Full moon in Scorpio - Pink Moon

Full Pink Moon – April



This name came from the herb moss pink, or wild ground phlox, which is one of the earliest widespread flowers of the spring. Other names for this month’s celestial body include the Full Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon, and among coastal tribes the Full Fish Moon, because this was the time that the shad swam upstream to spawn.

Since this full moon is in Scorpio, the energies from this full moon will uncover things like denial, abuse of power and exposing secrets that lie in shadow.

Scorpio's psychic-emotional power is both feared and respected. It's a sign of healing, but in the Plutonian sense. The kind that means facing demons, walking through fear and taking a good hard look at what's going on. This realist sees the good, bad and the ugly, and never lives in la la land. That makes this full Moon a potential time to heal deep wounds in the soul, or move away from unhealthy fixations that bog down your energy. Scorpio's radar can hone in on the undercurrents of situations or relationship. It's a rich time for insights that guide you away from extremes, addictions, obsessions, etc, and toward more stability.

Happy Birthday Taurus!

And today is my solar return! Whoohoo! Looks like MY focus for this year will be in the 10th house; the house of career & public recognition. This solar return is still in the yod with Saturn in Virgo as the focal point...and sextile Neptune/Chiron conjunction in Aquarus....I will have exciting distractions that I will have to contend with while keeping my focus on what work I need to get done.

As always for me...sigh.

Back to Taurus...



Keywords: Stubborn, Stable, Cautious, Comfort-seeker, Deliberate, Slow

As the second sign of the zodiac, Taurus represents the second stage in the evolution of man and his place in the universe. The first thing man uses are his physical senses. What he can see, touch, and physically hold represents the reality of his position. It is why the celestial heritage of Taureans is to conserve physical resources and possessively cling to people whom they regard as their own. Their strongest desire is for personal security. Broken promises or the betrayal of others are threats to this security. Their reaction to such personal affronts is likely to be bitter, and those who inflict such abuses will not be given another chance. Disappointed Taureans can behave in a manner totally against their own best interests. They may completely retreat from the world, or, go in the opposite direction and become promiscuous. Whatever direction is taken, they may end up sacrificing the meaningful, enduring relationships they really need to feel emotionally secure.

Taureans are stubborn and impervious to changes not of their own making. However, they are able to accomplish things in life because of their tenacity in sticking to projects in which others may have long since lost patience or stamina. The astrological symbol for Taurus is the Bull and indeed, the stubborn bullheaded nature of the Taurean personality can be extremely formidable to those who have the unfortunate experience of coming up against it. On the positive side, their quiet strength and determination inspires others to trust them. Because they dislike being unable to rely on others, they are usually very dependable themselves. Taureans are loving and patient when trying to accomplish what they think is worthwhile and when dealing with people they care about. As a rule, they do not enjoy surprises or spontaneous changes. They are far more comfortable when given sufficient time to prepare for things and allowed to follow their planned agenda.

Taureans react to what they experience by assessing its possible worth. That is, before they take physical action, before they sort out their emotional involvement, and before they reason it out intellectually, they ascertain what tangible advantages are to be gained from the experience. What appears too abstract or vague fails to attract more than their passing interest. They need a definite purpose in what they do and in relationships they form. Because they don't want to be unnecessarily burdened, they willingly rid themselves of worn out items, but only if they cannot find any other way to make use of them.

Venus, planet of beauty and pleasure, rules Taurus, which means that by nature, people born with Sun in Taurus are tactile and sensuous, seekers of personal comfort and physical pleasure. By design however, they are pragmatic with an appreciative eye for both monetary value as well as aesthetic beauty. They are lovers of nature and natural things. Their harmony in life is tied to reality and the material world, but sometimes they get carried away with personal acquisitions. When they go too far afield they tend to either accumulate wealth and never use it, or recklessly squander it without improving the quality or enjoyment of their lives. As a result of their addiction to personal pleasure and comfort, Taureans can be very lazy as well as very vulnerable to the unpleasant consequences that invariably result from overindulging in rich food and other physical pleasures. Their natural cautiousness saves them from making mistakes, but it can also prevent them from taking advantage of valuable opportunities.

