We have made it to another New moon. This one is in Gemini ~ the sign of the messenger, storyteller, trickster and information gatherer. Thanks to a brief, but stabilizing encounter with serious Saturn (reality, father time) ~ the frequently scattered Gemini vibrational frequency might just find a stable base to hold onto for a while. New moons can tend to feel a little melancholy and solemn. This is the darkest day of the moon’s 28 day cycle. Symbolically, we may want to imagine a clear blue flame burning within our solar plexus, keeping us imbued with a steady source of light. Candles, mood lamps and anything that glows are also wonderful sources of light.

Recall from yesturday’s post that today is also a solar eclipse. And as stated, eclipses tend to carry a more inward expression of energetic movement. Many of you might wish that you could just unplug from the world around you and curl up on the couch, in bed or on a nice warm spot on the sand, gathering light while being soothed by the sound of ocean waves… especially if the moon’s entrance into Gemini last night, kept you up, with a restless mind or energy field. (Keep in mind, this is the general flow for all ~ but in your own personal horoscope, you could have some high-powered Mars transit that has you bounding with energy and drive. I should only be so lucky today!)

This is still a day of manifestation, though it may feel more like a day of inward reflection and a mild case of the blahs. Tune into your higher voice of knowledge for answers today. Intuition will be your best guide, providing you with all that you need, if you are willing to listen. New moons are a time of new beginnings ~ a time to plant the new proverbial seeds of intent. In the garden of life ~ what would you like to grow?

Tomorrow will be a more energetic day for most, with a triple dose of Geminian youthful curiosity, playfulness and jocular antics.

Until then ~ walk your talk, live your truth and open to the living flow of the cosmos…
~Dawn Elizabeth~

Venus (planet of attraction and love) and Mars (planet of desire and action) are still closely chasing each other around the cosmos, in a sensual dance of passion and pleasure. How can you use this energy in your own relationships? What is it that you are not getting from your relationship? Committment? Security? Try asking how you might give those things to yourself ~ for whatever it is we are not capable of giving ourselves, we are also unlikely to be able to receive from another. If not already in a relationship, think about what or whom you might like to attract. It’s always a good reminder to “be” that which you are hoping to attract. When we become desperate, needy or lonely ~ we tend to attract the same. When we are in standing in our personal power, and love is pouring from our heart center ~ then we tend to attract the same. Like attracts like.

Tomorrow is the New Moon. And it is the first of three eclipses ~ two solar and one lunar, spread across a time span between June 1st and July 1st. Eclipses are thought to carry an extra added 10-times-the strength punch to the regular New or Full moon. Recall that the New moon is always a time of new beginnings. During an eclipse, the energy is largely pulled inward. It is also thought to illuminate our shadow energies, as well. The more “unconscious” we tend to be, the larger our shadow seems to loom. A little self awareness can go a long way, during this eclipse and for several weeks after. We all may carry some degree of rigid thought patterns, early conditioning, negative core beliefs, chips on our shoulder, personal insecurities and lack of personal power in one to several areas of our lives. These “shadow” characteristics live in the “dark,” and often block the light that is all around us ~ from shining through us and then emanating from us.

So, use this last day of the Balsamic moon to go within, get in touch with your own inner core, your inner truth and higher power. Surrender the “darker” side of your nature to the “light,” allowing yourself to radiate light in a 360 degree circle all around you, while letting go of all that you do not wish to carry on into the next cycle.

What might your intent be for the New moon on Wednesday?. Do you know where 11 degrees of Gemini is in your natal chart? This is the place where super-amped new beginnings are ripe for sowing new seeds of intent. Mine is in my 7th house of relationships, partnerships and marriage. So, during this season of eclipse, I might ask myself what shadow behaviors get in the way of having what I want in a relationship. Hmmm. Lots to ponder. (If you are interested to know what this new moon means for you in a short sentence or two, please email with your date of birth, place of birth and time of birth. Send requests to Dawn Elizabeth @ barenakedastrology@gmail.com ).

The moon shifts into chatty and versatile Gemini later this evening. In keeping with the tone of day, this changing of the guards will remain dreamy and even poetic, as the moon meets up with compassionate Neptune right off the bat, taking a bit of the buzz out of the busy Geminian bee ~ enjoying the honey still feels better than making it.

Until tomorrow ~ Peace
Dawn Elizabeth

Do you need to move your body more, eat healthier food, have more rest?

Really tune in. Really listen. What is it that you really need?

Inhale deeply through your nose to the count of 4, hold your breath for a brief second and allow that breath to nourish you, exhale slowly and completely through your mouth to the count of 5. With each breath you take, imagine that you are breathing in “peace.” While you hold your breath, imagine that you are being filled with that “peace.” As you exhale, imagine that you are giving out “calmness.” Do that 10 times. Breath in “peace,” hold it, breath out “calm.”

