FEBRUARY 1-3: EXCELLENT VIRGO MOON

The MOON IS VOID OF COURSE from 5:58am until 2:13pm EST on Thursday, February 1. Actions initiated during the V/C period tend not to work out as planned. It's best to use this time for inner creative work or planning future action. This would be a good time to muse on the very symbolic Lunar Eclipse of Wednesday morning. What are the implications for your personal life? How can your inner Feminine and Masculine meet in equality? How does your unique individual self (Leo Moon) engage with your community or the broader collective (Aquarian Sun)? How might the lens of the Solar (Masculine) Archetype color how you feel about yourself and your relationship with the world? What's the next evolution of these states of being for you? See previous LEO ECLIPSE post. 
MOON ENTERS VIRGO at 2:13pm EST on Thursday and remains here until Saturday, February 3 at 2:07am. LAST ASPECT OF MOON: Moon Sextile Jupiter in Scorpio. Ruled by Mercury, this Moon period is a GREAT time to begin any projects dependent upon a strong analytic or organized mind. The most appropriate words are more likely to become available to you when writing and speaking. Details matter. Jupiter in Scorpio will tend to reflect a deepening and broadening of your thoughts especially in the arena of psychological or financial resources. Opportunities are likely to be a result of in-depth mental research. This is also a perfect time to clean house, getting rid of what you no longer need and rearranging what's left for better efficiency. Virgo also reflects our health. This is a great time for a medical exam or procedure. It's also wise to remember Virgo's shadow, its least optimum expression, can be so focused on the details, creating order and perfection that it becomes highly critical and judgmental. Step back to see the bigger picture and let the smaller bothersome stuff go. In general, actions along these Virgonian themes will tend to have EXCELLENT resolutions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj2dI7SdrtE

VIRGO SCENE FOR THE DAY: The Shape of Water, 2017; Writer/Director: Guillermo del Toro.  Describing this surreal 'monster movie' as a 'fairytale for troubled times', del Toro, whose Venus (aesthetic sense) is in Virgo, is a director who pays much attention to details - and his details are exquisitely composed and photographed (mise-en-scène). A driving aspect of the narrative is that the protagonist is divided between three 'invisibles', two of whom are Virgonian cleaners. The real monster is the scientist (Michael Shannon) who wants to study and control (Virgo) this water-creature. He reads Norman Vincent Peale's classic The Power of Positive Thinking. Virgo is a Mutable sign and the director states that Water and Love are two of the most malleable qualities in life. This is more than an action-driven horror film. This is a thought-provoking, symbolic and Jupitarian meaningful journey which also becomes one of the most unusual love stories ever to be on the screen. Elisa, played beautifully by the amazing Sally Hawkins (Maudie, Happy-Go-Lucky) is mute and successfully signs her way into the 'merman's' heart. (This clip is a series of scenes, trailers and short interviews. The entire piece is interesting with some repetition. Take of it what you will.) 
In theaters now.

☀︎ JANUARY 30 - FEBRUARY 1: EXCELLENT LEO FULL MOON TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE

MOON ENTERS LEO at 1:53pm EST on Tuesday, January 30 after being VOID OF COURSE from 11:40am. It remains in Leo until Thursday, February 1 at 5:58am. LAST ASPECT OF MOON: Moon Trine Uranus in Aries. FULL MOON TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE is EXACT at 8:27am on Wednesday, January 31 at 11º Leo. In true Leo form this is a mega-dramatic Moon period! We have two critical aspects occurring during this time: The Moon is Full when the Sun (Aquarius) is Opposite the Moon (Leo), which happens on Wednesday - while also creating the Lunar Eclipse as the Shadow of Earth covers the Moon. The second important aspect - on which this blog is always focused - is the Last Aspect the Moon makes before moving into the next sign - which, for this Leo Moon, is the harmonious Trine to Uranus. Our positive evaluation is determined by this Last Aspect which occurs on Thursday. Note that both aspects engage Uranus which is also the ruler of Aquarius. As noted previously, this planet is the one to watch! Become familiar with its archetype. Uranus/Aquarius carries political revolution in its narrative.

