Drop by Drop: the Pisces Full Moon

Dear Friend and Reader:

In the midst of the building Jupiter-Neptune square, and with all the personal planets still in Virgo and still broadly opposing Neptune, this week brings yet another Pisces event. That would be the Pisces Full Moon, exact overnight Friday into Saturday (Sept. 14 at 12:33 am EDT / 4:32:39 UTC).

	Last month's Full Moon over Casco Bay; photo by Amanda Painter.

With so much Neptune and all that Pisces, and an abundance earthy-yet-intellectual Virgo energy trying to make sense of it all, it might be worth considering a few watery concepts and sayings. A few of my favorites that come to mind:

— The gradual, persistent accumulative power of 'drop by drop'.

— The sometimes-sudden, sometimes-imperceptible action of erosion.

— The roles of evaporation and condensation in the process of distillation to purify or focus, literally and metaphorically.

— The lifesaving technique of swimming parallel to the shore if caught in a rip current (until out of the current), and then swimming diagonal to the shore — rather than trying to swim straight to shore.

— "Look where you want to be": advice seen on a surfer's T-shirt; also applies to handling rapids in a kayak (and to life).

— Water always finds its own level.

— Oppressive, paralyzing heat finally breaking after a summer thunderstorm and its torrential rain.

— A rising tide lifts all boats.

Possibly just in reading that list you might have seen something that speaks to you and the circumstances or process you're in right now. There appears to be something very gradual happening currently. Even if you feel more like a stagnant puddle than a flowing stream, consider that progress is not always perceptible, depending on one's perspective and frame of reference.

	Photo by Amanda Painter.

Take erosion, for instance: during a hurricane or other flood conditions, whole swaths of shore can disappear in a flash. But the stones of a mountain take eons to wear down — even though they're subject to the same water.

All substances eventually yield to water's action, just not all at the same rate. Yet the work is happening nonetheless.

If that does not feel like the most useful metaphor, perhaps try on the idea of distillation (not necessarily for alcohol; water can be distilled to remove other elements). Distillation involves evaporating water so unwanted substances are left behind, then letting it condense in a way that can be captured. The process can be repeated for further concentration. Applied to life: important goals can take several stages of planning and effort.

Sometimes those stages must be repeated — not because they 'failed' the first time, but as a way of refining an idea or an outcome, or concentrating its power. Or maybe it's a way to solidify it in your environment, get more people involved, or to get to a point of full embodiment.

As Eric reminded me this weekend, as with all things Pisces, patience is key. Progress is not always linear.

Kind of like the advice for swimming back to shore when caught in a riptide. A diagonal is not the most direct route geographically. But it can end up being the most efficient use of physical energy, which might be what ultimately saves your life.

Most of life's lessons, including the most apparently karmic and repeated ones, are not so dire. But they can feel very indirect. Many people refer to the image of running along a spiral: each time you circle around to familiar spiritual/emotional growth material, you're encountering it in a slightly new way. Your perspective has changed, because you've added to your experiential knowledge. Maybe you're able to notice subtle (or major) differences in how it affects you, and in how you frame it and respond to it.

	Stream at Camp Timber Trails, Tolland, MA; photo by Amanda Painter.

Jupiter in Sagittarius and Neptune in Pisces certainly have the 'spiritual' signature, though they don't always manifest at their best in modern culture; particularly in aspect to each other.

But they can, and part of what makes the difference may be the intentions you set for growth and healing, and where you choose to focus your attention. (Note: I'm aware this is rather a privileged position to take; if a person is struggling to get basic survival needs met, there often is not a lot of bandwidth for so-called spiritual growth — though it can and does happen.)

I have not yet said much about the Pisces Full Moon and its chart; here are the basics: the Virgo Sun and Pisces Moon will oppose each other at 22 degrees of their respective signs. Mars, Venus and Mercury will be in close attendance on the Virgo side; Neptune will be nearby the Moon. Mercury and Venus, however, will be in the last degree of Virgo. They will ingress Libra within about six-and-a-half hours of each other on Saturday.

Like many Full Moons in water signs, this could describe some emotional intensity and psychic or environmental sensitivity. Even with all those planets in earth signs, you may find it necessary to take conscious measures to ground and center yourself this week as the lunar energy builds. Virgo is earth, but in a particularly mental way (ruled as it is by Mercury) — and thoughts are strongly influenced by emotions. This weekend could have a flavor of the truth coming out.

Wherever you're at, whether you're navigating rapids or gradually finding your own level, the current astrology suggests it's possible (and advisable) to keep moving gently. Small steps will still count as steps — kind of like how individual drops will eventually full the jug. You may be building a foundation of sorts without even realizing it. Then again, maybe you're perfectly aware of that fact. Like Dory in Finding Nemo, "just keep swimming."

