❥ Profound Trust ~> Saturn in Scorpio 6th Oct 2012 ~> 2015

The zodiac’s ‘Karmic Taskmaster’, Saturn is, on the 6th October, about to make a momentous move from one (tropical) sign to another, leaving beahind the sign of the Libran scales, where he is exalted and will not return until 2039! That’s a long time, as it takes 28-ish years to experience the wisdom of Saturn’s lessons through all 12 signs of the Zodiac. This particular turn of Saturn through Libr

a has been about opening the heart in a very real and personal way – even in difficult situations, finding harmony and resting at centre. While Saturn now stands at the last 29th degree of Libra, we can look back over the previous two and half years to assess the lessons learned when dealing with Libra issues, such as love and peace in partnership, be the collaboration in marriage or business. Saturn exalted in Libra shows a middle way. As the taskmaster craves to achieve recognition within successful loving relationship, Saturn in Libra revealed how important it is to come from the heart, to be aware of our own part in creating causes and their affects, and how to remain fair, just and balanced.

Now this wise and weighty ringed planet is moving into the intense water sign, Scorpio, relationships deepen and the complexities of intimate karmic connections, especially ones which wield a magnetic power and influence, come to the fore. Saturn here tends to look for long-term shared investment, working obsessively towards transformation to reveal deep inner and often hidden magical resources. The combination of disciplined Saturn and secretive Scorpio hones insight, often through profound (tantric) meditation, enabling one to use an laser-like perception to cut through the nonsense and reveal the truth. Even if one does not like what one sees, having this acute sensitivity provides inordinate amount of strength and determination (to use one's practice) as tools for dramatic transformation.

Astro students will note how Saturn in Scorpio is in ‘mutual reception’ with Pluto in Capricorn (i.e. both planets are in the other’s sign), indicating a potential for extreme reactions to karmic circumstance, either good or bad. Buddhism views every situation, even difficult one, as a means to practice dharma. So perhaps the most important lesson Saturn in Scorpio offers is TRUST.

Those with planets in Scorpio will already probably sense the time is fast approaching to get real, be responsible, and overcome life's obstacles with a more serious long-term approach.

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' _(♥)_

Love Goddess Venus completes her epic cosmic dance _/\_♥

Many relationships will now feel renewed, deepened or released, so that compassion and kindness can blossom and bloom. This is the sum effect of the recently dramatic retrograde of the Venus transit to our heart star, the Sun, as Venus is now stationed to go forward and complete her cosmic dance at 7 Gemini on Wednesday. Look to this point in your ‘scope to see where in the sphere of life communicating from the heart-mind has taken unprecedented importance, and where learning to unconditionally love oneself is based on informed truth, a radiant kind-of consciousness, not ego. This amazing once-in-a-lifetime retrograde, as the Love Goddess aligned with Spirit Sun, together they showed how to connect in love, with beauty, to one’s self, to others, and the community at large. Now all we have to do is to add Jupiter’s ability to expand our understanding of love (July 14th- 24th) and all that we treasure, and encourage the generous heart-mind to grow and be positive in everyday relations.

Developing the celestial theme of unconditional love to also emphasise the need for balance, peace and harmony, in all circumstance, is the heaven's taskmaster Saturn (who has also just turned direct, exhalted in Libra), joined by the sensitive Libra Moon, just as Venus turns direct! Venus is therefore extremely influential, as she is the planet to rule the sign Libra. Generally speaking, when the Moon conjuncts Saturn, the reality check can seem like a day or two of harsh karmic lessons. But the more effort we consciously make to remain centred and listen to the heart, the less likely we are to be knocked off balance, but instead retain self-esteem and self-worth.

The kindest we can be, instead of passing Saturnian judgement or creating more obstacles, is to realise that time is often needed to get things (relationship/job/finances) just right and that, as long as our desires do not harm anyone, living in pleasure and love, we are all a ‘work in progress’. 

