Galactic Heart SakaDawa Honey Moon ~> 2019

Galactic Heart SakaDawa Honey Moon ~>
25°55’ Sagittarius

Only a few days before Solstice, aligning exactly with the spiralling Galactic Centre at 26° Sagittarius, 8:31UT Monday 17^th June, this Full Honey Moon assures copious amounts of sweetness, hope, and mystery.

As cute as that may sound, keep your wits about you. Because during a Full Moon that revolves around the Milky Way in the sign of the Archer conjunct the compact gamma-ray radio source, Sagittarius A, we require information, truth, and faith, in order to navigate the unknown. Having eyes in the back of your head will also help.
 
During the Full Honey Moon when Luna tunes into the Galactic Heart, we can become aware how all kinds of info and ideas are being signalled for us to pick-up and digest. Through whatever platform you use to communicate (through the Gemini Sun), bear in mind that whatever is heard or received, be it a direct instruction or plain-old gobbledegook, wisdom now shines through by aiming (the Sagittarian archer’s arrow) far and high, all-the-while keeping faith close to heart, expectations and hope in perspective, and a vow to always be okay with whatever happens next.  

Indeed, those gifted with a versatile mind and the ability to swiftly spin and change direction upon a dime will do well on this Full Moon, as the quality of ‘Mutable Fire’ carries the tone of a far-reaching Sagittarius Honey Moon horoscope, i.e. this is a Moon of changeable action that encourages adjustments to be sweet in ease and hope.

Also empowering this hipster swivelling Moon to move and groove whilst staying on emotional centre and surround oneself with all good things is expansive Jupiter, in home sign Sagittarius, where Jupiter positively amplifies everything, including the potential for luck and success.

☆ Jupiter at home in Sagittarius plays a major role in this horoscope!

Beneficent Jupiter is a helpful teacher, a bit like a planetary St. Nicholas - bestowing good fortune, as well the desire to travel and expand horizons.  With strong moral convictions, generous good-naturedness and a glint in all knowing Jupiter’s wisdom eye, a conjunction of the cosmic and munificent Guru, Jupiter, with the soulful Full Moon, splendour and enthusiasm also double-up to magnify all kinds of feelings and situations, distances and measurements, stories and beliefs. No doubt tall tales will entertain and enchant; and some will dine on Full Moon antics for years to come. But essentially the Moon and Jupiter together point to emotional truths that embrace individual freedoms, especially the freedom to explore abstract ideas that give life meaning; and those deeply significant experiences that become part of our personal philosophy and beliefs, customs and ceremony.

Just be warned: there is no point being small-minded when Jupiter presents large. Nor should one be surprised if gaiety goes over the top, balloons pop, and much hot air is released.  
 
And if it all gets too much then take solace from Jupiter-Neptune enlightened artist William Blake’s quote “the road to excess leads to a font of wisdom”

☆ Strong lessons are to be learned from the Jupitarian generosity of spirit, especially in longevity (of life, project, ideas, law). Know that keeping an open mind is also considered healthy for the heartmind and body! Interestingly, long-lasting civilisations are ones that appreciate big-hearted Jupiter’s greater vision, and are accommodating in tolerating others’ principles and religion, understanding how we are all children of the starry heavens.

With the growing Moon we can even look up to the midnight sky and see Jupiter and the purple-blue sparkles that radiate from this celestial King of Planets. To symbolically experience Jupiter’s 360° panoramic perspective on life, find a high spot to watch Moonrise; on the first night of the Full Moon 16^th June, Jupiter will be on the left of the Moon; also for culmination; by the 18^th, Jupiter will be on the right of the Moon, and for three nights tune into the Heart of the Galaxy.

Note Jupiter at home in Sagittarius is THE planetary placement for understanding new discoveries and adventure, especially in the great halls of learning, academia and law, places that broaden the mind – as well as the actual viewpoint.  

Open-minded Jupiter is also the ‘driver’, training this ‘locomotive’ chart; i.e. Jupiter, the Sky God with thunderbolt in hand, is first to come over the horizon with the rest of the planets to follow – just how a grandiose Jupiter likes it, leading the planetary precession, imparting optimism and confidence by example. Even if this all sounds like a bit of a party, it is. BUT be aware Jupiter is retrograde; and with the emotional Full Moon it indicates we all need to majorly rework our responses to various different viewpoints – especially those concerning the expansion of freedom and justice, communication and instruction, perhaps even through high-courts and councils if need be, as Jupiter leads the ‘Train of Truth & Freedom’ around the heart of the Galaxy in a spiralling roundabout manner, going over old ground but off the beaten track, the scenic route preferred.

A head spinning this way and that could have its advantages, specifically when grasping the phenomenal astronomical enormity and power that emanates from the Milky Way’s Central Galactic Heart. Such contemplation could even bring Jupiter’s jolly japes and often inflated plans and ideas back into scale. Surely, Jupiter at the Galactic centre will always want to make sense of the Gamma rays and radio waves, pulsars, tightly-packed spinning neutron stars, and dark matter that isn’t under gravitational influence: because all are said to radiate from Sagittarius A, the supermassive black hole which is a cosmic soup from which everything stirs. Indeed, we even use gamma rays to heal, in Cancer therapy for instance; and harm, as in deadly radiation. But the actual power structure of ‘Dark Matter’ is a scientific mystery. To date there isn’t a consensus upon what the pulsating heart of our Milky Way is actually directing Earthbound.

