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An auspicious full moon graces us on New Year’s Day with encouragement to start 2018 in alignment with your highest ideals. The Cancer full moon’s energy increases our unconscious and emotional activity, putting our hearts in touch with our minds. The past year (2017) as been rife with imbalances between masculine and feminine. Whether it be global imbalances of women’s rights and equality, national imbalances of the increased awareness around sexual assault, or earthly imbalances of natural disasters and global warming, or any other personal imbalances you encountered…it is clear that a shift and a focus on the feminine is necessary now. The zodiac sign of cancer is ruled by the moon, so to find our New Year’s moon in the sign it rules bodes well for the feminine, especially as Cancer is the “mother” symbol of the zodiac. The moon itself finds close alignment with the great goddess of the sky, Venus, improving our odds of a close alignment with feminine forces inside and outside of us. There is also a powerful relationship with Pluto, suggesting a powerful transformation in our perceptions of balance between masculine and feminine.

Let’s put on our party hats and howl at the moon because it’s time to celebrate the solstice. Whether you’re in the southern hemisphere and enjoying the longest day of summer or in the northern hemisphere savoring the longest night of winter, now is an opportune time to align yourself with the natural cycles of the universe. On December 21, 2017, the Sun reaches its southern-most position as seen from the Earth and appears to be motionless before reversing its path. In Latin, solstice literally means “sun” sol “stands still” sistere. Celebrating the change of seasons on the solstice reminds us we are anchored to the earth, and are merely a tiny speck floating in a vast, mysterious universe filled with other suns, moons, planets, and galaxies. Yoga is our time to connect not only with ourselves, but also with the world around us. We can capitalize on this universal pivot point in our solar system and adjust our perspective to the subtle changes and cycles both outside of and within us. Ancient yogis recognized our bodies’ connection with the Sun and Moon. Hatha yoga’s name derives from Ha-tha, which means Sun and Moon in Sanskrit. Ha = Sun. Tha = Moon. Astrology is the study of how we are influenced by the stars, sun, and moon. By aligning the practice of yoga with astrology, we are empowered to become more attuned to the universe and achieve a deeper state of wellness and fulfillment.

The new moon in Sagittarius on December 18, 2017 gives us plenty of opportunity to let go of what no longer serves us in preparation for the coming new year. This new moon happens just a few days before the winter solstice on December 21st, and the darkness of the new moon combined with the yearly celebration of the darkest day of the year signifies a cosmic urge to turn inward, look carefully at our shadow, and surrender whatever we deem no longer of use.

This Scorpio new moon on November 18, 2017 calls us to initiate ourselves into the watery depths of our unconscious. Whether it be through occult practices, transformational rituals, psychotherapy, shadow work or anything that ushers us “beyond the veil,” now is the time to walk into the underworld. Most of us strive to stay in the light, ignoring the dark and repressing that which needs to be addressed for us to be truly free. We can no longer resist the change that is upon us, and ignore the power of the shadow within. The lesson of Scorpio is that what we try to hide away and leave in the dark rarely remains there for long. Either we bring it forth ourselves with our own depth work, or it comes forward on its own as our struggles, triggers, and negative patterns. What we leave in the darkness destroys us, but what we bring into the light ultimately saves us. The darkness of the new moon in Scorpio means that we cannot hide anymore, we must make friends with the darkness—our darkness—if we yearn for personal freedom.

The full moon in Taurus on November 4, 2017 encourages us to do the work necessary to step into the flow of abundance. For Taurus, abundance comes not just with monetary gain, but with sensual pleasures, and physical sensation, as well. Whether we revel in the gifts of family, the earth, life itself, or the ability to purchase fine goods, Taurus energy excels when we are enjoying all that life has to offer. This lunation is no exception, and powerful influences by Pluto, Neptune, and Jupiter, give us a magical, expansive energy to work with at this time.

