The Tiger in Chinese astrology represents majesty, dignity and sternness, daring, power and passion and anyone who has those qualities in their nature will fare well in 2010. For those who are more sedate then those same Tiger qualities may just be awakened this year. It is said that the Tiger has no special magical properties. Tigers work best in the trenches and in motivating others to get things done. It will be a great year to start an enterprise, work at self-improvement, prevail upon the boss for that raise you so richly deserve, do something daring and completely out-of-character, push your own and others’ boundaries, get over that fear of public speaking or just generally make a bold statement about your life. In all, find whatever stirs your passion this year and the Tiger in you is sure to come out!

Download the full article, including forecasts for each Chinese Zodiac sign, here!

Before we examine some of the details at play in this moment, let’s review the purpose of looking at a New Moon chart in the first place.  From my perspective, the purpose is to gain an intellectual understanding of what the movement of the planets represents, within myself, so that I may hold an understanding of the template of what I wish to create during of the Lunar cycle in question.

We look at any chart, New Moon or no, to see the story of the planetary interactions in that moment, including the ease or difficulty that those planetary energies have between and among themselves.  Astrologically, we see those energetic lines by way of the Aspects.  Once we understand what those energies are, metaphorically, we can understand where they play out in our own lives, i.e., As Above, So Below.

Three focal points which relate to the chart’s aspects are of most interest to me:

1. the unusually high number of Conjunctions and Oppositions involved in the moment, and the qualities of the planets involved therein. They are:

- the New Moon Opposed to Neptune and Chiron,
- Venus and Vesta Conjunct in Moon ruled Cancer,
- Saturn and Mercury Conjunct in Virgo Opposite to Uranus in Pisces.
- The still powerful triple Conjunction of Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune
- a strong Trine from Mars to Neptune and Chiron, and
- a Septile from Jupiter and Chiron to Pluto.

2. the bundle of Yods and Oppositions that place a tremendous energy focus on that Triple Conjunction from each of the three conjunctions, two additional planets (not counting the partile semi-sextile from Uranus) and from a major asteroid.  It strikes me that we might want to know what this bundle of tri-planet energy represents in our lives so as to maximize the best qualities of that energy in this moment.

3. The Leo New Moon @ 27°31′ / Sabian Symbol – 28° Leo: Many little birds chirping on the limb of a large tree.

The Leo New Moon

Any New Moon presents a moment that unites the basic Masculine (Sun) / Feminine (Moon) creative forces which, together, “birth” a Lunar cycle.  Symbolically and ceremonially, the best use of New Moon energy is expressed in planting the “seed” of ones ideas.  The Leo NM encourages us, especially within quiet moments of meditation, to allow ourselves to be vulnerable and to do our planting with self-confidence, determination and independence of mind.

Let’s look first at the Leo Sun.

The short and sweet of it is self-confidence, pride, creativity and ability to lead; a warm, loving and charming kitten that can turn into a ferocious lion when threatened, angered or hurt.  Then there’s the Moon in Leo giving a strong sense of what’s valuable in life along with a healthy measure of self-confidence and optimism about living, especially when one is the center of attention.  And now put them together and you have the will to adapt very well to whatever circumstances life presents because of the ultra-independent, work alone, self-confident and determined energy that emerges from the combination.

Venus and Vesta:

In a thought provoking retrospective piece on the 40^th anniversary of Woodstock, Eric Francis points to another element in our Leo New Moon chart that was also present then:

“There’s just one last thing: Venus conjunct Vesta in Cancer. This is the story of people passionately caring for and about one another. This is not an act. These are in my view the two most significant representations of the Goddess. It’s about sex offered freely as a gesture of love, service and healing — values we could learn a lot from today. Venus-Vesta-Cancer fires up the devotional ray of consciousness, and the sense of making home wherever you are; of loving the one you’re with.” Eric Francis, Planet Waves Astrology News (Friday, August 14, 2009)

Now onto the conjunction we can heap a double dose of this magnificent energy because, in addition to being in an applying conjunction, Venus and Vesta are also in a partile Parallel Declination, Venus at 20° N 57′ and Vesta at 20° N 54′.

