I also need to deliver a painting I promised to a client.

So I’m starting a weekend edition of my post. It makes more sense for my schedule.

ASTROLOGY

Moon moods

Saturday

The Moon in Aquarius gives us a little emotional distance, and that can help us process what’s moving through us.

As the Moon enters its fourth quarter, it becomes a time to clean things up, find clarity, and focus on what needs to be wrapped up. Promises may need to be kept, and that can create a sense of pressure or feeling rushed.

A trine between the Moon in Aquarius and Venus in Gemini brings a lighter touch. Creativity helps, so try not to take yourself too seriously. There is always another way through, so be ready to pivot if you need to.

Sunday

Sunday vibes with a very different mood.

The Moon in Pisces squares Uranus in Gemini, and the emotional atmosphere becomes more sensitive, electric, and unpredictable.

Protect your nervous system, because information overload is possible. Give yourself permission to step away, find quiet, and recharge.

Expect psychic flashes, because the invisibles are chatty. Sudden insights or eureka moments may arrive out of nowhere. They may feel overwhelming at first, but they can help you see the bigger picture.

If you feel numb, don’t force emotion. Instead, create around the feeling, write, make art, or simply sit with it long enough for clarity to emerge.

It is perfectly fine to say, I’m not sure right now, I need a little time to think about this.

Other influences

Sun in Taurus sextile Jupiter in Cancer

This is a lovely influence. It draws us toward family connections, cozy spaces, gardening, cooking, hiking, and the quiet pleasure of being present in the body. Abundance comes when we slow down.

There is grounding available here, and with the rest of the weekend’s astrology, that grounding may be exactly what we need.

Jupiter in Cancer square Mars in Aries

This adds impatience to the mix.

Part of us wants everything to happen now, while another part wants to move more carefully. Family dynamics may reflect this, some people pushing ahead, others resisting change.

There may be frustration, but there is useful energy here too. What you can work with is courage, not the kind that charges ahead recklessly, but the kind that takes the first small step toward something difficult.

AA few days ago I got a sigil tattoo on my left hand.

It feels a little like blood magic — powerful magic. It will stay with me for life, so the choice of sigil had to be made carefully.

This sigil is a bind rune, where different runes are combined to create a single intention.

I chose a path of release. I chose courage, justice, sacrifice, and the gifts that come from walking that path.

There are places where I still bleed. This isn’t self-pity. It’s more like going back to that place in my heart and spirit, claiming the discomfort, and standing in it long enough for it to teach me what I need to learn.

ASTROLOGY

Moon Moods

Here are ten things to do under an Moon in Aquarius:

• Let your freak flag fly. Dare to be original, avant-garde, and a little edgy. Don’t second-guess your expressive artistic flair, let it be seen.

• Invite the weird ideas in. Follow a wild theory. Indulge in believing something amazing, futuristic, or strange.

• Talk to new people. Get curious about their stories.

• If the same old thing isn’t working, step away from it for now.

• Practice a little stoicism. Step back from emotional intensity and ask what is really going on.

• Read a sci-fi book or watch a cerebral sci-fi film.

• Pull a tarot card and ask: What am I not seeing yet?

• Make a list of odd ideas.

• Experiment with your art.

• Do a simple air-clearing ritual: open the windows, ring a bell, burn cedar incense.

Transits

The Moon in Aquarius meets Pluto retrograde today, encouraging deep and lasting change through a shift in emotional perspective.

You may find yourself re-examining emotional attachments to old friends, communities, or groups you once belonged to. Perhaps you’ve outgrown someone, or something.

This transit can make you especially aware of power dynamics. Be mindful of slipping into enmeshment or getting pulled toward a connection that isn’t healthy.

It’s a strong moment to remember your boundaries. There is nothing wrong with protecting your ethics, your energy, or your sense of self.

Uranus in Gemini trines this Aquarius Moon, so things could get a little strange today.

Expect the wild downloads to continue.

Highly sensitive people may feel a little overwhelmed. Emotional distance can help. Step back enough to process the message from the invisibles.

A playful attitude will help. Try not to take everything too seriously. Think of it as a puzzle you have time to solve.

There is also a sextile to Saturn and Neptune in Aries, giving us a chance to work things through with courage and conviction.

The dreams are there. The vision is there.

This Moon invites experimentation so you can glimpse the path forward.

It also reminds us that we don’t have to do everything alone. Delegate if you need to. Reach out to like-minded people. Discipline and focus can help turn a flash of inspiration into something real.

I’ve been accused of looking Nana Mouskouri esp when I wear glasses.

Fun fact the Rose is one of my one hit wonders, when it comes to karaoke.

Yesterday I experimented more with life drawing. This was the one I liked best. I’m working on combining pencil, watercolour, and pen.

I got a reminder that I have to do the work to break through fear blocks. I need to transform fear, insecurity, and disorientation into self-confidence, clarity, and strength. I need to review my desires and needs, move past the superficial, and go deeper. I need to confront myself, listen for intuitive direction from the invisibles, and pivot.

I’ve been blocking myself off from the news so I can hear the simpler message: do what I need to do to keep my footing. The fray, the storm, still trickles through, and it pokes at my sense of security.

I need to slow down and give myself time to change my patterns of behavior and thought.

ASTROLOGY

A T-square

A T-square is an aspect pattern formed by three planets. Two planets stand in opposition, while a third squares both of them. It creates pressure, friction, and a feeling that something has to give. The tension can’t really be ignored. It pushes us to confront conflicting needs and work through what’s been stirred up.