LUNAR ECLIPSES  are considered celestial markers for Releasing old patterns of behavior or projects that no longer serve us. Accompanying SOLAR ECLIPSES (they come in pairs or sometimes threesomes - two partial Solar and one total Lunar this July/August) are wake-up calls for Beginning Anew. Consequently, it benefits us when the Lunar Eclipse occurs before the Solar so we can clear our decks for the next chapter. The NEW MOON SOLAR ECLIPSE occurs on February 15th at 27º Aquarius.

This intensified SuperBlueBlood Full Moon should reflect an enormous amount of Leo's creativity and drive for dramatic self-expression. The Full Moon suggests that it is the time to bring current projects or tensions to a climax and conclusion. Ruled by the Sun, the center of our Solar System, we can hog the limelight now, so stay conscious of others' needs and be willing to include your friends in the spotlight. Uranus, which demands this equality, may also speed events up or change them quickly - so get ready to go with the flow. Be willing to do things newly with innovation, excitement and all the electronic devices you can get your hands on! The real challenge of this celestial Opposition is to have the courage to discover and express one's true individual Leo Self amidst the power of the Aquarian group in order to serve both absolutely. Actions initiated now tend to have EXCELLENT resolutions, even though the extreme tension of the Full Moon Eclipse is likely to show itself along the way. Breath through it and have the Faith of Your Convictions.

Again, a BLUE MOON is the second Full Moon in a month; the BLOOD MOON refers to the reddish tint of the Eclipse as the Moon passes through the Earth's Shadow; The SUPERMOON refers to the strikingly large lunar disc we observe when the Moon is closest to the Earth in its orbit (Perigee). It is the first time since March 1866 that these three conditions have occurred simultaneously.

Note: I'm always struck by the metaphor of the Shadow of Earth which plays such a dramatic role in the Lunar Eclipse phenomenon - when the Sun Opposes the Moon and the Earth between them projects its shadow, exactly covering and blocking the Sun's projected Light on the Moon. Psychologist CG Jung brought to our awareness the concept of having a shadow aspect of our individual psyche - that dark material of which we are yet unconscious or in denial - that often has more control of our feelings and behavior than we realize. And that we often project this unconscious behavior onto others we encounter and believe it to be originating from them. We then tend to blame them etc. for what we don't see in ourselves. Consider now the collective Shadow of Earth. What might we as collective Earthlings be projecting at this time?...on the Moon. (Both the Moon and Earth carry the Feminine Archetype.) We might muse on some interpretations: if, in the normal state of astronomical conditions, the Sun (the Masculine Archetype of Consciousness and Authority) projects its Light on the Dark Feminine Moon - might the Feminine be being seen through the Masculine lens? Does the Earth's shadow blocking this Solar perspective at this time give pause for re-considering this interpretation? Might the timing of this particularly unique Lunar Eclipse suggest it might be called the 'Me-Too Eclipse'? See The Post interview with Spielberg and cast that follows the film clip and check out the quote from Streep that speaks to this exact concept.

LEO LUNAR ECLIPSE CLIP: The Post, 2017; Director: Steven Spielberg. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLwK9Yutr-k

While I thought I would wait to use this film as an example of a Sagittarius dilemma - to publish or not to publish - I discovered, when writing about the Leo Lunar Eclipse, that The Post was even more appropriate for this climactic Sun Opposition Moon moment. Here we have the story of a sophisticated, yet unprepared upper-class woman, Katherine Graham (Meryl Streep) thrust into to the role of Publisher of her family's newspaper at a moment in US history which changed our world. When faced with that Sag dilemma, her Leonian courage and eventual titanium sense of self, propelled her to publish a story that could have been the demise of her paper. The constellation of events that preceded and followed her decision were the stuff of individual and collective Uranian revolution. Graham herself had Black Moon Lilith in Leo which is an indication of trail-blazers and game-changers. As the first woman Publisher of a major US newspaper, she faced a sea of strong male industry colleagues (particularly Editor Ben Bradlee, played by Tom Hanks) with whom she found the inner strength to stand in equality and leadership. A true Leo Moon Opposite Aquarian Sun successful resolution!