All this and more may be the reason Jupiter and the associated sign of Sagittarius are the astrological indication of seeking truths. Situations that affect large swaths of people veiled from truth, as in often totally obscured, is a theme for 2019, of which the Sagittarian Jupiter shares with nebulous Neptune in a tight, Last Quarter Square, which is exact at just a few hours before the culmination of the Galactic Heart Full Honey Moon (June 16^th @15:19UT, 18° Sagittarius Jupiter square 18° Pisces Neptune).

☆ The Full Moon illuminates the opaque; as things unseen need not be confined to subterfuge or hidden plots to take over the world (as in the present Capricorn conjunction of Saturn and Pluto on the South Node); but what we can’t see but often ‘feel’, as in sensing hypnotic strength in magnetic fields, can also be helpful. These sensations could best be described waves of collective wishes and longing, potentially Divine in nature, angelic in approach, and enlightened in presence and purpose, i.e. there is a serious force for good in the world, all we have to do is the believe.

The Jupiter Neptune Square 2019

Call the supremely connected cosmic force which envelops the universe God, Goddess, Nature, the Void, Allah, Buddha, Krishna, Vishnu or Shiva, whatever you want, but the Divine is centre the celestial stage whenever there is a Neptune transit. Activating this year-long (closing) square between knowledgeable Jupiter and dreamy Neptune is a connection that began late May 2009, just after a New Moon in Gemini (for Gemini’s communication skills to play a significant part in this particularly long 13-year cycle), breathing truth and freedom, compassion and love into every cell in our bodies.

Interestingly, this Jupiter-Neptune cycle also keys into Sun’s crosses, as well as the Solar-Lunar and Venusian cycles. Explaining briefly, a New Moon in the sign of the Twins (where the Sun is now) is where we began this influential visionary cycle that takes the world one step closer to the humanitarian Age of Aquarius. Back in 2009, just as this phase of mass interconnection and the internet morphed in to mirror the generational planet Neptune conjunct Jupiter, at 26 Aquarius, social media clicked into place with mainstream tech and A.I., to manipulate and create a group, ‘Big Data’ kind of consciousness.
 
On a personal level it might be good to recall what was going on Spring 2009: what was ‘new’ for you then? Check what a Big Wide World of inventive interconnection brought to you personally. Ideally, Divine wisdom began to open your wisdom eye for you to be able to visualise a happy and harmonious future crystal clear. Fellow astrologer Astrid Fallon calls this cycle between Jupiter and Neptune the ‘Relationship of ideals to society’s expectations’, because Jupiter provides courage and confidence, and Neptune is a generational planet that tunes into the collective undercurrents where dreams and trends can be symbolised in fashion, music, dance, film, meditation, prayer, yoga, hypnotism, mesmerism.

Through the power of the unspoken ‘Neptunian vibration' connecting to Divinity, all the above activities are also ways conscious self blends with the individual and collective unconscious. All the while sage Jupiter informs of any progress when growing the spiritual light. And Neptune merges bliss into emptiness. As I said, that is the ideal. Often Jupiter’s ability to expand is witnessed within Neptune’s world of illusion and delusion.

☆ Tracking the timing of the 2009 Jupiter-Neptune (illusory) collective wave (of developing spiritual devotion) through the hard aspects, with a First Quarter Square: June 25^th 2012, and a First Quarter Moon near the Solstice: this was a very similar celestial set-up to where we are now, bar the fact 2012 also coincided with the first of the historical seven Uranus-Pluto squares that dramatically influenced innovative social trust and control.  

The Opposition: 17 September 2015 between Neptune in Pisces and Jupiter in Virgo was within days of a Lunar Eclipse, accenting Jupiter AND fixed star Spica, representing the grain held by the Sacred Goddess.   

Now, at the Last Quarter Square, also around June Solstice but on a Full Moon, we are dealing with a three-part retrograde series that began with a 1st hit: January 13^th and a First Quarter Moon. The 2nd exact Square (with both planets retrograde) is now, at the Galactic Heart Honey Moon. A 3rd and final hard challenge is October 21^st, also on a first Quarter Moon, and just before a Halloween Full Moon, when the learning to trust one’s intuition is an intrinsic part of becoming a ‘world server’.  

Philosophical Jupiter and devoted Neptune won’t meet again April 12^th 2022, when both modern and traditional rulers of Pisces come together for the first time since March 1856! And because Jupiter is often the life-saving cavalry, and Neptune rules the oceans, I’d like to think we might be saving the wholesomeness of the planet’s water by then, by purifying the pollution we create, internally and externally. Now, wouldn’t that be a good legacy to read about 170 years from now! Hey, we did say think BIG! 

☆ Back to this Full Moon: and if you are feeling cautious, note your gut instinct and what it tells you; if it is ‘beware’, ‘back down’ and ‘take care’, then do (because Mercury and Mars are working together at the Cancer North Node indicating someone (else) in the family (also) has your best interests at heart. So heed any inner-voice which whispers promises of comfort and joy and home-made apple pie – just like Mom used to make ;) ).  

And if things don’t come up to Jupiter’s normally high ethical standards, perhaps because of too much Gemini high-jinx, we should still be optimistic, and look to the future with and open heart and a song on our lips. Only please avoid setting yourself up for disappointment by glossing over facts or believing everything you see, hear or think!  Seriously: test and question everything that is important to you with two things, faith in the universal unfolding AND an analytical mind, and events around this Full Moon will show you how you can develop confidence, especially in your spiritual path. And boost oneself for round four (of ten) of the rather trying Saturn-Pluto conjunction in Capricorn that challenges our need for certain boundaries and control.

