Medicine Buddha for all those affected by the 7.9 Earthquake in Nepal ॐ_/♥\_ॐ_/♥\_ॐ_/♥\_

April 25th 2015 ~> ॐ_/♥\_
Due to several dramatic events this week, the volcano in Chile, and two quakes, in New Zealand and Nepal, I’ve been asked as to why now, seeing as we are not in the usual time-frame of eclipse season? Firstly, the Sun has been fairly active mid-week (and we on Earth tend to lag a few days behind solar activity's effects); and though not so large, solar flares have been medium sized but rather long lasting, releasing vast and unstable electromagnetic plumes from a northerly direction (entering into Earth’s crown chakra, Tibet/Nepal, and more lightly through southerly base chakra, NZ).

Earth is also crossing a point in the sky called the ‘heliospheric current sheet’; this is when planet Earth experiences Sun’s magnetic polarity changing from north to south. This is a time of planetary adjustment (which can wreak seemingly widespread damage, espcially if other planetary configurations interact, such as now).These are not the only astrological/astronomical markers: Also significant is the conjunction of quicksilver Mercury and fiery Mars, both in earthy Taurus (on the exact point of their own nodes (yes, each planet also has its' own nodal/eclipse cycle)); In square to Jupiter, the planet of expansion in Leo, this combination of Jupiter, Mars & Mercury means dramatic shake-ups are fast and furious. With the Sun also in Taurus and the Moon now uniting in generous Leo with the cosmic Guru, Jupiter, this fixed and extremely determined combination of ‘The Lights’ accents the value of the creative tension, the divine spark inherent in all beings, as well as the ability to quickly heal, with focus and care.

It’s also a medicine Buddha - Tara Moon day (depending upon which tradition is followed), the first quarter moon, a time of crisis in action, when the healing emphasis is upon stabilising one self (the earth and others) by connecting to the natural world, and seeing artistic and cultural value, as well as surrounding precious resources.

As all helping hands and deities are needed today, especially in Nepal, here are both mantras:
Medicine Buddha is:
“TAYATHA OM BEKANZE BEKANZE MAHA BEKANZE RADZA SAMUGATHE SOHA” _/\_
And Tara mantra is “OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SOHA” _/\_

ॐ_/♥\_ॐ_/♥\_ॐ_/♥\_

With thanks to Dechen Choekhor Mahavihara for Medicine Buddha mandala ॐ_/♥\_

☾ ◯☽ New Moon in Aries 2015

☽★☼ Brave heart Aries is a passionate and fiery sign; with courage and a cause to champion, Aries also has a delightfully playful impulsive streak that dares venture into the unknown with a willingness to be open and genuine (if slightly naive and innocent). All of which can be very exciting, as well as refreshing, as Aries tends to bring in and reveal the novel and new with speed, and often a bang.

☽★☼ Our brilliant Sun is now exalted in Aries, radiating the illuminating ‘Light of Life’. Today’s New Moon in Aries ( Saturday 18th April, at 19:55 bst) ignites this divine spark, encouraging inner-light to shine from within. The Sun also rules the right eye in men and the left eye in women; thus this Aries New Moon sharpens a Spiritual Warrior’s vision to turn the gaze in towards 'the self'. Look to 28 Aries in your horoscope and note any Aries spontaneous revelations that allow clarification, to suddenly see things in a new light, especially issues sullied by (personal) anger, resentment, or other negative emotions that make it difficult to move on. Now is the time to be the Spiritual Warrior, one who has courage to exercise patience - with oneself and others, to start removing obscuration to enlightenment, and be ready to reap actual rewards at the Full Moon May 4th. And though it may be premature to say, but with Mars (the ruler of Aries) now at the very same degree as the coming Full Moon, set your intention wisely: there is an unshakable quality to one's mission 'May the fourth be with you' ;) !

