The Lunar Planner: At the End of the River

We have arrived to the "End of the River"--the end of a period of intensive growth--and are now moving into greater waters, a larger field of being. Here it becomes time to play the cards in our hands, whatever they may be. In this cycle, we face an opportunity and a choice. We can co-participate and co-create anew from the lessons learned (in togetherness), honoring each other's past experiences and unique perspectives--the opposite sides of the fences we have all been on; or, we can maintain a stance of side-taking and participate in a mode of spiteful withdrawal (in aloneness) based upon our arrogant judgments--which ultimately hurts ourselves and those around us.

This New Moon conjoins the asteroid Pallas and it lies at a degree in sidereal Aquarius where Neptune is exalted. Our New Moon and Pallas conjoin three primary stars: Alpha Hydra (and the North American Nebula in Cygnus); Achernar, Alpha Eridanus (the end of the river), and Ankaa, Alpha Phoenix (the Ankaa of Aaron).

The Psychophysiology of Pallas

Artful Expression of Creative Intelligence & Soul Wisdom claimed from the integration of past experience in duality--from having been on both sides of the fence at one time or another. This experience now provides a foundation to express from in non-judgement, in courageous solution. Mature Pallas expresses artistic creative intelligence from the integration of the masculine and feminine principles, from unification beyond the judgments of one side verses the other. Pallas is applier and defender of Wisdom and Truth; the expression of intellect in craft--inventiveness. Mature Pallas accepts personal responsibility for having co-created all of one’s experience; i.e. resolution of victim consciousness. Pallas has the capacity to link, unify and bring together; and has wonderful perceptual skills for planning and public relations. Pallas significantly effects emotional and physical equilibrium.

Potential Pallas issues are: "spiteful withdrawal" due to judgments of use of power and awry creative / sexual (masculine) energy; righteousness and self-importance; judgement and invalidation of opposite or alternative views; arrogance, fear of success, cowardice, inability to discern; rejection of honor or credit; denial of sexuality and all that it creates in experience. Afflicted Pallas yields perceptual problems: dyslexia, vertigo, color blindness, and sexual imbalances. Afflicted Pallas can also manifest as confused masculine / feminine principles. Pallas governs the Liver / Spleen balance (violet / red) reflexed to the equilibrium and dizziness centre of the brain, and to the thyroid. Use the color Turquoise as a sexual polarity balancer.

Pallas asks us to participate beyond judgment of this side verses that; beyond victim consciousness. Pallas asks us to honor that we co-create all of life's experience, and that we have been on both sides of the fence at on time or another in our greater soul’s incarnational experience. Pallas asks us to claim our personal power from our past experience in duality, no matter what it was. Pallas asks us to claim the wisdom from the experience and to use that experiential wisdom as a foundation of strength to express from, much like a solid Ti Chi stance; i.e., equally balanced on the left and right (spleen - liver). Pallas asks for artistic expression of our creative intelligence for solution beyond the duality’s paradox.

In the previous lunar cycle we were faced with examining our Pallas issues (the ramifications of spiteful withdrawal and side-taking) and reflecting upon the self-defeating and destructive nature of acting alone, from arrogant righteous and the isolation it creates. In, the mix, we were also "healing hearts." As always, the results in our lives from the previous lunar cycle, become the seed to sprout in the following cycle.

In this cycle, our choices will express into our extended lives. On the personal level this means melded into our future as well as into the lives of those around us--into our immediate and extended families. On the global level, this means across the shores of other countries and into the lives of all in the world. Again, the cards we now choose are the ones we must play on the table of life.

Immediately as the cycle starts, we have the opportunity to claim the strength from the healing (heart) we have done in the last cycle and the opportunity to coparticipate with mutual respect and equality in our covenant relations and with our colleagues--whether in our personal relations or those between countries. Let us remember: that which occurs on the global stage is but a mirror of that which we live in our personal lives. The gift of the global drama is to own its reflection and to change ourselves--how we coparticipate in our daily lives.

The astrology for the above is revealed by the Moon (which has just conjoined Pallas) separating in sextile (strength) from Chiron (Chiron and Venus conjoined in the last cycle--healing hearts), while separating in square from Pluto (external stimulus to action), and trining Juno (asteroid of covenant relationships), which is stationing (and creating the opportunity).