I didn't initially register the current heightened importance of the story: military analyst Daniel Ellsberg, employed by the Rand Corporation, steals a Pentagon report (aka the Pentagon Papers) detailing the evolution of Vietnam War policies and releases sections to the NY Times which publishes articles. After the government legally blocks further publication, The Post gets even more of the material and makes the hard decision to publish. I realized in a flash that this 70's period narrative mirrors what's happening now. This preface to the Watergate chapter of US history illuminates the similarity of Nixon's attempt to coverup decades of presidential lies about the Vietnam War to Trump's present attempts to control the Freedom of the Press. Though Spielberg got the original Liz Hannah script while in high-gear pre-production for another film (sci-fi Ready Player One) when he realized the urgent relevancy of the First Amendment theme, he immediately braked, downshifted, took a hard left turn and floored his accelerator to develop, produce and release The Post asap. The film has been nominated for most of the major Academy and Golden Globe Awards.

Best quote from The Post: "In the First Amendment, the Founding Fathers gave the free press the protection it must have to fulfill its essential role in our democracy. The free press was to serve the governed, not the governors." (Judge Hugo Black, writing for the 6-3 U.S. Supreme Court majority that decided in favor of the press.)

DIRECTOR AND CAST INTERVIEWED BY WASHINGTON POST FILM CRITIC 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBy3DKdJMhY

This is a fascinating discussion! Some quotes:
Streep: "Women have learned the language of men...[when you learn a new language] it isn't your language until you dream in it. The only way to dream in it is to speak it and women speak it. Women speak...men. Men don't speak women. They don't dream in it." (at 51 mins)

Bradley Whitford (West Wing's Josh): These founding documents - you have to hold them to that...You don't get a democracy. You gotta make it every day. "(at 49 mins)

Katherine Graham and Ben Bradlee

JANUARY 28-30: CHALLENGNIG CANCER MOON

MOON ENTERS CANCER at 1:57pm EST on Sunday, January 28 after a VOID OF COURSE morning. It remains in Cancer until Tuesday, January 30 at 11:40am. LAST ASPECT OF MOON: Moon Opposite Mercury in Capricorn. Actions initiated during the V/C morning are likely not to work out as planned. It's best to use this time for inner creative work or planning future actions.
We're building towards the Super Blue Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse on Wednesday the 31st, so tension is beginning to rise. This climactic event is particularly special because it is the first time since March 1866 that these three conditions have occurred simultaneously: The BLUE MOON is the second Full Moon in a month; the BLOOD MOON refers to the reddish tint of the Eclipse as it passes through the Earth's Shadow: The SUPERMOON refers to the strikingly large lunar disc we observe when the Moon is closest to the Earth in its orbit (Perigee). For now, our hearts and minds are out of sync, so this is a much more emotionally vulnerable period than the average Cancer Moon. We may not say the right thing at the right time and conflicts or irritations may arise as a result. Activities on the home front may get tricky - as in the Trickster archetype (Mercury) may play a surprising hand. Cancer represents the Feminine Archetype so tension is likely to center around relationships with women, particularly Mother. Also pay attention to how you nurture - your communication, food and emotional support. And let's not forget our relationship with Mother Earth. Use your own wiles to navigate the situation back to some semblance of balance - otherwise actions initiated during this Moon period will tend to have very Challenging resolutions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kwlSZ5gh6Y

CANCER SCENE FOR THE DAY: The Fighter: 2010; Director: David O. Russel (Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle). The right words are hard to find in this scene when light welterweight boxer Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg) tries to stand up to his family, particularly his manager/Mother (Melissa Leo). Family allegiance is at risk here when Micky's girlfriend Charlene (Amy Adams) is the one he turns to for support. Both Leo and Christian Bale, as brother/trainer Dicky, win Oscars for their off-the-charts amazing performances. To play his drug-addicted character Bale dropped almost as much weight for this film as the 63 pounds he shed for The Machinist. That's commitment. (a can of tuna and an apple a day - Foodie Cancers, do not try this at home!) This is a powerful film.

