Spring Equinox; Animal Signs Falcon

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/peregrine-falcon/

Today is the first day of spring and therefore Spring Equinox.  It's a pretty significant turning point in the year and the symbol of new life, new vitality, a new shift. We have now "officially" moved out of the dark cocoon of winter and into the light of spring.

I've written about the Spring Equinox before. Last year I wrote a lot about making the transition through winter to spring and how that shifting can be difficult. If you're having a hard time to adjust to the shift, I wrote last year about the Bach Flowers that might be helpful in the transition.  http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.ca/2012/03/spring-equinox-2012-and-transition.html 

The significance of the Equinox is that today we have pretty much (it's not totally exact when the scientists get at it!), equal amounts of light and darkness.  As we move foreword we will have longer periods of light than dark until the fall when this shifts once again.  But today is a point of balance really- the tipping point.

The sun has moved into Aries today according to my We'Moon 2013 book.  Lucy Harmer, in Shamanic Astrology http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.ca/2012/07/book-review-shamanic-astrology.htmlwrites that the time period between March 21 and April 19th is represented by the Animal Sign Falcon. Harmer writes this time period is one of renewal and new beginnings.

Falcon energy brings us all this strength of renewal, joy and exuberance. It's a good time to start something new and transform an existing situation. The Falcon's element is fire and that influence reinforces strength and vitality as well as courage and enthusiasm.  Powerful qualities for shifting forward and becoming all that you can be.

Falcons like wide open spaces and panoramic views.  Stephen Farmer www.PowerAnimals.com  in Animal Spirit Guides, writes that the presence of a Falcon is a signal to step back and take that wide angle view before making a decision.  He suggests it's a symbol to be patient, to trust you intuition, and to see what your surroundings can teach you before you commit fully and "take the plunge".  Farmer writes that Falcon energy can provide you help when you are too close to a situation to make sense of it and need that distance to see things clearly or make a plan.  He suggests you call on Falcon when "you're not sure whether to move ahead, pull back, or stand still, and you're waiting for a clear signal as to what to do".

Harmer writes that the life path for Falcon spirit is to "reflect on the effect of your actions before taking them. Realizing that "individuality doesn't mean egoism".  She suggests the weakness of the Falcon power is a tendency to be egotistic and impulsive. The challenge is to find harmony with those around you understanding your  personal individuality within a larger group. This suggests that  need to take the panoramic view again before you hone in on a target. This sense of individuality within a group is very much Second Chakra development. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.ca/2010/12/chakra-foods-for-sacral-chakra.html Wise Woman and Merlin are likely making Vanila Cardamon puddings today.. (the recipe is in Chapter Two of  Sweet Shack and Bach Bar http://pixiedusthealing.com/sweet-shack-bach-bar/ )

So in this point of balance of the equinox, it would seem, today is the perfect day to sit on that high branch or tree top and really take the panoramic view before you move into that new project or space. Today is the day to avoid the tunnel vision you might have been experiencing while in your winter cave, and check out the whole picture. Maybe something around you has changed while you were in hibernation.  Maybe there are resources available than when you stumbled into the darkness, happy to catch a few extra winter z's. Maybe there are other creatures out there ready to help, or that could use a hand.  Maybe there are helpful project pieces still submerged under the snow that are working their way to the light.  You might be able to see these emerging shoots a bit better from a high panoramic perch.

When dark and light is equally balanced it seems to me to be the right time to sit still, listen to your intuition and gather the energy around you.  There will be time all spring to spread your wings and soar. Today seems like a good day to check out your air space. 

Peaceful watching!

Full Moon in Aquarious

According to We'Moon 2012, today begins a Full Moon in Aquarius.  I wrote about this particular full moon before http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.ca/2011/08/full-moon-intensity-staying-true-to.html .  There is an energy with this moon that propels us to be part of a collective. It's energy of collaboration and collectivity. According to We'Moon this would be a good time to network with others, and consider the global perspective. It's also a time to review and live our philosophy. It time to consider our dogmas as I wrote about last year and evaluate whether or not we want to change our views. I guess this energy is about knowing who you are and maintaining that sense of self in a crowd.  Perhaps it's even about understanding how your uniqueness can be of value to the tribe or the collective. Hmm...

In Shamanic Astrology, Lucy Harmer writes the Spirit Animal that corresponds to the Western Astrology sign Aquarius, is the Otter. Otters are pretty happy and amusing creatures, but there is also a  grounded depth to them. "Otter people" value their creativity and freedom but they are always happy to make sacrifices for the good of the community or for humanitarian ideals. Otters are full of original ideas that need to be expressed.

Steven Farmer in, Animal Spirit Guides writes that if an Otter shows up it's time to be more playful, spontaneous and creative. Farmer suggests you call on Otter when you find yourself worrying obsessively or picturing all kinds of catastrophic outcomes. Considering the Aquarius Energy of the Full Moon, I guess we can say the Otter has "shown up"! 

There is a lot going on this month and some of it seems a bit contradictory. We are supposed to lighten up, but we are also encouraged to consider our beliefs and figure out what really drives us.  We are to focus on family, the collective, and global concerns at the same time that we consider our unique attributes and talents.

Perhaps it's a good thing that this month marks a "Blue Moon".  A Blue Moon means we will have two Full Moons in the same month. The Moon is full going in to the month (on the first day which seems significant) and it will be full going out of August on the 31st.  That means a lot of energy and a pretty fast pace of change and movement. A chance to really get things happening  by enjoying nature's energy. It's technically the second moon of the month that is really the "blue moon", but I thought today's picture was worth sharing today as we enter the month.  According to the NASA website http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2004/07jul_bluemoon/ , Kostian Iftica took this picture on July 2nd when he photographed this full moon rising over Brighton, Mass.  He used a blue filter to create the picture, the moon wasn't "really" that blue,  but that might be a nice mix of individual creativity combined with ancient tradition I think. I like that.

I also believe that's the message for the month.  I think it's about finding your uniqueness, grounding it in the traditions and wisdom of your inner self,  and communicating that combination to the greater group. In my earlier Full Moon in Aquarius posting I talked about the Bach Flower Cerato.  It's helpful when you could use some support to find and more-over, to trust, that inner knowing and  uniqueness.  But I believe, having found that and trusting that sense of self, you owe it to the collective to bring it forward. It's time to stand up and speak your truth. You don't have to yell it from the mountain top.  You don't need to convince anyone else that it's their truth. But maybe you owe it to yourself to share, and in doing so, expand from within while you contribute to source at the same time. Hmm...

The Blue Moon may be particularly helpful with this.  Blue is the color that resonates with the throat or 5th Chakra. Blue helps us communicate our truth. In Sweet Shack & Bach Bar, http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.ca/2012/02/sweet-shack-bach-bar-book-review-from.html Merlin gave Rachael a blue scarf to wear around her throat. Wise Woman gave her Cerato, Mimluus, and Agrimony- all Bach Flowers that can help balance the throat chakra.

It would seem like the universe, in this month of Blue Moons, and under the guidance of the Moon in Aquarius, is encouraging us to speak our truth in a light hearted, non confrontational, but secure way. It's time to let go of the fear of getting kicked out of the tribe  http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.ca/2012/07/alone-vs-abandoned-bach-flowers-for-both.html and go play with Otters that are fun to be around. Share what you know, communicate what you think, and enjoy the fun of just being you; alone in the crowd!

Party on!