ॐ Maha Shivratri Thursday 27th February 2014

Today, Thursday 27th February is Maha Shivratri, honouring Shiva, the Hindu Lord of Creation and Destruction, as he burns up negative karma and partakes in the cyclic cosmic dance of life, death and rebirth (symbolised by the passage of Shiva’s ornamental Moon, from Dark to New). Fasting and calling upon the all-powerful Shiva to protect from the poison encountered when churning up the Milky Way and the great Ocean (of Samsara) Shiva saves from ignorance and desire. Dating from the time of the Vedas, 4000 years ago, Shiva, whose name means ‘The Auspicious One’, also permeates Tibetan Buddhism in the form of Tantric Dharma protector Mahakala, for example - among others. Indeed, Mount Kalaish is revered by Shaivites and Tibetan Buddhists alike as the source of all spiritual power, as well as India’s great rivers. Mt Kalaish is considered the home of Shiva, together with Tibet’s Heruka Chakrasamvara, and a place of pilgrimage for devotees of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jains. Shiva is also patron of the arts and yoga; his symbol is the snake, representing the power of Kundalini as well as the ability to transform base emotion/action/thought into spiritual understanding.

Om Om Om! Om Namo Shivaya! ॐ_/♥\_

Leaving the year of the Black Water Snake, we now shed the last of the snake’s skin, to be renewed and ready to embrace the Green Wood Horse year. ॐ_/♥\_

Happy Maha Shivratri! May all beings be blessed to find a source of creativity energy to transform ignorance into wisdom! ॐ_/♥\_

♆ SUN conjunct oceanic Neptune today (SUNday 23rdFeb). ☼ ♓ ♆

Before the New Year of the Green Wood Horse trots to canter at 'Losar' with next weekend's New Pisces Moon, March 1st/2nd, a last major aspect is made by the Blue Water Snake SUN conjunct oceanic Neptune today (SUNday 23rdFeb). ☼ ♓ ♆

The planet of illusion and dreams, interconnection and compassion, Neptune, is now enthused by Sun’s celestial spotlight, accenting a profound spiritual sensitivity towards the seen and unseen, the inner Divinity and third eye, and that part of self which surrenders unto devotion and visualises the greater good of the whole, without becoming engulfed by the overwhelming.

In esoteric astrology, the Sun ‘veils’ Neptune, meaning that when the Sun (self/ego) is connected to Neptune, it activates the benevolent and generous heart of the Sun, i.e. each individual has ability to embody the Neptunian influence within, as a caring Divinity, as well as tune into collective events/thoughts/projections with greater compassion and empathy.

ॐ_/♥\_ॐ_/♥\_ॐ_/♥\_ Thx to AsianArt.com for Nagini

Six-Pointed Sacred Star ✶ Grand Sextile ✶ Interlocking Water & Earth Triangles ~ July 2013

_(▼)_This triple-whammy moon-ruled Super-Moon Cancer lunation is bringing powerful waves of emotional intensity for everyone to ride, be they personal or mutual feelings, sensations are cosmically bound to be strong, as indicated by the Grand Water TrineS coming to perfection this week, on the 17/18/19/20th July (& the 20th is the day Mercury goes forward!).

_/✶ \_ A week later, starting 27th July, a magnificent Six-Pointed Star once again creates the summer’s Grand Sextile, with interlocking Grand Earth & Water Trines, invigorating celestial sweetness that can enhance and stabilize unseen bio-force, 'chi', through meditation, yoga, mantra, tantra, prayer, dance, music, healing, and basically serving humanity, both spiritually as well as practically. This Six-Pointed 'Star' has the potential to tap into the creative feminine life-force to generate peace and love - so much so that kind souls have created a 'harmonic convergence’ which we can all join and empower the Goddess (within); and has been twinkling in and out of focus since the extremely potent medicine Buddha Moon, June 16th.

