astrology & you poetryman: daybreak

Astrology & You

THETHE POETRYPOETRY MANMAN

By Frank Fratoe Daybreak: Daybreak: Form and Essence Form and Essence

. It is not easy to describe literally the form of things and at the very same time capture their inner-essence.

But we should never give up no matter how futile it is when haze obscures the light just before morning ascends.

And we look to the dimness hoping sunrise could reveal in one more impatient-hour all objects hidden from us.

Yet birches near my window that are part of the Oneness soon will emerge separately shining inward on their own.

Frank Fratoe lives & writes in the city.he loves.

minding your moon

On these summer nights it is truly a balm for the soul to sit out under the night sky, soaking up the star light. The temps are usually cooler after the Sun sets and on these sweltering days the Moon seems a kinder, gentler luminary. And if you are feeling introspective it is a way to deepen focus on the symbolic energies of the various astrological signs. Do you know what sign your birth moon is in? (you can calculate your moon sign at www.lunarium.co.uk) The Moon represents our unconscious nature, where we need to feel nurturing, to be comforted, where we feel and experience emotions. The Moon rules the sign of Cancer and is watery and receptive. In psychological astrology, we see the Moon as typically representing our mother (but could also be father) or the archetypal mothering energies we embody based upon our family of origin experience. According to evolutionary astrologer Steven Forrest, below is a broad overview of each Moon sign and their respective needs for selfcare and healing: Aries: Regular adventures involving conquest of fear; courage; capacity to claim one's rights Taurus: Attunement to the Inner Animal Wisdom; grounding, calming, centering, stability, and comfort Gemini: Fresh conversation and experience; stimulation, novelty, surprise, and finding one's own voice Cancer: Silent, soulful hours, alone and with dear ones; safety; quiet; home

Leo: Free-flowing creativity before the right audience; appreciation and attention; self-expression Virgo: Finding work that matters; balancing self-love with endless effort; selfimprovement Libra: Relationship skills; choosing the right partners; valuing aesthetics; serenity; release of tension Scorpio: Facing inner and interpersonal fears; honest connection with strong emotion; digging deep Sagittarius: To treat boredom and predictability as Cardinal Sins; broad experience turned into meaning Capricorn: Worthy work; the discipline of spontaneity; integrity and great works; achievement; respect Aquarius: Individuation; gathering experience outside consensual reality; free thought and action Pisces: Meditative, trance-time; anything that supports the visionary imagination; surrender to spirit All of us experience a lunar return every month, as the Moon completes her cycle every 27.33 days. What is a lunar return? It is a period of several days where the Moon is passing through the sign that it occupied at the time of our birth. So, meditating under dearest Luna during our monthly return can help us make sure we are on track regarding our most personal needs, honoring our feelings, nurturing ourselves. Rituals lend themselves to cyclic things, so get creative. Light the candles, build the bonfire, cue up the music and utilize the sign of the Moon to dive into the healing pool of moonlight. Now, here is a look at the astrological influences for August: August 1: Mercury Cazimi at 10:20 AM (see March 2020 issue of Front Porch for a detailed explanation of cazimi). Mercury and the Sun are exactly conjunct at 9 degrees of Leo. Wow! Lots of energy for passionate self-expression, creativity, amusement parks, or performances. At the same time, Merc's opposition to Saturn in Aquarius could put a slow-down to projects, giving time to re-think or to be a bit more cautious. August 8: New Moon in Leo at 9:51 AM. Ask: Can I build on my ability to express my creativity? What aspect of selfexpression would I like to grow? What is my true audience, the one that 'gets' me and appreciates me unconditionally ? August 11: Mercury enters the sign of Virgo, bringing us down to earth, giving us the nudge to be practical, efficient. If you are a writer, this is an excellent time to hone your skills and put pen to paper. August 16: Venus enters Libra. Listen…What is your heart calling out for? Heed the call! Harmony, grace, and aesthetics are some of the attributes of this combination. August 19: Uranus stations retrograde at 14 degrees of Taurus. Retrograde can slow us down, review, rethink. Uranus in Taurus might be interpreted as material values-could be money, possessions, the earth and nature, or our own self-worth. Where is our attention being called? August 23: The Sun enters Virgo AND we have the second full Moon in Aquarius. I am thinking this could be a great time for us all to focus on humanitarian issues. The collective is calling for some TLC. Where can you make a difference in your neighborhood, your community, your town, your world? Be a rebel and refuse to accept the status quo. There are so many causes that could use a champion these days. Maybe you just might go out there and make a difference. August 30: Mercury enters Libra. Let's have a talk! This energy favors either written or verbal communication, thinking about the aesthetics in your environment, and artistic/creative activities. Let the waters settle and you will see the moon and the stars mirrored in your own being. Rumi

By Dianne Bachman

Diane Bachman is a psychotherapist & astroger practicing in FXBG. She can be reached at dbachmanlcsw@gmail ..com “Starry Night”, Vincent van Gogh