I always get a kick out of discovering the correlations between events in my life and the astrological equivalent in the skies. It makes me feel connected with the motions of the universe in a meaningful way. I become a conscious part of the bigger picture and I just enjoy that.

In astrology we look at many relevant aspect connections between the planets in your personal chart as well as in the actual daily astrology. This article is an astrological discussion and forecast of the planetary weather in the heavens for September 7 to 9, 2009. If you have the same specific aspect connection being active in the heavens as in your own personal chart you will experience similar things I am describing. Like if you have Moon in Aries in your personal chart you will be able to relate to what I describe here today in an even more profound way.

Yesterday I had my Circle of Writers group meeting and I could really feel the Aries energy charging us up. We are 5 terrific women who get together every 2 weeks to share our work and support each other. It is like a master mind group and an enormous asset to have in my life. Writing is a solitary profession and I spend most of my time at home and in front of the computer. For me to have my circle is just wonderful. It is so inspiring to watch each other going through the process of writing and publishing our books.

The Moon in Aries
Yesterday we had an especially exceptional meeting. We had so much energy going on, so many ideas to share with each other it felt like we were on a whole new level. It was the most energetic meeting we ever had and that is Aries energy for you!

Aries is a powerful symbol of new beginnings, energy, light, and creativity. People born under the sign of Aries may be destined to be great leaders—if they can keep their aggression and tendency to dominate others in check. Aries must always be undertaking new projects, especially creative endeavors, to keep their high energy occupied and flowing. They are extroverts and tend to be very impulsive and initiative. Their challenge is to learn guiding their energy into proper channels.

The Moon in Aries will give us impatience and things will not move fast enough. We might have a shorter fuse then usual and easier to irritate or pick a fight. But it also gives us this fresh energy, motivation to start something new and put all our energy towards our goal. There is decisiveness and power available to really take action steps towards our dreams and create a new future.

Aries and their many Ideas
Aries is a very self confident initiator and warrior. There is no self doubting but the willing application to move and manifest in the physical realm. Always the first step of any manifestation process is the conception of an idea, and then the clarity of intention and the last step is the action we take for implementation.

For me the action part helps me to become aligned emotionally with my goals and I am enjoying the journey more and more. I used to get hang up with not being already there where I wanted to go. But I have learned to be in the moment and enjoy myself there and so can you.

The creator of Law of Attraction Abraham Hicks talks about three steps for manifestation.

1.    First we have a specific desire
2.    Then we released it to the universe into that creative potentiality
3.    To receive the manifestation of our desire in our life we do need to be energetically in alignment with it. We have to keep focused on where we want to go instead of the deficiency of that we want to manifest. Wherever I focus the universal manifesting energy will follow and flow. This is where our power lies.

--If you will simply imagine your life as you want it to be, all cooperative components will be summoned. And even more important, all components that are summoned will cooperate. It is Law. The experience that you have with others is about what you evoke from them.—Abraham Hicks

Take a Moment for Yourself
Today the Moon position is great for you to get your process of manifestation rolling. Write down your next dream project you want to manifest in your life. Write down why you want that dream in your life. What will it give you? How does it feel to be there? Get excited about it.  I really like you to approach this from an emotional standpoint. Your emotions will carry you towards it and make you feel good along the way.

Remember every journey starts from where you are. But to reach your destination you need to have a clear picture of where you want to go and keep your compass on it. If you like to learn more about the process of manifestation I recommend the books of Abraham Hicks. I have all of them and enjoy their teachings very much. They resonate with my own experience and I know them to be true.

Crystal Quartz as a Tool to help you Manifest
I am a gemstone lady as you might know. I love to beauty and the use of the metaphysical properties of gemstones in my life. I use them in meaningful soul jewelry, for meditation purposes, as objects of beauty on my shelves and altar and as an anchor to help me manifest my dreams. When you have done the work of becoming clear of your goal, charged yourself with the supporting emotions you can then download the emotional thought forms into a crystal. You can charge your crystal the following way.

