Ready, set, Surprise!  That is the energy of the next six weeks set in motion by yesterday’s first of three eclipses, the New Moon Solar Eclipse ~ new beginnings, endings and the unexpected.

Your best bet to navigate through these days of shifting circumstances is to use your breath.  Sounds simple, but it can be hard to remember when all hell is breaking loose…However it will be your saving grace this month if you can return again and again to your breath. Take a deep breath in and exhale slowly before responding to whatever life is offering at the moment.

On Friday, Neptune goes retrograde.  For the next 2 months we all have the opportunity to examine any issues of self-sabotage, addiction, boundaries, hospitals, prisons, school, water, hidden enemies, retreats, clandestine affairs, music, spiritual ideas, psychic abilities, yoga, meditation, intuition, research, film, investigations, or secrets that are causing pain in our lives today.  The good news is – deal with these issues right now and you won’t have to the review these same lessons again for the next 14-year cycle.  Bad news is – some heavy emotions will be encountered.  But you can do it; you are ready for a new beginning.

To give you added support for your new beginning, Jupiter enters Taurus on Saturday, heralding a new Luck Cycle for all of us!  During the next year opportunities will manifest that expand your concepts of happiness, wealth and abundance.  The more focused and steady your approach is in this year, the greater your success will be.  Don’t let inconvenient events or naysayers pull you from your focused course of living your best life.

The next eclipse will occur on the Full Moon at the 15^th – something will be coming to an end or it’s highest peak!  Could be early fireworks in June!  Keep the fire extinguishers close!

Why Releasing Secrets is Scary?  On Indie Spirit this week we continue our discussion of Secrets and how they bind us to Shame, Guilt and Self-sabotage ~ all negative aspects of Ego. This life is calling you to be your authentic self, sometimes straying from the ‘norm’ in beliefs, lifestyles and approach.  Are you living out loud or keeping secrets?  Join us Weds, 11 am on Indie Spirit Radio for meditation, lots of laughs, new ideas, the Moon & Energy Report and of course, some fabulous indie music!

Several months ago, on my Indie Spirit Show co-hosted with the excellent Jeff ‘Classic’ Popka, we spoke about the weather becoming more severe with issues of wind and rain popping up.  We see the manifestations of these warnings today.

Neptune, the original God of the Sea, is in his home sign of Pisces for the next 14 years.  This water sign impacts our usage of oil and gas, along with chemicals and photography.  Neptune uses his water energy to ware away illusions and forces us to see reality.  As we mentioned this week on Indie Spirit – secrets are being uncovered globally and personally.  Resist the temptation to jump to conclusions – as all this water energy can sometimes cloud issues instead of offering more clarity.  So before assuming the worst – ask for their side of the story first!

If you are confused this week about which direction to turn in your life – today, the 27^th, is an excellent day for chance meetings and exciting conversations.  Please LISTEN to what strangers are telling you – you just might hear something that can unlock an issue/block you’ve been struggling with.  Ears open.

If you are feeling like things are speeding up or even the weird weather patterns have got you concerned – well, you are right.  Events are speeding up (like water) and the weather is shifting.  Remember Uranus is here for seven years in passionate, impulsive, violent Aries.  Uranus, the energy of earthquakes, chaos and surprises.   We are all in a variety of chaos right now with the end goal of healing.  A new beginning to a fuller, more meaningful life is becoming available to each of us.

Hence it’s up to you to resist the pull to fear and begin thinking about your new beginning.  Do you live in the same place?  Or in your mind’s eye do you see something else?  Be curious.  Maybe the discomfort of what you are experiencing right now is also creating the space for a new beginning…

I believe it.  We are all being called to do our ‘work.’  You can recognize your work by how you feel inside ~ time stops and you flow, it’s easy.  It could be your ‘work’ is to take care of a ailing relative, be a mentor in your community, writing, painting, reading with the sick…There is no ‘work’ too small, if it impacts only one for the better, it is divine.

What does your work call you to?  You could get a hint today…Listen.

The New Moon Tuesday in Taurus welcomed the beginning of May with strong, grounding energy.  Now is the chance to ground some of the new ideas/opportunities that arose in April into your life.  Maybe you have suddenly been drawn to eating new foods or getting into a new work-out routine.  What new people have you met?  Has anyone come back into your life suddenly?  Do you have some new ideas about expanding your horizons?  What has clicked?

