(c) 2008 by Misty Day, C.A.P.

Timesmithing Lunation Column for July, 2008 The New Moon occurs July 2, 2008 at 7:18 p.m. PDT in the SoCal area, conjunct the newly promoted dwarf planet, Ceres, in Cancer. The mother principle is being released into the world soul to provide what is needed for security and comfort. This lunation is especially sensitive to feelings, with a strong emphasis upon memories of the past, history, tradition, and filial devotion -- perfect for the 4th of July Holiday. Spend time with parents and children if you have them. The more you cherish them the stronger trust bonds become. Ceres' rulership over agriculture and ecology will bring great strides in those areas. Those concerned with the condition of the oceans will have alignment from celestial sources to empower their causes. If your source of income has to do with real estate, politics, water, ocean-related endeavors, food or domestic items, now is a time to seed new projects and set things in motion for future fulfillment. Since the Sun and Moon are configured with the Vernal Point, close relationships, especially between spouses, or relationships between parents and children, may come into the public eye. Seek publicity, call the press. Let your needs and cherished values be known far and wide. Creative ideas, public speaking and conversations about beginning things are especially favored. The Sun-Moon degree symbol is: **An oriental person nursing a baby haloed by a divine light.** A special person with a message. The promise to us all that God may take birth within our realm of experience. Personality integration. Illumination. The manifestation of the divine within one's own soul. Protectiveness, cherishing, nourishment. Venus closely opposes Jupiter, emphasizing joy and hedonism. Make sure you can afford to keep extravagant promises and that dramatic gestures are sincere and from the heart. Love is in the air if you are realistic and can remember to be tactful and protective instead of just spontaneous and playful. Try not to overindulge, overdress or show off too much; with moderation you can still have a good time. The tendency may be to spend or eat too much; in business you may hope for more than is readily available. Philosophical discussions about life, politics and love may have a lofty or pretentious overtone. Mercury trine the SoCal Midheaven is exceptional for business, public speaking, teaching, studies, writing, travel, communications, and creative handling of little details and information. Mars trine the SoCal Ascendant in earth signs marks smooth, effective action, especially in partnership, competition, or assertions as well as mechanical, engineering and mathematical ability employed in/accomplishment. Rugged, but enjoyable conditions. Personal power. Bold appearance. Strength of character. Positive and effective solutions. Hard physical activity or labor, sports, skillful use of tools. The Full Moon occurs July 18, 2008 at 0:58 a.m. PDT in the SoCal area, very close to the Midheaven in Cancer and Capricorn. Again, family history or the history of your culture may deepen in significance, particularly with regard to the stabilization of peace and security. Attend to duty, make and keep authentic promises, and keep safety and comfort of self and others foremost. This is not a time to "play with dice", metaphorically speaking. A conservative tendency may affect purse strings and budgeting. This can be a turning point in home and career matters, especially for those with planets around the 27th degree. Midpoints and clusters show a delightful opportunity for energizing spiritual and ethical ideals, with technical know-how, intuition, innovation, invention, networking and group activities, astrology or psychic phenomena coming to the fore. Film, television, and radio broadcasting are potentials, so seek publicity for your favorite cause or social reform issues. If change seems immanent, focus on enlightenment and humanitarian values, and enroll friends and associates in your projects. Now is the time for manifestation of genius and inspiration, progressive and popular ideologies, technical and scientific knowledge, and advertising, particularly for Light-Bearers. Feeling the potential for freedom and self-expression, people may seek expression in alternative lifestyle mode (watch out for unworkable anomalies...). Mars again trines the SoCal Ascendant in earth signs, and initiative and courage expressed with daring and forethought in financial and material concerns are likely to succeed. Venus sesquares Uranus, so be forewarned - relationships may undergo sudden change. Don't throw out the baby with the bathwater, but if a loved one unexpectedly acts like a friend who "needs some space", see what you can do to accommodate that. New love affairs or friendships may be exciting but in some way uncomfortable or not a tight fit, so wait a while before making a commitment. The Sun's degree symbol is: *A lively rainstorm courses through a residential canyon.** Intensification of elements necessary to arouse latent possibilities. Rising to the occasion. A descent of cosmic power. Extraordinary ideas influence the course of ordinary life. The Moon's degree symbol is: **People climb a sacred peak: below, there is the world. Above, there is peace.** Necessary linking of above and below in the seeker's personal experience. Balanced dualism of subjective and objective life. To be inspired by heaven to bring peace to civilization. Transcendent retreats for meditation, contemplation, reverie, creative preparation/expression, healing, study. Midpoints and clusters show industrious perseverance in systematic and duty conscious work endeavors, potential for increased productivity especially in new projects or assignments, restructuring related to the beginning or ending of endeavors or projects. Also, to solve historical or causal problems through change, delay or postponement, to tackle new projects or problems head-on with a view to tranformative change.

