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.

Home is where we should be safe enough to take off the masks we wear in the world to reveal who we really are. When we are at home, we don’t have to put on an act. We get to be ourselves. The message for this week of the Cancer lunar cycle* is simple: Emotions are more than passing moods. They transmit vital information about who we really are behind our masks and what we really need to be at home. Connected to the water signs, emotions are a continuous flow of memory from the past into the present. They evoke for us the experience and stories that matter most to us. Emotional awareness is key to being at home in ourselves. This week, the starry wanders are calling us to join this flow of emotion.

Don’t be surprised if old feelings come up for you this week as the Grand Water Trine between Neptune in Pisces, Saturn in Scorpio, and both Jupiter and Mars in Cancer form a tight connection. Water holds emotional memory of significant experiences. Sometimes the smallest event can bring back those emotions in a flash. This quality of emotion and water helps us survive. It alerts us to situations that might cause us harm, and it also transmits an immediate awareness of what feels right deep in our souls.

I invite you to visualize a mandala of the three water signs. For inspiration, consider these images for the three realms of water: the tidal pools of Cancer, where we enjoy the awareness of ebb and flow and the life-giving qualities of water; the deep underground caverns where Scorpio’s penetrating flow surrenders to the dark; and the oceanic waters of Pisces where we lose all distinction between self and other to become One. Water wants to flow this week. Make a stronger connection to this element.

Forecast July 14, 2013 – July 20

Moon enters Libra 2:40 am**
Sunday, July 14. Today’s triggering energy stems from the Moon in Libra creating a Grand Cardinal Cross as it contacts Mars, Jupiter, Pluto, and Uranus through challenging aspects during the course of the day and into the early hours of Monday (CDT). Be aware that emotional memories of stress or trauma might arise. The opportunity is to find the calm center where we see the eternal spinning of the cosmic forces of transformation and change spinning around us. This center is a place of power and healing if we can find it. Take care of yourself and be gentle with others.

Moon in Libra
July 15—First Quarter Moon: Manifesting. Yesterday’s big energy resonates today. Balance is a worthy goal when faced with overwhelming emotional experiences. However, rather than trying to contain emotions, see if you can make space for the feelings and the memories. Balance isn’t really a static state of being. It is achieved when we are able to respond in each moment with presence and intention. This phase of the Moon often brings the first true challenge to any New Moon intention. We might feel like giving up or abandoning the vision that began to grow in the dark of the Moon. Home is where we are safe enough to allow all experience to simply be present. This in itself is a big challenge. Honor where you are.

Moon enters Scorpio 9:24 am
Tuesday, July 16. Imagine the dark caverns of underground water signified by the Moon in Scorpio. Are you eager to journey beneath the surface of emotion into the deeper memories that are encoded there? Or are you terrified of what you may discover? Actually, both responses are understandable. We feel a pull go deep and a resistance too. This is a Grand Water Trine day. Emotions may trigger memories of losing and seeking control. Be alert to the emotions that hold memories of empowerment and vitality. These will guide you to deeper places too.

Moon in Scorpio
Wednesday, July 17. Yesterday’s watery reverie was training for today, where both water and volatility collide. For one, Uranus in Aries is stationing retrograde today. This planet of abrupt change and explosive desire for authenticity is strong. And, although there is no aspect to Mercury retrograding through Cancer right now, if we are the least bit thrown off by unexpected snafus in communication or transportation systems, this station by Uranus will increase the tendency for short tempers and impulsive reactions. In addition, Jupiter, who likes to make things bigger, is moving into exact trines with Neptune and Saturn—yes, the Grand Water Trine again, which just got more intense. Be careful when driving, take extra time in communicating, and practice patience with yourself. That’s the best way I know to be patient with others.

Moon enters Sagittarius at 12:54 pm
Thursday, July 18. Mutable signs often are criticized for not being serious enough. But that just may be the reason we are happy the Moon is in a mutable sign today. Sometimes we need a break from intensity, deep feelings, and coping with frustrations. Today is that day! Have fun. It wouldn’t even be a mistake to take in some form escapist entertainment tonight. A science fiction or fantasy movie sounds about right.

Moon in Sagittarius
July 19—Gibbous Moon: Perfecting. What are you noticing about your home? Have you been able to perceive the qualities you need in your place of soul, security, and connection with your beloveds? Has emotional memory given you important information about the state of your home? Acknowledge whatever you have or have not experienced so far in this lunar cycle. When water is the primary teacher, ideas and philosophy are much less relevant. Note the quality of your heart. Without expectation or judgment, let this feeling be enough.

Today, Saturn trines Neptune for the third, and final time, in this series of aspects between these two planets. The first trine was in October 2012 and the second happened recently in June 2013 . These two outer planets carry big weight. They are the reason the Grand Water Trine I’ve been writing about is so significant. A trine is an opportunity that can be missed. The benefit is not automatic. However, if we consciously engage with the potential, there is an enormous opportunity to make deeper connections between our souls and spirits. I admit that I don’t fully understand the difference between my soul and my spirit. But if these two planets are the guides, then I would say they are teaching that the soul is related to depth and personal experience and the spirit is related to compassion and universal connection. An alignment between these realms is profound.

Moon enters Capricorn 1:30 pm
Saturday, July 20. Hang on, Mercury stations direct today. There’s a blip in the flow. Maybe you won’t even notice it as Mars in Cancer moves into the Grand Water Trine directing our wills to focus, once again, on emotional experience. The Moon in grounded, no-nonsense Capricorn presents an interesting counterpoint. If you’ve been left feeling a little waterlogged, relief is on the way. Capricorn cares about the structure that contains the flow. Without boundaries and a good container, all the emotional awareness in the world won’t help us understand what we need to do about our lives. For that, look to the Mountain Goat of Capricorn. Capricorn helps Cancer to integrate the emotional experience of home to help create a home that lasts.

 

* To read more about the Cancer lunar cycle that began on July 7, go to http://tinyurl.com/lf6jjfh

** All times are CDT.

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