Here in the Southland this very feminine “Package of Love” is found in the 1st house, which in turn is ruled by the Moon, the penultimate feminine energy.  Now, the 1st house is naturally opposite the 7th, and that pair always directs one’s attention to relationships.  But more about that in a minute.  Back to the first house happenstance.  The first house is all about self: self identity, self expression, and the self’s outlook on life.  What this moment is giving us the energy to do is to implant the seed (a New Moon activity) of caring for, honoring and loving the person that YOU are.  Which now brings us back to that 1st/7th house suggestion about relationships.  One must be able to love honor and respect oneself if one ever wants to be able to do it with an “Other.”  This ideas idea is ancient.  Prehistoric.  Look within – to the place in which you say, “I and Creation are One.”  Acknowledging this, we may then allow that one special “Other” to emerge from out of the field of infinite possibilities.

Three Inconjuncts and a Yod to Jupiter

The Inconjunct between Jupiter and Saturn/Mercury symbolizes adjustments to be made, upon serious and responsible thinking, regarding business and pleasurable social commitments.  The Inconjunct between Venus and Jupiter suggests a further adjustment in how we meet our own needs.  In the Yods that are formed by this combination, we see Venus in sextile to both Saturn and Mercury.  The creative sextile aspects, at the base of three potentially inharmonious Inconjuncts, is what gives this particular double Yod the focus and drive to make a dynamic, “Finger of Fate” type impact because the mid-point of the Sextile is conjunct to New Moon and opposed to the whole of the Aquarius triple conjunction.

Jupiter conjunct Neptune

This aspect personifies something of the gambler, taking risks in life as well as in personal relationships.  Since this conjunction has been in effect, and will remain so for some time, this New Moon will continue to offer the possibility of reaching out to someone new and/or of taking unnecessary financial risks.  In either case, use caution.

Jupiter and Chiron septile Pluto

Our good friend, Lynda Hill point’s out that she [sees] “…Chiron as being more than just the wounded healer and a teacher, I see it as being the storyteller, and, more importantly than that, it’s about the stories we tell ourselves.”

This New Moon is also inspired by the combination of grandeur and nobility that Jupiter represents and the potential of healing inherent in Chiron’s symbolism.  As a result of a ruthless exposure of oneself, or of intense desire to transform which also comes from Pluto, we can also bring these qualities into manifestation to create a new, nobler and transformative story of ourselves.

The New Moon’s Sabian Symbol

Speaking of Lynda, she offers an inspiring turn on Elsie Wheeler’s 28° Leo image:
Many little birds chirping on the limb of a large tree.

In short, it is about learning to make one’s voice hear above the din, gathering with people of like mind and sharing ideas.  But rather than repeating her work, please allow me to send you to her very excellent page, here.

A note on the House Placements

I have, to this point, pretty much tip-toed around the house positions in regard to our Southland Chart.  This subject might be the most controversial of the interpretations that I present herein.  While not global, there are nevertheless indications as to how the New Moon energies may be played out here in the Southland as opposed to one which appears over Washington, DC or London, for that matter, where the emphasis would be on creativity, children, love affairs, risk taking, sport and pleasure.

In comparison, by virtue of the 8th house position of the focal, triple Conjunction in the Southland chart, issues involving the partner’s resources and values, sex and death, taxes and legacies as well as the concept of re-birth through inner transformation will draw the general attention of the population here.

It may be interesting to note that in Deborah Houlding’s excellent new book, The Houses: Temples of the Sky, an 8th house emphasis suggests that, “It is wise to avoid any financial or high risk activities…” during this lunar month.  One might also read into her words a warning about the hazards of fire, a subject never far from our minds in the drought-ridden Southland Summers.

The New Moon is in the 2nd house of the Southland’s chart.  Its position here indicates a heightened sensitivity to our physical environment and to the security of having solid ground to further build upon during this particular Lunation cycle.  Attunement to, and appreciation of, the physical world of the senses is another focus, as is a sense of personal value and worthiness.

Also favored during this time, is a review of the 2nd house monetary issues as we look to adjust our financial goals, budgets and planed projects.  Looking at ways to increase income is featured but so is taking time out for pleasure, congeniality and tactile, earthy endeavors.

Some Final Comments

A New Moon signifies new beginnings and your ability to “seed” new intentions in your subconscious. Here you can incorporate healthy new habits and choose to let go of tendencies that are not so healthy for you. In Leo, it reminds one of the following themes; love, a heart centered approach, bold style, dignity, innocence, child-like energy, color and romance. It is a highly creative and romantic energy, one that urges you to express authentically how you feel and to take part in creating a life that is full of love, color and aliveness.

Remember to mix playfulness into work. Shine your light brightly, as you are a beautiful, empowered and creative being. This New Moon at 27° Leo degrees and opposing the triple conjunction in Aquarius emphasizes the theme of healing painful scars within the heart and/or in one’s ability to experience individual bliss. Return to the state of innocence and joy that is your authentic Self as Soul.

