Saka Dawa Earth Dog Year 2018

Full Moon in Sagittarius 2018 ~ Tuesday 29^th May @14:20UT

 ~☆~ Enlightened Mind ~☆~

Celebrating the birth, enlightenment and paranirvana of the historical Buddha, this Full Moon is called ‘Sagadawa’ or ‘Saka Dawa’ in the Himalyan Buddhist tradition. In Tibetan astrology Saka means ‘Star’ and ‘Dawa’ means Moon, ’Star Moon’. _/♥\_ Saka Dawa is the most important sacred day of the Buddhist Calendar; today is therefore optimum to engage in virtuous activities and spiritual practice. Karma is further multiplied x 100billion

 

Whenever the Full Moon is in fiery Sagittarius – as it is at 8°10’ Sagittarius, Tuesday 29th May @14:19, adventure inspires and exploration beckons. Travel is therefore nicely starred. With a Full Moon in Sagittarius opposite the Gemini Sun, the quest is one of enquiry directed inwards to discover how ideas stir and stimulate the breadth and depth of the world of feeling and emotion – and all the wonder that beholds within. While it is always helpful to cultivate the Sagittarian open mind that keeps worries and woes at bay, it’s also good to remember how the Sagittarian centaur is also half-man, half-horse, meaning the top half of the centaur represents the human brain, while the bottom half symbolises animal instincts.

While the Moon traverses the sign of the Centaur, those already with a predilection for passionate escapade can spend hours trying to unite brains and beauty with the drives of the internal beast, using prized intellect to overcome, integrate, and make sense of animalistic longing. Sagittarius is actually a mythical four-legged archer with horse-power for stamina and the ability to be extremely lucky. The Centaur is a skilled rider on the move, at one with his steed, armed with a bow and arrow.

Whenever you see Asian Oriental deities holding a bow and arrow, particularly Buddhist deities, it is the bow that is usually held in the left ‘wisdom’ hand, while the arrow is held in the ‘method-of-compassion’ right hand. This hand pairing of wisdom and compassion therefore propels one towards a life using ‘skilful means’ from an ethical point of view. From the astrological point of view the bow and arrow symbolises the high-flying analytical mind, with grand ideas aiming beyond the stratosphere.

It’s clear a free-roaming and spontaneous Centaur requires the freedom and free-will and independence to explore humanity’s higher ideals through theories and beliefs. No one ever got enlightened through concepts, but to celebrate academic and abstract ideas that revere the human connection with the natural world, gives life greater spiritual meaning.

So the temptation is to now saddle-up while the Moon is in the sign of the Centaur, leave troubles behind without a care in the world and gallop off into the far-horizon: casual, relaxed and brave. With a spacious mind, the Moon in Sagittarius will also focus upon those feelings which inspire confidence. When searching for answers – and the truth, the Moon Sagittarius will experience different cultures, different philosophies and even different gods, all the while adapting vessels into which one can pour faith, hope and charity. Anything foreign appeals to the Moon in Sagittarius: the more exotic and bizarre, the more it fascinates. A fiery Sagittarius Moon literally hungers for veracity and the freedom to spiritually grow.

During the Sagittarian Full Moon it’s the wise, however, who accepts inspiration and divinity are already within – aware that looking outside for enlightened intelligence to magically come and solve all life problems is unrealistic and only offers false expectation. That said; this Sagittarian Full Moon opposite the Gemini Sun culminates less than two degrees away from Fixed Star, Antares, indicating success and power comes from a discerning kind of insight. Be aware this placement also comes with a celestial warning. The Royal Star Antares demands focus and concentration for clarity to manifest. It also stresses how important it is not to become swamped in drama or crisis, as that could stymie you in your tracks. Take note: a few hours immediately following culmination, the Moon conjuncts a bright red star, Antares, offering a conceivable Eureka moment, when brilliance is also matched in the heavens.   

In point of fact, the horoscope for this May Full Moon of the Earth Dog has many amazing planetary patterns, such as two ‘Grand Trines’ and a ‘Finger of God’, that make this one of the more astrologically intricate charts of the year, like a diamond sparkling with many facets, each with their own heavenly hue.  

