☼✰··☾♡☽··✰☼ New Moon Pisces Solar Eclipse @14:58gmt ~>

☸ Losar ~ Tibetan New Year 2144 of the Red Firebird! ☸

Today’s New Moon Solar eclipse will see a magnificent ‘Ring of Fire’ over South Africa, with the potential for solar winds to make it rather spectacular, when we will be able to see the Sun’s all-illusive corona, high density plasma that holds the secrets of the Sun’s crowning glory. The Eclipse is in Pisces, the sign of the magical power of prayer, as well as collective confusion, and the compassion we generate within the mysteries.

·✰· When Sun and Moon unite in their orbits to form a total eclipse (Solar or Lunar) a massive amount of transformational celestial energy concentrates upon the degree concerned; in this case it is the 6-7-8-9-10-11° super-sensitive Pisces feeling the pull of oceanic and cosmic tidal change. This degree is also conjunct the Babylonian fixed Royal star Fomalhaut: a star which sometimes indicates dealing with difficult secrets and/or hanging out with the wrong crowd, as well as snake bites and squandered inheritance. Essentially Fomalhaut’s influence is to learn from and leave behind the negative and bring consciousness to the fore, dragging from the depths of the oblivion all kinds of insight into the light, and the inner and outer workings of the most subtle vibrations. It’s a star to watch very early on summer morning, with its spherical ‘fish’s eye’ hanging low in the sky. To my mind this star witnesses the embodied resonance of a collective soul - we are one - each with an actual body (relatively speaking) and corporeal soul. And this brings me to what I think the crux of this eclipse is about: how we collectively demonstrate loving kindness and compassion to all beings, as we all (eventually) become enlightened conduits for cosmic universal consciousness. 

Taking into account the fact that the mighty powerful Uranus-Pluto Square is now currently being reactivated, this then is no ordinary eclipse. It’s one, when looking at all the dramatic changes taking place, where we need to think in the long term. In the short-term, some situations happening now are directly and karmically connected to and/or even created by obstacles relating to 2012-13-14. BUT we mustn’t forget that the Uranus-Pluto cycle is a long one, approximately 125 years, and that where we are now is only the crisis ridden opening square; i.e. the first quarter of a longer cycle. Looking at this longer astrological cycle, it is also worth noting how an eclipse at this degree is also exactly opposite the feminist liberation and freedom loving conjunction of the mid-60’s, directly opposing that particular generational signature, (Uranus-Pluto conjunction in Virgo). Those born around that time may really resonate with this eclipse and feel a strong need to purify and connect to the divine, and with a sense of urgency if one is live in the kind of 'Peace,Love & Equality' the 60’s offered.

That said, Pisces is the very last sign of the zodiac, and to realise a collective heaven on earth, endurance and serenity are always a boon. Now, however, we need to collectively heal our connection to the sacred feminine, our bodies, the Earth herself as well as the Divine. Please also note how this opposition to this most famous 60’s conjunction, which saw freedom in love and information on computers grow to where we are now, is actually going to be in 2046-48, and it will be encompassing the same degree we are looking at now, i.e. 5-6-7° Pisces. What does this tell us? It tells us that every time there is an eclipse at this degree (every 19ish years) there will be an important cosmic download from the universal matrix which we need to integrate into our lives in order to become spiritual and practical world servers. And as we soon leave this tense trans-personal Uranus-Pluto aspect behind (by the end of next year) we will continue to look at the issues of making personal and collective sacrifices, so that we can heal the planet and ourselves. 

·✰· But most exciting in the immediate is how a day after this New Moon begins the Tibetan New Year of the Red Fire Bird, Losar, which starts on Monday 27th Feb to celebrate a fortnight of miracles the Buddha displayed during his lifetime. These are considered karma multiplied days. Each miracle accumulates more and more merit to awaken the Bodhi-mind, the awakened heart-mind; and on the 15th Full Moon day (12th March 2017) the accumulation of merit is celebrated with the ‘Day of Miracles’, also called known as 'Chötrul Düchen', or ‘The Great Prayer Festival’. 