To illuminate our path, this promising Full Moon is also SakaDawa, however, when Himalayan Buddhists celebrate the enlightenment and passing of the Buddha. As such, it’s a day for creating positive thoughts, words, and deeds and generating serious karmic brownie points. Enjoy!
 
With best wishes for a sparkling Galactic Heart Honey Moon!

From #AstroDakini #DharmaStars
aka Laura

With many thanks to Roshi Joan for finding this great quote:
Jack Kerouac: “stare deep into the world before you as if it were the void: innumerable holy ghosts, buddies and saviour gods there hide smiling. all the atoms emitting light inside wavehood, there is no personal separation of any of it. a hummingbird can come into a house and hawk will not: so rest and be assured, while looking for light, you may suddenly be devoured by the darkness and find the true light.”

☼ Aries Ingress __/❀\__♡ ☼ Tara Moon 2017

☼ Sun’s Aries ingress tomorrow 10:28gmt coincides with the Astrological New Year and the Losar lunation’s Last Quarter Tara – Medicine Moon. __/❀\__♡ ☼
☆ A fiery Aries Sun at the ‘world point’, means that most everyone notes an energetic shift, and a change of seasons has either arrived, or is imminent. With Aries in square to the Moon in her detriment, in Capricorn, conjunct Capricorn's ruler, karmic Saturn, lord of obstacles and limitation, we may also be asking ourselves how we got into situation(s) we now face. If that is the case, take heart, even it seems like squaring-up to the impossible to overcome, it’s important to know there are many ways of clearing (karmic) obstacles. Mantra and visualization meditation work well, as does doing good deeds, making amends, and changing one’s mind to not repeat the negative. Given the antidote, we also need to be disciplined and practical and be forever conscious of what needs to be applied (in body, speech, or mind) so we needn’t feel stuck, just as the Fire Bird year begins to spark into action.

☆ Saturn is currently on the Sagittarian degree that points directly towards the centre of our Galaxy and, due to retrogrades, will be for the most of 2017: a time to shine a light upon all matters of truth and consequence. Time also to stake out boundaries that enable one to encompass more Love, more Wisdom, and more Light. 

☆ Just as the season spring is associated with the colour green and the wind element, so too is the green Arya Tara. With both Spring and Goddess Tara associated with the generally fast-moving wind element, suggesting firm conviction and a willingness to bring about speedy change that spirals and grows into curious spaces, with a gentle kind of practical, feminine devotion. This last quarter moon is therefore ideal to quickly make conscious adjustments wherever needed: in the work place, within the heart-mind - and to be in tune with our surroundings, ready for a New Aries Moon 28th March, when the innovative and unusual may even be given ‘taskmaster’ Saturn’s magical seal of approval. 

Tara Mantra “OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SVAHA” _/\_
Many many thanks with love and appreciation to unknown artist for Green Tara with red Makara (which is associated with Capricorn).
Happy Equinox Everyone! __/❀\__♡ ☼

☽☼ ☾ ♊ Solstice New Moon ~> Tuesday 16th June @15:05UT

☼ ☾ As holy month Sakadawa closes, Tuesday's dynamic New Solstice Moon provides one of the most lively astrological lunations of the year. Not only is it Solstice next weekend – one of the year’s two major turning points, and a time of friendly gathering and celebration, there’s also a seriously exciting opening between generous and optimistic Jupiter and altruistic Uranus (22nd June), which will remain in big, visionary effect until the end of July.

☼ ☾ ♂  Also at this New Moon, Spirit Sun and strongman, passionate and fiery Mars will conjoin Luna, to be directly opposite the Galactic Centre, at 25 Gemini, in a part of the sky known to the ancients as ‘Heaven’s furrow’. This suggests our ancestors recognized a fertile ripple in the spacetime field, within which there’s the potential to imbibe pure Galactic light frequencies that help to nurture, feed the soul and grow, physically as well as spiritually.

Together, with the Moon and Mars aligned, SOL’s light of consciousness now tunes each individual into our core (galactic) values to the plant seeds of right action that accompany Gemini’s right speech and right mindfulness. The challenge, it would seem, is in setting and keeping the right Bodhisattva intention.  Best familiarise one's self with positive motivation to stay on track, as Mars can aggravate and antagonize the Monkey Mind to rise in anger (and we all know what that means: a tragic loss in karmic merit!).  

☿ ♊~> Meanwhile a direct infomaniac Mercury, the ruler of Gemini, now moves away from its perfectly imperfect opposition to a retrograde Saturn, which gave form and finalisation to certain ideas.  Mercury only then squares nebulous Neptune – again, on the 23rd, to make things appear less formal and more formless, (Fyi: Sat-SQ-Nep is a major theme later in the year – so what is discussed/evolved/communicated now, can re-emerge again, late Autumn).

Curious Gemini questions the duality of everything and nothing, Samsara and Nirvana, form and formless, and how can it all exist side by side. Events surrounding this Solstice period provide insights into understanding what's real and what is illusion, i.e. what kind of karma we are creating, even when believing our often distorted sense perceptions? 

So consider carefully, at this magic moment of the Great Galactic Yang, what would we, as a collective, really like to see growing now in ‘Heaven’s Furrow’?  First, though, before we quantum leap into singularity, or in and out of parallel universes, we may need to take stock of this one and stop deceiving ourselves, and/or others, and see the truth for what it is: All is Oneness in the spaciousness of beauty, LOVE, and light.

