TAURUS NEW MOON - 26 April 2017

Exact at 1.16pm BST, 8.16am EDT!

This is a quietly potent Moon, as not only are we in the dark of the Moon, whereby everything slows down and we prepare for the next cycle, but the Moon is in earthy Taurus, who encourages us to slow down and “smell the roses”. The New Moon is a powerful monthly process, when we leave behind whatever isn’t working for us in the dark of the Moon and set intentions for what we want in order to move forward and grow. Often whatever is on our mind during the New Moon, or whatever issues we are experiencing have the tendency to blossom and grow until they peak, coming to culmination when the Moon becomes full. New Moons should not be underestimated, for while they are not as dramatic and emotional as the Full Moon, they are incredibly potent and set the scene for the whole month ahead. Our thoughts hold energy and have the capacity to affect our lives in powerful ways, and more so during the New Moon. “What the mind can conceive, the body can achieve”! As such, it is important to be mindful and aware of any negative, fearful or pessimistic thinking, as it can easily manifest as reality. On the other hand, thinking positively, looking at the brighter side of life and using our creative imagination can also manifest as reality. It is entirely up to us.

Taurus, among other things, represents the law of attraction. It is the yin, side of Venus, which represents our inner relationship with ourselves, how we are inwardly vibrating and our inner dialogue with ourselves. It also represents self-worth. How we are feeling about ourselves on an inner level determines what we attract from the outside world. Like attracts like, so if we are operating from a place of inner shame and unworthiness, then we are going to attract people and situations into our life that reflect and compound that belief. On the other hand, if we are concentrating on our good qualities and nurturing a loving relationship with ourselves, we will attract more of the same into our lives. The vibrations we send out attract similar vibrations. It could be a good idea, during this Moon, to take heed of our inner dialogue and notice what we tell ourselves on a day to day level. The soil is very fertile during a Taurus New Moon, and while whatever seeds we plant may take a while to sprout, there is no doubt that they we have very sturdy roots! Taurus is a slow mover, but is well versed at the art of patience and perseverance. Whatever intentions we set now do have the potential to really stick.

Taurus represents our core values and what we give meaning to in our lives. This could be a good time to contemplate what is really, truly important to us and be willing to let go of what no longer matters to us. Taurus also represents what we need for survival; our basic needs. What do we need to feel safe and secure? Are those needs being met at the moment? Where are we being too needy of others and might we need to practice the art of self-reliance and self-sustainment? How could we benefit from learning to take care of our own needs? Where are we being too self-sufficient and stubborn but could benefit from accepting the help, support or opinions of others? Where are we stuck in a rut, or resisting change? What are we holding onto for dear life, even though we know deep inside it’s not doing us any good? What skills, talents and inherent gifts could we recognise and nurture in order to get what we are looking for in life? Are we recognising our own worth? What can we do to empower ourselves and give ourselves a greater sense of confidence and self-worth? These are all questions that could come up around the time of a Taurus Moon.

The Saturn Chiron Square has been building for the last month or so and is about to peak, on April 30^th. After that it will start waning and its influence will gradually fade. This square has the potential to bring up our fears, anxieties, inadequacies and insecurities and make us feel a bit fearful and despondent. There is a certain heaviness that it brings that could make things seem a bit bleak, futile and hopeless. It could make it a bit difficult to recognise our own worth and think positively about our situation, but it is here for a reason. Whatever comes up during this time, whether it be fear, anxiety, sadness or depression, should be welcomed rather than resisted. The more we resist, the harder it is, and there is no doubt that whatever we are experiencing does have a gift for us; some kind of lesson for us to learn so that we can grow. We could feel quite vulnerable during this time, as our core wounds come bubbling up to the surface, clamouring for our attention, but that’s ok. The more conscious awareness of them we can have, the better able we are to handle them and the less power they have over our lives and relationships. It is very important to have compassion during this time and to practice the art of forgiveness. Starting with ourselves!

The Sabian Symbol for this Moon is Taurus 7° “The woman of Samaria at the ancestral well” which Dane Rudyar describes as “The meeting of the traditional past and of the creative spirit pointing to the future.” This is a story from the bible, whereby Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at the well, from a tribe despised by the Jews who is also unmarried and on the fringe of her own society. Basically, she is considered to be the “lowest of the low”, yet Jesus reveals himself to her as the Messiah, when he hasn’t even told his own disciples. There are two messages here, I feel. One is that Jesus could only reveal his “spiritual, evolutionary and society-transforming status” to someone who had already let go of the old way of being and was able to conceive of a new way. As Rudyar says ”The highest meets the lowest when this lowest is free from traditional bonds and open to love. The creative future descends first to that which has become chaos.” This speaks to us both personally and collectively, as surely we are living in a world of chaos at the moment!  There is a need to let go of any preconceived notions about ourselves or life in order to be open to the change that is coming. Another message is that each and every one of us is deserving of God’s love, no matter who or what we are and how worthless, empty or low we might feel. The well of divine love is always there for us to tap into and does not consider one person more deserving than another.

Venus, the ruler of Taurus, is on the very last degree of the Pisces during this Moon, which is the very last degree of the entire Zodiac. This last degree is the culmination of Pisces, the epitome of unconditional love, divine love and compassion for all beings, great or small. It urges us to find love and compassion for our rejected parts and to forgive ourselves and others for any inadequacies or shortcomings. We are encouraged to open up to one another and allow our vulnerabilities and sore spots to be seen so that they can be loved too. The Sabian Symbol is perfect for a Taurus New Moon: “A majestic rock formation resembling a face is idealised by a boy who takes it as his ideal of greatness, and as he grows up, begins to look like it.” We are encouraged to concentrate on what we value most, what our ideals are, what we would most like to be and then slowly but surely it will begin to take form. This symbol brings the promise of a concrete manifestation of our hopes and ideals. We truly do get what we focus on, so it is very important indeed that we focus on the positive. Taurus doesn’t promise immediate results, but when they do come, they’ll be here to stay. We just have to believe we deserve them.

THE GUEST HOUSE

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honourably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

RUMI

Much Love

Amy

xoxo

Photo: The promise of things to come by Dan Leak