Full Moon in Aries
Saturday, October 3, 2009
11:11 PM  PDT

Welcome to the first full moon of Autumn in Aries! Flaming colours ignited by the Sun splashing yellow, orange and red on the leaves.

Ares was the Greek God of War (the opposite of his sister Aphrodite: Greek Goddess of Love and Peace) and was worshipped by Warlords in Ancient Greece in Rome he was known as the God Mars who gives the name to the month of March. The martial arts are ruled by this sign. In fact, Ares is still worshipped today in an archetypal way. Billions of dollars are invested in warfare and the exploration of space. It seems ironic that we are unable to explore Venus the symbolic planet of love and peace which is closer to the Sun. Instead, we probe the Red Planet that is an archetypal link with Ares. We seem obsessed with Martians and other aliens in the realm of science and fantasy. Even if rational science dictates that it is not plausible to explore a planet like Venus, could we not, at the very least, explore the planet of Love symbolically within our own inner verse as opposed to the outer verse? It is interesting that our planet Earth is between two planets that represent War and Peace. Is the truth out there? Or is it in here, inside each and every one of us? Truth is such a personal belief system that seems to always be changing. Life is about transformation in so many ways. Change your perception and you change your world...your personal world...how you perceive it.

Life can be a challenge and Aries energy loves a good challenge! Rather than competing with others, we could confront our own Ego by transforming "me" into "we". Nothing is completely independent everything is inter-dependant. Co-dependant has become a very negative catch word. There is so much needless conflict in our world. If we continue to feed only our greed then we sow another angry seed. Do we multiply only to divide? We are in the Age of Aquarius, not the Age of Aries, and yet we live in a world that has become more and more action oriented. Think of how time seems to have accelerated by faster technology.  A world obsessed by action and trying to be first in everything. Aries is the first Sign of the Astrological Wheel. How can everything be Number One at the same time? All is One relates to our spiritual connection. The universe seems to be part of a Sacred Geometry; therefore, all numbers are relevant and equally important. To claim that there is only one true God (my God versus your God)...well, we all know how wars are started. It has been said that God is too big for just one religion.

The Ram is the animal totem of the sign Aries. A headstrong creature can butt into personal affairs of others. Yet, inside every ram lies a gentle lamb. The aggressive nature of an Aries Sun/Moon/Rising Sign can be tempered by the other signs and there placements in the Astrological Chart. Although Aries energy can be fiery, direct or aggressive in no way implies that all Aries are ruthless and constantly seeking to win a battle. Aries energy can initiate positive action. Fire is a very useful and necessary element as long as it is not implosive or explosive (a rocket scientist would probably argue my point, rightfully so). Aries rules the head and being a fire sign can initiate headaches, inflammation and other irritations.

Athena was the Greek Goddess of Wisdom and a sister of Ares. She was born with a spear and shield in hand and unlike her bother who was too impulsive, she invoked the wisdom of the Owl being wise and less rash in her actions. Athena represents the anima of her Brother Ares' animus. It is said that Ares and Aphrodite bore the twins, Phobos "panic" and Deimos "fear" which together can create conflict. Fear is the absence of love. Both serve a purpose to be explored and understood within each and everyone one of us. Owning our personal inner conflict is winning half the battle. To forge ahead with positive action is our best weapon. As the Pilgrim of Peace said: "If someone were to kill me, they would only be killing my body and not my soul; if I kill another, I destroy my soul".

Aries is also symbolic of the Inner Child. The God Ares was the first born son of Zeus who always sought the love and approval of his father. I believe that a lot of tyrants are simply wounded children seeking the love and approval of an Almighty Father, their own father, the institutional father or their own personal God. Adults are merely children in grown up bodies and we need to rediscover the child in each of us so that we can heal. It is time to remove the superficial band aid, to allow our wounds to truly heal in the fresh air and light of day. It is said in several spiritual traditions that we are to be innocent as children to enter into Heaven, Nirvana, Paradise or state of Bliss.

