❂ Transforming (secret) Desires November '16 Full SuperMoon in Taurus

Transforming (secret) Desires

‘You can’t always get what you want. But if you try sometimes, you might just find you get what you need…’

~ Rolling Stones ~

Full SuperMoon 14^th November 2016 23°Taurus @13:51GMT

Always longing for something, we humans brim with earthly desires.  You name it: money, food, beauty, buildings, brains, status, wisdom, power or enlightenment, we want it all.  Being desirous is a natural state, a condition that can propel as easily as repel.  Our wants and wishes make things happen. When things go the way we want, we think we’re happy. Yet all-too-often, and with no particular effort from our side, our desires can also make us miserable, especially if our demands are unfulfilled, or laden with obstacles and frustration.  So how do we deal with desire, from the astrological point of view? 

The signs of the zodiac that symbolise desire nature, in the worldly and spiritual sense, are the rooted Earth sign Taurus and contained Water sign Scorpio. Both are fixed and determined, receptive and feminine.  Together Scorpio and Taurus can offer physical stability and emotional security, within oneself and in relationship.  Trouble only really starts when we become attached to our desires, and stubbornly fail to move on when, or if, our desires become untenable, unworkable, or generally unbelievable – which is when Scorpio’s ability to sever completely becomes very handy. Apart from the debris trailing in its wake, Scorpio’s skill to rise and rise is extremely admirable, if not downright superhuman.  It is the sign of life, death and rebirth, after all.

In the materialistic sense, fertile Taurus signifies the desire to live the good life with healthy food, fine wine, and solid financial and loving relationships.  Scorpio, on the other hand, has issues of trust, power and control, and craves intimacy within emotionally engaging associations that are profound and passionate, ones that often go to the brink and beyond. Dealing with investments and tax are also for the elite Scorpio powerbroker who works with other’s resources; while bricks and mortar, as well as green fields and flowers, the very soul of Mother Earth herself are in the domain of the strong but gentle Bull, Taurus. 

While the radiant Sun passes through perceptive Scorpio, in opposition to the exalted full Taurus Supermoon, the heavens provide an incentive to reflect with a certain amount of crystalline clarity upon our desires. Asking ourselves what do we really want? And how much are we prepared to personally invest, with time, money and energy into that goal. This is not a Full Moon for dreaming.  It’s time to be practical. Also worth noting is how the Moon is the sensitive soul’s container. Exalted in Taurus, those with spiritual leanings can consider how all our various whims and fancies affect our soul’s karma, be it our own personal soul, or the collective ‘world soul’, otherwise known as the anima mundi, the biosphere, the field, or cosmic consciousness. 

A Lunar exaltation in Taurus means our emotional anchor is actually in the best possible sign to remain steady, even with flood-prone tides. In perigee-syzygy (i.e. nearest and aligned), this exalted Full Moon is also the second and largest of three Full Supermoons in a row. Astro-maestro Richard Nolle coined the term ‘supermoon’ way back in the 70’s, to explain just how massive these Moons are. And as the distance between Earth and Moon decreases, gravitational and rotational force is celestially bound to have a changing impact upon Earth’s geocosmic activity, accenting the interconnectivity between Sun-Moon-Earth. 

Just as there are higher tides and earthquakes, landslides and floods within the environment, political quakes as well as emotional are already felt; many are likely to sense a turning tide with an avalanche of sensation (paranoia, greed, fear, anger, revenge), roused by the winds of change that began with at the shocking Aquarian First Quarter Moon on the 7-8^th November. Most important to note how this is the biggest SuperMoon for 70 years! The next one so close will be in 2034. Already we know it’s a ‘strong’ one, much stronger than usual. Check for 23° Taurus- Scorpio in your own chart, to see where a powerful (emotional) tidal pull is potent for you – this is the area determined at all cost to transform, as if survival of body and soul depends upon it. Remember also how Full Moons for last three days; so we are looking at 13^th-14^th -15^th, for the Moon to be HUGE: 14% bigger and 30% brighter than normal. Clear skies permitting, climb high, and find a magical place to witness the Supermoon rise. Moon rise and set are when she will look largest.  That said; give at least another three days for lunar effects to subside, only calming towards the last quarter. But with a third and last Supermoon to come December 13^th, which starts with a Sagittarius lunation on 29^th November, it’s advisable to remain optimistic, whatever your situation.  

