Steve Nelson’s Moon Magic: Astrological Timing for Success August 2011

The Shift Doctors (Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D.) are thrilled to have our good friend and guest blogger Steve Nelson return to share his wisdom. Steve is an astrologer who follows a Jungian mythological tradition. He was raised by a part Cherokee shaman Aunt Maude who learned much of her lore from Molly Runningwolf, the mother of Amanita Sequoyah, the last Cherokee medicine man officially recognized by the Eastern Tribe. Steve’s Indian name is Steven Red Wolf, his lineage is of the wolf clan, one of the 7 tribal groups of the Cherokee. Steve follows many of the Cherokee traditions especially as these relate to celebrations, the use of ritual fire and star lore. For more information about Steve Nelson see www.GaiaAstrology.com

Astrological Timing for Success August 2011

August begins with a great rush of energy and a lot of fireworks as Mars aligns with Betelgeuse, the great red star of Orion believed to signal the beginning of a new Age. Venus trine Uranus August 1 adds exciting new dimensions to our relationships, while Sun square with Jupiter signals impending transformation and the promise of greater things to come.

This is the month to bring forward that bold new project we’ve had in mind, it’s time to take the initiative, put our best foot forward, make that proposal. Most significantly, this is when we are all given the opportunity to come out onto the world stage, each in our own way. Here we will find that we’re all a part of and contributing to an integral beingness, a planetary consciousness some call the mind of Gaia, others the mind of God. Yes, this August Sun in Leo brings us into a new state of being where we can discover who we are; it begins an 18-month period when we realize the special gift that we bring and know the part that we are to play in this new creation. Now we will begin the great Global Initiation when Earth and humanity as a whole enter a state of enlightened awareness, now we will know who we are together for the first time. This universal shift in consciousness starts soon after the New Mercury cycle begins on August 16, and it coincides with the old 5-day Egyptian New Year when the heliacal rising of the dog star Sirius signals the rising of the Nile. The Arab Spring becomes a global awakening as this 2011 rising of Sirius before the Sun initiates a new Age of Enlightenment on planet Earth.

Leading up to this great awakening there is much work to be done Aug 2-16 as the ending of an old Mercury cycle (and Moon “going out of the signs”) facilitates the breaking down of our old state of mind. The future depends on us; to the extent we can let go of our old ways of thinking and being, to this degree we receive the blessings of this new state of mind. A fun way to help release the old and open to the new is to go to a mountaintop Aug 6-8, picnic there and celebrate.

Lammas / Lughnasa, August 1-7 – Illumination

Fiery August begins with Lughnasa celebrating the Celtic Sun god Lugh. Also known as Lammas or Loaf-mass, it is traditional to share bread of the first harvest to ground, make flesh, the illumination this time brings. The celebration climaxes Aug 6-8 when the Sun is at mid-Leo/mid-Summer.

Crescent New Moon, Aug 1-5 – A Time to Sow

It’s time to bring forward what we wish to be realized. Farmers plant seeds when the crescent appears, seeds are fertile on every level, new beginnings are favored. Moon magic is strongest Sunset to Moonset when the Moon is in the 7th House. Meditation now opens doorways, wishes take wing, and prayers bring blessings through the lunar cycle. Mercury with the crescent stimulates communications and brings unexpected good news.

Ramadan, Aug 1-28 – Fasting by day and feasting by night diminishes the yang and nurtures the yin source of inspiration. This is the 9th month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Mohammed received the Koran from the archangel Gabriel, the angel of the Moon. The blowing of Gabriel’s horn calls all to be born out of the tombs of old forms, the horn is sounding now.

Mercury Retrograde, Aug 2 (12:50 pm) Aug 16 (9pm)– Clearing Out the Old

The next 14 days (until 9 pm 8/16) are ideal for finishing up old business, not good for beginning new. It’s time to relax and clear the slate for the 8/16 New Mercury that will bring us into a new state of mind. Simplifying communications and eliminating mental clutter prepares our minds to open to the bright new possibilities that will be coming through.

1st Quarter Moon, Aug 5-6 (7:08 am 8/6) – Time to Choose

This Moon is like a scythe cutting across the sky, it’s time to cut free from trappings of the past and affirm our purpose moving forward. Sacred to the Druids, this Moon is pivotal in the cycle of creation. Choices made now are likely the right ones. Breathing deeply through the light of the crown frees energy flow up and down to power our dreams.

Lammas/Lughnasa Cross-Quarter, Aug 6-7 – Illumination

The Lammas cross-quarter (exact 4:44 pm 8/7) culminates at the mid-Leo “power gate of fire” when mountain top picnics and celebration are favored. Bread shared now (hence Lammas or “loaf mass”) is imbued with special energy like the Hobbits “Lammas bread” that sustains them in their quest. Dreams and portents now predict what will be in the new cycle. The Aug 6 Feast of Transfiguration celebrates the mountaintop illumination of Jesus.

