A Harvest of Insight ~> Full Aries Moon Sept 2012

2012's Full Harvest Moon in Aries activates my own Aries Moon. Initially, I wondered how this might ‘affect’ me. Of course, in Buddhism there is no ‘me’ to affect :) and in astrology the stars incline and don’t impel. (So the nonexistent ‘I’ either consciously or unconsciously makes one’s own destiny! ;)) But it was actually a personal breakthrough – so symbolic of an activating Aries Moon conjunct Uranus, the Great Awakener – that I suddenly ‘felt’ with my whole being something so simple, which I had intellectually understood for over twenty years. And this makes me aware of how important this full moon is.

Let me share my own personal ‘ah-ha’ moment, which is the recognition of how vital it is to maintain a calm-abiding meditation practice in order generate compassion towards others (in Tibetan this meditation is called ‘Shamata’). Without this personal practice of harmonising one’s heart-mind, one is less able to easily be loving and kind. Of course one can be always be considerate if one cares to; but the kind of total thoughtful concern for others that I am talking about, which consistently has the benefit of others at heart, takes years if not lifetimes of contemplation, hence the emphasis that all spiritual traditions place upon meditation.

It seems surprising to acknowledge how I have ‘known’ how important it is to ‘do the practice’; but now, over this full moon, I have ‘emotionally experienced’ the wisdom of this most basic meditation – that personal practice (Aries) provides a treasury of LOVE (Libra). And this depth of feeling (associated with the Moon) makes all the difference; as greater freedom comes from understanding how real (Uranian) liberation means ones is no longer bound by circumstance, causes or conditions – and that is quite a big step on the process of spiritual transformation, developing compassion, wisdom and strength in any event or situation!

All this is very much in accord with the current celestial line-up as the harmonious Libra Sun opposes the dynamic Aries Moon, which sits next to unpredictable yet altruistic Uranus, and both in Tsquare to powerful Pluto. These stars ask us to consider how we relate – to ourselves and to loved ones and, because friendly Uranus is in the mix conjunct the Moon in Aries Uranus takes on a more important role, as the planet of kindred spirits is also the higherarchical ruler of Aries, suggesting all the Ram's individuality is best served when living for the benefit of others (which is the Mahayana principle); this Moon conjunct Uranus assesses how we fit into the collective aspiration of personal freedom, altruisim and transformation.

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PERSONAL CONSULTATION with Laura ~> With astrology we access easier transitions through challenging moments. See my blog for rates: http://zodiac-heaven.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/astrology-consultations.html

Image of Buddha Flash by Hugh Fathers

Healing Equinox ~> 2012 Autumn Dragon

As our world turns, the Solar year experiences two equinoxes, marked by equal-day and equal-night, at Spring and Autumn. Each has a distinct signature: Autumn inclines towards the cocooned dark restful night, while Spring dynamically moves headlong into the light.

Tomorrow, 22nd September, at 15:50 BST , 7:50 AM PST, we reach Autumn Equinox, the point of Earth’s yearly solar cycle when light and dark exchange dominant directions, and dark nights extend into the northern he

misphere; while the light of life gets ready to spring into action in the south.

This point of balance and change heralds the ingress of the Sun into a leading cardinal sign Libra - the sign where karmic Saturn is currently exalted at anaretic 29degree, making it oh-so imperative to stay centred in heart-mind.

Concerned with peace, love and unity, Libra’s planet is Venus (now in fiery Leo) and the scales’ element is intellectual ‘Air’, which is yang in energy; this combination is generally quite fast-moving and brisk.

The weekend also see’s a 1st quarter Medicine Buddha Tara Moon, giving this Autumn equinox a lovely, quick-healing boost; before we know it there will be a massive Full Harvest Moon in only a week’s time :)

2012’s fiery Autumn Dragon is stirring ~> Enjoy the shift :) _(♥)_

Image is Sangey Menla, Tibet's blue Medicine Buddha, whose mantra is 'Tayatha Om Bekanze Bekanze Mahabekanze Rasa Sammut Gate Soha' ~> 'Oh Hail the Great King of Healing, let the healing be strong, and let the healing begin' _(♥)_

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.

