Monday, March 18, 2024

First Day of Spring --March 19, 2024 -- 8:06pm PDT

 

Spring begins in the Northern Hemisphere 


Vernal Equinox 
March 19, 2024
8:06pm PDT 


Even though we know that after December 21st, the days start getting steadily longer, we still see more darkness than light over the course of a day in those three months leading up to spring. The vernal equinox marks the turning point when daylight begins to win out over darkness.

At this moment, the direct rays of the Sun are shining down on the equator producing the effect of equal day and night (give or take a few minutes, see below).  After the vernal equinox, the direct rays of the Sun migrate north of the Equator (with hours of daylight steadily growing longer) until they finally arrive at the Tropic of the Cancer (latitude 23.5 degrees north).


Also - Happy Birthday to our Aries friends.   




Sunday, March 17, 2024

Treasure Mapping 2024 - April 8 at 11:20am PDT

 

Treasure Map Example 



WHAT IS A TREASURE MAP? 



In Spring of 1996, astrologer and teacher Robert Buz Myers asked all his students to make a Treasure Map for the Aries New Moon.    I was fortunate to have been a participant in the process and it was an extraordinary experience.   I have been sharing this process for 25+ years.     

 

A treasure map is a collage of photos, pictures, words, pieces of things that make sense to you. Whatever you want, you put them on poster board.  This is similar to a vision board.   This board will be your MAP of what you want for the coming year.  It is your call out to the Universe.  This is your Treasure Map.   

 



WHAT DO YOU MEAN, "What do I want for the coming year?"


Exactly what it says. Do you want a new house, a new living room, better health, stronger marriage, reconnect with people, a bigger family, a bigger community? Do you want to write your book? Do you want a new car? What is it you want? 


Do you even know what you want? If you are like many of us, you are so busy running around, taking care of everyone else that you might not have a fig of an idea what you want for your new year.  That is the beauty of this process.  You must sit down and figure it out.   Give yourself this time to do it. Be just that selfish and dare to dream.


Why do we do it now and not January?


Treasure Maps are made during the Aries new moon. Aries new moon change from year to year and this year, it will take place on April 8, 11:20am PDT.  


They are made on Aries new moon, because that is the first sign of the zodiac. Aries is when you plant your seeds. It is the real beginning of the New Year. It should not be confused with the first day of spring, which is on March 20. New moon means the sun and moon are in the same degree. For those who don't know much about astrology (which is totally okay) Aries is the sign of SIGHT. So, that's why it is so important to have pictures of what you want. You need to visualize it. Or if you don't do photos/pictures. Put up words. It is just important for you to SEE THEM.


So, I'm going to be busy on April 8 can I start it before the 8th?

NO. 

Do I have to buy a bunch of magazines, I'm broke, can I just borrow some old ones from friends


Personally, when I started my treasure maps I always did them with fresh new magazines. And in the old days, (not married, no children) I spent a lot of dough on them because I wanted lots of choices. But with time, I ended up only getting a few magazines. If you collect magazines from friends or groups before the new moon, please don’t crack them.   Wait until after the Aries new moon to even open them up.   Let them be a fresh experience for you.  

What if I don't want magazine photos, can I just use my own pictures.. like my husband, my family etc?


Sure.  You can print up photos.  You can also use images from pininterest etc and download them.  You can draw and paint, this is you MAP.  Do what your instincts call you to do.  


 

Do I only focus on things? 


Heck no! I would also encourage you to focus on beliefs and experiences. Affirmations like “I’m abundant” or “I am always feeling loved” “My health is vibrant.” “My partner and I are always growing closer.” 

Is there any pattern I must use when I put the photos or the words on my board? 

No you can do it anyway you want. 

I will say that in previous years my friends and I used the feng shui baguas for pattern. Basically, I would break up the board into 9 areas. A grid like this:

123
456
789

1-abundance
2-fame/reputation
3-relationship
4-family
5-health
6-creativity
7-self-knowledge 
8-work
9-helpful people and angels & travel


 

If you use the feng shui baguas, you will naturally cover most areas of your life. As you can see it is all represented there. But again, you don’t have to do it that way.  Some people have even made round boards.   

 

Can I build a cyber map?

Many mappers are more comfortable with cyber maps, which are always on their computer. 

And they have had success.   Again, it is your call, do what your heart tells you to do. 


How much time do I have to build my map? 

You have the waxing phase of the moon which is basically the first two weeks.  However, if you can do it in the first week or ten days you will get the full Aries gusto of ‘be here now’.  If you find yourself at the full moon, then skip it this year.  It is okay to miss a year.   Farmers let fields sit fallow.   Take a year off and make a map next year.    Full moon this year is April 23.  


Do I have to do it alone or can I do it with friends?


You can do it either way. I build mine with my 2 other friends. We are like family, and it felt so right to do it with them. We started them together. I know that there are several people who have little parties where they invite those close to them over.  It is a lot of fun to do them with others--.We would all pass around the magazines.. "Hey, I found a great beach bungalow does anyone need a beach vacation? Or it would be, "I have got to lose 10 pounds, any ideas what I should put on my map?" and low and behold someone will come up with a good suggestion.