_/\_♥ ૐ

stunning image of astro-lovers ‘Between the Teardrops’ by Cameron Gray

Heart Star Solstice June 2012

Time now to tune into the unconditional warmth and clear light of heaven's inner radiance, feed the Spirit, and and shine like the Sun _(♥)_.•✩¨¯☼:) Our Heart Star, the Sun, is at standstill, and the cosmic wheel of light is poised to turn. Whichever part of the world you are, in the north where summer Sun is high, or south where winter Sun is low, Solstice marks a change of direction, and is when clans traditionally gather to affirm heartfelt connections.

This Solstice Sun makes a magical trine aspect to both manifesting Saturn and spiriutal Neptune, helping one to realise dreams, as well as stabilise meditation practice.

Happy Solstice! __/♥\__ .•✩¨¯`•☆٠.•..•¨*☽☀★

A new moon commenced just before Solstice and upon reflection, it ended what was a most memorable month with eclipses and the Venus transit, which events in our life surely mirror.

♥ Venus governs Libra, where Saturn is exalted. Saturn has been retrograde throughout the period, for the past four months, working on the heart and learning to love from the wisdom gained from life’s harder lessons. Saturn is soon to be going forward on Tuesday 26th, after Solstice, a New Moon and Venus also slowing down to station and  go forward on the 28th June. Hooray :) ♥

Centred at the heart and in relationship, a Libran Saturn at station to go forward is a very powerful ‘station’, in as much as it has the potential to hone-in upon karmic core-issues and go forward in peace, love and unity. Check 22 degrees Libra in your chart and see where you are currently showing considerable discipline by learning to love .  And check 7 degrees Gemini as to where self-love and self-appreciation has been processed.

~*~_(♥)_

The illustration is of the beautiful Goddess Prajnaparamta, Tibetan Goddess of Transcendent Wisdom, mother of all Buddhas and Bodhistavas, said to be an emmenation of Tara, holding the book of LOVE ♥

Gate Gate Paragate Parasamgate Bodhi Soha _(♥)_

~*~_(♥)_

Before the 26th, however, we encounter the first of SEVEN Uranus Pluto squares on June 24th. Having its roots in the 60's, this association between Uranus and Pluto is now at the opening square of potentially progressive, individually and collectively, ground-breaking innovation. Think back to the idealistic flower-power of the 60's, during the time of free-spirits, women's liberation, and the birth of the computer. Back then we also realised how Earth (her flora and fauna and humanity) needs healing. This is not an easy transit, but one of a series of sudden transformations that require co-operation and helpful forward-thinking from all sides, from those in authority as well as you and me, especially if we are to transform the currently destructive unequal power structures. There is also another cycle to consider: the Saturn Pluto conjunction in Libra which began in the early 80's; at its most exalted expression fairness in control is the only way to maintain balance, peace, and unity.

Image of the Buddha by Visual Alchemy "Event Horizon within the Buddha Field"
Image of Prajnaparameta by Exotic Art India

Moon conjunct Saturn Rx in Libra

MOON currently conjunct SATURN: 12:02:12
I've been busy this end taking care of body & soul, emphasising an important ASTRO development last week - specifically how Saturn went retrograde with the new moon. Saturn, still exalted in the sign of the scales, goes back from 29 degrees all the way to 22Libra on June 26, just after Summer solstice. This last, 'anaretic', degree can be a toughie as it has all the energy of LIBRA ready to change from one sign to another, therefore already sensing Scorpio's laser-like perception and the lessons that will entail (from Oct onwards). But in our current course, taskmaster Saturn's karmic lesson - that of coming from the lovely Libran heart - needs one last thorough reappraisal, so we really can remain centred whilst going through collective evolutionary transformation.

