by Teri Parsley Starnes

Teri’s interest with astrology lies with helping people see how following a practice of intention and self-awareness leads to a fuller relationship with Mystery. Astrology is a wonderful tool for this. Her weekly column orients readers to the seasonal energy of
each month’s Sun sign in order to set magical/mindful intention for the lunar month beginning at the New Moon.

Each week Teri will write about the unfolding energies that support and challenge our intentions. The ebb and flow of the lunar cycle resides deep in our souls. Through following the phases of the Moon, we remember the natural cycles that guide us.

Astrologers divide the lunar month into eight phases. These are:
New Moon: Dreaming
Crescent Moon: Beginning
First Quarter Moon: Manifesting
Gibbous Moon: Perfecting
Full Moon: Illuminating
Disseminating Moon: Sharing
Last Quarter Moon: Evaluating
Balsamic Moon: Surrendering

Come follow the Moon as we practice intentional awareness together.

Forecast November 25, 2012 – December 1

The animating metaphor this week is the edge of shadow. What does it feel like to walk that edge? In deep shadow, we are able to find hiding places that only the self knows about. Granted these shadowy realms can bring up fears, but they also can be comforting, restorative. In full light, we are energized to expand, move upward, and express ourselves. The light can bring joy, but also a possibility of losing our center. Life is a continual flow between dark and light. The Moon’s cycles teach us about this flow. There is nothing demonic or wrong about light or shadow. One is not better than the other. Indeed, the light and dark need each other. Self-awareness expands when we observe and sense our ways through these absolute states as well as the in-between times—not wholly dark and not wholly light.

Magic resides in the liminal places of transition. We meet the Magician at the crossroads, feeling for a moment that we stand in the pivoting place where we might fall back into darkness or expand forward into light, or possibly the other way around. For a moment, we are able to let go of future-thinking altogether and sense deeply into the present where all change is possible. The Full Moon on November 28 could be a time to invoke this state. There will be a penumbral lunar eclipse on this Full Moon. The Moon will only move into the edge of the Earth’s shadow during this eclipse, therefore it will not be plunged into complete darkness. Given that this lunar cycle’s* intention is about connection to the unseen world, this edge-dancing is significant. What is the edge between the visible and the invisible? With eyes and hearts open enough, can’t we see this invisible world manifest all around us? What truly separates us from the other worlds? Edges also show us choice. We are always choosing even when we forget we are. Do you see the boundary as the edge of shadow or the edge of light? What are you choosing?

Sunday, November 25. The best way to navigate this week may be to notice the interplay between light and dark without attachment to either. Dissonance and paradox surface this week and today it begins with a quincunx aspect between Venus in Scorpio and Uranus in Aries. Relationships are prickly and it may be time to have a soul-searching conversation with someone close to you. However, if anger is too close to the surface, it might be best to let that simmer down first. The Moon in Taurus draws attention to what we need for security and stability. It might be hard to compromise and listen to what others need if your own needs are being met. Remember, we all share vulnerabilities.

Monday, November 26. We walk the liminal edge between states of consciousness as Mercury in Scorpio stations direct today; and it is almost exactly opposite the Moon in Taurus. Taurus emphasizes accountability to that which we are indebted. We want security and look for predictable outcomes. Mercury’s retrograde voyage has encouraged us to penetrate into the hidden things below the surface. We try to find the balance point between these places today. It may be hard to keep things light and carefree.

Venus conjoins Saturn in Scorpio. Beauty and authority form a new partnership. The quality of our relationships matter much more than the quantity of them. These two planets stay close to each other throughout the week emphasizing commitment to all relationships including those to the unseen world.

Tuesday, November 27. Mercury’s station yesterday resonates for most of the day** due to the Moon going void-of-course after opposing Mercury. The last phase of this Mercury cycle is the period when Mercury travels through the same region of the zodiac for the third time. From now till December 13, we unkink the tangles from this retrograde cycle. Every part of Mercury’s cycle brings fresh insight. One thing we learn is adaptability. Have you learned to walk the edges just a little bit better? What are you noticing? When the Moon enters Gemini early evening, our minds are stimulated to learn even more.

Mars conjoins Pluto today. If the Mercury station has thrown you or others off center, dark emotions may erupt. The drive today is to live courageously in your own authority. Give energy to realizing your soul’s calling.

November 28—Full Moon Lunar Eclipse: Illuminating. Pieces are either falling into place or shattering into even more parts. I hate to be so vague, but this Full Moon in Gemini encourages both of these states. We started this lunar cycle with feeding the unseen world while the Sun was in Scorpio; now it’s in Sagittarius where we look for understanding. Let your heart expand into a yearning for understanding all the worlds, even as that flash of truth scurries away from the light and back into shadow. This Full Moon promises illumination through paradox. If that is your cup of tea, then enjoy the puzzles.

Core to understanding these puzzles is the relationship between Sagittarius (Sun) and Gemini (Moon). Both signs are about seeking truth but see very different sides to the same thing. Gemini tends to express duality; Sagittarius tends to seek the unifying truth. Back and forth from one extreme to another, we shift our attention to small and big things. There are messages everywhere. Both Gemini and Sagittarius encourage a certain level of detachment and observation. This practice helps us to understand ourselves better and release control. Other energies at the Full Moon encourage quite the opposite: to sense our way through emotion to protect what lies in our deepest selves. Part of the paradox is feeling a life and death struggle within while at the same time a curious detachment about the outcome. Most of the time, we experience this kind of dissonance through encounters with others who hold one position while we hold the other. One response is to recognize that everything resides within us too. Notice multiple truths: differences, similarities, illusion of separation, and the unknowable mystery.

The penumbral or partial lunar eclipse will be at maximum at 7:23 AM.** If you have a good view of the western sky, you can see the edge of shadow on the face of the Moon as it sets.

Thursday, November 29. The last aspect the Moon made yesterday before going void-of-course was a conjunction with Jupiter in Gemini. This expansive energy fills the day. All the tension between curious detachment and impassioned attachment from yesterday holds true for today as well. Right now Mars and Venus are encouraging us to find those people and situations that support the deepest parts of ourselves. Are you willing to listen to that call? Will you support those closest to you by listening too? If so, you may find that the Moon helps you to take a second look at old assumptions so you can clear the way.

Friday, November 30. Make time for yourself. The Moon in Cancer calls us to the hearth where we often get caught up in tending to the needs of others. Make sure you tend to yourself as well. After a prickly week, we need to be nurtured. Emotional cleansing helps.

Saturday, December 1. Emotional dissonance tells us something about tending relationship. It teaches us about listening, cultivating awareness, remembering our values and intentions, as well as asking for forgiveness. If you’ve experienced dissonance this week, what has it taught you about relationship? Is there something you need to do today to feed your relationship with the unseen world? Where is the beauty in this moment?

* Read the forecast for November 13 to follow along with this lunar cycle.

** All times are CST.

Contact Teri at teri@starsdanceastrology and visit her website at http://www.starsdanceastrology.com