The Psychophysiology of Juno

Juno is the asteroid of covenant relationships, soul colleagues, and true lovers. In the astrological chart, Juno indicates the nature of the issues and opportunities in significant relations of all sorts: those that are of a personal nature to those of political leaders and nations of the world. Mature Juno is diplomatic, tactful, cooperative, and mutually trusting. Mature Juno expresses with a sense of equality within self that provides the ability to draw true partners and those of equality into one's life. There is an acceptance of another's truth or opinion without need to challenge or debate. There is an ability to honor and support others in their own choices and decisions. Mature Juno expresses self-confidence in humbleness and without defense.

Potential issues are: Superiority / inferiority complexes - competitiveness, defensiveness, lack of self confidence, arrogance and judgment of others; unconscious manipulation of others - power struggles seeking contention; betrayal, bitterness, spitefulness and standoffs; jealousy and possessiveness; one-up-man-ship--validating self by invalidating others (or reverse); dictating behavior--telling others what they should or should not do--minding others' business instead of one's own. A form of denial of Juno issues within self can express as needing to fix others or have them change or leave, instead of working on the issues within that surface while in partnership. Mature Juno expresses in mutual support and unconditional love to allow each other to grow and change through whatever issues surface. Other Juno issues are meddling; fear of abandonment, rejection or betrayal; inability to draw or participate with equals and true colleagues; hiding behind teacher-student relationship (on either side); partners drawn are those providing intense lessons only for both parties, rather than providing true, mutually supportive growth in equality and participation together in life purpose.

Juno's placement in the astrological chart is one of several points that determine the types of significant relations drawn into our lives. Juno specifically is involved with drawing our true soul-mates or twin-hearts.

Because Juno is where we deal with our inferiority / superiority complexes, and if this issue is prominent, partnerships drawn in earlier life can be full of lessons regarding such issues and not much else. Once a certain level of clarity is attained within self regarding the asteroid issues, true soul level covenant relations begin to show up. This does not mean we still do not grow regarding Juno issues, but there are those individuals with which we may also have a mutual soul bond and mission to pursue together.

Juno begins it retrograde on Mar 8, just after the Crescent Moon. It stations in the Chelae of the Scorpion, but it retrogrades back out of the karmic clutches of the Scorpio and into the auspices of the benevolent Centaur and the feet of the Virgin (sidereal Libra). This station begins a few month retrograde period that allows relationships the opportunity to shift octaves so they can start a new cycle of expression--in a new level of maturity and purity of intent.

Retrograde periods mark the ending of a planet's "synodic cycle" and the beginning of its next one. Juno's last synodic cycle began on Feb 10, 2002. The next one begins on May 3, 2003. This Juno retrograde period, surrounding May 3, extends from March 9 through June 29. It is the time when we disengage from the previous synodic cycle and engage in the next. Each synodic cycle has its own unique stellar theme.

Juno's last synodic cycle (set in late sidereal Cancer) served us to leave old dogmas--belief structures of consciousness--and to break trail for a new picture to emerge regarding how we coparticipate in our significant relations. The new cycle beginning in May will be set by the stars of the Southern Cross and the Northern Crown. This coming theme is about returning to the true and pure intent of our souls so we may have opportunity to participate free from the reincarnational (karmic incurring) patterns of the past and claim our evolutionary fulfillment.

A New Focus: Right Use of Will

Vesta, asteroid of focus, dedication, and commitment, began its retrograde in the previous lunar cycle and completes its retrograde on May 10, 2003. Its new synodic cycle begins in this lunar cycle, during its retrograde, on March 26, 2003, just after the Last Quarter Moon (Initiate Change). Vesta's new cycle continues through Sept 12, 2004).

The previous cycle's theme, which began in Nov of 2001 and which we now complete, was set by the stars of the Hyades asterism which lie just before Aldebaran in sidereal Taurus, and two minor stars of Perseus. The theme was about being lost in the human experience (hell) and realizing the need to heroically emerge from it so we could return to that which truly supports ourselves, our families; and to create the physical infrastructures that support us through the evolutionary transition at hand.