Moon Moods

Things feel intense today. The Moon is void of course until tomorrow in Capricorn.

It’s time to let go of feeling responsible for things that are out of your control.

A void Capricorn Moon asks for structure, but it can also bring drift. Be extra kind to yourself. Take care of your body. Challenge yourself to develop discipline. Work quietly in the background refining a long-term project. Remind yourself that you are worthy of success.

The T-square today

The Moon opposes Jupiter in Cancer and squares Mars in Aries.

The Moon in Capricorn hungers for control, restraint, and competence. Mars in Aries wants immediate reaction. Jupiter in Cancer reaches for comfort, familiarity, and emotional attachment.

This can stir up defensiveness, impatience, and emotional escalation.

Today asks us to slow down and de-escalate aggressive situations. Balance comes through emotional intelligence.

Allow some things to remain unresolved. Remind yourself that you are not responsible for other people’s reactivity.

Avoid getting swept into something triggering. Step back. Work quietly on something. Write it out. Talk to a trusted friend who can serve as a sober sounding board.

I’ve been feeling called to step back from the fray of news media and doomscrolling. I think that’s where a lot of my anxiety has been settling and percolating lately.

So that’s what I’m going to do.

Sit in silence, and let the silence speak to me instead of the constant noise—the kind that hangs over everything like an ominous storm cloud.

Pluto in Aquarius is moving retrograde until October 15. Pluto in Aquarius

Pluto governs transformation, regeneration, power struggles, the shadow self, personal growth, upheaval, breakdowns, and the rebuilding that follows.

When Pluto turns retrograde, the intensity doesn’t disappear—it turns inward. It goes underground.

That’s why this period asks us to dig deeper, to confront what’s there with honesty and clarity.

Here are a few things you can do during this retrograde:

Declutter.
Let go of what you think you need but don’t. Someone in your community may need it more. Clearing physical space can open the way for a deeper spiritual clearing too.

Research.
If something is bothering you, do a deep dive. Try to understand the bigger picture so you can respond from knowledge rather than fear. Ask questions. Dig beneath the surface. Look for what’s hidden.

Do shadow work.
Are there patterns you keep repeating? Reactions that no longer serve you? Parts of yourself you’ve been avoiding? This is a good time to work with those things so you can live with more authenticity and integrity.

Strengthen boundaries.
Pluto retrograde can reveal where you’ve been giving your power away—to people, systems, habits, or fears that don’t deserve that kind of hold over you.

Face what needs to be released.
Old hurts. Destructive patterns. Lingering grief. Unfinished emotional business.

This isn’t easy work.

If talking to a professional would help, that can be part of the process too.

This retrograde offers an opportunity for deep inner transformation—less dramatic on the outside, perhaps, but powerful where it counts. It asks for honest healing, and for the kind of rebuilding that starts below the surface.

I’ve been feeling a bit anxious lately.

Maybe it’s the astrology. Maybe it’s just the stress of society swirling around me.

I’m going to make some tea and try to find a little space—a point of zen.

I know I need to move more. I know I need to make time to paint. Lately it feels like I’ve been wasting too much time in freeze mode, and I know that isn’t healthy for me.

When does rest become dissociation?

Maybe it’s because my mind is spinning with all the things I need to do, while my body doesn’t want to move that fast because of burnout.

So today I’m focusing on healthy solutions:

• Going to aquafit

• Making time to paint tonight—less TV, more creating

• Making time for meditation

Those are my basic goals for today.

I have three oil paintings in progress that need my attention.

No pet-sitting gigs right now.

So it’s time.

Magic:

The Moon is waning, and by this evening it will be in Capricorn. Gather twelve stones on your walk and make a small stone circle on your altar. Write down a block you want to remove on a piece of paper, and place it in the center of the circle.

Ask the invisibles to help lift this obstacle so you can move forward.

ASTROLOGY

Moon Moods:

The Moon goes void of course again today in Sagittarius, so here are five things you can do with that energy:

• Take a walkabout. Just get up and walk with no destination. Keep going until you’ve wandered far enough that you have just enough energy to turn back toward home.

• Read something that challenges your mind and spirit.

• Practice two-way prayer journaling. Open yourself to guidance.

• Take care of simple, practical things.

• Avoid forcing outcomes. Let yourself daydream, play, and create.

Mercury in Taurus squares Pluto in Aquarius
May 5 to May 7
(Then Pluto moves retrograde and this continues through October 15.)

Mercury in Taurus asks us to think slowly, deliberately, and carefully. Pluto in Aquarius wants us to face hard truths.

This transit asks us to pick up our proverbial spades and dig beneath the surface. We are being called deeper, into uncomfortable truths that may not offer the stability we think we need.

That can create anxiety.

Mars is still squaring Jupiter, so there’s already tension in the air. Part of us wants comfort, while another part knows something broken needs to be addressed.

There can be power struggles around who gets heard.

The cracks in society may feel especially visible right now: addiction, homelessness, poverty, and the systems that keep failing people. Some will cling stubbornly to old methods, even when those methods clearly aren’t working (and maybe never really did).

At the same time, there may also be a strong desire to step back from emotionally heavy confrontation so we can think more clearly and respond more sensibly.

Still, the underlying message is hard to ignore.

When Pluto turns retrograde, the energy begins to shift.

It becomes time to take a hard look at the structures shaping our lives.

Who holds the power?

What systems are outdated?

What needs to be dismantled at the foundation so something more honest, more workable, can be built in its place?