Enjoy! ~> Happy New Moon & Summer/Winter Solstice everyone _/\_  with ℒℴѵℯ and thanks for sharing and to unknown artist for glorious artwork  ॐ__/❤\__ ☼✶•*¨*•.¸¸❤✫

☼ “Dön Season” ~> before Losar & the New Year of the Green Yin Wood Goat

No sooner has informative Mercury gone direct (today at 1 degree Aquarius), the Last Quarter Tara Moon of the Wood Horse Year signals we are well and truly into a critical period of the Tibetan calendar called “Dön Season”, which has been described as being ‘like Mercury retrograde on steroids’, as the karma of the last year now accumulates to potentially manifest as sticky issues that can create obstacles, problems and disharmony. 

Dön is the name given to the end-of-years’ amassed energy patterns, particularly the negative ones which whip-up destructive thinking to provoke difficult interactions and arguments that, if we don’t clarify with mindfulness, can even lead to emotional obsessions, or psychic or physical sickness. Thus, it is now super important that over the next few days we clear the air and make space, at home, at work, in relationship, and on the meditation cushion, in order to awaken Spirit and transform the mind. Detox inner planes as well as outer worlds now, and let-go of the old and outmoded and, by being open-minded and aware, prepare for New Year of the Green Yin Wood Goat on the 18th–19th February, a year that offers an exhilarating kind of joy, with the potential for great peace.   

During these next few days of the “Dön Season” just before Losar, Tibetan New Year, we call upon our protectors, connect to sangha, and loved ones who give love and support. It may also be a cosmic co-incidence that Valentine's Day is also Dakini Day, but when the Goddess highlights Love, she does so this year with the radiant LoveLight which emanates straight from the Galactic heart.

ℒℴѵℯ __/❤\__ ☼✶•*¨*•.¸¸❤✶& thanks to Carmen Mensink for beautiful Green Tara whose mantra is “Om Tara Tutare Ture Soha” __/❤\__

◯ Galactic Heart ~> The Higher Vibrational Light Source - ☉ ♐ ~ ☼ ~ ♊ ◯

Tonight/Tomorrow’s full Gemini Moon at 9:28GMT spotlights the most brilliant and powerful vortex at the heart of our Galaxy. With the illuminating Sun at 26Sagittarius, the Gemini Moon reflects the high vibrational light of our Sun conjunct the Galactic Centre, opening a super-sensitive portal for the conscious heart-mind to connect to our cosmic core, bathe in its luminosity, and allow it to permeate our being to radiate pure unadulterated cosmic LoveLight.

How one connects with the flow of this Divine Light of Consciousness spiraling through time and space, will very much depend upon what, exactly, we feed our heart-mind, as the focus of this Full Moon is upon wisdom, communication, and truth (relative & ultimate). If we live in constant fear, obsession or jealously, then negativity obscures the real truth of one's light-filled Buddha nature. Whereas nurturing the mind with positive thoughts and intentions means we are more likely to freely generate love, joy, kindness, empathy, compassion, humility and peace.

Bear in mind that both Sun/Galactic Centre and the Moon are in hard aspect to a very active Mars in harmonious Libra (and will continue to be so into 2014); so finding one’s balance during this Full Moon through (and into the New Year’s Eve SuperMoon) a ‘grounding’ meditation will encourage a release of both, past (life) information/habits/thoughts, as well as encourage enlightening visions of the future, which is why it is so important to find joy and bliss in present equanimity. Even if there is conflict with ever-changing direction (of the monkey mind), we can remain in authentic presence by watching the breath to create the equanimous heart-mind, and align with the wisdom mind's higher vibrational light source. _/♥\_

One last note is how Uranus, the awakening planet, is going forward today, after a long retrograde sojourn. Uranus in Aries impels a heightened state of individual awareness within group situations. Look to 8Aries in your horoscope and see where your personal altruistic heroism can be found.

“Nurture your mind with great thoughts; to believe in the heroic makes heroes.” -Benjamin Disraeli

Galactic Full Moon Blessings of LoveLight & Happiness to everyone

☄ Sun & Moon in Sagittarius 2nd/3rd Dec ☼ ☄☽♐ 2013

The New Moon in the sign of the Archer sets sights firmly upon success. The target or honours being sought may be of the material world, or spiritual acumen and/or the revelation of truth and freedom. No matter how big or small our ambitions, this adventurous, forward-looking Sagittarius New Moon at 00:22UT (19:22EST) provides strength to keep spirits high and hold course with any insight we may have when envisioning the future, as though the sky is the limit. But bear in mind that when fiery SoL and Luna are at this particular 10 degrees Sagittarius it also heighten the risk factor when aiming high, so it’s good to keep morals intact and issues/ambitions/relations in perspective, as 'The Lights’ now conjunct a Royal Star, Antares. Be aware that while this star blazes brightly, there’s a shadowy martial side when hurried enthusiasm or reckless ruthlessness has the potential to lose all in what ostensibly may still only be a game of chance.

Being inspired at the start of this lunation means it easier to seek out alternatives, and make the most of opportunities with dramatic, non-conformist changes in the first half of the cycle, with a waxing Moon, which takes us up to the 17th December Full Moon in Gemini - a magical Moon that opens a heavenly portal straight to the centre of the Galaxy. After which, Love Goddess Venus retreats and encourages a fondness of tradition (and whatever we are working on) by going retrograde at Solstice, making it a cosy Yule with a surprising Xmas twist that could grip us all the way to New Year’s Eve, when a SuperMoon kickstarts 2014.

