bit tired and ready to be done with it. Friday's aspects are smooth sextiles, and with Moon in Pisces, we may be even more inclined to dream. Could be a good time for the arts or social activities. Mother's Day is Sunday, still within this phase, so plan something special for Moms in your life, or for Mother Earth—planet some spring flowers!

Balsamic Moon, 4 Aries 30, May 10 at 2:16 am EDT
Monday brings us into the final phase of this lunar cycle, with Moon back in active Aries again. Mercury will turn direct tomorrow. Aspects of comparative ease in the final days of the cycle aid completing it as we would like, while opening ourselves to the energy of a new cycle just ahead. A trine of Moon to Pluto the day prior to New Moon reminds me of this ritual for Balsamic Moon in Aries:

Ritual for Balsamic Moon in Aries
Spend time alone thinking of your Plutonian power to eliminate and transform. Write what you would eliminate or change in your life. Fold the paper and draw a large black glyph for Pluto on it. Kindle a small fire in a safe place (iron cauldron or metal bowl) and burn the paper as you chant:

By power of Pluto and Spirit Fire
By will, intent, though my desire
Of all I burn here, I am free
This is my will, so mote it be!

Take the ashes of your burned paper and return them to the Mother by wind, water or earth, whichever you wish. Now meditate on your power to create and build solid structures on the ashes of the old ones you've now banished. Soon it will be New Moon in Taurus, a time that supports substance and dreams turned into reality. Write what you think you might want to create and build, then fold it and keep it to read again at New Moon.