 The New Moon is on Friday, May 22 at 12:38 pm CDT in 2° Gemini. Gemini New Moon energy is generally light-hearted and good for conversations that stay on casual topics. Games of all sorts whether in person or online can be fun, especially those that have an element of collaboration. Decisions are more difficult with a Gemini New Moon. There are often at least two choices in each situation. Remember to look for the path that supports your highest goals. Mercury (the mind and cognition) and Venus (love and allurement) are square (inharmonious to) nebulous Neptune in the New Moon Chart. This brings confusion in all types of decision making over the next few days. With Saturn placed harmoniously to the New Moon, taking your time with benefit you. With Mercury squaring Neptune over the next several days, misinformation may come to you through all types of media. Before you act or pass on a message to others, do a fact check - and maybe a spelling/grammar check, too. If you're out and about, use caution in driving. Mercury square Neptune can be spacing out and missing a turn. Having your GPS on can help, but you need to use your own perception as well.  Here's an event that doesn't involve driving anywhere this weekend:
NORWAC: The Northwest Astrological Conference which usually takes place in Seattle will be held online instead. Great opportunity to hear well-known astrologers speaking on a wide variety of topics. May 21 - 25, 2020 https://norwac.net/ If you would like to receive Astrology Update by Marcia Sacks as an email newsletter, just message me through this website's contact form. You can find me on:
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 The Full Moon on May 7 is at 5:45 a.m. CDT in 17° Scorpio which can bring an intense, maybe obsessive, focus on whatever area of life you are most concerned about. This is excellent for any type of studies or work, especially those that are esoteric. Esoteric means hidden, so it is sometimes applied to metaphysics, but really means anything that needs deep investigation to be understood. The same type of persistent focus can be negative when it is tied to our worries. It seems in this present moment of history that we have multiple areas of worry. This is where we need to practice detachment. Detachment, in yogic terms, doesn't mean indifference. Nor does it mean a denial of reality. It means to take negative emotions out of the equation, whether it's through physical practices like hatha yoga or internal methods like meditation or mantra. Mantra or affirmation is a most effective alternative to the worries we rotate through our mind over and over again. The symbol of a vinyl record can illustrate this. If the needle is playing one track, such as our worried thoughts, it is stuck in the grooves of that track of the record. If we pick up the needle and move it to another track, i.e. the repetition of the words of a mantra, prayer or affirmation, we are instantly changing our internal state.  Within a few days of the Full Moon, we encounter a line up of planetary retrogrades: May 11 - Saturn Retrograde 2° Aquarius May 13 - Venus Retrograde 22 ° Gemini May 14 - Jupiter Retrograde 27° Capricorn I describe this group of retrogrades in detail in my article for the May/June issue of Yoga Chicago magazine. Here are some brief thoughts. A week on either side of May 11 is not a good time for any type of important financial transactions or investments. Saturn is limitation and loss. Venus and Jupiter rule money and wealth. Watch out for that feeling we sometimes get in a financial pinch that makes us think shopping will make us feel better. It's important to know that the things purchased at this time will not be of good value both in quality and in cost. Ganesh mantras are good for this time period as Sri Ganesha is the remover of obstacles. Or try this affirmation from Catherine Ponder, author of "The Dynamic Laws of Prosperity": "The Divine plan of my life now takes shape in definite concrete experiences, leading to perfect health, happiness, success and prosperity." Online:
My article "The Realm of Perfection" has been published in the May/June issue of Yoga Chicago Magazine. Two new videos on my youtube channel:
NORWAC: The Northwest Astrological Conference which usually takes place in Seattle will be held online instead. Great opportunity to hear well-known astrologers speaking on a wide variety of topics. May 21 - 25, 2020 https://norwac.net/ The Astrology Podcast has lots of interviews with astrologers and interesting topics on astrology. If you would like to receive Astrology Update by Marcia Sacks as an email newsletter, just message me through this website's contact form. You can find me on:  The New Moon is on Wednesday, April 22 at 9:25 pm CDT in 3° Taurus. The Moon is considered exalted in Taurus in astrology. The earth sign Taurus is a comfortable and steady place for the Moon to find her balance. If the weather where you are is warm enough, you can feeling the healing energy of Moon in Taurus by standing barefoot on the earth. With the New Moon conjunct Uranus, there's bound to be some unexpected changes of plan. When the unexpected happens, remember to take a deep breath. We are amazing problem solvers. Whatever the issue, it will show us the inner place in which we are inflexible or lack adaptability. The New Moon is also square to Saturn which has recently moved into Aquarius. So along with unexpected changes of plan from Uranus, there is also likely to be some limitations and frustration (especially as we continue to exist in this weird time of limitations and frustrations). This will be in effect a few days before and after the New Moon … unless we let our emotions out of control, in which case the situation will be unresolved for two - four weeks.  