Do I have to finish it all at one sitting?


No. Often I used to cut my stuff out with my friends. Maybe glue a little thing here or there and then take it home and finish it over the course of a day or two. 

Can my kids do it with me?

Yes! It is great for them to focus and think about what they want. Have them build their own maps. 


Does it work?

Yep.   Buz said we always get results by Cancer Lunar Month which is July 5 this year.  


Okay. I don't want to sound like a spoilsport, but I’m just not interested in building a collage, can I do something else?


Sure you can take a nice piece of orange paper and write down wishes or affirmations during Treasure Map time. My wishes can sometimes feel like prayers and they are much broader in my desires.  At times I felt like I needed to switch to 'less is more' after several years of mapping. However, I would encourage newcomers to make the actual maps. But if you really don't feel the call then just write your desires down. I like orange paper. So, vibrant. So Aries. 


Is it ok to have things continue over to the next year? Long-term, ongoing stuff that has progressed but needs to continue to progress?



Yes. Of course. But with a small caveat. My experience after doing these for years is that when something really takes time and doesn't gel in the first year then there is something still not right. It might be something you are aware of, or you might not be aware of a hurdle. 
You may need to shift something about your long-range goals. My sense is that they need a wee bit refining or broadening. Just a thought. But don’t give up on the dream.   And remember sometimes desires may need a physical move.  For example, one mapper had a baby on her map for a couple of years it was not until she and her husband moved that the baby arrived.   Perhaps the baby needed a new community, a new energy to land in?  Same with jobs?  Or meeting a partner?  Just might need to be in another city.  If you are feeling drawn to a move it might be for a bigger reason.  Just sayin’    


I'm really excited is there anything I can do now before Treasure Map to help my map?


Yes, yes, yes.... I said this in previous years and I'll remind everyone now.  Get rid of clutter. Get rid of things that are bugging us. Get rid of ick. Try if you can clear some space in your life so you can be ready for the treasure map. Remember, Einstein said, "NO TWO THINGS CAN OCCUPY THE SAME SPACE." Read that several times... now ask yourself, do I have space in my house, my family, my time, my life in general and my brain for more? If the answer is no. Then start housecleaning! 

Clear out the stuff between now and April 8. Now do you understand why it is important not to start your map before the new time? 

Also consider clearing out your emails, your cyberworld.  Clear out the thinking that is broken, “I can never _______ because I am ______”    Catch yourself when you are doing small thinking and let it go.  

By the way, I personally don't buy any of my supplies before the New starts. But I know some of you can't do that and if you must buy before please put aside and don't touch it until the new. Don't thumb through magazines. Leave it all be. 



 

Good luck and dream big!

Astrology for Week of March 16 - March 24

 




First Quarter Moon 

March 16, 2024

9:10 PM PDT 

 

 

First quarter: We do more actions based on the information that we just received.  Or we feel our instincts guide us on something.  We pursue again.  We make another call, or we see someone. We mail something.  We stir the pot again.  This can be a time when we realize that the goals, we planted on new need more action from us, perhaps actions that involve breaking away.   Are there people who say they have our best interest in heart but fear us growing away from them?  Maybe we need to get help from others not the usual suspects.  Some independence may need to be exerted. 

 

 

Focus on:  How are you taking actions that support your ability to communicate?   How are you sharing your faith and hope with neighbors or siblings?  What visions did you tap on new moon that need communication now?  Where doe you need to pivot to support the new moon actions?  

 

 

Special Note

3/17: Sun conjunct Neptune.   Faith, gentle, artistic, beauty, kindness and tender can be accessed. 

3/18: Mercury conjunct North Node. Communication that leans into self-agency.  Independence that is needed will have a voice.   

3/18: Mercury enters shadow (see separate post)

3/19: Sun enters Aries – Happy Spring!  8:06pm PDT

3/20: Mercury conjunct Chiron 

 

 

Gibbous Moon

March 20, 2024  

8:27pm PDT  

 

 

Gibbous:

We refine our information.  We pick and choose, we discriminate, and we organize to be ‘Virgo’ like.  We sort through details.  Have we missed something?  How are we sifting through the information?  Go back and make sure something hasn’t been neglected.  Refine our actions.  

 

Focus on:  How are you refining your creativity?  How are you refining your strengths?  How are you refining your passions?  How are you refining bravery?   How are you refining your self – esteem?  How are you expressing yourself and can you tap drama?  

 

Special focus

3/21: Sun sextile Pluto.   Art, faith, spirituality feels transformative.  New opportunities come with a shedding.  Shedding is easier to access.  

3/21: Venus conjunct Saturn.  Seriousness about love, art, money, creativity and beauty.   Hard focus on faith is encouraging.  

3/22: Mars enters Pisces

3/24: Venus sextile Jupiter.  Joy and abundances are easily tapped.   Beauty and broadening our horizon is supported.  