With that, I wish you all a very happy ‘Losar Tashi Delek’!
Light blessings and love _/\_ from Laura

Ps:
·✰· A New Moon is also a time of setting intentions. As always, our intention (here at Dharma Stars ) is to raise the cosmic love vibration with sincerity and a kind heart, especially when faced with difficulty and uncertainty, and to keep the faith!.
·✰· Geomagnetic storms are also forecast for the next few days, bringing beautiful Auroras to Mother’s Earth poles. As her natural Sushumna glows with healing LoveLight, so can ours. _/\_
Many thanks to unknown artist for Firebird _/\_

🐓 New Year of the Fire Bird 🐓 Aquarius New Moon 2017

🐓 Shake a tail feather and now wave goodbye to the crazy year of the Yang Fire Monkey – not to be seen again for another sixty years! And hail a hearty welcome to the year of the Yin Red Fire Bird, which begins to crow with the Aquarian New Moon on the 27-28th January at 00:07gmt, 19:07est.
A Fire Bird year can be a controversial and colorful one with over dramatic scenarios, where the ordinary is given rank of the extraordinary – and vice versa, depending upon the power of the pecking order in the proverbial chicken coup (i.e. one’s own mind). 

The Red Rooster’s organizational abilities are generally stubbornly applied, although compromise and cooperation would create a greater sense of union - and harmony, as well create the adulation they desire and/or deserve for their perfectionism. The challenge in the year of the loyal and punctual Rooster is to see competition and comparison as futile and counterproductive to positive personal development, particularly when partaking and celebrating differences create the unified whole. 

A natural born confident Fire Rooster knows how to strut one’s glorious every-day stuff with regal style and strength, without having to prove one’s authority. Those born in 1957 will truly resonate with this year’s fiery element. It is, however, a time for everyone to wake-up and cultivate mindfulness with noble intentions in all spheres of life, honing skills with precision and awareness, which others may benefit from. 

From a spiritual point of view, this year of the Fire Bird is one of a phoenix in transformation, possessing the courage to root out any negative minutiae the ego tenaciously holds onto, in order to fly up to higher sights. In the astrology of the Tibetan Kalachakra Tantra, it is the mighty and mythic Garuda Bird who is akin to the zodiac sign Aquarius, the group-oriented sign in which this Chinese New Year starts – which is also the sign of surprises and amazement. (Please note Tibetan New Year, Losar, begins with the New Moon Solar Eclipse in Pisces on the 26th of February). 

The soaring Red Garuda is also a King of outrageousness; he emerged from his cracked egg fully grown, already perfect in his warrior ways, having overcome hope and fear in order to experience freedom and spaciousness.
This is year is auspicious for Snake; successful for Ox; happy for Dragon; entertaining for Goat; and good for Tiger, Monkey and Boar; a fair one for the Horse; and moderate for the Rooster; while Rabbit and Rat may be happier in a less provocative role, a Dog’s relation to the Rooster will depend upon how fiery elements dominate his or her horoscope. 

With love & prayers _/|\_ & even though we don't really need wings to fly to a higher perspective and get our clearer view (meditation and dharma will do!), best wishes to one & all!
Kung Hei Fat Choi!
Happy Chinese New Year of the Fire Bird!
🎆 🐓   🌟 🐓 🌟 <3 🐓 🌟 🐓 🌟

△ Grand Air Trine △ Guru Rinpoche day _/\_ Jan'15

☽☆☾ This lunar cycle’s 'Guru Rinpoche' day, when we give thanks and honour our guides, teachers and, in the Tibetan Buddhist’s tradition, our Lama, has a seriously intellectual quality about it, with reason and love triumphant when embracing unity, bliss and emptiness. This is because a triangle formation between the Aquarian Sun, the growing Gemini Moon, and the Moon’s North Node in Libra, now emphasises the highest functions of the heart mind.
 

 △ With a 'Grand Air Trine' the ability to find common bonds through ideas and friendship can create unity that helps to overcome the dualism separating us from the cosmic Oneness, which has our best interests at heart. Indeed, this kind of magical spacy cohesion helps to appreciate how the teacher works in mysterious ways. Please note that a teacher can be within, someone you met, or from books or videos, even.
 

