Don’t Feel Guilty if You Didn’t Sign Up for a Reading Challenge

Sharon Leah

books for mercury rtx course

Reading challenges have been popping up on Facebook and other social media sites throughout January. Goodreads, owned by Amazon, is a “social cataloging” website that allows readers to search for books, read reviews by other readers, and create lists of books to read. It also sponsors an annual challenge to motivate people to read more. I’m a member, so I poked around a little and discovered that some people read a lot of books. One woman read over 400 books in 2018. All I can say to that is: Wow! But the average reader pledges to read around 50 books, and not everyone who pledges actually reads any books.

Reading has always been one of my favorite hobbies. I love a good mystery especially if it’s part of a series. I also enjoy books about gardening and decorating, and even some of the self-help books are good. Over the years I’ve read thousands of books and bought many of them, because I just enjoy looking at them on the bookshelf.

I know people who haven’t read a book cover to cover in decades. And despite what people say about people who don’t read, that’s really OK, because not everyone likes to read!

I thought about this today as I worked on the chart of a man who I know reads at least 100 books a year. It was easy to see in the chart why he enjoys reading. His chart has Mercury in Gemini conjunct Jupiter. Mercury conjunct Jupiter in Gemini increases emphasis on an already strong need to communicate, write, read, etc. He’s a professional journalist and earns his income from writing. Mercury also rules the 2nd house in his birth chart. The 2nd house is where we see information about earning potential as well as resources that have personal value. But not every chart has Mercury in Gemini conjunct Jupiter, the planet that expands everything it comes into contact with.

So, if you’re not a reader, or you are a reader but you think you should be reading more, don’t beat yourself up. The Mercury in your birth chart may not be not be in a position that encourages reading. And if you’re the parent of a child who doesn’t enjoy reading, it’s better to accept that than to scold your child because he or she doesn’t read more. We’re not created from the same mold. There are other ways to learn and be aware of what’s happening in our world.

If you’re curious about what the chart for your birth reveals about you, look at my Schedule a Reading page. Feel free to leave comments.

 

In-the-Gap New Moon Eclipse January 6

In-the-Gap New Moon Eclipse January 6

Sharon Leah

In the hours before the Balsamic Moon in Capricorn aligns with the Sun in Capricorn on January 6, the Moon will be enclosed between Saturn, also in Capricorn, and the Sun. In other words, the Moon will be in the tiny space between the Sun and Saturn. While these heavenly spheres are conjoined by degree (proximity to each other in the sky) two notable things are taking place.

  • The Sun, Moon, and Saturn are free from contact with other planets. In other words, they’re having a private conversation; and
  • When the Moon aligns with the Sun  at 15 degrees Capricorn at about 1:30 am GMT, a partial-solar eclipse occurs and the New Moon phase begins

I’ll deconstruct the above, starting with:

The Balsamic Moon

The Moon entered the Balsamic phase January 2, when it was in the late degrees of Scorpio and in an easy trine to Mars. The Moon to Mars connection may have rekindled  something within you or reconnected you to something or someone you feel deeply passionate about. This flow of emotional energy may have created in your new determination to follow through on whatever you had going on. This energy could also have manifested as an outburst or anger or conflict with someone. I draw your attention back to this date, because those emotions and events are part of a cycle. Seeds of something new were planted near January 2 and in the days that have followed, those seeds have grown roots.

The upcoming New Moon phase, from January 6–13, is when the seeds that were planted weeks (or even months ago) and have germinated will sprout and begin to grow in the world as the Moon grows again toward fullness. What happens to those newly sprouted seeds of hope and passion and desire depends on you.

Capricorn Conjunction

Capricorn has its own set of rules that planets passing through Capricorn adhere to. There are times when a planet’s condition can interrupt the normal flow of energy, but those conditions aren’t present at the moment. So, a strong Saturn that rules and is “at home” in Capricorn is “in charge” of things at this time. In Capricorn, Saturn is ambitious, disciplined, and conservative. Planets that pass through Saturn’s domain take on some of those attributes—his rules of the house.

The Sun LOVES Leo, where it’s at home. It naturally loves fun, leisure, and romance. In Capricorn, however, the Sun takes a more responsible, practical, and action-oriented approach to all things in life. The Sun loses some of its warmth and joy. It becomes focused on “the next step” and likes to create goals, because the Sun is doing what it does when it’s visiting Capricorn.