With the sensitive Moon now conjunct Saturn this Sunday afternoon, there's a slow-down and a possibility of feeling daunted by the work needed in the first part of a Dragon year (to deal with balancing the coming months of Saturn's retrograde). Be aware that reminding oneself that LOVE conquers fear, and taking responsibility for our own heart - and the relationships we make - any internal personal work which has the aim of becoming more loving and peaceful, and willing to enter into dialogue in relationship, stands everyone in good stead for another karmic cycle (or more!).

Leo full Moon ❤ Feb 2012 ❤ The LOVE thing

☆~☽❤ ☼ ❤☾~☆ Whoo-hoo ~> LEO FULL MOON tonight, reflecting the intelligent ‘light that shines across the sea’ from a friendly Aquarian Sun = it’s A LOVE THING that stimulates the heart-mind!

At the exact time of the 18 degree Full Moon 21:54 GMT (-5 for NY; +5 1/2 Delhi) Spirit Sun conjuncts Mercury, the celestial courier; news and/or conversations could be a wake-up call, to the point, and insightful. Mercury always carries a healing message. What we learn now impacts upon our integrity in the coming months (especially while dynamic Mars is retrograde in principled Virgo). So get ready to drop the sun-ruled-Leo-ego and radiate a generous and steady kind of ardour that reaches to the edges of the universe, melting even the iciest heart at this Imbolc Valentine Full Leo Moon! __(❤)__

Also worthy of astro note, whilst out moon-bathing, is how the Lord of Karma, Saturn, goes retrograde today (until just after Summer Solstice, going all the way back to 22 Libra); still exalted in the sign of the scales, the heavenly taskmaster teaches us to be responsible for the love we share and to remain balanced within. From a calm centre we have more chance of realising how truth, peace and justice are the means of living in harmony upon our oh-so beautiful planet. __(❤)__

Mutual Reception ~> Venus Capricorn square Saturn Libra _(♥)_ Dec'11

Whenever the love goddess Venus is in responsible Capricorn (as she is now), relationships are prone to the no-nonsense 5-year-plan kind of commitment, knowing that time is relative, but practice makes perfect. Beautiful Venus in earthy Capricorn can bolster a sense of accomplishment and achievement; and as she squares up to Saturn at 27 Libra - to be exact on Sunday 18th Dec, we get the chance to exercise a double dose of the Venus-Saturn discipline: stabilising the 'heart-mind’. Traditionally, this is a challenge as Saturn & Capricorn present boundaries and obstacles, sometimes even revealing when certain relations have run their course. But because the two planets, Venus and Saturn are in 'mutual reception', (i.e. their rulers are connected, because karmic Saturn rules Capricorn, and Venus is at home in partnership-orientated Libra) this square can also symbolise a pragmatic long-lasting love by getting over the fear, being very realistic about consequence, and, most importantly, the practice of breathing into the heart centre, in order to be balanced during Saturnalia’s Solstice party weekend of peace and harmony. _(♥)_

Image and invocation from http://www.psychicsophia.com of Goddess White Tara, Venus to Tibetans, who helps overcome all obstacles  _(♥)_