As a rule, Taureans are physically strong and solidly built. Even those who are not fat, may be physically more dense per pound of body weight. Many of them favor weight lifting or other body-building routines as a way to keep in shape. They enjoy participating in sports that require strength and endurance. They usually like to putter around the garden, and readily engage in other outdoor activities such as picnics, hikes, and trips to botanical gardens or a zoo. They love music and art and may have considerable talent in these areas. They often have a pleasant speaking or singing voice. Though Taureans tend to be rather subdued, they have a lively sense of humor, and enjoy socializing.

Taurus colors are brown, russet, and turquoise. Vulnerable parts of the body are the neck, throat, shoulders, and upper torso. Stiff necks, sore throats, and earaches are common Taurean complaints. The emerald, a variety of the mineral beryl and as costly as a diamond, is the Taurus birthstone. The emerald's rich green color is suitably Taurean since it is the color of money, green pastures, and serenity. The emerald has a six-sided geometric form. Six is the number assigned to Venus which in turn, is the planetary ruler of Taurus. Flowers for Taurus are the rose (red), daisy, lily, and daffodil.

Steadfast, sensual Taurus is supported through Rose essential oil. Rosa Centifola, Damascena and Gallica, ruled by Venus, are favored for scent, beauty, and especially their aphrodisiac qualities. Mythically, the rose is purported to have sprung from the blood of Adonis, while in Turkish lore it represents the blood of Venus herself-the Taurean ruler. Also, its trifold qualities soothe the vascular, digestive and nervous systems. Rose is very soothing to those suffering from heart-ache as well. Rose eases over-indulgence in food and spirits. This gentle oil benefits the skin and was favored highly by the Queen of the Nile, Cleopatra. Rose essential oil and rosewater are both healing to dehydrated and inflamed skin.

Ah...Jasmine...King of the Flowers!

One of the most intoxicating smells I know of is Jasmine...I love to stop and sniff the night air when it's rich, warm & sweet scent envelopes me. No wonder...Jasmine's scent is a valuable remedy in cases of severe depression and soothes the nerves, producing a feeling of confidence, optimism and euphoria, while revitalizing and restoring energy. Who can resist that?

Jasmine is an evergreen, climbing shrub that can grow up to 10 meters (33 feet) high and has dark green leaves and small white or yellow star-shaped flowers, which are picked at night, when the aroma is most intense. There are over 300 species of jasmine.



An experienced picker can pick 10,000-15,000 blossoms per night, which is important, because you will need 1,000 lbs of flowers to yield approximately one pound of liquid concrete, which yields 0.2% aromatic molecules. Jasmine oil starts it journey as a 'concrete', which is made by solvent extraction, after which an 'absolute' is obtained from the concrete, by separation with alcohol. The essential oil is then produced off the absolute by steam distillation.

Originally from China and Northern India, it was brought to Spain by the Moors, who also gave it the name Jasmine: derived from the Persian word 'yasmin'. Jasmine tea is a Chinese favorite (but Jasminum sambac - Arabian jasmine - is normally used for this). Incidentally, Jasminum sambac IS my favorite of all the jasmines as it has a richer, and more exotic scent..it truely deserves it's name: the "King of Flowers". I usually apply a 3% dilution of Jasminum sambac on my pulse points...and try not not spend all day sniffing my wrists! ;-)

What makes up this intoxicating scent? Well, there are well over 100 constituents found in jasmine oil, but the main chemical components are benzyl acetate, linalool, benzyl alcohol, indole, benzyl benzoate, cis-jasmone, geraniol, methyl anthranilate and trace amounts of p. cresol, farnesol, cis-3-hexenyl benzoate, eugenol, nerol, ceosol, benzoic acid, benzaldehyde, y-terpineol, nerolidol, isohytol, phytol etc.

The comforting sweetness of Jasmine makes it a valuable remedy in cases of severe depression. Because of its deeply soothing and calming nature, jasmine oil helps with sexual problems such as frigidity and impotence; it is renowned for being an aphrodisiac & sexual tonic.

Jasmine oil also facilitates delivery in childbirth: it hastens the birth by strengthening the contractions and at the same time relieves pain. It is effective in post-natal depression and promotes the flow of breast milk. It is also often used in skin care, especially in the treatment of dry or aggravated skin.

Happy Birthday Aries!

