“Starry” Van Gogh Visit

I was recently able to get to the Museum of Modern Art, NYC and visit one of my favorite paintings again.

“Starry Night”, makes me smile, makes me want to get up close. I swear that the swirling stars are infused with some sort of electrical current to make them look like they are about to fling themselves off the canvas. I expect to hear a sizzle when I lean in.

I think Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890) was able to recreate “night” brilliantly – no pun intended. Fortunately for us, he did a lot of paintings and so many of his landscapes show his treatment of evening light.

According to a museum catalog, he “attempted the paradoxical task of representing night by light. His procedure followed the trend set by the Impressionists of “translating” visual light effects with various color combinations. At the same time, this concern was grafted onto Van Gogh’s desire to interweave the visual and the metaphorical in order to produce fresh and deeply original works of art”.

(Just an aside – Had a conversation with my brother, an artist, speculating about what would have been the outcome if Van Gogh had taken his medication consistently, would he have “seen” things the way he did? I assume that he painted what he “saw” – exploding stars, riotous color and all. If he were sedated, would his visions have been different? I don’t know.)

Astrology: Libra Moon/ Scorpio Moon Weekend

Well, we’ve been here before (most recently the weekend of 7/16).  Libra Moon for Friday 9/10 and Scorpio Moon for Saturday and Sunday, 9/11 and 9/12.   Air sign Libra and Water sign Scorpio are very different in their influences on us, however, squeeze the positive out of each, even though their moods are not the same.

Social, agreeable, partnership focused Libra. Make both yourself and your home attractive. There is a lot to be said for beautiful things to lift spirits and ease the settling of any disputes.

Intense, emotional Scorpio will demand that you connect with others on a deep level.  Superficial just won’t make it. Be self aware – if your speech or action turns into drama for drama’s sake – ease up.  (The Sag Moon will be up next – time for fun and adventure.)

Astrology: New Moon in Virgo 9/8/10

The Sun is in Virgo and that means the month’s New Moon, on September 8th, will be in that same Earth sign. Like all “new” Moon phases, the following 2 weeks are a great time for initiating, starting, creating, etc.

BUT – Mercury is retrograde in Virgo at this time – If you can wait until after 9/12 for all your new stuff, the universe will be in full throttle support. Retrogrades have a habit of slowing things down, interfering with a smooth flow.  If you have to invent something immediately, remember to pay attention to communication details (check things twice).

With Mercury direct, all Virgo’s organization, service energy, work ethic will pop with all the oomph of the usual New Moon energy.  Don’t spend too much time being critical and you can really get something done! (Focus on what matters to you.)

BTW: Mercury (our communication planet) rules both Gemini and Virgo – intelligence, reasoning, cleverness

Astrology: Moon in Cancer and Leo This Weekend

Expect a mix of home and drama for this weekend. On Friday 9/3, the Moon is happy and comfortable in the sign it rules – emotional, familycentric Cancer and on Sunday morning, we feel the fun influences of “look at me!”  Leo as the Moon does a grand procession into that regal sign. (Wear something Gold.)

Be affectionate, be generous – you know you want to.  Nurture and entertain the people you love. Share yourself.

Astrology: Reminder – Mercury Still Retrograde Until 9/12/10

Reminder: Mercury went retrograde on 8/20/10 in the Earth sign of Virgo. Even though this might not be the best time to initiate action, it could be a great moment to review and revive discarded ideas. Sometimes a little distance can bring new insight into something that you thought was a no deal. It might be a keeper after all.

So, as per my earlier post, my “RE” mantra for Mercury Retrograde time is always:  review, rethink, rework, revisit, rewind

We have until 9/12/10 (in the U.S.) for this planet of communication/techie stuff/transportation to stop and turn “Direct”. It will go forward, still in Virgo, and you might notice a freeing up of those little snafus that have been plaguing your plans for the last few weeks.

Astrology: Aries Moon for the Weekend 8/27

Moon vibrates in energetic Fire sign Aries for Friday and Saturday.  The mood will change on Sunday morning as the Moon shifts into the steady Earth sign Taurus.

As always with Aries, make sure you have something physical to do. Reign in any aggressive urges, think before you act (rash impulses can lead to embarrassment?). But, all that energy can make it a fun time had by all.

Sunday morning Taurus moon – have a lovely, romantic day if you can. Be obstinate only when it really matters. (Being stubborn, just because you know you can, may be a bit limiting for opportunities. Think about it.)


Astrology: Pisces Full Moon, 8/24/10

The “Full” stage of the Moon intensifies the characteristics/energy of the Astrology sign it is in. So, Full Moon in Pisces, think: emotion, creativity, hazy reality, imagination.

If you have something important to do, stay focused. Be discerning. If things seem a little vague, you may want to delay any decisions. Keep grounded, things may not be as bad/good as they seem.  (The sky is NOT falling today and the Brooklyn Bridge has already been sold too many times.)

Make music, art, stories. Use any heightened sensitivity for beautiful things. Spread some Pisces kindness among family and friends. Smile at nice looking strangers. (This is where that “discerning” thing comes in handy)

Astrology: Sun into Virgo – Bi Coastal Split

Earth sign Virgo gets a chance at the Sun on 2 different dates, depending on where you are – Sunday 8/22 10:27PM PDT and Monday 8/23 1:27AM EDT. Whether it is your birth sign or not, we will feel the effects of this practical, hardworking, Mercury ruled 6th sign of the Zodiac until 9/22/10.

But, (there is always one of those) remember that Mercury, planet of communication – speaking/writing, etc – will be retrograde in Virgo from 8/20 to 9/12 and some of those natural Virgo traits like, attention to detail, glorification of service, may be blunted. Don’t get frustrated and grab on to the other traits of this sign – super critical, worrying for the sake of… If you can stay away from the classic “analyze/paralyze” thing, you can make strides in organization, focusing on job advances (if that’s what you want), financial plans, etc.

Smile, it will be okay. Just do what Virgos are always good at regardless – lending aid and assistance. Making schedules, making plans, improving things, finding a good health/exercise regimen. Contribute!

Astrology: Weekend Moon – Mixed Energy, But It’s All Good

Moon in Capricorn on Friday, 8/20 – Moon in Aquarius on Saturday evening 8/21 thru Sunday,  8/22 – hmmmm.

Work hard, be in charge on Friday and attend a community fund raiser, coral volunteers for a neighborhood project on Saturday/Sunday?

Whichever you decide to do, use the energy of the particular sign the Moon is visiting on that day.

Earthy Capricorn: Authority, ambition, organized

Airy Aquarius: Friendly, innovative, comfortable in groups with a cause

In any case, use your best stuff as always, have fun.

Astrology: Moving Planets – Mercury Retrograde 8/20/10

Okay. All those “re” words work best at times like these – review, rethink, rework, revisit, reduce (not really).  Mercury, the communications planet, appearing to go  backwards in the sky, from 8/20 to 9/12, is not necessarily an event of horrific proportions.  It can be dealt with.

The possibility of communication snafus are intensified this time because Mercury is in one of the signs it rules, Virgo (the other is Gemini). When going direct, all the Virgo/Mercury traits are pumped – analyze, write, speak, teach, work, service. With the sluggishness of a Retrograde, energy may be blunted and slips of the tongue or pen, Freudian or otherwise, can occur. Project initiation/creation would be best delayed if possible – if not, be meticulous, be careful. (Jump all over the details.)

(Next Mercury Retrograde will be 12/10/10 in Capricorn.)