That deeper work has begun.

This weekend was wonderful.

My pack, my group, my coven, the little coven that grew, came over to celebrate Beltane with me. It made my heart glad to see them all together.

I wouldn’t be here without my own abstinence, and without all the work I’ve done to become the priestess I want to be. There is still work to do, of course. There always is.

In my daily meditation, I pulled the Isa rune, along with the reversed Temperance card. The message felt clear: today is for recharging my batteries.

I’m going to refine two small paintings that are nearly complete, and then turn my attention to a larger work in progress. It feels good to pivot.

I love May, with its sun-filled days and sudden thunderstorms.

I’ll be in my corner, outside, writing, or listening to classical music and painting simply for the pleasure of it.

How do you recharge?

Leave a comment

Tulips are coming up, so this is a lovely time to work a little abundance magic with them. Before their season slips away, gather a few fallen petals and dry them out. Once they’re crisp, add the petals to a mortar and pestle and grind them into a soft dust. Mix that dust with clay, then shape it into a small attraction charm or tiny creature.

Keep this little magical creation in your purse, pocket, or on your altar as a symbol of drawing good things toward you—abundance, opportunity, and the kind of blessings that arrive just when they’re needed.

ASTROLOGY

Moon Moods:

Today we’re under a Sagittarius Moon, so optimism matters. We hunger for truth, feel emotionally restless, and long for a little adventure.

This Moon connects with Mars in Aries, the planet of action, courage, and aggression, giving us the extra push we need to move something forward.

At the same time, the Moon acts as the apex of a Yod, quincunxing Jupiter in Cancer and the Sun in Taurus. It can feel a bit like trying to drive with the emergency brake on. Part of us wants to stay in the nest where it feels safe and familiar, while another part grows increasingly restless.

Sometimes a little tension is useful. It helps us accomplish what needs to be done. But this energy also reminds us not to push too hard against the current if we’re trying to force something for the wrong reasons.

Check in with yourself. Are you pushing toward something that doesn’t feel right? If so, it may be wiser to pause and wait for clearer signals before continuing.

On the other hand, are you feeling lethargic, hesitant, or afraid of something challenging? If that’s the case, make room for faith and take baby steps forward.

Also: Mars in Aries squares Jupiter in Cancer through Thursday.

For the next few days, this energy can bring a sense of overwhelm. Burnout is possible, especially if you move too fast or take on too much.

The sacred pause matters now.

You may feel tempted to react dramatically when the moment doesn’t actually call for extremes. During burnout, it’s easy to overcommit, overindulge, or try to fill a spiritual emptiness with too much activity, too much food, too much spending, or too many promises.

Mars needs movement, so get outside. Connect with nature. Take a long walk. Let your body help discharge some of the pressure.

Protect your space, but don’t mistake protection for control. Be mindful of your own boundaries, and respectful of other people’s too.

Most of all, choose one meaningful thing over the next few days that genuinely helps recharge your spirit, and give your energy to that.

Time in your nest can be deeply restorative yet don’t let stillness turn into stagnation.

That Uranus in Gemini energy is making me feel more scattered than usual—what about you? Are y

ou getting that buzz, like the volume’s cranked too high and the speakers are whining with feedback?

It’s really important for me to slow the fuck down.

I have ADHD, so this feels super intense.

I need to brush the madness aside and focus on what my intuition is telling me; what my heart actually wants me to embrace.

I have natal Uranus in Virgo in a direct square to this transit, so part of me wants everything in nice, neat packages but that’s not happening. The packages are unraveling. There’s always something I forgot to pack. I have to go over things again and again just to make sure I didn’t miss anything.

And yet, there’s a profound voice underneath it all, like the roar of a tornado. Constant. Vast.

It tells me to slow the fuck down.

So that’s what I’m doing. I’m taking as much time as I can away from social media. I’ll walk barefoot on the cold ground. I’ll take deep breaths and stand in the sun whenever it shows itself.

I’ll watch the clouds.

What are you doing to clear your head?

Astrology

Moon Moods

Today we have a yod formation, with the Moon in Scorpio at the apex between Neptune in Aries and Uranus in Gemini.

We’re in a bit of an emotional pressure cooker.

The Moon is doing the heavy lifting here—there’s a deep intuitive pull, but our feelings are hard to name, just out of reach. Uranus in Gemini brings lightning-fast insights and a restless need for emotional freedom, which can spike anxiety. Neptune in Aries wants us to act, to be bold, to be the hero—but it can feel like trying to build a house of cards in a hurricane.

Expect zappy mood shifts, emotional triggers, and that lingering sense that you don’t quite fit in.

There’s also a kind of psychic overload—like you’re swimming deep in your subconscious without a clear edge.

To balance this out, grounding is essential. Hold a stone. Walk barefoot on the earth. Wrap your hands around a warm cup of herbal tea.

Slow down.

Not everything needs to be solved all at once.

A Yod (sometimes known as the finger of God) is a formation that occurs when two planets are sextile to each other (60 degrees apart) and quincunx a third planet on an astrology chart (150 degrees apart from both sextiling planets. This patter forms a thin triangle. The planet that quincunxes both of the sextiling planets is the planet that is receiving all that energy. This astrological aspect often points to a karmic path, it lights the way to how we should navigate this energy by synergizing all three planets into our day. It offers us a pathway to personal growth, balance and understanding.

It’s almost Beltane. The forsythia has blossomed in my backyard, and the daffodils are out. We’re surrounded by green and gold, by birdsong, and that electric, awakening feeling that only spring can stir.

