Astrology Spotting: Hong Kong

A couple of days ago, I visited Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden in Kowloon, Hong Kong (www.nanliangarden.org).  Just as I was about to leave, I came across a monument called 'The Light of Enlightenment'.  

I was more interested in the sundial at the base so I took a closer look:

Unfortunately, I couldn't make any sense of the sundial at all

So I moved onto the next panel:

Can you spot the dragonflies?  I couldn't tell if they were part of the clock until one flew away!  My sister commented on the symbols, saying they look astrological, but I told her they're not and I wouldn't expect to see astrology glyphs at a Buddhist garden...how wrong I was!

As you can imagine, I was totally gobsmacked when I saw this:

I don't really understand how the sundial on the right works...

I also found the phases of the moon on another panel:

Here's a map showing the location of Hong Kong in relation to China:

New Moon in Taurus 2012

New Moons give us fertile grounds to sow seeds; to throw our wishes out to the Universe.  What's the energy pattern like astrologically during the New Moon in Taurus (at 1 degree 35 minutes) on 21st April 2012?

With the New Moon falling in the earth sign of Taurus, practical concerns, financial matters and sensual pleasures are highlighted, so planting your wishes surrounding these issues aptly correspond to this Taurean New Moon energy.

Though not in aspect to the New Moon, Jupiter is also in Taurus, thus amplifying the Taurean energy somewhat, bringing a sense of joy and abundance to the picture.  The New Moon is oppose Saturn, retrograding in Libra (though it is an out-of-sign aspect).  Sign-wise, it is a quincunx.  The point worth noting here is that both the New Moon and Saturn are Venus-ruled so an understanding can be achieved by tapping into the Venusian energy.  With Taurus-Libra, we have two different ways of expressing our Venusian qualities.  Taurus is concerned with the physical world, the body and the senses, whereas Libra is concerned with relating and interactions.  This New Moon is also part of an earth grand trine with Mars in Virgo (now going direct) and Pluto in Capricorn (in retrograde).  'Tread carefully' seems to be the theme here with the Taurus New Moon wanting a new beginning on a practical matter, encouraged by the trine from Mars, thinking that enough planning has been achieved (Mars in Virgo), and just as long as steady progress is maintained, all will be well. However, Mars continues to oppose the Neptune/Chiron conjunction, so there could be unknown factors at play.  If it's concerning a personal development project, e.g. building your self-esteem or reshuffling your beliefs and values, then go easy and ask yourself if you are ready to confront your demons (Pluto in the grand trine in retrograde).  Do what you feel comfortable at this point.  Venus in Gemini balances the two opposing sides (New Moon in Taurus versus Saturn in Libra) by injecting a breath of air.  Be flexible with your thinking and express your desires verbally.  Lighten up, don't take negative comments to heart.

With Mercury (now direct) conjunct Uranus in Aries, both trine the North Node in Sagittarius, it is tempting to think big and wild, but both are Mars-ruled, and with it in Virgo, focus on the smaller steps in achieving your goals.  It is well enough to have a plan but to implement it requires astute research and planning.  In addition, the Mercury-Uranus conjunction is square Pluto so take it easy and be true to yourself - how much can you really take on?  Don't open a can of worms with no contingency plans.

Image: Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Venus in Gemini 2012

Venus normally stays in a sign for three to four weeks, but due to its retrograde motion, it is to remain in Gemini for three months - from 3rd April to 7th August.

With Mercury ruling Venus for three months, the Venusian qualities are being expressed through the spoken word and the objective mind, particularly that Mercury finally goes direct on 4th April, ending the period of introspection of the mind.  Mercury in Pisces may inspire you to utter loving words, but if you're not feeling brave enough, perhaps with Mercury re-entering Aries on 16/17th April, it may provide you with the much needed push to boldly serenade to your object of affection.