This is the time to integrate a few of those new ‘seeds’ into your reality.  How can you support this? By honoring your body and mind, self-care, sleep, laughter and spiritual nourishment found in music, a walk in nature, yoga, meditation, the arts, whole foods…Wherever you find spiritual sustenance, take it.

On 5/11/11 we have another large energy day.  Each month this year we have one of these 11/11 days that magnifies the energy of expansion and new beginnings.  Fives are about change and movement, this 5/11/11 can go either way.  The energy of our highest self bumps up against any negative old patterns of yesterday.  (Do you need to be rescued? Are you angry?)

The good news ~ this is an opportunity to transcend how you have always done things and CHOOSE your response.  Hint: how have you reacted to change in the past? How would you like it to look now?  Who do you want to be?   Focus on who you choose to be and be compassionate with the growing pains of getting there.

Wow – what a week!  Have you experienced your own personal earthquake yet?  As we have been discussing for the past few weeks, there is still a clustering of planets in passionate Aries causing all kinds of chaos – both good and bad.

Venus in Aries is being nudged not so gently by both Saturn and Pluto.  Karma is here.  Your past actions are coming home to roost in both career and love.  Your past deeds dictate your success right now.  However, there are opportunities for transformation.  If you find yourself falling into old, self-defeating patterns, try to step into the witness place and ask yourself, “Am I trying to be right or find a peaceful solutions?”

A bit of a warning here – this combination of planets (Venus, Saturn, Pluto) lends itself to manipulation and a general lack of fair play.  Keep your eyes and ears open and be sure the manipulator isn’t YOUR old bad habit coming up again.

Issues around work, money and women are highlighted with Venus’s presence.  It could be a very difficult female co-worker or friend that you are running up against.  Practice patience and boundaries.  You can say NO.

On Friday the Moon moves into Aries right up next to Uranus.  Ka-Boom!  Lots of fiery energy bursts open.  Remember Uranus is the surprising, earthquake energy.  Hence if you haven’t had any shake-ups yet, well, any day now…And most importantly – it doesn’t have to be a bad thing.  Maybe you get that dream job, yet have to move.  Maybe you fall in love again.  You finally get pregnant.  The money you have been waiting for comes through.

One other note of caution for Friday, with all of fire energy swirling round and round, you DO have to be extra careful.  This can be a day of accidents, cuts and burns.  Just slow down and all should be well.

We’ve got a New Moon next week in May, the planting Moon.  It can be helpful to remember the ground must be tilled before the seeds can be planted.  Let any chaos clear the ground and possibly uncover some new dreams…

Hopefully, just about now, the light is starting to break through for you.  The Full moon this past weekend heightened tensions to the extreme at work or in the bedroom.  Gratefully that time has past, and the energy is now beginning to unwind ever so slightly as the Sun moves from fiery Aries into ‘fat, dumb & happy’ Taurus.

Another plus is Mercury is finally going direct early on the 23^rd, however Saturn is still in opposition.  Hence the decisions you’ve made in love and money are coming to bear.  Karma time.  Your past good choices produce tangible rewards in the weeks to come.  Any short cuts and negative moves will result in harsh, swift consequences.  Please don’t view this as a bad thing – the adjustment is speedy so you can get back on track to your best life!

A couple things to be aware of this week, Venus and Spring Fever…Venus enters Aries this week which can trigger a need to play right NOW.  This is a socially hungry energy that wants attention right now, “SEE ME!”

If you are unattached, you could come off as desperate.  Or if you are attached, you could display very clingy, jealous behaviors.  In both situations the remedy is the same ~ pause and take a breath.

Spring Fever is a seasonal energy pattern of breaking through.  We all know about the rebirth qualities associated with Spring, but remember it can also be violent, chaotic and fast.  Violent tempers flare, cars over-heat and lots of chest/sinus issues can be seen at this time.  Again the same remedy applies ~ pause and take a breath.  Decide your response in all situations instead of being reactive.

We have been experiencing a great deal of tense, unpredictable energy this past month.  It may have seemed overwhelming at moments, but all is well.  The obstacles are passing.  Expect things to gently lighten up and May to hold some fun surprises!

At this moment, we are in the thick of it – both good and bad.  New obstacles and unresolved past issues have been arising.  Problems with computers, phones, conversations and flashes of anger have been flaring up.  We are half way through mercury retrograde.  Yeah!