A 2nd Aries Moon beams the Light of Life ~ Oct '10

The Divine Light of consciousness stimulates head AND heart with a second Full Moon in Aries. This time the Moon will be at 29degrees Aries at 2:36 am (gmd) early Saturday morning. A second Full Moon in any zodiacal sign is a ‘Krishna Moon’ or ‘Christ Moon’ radiating love for all, including self (& this may well be the origination of the ‘Blue Moon’ concept, due to Krishna’s royal colour.).

Only a few days after the Moon in apogee, stretching our Earthly electromagnetism, this full Moon happens to be very powerful.  Once again in Aries the Moon is opposite the Libran Spirit Sun: the spiritual warrior’s sacred heart is balanced with mirror-like wisdom and a certain familiarisation, as both Lights (Sun & Moon) contain within them the various emotional and spiritual experiences since the previous Autumn Equinox Full Aries Moon: thus the ‘Light that Moves to Rest’ reflects ‘The Light of Life’ that shines on a true and loving heart. 

From nought degrees Aries at the Full Equinox Moon, until now at the anaretic degree at the very end of the sign - one entire lunation - the Libra-Aries axis of personal will verses relationship is given a second cosmic focus. The theory is that because we are acquainted with the range of dynamic Aries-Libra expressions: I and we, individual and partnership, assertion-compromise, we are therefore more in tune with these powerful and forward moving energies, able to find a happy balance between the will of action and peaceful dialogue (or not, as the case may be). 

 

Now is the time to balance personal will within relationship needs. Impulsive or irrational feelings could tip the Libran scales.

Much, as always, will depend upon the individual’s connection to these all important Cardinal signs, especially now that taskmaster Saturn is in harmonious Libra, sometimes parading as the Lord of Love who dares to dance with the horned devil (a power-playing ego), while squaring up to Pluto at 3 degrees Capricorn, indicating a formidable, almost painful transformation of authority; and on the opposite side of the sky lie Jupiter and Uranus, stirring up personal, collective and planetary change in a most challenging way.   

This, however tricky the current arrangement of the planets, is an important Moon for Buddhists, as it is the Full Moon when the Lord Buddha agrees to the Deva’s request to descend from the Heavenly Realms of the 33, the Trayatrisma (where he had repaid kindness by teaching his mother), and return to Earth to continue teaching the dharma. In a week’s time, at the last quarter moon on October 30^th, just before Halloween, we celebrate the actual descent, Lhabab Du Chen, as being one of the four most important days in the Buddhist calendar.

This ability to move between spheres is not confined to the Buddha. The Spirit of the Sun is also currently up-close and personal with Venus and communicative Mercury.  When in Scorpio, Mercury acts as mediating psychopomp between the seen and unseen, urging us to be attentive to our thoughts while we shift between our levels of consciousness, so that we can recognise any gems we might discover. Venus retrograde provides a loving kind of insight; and Mars in Scorpio adds probing depth.

Medicine Buddha Moon ~ Libra Sun ☼☀☽ Capricorn Moon

As the Sun passes through Libra, the sign of the scales, finding balance and treading the middle path is our greatest challenge. Libra is an intellectual Air sign. What we now really need to work on is a well-developed mind, to stop ourselves from potentially going to damaging extremes.   

Staying calm with focused breathing helps to let go of drama and rest in our natural equanimity.

Effort is required to maintain this stability, as recent decision making has been burdened with responsibility, leaving some of us feeling like Atlas, with the weight of the world on our shoulders (and desperate for a good massage). Such tension was recently reflected in the heavens as the celestial taskmaster, Saturn, conjoined the Libran Sun, imparting the sense that any move has a direct bearing not just on the immediate future but also upon how situations will develop over the next year, as though we were about to concretise karma.  So finding that delicate Libran poise, whilst mega important, has been fraught because of the endless possibilities that a rattling mind can cleverly envisage – such vision, or course, is laudable.  While vascilating with sometimes ominous and restless thoughts during this airy period does make it more stimulating, it also feeds the unnecessary fear that makes it impossible to settle upon one definite course of action. Thankfully, the wandering planets move away from such difficult aspects: If you have not already taken one particular major task in hand, keeping one’s options open may well be the wisest course of action, at least tomorrow and Friday, the 14^th/15^th, when the first quarter moon sheds more light upon any obstacles to overcome before feeling quite self-satisfied a week later, with the Moon is full in Aries, on the 23^rd October. 