The Virgo new moon on September 20, 2017, brings with it the opportunity for us to resolve the thing that most holds us back: our core wounds. Each of us has buried within the shadow of our psyche a core wound that holds us back, keeps us playing small, and prevents us from realizing our full potential.

The mystical full moon in Pisces is the culmination of months of energy that began building with the Pisces new moon and solar eclipse that occurred earlier this year on February 24, 2017. On that date, we planted seeds in the psyche that blossomed our desire for transcendence, spiritual connection, and oneness. Pisces energy encourages us to swim in the waters of the unconscious, and after the recent eclipse events in August, many of us likely still are!

The beginning of August featured a full moon and lunar eclipse that kicked off the most powerful astrological month of this year. With the Leo New Moon on August 21st, we are also blessed with a total solar eclipse: the biggest astrological influence on the psyche in 2017. This eclipse provides us with an energetic and psychological impact that remains for 6 months to a year. What you set into motion with your intention and attention during this eclipse bears fruit for a long time to come.

The most important astrological events of the year occur in August — two eclipses light up the sky and call us to delve into our psyche to reap the rewards of deep spiritual work. Eclipses conceal and reveal what might be otherwise hidden in the shadows. Despite the discomfort usually caused by looking into the psyche, shadow work is a necessary process for catalyzing true and lasting transformation. This August, you are presented with the opportunity to harness the energies of the cosmos, surrender what no longer serves you, and recreate yourself in the light of the newly eclipsed sun.

On July 23rd, the new moon in Leo encourages us to take stock of where we can infuse more playful energy into our lives. If we’ve gotten too serious, haven’t taken a break in a while, or have forgotten to smell the roses, use this new moon energy to clear out the “serious” in favor of the “fun.” Commit to finding balance in your life, and release any workaholic tendencies that were illuminated earlier in the month by the Capricorn full moon.

The Capricorn full moon on July 9th, presents us with an opportunity for clarity on our career path. It asks us if we merely want a job…or a calling. Passionate Pluto sits directly next to this full moon, inciting the inner questions regarding whether we are truly fulfilled by our work, whether is serves our highest good, and whether it is allowing us to transform or is keeping us small.

The New Moon in Cancer on June 23, 2017 is an opportunity for us to tap into our inner self and discover more about who we are and what serves our highest good. Hidden in the watery depths of the unconscious is the precious source of our greatest wisdom. As the mother of the sky, and ruler of our divine feminine nature (regardless of gender), Cancer represents our potential to utilize our emotions as nurturing guides signaling which direction to move next. When we pay attention, the unconscious speaks. We just need to understand the language. The most basic communication comes through emotion, and most easily understood as “good” feelings or “bad” feelings. 

A full moon in Sagittarius on June 9, 2017 encourages us to explore the realm of the religious function of our psyche. Often overlooked, or pushed aside in favor of science and certainty, this mystical heart of our being is bereft of attention. Because of a lack of connection to a personal mythology, we suffer from constant overwhelm of life’s circumstances, and an unknowing of how to make sense of them. 

The Gemini new moon this month is a fantastic time to plant seeds in terms of some new, fun travel plans, taking a new course and up-leveling your learning, and making sure your speech and communication is clearly directed and coming from your most authentic place. Gemini always encourages us to speak up, and this New Moon is no exception. It is a good time to focus on speaking the truth about what is important to you, especially when it comes to your intimate relationships. 

The full moon on May 10, 2017 lights up the sky…and our embodiment of sacred sexuality. While Scorpio is known for those two unavoidable principles in life: death & taxes, it is also known for the depth of connection we feel through spiritually-driven intimacy. On a soul level, Scorpio demands that we use our intimate relationships as more than just a way to satisfy lustful energy, or as an ego-boosting activity. Scorpio wants us to use our sexuality as a way to deeply connect on a physical, emotional, and spiritual level in order to transcend consciousness. 

