REMINDER

New Moons and Full Moons often influence us for the 3 days before and 3 days after the actual event.
NEW MOON

New Moon at 22° of Scorpio
Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 2:09 p.m. PDT
Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 5:09 p.m. EST
Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 10:09 p.m. GMT

Written by Anne Reith, Ph.D. on 10 November 2012

This month’s New Moon on Tuesday, November 13, finds both the Moon and Sun in conjunction (0°) at 22° of Scorpio. To further clarify how this New Moon will impact you on a personal level, locate 22° of Scorpio in your birth/natal chart. The issues associated with that house are going to be most affected by this New Moon’s presence.

As with all New Moons, this one in Scorpio offers us an opportunity to set new intentions and have new emotional starts. Scorpio is a fixed water sign. Its energy is emotional, and its focus is passionate and intense, akin to a laser beam. As with all astrological signs, there is a higher and lower expression of the energy associated with Scorpio. Its higher expression is the ability to focus energy in strong, passionate, willful, energetic ways toward the accomplishment of whatever it deems to be important. When Scorpio is “on a mission,” nothing will interfere with the accomplishment of this goal! The lower expression, though, manifests when the energy of Scorpio hinders us from knowing when to let go, release, surrender, and turn something over to the Divine. The expression “Let go and let God” is a critical lesson for this sign. And this is the energy that we all will be dealing with at the time of this New Moon in Scorpio. We all need to learn to find the balance between (a) focusing on our goals, setting our intentions, and using that laser-like focus to achieve our objectives and (b) knowing when to use prayer, visualization, surrender, and detachment from a specific objective.

And this is not your ordinary New Moon in Scorpio! It is also a Solar Eclipse. This means that the energy of this New Moon is magnified tenfold! For many of us, this extra-powerful New Moon is marking a time of major endings and beginnings. Old energy grids are being reconfigured and rebooted. Old programs erased. New templates emerge. Because this Solar Eclipse is happening during a Scorpio New Moon, it is likely that we will be exploring our deepest desires, worst fears, and our cosmic destiny. Often this will be a time of wrapping up (or resurfacing) of issues addressed 19 years ago when the Solar Eclipse occurred at the same degree. In this case, that would be November 13, 1993. If you can, think back to what was important in your life then. Where in your life are you ready to go to the next level, particularly in the issues associated with the house in your natal chart where this New Moon is occurring?

Many planets are changing directions or signs in the next 7-10 days, and several aspects between planets will influence our lives in powerful ways:

On the same day as the New Moon (Tuesday, November 13), Mercury backs into Scorpio, which will deepen our perceptions and support the psychological awareness that is the hallmark of a Scorpio New Moon. That same day, Mercury will square (90°) Neptune. The presence of spiritual Neptune will support the deep healing energy inherent in a Scorpio New Moon. It will help all of us to let go, engage in dialogue about spiritual matters, and be supported through caring words and tender thoughts.
Both Neptune and Chiron (an important asteroid associated with healing) end their 5-month retrograde phases and begin moving forward again on Saturday, November 10 and Wednesday, November14, respectively. They have been in retrograde since June 4 (Neptune) and June 11 (Chiron). What has changed for you since then? What are you drawn to do now. Over the next few weeks, many of us will very likely feel drawn to take big steps in our spiritual lives and in our healing of any issues that block us from that progress (e.g., physical, emotional, mental, spiritual).
On Thursday, November 15, there is an important but awkward aspect called a quincunx (150°) between Saturn and Uranus. This same aspect will return two more times on April 12 and October 4, 2013. The slow moving energy of this aspect will encourage us to explore how and when to shift from being dutiful and disciplined (Saturn) to being independent and original (Uranus). Both ways of operating are useful, but learning how to effectively navigating between them is the challenge we are now being given by the cosmos. Do your best to be aware of these rapidly changing signals, and keep making adjustments, as needed. You are being given the opportunity over the next year to perfect your dance between order and freedom by learning how to be more adaptable.
On Friday, November 16, Mars moves into Capricorn for a 6-week stay. Although this placement of Mars can arouse competitive urges and lead to struggles over authority and control, Mars enjoys being in Capricorn because it supports commitment and the pursuit of ambition and recognition. It can also provide us with the capacity to overcome any difficulties and stick to tough tasks.
An aspect occurring the next day (Saturday, November 17) will provide a soft sextile (60°) between Mars and Neptune. This will encourage gentle persuasion and acts of creativity and compassion. An hour later, the Sun will conjoin (0°) Mercury, which will provide us with insights and help us communicate more effectively.
Then on Wednesday, November 21, the Sun leaves the sign of Scorpio and enters its home sign of Sagittarius. Although this has traditionally been known as a month of excess and overreaching, the true purpose of the Sag energy is to broaden our horizons. We are being asked to venture out of our comfort zones through exploration and/or education.
Later that same day (Wednesday, November 21), Venus enters Scorpio, where it remains until December 17. Luckily, the presence of Venus in Scorpio while the Sun is in Sagittarius will help curb the typical Sag tendencies to overspend with regard to money or energy. Venus in Scorpio is traditionally a placement of jealousy, mistrust, and scrutiny. We are being encouraged to dig more deeply into our psyches and discover assets and resources that aren’t being fully utilized. Additionally, Venus in Scorpio has the added benefit of intensifying our desires, including our sexual feelings, which can add a delightful energy to our intimate relationships. But all desires will be intensified, sexual and otherwise!
On Thanksgiving Day here in the United States (Thursday, November 22), Venus trines (120°) Neptune, which can support Venus in Scorpio by creating a dreamy, spiritual energy. The planets Venus and Neptune symbolize two facets of love: personal and universal. This free-flowing trine puts Scorpionic desires into a larger perspective, where fulfilling one person’s needs will not leave another person wanting. There’s enough love and approval for everyone with this open-hearted alignment.
Then next day (Friday, November 23), an electric and potentially dramatic square (90°) occurs between Mars and Uranus. Best-laid plans may need to be reworked as unexpected events emerge on the day after Thanksgiving. Both individually and socially, we may feel and see rebellion against order and rules. But this aspect can also bring insights and innovation that are surprisingly useful. But then on Saturday, November 24, a sweet stabilizing sextile (60°) between Mars and Saturn will calm things down. It is likely we will feel motivated to take action that is practical, productive, and proficient.
Overall, this New Moon in Scorpio and Solar Eclipse is super-charged! We are being asked to find a balance between intention and faith, focus, and surrender. Scorpio is ruled by Pluto, so we may need to purge the old before we begin anew. We are also being asked to be mindful of our motivations, to heal what needs to be healed, and to use our power wisely. Bring your love and wisdom to whatever situation is calling for healing and transformation. We are being reminded that we always have power, we always have choice, and we all have something important to offer. So at this time, it may be helpful to remember the beautiful prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi: “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love.”