Have a good one,
Johnny

Johnny Mirehiel is a 40-year student of spiritual, metaphysical and astrological ideas. Internationally known as the discoverer of the astrological chart of the Harmonic Concordance, he is a member of the San Diego chapter of NCGR and he has been accredited by The International College of Astrology as both an astrological practitioner and teacher. He now plies his trade in the high desert of Southern California.

As I’m sure you know, New Moon charts are often used to preview coming events for that lunar month.  Since any chart must be cast for a specific location, I have chosen to triangulate a position between San Diego, Los Angeles and my home in the high desert hamlet of Morongo Valley and call it a chart for California’s Southland.  A bit unusual, I know, but not more so than using the “Whole Signs” houses to set up the chart.  While this approach may be heretical to some, I have adopted it as my house system of choice – because it works for me, in my chart and for the charts of clients and family as well.

Here is that chart of the current New Moon over the Southland.

There are many things going on in this particular New Moon Chart which casts its shadow over this coming lunar month.  For this brief article, lets take a quick look at only three of them: the New Moon and its placement, the Venus/Saturn Square and that ongoing Chiron/Jupiter/Neptune triple conjunction in Aquarius.

To begin with, we have a 29° New Moon, in itself a rare occurrence.  As it is with all 29° placements, it is considered to be at a critical degree as it is one leg of the bridge between two signs.  And like all other 29° placements, this one also indicates the end of an old cycle.  Now add in the dynamic of a Total Solar Eclipse at the same moment (which some astrologers consider to be 10 times more powerful than a normal New Moon), and we have the makings of a tumultuous month ahead.  And while I don’t want to seem to be piling on here, I must also add that this Solar Eclipse is the longest one in this entire Century.  Ya think that someone trying to tell us something?

Eclipses bring changes, both good and bad.  Solar eclipses are usually associated with new beginnings, but here at 29° Cancer, it marks the end of something to which one has become emotionally attached.  The key here is to understand, intellectually at least, that this “end of something” is a perquisite for a new beginning to take place.  The emotional attachment part probably is more difficult to let go of, but hey, ya gotta do what ya gotta do.  Let go of your Cancer insecurities.  As the natural ruler of the fourth house, Cancer relates to the very bottom of things, to the “root of the root” of oneself.  If you really want to change something, ya gotta get to the bottom of things, scope it out, scoop out the decay and plant the seeds of something new.

Bernadette Brady puts this eclipse in Saros Series 11 South, about which she says,

“This family of eclipses is associated with the need to make sudden reforms.  Old ideas and methods will fail and new systems are required to deal with the events brought about by the eclipse. ..”

I’d say this fits and expands upon the pattern we’re looking at here.

Remember, in a solar eclipse, it’s the light of the Sun which is shut down, meaning that the “will/ego/force” that He represents is “on hold,” even if for just this moment.  And while the Sun’s light is blocked, the Moon also does not shine because She has her back to the Sun and so is in no position to reflect the Sun’s light to us.  Consequently, the needs/emotions/mentality that the Moon represents also does not shine.  In other words, it’s like a “Null” moment, in which the conflict between the archetypal Masculine (Sun) and Feminine (Moon) is quitted.  In that moment of truce (Truth) a way may be seen to reconcile these two basic forces.

This is an opportunity to look at things related to the house where the New Moon Solar Eclipse falls.  Surely we can expect some fireworks, especially anywhere along the eclipse’s path through India, Tibet, Southern China, Shanghai, and just south of Japan, as well as in our own world of relationships since in our chart for the Southland, this NMSE is in the 7th house which signifies the people who are brought into a close and intimate relationship beyond that of a common acquaintance.  In this sense the term “significant other” may be applied as it relates as much to open enemies as to lovers or partners.

Here in the Southland, we can expect to see an end of the unraveling of worn out relationships that have been, more or less, hanging by the proverbial thread.  Conversely, it can also see a clearing of the air in an adversarial relationship.  At the very least, let’s be willing to review the circumstances of those “care-taking” relationships in life that always seem to require more effort than they are worth.  This New Moon Solar Eclipse can allow us to lovingly release the past and throw open the “doors of perception” so that we may breathe the clean, fresh air of the possible.  The decks are cleared for your next adventure in Partner Land, with that loving partner that you now have, that new person who fits your partnership bill to a T, or even (and this is really neat) with a new, emergent YOU.