JANUARY 26-28: EXCELLENT GEMINI MOON

MOON ENTERS GEMINI at 12:40pm EST on Friday, January 26 after a VOID OF COURSE morning. It remains in Gemini until Sunday, January 28 at 5:39am. LAST ASPECT OF MOON: Moon Sextile Uranus in Aries. Important practical actions tend to not to have good resolutions during the V/C period. It's best to use this time for inner creative work or planning future action. The Gemini Moon is ruled by Mercury and is an exciting time for writers/speakers/travelers...or for anyone having to use their noggin to do some fast thinking. Uranus is the higher resonance of Mercury; it is higher consciousness and reflects moments of enlightenment. Ideas should come in a flurry so it might help to keep a journal nearby. Both Mercury and Uranus can be impulsive, so try to be patient and take a deep breath before you speak. The Trickster Archetype is in play now. Stay grounded. Make sure your statements remain within the context of your project, you don't go off on tangents, misinterpret or get fooled. If in doubt, get confirmation. Actions initiated during this Moon period will tend to have Excellent resolutions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwE6qDq6rFE

GEMINI SCENE FOR THE DAY: The Interpreter, 2005; Director: Sydney Pollack. African born  United Nations interpreter Silvia Broome (Kidman) overhears the whisper of a death threat for visiting African leader Zuwani who is accused of the genocide of his people. She comes under the protection of Federal Agent Keller (Sean Penn) who is unclear what her real role is in this mystery. While Broome's character depends on Mercury's words and their precise meanings, Keller is all instinct - reading faces and behavior. She fears for the safety of her brother and ex-lover in Africa while he has just lost his wife in a car accident. The two develop compassion for each other's suffering and bond over poignant cultural differences. In the end they feel like two sides of the same coin - after what her Ku culture would call being cappella - on opposite sides of the river.  The Trickster steals a few scenes but, as  murder-mystery convention would have it, the bad guys get it in the end! One of my all-time favorite films. Currently on Showtime.

JANUARY 25-26: GREAT TAURUS MOON

MOON ENTERS TAURUS at 8:39am EST on Wednesday, January 25 and remains here until 10:17pm on Thursday, January 26. LAST ASPECT OF MOON: Moon Trine Mercury in Capricorn. Ruled by Venus, Taurus is the money sign and traditionally reflects 'What we Value'. The optimistic Last Aspect supports purchases especially in Mercury's realm - travel and communication. With Jupiter in a close harmonious Sextile to Pluto (abundance of resources), we should have access to the resources we need. Fixed Earth Taurus is noted for its stubborn nature, so try to be as adaptable as possible. Even the best aspect between Moon and Mercury can be tricky...thus the Good evaluation instead of Excellent. Our feelings (Moon) and minds (Mercury) are such different phenomena, symbolized by their respective elements of water and air respectively. Heavier Earth rather plods along. But it gathers things of Beauty and a Ground on which to stand wherever it goes! Taurus, the Master Builder, reflects providing Security for our Loved Ones. And so we are Grateful!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8K3GVgiOqhg

TAURUS SCENE FOR THE DAY: Molly's Game, 2017; Writer/Director: Aaron Sorkin. Molly Bloom is the 'Poker Princess' - she runs high-stakes games for the rich and famous. Based on the true story of one time Olympic hopeful, the narrative demonstrates the unconscious motives that rule our passion for more money. Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty) is so powerful in her delivery of Bloom's driven character and Idris Elba (Luther)  is spot-on as her lawyer. Sorkin is in top form in both creative roles for this film! His razor sharp use of Bloom's voice-over description is reminiscent of Ryan Gosling in The Big Short. If you enjoy his machine-gun-speed wit, you'll love this script! It's a challenge to keep up but it's totally satisfying when you can. Molly needs to have control over powerful men and develops the resources to do just that. Eventually we find out why. Venus is such a compelling force! This is a Great cinematic experience!

