Taurus Full Moon - October 26, 2007

This Full Moon is the apex of an Arrowhead, otherwise known as Thor's Hammer or a Quadriform. Venus in Virgo is square Jupiter in Sagittarius, and both planets sesquiquadrate the Moon in Taurus. A square is a 90-degree aspect and a sesquiquadrate is a 135-degree aspect, all "hard" or stressful aspects.

Venus square Jupiter has the quality of Taurean overload. All things Venus -- Taurus' ruling planet -- are expanded and exaggerated by Jupiter. It is the planetary combination of over-indulgence and over-spending. Granted, Venus in Virgo will be cautious about what she eats, and will question if she really needs another purse, since the one she has contains compartments for her cosmetics, supplements, car keys, change purse, first aid kit, lip balm, Blackberry ....

The conflict between Sagittarian going-all-out and Virgoan health concerns -- combined with the amplified desire to experience pleasure, regardless of how one goes about doing it -- must be resolved by the Moon in Taurus. This is patently unfair, because obviously the Moon will side with Venus. The planet of pleasure rules Taurus, and both the Moon and Venus are in earth signs. Yet, the fire of Jupiter in Sag is part of this configuration, and cannot be ignored.

Part of the problem is that Jupiter in Sag can be moralistic, or downright judgmental. Can you enjoy a glass of dessert wine and a bowl of ice cream if you feel that such indulgence disconnects you from God? It really depends on your conception of Higher Power. Some gods don't want us to experience sensual pleasure, and others want us to revel in the joy of being in a physical body. It's up to you to decide which god -- if any -- you want to worship.

Maybe the key is to moderately indulge in foreign foods (Virgo/Taurus/Sag) or go on an adventurous nature hike while snacking on fruits and nuts. Go ahead and do what feels good ... but as they say in the alcohol ads, do it "responsibly."

The Fine Print: The Full Moon is at 2 Taurus. Venus is in the last few minutes of 15 Virgo. Jupiter is at 18 Sagittarius. Oh yeah, there's also a Scorpio Sun in there somewhere. As well as some soft aspects to Mars in Cancer and Saturn in Virgo. You figure it out.

Taurus New Moon Square Neptune in Aquarius - May 16, 2007

This New Moon, your security needs conflict with the needs of the collective.

Nearly all of us are attached to our possessions and our preferences. But there is a whole world out there, one in which millions of people have less (materially) than you. And not to romanticize poverty, but those anecdotes -- about the poor in India who are more in touch with the divine in daily life than we are -- can challenge your value system.

Comfort is important. But we blog-readers take many of our affordable Western luxuries for granted. The price of a laptop and high speed internet access is beyond the reach of most.

This New Moon, you may have to sacrifice some of your money or possessions for humanitarian causes. The pull of compassion may result in an awakening to how good you've got it, and how easy it would be for you to do with less, if it means giving someone else more.

Or, your material stability may feel like it is being pulled out from under your feet. Financial transactions over the internet may be sabotaged by deception or confusion. Groups that encourage fuzzy boundaries may attempt to change your personal preferences for the benefit of the whole.

This New Moon occurs at 25 Taurus. Neptune is at 22 Aquarius, about to go retrograde later this month. If you have any personal planets or angles around degree 25 in fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius), you are undergoing the beginnings of a Neptune transit, in which you are likely to be feeling confused, mystically-inclined, lost in fantasy, martyred, escapist, and so on. This New Moon will serve as a trigger to this longer process of dissolution of whatever area of your life is being affected.