I've often found that difficult aspects between Saturn and Uranus have something to do with rebellion against authority figures. In each situation, you'll need to determine which role you play - are you the rebel or the authority figure? It could even be two different personality traits within yourself as you face decisions that might require maturity (Saturn) or creative freedom (Uranus). Understand that Saturn is asking you to be more responsible, while Uranus is insisting that you be more playful. Can both co-exist? Remember that Saturn is the practical structure for creativity whether it's the paper and paints or the instrument and musical notes on paper. With the Moon in Taurus any grounding techniques will help bring you back to balance. Walk barefoot through the grass, hike through a natural setting, look at the flowers blooming outdoors, water your house plants. Practicing gratitude for the good things in our lives another way to find our equilibrium. Pluto goes retrograde on April 25 at 24° Capricorn, conjunct Jupiter which is at 26° Capricorn. There will be an urge for greater power and achievement in life. The challenge is knowing how to pursue your own path without forcefully insisting that others follow you. I talk a lot more about the Jupiter/Pluto conjunction on the video that I created for the Babaji Festival for the Temple of Kriya Yoga: The entire (virtual) festival can be found here, including a talk by Goswami Kriyananda from 2008: In the Virtual World:
Gosia teaches Gentle Yoga every Friday for the Temple of Kriya Yoga on Zoom: https://www.yogakriya.org/ Gilda’s Club has a full schedule of Zoom programs for anyone whose life has been impacted by cancer. Susan Wilkens from Dancing Cranes Yoga teaches a chair yoga class there: https://www.gildasclubchicago.org/calendar/2626/chair-yoga-susan If you would like to receive Astrology Update by Marcia Sacks as an email newsletter, just message me through this website's contact form. You can find me on:  Van Gogh, Starry Night The Full Moon takes place on April 7, 2020 at 9:34 p.m. CDT in 18° Libra. Libra is a very social sign, so it's a good time to embrace 21st century technology and have video calls and get-togethers with your friends. Obviously, phone, texting and social media are other ways to stay in touch. The Jupiter/Pluto conjunction is prominent in the Full Moon chart. At the new moon I wrote "This conjunction could be seen then as a time when a lightning bolt of insight strikes the earth and illuminates some treasure in our unconscious mind, something that has been hidden very deep but is now revealed." The exact date of the conjunction is April 5th, the day I'm writing this. I came across an article today which has symbols that relate to the Jupiter/Pluto conjunction and also the social expression of Full Moon in Libra: The History of the Paris Salon (and the Radical Artists Who Subverted It)  Monet, Nympheas This is a story of a revolution in art as traditional standards were overthrown by the Impressionists. In mythology, Jupiter (Zeus) ruled over laws and social order. Jupiter in astrology is also seen as a planet of expansion or freedom. Pluto is often thought of as a planet of revolution. Plus Pluto symbolizes the cycle of life, death and rebirth. This is an important cycles whether seen through the lens of art or technology. It's important to take the symbols we see in life or read about in the media and see if they mirror the planetary patterns occurring at the same time. So take some time to think about the ways in which your life or consciousness is expanding. Or in what way your life needs to let go of a pattern from the past in order to be more creative. And how you can do that as wisely and harmoniously as possible. I like this story because traditional art didn't die - people continue to paint realistic portraits and landscapes. But the field of visual art has continued to expand and incorporate more and more styles and techniques.  Monet, Japanese Footbridge Coming up: The Power in Your Solar Returns A talk for the Northern Illinois Chapter of NCGR with Marcia Sacks April 14, 2020 via Zoom If you are not on the NI-NCGR email list, contact Janet Berres janetberres@gmail.com for information on how to attend this talk Every year the Sun returns to the location of your natal sun and a new year begins for you. The solar return chart gives a snapshot of your year ahead that can be used to plan and achieve your annual goals and resolutions. We'll start with the fundamentals of interpreting solar return charts and how changing the location where you celebrate your birthday can strengthen the positive elements of your solar return chart. Then, we'll "treasure map" your solar return with affirmations and images. Be sure to have a printout or drawing of your next solar return handy. You can Google "solar return calculator" to find a number of sites to run off your solar return chart. Online: This Sunday noon meditation with Sharon Steffenson was presented for the Temple of Kriya Yoga last week and has a lot of helpful techniques for healing and relaxation. Sharon is a swami of the Temple and the editor of Yoga Chicago Magazine. Email Newsletter