Before we leave this 29th degree stuff, I should mention the rather curious Sabian Symbol that is associated with it: A Daughter of the American Revolution.  My dear friend and the world’s most widely respected authority on the Sabians, Lynda Hill, suggests that it is “…an image of someone who stands for and is a product of change…[of]…bringing new ways into the world.”  This symbol only serves to reinforce a level of change mentioned above.  Perhaps the best suggestion that Lynda has for this degree is a quote taken from “A Course in Miracles:  “Seek not to change the world but choose to change your mind about the world.”  Embracing that attitude during this month, with its emphasis on a break from business as usual in our relationships seems the wisest course.

Moving on to some other highlights in this chart, we see the Venus in Gemini, Saturn in Virgo exact Square (90°).  One of the standard delineations for this aspect is a difficulty in relating to others.  Given the 7th house position of the New Moon here, I’d say, forewarned is forearmed.  However, both planets are ruled by a fast moving Mercury, urging us to seriously think about just what the important components are in regards to relating to one’s partners.  The “other” may be dyn-o-mite in bed, but out of it, do you share the same values?   Do you have meaningful, thought provoking conversations?   Or laugh at the same things, and each other?   Do you deliberately, joyfully and graciously go out of your way to make pleasing that “other” a part of your daily routine?   Is your relationship strong enough to weather the stressful demands that are often placed on it?  This Venus/Saturn square offers you the challenge to make it work in the real world or, on the other hand, the gumption to take a stand and make a clear declaration of your intentions, needs and dreams.

Finally, there’s that pesky and persistent Aquarian conjunction of Chiron, Jupiter and Neptune, in our Southland’s 2nd house.   On the surface it would certainly seem to be an immensely spiritual and idealistic gathering.  Yet the succedent second house is not a strong position for it.    Its very “woo-woo”ness suggests a great potential for inflated optimism.  It challenges our values and puts a strain on our material resources, heightening our perhaps unrealistic expectations and encouraging an inappropriate urge to spend those limited resources on chasing gossamer dreams of wealth and possessions.  Investors might better place their money in a mattress this month rather than in any hoped for market recovery.

###

Johnny Mirehiel is a 40-year student of spiritual, metaphysical and astrological ideas. A former secondary school teacher and one-time “Man of the Year in Education,” he is internationally known as the discoverer of the astrological chart of the Harmonic Concordance moment. A member of the San Diego chapter of NCGR, he has been accredited by The International College of Astrology as both an astrological practitioner and teacher. He now plies his trade in the high desert of Southern California. He and his wife, Jan, continue to support the Harmonic Concordance message of Unity, Joy, Peace and Reconciliation.

The solar eclipse that will take place on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 [ed. – in San Diego, Tuesday, July 21, 7:35 p.m.) will be a total eclipse of the Sun with a magnitude of 1.080 that will be visible from a narrow corridor through northern India, eastern Nepal, northern Bangladesh, Bhutan, the northern tip of Myanmar, central China and the Pacific Ocean, including the Ryukyu Islands, Marshall Islands and Kiribati. Totality will be visible in many cities such as Surat, Varanasi, Patna, Thimphu, Chengdu, Chongqing, Wuhan, Hangzhou and Shanghai, as well as over the Three Gorges Dam. A partial eclipse will be seen from the much broader path of the Moon’s penumbra, including most of South East Asia and north-eastern Oceania.

This solar eclipse is the longest total solar eclipse that will occur in the twenty-first century, and will not be surpassed in duration until June 13, 2132. Totality will last for up to 6 minutes and 39 seconds, with the maximum eclipse occurring in the ocean at 02:35:21 UTC about 100 km south of the Bonin Islands, southeast of Japan. The North Iwo Jima island is the landmass with totality time closest to maximum.

Astrologically, eclipses herald turning points when critical issues reach their peak. Find the house in your chart where 29.27 Cancer falls to get an idea of which areas of your life are being “eclipsed”!

A lunar eclipse at 13.43 Aquarius will follow on August 5, 2009, 5:55 pm PDT.

Around the web:

StarIQ – Jeff Jawer

Mooncircles.com – Dana Gerhardt and Friends

Astrological Musings – Lynn Hayes

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Jeff Jawer’s New Moon Report (Star IQ)

Mooncircles.com

New Moon Journal

Beliefnet

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Full Moon in Aries – Beliefnet.com

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New Moon in Libra

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Astrological Musings at Beliefnet

autumn equinox 2008

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School of the Seasons

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Lynn Hayes at Beliefnet

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Market Watch by Ray Merriman at StarIQ