•    Hold the crystal in between both hands. Take some deep breath and become aware of the energy field of the crystal between your two hands.
•    Then focus intently on your vision, intention, or goal. Imagine in it powerful clarity, as if you really were already experiencing the goal accomplished. Feel the strong emotions of success and fulfillment associated with your goal. Fill yourself with that energy. Maybe imagine it with a specific color penetrating your whole body and each cell.
•    Then release the image of your goal with a sharp breath out and store that energy burst into your stone.

Now you will be able to activate your vision any time by simply taking the crystal into your hand and reconnect with the thoughts and emotions you have stored in it.

Moon in Taurus
After you have done the work of getting clear about your intentions, setting your emotions into motion with the Moon in Aries, you will have the Moon in Taurus tomorrow, supporting you with further steps of implementation and practical steps and measures.

Taurus people are very much in tune with the earthly plane. Due to the influence of Venus, they have a great love for beauty found in all areas of live and things such as art, jewelry, and nature. Taurus people are loyal, patient, stubborn and deliberate in working toward their goals, just as farmers must be in tending their crops from planting through harvest. When a Taurus person undertakes a project, it most likely will be completed! Grounded in reality and the physical world, they excel at any profession because they just take one step after the other till they arrive at their goal.

I wish you much fun with the process of creation and hope you enjoy yourself.
If you would like to find out more about the metaphysical properties of gemstones and how to use them as uplifting tools, please see my book Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eye & Strengthen the Mind. To read more of my astrological ramblings come and see my Astrological Signs Weather Report & Healing Gems Blog where I discuss the actual universal, astrological forces and inspire you to use them wisely for a successful and joyful life.

Aloha and many blessings, Shakti.

Shakti Carola Navran: astrologer, jeweler and author

Besides the ever changing Moon Mercury is the swiftest planet for us to watch on his path around the Sun. And with his apparent retrograde movement from our place of view, Mercury gives us another pair of glasses to look into the world in a different and more holistic way. For 3 weeks this retrograde motion will move Mercury backwards all the way from Libra into Virgo. This article is an astrological update and forecast of the planetary weather in the heavens for September 8, 2009 but will serve you in a general way as well to understand Mercury retrograde challenges and gifts.

Mercury in Mythology
The planets played an important role in early mythology and religion and were thought to be divine beings. The names of the planets (except for Earth, which was not understood as a planet by the ancients) come from Greek and Roman mythology. The Greeks, Romans, and later cultures associated each planet with a specific god.

To look at the planetary principles as gods works for me because they do represent universal principles which are governing our universe and can therefore be looked at as GODS.

For example, the planet Mercury was thought as the messenger from the gods. He represents our mind, intellect, the way we think and communicate. Mercury is known as a teacher and traveler. He loves to explore, discuss, and learn. He is extremely flexible, a connection between things, but neutral and impartial. He is very curious, sometimes mischievous and playful. On the physical level he influences the brain and the nervous system.

Mercury has a Bad Reputation
There has been much written about Mercury retrograde when things connected with Mercury might not go as smooth as expected and he has gotten a bad reputation for putting sand into the turning wheels.

What happens when Mercury goes retrograde? The apparent backward motion of Mercury perceived from our point of view on earth is called retrograde. It happens about 4 times a year for about 3 weeks. But it is just an optical illusion based on the relative speeds and orbits of the Earth and Mercury around the Sun.

This phenomenon has been studied by astrologers for thousands of years and has been proven to be a time of challenges with all things connected with Mercury. These are areas like communications of all kinds, transportation, electrical equipment, computers, communication devices, traveling, contracts, cars, relationships and public relations might provide you with some trouble, annoyance and delays.

The Potential Benefits
And with all its challenges Mercury retrograde in Libra and Virgo is providing us with the chance to be more thorough with already started projects, complete and review, put things in order and catch up on paperwork. It is a good time to revisit old, unfinished problems, abandoned projects and have another look at them.

This is also a good time to go back through your notes of goals and intentions and deepen your connection and commitment to achieving them. Make a list of steps to move towards them.