If you would like to receive Astrology Update by Marcia Sacks as an email newsletter, just message me through this website's contact form. You can find me on:  The New Moon takes place on Tuesday, March 24 @ 4:28 a.m. CDT in 4° Aries. Coming right after the Vernal Equinox on March 19, it's a perfect time for new beginnings. Are you thinking, "I'm stuck here in my house. How can I start something new?" As motivational speakers say, "Where your mind goes, energy flows and results show!" Start internally, first deciding on your most important goal or new project. Then spend time using your imagination to visualize your successful results. Take some small first steps: Write it down, look up resources online, read a related book. It's the perfect time for phone calls or online meetings. Talk to people in your field or area of interest. Or if you're a yogi, follow Goswami Kriyananda's advice and "seek out your own illumination with great diligence."  The chart of the New Moon holds a major planetary configuration. Jupiter is close to Pluto at this time, making an exact conjunction on April 5. Jupiter is the great teacher and Pluto rules our unconscious mind. As we have less activity externally, we may be turning inward, getting better acquainted with ourselves. In mythology Jupiter was the god of the sky and lightning. In ancient times, Pluto was seen as the god of wealth because gold, jewels and minerals were mined from underground. This conjunction could be seen then as a time when a lightning bolt of insight strikes deep into the earth and illuminates some treasure in our unconscious mind, something that has been hidden but is now revealed.  Saturn has just entered the sign of Aquarius where it will transit for the next 2 1/2 years. People with Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius sun signs may have heavier responsibilities for the next few years. They can also accomplish great things with persistence and determination. Saturn into an air sign like Aquarius can be a benefit to critical thinking. Situations and projects will require very thorough scientific thought and related proofs, policies and procedures. Saturn relates to confinement and Aquarius is associated with fellowship, the feeling of interconnectedness. It's an interesting symbol that just as Saturn is going into Aquarius, we are "social distancing." It suggests that even as our concern with Covid-19 subsides, the trend toward working from home and meeting on conferencing apps may persist. Because we're "sheltering in place", my noon meditation talk for the Temple of Kriya Yoga was created virtually. Here is the link to the pre-recorded "The Spring Equinox and Your Journey to Freedom." This noon meditation includes mantra, chanting, some thoughts about the Vernal Equinox and the Jupiter/Pluto conjunction, plus a guided meditation with healing imagery (the guided meditation starts around minute 38:30 if you want to go directly to that). Email Newsletter
If you would like to receive Astrology Update by Marcia Sacks as an email newsletter, just message me through this website's contact form.  The Full Moon is on Monday, March 9 at 12:47 p.m. in 19° Virgo. Normally, a Virgo Full Moon would be great for sharpening our attention to detail and taking care of the nitty gritty details of life. This Full Moon, however, is opposed to Neptune, the planet of daydreaming and spacing out. On the positive side, there's something about Neptune that dissolves boundaries like those between the earth and spiritual planes. That makes it easier to move more deeply into our meditation -- if we don't space out and forget to sit down, close our eyes and meditate! Mercury is at a stationary point in the Full Moon chart, turning direct on March 11th in 28° Aquarius. Mercury rules communication, so messages you're expecting might be delayed a few days. Mercury also rules our everyday mind. With the Full Moon/Neptune opposition, our thoughts might not be as sharp for problem solving. If you're trying to figure something out, try painting, drawing, coloring or doodling instead of writing letters and numbers until you get your solution. Using the creative part of your brain helps bypass the Mercury linear thinking traffic jam. A few days after Mercury goes direct, things that have been delayed will start to come together and typically things lost during the last few weeks will be found.  Check out my article "Greater Awareness, Deeper Acceptance" in the March/April issue of Yoga Chicago magazine. The article has more on upcoming astrological aspects of the next two months.
