Imbolc Iron Rabbit ~ New Aquarius Moon 2011

When Spirit Sun zapped into Aquarius at the tail end of our most recent Super Full Moon (the 19^th of January), it joined forces with dynamic Mars for daily life to speed up to warp factor five. Personal projects are particularly subject to being revved-up. On a collective level this Aquarian Sun is equally busy, activating a global connection with the Aquarian brotherhood of man, energizing ‘the will of the whole’. Now, two weeks later, we are at the Aquarius IMBOLC NEW MOON, when there are no less than six heavenly bodies in the sign of the water bearer, four planets, a planetoid, and the all-important healing asteroid Chiron, activating ‘the light that shines on Earth across the sea’, and igniting the light of Spirit that illuminates hopes and dreams.

In esoteric astrology, the sign of Aquarius ‘shines the light within the darkness, cleansing with healing rays until the darkness is dispelled’.  In Buddhism we can dispel obscuration by generating light in Tantric deity meditation practice, as well as being kind to others, and generating the altruistic intention in body, speech and mind, i.e. word, thought, and deed. 

As an intellectual air sign, Aquarius tends to rationalise and contain emotion (as symbolised by the human carrying the pot of watery emotions); not only does Aquarius therefore objectify individual emotions, but in doing so it can also understand how feelings connect ‘One’ to the Universal Whole; thus Aquarius accents the significance of the Central Spiritual Sun, recently activated by the Cardinal Cross. At the risk of being too technical, for our current Imbolc New Moon on the 2^nd - 3^rd February, the Aquarian astral line-up reads thus: Earth Mother Ceres, Spirit Sun, soul Moon (who are both at a mid-way 13 degrees), warrior Mars, oceanic Neptune, and healing Chiron.

With such a Martian Aquarian emphasis (accidentally exalted), the current energy is fired-up to become potentially hectic, wiggy and unpredictable, so we may need to adjust any grand plan (that came about from having five planets in the sign of Capricorn, the master builder (destiny fulfilling NorthN, sacred Vesta, transformational Pluto, stratigest Pallas Athena, and Mercury, as messenger)). 

Note how the astro-symbols I read (others read more, and some less) are now concentrated into a 60 degree slice of the zodiac pie, with weighty Saturn as the outsider making hard aspect to Neptune and Chiron – triggering the challenge for collective psychic healing (Had any good dreams lately?); but Saturn is also trine to the Sun & Mars conjunction, suggesting its easy for authorities for to be formidably assertive, particularly while Aquarius is also the sign of rebels and revolution.

There are also other astrological features to observe while Saturn in Libra is this important singleton, however, as it is also exalted – meaning that authority has to find a point balance (in the heart); but is also retrograde (until June), so it needs time to find the balance. Saturn retrograde tends to slow down the ability to come to any conclusion on important issues, such as appraising the karma in relationship, peaceful resolution, or law.  So as we enter into the Chinese New year of the white Iron Rabbit– aka ‘the metal cat’, it’s also worth bearing in mind how this exalted Saturn in Libra is linked to no less than eleven heavenly markers, because Saturn is the traditional day ruler of Aquarius and the night ruler of Capricorn. So while the overall gentility of the rabbit expands yinwards, the heaviness of the times resonates strongly with everyone.  But let’s not get too gloomy, as Aquarius is also the sign of wishes. This is therefore the wishing moon.  My intention over this moon is to nicely ask the kindly bunny to hop to it, and help attain (global) peace of mind.  

This is one of the many years when the Tibetan Lunar calendar is out of synch with the Chinese animal Solar calendar, because the Tibetans doubled the 11the month (!) so Losar, Tibetan New Year of the Female Iron Rabbit, is on the Pisces new Moon, March 4^th. That the Chinese and Tibetan New Year do not always dance together is a common occurrence. 

The pagan festival of Imbolc also coincides with Chinese New Year. Imbolc ignites the light of the fixed  cross, and  is otherwise known as the feast of CandleMas, whose benefactor is Brigianta, Bride or St Brigit, the Lady of the Hearth (i.e. the spark of warmth and light now returning to the northern hemisphere); she is the patroness of poetry, craft and smithies. With this last honorific, until the light of the Leo Moon shines brightly (and when I will be back online), I leave you with a poem from the Upanishads, called

‘Illuminating Light’

“There the sun shines not, nor the moon and the stars,
nor the lightning, let alone this earthly fire.

Only when illumining Light shines,
everything else shines;
the self-revealing Light illumines the entire universe.”

Thank you Ximi for the Bhutanese protector_/\_♥ ૐ and to all other unknown photographers.