I’m planning Beltane celebrations with my pack, and we’re expecting visitors this weekend. My little coven is growing, as the invisibles gently usher people toward the egregore of this group.

I’ve also started going to Co-Dependents Anonymous, and I’m learning some important things; like not feeling responsible for other people’s reactions to my boundaries. I’m learning to step back, feel compassion, and create healthy distance. I’m paying attention to my intuitive signals when a person, place, or situation isn’t right for me. Before, I would ignore all of that, thinking I had to prove my worth.

I’m getting physically smaller, slowly but surely, and I can feel that I’ve gone through a profound shift. I’m starting to love myself again.

These daily illustrations of people have become quite the artistic journey. I’m really loving it.

Magic:

Garden Magic:

I’m going to plant marigolds in my front yard, with intention.

Marigolds are known for their associations with protection, love, and abundance.
Plant them alongside basil to amplify this energy.

Astrology:

Moon Moods:

The Moon resides in Libra today, shifting its energy from yesterday’s harmonious grand trine into a more discordant T-square. There’s an opposition between the Moon (governing our moods and desires) and Mars, the planet of action and conflict, now in the warring sign of Aries. This creates tension between wanting to keep the peace and feeling the urge to fight for what matters.

Both of these planets square Jupiter, the planet of excess, currently in sensitive Cancer. Emotions can easily become amplified. We may take things personally if we’re not careful. Passive-aggressive behavior could surface, compliments that carry hidden criticism, or reactions that feel bigger than the situation calls for. It may also be difficult to step out of our comfort zone or set firm boundaries if we’re worried about how others will respond.

The best way to work with a T-square is to lean into the energy of the missing sign: Capricorn. Today calls for pragmatism. Set clear goals for yourself. Be kind, but also firm, don’t take on what isn’t yours. You can be loyal and supportive without abandoning yourself.

Take your time. Stay patient. With steady effort, things will find their resolution.

A grand trine in air is big, especially when Uranus and Pluto are involved. We’re open to a profound mental or spiritual download today, something that enlightens us and expands our sense of potential.

Perspective shifts can come after a deep conversation. The social energy is zippy, electric, and it can feel overwhelming, like everything is crashing together at once.

Take a deep breath. Connect with air, it’s light, it’s ethereal. It helps you rise above it all so you can see things differently.

With the Moon in Libra, we need equilibrium, balance, and fair play. As the Moon aligns with Uranus in Gemini, lightning-fast information comes through. Social interactions intensify, and it’s easy to overbook yourself if you’re not careful. Creatively, it’s like tapping into a brilliant muse—one that helps you transcend your art into something profound.

The Moon also trines Pluto in Aquarius, linking you to your authenticity, who you are becoming and the changes you’re stepping into? There’s a call to move toward what excites you, to race toward that spark and embrace the adventure.

At the same time, the Moon opposes Saturn and Neptune in Aries, forming a kite; an energetic pattern that lifts like a hot air balloon, rising from the flame at its center. We’re intuitive and passionate, but we can also go too high, too fast, and feel overwhelmed. Emotional maturity is being tested. How serious are you about the work you need to do?

Focus matters. Clear your mind of distractions and return to what brings true balance.

Let this awakening land, let it settle into your heart, your spirit, your mind, before acting on it. That sacred pause is necessary if you want to fully ride this sparkling, vibe of wonder.

This morning, at 3am, I woke up early to the sound of both my husband and my dog snoring. So I put on my sleep headphones and listened to the audiobook of Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés.

This book is all about finding your true self and creating healthy boundaries. It’s about listening to the “wild” part of me—the part that recognizes instinct and patterns.

Ironically, I then had a dream that I was in a codependent relationship where someone was sleeping in my bed, disturbing my sense of cleanliness, and slowly filling the space with more and more stuff. It took place in my childhood home, and it got to the point where I couldn’t even move around anymore.

I used to try to save and fix people. Not so much anymore. I’m learning to let go and allow people to figure things out on their own.

I used to do this to the detriment of myself and my inner peace.

That’s codependent behavior.

I realize now that I don’t have that power.

I never did.

Today, I’m hauling my butt to a Codependents Anonymous meeting.

Gentle nudges from my sponsor are leading me toward a new kind of redemption.

I am healing. I’m starting to see the patterns. I feel less pulled, less responsible. This way of being is hardwired into my identity, so it’s taking real renovation, recalibration, and awareness.

ABOUT THE ART:

I’m really loving this more cartoon-style approach to my daily astrology chart work. I’m working toward a 100 Faces challenge as part of my art practice—every morning I draw one face.

Most of my references come from Unsplash now, and I try to match the mood of the astrology with the illustration.

I also create commissioned illustrated birth charts (including for babies—they make a great gift for anyone who loves astrology).

You can get them here: https://artoflydiaknox.etsy.com/listing/4459362598

MAGIC SPELL.

Suffering from bad dreams? Get an old railroad nail and put it underneath your bed, or better still a piece of track if you can find it. This grounds out any earthbound spirit that may be trying to seep into your head.

ASTROLOGY

MOON MOODS:

The Moon moves void of course through Virgo for most of the day, after forming a supportive sextile to Jupiter in Cancer. We’re given an opportunity to practice self-care, tend to the inner child, and create solid, healthy boundaries. Cancer, the crab, is known for its hard shell that protects its soft interior—and that wisdom applies here.

A Moon in Virgo wants us to be of service, but Jupiter in Cancer reminds us to bring emotional intelligence into how (and why) we give.