This Medicine Buddha Moon in practical and realistic Capricorn, has an unusally easy healing quality, as it makes very pleasant connections to several important planets, connecting to Mars at home in Scorpio for insightful action, and the Jupiter-Uranus conjunction provides the compassionate overview. Event’s surrounding Thursday’s first quarter Moon could also be key in triumphing over any difficult business or partnership situation too. Which brings me to THE planet in serious astrological focus right now: Venus the planet of loving partnerships, is now in her retrograde phase, going backwards for 40 days and 40 nights.  Queen of the skies, Venus, is the ruler of Libra (where the Sun currently is); and she is now passing through sexy Scorpio, encouraging us to maintain a sympathetic heart while we delve into the deepest parts of our soul, to discover an acute kind of intuitive acumen that heightens psychic ability and activates the power of transformation. Come here to read a more in depth article on this passage of Venus through Scorpio.

Karmic Balance ~ Sun conjunct Saturn in Libra ~ 1st Oct 2010

To create a cosmic balance, karma now comes into play as the Libran Sun conjoins Saturn, who is exalted in Libra to weigh up the good and the not-so-good. It could quite easily be time of important moves and decisions (especially for those with early Cardinal degrees prominent, when we also take into consideration that Saturn is opposite Jupiter & Uranus, square Pluto).

Facing up to the consequences of the karmic law of cause and effect need not be unpleasant. Indeed, providence can be positively encouraging when we when we come from the heart spirit and take responsibility for all our relationships; for that is when the love-light shines to illuminate all kinds of difficult situations, helping to resolve peacefully together, with kindness and diplomacy.

Remember that we tend to attract what we need (to learn) in order to become wise.

Fascinating synchronicity: as the Libra Sun came within orb of Saturn: The other day I found myself in a room with 3 Librans; each of them dealing with the demanding trials of Saturn's presence on their point of Spirit; each of them appeared to be more patient, accepting and wiser and, on the cosmic scale of things, more willing to compromise in order to acheive. Such are the gifts of 'Old Father Time'.

I also find it interesting how all three leaders of British politics, David Cameron, Nick Clegg, and now Ed Miliband are all cardinal signs; complete with the drama in the personal lives of Libran Cameron and Capricorn Miliband, who really are dealing with massive karmic responsibility.   

LIBRA ~ Cardinal Cross of the Spiritual Sun ~ Evolution of the Sacred Heart

Libra ~ Libra Rising

1^st Solar house Saturn-Mars-Venus in Libra (August 2010)

4^th Solar house Pluto in Capricorn

7^nd Solar house Jupiter/Uranus Aries

10^th Solar house Moon in Cancer
For cosmic overview click on the
Cardinal Cross of the Spritual Sun

~ ♥ ~ Most importantly for Libra, the Cardinal Cross of the Central Spiritual Sun has karmic Saturn, now exalted in Libra, the sign of balance and harmony, which is the best possible place for Saturn to be. (Venus is also currently at home in Libra, with her cosmic lover, Mars, who is in ‘fall’ in Libra (meaning it’s not his favourite place; Mars would rather be swashbuckling with his warrior comrades, as opposed to dealing with that most tender of human activities: loving rapport)). 

Relationships are therefore now under the celestial spotlight, as the heavens now urge Libra to share the love and radiate peace, all the while dealing with karmic Saturn in your sign. Interestingly, this photo with ‘Karma Comes’ flashed up on dear old facebook the other day (thank you Rinpoche). And it made me reconsider what do we mean by karma? Why do we always think of karma as negative? Karma can be positive too. But trying to wrap the brain around the concept of karma can create enough energy to fry our noodle. It’s not always easy to accept ‘the law of cause and effect’ without any kind of questioning (which is good!), yet its a concept often bandied about to explain the unexplainable. Perhaps it’s easier to understand the more biblical phrase ‘what you sow, so shall you reap’, meaning that if you do something good, good will come, if you do something dodgy, keep looking over your shoulder, as karma also exercises a strange phenomena, in that it expands and can make a habit out of any vibration: positive or negative, particle or waves ripple out into the universe, so a karmic pattern seemingly takes on a life of it’s own.

