Saturday 30 November 2013

☄ _/♥\_ Dark Moon in Scorpio - Dec1st ♏ ♄ ☽ ☿ ☄ ☉ ☼✶•*¨*•.¸¸✶



Dark Moon in Scorpio with ISON, Mercury & Saturn - Dec 1st '13
_/♥\_ ♏ ♄ ☽ ☿ ☄ ☉ ☼✶•*¨*•.¸¸✶

Dark moons are just as much times for sowing the seed as they are for releasing and letting go of old issues and sticky problems - sending them back to void. Because this particular balsamic Moon is conjunct the planet of the mind, Mercury, and karmic Saturn, the planet of limitation and endings, there’s a sense of finality to certain difficult issues (which could have been around for years). And as this weekend’s dark Scorpionic moon phase could trigger profound feelings - fear, loss, hopelessness - bear in mind how even these emotions can now serve as the means for dramatic alchemical transformation, from base ordinary things/ideas/relationship into treasured golden enlightenment.

It’s also worth noting that informative Mercury, disciplined Saturn, and the sensitive Moon are with Comet ISON! Though much is now hidden with the dark Moon, if there is ever a story of life, death and regeneration, it is Comet ISON. Pronounced dead and gone after its perihelion sungraze, ISON reappeared and perhaps may even able to grow its glowing tail once again – we just don’t know yet, as it has still yet to come into view, which it could well do again after the forward-moving New Moon in Sagittarius Dec 2nd/3rd. Though on December 1st, early bird sky dancers will catch the last slither of the Moon, with Mercury & Saturn in the pre-dawn sky – and possibly the comet. This combination of planets and comet is actually an extremely sobering stellium that once again determines the importance of understanding the nature of reality, in order to combat debilitating fears and doubts: that all is ultimately pure love and bliss.

Comets always bring unknown factors from deep space into play. And, in ISON’s case, coming from beyond magical mystical Neptune, its dynamic transformational energy affects us all. Generally speaking comets are not considered to be good omens, as they excite and heat disordered conditions. However, ISON – in whatever state it is in, is still under Sun’s beams, in the ‘crossover’sign between Scorpio & Sagittarius sometimes called the 13th sign, Ophiuchus. This part of the sky is attributed to the teacher of Hippocrates, the healer ‘Asklepius’ who is holding a snake; his staff the symbol of modern medicine.

ISON’s passage becomes doubly symbolic during the year of the Black Water Snake. In Tibetan Buddhism, the snake depicted in the wheel of life is symbolic of hatred, the root emotion to violence and war, when the way of peace is by transforming that angry emotion into compassion for all beings. Remembering also that the third week after enlightenment, Lord Buddha (whose rebirth we recently commemorated, at LhaBab DuChen, only a week ago) was sheltered by the coiled snake energy (Kundalini) of the seven headed snake (in line with seven chakras). Thus, to my mind, the symbology of a Dark Moon touching the tail of Asclepius’ Snake, aligned with the healing brother Mercury, earthy Saturn & ISON, it suggests the importance of global healing, activating Kundalini Earth energy, transforming consciousness and raising the Diving feminine Shakti power to the max.

And December's Venus retrograde dance at Solstice will again teach the importance of Five-Star LOVE ☆☆☆☆☆

Image is of Vajrayogini, the Goddess for degenerate times, as she is the manifestation of ultimate wisdom and compassion, aiding in the transformation of mundane experience into higher levels of spiritual understanding.