Invocation of Tara ~> _(♥)_

Praise to Tara

The Great Mother and provider of all

Energy supreme

In the boundless universe

Star flashing in the heavens

Eyes of lightening

Lotus-born

Tear of the compassionate cosmos

Help me to heal others

Help me to heal myself

Face like a million moons

Full and bright

Filled with peace and love

Goddess of mercy

We call upon you

In this our  hour of need

Goddess of all that is right and true

Scattering blue lotus petals

Laughing with joy and love

Most giving one

Oh perfect crystal mother

Help us to heal others

Help us to heal ourselves

All the gods worship you

Great Mother of the universe

Songs fill your sky

Demons and evil spirits

Are driven away by your joy

Purify the land

Help me to heal others

Help me to heal myself

You are the great destroyer

Of fear, of failure

Of oppression & disease

Lift the burden of helplessness

Empower us to see potential

Radiant and joyful Goddess

Dancing across the face

Of this troubled planet

Healing as your lotus feet

Tread the lands about us

Oh great protector

You who call upon all the powers

All the gods

All the people of the many worlds

Help me to heal others

Help me to heal myself

You burn as holy fire

Goddess Tara

Purify us in thy flaming embrace

Joy replaces fear

As our doubts disappear

Blissful Goddess

Virtuous, honest and peaceful

As I become you

The ills of the worlds

Run off me as water drops

Greatest Goddess

Upon whom all the gods and peoples rely

Earthspirit mother

Cover and protest me

Your form my armor

Fill me and soothe me

Fill me with calm and a will to act

Help me to heal others

Help me to heal myself

Come Great Mother of all life!

Here is Tara the red, to the South!

Here is Tara the yellow , to the North!

Here is Tara the black, to the West!

Here is Tara the green, to the East!

And here within me

Is Maha Tara, primal Tara, ultimate Tara

Shining as a star in my heart!

Om tare tuttare ture soha!   Tara!

Help me to heal others

Help me to heal myself

Om tare tuttare ture soha!

_(♥)_

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.

Square Dancing on Sun & Moon discs ☼ Solar Eclipse July1st

A dark moon is coming to rest before tomorrow’s last of 3 eclipses in one summery lunation. The previous two eclipses (the 1st Solar on June 1st & a Lunar eclipse on June 15th) opened the mind (Gemini) to portals of truth and light at the centre of the Galaxy (Sagittarius). For the Spiritual Warrior this one can open the floodgate of life itself, welcoming ancestors incarnating in the manifest universe.

As previously intonated, this triple eclipse season aligns a Divine Union of Sun & Moon to Earth, in such a way that encourages one to let go and release the outmoded, and embrace the inner-light connecting us to Spirit – It’s just a small matter of tuning and riding into those subtle wave and spin vibrations to hold the light ;) Through breath-work and, in this instance, a Solar eclipse meditation in a calm and protected manner, we're potentially enabled to observe and release past negativity (usually on out breathe) and, utilising compassion in action (being good to oneself) to relax in the non-conceptual, Divinity within. In Buddhist teachings, one uses any realisation as a means to understand emptiness (but that’s not what I am purporting to achieve in this New Moon Solar Eclipse report :)). So while Kundalini meditation is powerful (and always done with the master's guidance), due to the sensitive nature of  cosmic rays the best any ordinary individual might hope for during this eclipse is the ability to find a balance between rational and intuitve, yin and yang in active refelction.

The celestial aspects involved in this last eclipse include the extraordinary Cardinal Cross of the Central Spiritual Sun, accenting the need to square up to and act upon what might initually seem to be hard and difficult issues, all the while taking into consideration almost every sphere of our lives, showing care to self and others as a Cancerian Mother would her child. It is therefore of utmost importance to observe how we feel during this Cancer new moon, particularly noting any impulse, intuition, and sensation.  
  

At this New Moon partial Solar eclipse on Friday 1st July at 9:54BST the Sun and Moon are at 9 degrees of moon-ruled watery Cancer, opening the way for instinctual awarness: Emotions are a means to enlightenment.  

It is with thanks to Bernadette Brady who alerted me to the fact that this is also a new 1226 year Saros cycle, being activated with 'The Cardinal Cross of the Central Spiritual Sun' as its signature. This is a very special Solar eclipse indeed. ~> Now is THE time to call in our dharma protectors, so we can fully embrace our spiritual discipline, revel in truth, and free the awakened and compassionate heart-mind ~& even if it takes 1000+ years to do so! :)) _(♥)_ 

Maybe it will take that long to complete the Cardinal Cross mission? Who knows? It’s a good guess the mess we humans have created so far is going to take a while to clean up. What we can say with certainty is that we are at a very challenging moment in time, with fast-moving energies calling for us to be incredibly self-aware and come from the altruistic heart, especially amidst change and the endless authoritarian power struggles, and still keep the value of Mother Earth in Jupiterarian positive life-affirming perspective.

