Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Solar winds

I've been watching the daily solar wind speed on SpaceWeather.com for about a year now. Usually a few times a month, the image of the Sun toward the bottom of the page will show a coronal hole, and they will include a prediction of when the solar wind from that hole will reach Earth -- usually five to six days later.

My interest in this started because of reading that the solar winds reaching Earth are how we physically receive some of the energy shifts that we've been feeling, and how new information is broadcast to us as well. It's been interesting to monitor the wind speed (shown at the top left of the main page of the site) and see what corresponds energetically.

It's always amazing to see the aurora borealis that appear when the solar winds reach our atmosphere, too. Amateur photographers around the world send their photos of all kinds of cosmic events to the SpaceWeather site, and the photos of the auroras are usually breathtaking.

So, why am I bringing this up now?

Because today I read this under the photo of the Sun:

"Several holes have opened up in the sun's corona. A solar wind stream flowing from two of them could reach Earth as early as August 28th."

This is the first time I've seen more than one hole opening at a time -- and today there are several. It will be interesting to see what effects we feel. Certainly the auroras should be spectacular.

They're not always correct in their predictions about the exact day the solar winds will arrive. "As early as August 28th" could mean a day or two later.

Right now the solar wind is 356 km/second. The lowest I've seen was in the high 200s. The highest I've seen was in the high 600s.

The 28th is Friday, when Venus and Mercury form a nice, friendly sextile and help us soothe ruffled feathers from earlier in the week. There are no other major aspects between the planets for several days, so it will be interesting to see how the solar winds feel in that clear field.

I'll keep on eye on the site and add comments to this posting periodically. Or check it out yourself at http://spaceweather.com/.

Friday, August 21, 2009

The good, the bad, and... the unexpected

I was just about to start a post tonight, when Butterphly11 sent in her note (see her comment on my "Creativity and focus" posting). Part of what she wrote was right in keeping with what I was thinking about -- perfect synchronicity!

I wanted to share a quote from the book I'm reading (Family of Light by Barbara Marciniak), that I feel we could all use right now:

"Your great solution, no matter what is occurring, is to love yourself and vibrate that frequency outside yourself. Doing so will allow many doors to open, and likewise many unwanted probabilities will simply pass you by, like a bird on the wing."

When we go through challenging times, it's so easy to get caught in the negative emotions of either guilt or blame -- because certainly we or they should be better than this, right? As I mentioned in my response to Butterphly11's post, I've had my own share of both today, and I'm feeling pretty tired of it tonight.

Uranus is opposing Mercury today, so perhaps we find some answers there. It's common for accidents and arguments to happen when this type of aspect is in effect. Mercury rules both communication and transportation, since both are ways to connect. Uranus brings in the energy of the "unexpected," as well as a good amount of electricity that can cause misfiring of the neural pathways. Maybe that's why my brain and what came out my mouth went a bit haywire today -- and why Butterphly11 had her own mishap.

So, in addition to this being a lesson in learning to love ourselves -- even when we're not perfect -- there's no doubt some other messages as well. This is, after all, a Uranus-Mercury aspect, which means the higher mind is meant to be engaged.

Mercury is in Virgo right now -- the sign of the perfectionist. Our criticalness is heightened right now, which means any small misstep we take we are likely to interpret as a major issue, and symptomatic of something very wrong with us. It is equally true that we may see others' missteps in the same light.

Uranus in Pisces opposes Mercury today, showing us that there's an opposite perspective to consider. Pisces is all about compassion and understanding, and unconditional love -- for others AND for ourselves.

So this is the message from our higher minds tonight. To forgive ourselves and others for the very humanness of our natures and our experience. And to realize that as "spiritual" as we may be, we are still navigating a very physical and very interactive world, and there are bound to be mistakes made. The key here is to take the Pisces route, to let go of what has occurred, and to wake up tomorrow morning with a fresh perspective.

