Grounded Astrology
Grounded Astrology: A down to earth approach to the stars
The natural world is overflowing with an abundant beauty and grace, a raw power and intelligence that is alive and unmistakable. When we gaze at the far white fire of the stars, muse upon the deep waters of the ocean, or breathe in the pure scent of rain and moss, we are engaging in more than just a moment of grace, we are connecting with the vast intelligence of nature, the “force that through the green fuse drives the flower”, as Dylan Thomas wrote. This intelligent force of life manifests itself in numerous forms, permeating, shapeshifting and defying ultimate definition. We call this intelligence by any number of names: goddess, god, spirit, divinity. But we cannot deny its existence, or more importantly, our reliance and interdependent relationship with its ongoing flow.
One of the greatest reminders of our right relationship to the natural world is the night sky. As we look up at the vast reaches of space, taking in the beauty of the stars and the changing moon, we are reminded that human beings are part of a greater whole, a piece of an unfolding puzzle.
The stars have inspired, guided and motivated us since ancient times, their cycles and changing patterns recorded and witnessed, and their mystery remaining a unique facet of our universe.
The study of the alive and symbolic world of the sky is known as astrology. Astrology is both the art and science of the relationship between humans and time, using the stars, planets and sky as tools and marking points.
Often left out of many modern western astrological works is the close relationship between astrology and the spirit of nature. Mainly, that in deriving guidance from the stars we are communing with the intelligent soul of the natural world.
In my own work as a practicing evolutionary astrologer and evolutionary astrology teacher, I find that I play a role as a bridge builder between this spirit of nature and the people who come to me for readings. As I make the connection between planetary shifts and my clients personal stories, a healing takes place as people began to perceive a sense of connection with spirit or the divine, through their newfound understanding of their charts.
A sense of connection to the natural world is available to all of us all the time, if we are able to maintain awareness and a dialogue with this natural intelligence. Learning to read the language of plants, animals, weather patterns and the stars is an ability that our ancestors once had and that many of us have lost.
Astrology is seen by some as an esoteric, complicated tool, full of charts, diagrams and numbers. Others dismiss astrology as imperfect in its predictions, a faulty science used by con artists and fakes. When astrology is viewed instead as a tool designed to align us more deeply with the flow of natural cycles, rather than a fortune telling trick, or an intellectual exercise, we began to gain true insight into its use as a practical tool for living.
Grounded Astrology means astrology that we can use in our day to day lives, astrology that is both easy to grasp and helpful in solving the human problems and challenges that we all deal with. Grounded Astrology allows anyone to connect more deeply with the wisdom of the stars. By coming to learn the cycles and changes in the sky, we can gain valuable insight as to our individual roles within a greater macrocosm.
There are three core ways to benefit from the practical wisdom of astrology that are easy to learn, and accessible. All you will need is the night sky and access to the internet, and you are on your way to living a more astrologically intelligent life.
The first Grounded Astrology tool is Moon Cycles. You can use these cycles to help you plan and organize your schedule, make decisions concerning your personal and professional life, and maximize your energy flows and cycles.
The next tool is called Retrograde Review, and teaches you how to make the most of the planetary retrograde cycles. This tool sounds complicated but it really isn’t. You may already be familiar with the cycle known as “Mercury Retrograde”. Learning when these planetary steps backwards take place, and how to most benefit from their cycles will allow astrology to become one of your most practical and useful daily habits.
Finally, understanding and learning about the “Holy Trinity” of your natal birth chart can lead to a greater understanding of your personal gifts and challenges, and how your relationships with other people can both be informed by, and benefit from, a new astrological literacy. Your astrology school begins when you are born, as you are birthed into planet earth.
Moon Cycles
How often have you noticed the great orange globe of the moon hanging in the night sky,? Or seen the silver sliver of the new moon, lying low over a mountain range? The beauty of the changing moon as it waxes and wanes every month is hard to ignore, even for those of us who live in urban environments, surrounded by tall skyscrapers. The reliable, constant, yet always changing nature of the moon manages to gently remind us of the grace of the natural world, no matter where we are.
For centuries, people have used the cycles of the moon to guide the most basic of human activities. From planting and harvesting food to cutting hair, our ancestors believed that there was a phase of the moon appropriate for every daily task.
We can draw on this ancient wisdom today by learning more about moon cycles, and planning our activities to correspond more directly with these different phases of the moon.
The most accurate way to learn when the moon is exactly new, full or dark is to consult a daily astrological calendar, which will note the day, time and astrological sign the moon is in.
Many non-astrological calendars also list this information. But you can also just make a habit of looking up into the sky every night and noticing the shape of the moon. A sliver of a moon pointing to the right means that the moon is new, and growing towards fullness. The full moon is pretty hard to ignore, lighting up the night sky with its bright glow. The dark moon will began losing light in its shape from the left.
The moon’s three main phases represent power points that we can use to guide our lives, aligning them with the practical wisdom of nature.