Yet the Cancerian nature of this eclipse, as Goddess of the Sea, reminds me to honour the Great Mother Divinty and nurture family and self in relation to the evolving mass consciousness. Through kindness to all beings, and undstanding how we all suffer we can develop devotion and, dare I say, Bodhicitta, the precious altruistic and awakened heart-mind.

This Cardinal Cross of the Central Spiritual Sun is not one to be nailed upon the starry fermament forever; while its' essense influences the resonnance of the next thousand years, still the zodiac turns. This actual Cardinal Cross pattern remains with varying planetary players until 2015 (ish), after which the heavens become more mutable, invoking wisdom from our current action. Forming the Solstice axis of the cross, Spirit Sun and Soul Moon are in Cancer, in opposition to powerful Pluto in Capricorn; renewing structure through intense and often difficult to see crisis (Nuclear radioactivity, for instance). Across the Equinox axis of balance and assertion lie awakening Uranus in dynamic Aries (with Goddesses Ceres, the Earth Mother, and Black Moon Lillith, Goddess of the Void) in opposition to disciplined Saturn in harmonious Libra, together they encourage a focus upon each individual heart to be alert and at peace.

Not only are Sun & Moon key players in this Cardinal Cross (first activated Lammas 2010), but they are also in a helpful trine aspect to the Chiron Neptune conjuntion - healing Chrion with the seas of Neptune. When we combine this celestial energy with the Cancer Sun-Moon square to Saturn, Pluto and Uranus, it can be summised as “Collective mass consciousness restructuring the Wounded Water”. There are several points to note here: One is that Cancer is esoterically ruled by oceanic Neptune, emphasising the water element. The other is how this eclipse is taking place over the Antarctic, focalising and stabilising the heavenly union in trinity - Sun-Moon-Earth - upon the very part of our planet where our world's water meets. The Antarctic has a loop of cold and salty water flowing all around it, the thermohaline current, and is where super-gyers swirl into the deepest layers of the ocean’s undercurrents.  This Moon therefore is key to restructuring water and emotion, through penetrative wisdom and intuitive vision holding the remedial intention is crucial.

 Water is symbolic of memory and emotions. And as this eclipse holds point of focus upon undulating depths, it is similarly symbolic of our deeper feelings, which are likely to be the ongoing source of profound healing and purification, a soothing refreshment. Water offerings with love & gratitude work on unfathomable levels.  Most who read this are probably aware of Dr Emoto’s work with healing and restructuring water; so while he is organising a world water healing day every month, this New Moon Solar Eclipse could actually be seen as THE seeding moment of a momentous 1000+ year healing, when at the end of this period we really do understand the our true nature, one that karmically encapsulates the Central Spiritual Sun.  So let’s not forget how one drop of water can take a 1000 years to complete an entire loop of the thermohaline current and send our loving prayers and best intentions to the world's seas, oceans and rivers during this eclipse, asking for clean and pure restructured water, so symbolic of the clear and unobscured emotion we require for enlightenment.  _(♥)_

Thanks to unknown natural life photographer and visionary illustrators <3 :)

• • •Earth-Touching Beltane New Moon• • •( ( (☾ ◯☽) ) )• • •11

This Beltane new Moon in Taurus, May2nd/3rd, 7:51bst, highlights the Spiritual Warrior’s ability to forgive and move quickly on to manifest for the greater good with love, wisdom, and compassion as necessary stabilising forces. Exalted in Taurus, here the Moon offers the best possible place to remain constant and steady – even in the midst of rapid change the Moon in Taurus keeps feet planted on the ground in a very practical and sustainable manner. All the while a stellium of more volatile Aries planets presents the currently challenging mega-mammoth roller-coaster, ridden with stately pomp, as symbolised by martial Mars at home in assertive and dynamic Aries, conjunct the King of the Heavenly Gods, Jupiter, along with media-master Mercury and loving Venus - the latter Aries planets in opposition to task-master Saturn.  (Esoteric ruler of Aries, Mercury is still in retrograde shadow til the 5th).  Saturn exalted in Libra denotes the seriousness of karma that can also be incurred at this time, as well as the heightened need to overcome reactionary fear through realised love - love of self in relation to others, specifically.