And to remember Barbara Marciniak's channeled wisdom -- that our best solution is always to love ourselves and to vibrate that frequency both within us and around us.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Creativity and focus

We're in a powerful few days, fueled by the New Moon in late degrees of Leo, the sign known for creative self-expression. Now is the time to dream the big dream, to plant the seed of possibility, to ponder the "what-ifs" that bring us joy, and not worry so much about how or when.

The Sun enters Virgo late in the day on Saturday (4:39pm PDT), shifting the focus into the more practical world, and helping us begin to conceptualize and plan how to bring our creative dreams into reality.

The entire weekend actually looks to be full of potential, with a Uranus-Venus trine on Saturday invigorating our relationships and our ability to connect at a heart level with others. Then, on Sunday, Pluto trines the Sun, empowering us to take that next step in creating a more perfect world.

Take this opportunity to stabilize your craft and set your sails for the direction you want to go. Next week there may be some choppy seas as a T-square involving Pluto, Mars and Mercury becomes exact on Wednesday. It will help us navigate those seas if we are able to visualize the eventual destination and hold a broader/higher perspective, which understands that storms are sometimes part of the journey.

And if we get blown "off-course," who knows -- maybe we'll end up on the magical South Sea island where all our dreams actually can come true.

Friday, August 14, 2009

The Triad speaks

The trine from the Triad (the Neptune, Chiron, Jupiter conjunction) to Mars began midweek, and now that energy wave is amplified by the opposition from the Triad to the Sun. This means that the higher frequency represented by the Triad in Aquarius is being integrated into our own energy systems on multiple levels, impacting our drive and desires (Mars) and our understanding of who we are (Sun).

It's been a while since we've talked in depth about the Triad energy and intention, so a brief refresher: Neptune is dissolving the boundaries between people and between dimensions; Chiron is awakening and healing the wound of separation; and Jupiter is amplifying our understanding that there is a broader intention to our lives, and a greater meaning.

This energy has been with us now almost four months, and it continues to open doorways into a new understanding of what it is to be inhabiting a human body at this time of great change. Many are experiencing greater awareness of other dimensions, through dreams or through waking experience. Synchronicities, those reminders that there is intention to our lives and to the universe, are increasing on a daily basis. There's also an odd but pleasant feeling of floating, and the continued need to rest, rest, rest.

This wave of energy will be with us through Monday, August 17, when the Neptune-Sun opposition is exact. The more we can open to the expansiveness and compassion that is available now, the more easily we will navigate the coming week -- which may bring some interesting and unexpected changes with the Uranus-Mars square on Tuesday and the Super New Moon on Thursday.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Ahhhh....

Finally, the dust has settled and the skies seem much clearer than they have for weeks.

The infusion of energy with last week's Lunar Eclipse was enormous and quite profound. Yesterday was the first day I felt and saw the light that was promised on the other side of the tunnel we entered last week. And based on how it feels and looks from here, the tunnel was worth it.

Adequate rest seems to be very important now. Holding this higher vibration is easier in the morning hours. You may notice that buoyancy of heart and step comes more readily early in the day. As we get into the afternoon and evening hours, we become increasingly aware of the physical body's need to restore itself through sleep. Last night after dinner I went to lie down to take a nap at about 7pm, and fell sound asleep, finally getting up at 11:30pm to "officially" go to bed.

In some ways, it looks like the same world. But in substantial ways, it feels very different internally. And that's the key to the castle door, is it not?

Friday, August 7, 2009

And the aftermath

For Wednesday's Lunar Eclipse being only a partial eclipse, it seems to have packed a whallop.

Thursday I felt sleepy all day, by afternoon barely being able to keep my eyes propped open, and feeling lightheaded all evening. Today's much the same, with very little focusing power.

It seems to be true that when the frequency on the planet is raised, it takes a while for our physical bodies to adjust. And yet, not everyone feels these things, which always raises the question, Why?

It may be that clues can be found in our astrological charts. Wednesday's eclipse was square my Mercury, so the corresponding fogginess and lack of brain power makes sense, since Mercury represents our logical thought processes.

