Posted on April 13, 2023April 14, 2023 by Daz — 2 Comments

Solar Eclipse 2023: Aries + Libra

We’re about to venture into our first eclipse season of the year! The first solar eclipse 2023 delivers is in Aries, and in October we’ll have another in Libra. This year’s lunar eclipses, meanwhile, are in Scorpio and Taurus.

How does a solar eclipse differ from a lunar eclipse in astrology? Solar eclipses fall on the New Moon and bring a major transformative change, a sharp ending and beginning, often acting as a call to action in our lives. In contrast, lunar eclipses fall on the Full Moon and are more about an emotional awakening or inner revelation.

Eclipses are not a good time to do magick or to start new projects. It’s best to lay low and process the changes at work within and around us. Give a couple days padding for important affairs if you can.

Solar Eclipse 2023 Part 1: Aries Decan 3 (April 19)

The first eclipse gateway we walk through in 2023 is in the passionate 3rd decan of Aries. This is the 4 of Wands in Tarot, Lord of Completion, which is ruled by the benefics, Venus and Jupiter. A celebratory card, it represents a joyous occasion and a rite of passage. It marks the completion of one chapter and the commencement of a new adventure that awaits us.

This rather positive card comes up when there’s an important event recognizing a rite of passage: graduations, weddings, and birthday parties are prime examples. With each of these kind of events there’s a sense of finality or completion paired with the promise of a new beginning. Thematically this is very apt at describing Solar eclipse energy in general.

The Sun and Moon are in the urgent last degree of Aries, too. This is already a very fervent, compelling energy with the third decan of Aries. Being in the last degree adds some heat and intensity.

A caution for this fiery eclipse is to avoid burning too hot and too fast. Burnout is quite possible when we get wrapped up in the heat of the moment. This can be a strong party vibe, or an anxious feeling that what we hunger for most must happen right now.

But in the morning when the Sun goes into Taurus, we’re going to be more aware of a need for conservation and slowing down. Mercury stationing retrograde in Taurus at the same time will cut the party short as well, counseling rest. We’ll be reminded that this is only the beginning, and we have to pace ourselves!

Posted on April 5, 2023April 7, 2023 by Daz

Soy Candles: A Cleaner Alternative

A Clean Wax Alternative

Soy wax is a natural alternative for more sustainable candle-making, along with beeswax and coconut wax.

Although less expensive, paraffin wax candles are made using petroleum products derived from crude oil. Crude oil is a nonrenewable resource that contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, destruction of habitats and pollution of our air and water. By contrast, soy wax is a biodegradable, renewable resource.

When you buy a candle off a random store shelf, do you know what’s in it? Commercial candles can sometimes contain harmful chemicals, like parabens, pthalates, and lead. As you’re burning these inside your home, you want to make sure they’re clean and additive-free.

Are Soy Candles Really Environmentally Friendly?

Soy candles are made out of hydrogenated soybean oil. They have a lower carbon footprint than candles made from petroleum products. The extent of that sustainability depends greatly on the source.

There are some potential problems with soybean farming, including destruction of natural habitats and the practice of monocropping.

Monocropping, or monoculture farming, is when only one crop is grown in the same fields year after year. This deprives the soil of certain nutrients and degrades soil health. It also increases the prevalence of disease and pests, leading to the use of artificial fertilizers and pesticides.

Sustainable soybean cultivation focuses on soil health, crop rotation, biodiversity, water management, and other social considerations.

Posted on March 28, 2023March 28, 2023 by Daz

April 2023 Astrology: Solar Eclipse

April 2023 Astrology Overview

April 2023 Astrology brings in a Full Moon in Libra followed by a Solar Eclipse in Aries. There’s a special emphasis on the Aries/Libra axis at this time. Themes of independence, balance, and interpersonal relationship dynamics are prominent. In between these lunations, we have a fortunate, growth-spurring Jupiter Cazimi — also in Aries!

