Yesterday I talked a little about taking the time to notice the doing as opposed to focusing purely on the outcomes.

I guess it’s a little like enjoying the journey rather than the arrival.

I’ve never been one for talking too much about things like journeys, I’m more of a traveller I guess.

I say that I’m the type that focuses on the outcomes, not the process, yet, if asked, I’ll freely admit that I’m also the person who enjoys every part of a flight. I eat the food, I read everything in the seat pocket and, if I’m fortunate enough to be flying Air New Zealand, I even enjoy the security video (if you haven’t checked out their latest starring Bear Gryll, I urge you to do so).

A friend of mine recently cashed in a bucketful of air points to fly first class.  He had an amazing experience, but part of me couldn’t help thinking that he’d wasted part of it by choosing a night flight and sleeping through it.

Anyways, the point is one of enjoying the process.

I think it’s about the attitude.

I’m on this restrictive yeast and sugar free diet at the moment. At times I rail against the deprivation, and at other times, like now, I can appreciate just how much better I’m feeling within myself.

As my nutrition is improving, the fog and grey in my brain is also lifting. I’m finding myself, gulp, enjoying the process. The outcomes are slower, but at the moment it doesn’t seem to matter- I’m listening to my body, and that’s not something that I usually do.

I think the problems start when we try and force something when the Universe is indicating that we do something else.

We see it when Mercury is retrograde- the problems start when we try and function as normal and not listen to the Mercury message to go inward and slow down.

It’s like trying to change something when the Moon is in Taurus and everything is telling you to stick to the tried and true, or when you try and deal with details when the Moon is in Sagittarius.

Sure, sometimes we don’t have any choice in the matter, but sometimes we make life more difficult than it needs to be.

This Moon cycle I’ve been trying to follow the signs a little better and I think, on balance, it’s working. Some shit has gone down- that’s normal, but on balance I’m having more good days than bad…or so it seems.

Anyways, today the Moon will be in Virgo again, so take the time to enjoy the process of doing. Make the effort to watch the details and do whatever it is that you’re doing to the very best level that you can. Don’t mistake this effort for perfection- that’s just asking for trouble. Nor am I talking about paralysis analysis (or vice versa) just committing wholehearted to whatever it is that you’re doing.

In my case, I’m maximising the potential for a frustration free day but putting off any creative or pitching work until the Moon is in Libra. I’m getting all my ducks in a row…

Each month when the Moon is in Virgo, I struggle.

I struggle with my creativity, I struggle against the work that has to be done, I struggle with what still needs to be completed, I struggle with self-esteem, I struggle with my purpose in life. I wrote about this over on and anyways.

The thing is, the Virgo Moon is a time when the concept of perfection seems so far away.

Each month when the Moon is in Virgo, I write on the Facebook page about how it’s a great time to do anything requiring detail, anything requiring organisation, anything that you know that you have to do, but have been putting off.

It’s a great time for housework, for spread-sheets, for healthy habits.

I write about it in a way that conveys how I struggle with it.

I was reminded today that there is another way of looking at it- a way of celebrating all that is Virgo rather than attempting to rebel against it as I do. It’s a way of looking at it that appeals to the Neptunian in me- a way of turning duty into ritual.

Here’s what my very wise friend said:

You really don’t HAVE to clean. You could live in squalor. But you WANT to clean, because you value how you feel being in your environment when it’s done. Let’s think as Virgo would- cleanliness, and the work involved in getting there, is actually a sacred act for her. Maybe we can lean into the joy that the Virgo part of us would find in doing the work.

Now before you all say things like “I’m Virgo and I don’t like cleaning,” or “I’m Virgo and I don’t like work,” I don’t mean it literally. I know that not all Virgos enjoy cleaning. Most Virgos do, however, achieve satisfaction from doing…from being useful…from being of service. It’s that vibe we get when the Moon is in Virgo.

I get what my friend was saying. I’m sitting here at the moment admiring the effect of the cleaning I did yesterday- the dust bunny free floorboards, the dust free desk.

I know I’ll get the same level of satisfaction at the end of today when I see our budget completed and my to do list ticked off.