With this retrograde period being in Libra and Virgo it is the time for paying loving attention to your relationships and friendships and your health. Think of it as a period of re-evaluation and maintenance for where you are in your life. You could say you get a second chance to put your affairs in order.

Relationship
This is not a good time to get married or to sign any contracts in your life. Communication in your relationships might not flow so easy these days. There could be misunderstandings or even an unwillingness to deal with things. It can be as simple as not hearing back from people you sent an email to or things dragging on where they shouldn’t. Like I am trying to reach this guy to do some work on my website and he forgets to get back to me. Or I ask a question several times to my assistant and never get an answer. My friend Rajita accidentally drowned her cell phone in the pool — those kinds of things might just happen more often.

It is a time to take a deep breath and let it go. Just except everything will take a little longer and patience is needed. I am fore sure not the best person to follow my own advice. My Moon is in Aquarius and I am not known for too much patience. Especially at the computer if things do not work out the way they are supposed to I am getting upset very fast.

Health
Virgo people are known to be very interested and willing to pay attention to their body and physical temple of their soul. People with the Sun in Virgo usually have experience and educate themselves about healthy living and a good diet. It is only logical to them that you can only expect your body to function properly on a good wholesome diet. I know several Virgos who have experimented with raw food, or a more alkaline diet, they are vegetarians or on a low carbohydrate diets. Of course they eat organic and not much processed food in general.

This retrograde motion of Mercury is a great chance for you for some personal studies on your own and taking an aim for a healthier life style and diet. A healthier life style has to include some ways of exercising as well. With so many hours sitting at a desk in front of a computer, what most of us do, we need to balance that with motion.

Do you remember how much you used to move around as a kid and how you loved it? I used to do so many things from athletics, handball, karate, aikido, riding, skiing, rollerblading, Yoga, Tai Chi, biking and dancing at different times in my life. I remember how good it felt to move and be righteously tired in the evening. Nowadays I have so many physical problems that I am very limited in the exercises I can do. But I still dance the Five Rhythms every Sunday if possible, I sit with a book on my standing bike and I do Yoga.

I think the trick with exercising is to find something you really like to do and start slowly. For me — I love to read. So for me it is no hardship to sit on my bike and read at the same time. My Sunday dances are a way to get out into my community, see friends, and celebrate life. When I do my Yoga I listen to some Abraham Hicks CDs or put some nice music on. Whatever it is for you, Mercury will help you put your mind to it and figure it out.

And then we can move on to new horizons and adventures with Mercury going direct and forward again end of the month.

This is how Mercury for 2009 is looking like in its back and forth movements:

12 Jan Mercury turns retrograde 8 Aquarius
1 Feb Mercury turns direct 22 Capricorn
8 May Mercury turns retrograde 2 Gemini
30 May Mercury turns direct 23 Taurus
8 Sep Mercury turns retrograde 6 Libra
29 Sep Mercury turns direct 22 Virgo
27 Dec Mercury turns retrograde 22 Capricorn

Remember putting on the astrological glasses can help you to align yourself with the universal forces and help you to be at more ease with them and what is happening in your life. For me my awareness and conscious presence with what is helps me tremendously to relax into it and use it to my advantage.

A Mercury Gemstone – the Citrine
–Citrine is ruled by the Sun and Mercury. Citrine is a light yellow to gold-brown colored Quartz. It crystallizes in hexagonal prisms with pyramids on the top of each crystal. Most Citrines that are found in shops are heat treated Amethysts or Smoky Quartz. The treated stones will be more golden or brownish, while natural Citrine is more of a pale yellow. A heat-treated stone will need some kind of healing ritual to restore it to its natural energies.  

Citrine is a stone for the second or third chakra, depending on its color. It brings in the energy of the sun and opens our mind to higher thoughts beyond fears and doubts. Citrine gives us the patience and endurance we need to focus our mind on details such as writing, planning, and putting things in their proper order. The sun energy is dispelling depression and opens us to allow more light and love into our life.— (Adapted from Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones That Delight the Eye & Strengthen the Soul © 2008 by Shakti Carola Navran. Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd.)