Yours & truly,

Amanda Painter In These Times — 2019 Autumn Reading

My readings offer a place of refuge, an opportunity to suspend self-judgment, and my careful reading of the charts. I offer you reasons to be motivated, and strategies for handling the strange complexity of society at this time. To this work, I bring all of what I have learned as a journalist, editor, astrologer, spiritual student and man of the world; and I offer it to you for an affordable price. Read more here.
Daily Birthday Readings from Planet Waves

Here are the next week's Birthday Readings; if it's your birthday this week, many happy returns to you. Please note you can also read these entries as daily posts on our Intelligence website. Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019 (The Day of the Puzzling Purist) Imagine you've climbed a mountain (or at least a big hill) and are standing at the summit; you can see, clearly, vast swaths of land in all directions. Your concept of the size of the accessible world has changed; with so much of it under your gaze, you might well feel better able to travel farther. This is what you're aiming for conceptually. If you feel somewhat hemmed in, that's a sign you may benefit from a broader perspective, which encompasses the whole spectrum of possibilities. Monday, Sept. 9, 2019 (The Day of Difficult Demand) You're likely to have an abundance of opportunities to inject more fun into your daily life, should you wish to. Most of us have some kind of routine, though it doesn't need to be entirely repetitive or dull; and if it becomes so there are usually quite a few ways to add some sparkle. There's an art to finding joy in the everyday: this tends to be easier the more time you devote to the activities you love. See if you can set aside room to do just that, as often as possible. Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019 (The Day of Private Goals) With an impressive Sun-Neptune opposition culminating on your birthday, you may at times have trouble figuring out where you end and other people begin. Remember, though, that what you might see as qualities exclusively owned by them are almost certainly present somewhere in your psyche. One way to recognize this is to work on acknowledging and accepting yourself as a full and complex being, in need of no-one to 'complete' you, because you are yourself entirely whole. Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019 (The Day of Dramatic Choice) Like other people, you are ever changing and evolving, and you can't be expected to remain exactly the same for any length of time. The same goes for the structure of your daily life — your work, your habits, your schedules — which you build around yourself, and have the power to reshape. If you want to change something, if you decide to set your feet on a particular path and are determined to put in the requisite level of effort, there is ultimately very little that could stop you. Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019 (The Day of the Fearless Crusader) Remember that your primary relationship is really with yourself, and fulfillment in every other kind of setting comes much more easily if you can give yourself love. This may sound a little counterintuitive, because society teaches us that we are lacking, and that self-acceptance is allegedly arrogance. Yet in truth, embracing who you are is an important aspect of your wellbeing. Love is not a zero-sum game; it's more like music. The more you practice on your own, the more you have to offer to others. Friday, Sept. 13, 2019 (The Day of Passionate Care) Particularly if you move with confidence, those around you are likely to sit up and pay attention. You seem to be invested with substantial charm, and may need to be prepared for a surge of interest in you and your projects. If you're working on something specific and introduce it to the public view, there's a chance it could take off unexpectedly. Regardless of what happens, practice honesty, clarity and setting boundaries. These could almost certainly be put to some use. Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019 (The Day of the Perceptive Critic) Your birthday this year plays host to the Pisces Full Moon amid some eventful astrology. You may well find yourself both unusually busy, and in an especially good position to make things happen. It's likely you'll easily figure out how to turn an idea into a concrete reality or a practical application, or set a long-term project in motion. The only thing to be wary of is if you have a tendency to self-doubt. If so, keep an eye on your state of mind, and check in regularly with people you trust. Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019 (The Day of Mastery) As you were growing up, it's highly likely your caregivers or family had some expectations on who you were to become, and how you should live your life. As an adult, you have a free choice on how far you will stick to that narrative, though depending on the pressure this isn't always easy. This year, you have an opportunity to strike out on your individual path more decisively, regardless of anyone else's preconceived ideas or wishes. Follow your desires, and don't worry about going off-script.

