Uranus in Aries ~ Activating the ‘Central Spiritual Sun’

“Now is the first day of the rest of your life.”…

Last night’s Full Moon commemorating Buddha’s enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree – Saka Dawa Duchen, coincided with a mega astro event, which happens only once every 84 years, as Uranus crossed zero point of 0 degrees Aries – an indication of how we are now collectively up for something completely new and different, which will put fire in our soul adding a spark to intuitive wisdom.

As it traverses the zodiac in its 84 year cycle, every seven years planet Uranus shifts sign. Uranus is a transpersonal, generational planet known in astrological circles as ‘The Great Awakener’. At its most illuminated electrical vibration it represents the alternative viewpoint and the altruistic mind; as well as having evolutionary spirit Uranus can also be disruptive chaotic rebel, with or without a cause. Uranus is totally unpredictable and often symbolically present at accidents. I find it interesting that during the last weeks of Uranus in oceanic Pisces, as it conjunct magnifying Jupiter (traditional ruler of Pisces), we witnessed an oil spill in the ocean, the likes of which we have never seen.

The impact of Uranus changing sign is often witnessed and felt suddenly, in a matter of weeks, especially if we look among our peer group and see how we as an individual relate to those we consider helpful and/or influential. How the unexpected manifests, as a bolt from the blue, an abrupt shift, a hasty retreat or rapid rise will be shown through house and sign placement in the horoscope, as well as by natal generational archetype and aspects they make to the current Uranus placement.

For the past seven years Uranus has been in spiritual Pisces; where a noticeable evolution of the heart-mind is evident, especially through technological networking – Uranus rules all things scientific and cyber. And, unless operating from the lower end of a potentially totalitarian Uranus in deceptive Pisces, the company sought was sensitive and supportive when going beyond the boundaries of traditional or conservative faith, to elevate one’s soul with utopian dream peopled with kindred spirits. We will touch base with our beloved brethren again, from August to March ‘11, when Uranus retrogrades back in Pisces (to clear up the oil spill some more perhaps) but until then, for a few short months, we are going to get a taste of things to come, as Uranus moves into Aries and a whole new era begins. Because Uranus is visionary, one eye will be firmly fixed on self, the other on how the team plays. And, unless one is mindful, the two are not necessarily mutually inclusive.

The move of Uranus into Aries brings into focus all things vibrant and exiting – new directions, new friends, and a new cause to champion. Summer thrills double in intensity, as Jupiter, the planet that magnifies swiftly follows into Aries on June 7th. These two planets, Uranus and Jupiter, at the zero point of Aries galvanize group action. It may be worth noting how Uranus rules space and new technology, while thunderous Jupiter rules the Sky and truth. We may not see any mass mobilisation of awakened spirits until the lunar eclipse of June 26^th and the solar eclipse July 11^th, when ‘Thunderbirds are Go’, and the mission is nothing short of activating the ‘Central Spiritual Sun’ with the Grand Cardinal Cross of 2010 to awaken us to Divine Consciousness. Note: Aries rules the head and Uranus the pituitary gland.

On a relative level a Cardinal Cross is challenging in so many ways, with Cardinal signs especially feeling the pressure to move into a new dimension and leave behind the old paradigm. This Cardinal Cross at the equinox and solstice 0 degrees points, so finding the loving balance between autonomy and relationships, stability and status, at the same time as dealing with negative outside influences.

Even in the midst of the trying Uranus Saturn opposition, we have been urged to take personal responsibility in order to have the freedom to create positive change. This is because Uranus and Saturn have been locked into a long-drawn out opposition that started way back in October ’08, with no less than five exact hits of this 45 year cycle, which I have mentioned more than once. And now we have one last exact polarisation to come: on 26 July Uranus and Saturn line-up and call for a careful balance of independence and reliance and confidence in governing relations. As Saturn is also about to go forward in a couple of days, on 30^th May, we may feel the need to personally restrain, especially in regards to stress and really make an extra effort to detox before summer kicks in with a powerful eclipse that quickly follows the Solstice.

It’s likely to get hot in more ways than one around mid-summer’s night – only a month away - so now is the time to jump to it, make use of Uranus in Aries initiative and swiftly order immediate surroundings such as files and paperwork, because fun and sun are bound to beckon us to come and play and, at the same time, elevate human consciousness!

As always, thanks to the Visual Alchemist Bill Brouard for his 'Pop Shaman' and Awaken Aries Woman; astrology news for the saturn-uranus illustration; creating the light body & Buddha lotus ♥ _/\_ ♥ ૐ

Golden Day with Moon of Compassion ~ Saka Dawa Duchen 2010

When the Moon is in Sagittarius we’re often prepared to chance our luck, as life can seem like a lottery, sometimes we win – sometimes we lose. Yet much of what happens in our personal lives can be actually controlled by how we perceive and what we think, as our present thoughts have a direct influence upon the future.