This Sacred Star, a the double tetrahedron, a.k.a. Metatron's cube, creates symbols of both, the flower of life, and the Tree of Life, was also in celestial play at the first turning of the Dharma wheel, on the karma multiplied x10-million day, July12th. And it sharpens up the six-points again as we go into the last quarter Tara Moon when Venus is in Virgo, which is just after our third and final Super Full Moon of 2013 on July 22nd. All the while the double Water Trines undulate through the collective consciousness, with powerful and emotion coming up from often suppressed and deepest recesses, activating the Water triplicity’s qualities: Cancer’s personal and familial care and loving kindness (Metta), Scorpio’s social intensity and laser-like insight (Vipassanna) and Pisces’ compassionate ego-dissolving, embracing unconditional love into the communal heart-mind (Karuna).

These energies are powerful. And one must take care not to get swept along by collective hysteria or confusion. There is also a Black Moon Lilith, ‘Kali’ momentum to deal with, which involves cutting the root of ego and the prevention of anger and retaliation (more on that in another post); but suffice to say that the Grand Earth Triangle enables one to remain grounded whilst feelings, thoughts and ideas flow – a bit like the Temperance card in the Tarot, contained yet aware of a powerful flow and movement.

Thanks as always to the amazing Visual Alchemy for ‘Sprouting’
And to Pouyan for Pineal Visions  ~> With _(▼)_ Heavenly blessings of Love & Light & being in the flow of the Celestine Sextile _/✶ \_ 

If you would like to know how this Sacred Star constellates your horoscope, please contact me here for rates.

☸ _(♥)_ Chökhor Düchen ~> July 12 2013 _(♥)_

                                         First turning of the Wheel of Dharma

                        Karma Multiplied day x 10 million (positive or negative)

Chökhor Düchen is one of the four most important Buddhist festivals of the year. On the 4th day of the 6th Tibetan Lunar Month, just as a growing sensitive Moon begins to make a helpful sextile aspect to the radiant Sun, our source of light and life, Chökhor Düchen celebrates ‘The First Turning of the Wheel’ by Lord Buddha. Setting the wheel of Dharma teachings into motion - after not having taught for seven weeks since his enlightenment - Buddha began with a teaching on ‘The Four Noble Truths’☸. 

Gothama Buddha appears to have chosen to illuminate the mind upon a waxing moon. With the growing light of the moon we can experience an increase of clarity, intuition, and emotional insight. And from July 12th's astrological point of view, this very moon is involved in a rare six-pointed star, with two interlocking triangles shaping the starry firmament. A sensitive Moon in purifying Virgo creates a 'Grand Earth trine' with transformational Pluto in responsible Capricorn; and the south node, a.k.a. the Dragon's tail, tells from where we are coming: i.e. in Taurus, and conjunct healing asteroid Hygeia, it suggests Earth healing, though the power of nature. Thus for Chökhor Düchen in the year of the Snake, a Grand Earth Trine creates the magical star with the summer's perceptive 'Grand Water Trine, accenting intuition and feminine sensitivity (which we all have in varying degrees) to help us to see the Truth of things as they really are.

☸ Four Noble Truths:
☸ 1. Life is suffering.
☸ 2. The origin of suffering is attachment (to desire, aggression or ignorance).
☸ 3. The cessation of suffering IS attainable.
☸ 4. There is a path to the cessation of suffering.

~> the Dharma path _(♥)_ living life for the benefit of others.

Dedicating all merit and positive actions of body, speech & mind (word, thought and deed), to heal the suffering, wherever it is found _(♥)_

Image is of ☸ The Dharma Wheel ☸ flanked by two deer, which is often found at the gates of Buddhist monasteries, symbolic of Buddha's 1st teaching in Deer Park, Sarnath, India.

