Using the Moon to Map your 2012

It ain’t witchcraft, just good old fashioned farm-girl star-gazing.  Having been a student of astrology for twelve years, I have compiled some lunar information that can help guide you when making plans.  Look at it as a way to incorporate your own wishes, goals and desires while utilizing the timing of the cosmos for heightened success.  I believe in miracles, free will, conscious destiny, and using the wisdom of our ancestors to help us progress in the present.  Just because it may be a ‘good time’ to start something new, you might personally need to end something. Just use your noggin and have fun with this lunar map for 2012.  There’s some bonus material to boot.

A NOTABLE 2012:

• We experience a leap year (having an additional /29^th/ day to February)
• We get three Friday the 13ths: January, April and July
• We get a Blue Moon on August 31^st (once every 2-3 years)

Moon Cycles and Phases for Beginners: Most horoscopes are based on the sun.  This one is based on the moon and applies to everyone under the sun no matter what sign you are.  Even though the moon affects us differently, we can all take advantage of certain lunar energies.    The lunar month is the 29.53 days it takes to go from one new moon to the next. During the lunar month, the Moon goes through four main phases and hits different signs of the zodiac.  This horoscope is based on both the lunar phases (new, first quarter, full, and last quarter) as well as the zodiacal signs the moon is in at the time of each phase using the American Ephemeris for the 21^st Century. 

Start Something New (New Moon). 
Make headway (First Quarter Moon). 
Finish it (Full Moon). 
Clean up, clear out and make room for the next new cycle (Last Quarter Moon).

January 2012
: Wolf Moon
January 1: First Quarter Moon in Aries: Building on ideas from last year.  Make a list and timeline to carry out your action steps.  Get our your hammer, rake leaves, cut away dead plants for quick and satisfying home improvement projects.
January 9: Full Moon in Cancer: Complete projects around your home that make you feel nourished.  Invite friends and family over to your home for dinner.
January 16: Last Quarter Moon in Libra: Make room for beauty and/or new relationships by clearing out old energy or patterns.
January 23: New Moon in Aquarius: Join a new social group, start a new social media page, make goals and plant seeds towards a new intellectual endeavor or humanitarian effort.  Think outside the box and make your bucket list.
January 31: First Quarter Moon in Taurus: Chop wood and carry water.  Make headway on your to-do list.  Be practical, strong and smart.

February 2012
: Hunger Moon
February 7: Full Moon in Leo: It’s a great day for fund raisers, giving presentations, issuing certificates of completion or ceremonies, and parties with flair, but if you’re at home take time to be honest with yourself.  Be the star you are without offending others.
****February 14: Last Quarter Moon in Scorpio: Happy Intense Valentines Day! Lose all your desires to manipulate or control something that isn’t working and end old relationships once and for all today.  You’ll need the room for something new.  But if it is working in your relationship, plan on a sensual evening and use it to deepen the bonds.  It’s a good time for singles to do something nice to show their loyalty to friends and family.
February 21: New Moon in Pisces: It’s a dreamy day to plant new seeds around music, art, libations, and meditation.  Sometimes you just gotta check out to check in.  Start a new painting, buy a new CD, and commit to a yoga, prayer or meditation practice.
February 22: Ash Wednesday (?)

March 2012
: Sap Moon
March 1: First Quarter Moon in Gemini: Make headway, run errands efficiently, write letters, finish a novel whether you are writing or reading it, find a fun group activity, be a social butterfly while making progress.
March 8: Full Moon in Virgo: Finish preparing the earth for your Spring garden, pay attention to details in contracts signed today.  Do something kind for small animals or spend time with them in training or catching up on annual health care needs.  Put something up for a bargain sale to get it out of your hair.
March 14: Last Quarter Moon in Sagittarius: Use candor and spontanaeity in clearing out big things that are in your way: sell a boat or horse trailer that is taking up too much space, have a party to clean out the barn or garage, have a neighborhood garage sale, let something big go.  In publishing, finish any query letters to be sent on the next new moon.  In legal affairs, tie up loose ends.  Slash and burn negative emotional energy.
March 20: Spring Equinox
March 22: New Moon in Aries: Great energy for starting something new, be it planting your Spring garden, merging companies to form a new entity, starting your own business, or buying something red.
March 30: First Quarter Moon in Cancer: Spend time in relationships that build rapport.  Do the most nourishing thing you can think of on your to-do list.

