New Moon in Taurus & Fixed Star Algol

“Life begins with love, is maintained with love, and ends with love. Right now, while we are alive, is the time to practice and express love. So please take care of your love. Love is capable of reaching so many people.” ~Tsoknyi Rinpoche

A New Moon at 26Taurus @ 5:12bst Monday, 18th May, is ruled by Love Goddess Venus, Taurus is an earth sign, where a New Moon in the sign of the Bull suggests there’s a greater stability to be found in all we truly cherish: love and nourishment, as well as finances and shelter. Please, Goddess, let it be so, especially in Nepal, as well as the rest of the world.

This New Moon sees the start of SakaDawa, the ’Star Month’ which culminates with a Full Moon June 2nd, when Himalayan Buddhists honour Buddha’s life, death and enlightenment. Gautama Buddha achieved enlightenment in the ‘Earth-touching’ position, seated under the (Taurus ruled) Bodhi Tree. “The great 20th-century Vedantin sage, Ramana Maharshi said the Earth is in a constant state of dhyana (meditative absorption). The Buddha's earth-witness mudra (hand position), as in the shown illustration, is a beautiful example of "embodied cognition." His posture and gesture embody unshakeable self-realization. He does not ask heavenly beings for assistance. Instead, without using any words, the Buddha calls on the Earth, by touching it with his right hand, to bear witness.”* Note now, that this New Moon also coincides with quicksilver Mercury slowing down to go retrograde until June 11th. Time now to remodel outmoded thinking. As this lunation begins, we can begin to review, and renew the way we communicate about subjects we care about. And like the enlightened Buddha, bear witness to the value to life, all the while reorganising and re-training the mind to awaken compassion and loving kindness. 

At the 26^th degree of Taurus, Sun and New Moon conjunct (on the 18^th May) a challenging fixed star called Algol, which represents the ‘Gorgon’s Head’, the snake-hair dreadlocked Medusa, whose name originally meant ‘sovereign female wisdom’ **. Fixed stars tend to pinpoint certain intensity: In this case it is a concentrated primal feminine passion which, if obstructed or repressed, severed or feared, has the potential to dramatically harm and turn to stone – or, surprisingly, to heal, when the powerful feminine force is understood and revered.

Interestingly, Medusa in myth is one of three winged gorgons (skydancers!), sometimes shown with fangs and a boar’s head (Vahari!); while Medusa is the central ‘ruler’, the other two are ‘wanderer’ (Moon) and ‘strength’ (Sun). All of which could, in my opinion, be twilight language for awakening Shakti-power through the human subtle body’s three main channels, stirring Kundalini serpent power.

Also fascinating is how blood from the right side of the Gorgon’s head has the power to restore the dead back to life, while that of the left is venomous. This relation to the brains’ two hemispheres (and three channels) is poignant for modern yogis - especially when one considers when heroic Perseus cuts off the Gorgon’s head (i.e. ends his animal passion), it is only for the immortal magical winged horse Pegasus to emerge with his brother Chrysaor, holder of a golden sword.  Also in my opinion, this myth suggests that when we prevent the espression of a powerful sexual energy it can devour us in fear, frozen in time with frustration unresolved and supressed, only to explode more violently at a later date. Better to address these often taboo subjects, that of man’s desire and female sexuality, and release pent-up (sexual) energy in a healthy, beauty honouring manner and heal the feminine within.     

There is also the not-so-small matter of Mercury retrograde in the healing, trickster brother’s home sign, Gemini. Until June 11^th, Mercury wends his way back over old ground (13-4Gemini).  A finger of fate between the retro Mercury and Cosmic Guru, Jupiter, points directly to transformational Pluto, suggesting a dramatic change of mind directly appertains to the healing power of information, and the truth found therein.  

**http://www.skyscript.co.uk/algol.html

With love & thanks to the FPMT for beautiful Shakyamuni Buddha in Earth-touching mudra & to *http://www.ecobuddhism.org/wisdom for inspiriation _/\_ & Ramana Maharishi quote.