Comets Here is a little bit about the astrological influence of comets. They are considered to be messengers from another realm, bringing new information to our solar system, qualified by the sign/degree/house position through which we experience them, like a lens. The degree symbol is pertinent, and in this case, the degree of the comet-Sun conjunction. That degree will be important in coming years, so you might want to make a note of it (see below) and see where it appears in your chart and what are the aspects to it. "On January 13, 2007, Comet McNaught [lay] just .17 Astronomical Units from the Sun. Compare that to Mercury's orbit of .38 AU. Comet McNaught [shot] "downward" into the Southern Hemisphere skies as it [was] flung out of the interior portion of the solar system...Comet McNaught has been brightening dramatically as it heats up near the Sun. It has turned into the brightest comet in thirty years. It is currently at about magnitude -2. See: http://astronomyspace.suite101.com/article.cfm/comet_mcnaught_p1_nears_the_sun The fact that Comet McNaught (named after the man who discovered it) is very near the Sun probably indicates that the message it is bringing is connected to the Solar Logos, or Word, that informs and orders our solar system. This is likely to produce a very strong current of creative, magnanimous energy providing inspiration for leadership and accomplishment and energizing people in leadership positions. The Sun is also a channel for Divine Love, art and beauty, so we can expect some romantic and creative results as well. On January 13, 2007, the Sun was at the 24th degree of Capricorn. The Degree Symbol is: **A woman entering the sure haven of a [spiritual sanctuary or convent].** Protective kindness of life and of the cultivated elements of society to fulfill hearts. Quiet spiritual undercurrent of existence. Timely rest and retreat for the goodness of the soul. Assistance, peace, tranquillity, protection. Ashram. Can be a family grouping, but it is usually a group of special friends and spiritual companions sharing resources, knowledge, playtime, sometimes worktime, and perhaps lodgings, in a routine, kindly manner.** Also, the Sun at the time of the conjunction was opposite the fixed star Pollux and square to Spica. Pollux is associated with the (sometimes painful) process of learning and discovering. It shows the artist who is growing and stretching, perceiving many nuances, faces reality with a keen eye and a discerning wit. Pollux is famed as a boxer, although mental and verbal boxing may be more to the point, usually accompanied by humor. These people may appear to be more ingenuous and childlike than they really are. One of the great stars of the sky, Spica is the wheat sheaf held by he thousand-named Isis [our Christian Mary]. Spica represents the gift of this graceful, patient, kind and gentle protector-goddess. Spica represents the goddess' gift of new knowledge and gives a potential for brilliance to any chart it touches (although there still may be an agrarian component, or a 'green thumb' talent for gardening). There is usually the gift of storytelling, fantasy and metaphor, which can nourish the soul as wheat can nourish the body, as well as providing the practical theme of an oral tradition which spans the generations and gives meaning to the continuity of the species. This star can be associated with teaching as well as apportionment and allottment of resources and funds, and an unbreakable succession of cultivated protectors and protectresses. She may be associated with spiritual retreats and enclaves, farms, hospitals and temples where emphasis is placed on well-being, goodwill, and nurture. Spica persons are very good at engaging the resources and cooperation of mentors and supporters and helping to bring social and cultural improvement. Fund-raising, advertisement, art developed for compassionate and responsible ends, and public service are her hallmarks. Those whom she has blessed tend to be dutiful, well-liked, and can be spunky on occasion. Fame, riches, success, love of art and knowledge, with a bright, unselfish compassion. There are many successful and positive social activists with this star prominent. On that very day, my friend John (who channels messages from angels) came up to me at the Learning Light Psychic Fair in Anaheim, and spoke about spiritual groups forming all over the world and people living together in cooperative houses to facilitate their development. That rang a note of interest for me because I think it is one way out of the "rat race" for people who want to live closer to the divine realms, and practice yoga and other spiritual disciplines. That is what the New Age is developing - soul groups forming and cooperating to bring the divine Plan to consummate completion on the physical level. -- Misty Day, C.A.P.