Westerners are beginning to learn these techniques of observation. By setting
aside a time on these special lunar days for observation, one can be open and aware to
the possibilities of insight. This kind of awareness appears to be what is required to pick
up on these natural events. If one has an insight at one of these times, one might be
more willing to give it credence, knowing that it is happening on a certain a lunar day.
It is clear from Eastern teachings that the moments of full and new moon are
times when the various channels in the psychophysical body are somehow aligned.
This is not to say the new- or full-moon days are days of peace and quiet. Easterners
are taught that, although such a day may tend to be wild or hectic, any patience or for-
bearance will be much rewarded. In other words, there can be deep insights available
at these times. According to these same teachings, an eclipse at the full or new moon
is even more auspicious. In the teachings, it is said that, during these very special
events, both male and female energies (channels) are in simultaneous alignment—the
ultimate opportunity. The lunar cycle and its effects and opportunities have been ana-
lyzed in great detail in the Eastern teaching.
—Michael ErlewineTIGER
The Tiger is one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. It refers to one of the 12
earthly branches that are used in Chinese astrology, together with the 10 heavenly
stems. Such a branch designates one day every 12 days: the days are named according
to a sexagesimal (60) cycle, made of 10 series of 12 branches.
The Tiger radiates gifts, luck, and often beauty. He is a remarkable leader, with
a liking for grandeur and a lot of style, but he lacks elementary self-control: he does
not like half-hearted people and he proves to be rather explosive. Proud, he fiercely
enjoys his independence; he is rebellious and madly reckless. Extremely demanding,
he cannot stand treachery. He has a thirst for adventures and exploits. His passionate
attitude often borders on self-destruction.
—Michele DelemmeTORO
Toro, asteroid 1,685 (the 1,685th asteroid to be discovered, on July 17, 1948), was
named after the Spanish word for bull. Its orbital period is somewhat more than 1.5
years, and its diameter is 7.5 kilometers. Toro is one of the more recent asteroids to be
investigated by astrologers. Preliminary material on Toro can be found in Demetra
George and Douglas Bloch’s Astrology for Yourself,and an ephemeris (table of celestial
locations) for Toro can be found in the second edition of George and Bloch’s Asteroid
Goddesses.Unlike the planets, which are associated with a wide range of phenomena,
the smaller asteroids are said to represent a single principle. George and Bloch give
Toro’s principle as “the power of boundless strength”; their tentative key phrase for
Toro is “my capacity to use and control power.” Zipporah Dobyns hypothesizes that
Toro may resonate with the meaning of Taurus, attracted to comfort, beauty, and sen-
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Toro