INFORMATION TAKEN FROM

The Mountain Astrologer (magazine)
Various online sources
Anne’s interpretations
** FREE BIRTH CHART ANALYSIS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST **

FOR PERSONAL ASTROLOGY REPORTS & READINGS CONTACT ME HERE AT Yogastrology11@gmail.com

Ego has been brought to my attention a lot lately, in others and in my self. I’ve recently noticed that when I’m around certain people and situations it comes up more. I got to thinking of this the other night when I realized, just like Eckhart Tolle talks about in his book, A New Earth, certain people & situations activate your ‘Pain Body’ more than others. (If you have not read this book it’s a beneficial investment of your time) This activation of what he calls the ‘Pain Body’ comes up in certain circumstances and around certain people more than others. I prefer to cultivate the more humble, loving, non-judgmental, open minded side of myself. That can be a difficult task. It’s a challenge to begin with and I am very sensitive to my environment so the people and places I put myself in really need to support this way of being.

Recently the a/c compressor in my car went out. It was going to cost me near $1000 to fix it. Those of you who are familiar with being a yoga teacher, who’s also newer in the industry, are likely aware we don’t typically have that kind of money laying around. So, I drove around for the past month or two with no a/c in Phoenix, AZ in 110 degree weather. Needless to say, I wasn’t exactly thrilled. The moment I stepped into my car I was pouring sweat. I realized it was pointless to even fix my hair because I was drenched almost immediately after getting into my car! If you don’t have a/c you must drive with the windows down because otherwise you won’t be able to even breathe in the car. Which, then makes it very loud because you hear every single car, oversized vehicle and motorcycle on the road, horns honking, planes when they fly by and you can just forget it if you need to take or make any phone calls.

I can’t say I was real happy. In fact, some days I think it’s safe to say I felt downright angry! Grrr. I started to get down on myself and just life in general. OH LIFE. I started to feel a bit sorry for myself. Why do I have to deal with this? Hasn’t it been long enough that I’ve struggled? Why can’t I just have this or that? Why can’t I just be here or there?

Then I realized, one day while driving to teach a yoga class, just how free I felt. The breeze(warm breeze to be exact) blowing my hair all around, bugs flying in through the open window and landing on my arm, unable to talk on my phone & be distracted, music blasting some song from the 80’s. For a moment it felt good. I had a glimpse of realization. None of those other things I’d been wasting my time worrying about really mattered. Nothing was holding me down but myself. I felt free. It was like for one second I got it…..whatever ‘it’ is. I understood. I just felt it. I realized just how much and how easy it is to fall into the trap of the ego. What we want, who we think we should be, what we desire what we think we need so badly, our ideas and expectations. Man those feelings are exhausting. Every day is new. And every day we wake up there will be something or someone that challenges us. We don’t have to give in to the trap. We allow ourselves to fall into it. Who cares what others think about what we have or have not achieved.

