Blue Moon: What is it?

January 10th, 2011

Most of us have been taught that a Blue Moon is the second full moon of the month.  But you know, you learn something new everyday.  According to a 1943 issue of Sky & Telescope, there are usually 12 full moons in a year, or three full moons for each season.  However, occasionally a year will have thirteen full moons.  This means that one of the four seasons will contain four full moons instead of three.

In ancient times, this gave rise to a lot of difficulty in creating calendars, and calculating when exactly the Blue Moon would occur, and so gave rise to the expression, “Once in a Blue Moon”.  Monks, especially found these thirteen moons to be a real headache, because it threw the church festivals out of whack.  For this reason, to this day, the number thirteen is seen as being unlucky.

 

About the Author…
 Barbara-Lynn Freed has over twenty years experience in Shamanism and teaches a 3 year Shamanic apprenticeship called Resurrecting the Old Ways:  Walking the Land & Honoring the Spirits in Right Relationship.  To find out more about this program and how to sign-up visit her website.

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Animal Totems: Brother Rabbit

January 10th, 2011

Winter is a time that you have to keep a special eye out for brother Rabbit.  Our friend has a bit of a problem with boundary issues, when he decides to chomp on our favorite perennials, or collard greens growing in the winter vegetable garden.  So make sure you protect your vulnerable plants with either a two-foot fence, or plastic cloches.

Traditionally, the Rabbit Totem sports several meanings.   The first deals with Rabbit’s ability to hop and jump, and then to prolifically reproduce.   People, who have this totem, may watch their endeavors leap forward to success and abundance.

Because Rabbit is scene mostly during the day’s twilight hours, he can sometimes lead you into the Faerie Realm.  This totem is also related to the moon, as young rabbits can survive on their own after only 28 days.  So, watch for a new 28-day cycle if Rabbit shows up in your life.

Although brother Rabbit is easy prey for hawks and other predators, he is also gifted in creating defensive, hiding places with back doors, so if Rabbit has hopped into your life, its a good idea to be prepared for unexpected possibilities.

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2011 Astrological Overview

January 10th, 2011

Here are some dates that may come in handy later in the year. 
Mercury Retrogrades
3/30/11 – 4/23/11
8/3/11 – 8/26/11
11/24/11 – 12/14/11
Remember these are times you don’t want to start new projects, or sign contracts, for you will encounter major delays in your endeavors, and miscommunication.

There is a partial solar eclipse on January 4th,that occurs at 13 degrees, 38 minutes Capricorn, and will be especially felt by people who have planets in Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn around thirteen degrees.

During this eclipse, there will be a stellium (many planets lined up in a row) of North Node, Pluto, Sun, Moon, and Mars in Capricorn, with Sun, Moon and Mars square to Saturn in Libra.  Although these squares may seem challenging to us, they will also push us into action to accomplish something.  And with Saturn there, along with the new moon, it will be a good time to begin seeding a new foundation for our 2011 goals and activities.

The major event for 2011 will be the partial solar eclipse at 9 degrees Cancer on July 1, 2011, as Saturn, Uranus, and Pluto will form a T-square. With the addition of the eclipse, this configuration will form another grand cross in the heavens.  Get ready for some fireworks, as Pluto, the planet of transformation, squares Uranus, the planet of Revolution, while both oppose Saturn the planet of resistance, and structure.  Stay tuned to see more about these happenings, later in the year.

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The Christmas Tree and it’s True Meaning

December 16th, 2010

Did You Know?

In ancient times, the World Tree was seen as the center of the Universe and represented the fruit of wisdom and eternal life, rebirth, abundance, and the endurance of time.

Remnants of this can be seen today with our yearly, ritual, Christmas Tree celebrations.  The Ever Green tree is a symbol for everlasting life, while the gifts at it roots represent the abundance and fertility of creation.  The Christmas Tree unites the three Axis Mundi dimensions, (heavens, our world, and the underworld), where eternal creational energies pour continuously into the cosmic world center, and, the Silver Star at its top, symbolizes the mythic, world axis, pole star.