Of course, from the Buddhist point of view there is no time like the present. Past and future are only concepts, so all we really have is the power of now, as the light-radiating gateway to spiritual awakening. And so it is in the afterglow of ISON's cosmic dust that the brilliant and wise Sagittarius Sun invites us to now shine-on and discover that single-point-in-times' liberating experience. _/♥\_ ☼✶•*¨*•.¸¸✶

With LOVE & thanks to unknown artist for fiery image of Chenrezig, Lord of compassion_/♥\_

Winter Solstice 2012 ~> ♥ _/☼\_ ♥

21:12:12
Medicine Buddha Moon Winter Solstice!
Let the Healing Love-Light shine ♥ _/☼\_ ♥

This extraordinary Solstice is empowered by tuning into our alignment to the cosmos, with Earth crossing the Galactic Equator; this is actually a long transit that began in the mid 80’s and completes around 2016. This is a vast time span, so we actually have a few more years of the Winter Solstice + Galactic Centre + Galactic Equator + Sun (+ Pluto) to work with, to energise and transform. What makes today’s meditation all the more special is how our intention to heal and evolve, as well as the end of an era in the Mayan Calendar, marks this poignant moment as we encourage our love-wisdom to grow, our heart-mind resonance to strengthen, and our radiant clear light within to become more brilliant.

The Solstice Sun is also in a broad square to a courageous Aries Moon, which is conjunct friendly Uranus. The will of the individual is strong and determined to make the world a better place. With focus and confidence, this S8n-Moon-Uranus combination can stimulate the third eye to become all-seeing: Now is the time to focus upon the vision of an altruistic future where all beings are happy.

There is also the Yod ‘Y’ formation in the sky, otherwise known as a ‘Finger of Fate’, which will last until the New Year, funnelling the energies of responsible, transformational love into expansive Jupiter, who is at the apex of the ‘Y’. Jupiter is the Cosmic Santa Claus, adding hope, optimism and a lot more Yo-ho-ho to the season’s festivities! Enjoy! I am tuning in from Southern France and hold you all in my heart, with LOVE ♥ _/☼\_ ♥

Meditation Capricorn Ingress 11:12 UT & 12:12 Central European Time.
Check other times here:


Of course, this wonderful meditation opening to the Solstice Spirit of renewal can be meditated upon throughout the holidays ~> and beyond! ♥

Sun conjunct Galactic Centre _/☼\_ December 2012

18th December ~> Happy Saturnalia! _/☼\_ 

Approaching 21:12:2012's shortest day (in the Northern hemisphere) and that all-important Winter Solstice ;) we honour the Karmic Time Lord, SATURN ~> Cosmic Grand Master of the Solstice ceremonies! Saturn in perceptive Scorpio provides insight and strength to free psychological slavery (i.e letting go of negative mindsets and outworn habits), and become the

personal master of one's own destiny.

From the collective viewpoint, Spirit Sun is at 26 degree’s Sagittarius; this means the brilliant Sun exactly aligns with the heart of our galaxy, the Galactic Centre, today! NOW (and continuing throughout Solstice) is an optimum time to set the intention to radiate the COSMIC LIGHT OF INTELLIGENCE & come from the HEART-MIND ♥ _/|\_ ♥

Responsible and disciplined Saturn also reminds us that 'practice makes perfect'.

Winter Solstice 2011 _(♥)_ New Capricorn Moon Xmas Eve

Whichever spiritual holiday you celebrate, Christmas, Solstice, Saturnalia, Osiris, Mithras, Hannuka or Kwanga (or all for good measure! :)) this darkest part of year (in northern hemisphere) is often deeply emotional, when resting and taking a good look back provides insight and rejuvination. With 2012 just around the corner, promising to be a dramatic year, light-workers and dharma practitioners alike will want to be in the best possible form, mindful and aware, in order to generate the heart-mind's precious bodhicitta and ride the waves of love, beaming radiant light. 

Ready yourself now to leave the past behind and release painful or psychic baggage into the void, so that we never have to deal with whatever bugs us  again (at most not for another seven lifetimes!). For the Capricorn stars watching over this WINTER SOLSTICE, at 5:30 on the morning of the 22nd December, present the perfect opportunity to stop and assess, in order to liberate, heal, and transform all that no longer serves our Divine purpose. The return of Sunlight (in the northern hemisphere) signals the ‘New Light King’ is reborn, providing Spirit with a strong ‘Seed of Consciousness’, that is nourished and nurtured by realising certain ultimate truths. 

Winter Solstice (still aligned with Galagtic Centre AND Pluto for one more year!) is swiftly followed by a new Capricorn Moon on Xmas Eve (2 degrees of disciplined Capricorn at 18:06 on the 24th December) when, due to the baring of expansive Jupiter - at station to go forward in tropical 0degrees Taurus - spiritual/material growth is put into perspective, as well as the emergence of practical and personal value developing into something much more solid and obvious towards the Spring Equinox. Until then, am thanking our lucky stars that Jupiter, celestial Santa Clause, is beginning to pull out of his endlessly long opposition to Saturn in late Libra (tipping the balance of finances, housing, govts for the past couple of years); A recovery of some sort may well be a welcome relief as we cross the symbolic threshold into 2012 and enter THE year of a zillion fantastic predictions. These predictions mostly centre upon next year's winter solstice. At which one wonders what will we be doing this time next year? Watching ufos from Mayan pyramids? ;) Tuning into ascended Atlantians? ;) Or just plain turning off the fear-factor? :)) I predict one thing is certain: Winter Solstice 2012 is going to be the largest Global meditation the world has ever seen - or felt. 

