Balance, Essence and Kinship – Full Moon in Libra

April 20, 2011 Kathy Crabbe

Next month (May, 2011) in the Creative Soul Circle I have Astrologer, Emily Trinkaus as my special guest. She will be participating in our Q & A Group so if you want to talk with her personally please sign up below. Sign up is free for the Circle, but access to the private Q&A Group is $19 a month or $144 annually, which includes my Q&A Group, a Moon Musing Group and the Awaken Your Divine Feminine Soul eClass plus lots of other goodies! Join the Creative Soul Circle.

*Every month in our Circle I will be featuring a new guest; in June I’ll be featuring Susan Rodio, Mystical Artist. You can view the entire year's line up of special guests here. Full Moon in Libra by Emily Trinkaus

Essence is what is left after all defenses are stripped away; it is who we are when we are undefended. This unshakable center of being — a place where we feel loved, loving, whole, connected, and joyful — is the end to all experiences of emotional homelessness. – Jett Psaris & Marlena S. Lyons, Undefended Love

Sunday’s Full Moon (7:44pm PDT) animates the Aries-Libra polarity, highlighting the balance between self and other, independence and connection, assertion and receptivity, passion and objectivity. The Libra Full Moon asks: What is being reflected back to you by the significant others in your life? Where do you need to restore balance? Are you giving more than you’re receiving (or vice versa)? Are you pushing too hard to get what you want, or afraid to take the risk of acting on your desires? How can you cultivate inner peace in a chaotic world?

This lunation offers a great opportunity for working through projections by taking responsibility for what you see “out there.” As the saying goes, If you spot it, you got it. (Byron Katie’s Judge Your Neighbor Worksheet is helpful.) Working through projections breaks down the ego, helping to reconnect with your true, infinite, source self and to see the god/goddess in yourself and everyone around you.

Venus, ruler of Libra, is now in Pisces, flavoring this Full Moon with extra dreaminess, sensitivity, imagination, romance, and the potential for escapism and delusion. Venus in Pisces dissolves boundaries between self and other, merging the separate self into the ocean of consciousness. Venus in Pisces is the Divine Feminine, the Ocean Goddess, the nurturing source reality from which we all emerged and to which we all return. “God dwells within me, as me.”

Alongside the dreaminess, some frustration is possible. Action planet Mars, ruler of Aries — is moving into an opposition with Saturn — restriction and responsibility. Described as “driving with the brakes on,” Mars-Saturn slows down the action, to ensure that passions and urges are aligned with long-term goals.

Your commitment to your desires is being tested. Obstacles signal that you’re either on the wrong track, or need to reconsider your strategy about how to move forward. Patience, persistence and negotiation may be required.

Adding to the slow-down are three planets now traveling Retrograde, all in Cardinal signs — Mercury in Aries, Saturn in Libra and Pluto in Capricorn. Commenting on the “Cardinal Retrograde,” Robert Phoenix writes:

“We are asked on a symbolic level to really explore how we’re spending our energies and life force…. Pulling back or even out of certain activities, especially, if they have become routinely habitual is favored now. Unplugging creates space for new and different thoughts.” (… The Cardinal Retrograde)

The days following the Full Moon are typically best for releasing from your life whatever is no longer working for you — in this case, whatever keeps you out of balance, and disconnected from the truth of your divine self.

More About Emily

http://virgomagic.com http://virgomagic.wordpress.com/

I fell in love with astrology when I was 13 and read Linda Goodman’s Sun Signs. Suddenly the world made sense! I’ve been a passionate student of the cosmic science ever since. The more I learn, the more I’m humbled by its elegance, power and profound mystery. I started giving readings professionally in 1999.

I also have a background in creative arts – writing, painting and movement – and founded Portland Women Writers. I love working with other artists and writers to offer support for breaking through blocks and increasing access to the creative flow.

Interview with Astrologer, Emily Trinkaus

April 17, 2011 Kathy Crabbe

*Every month in our Circle I will be featuring a new guest; in June I’ll be featuring Susan Rodio, Mystical Artist. You can view the entire year's line up of special guests here.

An Interview with Emily Trinkaus, Astrologer

How did you originally become interested in astrology?

When I was 13, a friend gave me a copy of Linda Goodman's Sun Signs and I was hooked! It just immediately made sense to me, and gave me a helpful perspective on myself and the people in my life, some order to the chaos. I come from an entirely non-woo-woo background, and didn't really get the spiritual dimensions of astrology until much later, but it just seemed very practical, which appealed to my Virgoness.

How can astrology help people?

Astrology can help people by revealing a higher, cosmic perspective to what's happening in their lives. Astrology can also help people by validating what they already know, but may be afraid to trust - that is, the most common response to an astrology reading is relief. It's not like I'm telling the client something they don't already know, but more like I'm giving them permission to be who they are and to trust their intuition in going after what they want.

I also think astrology helps people by connecting them with something bigger, with the mysterious Multiverse. When a complete stranger looks at a page with a bunch of symbols and then gives you an accurate, detailed description of what you're experiencing internally, you know that there's more to this world than what you experience with your five senses.

What is the best way to begin the study of astrology?

The best way to start is to get an astrology reading with a professional astrologer, because then you can get a real sense of what's possible with astrology and how mind-blowing it is. You can study your own chart for years and continue to get new insights and understandings. Study charts of friends and family - you can learn the most through observation, and asking questions. There are many entries into astrology, and it's a very individual journey. Follow what excites you.

Are there any downsides to astrology?