The Moon also forms a quincunx to Mercury in Aries, so some blunt words may be spoken. We’re reminded that not everything can be made neat and tidy—sometimes we have to sit with messy thoughts and imperfect communication. Keep it simple, and focus on acting with integrity.

There’s also a quincunx to Chiron in Aries, which may stir up old wounds around self-esteem. Again, this energy can feel messy. Clean up what you can, then pause and give yourself the patience to let things settle.

When the Moon moves into Libra tomorrow, you’ll have a better sense of how to restore inner balance and peace. The tension may not disappear completely, but a new awareness will begin to emerge, one that gently guides you toward honesty and a deeper sense of resolution.

We’ve been here before.

Uranus already gave us a taste of what it’s like to live in a Gemini world. Then it slipped back into Taurus for a while.

So this is the second visit into that wild, quicksilver realm of duality, mental overload, and rapid-fire choices.

What’s powerful about this transit is that it pushes us to shed what no longer works. We’ve had time to sit with things, to ruminate, to feel stuck in the soil. Now it’s like we’re rising up, ready to grow wings.

But there’s a catch.

There’s a tendency here to throw the baby out with the bathwater. So for the next little while, don’t let reactivity run the show. Pause. Breathe. (Gemini is an air sign, after all.) Give things a moment to settle before making big moves.

Instead:
Experiment.
Play.
Flirt with new ideas.
Talk to your inner child.

That’s where the magic is.

Virgo, Pisces, and Sagittarius will feel this shift most strongly.

Today is my brother Stan’s birthday.

He’s turning 55. He has level two autism, and he’s awesome.

There’s also a wonderful creative vibe woven into today—so ride that tide.

I’ve gone through a real fallow period for a few days, but now I feel a shift in energy. I’m ready to dive deep into the next adventure and see where it takes me.

Fallow periods are important to me, just as much as the creatively intense ones. Sometimes I need to let old ideals and outworn values fall away so I can find myself in the flotsam.

My second spiritual experience is learning to love myself. I show myself respect by eating healthy foods, by putting abstinence first, by taking care of myself, and by connecting with supportive, loving people. I no longer try to fix others—that’s big for me. I need to tend to myself first, and then I can show up for the world as someone who is compassionate, loving, and emotionally intelligent

Spell

my friend Effy Wild pointed out this amazing practice: https://templeofwitchcraft.org/the-seven-keys-of-hexennacht-journey/

This is what I’m going to do as we approach Beltane.

ASTROLOGY:

MOON MOODS:

The Moon is in LEO, so we can show up big-hearted and loving. The Moon connects with Saturn in Aries in a sextile, allowing us the chance to follow a dream, to have courage, and to love with faith. This is great energy for working away at a creative project. The Moon also sextiles Mercury and Mars, so we can talk about these dreams, write them out, and we have the energy and power to really get busy creating something magnificent.

Other aspects:

Venus, the planet of love, beauty, and creativity, aligns with Neptune, the planet of visions and imagination, in a sextile—this is a sparkly, magical vibe. We are all fired up, full of fun and play. We have the daring we need to try something new, and we can believe in ourselves as we move forward. Fun and curiosity rule, so party on, my friends—party on!

Today is Poetry Thursday:

News of the World

End this din of the world,
this cacophony of loss
and desire.

Shut the doors.
Wax your ears.

This song can rip a soul
into shreds—
the song of ravenous ghosts
it blots out the sun.

I am weary of its thunderous roar,
its slow corrosion.

LK

I thought about making this poem longer but then decided to just leave it as it is. I am sitting on some uncomfortable feels. Loss and change erosion and evolution of the heart. I have some fears to process.

Today I plan to work some more on my large painting of the lunar eclipse. It’s a dialysis day for Andrew, I’ll be driving him to the hospital this morning for his regular exchange.

I’m cat-sitting tonight. That is a joyful thing to do, cuddling with animals reassuring them that their people will return soon. It brings me joy to do that.

Magic:

Braiding your hair is an act of protection magic. Your hair is an extension of your energy, the aura you radiate from your body. As you braid your hair, see this aura turn into a shield that guards you, that protects you from energies that would unsettle and disrupt you.

ASTROLOGY

Moon Moods:

Today starts with the Moon hanging out in the last degrees of Cancer, so we’re still in that watery place of feelings and emotionality this morning. Perhaps there are some underlying issues you still need to untangle. The Moon aligns with Venus and Uranus in Taurus, bringing a sense of restlessness, and yet a deep desire for stability. We are offered an opportunity to shift our perspective, to re-evaluate our values, and we find ourselves on the precipice of change.

By the afternoon, the mood shifts as the Moon moves into powerfully intense Leo. We are ready to feel passionate about ourselves, ready to work on our sense of self-esteem. The Moon forms a loose T-square, however, between Pluto in Aquarius and the Sun in Taurus. So we may be challenged to understand what our role in society truly is. We want to be authentic, and yet we hunger for companionship. There is a pull toward keeping things the same, when in fact the only thing that endures is constant change.

Other influences:

Venus and Uranus are conjunct today in the sign of Taurus, and this is intense. We may receive sudden insights about what relationships mean to us. Expect some upheaval. The stage is set for both of these planets to shift into the fast-paced sign of Gemini. It almost feels like a bull in a rodeo, bucking at the gate.

