by Linda Kaye | Nov 14, 2023 | 2023, Current Astro News, News
December 12, 2023 – January 1, 2024
(8°29′ Capricorn to 22°10′ Sagittarius)
Pre-shadow period occurs November 25 – December 12
Mercury turns Retrograde on Dec. 12 at 11:09 p.m.* (8°29′ Capricorn)
Stations Direct on January 1 at 7:08 p.m. (22°10′ Sagittarius)
Post-shadow occurs from January 1 – 20, 2024
In general, Mercury is the planet that astrologically represents travel, communication, and our thought processes. Known as the Messenger of the Gods, Mercury’s role is to speedily deliver clear and precise information. Retrograding 3–4 times a year, when the planetary trickster strikes, many of our daily activities go haywire.
Mercury rules electronics and is often blamed for all types of technical mishaps with cell phones, electric devices, and computers — warranting an important time to back up your computer files. In general terms, machines of all kinds tend to act strangely and take on a Murphy’s Law theme.
Remain flexible and prepare for delays and miscommunications of all kinds. It is best to avoid signing any contractual agreements as matters begun during Mercury retrograde periods tend to take unexpected twists and turns in the future. During Mercury retrograde periods we often find ourselves revisiting past projects or situations that, once again, need our attention. It is also a time period, however, when we often hear from, or feel compelled to reach out to old friends or lovers whom we haven’t spoken to in some time.
Although Mercury retrograde periods can seem frustrating, they often provide opportunities to review or finish up old projects, contact old friends, or clean out the closet and garage. Mercury retrograde periods are an opportune time for introspection and deep thought, especially a couple of days directly before and after the exact retrograde day occurs.
Note: Planets do not actually move backwards (retrograde). A retrograding planet is the result of an optical illusion per its orbital relative speed from our point of view on Earth.
*Pacific time used throughout
Previous 2023 Retrograde Periods
December 29 – January 18, 2023
(24°21′ Capricorn to 8°08′ Capricorn)
Pre-shadow period occurs December 12 – December 28
Mercury Retrogrades on December 29 at 1:32 a.m. (24°21′ Capricorn)
Mercury Stations Direct on January 18, 2023, at 5:12 a.m. (8°08′ Capricorn)
Post-shadow occurs from January 18 – February 6
~~~
April 21 – May 14
(15°37′ Taurus to 5°50′ Taurus)
Pre-shadow period occurs April 7 – 21
Mercury turns retrograde on April 21 at 1:35 p.m.* (15°37′ Taurus)
Stations direct on May 14 at 8:17 p.m. (5°50′ Taurus)
Post-shadow occurs from May 14 – 31
~~~
August 23 – September 15
(21°51′ Virgo to 8°00′ Virgo)
Pre-shadow period occurs August 3 – 23
Mercury turns Retrograde on August 23 at 1:00 p.m.* (21°51′ Virgo)
Stations direct on September 15 at 1:21 p.m. (8°00′ Virgo)
Post-shadow occurs from September 15 – 29
© 2023 by Linda Kaye
by Linda Kaye | Nov 4, 2023 | 2023, Uncategorized
*pacific time used throughout
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Jan 6
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Full Moon
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16° Cancer
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3:06 pm
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Jan 21
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New Moon
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1°32 Aquarius
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12:52 pm
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Feb 5
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Full Moon
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16°40 Leo
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10:27 am
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Feb 19
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New Moon
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1°21 Pisces
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11:04 pm
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Mar 7
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Full Moon
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16°40 Virgo
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4:40 am
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Mar 21
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New Moon
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0°49 Aries
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10:22 am PDT
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Apr 5
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Full Moon
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16°07 Libra
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9:34 pm
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Apr 19
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Solar NM Eclipse
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29°50 Aries
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9:12 pm
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May 5
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Lunar FM Eclipse
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14°58 Scorpio
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9:33 am
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May 19
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New Moon
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28° Taurus
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8:52 am
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Jun 3
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Full Moon
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13° Sagittarius
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8:40 am
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Jun 17
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New Moon
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26°43 Gemini
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9:37 pm
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Jul 3
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Full Moon
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11°18 Capricorn
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4:38 am
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Jul 17
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New Moon
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24°56 Cancer
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11:32 am
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Aug 1
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Full Moon
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9°15 Aquarius
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11:31 am
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Aug 16
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New Moon
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23°17 Leo
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2:38 pm
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Aug 30
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Full Moon
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7°25 Pisces
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6:36 pm
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Sep 14
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New Moon
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21°58 Virgo
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6:39 pm
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Sep 29
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Full Moon
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6°00 Aries
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2:57 am
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Oct 14
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Solar NM Eclipse
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21°07 Libra
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9:54 am
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Oct 28
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Lunar FM Eclipse
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5°09 Taurus
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12:23 pm
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Nov 13
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New Moon
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20°43 Scorpio
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1:26 am PST
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Nov 27
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Full Moon
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4°51 Gemini
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1:16 am
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Dec 12
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New Moon
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20°40 Sagittarius
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3:31 pm
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Dec 26
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Full Moon
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4°58 Cancer
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4:33 pm
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Related Article:
The Sun–Moon Lunation Cycle
by Linda Kaye | Nov 3, 2023 | 2023
Dates & Times
SOLAR — April 19 (Wed)
29°50′ Aries – 8:12 p.m.