So this, and the coming Summer Solstice on June 21st are a kind of run-through to excercise our ability to tune into 'the field', the noosphere, to restore human faith, love and compassion. Before a Solstice (the same is for summer solstice (in southern hemisphere)) meditation, prayers, ceremony or practice, be aware that when the Sun is at the Solstice standstill (Sol = Sun, stice = still) the connection between Spirit Sun and Mother Earth  creates a momentary 3-day 'gap', just like 'the gap' in meditation which happens in-between the ‘out breath’, and before the ‘in breath’. This is the cosmic pause in which we rest, and the very pause from which we stop past conditioning and karmic habits to release painful negativity, before inhaling once again life-giving goodness that comes from air’s life-sustaining prana. Take note to consciously breathe in positivity and exhale anything unhelpful - You’ll be surprised at how much stronger and positive you will feel, instinctively able to shine throughout 2012_(♥)_ Dharma practioners will no doubt even flip the cosmic coin and practice tonglen. ;)

Many thanks to unknown artists for beautiful healing light and blue lotus magical white spin_(♥)_

New SuperMoon Solar Eclipse in Sagittarius ~ November'11

“Truth is immediate, radiant, here and now. It is not that truth has to be discovered — only you have to become aware. Truth is already here.” Osho

A new SuperMoon on Thursday night/ Friday morning (6:08GMT on the 25^th November) is a solar eclipse at 2 degrees in fiery Sagittarius, sign of the archer centaur who's arrow is directed towards higher principles: truth and freedom. A simple truth is how freedom is all too easily lost when we allow aggression and attachment to rule. In a world strewn with ignorance and desire it is the agent of falsity, the grasping ego, which we need to tame in order to reveal that radiant truth. Yet this incredible egoless wonder can only ever be experienced individually. No one can make us fully aware of our innate luminous wisdom but ourselves. Thankfully, astrologically speaking, there are times when a more obvious portal unlocks the alive kind of awareness that can potentially open the heart-mind, such as during an eclipse.  

Before I go into detail of this eclipse, it’s always important to note how eclipses are mighty powerful, not to be taken lightly in any way; especially now, as this is a SuperMoon (when the moon is perigee (in close approach to the earth)) and all kinds of dramatic turning points can arise. As such, I advise people to psychically, emotionally (and even physically) protect, so that when the cosmic portal opens wide one remains safely centred in breath, heart and mind. In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition we set the intention for the benefit of all beings, and connect to the Guru (inner and outer) through meditation to focus while the channels, chakras and winds course through the body (hopefully unhindered), thus urging the tantric vajrayana practioner towards enlightenment (through the path of transformation).   

According to eastern philosophy, the union of Sun and Moon creates a sacred dynamic to enhance our most powerful subtle body energy; as Earth’s most important two heavenly bodies combine in concentration, they also influence our ability to focus and connect with our innate compassion and wisdom. Mindful of this potent force which lies within and around each and every living thing, the balance of male and female, sun and moon, yin and yang is at once receptive and dynamic, magnetic and electrical, commanding a personal and sometimes psychic awareness that dissolves duality.  How attentive we are of this naturally subtle but powerful (Vajra Body) energy and its blissful state of ONEness depends upon how open our heart-mind can be to unconditional love. And this is probably one of the great truths: love is our natural peaceful state. Absolutely free from plurality, one experiences an open heart-mind, conscious of the peace within to imbibe strength, courage and optimism.  

And this is where the hopeful and confident sign of the Sagittarian archer comes in: locate the early degrees of Sagittarius in the personal chart (or chart of nations if you're into mundane astrology), note where wisdom and insight can be aimed and directed through active joyful perception; this is also the place where karmic merit can be currently accumulated - and dedicated - especially in the two weeks following, as the new moon grows into a full Lunar Gemini eclipse on the 10^th December. 

Although partial, this Sagittarian solar eclipse will be seen in Antarctica - Earth’s southernmost pole, suggesting a passage of heavenly energy flows through Earth’s axis (with the Dragon's head, aka Rahu or North Node, opening the root chakra) and within the Sushumna,  for Rahu’s divine nectar to flow and radiate as a boundless sea of infinite stream of (toroidal) aura and love-light.

While this is the last of four partial solar eclipses of the year, it also coincides with quick-silvered Mercury at station, going retrograde for three weeks. As the ruler of Gemini, Mercury is also a major player in this set of eclipses, as it is the sign in which the upcoming lunar eclipse will take place on the 10^th December. Gemini activates the cosmic light of intelligence: The heavens now urge one to release negative associations or distructive thought patterns that block the flow and hinder realising truth.

During this Thanksgiving Thursday/Friday’s solar eclipse, both Mercury, planet of the MIND, and Venus, planet of LOVE, loosely align to the GALACTIC centre, galvanizing a continued shift in the noosphere as well as individual consciousness. A Venus in Sagittarius archer finds support directing cupid's arrow towards the cosmic love vibration. When communicative Mercury is in far-sighted Sagittarius, it broaden's the mind, emboldens the free-spirit, and fuels the independent thinker; retrograding Mercury retraces thoughts and ideas which help to understand the bigger picture, and get a handle on what truth and freedom actually means; as well as pay service to the demanding attention to detail and any philosophical, spiritual and religious ideals, as well as long-distant travel, or law courts, academia, and/or the in-laws.