— By Amy Elliott Monthly Horoscopes and Publishing Schedule Notes

Your extended monthly horoscope for September was published on Thursday, Aug. 29. We published your extended monthly horoscope for August on Thursday, July 25. Please note: we normally publish the extended monthly horoscope after the Sun has entered a new sign. Aries (March 20-April 19) — Dreams and aspirations are not merely useful tools for keeping you interested in your daily routines. However far-fetched they may seem, however long it takes, if you really want to do something you can generally find a way. Determination is a key that unlocks a surprising number of doors, and enthusiasm can carry you through when the path seems difficult. It takes courage to dream big, though perhaps more to see the desired goal as possible and be willing to risk disappointment by pursuing it. Yet one might also argue that this is a necessary facet of existence. Trust yourself — you are more capable than you know. Get your full Aries reading by Eric here.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — Your curiosity is an invaluable gift. It leads into new and interesting territory; it brings you experiences you would not otherwise have. Lately, you may have been fearing that to indulge your inquisitive feelings in a certain direction could cause trouble. Yet there is nothing wrong with asking questions and searching for answers, or with trying to reach the truth on an issue. Doing this doesn't mean you are necessarily giving up principles or committing to a way of being you might take aversion to. It's simply a matter of gaining more information, as opposed to potentially remaining in the dark. Fear closes the mind: keep yours open. Get your full Taurus reading by Eric here.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — Do you remember how you felt a few weeks ago? You've certainly moved at some speed since then, and have accomplished an astonishing amount. True, the process of change may not be fully complete; you might have yet to see most of the results. However, whether you're still in the chrysalis, or happily exploring the air with your new butterfly wings, you are surely noticing the difference both within and around you. If your confidence has increased, this more than likely stems not from nebulous wisps of hope, but from concrete reality. In terms of where you might head next, you have a lot of choice. The world is wide and waiting. Get your full Gemini reading by Eric here.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — This week you may well find you have the "gift of gab" when it comes to persuading others of your point of view. You naturally combine gravitas with a certain warmth and accessible charm, and presently this is likely to shine out more clearly than usual. At times you'll probably be downright irresistible. Use your influence wisely and carefully; watch the content of your speech, and its tone, and do your best not to fall into, for example, a form of hyperbole or mischaracterization of the facts that could be mistaken for gospel. Consider this an opportunity rather to spread important, clear and truthful messages of healing. Get your full Cancer reading by Eric here.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — Be sure to spend at least some time this week on a favorite art or invention project, or at any rate do something you love that involves a form of creation. Inspiration is with you, and whatever you make is likely to possess the unique and delightful touch of the true artist. If nothing particular comes to mind, you might try taking up something entirely new, testing out lots of different activities as a fun experiment, or restarting a venture you'd previously laid aside. The more passionate your affection for this work, the more beautiful the result will probably be, though the idea is not so much producing a result at all as the joy of the process. Get your full Leo reading by Eric here. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — As we build toward an interesting Full Moon in your opposite sign, with your own still playing host to all the inner planets, you may benefit this week from remembering just how far your capabilities stretch. If you tend to need frequent confidence boosts, or if you're in a situation where you feel lacking in power, it can be much more difficult to see just how influential you are. Regardless, it might be a good idea to consider how your words and actions could affect people, and treat those you encounter with added gentleness and compassion. It'll be much easier to forge a dialog with others that way, in any case, than from behind a megaphone. Get your full Virgo reading by Eric here.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — If things seem confusing, the power of analysis can be a great way to break through that. Deeper feelings can be pretty elusive to your conscious mind, though if you dig around long enough you'll likely find the information you need. Intuitive logic differs from the formal variety in many respects, yet it is still possible to understand; just as dreams usually shed light on our state of mind, when we remember them. You might feel for a while like a cat chasing the mysterious red dot of a laser pointer. Persist nevertheless; what you turn up will probably be not only useful, but highly pertinent to your present life. Get your full Libra reading by Eric here.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Given how unique you are, it is perhaps unsurprising that you sometimes find yourself disagreeing with members of your community or social group. And thank goodness for that. You are not a robot, to fall into step with a long line of other robots, and nobody should expect it of you. While any dispute can produce some discomfort, the liberating feeling of casting off disguises and being utterly honest is unlike anything else. It's also true that the understanding even of some people close to you probably doesn't encapsulate you as a whole person, since we all have our expectations and projections. It's okay to surprise them. Get your full Scorpio reading by Eric here.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — There may be plenty of confusion these days about telling right from wrong, and fact from fiction. Yet your own feelings, aims, desires — whatever pertains to your life and trajectory — are truths you can hold on to, even if everything else can be doubted. Mars, the planet of action, is currently working its way through your 10th house of career and ambition. Any uncertainty you might be experiencing about what others might think, or how your efforts could pan out, doesn't necessarily matter. If you know what you want and where you want to go, you don't need anything else to move toward fulfilling your goals. Get your full Sagittarius reading by Eric here.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — Our thoughts are, to a greater or lesser extent, influenced by our feelings. There is no shame in this; yet it does help to recognize the fact, and to know when you are acting on emotional triggers. This is not always easy to notice, though your internal monitor becomes more accurate with practice. We can get caught up in a particular dynamic, and be in the middle of a heated dispute, before realizing what set us off in the first place. If you know, however, that you're likely to find certain discussions provoking, consider the ways you might avoid all-out conflict. You may well also benefit from doing some inner work on the areas where you feel most raw. Get your full Capricorn reading by Eric here.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — You are complex, woven of multiple and variegated threads in a singular pattern; and this wide universe contains more than enough room for your whole self. That includes room to expand as far as you will. There is no fate set in stone, no unavoidable path to an immutable destiny: there is only freedom, and your choice of how to exercise it. Even if you find it hard to accept some parts of you, try to hold space for everything. Avoid any temptation to shrink yourself down, to curb your originality, or to turn a blind eye to aspects of your potential. Instead, focus on being the complete and unabridged version of you. Get your full Aquarius reading by Eric here.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — It's as natural for you as for any person to pay closest attention to what you most wish to hear, and what you already believe to be true. Confirmation bias is a built-in fallacy to which we are all prone. Your astrology this week, however, suggests a need to seek out and listen to a message you might not care so much for. This may take the form of a golden grain of truth surrounded by what appear to be irrelevancies or nonsense. Remember: you can always take time to consider what is being said, and ultimately you are free to decide how and whether to act, should action be in the question. That autonomy belongs only to you. Get your full Pisces reading by Eric here.

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