Besides love and relationships, Venus also rules money and sensory pleasures.  With the Sun and Mercury ingressing into Taurus (a sign ruled by Venus) on 19th April and 9 May respectively, practical concerns move to the fore with this energy shift  into the earth element.  Spend money on beautifying your living space, titillate your palate on exotic cuisines, unwind at a spa with an aromatherapy massage, admire paintings by your favourite artist in an art gallery, or simple take a walk in the local park - just stimulate and indulge your five senses.

By 15th May, Venus goes retrograde at 23 degrees 59.9 minutes and turns direct again on 27th June at 7 degrees 29.3 minutes.  Look in your natal chart for planets in Gemini between these degrees, and any mutable signs too (Sagittarius, Virgo and Pisces).  Planets in retrograde allow us to slow down and turn within.  In Venus, we are encouraged to introspect in relation to our values and beliefs during this six-week period.  What do you value the most?  What are your beliefs?  This is also a time to review the state of your current relationships.  Are you happy where you are or do you want to take things to a different level?  Concerning finances, this may be the time to evaluate your assets and shop around for the best deals on offer, but remember this is a time of review and evaluation rather than action.

Venus in Gemini will form a T-Square with my natal Sun-Saturn opposition by mid-April and in mid-June.  Interesting times ahead concerning my self-esteem and belief system - be kind to me, Goddess!

Image: graur codrin / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Full Moon in Libra 2012

Did you make any New Moon wishes?  Besides bringing revealing information, Full Moons are also perfect times to review your plans and New Moon wishes.

With the Sun in Aries and the Moon in Libra (at 17 degrees 23 minutes) positioning themselves exactly opposite one another on 6th April at 20:20 GMT, we have the opportunity to balance out the need to co-operate with others and being an individual. The Full Moon also illuminates the shadow sides of Aries and Libra - where are you being egotistic and impulsive?  And where are you being co-dependent and a people-pleaser (in the name of peace)?

Mars, the ruler of Aries, and Venus, the ruler of Libra, happen to square one another under this full moon, making it extra challenging to iron-out the differences between these two archetypes. Fortunately, squares are not just all gloom and doom, the tension can create that surge of motivational energy, propelling us to overcome our problems and pushing us to personal growth.  Taking into account that Mars is still in retrograde until 14th April, its usual brash energy may be easier to tame and negotiate.  However, as both planets are ruled by Mercury (Mars in Virgo and Venus in Gemini) and with Mercury in Pisces (and Mars oppose Neptune), confusion can cloud one's thinking.  Venus, as the focal planet in the T-Square with Mars and Neptune, the way forward is to reach a compromise by being diplomatic and choosing your words carefully (Venus in Gemini).

I wonder what kind of message I will receive under this Full Moon, with it conjunct my Venus-ruled Pluto in 3rd sextile Neptune?  Being a generational aspect though, the effect is unlikely to be personal but affecting the masses.

Image: tungphoto / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

New Moon in Aries 2012

The Sun and the Moon are due for their monthly rendezvous on 22nd March at 14.38 GMT.  This time, they meet in the sign of bold and dynamic Aries at 2 degrees 22 minutes.

Even though Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, its leadership quality and its tendency to blaze new trails are unlikely to be unleashed in the usual fashion.  This is due to the fact that its ruler, Mars, is still in its retrograde phase. In addition, Mercury is retrograding in the sign of Aries (not to mention Saturn is also in retrograde, but in Libra).  Therefore, the theme of introspection is interwoven into the message of this new moon.  All in all, we have 4 planetary bodies in an Aries stellium:  Sun, Moon, Mercury and Uranus.  You can still act, be courageous and take risks, but only after the careful consideration of all the available facts. Even so, this may be a bit tricky, especially with Mars, retrograding in Virgo, oppose Neptune (and Chiron), so information could be kept from you. With Saturn trine Neptune, ensure your plans are not too idealistic and make them as practical as possible (with Saturn trine Neptune).