✴️ Dark Moon Halloween ~> 2013

Some moments are more enchanted and potent than others. At Halloween, when the veil between visible upper and unseen lower worlds is thinnest, mythical skeletons dance across the skies, and witches wing by on Birch tree brooms, it tends towards a magical time that gets deep, edgy, and powerful.  Halloween holds a mystical magic that can transform in a dream-like instant, purely by honoring the ancestors and all that has gone before - and by being ready for a dramatic renewal. And as tonight’s is a Dark Moon Halloween, it’s advisable to call upon our protectors, totems and guides, and all that can help the Spiritual Warrior maintain emotional balance, which is specifically important when crossing the karmic threshold of the fixed and focused New Moon Scorpio Solar Eclipse, November 3rd.

Bear in mind that while we are now at the peak of the on-going 3-year Uranus-Pluto square (more on that tomorrow), astrological Halloween is actually November 7th, when the Sun is at degree where we officially pass through the ‘Via Combusta’, a.k.a. ‘The Fiery Path’, when Spirit rises like a proverbial phoenix out of the ashes. 
All the while we have a myriad of sacred geometry providing anchors for practical magic, and heavenly pointers to where the fates are flying:

The ‘Kite’ formation harnesses a ‘Grand Earth Trine’ stimulating recuperative and regenerative conservation of resources; with the Dragon’s Tail (South Node) implementing the healing energies we bring with us, which can also be used in the future.

A ‘Mystic Rectangle’, made up of only helpful aspects, suggests spiritual stability throughout this eclipse period, until November 8th.

The ‘Finger of God’, pointing to Uranus, planet of awakening altruism for the next couple of days, with the life-giving Sun and destiny-fulfilling North Node (Dragon’s Head), in the sign of renewal and shared assets, joining forces with Mars in Virgo, sign of healing and discernment.  All this suggests many are currently creating intrepid communities, forming Sangha and affinities with kindred spirits, individuals who feel also the need to support others in this time of dramatic change to power structures and resources. 
__/❤\__ ☼✶•*¨*•.¸¸❤✶

Happy Halloween everyone!
Thanks to unknown artist for Mahakala Dharma protector ~> May all beings be protected from fear and want. _/♥\_

Finger of g0d ~> Jupiter opposition Sun December 2012

Cosmic Guru, Jupiter, though retrograde, is at the apex for the 'finger of g0d' formation that takes us into the New Year. Truth seeking Jupiter is visionary and optimistic; now in Gemini, Jupiter highlights informed communication that broadens the heart-mind; opposite the Sagittarian Spirit Sun on Monday 3rd December, Jupiter encourages the philosophical outlook when having to adjust certain situations.

The now waning Full Moon, which conjunct the planet of expansion and Sagittarius ruler, appears to have tuned-us all into far-sighted Jupiter's magnificence as it rode the heavens with la Luna during the partial Lunar Eclipse.
 
Check the astronomy of this hopeful and confident Sun-Jupiter alignment here. 
For those who are cosmcially connected living on the South Coast, I am presenting a talk next week at the Brighton Astrology group on Thursday 6th December, on ASTROLOGY & YOGA.

Also good to note that we're still under the influence of the 'Mercury Max' - until December 4th: a phase of intense research and discoveries can also be applied to close relations.

Heart-Mind & the Lunar Eclipse November 2012

An intense Venus Saturn conjunction perfects tomorrow in Scorpio. This is karmic love at it's most profound. Fear-based astro-peeps can get quite het-up when they consider a Venus Saturn conjunction, and especially one in Scorpio that conjures up deeply secret and (tantric) powerful relations. 

While it is true that, depending upon the dynamics and the interaction of chart, person, circumstance and karma, this can be a challenging conjunction; it is one that also symbolises commitment and responsibility towards that which we love - and that can freak out ‘freedom lovers’ (a.k.a. commitment-phobes) who have yet to understand the concepts of interconnection and interdependence, and how there is liberation in knowing Oneness in all things. 