Especially now with the life-giving Sun traversing mercurial Gemini, accenting the benefits of neuroplasticity: We have the celestial tools in our healing hands to quickly reshape the mind. And while we tinker away inside the brain, eliminating negative emotions, its helpful to be aware how the majority of our daily thoughts are recycled neurosis, and only a small percentage of what we think about is original – mostly we’re busy churning over the same old stuff – again and again. Baring this in mind it is important to reinforce the intention to stay positive and raise the cosmic love vibration. So while the Gemini Sun stimulates our questioning grey matter, ask yourself if you reinforce certain issues by buying into your own personal ad campaigns? Do you then convince yourself what you’re thinking about is true, when in reality it’s only an illusion? If so, now is the time to assess thought processes and change patterns to be of greater effect towards helping yourself help others.

"Anything is possible; everything is possible. The power of the mind is incredible, limitless."
~~ Lama Yeshe ~~

Approaching the midnight Full Moon on Thursday night – Friday morning @ 00:07 British Summer Time, the Sagittarius Moon and Gemini Sun align and make a challenging aspect to dreamy Neptune, the planet of wild imaginative fantasies. This, therefore, is not the time to be impulsive and risk all for nothing, but to awaken to intuition and know that by working as one, with others, we can motivate and co-create, with each person playing their own individual part within the whole.

In the Tibetan tradition, this is Saga Dawa Duchen, the Moon of Buddha’s enlightenment. It could also be called ‘The Moon of Compassion’, a heavenly moment that switches on an internal light to illuminate the Divine within, so that we forgive and accept the past, remaining fully centred in each present moment. This is the kind of brilliance which can also inspire and shine upon the way forward. But remember: “You cannot travel the path until you have become the path itself.”

This Full Moon is also one of the year’s ‘Golden Days’, when karma is magnified one hundred million times. With that, I wish that all beings find happiness and its causes and be free from suffering and its causes.

The day is also marked by an event that happens only once every 84 years, when Uranus crosses the zero point of 0 degrees Aries.

Saka Dawa ~ Medicine Buddha Moon 2010

Wishing all sentient beings love & happiness in this most sacred month of the Buddhist Calendar, called ‘Saka Dawa’.

Today we celebrate the birth and conception of Sakyamuni Gothama Buddha, by reciting the Medicine Buddha. If you would like to generate the healing vibration, the mantra is posted below . You don’t need to have taken an empowerment for this mantra – so all are invited to tune in!

Medicine Buddha Resources: Mantra

Sanskrit Pronunciation

Tad-ya-ta: Om Bhai-sha-jye Bhai-sha-jye Maha Bhai-sha-jye Ra-ja Sa-mud-ga-te Sva-ha

---

Tibetan Pronunciation

Tad-ya-ta: Om Be-kan-dze Be-kan-dze Ma-ha Be-kan-dze
Ra-dza Sa-mung-ga-te So-ha!

With love and heavenly Buddha Blessings,
Laura _/\_♥ ૐ

Radiant ♥ LOVE ~ Leo Moon with Mars

Radiant LOVE ♥ Leo Moon conjuncts Mars, the dynamic planet with the scarlet red glow, for the last time in this marathon 8 month Mars in Leo station. Leo rules the heart; Mars is action; & the Moon our emotions. Such symbolism suggests that activating the sensitive loving heart can take time. It’s also taken a great deal of awareness of 'ego drama'. Mars in Leo shows how inner-strength and generosity of spirit allow us to express and care for our creative inner-child without being childish.

(Next month the Moon conjuncts Mars in Virgo, when we’ll be putting our energy into wholesome living.)

Tonight's practice will be Senge Dongma, the Lion-Faced Dakini, or Simhamukha, as she is called in Sanskrit, dances in the bow and arrow posture. The staff she carries represents her secret consort. She is considered to be a secret emanation of Guru Rinpoche, or Padmasambhava, and is a remover of obstacles and a guardian of "hidden texts".

Saka Dawa New Moon ~ Love & Enlightenment 2010

Phew… Big sigh of relief, as Mercury, planet of information, finally began to roll forward Tuesday night, albeit rather slowly. These past few weeks have been intense in so many ways, especially when gathering one’s thoughts, conveying a message, or making any journey - all forms of communication have been seriously hampered, making it a bit like wading through treacle to face sticky moments with sweet smiles. Notwithstanding dear old facebook chat on hold, making contact with others could have been at the mercy of something else outside our dictate: Various events i.e., volcanic ash, a massive oil spill and a shaky Euro mean few of us are escaping the word ‘crisis’ – which, by now, most know is another expression of ‘opportunity’ in Chinese: Yet still, in the midst of the modern world in a spin, we need to be patient, to mature our staying power and strength to make the most of these opportunities (and, according to the Boddhisatva vow, for all beings to benefit).

So it remains to ask: Why is our patience being tested? Patience is one of the Buddhist six perfections. But how do we better ourselves by being patient? With patience we become wise, less likely to be at the mercy of our emotional reactions.