So much so, the potential for falling for glamour and getting lost in shimmy and sparkle – even in a fun, frivolous way, can lose sight of the bigger picture. So with this most fiery Full Moon watch out for getting burnt by the metaphoric hot sauce, or should that be ‘hot source’ ;) !

☆Astrological highlights & the Full Moon’s various facets and aspects:

    1) Jupiter is the planet which rules this fiery Sagittarian Moon. Jupiter leads the planets in a ‘Locomotive’ shaped astral map of this Full Moon. Generous Jupiter is the also a spiritual master that provides the correct view – even going backwards. Now retrograde motion in Scorpio, Jupiter is currently revisiting issues to do with trust, control and power. But interestingly, and maybe because Jupiter is also the planet of hope, Jupiter is now conjunct a fixed star called Zuben Elgenubi – a star portending positive social reform. This influence will stay for the next few months – until the end of August. We put faith into this astral Full Moon aspiration. 

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    2 )   When we include sextiles thrown from both the 8° Sun and Moon Gemini and Sagittarius to the Leo-Aquarius Lunar Nodes (North & South), we see a ‘Mystic Rectangle’ = Practical magic with creative inclusivity.   

      3) TWO GRAND TRINES!!! = an almost Merkaba, double tetrahedron, with the two Grand Trines being Fire & Water. Yin water AND fire yang.  …Things might get steamy! 

The dynamics of a fiery Full Moon Grand Fire trine include the self-directed, destiny-fulfilling Leo North Node; stabilised trine again by Shamanic Shapeshifter, Chiron – the asteroid recently moved into self-orientated Aries. Chiron is currently conjunct fixed star Mirach, indicating a harmonious self-healing. Take note: this is a quick fleeting association, only lasting until the Moon is full.  

The Grand Water Trine is currently dominant and longer lasting, shifting in and out of intensity until the July Full Moon. Currently involving Love Goddess Venus, in homebody Cancer; with expansive Jupiter in intense Scorpio; and oceanic Neptune in Pisces: all bound together spiralling in a triangular wave of emotion in fluid motion. A Grand Water Trine reveals spiritual and karmic mysteries, as well as how people are easily influenced. Over the next eight weeks, the heavens will continue to grace us with this currently tight triangle formation. 

Jupiter in Scorpio, plus Neptune in Pisces, encourages us to be in our flow. Whether cash, love or ideas, being in one’s flow also means keeping an open mind and making changes when necessary. Being in your flow also means that if there’s a block, you innately sense ways to go around it; similarly, if there’s a hole, know there’s a way to go through it, even if that requires planning and patience. And if something is not clear, remember there are ways to clarify – and giving yourself space is one of the easiest ways to do so.. 

Its worth mentioning that the trine from Jupiter in Scorpio to Neptune in Pisces is perhaps one of the most favourable aspects of 2018, as it grows the ability to touch base with the psyche and subconscious, with lucid dream for instance, or at least present the potential for an awareness of the dream and the dream-body – and the ultimate reminder that all life is an illusion.  The dates of influence are Dec 3^rd 2017 -> May 25^th August 19^th 2018.

    
   4)  Mutable T-Square = Hard and challenging changes present an opportunity for the mutable signs LOVE WISDOM to emanate.

Moon in Sagittarius =  ‘I KNOW’ the vastness of the soul

Sun in Gemini = ‘I THINK’ with the alacrity of Spirit

Neptune in Pisces = ‘I BELIEVE’ in the magic of the dream, and the compassion of the human Spirit.

5) A karmic ‘Yod’ aka ‘the Finger of God’ or ‘Finger of Fate’ with the Gemini Sun sextile the future-beckoning North Node, in creative Leo; with both NN & Sun honing 150 °to karmic Saturn, to pin point the pressure for future karmic responsibility. 