Crazy Wisdom •´¯`•.¸¸.♥ Jupiter in Aries Jan -->June'11

Last hours of planet Jupiter at 29 degrees of magical & mystical, spiritual Pisces, the very end of the zodiac. Munifcient Jupiter enters 0 ARies tomorrow (Saturday, the 22nd Jan) at 17:11 gmt, through which he races until early June.

so Get ready STARCHILDren, to leap from this Zero point into a new 11.86 year cycle. Jupiter in the sign of the Ram is the crazy wisdOM teacher, a wise fool, inspirational and brave, accelerating new information on the LIGHT of life itself! _/\_♥ ૐ...

Thank you Visual Alchemist for brilliant illustration: STARCHILD ENCODING THE HEALING xl

Free from Karmic Patterns ☽☼☾ Full Cancer Moon ♑/♋

In astrology, the Moon governs watery Cancer ♋, the fourth sign of the zodiac symbolising emotional sensitivity, particularly sensations associated with the past and all we hold onto - things, people and feelings, as well as daily thoughts that bubble-up to flow through our unconscious mind stream, which can then become construed as personal needs. These needs are expressed with greater insight and clarity when we sense empathy within our surroundings. Though such deep sensitivity is a typically Cancerian trait (as well as with those who have a prominent Moon in other water signs or water houses), we are all capable of being intuitive; but for one reason or another, we are not always in synch with where we truly are psychologically, spiritually, or physically. We are aften out-of-step with our true needs, creating habitual thoughts based upon craving or aversion that can, consciously or unconsciously, create karmic imprints that surface when we only have half an eye on La Luna’s gleaming ball of light (and not our third eye, either! :))

The upcoming Full Moon on Wednesday the 19^th January, at 21:21 GMT appears to be an optimum window of opportunity to exercise emotional boundaries and draw the line on any unfounded, unnecessary or irresponsible desires.  With the Capricorn Sun at 29 degrees revealing personal limits, as well as the ability to be ‘grounded’ (as in stabilising mind and body in practice), in opposition to the double whammy 29 Cancer Moon accenting home and family, we have the fourth of five Full Moons in a row at the ‘anaretic’, last degree of a sign accenting a swift shift of emphasis.  Any planet at the last anaretic degree of a sign holds an accumulative sum total of the sign’s qualities before flowing into the next sign. Thus, through the initiating light of the Capricorn Sun we can understand the necessity of discipline and hard work to achieve ambitions; and through the feeling-orientated and reflective, form-giving light of the Cancer Full Moon, we could sense a wealth of emotional experience provides the key to free oneself from karmic limitation, and be liberated once and for all from negative karmic patterns, in relationship, at work and within oneself.

Understanding how the law of cause and effect works, and all that what we say, do, and think, has an impact upon future result is imperative, especially if we are to harness any destructive impulse that essentially harms and blocks the release of positive potential. Bare in mind that through meditation, prayer and ritual, as well as actively creating helpful thoughts, healthy living, and doing good deeds we can negate karma, stabilise the heart-mind, and unfetter the shackles that restrain us from radiating Buddha nature (our essential goodness).

Helping to put personal and collective life into perspective over this Full Moon, both ♋ Moon and ♑ Sun also make wonderful connections to the Jupiter-Uranus conjunction (which was exact on the solar Eclipse Jan 4) indicating the Spirit and Soul are aligned with the active vision Jupiter and Uranus vibrate.   Also note the 'finger of fate' or 'Hand of God', with the North Node and Pluto as one finger and Neptune and Chiron onother, pointing towards the Moon, indicating this Moon has a long-term and collective transformational healing quality. 

 Jupiter and Uranus, however, have been together for the last ten months; but this is about to change as the faster sign munificent Jupiter is also about to move signs on 22nd Jan, whizzing into fiery Aries --> through which the sky god flies until early June (when Jupiter enters Taurus); the pace to realise some kind of self-awareness is quickening. Aries can be super-LIGHTening fast. But just over four months in the sign of the Ram is SUPERSONIC speed! During these next months there is opportunity to quickly restore and build self-confidence and see how fabulous we really are! :) Carpe diam! And when winged Mercury does his next retro dance in Aries (March-April) we might be asking ourselves, "if not now, when?"