Ahhhhh. Doesn’t that feel good?

I believe that all of the answers are somewhere within us and that they are accessible to us when we are able to tune into our inner spiritual being ~ the one that is separate from our physical being. We have also all heard the sayings, “Get out of your own way,” and “The only thing to fear is fear itself.”

 It is profound, really.

 This week, I would just like to ask all of you to meditate on those cliches. What part do they play in your life?

Are you arguing for your limitations or discovering and creating new possibilities?

What would you like to manifest in your life? More love, more money, more creativity, more time? How do you want to see your life? Imagine that you could live your life any way you wanted. What would that look like?

Some of you may find that you already have all that you need. Others may feel a lack.

Again, I simply ask you to look at all of the quotes above and use the waning phase Pisces Moon this week to go deep into your subconscious and meditate in order to seek and discover some new truth about yourself.

Face some fear and overcome it.

A good friend once told me that when we pray to God (Spirit, Buddha…), we are the ones doing the talking. But when we meditate, we are open and receptive ~ we are able to listen to God (please plug in your own word here).

As we approach the new moon next week, use your deep insights during this waning moon period to fine tune your life. Imagine yourself setting new intentions next week while the moon is new. And three weeks from now, imagine yourself standing under the Full Moon and giving thanks, as though you have already reached your Nirvana.

 I do believe that all of the answers are already inside of us.

In reflection~ Dawn

Gemini’s ruling planet is Mercury ~ the mythical messenger of the Gods.  In astrology, each of the planets is assigned a psychological function.  Mercury can be described as our urge to communicate, speak, read, write, network, engage in commerce, travel ~ to be the teacher, the student.  

Gemini has often been loosely associated with mythological Hermes.  In addition to being quite the Mercurial character himself ~ according to Greek mythology,  Hermes is known as the great messenger of the gods and a guide to the underworld.   He is also believed to be a  messenger from the gods to humans and a gifted interpreter who bridges the boundaries between strangers.

As an Olympian god and patron of boundaries, Hermes is said to have worn winged sandals, giving safe passage and embuing good luck to shepherds, orators of wit, poets, writers and thieves alike.  This shapeshifter was also gifted in both mental and physical agility, of athletics and sports, weights and measures,  invention ~ and of commerce in general.

Much like the deified trickster Hermes ~ Gemini is cunning, jocular and bright.  Skilled in both mental and physical gymnastics ~ the Twins have been described as slippery, coyote-like characters at times.  Just like mythical Hermes, Geminian’s are metaphorically capable of flying in and out of, and between worlds ~ the quintessential “bi-polar” or even “multi-polar” nature.  Maybe that’s why so many Gemini’s seem to have dual, or even “multi” personalities.  Being such a mutable sign, one never really knows “who” they’re going to get.  For lack of a better analogy at the moment ~ Will it be Jeckyl?  Will it be Hyde?  Hmmm?  In jest, things can get a little tricky here.

So, as can be seen in all life and in all signs of the zodiac ~ Gemini also has a dark side.

The Geminian shadow can be superficial, scattered, unfocused, gossipy, unemotional, “ADD”,  trivial, less than truthful, slippery, thieving, immature and disorganized.  But hey, we all have a dark side.    Because Gemini has so much “flexibility” and can often juggle so many balls in the air at once, there can also be a tendency to operate somewhat like a rider on a wild horse ~ bucking furiously in all directions ~ expending much energy while not really getting anywhere at all.  The key for the Twins is to harness all that mental energy and learn to focus it in a solid direction, rather than perpectually trying to burn the candle at both ends.

An air sign, Gemini tends to get along well with other air signs ~ Libra and Aquarius.  Both share cerebral-like tendencies and enjoy a good conversation, the sharing of ideas and expansion of the mind.  The Twins are also excited by the fire signs ~ Aries, Leo and Sagittarius ~  whose heat, passion and sense of adventure inspires Gemini and ignites a heart-filled warmth and glow.

So, happy birthday Gemini!  Enjoy it!  You deserve it.  We welcome your ever-lasting youthfulness and your stunning wit!

Until next time ~ Walk your talk and live your truth

Sincerely, Dawn Elizabeth

Additionally today, Mars (motivation, desire and action) and teaming up nicely with Mercury (communication, thoughts, ideas) in a practical, orderly and resourceful way.  Even Pluto (the power of transformation) is getting involved.  Loosely translated, we have the power to move mountains today with a little direction and ambition.  Have something to say?  This is a great day to say it, as long as you can slow down enough to be certain that you are presenting your thoughts in a way that they are easily received by others rather than taken aggressively.

