Quite a build up to Ms Full Moon in curious, dualistic Gemini. The final of our trio of Super Moons. Ruled by Mercury-Air, Gemini is of the mental plane, all about communication, discovery and finding out why. And likes to keep energy, thoughts, conversations and events moving rapidly.

She’s also facing off with Sun + Saturn (the builder, teacher, corrector) wanting to get stuff done and dusted, and new plans on the

whiteboard. With Uranus + Jupiter sitting on the edge of it all, swinging the pendulum of grand visions, optimism and pressure to soar over the top of everything to new ground.

This urge and the usual Gemini speed are being moderated by Mercury’s (about to retrograde) current journey through Capricorn, in partnership with Pluto (transform your sh*t). Creating a no nonsense, business attitude. There are cycles to be completed and our attention is required.

Full Moon being the time of completion, harvest and release, asks us to look back at intentions set in motion on the New Moon two weeks ago to review what’s arisen and what needs tweaking. The Gemini energy directing us to explore our thoughts, self-talk, mind-set, attitudes and communication with others. Look for the harmony and conflict within the opposites in all that is playing out: inner-outer, light-dark, spoken-unspoken, aware-unconscious etc.

This is an awesome opportunity to clean our mental files, realise and release outmoded ways. Especially, old hurts and grudges – the “he said, she said” pain. The release may come with a shift in our processing, so what was an issue becomes a non-event. Or in recognising this is not my shit, so I if I stop trying to fix it, the karma drama can complete. Both equally powerful insights, to clear the way for new growth as we head into Mercury full retro on Dec 19th. Juicy benefits will be bestowed when the work is done.

That’s how it can feel during a Neptune transit.

Neptune is the planet of enlightenment and unity.  Like its element water, the energy seeks to dissolve illusions, boundaries and barriers to our limitless, creative potential, to the magic and miracle of life and our connections to each other.

Its common to feel more dreamy, meditative, creative, elated, intuitive, connected and inspired under her influence as we flow through a myriad of dreamscapes, with a few obligatory crash landings and wake-up calls  along the way.   We’ll be opened to old feelings that haven’t fully resolved, because we’ve arrive at the next learning installment.  Pure Neptune is heady stuff!  In our world of polarities,  we’ll also experience the opposite of rose-coloured in loveness,

creative bliss, gentle trusting vulnerability and the empathic desire to serve the world . . .  as our mood swings   into confusion, disillusionment, tiredness, water retention, feelings of inadequacy, overwhelm,, disconnection and grief, coupled with a strong desire to hide or escape.  The energy flowing through us in waves: taking the form of clouds, fog and watery  waves from balmy through to crashing wipe-outs that dump  us on unknown shores, in new states of awareness. 

Gentle, cruisy, soft, shimmering and dreamlike one moment and blinding, bright, earth reality the next! This is the essence of the  Neptune learning curve. enlightenment through the dissolution of illusion. Recognising the nature of this weather pattern, will save your sanity. Trust in the process, comes one moment at a time and this works perfectly.

If you’re feeling it, honor it and allow yourself time and space to be with these emotions and feelings as they connect you more deeply with your own spirit. And your soul sisters and brothers.

Things that help: Anything that brings in the water element.  Hydrate your body. Cry in the shower, walk in the rain. Allow the tears and the ecstasy. Meditate, pray, journal. Bare feet in nature. Dance, yoga, movement. Crystals and energy work. Use your creativity.  Astrology and counselling.

The rewards are beautiful.

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So, clarify your intentions, begin preparing for change, commit to the soul work and enjoy this inspiring essence of new beginnings, it will be what you make it. Participate fully to share in the personal and communal bounty.

The big picture influencers  . . .

New Moon’s challenging square to Neptune (confusion/understanding) +  Moons nodes (past-future) in Virgo-Pisces, showing us the place to begin is within.  The key to whatever we are yearning for or feeling dissatisfied with is right there in our patterning – our ways of expression, our expectations, habits, wishes etc.  Dive in, look, listen and learn, let them  rise to the surface in ‘the truth will set you free’ style – this usually means it will first piss us off. Knowledge is power, when we understand better what our drivers are, how we show up in relationships, how we impact and are impacted – we can use our choices and resources more effectively.