This is a very purple dorje Jupiterian moment in time (Purple is Jupiter's colour;)). Also active in the Solar eclipse chart is the Grand Earth Trine, to which Sun and Moon are in a challenging quincunx formation to the still retrograde Jupiter (going forward on Boxing day (just as I am with the in-laws!)). Jupiter is also the planet of expansion, and Sagittarian ruler. Though this formation is what my astrology teacher, Howard Sasportas, called 'a push-me-pull-you', something has to give: A quincunx implies we need to adjust. With expansive Jupiter in sensual Taurus, the sign of love and money now creating tension to Sun and Moon, everyone is feeing the stress of material growth. Though all is not currently lost. Because of Jupiter's ruling connection to Sagittarian Sun, coupled with Venus - who rules Taurus - also being in Sagittarius, Sun/Moon, Venus and Jupiter, are all therefore within the helpful framework labeled ‘mutual reception’. So even with the difficult labelling (and distribution of tasks) this transit actually indicates, Venusian compromise is possible; even the dreadfully-behaved financial markets could stretch themselves to maintain good humour when discovering the growth they seek has slow periods. All anyone has to do is to look away from the money markets to see how people can and do THRIVE - even under this trying circumstance, alignment to the universal flow of radiant truth creates peace and love.

Perhaps the most important lesson from the Zodiac’s Guru, Jupiter – who is Lord of this solar eclipse (tropically speaking), is how spiritual healing is, while exigent (as indicated by the T-square to Mars opposition Neptune), well worth the effort exploring. In fact, with the current trine from Sun and Moon to radical Uranus, planet of dramatic change, I suspect there will more than a handful of individuals who now suddenly ‘wake-up’ and smell the divine nectar.  

Winter Solstice Lunar Eclipse ~ The Light of Spiritual Initiation ♥_/|\_ ૐ

This year’s Winter Solstice Lunar Eclipse is the most important Full Moon of 2010, in a year already filled with wonder and marvel with the Cardinal Cross of the Central Spiritual Sun. Indeed, it’s an exceptionally rare interplay of conscious light with a direct beam that manifests and reveals through initiation and constructive intent. Its’ already sensed effects linger well beyond Xmas. This Sagittarius-Gemini eclipse energy is manifold and variable: a double emphasis of Gemini-Mercury information gathering synthesises, engineers, and co-ordinates the healing by aligning conscious awareness with our higher principles, wisdom and compassion in action, for the benefit of all.  

An incredible and complex configuration of planets spotlights the radiant Full Moon with the southerly node of the Dragon’s tail, Ketu, so pay attention to the Astro-speak to find the deeper meaning and make the most of this wonderful celestial opportunity that takes place at the dawn of the Winter Solstice on the 21^st, at 8:13 GMT (click here for date time changes), when Spirit Sun rises with communicative Mercury, strategic Pallas Athena, the destiny-fulfilling Dragon’s Head – Rahu – the north node, powerful Pluto, and dynamic Mars: Formulating a plan of spiritual action comes into focus when heralding the rebirth of the New Light King. At Winter solstice, darkness dies in order to be reborn into the Light; assisted by the current configuration we witness old and corrupt (power structures) coming to an end. Children born at this time will have much in common with the bodhisattva, Jesus.

Not since 1741 have we had some kind of lunar eclipse at the Winter Solstice. That’s a mighty long time ago. The 1741 eclipse on December 22^nd, two-hundred-and-seventy years ago, was also penumbral and not nearly as dramatic as the one this coming Monday/Tuesday is total. We have to go all the way back to 1638 until we find another total that matches our 21^st December, Winter Solstice Lunar Eclipse. So while this configuration is apparently extremely rare, the next one comes sooner, in 2029. But, if we’re honest, all this is within a blink in the eye of Brahma; and because of the precession of equinoxes these never aligned to the heart of the Galaxy, as we are now, with the Sun pointing directly towards the centre of our cosmic spiral. Which is why this lunar eclipse is made all the more special: because when the Sun stands still for three whole days (Sol = Sun Stice = standing) this powerful planetary line-up has an eclipse providing a magical portal that opens the heart-mind directly to the Galactic Centre, a super massive black hole, the vortex around which the entire galaxy spins, emitting the highest vibration of light, the gamma ray. And this is what we are now capable of: emitting our highest vibration of clear light (each according to their means and every spark is valid). Bear in mind this is the same Solstice moment which the Mayans refer to as 2012. Yet, this is a much more astrologically significant Solstice than 2012.

             

During this Solstice eclipse our Earthly task is supported by the clear light of a Moon, reflecting the light of a Sun conjoined by some heavyweight planetary energies.  Generally speaking, an eclipse connects the Holy Heavenly trinity: Sun, Moon and Earth; Spirit, Soul and Form; Compassion, loving kindness & action. Some astrologers poetically refer to this as a “rip in the fabric of spacetime”, a phrase I rather like, as during eclipses there is always an opening of incoming and outgoing energy, that can be seen or unseen. These are mega moments, though lunar eclipses are longer than solar, these unusual influences stir up deep emotions (which is why people can ‘lose’ it during these times). So it is most important to protect ones’ self psychically, and even physically. Some will call the Guru from afar, some will gather in circle, and invoke the violet flame, some will ask for help from the Dolphins, or other God or animal realms, but whatever tradition is followed our planetary light grid can no doubt connect and radiate love like it has never done before.

May there be peace on Earth. & a very Happy Solstice, & Cool Yule to all ♥_/|\_ૐ

Winter Solstice 09 ~ 'Smile, breathe, slow down' Mars Rx

The magic of Winter Solstice lies in Yule log fires and mistletoe kisses, as the new light of the Sun King, symbolic of our divine and radiant life-giving Spirit, is rekindled to once again illuminate these dark northern skies. At this turning point in the southern hemisphere days begin to shorten, and the emphasis rests upon inner-reflection.