☾ ☼ Happy Chökhor Düchen ☼! :☽ _/\_
May all beings be free from suffering! _/\_

Full Moon partial Lunar Eclipse in Scorpio ~ April 25th 2013

☆~☽☼☾~☆ KARMA MULTIPLIED DAY – positive or negative - X 7,000,000

Opposing Spirit Sun in earthy Taurus, the highly sensitive Full Moon at 20:58BST (15:58EST) conjuncts karmic Saturn in Scorpio, as well fixed star Spica, which suggests that while all the skills we need are at hand, adopting a long-term and patient approach to any deeply emotional and personal metamorphosis will bring success. Even though this is a short lunar eclipse – only 27 minutes – it is the first of this year’s series of Taurus-Scorpio eclipses, when transforming desire and attachment requires taking responsibility for one’s own happiness – however hard that might be, the rewards for doing so are liberating.

Be realistic. Know that Buddha nature is pure, bright and alive, radiating in the light of our being. Three planets in Taurus urge us to be practical: eat well, sleep well and live simply, fully in the NOW; but give ourselves a good 6 months as a yardstick to measure any deep and meaning psychological remodelling. When training the heart-mind we need to recognise how love overcomes our inner-most fears; and loving one’s own demons is even a means to releasing and letting go of negative obscuration.

Bear in mind the next new moon, May 10th, is a Solar Eclipse, followed by a penumbral Lunar Eclipse (not seen, but felt) on May 25th, which is also Sakadawa, celebrating Buddha's birth, enlightenment and paranirvana; Sakadawa also a SuperMoon, when tides are high and the earth can move – in more ways than one.

The above dates are optimum for the full-power meditation that can at once provide spiritual stability, as well as incredible emotional insight. Best prepare your sacred space and provide a safe and solid foundation for a rich spiritual practice that transforms personal values and shared resources. This is the year of the Water Snake, after all, and Scorpio is related directly to the transmutational Kundalini Shakti, Serpent Power and Divine energy __/❤\__ to be raised with tender care, discipline and love.

thanks to unknown artist for Buddha Earth _/\_

11th Feb ~ LOSAR ~ 2013 Year of the Black Water Snake

Prevalent in the mythology engrained in so many cultures, the Snakes’ dominant theme is how they represent hidden knowledge and intuitive feminine wisdom. Ultimately Snakes symbolise a mystical transmutation of spirit and, in the process, one sheds an outworn skin so that one is renewed to ascend in truth and overcome duality to heal and liberate the earth-bound human condition. Indeed, snakes entwined around the caduceus, Healing Mercury’s rod is used globally to signal strong medicine at work – you see them at almost every pharmacy in the world.

From the astrological point of view, snakes and serpents are associated with the magical and secretive, often hidden Scorpio, the 8th house, and the planet Pluto, because the snakes’ power of rejuvenation has the potential to bestow remarkable wisdom, a wisdom that comes from utilising resources that help one survive going to the depths and back.

From the spiritual perspective, in Yoga-Tantra we acknowledge the healing potential of subtle body psychic energies, and work with a three-coiled serpent, ‘Kundalini Shakti’ – a powerful feminine energy that resides at the base of the spine. When ‘serpent power’ is activated though inner-heat (normally over the age of 50 for a woman), like a snake it awakens, uncoils and raises powerful psychic energy up through the subtle body’s central channel that carries life-enhancing prana (a.k.a. chi, bio-energy, rLung) the ‘sushumna’ (one of 3 main nadis/channels), and into the crown chakra, so that one enters into a divine union with bliss and emptiness.

‘Serpent Power’ also descends, returning to the root, grounding the elemental basis. I make this sound relatively easy; but while there are the rare few who become instantaneously ‘realised’, either through transmission or other conductors, it can take ordinary beings years – lifetimes - of practice to surrender to the truth of our divine Buddha nature in it pure luminous presence. Sullied by discursive thoughts, we often sense the need to purify the ego and clear obscured karmic blocks (klehsas) that manifest within (as well as externally) and around the central channel, so that Kundalini can freely rise towards our innate enlightened Nirvana. Yet, while most are still taking baby steps towards maintaining the clear light nature of mind, those who have experienced Kundalini rising will tell you that its nothing to mess around with, it can be like a powerful explosion of phosphorescing light that can at once excite and overwhelm, that quickly sheds the old paradigm, which is why the inexperienced should always surround themselves with spiritual friends; developing Kundalini require meditation and calm.