JANUARY 22-23: CHALLENGING ARIES MOON

MOON ENTERS ARIES at 1:27am EST on Monday, January 22 and remains here until Tuesday, January 23 at 11:16pm. LAST ASPECT OF MOON: Moon Conjunct Uranus in Aries. Once again we have a testy Aries Moon with a double dose of Mars in the mix. This Cardinal Number-One- Fire-sign Moon is likely to be aching for an impulsive confrontation as the Warrior archetype takes center stage. So take a breath before you act or you may get yourself into trouble. This configuration is a set-up for aggressive behavior and ultimately war. Try to stay as conscious as possible because hasty movement ups the chances for accidents. On the other hand, lot's of Fire = Inspiration and Creativity! Find your medium and Go For It! Also, our individuation process may get a shot in the arm now as we assert ourselves and stand up for something important to us. We just remember to take our friends/partners into consideration when we act. If we're lucky, we may have an aha moment. Let's go for that one!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKK-GXkfFCA

ARIES SCENE FOR THE DAY: The Darkest Hour, 2017; Director: Joe Wright. For my money, this film should have been nominated and won Best Dramatic Picture from the 2018 Golden Globes. It is gripping from opening scene to closing. Gary Oldman is transformed into a mesmerizing Churchill who wins your heart in the end - as well as the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Dramatic Film. With an Aries WWII narrative and a Mars-driven lead character there couldn't be a more appropriate Aries conjunct Uranus Moon film example. After a surprising turning point, which takes place in the London Underground, Churchill takes the revolutionary Uranian path - initially unsupported by his War Cabinet - and refuses suggested peace talks negotiated by Mussolini, in favor of fighting the Germans to the death. Eventually, the entire Parliament supports his war effort and, while we're all aware of the outcome, there are some interesting details in the story of which many may be unaware. Churchill's aha moment is, after requesting unavailable naval support from others, the realization that the public could participate in the effort by supplying private boats to rescue troops stranded in Dunkirk. The cinematography is striking, the mise-en-scène often symbolic and the dialogue crisp, poignant and sometimes even funny. Lily James (Downton Abbey) as his secretary, Stephen Dillane (The Hours) as Halifax, his sharpest opponent and Kristen Scott Thomas (The Horse Whisperer) as his wife, together create a superb supporting cast. Currently in cinemas. 

JANUARY 19-21: GOOD PISCES MOON

MOON IS VOID OF COURSE until 3:26pm EST on Friday, January 19 when it ENTERS PISCES. It remains in PISCES until Sunday, January 21 at 8:13pm. LAST ASPECT OF MOON: Moon Trine Mars in Scorpio. This is likely to be an emotionally sensitive time when we feel compassion and forgiveness for others and have the energy and will to act on it. The nebulous VOID OF COURSE day is likely to melt right into the Pisces energy but Mars, Scorpio's traditional ruler, is strong and helps clarify what needs to be done. Mars in Scorpio may also suggest having compassion for a passionate secret love affair. All this Water should inspire great creativity so, whatever your medium might be, the time is NOW! Images should pour through you and their meaning is likely to be received easily by others. Find the appropriate container and grounding for your imagination and actions initiated during this Moon period will have GOOD resolutions. Any Moon/Mars connections can be a little testy, which is why the Good rather than Excellent, so if you encounter any conflict, trust that you'll move through it to success.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJSpt0Fmklo

PISCES SCENE FOR THE DAY: Call Me By Your Name, 2017; Director: Luca Guadanino. A passionate secret love affair develops between an Italian teen and his professor-father's twenty-something American resident assistant. While this film didn't have as much substance or move me as much as Guadanino's previous I Am Love (2009), this scene is an unusually compassionate show of support from father to son. 

JANUARY 17-19: CHALLENGING AQUARIUS MOON

MOON ENTERS AQUARIUS on Wednesday, January 17 at 3:32am EST and remains here until 6:25am on Friday, January 19. LAST ASPECT OF MOON: Moon Square Mars in Scorpio. Ruled by Uranus, this Fixed Air Moon is likely to encounter conflicts when attempting to share her bright ideas. In its extreme, this configuration could reflect an angry revolution. Aquarius can be experienced as more emotionally detached than other Moon periods. Don't take aloofness from others personally. Instead, appreciate the opportunity this objectivity affords and step back to evaluate your situation. This is a time for attention on a bigger picture: the community. The challenge will be to demonstrate your unique individuality within that community. Uranus also rules the electronic/digital arena. Our drive will be to distribute information now. If you encounter computer difficulties try another day. In general, actions initiated during this period tend to have CHALLENGING resolutions. If you allow yourself to see the other's perspective and try to come from some sense of equality in diversity you may ease any Martian conflicts that arise.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqDd06GW76o&list=PLZbXA4lyCtqoKE2fbNgzoaRkpMSHnzE60&index=3