The Moon LOVES Cancer, where it’s at home. When the Moon is in its comfort zone, it’s content to follow its instincts, respond to emotional needs, and create a safe and secure space for family and friends. When it’s in Capricorn, however, the Moon is required to invest emotional energy in getting ahead, advancing on goals, and following through on strategies. It’s not free to express emotions with the ease it feels in Cancer.

This conjunction of planets in Capricorn signifies a time when the Sun’s preference for fun and leisure and the Moon’s preference for cozy comfort are put on the back burner, while they tend to Saturn’s priorities—responsibility, ambition, hard work, business, achievement, sincerity, austerity—that are now front and center. These things are important in all our lives and life is generally easier if everything gets its due time. So, many of us get reorganized and reprioritize our goals in January, during the Capricorn season that extends from December 21 to January 21. This is the time when Saturn’s priorities have priority.

The Sun and Moon pass through Capricorn every year. What’s different about this year (as well as 2018 and 2020) is that Saturn is also in Capricorn. His presence there creates a much stronger emphasis on Capricorn themes.

Sun Eclipses the Moon on January 6

Eclipses can occur only at a New or Full Moon. At the New Moon, the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth thereby blocking the Sun from our sight. When the life-giving rays of the Sun are temporarily blocked by the Moon, the Moon itself appears black. The emphasis then is on the Moon, which is associated with the emotional content of our lives. From a psychological perspective, this cover of darkness can allow access to what has been hidden or repressed. The potential contained in this encounter is significant. An eclipse can bring up what needs to be reintegrated within ourselves and society.

Not everyone will feel the impact of this New Moon solar eclipse in the same way or to the same extent. Those who have their Ascendant or planets in Capricorn or Cancer are likely to feel this eclipse more than most. If those planets or the Ascendant is within 13 and 17 degrees of either Capricorn or Cancer, the impact will be felt more strongly.

Generally, a solar eclipse is useful for starting new ventures and leaving the old, outworn, and outdated behind. The effects of an eclipse can begin to manifest a few months before the eclipse occurs and may continue to be felt for several months afterwards. The effect of a solar eclipse tends to extend about one year. Where the eclipse has the most impact on your life will depend on the location of the Capricorn house in your natal chart.  If for example, Capricorn is in the 2nd house, you might make changes regarding your income, or you could lose or gain possessions or personal resources. If Capricorn is in the 6th house in your birth chart, the time is right to fine-tune your routines or get serious about a diet, health, and fitness. If you’re curious and want to know more, schedule a natal chart reading with me.

What’s pretty awesome about astrology is that whether or not you know anything about it, or even believe it, it works. Most of the time, we just don’t notice the correlation between planetary movements and personal circumstances. Adding astrological considerations to normal planning and preparation is helpful, though.

goals

About the Gap and What Happens in the Gap

When the Moon passed by Saturn on January 5, it was if the happy-go-lucky traveler (the Moon/You prior to January 5) had signed a contract and agreed to stop telling everyone “I’m an adult, treat me like one,” and instead you become an adult who accepts responsibility and applies self-control, because there is a lot of hard work ahead to do. Not everyone who feels this energy will respond to it in a positive way. There are always polarities—right/wrong, good/bad, light/dark, etc.—and the opposite of being responsible and mature is to complain, harbor hard feelings, act cranky, and over-do everything to everyone’s displeasure. Those behaviors will undermine any attempt you make to move forward at this time. But don’t worry. There will be opportunities in the future to strike out in a new direction and feel successful.

Now that the contract with Saturn has been signed, the Moon enters the space between Saturn and the Sun, who is already under contract with Saturn to behave in Saturnian ways. The Sun has agreed to shelf (at least for awhile) its “let’s chill on the beach” attitude in exchange for “let’s get to work and get things done!” The Sun has agreed to be more self-disciplined and modest and to focus on work and duty. “Give me virtue, humility, austerity,” it said.

Saturn likes authority and is happy taking the lead. And like any good trail guide, it will tell those who are in his charge to get rid of anything and everything that isn’t necessary or the strenuous climb ahead. Downsize. Eliminate. Restrict. Those are Saturn’s keywords. Are you feeling these influences in your life? Where?

When the Sun and Saturn are combined with the Moon, as they are before and during the eclipse, the need for self-control and emotional grounding through hard work is the energy that surrounds us. There may be an emotional tug-of-war going on within you. But the door to the past is closing. If you’re feeling unhappy or depressed, it’s a signal that you need to let go of what is holding you to the past. The only way out now, or ever,  is forward.