The energy of Mars, the warrior, can sometimes be a little rough around the edges and has a tendency toward the rash, impulsive and bold.  Mars equals heat!!  Mercury equals communication!!  Just imagine the possibilities.  And then there’s Pluto ~ seeking only truth.  The more we resist, the more pain we are likely to experience.  Either way, we are likely to learn from it.

So in short ~ plan your work and work your plan, stay aligned with your truth, then speak it out!

Until the next time ~ walk you talk, live your truth and open to the living flow of eternity,

Dawn Elizabeth

You see, about two weeks ago, I temporarily left Maui ~ the land of Aloha, and journeyed to the Santa Cruz area of California to take a 13-week contracted job position.    Well, actually, I am living in Santa Cruz for the next 13 weeks and commuting to the border of Santa Clara & San Jose in the Silicon Valley.

I have lived in Maui for about 14 years cumulatively, but am originally from the Los Angeles area of California ~ though it has been more than 20 years since I have lived in California.  IN between, I have lived in North Carolina, Texas, Michigan and Florida.  But I first moved to Maui back in 1982 ~ and regardless of where ever else it is I am in the world, my heart has always been in Maui.

Being a California native, however, I have always held warm and fuzzy feelings of the Golden State ~ the smells, the sights and sounds…the Cal Mex food!  So many opportunities, so many choices.  So much natural beauty, open spaces and rugged, inspiring terrain.  Sheer awesomeness, right?  Or so I thought.

Maybe I’m just spoiled.  Living in Maui, taking advantage of the island sun, blue skies, crystalline waters, green slopes, the daily rainbows and the spirit of aloha.

So, what about my experiment?

Since being in the central California region, it has been hard not to notice how closed off and shut down so many people seem to be.  So many in such a hurry to live these busy lives full of work, commuting ~ dressing the “conformed” part.  Please keep in mind now  that I am generalizing here.  If you happen to be from or live in this region of California, I am not trying to offend.  Just trying to understand the life circumstances that lead so many to be so gaurded, shut down and unresponsive to a simple gesture such as a smile from a stranger.

Yes, yes.  The Experiment.  So, three days ago, after noticing how “unfriendly” people seemed to be, I decided to go out of my way and make it a point to smile openly to each and every person I passed on the street.  Since I have chosen to ride a bike and commute on a bus (and yes, this is new, too.  It’s the first time I’ve not had a car.  That’s another story.)  So, in short, I have ample opportunity to pass by dozens and dozens of people each day.  I pass people walking on the sidewalk on The Alameda in Santa Clara (a beautiful little town bordering San Jose), familiar people who ride the same bus every day, people walking downtown and on the Westside of Santa Cruz, as well as people riding or walking along the stunning sights of the Pacific Ocean on West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz.

The result of the experiment?  Well, let’s just say it’s been rather disappointing.   Over a three day period…the return smile response rate has been less that 20%.  In fact, nearly 50% of people will not even engage in eye contact.  Nope.  They just go along in their solitary little worlds, following their daily grind ~ closing off all opportunity for contact.  The remaining 30% or so return my warm and friendly smile with stone cold faces, expressions of confusion or a rolling of the eyes.  A few people even return twisted faces back at me, looking at me like I’m some kind of weirdo for smiling at them. Some guy, maybe mid-twenties, actually returned my genuine smile with a dirty look.  How disappointing!

Where’s the aloha!?!?  I mean, what is happening???

I vow to continue this experiment and remain open to smiles and warmth from my brother and sister humans out there.  I do believe that if you want love ~ you have to be love.  If you want friendliness ~ you have to be friendly.  If you want benevolence ~ you have to be benevolent. And so on and so on….

So, it may be that I will count down the days until I return to the land of Aloha.  Whatever I do, I vow not to become so cynical with life or with who and what I see that I remain closed off to all the beautiful people, possibility and miraculous nature of life!

And ~ I will still attempt to smile at all those I pass, where ever I am.

Any thoughts?

With warmest aloha,

Dawn Elizabeth

The Goat (Capricorn) is the archetype of the wise elder, CEO and manager.  It’s all about planning your work and working your plan.  Normally, the grounded supervisory skills, as well as the ambitious nature of Capricorn will have most of us dutifully focusing on our goals.  However, a little later in the afternoon, the moon will have a brief 2-3 hour encounter with Uranus, the planet of non-conformity, rebellion and the unexpected.  Plans could suddenly change or go awry… or it might just be that you will get an unexpected burst of revolutionary, out-of-the-box ideas to give your current plans a spicy little kick in the pants.  Or, you just might feel like rebelling against the status quo, packing it in early and heading for the beach.

