Today we celebrate the Equinox (Equal Night and Day) as the first day of Vernal/Spring in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of Autumn in the Southern Hemisphere as the Sun passes along the Equator.

The perpetual ebb and flow of the Seasons...Equal Day and Night...

We need the Light to illuminate
our path in life
to guide us to our selves
and each other

We need the Dark to sleep
to recall our sacred dream
to guide us to heaven
and to earth

If we sought only the Light
we would be blinded
unable to see the world
in its totality

for it is the world that shifts
to and from the Sun's Light
and it is humanity that shifts
to and from the Inner Light...

Happy Spring/Autumn wherever you may journey...

As Above, So Below!




It is said that you can balance an Egg (Symbol of Rebirth)
on a flat surface during the Equinox.

More about Eggs at Easter!

(c) Ric Barrett

Full Moon in Virgo 
March 10, 2009  7:38 pm PST

Certain persons can feel the pull between the Sun and the Moon during its 3 night phase. In fact, the word lunatic is derived from the French word for moon which is Luna, because some people would act crazy and wild during this time of the month. Most of us may feel a pull in our body fluids which may cause restlessness. Since the moon affects the ocean tides it can certainly have an affect upon our Cranial Sea. There is much debate around this theory but I notice a lot more lunacy during this time.

Too much analysis can lead to paralysis

Being a Virgo, I completely concur with the above quote, because Virgo is the Sign of the Analyst.  Anyone with Virgo prominent in their birth chart can be a stickler to detail. Too much detail can derail us from our beingness. Virgo is associated with the stomach and intestines (how we digest our spiritual and emotional foods). It is the Sign of the Perfectionist, and it can be difficult to put away the voice of the Inner Critic that resides in us all. People born with the Moon in Virgo tend to be quite critical of their self and others; as well as being emotionally aloof because they need to know the facts of the matter before they can open the gate to their Secret Garden of emotion. By comparing, judging and needing to know why, we steer away from the center of our being. Of course we require these cognitive tools at times because Virgo wants to be of service, to work and is health focused. In fact, the Medical Health Care Profession uses the symbol of Mercury's Winged Staff: Caduceus as their emblem. The two snakes intertwine like the double helix of DNA.

As I mentioned, Virgo is health and service oriented and it is the Full Moon to focus upon our personal health issues and to commit ourselves to a healthier lifestyle. It can be a time to be mindful of the health of others, in particular the caregivers in our lives. A lot of Virgo energy is channeled through the many caregivers who are often overworked and unappreciated. Our Health Care System seems be inundated with problems and lacking the resources that we are in dire need of. That is why it is important to heed to the words: Physician Heal Thy Self. We need to explore ways in which we can heal ourselves in Body, Mind and Spirit. There are many healers in this world, but we are our best healer in the long run. I am grateful that there are those who can set broken bones, stitch wounds and save lives. However, I think about the saying: Broken bones mend faster than broken spirits. We need to integrate both Allopathic and Alternative Health Practices. It can be very frustrating when one side dismisses the benefits of the other. Without a healthy planet we cannot expect to be healthy ourselves. I have discovered than when I help to heal others I am also helping to heal myself.

So, the Moon is reflecting the Light of the Sun in Pisces. Sensitive, spiritual and dreamy Pisces. Both of the Signs Virgo and Pisces are very connected. Healing our Spirit is just as important as taking care of our body. It is here that the elements of Water (Pisces) and Earth (Virgo) can be integrated. Too much water will turn the earth into mud, while too much earth can absorb the water resulting in a dry and barren landscape within. Some of us need to be like the Virgo Hermit and go within to perfect itself through a higher ideal because something requires fixing. The Solar Pisces energy may inspire us to be more creative, musical, poetic, dreamy and mystical. Some of us need to get out of our mind and just let go. Those who are usually very hardworking will want to let loose and escape from all the overwhelming details of the Mundane world and dive deeply into the Sensual world. If you do need to escape, remember: Nothing In Excess. So avoid drinking like a fish even if you feel like a fish out of water.

Everyone is born with the Moon in a particular sign.  When the moon transits or passes through a Sign it can affect each person differently. If you were born while the Moon was in either Taurus or Capricorn (also earth signs) you may feel more practical, a need to be grounded or you will bury your feelings.  If you were born with the Moon in Scorpio (a water sign) you may feel less energetic and slow down enough to heed to your own intuition.  While the Natal Moon in a fire sign like Leo can feel less flamboyant as the Virgo Moon's earth may put out the flames for a few days.

Whether or not you celebrate the Full Moon, may its affect upon you teach you more about your inner (spiritual) world and your place in the outer (secular) world. It is a great time to work with your hands in the intrinsic arts and crafts.

(c) Richard Barrett 2009

New Moon in Aries

March 26, 2009

9:06 am PDT

The Sun and Moon are in Aries initiating us to take action in our personal lives. It represents the self and the selfishness of the Ego when it refuses to listen to the Heart. The background theme can be extremely passionate in the heat of this night. The energy of this Fire Sign can ignite a lot of restlessness in many of us. Life is bursting forth with renewed forces that can be either positive or negative, depending on how we channel them. Some of us will feel burned out, while others will be amped up and good to go! If we are not mindful of others due to our being overly self absorbed we may find ourselves literally bumping into people and objects. The New Moon is like a magnetic pull from within the fire in our belly. Are we angry at someone and denying our own hurt? This is where conflict begins: the Self. Aries rules the Self or the Ego. It is a force to be reckoned with. We need to learn the difference between assertion and aggression.

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 gave 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 or Core of the universe...closer to the core of our being. Instead, we probe the Red Planet that has 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. It is the Ego that separates us from others. 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 competitive. A world obsessed with war and strife. How can everything be Number One at the same time? All is One relates to our spiritual connection and not the individuation of the Ego. 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.

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 egotistical, aggressive and competitive 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. But from an esoteric point of view the New Moon in Aries can be a very direct and exciting time. We can begin projects that require allot of focus and energy. Aries is also associated with sports where we can experiment with these archetypes in a more constructive and playful way. Unfortunately, a lot of Major League sports have become too aggressive and violent. Sports, like the Olympics (named after the Olympian Champions of Ancient Greece) are a perfect outlet for restless and competitive forces. The lesson isn't always about winning; it is about being a good sport.

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".

Mercury is also in Aries during this time which can lend to the impatience and impulsiveness of our thoughts reacting like a barometer moving up and down. It is time to be responsive without having to be reactive. We find balance, fairness, justice and peace in the opposite sign Libra where we can learn to integrate these qualities by practicing the Way of the Peaceful Warrior.

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.

Venus is transiting into Aries in the next few days. Love and Passion. Making love can be hot! So make love, not war...

(c) Richard Barrett 2009