This isn’t the best time to make a commitment. Instead, it may be wiser to focus on what you truly need from the relationships in your life, and prepare for a dramatic shift in circumstances. New opportunities may arrive as old ones fall away. It’s not easy, it can feel like an earthquake altering the landscape. We are not who we were before. Everything is changing, and the invisibles are guiding us toward the next step in our inner growth.

I’m really starting to develop a system for these daily portraits. I begin with pencil (graphite, if you’re fancy), sketch the outline, and then build in the shading. I focus on highlighting the planes of the face first, then dig into the details (check my YouTube channel if you’re curious about the process).

I’m looking for faces that match the astrology. Today I wanted someone who looked like they had a Sun in Taurus (earthy, solid), Moon in Cancer (flowing, in touch with their emotions), and a Moon conjunct Jupiter. So this woman is relaxed in her comfy space, hence the sweater. And just to add some spice, her Mercury would be in Aries, so when she’s confronted, she can be blunt. She’s not afraid to argue if she feels someone is wrecking her zen.

ASTROLOGY

MOODY MOON:

With the Moon meeting up with Jupiter, we are not afraid to confront our feelings. We also really want to enjoy creature comforts and connect with people who bring security into our lives. The Moon (and Jupiter) square Mercury, the planet of communication, in Aries, so people may be combative, especially if you are crossing a boundary or threatening their chosen family.

We’ve been struggling through a cold snap for the past few days. That’s life in the northern town where I live. Instead of feeling bad about it, I’ve been flipping the switch and making the most of things as they are. I got the message from my two-way prayer that I need to keep my healthy boundaries in place in order to develop inner serenity.

Every morning I practice two-way prayer, where I pull a tarot card and a rune for the day. Today I got the rune Thurisaz, which means thorn and protection. The tarot card I pulled was the Five of Disks from the Mary-El deck.

As someone who struggles (though I’ve done a lot of healing) with CPTSD, I had terrible boundaries. I was so used to abuse that I thought it was normal, so used to making excuses that I thought that was normal too. People would cross my personal boundaries, I’d build resentments, and I’d eat over that. I wanted to “save” people so I could feel better about myself. I wanted to “fix” someone so I didn’t have to fix myself. I was drawn to people who were stuck, thinking I could be the one to free them, when in reality I have no such power. I felt uncomfortable saying “no.” It all came from an inner sense of lack. I thought I wasn’t good enough. Deep down, I feared that if I didn’t let people use me, dismiss me, reject me and judge me I wasn’t worthy. (and yet I’d take all that stuff personally, as if I was responsible somehow, even though in the end it wasn’t about me, it was about them.)

Things have changed drastically over the past few years. Thanks to therapy, and all the hard work I’ve done, along with abstinence from codependency and compulsive overeating, I’m in a cleaner, stronger place. I’m no longer accepting bad behavior, nor am I reacting to it in a knee-jerk way. I still have work to do, though—that’s clear from the message I got from the invisibles.

Last night I had a dream that I dove into food, and that my daughter was pregnant with an unwanted pregnancy. The dream version of me had a real attitude. The waking me felt relieved that I didn’t get my way—that my self-will didn’t “run riot,” as the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous puts it.

But I was also reminded that my addiction to food and codependency is still there, doing push-ups in the background. So today, I’m reminded to keep the peace inside my heart.

Magic Spell:

As part of my magical boundary, I wear stones that resonate with powerful protective energy on my receiving wrist (my non-dominant hand). These bracelets are made from tiger’s eye, amethyst, jade, and obsidian. I see them as a shield of daily protection and healing. Plus, I think they look kind of cool. :)

Astology:

Moon Moods:

The Moon in Gemini is still moving void of course until 1 pm EDT, so this morning feels a little weird and buzzy. The Moon governs your emotions, your intuition, and your desires, and in the sign of Gemini we’re all over the spectrum of feelings, yet things can feel superficial as well. The Moon connects with Chiron (the wounded healer who points out our wounds and teaches us to work through them) in Aries, so emotionally it’s time to come to terms with those parts of your inner shadow that are still a work in progress and to do the therapy we need to do. There’s also a parallel to Uranus in Taurus (soon to move into Gemini in four days), which may bring unusual downloads—static messages from the invisibles—about what we need to work through when it comes to our sense of values.

This afternoon, however, when the Moon enters Cancer, we’re given the green light to dive into how we really feel about all of this. There are some speed bumps, though. There’s a square to Neptune in Aries, so it may be hard to understand what we need to fight for and what we need to defend. There’s also a square to Saturn in Aries, so discipline and focus could slip if we lose ourselves in our emotions. Lastly, an inconjunct with Pluto in Aquarius has us questioning our true role within our groups of friends and acquaintances. It’s best to keep one foot out of the fray and allow things to settle a bit, while also checking in with our feelings and vulnerabilities so we can be honest about how all of this is landing for us.

Yet as humans, we need to go deeper, into that place of root and stone and lack—into that place where we can open up and hear the message of the invisibles.

This is the message that I got today.

So once again, I’ll go out and seek the wild places, the places full of magic, and let them change me. I was reminded I’m not alone. I have my Freya alive there in that in-between place; I have Odin alive in my surrender of all the things I’ve outgrown.

Being uncomfortable is okay. For me, it’s a sign of growth. It’s when the shell of the seed cracks open so that the plant can rise up through the hard earth.

So I’ll sit with it and let it speak to me.

MAGIC:

Find a place of stones and moss. Touch the stone and let it speak to you. Empty your mind and your heart for a moment. There is a profound energy locked within the earth that will bring you balance and remind you of your roots. Your bones are stone; they resonate with the earth. Listen to what the earth needs to tell you. Take it into your heart and carry it—it’s a gift.