Astrology is a tool, and, like any tool, whether it is good or bad depends on how it's used. When astrology is used for predictive "fortune telling" or to give a static description of "who you are," it's disempowering and not useful. This is the mainstream understanding of astrology - Sun Signs and horoscopes - which is an outrageous reduction and misrepresentation of a very complex art and science. When people say they "don't believe in astrology," I say, "I don't believe in the same astrology that you don't believe in."

Can one make a good living as a full time astrologer in today's world?

I believe you can make a living doing whatever you want. And I think it's a great time to be an astrologer - more and more people are ready for this perspective, and are looking for answers to the big questions in life.

What astrological gem of wisdom do you feel is most essential for us to know about right now?

There's so much happening right now - read my blog!

More About Emily

http://virgomagic.com

http://virgomagic.wordpress.com/

Spotlight on Divine Feminine Moon Muser, Annalee Jackofsky

April 15, 2011 Kathy Crabbe

I recently interviewed the Divine Ms. Annalee Jackofsky about her experience in my Awaken Your Divine Feminine Soul eClass which I offer in my Creative Soul Circle ~ new classes start up every new moon.

What creative and intuitive goals (big or small) have you accomplished or made progress on because of, or related to this Divine Feminine eClass?

One of the biggest goals that I accomplished during this course was to be happier with myself and more confident in all areas of my life. I learned that if I trust in myself great things will happen. I don’t consider myself to be a creative person (art, drawing, etc.), so I was very proud that I didn’t just create one collage, but five. I’ve learned to trust in my gut instinct and not to question myself to the point were I never make a decision. I was never much of a journaling person; I always got bogged down in writing way too many details and facts as if I was writing a story that someone else was going to read, but during this course I discovered I didn’t need to do this. Even if I just wrote down key words and feelings with no explanation as to why I was feeling that way it made me feel a lot better. It allowed me to release things instead of dwelling on them and letting them eat way at me. I feel this was one of the most important discoveries I learned from this class. I’m also trying to not let my learning disabilities stop me from accomplishing things. To believe in myself and not compare myself to other people, especially my sister. All of these things have begun the process of freeing me from who I was in the past, letting me write the future in anyway I would like.

What’s your future vision for your Divine Feminine Moon Musing Self?

That’s hard to say. The future is not yet written. I would like to pursue a more creative, intuitive, and spiritual way of living. I would eventually like to help other people in this way, too. Either by being a life coach, a writer, or in some other way that has yet to be shown to me.

What advice do you have for other Divine Feminine Soul Sisters?

Believe in yourself and be happy with who you are. Live the life you want to be living, tomorrow is going to happen either way, so take the chances today that you need to take to live your dreams. Don’t be afraid of what may happen. Trust that everything will work out.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I would just like to share my favorite quote: “Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls.” - Joseph Campbell

Annalee Talks About the Creative Soul Circle

What do you enjoy most about the Creative Soul Circle?

Being able to talk to like minded women that I know won’t judge me.

What are your favorite activities, places to visit etc?

My favorite group is definitely the moon musing group.

How often do you check in and what brings you back?

Several times a day. I keep coming back to hear what other women are thinking.

What makes this Circle unique?

That fact that there are women of all ages coming together to discuss topics that matter.

Last month I added a Crone Moon Shared Focus Meditation to the mix. Is this something you’d like to see more often?

I think it would be nice to have it every month. I liked the shared meditations the best. It forces me to stop during my busy day and connect to the web of consciousness that forms between the soul SiStars during the meditations. Meaning I like there being three group meditations a month.

How does the Creative Soul Circle compare to other social network sites you belong to? Are there any I should check out? What do you like about this one especially?

The only other social network that I’m part of is facebook. I like the Creative Soul Circle better because the discussion topics are a lot more interesting and everyone in the circle is more on the same page as me. I don’t feel as out of place.

* The Creative Soul Circle ~ where Soul SiStars gather + grow their dreams *

Sign up here

Museletter: Libra Moon

April 13, 2011 Kathy Crabbe

Libra Full Moon April 17, 2011 7:44 pm pdt

When the Moon enters Libra get ready to:

Delve into culture: the arts, music, poetry.
Make time for social gatherings.
Be in love and be loving.
Handle conflict with fairness and equality.
Flood the mind with beauty.
Seek common ground with others.
Cultivate the refined, elegant and lofty dimensions of experience.

Libra Meditation

Spin forever in beauty & dance, Ride your chariot, harness the wind, Find Divine Balance within.

More About Libra

Libra – Scales of justice Time of Year – September 23–October 22 Quality – Cardinal Element – Air Ruler – Venus Anatomy – Kidneys Natural sign of – 7^th house Opposite sign – Aries Color – Shades of blue, pale green, pink Gemstone – Bloodstone, jade, jasper Tarot card – Justice Goddesses – Athene, Benzaitan, Maat, Minerva, Nemesis, Themis

Libra Goddess Benzaitan

Benzaitan (or Benten) was one of the seven Japanese divinities of good luck also known as the Dragon Woman and Queen of the Sea, often appearing surrounded by a retinue of white snakes. Benzaitan brings inspiration, talent, wealth and romance to those who honor her.

Libra Affirmation

I am in harmony with the universe My inner scales are in perfect balance I see beauty all around me.

Excerpted from my two newest ebooks: Moon Musings Volume 1 and The Goddess Zodiac Playbook which are now available for purchase here.

To join in with me and a private Moon Musings Group for more in-depth discussion, dreamings, action plans and more please join my Creative Soul Circle as a Full Moon Member here.