The Shift Doctors (Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D.) are thrilled once again to have our good friend and guest blogger Steve Nelson return to share his wisdom. Steve is an astrologer who follows a Jungian mythological tradition. He was raised by a part Cherokee shaman Aunt Maude who learned much of her lore from Molly Runningwolf, the mother of Amanita Sequoyah, the last Cherokee medicine man officially recognized by the Eastern Tribe. Steve’s Indian name is Steven Red Wolf, his lineage is of the wolf clan, one of the 7 tribal groups of the Cherokee. Steve follows many of the Cherokee traditions especially as these relate to celebrations, the use of ritual fire and star lore. For more information about Steve Nelson see www.GaiaAstrology.com
This month everybody comes on stage for the great mythic drama of 2012. All of us have a special 
role in this new story. Everyone has a unique essence Carl Jung called the “osob” (os-ob). When the osob is brought to awareness, it magnetically attracts all that is needed to realize its creative purpose. In Spring 2012 the astral veil dissolves so all come to realize their true calling. Each who awakens becomes a catalyst for others becoming aware of their own guiding star.
Individual life essence and soul purpose is coded into the pattern of the planets and stars at birth. The nature of each year is coded into the chart of the Spring Equinox when the Sun enters Aries, the first sign of the zodiac. Moon in the 7th House with Jupiter aligned with Mars at the Zodiacal New Year means we are entering the New Age.
In this zodiacal year 3/20/2012-3/20/13 the prophecies of the ages will be realized: all that has been hidden will be revealed, there will be “a New Heaven and New Earth” and the last will be first as innovators take precedence over the status quo. There will also be “war in Heaven and Earth,” a war more psychic than physical as the old world’s shadow comes to light and is dissolved at the dawning of this new age. The more this war is won in the inner realm the less war will be in outer world. How this war is won is the subject of Lord of the Rings, the Harry Potter books and countless other mythic tales.
April is the month of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. Everyone is a fool for love as spring comes to flower and Venus shines brightly in the evening sky. Evening Star Venus is called Venus Hesperus after the Western Isle where the golden apples of Aphrodite grow. The Evening Star is also known as “Venus Cerridwen” in honor of this Queen of Avalon, the Apple Isle. Cerridwen keeps a magic cauldron here that is the original Holy Grail. The dead hero goes into Cerridwen’s cauldron and re-emerges healed and whole and fit for the time. In her Evening Star phase Venus presides over the death, rebirth and healing of the king and the bringing forth of the true king.
“Venus is to the Earth as the soul is to the personality” according to Alice A. Bailey in Esoteric Astrology. Venus represents the Anima Mundi, the soul of the world. Venus rules the thumbs, thumbs up means the soul is in control. Venus rules the Libra decan of Aquarius we’re entering in this shift of the ages. Love rules, the soul controls in this new time. Venus is given power to restore the natural order and she does this by clearing from the world all that stands in the way of love, grace, beauty and higher truth. As old world shadows are dispelled Venus brings good fortune in love, money and the arts: visual, performing, healing and magical arts.
Venus chi is gathered by simply gazing into the light of the Evening Star and breathing deeply. Chi reception may be facilitated by raising left palm toward the Evening Star and holding right palm over the hara chakra just below the navel. Breathe deeply to absorb the subtle energy of Aphrodite.
Venus brings us into the new world as she moves “out of bounds” north above the zodiac from April 2 to June 3. During this time we can get a more full view and clearer perspective about what is occurring now and what can be created new following the New Venus on June 5.
This month before the new Venus cycle begins is the Balsamic wishing phase when we can best feel our needs and invoke their fulfillment through the great creative cycle that begins with the mythic Venus Transit of 2012. The 19-month Venus cycle that follows bridges our way into the new world.
2012 is a Year of the Moon so lunar cycles have more power most especially the Spring Full Moons, July’s Sundance Full Moon and September’s Harvest Moon. The April 6 Shamballa Full Moon begins the 2-month “higher interlude,” the most creative period of the year. This is when the year cycle is seeded and all is set to unfold its magic. This Sun in Aries Full Moon powers our way forward. We begin to live our new story when Mars moves forward on Friday April 13th. All will then instinctively begin to live their unique role for this new time. More consciousness comes with the following Full Moons until we all come to know and live our destined way weaving together a new world.
White Rabbit / April Fool’s Day Apr 1 – Be a Fool for Love
Say “White Rabbit” first thing today for good luck throughout the month. The Magician pulls another rabbit from his hat and this is Eostre’s magic bunny who brings the new World Egg painted with all that will be. This “Egg” appears in the April 6 Eostre / Easter Full Moon. April Fool’s Day is the original Aphrodite’s Day. April is sacred to Aphrodite, the goddess of love and laughter. Pranks in good humor awaken the light-hearted spirit of Spring – and all become a fool for Love. Happy April Fool!
Mercury Direct / Prometheus, Apr 4 (6:11 am) – Spread the News
Mercury moves forward rising before the Sun as “Mercury Prometheus” bringing new fire to mortals. This begins 3 months of world changing new discoveries, inspired social interchange and successful enterprise. This Aries New Mercury cycle brings a special magic to realize dreams. This is when Gandalf the Grey returns as Gandalf the White. We will have 3 months to bring this new magic down to Earth.