ASTROLOGY

MOON MOODS:

You can blame your restless heart on the Moon today. It’s in the sign of Gemini, so we need to travel, we need to learn, and our curious heart wants to play—so allow that inner child to lead the way. The Moon connects with Mercury, Saturn, and Mars in Aries. Mercury wants us to talk about our feelings in a daring manner. It allows us to stand up for what we believe in and gives us the courage to speak the truth. Mars, the planet of assertiveness, war, and action, leads us forward to challenge our hearts and to do the things we need to do. And lastly, Saturn teaches us that focus is important, that we must endure and learn.

Also the Moon is void of course till tomorrow afternoon after it connects with Mars the planet of War, here are some things you can do when the Moon is void in Gemini:

• Take care of small tasks you’ve been avoiding.

• Get some exercise.

• Wrap up projects that need to be finished rather than starting something new.

• Listen to drums and dance in your living room.

• Sit in silence and allow it to speak to you.

• Declutter a space.

• Reflect on recent conflicts without trying to resolve them.

• Hold on to the past differently, loosen the grip on a resentment, and instead embrace the fact that everything is different in the now.

• Avoid sending reactive messages (it will be very tempting); instead, let things sit and wait it out.

• Journal your thoughts—even if you’re stuck in perseverating loops, put them on paper.

OTHER ASPECTS:

I’ve been covering the stelliums (when planets are sitting on top of each other) in Aries for the past few weeks. This one is between Saturn, Mercury, and Mars in Aries. It’s time to sharpen our minds. It’s time to focus on the work we have ahead of us. It’s time to challenge ourselves. Look within and find your fear, and then move past it, knowing that you do have what it takes to find your way. This is the stellium of the master warrior. There are lessons to be learned. There is discomfort in healing.

I do hand drawn baby charts, it’s a wonderful little gift that you can give to someone who loves astrology:

https://artoflydiaknox.etsy.com/listing/4459362598

I’ve been told to remain silent
So the silence speaks to me
It lands heavy like ice cracking
On a frozen, waiting sea

Like thunder in the distance
Of a storm that’s drawing near
There’s a voice inside the stillness
If I’m quiet, I can hear

I’ve been told to seek out solitude
Crack it open, let it be
In the quiet I catch the whisper
Breathing deftly through me

Feather breath, like Odin calling
Soft against my ear
Guiding me through shadowed places
Leading me to clear

I am born of wild and weather
Stone and bitter air
Of the deluge and the blizzard
Of the things that strip you bare

I’ve been told to remain silent
So the silence sings to me
Songs of blackbirds twisting skyward
Cranes that cry and break the sea

Deer that vanish into shadow
Branches crack and sway
There’s a path beneath the quiet
There’s a voice that says, “this way”

Follow me down, it whispers low
To the place you’ve always known
Follow me into the dreaming
Where your truest self is grown

Follow me down, through root and river
Through the dark that sets you free
To the land of the awakening dream
Where I finally become me

LK

I got this message to seek out the quiet places. To say very little, to listen instead. To follow my passion and let it guide me forward. I pulled the rune Anzuz three times in three days, so this is something I need to pay attention to. This rune translates to “Odin’s breath.” It is the advice from the invisibles that comes to me only when I am silent, only when I brush the din of repeating thoughts away and center myself in the wilderness.

Today, I’ll go out to a wild place and let it speak to me.

Magic Spell

Create a circle of rocks in your garden as a meditation. Walk that spiral, if you can, so that you can connect with the air, the land, and the water around you. Let go of the thoughts that cloud your mind. Let go of it all so you can hear the voice of the invisibles.

ASTROLOGY

MOON MOODS

Expect a shift in energy from this morning (Eastern Daylight Time) to this afternoon. This morning is for grounded, languid process. It’s time to take care of the nitty gritty. The Moon (which guides our emotions and feelings) in the sign of Taurus aligns with Uranus, so we are going through a slow awakening, one that is almost unnoticeable, like the growth of plants, but still happening—where our perspective on our values is shifting.

Around lunchtime, 11:45 to 12:15 E.D.T., the Moon will move void of course, so expect things to almost slow to a halt. This is a good time to just feel the earth beneath your feet, do some gardening, and connect with silence. After that, the Moon rolls into the busy sign of Gemini, so we are invited to change our perspective, to move around, and to find joy in curiosity.

The Moon will then trine with Pluto, so this dramatic shift in perspective leads us toward evolution. Old ideas are discarded, and we start to see our role in the community from a new perspective. The Moon also aligns with Neptune, the planet of dreams and visions, so this is a very spiritual connection. We are ready to explore our passions, to follow our dreams, and to find joy in understanding who we truly are.

Other Aspects:

Mars conjuncts with Saturn in Aries:

Mars, the planet of war, action, and assertiveness in the bold sign of Aries, connects with Saturn, the planet of hard work and endurance. There is a sense that we are being asked to find our inner warrior, but this isn’t a warrior of reactivity—rather, it’s the master of energy, doing the hard work, finding that focused intensity that will help us level up.

The Sun moves into Taurus:

It’s Taurus season, so celebrate by making a healthy meal, by spending time outdoors, and by taking your time so you can make the right choices. Allow for boredom to sink in. Do nothing but exist in a place of nature or comfort. Turn off the distractions and get back to the basics.

It’s super rainy where I live, and it feels like there’s a lot of emotional fallout hangover happening.

I got the message that I need to work through it creatively.