Valuing Spirit over ego and coming from the heart breeds love instead fear; with awareness of self in relation to the whole encouraging the kind of self-acceptance which motivates one to create and, at the same time, truly comprehend the rhetoric (personal and/or collective), we are better equipped to find and hold firmly onto the thread of kindness that runs through and binds together our inter-connected Divine oneness.

Taking Saturn’s lesson of karmic balance into account – by being responsible for the love we share – we’re also more likely to be fair-minded, able to remain clear in any situation to overcome anger or nip any rampant demon desire in the bud more quickly too.

With two of the solar systems heavyweights now in Venus ruled signs: solid and earthy Sun in Taurus and Saturn in Libra, we have the planetary potential to even things out: so that when we access the equanimious heart-mind, we have a taste of how good life really is. Being ruled by Venus, Taurean influences heighten earthy sensuous passion. Venus is the Goddess of Love, after all, defining intimacy, close relationships, ardour, and the entire smoochie business of romance & attraction. Harmonious Venus also rules beauty and refinement in all areas of life. Wherever Venus is found in the horoscope, there you will find your capacity for good taste and sweetness, as well as showing how you sparkle in the arts, in your social life, and in fashion. With Venus in Aries and the Sun in Taurus (now in mutual reception), we can quickly seek to stimulate the senses; soft, sexy fabric stroking skin, healthy food and drink to take care of within, and pretty flowers for lovely company are sometimes all it takes to find beauty and bliss.

Venus also shows how we value ourselves in relationship, as well as financially and/or psychologically – spiritually, even.  Woman tend relate to Venus differently than Men, who are symbolised by warrior Mars (which impacts through dynamic Aries). Women tend to use the Venus in a horoscope to seek balance in the sphere she inhabits.  Interestingly, there is now a mutual reception between the Sun in Taurus and the Taurean ruler Venus, who is now in Aries until mid-May; This means both Spirit Sun and relationship-orientated Venus are working towards a common goal in harmony. That goal is to value self-love with spiritual self-awareness, free from greed, lust and fear.

Changes are taking place that lead to incredible sweetness 8th-15th May.

This lunation (a lunation is one Moon cycle, from New to Full in 28 days) also heralds the last month of expansive Jupiter being action hero Aries; as from June 5th Jupiter moves into Taurus for the a year, when our understanding of love, as well as the financial situation, has better potential to improve.  We now get a taste of that essential basic goodness with the Sun in Taurus.

So, if the fast pace of the last few months has seemed hectic, tune into this new Moon and revel in the beauty of nature, adjust to sacred simplicity and rest within the generous fertile fullness of Mother Earth.
• • •( ( (☾ ◯☽) ) )• • •

Imbolc Iron Rabbit ~ New Aquarius Moon 2011

When Spirit Sun zapped into Aquarius at the tail end of our most recent Super Full Moon (the 19^th of January), it joined forces with dynamic Mars for daily life to speed up to warp factor five. Personal projects are particularly subject to being revved-up. On a collective level this Aquarian Sun is equally busy, activating a global connection with the Aquarian brotherhood of man, energizing ‘the will of the whole’. Now, two weeks later, we are at the Aquarius IMBOLC NEW MOON, when there are no less than six heavenly bodies in the sign of the water bearer, four planets, a planetoid, and the all-important healing asteroid Chiron, activating ‘the light that shines on Earth across the sea’, and igniting the light of Spirit that illuminates hopes and dreams.

In esoteric astrology, the sign of Aquarius ‘shines the light within the darkness, cleansing with healing rays until the darkness is dispelled’.  In Buddhism we can dispel obscuration by generating light in Tantric deity meditation practice, as well as being kind to others, and generating the altruistic intention in body, speech and mind, i.e. word, thought, and deed. 