April 2012
: Egg Moon
April 6: Full Moon in Libra: Good Friday:  Bring projects to fruition with harmony and balance, spend some time with your partner, work in pairs, use feng shui to finish decorating a space, or finalize negotiations between two parties.  Two of something brings equilibrium.
April 7: Passover
April 8: Easter
April 13: Last Quarter Moon in Capricorn: Tie up loose ends with a family business, or with family, or in business.  Go over financial plans and budgets, check your goals with your actions to track progress with gratitude.  Do some nesting.
April 21: New Moon in
Taurus: Plant seeds in the ground, or begin a new project/goal that requires perseverance.  Examples: start a training program towards completing a marathon or bike race, or begin an art project that involves several steps and patience with clay.
April 29: First Quarter Moon in Leo: Take action steps to put yourself in a public position, get something new to eat at an up and coming restaurant, enjoy a new movie from your favorite actor, make an announcement, send out invitations.  Don’t leave the house without looking your best.

May 2012
: Milk Moon
May 1: Beltane
May 6: Full Moon in Scorpio: High emotions, deep romances, psychic tendencies, and magical synchronicities highlight the day.  Use these energies to finish what you started.
May 12: Last Quarter Moon in Aquarius: Let your freak flag fly.  Go ahead, throw the baby out with the bathwater.  Do something outlandish to get rid of all that isn’t working.  Paint a room electric blue.  Make it the last day you go to a group meeting that you have outgrown.
****May 20: New Moon in Gemini / Annular solar eclipse – A narrow ring of light will surround dark new moon today.  Host a think tank session to inspire new ideas and ways of thinking.  Use public transportation.  Write a new wish list and let it include hiking/biking vacations and meeting new people.
May 27: Shavuot
May 28: First Quarter Moon in Virgo: Let go of the big picture and micro-focus to carry out details whether you want to or not.  Make small, satisfying improvements in areas that have been bothering you one step at a time.

June 2012
: Moon of making fat
June 4: Full Moon in
Sagittarius /partial lunar eclipse: Get something heavy off your chest in a controlled, well thought out way.  Bring any project regarding gypsys, scholars, or publishing to a close.  Have a conversation on overseas philosophy.
June 11: Last Quarter Moon in
Pisces: Fake it till you make it.  Be careful with alcohol and drug tendencies, and watch for suicidal tendencies.  Hug more, dream about peaceful alternatives, and play pretend.
June 19: New Moon in Gemini: Start a conversation that requires quick thinking, play a game that requires versatile action, have a meeting of the minds that results in a new project.  Let your wish list include something intellectual like creating a book list for things you’ve been wanting to read.
June 20: Summer Solstice
June 27: First Quarter Moon in Libra: Make some progress with any partnerships or unions.  Beautify something: get a facial or pedicure with a friend, move some furniture around to make things flow, put new art up, weed your garden.

July 2012
: Mead Moon
****July 3: Full Moon in Capricorn: Guru Purnima: Finalize plans.  Set structure to your calendar or timeline.  Finish building something physical: make a sandcastle, put the finishing touches on a remodel, build a fort with sheets and a table, construct a model.  Complete institutional details without seeking favors. This is also Guru Purnima.  In the Hindu culture, this festival is common to all spiritual traditions in dedicating gratitude towards the teacher.
July 11: Last Quarter Moon in Aries: Tidy up with small, satisfying projects that don’t take much time: wash your car, pick up one room, pay one bill, check one thing off your master to-do list today before you get too distracted.
July 19: New Moon in Cancer: Stock up on some new items at the grocery store to try some new seafood recipes.  Make a wish list including something that helps you feel nourished.  Start a new home improvement project.  Mother yourself.  Take a trip to the beach.  Do an art project with seashells. Get a breast exam.
July 20: Ramadan
July 26: First Quarter Moon in Scorpio: Take your last aha moment and apply it.  Survey growth or make some headway in any of the following areas: self-improvement, mystery novels, transformation, research.
July 27: – Opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics begins in London, the first city in history to host the Summer Olympic Games three times.