Jupiter in Libra (largesse) square Pluto in Capricorn (transformation) has just kicked in and is with us til October 2017.  Creating  immense desire for progress and success in life, especially in the area of relationships.  Beginning with self, rippling through friendships, family connections, lover/partner, colleagues and into community.  Its time to connect,  authentically and purposefully, not just for personal need – also to unite in people power and share our gifts for the good of all.

Uranus (freedom, revolutionary change) is stirring our creativity and vision, inspiring us to look ahead, break old patterns, stand up, show up and prepare for new exciting ventures.

The keeper of the unconscious realms, obsessions and compulsions, desire for control and power. He invites us to go deeper, let go of the superficial and surrender to fear and faith. Magnetic, powerful and unstoppable – we often feel trapped in his world – the irony being that our sojourn through darkness is set by our pace, not his. His life makeovers happen with or without our cooperation – but, its far more powerful and transformative when we get with the program, earn our wings and fly with that phoenix out of the ashes. These are the times to let your power surge, feel the passion and fire, the determination, the steely focus, the willingness to do what it takes.  Feel the essence of your own resistance and the clash of meeting another’s.  Feel the personal, feel the universal, learn by experience, to command power.

His sojourn through Capricorn began in 2009 and will complete in 2024. His current mission is as always both global and personal – calling for truth, integrity, honesty and self-responsibility. Assisting us to simplify life, be more practical, resourceful, grounded and aware. Moving us toward global consciousness, compassion and action. Ripping off the mask of corruption, greed, fear and selfishness that has been at the core of many corporate and ruling doctrines.

We each experience a number of major Pluto transits (growth cycles)  throughout our lives –  once we’ve been up close and personal we recognise him at work in and around us.

Pluto is a truth machine, sees all, forgets nothing and leaves no thing untouched in his path, he’ll show us exactly how we shape our own lives, through our thoughts, desires and intentions. How we make sh*t happen (good or bad). So that rather than acting like powerless drones at the mercy of all things external to us, we accept the power of our own choices and actions – in the face of universal energies that are way bigger than us – and that do indeed make sh*t happen beyond our control.

How we choose to work with these transiting energies is where the magic of life happens – and decides the extent of our command and the depth of our grace.

Its our choice to: participate fully and reap the harvest of the soul – or scramble over the rocks, never walking the labyrinth or looking into the abyss, focussed on getting to the end and nothing in between. There will always be a transit, a lesson, an energy pattern to work with. If we are going to race for the finish line, avoiding feeling, participating, exposure, vulnerability and the unknown, how will we learn or evolve.  Our choice. 

When Pluto comes calling - we usually reject his offerings, slamming the door in his face – such is our gratitude for his gifts. Lucky for us he’s patient, strangely addictive and always gets his way – growth for our higher good. This is the medicine that tastes so bad at first – but is oh so good for the system, very very good!  When you recognise him in your world, dive deep, feel your way, hands and knees, to surrender. There is no short cut to your wings.

I witnessed a glimpse on facebook recently – a woman questioned how she felt about how some use positive thinking as a blanket approach and cure-all for life’s every challenge. Within minutes of her comment there was a gaggle of replies from positive thinkers who’d jumped in to rescue her from the peril of her ‘negative’ thinking.

They sounded well intentioned, helpful and supportive – but it felt bossy, reactive and rigid – more like the ‘thought police’ in full flight.

So here’s my ponderings . . .

I think any concept no matter how positive, powerful or widely accepted, can become detrimental when applied without question or discretion.

We are born with a natural and admirable impulse to help others – kiss it all better as quick as we can.

Often this is more about scratching our own itch, than soothing theirs. When we rush to the rescue with our brilliant solutions we’re reacting from our world view of what’s right, rather than collaboratively helping the other to find their own answer and to learn and grow in the process.

Our thoughts are immensely powerful. But is it a positive thing, to rush in with the magic wand of positivity and banish every challenging thought, question or feeling before it’s had a chance to be expressed and explored?