This is where yoga is so great. We get still in our meditation, our savasana, our down time and even throughout our practice. We just watch ourself. Become the observer. So, that we can just forget we are there and be content. Moving closer to contentment, Santosha, with who we are and where we are in every single moment.

By the Grace of God, some really special people & a little bit of hard work I will have my a/c working again tomorrow! Whew. I am grateful.

When you’re in your day to day life notice how and when these feelings come up. They have a way of sneaking up on you and they can creep in often. Just notice. No judgment. No expectations. Then see if you can find some contentment in the moment. Remain centered, let go of your desires, your wants, fictitious ideas & standards you put on yourself and others. Even if only for a minute, it’s a minute longer than you had before. Can you let your ideas and conflicts go?? Do you feel the freedom once you do?

“If you want to reach a state of bliss, then go beyond your ego and the internal dialogue. Make a decision to relinquish the need to control, the need to be approved, and the need to judge. Those are the three things the ego is doing all the time. It’s very important to be aware of them every time they come up.” ~Deepak Chopra

Don’t give up just because you think you’ve already arrived OR because you think you have not. You are no better because of your imagined ‘success’. You are no worse because of your imagined ‘failure’. These things don’t define you…You just are…and that is perfect.

Find the Courage to just “Be”

It’s so hard with society’s standards sometimes to realize that our successes and failures don’t define us. There is a difference in taking pride in what you have accomplished. You should be proud for what you’ve done and your achievements. And when we work hard and have put our heart and soul into something and we have not yet seen these things come to fruition, I have learned that it’s ok to feel discouraged or fearful. But, we don’t let it define who we are. Success can be taken away just as easily as it is given. What is ‘success’ anyways? Don’t we determine that in our own minds based on what society, our parents, our friends and partner tell us? ‘Success’ is really whatever WE decide it is.

Sometimes if we think we’ve done something really great and maybe we’ve found some financial success or public recognition we let it get to our heads. We become full of ourselves. But, really we’re no different from the next person. We’re just choosing to use our strengths in a different way than someone else. We all have strengths, gifts, the ability to utilize what has been given to us and rise to our highest potential. That isn’t for any outward reward. It’s for our own growth and learning. It’s difficult sometimes to not put people you look up to on a pedestal. But, in reality, they’re just like us. We look up to them because we see something we want to cultivate in ourselves. I’ve seen people who have done something great and they think they’ve ‘arrived’ so they quit putting effort in. They fall into this trap of thinking that what they’ve done is so very important that they are now above having to try or give. It’s happened to all of us at different times & in different ways. I’ve fallen into the trap.

Then there is the reverse of this. If we think we’ve done something bad or that we have not done enough we, again let it go to our heads. We get down on ourselves. We imagine and tell ourselves we’re not good enough. We diminish who we are and this just keeps us from reaching our full potential. These negative thoughts prevent us from being able to shine our inner light because we’re too busy beating ourselves up. I’ve experienced this PLENTY of times. It’s hard to put yourself out there in any way, shape or form. You are always setting yourself up to be rejected by somebody or something. There were plenty of times I felt inadequate. Especially when I first started teaching and even still on certain occasions.

It is difficult to keep from doing these things. To just BE in our lives and realize that, either way, we’re not defined by these things. I can admit that I’ve been on both ends of these feelings and work every single day to consciously choose to let something new go. Sometimes, I’m letting something old go and for the 100th time! 🙂

The Key is Courage. The Courage to know that whatever happens, you at your core, are always the same, perfect in all of your imperfections.

This is one way that Yoga helps us. We come to our mat with all of our insecurities and imperfections. When we practice we notice if we fall into the trap of thinking we are so good and have already arrived in some pose, in our practice that we don’t need to listen that we don’t have anymore room to grow and we get angry if we are corrected or encouraged to try something new.

Or we notice if we think we have not yet gotten ‘there’ (wherever there is) or we need to be somewhere else in a pose, in our practice, in order to consider ourselves successful and so we judge ourselves and/or give up.

Watch as these feelings and thoughts appear (without judgment) and then we get to leave them there, on the mat. We cultivate the Courage to know that where and who we are is PERFECT and in reality there is no ‘success’ or ‘failure’ only learning. So we practice Abhyasa, Small steps in the direction we want to go.

We move forward courageously, one step at a time. This is my goal every single day. Do you recognize this in your life? Can you decide instead to just BE and take one small courageous step at a time?