There are also four quite intense celestial pointers brought into sharp astro focus by Sun and Moon during this Full Super Moon: 

• Spirit Sun in powerful and mysterious, obsessive and passionate Scorpio is now conjunct a lesser used astrological marker called Black Moon Lilith, which is an  unpredictable archetype representing the spurned rejected woman.  Black Moon Lilith is the dark side of our horoscope which, although ready to share and commit to the long-haul of any hardship ahead that walking the path side-by-side, is often repressed and turned down. With Black Moon Lilith there’s a sense of being abandoned, particularly by the powerful patriarchy. She is not timid, nor tame; Black Moon Lilith is that side of the feminine which mobilises hidden strengths. Often fuelled by the fury of betrayal, she can be a highly independent force to reckon with. Currently conjunct the life-giving Sun and asteroid Hygeia, for many (women) right now it may well feel there’s much work to do when asserting healing-headway made since the 60’s, to create a world of equality between race, gender and income. Black Moon Lilith is that side of the feminine psyche which feels the pain of being banished to darkness, but still vows to bring wisdom to the fore. She is the Tantric Goddess who destroys ego-based illusion to transform the most difficult situations into ones that raise and enhance spiritual values.
• With the Sun, BML and Hygeia in good triangle aspect to shamanic Chiron, damage can be repaired and feelings of abuse and neglect have the potential to be healed by working tirelessly to restore trust and openness between opposing factions. Working with collective and/or ‘unseen’ hurt and emotion, and letting-go of self-centred trust will develop compassion and friendliness as a means to overcome fear and heal a wounded heart.
• This actual SuperMoon also conjoins forces with Zaurak, which is a fixed star associated with gloomy Saturn, which is a challenge. So while Taurus reminds us to   simplify life, making an effort to enjoy what Mother Nature so freely gives, can quickly restore a flagging spirit and make it easier to wave good bye to melancholia.
• With this supermoon being very close to the Pleiades, this is the moon to weather-watch. In both ancient Babylonian custom, as well as Tibetan, it is said the weather during the Full Taurus Moon is indicative of what lies ahead for the cold winter months (or summer if you are in the southern hemisphere). This is  especially practical for sustenance, as Taurus is an earth sign, symbolic of gardening and crops, as well as taking care of the land and environment, which is more easily done when we have an idea of the elemental forces at play.

Wherever we are during this Full SuperMoon, we would do well to strengthen our soul connection to the planet, and thereby strengthen our own soul. Align with Mother Earth and her Taurus exaltation, give thanks for all the goodness and resources she gives so freely. And then imbibe the power to face and heal the deepest, darkest, and most frightening parts of the psyche, by allying with truth, light and love, having faith that our highest earthly qualities will bear fruit. 

With love & thanks to unknown artist for Khroda Kali _/\_ aka the Fierce Black One _/\_

Veils between the Bardo Realms ~ Samhain 2010

✫ The light from just one candle dispels darkness ✫ ☾☉~♥~☉☽✫

While the shadowy Scorpio ♏ Sun & Venus & Mercury conjoin asteroid Vesta, Goddess of the Hearth, there is a flicker of light in everyone's heart that can be kept aglow, to illuminate a sometimes hidden but precious treasure, that of sacred sexuality, love & faith. 

Vesta is the Goddess of the eternal flame, a virgin goddess with many priviledges: she could even release a prisoner condemed to death, her influence so respected. Vesta bestows warmth, purity, and prosperity for the earth.

Hymn to Vesta
Homeric 

Come, Vesta,
To live in this beautiful home.
Come with warm feelings of friendship.
Bring your intelligence,
Your energy and your passion
To join us with your goodwill.
Burn brightly at my hearth.
Burn always in my soul.
You are welcome here.
I remember you.  

Spirit Sun conjuncts Vestal virgin on the 8th of November. 