Questioning is part of our innate curiosity and desire to learn, expand our awareness and develop discernment and wisdom. Rather than plodding along the same old track, following the bum of the sheep in front of us.

Feelings are the language of our heart. And isn’t it our heart that we are continually implored to listen to? So is this listening to be conditional? Should we only listen, when the feeling is judged to be positive? Who makes these rules and who decides what’s positive, negative or neutral? Does each feeling mean the same thing to every individual? If not, the policing of what’s negative or positive is even more meaningless. Most of us find with the benefit of hindsight that what we initially experienced as negative, is transformed into a positive, through accepting the situation as a learning curve and working with it.

Are we encouraging a new breed of guilt and shame?

If we set out to banish all ‘negative’ thoughts and feelings as they arise, are we encouraging a new breed of guilt and shame, for those judged as not spiritual or evolved enough to think in this prescribed way? Are we at risk of losing our capacity for self-reflection and our right to ponder?

I love a good ponder, delving into the depths of things. Even more delicious still, when it’s followed by a rant session with other ponderer’s, resplendent with tea, chocolate and all the trimmings.   A wonderful, liberating space of questioning, exploring, expressing and ranting as needed. Positive thinking fans are welcome to join us and share their wisdom too, but any ‘thought police’ antics and their wands will be confiscated!

There’s real value in exploring our true feelings, especially the repetitive ones. If they keep occurring maybe we’re not heeding their message. I think its more positive and beneficial to allow our feelings to rise, good, bad or beautiful. To accept them, not as a permanent state, more as a message from our heart and soul.

Honor yourself by giving your feelings the chance to make their deeper message clear to you. Have you ever wished for more powerful intuition? Feel your feelings and allow them to speak to you, before you judge or dismiss them and watch your intuition soar.

I believe we most certainly do need to acknowledge and work with the power of thought, but not to gloss over the truth of how we’re feeling before we even let ourselves feel it. Not to police our questions before they’ve had a chance to form and inform us and not to shut down other people’s right to question, process and ponder. Thoughts are not absolute truths. We are not here to accept anything blindly, we are here to use everything wisely. All of our resources, inner and outer. Mastery comes with practice, trial and error, reflection, questioning, sharing, exploring our polarities, including concepts of positive and negative.

So my final comment on positive thinking:

For me, the state of mindfulness encompasses the best of positive thinking and leaves room for everything else that arises. That way I’m not setting up resistance and struggle with potentially negative thoughts. I’m allowing all. And I have choice.

I like that, it works for me.

What works for you?

Pluto with his magnetic and powerful pull on global trends for change is now half way through his journey through Capricorn, with the effects becoming increasingly obvious.

Pluto (ruler of Scorpio) – The deep, dark, delicious . He’s the Master of transformation, ruling the infinite cycle of birth, death and rebirth. His energy is felt in deep urges, undercurrents, rumbles and volcanic like eruptions.

The keeper of the unconscious realms, obsessions and compulsions, desire for control and power. He invites us to go deeper, let go of the superficial and surrender to fear and faith. Magnetic, powerful and unstoppable – we often feel trapped in his world – the irony being that our sojourn through darkness is set by our pace not his. His life makeovers happen with or without our cooperation – but, its far more fun if we get with the program, earn our wings and fly with that phoenix out of the ashes.

His sojourn through Capricorn began in 2009 and will complete in 2024. His current mission is as always both global and personal – calling for truth, integrity, honesty and self-responsibility. Assisting us to simplify life, be more practical, resourceful, grounded and aware. Moving us toward global consciousness, compassion and action. Ripping off the mask of corruption, greed, fear and selfishness that has been at the core of many corporate and ruling doctrines.

He’s a truth machine, sees all, forgets nothing and leaves no thing untouched in his path, he’ll show us exactly how we shape our own lives, through our thoughts, desires and intentions. How we make sh*t happen (good or bad). So that rather than acting like helpless drones at the mercy of all things external to us, we accept the power of our own choices and actions – in the face of universal energies that are way bigger than us – and that do indeed make sh*t happen beyond our control.