That, however, is joy in the outcome- and Earth Moons are very much about physical outcomes. I find it difficult to be in the “now” when I’m in the middle of those tasks that I resent doing. Instead I rush ahead, thinking of what’s next. I treat them as a means to an end rather than as something to be present in.

It’s a little like eating the stuff on your plate that you don’t like first, so you can finish with a taste that you do like. And yes, I know the risk of that one is in filling up on what you don’t like so there’s no room left for what you love…metaphorically speaking.

Usually during a Virgo (or Capricorn) Moon I persist with trying to force my creativity, and then end up frustrated and angry- and feeling bad about myself. Usually at the end of a Virgo (or Capricorn) Moon period, I sit back and curse my lack of productivity. I’ve mentioned before, how I struggle with these particular Moons.

Today (and tomorrow) I’m trying something different. I’ll be creative in a Virgo way. As I’m doing the budget work, I’ll listen to what the numbers are trying to tell me. This afternoon at the gym I’ll be more mindful of what muscles are working, and less mindful of just getting it done. Tomorrow as I’m taping up and painting skirting boards, I’ll appreciate the meditative qualities of paint and brush strokes.

Then I’ll have a little fist pump when I see the outcomes.

After the extravaganza that was Leo Moon at New Year, as the hangover settles and 2012 becomes so yesterday, the Moon has moved into Virgo.

Given that Mercury, the Sun and Pluto are already in full no nonsense mode, the next couple of days will have a real sense of earthy practicality. If your resolution was to make changes to your diet, today’s a good day to start. If your resolution was to do some much needed de-cluttering or re-organising, today’s a good day to start. If your resolution was to finally get all those pesky receipts into a claim for for Health Care rebate, today’s a good day to get it done…yep, that last one’s me.

I’m also thinking that today  (or tomorrow) might just be the day that my Christmas presents go away where they belong.

After a momentary blip of post NY fog, courtesy of Neptune, the rest of the day is about La Luna’s supportive links to Mercury and the Sun and Pluto- all in keeping it real Capricorn.

With this much Capricorn in the air, Saturn is feeling pretty chuffed right now. Sure he’s over there in Scorpio, but secure in the knowledge that he’s the ruler of pretty much all that’s happening at the moment.

A square to Jupiter later in the day might have you reaching sneakily for the leftover Christmas chockies (or a sneaky slice of the Christmas ham) but a sextile to Saturn will bring you back on track…if you want to be brought back on track, that is.

The day isn’t all about practicality though- a little whimsy and dream the impossible dream is added courtesy of a sextile between Neptune and Mercury.

Write it down, look at it a little, brain storm it a little…maybe it could just turn into an achievable plan…

If you’re interested in how the Moon can influence the way you eat…or perhaps want a recipe or two, drop over occasionally to are your planets keeping you fat?

Over on the and anyways blog, I got one of those “most inspiring blogger awards”. Part of the rules were that I had to divulge 7 things about myself and nominate 15 blogs that I love. It’s a lovely way of recognising those that we like to read and who bring something of themselves into our lives.

I ended up splitting between some astro blogs and some non astro.

Anyways, the 7 things and the nominations are below…in case you’re interested…

So, firstly, 7 random things about me:

1. I don’t like shopping. I make exceptions for foreign countries and Melbourne.
2. I have this thing about crowds.
3. I used to be a rugby league referee
4. My first job was in a Wendys Ice Creamery- I can still dip a mean choctop- there is an art to it.
5. I gag on pumpkin and potato mashed together- actually, I even gag on pumpkin soup that hasn’t been blended properly.
6. My dream job title would be Author/World Traveller
7. I don’t like cake…or lollies.

And now the bloggers I’m nominating- in no particular order. Some are health and fitness bloggers, some are established bloggers, some are new bloggers, some are Astro bloggers, some are travel bloggers…but all are bloggers that I enjoy reading. I wish I could choose more!