August 2012
: Wort Moon
August 2: Full Moon in Aquarius: Embrace, but end a crazy cycle.
August 9: Last Quarter Moon in Taurus: Wash the sheets, tidy the landscaping, give old items to goodwill so your nest can be clean and neat.
August 17: New Moon in Leo: Begin a new cycle that puts yourself first.  Take some new professional head shots.  Wear leopard print.
August 24: First Quarter Moon in Sagittarius: Update your passport for spontaneous overseas travel, or take necessary steps to plan a thoughtful journey.  Finish one chapter in a book.  Make progress on your to-do list through play.
****August 31: Full Moon in Pisces / Blue Moon / Corn Moon: Tendencies towards day dreaming and escapism in all forms are high – but done mindfully and safely can lead to out of this world revelations.   Blue moons are rare, happening once every 2-3 years, and that’s where the phrase comes from, “once in a blue moon”.  It’s the second full moon in the month that is considered the blue moon.  The next Blue Moon will be July 31, 2015.

September 2012
: Harvest Moon
September 8: Last Quarter in Gemini: Let go (not ‘release’) old thought patterns that aren’t serving your higher purpose.  Don’t while away the hours with incessant conversation.  Let your words count.
September 16: New Moon in Virgo: Plant seeds, start something new that involves minutae and details.  Begin a puzzle with 1,000 pieces, start reading a long new book series.  Count your blessings, literally, but writing them down.  Let your wish list include measurements, patterns, and small things.
September 17: Rosh Hashanah
September 21: Fall Equinox
September 22: First Quarter Moon in
Capricorn: Grow something that has long-term goals.  Get a mentor to weigh in on your thoughts and actions.  Seek out some authority in your field for help.
September 26: Yom Kippur
September 30: Full Moon in Aries: Complete something quickly with a decision that it is over.  Bury something once and for all.

October 2012
: Blood Moon
October 1: Sukkot
October 8: Last Quarter Moon in Cancer: Harvest your garden or go to the farmers market, and make your loved ones a home-cooked meal.  Heal any mother-wounds and let things go.  Make your nest tidy both physically and energetically.
October 15: New Moon in
Libra: Start a new partnership, develop two versions of a plan, start a new workout plan with a partner, the choice is yours just make sure it’s in the name of beauty and balance.
October 22: First Quarter Moon in Capricorn: Slow and steady wins the race.  Play cribbage or bridge, pay a traffic fine, get in the good graces of those that can help you meet your goals.
October 29: Full Moon in Taurus: Bring projects and ideas to fruition. Enjoy some earthly pleasures with a good meal and aroma-therapy massage.

November 2012
: Beaver moon
November 7: Last Quarter Moon in Leo: Out with the old, in with the new you. ****November 13: New Moon in Scorpio: total solar eclipse: Diwali: The moon completely covers the solar disk on this Diwali, or ‘festival of lights’ as celebrated by many Hindus as the start of their new year.  Light a candle for something new and transformative in your life.
November 20: First Quarter Moon in Aquarius: Crazy ideas are great to implement, but take time to make sure all they are taking you towards, not further away, from your goals.
November 28: Full Moon in Gemini / appulse lunar eclipse: Write down all the ideas you are getting and put an end to those that aren’t serving your best and highest interest on your life’s purpose.

December 2012
: Moon of Long Nights
December 6: Last Quarter Moon in
Virgo: Finish small projects to make room for new ones.  Repair trousers that need buttons, sew a patch on a pair of jeans, scrub a wooden floor, wash the dog collars.
December 9: Hanukkah
December 13: New Moon in Sagittarius: Ride a horse for the first time, begin a long journey, move camps, learn about a new philosophy.
December 20: First Quarter Moon in Pisces: Build your intuition, practice guessing at who is calling before you look at caller ID.  Turn the TV off mid-way through the show and let go of your attachment to the outcome. 
December 21: Winter Solstice
December 25: Christmas
December 28: Full Moon in Cancer: Finish putting away the decorations with an attitude of gratitude.  Burn a candle that smells like the ocean as you complete year end projects and say goodbye to 2012.

