The corporate name was Astro Communications Services. From my own business, Starcrafts Publishing, I've already republished in updated versions several of the astrological reference works originated by Neil F. Michelsen, who at the time of his death in 1990, was my husband. Now, I'm also intending to continue the astrological chart service that he started, and will use the original name he gave it: Astro Computing Services.
About this New Moon/Solar Eclipse:
Leo is about creativity and Sun symbolizes how we like to shine, so this is a good time to focus on creative energy. Ask yourself what kind of energy you project. Are you focusing on the most positive manifestations of that energy? Or do you sometimes give your energy to negative thinking that only dissipates it? Thinking is more likely to be subjective now, so it is well to think and feel compassionately for both self and others. That this New Moon is a total Solar Eclipse gives it a far greater emphasis that will surely be felt at least until the next eclipse, but may reflect a theme that will be prominent in your life for years to come.
Lammas, or Lughnasad, Sun at 15 Leo 00, August 6, 11:16 pm, EDT
Although this annual solar-seasonal sabbat will be celebrated by many on the first weekend of August, the true astrological cross-quarter, when maximum energy is released to bring us into the Autumn season, is when Sun actually arrives at exactly the 15th degree of a fixed sign, which in the case of this sabbat is Leo. This is a time of first harvest. Read my article on its traditional lore from the link below, and you'll also find ritual suggestions:
Lore of Lammas or Lughnsad
Lughnasad, or Lammas celebrates the first fruits of the harvest, the first signs that life's survival is assured. The God gives his energy into the corn and grain; the Earth Mother is full with the ripening harvest. As they share with us, so do we share with each other, and with the Earth. In this disseminating period, we give back from what we have received at the culmination of the cycle, and continue to work toward the harvest that must be reaped at the next turn of the Wheel.
Ritual for Lughnasad/Lammas
Crescent Moon, 27 Virgo 54, August 4 at 6:36 pm EDT
Moon aspects are for the most part harmonious, but planetary aspects are mixed with Venus completing her Leo transit with a nice trine to Pluto before moving into Virgo just 20 minutes into August 6. But Mars opposite Uranus and Mercury opposite Neptune that afternoon suggest that patience with both others and self may be required. The phase closes with opportunity, in a lunar sextile to Pluto, for taking charge of your ability for effective action.
Ritual for New Moon or Crescent Phase
It's too late to give you a ritual idea to use right at the New Moon, but the phase remains in effect until Monday, when you should be able to see the slender waxing Crescent Moon in the western sky. I find it always comforting, healing and helpful to recharge my energy by drawing down the Moon in all her phases. Now, in either short term, or especially because of the eclipse, longer term goals, the lunar energy is new and waxing, a time of new beginnings. So charge your special goal with lunar blessings:
Begin by drawing energy up from Mother Earth and down from the Moon and stars above, and feel that energy blending into white Light around your heart center. Ask for the blessings of Goddess, as you say
At new beginning I do now call
My Goddess, send your flow through me
In trust I ask your blessings
With open heart to what shall be!
What you receive, as lunar energy flows though you, may be words of inspiration, of actions you should take to enhance your goal, or of blessings for which you are thankful. Open yourself to the flow of creative energy. Allow what comes to come, then give thanks for what you have received, remember and resolve to act upon it.
First Quarter Moon, 16 Scorpio 38, August 8 at 4:20 pm EDT
This lunar action phase begins (as always) with Moon's square to Sun. Aspects following are mixed, with easy flow for change and creative thinking, but also a few hints of confusion. This may be the time when the realities of what you've resolved for this lunar cycle come up for testing. Moon's transit through Scorpio ends with a square to Mercury, and this planetary ruler of how you think changes from Leo into Virgo on Sunday, August 10, which could likely reflect the need for some critical thinking. Be mindful!
Gibbous Moon, 5 Capricorn 35, August 12 at 6:52 pm EDT
Sorry, I did not get back to this one in advance...still too busy trying to finish up in San Diego...