TOTAL LUNAR — May 5, 2023 (Fri)
14°58′ Scorpio – 9:33 a.m.
~ ~ ~
SOLAR — October 14, 2023 (Sat)
21°07′ Libra – 9:54 a.m.
LUNAR — October 28, 2023 (Sat)
5°09′ Taurus – 12:23 p.m.
Note: Above times are based on pacific time.
2023 has two Solar and two Lunar Eclipses. These four Eclipses, along with several other important astrological events throughout the year, are portending more of the same: change! 2023 is destined to be a time of great import, with major shifts occurring on both the individual as well as the collective level. Watch for upcoming 2023 Eclipse details in my newsletter.
A Solar Eclipse occurs when the Moon travels between the Sun and the Earth and Lunar Eclipses occur when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon. Lunar Eclipses occur during a Full Moon about two weeks before or after a Solar Eclipse (New Moon).
Eclipses are potent celestial events because they imbue our psyches with the essence and spirit of “a great mystery.” Humankind has long been captivated by Eclipses and their cosmic potential of revelatory happenings. Eclipses provide us with an opportunity to uncover areas of our life that were previously hidden and need our attention.
During an Eclipse the Sun and the Moon align with the nodes of the Moon, which astrologers often characterize as “Points of Destiny,” and therefore correlating the nodes with both our individual and collective growth. Solar Eclipses, in particular, provide opportunities for transformation — the ending of an old cycle and the beginning of a new one. At an Eclipse, you can initiate a profound period of regeneration by aligning with your destiny and embracing any necessary changes that arise.
The darkening that occurs during an Eclipse has symbolically and historically been linked to the unveiling of something deeply hidden, an ominous secret, or the potential revelation of a great mystery.
Because Eclipses can be harbingers of great transformation and change they often coincide with unexpected earth events, stock market fluctuations, and political upheavals. On a personal note, emotions can become intense if they’ve been denied or repressed. New and important experiences or people can suddenly come into your life, and simultaneously, others may be removed. In general, changes are prevalent during Eclipses, so try to remain flexible and try not to judge anything that occurs as good or bad.
The ancient sages felt that the days just before and after Eclipses were a time for meditation and learning; a special time to honor the spiritual aspects of your life. Try to keep your schedule light, remain internally focused, eat only pure foods, and do not consume alcohol. The veil between Earth and the heavens is thinner during an Eclipse, allowing you to more easily connect to the eternal universal wisdom that is your divine essence.
© 2023 by Linda Kaye
by Linda Kaye | Sep 13, 2023 | 2023, Current Astro News, News
21°58′ Virgo
Thursday, September 14, 2023
6:39 p.m. pacific time
New Moons occur in the first phase of the 28-day lunation cycle, signifying an ideal time to apply a new focused direction in our life. Each New Moon brings a special gift of energetic wisdom based on the zodiac sign in which it occurs. The holistic unification and purification of our body, mind, and spirit is Virgo’s most important offering. Among other significations, is Virgo’s need for a meaningful vocation, to be in service to others, and health and healing.
Mercury, the ruling planet of this New Moon, is also in Virgo where it is notably at the end of its three-week retrograde cycle. As it standstills and prepares to turn direct on September 15, Mercury is emphasizing the closing of a chapter and, like this New Moon, the beginning of a new one.
Additionally, this lunation is aspecting both transformative Pluto and liberating Uranus. Combine these with Virgo’s need for body-mind-spirit unity and its desire for a meaningful vocation, and a healthy life, we might want to contemplate the following questions:
- Is my attachment to the status quo sabotaging my ability to make needed changes?
- Has my desire to be in service created burnout and/or ill-health?
- Are my thoughts (Mercury) supporting or hindering me?
- How could a deeper connection between my body-mind-spirit create transformative liberation in my life?