Thanks as always to unknown artists and photographer for much appreciated illustrations ☆~♥♥♥~☆

The Zodiac in relation to the Cosmos: Ophiucus, the 13th sign & the difference between the Western & Eastern Astrology

Various articles, such as this one sent to me by facebook friend, Jode (thank you x), are circulating the internet, and confusing people about which sign of the zodiac they are. Worry not! This is an ancient old issue that re-surfaces from time to time which is often the result of malcomprehension of different astrological systems, as well as someone (usually a mainstream journalist and his or her editor) not being able to take on board how there are many rules, guides and paths to the same cosmic understanding of self in relation to the cosmos. There are also many different kinds of people on planet Earth; thus we have different schools of astrology: Tropical Western, Sidereal Vedic Joytish Eastern, Chinese (Animal signs based upon the movement of Jupiter), Hellenistic Astrology, Siamese Astrology, Muslim Astrology, Tibetan Astrology etc (many more). And, in its own way, each of these disciplines is valid.

So in reply to this recent reassertion that you are not the sign you think you are (when you are!), and that there is a 13th sign of the zodiac, I ask you to bear with me, particularly if you are new to astrology, as there is a lot of information here to wrap one's head around - especially if you are going to take on a debunker at a dinner party!

Primarily, it is most important to know that our Western astrological system is time-based upon the seasons, which means that at Spring Equinox we put 0 degrees Aries as the starting point of our Zodiac. This is called 'The Tropical Zodiac' and most everyone in the Western world uses this (because after 5000+ years we know it works for us!).

And besides, and here I shall let you into a little known fact, the most important Tibetan Mandala for World Peace, the KALACHAKRA mandala (KALA = TIME, CHAKRA = WHEEL) is actually based upon this seasonal system for Sun, Moon and Earth.  From Tibetan point of view, this tropical zodiac, which starts at 0Aries - as the first day of Spring - has greater relevance in being able to attain natural harmony for world peace.

The other main astrological system is Eastern Vedic, space-based, by looking at the constellations, also called 'Sidereal' 'STAR TIME' or 'Joytish', which translates as 'the study of light'. Joytish astrology adjusts to a phenomena which happens because of the Earth's gyroscopic roation. This long and slow rotation is called 'the precession of equinoxes'.

The movement of Earth in connection to the cycles of the Sun and Moon is called 'precession of equinoxes', and it takes a little study (as it involves a 26,000 year cycle), and is why a person's Sun and planet signs often move backwards when comparing Western Astrology to Eastern astrology (i.e. from ARies to Pisces); Due to the sign coming on the eastern horizon at the Spring equinox now being 7ish Pisces, it is the Sidereal star backdrop, yet we in the West - because our zodiac is seasonal, call this Spring point of equal-day, equal-night, '0 degree Aries': the Vernal Equinox. 

The difference between these degrees, between zodiacs 'Tropical' and 'Sidereal', has a technical term, called the 'ayanamsa'. The ayanamsa is the placement of the Sidereal constellation roughly 23 degrees of separation with the Seasonal sign. There was a time when sidereal and tropical, astronomy and astrology, all aligned, two thousand-ish years ago.  At that time a greater cycle, approx 26,000 years (which always goes backwards) called 'The Great Year' with phases of approximately 2000 years for each sign marking the passage of the Sun's rising at Spring Equinox.

The sign of the two fishes coming up at Spring Equinox, Pisces, coincided with the birth of Jesus, thus the sign of the Fish proliferated, as Vesica Pisces, and as a symbol of Christianity (& Magdalaine), invoking the tone of a collective sign to rise at Spring Equinox for the next two thousand years.

Now we are leaving a 2000-year Age of Pisces, to enter the Age of Aquarius (which is a whole other subject in itself) and .  The 'Precession of Equinoxes' is a complex subject, one which also involves the all-important eclipses which are the seriously cosmic turning- points.  If you are still with me, then well done! Its good to familiarize yourself with the spatial astronomy.

So let's move look now at the astrological phenomena which people also often misunderstand: Ophiuchus, the constellation between Scorpio and Sagittarius. Just for the record:  We never lost the 13th sign of Ophiuchus! For those born between November 28th and December 18th, we have always known about you (and others). It is just that we (the astrological Greeks and Europeans) chose not to include Ophiucus in our celestial equator, aka 'the ecliptic', the band around which the Sun travels through the zodiac. The tip of the snake's tail and the foot of Ophiuchus just slip into the ecliptic, but not enough of the actual constellation to be included in the SOLAR 12-sign zodiac. Of course there are astrologers who explain this portion of the sky when reading the horoscope, especially if the birth chart accents this sign. And its good to know about the innate healing qualities symbolized by this part of the sky, which features the rengenerative snake, as well as the shamanic healer AND is also close to the part of the sky called 'the Great Attractor'!