How we choose to work with these delightful surprises is where the magic of life happens – and decides the extent of our command and the depth of our grace.

When he comes calling – we usually reject his offerings, slamming the door in his face – such is our gratitude for his gifts – Lucky for us he’s patient, strangely addictive and always gets his way – change for our higher good. This is the medicine that tastes so bad on the tongue – but is oh so good for the system, very very good!

As a recovering perfectionist I know the price we pay for ‘waiting for perfect’. It looks all pretty, neat and organised and sounds completely plausible on the outside, but in reality its a dirty little street fight. And our creativity, dreams and joy in life are the prizes that get trampled in the tug-of-war.

Recently, some tendrils of ‘waiting for perfect’ have been rising stealthily from my shadow. Claiming space in my now, stealing little pieces of me, gnawing at my future and consuming greedy gulps of my creative energy.

Enough already. If now isn’t perfect, tomorrow won’t be either.

Every so often, we need a blunt reminder of that. Sitting with it brings a liberating change in perception. Space opens up, time is again our friend and the sun rises again on the horizon of our potential.

No matter what level of chaos, disruption or change our lives are going through, the habit of waiting until ‘it’ is sorted is a big fat illusion. ‘It’ may get sorted, but a new ‘it’ will immediately commence. The drama continues and so does the delay in getting on with what really matters to us.

Well . . . Fffft to that!

My vision, my goals, my core passion, my fun and joy in life are going back to the top of the list. Highest priority!

I like a generous quota of chaos to keep life spicy. Rather, than try to change that, I think its about continuing to feed the flames of what’s important, in the middle of any storm that brews or rages around us. Whatever arises, deal with it, but don’t give it more than it needs or turn away from what you really want in the process. No more habitual ‘making do’ until the changing is done (it never is). Lots more ‘making by doing’ while change flows anyway!

A thought bubbles up . . . can you commit to yourself, to your dreams, to your now and your future? Can you persist . . . gently or fiercely – whatever it takes . . . commit and persist . . . no matter the weather? This is the alchemy of the perfection of now.

Yes! I believe I can!

We hear – consistently – that consistency is key to realising our goals and dreams. Life has proven the truth in this. Even so, I find consistency to be quite a challenge.

I think we need to blend it with our deeper, natural rhythm. Know our authentic needs and allow for them – build them into our consistency rather than try to forcibly delete them. Otherwise we’re aiming for something that feels like perfection and behaves like inner struggle. Which elevates doubt and gnaws at our confidence – both of which gobble up our joy and eat our dreams for breakfast.

Consistent needs to include room for your natural balance, not fight against it.  For me that includes regular time out – from everything (including social media). So, should I worry about the health of my ‘page’? FB tells me to post ‘consistently’ – daily, or I’ll no longer show on my liker’s newsfeed. Many advocate multiple posts per day. Blogging began with a recommended weekly dose in the social media diet. Then bi-weekly, now most experts say do it daily or you’ll be irrelevant and obsolete in our information overloaded world! One recipe fits all? Communicate our way, stay in everyone’s loop all the time . . . or die!

Only a wee example, that mirrors so well the many other streams of advice on how to live life ‘successfully’?

Does this ‘one recipe fits all’ approach resonate with you as consistency? It feels more like an unsophisticated version of mainstream conformity to me (shudder!)

We’re blessed with access to more information than we can ever digest. And I believe that makes it even more important that we consciously filter and think for ourselves in applying all this juicy advice. That we go within and find resonance with our way. To develop and use discernment in finding our own recipe for consistency and every other concept we choose to integrate into our lives.

Anything else is ‘blind obedience’ with roots in fear and lack, isn’t it?

So here’s my addition to the bountiful advice on consistency. Stretch yourself, widen your boundaries, regularly adventure past your fears and limitations, experiment with new concepts and habits. And look beneath the surface to assess their fit in your life before committing your soul to them. When we want to create a new, beneficial and sustainable element in life – its ok to do it gradually and authentically and its ok not to do it by blind adherence to someone else’s mantra (or dogma).