As an intellectual air sign, Aquarius tends to rationalise and contain emotion (as symbolised by the human carrying the pot of watery emotions); not only does Aquarius therefore objectify individual emotions, but in doing so it can also understand how feelings connect ‘One’ to the Universal Whole; thus Aquarius accents the significance of the Central Spiritual Sun, recently activated by the Cardinal Cross. At the risk of being too technical, for our current Imbolc New Moon on the 2^nd - 3^rd February, the Aquarian astral line-up reads thus: Earth Mother Ceres, Spirit Sun, soul Moon (who are both at a mid-way 13 degrees), warrior Mars, oceanic Neptune, and healing Chiron.

With such a Martian Aquarian emphasis (accidentally exalted), the current energy is fired-up to become potentially hectic, wiggy and unpredictable, so we may need to adjust any grand plan (that came about from having five planets in the sign of Capricorn, the master builder (destiny fulfilling NorthN, sacred Vesta, transformational Pluto, stratigest Pallas Athena, and Mercury, as messenger)). 

Note how the astro-symbols I read (others read more, and some less) are now concentrated into a 60 degree slice of the zodiac pie, with weighty Saturn as the outsider making hard aspect to Neptune and Chiron – triggering the challenge for collective psychic healing (Had any good dreams lately?); but Saturn is also trine to the Sun & Mars conjunction, suggesting its easy for authorities for to be formidably assertive, particularly while Aquarius is also the sign of rebels and revolution.

There are also other astrological features to observe while Saturn in Libra is this important singleton, however, as it is also exalted – meaning that authority has to find a point balance (in the heart); but is also retrograde (until June), so it needs time to find the balance. Saturn retrograde tends to slow down the ability to come to any conclusion on important issues, such as appraising the karma in relationship, peaceful resolution, or law.  So as we enter into the Chinese New year of the white Iron Rabbit– aka ‘the metal cat’, it’s also worth bearing in mind how this exalted Saturn in Libra is linked to no less than eleven heavenly markers, because Saturn is the traditional day ruler of Aquarius and the night ruler of Capricorn. So while the overall gentility of the rabbit expands yinwards, the heaviness of the times resonates strongly with everyone.  But let’s not get too gloomy, as Aquarius is also the sign of wishes. This is therefore the wishing moon.  My intention over this moon is to nicely ask the kindly bunny to hop to it, and help attain (global) peace of mind.  

This is one of the many years when the Tibetan Lunar calendar is out of synch with the Chinese animal Solar calendar, because the Tibetans doubled the 11the month (!) so Losar, Tibetan New Year of the Female Iron Rabbit, is on the Pisces new Moon, March 4^th. That the Chinese and Tibetan New Year do not always dance together is a common occurrence. 

The pagan festival of Imbolc also coincides with Chinese New Year. Imbolc ignites the light of the fixed  cross, and  is otherwise known as the feast of CandleMas, whose benefactor is Brigianta, Bride or St Brigit, the Lady of the Hearth (i.e. the spark of warmth and light now returning to the northern hemisphere); she is the patroness of poetry, craft and smithies. With this last honorific, until the light of the Leo Moon shines brightly (and when I will be back online), I leave you with a poem from the Upanishads, called

‘Illuminating Light’

“There the sun shines not, nor the moon and the stars,
nor the lightning, let alone this earthly fire.

Only when illumining Light shines,
everything else shines;
the self-revealing Light illumines the entire universe.”

Thank you Ximi for the Bhutanese protector_/\_♥ ૐ and to all other unknown photographers.

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.   

Shadow in Crisis ☀ Saturn Pluto closing square ☀ August 21st 2010

Like collective alchemists through the authority of LOVE, we’re now able to work with our shadow side and transmute even the most difficult negative energy. By eliminating the fear-feeding vampires from the psyche, we transmogrify suffering into positive expressions of honesty, justice and integrity, and therefore regenerate the balanced heart.