Not that I want to discourage anyone from working with Kundalini, but do so with care and consideration; so here’s to 2013 being a year in the influence of the Serpent Goddess, and keeping emotions and passions such as desire and aversion under control by being mindful of unconditional love-wisdom and compassion in all eventualities.

The image to illustrate this post is a photo I took years ago, when visiting the Manassala Snake Temple in Kerala, Southern India. This Temple is run solely by women devoted to snakes, who are covered in verbuti (sacred ash). The Temple houses many many snakes, including the Raja Cobra. The king snake curled up contentedly listening to the priestess sing songs according to the Nakshatra (mansion of the Moon) of the visitor to whom she was singing to. In my case she sang songs to Punavarsu; it was a truly magical experience.

I’m also including this personal illustration because the black snake stone sculptures are all covered in bright yellow Turmeric. Interestingly, the Feng Shui for this year emphasises the number 5, which is Yellow in colour, governing the central area of any house or room. This means that energy concentrates around the middle of buildings; to encourage a positive vibration place a 6-rod metal wind chime in the centre of your house or home. Who knows, doing so may even encourage ‘Shakti Power ‘to flow circulate more freely in your body and around your home :)_/♥\_ I have placed our wind chime already.

If you would like to know how your personal horoscope constellates in the year of the Snake, please get in touch for info and rates : 

~ With Losar blessings for a Happy Tibetan New Year ~
from Laura _/♥\_

Losar 2140 ~~~:> Year of the Black Water Snake

9th Feb ’13 ~~~:> Waving ‘goodbye’ to the wonderful Water Dragon (not to be seen again for another 60 years), whose authentic presence reminded us of the power of our own innate goodness, before the Year of the female Black Water Snake comes in tomorrow, 10th Feb, with the New Moon at 21Aquarius at 7:20amGMT (2:20amEST). This Snake year bestows the ability to renew through transforming and healing deeply wounded (collective) emotions with intuitive and insightful feminine wisdom.

To add hope, faith and strength, in the Tibetan system of a sixty-year cycle this year of the Black Water Snake is called 'Namgyal', meaning 'Totally Victorious'. At this new moon we also celebrate and commence Buddha's 15 days of miracles (siddhis), culminating on the 25th February with the full Moon, when karma is multiplied x 100,00,00.

From the planet’s point of view, throughout 2013 the influential Uranus Pluto square urges us to maintain our sights upon the light and keep our altruistic intention, for all beings to be happy, in sharp focus. Even if/when ploughing through darker moments in the midst of transformation, be our problems physical, psychological, or spiritual, we can still be like the sacred lotus in the lily pond: stable in our depth, yet not adhering to the muddy waters associated with afflicted emotions, therefore able to be in our experiential flow to stretch-up through the dense materialistic dross, to rise up and reach the light, and bathe in the beauty of the heavenly scented blossom of enlightenment_/♥\_

Happy 'Losar' Tibetan New Year 2140 on Feb 11th _/♥\_

And to Hindu friends, especially at this time of the Khumb Mela festival, wishing many blessings for Shivratri _/♥\_

Thx to unknown, for image of Buddha in Lotus pond _/♥\_

Jupiter Direct ~> Jan'13

Depending upon where Gemini is in your horoscope, all kinds of projects/ideas/relationships/situations now gain greater perspective and protection. Some could even sense growth and/or liberation; as freedom-loving Jupiter begins to go forward in the sign of the twins, boosting the impetus to expand through communication and knowledge. Dualistic Gemini reveals the play of opposites: yin and yang, male and female, creative and receptive; Jupiter here quickly gets to the heart of truth, however easy or difficult that may be to digest and process.

And for the next couple of days the feminine strategist, Pallas Athena, conjuncts Uranus, planet of dramatic change and awareness @5-6-7 Aries; look to this point in your chart to see where intuitive insights now create a surprise change of ideas and/or direction.

