Metamorphosis II: Pupae and Process

In the graveyard of rebirth, volatile and conflicting energies mix within the fertile earth.  Time and gravity take hold in this garden of decay as the seed transforms, bursts its shell, and takes root.

Weekly Mandala: Four Hares

Here we have a strange feathery jeweled nest.  The center area makes me think of large metallic buttons or sequins, both of which have always had a certain magical quality for me.  Hares are often associated with magic and the Faerie realm.  It seems sensible to me that four of them would gather around such a lavish portal.  Be careful though, in the old stories hares are always tricksters and faerie glamour always hides a price.

Metamorphosis I: Elemental Chrysalis

In the sanctum of a distant Astral landscape, a chrysalis forms as the transformation begins.

From the Archives: Color Study

Here is a quick color study I did last year.  At the time, I had just  discovered the watercolor brush in Photoshop and proceeded to play.  In the end, the piece took on a pseudo-pastel quality.  I would like to pursue more work in this style as some point.  Unfortunately, this piece took me just as long to create as a physical piece would have, thus nullifying any time saving advantage in working digitally.

{Digital Image created in Adobe Photoshop}

Weekly Mandala: Crystalline Space

The big noise this week is Saturn changing signs from Libra into Scorpio.  I've been holding my breath for this one.  I know I've been harping on Saturn leaving Libra, but I really cannot wait.  :-)  Not much happening at the beginning of the week, but by Thursday things start to kick in.

• Oct. 3rd - Venus enters Virgo.  The planet of relationships moves out of playful Leo and into the more exacting and practical sign of Virgo.  Expect relationships to follow suite.  Also expect money and finances to require a little extra effort.  Venus remains in Virgo until October 28th.

• Oct. 4th - Jupiter in Gemini turns Retrograde.  Progress, opportunity, and expansion are taking a bit of a vacation so we can think of better ways to achieve them.  I suspect this aspect will haunt the presidential election as the big daddy planet of expansion will be retrograde until January 30th, 2013.

• Oct. 5th - Saturn enters Scorpio.  The planet of restriction is moving into the sign of passion, transformation, and secrets.  We can expect a major shift of focus from the past two years of Saturn's transit through Libra.  For better or worse the lessons of the past two years are over and Saturn takes away what we do not need and forces us to get down to the nitty gritty.  Look back 28-30 years for examples of how this energy may manifest in your life.    Saturn remains in Scorpio until December 23rd, 2014.            

• That same day we can see the effect of Saturn's movement on Mercury's astrological relationships. Mercury conjuncts Saturn and enters Scorpio while trining Neptune.  Our communications will be following the movements of the master of restriction and there will be an emotional and spiritual reaction to the change.  Mercury remains in Scorpio until October 29th.

• Oct. 6th - Mars enters Sagittarius.  Planet of action, energy, and war in the sign of knowledge and social groups.  Unfortunately for Sagittarius, it's ruling planet Jupiter has just gone retrograde.  Mars brings passion and extra physical energy.  With the higher mind of Jupiter turned inward, tempers may flare, physically.  From now until November 16th would be a good time for more exercise to burn off the excess or maybe we all need to break out into an all night Dance-a-thon.  Try to be proactive and use the excess energy for something positive.  Mars remains in Sagittarius until November 16th.

• Oct. 7th - Mars in Sagittarius square Neptune in Pisces.  Martial action and Spirituality go toe to toe.  This is truly a Fire and Water mixture.  There will be hot steam billowing after these two clash.  These two aspects are pretty evenly matched in this bout with Neptune being retrograde and Jupiter, Sagittarius' ruler being retrograde as well.  No one is really bringing their all to this, but that doesn't make the boiling steam sting any less.  Watch your fingers.

Recommended Listening:
Jandy
Love Signal 528 Hz (Theta binaural beats 6 Hz)
from Unisonic Ascension.com

{Digital Images manipulated in Adobe Photoshop}

Coronation of the Butterfly

Understanding,
the shunned bastard child of Doubt,
yields first fruit.
Long tread paths
lead to a homecoming
and after tribulations,
the self anoints self with light.

Weekly Mandala: Opening

A confusion of darkness parts and a window into hope is revealed.  A much more quiet sky this week in the afterglow of the Uranus Pluto Square.  We'll see some more fireworks from that square with the Full Moon on the 29th, but overall a MUCH quieter week.

• 24th- Moon in Capricorn square Saturn in Libra.  This evening the Moon moves into Aquarius we will feel the energy pick up pace as we edge closer to the Full Moon on Friday.

• 26th - Moon and Mercury trine Jupiter gives us energy and boosts faith and confidence.  Bouyant energy, things are looking up.

• 27th- Venus square Mars.  Passions run high.  Avoid fighting and aim at peacemaking instead.

• 29th- The Full moon in Aries is hitting the Uranus Pluto Square energy.  Sun in Libra opposes Uranus in Aries and Sun in Libra squares Pluto in Capricorn.  Speeding up the wrap up of Saturn in Libra, but pinging those Libra lessons one last time to make sure we got the point if we didn't catch the lesson the first time.

• 30th- Moon still Aries but easing off the intensity by sextiling Jupiter.

Recommended Listening:
Polar Dream
Endless Tales
from Follow Me to the Forest

{Digital Images manipulated in Adobe Photoshop}

Bridging the Gap

A connection flowers
from here now to the beyond.
Yearning bridges the distance.
Flowers bloom from one side to the other,
in between a chasm burns.
The urgency of union draws the gap closed.
The tension and volatility
will be crushed by the urge towards fulfillment.
Desire becomes its own answer.

Weekly Mandala: Southwest III, Through the Stained Glass Window

Hold on to your hats because we have some major movements in the sky.  This is a HUGE week Astrologically! By this time next week we will all have been shaken, rattled, and stirred up by the dramatic effects of this week's astrological tornado.

On Sunday the 16th, Mercury, planet of communication and travel, moved into Libra, the sign of balance, relationships, and justice.  Today Mercury immediately inconjuncts foggy Neptune, currently retrograde in spiritual Pisces.  Ambiguity will challenge communications today.  Be as clear as you can.  This is the calm before the storm slowly disintegrating as the clouds move over us and the rain begins.

In the Valley

In this piece we find a magickal force uncovered unexpectedly.  Astrologically not much going on today, but on Sunday the 16th,  Mercury (communication, information, and travel) will enter Libra (balance, justice, relating).  The movement of the messenger of the gods will get the ball rolling faster towards wrapping up things up in the Libra area of our lives.

Weekly Mandala: Southwest II, In the City

Today the Sun (the personal will) conjuncts (works well with, merges with) Mercury (pattern recognition, information, communication, travel).  Prepare for that lightning bolt epiphany if it hasn't hit you already!

The Mirror Cup

Here we have strange reflections emerging from small pools.  This piece comes from this past summer when after a deep and intense meditation, a voice whispered, "Welcome to the Cup."

Weekly Mandala: Southwest I, Cave Painting

They are hard,
these winds of change,
but like the rings growing within a tree,
the blessed tide of time finally turns.
Slowly, silently,
it changes the very earth
beneath our feet.
All our storms eventually pass
and sorrow and grief will lessen and fade.
Love fully each day as it moves
under your footsteps.
Just let the tide take you
and you will know.
You will know.