The Art and Astrology of Maria Kay Simms

		Our new lunar cycle begins with New Moon in Leo. New Moon at 27 Leo 32, August 20 at 6:02 am, EDT

	A new lunar cycle in the fixed, fire sign of the Lion heralds the sunny, full summer weather in New England—and it's about time! Our spring into summer weather was the wettest and coolest in any recent memory! This New Moon, near the end of Leo, is the void of course aspect, ending in the early morning tomorrow. Moon into Virgo, at 10:00 am through earlyl Saturday offers a string of aspects that with the potential of creative and innovative thinking, but with the potential challenge of tripping over words or feet if we fail to also listen and be aware of what's going on around us. Virgo calls for practical
		considerations, too, especially with Saturn also in the sign. Ritual for New Moon in Leo Let's combine themes for both Leo and Virgo for a New Moon ritual. We'll use a red candle for the fire of the Lion, and make a neat Virgo list of things we intend to be accomplished by the time of Full Moon. Accept the challenge with the courage and pride of Leo while also including a realistic measure of what you can and will do within the allotted time. Gather a stone of earth to represent each day from now until Full Moon. Make a list of what you need to do to reach your intended goal by then, and resolve to do something each and every day toward your goal. Carve symbols of your intent onto a red candle, and set it in a safe place with the stones of each day around it in a circle. Burn a fire incense (such as frankincense, dragon's blood or cedar, and anoint your carved candle with oil. Meditate on your intent as you do all this. Charge the candle by passing it through the incense smoke and also charge each stone by passing it through the smoke. As you work chant an affirmation. Chant the first two lines nine times then end with the third line: By Earth and Fire, my desire. Fulfillment I will see! My goal is set, now step by step, success will come to me By all the power of three times three, this is my will, so mote it be! Snuff the candle when you are finished, but leave it and the stones in place. Each morning on rising, decide which task on your list will be the focus for this day. Each night before you go to bed, cross a task accomplished off your list and take one stone away. Relight the candle and leave it lit for nine repeats of the affirmation chant. Crescent Moon, 15 Libra 44, August 23, at 2:04 pm EDT This is the phase that is often characterized by feelings of taking a couple of steps forward, but then having to take one back. Though I try my best to work past such things, it has been like that for me the past few days. Apologies for not completing this by stated date. First Quarter Moon, 4 Sagittarius 21, August 27 at 7:42 am EDT The quarter Moon this month begins smoothly with a congenial Mercury sextile Venus on Friday morning. But Moon squares Saturn at 7:44 pm EDT Friday and is void-of-course in the wee hours of Saturday morning with a square to Uranus. Transiting Saturn in Virgo is currently closing in on an opposition to Uranus that becomes exact on September 15. This major outer planet aspect relates to situations that can pit needs independence drives against restrictions or limitations. The fiery Sag Moon decidely prefers to be free! It's a tense balancing act that could turn on the wisdom to know which rules or conventions had better be followed, and which can be broken, or at least bent a little. We can see these themes play out in news events, and can modify them with awareness in our own lives. A best use of Saturn-Uranus energy can be achieved in disciplined creative work. Ritual for New Moon in Leo Here is a short ritual designed for clarity in action, or for responding to an urge to react to something that is challenging. First spend at least a few moments meditating to clarify your intent and your course of action. Call on the four elements for what you need and then to your center for spiritual guidance, as directed below. Take a few moments after each call to listen for the message of Spirit within. When you complete this rite, you should have a clearer vision of what you want to do and how best to proceed. To the East I turn for clarity, for balance and freedom of thought To the South I turn for energy, strength of convictions and the will to stand for them. To the West I turn for compassion, intuition and beauty of Spirit To the North I turn for stability and discernment. May that which I meanifest in my world be for the highest good. In my Center, God/dess be within me. Spirit of my highest Truth, I open myself to your message and trust in your wisdom. Gibbous Moon, 23 Capricorn 18, August 31 at 10:06 am EDT Take advantage of harmonious aspects prior to void Moon at 2:09 pm EDT today. Moon enters Aquarius late, 11:43 pm, and Tuesday's energy is changeable, potentially irritable, or argumentive, with Mars and Mercury changing signs and then square. Hold to the course in focusing on work toward your goals for Full Moon. Full Moon, 12 Pisces 15, September 4 at 12:03 pm EDT Full Moon in this visionary and compassionate sign also includes that Saturn-Uranus theme again with Moon opposite Saturn followed by Moon conunct Uranus as the two final aspects of Moon in this sign, both on Saturday, the 5th. Place emphasis on the Pisces theme, and forgive & forget rather than allowing small irritations to loom larger than they really are. By now you've completed the stone ritual of New Moon. Assess your list, be glad for what you've accomplished, compassionate to self over what you may not have fulfilled quite yet, and reflect on what you've learned. Here is a relaxing Full Moon rite for additional insight. Ritual for Full Moon in Pisces Go to a source of natural water, be it puddle, pond, stream or sea, preferably where you can also see the Full Moon for light. Have some flower petals with you as an offering to Goddess. Pass over the water with your cupped hands full of petals in a circular motion nine times as you Invoke: Deep, dark waters, by Full Moon's light Lady of mystery, reveal to me Hidden secrets of my soul, Truths I need to learn and grow By all the power of three times three In love and trust, now flow to me! Cast the petals on the water and meditate for a message from Goddess was you watch them. Patterns formed may help that message come to you. Mercury turns retrograde on in the wee hours of the morning on Monday, Labor Day, and will be so until September 29th. I personally think that the reputation of this aspect exceeds itself and can thus precipitate "effects" that need not have been--especially if one rushes to send or say without proper thought or edting, just to "beat" the retrograde Disseminating Moon, 0 Taurus 59, September 8 at 8:05 am EDT This is the phase of sharing, and this day, even with Mercury retrograde, looks like a good one for being with others and communicating. Last Quarter Moon, 19 Gemini 28, September 11 at 10:16 pm EDT Here we are again at the time when the dark will begin to overtake the light. This phase is perhaps the most difficult to plan on because so much of it emerges from how you feel. It is about confronting that, and gaining a deeper understanding of your process. Balsamic Moon, 7 Leo 46, September 15 at 7:28 am EDT At the final phase, the Crone's Moon, we return again to the fire sign of Leo. If you have things to release, it would be most appropriate to burn them, with respect and thanks for what they have mean to you and what you have learned. As for intangible things you would release, write words or symbols of them on paper and burn that, then take the ashes and return them to Goddess by wind, water or earth, as you prefer.