Today sees the last of the 3 ‘real & raw’ Saturn-Pluto squares, accenting magical transformation. It’s an interesting combination of planetary energies; one is subtle and deep, powerful and unseen: which is Pluto; the other is influential and real, solid and recognisable: Saturn. 

Together they generate a controlling force for light or dark. This is a mighty aspect full of rejuvenating promise and the magic of rebirth; it suggests harnessing discipline, patience and responsibility to collectively revitalise traditional but outmoded destructive systems by eliminating the all that no longer serves and evolve.

And although this final square on Saturday 21^st ends a series which began in November '09, bringing home the need for managing destructive tendency, this is a part of a larger cycle, which began in 1982. This powerfully renewing cycle now completes a crisis phase of conscience, which occurs during a closing square.  

This Saturn - Pluto cycle began in 1982, when Saturn was also exalted in Libra. It ends in 2020 when Saturn will be at home in Capricorn. Therein lies a clue in how to handle the nature of the cycle: by understanding Saturn's need for exaltation, and its requirement to build (sustainable) society, based upon (Libran) peace, love and fairness as a means to gaining the recognition Saturn desires; i.e. if Saturnian authority behaves fairly and justly, it receives the praise and respect, name and fame. But if Saturnian authority throws its weight around, it also gains name and fame, but does not receive any respect, it just rules through fear. Mass control, through various terrorist organisations, has been a major signature of this particular cycle - but power needn’t be so heavy handed.  We need not live in fear, as this cycle is also about responsible collective regeneration.  Okay, some kinky souls might enjoy karmic-whipping bondage, but this particular Saturn Pluto cycle actually recommends stabilising with love and trusting insight to rise above the vibration of fear, and have the strength to personally lift off any chains of oppression that prevent us from experiencing magical bliss.

The first applying square these two heavy-weights made was in '93, when both planets were locked in fixed home signs: Saturn in Aquarius & Pluto in Scorpio: co-operative transformation were already key words at this early stage of the cycle, with the birth of the internet, for instance.

The opposition between the two planets came in 2001, when Saturn was in Gemini and Pluto in Sagittarius; this mutable opposition was marked by the dramatic change which ensued by the tragic 911, when we saw fearful communication and fundamentalist truths become the order of the day. Now we are at the closing square, made all the more interesting as we are one whole Saturn cycle on from the beginning of this 38 year cycle. This means that (along with those whose charts seriously constellate with these signs and planets) a whole bunch of 28-29-30 year olds are intensely feeling the pressure to renew resources. Perhaps this Saturn in Libra generation are more in tune, able to easily intuit what to work on in order to find harmony. By the time the two planets meet again to complete this cycle, they will be in boundary making Capricorn, where Saturn is at home, in 2020; by then the writing may well be on the wall, with all kinds of institutions up for renewal. Interesting times... 

We must also consider that this Saturn-Pluto square is part of the ongoing t'square, with Jupiter/Uranus opposing the Saturn, to also square Pluto (which becomes the cardinal cross again September 3rd). Authoritarian Saturn is the only planet going forward, other energies are being internalised. So this square has a distinctively different kind of feel, as though our personal authority knows that the only way to gain respect. Also, interesting to note: according to Alice A. Bailey, because of being bound to the material world, Saturn cannot follow man onto the Spritual Cardinal Cross, which uses Uranus as its agent to manifest awareness.

Applying these cycles, including the Cardinal Cross, to our personal lives can be so revealing; especially when we look back we can hopefully learn from our experiences. We can also see how the cosmic law of cause and effect works in our life, and how we often repeat Saturn's karma until we learn the lesson, however hard that lesson might be, to then be free of the karma. ♥ xl

thanks as always to Bill Brouard, for his lotus heart & other unknown artists ♥