This leads to another sub-theme of this new moon - practicality.  With Mercury and Uranus 'sandwiching' the New Moon, we are encouraged to think outside the box, but with the grand earth trine in Mars, Pluto and Jupiter, we are also urged to keep our plans 'real', down-to-earth and feasible.  Having said that, Mercury conjunct Uranus can help us extend our mind and breakdown the 'I can't do it' barrier.  With Jupiter conjunct Venus in Taurus, we are reminded of our own beliefs and values.  So do what you can within your own physical limits and personal beliefs.  The nodal axis square the Mars-Neptune opposition would like us to think and move beyond our comfort zone without stepping into muddy territory.  If in doubt, ask, check, double check, triple check.

Image: pixtawan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Full Moon in Virgo 2012

The moon is under full illumination on 8th March at 9.41am (GMT).  Full Moons are culmination points and great times to adjust your plans and review your New Moon wishes.  

With the Sun in Pisces and the Moon in Virgo (at 18 degrees 13 minutes), we face the need to balance the polarity between these two mutable signs.  How can we make practical use of our spiritual pursuits?  What spiritual teachings can be readily immersed into our everyday living?  James Redfield's 'Celestine Prophecy' comes to mind.  In particular, in his sequel, 'The Tenth Insight', he mentions the need to 'hold the vision' of our spiritual thoughts/teachings and apply them into our mundane lives.  

Easier said than done.  

Initially, I found it next to impossible to have compassion and be non-judgmental when come face-to-face with unsavory souls.  I personally have quite a number of natal oppositions between Pisces-Virgo so I know one of the my life missions is to balance out being spiritual without losing my groundedness.  As Teihard de Chardin said, 'We are not human beings having a spiritual experience.  We are spiritual beings having a human experience.'  The way I see it, we have incarnated onto the physical plane so we are required to satisfy our practical means first, e.g. food to eat, place of shelter.  However, spiritual teachings can support us mortals, making our 'human' journey easier to understand and tolerate.

Being practical and spiritual are just as important as one another.  This theme is further reinforced by Neptune (modern ruler of Pisces) in Pisces trine Saturn in Libra (out-of sign).  Injecting compassion into our social interactions may require some extra effort but it's worth taking that extra step to iron-out individual differences and to understand where the other person is coming from.

In addition, we have Pisces' traditional ruler, Jupiter, in Taurus trine Pluto in Capricorn.  We are urge to be realistic with releasing past hurts and burdens.  Do what you can manage at this point in time.  With Mercury in Aries, we may get impatient and push ourselves too far, but Mercury is gradually slowing down its pace as it approaches its retrograde motion on 12th March.  Keep the motivational energy within you but consider tapping into the grand earth trine among Jupiter, Pluto and Mars (which is in retrograde and in mutual reception with Mercury).  Try your best but be realistic with your goals. 

This full moon conjunct my North Node and makes various aspects to my outer planets so this is likely to be a time to get pushed outside my comfort zone.  I can already feel it!

Image: Exsodus / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Transiting Venus in Taurus 2012

Get ready for a wave of relaxing and indulgent energy to wash over us when Venus enters one of its own signs, Taurus, on 5th March at 10:24 GMT.  The Goddess of love and money is due to stay in comfort-seeking Taurus for about a month, leaving on 3rd April.  Transiting Mercury is due to conjunct Uranus in Aries an hour after Venus' ingress into Taurus, which may possibly bring sudden outbursts of ideas and impulsive actions on how to be kind to yourself (shopping comes to mind!  Having said that, transiting Mars is in retrograde so this urge may no be that hard to conquer).  Then we have a Full Moon in Virgo 3 days later (on 8th March), a time to review your ongoing plans and projects. 

I have my MC, Chiron and Moon in Taurus.  I tend to indulge myself in the food department usually when anything conjuncts my Moon.  I'm already feeling rather lethargic with planet Mars in retrograde motion (but my workload is still on the increase), so with Venus transiting in Taurus conjunct my MC, Chiron then my Moon, I hope I won't become a couch potato and adopt a listless attitude towards my work.....

Taurus is also a sensual, tactile sign.  Hug and kiss.  Pamper your body.  Visit a spa, have a facial, a body massage, a manicure, a pedicure.....ummm,  I have a facial booked during this period... I was hoping Venus in Taurus would bring me some cash instead of the opposite.....

Image: Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net