Well, it IS still Aries...heh! :D



As the first sign of the zodiac, Aries represents the first stage in the evolution of man and his place in the universe. The raw energy of life itself, which is the first step in being part of the universe, is evident in the character and make-up of Aries people. Babies think of themselves as the center of everyone else's universe. As they grow older, they learn that they are not the center but part of a family group. It is the karmic responsibility of the Aries-born to accept the idea that they are not the center of the universe but part of the larger social order of all men. Aries personalities who do not develop this kind of maturity are demanding and infantile in their behavior. They want what they want, when they want it. The vital life force that is their celestial heritage can either be used to inspire others as well as themselves, or it can be turned inward to reflect only their own selfish needs, and as a result, they fail to evolve as individuals.

Aries people are doers. They set out to accomplish things and are determined to succeed one way or another. The astrological symbol for Aries is the Ram and, considering the sheer force of energy and enthusiasm by which they accomplish their goals, it is not off the mark to suggest that they "ram" their way to success. They must, however, learn the difference between being confidently aggressive--a responsible "take-charge person" on whom others rely to get things moving-- and being rudely aggressive-- a "know-it-all" who is insensitive to the feelings as well as the wisdom of others.

Aries individuals react in a physical way to everything they experience in life. That is, before they assess the practicality or worth of what they are doing, before they sort out their true emotions, and, before they take time to reason things out intellectually, their tendency is to shoot first and ask questions later. Their passionate nature is inspiring and flattering to others, but unless impatience and rash behavior are curbed, their unbridled enthusiasm backfires when they lose interest just as quickly as they gained it. Theirs is the astrological sign of the soldier but in their haste, they forget the practicality of being adequately armed before rushing headlong into physical or verbal combat. They quickly forget frustration and anger. Since theirs is essentially a generous nature, their selfishness is usually a result of carelessness rather than intentional unkindness.

Active, fiery Mars rules Aries and indeed, Aries people are high-spirited, energetic individuals ready to try anything at least once. Courageous, optimistic, and friendly, they are lively participants in the everyday bustle of life, maintaining a frantic pace others find difficult to match. Constant physical activity works off excess energy, and its vitalizing influence is important to their intellectual and creative endeavors. It is usually the energetic Aries who is willing to start projects others would be afraid to tackle. However, it is also Aries who often fails to finish things when too many details demand attention or they simply lose interest. In spite of the physical energy associated with Aries, they are not above using the inability of others to keep up with them as an excuse for their own idleness. If they expect others to provide them with constant stimulation and are unwilling to find their own diversions, they become lazy. Cut off from physical activity, they become depressed, unproductive, and overweight.

They are eager athletes and generous players. They enjoy the challenge of a tough contest, but they can be so stimulated that they become too aggressive. Aries rules guns and weapons, so it isn't surprising that many Aries individuals enjoy hunting. Combative by nature, they also enjoy boxing, wrestling, and most team sports. They are apt to be mechanically inclined and adept at arts and crafts, typing, working with machinery, playing musical instruments, or performing magic tricks. They have a tendency to allow their enthusiasm to exceed their actual ability. Before taking something apart, they don't stop to wonder if they can put it back together.

Aries colors are red and white. Vulnerable parts of the body are the head and face. As a sign of this celestial association, many Aries individuals are born with a birth mark on their head or face. Headaches, black eyes, nose bleeds, and insect bites are common Aries complaints. The birthstone for Aries is the diamond. The tremendous heat and pressure that nature exerts in turning carbon into hard, brilliant diamonds represent the strength and physical force in the Aries-born. Flowers for Aries include the poppy (red), geraniums, honeysuckle, and hollyhocks.

Fiery, initiating Aries is supported through Rosemary essential oil. Rosmarinus Officinalis is a perennial ruled by the Sun. A wonderful nerve/circulation stimulant, it's known to improve confidence and perception, and to enhance memory-hence, the Shakespearean quote "and rosemary for remembrance." Easily cultivated in a sunny climate, it may be used for a splendid hair rinse and facial toner - for Aries rules the head and scalp.

Happy Birthday Pisces (belated)

Sorry, but I've been busy and out of town and such...and so this post is delayed...mea culpa.



As the twelfth sign of the zodiac, Pisces represents the twelfth and final stage in the evolution of man and his place in the universe. Here, the desire is to use all that has been learned and assimilated in order to gain perfection; of man as an individual and humanity as a whole. This perfection leads man to his rightful place in the universe. Though not all Pisceans occupy their time with such lofty aspirations as attaining their rightful place in the universe, the notion of perfection is a strong factor in their personality. They find it difficult to deal with people and situations that do not live up to their idealized images. It isn't that they can't see things clearly, they just don't want to accept things as they really are. Seeking greater perfection than the real world is capable of producing, they often turn to religion or other spiritual and philosophical disciplines.

