Aquarius New Moon: All Together in the Belly

Tomorrow’s New Moon — a conjunction of the Sun and Moon — takes place right at the midpoint of Aquarius. This marks the middle of the current season; a time the ancient Pagans celebrated as Imbolc.

Photo by Amanda Painter.

Although the origin of the word Imbolc is not entirely clear, one common explanation is that it comes from the Old Irish word meaning “in the belly,” referring to the pregnancy of ewes.

In other words, the seeds — literal and metaphorical — that have long lain dormant and are still in darkness, are gestating and beginning to stir. (You can read past Planet Waves writing on Imbolc here and here.) To have a New Moon today underscores these themes of what is inside and is developing, a new cycle about to begin from the darkness. Yet it comes in the midst of some astrological activity that has likely been quite activating.

I’m going to cover some of that before looking at the New Moon itself, and you can review recent aspects here. Most of them are beginning to separate; the one that may still be intensifying (if you’re reading this Sunday evening) is the conjunction between Mars and Eris in Aries, exact overnight into tomorrow morning.

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Planet Waves Daily Oracle for Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019

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Today’s Oracle takes us to the Leo monthly for October 23, 2014.

It’s not as complicated as it seems. It will be, if you try to analyze your emotions, and re-analyze them, and expect everything to add up to the same thing every time. To me, your solar chart says the place to start is to set limits, including limits on yourself. If you feel any competitive or jealous vibes, that is the place to start. If you feel resentful that you cannot express some deeply held need or even a basic feeling, that’s the place to set a limit, in the form of knowing that such cannot persist. If there is a need for leadership in your environment, everyone must play their role in a cooperative way. The challenge of your astrology seems to be finding a balance between being the center of your own world, and being part of the wider world. That balancing point involves being clear what you have to give. You are in an excellent position to offer support and affirmation, even though it’s clear that you are facing certain distinct emotional challenges. Yet as you acknowledge and work out these matters, you must stay a few levels above them, and a few steps ahead of them. Your planning must involve your probable emotional and physical state if certain conditions emerge, and include a plan to avoid those conditions. Be clear, especially with yourself. Be professional, including and especially in your own home.

As we go deeper into this most unusual and challenging phase of history, intelligence is the thing we need the most. That is the theme of the 2019-2020 annual edition of Planet Waves — audio now available for instant access. See more information here. If you’re looking for individual signs, order here.

Planet Waves Daily Oracle for Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019

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Today’s Oracle takes us to the Gemini monthly for February 25, 2016.

As you know, it’s easier for you to have wide, general goals rather than specific ones. Yet in recent years, a few special ambitions have manifested and taken up a life of their own. Events this month, including a total eclipse in the house associated with your highest calling, can propel you to a new kind of success. This is, however, the kind of success for which there is no formula. Yet several things are clear. You must strive for what is important to you now. It’s easy to get caught up in old goals, or outdated images of yourself. Stay in the moment. What comes your way may be something you’ve never considered before. Real opportunities can be total surprises. You may not feel ready or creative enough; you may feel overwhelmed. Let none of that deter you. Many of the greatest successes in the world arrive at odd or inconvenient times. Many people discover talents they never would have considered unless the circumstances presented themselves. I suggest you use this extraordinary time as an opportunity to set aside your expectations, whether negative or positive, and rise to the occasion of what transpires. The world is a strange place right now, and the quantum idea that life is a dream we create was never more obvious than it is today. Dream beautifully.

“Do We as a Society Have a Right to Kill?”: Chinonye Chukwu’s Film “Clemency” Examines Death Penalty

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Links to today’s show transcripts:

“Do We as a Society Have a Right to Kill?”: Chinonye Chukwu’s Film “Clemency” Examines Death Penalty
As the state of Texas this week carried out the nation’s first execution of the year, we look at “Clemency,” a new film starring Alfre Woodard that examines the death penalty from the perspective of those who have to carry out executions as well as the condemned. Woodard portrays prison warden Bernadine Williams as she prepares to oversee what would be her 12th execution as warden in the aftermath of one that was horribly botched. As her life seems to unravel, Williams, for the first time, grapples with what it means to be part of a system of state-sanctioned murder, as the execution date for Anthony Woods, played by Aldis Hodge, gets closer. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. The Nigerian-American writer-director Chinonye Chukwu says she was inspired to take on the subject after the execution of Troy Anthony Davis, who was put to death by the state of Georgia on September 21, 2011. Davis’s execution was carried out despite major doubts about evidence used to convict him of killing police officer Mark MacPhail, and his death helped fuel the national movement to abolish the death penalty.