 

About the Author…
 Barbara-Lynn Freed has over twenty years experience in Shamanism and teaches a 3 year Shamanic apprenticeship called Resurrecting the Old Ways:  Walking the Land & Honoring the Spirits in Right Relationship.  To find out more about this program and how to sign-up visit her website.

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Praying Mantis Totem: The Power of Stillness

December 16th, 2010

Fall is the time that you find Praying Mantis casings in your garden as you are preparing for your next growing season, when cleaning out weed debris that has accumulated during the summer months.  Their tan colored, slightly oval cocoons are easy to spot.  Simply leave them where they are, or move them to a safe place where they will winter, without being  disturbed.  Then in the spring and summer, you will be ensured of having some great insect predators in your garden, ridding you of all your unwanted critters.

One summer afternoon while watching a praying mantis    stalk, kill and eat a daddy long legs spider, I realized the infinite patience, and stealth of this meditative hunter.  In fact, the key to this insect totem is the power of stillness. We can learn from the praying mantis how to still our conscious minds and move inward, where we can draw from our spirituality, contemplation, meditation or dreams.

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Pluto in Capricorn

December 16th, 2010

I have decided to talk a little about Pluto’s journey through Capricorn, and what it means for us, since this planetary/sign combination will be with us for the next 13 years.

Capricorn is an earth sign that works with structure, authority, accomplishment and material security.  Pluto works with transformation, by first tearing all the old patterns down, and then like the phoenix, building new patterns from the ashes.

In the last two years that we have had this planetary/sign combination, we have seen in this country, the beginnings of an economic meltdown through high unemployment, foreclosures, and stock market crashes, and a testing of corporate and government leaders globally.  We can only wonder what our world will be like in the coming years.

When we apply Pluto in Capricorn to our birthcharts, we call this a transit.  Simply look at your chart to see  the house(s) where Capricorn is located.  Right now Pluto is at five degrees Capricorn.  This will indicate the place in your life where you will undergo enormous change in next 13 years.  Pluto will strip away your fears, and self-deceptions, making way for your true authentic self to come alive.

Also check to see if Pluto is near (conjoining), squaring, or opposing any other planets in your chart, for these transits will also have a profound influence in your transformational work.

The following guide will help you understand some of the changes and challenges you will be going through in the years ahead.

  • 1st House –  Individuality and self-image
  • 2nd House – Self worth, self-esteem, values, earnings
  • 3rd House – Communication
  • 4th House – Soul growth, inner emotions, family
  • 5th House – Self expression, inner child, romance
  • 6th House – Inner actualization, health, service, routines
  • 7th House – Marriage, partnerships in general
  • 8th House – Therapy, empowerment, joint resources
  • 9th House – Higher consciousness & education, philosophy of  life, travel, legal issues
  • 10th House – Career, leadership, ambition
  • 11th House – Goals, dreams, friendships, groups, working with the collective
  • 12th House – hidden psychological aspects of yourself, spirituality, meditation, seclusion

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Pluto in Capricorn

November 30th, 2010

In December, thank goodness, there are no major planetary configurations happening.  This means we can all take a breather and process all the deep, emotional activity of the summer months and fall.

So I have decided to talk a little about Pluto’s journey through Capricorn, and what it means for us, since this planetary/sign combination will be with us for the next 13 years.

Capricorn is an earth sign that works with structure, authority, accomplishment and material security.  Pluto works with transformation, by first tearing all the old patterns down, and then like the phoenix, building new patterns from the ashes.

In the last two years that we have had this planetary/sign combination, we have seen in this country, the beginnings of an economic meltdown through high unemployment, foreclosures, and stock market crashes, and a testing of corporate and government leaders globally.  We can only wonder what our world will be like in the coming years.