This 2009 Solstice is also very special – not just because it’s the end of one decidedly ‘interesting’ decade and the beginning of another with equal amount of dramatic promise – but several astrological factors suggest momentous transformation and spiritual evolution is compelling. It is the first Solstice Sun to be conjunct the potent outer planet Pluto in 248 years. This beam of Solstice sunlight into the shadowy realms of Pluto suggests we need to look further and discover hidden resources that will rejuvenate power and energise in the future.

We also approach the close of a long drawn transition which started in 1985, when Winter Solstice began to align with the Galactic Centre, and a ‘New Age of Enlightenment’ dawned, which was initially felt by the sensitive. This alignment was exact in 1998, and ends in 2012. Sorry to disappoint those who think it’s only 2012 when we direct our gaze upon our home spiral’s hub, at the same time as the light of the Winter Solstice sun begins to grow: we’ve been doing just that for over twenty years! That said spiritual evolution can happen in an instant, or as the fruit of years of practice.

And so it is with the last of three meetings, Jupiter, as celestial Santa Claus, with mystical Neptune, ruler of oceanic feelings and the collective undercurrent, that we wave goodbye to the year’s darkest hours. The highest vibration of these two energies (three, if we include Chiron, who is technically in the conjunction, but not exact) is an expansion (and healing) of humanity’s spiritual faith.

In the wake of COP15, the mood of the moment sees many lost in Samsara’s choppy Neptunian sea, unable to accept the change we seek comes from within each and every one of us. Our expectations may have been high, as symbolised by Jupiter in Aquarius, but giving up the game is not the same as surrendering to Neptune. As a transpersonal planet, Neptune often demands a sacrifice of some kind that urges us to let go of selfish tendency and go beyond personal desire; when we ‘give in’ to this higher vibration by showing compassion to our self and others, we surrender self-interest in the name of collective cosmic harmony and begin to generate Bodhicitta, the heart essence that emanates unconditional love.

With a Solstice Moon growing in light, right alongside the Triple Aquarian conjunction, we, the people (the moon is the populace in political astrology), are also illuminated: If we want humanity to progress, we must protect nature and all planetary elements, starting with water purification to initially help heal the current toxic overload, that manifests physically, mentally, psychically and spiritually.

Together, in our solstice meditation (Monday December 21st, 17:48 GMT), we can become a powerful force for altruistic intention, and lighten each other’s spirit, in spite of the enormity of the task which lies ahead. For the first part of the next year, Jupiter will be in Pisces, the changeable water sign, making it an opportune moment to act. Yet there is a major indication that we need to revise how we are going to act.

Posted all over London underground is a portrait of Ghandi, on a bright orange background with the words “There is more to life than increasing its speed.” Being a peacenik, (as well as once having been Ghandi in a facebook past-life quiz!) the copy caught my eye, enough to make me slow down and think about how fast-paced dynamic action is extolled as a virtue in the rushed hustle bustle of our modern society. From an astrological point of view such characteristics belong to the warrior planet Mars, otherwise known as the Sun’s henchman, the ego’s or our self-image’s best supporter.

Celestially speaking when we have the urge, impulse or need to make things happen, forceful Mars steps in to act as subordinate or competitive adversary, a rival or defender of the faith; like a bouncer at the hottest Christmas party Mars is portrayed as highly spirited – if a little hasty, clumsy and headstrong; it’s all too easy to get riled-up around such zippy Martial momentum. According to Sogyal Rinpoche (Tibetan Book of Living & Dying), “Speed IS aggression” (this should be a bumper sticker!). Yet much depends upon how speed is used and in what context. Quickly aiding someone suffering with a heart condition from one too many xmas toddies has a different sense of urgency than driving along a spacious southern French road, where even a 70-year-old speed-freak Santa can pugnaciously goad and overtake everyone in sight; in the later case it makes one wonder at the kind of personal perception we have about our skills, especially when spurred by thrill-seeking hurried power.

Yet the real point of Mars is to guard our Spirit, so we can enjoy participating in life with a light-heart, without getting hooked into endless angry dramas about the rate of success or failure and, at the same time, be generous enough to rejoice in other people’s triumphs; which is just what we may find ourselves doing while Mars begins a backward trail through the creative sign of Leo from a transformational Solstice point on 21^st December.

Whenever a planet puts on the breaks, lingers at station and then goes retrograde, we also slow down and revisit that part of our lives indicated by the astrological planet, sign and house in our horoscope. And because Mars is concerned with action it presents the perfect occasion to practice patience, particularly with our own self or ego, and take time – approximately three months – to rework and re-do aspects of our life we identify as ‘inspired’. Bear in mind how Leo is ruled by the Sun, the central core of the solar system, bringing light and warmth to the lion-hearted Leo’s sphere of love, generosity, artistic fun and creation - including children and parties. And as Leo Mars goes retro, just as the Sun begins to grow in light in the northern hemisphere, the challenge over the next few months is to make the most of opportunities that fully engage with the practice of ACTIVE LOVE, especially for oneself and those we care for, and to do so in style! So be brave like the majestic lion – open your heart and you will begin to notice that by the time Mars begins to go forward (just before the Spring Equinox) a smile here, a kind word there, and allowing yourself to be courteous and gentle towards others works wonders, not only for your own benefit but for everybody else’s interests as well. On that note, I wish you a very Happy Winter Solstice – Blessed Be with LOVE & radiant Solstice SunLIGHT.

Yin Yang illustration by http://www.francenehart.com/index.htm ; Ghandi by edmittance; Xmas Cats by me; Heart Sun by Stryde31; Tibetan Lion by Tony Annionos