Wishing new moon light blessings for all, with ℒℴѵℯLight __/\__ & thanks to Socrates Green for `Sacred Gate with the Seal of Inner Vision´

★ ☽ Last Quarter Moon in Capricorn ☾ ★ April 11th 2015

Currently fast-moving, bizarrely predictable yet unexpected changes are charted with a plethora of newness, symbolised by the present Aries conjunction that sees Uranus, Sun and Mercury, fire fervour and passion, to impulsively leap into action. 

Before bounding into situations unknown, hold courage close to heart and listen carefully for the wisdom of the Mother Goddess Liberator. At this last quarter Tara – Medicine Buddha Moon, eclipse season fades for another six months; and an Earthy Capricorn Goddess commands pragmatic wisdom, especially during periods of dramatic transformation.

The sensitive Moon is also now conjunct secretive Pluto. In judicious Capricorn, the Divine Feminine now accents intuition best guided with discipline, to leave no stone unturned when dealing with all things hidden. Even with difficult issues, calling upon the healing power of the Goddess helps to overcome obstacles, both seen and unseen, which may now even reveal a buried treasure - a previously hidden emotional or spiritual strength, perhaps a skill or gift which helps 0ne to rise above daily challenges (that appertain to ambition and accomplishment, and how to get there all-the-while dealing with sudden changes).

The weekend is thus another opportune moment to remove and let-go of all that no longer serves powerful healing and purpose. The early part of next week is earmarked for organising, in order to plant new seeds that blossom and bloom at the height of summer: Make adjustments now and be ready for a fresh new kick-start with an exciting New Moon in Aries, April 18th.

Image is of Goddess Green Tara
“Green Tara is Tara's most dynamic manifestation. Her color symbolizes youthful vigor and activity. The Buddhist Lord of karma (action), Amoghasiddhi, is also associated with the green color, thus signifying that they belong to the same family. This is a further affirmation of the perception that Green Tara is a goddess of action. She is often depicted in a posture of ease with right leg extended, signifying her readiness to spring into action. The left leg is folded in the contemplative position on the lotus pedestal, the two together thus symbolizing the integration of wisdom and art. Her left hand, in the gesture of granting refuge holds the stem of a blue lotus that floats over her left shoulder as a symbol of purity and power. With her right hand she makes the boon-granting gesture.” ( www.exoticindiaart.com )
With thanks...
~> Tara mantra “Om Tara Tuttara Ture Soha” _/\_

△ Grand Fire Trine ~ April 2015

△ The beautifully inspiring 'Grand Fire Trine' between the exalted Aries Sun with Uranus/Mercury, forming a triangle between fellow signs with Jupiter in Leo, and Saturn in Sagittarius, generates a dynamic kind of magnetism this week which can raise the heat in certain situations, as well as burn away the dross. One of the planets involved in this fabulously creative Fire Trine, Jupiter, the cosmic magnifier is also going direct on Wednesday, after four and a half months retrograde motion, giving a greater perspective on matters of the heart, devotion, and spiritual treasures.

△ When a planet ‘stations’ upon certain degrees (to go either direct (as in Jupiter’s current case) or retrograde) it heightens the importance of the issue denoted by that degree, deepening the meaning of any associated experience. At 12 degrees Leo, beneficent Jupiter suggests it is now time to be strong, shine, and grow the love by opening one’s heart to the creative spirit.
△ It’s also worth bearing in mind how the degrees 12-15 Leo are amongst this year’s celestial hot spots, because both planetary benefics, Jupiter AND Venus (when she retrogrades in the late Summer), constellate these degrees for the heart-mind to re-balance yang motivation, solar channels and the solar plexus, for spiritual practice to operate within distinctly warmer and more confident and loving conditions. ॐ_/♥\_¸¸.•*¨*•☆
Thanks to Watkins for the image and rebalancing page http://www.watkinspublishing.com/rebalance-solar-plexus-chakra/

★ Diversity in Unity & the Lunar Eclipse in Libra (Exact 15 degrees Libra/Aries @12:05gmt)

☽★☼ Karma Multiplied Day x 100,000 

☽★☼ Destiny now calls us to co-create peace, love and unity in all affairs. As this 3rd in a series of 4 Lunar ‘Tetrad’ Eclipses (the next is in September), to let go of the self-cherishing ego is the way to embrace beauty, fairness and justice _/\_

☽★☼ The outer planets influence on this eclipse, specifically the last of the now infamous 7 Uranus Pluto squares, means each individual’s ability to change and transform can make a dramatic impact upon the collective. As they say: if you want to see change in the world, then start by changing one’s self. The key to success is to now bring individual talents to the whole for all to enjoy, caring for and celebrating each other's gifts that we share.

