SPA Insights

Soul Astrology by Margaret Koolman

Using the New Moon moment as a birth chart for the following month, my comments

are meant to provide an attitude that maximises our ease and growth during that time.

New Moon in Gemini - 6/7 June 2005

(UT 21:56 = Orlando USA 5:56pm 6 June / UK 10:56pm 6 June / Brisbane Australia 7:56am 7 June)

The run-up:

May was a particularly emotional month, as Mars (representing our sensitive solar plexus) travelled through Pisces (no boundaries between us). On 2/3 June, Mars squared Pluto, pointing out the difficulty we often have in holding the greater picture, when we are involved empathising with people's pain. Then on 5 June, there are three planetary events which offer a very positive conclusion to the last Sun/Moon cycle.

Firstly, Mars trines Saturn, both in water signs, pointing out that we are all liable to experience any of the results of everyone's output. If we are floating about the Earth in the sea of humanity's mental, emotional and physical output, then, no matter what we think, feel or do personally, we will still be bumping into the results of other people's output. This doesn't relieve us of all responsibility, because we are still adding our bit to the vibrations, and, when our bit is positive, it helps to lift the whole. It does mean, though, that we don't have to feel personally responsible for the state of the world. It doesn't help when we feel we should try to change things, out of guilt or missionary zeal. Those emotions tend to be a form of rejecting the way things are and, until we accept the facts, we can't progress. Mars trining Saturn indicates that a measure of acceptance is possible, so that the decisions that manifest could be progressive.

The second event on 5 June is Jupiter's return to forward movement through the Zodiac, so that whatever develops, out of decisions made at this time, will grow. For 4 months out of every 13, Jupiter appears to be retrograde, and we experience a slowing down in the growth of many projected plans. Sometimes we feel like retreating, or even completely withdrawing, from our projects during those four months. That is really the time for thinking again, rewriting our plans, ready to push forward later in a better, more up-to-date way. With Jupiter's movement being direct over the next 9 months, this is the time for that expansion.

The third event on 5 June is Mercury briefly trining Neptune. We have the opportunity to consciously reach beyond our small selves, so that our decisions are inspired by spiritual guidance. What a foundation for the thought and communication of the New Moon in Gemini!

New Moon trine Neptune on 6/7 June

The Moon will reach the Sun in Gemini, just when it's about to trine Neptune in Aquarius: a new beginning in harmony with the needs of humanity as a whole. With Mercury also trine Neptune, we are very likely to find communication easy and relevant during this new sun-moon cycle. As Neptune is retrograde in the chart, one thing we will need to watch out for is talking in negative terms about plans and decisions, or about other people. With Jupiter direct at last, now is the time we will be creating new images of what we want to achieve, and how we want to relate. It is so easy to fall into chatting in a way that is negative, and wasteful of energy. Sometimes it can be therapeutic to voice worries, but it can also reduce motivation, and criticising another person can hold them back. When we go forward in ways that help others, we are more successful.

During most of June, both Mercury and Venus will be moving fast through Cancer, bursting brightly into Leo together on 28 June. So communication is likely to be about family, about what care we need ourselves, and how to care for each other better. Health issues, and the care of children and old people, are all likely to be explored with a sense of their importance. On 12 June, Mars leaves sensitive Pisces, and enters Aries where action becomes imperative, so there may be a measure of impatience to get on with achieving all that is desired. When our actions appear to be blocked, we will need to be patient. Aries energy tends to go faster than the physical world can manage. The world is not really blocking us, but just presenting mental, emotional and physical considerations that need to be taken into account when manifesting plans.

On 22 June, the day after the Solstice, the Full Moon will be at the beginning of Capricorn, the Sun in Cancer. Perhaps this shows the determination to manifest those New Moon plans about caring for those in need. Whatever is planned in the first half of this cycle stands a good chance of happening in the second half. From the 28 June, it looks as if we'll be in a mood for celebrating.

Meditation for this New Moon in Gemini:

The greater part of good communication is listening well.

Breathe into heart and mind, the fresh air of new ideas.

Breathe out into the world, a warm, caring flow of courage.

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THE TEN ESSTENTIALS OF TAI CHI

Tai Chi is an exercise for the whole body, and it trains both the mind and the body. No matter what style you learn (Yang, Wu, Chen, Lu) there are Ten Essentials of movement that should be incorporated in your practice of Tai Chi. These Ten Essentials support the student with whole body movement, using the proper form and enhancing the energy flow throughout your Tai Chi practice. The Ten Essentials are (as paraphrased from Yang Chengfu):

Straightening the Head - Stand straight and hold the head and neck naturally erect as if a thread pulls up gently from the center of your head to heaven.
Correct Position of Chest and Back — Keep chest slightly inward, which will enable you to sink your breath to the dan tian (lower belly). Do not push your chest out.
Relaxation of the Waist — When you relax the waist, your two feet will be strong enough to form a firm base.
Solid and Empty Stance — It is of great importance to understand the difference between "Xu" (Empty) and "Shi" (Solid). If you shift your body on to the right leg, then the right leg is solidly planted on the ground and the left leg is in an empty stance. When the weight is on the left leg, then it is solidly planted on the ground and the right leg is in an empty stance. By shifting your weight between the left and right leg you can turn and move your body easily and remain stable and firm in your movements.
Sinking of Shoulders and Elbows — Keep your shoulders in a natural, relaxed position. Keep your elbows down; otherwise your shoulders will not be relaxed. If you lift your shoulders the qi will rise with them and the whole body will be without strength.

The first Five Essentials are all about the best body posture to allow the qi to flow and for the body to be strong, flexible, firm and relaxed. The next Five Essentials address the rest of the movements needed to develop the optimum flow of qi in practicing Tai Chi.

Using the Mind Instead of Force — In practicing Tai Chi the whole body is relaxed and there is no stiff or clumsy strength in the veins or joints to hinder movement of the body. Vital energy will flow in the wake of the focused mind or consciousness and circulate all over the body. Through diligent practice one will be able to have genuine internal force allowing one to be "Lithe in appearance, but powerful in essence."
Coordination of Upper and Lower Parts — According to theory of Tai Chi, the root is in the feet, the force is launched through the legs, controlled by the waist, and expressed by the fingers; the feet, the legs and the waist form a harmonious whole. The eyes follow the movements of the hands, waist and legs.
Harmony Between the Internal and External Parts — As far as the Tai Chi "form" is concerned, there are only the Xu (empty), Shi (solid), Kai (open) and He (close). The Kai and the He are not only demonstrated in the four limbs but by the mind as well. Perfection is achieved when one unifies the two and harmonizes the internal and external parts into a complete whole.
Importance of Continuity — In Tai Chi, one focuses the attention on the mind instead of force, and the movements from beginning to end are continuous and in an endless circle, "like a river which flows on and on without end" or "like reeling the silk thread off cocoons."
Tranquility in Movement — The Tai Chi movement is blended with tranquillity, and while performing the "form" one maintains tranquility of mind. In practicing the "form", the slower the movement, the better the results in taking deep breaths and sinking them to the dan tian. It has a soothing effect on the body and mind.