☆ Lastly, I wanted to note Mars retrograde for the coming months, and the square it now makes in this chart with Uranus. As Mars is a warrior planet it’s good to be aware that we have already had this year a slew of really difficult Mars aspects, rattling potential danger, most recently from past (collective, fanatical and weird) disputes – perceived or real. How we handle Mars, in often quickly developing moments is key to the heart at peace, especially among our mates and kindred spirits. This year we have already witnessed a couple of really challenging planetary connections including Mars; in chronological order: starting with martial Mars conjunct karmic Saturn (2^nd April) ; followed by the intensely combative Mars conjunct transformational Pluto (26^th April); and from now, and throughout the Summer, Mars conjuncts the karmic what-you-bring-from-past-lives, South Node, in Aquarius, also making a harmonious ‘sextile’ to the Sagittarian Full Moon, and a boon-giving ‘Trine’ to brilliant Gemini Sun. This is not necessarily an easy aspect, however, and over the years I have witnessed attacks from restless ruffians during this aspect. So please take good care. In the ‘highest sense, for Mars in Aquairus the challenge is to be actively altruistic; at its most base watch-out for nutcases with old grudge matches . Also, seeing as Aquarius rules technology, there could also be a wave of cyber-attacks (as has happened to beloved C*I*A facebook page getting hacked and hijacked). We would really like the page back in Agent 12’s control – asap!

This is Astro Dakini, signing off for another lunation... 

“Whoever has done harmful actions but later covers them up with good is like the moon which, freed from clouds, lights up the world.”  Gautama Buddha
 

With thanks for Image of Avaloketisvara to Himalyan Art Resources https://www.himalayanart.org/items/40

Uranus in Taurus ~ Earth Magic 2018-2026

☼ ☾ ♉ ♅ ~> The New Moon @ 11:47UT in Taurus, 15th May 2018, was no regular New Moon, but one that only happens every 84 years, as it heralded the entrance of the ‘The Great Awakener’, Uranus, into Taurus. With a retrograde motion, however, Uranus dips into Aries, only to totally stir up the sign of the Bull from March 2019 until 2026.

Eccentric Uranus is the planet that shows how peer groups generate the altruistic intention together. i.e. how does each friendship group make the world a more humanitarian and better place. In Taurus, the sign of values and security, food and love, Uranus bring sudden changes to the every day world we value: there will be a more communal style of living, in simpler circumstances: collective farming, for instance, and this could become popular - or necessary - in order to counteract the pollution from industrial agricultural-business.

Spacy Uranus likes cool clarity, representing the singularly unusual, the radical or odd one out. As such, Uranus is wildly unpredictable. With an 84-year cycle it was last in no-nonsense Taurus in 1935. Uranus also has a dictatorial streak, as seen in the period 35-42, when it was last in Taurus, which was not a good time for a generation living with a world war and industrial genocide, the policy of one of the world’s most feared Taureans, Hitler. I pray this time around we will not experience collective suffering, nor on such a scale.

Uranus is a 'generational' planet, with a seven-year influence in each sign. In Taurus, the lush fertile sign that pushes gently up from the earth, growing food and flowers, stability and security, beauty and bounty are going to need the humanitarian focus. Taurus can be greedy and stubborn, but with the technologically inclined Uranus in the sign of the Bull, it brings changes to our awareness of the physical world, from our homes and gardens, to the fields and forests, and even to our actual body’s biological energy field and how buzzy we get from being surrounded by electricity. It’s interesting how we are all so connected with wifi and the internet, sometimes even against our will; now that Uranus in coming into Taurus this becomes a global concern. While there is nothing that replaces a relationship with real hugs, virtual reality and singularity (when humans and robots merge) could also be reached. So far I've seen sex-robots advertised, robots reading the news, robot weather girls and even a robot Zen monk! The world could rapidly become an alien place for anyone over 50!

☆ ♅ ☆ Over the next seven years, earthy Taurus will continue to be highly charged by electrical and experimental Uranus. Space missions concentrate upon making money, as well as science. This is cosmically bound to be a major period of innovation within our everyday world. Uranian events come from out of the blue and happen suddenly: we could even see Earth shift, with quakes and electrical accidents. We can, however, expect to see quantum leaps towards alternatives in agriculture, finances, and medical plants. Uranus in Taurus also brings to light ‘Earth Magic’; as a zappy planet manifesting a highly-charged seven year astrological signature for kindred spirits and teams that inspire altruism and interconnections. 

Perhaps this is even the '5d ascension' the New Age talks about, in as much as thoughts and intentions connecting at the same frequency within the noosphere can create a postitive ‘grid’ around the world. From my Buddhist point of view, this is more to do with resonating with the light of Buddha nature, our innate natural radiance, connecting heart to heart, to raise the collective altruistic intention to put wisdom into action.