☽★☼ With the astral focus upon the exalted Aries Sun conjunct the South Node, the Dragon’s Tail of the Lunar Eclipse (Ketu), there is a potential for a sudden release of anger, impatience, or pent up frustration - by going to the gym, for example, or entering into dialogue with whoever is subject of irritation, or by simply removing oneself from an annoying situation so the mind can relax, and allow the courage to come to the fore. The Spiritual Warrrior has the strength to release negativity without hurting anyone, including oneself. Also it’s worth bearing in mind how Libran Moon is about to enter a part of the sky called the ‘Via Combusta’; walking the 'fiery path’ encourages renewal by releasing all that no longer serves. So now is the time to be objective and unencumber thoughts, feelings, people and situations that prevent feelings of harmony and peace. Indeed, this Libra Moon suggests we make more of an effort to practice loving kindness, especially with close loved ones and the people we socialise with in order to reveal our own inner beauty as a reflection of the strength and splendour we see all around.

☽★☼ In the Northern hemisphere it’s also time to look after the liver, eat bitter foods, detox the physical body and drink light herbal teas to maintain optimum balance, so that meditative equipoise is not also possible, but stabilised, in these times of dramatic change _/\_

Wishing everyone a wonderful eclipse wherever you are, and even if you don’t see it, you will probably feel it, go lightly, with LoveLight, Laura

Image is by Robert Beer http://www.tibetanart.com of Samanthabhadra, with ℒℴνℯ & thanks. _/\_

⊚ Lunar Eclipse in Libra ~> April 4th 2015

Karma Multiplied Day x 100,000
☽★☼ In this year of the Green Yin Wood Goat/Sheep, it is the season of spring, of natural new growth and stability, that has extra emphasis due to the Wood element’s association to spring (each element has a seasonal propensity). Any helpful new shoots now in evidence (be they metaphorical) should be positively encouraged. Summer will be good for the Sheep wending peaceful progression too, but as the essence of Wood is likened to Western astrology’s Air element, the astral influence is a windy spring. Solar winds are also currently streaming in from the Sun, charging up Earth’s atmosphere with what might even be called solar vayu, the prana of consciousness: a magical and nourishing wind air. Meditators and the inherently sensitive may now even sense the winds of change blowing in some surprising breakthroughs, especially so with a full Blood Moon Lunar eclipse on the rise. 

☽★☼ The element of Air is brought further into focus because the equinox Full Moon is in Libra (exact 13:05gmt). Libra is a leading Air sign, social and friendly, seeking peace and beauty in all relationships. And in opposition to the speedy and fearless (i.e. headstrong and impatient!) Arian Spiritual Warrior that could push for faster transmutation, the balanced Libran influence has the equipoise and potential to harmonise relationships a self-cherishing ego has with all kinds of significant other(s). This, then, is a Full Moon to align the me-we axis, so that both party's needs and ambitions are met.

☽★☼ During this kind of eclipse a practiced yogi may also be aware of the internal winds; the vayu which course through the body. As Yoga Tantra teaches, winds which carry the prana throughout the body can, at the time of an eclipse, relax celestially related channels: so much so the tantrika can release (karmic) knots, so the heart-mind can be truly transformed and liberated to freely practice loving kindness. Yet while this kind of high-level meditation takes years if not lifetimes of practice and guidance, we mere baby Bodhisattvas may also feel some kind of (collective) shift awakening the senses to bliss and beauty, wisdom and compassion.
Happy Easter Full Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse to one & all _/✿\_
Image is Akshobya by Jampa Tsondue _/✿\_ with love & thanks