Aries is fiery energy... so make love, not war...

(c) Richard Barrett 2009

A Native American grandfather was talking to his grandson about how he felt.  He said, "I feel as if I have two wolves fighting in my heart.  One wolf is the vengeful, angry, violent one.  The other wolf is the loving, compassionate one."   The grandson asked him,  "Which wolf will win the fight in your heart?"  The grandfather answered,  "The one I feed."  ~Native American Lore

Full Moon in Taurus

November 2, 2009

11:13 am   PST

The Sun (our core) and Mercury (our communication) are in Scorpio (our mystery)which enhances the effect of this Full Moon in Taurus (our security). We are amidst the season of change and decay with the many transformations that are colouring not only world politics but also the politics of personal power that we engage in with others and with ourselves. We are constantly being convinced that life is a struggle rather than a journey into the ever unfolding mystery of life, death and beyond. We are told that we can not have peace without war. During the Sign of Scorpio we remember those who fought for peace and those who have passed away. Many customs are celebrated around the world to honour the memory of our ancestors.

The Full Moon in Taurus is all about our sense of security on all levels. It is the full-fillment of living in the material or matter-real world. It is not a time to be charging after something like a raging bull and stubbornly clinging to that which we cannot possess... rather a time to take the Bull by the horns and get real with ourselves and each other. We all need the comfort and support of friends, family and lovers. This is a great oppurtunity to gather and remember the many blessings that continue to come to us in the most surprising of gifts. We are apt to feel more sensual during this Moon as its gravational pull is so strong.

Too often we find ourselves trying to possess that which is not truly ours and living with a false sense of security. Money does not create emotional security. Love does not create financial security (although partnership can). Like the many gardeners that love to get their hands dirty cultivating the soil of their gardens, we can also unearth some of the misconceptions that have been planted in our own Secret Garden.  Has it been fertilised with alot of bullshit that stifles our personal growth?

Why is it that some people are able to make us feel secure, while others make us feel insecure? I believe it is all about investment. Who and what do we invest in? Are we giving and receiving our fair share? Do we own our possessions or do our possessions own us? Do we merely borrow our existence or do we own it? When we feel we are not being respected or honoured for our efforts, we may become insecure. It is about Personal Power experienced by the individual.

Think about our earth's resources and how insufficiently they are being distributed. There are enough natural resources to feed, shelter and clothe those who live in poverty. We all need to grab the bull by the horns and harness its power and connection to Mother Earth. If we give her back her diamond, she will offer up her pearl. ~Dead Can Dance

Superficially, we are defined by what we do rather than who we are. We enter this world or realm of the senses with nothing and we depart from it with nothing. Yet we are conditioned by constant marketing schemes to convince us to purchase things that we do not neccessarily need; or eventually that we do not want. Again, it is the attachment to the sentiment, rather than the object itself that the Taurus type wants to cling to. After all, eventually you will be thrown off by the bull, both literally and figuratively. The Full Moon in Taurus can also affect our sexuality as well as our sensuality. Venus ruled Taurus wants to love and experience beauty in its many manifestations. As the saying goes: if you want to be loved, then offer love. A romantic time with a loved one exchanging sensual touch and healing massage would be beneficial.

Taurus is is named after the Minotaur ( a Greek word meaning Bull of Minos). There is a Greek myth of the Labyrinth and the White Bull of King Minos of Crete. In modern times, the Labyrinth is still used as a meditative and symbolic pathway. The Full Moon draws our energy outward like the Bull at the center of the labyrinth journeys outward as it illuminates the darkness. We can appreciate the darker side of the nature of things in ourselves and in others.

Do you want to be like a Bull in a china shop destroying things by being mindless or like Ferdinand the Bull, who chose not to fight but instead took the time to smell the beautiful roses of  love.

(c) Richard Barrett 2009