 

Mercury Retrograde April 1 - 25

 

Image: Mercury Mythopedia 


Mercury 

 

Mercury the planet of communication is in warrior Aries and enters the shadow on March 18 and then on April 1 stations retrograde.   How will we respond when we hear ‘fightin’ words’?   Or how will others respond if we have the sharp tongue?    Mercury retrogrades for all their pain in the ass-ness are reminders to take a moment.  Perhaps Mercury in Aries reminds us there may be a place to tap the mind and mouth of our inner warrior.  

 

The last time Mercury retrograded in Aries was spring of 2018, 2017, 2012 and spring of 2011.  You may want to consider what was going on at those times for a possible revisit of themes. 

 

As always, we double check all our lists.  If we are traveling, we make sure our flights and travel arrangements are locked.    Those people who run with super tight daily schedules may want to put in more time and wiggle room in the event of glitches or traffic.    

 

Since the shadow starts on March 18 and ends on May 13 we could see things pop up before the retrograde, intensify during the retrograde and then work its way out by the end of the shadow.   Why we are experiencing it is the work of our intuition. Perhaps there is a lesson in any retrograde bumps which Pisces intuition understands.  

 

3/18/8:39pm PDT      Mercury enters shadow 15 Aries 58 

4/1/3:14pm PDT        Mercury stations retrograde 27 Aries 13

4/11/4:03pm PDT      Mercury cazimi Sun 22 Aries 32

4/ 25/5:54am PDT     Mercury station direct 15 Aries 58 

5/13/2:02am PDT      Mercury leaves shadow 27 Aries 13 

Friday, March 15, 2024

The Astrology Podcast -- Britten LaRue - Unshaming The Signs of The Zodiac

 



This is a terrific episode of Chris Brennan's 'Astrology Podcast'.    Chris interviews astrologer  Britten LaRue who has been working for the last couple years on 'unshaming' the signs.    We all know there are thumbnail popular descriptions of each sign.   Stubborn Taurus, flaky Gemini, moody Cancer, all of it may have truth but to Britten's point, there is shame attached to the traits well known associated with each signs.     In this podcast Britten gives a thoughtful, nuanced interpretation of each sign without the shame.   Gemini is not flaky, maybe we benefit by dipping into a subject and we do not need to go deep.  Maybe we only need to read one chapter and not the whole book.    Chris and Britten go through all twelve signs.  It is a fresh approach.  I responded to each sign and was nodding my head as I listened to the podcast. 

I think this is a terrific episode to watch/listen.  Chris does great work at Astrology Podcast but this one is extra good.  :) 



Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Astrology For Week March 10 - March 17

 




March 10, 2024

1:00am PST

20 Pisces 17   

 

 

 

This focus:    How do I connect to my intuition?  How do I find myself through being quiet and reflective?  How do I access the metaphysical?  How do I find faith and spirituality?  How do I find soothing energy?  What do I learn when I connect to the bigger?     Where is the mystical in my heart?   

 

Special note:

3/10 Mercury sextile Pluto.  Deep thoughts that are transformative come easy.   Communication that releases the debris that gets in our way is possible.  

3/11 Venus enter Pisces.  Tap humanity.  Tap gentle.  Tap kindness.  Tap art.  

 

 

 

Crescent Moon Phase

March 13, 2024

7:32am PDT  

 


 

Focus on: What are you learning about your finances?  What are you learning about your ability to be patient?  What are you learning about digging in and holding on?   What are you learning about the power of resources?  

 

Special Focus

 

 

First Quarter Moon 

March 16, 2024

9:10 PM PDT 

 

 

First quarter: We do more actions based on the information that we just received.  Or we feel our instincts guide us on something.  We pursue again.  We make another call, or we see someone. We mail something.  We stir the pot again.  This can be a time when we realize that the goals, we planted on new need more action from us, perhaps actions that involve breaking away.   Are there people who say they have our best interest in heart but fear us growing away from them?  Maybe we need to get help from others not the usual suspects.  Some independence may need to be exerted. 

 

 

Focus on:  How are you taking actions that support your ability to communicate?   How are you sharing your faith and hope with neighbors or siblings?  What visions did you tap on new moon that need communication now?  Where doe you need to pivot to support the new moon actions?  

 

 

Special Note

3/17: Sun conjunct Neptune.   Faith, gentle, artistic, beauty, kindness and tender can be accessed. 

Monday, March 11, 2024

Treasure Mapping! Do you know about Treasure Maps? Are You Ready to Get Your Year Actionized?

 




Friends, I will be giving my Treasure Mapping Presentation Tomorrow (March 12) at 7pm.
I have been doing Treasure Mapping for over 25 years and it is always an inspiring, rewarding experience. This workshop will explain the history, the process and why Treasure Mapping works.
You do not need to know astrology to get the value of the presentation. I make sure it is easy to follow 😉
Join me in person at the beautiful The Philosophical Research Society in Los Feliz. Or you can join via Zoom.