“Do We as a Society Have a Right to Kill?”: Chinonye Chukwu’s Film “Clemency” Examines Death Penalty
As we mark the beginning of Black History Month, Democracy Now! looks at “Always in Season,” a disturbing new documentary that examines lynching in the United States both past and present. It interviews Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, which built the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery to remember the more than 4,000 African Americans lynched in the United States. It also looks closely at the case of Lennon Lacy, a 17-year-old African-American high school student who, on August 29, 2014, was found hanging from two belts attached to a wooden swing set in a largely white trailer park in Bladenboro, North Carolina. At the time of his death, Lacy was dating an older white woman. Local authorities quickly determined his death to be a suicide, but Lacy’s family and local civil rights activists feared authorities may have been covering up a lynching. Lacy’s mother, Claudia Lacy, and Jacqueline Olive, the director of “Always in Season” are interviewed.

Planet Waves Daily Oracle for Friday, Feb. 1, 2019

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Today’s Oracle takes us to the Gemini monthly for January 1, 2005.

Gemini’s child has had many opportunities to see herself as the passive recipient of experience the current phase of your life is a study in cause and effect: with you in the starring role as the cause. Those afraid of getting blamed for other people’s problems may cower from this. I suggest you celebrate because the implication is that by choosing between obvious alternatives you can actually get a vote in your destiny.

Planet Waves Weekly Horoscope for Jan. 31, 2019

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Planet Waves Weekly Horoscope for Jan. 31, 2019 (#1235) | By Amy Elliott