Composure, tolerance and insight is astrologically called for until the end of the month; patiently remaining in control of thoughts and emotions means we are far less likely to anger. Besides, getting angry wipes out merit stock from the karmic bank; giving in to anger means we rarely think straight and only perpetuate misunderstanding, uncertainty and chaos.

All kinds of valuables - finances as well as relationships - could have born the brunt of this particularly frustrating Mercury retrograde period. But tonight’s new moon (on the 14^th) at 2:04 GDT 23Taurus, suggests making a grand plan to bring about healing those values, so that a fair resolve now has every chance of working. This might be good news for some as, according to my understanding of astrology, we hit the nadir of this current financial predicament on the 23^rd of May, after which the only way is up. I could be wrong, but recent events lead me to sense we could well be on the road to recovery (barring hot-heads and/or environmental circumstance).

This New Moon is also the beginning of Tibetan Saka Dawa month, celebrating the birth, death, and enlightenment of Lord Buddha on the Full Moon on the 27^th May, which will be a multiplied karma day x1000. Saka Dawa months marks a lunation cycle that generate intense all pervading love & light in mega lux lumens.

Inspiration and blessings come from the cosmos as Jupiter, planet of expansion and optimism, joins forces with Uranus, the ‘Great Awakener’. This combination is positively visionary: the bigger picture encapsulates spiritual perspective. These two planets are now working together in Pisces, activating a new awareness of life’s magic and mystery. In early June they will perfect their conjunction at zero-point Aries, kick-starting summer projects with zest, zeal and excitement. Whoo-hoo! Even if its wet or cold, at least the summer won't be boring.

Many thanks to Bill Brouard - visual alchemist, and other unknown artists :) _/\_♥ ૐ

Kalachakra Peace Mind ♥ ૐ ♥ New Aries Moon 2010

Spring equinox marks the beginning of Kalachakra Calendar, and the new Aries moon begins Kalachakra month. I find this timing interesting in so many ways, as Aries in Western astrology is depicted as independent and gung-ho, a fearless warrior with a cause to fight, or a naive impulsive loner - the Tarot’s fool. Yet according to the most sacred system of Tibetan astrology, Kalachakra Astrology, now is the time to contemplate and meditate upon World peace – internal peace within each individual’s heart- mind and body, and external peace, as in no more war or suffering. The first two weeks of the lunar month - during the growing moon phase - are considered most effective to implement peaceful thoughts and activities into our daily lives.

Even in the face of negativity, such as being shouted at or hurt by others, in any confrontation we must learn to turn our minds towards peace and harmony - and still be kind to the aggressors. Thus our spiritual practice is one of patience and compassion to find peace within ourselves – especially as we can often be our own worst enemy. As the newness of life emerges all around, we might well feel that Aries impulsiveness to spring into action and conquer the real threat: our own anger and inability not to react with further antagonism when challenged.

Today's Moon at 24Aries (the 14^th April) could have us believe all systems are go-go-go. But just as we buckle belts and get ready to slam pedal to the metal in a hurry to destination ‘Nirvana’, our dear cosmic trickster, Mercury, planet of communication and short journeys, heads into apparent backward motion on Sunday the 18th, urging us to proceed with caution. For three weeks (until 11^th May, or 2^nd June latest), ‘more haste, less speed’ is the maxim to live by. Should we push too-fast, too-soon, we may find our cosmic wheels spinning in the sand.

All need not go adrift – neither momentum, money, nor good intentions as Mercury is also healer AND messenger: In Taurus the message is to slow down, recuperate, and take our time to enjoy the scenery and fill the senses by just ‘being’, so we can calmly face what needs to be either let go altogether or revised and re-integrated (be that psychological, spiritual, mental or physical).

Good old-fashioned Taurean principles concern the sensual body and stable relations, material wealth and the earth’s natural environment. Wherever Taurus activates the individual’s horoscope, it will show the sphere which now needs to be reworked and re-thought in a realistic and practical manner. Thus the aim of Mercury retrograde in Taurus is to heal body and soul, as well as any financial rift. By creating a debt-free, risk-free framework with solid values, Taurean staying-power and productivity will provide a good yield, encouraging physically security. Still, we’d do well to scrutinise burning desires verses our basic needs; and be aware there are obstacles, such as human greed or selfishness, whilst trying to generate a slow but sure (financial) recovery and stability. So keep a beady eye out for slippery customers, especially when dealing with bricks and mortar, finances and art, or even that favourite Taurean subject: food, as there is every possibility of having to return, reconsider, or even re-sow seeds that ought to be ready by summer.

Any import of information may seem to be rationed, particularly during the first ten days of the three-week Mercury retro period; but bit-by-bit, piecing together triple checked ideas, travel plans or accounts, a way forward will become clear. Basically, if you enjoy reading the small print on food-packaging and bus time tables, you could have the time of your life.

_/\_♥

Many Thanks, with love and credits to Anya Langmean for Amitabha painting, nasa for the lunar-rover, and unknown artists and photographer.

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.