When we apply Pluto in Capricorn to our birthcharts, we call this a transit.  Simply look at your chart to see  the house(s) where Capricorn is located.  Right now Pluto is at five degrees Capricorn.  This will indicate the place in your life where you will undergo enormous change in next 13 years.  Pluto will strip away your fears, and self-deceptions, making way for your true authentic self to come alive.

Also check to see if Pluto is near (conjoining), squaring, or opposing any other planets in your chart, for these transits will also have a profound influence in your transformational work.

The following guide will help you understand some of the changes and challenges you will be going through in the years ahead.

1st House –  Individuality and self-image
2nd House – Self worth, self-esteem, values, earnings
3rd House – Communication
4th House – Soul growth, inner emotions, family
5th House – Self expression, inner child, romance
6th House – Inner actualization, health, service, routines
7th House – Marriage, partnerships in general
8th House – Therapy, empowerment, joint resources
9th House – Higher consciousness & education, philosophy of life, travel, legal issues
10th House – Career, leadership, ambition
11th House – Goals, dreams, friendships, groups, working with the collective
12th House – hidden psychological aspects of yourself, spirituality, meditation, seclusion

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The Harvest Moon

November 4th, 2010

In the Northern Hemisphere, the Harvest Moon is a full moon that occurs closest to the autumnal equinox, around September 23rd.  Because this Moon rises within a half hour of when the Sun sets, in the olden days, it gave farmers more time to work in the fields to harvest their crops, before the first frost.  For several nights in a row, this fullest moon of the year,  rises at the same time, and if no clouds are in the sky, gives a bright light to work under.  The Harvest Moon always appears to be larger than other full moons and can have a pink or orange cast to it.

 

About the Author…
 Barbara-Lynn Freed has over twenty years experience in Shamanism and teaches a 3 year Shamanic apprenticeship called Resurrecting the Old Ways:  Walking the Land & Honoring the Spirits in Right Relationship.  To find out more about this program and how to sign-up visit her website.

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Ophiuchus: The Thirteenth Zodiac Sign

November 4th, 2010

For thousands of years, all ancient cultures worked with a 13 Moon calendar, for in truth, there are actually13 constellations that form our Sun’s elliptical path through the stars. The missing constellation that completes the astrological zodiac is Ophiuchus and it resides between Scorpio and Sagittarius. Known as the Serpent Healer, it is the symbol of eternal life, has the ability to prevent death through healing, and can also resurrect you from death. It is interesting that we currently find remnants of this knowledge within the Hispanic communities, when they celebrate their yearly holiday called The Day of the Dead on November 2nd.

 

About the Author…
 Barbara-Lynn Freed has over twenty years experience in Shamanism and teaches a 3 year Shamanic apprenticeship called Resurrecting the Old Ways:  Walking the Land & Honoring the Spirits in Right Relationship.  To find out more about this program and how to sign-up visit her website.

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Totem: Meeting Brother Squirrel

November 4th, 2010

Fall is here with its cool, crisp mornings and evenings, along with days filled with sunshine, without the clamminess of summer’s humidity and scorching temperatures.  Unfortunately, due to drought conditions of July and August, we in the Piedmont of North Carolina, will not see the usual brilliant, colored, leaves this season.   Instead they are either muted or crispy and brown.

It’s the time to change our potted summer, annuals to beautifully colored mums and pansies that welcome the cooler weather.  Praying Mantis climb on my window screens looking for a good place to build their cocoons, and squirrels hurriedly, scamper around digging up garden pots and earth, hiding nuts to find later in the winter months.

We all should take a hint from brother squirrel and examine the activity in our lives.  Are we too busy rushing around and going in circles?  Or not active enough?  Perhaps you need to learn to save your money, time or effort for another day.  Do you have issues with hoarding, without sharing with your friends and loved ones?

Squirrels can also teach us balance in work and play.  Although they are masters at preparing, squirrels also relax, let loose and play tag with their neighbors. So take heed if  you are working too much or too hard. Go out and socialize, have some fun and shift the energy.  You’ll find when you return to your project, you’ll feel refreshed and will be more productive.

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