Aries (March 20-April 19) — You seem to be brimming with energy and can achieve great things this week, so long as you channel your passion constructively. Be wary of making rash decisions or rushing to judgment without knowing all the facts; let the voice of reason be your ultimate guide when it comes to throwing your weight behind a commitment. There may also be pressure on you to get involved in a fight that’s not really worth your time, and would distract you from more meaningful efforts. Don’t let it. Get your full Aries reading by Eric here.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — Keep in touch with your inner compass, and don’t lose sight of the path toward your ideals, however anarchic or topsy-turvy the rest of the world may appear. You understand the importance of retaining a sound ethical framework, particularly one that places compassion and empathy front and center: wisdom too precious to dispense with, perhaps more than ever in these strange days. Carry yours with you like a torch to light your way through any new territory you come across. Get your full Taurus reading by Eric here.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — There’s a lot of chaos in your surroundings at present, and at times it may seem to you as if everyone is collectively losing their minds. Despite this, you seem to have a firm grip on reality, which will likely only consolidate as the week continues. Part of this is because you currently understand yourself and your wishes well enough to move with autonomy and make informed choices without too much difficulty. Where possible, share this tranquility with those around you who may need a dose of it. Get your full Gemini reading by Eric here.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Both the outer environment and your mental landscape are undergoing an alteration of some kind, and it may not be wholly clear which is adapting to the other, or perhaps whether the external change is more a question of perception. To a certain extent you need to let the flow happen, and avoid being fearful of unknown quantities based on the unfamiliarity alone. Every scenario has its ups and downs, and often there are benefits in change that are not necessarily easy to foresee as it works itself into being. Get your full Cancer reading by Eric here.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — If you get into a dispute with a loved one this week, regardless of the nature of the disagreement itself, make sure you act fairly toward them. That means trying as far as possible to resolve any issues privately and amicably, and to avoid resorting to pettiness or punitive behaviors, even if you think others might indulge in such things. Keep yourself honest and above reproach. Steer clear of any situation that might widen breaches for the time being. Look instead for what could build bridges. Get your full Leo reading by Eric here.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — As the week progresses, you may find you’re particularly sensitive to the tension around you. Relax as much as you can, and take a backward step from any situation where the conflict level appears to be getting out of hand, unless it’s specifically your responsibility to restore calm. If you need somewhere to invest your energy, focus first on the tasks that are immediately before you and which need to be completed, or on creating art: the world is invariably better off with a little extra beauty and soul. Get your full Virgo reading by Eric here.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — Stephen King said that if you want to write you have to be prepared to do it behind a closed door. This is almost certainly true of any art one might undertake: it tends to require intense focus, at least during some phases; therefore distractions would ideally be shut out as much as possible. This means allowing yourself sufficient time and space to give your unique gifts their full expression, whether with the blessing of society or not. In this case, as with many things, what others think is a mere irrelevancy. Get your full Libra reading by Eric here.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Old family tensions or pressures may rear their heads again over the next few days. It may be possible to sidestep this issue by temporarily avoiding or reducing contact with those who might trigger a specific response in you, until the zodiacal energy surge has passed. Alternatively, you could bolster your will and refuse to give in to any efforts to manipulate you. Don’t strike an agreement until you’ve had the chance to review the terms objectively. As an adult, you are free to choose for yourself. Get your full Scorpio reading by Eric here.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — Your mind may be more versatile than usual at present, and you could find you’re blessed with extraordinary powers of articulation. If there’s a message you’re feeling the need to get across, now would be an optimal time — just remember that words carry power, and choose your approach to delivery with care. Also, don’t judge the success of your communication on its immediate effects. Those listening may well need time to absorb and reflect on what they’ve heard; make room for that to happen. Get your full Sagittarius reading by Eric here.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — Potentially you’re feeling a little overwhelmed just now, like an introvert who’s accidentally wandered into a crowd. That may be due to pressure in your immediate surroundings, or a sense that a spotlight has been on you for longer than you’d like. Get some quiet time if you need to this week; however, be sure to keep going with any personal development work you’ve been doing, even if it’s tough at times: this is likely to be deeply important to your overall healing process and wellbeing. Get your full Capricorn reading by Eric here.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — This week could be a big one for you in terms of focusing your self-knowledge and coming home to who you really are. At least some of that may be related to acknowledging parts of your identity without shame and without unnecessary concealment. Guilt is insidious, and you have no reason to experience any simply for being your natural, honest self, regardless of the way others might treat you. Their reaction is not your problem; the freedom to live openly is a simple human right. Get your full Aquarius reading by Eric here.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Vesta, the goddess of devotion and the hearth, is about to visit your sign, remaining until early April. This may cause you to feel somewhat set apart, as if you’d entered a monastery or other sacred retreat. It’s likely you have, or will develop, a specific purpose to which you need to give the majority of your time, and Vesta is offering the space for you to do precisely that. If you’re unsure what this endeavor is, first check in with your intuition and your dreams; if need be, ask the cosmos for direction. Get your full Pisces reading by Eric here.

Venus, Mars and the Ongoing Quest

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Editor’s note: this is the full PW members’ edition, featuring your weekly horoscope by Amy Elliott, Create; and Eric’s Planet Waves FM program.

Dear Friend and Reader:

We’re approaching the Aquarius New Moon on Monday, which happens at the midpoint of Aquarius — and therefore at the midpoint of the current season (the ancient Pagan cross-quarter celebration known as Imbolc). Yet despite the tone of ‘winding down’ that a waning Moon often brings, we’re in the midst of some other astrology that’s urging action and self-expression.

The path may be snowed over, but it’s still there. Photo by Amanda Painter.

Namely, the ‘personal planets’ Venus and Mars are both in squares to slow-moving outer planets (Eric discussed some of the broader themes of these squares in Monday’s essay).

Mars, currently in its home sign Aries, is making a square to Pluto in Capricorn (exact tomorrow), and is moving toward a conjunction to Eris. I know at least a couple of Aries folks who have been feeling this square pretty strongly, namely as a deep need to get moving and ‘do’ that is being frustrated in various ways.