The star alignments setting the theme of Vesta's new cycle are Zaniah of Virgo, Turais of Argo Navis, and Phi Velorum with conjoining Pulsar (P 0950). The latter two lie on the galactic equator on the sail of the Argo. The theme of this Vesta synodic cycle (our new focus, dedication, and commitment) is of "right use of will," set by Zaniah). Turais extends the principle of right use of will into the past-future timestream of our souls. That is, we must consider that our moment-by-moment choices and actions weave the course of our destiny. Phi Velorum and its conjoining Pulsar remind us that our choices and actions also affect the destiny of our souls, not just our incarnate lives, and that right use of will is the will of the soul--not that of egoic (incarnate) personality. (Pulsars, in general, are beacons for the soul.)

The Psychophysiology of Vesta

Vesta is the asteroid of Focus, Dedication & Commitment; of physical, emotional, and mental clarity; and of self-respect. Vesta brings a capacity to be pure within self at all levels for the expression of one's highest potential and true Essence. Vesta is of strength, purity, and perfection--of total dedication to purpose. Vesta brings attention to that which is of true importance and will ignite and burn away that which is not so we can become clear.

Potential Vesta issues are: scatteredness, with an inability to focus, commit or carry through; and avoidance of one's true purpose. Vesta can express as denials to address the mental, emotional and physical purification to support being a pure bio-logical vessel for the expression of Spirit--the requirements to express our true soul intent and purpose. This can manifest as fear of commitment, fear of sex and intimacy in all of its forms, and an invalidation of the emotional and physical aspects of self.

Vesta was discovered in 1807. Vesta is 500 km in diameter, and has an orbital period of 3.63 years. There is a huge crater on Vesta (recently discovered with the Hubble Space Telescope). The crater is 285 miles across, which is massive when compared to the Vesta's size. A good percentage of meteorites that are found on Earth have a similar composition to that of Vesta. This suggests the impact that caused the crater on Vesta may be the source of these meteorites.

The complex astrophysical parameters of a planet or asteroid are part of that which creates its astrological characteristic. This recently discovered crater certainly lends insight into the "clear vessel" quality of this asteroid.

Goddess of the Eternal Flame

In mythical language, Vesta, revered goddess of the Vestal Virgins, is daughter of Rhea and Saturn, the eldest sister of Jupiter, and is keeper of the sacred fire on Mt. Olympus--meaning keeper of the eternal flame (truth) of the soul. Fire, the element of Vesta, is purifying for the soul--serving to enlighten. Vesta and the Vestal Virgins were highly valued and trusted for speaking the truth. They kept and protected all important documents and records.

Other events in this cycle

Responsibilities of the Heart

A beautiful pair--Venus conjoins Neptune on March 13, just after the First Quarter moon (initiate action). The primary stellar influence is a neutron star / black hole (SMC X-1) in a small baby galaxy called the Small Magellanic Cloud, which is reared by our own galaxy. It conjoins Armus of Capricorn and Albali of Aquarius (our last lunar cycle stars). Here we have responsibility to formulate the ideals and dreams of the heart into a concretize expression, the responsibility to extend and live our heart's dreams with those we are truly here for.

The Equinox

Of course we have the equinox occurring on Friday, Mar 21, 01:00 GMT, (Thursday, Mar 20, 6:00 PM MST), just after the Full Moon of March 18--a time in the annual solar cycle bringing stimulus to act.

Pluto stations to begin its retrograde on March 22/23. It lies in late sidereal Scorpio but in the constellation Ophiuchus. It conjoins the potent Ara Black Hole on the Altar of the Centaur--time to clear deep seated soul grief.

Unexpected Love

Toward the end of the lunar cycle, on March 27/28, and on the Balsamic Moon, Venus conjoins Uranus in the first few degree of sidereal Aquarius--another magical alignment--bringing unexpected love, a radical change of heart…. The twosome conjoin Enif of Pegasus--a fortuitous star, bringing aid and support from those intuitive enough and able enough to provide it.

And let us not forget the Mars Intensification. From the Mars WEB page:

Throughout the first half of 2003, Mars moves progressively closer to Earth. As it does, Mars appears to grow larger and brighter each night. By late August 2003, Mars will be closer to Earth than it ever has been in about 73,000 years. It will be about 191 million miles closer to Earth than it is now. it will appear more than six times larger, and it will be 85 times brighter than it appears now--brighter than Jupiter. Mars curently lies in Sagittarius and can be seen in the south-east just before sunrise. By August Mars will lie high in the southern heavens around midnight.
To learn more about the this event please visit: The Mars Cycle and the 2003 Close Encounter.