If you would like to know how this time of truth constellates within you, I am giving a special Losar rate for the Tibetan New Year of Black Snake, please contact me for details _/♥\_

ૐ _/♥\_ thx to Visual Alchemy for 'Surprise' artwork x

_/♥\_ ONE LOVE _/♥\_ Full Moon in Leo ~> Jan'13

26th-27th January @4:38gmt, 23:38est ~>

Our last FULL MOON of the Dragon year plays out with a heart-centred Leo Moon, positively aglow with LOVE. It’s the kind of all-encompassing love that radiates joy, compassion, kindness, and equanimity: qualities known in Buddhism as ‘The Four Immeasurables’.

This infinite and heart-liberating love can be given freely, without strings or attachment. In fact, with the 7degrees altruistic Aquarian Sun and full Leo Moon in a hard ‘T’ square aspect to disciplined Saturn, it is the Spiritual Warrior’s responsibility to transform romantic love, and the love of friends and family, into a sublime and sacred love – with an all-embracing reverence for all sentient beings. Doing so also includes loving oneself, which may now even entail clearing difficult obstacles that prevent one from fully and freely loving, such as fear, doubt, jealousy or obsession - all of which is profoundly rewarding. _/♥\_

☼ Progressive Astro-Tech: The humanitarian and future-orientated Aquarian Sun is opposite the playful and generous Leo Moon; and both are also in good aspect to broad-minded Jupiter and innovative Uranus. These are freedom loving planets that highlight individual ideas and volition. It’s worth noting that Jupiter is currently at station, about to go forward on the 30th January, after four and a half months of back-tracking in Gemini. It’s also interesting that the very point at which expansive Jupiter now stations is the same at which Venus, planet of love, retrograded back to during her momentous awakening of the Divine Feminine last June, at 6-7-8 Gemini, in the sign that informs, transmits and mentally processes. And as ‘Cosmic Guru’ Jupiter now compounds our lessons in love, it also accents our reflective mind, encouraging us to put insights into practice with tolerance, flexibility, and heart-felt optimism, so we can move forward into the year of the Black Water Snake, on February 10th, with confidence and clarity. _/♥\_ ☼:☽❤¸¸.•*¨*•☆☆

Thx to unknown artist for beautiful dragon & moon maiden _/♥\_

New Moon in Capricorn _/\_11th January ‘13

Our first new moon of the year, at 19:43GMT, is also the final lunation of the remarkable Water Dragon year. As the Earthy Capricorn Sun and Moon are now in conjunction with the celestial courier, Mercury, heaven’s message is quite pragmatic and clear: stabilise to accomplish, practice to become efficient, and remain in the Dragon's 'Authentic Presence' ('wangthang' in Tibetan), your own personal 'power field', that is created by one's basic goodness.

Spirit Sun, emotive Moon, and communicative Mercury are also loosely conjoined to loving Venus, loyal Juno & transformational Pluto, all in the sign of the mountain-climbing Sea-Goat. It’s worth noting that in Esoteric astrology Venus is the hierarchical ruler of Capricorn; this means that even if involved in ambitious power play, the spiritual warrior must always come from the heart. There is, however, little time for comparison or distraction with so many planets in no-nonsense Capricorn. Focus and concentration are the order of this New Moon, which teaches us to prioritise and prepare to be mindfully aware of the nature of reality, one’s true nature, Buddha nature.

Fiery Mars in Aquarius still squares Capricorn’s traditional ruling planet, Saturn in secretive Scorpio; issues of trust, respect, and friendship could create crossed wires, which may mean actively putting boundaries into place ~> Erect the Vajra fence now to protect, keeping kindred dharma spirits close, and certain cheeky monkeys out of reach.

And seeing as this is a physical and practical moon sign, now is the time to look after the body, especially knees (in meditation), teeth (for chewing slowly), and/or skeletal structure for climbing the spiritual heights, all the while enjoying the view, especially when in mountain posture!

The next New Moon is February 10th, with Losar, Tibetan New Year of the Black Water Snake, February 11th.

Image of stupa from ‘The Treasury of Lives’ with thx _/❤\_