Astrologically, the whole horoscope is one’s karma, with various markers highlighting: Saturn, as Lord of Karma, the sign Capricorn, certain house positions, and the nature of the moon’s nodal axis can tell us something of past, present and future karma. But in Buddhist teachings it is also seen as a philosophy, a way of living, as karma creates an imprint in one’s mind. Understanding how we are responsible for our own karma tends one towards kindness, with a more loving approach to life. His Holiness, the Dalai Lama says that once we understand karma, we can develop faith.

This could be easier as dynamic Mars, loving Venus, and Saturn work together in your sign (until early September), giving Saturn’s two year station in Libra a good start, motivating with determination.  The trick to this challenging planetary combination is to brush aside judgemental attitudes and unreasonable pessimism with a gentle hand.  You can even move mountains at this time,  very slowly, by resting in pure love. You may find willfuly pushing any situation without this special kind of sacred heart only make matters worse and becomes the proverbial Push-me-Pull-you, instead of the harmonious balance of Yin-Yang that you are. What you can do, in the most positive sense, is to take on board how karma grows, and how it therefore plays an important role in our existance.

Rest assured any plans you form at this moment in time, any foundations you build, and the energy you direct at any project at this starting point of Saturn in Libra (where the old taskmaster stays until October 2012) will take on greater significance as this Cardinal Cross unfolds.  Now is also the time to actively analyse any soothe fears and doubts. Libra is an intellectual air sign, and the heavens are asking you to see how love conquers all; and how, through mediation and dialogue, kindness and equality, you achieve peace and respect.  So be prepared to accept much more responsibility in the not too distant future, because you, of all people, can handle it. This is why Saturn, one of the most feared and revered planets in the celestial pantheon, is exalted in Libra: because everything you do is done with love. When it comes to establishing the spiritual Sun deep within with Saturn on your side, it bestows a timeless effect.

Saturn in Libra also makes dramatic planetary connections that play a pivotal role in the ongoing T square (which is activated into the monthly cross when the Moon is in Cancer).  A natural movment and transition could be all taking place all around you, while Saturn in your sign suggests you are now choosing to take life more seriously, noting how you stabilise situations/emotions/events just by remaining present in your centre. As this karmic planet of authority, discipline and recognition, is also the cautious and careful; the astral advice is to therefore initiate with prudence. Luckily, the Cardinal Cross suggests you have an enormous network of friends and supporters. 

In the solar fourth house, Pluto in Capricorn indicates dramatic developments at home, having a direct effect upon your career. This moment in time presents an opportunity to seize control (of unhelpful habits/karma) and transform your very foundations  by letting go of past grievences and burdens. Being the sign of the scales, you can veer between making a commitment, or fear the entire changing world. If it’s the latter, know that love - your love - conquers all.

Because realistic Saturn opposes Jupiter and Uranus in Aries in your sphere of relationships, all matters of the awakened heart are of paramount importance. Libra’s tend to live by the heart. And having ambitious Saturn in your sign means you can concretise something very real, such as a marriage or living together. Saturn in your solar 1st house also puts your own needs first, possibly bringing one karmic cycle (with another) to a close. The astrological mansion of partnerships, the 7^th house is now a hotbed of shocking clarity, because of these two other planets in opposition to Saturn. With Uranus and Jupiter stirring up enthusiasm in this sphere of partnerships, sharing freedom and truth with loved ones (or business partner) means more than before. The principal point about long term Jupiter-Saturn- Uranus-Pluto transits is to conquer any fear or commitment; if you are afraid to delve into a relationship that allows you to explore the full spectrum of love and profoundly beautiful emotions, now is the time to ask yourself why that might be? On a psychological level, if there is no openness or willingness to expand and mindfully grow together, this might leave a Libran already in relationship feeling alone or out on a limb. Though partners could repeatedly reassure you, watch the saturnine mood and exercise awareness; it is your choice if you wish to remain in emotional pain, instead of love yourself (and therefore others) and releasing pent-up negativities by talking things through and forgiving, which is highly recommended while you have such unconditional planetary backing. There is no denying how matters of the heart can be complicated if we’re concerned only with self-cherishing. But love can also be made simple by litterally opening your heart. For the single Libran the serious suitor should be given consideration; for it seems as though love is around every corner, all you have to is stop staring at a brick wall (unless, of course, you’re Zen;)). Bring balance within (through meditation – chakra work, tai-chi yoga etch) and you will have balance in the world around you.