There is much to learn from other’s experience and wisdom. And much to gain by adapting it and making it our own.

Consistency is most powerful – when we are consistently authentic.

There is a serious, practical, careful, cool calm and collected aura to all things Capricorn. Ruled by wise old Saturn, the patient, masterful, thorough teacher and builder of substance and form. Witnessing the Capricorn energy do its organising, manifesting thing is an alchemic experience. Arising from the essence of personal leadership & responsibility, integrity, honesty and commitment. They are the masters of holding the vision and working the process.

The New Moon occurs at the darkest point in her cycle to fullness, and is the time for planting seeds, making wishes and setting intentions. The most powerful way to do this is by focussing on the aspects of life that are most influenced by the sign – Capricorn this month, therefore Aquarius next month etc.

In the here and now, if you’ve left all you’re silly season jobs til the last minute Ms Capricorn Moon will be your saviour!  Taking a longer range view into the new year, she is the Queen of clarity, focus and putting plans into action – make your wishes for personal goals, career, business, happiness and success on your terms. Write them down, by hand. Over the coming months you’ll be boosted in that direction, trust that whatever arises on the way is exactly what is needed to manifest your desires.

Relationships & love This is a potent time, outbursts of all types may erupt within and around. Try not to ‘make it’ or ‘take it’ personally – we must express and clear the old stuff. Let love (real unconditional, honest, tough, forgiving) love show you the way.

Happy New Moon to all!

But wait there’s more . . . the blood and guts version . . .

Also in Capricorn are Sun (essence, will) + Mercury (mind, communication) + Pluto (power, transformation) + Venus (love, desire). Being challenged by Uranus in Aries – Mr Unexpected Change + Mr Urgent Action needed, with no looking back, makes for a potent recipe of pressure to change, move forward and leave the old chains, pains, fears and limiting beliefs of the past behind. This is a culmination of the karmic squeeze that’s been ebbing and flowing for us personally and globally since 2009 and will have its final dose in March 2015. This is the stuff that revolution is made of.

Pluto is the slow, relentless, unseen God of change. His action can feel like that of a mud-raker, both the creator and destroyer (birth-death-rebirth). He wants to bring every dark aspect of our personal and collective psyche into view – insisting on integration and humanity’s slow and thorough overall toward a global community that is fair, honest, resourceful, simple, abundant and utterly responsible to self, others and nature. A huge mission to flush us of fear, self absorption and unconscious behaviour.

Neptune and Chiron in super sensitive Pisces sitting in the middle of Pluto and Uranus, has aided many of us, to dream or anaethetise our way through the rough patches. Though if we’ve lost ourselves in the mists, the direct bolt of energy that’s coming up may be a little shocking.

Uranus  is the ruler of the higher mind, the innovator, rebel and all time leader of change. In Aries he is a sudden awakener and freedom warrior wanting to crack us open and catapult us into a new state of consciousness. This combination is outstanding in its impatience and swiftness.

Uranus is moving into direct motion again having been retrograde since July.  Moving forward, changing – no turning back.

So we’ll get a powerful energy surge pushing everything up to the surface again. Like a massive popcorn explosion. There’s likely to be a few psychotic kernels in the mix, for whom the sudden pressure overexpands the unresolved patterns with a very messy ‘pop’ – even that is an opportunity for change and breakthrough. These are heady, high voltage times full of potential, vision, ideas, emotions and expectation. Exciting and anxiety provoking. Enjoy the fireworks. Breathe deeply and try to stay a little grounded.

Relationships & love A potent time, outbursts of all types may erupt within and around. Try not to ‘make it’ or ‘take it’ personally – we must express and clear the old stuff, to make way for new ground.  It may be hard to take and even harder to not jump in and try to shortcut and fix it for others.  Take time to allow the heat and sting to dissolve a little before reacting, if you can. Let love (real unconditional, honest, tough, forgiving love) show you the way.

Christmas Day Ms Moon will have moved into Aquarius, bringing her less attached, eccentricity into the mix. Urging us to let go and enjoy what comes. Less expectation, more spontaneity and you’ll have the best day.

Much love to all

Leonie