Full Moon, 24 Aquarius 21, August 16 at 5:16 pm EDT
This Full Moon is also a Lunar Eclipse
Back home now! It's been a difficult past two weeks but things are looking more doable each day. My Circle wil be working ritual for this Lunar Eclipse tomorrow evening. As the time of eclipse approaches, the planet Neptune stands out in the whole cosmic scheme of things, opposite Sun today (Aug 15) and conjunct Moon early tomorrow. On the downside Neptune often gets blamed for confusion and worse, but since I have this elusive planet dominant my chart, I've both liked and expressed its attributes. Neptune is a very right-brained, intuitive symbol, so emphasis on the intuitive for this night's ritual is recommended. This is also a weekend when you might experience a more vivid dream life than usual, and if you do, it would be a good idea to pay special attention.
The triple conjunction of Mercury-Venus-Saturn over the past few days calls for responsible focus. Their trine to Jupiter suggests that the result can be strong and expansive energy sending us on in to sharing, demonstrating and Disseminating Phase of this lunar cycle with good that we can give back to our world.
Understand that in a lunar eclipse, the Moon moves into Earth's shadow, blocking the light of Sun that she normally reflects. In the shadow of Earth, Moon may cause us to see or sense something that we most need to learn to "grow strong in soul and spirit," as said in my "Lunar Eclipse Myth" from Moon Tides, Soul Passages.
Ritual for the Lunar Eclipse in Aquarius
We'll first be sharing among all present the rites of cleansing and banishing, first sweeping the Circle with brooms, then blessing the water and salt, mixing them together to both cleanse and charge the Circle and each other. In this way we prepare ourselves by letting go of the mundane and the past, so as to open ourselves fully to what may be received and learned during this night of eclipse. Then we will invoke the powers of fire (Leo) and air (Aquarius) and of the Moon Goddess, as we each anoint with oil and carve symbols meaningful to us and our purpose onto a white candle, then circle it with incense nine times (three times three) as we chant:
Lady, bless this work we do
Lend your power and guidance true.
Open our hearts and minds to know
The path on which you'd have us go
By all we are, and what can be
This is our will, so mote it be!
We'll then each place our candles within a safe container in whatever direction of the circle is most meaningful to each individual purpose and allow them to burn out as we complete our ritual sharing, thanks to the Guardians of the four directions, Goddess and God and Merry Meet .
Disseminating Moon, 12 Aries 52, August 20 at 8:52 am EDT
Moon in Aries is energetic, and mostly flowing aspects tomorrow and Thursday should be good for accomplishment, if you focus on the energy rather than lolling in the ease.
Last Quarter Moon, 1 Gemini 12, August 23 at 7:49 pm EDT
Moon in Gemini is most likely busy, busy, busy, and maybe rather scatttered. She makes a lot of aspects today, all kinds, and there's a Venus opposition Uranus in the mix. The latter could be fun...or romantic...but on the whole, this day and phase could be trying. My general "Dos and Don'ts" for transiting Moon in this phase (from Moon Tides, Soul Passages) are worth repeating here:
Keep communications very clear and curb tendencies to be distracted. Expect to be busy and ready to move from one place to another. It's a good day to run all those errancds. Thinking prevails over feeling, but underlying feeling could mean rational is actually rationalization.
Balsamic Moon, 19 Cancer 28, August 27 at 5:02 am EDT
Cancer is the sign of the home, and if you're like me, you probably always have a few (or more than a few) things there that could benefit comfortable living space by being eliminated. So, you could make an effective Balsamic Phase ritual out of doing just that. De-clutter. Clean out that closet, catch-all drawer, overcrowded magazine rack or table top or cabinet...whatever...and you can also let those things symbolize any cobwebs in your mind. Name the tangibles for any intangibles you'd like to get rid of and let them go, too, in the process. Then use the Water of Cancer and clean the newly recovered space. So mote it be!
