Dakini Equinox ~> September 23rd 2011

As the world turns, our Solar year has two equinoxes, with days that are marked by equal-day and equal-night, in Spring and Autumn. Each has a distinct signature: Autumn is cool, yin and feminine, inclining towards the cocooned dark of restful night; while Spring is hot, yang and masculine with energies dynamically moving headlong towards the light. Thus Autumn Equinox, on Friday, 23d September at 10:06bst, heralds the cool and freshly feminine approach to darker days (in the northern hemisphere).

Libra - the sign we enter on Friday (Venus’s day!) is astrologically attributed to the intellectual element Air, which is yang. Yet the zodiac’s mechanical scales, upon which we assess balance and peaceful harmony in all relations, is actually ruled by the love Goddess Venus, who is receptive, inclusive, and into dialogue as a means of conflict resolution. This balance of male and female at the harvest indicates an important turning point, one where we are inherently able to nourish and synchronise male and female - within, through subtle body channels, as well as without, through a combination of rational and sensitivity, to be in oneness in thought, word and deed.

I’m told those who adhere to the Mayan calendar are calling a five day period, beginning with the Equinox, a ‘cosmic convergence’.  Though I am not an expert on the Mayan wave calculation, I can say that the planets currently accent dramatic shift and change; and the influence of the New SUPER MOON in Libra on the 27^th may well bring about sudden bolts from the blue that force one to become much more aware. A new Moon around Equinox is an extremely powerful portent of transformation. The following day, the 28th is Michelmas, symbolic of truth and light.

More on the new moon in a moment; first let’s look more closely at this year’s Autumn Equinox, which falls auspiciously upon the aspect of the lunar cycle, when Tibetans honour the moon cycle’s strongest day for female energy, ‘Dakini day’.  A Dakini, in the Tibetan tradition is a wisdom protector whose name means variously ‘Sky Dancer’, ‘Space Goer’, ‘Celestial Woman’ or ‘Cloud Fairy’; The Dakini works tirelessly to help all beings, upholding her Bodhisattva vow, wishing enlightenment for all.  This Dakini Moon is also conjunct assertive Mars in regal Leo; passion rises with this combination, as does the ability to be generous and creative, as well as playful and sporty – enthusiasm should be welcomed, but anger might need to be kerbed.

And as we encounter a New Moon in Libra on Tuesday, the 27^th, the planets line up in Libra: Mercury, Sun, Moon, Venus, AND Saturn are also joined by loyal feminine archetype, asteroid Juno. Such a celestial call from the wise feminine for wisdom and fairness cannot be ignored.

This is not a rally cry for revolution, though some may be inclined or manipulated to do so (astrologers and light-workers please take note) by a frenzied expression of these planets being in opposition to individualistic Uranus – as the wise feminine is above such base animal instinct. No, this is a cry from the heart for freedom, for all beings to show integrity and find peace, justice, and truth as a means of living together on a beautiful planet. This new moon is a time of raising self-awareness, of being with those we love, with whom we have a heart resonance, and with whom our own unique talent is a contribution to the whole.

The Free Heart ~ A Consciousness of Others ~ Full Libra Moon 2010

Full Moon on the Rise ~ Let the love-light shine!

"We keep looking outside for the light when we should now become the light". Tsem Tulku Rinpoche

The growing light of the Aries Sun radiates in fiery exaltation, mirroring our own internal light that swells in luminosity through positive focus, meditation, and intent. Opposite the Full Moon in relationship orientated Libra on March 30 at 3:25 BST, a brilliant Sun in Aries encourages braver moves with passion, verve and originality; the Libra Moon reflects a smartly cooler sophisticated emotional reaction to such Aries dynamism. This lively Sun-Moon alignment can create a fair-minded outlook, enabling us to move ahead with confidence, steadfast in self-acceptance, with the ability to make sure everyone’s emotional needs are met.

Aries -Libra is the Zodiac’s ‘me-we’ axis: Circumstances around this full moon present an opportunity to look at our self in relation to other people. Now there is the potential to expose the less desirable workings of a self-cherishing mind, and see the importance of helpful and loving allies. When assessing how we work with others, we must ask ourselves what exactly do we bring and what do we give to our family, friends and relationships. Which associations are helpful, for all concerned - and how will they go forward and benefit others?

Bear in mind that in the midst of these seemingly hard questions, karmic Saturn, the cosmic task master, will accompany the Full Moon. Others may hold up a mirror to reveal issues of loneliness versus being alone, neediness versus being self-reliant, fears versus love. This intensity of feeling is to help define our limits in relationship and out, which may be more apparent as the Moon approaches culmination; some may find it difficult to express how they feel, wanting to switch off the ‘emotional button’ entirely, making it difficult for other’s to connect. Yet there is an easing of pressure as the soon as la Luna is full. Still, a self-serving mind could easily feel the strain. Patience is called for; watch out for selfish tendency. Quickly nip in the bud any overwhelming sense of me, myself, mine, to alleviate self-inflicted karma, either by hurting someone else or suffering a damaged ego. Switch attention to helping others. This is the way to a healthy ego, feeling good and valuing ourselves.

In Buddhism we say if someone really gets to you, by making you angry for instance, then that person is a treasure, as they reveal a part of ourselves that needs to be worked on. But the real secret to dealing with destructive emotion is to be relaxed about who we are, which is naturally kind and good.

As this Full Moon spotlights a balanced ‘self’, if you don’t like what you see the Aries Sun imbibes the courage to change it. Several planets (Sun Moon Saturn & Pluto) now support a radical shift, enabling the alchemical transformation of negative imprints which may have been subtly or not so subtly reinforced for years (lifetimes possibly), making it less painful to let go of unhelpful thoughts and desires, so we are content in our skin “etre dans la peau”, as the French say, comfortable going deeper, becoming clearer, finding happiness at heart. With such ease of being, it’s then easier assist, and to be there for others.

And if you are still wondering 'What about Me'... watch this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDSAAlrqAHM&feature=related

Thanks and blessings to unknown artists, much appreciated whoever you are.