When the Moon emerges from the eclipse, its next interactions are with Venus and Uranus. Venus is a reminder of what you value and how you draw what you need to you. Uranus is the rebel that want’s to be free and be different. It’s good to consider both as you move forward in the days and weeks ahead. Being free, if you’ve held yourself back, will feel uncomfortable. At least, for a while. Pay attention to the glimmers of hope and look forward, not back. It’s all ahead of you now.

 

 

 

The Moon Wants to Circulate Its Messages

The Moon Wants to Circulate Its Messages

Sharon Leah

A healthy flow of emotional energy has been available the past two days with the active Moon-Mars opposition. It was positively expressed as candor, emotional directness, and strong feelings. As the Moon negotiated with Mars in Pisces, some long-held beliefs and ways of thinking may have been surfaced through either your personal reflections, conversations, or observations of others. Some of these occurrences may have had a transformative impact on your personal, social, or business relationships.

On the other hand, this Moon-Mars opposition may have activated old emotional patterns that manifested as emotional outbursts, lack of self-censoring, aggression, or even temper tantrums. If such behaviors are too easily activated in you, the disseminating third-quarter Moon phase that began today, December 29, provides the energy to release  those behaviors so they don’t continue to hold you back. Don’t be self-critical. Instead, aspire to feel good about who you are. The changes will follow.

Sometimes it’s easier to gain insight in to negative behaviors and their consequences when they’re observed in others rather than in ourselves. Pay attention to what you see and hear, because there may be messages for you to ponder. Some ways you may observe these energies being expressed in the world around you are through, for example:

  • Movies like On the Basis of Sex or The Destroyer (released this weekend) or any TV or movie that involves emotional shocks, blood feuds, civil strife, or war
  • News coverage of brash, moody, ill-tempered, explosive, or volatile people and events

Today, December 29, the Moon aligned in a square with the Sun and Saturn, currently in Capricorn, as the third-quarter phase culminated at 3:34 am CST. You may have felt more “in control” of your emotions when you awoke this morning. The Sun and Saturn in Capricorn carry the energy of emotional maturity,  self-control, and responsibility. However, a square between the Libra Moon and the Capricorn Sun and Saturn is an indicator of tension, conflict, and strife that’s around you and that you may be impacted by.

The Libra Moon wants to link up with others to share more love, mutual support, and connection. The Sun and Saturn in Capricorn want to ensure boundaries are set, timing is appropriate, networking has a purpose and goals. The austere influence of the Sun and Saturn in Capricorn doesn’t blend easily with the emotion-based relationship-oriented Libra Moon. This planetary conflict may manifest and demonstrate itself in your relationships with others over the next couple of days.

Then, just in time for New Year’s Eve celebrations, the energy shifts again when the Moon leaves Libra behind and enters Scorpio, where it forms an another opposition. This time it will oppose retrograde Uranus in Aries. The Moon in Scorpio is intense and passionate. Uranus in Aries encourages spontaneity and risk-taking. The timing of this Moon-Uranus opposition provides an energy mix for a night when “out with the old and in with the new” is on everyone’s mind. Following your impulses, dreaming big, and allowing unexpected connections with others are good ways to release the tensions that have built up in recent days (or over the past years). You may be exposed to someone’s erratic behavior and feel or see significant mood swings in others (because they’re feeling the energies, too).  Make a mental note, because you’re attention is being attracted for a reason. You’ll need to think more about some of these things in the future. But, for now: play, be inspired, and have fun! There is an overall feeling of aliveness, independence, and spontaneity in the air. Be free enough in your thinking to say no to what you will for sure regret the next day or even the next year, and be accountable to yourself: call an Uber or Lyft if you need a ride home from the party.

The Moon is in the disseminating stage until the New Moon on January 5. Between now and then, the timing is right to release what no longer serves you. It may be one thought that you keep thinking, one thing you do that you want to stop doing. Don’t expect perfection and don’t criticize yourself—about anything. Self-criticism is not helpful. Neither is making resolutions useful, because they’re just reminders of what you think didn’t go well last year. Instead of resolving to be better at/for (whatever________________), see yourself as the expansive creator that you are now. And remember that you’re just fine.

I’ll see you in the New Year!