posted April 11, 2010 10:53 AM         

The reverse side also has a reverse side. Japanese proverb

We must not promise what we ought not, lest we be called on to perform what we cannot. Abraham Lincoln

Words are words, explanations are explanations, promises are promises but only performance is reality. Harold S. Geneen

What a difference there is between what we say and what we think. Jean Racine

A wise man hears one word and understands two. Yiddish Proverb

If you can't convince them, confuse them. Harry S. Truman

Right now I'm having amnesia and deja vu at the same time. I think I've forgotten this before. Steven Wright

I have an existential map. It has 'You Are Here' written all over it. Steven Wright

If you're in a war, instead of throwing a hand grenade at some guys, throw one of those little baby-type pumpkins. Maybe it'll make everyone think of how crazy war is, and while they're thinking, you can throw a real grenade. Jack Handy

April's new Moon, occurring on April 14, has a rather interesting and quixotic Symbol - Aries 25: A Double Promise Reveals Its Inner and Outer Meanings. This speaks of something that may look good on the outside but prove to be difficult when one gets to the heart of the matter, OR, it can show things said that don't reflect the true depth of feelings or emotions. Something could be far different from what's expected, for better or for worse. It's about possibilities and promises, the ins and outs of situations, the issue of rewards, turning up, keeping promises, issues of living up to one's word, the need to look at situations from all sides, internal vs. external realities, Catch-22 situations, contracts, looking for consensus. There can be rewards, but what do they bring with them? There may need to be an honest appraisal of what was actually said, thought or "Promised," and what is actually possible in the real world. There can be situations of integrity but also duplicity. Are you or someone close to you assuming more than was actually delivered? This Symbol often indicates a choice that arises between the heart and doing what you want to do and social obligation and knowing what's right.

The Cautions include: fickleness, insincerity and two-facedness in relationships, expectations without clarification, reversals of decisions or promises, manipulating people in order to achieve outcomes, promising more than can be delivered, endeavors or projects that are not worth the effort, lies and misleading statements, having a hidden agenda, momentary pledges that are soon forgotten, contracts that bind too tight.

Obviously, it's probably a good idea to check the fine print on anything you're agreeing to. Perhaps that fabulous new thing in your life has too much glamour, too much promise and no substance, or an air of inauthenticity to really be taken seriously?

Mars, the ruler of this new Moon, is on Leo 7: The Wonder Of The Constellations Of Stars In The Night Sky. The message of Mars seems to be to take a moment out to look to the signs around you in order to know how to proceed. This Symbol brings to mind the amazing sense of beauty that can be felt when observing the heavens. Just as our ancestors saw pictures in the "Stars," a "Constellation" is an expression of how our imagination can see designs and symbols in things that we usually take for granted. There can be questions such as "What am I here for?", "What is life really about?" and "What difference do I (or can I) make to this world?". The bigger questions are often on our minds with this degree around and we can feel like a tiny fleck against the backdrop of the vault of the sky. It can also show the study of astrology and astronomy.

With the inherent duality of this new Moon degree (the "Double Promise"), it's interesting to note that Venus has a degree that has an element of duality about it. The Symbol is Taurus 17: A Symbolical Battle Between "Swords" - The Disciples of Might, And "Torches" - The Disciples of Enlightenment. This speaks of the battle of "might vs. light", spiritual differences, arguments, the Crusades, bringing love and light to war zones, weapons, the might of the media, the inner battle of whether to use love or force in situations. This degree can have people worrying over the effects of their words, thoughts or actions. Rightly or wrongly, there's a need to be discerning and to work towards love and acceptance. One should choose to come from love, however this is not always possible; you may have to lay down the law in order to not let abuses to continue.

Mercury has a lovely message for many as they plan their lives. The Symbol is Taurus 12: A Young Couple Walks Down Main Street, Window Shopping. This speaks of people assessing their goals, taking time together, working as a couple, seeing what their future looks like. It can be the longing for "things", the allure of ownership, consumerism, trying to save money, worrying about the "cost" of things, weddings and engagements, credit cards, finances that are shared, shared dreams, young people or people young at heart, shopping, the honeymoon period.