From a personal point of view, some of the most important things/people/events I have ever been involved with have this celestial pledge of dedication, durability and devotion. So when dealing with matters of the heart over the next few days  it may well be a case of ‘feel the fear, but do it anyway’, especially when developing relationship or building business and/or career ideas and connections that bring about respect and self-esteem. 

From the astrological point of view Venus and Saturn are making a marvelous aspect (60°) to the current Mars-Pluto conjunction in Capricorn. This is a little bit complex but I trust (hope!) you will be able to follow the importance of the relationship planets (Venus and Mars) in relationship: Mars and Pluto, while in Capricorn, are also in mutual disposition and ‘friend’s’ with the Scorpio Saturn: Pluto rules Scorpio (the sign Saturn is in) and Mars is exalted in Capricorn, meaning that Mars works best in this sign as he loses the wilfulness associated with blundering chaos and gains mastery through his initiation into Universal understanding. Together, this mighty combination suggests strength, stamina and stealth – all of which can be used for good or bad.   

Venus, however, is in her detriment in Scorpio, although being empowered by her good relations to Mars and Pluto, the Goddess’ darker energies may well mean that jealousy, obsessions and paranoia are given the short sharp shrift. 

In our new world order based upon love-wisdom and compassion, such difficult dynamics are used to help overcome duality, activate the heart-mind, and generate the everflowing nectar of Bodhicitta, relative and ultimate.  

Wishing to develop Bodhicitta, and that all mother sentient beings are free from suffering, is considered relative, and this may well be enough during the powerful eclipse coming up early in the week, as the lunar eclipse sparks off once again the theme of 2012: global heart-mind activation. 

The lunar eclipse on the 28^th November constellates the 7 degrees Sagittarius Sun and Gemini Moon, within a ‘finger of fate’ or ‘finger of g0d’ (nodding to Greg for Divine spelling), yod formation. This ‘finger’ points directly to the Moon during the eclipse, representing our emotions; responses and feminine intuition lie in the (Gemini) mind, which resides in the heart.

So wherever 7 degrees Gemini-Sagittarius, Scorpio or Capricorn are in your chart, these are the areas now involved in adjusting to the development of heart-mind. I say adjusting because this is configuration is like a push-me-pull-you, when funnelling intense pressure requires consideration, effort and precision. During this Lunar Eclipse, as it is the moon which provides the precision, it is essential to look at Gemini more deeply.   Doing so with esoteric astrology we see the sign of communication, neighbourhood, and siblings, Gemini’s esoteric ruler is Venus, planet of love and harmonious relations; learning to communicate love therefore, to our brothers and sisters within our immediate environment is essential to enhance the orthodox mind of ideas and thoughts. 

This degree of the lunar eclipse is also the very same degree planet Venus was at during her epic transit of the Sun this year. And it is also the very same degree which will be aspected at the Winter Solstice 2012 by Jupiter, Sagittarian ruler of wisdom and higher learning. Get the picture? Consciousness resides in the heart. Train the mind now and see the bigger picture with a loving heart, and be released from the bondage of attachment and aversion.

There’s also a deliciously magical and profound cosmic energy to tap into that helps soften any harsh revelation. The celestial delight I speak of is due to Goddess Venus alluring and loving in Scorpio (with Saturn), linking up with Earth Mother Ceres in fellow sensitive water sign, Cancer; together Venus and Ceres then constellate a gorgeous ‘Grand Water Trine’ with spiritual Neptune and healing Chiron in Pisces. For the next few days we may even sense certain things, ideas, people and situations are worth loving, forgiving and saving, such as honesty, nature and friendship.This Grand Water Trine will come into greater focus with the Moon in Cancer on the 30th November.

Next month we have a new supermoon to look forward to and, of course, our Winter Solstice global meditation for world peace and heart-mind alignment. 

Blessings and Thanks to Anya Langmead for Vajrasattva and Pounyan for wonderful image _/♥\_