AQUARIAN SCENE FOR THE DAY: 12 Angry Men, 1957; Director: Sydney Lumet. Here we have a small community in the form of a twelve-man jury deciding the fate of a kid who may or may not have committed murder. We witness the unique personas and perspectives of each of the jury members within the group. While all the other jurors believe the boy is guilty, Henry Fonda leads the cast as the stand-alone juror number 8 who dares to consider that the boy may be innocent. Eventually, the pendulum swings to its opposite position and only one juror maintains the guilty vote. The source of the anger and willfulness of this single juror, played by Lee J. Cobb (the mob boss from On the Waterfront), is ultimately revealed. His painful relationship with his 'unappreciative son' colors his perspective of the accused. Mars in Scorpio can feel like a life or death situation and, as the drama climaxes in this classic film, we see a revolution take place from one to the other. Fonda's steadfast position turns the tide from a knee jerk condemnation to a more egalitarian consideration.

JANUARY 14-16: EXCELLENT CAPRICORN NEW MOON

MOON ENTERS CAPRICORN at 2:42pm EST on Sunday, January 14 after a VOID OF COURSE morning. It remains here until Wednesday, January 17 at 1:30am. LAST ASPECT OF MOON: Moon Conjunct Venus in Capricorn. NEW MOON IS EXACT on Tuesday, January 16 at 9:17pm at 26º Capricorn. This is a great New Moon period to begin a New Chapter! Ruled by Saturn, the planet of manifestation, bringing ideas into form, this Cardinal Earth sign should have the resources from Venus to produce your desired results. This is a practical time when discipline, responsibility and commitment should be accessible to support your endeavors. This period also favors the traditional and conventional rather than the innovative. Things may take more time to take shape than you'd like because Saturn moves slowly, but the strong intention to get the job done will win the day. Saturn and Pluto are also in Capricorn now and the Moon will transit by them during this time. This may give the already contracted Moon (it's in detriment - its natural Ruler being Capricorn's opposite sign, Cancer) an even more somber note (self-doubting and withdrawn). That said, because of the beneficial Sextile to Venus, actions initiated during this period - especially business deals or long-term investments (and even a mountain climbing expedition!) are likely to have EXCELLENT resolutions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0KzvD-0rx0

CAPRICORN SCENE FOR THE DAY: Mission Impossible II, 2000; Director: John Woo. One of the most memorable MI visuals is the intro sequence to this compelling action adventure. This Capricorn Moon period would be the perfect time for agent Ethan Hunt to attempt this dramatic climb! Besides the Aphroditic Beauty of the mountainscape, Venus - the Lesser Beneficent - would see him through to the successful completion of his task. Yours too! Go For it!

JANUARY 12-14: EXCELLENT SAGITTARIUS MOON

Prometheus Brings Fire by Heinrich Friedrich Füger

MOON ENTERS SAGITTARIUS at 2:04am EST on Friday, January 12 and remains here until Sunday, January 14 at 3:48am. LAST ASPECT OF MOON: Moon Trine Uranus in Aries. After a whole VOID OF COURSE DAY Thursday, when most likely not much practical work was accomplished, this Moon period goes into action! Sagittarius is the Truth-seeker - the philosopher on a spiritual quest for answers and the meaning of life - how to lead a purposeful existence in service to a higher calling. Both Jupiter-ruled Sag and Uranus in number-one Fire sign Aries have a passionate drive for Freedom and Independence - so expect others to be requiring it and make sure you add your voice to the cry! Think rebellious Prometheus bringing Fire to the human race. This is a great time to take off on a long-distance journey, especially a solo adventure! Adding a spiritual quest to the agenda will make the trip more meaningful. Try something innovative that you've never done before. Just a caution, as always with Uranus in Aries in play: be conscious of the tendency for impulsive decisions or actions. Take a breath and think twice. Now is a time to ask yourself what freedom, on every conceivable level, means to you. You might be pleasantly surprised what comes up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7014C_6ABAg