Neglecting any one of Virgo’s holy trinity — body-mind-spirit — can lead to inner and/or external crises. If a crisis does occur and is interpreted as something happening to us, it can lead to confusion and feelings of victimization, yet another key Virgo theme.
Take time during the peak days/hours of this New Moon (Sept. 14 –18) to feel into which chapters of your life are now complete and where you would like more movement and freedom to move into a new direction. Set intentions for future growth that can sprout when the Sun’s light is once again reflected at the Full Moon.
A Virgo New Moon is optimal for reevaluating your nutritional requirements, thought processes, and spiritual needs. To be gentle, kind, and loving to yourself and try not to belabor details, overanalyze, or become too critical, especially of yourself.
Virgo Key Words: analyzation, discriminate, perfection, daily work, guilt, atonement, purification of body–mind–spirit, innocence, giving and assisting, humility, mental constructs, victimization, devotion. Body: intestines, nervous system, hands
Related Article:
The Sun–Moon Lunation Cycle
© 2023 by Linda Kaye
by Linda Kaye | Aug 28, 2023 | 2023, Current Astro News, News
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
6:36 p.m. pacific time
7°25′ Pisces
Some people believe holding on and hanging in there are signs of great
strength. However, there are times when it takes much more strength
to know when to let go and then do it. ― Ann Landers
The rare combination of both a Super and Blue Full Moon occurring simultaneously only occurs every 10–20 years. The last Blue Supermoon occurred in December 2009 and the next one will appear in August 2032.
A Full Moon is deemed blue not because of color, but due to the rarity of occurrence — hence, the popular slogan “once in a blue moon.”1 Taking place every two to three years, the most recent Blue Moon happened in August of 2021.
Out of the current four consecutive Supermoons, this one is the third and closest to Earth.2 Due to their closer proximity, Supermoons are energetically more potent, and I’m sure you’re feeling it! Furthermore, this current Supermoon is closely aligned with the planet, Saturn, also in Pisces.
Astrologically, Saturn is associated with maturation, responsibility, and the cycles of time. Saturn’s gifts are many, but one of the most important is the recognition of the seasons within our lives. This recognition allows us to know when the time has come to surrender and let go (Pisces) of that which is no longer serving us so we can step into a new cycle.
Also intensifying the power of this lunation is Venus retrograde in Leo and Mercury retrograde in Virgo: Venus through September 3 and Mercury through September 15. Venus retrograde in Leo is encouraging us to re-visit our deepest heart-felt values and Mercury’s retrogration in Virgo will offer opportunities for contemplation — especially in regard to our mentality (Mercury) and how it effects our day-to-day reality.
Pisces, the mystical-cosmic sign that this lunation occurs, represents the unending quest of humankind’s desire to merge with divine. This Piscean search for union can permeate our waking and dreaming reality. Additionally, while the Moon is in Pisces, your personal waking world may feel dreamy and surreal. This is because the veils between the earthly and spirit realms become very thin when we are under the divine influence of Pisces, creating an auspicious time to seek and merge with the sacredness of your divine nature.
Lastly, Pisces is the final sign of the zodiac and can encourage culmination in one or more areas of your life. The Moon’s alignment with Saturn in Pisces is asking us to heal and relinquish patterns associated with old ways of being. Therefore, even the most difficult culminations will serve your highest good as they simultaneously prevent unnecessary suffering caused by the resistance change. Embrace and honor the wisdom of fluidity that this rare Blue Supermoon is granting and dream exciting new visions into your future.
Pisces & Full Moon Key Words: dreams, mysticism, healing, faith/trust, guilt, mundane cycles of time versus cosmic time, desires, addictions, deception, ideals/idealism, disillusionment, loss of meaning, intuition, suffering, healing, flexibility, culmination of an entire evolutionary cycle, union with divine
Notes:
1. Based on the 29.5-day orbit of the Moon, monthly Blue Moons occur when there are two Full Moons in the same month. There are also seasonal Blue Moons, which are deemed such when four Full Moons take place in one season. 2023 has two Full Moons in the month of August — the 1st and 30th — with the second of the two marking the current Blue Moon.
2. The technical astronomical term for a Supermoon is perigee Full Moon — with four occurring in 2023: July 3, August 1, August 30, and September 29. Supermoons happen when the Full Moon is at its closest point to Earth. Because of their closer proximity, they can appear as much as 14% larger and 30% brighter to our eyes than normal Full Moons.
Related Articles
Intimacy and Venus Retrograde
Mercury Retrograde in Virgo
The Sun–Moon Lunation Cycle
© 2023 by Linda Kaye