The New Moon
This is the best moon to plant the seeds of projects, ideas or plans. This is also a good time to plant real seeds, juicing up your garden by putting new life in the ground as the moon once again begins its journey towards fullness.
Grounded Ways to Use New Moon Energy:
Plan your timing to start “new” things that you want to grow and flourish on the new moon. New houses, jobs, and meetings with new people (romantic and professional).
If there are habits you want to develop (such as eating, exercise or health), start practicing these habits on the new moon.
The new moon can be an ideal time to initiate new beginnings in relationships that you have had past challenges with. Now would be the time to take that first step towards reconciliation or peacemaking. Phone calls, letter or tokens of forgiveness are all good to offer when the moon is new.
Full Moon
Use the full moon cycle to share or showcase any new process you started during the new moon.
Observe the progress and response to ongoing issues and situations in your life. The Full Moon puts us in hyper-focus, making reality seem larger than life.
3. Dance, party or celebrate now. The big energy of the full moon does best when celebrated or expressed in a physical or external form.
Dark or Waning Moon
1. Edit, cull and let go of anything that you no longer want in your life. Work, relationships, health and habits. What is not serving you and can be left in the dark of the moon?
2. Take some time to retreat and review the events of the last month. What was your experience like of this cycle? Did you notice anything you’ve planted in this last new moon or one prior come to fruition? What would you have done/or do differently now?
3. Reflect and plan for the coming new moon. If you know the sign the new moon is in, look at how the qualities of that sign show up in your life. What might you want to prepare to plant for this next cycle? Use the darkness of the moon to meditate and muse on those areas of your life needing new growth.
Retrogrades
Retrograde planets mean that from the point of view of the earth, it looks like the planet is moving backwards. Though really an optical illusion, during retrograde periods, life on earth can still feel a little topsy-turvy. The Mercury retrograde cycle is the one most people are familiar with, due to the obvious affects of the planet Mercury on communication, travel, technology and business. Often when Mercury is retrograde, these areas of life seem to be going backwards. Machines break down, communications go awry, and plans change. Though these experiences are a normal part of life, during the Mercury retrograde, we might seem to notice an even greater degree of struggle when these moments occur. The Mercury retrograde period is not all bad however. It can be used to effectively do anything involving the word “re”. Reviewing contracts, renegotiating plans, researching papers, revising writing, etc.
All of the planetary retrogrades can be viewed in this way. However, the top three to pay attention to are the retrograde periods of Mercury, Venus and Mars.
Venus represents love, relationships and finance. So this is a good time to review patterns in relationships, to rekindle an old flame, or to reflect on finances.
Mars has to do with action, movement and assertion, it also rules over physical vitality, and exercise. During this time we may want to refrain from too many aggressive impulse driven actions. We can reflect on how we assert ourselves in the world, and take a look at how we express our physical energy as well.
Know Your Chart-The Holy Trinity
When a professional astrologer does your chart, they look at how all the planets shape your essential nature, your gifts and your challenges. This more in depth exploration of your chart is a great way to lay a foundation for self-understanding and learning to wisely time your actions and life activities. But if you want to learn a quick and easy way to get the basics of your chart (beyond just your sun sign), it’s helpful to learn about the “Holy Trinity”. This term, coined by astrologer Steven Forrest, refers to your Sun, Moon and Rising Sign. Understanding what role each of these plays in your life will help you gain a whole new level of self understanding. Learning the Holy Trinity of friends and family will take this tool a step further, adding an exciting depth and clarity to your work and personal relationships.
To use the Holy Trinity, you just need your birth time, and an internet connection. There are many free astrological chart services on the web, some of the best are: Astro.com and Astrolabe.com. Once you know your Sun/Moon/Rising sign, look and see what element each is in (refer to sidebar for elemental breakdown of signs.) Notice whether you have more of one element than another, or if your elements are harmonious or inharmonious.
Keeping it Grounded:
Notice what time of year each sign in your Holy Trinity rules. Take the time to observe nature now, learning from the trees, plants and changing seasons about yourself and how you live life. For example, if you have Sun in Aries, Moon in Scorpio and Taurus rising, observe Spring and Fall. You might notice the similarities between the way new life and new energy blossoms in March and early April during Aries season, and then settles down to a more comfortable and easy going pace in late April and early May, during Taurus time. November’s colder weather and growing darkness encourage the introspection and depth associated with Scorpio.
As you blend the qualities of these seasons, noticing how they relate to your personality and innate nature, you gain a deeper understanding of your own depth and complexity as a person.
The cycles of the natural world have much to teach us about our own changes and transitions. As we learn how to track and observe the cycles of the planets and seasons we allow ourselves to be guided by the wisdom of the stars, and we enter a whole new relationship with the world around us. This relationship develops our respect and appreciation for the intelligence of nature, encouraging us to live our lives in harmony with the rhythms of the natural world, and deepening our sense of connection and community with all of life.