SAG SCENE FOR THE DAY: Rebel Without a Cause, 1955; Director: Nicholas Ray. James Dean in his signature role is desperately searching for a life with integrity, meaning and Truth. In this scene he tells his parents about an accident in which one of his classmates is killed. He owns up to participating in the car race and wants to assume responsibility but his parents want him to stand down for fear of repurcussions. This is an explosive turning point in the film which calls into question our moment-to-moment choices and how our own individual characters are formed. Do we have the courage to break out into our True selves and express our authentic nature? We may use this time to call on our inner Prometheus to give us the courage - and become a rebel with a cause!

JANUARY 9-11: EXCELLENT SCORPIO MOON

MOON ENTERS SCORPIO at 3:05pm EST on Tuesday, January 9 after being VOID OF COURSE since 11:12am. MOON REMAINS IN SCORPIO until Thursday, January 11 at 9:53am when it goes VOID OF COURSE for the rest of the day. LAST ASPECT OF MOON: Moon Sextile Venus in Capricorn. Actions initiated during this mostly Void of Course day tend not to work out as planned. It's best to use this time for inner creative work or planning future actions. Both Pluto-ruled Scorpio and Venus are related to resources in general, and more specifically, money. This is a Great time for purchases and investments, especially in the area of Art and anything honoring Beauty or The Feminine archetype. It's also a perfect time for diving into depth psychology or investigations of any kind. We might want to take a good look at any issues regarding our sexuality now. This period is ripe for successful transformation. It behooves us personally when we use this powerful Pluto energy for the benefit of the collective Good.

SCORPIO SCENE FOR THE DAY: High Art, 1998; Director: Lisa Cholodenko. Way before the Sundance hit The Kids are Alright and even before Laurel Canyon, two of my all time favorite indie films, Choldenko made this groundbreaking film starring Ally Sheedy and Radha Mitchell. As newly promoted photo editor, Syd (Mitchell) meets neighbor Lucy (Sheedy) and discovers she is a once-famous photographer now living in a heroin den upstairs. Intrigued by their lifestyle and ambitious at her very competitive photo magazine, Syd negotiates a long-overdue shoot for Lucy at her publication. Of course they start falling for each other and Syd is initiated into a new sexual identity. While it's considered a low-budget film, the textures and complexities of any given moment on screen feel so honest and raw that the narrative has the sophistication of a highly produced movie. Cholodenko really knows her characters and we love them for it. Patricia Clarkson (Station Agent) is also featured in the film; this is the first film I had ever seen her in before she became a Sundance legend. She plays Greta, Lucy's current exotic druggie lover, and steals every every scene because of her completely unique and spot-on sensuous druggie demeanor. A real work of high art. 

JANUARY 7- 9: VERY GOOD LIBRA MOON

MOON ENTERS LIBRA at 7:14am EST on Sunday, January 7 and remains here until Tuesday, January 9 at 11:12am. LAST ASPECT OF MOON: Moon Sextile Mercury in Sagittarius. Ruled by Venus this Cardinal Air sign rules Love, Relationships, Justice, Equality, Art and Beauty. It can also include Self-Worth and What We Value (which often means Money!) The heart and the head are in sync now so actions initiated during this time tend to have VERY GOOD resolutions. This is a great time to communicate with your significant other what's been on your mind, even about finances. Libra can be passive aggressive so try to be as direct as possible. Draw on the the courage of Libra's opposite Aries. Remember the whole axis of opposites is always available to us. The Sextile to Mercury in Sag signifies that it's also a a good time to take off on a long distance journey of the body or the mind. Enjoy an aesthetically pleasing rendez-vous...and lots of Love. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTrT6QSqnGs