Going Out of the Signs Aug 7-16 –Breaking Habits, Weaning Babies

The best time to break addictions or eliminate attachments is when the Moon wave moves down below vital organs from Sagittarius (thighs) to Pisces (feet). Now we can more easily let go outmoded patterns of being and eliminate toxins physical, emotional and psychic. It’s purging time.

Moon Out of Bounds South, Aug 8-9 (4:47 am 8/8 – 10 am 8/9)

As the Moon “rides low” below the zodiac our inner world is illuminated. This is a time to go below the surface, do original research, change habits and renovate our inner world.

Leo Full Moon, Aug 12-13 (exact 2:57 pm 8/13) – Love and Revelation

Each Full Moon brings revelation and opportunity for healing body, mind and soul. The Full Moon is like a pitcher pouring out a healing elixir that meditation, deep breathing, music and dance can help us open to receive. Energy flows for 3 days following. Revelations come in dreams, chance encounters, and flashes of inspiration. Leo rules the heart and it is home sign to Sol, the cosmic source of love. The Sun in Leo Full Moon keynote is: “May the wellspring of Love find in us an unimpeded channel”

Moon at the Equator, Aug 15 3:35 pm – 8/16 1:40 am – Imagine!

Lunar 0 Points are cosmic balance times for creative imagination. Moon at the Equator going North is time to envision what we wish for the future.

New Mercury, Aug 16 – New Mind for New Time

As Mercury crosses between Earth and Sun a new 4-month cycle of creative thinking, communication, invention and commerce begins. A New Mercury brings a new mind set for a new time. This Leo New Mercury brings a special magic and focus to realize our dreams. We will have 3 months to bring this magic down to ground, and move freely (dance!) to shed old ways and be present to the power and possibilities of the time.

3rd Quarter Moon, Aug 21-22 (exact 8:5 pm 8/21) – Realizing Dreams

This Moon cuts away all that distracts from putting dreams into action. 3rd Quarter integrates new ideas into creative expression; it’s time to follow our bliss and do what feels good in concert with the whole.

Moon Out of Bounds North, Aug 22-23 (8:50 pm 8/22 – 7:40 pm 8/23)

All are more open-minded and ready for change, new ideas are successfully shared. This is a good time to start a new business, have a social gathering, share opportunities, make announcements and bring new discoveries to light.

Point of the Sphinx, Aug 23 – Balancing Forces Within

The Egyptian Sphinx half lion/half woman is celebrated at this Leo/Virgo cusp, it is illustrated in the Tarot card Strength. Aug 23 begins the 5-day Egyptian New Year that signals a new renaissance on Earth. During this time the riddle of the sphinx will be solved and the magic of the sphinx, the balance between spirit and primal nature, will be realized.

Balsamic Moon, Aug 25-27 – Make a Wish!

The Balsamic Moon is the Wishing Moon: a time to put wishes on the air. Needs felt now invoke response from the new lunar cycle. The deeper we feel the more Moon magic we invoke for the new lunar cycle. Also called Witches Moon, this is a time to bring others to mind for healing. Feeling invokes healing, as we feel we heal.

Dark of Moon/New Moon, Aug 27-29 – Going Within

The day before New Moon until Sunset a day after is ideal for inner work to seed the new cycle. The New Moon (11:04 pm 8/28) is like a cosmic spring that flows freely as we slow down. This is when mystics descend to drink from the magic well within.

Crescent New Moon, Aug 29-31 – Time to Sow

It’s time to bring forward what we wish be realized. Moon at the Equator going south 8/29 3:40 pm – 11:50 pm seeds special magic for this time. All new initiatives are favored now. Moon magic is strongest Sunset to Moonset when the Moon is in the 7th House. Meditation now opens doorways, wishes take wing, prayers bring blessings for the new time.

Bright Blessings to you all!

Steve Nelson (Mythic Astrologer) with The Shift Doctors (Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D.)

**Steve Nelson is a professional astrologer who uses Tarot, name analysis, and traditional astrology to help clients understand personal myths and realize natural abilities. Find out more about Steve at http://www.gaiaastrology.com

**The Shift Doctors (Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D.) are available for keynote talks, classes, events or for seminars (1/2 day or up to 2 day) on personal transformation, team-building, motivation, anger management, intuitive development, or collaboration for private groups, conferences, corporations or corporate events. Contact them at info@shiftyourlife.com or find out more about them at www.shiftyourlife.com .