On Sunday, March 22, I will be giving the noon meditation for the Temple of Kriya Yoga. It will have a guided meditation for the spring equinox and a talk "Your Journey to Freedom." The spring equinox is a traditional time of new beginnings. It is a potent time to renew your spiritual quest. Whether you call it enlightenment or freedom, your journey can begin with a few simple steps that add up to a profound effect on your life. You can find me on:  The New Moon is on Sunday, February 23 at 9:32 a.m. CST in 4° Pisces. Relate to the Pisces imaginative and sensitive energy by appreciating and creating beauty around you. Uplift yourself with music, chanting, art, flowers, and gentle essential oil scents. Walk along water (or imagine yourself walking by a river, lake or ocean). Drink water with gratitude. The empathy for the feelings and situations of others is natural for people with the water signs of Pisces, Cancer and Scorpio. At this new moon it may be experienced by everyone. It's not always comfortable to feel others' feelings. You can regain balance and your sense of self through deep breathing techniques like the ones taught in yoga classes, a warm shower with the water flowing head to toe, or just taking a walk outside by yourself. People doing psychic or healing work should ensure they do their usual aura cleansing procedures after each client or session over the next week or so.  On the other hand, the bundle pattern of planets in the New Moon chart, where they are all contained in the trine between Mars and Uranus with the Sun/Moon conjunction at the sextile point, indicates that the energy you put into meditation, reflection and prayer can be very powerful at this time. As the 'last' sign in the zodiac, Pisces symbolizes transformation from one state of consciousness to another. The border between the planes - physical, astral and causal - is slightly more permeable. Attune to your personal vision of the Divine or mentally reflect on the highest life principle that guides you.
Mercury is retrograde until March 11th. Despite its well-deserved reputation as a period where you need to watch your spoken and written communications very carefully, Mercury retrograde is a good time to turn inward for meditation and/or study. This Sunday February 23 - Noon Meditation for the Temple of Kriya Yoga at Moksha Yoga Center in Chicago. Open to all. There is no charge although love offerings are appreciated. My talk will be "Living the Spiritual Path." There are many ways to balance our spiritual journey toward wisdom and peace with our everyday life. This talk will focus on overcoming the obstacles we find in every day life as we move toward more subtle states of awareness. It will include chanting and a guided meditation. Coming up Watch for my article "Greater Awareness, Deeper Acceptance" which will be published in the March/April 2020 issue of Yoga Chicago Magazine. Email Newsletter If you would like to receive Astrology Update by Marcia Sacks as an email newsletter, just message me through this website's contact form.  The Full Moon on Sunday, February 9 is at 1:33 a.m. in 20° Leo. The energy is lively and excellent for socializing. Leo is the sign of games, play and fun. If you've been overworked and stressed, take time for an activity that is purely for fun. It doesn't have to be wild. If reading quietly is fun for you, go for it. Just make sure that it's a book (or movie) that gives you a positive emotional boost. There is a dynamic between the Moon in Leo and the Sun in Aquarius at this Full Moon. There may be conversations or situations with conflict between people on opposite sides of an issue. This means some people will be focused on self-interest. Others will take a more humanitarian or global outlook. Our challenge is to listen before responding, then find common ground if possible.   Coming up:
Mercury goes retrograde on February 17th (until March 11). The stationary point is at 12° Pisces, relatively close to Neptune at 17° Pisces. This will be a spacey, absent-minded period several days on either side of 2/17. Not good for starting new projects or signing papers. Mercury rules both communication and local transportation. Think a bit before speaking in order to organize your thoughts and words. Watch out for distracted drivers. Remember, you're the one with extra (astrological) information. You are of service to others, doing a good deed, when you speak carefully and drive safely. February 23 - Noon Meditation for the Temple of Kriya Yoga at Moksha Yoga Center in Chicago. Open to all. My talk will be "Living the Spiritual Path." There are many ways to balance our spiritual journey toward wisdom and peace with our everyday life. This talk will focus on overcoming the obstacles we find in every day life as we move toward more subtle states of awareness. You can find me on:  There's a New Moon tomorrow, Friday, January 24, at 3:42 p.m. CST in 4° Aquarius. Aquarius new moons are excellent times for socializing with friends, exchanging interesting ideas and doing something different from your everyday routine. The sign Aquarius embodies both scientific thought and metaphysical pursuits. Experiment by pulling a Tarot card at the time of the New Moon and see how that message resonates with you and the next two weeks ahead. If you're not a Tarot person, try bibliomancy:
To be more Aquarian in the sense of egalitarianism, try stichomancy. With stichomancy, you use any type of book with the same technique - close eyes, random pick, reflect on the passage.  This New Moon is squared to Uranus, so it's best to use caution with things having to do with electricity. Don't stick your fork into the toaster. If you find yourself tempted to buy a computer, get the extended warranty. Two weeks ago, I wrote about Uranus aspects having a general type of accident proneness, where we might move too quickly in the wrong direction. That would apply to a day or so before and after this New Moon. Another minor aspect in the New Moon chart is Venus conjunct Neptune which will be exact on Monday, January 27th. While excellent for meditation and attunement to the Divine, it is not great for shopping for clothes, jewelry or cosmetics (which are ruled by Venus). I hate to even mention that the Saturn/Pluto conjunction is still in orb (although Saturn has pulled ahead and is moving away). Continue to find ways to vent frustrations in a healthy, constructive way. With the aspect diminishing as time goes by, it's time to get back to projects that seemed to have had insurmountable objects in the way, including our own lack of motivation. I was taught that under Saturn aspects "what's delayed to you is not denied to you." For all of us, the work we put in last year will eventually start to pay off if we haven't given up on our hopes and dreams. Begin to move forward again, even if it's just one inch at a time.  Online:
My article "The Journey from Mars to Venus" is now online in Yoga Chicago Magazine. The new year is a great time to expand your knowledge of astrology. I recommend the Professional Astrology Course from the Temple of Kriya Yoga. This is a distance learning, self-paced online course that can be started any time. The majority of the course is taught by the writings and audio recordings of my guru and astrology teacher Goswami Kriyananda. I'm an instructor for the course, answering student's questions and leading monthly webinars. More information is here: https://www.yogakriya.org/professional-astrology.html Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the course content or want a 'tour' of the site via webinar. You can find me on:  The aspects coming up in these first weeks of January are very intense. There is some similarity to the first two weeks in January of 2019. It's wise to reflect on what happened then, how you handled the people and situations at that time, what you learned and what skills you gained. This will benefit you in the weeks ahead. The Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse is this Friday, January 10th in 20° Cancer. The Moon is exactly opposite the Sun at 20° Capricorn (forming the Full Moon), Mercury at 20° Capricorn, plus Saturn and Pluto at 22° Capricorn (exactly conjunct on January 12). This means the emotional sensitivity of the Moon are combined with the Saturn pressures to conform versus the Pluto pressure to transform. It is very much of a volcano aspect - if the pressure is not vented a huge explosion can occur. Sometimes one word (Mercury) can put the match to the fuse, so carefully choose what you say and how you say it. Think of how a volcano vents steam to prevent a mountain from blowing its top. We can vent by taking a walk, doing yoga or other balancing movement practices, chanting or singing, or just pulling back from a bad situation. A genuine gentle or caring word to another person may help them vent or defuse. January 10 - Lunar Eclipse 20° Cancer Uranus is going direct on January 11th at 2° Taurus bringing unexpected changes and disruptions to situations we thought were stable. There can also be high creativity so write down your ideas, just don't act on them immediately.  For this coming two weeks forecast, I've been talking to my clients (and myself) about moving consciously and carefully. Uranus brings a general type of accident-proneness. I remember one time trying to get something done quickly in the kitchen and deciding (unwisely) to reach up into a cupboard one-handed to try to get one of my glass measuring cups out of the stack. In the blink of an eye, the largest cup fell from above my head to the edge of the sink and onto the kitchen floor shattering into thousands of tiny pieces. By the grace of God, I wasn't hurt. But I felt stupid. What was I thinking? Not much you can do at that point but sweep up. However, I was still finding teeny shards in corners of my kitchen weeks later. Try to take this story symbolically. For the two weeks move slowly and carefully, think before you speak, don’t try to rush whether at home, at work or driving.
More on these early January aspects in my latest article for Yoga Chicago Magazine: http://yogachicago.com/2019/12/the-journey-from-mars-to-venus/ |
AuthorMarcia Sacks is an astrologer in the Kriya Yoga tradition. Archives
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