June Fork-casts

(This is up early due to my zany travel schedule, but click back on May if you're needing more info from May)....

June brings the moon of 'making fat', not to be confused with the moon of 'counting calories' :).  Jessica Prentice in her book "Full Moon Feast" says it best: "Before the twentieth century, most cultures valued fat.  Not only was it precious, but those animals and plants that yielded it were precious as well.  Fat was used as food, and also for lighting, for religous ceremony, and for annointing the body."  But here in the modern world we have collectively decided that fats = bad, and that is not necessarily the truth.  In fact, we have been confused about the nourishing energy provided by fat for a long time.  We refuse hydrogentated fats, we use nonfat yogurts in our smoothies, request nonfat milk in our lattes and we feel all the healthier for our conscious decisions.  In reality, we require fats to create cell membranes and other important functions such as carrying vitamins and coverting nutrients for mineral absorption.

With the 'moon of making fat', June is a good month for you to try some new 'fats' in your diet.  Experiment with cooking with duck fat, ghee or sesame seed oil.  Play with using kefir or coconut oil in your morning smoothie.  Order that coffee with half and half.  Make that egg, yolk and all.  Before we jump into the daily June Fork-casts, below is a simple recipe utilizing coconut oil as a fat from the aforementioned book and author that go great in a ziploc for a long bike ride or hike, in a lunch box, or on a plate at a party.

Coconut-date Energy Balls
makes about 20 
Excerpt from "Full Moon Feast" by Jessica Prentice 



1 c. date paste or 1 1/2 c. pitted dates

1/2 c. coconut spread or coconut butter

Zest of 1 lemon or small orange (optional)
3 Tbsp. cocounut oil

1/4 c. finely shredded dried coconut, plus more for rolling the balls in

1. In a food processor, proess the date paste or dates for a few seconds or a minute or so.  If you're using dates, they should be processed into a chunky paste.

2. Add the coconut spread (and the optional zest, if using) and pulse a few times until the ingredients are mixed.

3. Melt 1 Tbsp. of the coconut oil in a very small pan.  Then  start the processor and pour the melted oil in through the top while the processor is running.  Add the dried coconut and process for 5 or 10 seconds more.

4. To roll the balls, pick up a very small handful of paste and press it in your hand.  It should stick together.  Then take th paste and press and roll it into a little ball, about 1 inch in diameter - a little smaller than a walnut.  Put the balls on a plate as you roll them.

5. When you have finished rolling all the balls, melt the remaining 2 Tbsp. of coconut oil and remove from heat.

6. Now take each ball and do this: Put it in the little pan with the melted coconut oil.  Take the warm oiled ball and immerse it in the dried coconut flakes so that it gets covered with coconut.  I do this by just putting the ball into the bag of dried coconut and rolling it around.  Put the ball back onto a clean plate or straight into a cookie tin.  Repeat with all the balls until they are all covered with coconut.  Store in a cool place and eat as desired!

I'm experimenting with a different format - hopefully it's helpful.  Essentially, I'm making suggestions for both staying in and going out - see what you think!

June 1: New Moon in Gemini - Make a Wish! A new moon in Gemini is a good time to make intentions, wishes and prayers in the areas of learning, communication/writing/speaking, calming the mental body, social interactions, short trips, and siblings/neighbors/roommates or anyone you live closely with. Regarding health, this is a good time to ask for assistance with anything from your fingers to your shoulders, lungs/breathing, and the nervous system.

For your guide to eating on this day and through June 3rd, go out and be a social butterfly.  Make stops at numerous locations.  Share appetizers with friends.

June 4-5:
Home-cooking: Try using some new fats in the kitchen.  Experiment with using ghee with seafood. 
Heading out: Order crab cakes, fried shrimp - or seafood that otherwise makes you feel at home.

June 6-7
Home-cooking:  Get inspired by watching one of the top chef or food challenge shows and create their masterpieces in your home with plenty of guests to admire your handy-work.
Heading out: Make reservations to try something that is a hot topic. 