And, since that Sabian symbol for the eclipse had to do with entering a tunnel, perhaps symbolically that is what is occurring. Our senses take a while to adjust when we enter a tunnel -- we can't see clearly because the light is dimmed, every sound has a little echo attached, even the air feels different to our skin and our lungs. Depending on how long this particular tunnel is, our senses will either adjust rather quickly, or we'll soon be emerging out the other side into the bright sunlight again.

In the meantime, a good snooze may be the best solution! We do a lot of assimilating of new information while we're asleep, and our physical bodies are able to recover more readily, too.

I've just convinced myself... Time for a nap.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Anticipation and intention

With tomorrow's Lunar Eclipse less than 24 hours away, already the other-worldly feeling has become predominant. The beginnings of this shift actually began yesterday (Monday), with an emergence from the tension of the previous days as we released the patterns represented therein.

Rational thought takes a backseat during such times of energy shift. The brain feels foggy, the heart takes precedence. There may not be much of a practical nature accomplished over the next few days, when what can potentially be achieved of a spiritual nature is paramount.

The Sabian symbol for tomorrow's eclipse, "A train entering a tunnel," fills us great expectations. We imagine the tunnel to have the qualities of a worm hole in space, transporting us magically to another reality. And while the rational mind doubts this possibility, who is to say what opportunities are before us?

I am in the middle of reading another Barbara Marciniak book, and am appreciating her suggestions for statements of intention. Making these kinds of statements during tomorrow's eclipse, to focus the direction of our journey, will be especially powerful.

Imagine that once having entered the tunnel, the place where you emerge will be decided by what intentions you hold firmly within your mind and heart. This is a powerful time indeed.

Here are a few of my favorites from Marciniak's book:

As a request: "Spirit, I am wishing to be employed by you. Put me to work and show me what I can do. Give me the opportunity to live my life, to speak my truth, and to carry this light around the globe."

To raise our frequency: "Use the pillar of light. Visualize a pillar of light coming in through the top of your head, opening your crown, and filling your body with light. Picture this cosmic pillar of light coming from the higher cosmos, filling you, and then coming out your solar plexus and making a ball of light around your body so that you exist within a glowing etheric egg."

As a statement of intention: "I want to accelerate my personal evolution. I want Spirit to assist me in a greater capacity. I want my body to regenerate itself. I am willing to give up difficulty so I can be a living example of what humanity can be."

The Lunar Eclipse is exact tomorrow (Wednesday, August 5) at 5:55pm PDT.

See you on the other side!

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Pluto strikes again

I don't know about anyone else, but today's Pluto-Venus opposition is definitely making itself known, and not in ways that feel particularly good. Perhaps it's because Venus is quite strong in my chart -- ruler of my Sun (Taurus) and also ruler of my Ascendant (Libra), plus being in mutual reception with my Mercury, so strongly influencing my thinking patterns.

I just picked up my new issue of The Mountain Astrologer to read the forecast for today, looking for a bit of grounding. Here's what it says about the Pluto-Venus opposition today:

"Sweet Venus in caring Cancer meets the Big Bad Wolf of Plutonian desire, manipulation, and control. Unease in relationships may cause withdrawal and resentment. Yet, partnered or single, we can use this time to face the dark fears of dissatisfaction and rejection with tender care for our wounds and total commitment to change. The pendulum is ready to swing us away from our insecurities and toward deeper fulfillment."

I must say that "the dark fears of dissatisfaction" and the accompanying insecurities are definitely in my face today! But I'm also well aware that part of the healing is compassion for self and the willingness to accept the dark along with the light -- a very Plutonian lesson.

Hopefully, since Mercury enters Virgo tomorrow (Sunday) and Pluto trines Mercury on Monday, we'll soon be able to take a step back from the emotional complexity of our feelings and to wrap our minds around the larger lessons. Virgo is very adept at analyzing and knowing what needs to be done for healing to take place. And with Pluto in Capricorn in positive aspect to Mercury, we should be able to use Capricorn's objectivity as a helpful tool rather than as an instrument of torture!