Thursday 28 November 2013

☄ Thanksgiving Dakini Day ~> November 28th ’13 ☼ ✶☽


Sagittarius Sun ♐☄ ☄ (with Comet ISON!) & Moon in Libra ♎

Accenting wisdom and beauty, this convivial combination of ‘The Lights’ inspires the fiery Sagittarian spirit of adventure with love, warmth, and more than a sprinkling of sophisticated Libran grace and balance. Interestingly, the Sagittarian Sun’s ruler, Jupiter, and the Libra Moon’s ruler, Venus, connect today in opposition, giving rise to expanded ideals (and possibly waistbands too!). This is a great time for putting much into perspective – especially relationships in partnership, business, teacher-student, or friend to friend; when the potential to find peace of mind through socialising, is by being fully present with those who nurture and support fairness, truth, and openness. All of which is heartening, especially when preparing to complete a powerful (and some might say ‘stressed’) lunation that began with a Scorpio solar eclipse, and ends with the Sagittarius New Moon on 2nd/3rd December. That said, this rather elegant Dakini Moon, in harmonious Libra, is opposite Uranus and square Pluto, encouraging the emotional body to sense the currently transformational zeitgeist; and, quite apart from the need to protect and steer clear of negative power games, there may well be some surprises in store; even these may take on greater momentum with the upcoming lunation in the sign of the Archer. But be aware that during the dark Scorpio Moon (30th/1st) care, caution, and consideration is called for, principally in being kind to self, as well as to others who have less altruistic intentions. _(♥)_

Wishing one and all a very happy Thanksgiving Hanukkah Dakini Day Tzog offering! Karma multiplied day x100 _(♥)_

Image is of Dakini Kurukulla (with thanks to the Buddha School, Taiwan, LeiTsang Temple). Kurukulla is the Goddess of the Cause of All Knowledge, who uses flowers, beauty and feminine wisdom as the means to charm, as noted by her flowery bow and arc. _(♥)_

Tuesday 26 November 2013

No Mud No Lotus - Mercury / Saturn - November 26th '13 ~> _(♥)_

Planet of the mind, Mercury, conjuncts karmic Saturn for the 3rd time in a month, due to Mercury’s Scorpionic retro loop-de-loop; which means that whatever problem was going down at Halloween, and the 8th November, is once again given karmic Saturn’s powerful scrutiny. Issues raised back then could even now see some kind of practical resolve. This is because Saturn with Mercury urges us to examine traditional power structures, and the way we deal with authority, as well as any negative thinking or stuck thought patterns such as obsession, jealousy or control, by planting the responsibility for our own thoughts firmly back into our own heart-minds. This conjunction encourages us to transform and train the mind in a practical manner, which in Buddhism we would call ‘lojong’: training the mind towards awakening, through difficult and trying situations. So don’t worry if your rational mind is stuck in the mud today, reaching for lotus-like clarity will happen soon enough, as fleet-footed Mercury swiftly makes a good aspect to loving Venus AND the cosmic teacher, Jupiter on Thanksgiving Thursday, November 28th (when ISON sungrazes with the Sagittarian Sun!). _(♥)_

Monday 25 November 2013

☽ Tara Moon in Virgo _/♥\_ 25th November 2013


☉⚥☽ Last Quarter Moon in Virgo ♍ square Sun in Sagittarius ♐

A closing Moon phase always highlights the need to re-orientate by upholding principle. With Spirit Sun currently in truth-seeking Sagittarius, squaring the sensitive Moon in practical Virgo, today’s Last Quarter Moon emphasis is upon planning and reorganising with a realistic eye to detail, thinking big with a view to looking forward with an honest and enthusiastic heart. This combination of Virgo and Sagittarius is changeable however; now is therefore the time to make adjustments, revising remedies that purify and heal, as well as arranging time and space for activities that broaden the mind, deepen spiritual development, and encourage artistic expression.

It’s a perfect day to touch the heart of consciousness, to meditate and inspire increased personal wisdom, kindness and awareness that can, in turn, be used to benefit the lives of suffering sentient beings.

Honouring Goddess White Tara with the white lotus for a long life; and to help purify body, speech and mind, cultivate wisdom and compassion and overcome obstacles. White Tara’s mantra "Om Tara Tuttare Ture Mama Ayur Punya Jnana Pushtim Kuru Svaha" _/♥\_

This Tara Moon coincides with the 'International day for non-violence towards women' ~> Dedicating prayers so that violence of all kinds be eradicated. Thank you. With love Laura _/\_

Thanks to unknown artist for White Lotus Om ॐ♥ N░A░M░A░S T░E ॐ♥

Saturday 23 November 2013

☽ Lhabab Düchen Sunday 24th November __/❤\__


‘Festival of Buddha’s Descent from Heaven'

KARMA MULITPLIED DAY (good or bad) x 10 million!