Easter / Passover Full Moon, Apr 4-8 (exact 4/6 3:19 pm) – Illumination
Each Full Moon is a time for revelation and opportunity for healing body, mind and soul. This Full Moon begins the 2-month “higher interlude,” the most powerfully creative time of the year. This Moon is also known as the Shamballa Full Moon because of it’s connection with the celestial city (Tolkien’s White City) and the spiritual will of the world. This is when we can align with our own divine will and purpose. Our knowing of this is now more instinctive and intuitive, it becomes much more conscious with the following Full Moons. The Full Moon is like a pitcher that pours out an illuminating, healing, empowering elixir we raise our cups and breathe in to receive. Meditation, music making, dancing – all can help us open to better receive. Cosmic energies flow for 3 days following Full Moon. Revelations come in dreams, chance encounters and flashes of inspiration. Stay tuned!
Easter Sunday, Apr 8 – Greet the Sun, Find Your Way to the New Day
The Spiritual Sun is reborn in everyone as the Sun rises on this 1st Sunday following the 1st Full Moon after Spring Equinox. Greeting the rising Sun on Eostre Sunday is ancient shamanic tradition. As the vital spirit of Spring awakens within, we become conscious of our unique role in this new cycle of creation. (For more information on the linking of Spring Equinox, Easter and the Summer Solstice, see our previous post on The Green Man.)
3rd Quarter Moon, Apr 12-14 (exact 6:15 pm 4/13) – Realizing Dreams
This Moon cuts away all that distracts from putting our dreams into action. The 3rd Quarter integrates new ideas into creative expression; it’s time to follow our bliss and do what feels good in concert with the whole.
Friday the 13th! – Break Old Patterns and Open to New Luck, New Love
Every Friday is a day of Venus, a day of grace, love and beauty. This is why we say TGIF – Thank God It’s Friday. Some days are luckier than others and many believe Friday the 13th is a very lucky day. Why do some think this way while others believe just the opposite? 13 is the number of the Death card in Tarot which might be thought unlucky except that Death is half the cycle of Life. Biologists call the de-structuring phase of the natural cycle catabolic and the creation phase anabolic. Growth occurs as old forms die, without death there can be no new life. So why would 13 be unlucky? Perhaps because of attachment to old forms that stand in the way of emerging new life. 13 is key to letting go the old and opening to the new creation. Friday the 13th is special because on this day Lady Venus hooks up with Death (Key 13 in Tarot) to clear from the world all that stands in the way of True Love.
Moon at the Equator North, Apr 17 (7:34 am – 6:08 pm) – Imagine!
Lunar 0 Points are cosmic balance times for creative imagination. Moon at the Equator going North is a time to envision what we wish for the future.
Balsamic Moon, Apr 17-19 – Make a Wish!
This is the Wishing Moon, the best time to put wishes on the air. It is also the Witches Moon, a time to bring to mind those who need healing. Feeling invokes healing, the deeper we feel, the deeper we heal. Needs felt now bring magical response from the new lunar cycle. Shadows before New Moon can be cleared through deep breathing with attention to the light within. See the wee waning Moon rising before the Sun.
Dark of Moon/New Moon, Apr 20-22 – Time to Go Within
The day before New Moon until Sunset a day after is ideal for psychic and physical house cleaning to clear way for the new cycle, outer activity is favored after the crescent appears. The New Moon (exact 3:18 am 4/21) is a cosmic spring that flows freely as we slow down. Nostradamus calls this “the day of Diana, a time for silent rest.” It is when mystics descend to drink from the magic well within.
Earth Day, Apr 22 – Celebrate the New World!
The Earth is alive and becoming aware as we become aware of our global interconnectedness. Mercury with Uranus highlights our interdependence, diversity within unity, liberty and justice for all. We are a new world becoming, uniquely gifted each in our own way and we are one. (This is a perfect day to reconnect to the Earth! )
Crescent New Moon, Apr 22 -27 – Time to Sow
It’s time to bring forward what we wish to be realized. Farmers plant seeds when the crescent appears, seeds are fertile on every level. Moon magic is strongest Sunset to Moonset when the Moon is in the 7th House. Meditation now opens doorways, wishes take wing and prayers bring blessings for this Moon and year. Crescent Moon with Jupiter and Venus brings abundance and love. Whatever we plant in our inner garden grows and flowers for many Moons. All new beginnings are favored.
1st Quarter Moon, Apr 28-30 (exact 5:57 am 4/29) – Time to Choose
This Moon is like a scythe cutting across the sky, it’s time to cut free the trappings of the past and affirm our purpose moving forward. Sacred to the Druids, this lunar phase is pivotal in the cycle of creation. Choices made now are likely to be the right ones. Breathing deeply through the light of the crown frees energy flow up and down to power our dreams to be realized.
May Eve Gate of Inspiration, Apr 29 12:45 pm – May 1 12:45 am
A Muse Gate opens every 40 days, 9 each year. (For more information on Muse Gates see our previous post on “Nine Gates of Inspiration” )Whatever blocks creative flow comes before the Gate to be let go. This is a time to dissolve body tensions that hold outmoded ways of thinking and feeling. Breathe deeply and move freely (yoga, tai chi, dance!) to shed the old and be present to the blessings of the new. Happy May Eve!
Bright Blessings to you on your new creations in April! 
Steve Nelson, Mythic Astrologer with The Shift Doctors (Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D.)
***Steve Nelson is a professional astrologer who uses Tarot, name analysis, and traditional astrology to help clients understand personal myths and realize natural abilities. He can be reached at www.gaiaastrology.com
*****The Shift Doctors (Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D.) are available for keynote talks, classes, events or for seminars (1/2 day or up to 2 day) on personal transformation, team-building, motivation, anger management, intuitive development, or collaboration for private groups, conferences, corporations or corporate events. Contact them at info@shiftyourlife.com or find out more about them at www.shiftyourlife.com