By this evening, the feeling moon harmonizes with Venus, the love planet.  Feelings of warmth and beauty can emanate naturally through our relationships.  Might be a good night to enjoy the simple pleasures with a loved on or a friend…do a little socializing or just relax into an aura of peacefulness.  Save the rest of your important work for tomorrow!

Affirmation for the day:  To attract love into my life, I must emanate love from my core being.  To attract benevolence into my life, it seems reasonable that I must also come from a place of benevolence.

The last few days, we experienced the intensity of the Scorpio Moon (Read the blog about “Transiting Scorpio Moon and Venus in Taurus” for more info).  The moon’s entrance into Sag signifies a time to lift up our heads, dream big and aim our arrow of desire high in the sky.

Jupiter is the ruling planet of the Archer (Sag).  You’ve probably heard of “The Secret” by now.  It’s all about defining and manifesting your intent.  This is Jupiter’s domain and always has been.  Any negative or obsessive thought patterns over the last few days while the moon was in Scorpio can now be redirected in a positive way.

Lack of trust is at the root of all fear.  So, how do we get past that?  How do we learn to trust?  For some of us, even the thought of learning to trust might frighten us and send us into a state of anxiety.  You know, we get what seems like a great idea…we then ponder that idea ~ imagining the possibilities.  Before you know it, many of us are shirking at all the negative ‘what if’s’ that could happen.  One negative ‘what if’ seems to lead to the next.  Before you know it, we’ve scared ourselves right out of action.

What would it look like if we could focus only on the positive ‘what if’s’?  What if we could imagine all the good things that could happen in our lives as a result of acting on ideas or desires?  What would it look like if we could trust that everything would turn out fine ~ even better than expected?  You know, the stuff that dreams are made of, beyond out wildest imagination?

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could make the choice to fail miserably at something that was close to our heart, rather than suffer in quiet desperation over never having tried at all?

That’s what Sagittarius is all about.  It’s about taking that risk, that gamble ~ and expecting only the most positive of outcomes.  Of course, the shadow side of this energy is over-indulgence and living in a fool’s paradise, believing that nothing can ever go wrong.  Barring any blatant over-optimism ~ we are nonetheless  more inspired to imagine all the things that can go right under this benevolent Sag Moon!  So, don’t miss your chance!

Affirmation for the day:  Today I set my sails for the buoyant seas of adventure, in search of inspiration, meaning and truth.

Scorpio, then is learning to face the “Shadow,” stare it straight in the eyes ~ face metaphorical death, followed by rebirth ~ like the Pheonix rising from the ashes.　 It is through release and surrender that we learn to embrace our Shadow and realize that the Light and Shadow must co-exist together in balance and harmony.　

Every month, we are given the opportunity to ask ourselves if our Shadow has grown taller than our soul?　Facing those truths that we would rather keep hidden from others is the medicine of Scorpio.  Yet, often the very things that we seek to hide from others become the very things we hide from ourselves.  Those hidden parts of self become quite powerful and can be discovered through conscious awareness of our compulsive drives and modes of conditioned behavior.

With the moon in Scorio, we are all encouraged to be our own detectives,  penetrating truth down to the core of our being.  Intense?  Yes.  Passionate?  Seething with it.

Becuase of this passion, many astrology books or columns will say that “Scorpios are sexy.”　 It’ true, there is sex appeal in one’s ability to see the naked truth for what it is and accept total surrender and release.　 It is raw and compelling.　 Maybe you can use that to your advantage in the bedroom.　 Just keep an eye out for the shadow side of Scorpio.　 You know you are there when you find yourself embroiled in struggles for dominance, control and power.   Extreme jealously, greed, complusive behavior and possessiveness are also your cue that maybe your dark side is winning.

Venus also moves into its native sign of Taurus today.　 She is comfortable here.　 While Venus was in Aries, we may have been a bit impulsive in love or with our pocketbooks.　 We may have attacked both like an exploding fountain of flames, disappointed when the last of the burning embers were quickly distinguished.　

Venus in her home sign of Taurus is peaceful and serene and would rather take its time so that it can savor each delicious and sumptuous bite of life and love. It’s time to slow down and smell the flowers once again and focus on quality, not quantity.　 Romance is back is style and long sensual afternoons with a lover may be just what the doctor ordered, complete with flowers, fine wines and slow delicious physical delights.　 The pyrotechnics that Venus in Aries fancies are being replaced with a slow, building intensity that can last and last.　 If you haven’t been paying attention to the state of your financial affairs or have run a muck somewhere, Venus in Taurus will help put things gently back on track.　 Relax back into love and heal your relationships to people and to money.