I like the Citrine for meditation. I lay it onto my heart or third eye. I also like the faceted stones because they are so wonderful sparkly, bright like the sun and they are very affordable in bigger chunks for big rings. Check out my Shakti Jewelry for the Soul website where you can see an archive of custom work soul jewelry and still available pieces I have done.

If you enjoy my astrological musings I invite you to find more on my Astrological Signs Weather Report & Healing Gems Blog for a regular update on the universal flow in the heavens. As you can tell I am also very passionate about the abilities of the healing gemstones to help to align and balance our flow and have even written a book about it. If you know where your challenges are, you can then take steps to support or balance yourself with gemstones, if that is something that appeals to you.

I hope you enjoyed this post. I am looking forward to hearing from you about your experiences with Mercury, aloha and many blessings, Shakti.

Shakti Carola Navran: astrologer, jeweler and author

We will have lots of emotional turmoil with so much Moon activity this weekend.
In astrology there are many relevant aspect connections between the planets in your personal chart as well as in the actual daily astrology. This article is an astrological update and forecast of the planetary weather in the heavens for September 4 to 6, 2009. But at the same time if you have the same specific aspect connection in your own horoscope you will be able to deepen your understanding with this material.

The Saturn Opposition to Uranus
The Saturn/ Uranus opposition is one of the culprits for the changes we are being forced into these days. There will be 5 oppositions with these two with the last one in 2015. The first one started off with a bang on September 15, 08 when they also were in square to Pluto and with a Full Moon as well. Our economy was diving down the drain and revealed long inherent problems. The election was under the influence of these two, paving the way for a historical change in political leadership, electing the first president of color in this country where prejudice is still prevalent. The need for change was so obvious and the hope for a better future high. Let us have a look at both planets and what they represent!

Saturn
Saturn was the mythological father of Zeus (the king of the gods) and the Roman god of agriculture. Because agriculture led to the foundation of human society, Saturn is associated with social order. Saturn is a father figure, but not necessarily a benevolent one. He is associated with restrictions, limitations, and fear. But those qualities have their purpose, as they call us to examine those self-imposed limitations within ourselves and free ourselves from them. This is a highly practical, unemotional planet, associated with concrete reality, material things, rules and laws, and authority. Saturn is not a creative influence; rather it reminds us of our duty to act responsibly to maintain the established social order, and to develop self-discipline for order in our life and to persist during times of hardship. Those qualities, in turn, are associated with ambition and careers.

Saturn rules Capricorn and Aquarius and the tenth House representing public image, career, and destiny and the elevens House of friends and vision. In the body Saturn rules the bones, skin, and spleen.

Uranus
While order and balance are important in the world, the other side of that coin, change and evolution into greater love, freedom, and well-being for all, is just as important. Human society cannot evolve and expand unless there are individuals who challenge the established order. An odd fact about Uranus is that it boldly dares to rotate on its side, thereby breaking with convention, and indeed Uranus is highly unconventional and always ready to challenge things as they are. Uranus is a progressive humanitarian and visionary who has no special respect for authority. He would rather exert his will over authority in his idealistic quest for freedom, justice, and opportunity for weaker members of society.

Uranus is the opposite of Brother Saturn: where Saturn is concerned with limitations, Uranus rules our expansive, creative intelligence, calling us to inspired thought and action, and to uniqueness rather than conformity. Those qualities derive from our connection with the universal intelligence. Change is a keyword for Uranus, always change for the better, and the faster the better, toward an expanded life and the higher realms of consciousness. The Uranus principles describe our greatest leaders and role models. Revolutionary is not too strong a term for Uranus.

Uranus represents a very strong intellect, and intellect combined with ingenuity makes for great discoveries in the sciences and the most impressive artistic creations. Uranus rules Aquarius and, together with Saturn, the elevens House of friends, revolution and vision. In the body Uranus rules the nervous system, mental disorders, and pituitary gland.