With this kind of synchronization, natural leadership qualities also come to the fore; with Saturn in Libra you turn into the current voice of celestial authority.  Patience, planning and perseverance, ambitions and long-held dreams also become a focal point, as you are able to apply yourself with ardour and diligence, especially when the Moon makes her monthly appearance in Cancer in your objective solar 10^th house. Others also appreciate how just and fair and sweetly pushy Libra can be. Your ability to keep the peace is also a rare and called-for talent in the world, especially now, during this period of the Cardinal Cross, when you get an opportunity to shine and reveal loving (spiritual) accomplishments (most importantly for yourself).

A word of financial and psychological caution: Try not to be too miserly in the guise of traditional common sense. Remember that yours is the sign of evalutation, and everyone responds to a little sweetener. This a time when experience counts: Cast a backward glance to last November and note any major developments. Have you, after all this time, allowed love to flow and take responsibility for certain goals which you may have previously feared? Or do you think you need to ‘work’ some more upon your purpose? There is no time like the present to take that firm but gentle hand and guide yourself (and others) to a land of bliss. The stars really do urge you to feel the fear, but do it anyway, albeit ever-so-cautiously. Keep the love-light shining Libra; almost every major sphere of your life is now in a period of massive evolution which will benefit from Saturn in Libra’s dependable and conscientious wisdom: and know that the spiritual rewards of coming from your sacred heart will be truly tremendous. 

The initial link for the Cardinal Cross of the Spritual Sun

Thanks to Urgyen Tenpa Rinpoche for the Karma Comes Photo; Alex Gray for the vajraheart, Bll Decker for healing hands, nomad bead company for Vajrasattva, and other unknown but much appreciated artists thank you all.

♥_/\_ૐ

Natural Great Peace ~ Autumn Equinox 09

“Rest in natural great peace this exhausted mind,
Beaten helpless by karma and neurotic thoughts
Like the relentless fury of the pounding waves
In the infinite ocean of samsara.
Rest in natural great peace.”

Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche

According to the Buddhism, we're born with an innate ‘Natural Great Peace’, sometimes called our ‘Buddha nature’ – inherently luminous, calm and peaceful. But as we develop, grow into and work with the denser material world, we can lose sight of the light and the ability to access that most sensitive part of ourselves we might now label ‘cool’. For whatever reason, environmental, learned behaviour, or social conditioning, we often find it impossible to let our mind’s settle. Running after one thought or another means we end up chasing our tail - way off mark from the serenity or calm we’d like to be in while we deal with life’s constant flux and flow of change. It’s as though our dark side delights in overwhelming our radiance, to stultify us with fear and foreboding. Yet today is Equinox, when equal day and equal night is marked by the Sun moving into harmonious Libra, the sign of the scales: an internal balance between yin and yang enables us to pacify tension and stress, made especially easy by watching the breath. Libra is of the Air element, intellectual and rational; it shows how to control negative reactions and stop spiralling into a negative vortex purely by noting the breath; and this could gently push the ‘sensible’ button. Breathing short and fast is stressed; but long and slow and even breath is relaxed and paced.

And with the spirit of the Sun at a Cardinal point today, such as Libra (22:19 BST), it adds internal power and authority and the conviction to find our own light, without having to look outside of ourselves. That said Libra is the sign of partnerships, seeing how others are not a projection but a reflection of our own true peaceful nature.

Influencing the will to restore is also seen by two other sets of planetary dynamics currently constellating: In earthy Virgo, the practical sign of healing are Venus, Pallas Athena, Mercury (still retrograde) and Saturn. This is quite a combination indicating the need to take care of, and nurture others, as well as our selves and most importantly, boost our immune systems as naturally as we can. Healthcare is such a big issue these days, not just because of this stellium in Virgo (a stellium is when three or more planets are grouped together), but a celestial theme continued with the triple conjunction of expansive Jupiter, curative Chiron and spiritual Neptune, all in the collective sign of Aquarius. The urge is to be idealistic and go for boosting the critical spiritual mass.