Although this retrograde period may be trying, there is still time to finally resolve some old issues.  If you are struggling, look inside ~ are you making things harder than they need to be?  Are you self-sabotaging? (Mercury retrograde again…) What old beliefs no longer serve your present life?  What needs to be shifted in your thinking?

Here’s a hint to resolution – focus on what you DO want.  Instead of thinking about the things your don’t like/want, focus on what you do want – love, joy, success, beauty, peace…Try making a vision board.  This can help you discover any unconscious desires and integrate a new way of being into your present life.

Wednesday, the 13^th is a great day energetically.  Mercury, Jupiter and the Sun all meet in Aries! This means things can get bigger – quick.  Job proposals, past contracts, declared feelings, reviews, old friends/lovers, a script, books, ventures…all expand today.  Be careful – you just might get what you asked for!

Fair warning – Mars, the red, warrior planet is now home in Aries.  This adds to the already heightened tensions, as a myriad of other planets are already hanging out in passionate Aries.  Expect flashes of anger to explode – be it on the international stage or in your own private discussions.  Although you can’t stop the larger conflicts, you can respond more gently to the challenges in your own life.  Be aware of these tense energies and remember to pause before reacting.  This is your life; you CAN choose your response.

These are exciting times to be sure, best to respond with plenty of laughter, compassion and flexibility!

Have you been feeling a buzz in the air?  Trouble sleeping?  Well, you are not alone.  Five planets clustered in Aries right now are stirring things up.  Mars, the warrior planet, is now home in Aries and filling us with the desire to change.  Something has got to change…So do.  Cut your hair, start a new plan, start a diet – anything, just pick something and get moving.

This past Monday slow gliding Neptune entered Pisces.  This signals a reawakening in faith, spirituality, compassion and intuition.  In 1848, the last time Neptune was in Pisces, the abolitionist movement came to be and about six European countries were fighting revolutions resulting in modern Germany and Italy. Much like the middle east today – things were chaotic and constantly shifting.  I encourage you not to get caught up in any external media frenzy, but to focus within – what is the revolution in your life?  What do you need to change?

A note of caution, opposite this cluster of planets in Aries is the taskmaster Saturn.  Saturn is the bringer of Karma – consequences for your behaviors/actions.  Interestingly Saturn is in Libra, an air sign – reminding you of your breath.  When you pause and take a few breaths before making a change, things usually work out a whole lot better.

And of course, Mercury is still retrograde, hence go slow, breathe and re-read everything!

Viva la Revolution!

On Wednesday, 3/30 Mercury went retrograde until 4/23. Yes, unison groans are welcome…and as usual, opportunities for healing past hurts present in the most unlikely of ways.  Expect friends and lovers from days gone by to contact you.  If an old friend/boss does contact you about a job – pay attention, this could be the job you’ve been waiting for!

Mercury governs communication and travel as well, so be aware of dropped phone calls, travel delays and computer crashes. If possible avoid signing contacts or making large purchases.  If you do need to sign paperwork, read the fine print three times at least!

There is a New Moon on April 3.  This is a very big energy day – the same kind of rigid tension as on 3/11 when the earthquake hit Japan last month.  Hence, be aware of your environment.  This not only speaks to your geographic location but your emotional life as well.  As we discussed on Indie Spirit yesterday, earthquakes and tsunamis come in all different shapes and sizes…

Remember, with all these planets clustered in Aries – the issues and obstacles that come your way this month are all about you.  It’s not about what your partner, boss or friends are doing, it’s just about you.  Are YOU happy?  It’s up to YOU to make the shift.  Gratefully with this new moon you have the ability to set in motion significant inner healing and physical well being.  You can finally find a diet/fitness programs that work for you.  You can get to the bottom of health issues.  You can heal old wounds.

Spring is here.  Time to clear away the old, dead leaves that clog the corners of your life.  Yes, a dark, cold storm can still come calling, but warmer days are on the rise…

Be well.

Do you feel a special connection to animals?  Do you have a favorite animal? Join us on Indie Spirit this week Thurs, 11 am EST to explore Animal Guides and how this relationship can Empower your life today. Learn simple techniques to create a fuller life as we meditate, laugh, share new ideas and indie music. Come, join the Circle on Indie Spirit!