Lhabab Duchen is one of the four most important days in the Buddhist calendar. The 21st day of the 9th Tibetan month sees the celebration of Buddha’s return to the human realms from Indra’s Heaven; after spending three months and seven days in the sphere of the Deva’s, repaying his Mother’s kindness, liberating her and teaching the dharma. Buddha’s return to Earth (at the age of 41 – a Uranus oppostion, indicating a change of life) is considered to be one his eight great deeds.

From the feminine bliss realm (the realm of the 33, the Trayastrimsa) Buddha returned via a triple ladder, which was made by Vishvakarma, the Hindu god of architecture and machines. Built from gold, crystal and lapis lazuli, this triple ladder stretches all the way from Mount Meru to Earth (symbolic of illumination from crown chakra to base chakra, and the Tantrika using the central channel and right and left channels of the subtle body as vehicles for liberation).

At the appointed hour (on the Last Quarter Moon in Virgo, in definite aspect to the teaching Sagittarius Sun ) on the right-hand golden ladder appeared the all-powerful, all-seeing Bramha, with the fine form deities; on the left-hand crystal ladder came dorje-wielding Indra, with the Lords of the sensual worlds; while Buddha descended via the central lapis lazuli ladder, representing the middle path and an intimate relation with the realms of meditation, infinite space, and infinite consciousness; thus bringing protective wisdom of the Devas, from heaven to earth, the reborn Buddha illustrates how walking the Dharma path, the middle path, with loving kindness and compassion helps to overcomes ignorance and the duality of form and formless, nothing and everything.

Happy Lhabab Düchen everyone ! __/
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Saturday 16 November 2013

◯ ♉ Taurus Full Moon ~ Festival of The Light of the Gods ♏ ☼ Kartik Poornima


The Full Moon at 26 Taurus, 15:16 GMT (12:16EST), November 17th, is an exalted moon – meaning this is the best possible sign for the emotional Moon to be in, providing stability in the midst of an incredible transformation. This moon radiates feminine wisdom, encouraging clarity and insight into the shadowy issues of control and desire, obsession and greed. Now is the time to be brave, get grounded, and leave no stone unturned when dealing with personal peccadilloes. As the Moon Goddess now displays a discerning wisdom which helps one to overcome the insatiable craving which self-cherishing fixates upon. At the same time this combined celestial experience of earthy Taurus and insightful Scorpio provides the opportunity to determine that which is wholesome and nourishing, for the spiritual warrior to uproot any negative emotion that obscures the realisation of ultimate and conventional truth.

Sun & Moon are also in good relation to the Cosmic Guru, Jupiter, planet of truth and freedom, affording an overview of a greater plan (in conventional terms that could take until March to implement or move to another stage). Jupiter is also currently exalted and retrograde in the water sign Cancer; and, interestingly, it is the Water element which is honoured during this Festival of the Light of the Gods, by making light offerings to water and libation to rivers, pools and oceans, there is a powerful symbolism of purifying and healing, releasing and renewing, and connecting to all that has gone before and all that is.

As light illuminates darkness, this is THE Full Moon revered by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists alike - although for different reasons, the reverence held for this Moon Festival of The Light of the Gods shows the profound power and depth of devotion and feeling during this fixed and determined combination of ‘The Lights’: Sikhs commemorate the birth of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism; Hindus celebrate Kartik Poornima, the triumph of Shiva over the Tripuri, three cities overrun by Demons; for the Jains it is the Full Moon Festival of Light that comes after Diwali; for Buddhists it is the Moon when Lord Buddha accepts the invitation by one of his disciples to return to Earth from the realms of the Devas, the realms of the Thirty-Three, where he went to repay the kindness show by his Mother, and to teach her the Dharma (in the realms of the Goddess), which he does at the upcoming Last Quarter Moon. Thus, on Sunday the 24th of November, Buddhists the world over celebrate the rebirth of Lord Buddha, as one of the four most important days in our calendar.