There are various myths and stories surrounding Ophiuchus, who holds the snake (kundalini shakti). Associated with the healing vibration of Asclepius, who also knew about snake medicine, taught both Chiron and Hippocrates, the latter being the father of modern medicine; Ophiucus is thought to even be Asclepius.

Astronomically speaking, Ophiuchus just happens to put his foot in between Scorpio and Sagittarius, at the same time the tail of his snake also touches the ecliptic. 'The ecliptic' is an 8 degree band in the sky, and is the celestial belt from which we measure time and seasons, as well as the passage of the Sun, Moon and planets. This belt is neatly divided into 12; and while we say that they are 30 degrees each = 360 of a circle, some signs are smaller or bigger than others, but still measured as 30 degrees.

This time-based system is symbolically 'ideal', full of beauty, myth and meaning, as opposed to being rigidly scientifically accurate only in measurement. Even the Indian Vedic space-based system also uses an idealised 30 degree measurement of the sign.

(Please note that Western astrology can also incorporate a Sidereal system: by integrating ‘Fixed Stars’ into the natal chart, with 'Stars' that aspect natal planets, meaning can be more precise, as well as using Nakshatras, the mansions of the Moon).

This is a mega astrology lesson. & I realise it is not soundbite friendly. If you have grasped this basic difference between two of the most used astrological systems in the world, I will be very happy because both are useful, but for different reasons! :)

And if you have any questions or comments then please ask. Thank you! _/\_

Initiating Life Divine ☾ ☼ ☽ Capricorn New Year Solar Eclipse

A Solar eclipse in Capricorn is about giving form to the spiritual objective; tomorrow morning there is a small and narrow stargate for Earth to connect to the void, when the gates of karma open; and our meditation is to invite the (internal) deity into our life Divine.

Now the moon has passed the point of lunar eclipse, already in Capricorn, we are in a dark moon phase; the responsibility of what lies ahead could seem overwhelming. Don't Worry. Formulate a plan (and allow a year or so materialise) to remain mindful in the present ♥ Karma is also multiplied 100000X

So here we go: 2011! Wow! In with an astro bang! Tuesday the 4^th January, 9:03gmt (time zones), at 13Capricorn ♑ , a Solar Eclipse  stats a new moon lunation, potent with the ability to transform everything that we’d like to be praised and recognised for the work we have achieved. Planet Earth is also perihelion the Sun during this eclipse, so Spirit and Form are cosmically close. At the same time a shower of meteors, the Quadrantids, herald from just below the Big Dipper!

A year that starts with a Solar eclipse, with the North Node also called Rahu, or 'dragon's head', accompanied by strategic Pallas Athena and fiery Mars in earthy Capricorn, suggests there is no time to lose, that we initiate, take action, and make a plan to stabilise so that we have a point to move from.  Personally I would wait until the effects of the eclipse have waned a little, and wait a day before charging headlong into anything - as it might take a day or so to calm down after any potential Sun-Moon-Mars flare up. 

So it’s not just because its winter that we also need to boost the immune system, be that physically, psychologically and psychically, with a very real and practical approach. The Warrior Queen Pallas Athena is our asteroid associated with health, healing, and regeneration, alchemically being able to transform with her serpent wisdom (Kundalini). And while she is currently companion to the Sun and Mars, its time to heavy-up on the anti-oxidents and look after ourselves.

There is another astrological reason for Tuesday being important, due it marking the last and final exact conjunction of the three hits of Jupiter and Uranus. This visionary and expansive conjunction started off with Jupiter conjunct Uranus in June at 0Aries; then around Autumn Equinox last September, when retrograde, they formed another conjunction, in Pisces; this last union, also in the sign of the fish, magnifies uncontrollable flow (of highly charged emotion), change and sudden storms; this can happen individually, as well as in the collective. In Pisces, a mutable water sign, it’s a signal we are possibly feeling overwhelmed by outside forces, feeling swept along with the tide.  How one steering through this last conjunction, which has a sphere of influence all the way until the end of February, will depend of course, where this conjunction lies in the chart.  