I can fall into codependent patterns, so I went to a Co-Dependents Anonymous meeting and spoke with my sponsor. I want to respond thoughtfully, not react on impulse, and to let go of what isn’t in my control. Letting the invisibles guide me.

So that’s where I’m at.

There’s a lot I can’t write about, at least not here in this public space.

May healing happen.

That’s all.

Still working on that huge red painting. That’s where I’m putting my energy right now.

ASTROLOGY:

Moon Moods:

The Moon moves into grounded Taurus, and we can all breathe a sigh of relief. The Moon governs our emotions, our intuition, and our drives, and in Taurus it helps us slow down, make space, and find inner contentment by simplifying what we feel.

The Moon aligns with Jupiter in Cancer in a sextile, giving us a chance to seek out comfort, security, and compassion. We can draw healthy boundaries and practice emotional intelligence.

Other aspects:

Mercury, the planet of communication, is still wedged in with Mars and Neptune, so there is still a need to talk things through and process. There is also a strong temptation to react, and information may feel confusing or unclear. It’s better to say less right now and let your actions speak for your beliefs and your magic.

This cluster of planets sextiles Pluto in Aquarius, so all the chess pieces are moving. It may be hard to see exactly what’s happening, but the bigger picture is leading us toward a rebirth and a kind of revolution, where we begin to understand ourselves more deeply and see how our words and actions resonate within our community.

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All the astrologers on the web are freaking out about this stellium (clusterfuck) of planets, luminaries, and Chiron in Aries. It’s like we have no choice but to face that anger and deal with it.

Apparently this hasn’t happened in millennia, and I wonder what babies born during this time will be like. Warrior children who are fearless and bold, but also a lot over the top.

Cortisol spikes, believe it or not, can be addictive, even when that elevated state is eating at your mind, body, and spirit. I’ve been following The Holistic Psychologist, and she has a lot to say about this.

The most important thing for me is to not go to that place. To stay level. I struggle with blood pressure issues and inflammation, so I need to remain grounded, hydrated, and steady. As I write this, I’m reminded to grab my very large water bottle and keep working away at it.

In the freeze, fight, or flight response, I’ve always been a freeze. Though lately, I’ve been pivoting, learning to stand my ground while staying grounded. This has been a game changer for me.

I’ve also started being honest about how things land. Using words like: “What you are doing right now is making me uncomfortable. Is that your intention?”

Lastly, this is taking me through some storms:

“There are only two emotions: love and fear. All positive emotions come from love, all negative emotions from fear. From love flows happiness, contentment, peace, and joy. From fear comes anger, hate, anxiety and guilt. It’s true that there are only two primary emotions, love and fear. But it’s more accurate to say that there is only love or fear, for we cannot feel these two emotions together, at exactly the same time. They’re opposites. If we’re in fear, we are not in a place of love. When we’re in a place of love, we cannot be in a place of fear.”

―Elisabeth Kubler Ros

Later on today I’ll be recording my process on this painting, and will chat about this New Moon in Aries happening tomorrow morning. Feel free to check in with my Youtube channel to catch it:

Lydia Knox artist witch and astrologer - YouTube

This painting, because of the pointillism in the sky, is going to take some time to complete and I’m ok with that. I can hyperfocus on things and also multitask.

Magic:

Since there is all that fire energy out there, it might be wise to stay as grounded as possible. You can do that by focusing on the other elements.

Water by taking a bath or going into some wild water.
Earth by starting your garden and feeling the soil in your hands.
Air by taking deep breaths if you feel overloaded, or by walking to a place where the wind blows hard and just letting its energy cleanse your heart and spirit.

ASTROLOGY

MOON MOODS:

The Moon joins all those other planets in Aries, and it squares Jupiter, the planet of taking things over the top, in defensive and emotional Cancer, so this intensifies the vibe.

If you have been feeling stuck, this is road opening energy. You can challenge yourself and move past stagnation. Intuitively, you’ll understand what your next best step is.

However, the shadow side is that we have too much “spice” in the mix. People may ignore other people’s personal boundaries. Drama and taking things personally can trap people in their own perspective. Generational trauma may blind you to what is really happening in the now. People can have wild expectations and make assumptions based only on their point of view.

Other Transits:

Mars in Aries sextiles Pluto in Aquarius

This really allows us to see things from a different perspective. Pluto in Aquarius says step back from the battle, look at the big picture, and evolve, even though that evolution could break you and remake you.

We start to understand a pattern and recognize it. Our anger can be challenged in a way that helps us elevate society. Sextiles are about opportunities, and the power of air (Aquarius) and fire (Aries) is intense enough to change the dynamic, turning a toxic situation into a profound moment of rebellion and rebirth.

Sun and Chiron conjunct in Aries:

The Sun and Chiron meet up in Aries, so our generational trauma is exposed. We can see what we need to do to become more self-aware. If we are addicted to rage, we can find the power to let it go.

Redemption comes from understanding and humility. We can learn to be warriors motivated by love rather than being pushed around by our fears.

Mercury and Neptune conjunct in Aries:

Lastly, as if the angel of judgment has blown their trumpet, we have this powerful awakening occurring because of the connection between Mercury, the planet of thought and communication, and Neptune, the planet of dreams, illusions, and magic, meeting in Aries.

That slap in the face you got from the Mars/Neptune connection can be broken down in your journal. A powerful spark of creativity pushes you forward. Dreams guide us toward a path of confidence, courage, and healing. The Roads are opening people. step back and remain aware.