Until then, receive the Full Moon blessings, and enjoy the clarity offered by this Moon of many names, Dark Moon, Tree Moon, White Moon, Snow Moon, Beaver Moon, Trading Moon, the Moon that celebrates The Light of the Gods.

Thanks for shring and love and thanks to unknown artist for beautiful image of
Shailaputri, daughter of the mountain, who gave birth to the elephant-headed god Ganesh, the son of Shiva, whose mount is Nandi the bull. _/♥\__

Tuesday 12 November 2013

Grand Water Trine ~ Guru Rinpoche Day November 12th __/♥\__

When the almighty Spirit Sun passes through the powerful sign Scorpio, it signifies a deep and extraordinarily insightful time, when touching moments are laden with poignant beginnings and endings that tend towards a some kind of rebirth: psychological, spiritual, or physical. And now, on Guru Rinpoche Day, as water signs Scorpio Sun and Pisces Moon work beautifully together with another strong and helpful planet Jupiter, the Cosmic Guru – also in fellow water sign Cancer (where he is exalted), they create a fluid and receptive ‘Grand Water Trine’.

While a Grand Water Trine encourages one to go inwards to explore the world of the imagination, this particular trinity is also spiritually expansive, showering blessings and generating hope and compassion which can only enhance Scorpio’s discerning skill, to bring about greater understanding of life’s magic and mysteries. Today may well be one of those days when it’s easier to be in one’s flow and synchronicity abounds.

The sensitive Moon is also the emotional anchor in today’s sky. So instead of being swept away by overwhelming feelings, transform negativity into positive action, and give thanks for all the goodness in life; by dedicating this beauty to the benefit of all sentient beings, we find stability within the compassion heart. __/♥\__

Guru Rinpoche Mantra ~> _/\_
Om Ah Hung Vajra Guru Pemma Siddhi Hung x 108

With love & thanks to unknown photographer of Guru Rinpoche's statue in the lake at Lerab Ling. __/♥\__

Sunday 10 November 2013

Spooky & Spacy ~> Medicine Buddha Moon in Aquarius ♒

First Quarter Medicine Buddha Moon in Aquarius ♒ in square to Spirit Sun in Scorpio ♏ _/\_ Spooky & Spacy!

When ‘The Lights’ are in this decidedly ‘fixed’ combination for a Medicine Buddha - Tara Puja Moon, we can hold the healing on course; improving at the same time as going deeper into the currently profound (psychic) transformation, the Aquarian influence awakens one to the often quirky alternative. Now is therefore the time to welcome any flashes of inspiration: new connections, new ideas, and new groups of people who can energise the soul, giving a feeling of cooperation that raises awareness, as well as the all-important altruistic intention.

Also, good news today, as Mercury, planet of information and communication is going forward to day (hooray!). All kinds of shared issues and agreements now get the go-ahead. This has been quite a difficult retrograde, teaching patience as well as enhancing insight, as all kinds of secrets, desires, and power games came to light. It might be worth noting that particularly tough issues may not even see a resolution until Mercury conjuncts Saturn again, for the third time in two months, November 26th. Until then take inspiration from Leo Tolstoy in War and Peace he says “The strongest of all warriors are these two — Time and Patience.”

Prayers going out to all those in need right who are now suffering, especially to those caught up in the wake of Typoon Haiyan in the Philippines, and all those trapped in war, want, and hunger ~ May they soon find relief __/♥\__

Medicine Buddha Mantra “Tayatha Om Bekanze Bekanze mahabekanse Rasa Samut Gate Soha!” ~~~> __/♥\__ “Hail! Appear, O Healer, O Healer, O Great Healer, O King of Healing! Let the Healing be swift And let the Healing begin!” __/♥\__

With love & Thanks to Visual Alchemy for the Green/Blue Buddha __/♥\_

Thursday 7 November 2013

☼ Phoenix rising ~~~> Sun leaves the Via Combusta _/♥\_☼✶•*¨*•.¸¸✶


At the astrological Samhain, 7th November, the Spirit of the life-giving Sun is renewed at 15 degrees of Scorpio, as consciousness rises like the Phoenix from the ‘Via Combusta’, the fiery path, having burnt to ashes all that is no longer necessary, in order to move forward (to the next Solar marker, Winter Solstice 21st).

