This is Volume 5 in our Celestial Updates, Reiki Journal and Calendar. Please freely forward these messages to anyone you feel would benefit. We will send the updates bi-weekly according to the cycles of the moon. They will also contain other planetary aspects with potential impact on many or all of us. This New Moon on Sunday July 28th at 11:53 p.m. PDT is at 5 degrees of Leo. This holds particular significance for those with FIXED planets at 21 degrees (Leo, Taurus, Scorpio, Aquarius). To gain the maximum benefit from this information you will want to gain a familiarity with your Natal chart. If you would like personal Astrological information and counseling, or a Tarot reading, you can contact me at Wendy@CelestialDesignInc.com.

The New Moon in Leo is very different from the last one; instead of six planets in water signs we have six planets in fire -- and five in Leo alone. Leo is the sign most concerned with power and will. Leo also represents creativity. What will we create with the opportunity of this New Moon; a dramatic new start? Are we making choices from love or fear? What will it take for us to see our inner light?

The sign of Leo is ruled by the Sun and represents our unique, individual expression of the light and our ego or will. Leo directs us to have the courage to be who we truly are, not just who we have been programmed (or shamed) into being. Do you value who you are without having to prove yourself to any external authority figures? When you can do this, you have liberated yourself from the collective belief system that promotes insecurity, inferiority and fear. You are in a perfect state of being just as you are.

Where this New Moon falls in your chart is where you are ready to see through the facade of the glitz and go for the real gold -- the riches that come from authenticity, integrity, and bravery. Mercury is also in Leo which encourages us to speak our truth and express our personal power with love and dignity

Of all the planetary cycles the Moon cycle is the easiest to visually witness. The direct visual experience of any Moon phase window actually begins the day before the Moon phase is exact. The New Moon is often referred to as the dark of the Moon because there is about a three day window when the Moon is invisible to both the morning and evening sky observers. Sometimes there may be the smallest tiny crescent Moon visible for a brief time either the day before the New Moon just before Sunrise or the day after the New Moon just after Sunset. When the New Moon is exact there is no Moon visible at all because the Moon is with the Sun. Therefore the dark of the Moon or New Moon window (the day before, day of and day after the exact New Moon) is the best time for individually and collectively planting seeds, or sending out prayers, for healing and manifesting our deepest desires.

Plan your own New Moon Ceremony. Jot down two or three areas of your life you want to improve. The New Moon is the time to Manifest or bring things to you. Possible phrasing: I now manifest ____ into my life. I now create the _______ I desire. I am all I desire to be. I have attained my goal of _____. Remember, think and envision as though you have already received what you have asked for. Thoughts are things and the brain manifests exactly what you show it in the form of thoughts and visuals about yourself. The Buddha said, and I am paraphrasing, "We are the sum total of our thoughts up to today. " If we want to be different then we must change our thoughts.

MARS INFO

Mars turns and appears to go backwards on the 29th, the day after this New Moon. This action is referred to as the retrograde cycle. Mars remains retrograde for about three months (going direct Sept. 27) covering the same area of the sky for about 5 months until Dec. 16. Mars is the rarest of the Retrograde cycles occurring once about every 26 months and tends to be felt very deeply. If you are feeling disoriented take some time to meditate, journal, sing, dance, hang out on the Earth, enjoy a garden, lay on a rock, or sit with a tree. It is also immensely helpful to get some extra rest. The weeks leading up to this retrograde have been intensely challenging for many and the need for extra rest seems to be a dominant theme. Following your inner guidance and listening to what your body needs in these intensified times of purification and transformation is a wise course of action anytime and especially now.

Take time to gaze into the star-filled sky this summer and see the red planet growing larger and brighter each night. This process of intensification will continue until the final days of August, when Mars will appear up to six times larger and up to 24 times brighter than usual. In fact, Mars will come closer to Earth than it has been in almost 73,000 years.