Of course, we could all be being hoodwinked, but a lot of good news filtered through the media this week, in my humble opinion: net neutrality rules (very Saturn-Mercury), Tobin tax, Gross National Happiness, and a commitment to climate change adjustments in Copenhagen this December, and perhaps most encouraging of all is a call by the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, for global and nuclear disarmament. This may be because the recent third of the five Saturn-Uranus oppositions (the next are April and July) put the onus on Saturn to be more reasonable than repressive, thus prompting hope and faith. Which is just what we need right now, because the task of taking care of billions of people at the same time as empowering the human spirit is crucial, especially if we are to evolve and enlighten.

credits: The glorious painting of yin and yang is by Jim Thompson & the mandala is the Peace Garden at the London War Museum.

Dream Healing Caduces

We all have an image in our mind of how we are. For those whose egos are as Royal as Buckingham Palace, it’s a vision of excellence, of someone unable to do anything wrong or make mistakes. For others who only see faults, foibles, and that tiny little spec of fluff on your shoulder, the picture is far less grandiose; and one that can so easily feed a poverty mentality held in the grip of fear and loathing. Neither viewpoint is that healthy or nourishing: one too pompous, the other too narrow; it takes a certain kind of understanding to realise that while no one is perfect, everyone is precious: an awareness of self in relation to others.

A false perception of how we associate with the world can lead to feeling disconnected in so many spheres: in relationship to people, money, work, even reality itself. Yet all is never lost. Especially while healing Mercury, also planet of the mind, is stationed (to go retrograde on Monday) in rational Libra; the sign of peace and loving harmony shows how a balanced viewpoint comes by turning towards the middle way. This way of ‘intrinsic awareness’ allows us to see how our own life is reflected by everything around us, through others and our environment; if we take this further then we can perceive how one’s mind is also reflected in the body. And with the light of the life-giving Sun now focusing upon health-orientated Virgo, the connection to our physical wellbeing is seriously emphasized.

So how do we achieve this balanced state of intrinsic awareness, of self-acceptance with a healthy mind and body? The most direct way is through meditation, yoga, prayer, dance or poetry, or any other activity that promotes insight through non-analysis. During this Sun in Virgo ~ Pisces Full Moon (exact Friday at 5pm BST), a powerful solar-lunar association activates the dream and the achievable, to unify form and the formless, the real and phantasmagorical. Best note where the Virgo-Pisces axis lies in your horoscope, and prepare to synchronize mind and body with Divine Spirit. Take time to sit and breathe and observe how thoughts show up in your physical being, through tension and stress. And take care, as Samskaras from previous lives can also come to light when developing an equanimous mind and the heart of compassion.

Note Mercury is going to go retrograde in Libra early next week, heading back into purist Virgo on the 18th. Ordinarily, when any of the yearly three ‘Mercury Retrograde’ periods come up, astrologers warn about re-reading every last word of legal fine print at least twice before signing upon dotted lines, and to be aware that transport and postal delays should be factored in if sending or travelling – and still expect things to go slightly out of whack. But this next Mercury retrograde is no ordinary backward sliding passage, as the planet of communication lines up with an authoritative and realistic Saturn, which remains in opposition to radical Uranus (for another year yet), suggesting we all need to continue looking in a responsible manner at alternative measures for ways to make our lives secure and calm, open and free, without feeling oppressed, descending into anarchy, or resisting change.

So keep an eye on any balls you have in the air right now. Make a mental note of all you’re thinking about, how you process and juggle those thoughts, and the potential outcome of any analysis, because you might well be going over similar ground mid-September and again mid-October. Remember, experience counts, and forewarned is forearmed.

Staying on a practical note: if making (any major) decision over the next month, the most appealing option might be to sit on the fence whilst weighing up all options, (even asking other peoples’ opinions, if necessary professionals) possibly up until mid-October. Before pronouncing any sensible and responsible judgement, you may ironically go through an extreme transformation of causes and condition that enables something or someone to really flourish for years to come.