Change is in the Air
As you can see these two are siblings of very different nature, they want very different things but are eternal partners in the ebb and flow of establishing a structure and tearing it down to make space for a new one. They are carrying the wisdom of impermanence for us. Life is change, always growing and expanding! If you have Capricorn or Aquarius or strong aspects with Saturn or Uranus in your chart you would do better by consciously allowing those waves of change and renewal happening in your life without putting up a fight. The struggle and fighting against the inevitable changes is what is at the biggest root of suffering.

Allowing what is — has been the message of many spiritual traditions. We always start our journey from where we are no matter where we are going. Without pushing against what is our energy will be available to align with our desires, intentions and goals.

Full Moon in Pisces is activating this Opposition
When the Moon is connected with any other planet it brings in high emotions and instinctive reactivity. The Moon here in this constellation is bringing up emotions between guilt and rebellion and having to choose between established limitations and liberation. Uranus wants the feeling of autonomy and Saturn wants safety, reliability and proven structures.

Moon Dashes into Aries
Saturday evening we will have a fresh start with Moon in Aries, ready to be moving again through all the different stations of the zodiac. Aries always promises a clean slate and new beginning, invigorates and inspires active participation in life.

Moon Opposition Mercury
Sunday morning our feelings in the belly are in friction with our thoughts in our head. Head versus belly, it will be interesting to see who will be the more impactful one for you. Do you think first before you act or react? Or do you usually let everything out the way you feel it without considerations?

Moon Square Mars
Mars is very competitive, easy to anger and reacts impulsively to outer threats. Be aware of the transiting nature of your feelings and do not take them too seriously. Also this will pass!

Take a Moment
I want to invite you to close your eyes for a moment and sense yourself. What is the area in your life that needs fresh energy? Where has your life become stagnant and stale? Do you feel bored? Are you settling for safety in a bad situation because changing it is too intimidating?

I have been there, holding out in relationships far too long because I was not yet ready for a new and fresh start. I am not telling you to throw the baby out with the bathwater! I just want you to become aware of the looming challenges of change ahead of you. Consciousness is the key!

A friend once told me that life is always moving on. When the apple is ripe it will fall off the tree. The same applies to changes in our life! When the time is ready it will happen. We can ready ourselves for the coming change by becoming as aware and conscious of what is going on in our life. When we resist change we will suffer and get banged up in the inevitable process. Obviously astrology can be of big help for this process and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

For me astrology is an open invitation to understand more about the truth in the universal flow and use it to align myself to take advantage for a fuller, more successful and joyful life. The gemstone for today is the Moonstone, to help ease tension and emotional turmoil, one of my favorites. I think everybody should own a chunk of Moonstone. You can get pretty big pieces for still reasonable prices.

Moonstone for Balance
–The Moonstone is one of the most feminine gems we have. I am especially fascinated by the Rainbow Moonstone and its qualities. This stone represents the high priestess from Avalon, the carrier and teacher of mysteries, the caring sister and the nourishing mother. The Rainbow Moonstone nourishes and balances the emotional system. It soothes our hurts and wounds. Its mysterious beauty speaks to our unconscious. It transmits peace and connects us with the eternal wisdom of the heart and with the essence of who we are. It connects us with our feminine side, a receptive state rather than constant action: it can help us reconnect with a state of relaxation. This is a place that is nurtured by our soul and guides us toward wisdom and the unfolding of our highest capacities and resources.

The Moonstone is also a wonderful companion for our male friends, husbands, and lovers. It brings to males an element of the female spirit and helps them to connect more with their feelings without fearing them. It gives the warrior a heart with gentle feelings. Give the man in your life a big chunk of stone to carry in his pocket or to wear as a pendant over his heart.—(taken from my book: Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eyes & Strengthen the Soul)

If you like my astrological musings I invite you to find more on my Astrological Signs Weather Report & Healing Gems Blog for a regular update on the universal flow in the heavens. As you can tell I am also very passionate about the abilities of the healing gemstones as tools to help to align and balance our flow. In my book Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eyes & Strengthen the Soul I teach you about astrology and how to read your own chart. If you know where your challenges are, you then can take steps to support yourself with gemstones, if that is something that appeals to you.

I hope you enjoyed this post, aloha and many blessings, Shakti.

Shakti Carola Navran: astrologer, jeweler and author