△ And though we are all born with an inherent inner wisdom, none of us is perfect. In Buddhist philosophy we are all each others’ teachers, in one form or another. So it is during this glorious Gibbous Moon phase, before the upcoming glorious full Moon, where we celebrate the sacred connections that help us to breathe easy and remove karmic obscuration.
 

△ Paying respect to those who help gain personal insight, intuition, and wisdom overview, continues to be in the spotlight with Full Leo Moon, Tuesday the 4th, which will be conjunct Jupiter, the solar system’s munificent ‘Cosmic Guru’, which should be fun. ;)

☽☆☾ It is also worth noting how the nodal axis, with north &south nodes signifying where we are going and where we are coming from respectively, are currently activated by eccentric Uranus, conjunct the South Node. This powerful galvanization from the planet of change, Uranus, advocates the movement towards peace, beauty and harmony (NN in Libra) by raising awareness of where we have been, bringing new gifts to make serious changes (Uranus conjunct SN) that embrace the new and exciting.

In this astral Aquarian age of enlightenment, altruism is the key to the success of any transformation. _/♥\_ 

☽☆☾ Image is of Garuda – artist unknown, sent to us by one of the great living masters, Jadho Rinpoche _/♥\_  Garuda is the Himalayan ‘King of the Birds’, who removes the poison to avoid any injury that comes about from desire, ignorance and aversion. In the Tibetan Kalachakra system of astrology, Garuda is associated with the inventive Fixed Air sign, Aquarius. the sign in which Sprit Sun currently resides.

☼ ♌ ~ △ ~ ☾ ♐ Guru Rinpoche Day ~> _/♥\_ August 16th 2013

☼ ♌ ~ △ ~ ☾ ♐ = Guru Rinpoche Day ~> _/♥\_
August 16th = 10th day of the 7th Tibetan Month of the Bird

One of the 20th century’s greatest Lamas, Dudjom Rinpoche says this about today's Guru Rinpoche, Padmasambhava “On the Tenth Day of the month of the Bird, the Tirthikas from Tamradvipa threw Him into the river Ganges. But having performed a Vajra Dance in the sky, by His magical powers He caused the waters of the river to reverse their flow. Having awakened faith in them, at the time of establishing the Doctrine in their kingdom, He became known as Kha-ding Tsal or Khagamana, "He who soars in the sky like the Garuda."”

While this great mythological story involves wondrous beasts such as Garuda (the snake–eating King of Birds), one has to read between the lines of any magical twilight language and think symbolically. As such, the month of the bird offers the ability to fly high and rise above the earthly mundane to have perspective upon all life. That Guru Rinpoche, Padmasambhava, was thrown into a sacred river, the Ganges, suggests he emerged filled with ever-flowing blissful devotion, emanating unconditional love - qualities which reverse the tide of negative emotion and overcome obstacles.

A Vajra Dance honours unified connectivity and all elements in all ten directions: the four cardinal and four cross-quarters (phases for sun & Moon) as well as up & down: stabilising mid-heaven to mid-earth. The Vajra (a.k.a. Dorje) is the diamond sceptre used in Tibetan tantric practice to symbolise focus, form and vitality, awakening the practioner to the foundation of the physical realm through its dynamic thunderbolt action. The ‘Thunderbolt’ is also one of Jupiter’s tools. In astrology, Jupiter IS the sacred Guru, ‘The Vajra Holder’.

Now exalted in watery Cancer, Jupiter can soar high above emotional dross, offering the ability to see the bigger picture, at the same time giving substantial support. Jupiter in moon-ruled, home-loving Cancer is also in a very powerful association with this 10-day Moon, called ‘mutual reception’, as the Moon is in Sagittarius, which is ruled by Jupiter. This means that the Sacred Guru, Jupiter, and the sensitive Moon are in extremely good relations today.

So you see, even though we might need to adjust our emotional viewpoint, today is astrologically perfect to acknowledge Guru Devotion, and tap into the stream of Lama Love that honours our teachers (within) to make offerings, fly prayer flags, and give thanks for all the spiritual guidance they so caringly give, as a mother would her child. _/♥\_

Image of Red Garuda by unknown artist with thanks _/♥\_
Guru Mantra ~> "Om Ah Hung Vajra Guru Pema Siddhi Hung" _/♥\_