1. Kai Chronicles- all about food, health, travel and diet as medicine
2. Travelling Bag- tales of an insatiable traveller. I’m loving following Pam’s countdown to the Himalayas.
3. Diet Schmiet- it is as is says on the can- a blog about diet- or rather not dieting. Deb also has another site Debbish.com which is also worth a look.
4. Pixelrites- Dianne writes about words and synchronicity. Very beautifully.
5. The Beas Knees- healthy living, healthy relationships and more besides
6. Gypsy Life- I’m loving following her road trip
7. Big Words Blog- words, love, life and gin…
8. That Space in Between- loss, grief, family and everything in between
9. Giving Back Girl-life…with purpose.
10. Julie Demboski’s Astrology- for Astro fans…I respect Julie’s work. A lot.
11. Big Sky Astrology- April Elliott Kent is my go to reference for anything on eclipses- and has written a couple of damn fine books too.
12. Lua Astrology- Leah’s blog is another of my faves
13. Oxford Astrologer- I’ve only recently come across this one, but love Christina’s posts.
14. Astrology Wheel- another newbie on my list, but another who looks at real life stuff. I like that.
15. Sally Kirkman- her monthly forecasts are uncannily spot on

Anyways, to the skies. In the early hours of this morning we hadVenus square Uranus. And something hugely important in my life blew wide open- unexpected and unwelcome news. I’m not yet ready to talk about it- there’s only so much sharing that can go on in these pages, but I do feel as though the rug has been pulled out from under me.  In any case, I have faith that all will be ok. How can it not?

The New Moon is still a few hours away- close to 2am in the morning Sydney time, so still time to set those New Moon intentions. By mid morning (Sydney time), La Luna will have moved into Virgo- the perfect place for avoiding anything emotional by dealing with detailed stuff. I’m planning a bit of a de-clutter buzz and an ebay blitz.

I learned a lot because of the Brisbane floods last year.

I learned a lot about electricity- how it works, how the wires act like capillaries and the different names for light types.

I learned about generators, I learned about lift curtains (and how to hang them), I learned about bollards and how to damage them.

I learned how to dry out documents without damaging them and I learned how badly flood waters stink.

I learned how some people can’t help enough, others choose not to help at all, how some removalists have it in their contracts not to lift stuff and how some people are physically incapable of lifting the side of their mouth into something approximating a smile.

I learned how people help each other, how resentments can (temporarily) disappear during times of crisis and I learned how a well-timed “Talking Tom” can prevent a meltdown.

I also got a crash course in how to build a house.

Apparently it’s not that hard- you dig a hole, you lay a foundation and then you build it brick by brick. You pop a lid on it and then fill in the middle bits. As the builder who told me this said: “save me the labour pains and give me the baby.”

OK, he simplified. I can’t build a house. And he, the builder I was talking to, had studied long and hard to get to where he is. Building anything is such an Earth concept. Laying of stable foundations. Brick by brick. Stone by stone. Bit by bit. It’s this last phrase that Virgo is interested in- the details. Not the “what” so much as the “how”.

It is these details that determine how deep the hole has to be, how deep the foundations have to be, how many nails you need to buy, how much concrete, how much frame etc etc etc. It is also these details that ensure that the house is, at the end of the project, fit for purpose ie that it is doing what it says it will do on the tim.

The Moon is in Virgo today and, having recently squared off against Venus, is now in a very long void of course. This is Astro tech speak for it doesn’t make any traditional aspects to any other planet before it moves into the next sign, ie Libra.

If we were looking at a horary question, this would be a Bad Thing. From an Astro weather viewpoint, however, it means that this Moon is completely, totally, unadulterated Virgo- at least until tomorrow morning (Sydney time).

This also means that Monday is a good day to do Virgo things- a good day to get things done. It’s a good day to do those detailed tasks that you have been putting off. It’s a good day for organising things, for counting things and for putting things back where they belong. It’s a good day for looking at habits with discrimination and a good day for swallowing your response if a friend asks you if her bum really does look fat in those jeans.

It’s also a good day allowing yourself to be overcome by chaos and the concept of “too much”. The solution? Make like a Virgo, get in touch with your Earth side and break it down into easily digestible pieces.

It’s a bit like writing a book. You get an idea, jot down a few chapter headings, open a word document and fill in the middle bits.

Which is why I have broken down this weeks goals into easy to measure, easy (I hope) to achieve word counts. Filling in the middle bits. Putting the words where they need to go- where they will be of most use. Such a Virgo concept.

Right after I get another coffee…