There’s a lot of energy in a Mars-Pluto square, and you, too, may be feeling a need to get things done (and perhaps you’re accomplishing them). But Pluto, being the Lord of Change, tends to disrupt plans or make it clear where you’ve skipped steps and left loose ends. Having to adjust your course of action is not necessarily a bad thing, even if it’s inconvenient; there may be important lessons involved. With Eris in the neighborhood, however, the mandate to avoid any tactics that are ruthless or underhanded is underlined in the face of frustration.

Venus, for its part, is making contact with several planets and points over the next few days. Just before it leaves Sagittarius and enters Capricorn on Sunday (at 5:29 pm EST / 22:29:07 UTC), it makes a square to Chiron in Pisces. This would seem to bring some impetus and awareness to whatever your healing path currently is — perhaps especially in regard to your relationships, or to how you offer and receive love.

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Stacey Abrams: “We Have to Work Harder” Than Those Who Would Suppress the Vote

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Links to today’s show transcripts:

Stacey Abrams: “We Have to Work Harder” Than Those Who Would Suppress the Vote
Democrats have selected former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams to deliver the response to President Trump’s State of the Union address. The address will take place on Tuesday, after being delayed due to the government shutdown. Abrams will become the first person not in public office to respond to the president, as well as the first African-American woman to deliver the response. She recently launched Fair Fight Action, a voting rights advocacy group, after she narrowly lost Georgia’s governor’s race to Secretary of State Brian Kemp, who was widely accused of suppressing the vote. In mid-November, Abrams refused to concede the race, and Fair Fight Action is now suing Georgia election officials for mismanagement of the midterm elections. Democracy Now! recently spoke to Abrams in Los Angeles, where she was attending the National Day of Racial Healing. “Our responsibility doesn’t end on Election Day,” she said. “The minute the elections are over, the people who won—who did not share our values—are going to be working hard. We have to be working even harder.”

Dialogue: Women’s March Leaders on Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, Racism & More
Thousands took to the streets for women’s marches across the country on January 19, exactly two years after Donald Trump’s inauguration sparked a burgeoning women’s movement. But some of this year’s marches were steeped in controversy. In November, Teresa Shook, one of the founders of the Women’s March movement, called for the removal of the four national co-chairs: Bob Bland, Tamika Mallory, Carmen Perez and Linda Sarsour. She accused them of allowing “anti-Semitism, anti-LBGTQIA sentiment and hateful, racist rhetoric to become a part of the platform.” Much of the criticism focused on links between some of the co-chairs and the Nation of Islam’s Minister Louis Farrakhan, who has been widely accused of being anti-Semitic. A new documentary premiering at the Sundance Film Festival captures how Mallory and the movement handled the crisis. It’s called “This Is Personal.” On Monday, Tamika Mallory and Linda Sarsour joined Rebecca Walker, author of the autobiography “Black, White, and Jewish,” and Nancy Kaufman, CEO of the National Council of Jewish Women, to discuss the controversy.

Tessa Thompson & Time’s Up Call on Hollywood to Work with More Women Directors in #4PercentChallenge
Acclaimed actor Tessa Thompson joins us at the Sundance Film Festival to talk about the Me Too movement and the Time’s Up initiative, which is pushing Hollywood studios and actors to commit to work with women directors in its new #4PercentChallenge. Time’s Up is about “addressing safety in the workplace,” says Thompson. “It’s really looking at imbalance of power.”

“RBG” Documentary Nominated for Academy Award as Supreme Court Justice Recovers from Lung Surgery
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg recently missed oral arguments as she continues to recover after having two tumors removed from her lung last month. But the Supreme Court has said she is cancer-free and that the 85-year-old, now three-time cancer-surviving justice, has been reviewing arguments and weighing in on cases from home. Meanwhile, the documentary ”RBG” about her life has been nominated for an Academy Award. At the Sundance Film Festival, Democracy Now! speaks with Julie Cohen, one of the film’s directors.