“We think that the point is to
pass the test or overcome the problem, but the truth is that things don't
really get solved. They come together and they fall apart. Then they come
together again and fall apart again. It's just like that. The healing comes from
letting there be room for all of this to happen: room for grief, for relief,
for misery, for joy." ~ Pema Chodron (From When Things Fall Apart)
Recently,
this quote from Buddhist teacher Pema Chodron caught my attention. I recognize
this pattern. This what I experience as I follow the Moon through its phases—things
come together and they fall apart every lunar cycle. The Moon counsels how to
make room for this pulsation of emotion and experience. As the Moon waxes and
wanes, I follow an intention through a variety of emotion, relief and joy as
well as misery and grief. I appreciate Chodron’s teaching of non-attachment. I
can allow all these feelings space to move through by making more room for them
inside. The Moon shows me that whatever I am feeling in the moment will
eventually pass.
The
influence of the Moon is always strong, but is even more so during the Cancer
lunar cycle,* which is ruled by the Moon. We have the opportunity to develop
stronger relationship to the cycles of coming together and falling apart this
month. Chodron writes that “healing comes from letting there be room for all
this to happen.” This resonates. I want to learn how to make room for emotional
experience evoked by these cycles of coming together and falling apart. I
imagine that this inner spaciousness of acceptance is my true home—the place I
allow myself to be and feel all that is true to me. After all, Cancer is the
sign of the home, both external and internal—but especially internal. Think of
the crab, covered in a hard shell, always at home and always turning attention
to what is inside the shell. The season of Cancer is time to let the waters of
emotional awareness turn our gazes inside as well.
This
investigation has added potency this month. Jupiter has spent the last year in
Cancer and will be leaving this lunar cycle to spend the next year in Leo.
Jupiter is the guru of the solar system. Steadily throughout the year,
Jupiter’s been teaching us about home. What spiritual truths have been revealed
to you? In astrology, all symbols are literal and metaphorical. As Jupiter
prepares his final illuminations, will you join me in turning our gazes to the
inner home where healing is found? This is not a simple pursuit. Masterful
teachers like Pema Chodron have dedicated their lives to it. But as she says,
it isn’t about passing the test or overcoming the problem, it about letting
there be more room.
Forecast–June
29, 2014 – July 5
Moon
enters Leo 3:43 am CDT
Sunday, June 29. Mixed messages could challenge our composure
today. In the central time zone, we have a night of dreaming inspired by the
trine between the Sun and Neptune. We start the day sensitive and open, perhaps
ready to bring healing to a wound. Then, the stressors and possible conflicts
kick in around how to really help. Venus in Gemini enjoys more social,
light-hearted interactions. This impulse rubs up against those whose emotions
are more raw and unprocessed. To top it off, boundaries are not as clear as
they could be. Step back from assumptions and ask for clarity. By the evening,
we just want to let off steam, which could be a good thing.
Moon
in Leo CDT
Monday, June 30. The whole week is influenced by the direct
stationing of Mercury. Planets become stronger when they change directions.
Mercury in Gemini is preparing to turn direct tomorrow. Strange communication
and travel mix-ups are possible. However, we can invite a sense of curiosity
and humor to help us through. The Moon in Leo energizes us to take creative
action. Not much patience will be in evidence. Considering the trickster energy
of the day, things may not turn out the way you thought they would, but can you
accept that there are hidden benefits in the confusion? The square between the
Moon and Saturn contributes to the wish that we could have more control over
outcome. The task will be to more room for delight and disappointment.
Moon
enters Virgo 4:23 pm CDT
July
1—Crescent Moon: Beginning. Have you been able to give more room to the feelings that are arising for
you? This phase of the Moon encourages us to begin practices in support of
manifesting intention. We dare to act as if our dreams are indeed possible.
What practice or action will support inner acceptance as we get in touch with
deeper feelings?
A persistent challenge
for the next few days will be the pressure of perfectionism in the face of
chaos. The Moon will stay in Virgo for almost three full days, while Mercury
stations direct. No matter how hard we try, and we will try, we will not
achieve perfection. Mercury rules Gemini and Virgo. In Gemini, like a magician,
Mercury delights in slight of hand tricks. In Virgo, like a librarian, Mercury
delights in creating systems of order. What a split personality this god has!
Even though Mercury can bring stress and upheaval, we’d be lost without this
inventive, clever ally. What new point of view has Mercury given you in the
past three weeks? This kind of expansion makes more room for our true selves.
Give thanks.
Moon
in Virgo
Wednesday, July 2. Virgo is the sign of the dedicant. The Moon in
Virgo asks us to become a dedicant in service to hearth and home. Remembering
that home can mean both our physical and metaphorical homes, what is the state
of your true home? How will you dedicate yourself to this home? What acts of
beauty and strength will honor this home? Housecleaning goes deeper than we
think. Sweep out the old and invite in the new.
Moon
in Virgo
Thursday, July 3. One feature of a Mercury retrograde period is the
clean up after it is over. Miscommunications, system breakdowns, car and
computer troubles, all these kinds of things are sorted out as Mercury turns
direct. The Virgo Moon encourages us to take care of such details. What new
systems will bring more ease into your life? Many will be planning for the 4th
of July holiday tomorrow. Even if you have the day off, you might still want to
work. It feels better to get things in order. Disagreements with partners may
involve misunderstandings about power and commitment. Growth happens when we
begin to see the other’s point of view.
Moon
enters Libra 4:43 am CDT
Friday, July 4. U.S. Independence Day. For the first time since the
United States gained independence, Pluto is transiting opposite the nation’s
Sun in Cancer. The Solar Return for the U.S. shows this Pluto/Sun opposition
right along the Ascendant/Descendant angles of the chart. This will be a year
of accounting for our actions and impact in the world. It is also a year where,
as a nation, we can heal power imbalances. To add to this powerful transit, the
square from Uranus brings a desire to upset the status quo. History is
impatient at the moment. The U.S. has always been a Cancer nation. Patriotism
and protectionism are strong manifestations of this energy. However, we can
also use this same energy to ensure that every being thrives through broadening
our notion of what it means to nurture all. This Pluto/Uranus transit represents
being at a crossroads for the U.S. The choice before us: How will we use power?
How will we take responsibility? The collective choices begin with personal
ones. How do you use power? How do you take responsibility?
Moon
in Libra
July 5—First Quarter
Moon: Manifesting. At the
Crescent phase, we begin a practice in support of intention. At the First
Quarter Moon, we face an obstacle to manifesting that intention. Remember what
Pema Chodron wrote about how “things
don't really get solved. They come together and they fall apart. Then they come
together again and fall apart again.” This happens with intention and
mindfulness practices too. Obstacles are not always a sign of failure. If the
goal is to make a home for everything that arises in us, then even the
obstacles are helping us. The Moon in Libra encourages equilibrium. Big
transits to Pluto, Uranus, and Mars today from the Moon may challenge that
sense of balance. Hearts are growing. We learn new ways to support each other.
*The Cancer lunar cycle
began on June 27 at the New Moon. Read more about the beginning of this lunar
cycle on my Starsdance blog.