Water, however, continues to be a major theme this year, with both Chiron and Neptune to enter in oceanic Pisces in April (which I will go in-depth at a later date.).  Suffice to say we only have to look at how the element Water is a feature of our era: We have Jupiter and Uranus, plus healing Chiron in conjunction with the sea-ruling Neptune in the late degrees of Aquarius, emphasising the entire planet’s water (especially since Uranus and Neptune have been in a sometimes mutual relationship these past 23+ years). With an area the size of Germany & France under water in Queensland, Australia, as well as recent floods in China, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Europe, plus the tragic Deepwater incident in the Gulf of Mexico, one quickly understands how the water element is subject to tremendous import, as indicated by these planetary configurations (compounded by the movement of both Chiron and Neptune into Pisces this year).  Water within our body is akin to our emotions; we are made up of 70% water; and our emotions ride the internal waves. When looking at the way the world’s seas, oceans and rivers are behaving, we could also say our own collective emotion is also out-of-whack.  Yet all is not lost, while water cleanses, heals, purifies, Pisces and Neptune are also signs of forgiveness and compassion. This doesn’t mean that we can carry on polluting as we have been, but it does mean we can see the ignorance of humanity’s ways, being able to forgive, then get on with the Spiritual work of World Service: healing, detoxifying, energising the light. Which may well be what this eclipse is all about: initiating a world of spiritual and emotional awareness, so we can absolve ourselves and others (past and present), and concentrate upon a healthier future.   

Having discussed the watery Jupiter-Uranus, this actual eclipse is in solid and earthy Capricorn, which is also about being practical, taking personal responsibility to stabilise emotions - and thoughts, as well as places, business and traditional government.  But because eclipses are pivotal turning points, these powerful earthy eclipses shake us up, bringing the shadow into stark focus. It’s good to remember that underneath the Capricorn Mountain Goat’s sturdiness, a sign of movement into future ventures which require self-discipline, dedication and support, Capricorn also has a scaled fish tail, indicating deep spirituality combined with an intrinsic awareness of the karmic law of cause and effect, which can be used for better or worse.

Capricorn is a no nonsense sign that, like most Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer and Libra) enjoys the spotlight, as it marks the end of darkness and the entrance of the New Light King. These next few days could thus bring about dramatic endings and new light-filled beginnings.  No matter what is happening, at work, at home, on the road, it’s good to stabilise an eclipse moment with Shamatha meditation (calm abiding and watching the breath) before entering into any Kundalini or Chakra work. Those inexperienced with chakra work please do not experiment during an eclipse. Instead rest in your breathing, and allow this time to be an initiation into Spirit.

Bare in mind that the Full Moon on the 19^th Jan is 29 Cancer (the 4^th Full Moon at an Anaretic degree) is the culmination of this eclipse lunation.  Earthy Capricorn and watery Cancer are form and formlessness, and THE signs linked to the Sun and the Moon channels in the body, Ida and Pingala – as well as being the signs that urge souls to incarnate or even, after many incarnations, reach the point of crystalization.  This, therefore, is a time when Spirit can pass through both doors, and is why all the great masters emphasis the need for protection.

I’ve written quite extensively about the way an eclipse functions in the psycho-anatomical-subtle body, so I’ve changed the time-scale of popular posts on the side-bar of the blog; I suggest you read any article with the word ‘eclipse’ in it to get a better handle on how to breathe and meditate through and with this powerful trinity of Sun, Moon and  Earth, spirit, soul and form – light, dark and shadow - Particularly this from our last Solar Eclipse.

The next eclipse, in six months time, will be a set of three (which happens every few years). This will be a summer solstice lunar eclipse on June 15th, related to this winter’s solstice lunar eclipse, when so many planets aligned with the Milky Way’s Galactic Centre. In summer, it will be the Moon at 24 Sagittarius which aligns our emotional centre to the heart of the Galaxy, connecting our heart to the crown chakra.

So stay blessed, dear friend. I’ll be with you in spirit, connecting to the light grid from the wilds of the countryside, before heading back to dear old hometown London, from where the next blog will be posted. ♥

Thanks as always to our beloved Bill Brouard and other unknown but much appreciated artists ♥

Happy New Year! 1:1:11 ♥_/\_ૐ

The digital rainbow tribe bubbles with LOVE & LIGHT and wishes of PEACE for the coming year. This collective excitement about crossing an 1:1:11 threshold is palpable. Rightly so, because 2011, while not as ‘hot’ for unknown astrological indicators as the two-ten zero-point awakening of the Cardinal Cross of the Central Spiritual Sun (an astral configuration which continues to mature through 2014!), TWO-ELEVEN has all the celestial makings of a world flowing into uncharted realms, with challenges for both, individual volition and communal transformation, which requires a good heart, altruistic intention, and faith in the depth, strength, and radiance of the human spirit. But hey, one step through the dazzling cosmos at a time, so while under the super-sexy auspices of a Scorpio Venus in trine to Jupiter & Uranus, I wish ONE and ALL a very HAPPY, healthy, and totally beautiful NEW YEAR!
With all my love lx ♥_/\_ૐ