Pisceans readily adapt to change. This trait is a strength because it is a survival mechanism, and a weakness because it makes them vulnerable to the demands and influence of other people. In spite of their sensitive personality and delicate physical constitutions, most Pisceans are survivors. Their adaptability allows them to outlast those who may be much stronger. Because they so readily identify with the feelings of others, and willingly adapt themselves to different people and changing circumstances, they risk the exploitation or loss of their own needs, ideas, and talent. The opposite side of the coin is that adaptability also allows Pisceans to gain personal power over those they understand so well and turn it to their own advantage. The fish is the astrological symbol for Pisces. The fish is pictured as a double figure seen to swim in either direction. This represents the ultimate Piscean choice; either to be strong and overcome weakness inherent in their sensitive nature, or to become the victim of this acute vulnerability.

Pisceans react emotionally to everything they experience in life. Before they take physical action, before they sort out the practicality of what they are doing, and before they reason things out intellectually, they give in to their feelings. Compassionate and fair-minded, they are not at all afraid to bend unbreakable rules if the situation demands a more humane approach. They make excellent judges, sensitive administrators, and inspirational teachers. Their surplus of emotions implies an addictive nature, and thus it is necessary to avoid habit-forming drugs and other substances. To maintain their emotional equilibrium, they need a private spot or at least a private time for daily retreat and relaxation. The most creatively stimulating and soothing environment for Pisceans is near water, preferably the ocean.

The modern ruler of Pisces is Neptune, planet of the spiritual and sensitive qualities in man. Ancient astrologers assigned Pisces Jupiter, a planet also associated with spirituality as well as thirst for knowledge and understanding. These planets represent similar traits and both of them influence Piscean personalities. They are idealistic, sensitive, and love to play martyr. They are often shy and would much rather impersonate someone else than be themselves. That's why so many are actors, artists, writers, and dreamers. Their association with elusive Neptune makes it hard to predict how Pisceans will develop. Some of them are neat and well organized, while others become slovenly and careless. Personal habits are often a direct reflection of emotional reactions to their environment. Their imaginations are limitless, an ability that makes them successful writers of fiction or turns them into pathological liars. Unique ability to understand the abstract can make them gifted mathematicians and theorists, or it can put them so out of touch with reality that they make no sense at all.

As if to directly confront their own vulnerability, many Pisceans are daredevils and risk-takers, becoming race car drivers, aviators, explorers, and hunters. Their emotional nature can make them compulsive eaters who face a lifelong battle of the bulge. Sports and physical fitness routines are a good way for them to keep in shape as well as reduce their emotional stress. Horseback riding, dancing, skating, swimming or sailing are favored activities.

Piscean colors are pale green, purple, rose, and gray-blue. Vulnerable parts of the body are the feet and lymphatic system. Swelling, allergic reaction to drugs, and sore feet are common complaints, but their emotional nature can also make them vulnerable to psychosomatic illness. The Piscean birthstone is the aquamarine. The sea-colored aquamarine becomes invisible when submerged in water. This is an appropriate representation of the shy Pisceans who often wish they could disappear as easily. Flowers for Pisces are the orchid, lilac, wisteria, water lily (lotus), poppy (white), and pansy.

Intuitive, sensitive Pisces is supported by Jasmine essential oil, Jasminum Officinalis, ruled by the water element. Its rich, exotic scent's classification is debated (showing Piscean duality) but the transcendental aromatic effect is not. In China, Jasmine's scent is considered feminine. It is known to assist with childbirth, and it balances the reproductive system. Treasured as an aphrodisiac, Jasmine's renowned gentling ability helps to dissolve indifference and favorably influences Piscean dream states.

New moon - 24 degrees in Aries

Ah...new moon in Aries! Get off your duff and get started on that dream you always had...there is no better time then NOW! Just do it! :D

Looked up the Sabian symbol for today's new moon degree and it is:

An open window and a net curtain blowing into the shape of a cornucopia

What an interesting mental picture...you can feel the fresh breeze and playful energy...and the promise of a cornucopia...how fun!