 LIBRA SCENE FOR THE DAY: Paris Can Wait, 2016; Director: Eleanor Coppola. I saw this film at the Tribeca Film Festival last spring and, being a fan of both Diane Lane and France, totally loved it. An unexpected and aesthetically satiating road trip with Anne (Lane) and her husband's partner Jacques (Arnaud Viard), food and art connoisseur, is the perfect film for a Libra Moon Sextile Mercury in Sag. All the senses are titillated and Venusian Beauty is present in almost every scene. Anne discovers a new kind of relationship and learns to slow down and value every present moment.  Eleanor Coppola is Francis Ford's wife and, at 81, gives us her feature directorial debut. It's based on her own experience traveling from Cannes to Paris with her husband's French film distributor who stopped several times a day to relish the bounty of the countryside.  She also made the revealing 1991 documentary Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse, about husband Francis' incredibly difficult production  of Apocalypse Now. Paris is a much more enjoyable ride!

JANUARY 5-6: CHALLENGING VIRGO MOON

MOON ENTERS VIRGO at 3:12pm EST on Friday, January 5 (after being VOID OF COURSE all day) and remains here until Saturday, January, 6 at 9:51pm. LAST ASPECT OF MOON: Moon Square Mercury in Sagittarius. This Mutable Earth sign is conflicted by the Square to Mercury, its natural Ruler. Virgo's attention to skills of analysis, discernment and creating order tend to be undermined. It's least optimum expression of being overly critical - resulting from the expectation of perfection - is more likely to show up. Nit-pickiness and narrow mindedness rarely helps a controversy. Continue to lift your eyes from the details and small stuff now to see the bigger picture: the context, the history, the philosophical or cultural reality... and the Other's perspective. And remember that kindness most often wins the day. Otherwise, actions initiated during this Moon period will tend to have Challenging resolutions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_043nMnRgU

VIRGO SCENE FOR THE DAY: Bones, "Mayhem on a Cross", Season 4 Episode 20, 2009: Director: Jeff Woolnough; Writer: Hart Hanson. Forgive me...I've gotten addicted to a mainstream Fox series which concluded this year after twelve seasons. I love these characters! Forensic Anthropologist Temperance Brennan, nicknamed Bones by her FBI partner Agent Seeley Booth, is a Virgonian character to the max. Her discerning attention to the details of the skeletal system makes her the best in her field. Reason is her God and strict Scientific Method is her process. She is overly literal to the degree of qualifying for Asperger's Syndrome. Her brilliance can not be denied. In this partial scene she can't help but correct her colleagues, coroner Dr. Camille Saroyan and Dr. Clark Edison. Though, in the end, Bones is a totally endearing character (for many, not all) this Virgonian trait leaves her team continually dumbfounded. It leaves her alone all too often. An interesting note: Emily Deschanel, who plays Dr. Brennan, is the daughter of well-known and lauded Cinematographer Caleb Deschenal (The Natural, The Right Stuff) and the sister of Zoey (Almost Famous, New Girl)

JANUARY 3-4: EXCELLENT LEO MOON

MOON ENTERS LEO at 2:22am EST on Wednesday, January 3 and remains here until Thursday, January 4 at 6:10pm. LAST ASPECT OF MOON: Moon Trine Uranus in Aries. Ruled by the Sun, this Fixed Fire sign will tend to find us highly spirited and creative. This is the time to initiate a new work of art or some other unique form of self-expression. Leo's are the children of the zodiac. They love to play and, with the Trine to Uranus, this play should be exciting and unusual. Leo rules the heart. Generosity and warmth is likely to be available to us. Remember to be conscious of other's need to shine as well as your own. Make room for them at center stage! This could be a time when a love affair begins - if it isn't exciting, it's not going to satisfy...enjoy it while it lasts, because Uranus ruled relationships are not in it for the long haul. Actions along these themes, initiated during this Moon period, will tend to have EXCELLENT resolutions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9BbUqHrWFI

LEO SCENE FOR THE DAY:Dirty Dancing, 1987; Director: Emile Ardonlino. Patrick Swayze (Leo) and Jennifer Grey (Aries) demonstrate their fiery performance style in a final victory dance scene in this classic film. At the time, the dancing was passionate and edgy. Nobody puts Baby in a corner! Their love affair begins at center-stage.