Venus enters social Gemini, while Mercury enters hard-working Taurus and stations retrograde, just in time for Taurus Season. Let’s dig in beginning with the current lunar cycle, which started on March 21 in Aries decan 1.

The Full Moon in Libra (April 5)

The Full Moon in Libra decan 2 (the 3 of Swords) is in direct conversation with the wounded healer Chiron. This continues to bring up Chiron in Aries wounds around independence, leadership, worldly desires/goals/ambitions, warrior mindset, self-assertiveness, anger/frustration, etc.

In Tarot, the middle decan of Libra is associated with the 3 of Swords, Lord of Sorrow. There’s a pessimistic or cynical side at play, but it’s more about having realistic expectations and being ground in reality — even when the truth is hard to face. There can be issues around relationships causing separation, loss, or disruptions that can throw us off. It’s important to not lose sense of yourself in these situations and to keep a clear head.

Posted on March 6, 2023March 6, 2023 by Daz

Full Moon in Virgo 2023: Lord of Gain

Full Moon in Virgo 2023

The Full Moon in Virgo on March 7, 2023 is in the second part of the Maiden’s sign, the Lord of Gain. In Tarot we look to the 9 of Pentacles, which is concerned with material independence and self-sufficiency. The image of the 9 of Pentacles is of a woman tending her garden. She holds a bird of prey whose job it is to kill the pests that would otherwise nibble away at the fruits of her labor.

Every Full Moon is an opportunity for heightened awareness on our spiritual path. As the Moon’s light increases, so does our understanding of our lived experiences. This Moon can be particularly illuminating. An electric Sun-Uranus transit ties into this lunation, offering a spark of optimism, intuitive insight and innovative thinking.

The Full Moon brings with her an anticipated change in the skies — Saturn moving into enigmatic Pisces, Pluto into idealistic Aquarius, and Mars into empathetic Cancer.

Posted on March 3, 2023March 3, 2023 by Daz

March 2023 Astrology Forecast

March 2023 Astrology

March 2023 Astrology brings in major changes as two of the outer bodies – Pluto and Saturn – change signs. A new quality of time will emerge as Saturn leaves the comfort of being in his own domain and heads into the heavy, deep waters of Pisces.

A dynamic month ahead offers a highly intuitive/psychic Mercury Cazimi conjunct Neptune in Pisces, providing illumination, inspiration, and insight. This is followed by a shift into action-oriented cardinal energy as we head into Spring.

March also brings us a bountiful Venus in Taurus conjunct the North Node – putting an emphasis on Aphrodite in her own element – a powerful New Moon in Aries, and Mars shifting into Cancer after a long 6 months in Gemini.

Posted on February 5, 2022February 9, 2022 by Daz

Last Quarter Moon Magick: Closing Loose Ends

Time to Review & Adjust

The Last Quarter Moon, also called the Third Quarter Moon or Half Moon, is the final primary Moon phase before the cycle begins again (see: New Moon). It follows the Full Moon phase and represents the waning half of the cycle, when things are coming to a close.

What the Last Quarter Moon Signifies

The Last Quarter Moon is a time of readying for the end. It’s an industrious moment where last minute changes can occur, loose ends can be tied up, and we can look back at the entire Moon cycle with greater clarity.

This is the time to make adjustments and recalibrate your plans, get all your ducks in a row, and look ahead to the future. Like the First Quarter Moon, it can also be a time of crisis, when our story comes to a head. This isn’t as intense of an energy build-up like the Full Moon, but it’s our last chance to integrate lessons. They can come at us hard.

Remember that the Quarter Moon is a hard aspect between the Sun and the Moon. They’re in a tense square aspect, generating tension that’s necessary to create change. When we use these Moon phases consciously, we can take advantage of that turn in the road rather than be taken for a ride.