June 8-9
Home-cooking:  Make a pesto using basil from your garden; serve with pasta or jar it up and give as gifts to neighbors or co-workers.
Heading out: Order a salad with lots of earthy-greens.

June 10 -12
Home-cooking: This is a great day for baking sweets. 
Heading out: You'll want to save room for dessert (just not too much room).

June 13-14
Home-cooking:  Play with hot and spicy flavors.  This is a good time for dinner dates at home; cook for your lover.
Heading out: Date night! Go somewhere dark and mysterious whether you are single or paired.

June 15-16
Home-cooking:  Make something that reminds you of an over-seas journey.  Throw a potluck party and let the theme be multi-cultural.
Heading out: Try food from a different culture than that which you normally eat.

June 17 - 18
Home-cooking:  This is a day to adhere to strict diets.  Make good choice for your bones, something with lots of calcium like brocolli. 
Heading out: Take someone who is your elder or an authority figure to a 'reasonable' location.

June 19-20
Home-cooking: Shock everyone with something completely new and different; create a fusion all your own from leftovers.
Heading out: What is the most outlandish, rebellious place you can think of to eat out? Go there.  Even if you have to drive an hour - it will be surprisingly worth it.  Great day for surprise parties too.

June 21 - 23
Home-cooking:  Take a moment, tap your inner voice, and just simply make what sounds good to you.
Heading out: Order fish at your favorite place to indulge.

June 24 -25
Home-cooking:  Make something that you like to burn or have to torch: fried chicken, fried okra, flan...
Heading out:  Flambe all the way.

June 26-28
Home-cooking:  Beef.  Beef tenderloin, steak, chicken fried steak, beef fajitas, skirt steak, medallions, petite filets, beef stew, roast, rib-eye.
Heading out: Same principle as above (beef), only someone else is on the grill.

June 29-30

Home-cooking:  Put together a smorgassbord of leftovers so you can have a little of this, or a little of that.  Something fancier? These are great days to plan a progressive dinner.
Heading out: Multiple courses: drinks, appetizers, salads, soups, entrees, desserts, coffee.

May Fork-casts 2011

During May, we will be operating under the 'milk moon's influence.  This is when the cows have had their calves and are being nourished with milk.  This moon is also called the 'flower moon' due to the fact that flowers are in abundance in most places during this month.  No matter what kind of milk you drink, this is a good month to nourish and cultivate.  Note - Mother's day falls during this month on May 8th - don't forget the flowers.

Milk Moon Recipe: Tiffany's Cashew Milk  

• 1 package raw organic cashews
• 1 tsp. rose water
• 1 tsp. orange flower water
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom
• 1/4 c. agave, to taste

Soak cashews in water overnight.  Rinse well (washing off enzymes and any dirt).  Blend cashews only to form a buttery consistency until it is not gritty.  Add water slowly blending to your preferred consistency, then add the rest of the ingredients.  Blend and chill.  You can make a thicker consistency for a milkshake, or a thinner version for everyday drinking.  Consume within 3 days of making and don't over-soak the cashews.

May 1 - Happy Beltane!  Beltane is an ancient Irish festival celebrating the first day of Summer.  The word Beltane means 'bright fire' and in medieval Ireland the Beltane fire was made on the central hill.  With 6 planets in Aries (fire element) today and the spirit of Beltane, you can set yourself up for something new.  This day looks good for purification.  Have you been thinking about doing the Master Cleanse?  It would be a great day to start (maybe after enjoying a healthy feast with friends).

May 2-4: Indulge in something hearty and expensive.  Think steak and wine.  Leave room for a decadent chocolate cake.  Thin budget? Make beef stew at home and a gallon of ice cream.  The idea is to treat yourself with something that warms the heart.

May 3 - New Moon - Make a Wish! The new moon is a good time to set new intentions in motion.  With a new moon in Taurus, make your wishes/prayers/intentions in the areas of money and love.  Taurus also represents perseverance, patience, self-worth.  It's a good time to release any stubbornness.