It can also feel like so much is so close but so far away (it all looks so good in the "window", but loses it's gloss upon closer inspection), perhaps there's a feeling that what's wanted in the future is just that, in the future (which could prove to be illusory). There can be "tire kicking" where people are assessing a mate - somewhat like taking a car for a test drive. It can be a perfect fit or perhaps it's an illusion and things are parked and dreams come to a stop. Even though this degree is about a "Young Couple", it can also imply single people bringing their individual desires to situations. People who are not in relationship can dream about being in a partnership with hopes and dreams and visions for the future. As always, people can have similar hopes and dreams for the future, but have different ideas of how it looks or how it will pan out.

The Moon's north node (a point of destiny) is suggesting the reminder to be in your body, to ensure you look after your physical needs (on any level), to get out and about with people and have fun. The degree is Capricorn 16: School Grounds Filled With Boys And Girls In Gymnasium Suits. This shows the search for identity in amongst your peers, developing muscular coordination, working out, sexual energy, attraction or satisfaction physical fitness, being one of many, gyms, level playing fields, getting along with the opposite sex, singing songs of unity.

Laying out plans for the future is also inherent in the Moon's south node (a karmic point): Cancer 16: A Man Studying A Mandala In Front Of Him, With The Help Of A Very Ancient Book. This, as is the degree of Mars, one of the degrees of astrology, it also speaks of architecture, strategic planning, lessons to be learnt from history, numerology and tarot; systems of thought that are laid out, maps, the rules of warfare, inward attention, mandalas, Tibetan Buddhism. It can be solving puzzles that seem unsolvable with or without the wisdom of those who went before (including "the ancients"). The Cautions include trying to gain the better of others by outstrategizing them or not wanting to put in the work to solve issues.

Jupiter is bringing a sense of wanting to get to the heart of matters, being sensitive, sheltering, caring and receptive. The Symbol is Pisces 21: A Little White Lamb, A Child And A Chinese Servant. This shows one being protected by higher, more aware energies, the privileges money and social status bring, differing perspectives, helpers, servants, care, being watched over, pets and animals, the supervision of youngsters (or younger beings), purity of vision, caring for the child within.

Saturn has dipped back into Virgo and is on the last degree - Virgo 30: Having An Urgent Task To Complete, A Man Doesn't Look To Any Distractions. This can show staying true to yourself and remaining on the path or on the job, meditation, maintaining one direction, deciding what is truly worthwhile or important in your life, finding one's true focus, getting things done because they have to be done and not allowing yourself to be distracted by things that just get in the way, impede or hinder.

Staying on the path (whatever that may prove to be) can be an interesting challenge as Uranus is asking (perhaps demanding) that things be analyzed, broken down, changed, challenged, varied, thrown out or radicalized. Saturn and Uranus are opposites in nature - this is a period of breaking down old structures that didn't work, rebuilding ones that do, finding satisfactory positions or answers to life's dilemmas. Along with the duality inherent in the Sun degree of The Double Promise and that implied in Venus' degree of The Battle Between Swords and Torches, this opposition of Saturn and Uranus can bring duality and confusion. Stick with the tried and true or march out into life into the unknown? Uranus here seems to have the upper hand - breaking free is always a good alternative as long as the structures that you can depend on (Saturn in Virgo) are not threatened.

Uranus' Symbol is Pisces 29: Light Breaking Into Many Colors As It Passes Through A Prism. This speaks of the many facets of a situation, endless opportunities, optics, seeing, auras and aura photography, diffracted personalities, analyzing things (often way too much). Finding balance and equilibrium can be difficult with Saturn asking us to focus on what's important and what's right in front of us whilst Uranus is urging us to take everything apart and analyze it.

Good luck in finding that balance. Check those promises and see if there's any substance to what's unfolding. It could be that the "Inner and Outer Meanings" reveal enormous gifts that far outweigh expectations.