The New Moon in Taurus on Wednesday, April 26th, invites us to plant seeds in the areas of life that support, sustain, and nourish us; most particularly, our finances, personal values, relationships, and sensuality. Any new moon period is an opportunity to take stock of what you would like to cultivate in your life, and this moon is a perfect time to retreat, take stock, and indulge in some self-care.

The energy of this extraordinary Full Moon in Libra propels us to create radical transformation in the areas of relationship, creativity, and artistry. Libra’s essential qualities of love, harmony, and diplomacy are rocked by its close association with the most powerful astrological event in the sky involving three great planets: Jupiter, Pluto, and Uranus. 

With the Spring Equinox, we start the Zodiac year in the sign of Aries. The new moon this month follows suit, and in Aries fashion: the moon goes rogue. It’s standing powerfully in the sign of Aries with only the sun and Venus nearby. No other ties to planets in other signs, means this Aries new moon…is about as Aries as one can get.

The full moon in Virgo shines light on our body image, our self-talk, and our relationship to health and service. We see, by the light of this full moon, opportunities to refine the way we move, think, and speak. This is only impacted more fully by close relationships to Chiron, the wounded healer, and Mercury, the messenger, who have co-rulership of the sign of Virgo.

A solar eclipse gives us insights into the psyche of the world. When the light of our sun is hidden by the moon, the shadows it casts reveal the hidden activities of the collective unconscious. What are we all working on? What do we all need to reveal? Where can we all grow? This particular Pisces new moon and solar eclipse comes just two weeks after a lunar eclipse, and five months after a similar back-to-back solar and lunar eclipse duet from September of 2016. Essentially, this is both the ending of that long eclipse pattern, and the beginning of a new one. For the next six months, we will be basking in the shadowy light of this Pisces eclipse, as we let the energies of the previous eclipse cycle energies wane.   

The full moon and lunar eclipse in Leo on February 10th, 2017, is the culmination of the powerful eclipse energy from September of 2016. If you look back over the last five months, surely you see tremendous transformation and shifts to the status quo that come to a peak with this exciting lunar eclipse. Eclipse energy usually lasts for around 6 months, as it’s the reflection of our unconscious and unconscious drives and gives us a chance to reset and renew the emotional contents of the previous six months. This is an opportune time to recalibrate your inner and outer relationships, and make sure that what you put out to the world comes from an authentic place within you, as the effects of this eclipse last through the next eclipse cycle in August.

The first full moon of the year lights up in the sign of Cancer and illuminates all the key cancer qualities surrounding your emotions, the unconscious, and any healing work that needs to be done. Cancer, as the mother of the zodiac, holds the space for nurturing and communing with your deep needs and desires. That which is left untended in our psyche cries out the loudest, and like a small child, needs care from the mothering aspect within us. We are all capable of taking care of ourselves and doing the shadow work necessary to undo emotional traumas and deeply hidden complexes.

The final new moon of the year gives us a perfect opportunity to set clear intentions for 2017 and start fresh. It is through the new moon that we cultivate what we wish to bring into our lives, to grow and develop, and to nurture into fullness. With the new moon so close to New Year’s Eve, it’s is a perfect opportunity to tend to your goals, particularly in the areas of your career, responsibility, growth and maturation and discipline. Have you been skimping on a regular spiritual practice? Do you find yourself procrastinating? Are you not stepping up to the responsibilities that life is handing you? Now is the time.

The super moon in Gemini on December 13, 2016 illuminates our communication and learning. It encourages us to make connections, and stay close to our siblings, friends and relatives. Gemini’s most notable attributes are all highlighted, but this is also a good opportunity to let go of what doesn’t serve you in the realm of chatter: mental, verbal or spiritual. If there is too much in the way, it obstructs clarity, and for our path to be pure, we need to be clear.

The new moon in Sagittarius urges us into a state of joy and enthusiasm! After the tensions and troubles of the past few months, it is time to shift into a more playful and engaged attitude. Sagittarius supports long-range travel and exploration of foreign cultures. But, if you are home-bound, you may satisfy this urge through studying philosophy, religion or mythology.