May 5-6: Make plans to go out - these are great nights for social butterflies to be flittering about from one party to the next.  Embrace a variety of options rather than settling down in one location.  Besides, you'll never be able to make up your mind with the moon waffling through undecided Gemini.  Order large appetizers and share with friends to avoid getting plate envy.  Dining solo? Try a buffet, or if you're at home heat up a smorgassbord of leftovers.  When it doubt, do it all.
May 7: Home cooking.  This is a perfect day to bring lunch you made from home, and a great evening to cook for your family.  Home is where the heart is during this influence. 

May 8: Happy Mother's Day! - This mother's day falls on a cancer moon.  Cancer is the crab in the zodiac, and represents mothers, the home, emotions and water.  If you have the opportunity to cook for your mom at home, do that.  If she wants to go out, take her to a place on the water. 
May 9-11: This is a good cluster of days to try a new restaurant.  What has everyone been talking about? See if you agree with the reviews and test out the newest trends.  Is there a celebrity restaurant? Maybe a new trailer?  A restaurant opening on one of these days will have a great party.

May 12-13:  Think Earthy, herbal and earth-foods.  If you have a garden, be sure to utilize for eating over the next few days.  Drink herbal tea.  Buy Earth-foods from the farmers' market (non-packaged, non genetically modified, natural fruits/vegetables/meats).

May 14-15: You'll be tempted to blow your diet, so be aware of the need  for balance.  These are good days to get take out, or try something Oriental or Indian.  Drink Zen tea blends.
May16-17: These are great date nights whether you are in a pack and on the prowl, or one on one with a commited sweetheart.  Choose something or somewhere sexy.  Dress to impress.  Play the role you want to be in.  Be ultra-feminine.  Let the guy pick up the tab.

May 18-19:  Pay it forward and make a day of it.  Take someone else an unexpected dinner tonight.  Generosity.  Invite someone to your home and have them there while you are cooking.  Make enough food for there to be leftovers tomorrow.  Draw the meal out into an afternoon activity. 

May 20-21: These are great days to kickstart a diet regimen.  Use this day to plan your meals for the week.  Clip coupons and do responsible grocery shopping.  Make adult decisions.  Strategy.

May 22-24:   Although this is a good time to be out in groups, let plans be loose and play things by ear - you might want to change your mind.  Give yourself an easy exit strategy so you are free to roam.  Lots of things sound good to eat today but try something that energizes you, as opposed to something that would weigh you down.  Think of your food as if you were fueling a race car. 
May 25-26: These are easy days to blow diets and binge on sugar, alcohol and things you generally don't need.  If you choose to escape in food/drinks, just be careful not to over do it or make plans accordingly for the following days.

May 27: Full Moon - the "Milk moon", or "Flower moon" - Full moon on a Friday night = howling.  You might want to induldge in a full moon feast and then hit the town.

May 28-29: You might wait to the point where you're too hungry before you make a meal plan and you need something fast.  You need something on the go that is quick to eat.  Try one of the trailers for something hot and fast.
May 30-31: With four planets in Earthy Taurus, these are good days for cooking a sensual dinner from your home garden.  Grill.  Chop wood and carry water.

Introductory post

In light of my adventures in trailer food diaries, some of my friends have encouraged me to provide this quirky informational blog about astrological musings and insights with respect to foods and moods.  I am bringing to the table salon-style straight talk about how the cosmos (and our unique perspectives) can divinely inspire dinner parties, picnics, cheat-meals, and more.  I'll sprinkle it with some research and suggestions, but ultimately you are your own best guide.  Meanwhile, let me give you some ideas to chew on.....

• Need a date on the calendar and meal-plan to woo your sweetheart?
• Kids not eating what you fixed and you want a solution?
• Struggling with weight loss and need a new game plan (with a best day to implement it?)
• Want some dates on the calendar for days you should reel it in, and some dates to let it all hang out?
• Unwanted company coming for dinner and you need a food plan to make them leave?
• Need help deciding which appetizers (sweet or savory?) you should bring to a party?

I got you covered. Credibility: over 10 years of an astrology habit, a MA in health psychology with an emphasis on research, a successful multi-media business on trailer food, and curly hair (you can't trust an astrologer with straight hair).