The Sun is also now conjunct karmic Saturn, accenting that practice makes perfect, especially in regard to difficult and challenging tasks that require focus and experience. The trick is to knuckle down, take responsibility seriously, and not get despondent when faced with limitations and obstacles; because missions undertaken now bring great rewards when successful – it’s a hard job, but somebody has to do it.

On the plus side, friendly Venus just entered Capricorn, (Saturn’s sign) where she will stay until early March. This lengthy sojourn is due to her retrograde. And while this is considered a sobering position for the Love Goddess, at least it provides the opportunity to love one’s work, no matter how tough it may be.

Like a hopeful Phoenix reborn from flames, shine on beloved friends __/\__ ☼✶•*¨*•.¸¸✶

Thanks to unknown artist for glorious golden light maiden _/♥\_

Sunday 3 November 2013

New Moon Diwali Solar Eclipse ☾ ♏ ☼ 2013 Sunday 3rd November

Festival of Light ~> Diwali Solar Eclipse - Igniting Sacred Light

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The New Moon Solar Eclipse at 12 degrees Scorpio is the most potent New Moon of the year, as both Sun and Moon are with sobering Saturn and retrograde Mercury ~>  Call in protectors & set intentions wisely, as this Solar Eclipse is triple charged with a karmic mother-load, reminding us ‘what we sow, so shall we reap’.

From the tantric meditators point of view, during this particular eclipse subtle body sensitivity to unseen energy can at once highlight and/or clear kleshas (karmic imprints) in an instant, or at least chip away at old ‘stuff’ to lighten-up the way along the Dharma path. 

Meditators who work with the subtle body, channels and chakras, can, throughout this eclipse – and without identifying with ‘egoic mind’ – draw up from the Earth powerful healing Goddess energies through the central channel; at the same time, bring down through the crown with strong powers of visualisation a purifying insight that has the potential to release (past-life) habits and change thought patterns to alter direction and create dramatic transformation, all the while remaining grounded and stable at the base, bringing the Light out of from darkness, to radiate at the heart.

This eclipse has a peak of 1 minute 45 seconds, and will last approximately an hour and a half, depending upon where you are in the world, with Central Africa witnessing some totality.  Its influence is long-lasting, meaning that “Nothing ever goes away until it teaches you what you need to know” ~> quote from Pema Chodron

So, dear Spiritual Warrior, have a good eclipse, as we unite mind, body and Spirit ‘holding the space’ with love and harmony.

Thanks for sharing and immense gratitude to Joma Sipe for his astounding artwork for the cover of Theosophical International Conference.

See you on the other side… _/♥\_

Saturday 2 November 2013

✴️ Behind closed doors at the Dark Moon in Scorpio ☾♏ Nov'13


Retrograde Mercury, planet of the mind, and karmic Saturn in Scorpio are enhancing the power of deep introspection; for Scorpio is secretive sign, with the need for privacy when delving into interior of one’s heart-mind; it is often behind closed doors that the most powerful transformations take place.

With the dark moon also going into Scorpio today, there’s already a growing sense of tomorrow’s oncoming Scorpio New Moon Solar Eclipse 3rd November (12:48pmGMT), when we welcome the newly risen Phoenix that rises from the Sun’s ‘Fiery Path’. And as we approach the cosmic union of Sun, Moon and Earth in heavenly alignment, we could also sense the need to raise consciousness so that Spirit can fly like the proverbial reborn Sun bird. But in order to be ready to cross this threshold, from dark to light, we may need to rest and retreat into our own sacred space, to dig deep within and remove obscuration, releasing old and outworn, negative aspects of our psyche and personality.

Now, therefore, is the optimum time to assess, from this day forward, exactly what it is that we wish to be karmically responsible for. In other words, no one else is able to do our practice – we have to do the work ourselves in order to polish the most precious Dharma jewel, so Spirit naturally radiates: When the doors of perception open, infinite LoveLight shines._/♥\_