As Uranus moves from self-orientated Aries we leave behind an up-front ‘selfie’ society, to discover and experience dramatic changes within the realms of Taurean self-worth, and all that we cherish, be it love, money, security, things, ideas or perhaps more importantly, nature and connection with our environment.

☆ ♅ ☆ From an esoteric spiritual point-of-view, Uranus highlights the selfless humanitarian, wanting to make the world a better place for all beings. And as with all slow-moving, generational planets, Uranus will take a while to really take hoof-hold in the sign of the Bull. This planet of dramatic change (that can be extremely disruptive when negatively expressed) dips back into Aries when retrograde from Nov 7th 2018 –> March 6th 2019, from when Uranus will stay in Taurus until April 2026.

During these coming years we have the planets on side to embody the heavens as well as create radical change to our current value systems. With the innate healing and nurturing power of Mother Earth, in all her glorious abundance and ability to adapt and change, we can also see the value in being aligned heart-t-heart- with kindred spirits. ☆ 🙏 ☆
 
The New Moon May '18 also heralded the start of the month of Saka Dawa, celebrating the life, enlightenment and paranirvana of the historical Lord Buddha, Gothama Shaykyamuni. If ever there was a good omen to the start of a 7-8 year cycle, its having the blessings of the historical Buddha, who, by the way, was also a Taurus.

☆ 🙏 ☆

Uranus & Venus =
The Freedom-Closeness dilemma
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One last point to cover is how important it is to see how Venus, the planet which rules Taurus interacts with Uranus when Uranus makes this change of sign. The the combination of these two planets creates what my teacher, Howard Sasportas, would call ‘the freedom-closeness’ dilemma, i.e. we like get up-front and personal, while at the same time needing our own space. Judging by the connections Uranus and Venus make during the dance between Aries-Taurus and Gemini, this dilemma of finding personal space is a major issue.

For instance, during the first stage, May ’18, Uranus in Taurus sextile the late degrees Venus in Gemini, suggesting communication skills are feminine but superficial and may not yet understand the complexity of love among friends, family and fellow kindred spirits. Because of retrogrades, Uranus backtracks into Aries, with a second crossing from Uranus in Taurus, 6^th November 2018, witness' another Air sign Venus, this time at home in Libra, also in late degrees, making an opposition to liberating Uranus, thus ramping-up the freedom-closeness dilemma to bring home the need for personal space. Thirdly, on March 6^th, there is a mutual reception between the two planets, as Venus in Aquarius is in the sign ruled by Uranus; all the while Uranus in Taurus is in the sign ruled by Venus.

Personal freedoms, personal pay, women’s rights and human rights are all subjects that come to mind, along with concerns about the ‘idea’ of love, as opposed the actual ‘physical’ closeness of love. 

To end the long 7-8 year transit of Uranus in Taurus, as it goes into Gemini, July 7^th 2025, Venus is actually conjunct Uranus in Gemini. The 2^nd hit, 8^th November, sees Uranus in Gemini about to go back into Taurus throwing a magical bi-quintile (144°) to Venus, and making another ‘mutual reception’ as Venus, although in her fall, will be in the sign of Uranus’ exaltation, Scorpio. And lastly in April 2026, Uranus will have left Taurus to enter Gemini for seven years, accompanied by Venus by his side once again. I find this interesting, but it does indicate that we need to take our time in many relationships, time to study the body, the land and finances, not least those connections which involve collective, mass communication.

To be honest, when Uranus left Pisces and went into Aries, like many others, I was blown away by what happened Fukashima, and life how really changed for many of the living beings on the planet, as that radiation still spills into the ocean 7-8 years later!  

One last note comes with a quote from Australian astrologer Maggie Merlin Kerr, who says Uranus in Taurus is 'liberation from attachment'. I like to think of this from a Buddhist perspective. To this we could also add 'Freedom from desire'. To liberate our heart-mind, both in joy or suffering, without becoming attached to the desire or create aversion to the outcome would truly be Uranus in Taurus.  Once we intend to release ourselves from those tricky emotions, aversion and attachment, then we might say we really are baby bodhisattvas, able to take small steps and complete the path to liberation, and become the living embodiment of Moksha.

Thanks to unknown artist for Ascended Earth Flower-of-life <3 🙏