In a very real sense, Mars is "in our faces" this summer. We are being challenged ‹ individually and collectively ‹ to find ways to express Martian energy creatively and constructively. If we turn our backs and try to ignore the energy of Mars at work in the world, we may find ourselves becoming hot, impatient, demanding, steaming, angry, even warlike. Or we may find ourselves face to face with other people exhibiting these qualities. Mars is nothing to trifle with. Mars means business. Mars will not be denied. Mars asks for your courage, your action, your skill.

While astronomy offers images of what is happening physically in the sky, the much older tradition of astrology offers images of what may come to pass metaphysically. In terms of the classical Western tradition, Mars is associated with desire, energy, fiery urges, and action. The basic astrological principle was articulated millennia ago by the Greek teacher Hermes Trismegistus: "As Above, So below." What that means in a nutshell is that if we observe something significant in the heavens, we will witness a correspondence below on Earth, and vice versa.

So if we look above and see that Mars is "in our face" all summer ‹ closer to the Earth than it has been in 73,000 years ‹ then we may well wonder what correspondences will emerge below. If the Hermetic principle is valid, then we can expect to see a noticeable increase in energy of a Martian character over the next two months. As with all power, the energy of Mars can be used or misused. At its worst, Mars serves the naked, hungry ego and may be expressed as impatience, irritation, pushiness, anger, rage, violence, martyrdom, and war. At its best, Mars is guided by the light of the soul and is competent to get what it needs following the highest ethical and spiritual principles. An elevated Mars is the hero, the champion, the protector of all that is delicate, weak, or in need of help. Mars helps to move things forward along the unfolding spiral of spiritual evolution.

In her book "Making the Gods Work for You," Caroline W. Casey writes: "Mars reminds us that spiritual life is not some passive, safe, wimpy, trust-fund tour; it is a bold, active, heroic and completely engaged adventure. Arousal is necessary if we are to be able to take appropriate action." How can you use the extra-amplified energy of Mars wisely and creatively this summer? What are your skills, and what is the most effective way to focus them?

Check out these web sites for terrific photos and info on this Mars cycle. Look to late August in the early morning hours for the best view. It will be close to the size of Venus.

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2003/18jun_approachingmars.htm?list850622. http://sci2.esa.int/marsexpress/gallery/9963.html

REIKI CALANDAR – E-mail Reiki@CelestialDesignInc.com for details.

REIKI 1 TRAINING – Sunday August 17th at our home in Vista, CA. We welcome those who may want to drive here from LA. The class will start at 1:00 thru 6:00 p.m.. There is plenty of time to drive down in the morning and Sunday is a low traffic day. You may want to car pool.

Reiki 1 (pronounced Ray-Key) is a Japanese word meaning universal life energy,the energy that flows through all living things. It is also the name of a simple, effective technique for healing via the laying-on of hands. Reiki is a natural method of healing with the use of this basic life energy. Everyone can heal with his or her hands. The Reiki system for doing this is based on a 2,500-year-old tradition that allows practitioners to consciously direct energy for the benefit of other living beings. Learn this approach and then for the entirety of your life it will serve you, your family, and all who need a healing touch.

REIKI 2 TRAINING – Not yet scheduled. We expect to hold two classes sometime in the Fall. One in Vista and one in LA. We will post the dates in future mailings.

The Reiki II class is for students who have already completed Level I training, and who are ready to take a quantum leap in their ability. The instruction and the attunements you receive in this class will spark a huge leap in your capacity to channel Reiki.

NEW MOON SLUMBER PARTY – Several have expressed an interest in coming to Vista and experiencing our beautiful yard, ruffing it from a tent, and enjoying the New Moon at the fire pit, not to mention the GREAT FOOD! It is also Misty’s birthday weekend. Friday evening September 26th thru Sunday the 28th. We will have the Moon Ceremony on Saturday nite. RSVP on this one to Wendy@CelestialDesignInc.com. There will be a nominal charge yet to be determined.

MOON CYCLES for the next couple of months fall in the middle of the week which makes group activities more difficult. We will continue to send the up-dates however, so you can plan your personal Moon celebrations.