Posted on January 15, 2022January 15, 2022 by Daz

Full Moon in Cancer: 4 of Cups (January 2022)

The Full Moon in January falls in the last decan of Cancer on January 17, 2022. This corresponds to the 4 of Cups card in the Tarot, the Lord of Luxury, ruled by the Moon and Jupiter. The Moon is of course at home in the sign of Cancer, giving this Full Moon positive dignity by sign and by decan.

Mere days before the Full Moon, Mercury has stationed Retrograde in Aquarius in an exact square to Uranus at 10°. At the same time, Uranus is stationing Direct! This can pull some sudden eruptions and surprises from Uranus into both the Full Moon and Mercury Retrograde cycle. Changes and insights will be especially sharp for anyone having important placements at 10° of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, or Aquarius.

The Sun is conjunct Pluto during the Full Moon, lighting it up like a brilliant power source. We can take advantage of this intensity with Full Moon magick, getting to the heart of a mystery and illuminating the unknown. Pluto allows us to exercise control and will power, revealing secrets and effecting meaningful change and personal transformation.

Full Moon in Cancer (January 2022) Astrology Chart, set for Portland, OR.

Posted on January 15, 2022February 5, 2022 by Daz

Full Moon Magick: Harness the Energy of the Full Moon

Full Moon magick is performed in the days leading up to the Full Moon. This lunar phase follows the New Moon and the First Quarter Moon phases. The Moon has so far been waxing or increasing in light, building up momentum and building a charge.

At this moment the Sun and Moon are in perfect opposition, and the Moon is at her brightest and most magnificent. The Moon is in her most potent position for about a three-day period.

From here, the Moon gradually decreases in light. She’s said to be waning or closing the cycle during this time. After this of course we have a Third or Last Quarter Moon followed by a New Moon.

Posted on December 31, 2021January 15, 2022 by Daz — 1 Comment

New Moon in Capricorn: 3 of Pentacles, “Works” (January 2022)

New Moon in Capricorn

The first New Moon of the year is on January 2 in Capricorn (at 12° 20′, falling in the middle decan). The Tarot card for this Moon is the 3 of Pentacles, Lord of Material Works.

With Jupiter having just ingressed into Pisces on December 28th, he now sits at the South Node bending, in a 90° square to the karmic lunar nodes. During this lunar cycle he will encourage and support our soul growth by helping us release the past. His position in the first decan of Pisces tells a story of moving away from a difficult situation, seeking a spiritual solo journey that moves us away from stagnation.

There is a strong emphasis on Earth element energy as we begin the new year. The New Moon examines the same territory as Venus Retrograde which will be a dominant factor this month. This energy harmonizes with Uranus in Taurus, who will station Direct shortly, tying into a larger theme of change we’ve been experiencing since 2018-19.

Mercury is also in relation to the Nodes at this time and preparing to station Retrograde in Aquarius. This will be similar to last year’s Mercury Retrograde in Aquarius, except that it dips back into Capricorn, bringing Hermes the messenger into the New Moon / Venus Retrograde story as well.

New Moon in Capricorn 2022 Astrology Chart set for Portland, OR

Posted on December 17, 2021January 15, 2022 by Daz — 1 Comment

Full Moon in Gemini & December 2021 Astrology

Full Moon in Gemini (December 18)

The Full Moon this month is in Gemini at 27° 28′. This is a culmination of the Total Solar Eclipse in Sagittarius. It ties back to the Solar Eclipse in Gemini on June 10th.

During this Mercury-ruled Full Moon, Mercury squares Chiron, who is in the middle of stationing Direct. Important conversations can be very illuminating at this time. New information may come to light that has been brewing under the surface since the Solar Eclipse. This info relates directly to our Chiron story of inner wounding and will propel us to take a stand for ourselves. But it also has a lot to do with Venus Retrograde.

Third Decan of Gemini: The 10 of Swords

The story here is of shedding an old way of thinking. We have to adapt, as we’ve come to a place where what we once thought to be true is no longer the case. This is the end of a worldview that we’ve held, which can come as a betrayal. From here we have to rebuild, and the Venus Retrograde will help us figure out what is most important from here.