Vesta now also makes her second of three timely conjunctions to Venus during her current cycle around the Sun, magnifying Goddess power:

Her 1st was a vow of Virgoan purity ♍ which took place during August's Cardinal cross of the Spiritual Sun. The 2nd is happening now (end of Oct), in Scorpio ♏, highlighting intimate & shared values. And the 3rd is at the end of February in Capricorn ♑, to be mindful of accomplishments. 

From one candle we can light many more...

As we approach all Hallow's Eve, the veils between the bardo realms begin to thin; dynamic and fiery Mars moves into Sagittarius ♐ (also a fire sign), adding impetus to dispel the darkness of ignorance and honour wisdom's light ~ so all beings can be happy. 

The going can get tough during this time of rebirth and deep introspection, when letting go of the old and outworn can bring up fragile feelings of desire. But it is by having to face the fear of releasing all that no longer serves do we discover strength and fearlessness. Call on the Goddess Vesta, to keep the inner-flame alight which shines upon that very courage.  

Interestingly, Lha bab Duchen, one of the four most important Buddhist festivals, of a renewed Buddha, is also around this same Scorpionic time when something (or someone) dies in order to be reborn.  In the Buddha's case he, himself, was reborn, as he left his mother behind in the realms of the 33.

AstroNote: Astrological Halloween, marking the water sign Scorpio Sun's fixed intermediate cross-quarter, is Monday the 8th November, a few days after the Scorpio New Moon at . We could therefore deduce that the new Moon, at 4:52 gmt, November the 6th, is our darkest Halloween moment. This is THE time for wizard's spells and witches bonfires that denote a time of rebirth.  A sacrificial offering, a written intention into the votive fire, or scrying into a bowl of water can be the means to a heightened sensitivity into our human obscurations, and enhance the ability to see the usually unseen, into other worlds of ancestors, spirits of the land, even future lives.  

Its also worthy to mention this Pagan festival of life, death and, ultimate renewal, is the first since Paganism was recently recognised as a religion in the United Kingdom. Such nice timing to have a New Year, Samhain, only weeks after being brought back into Establishment's fold! :-) 

So both traditions, Celtic Pagan AND Buddhism, now point to an time of intense transformation. We just have to make sure to keep the intention pure and bear in mind the witches old rule: what we put out comes back thrice fold. Which is a bit like having a day of multiplied karma. 

Now, to light my sparklers and scribe a wish in the night sky¸.•¨¯`•☆٠.·..·¨*☀!

♥_/\_ૐ Many thanks to Romio Shrestha for his extraordinarily beautiful painting of Yama holding the Wheel of Life ♥ & Bill Burns for his wonderful Celtic Buddhist Mandala ♥ & to Tenpa-la for butterlamp photo.  ♥_/\_ૐ

Buddha's Descent from the 33 ~ Taurus Full Moon 09

The heart of the Sun is likened to the spiritual human heart which, when positively galvanized, has the ability to radiate cheerful enthusiasm to control and direct deeply profound emotions, such as craving or aversion. This is worth bearing in mind as the Sun now passes though compelling and magnetic Scorpio, when passion is as easily aroused, as is our ability to be resolutely concentrated (dharana) and focused (dhyana). This finely tuned and sometimes hidden ability to shine a light upon our negative state - or even a positive meditative objective – is acute as we approach the Samhain full Moon in Taurus, on November the 2nd, also known as all Soul’s Day.


While the solar Gregorian calendar dictates October 31st as Halloween, the cross-quarter point is on November 7th. During this time of year the veil between worlds, underworld and overworld, consciousness and subconscious, is thin – allowing us to delve into previously hidden parts of our psyche as well as rise to the other extreme: ecstatic peaks. At such times we also need to enhance sensitivity and take care, as desire nature can also run amok to captivate the mind and obsess about all kinds of yearnings. Any emotional attachment to our perceived requirements could render one doubly responsive at this time. Insightful Scorpio works in mysterious ways, ultimately pointing to the path of transformation and the power to alchemically change destructive emotional longing into generating an aspiration towards compassionate love, ‘bodhicitta’ in Buddhism. Doing so orientates towards the spiritual heart of every individual, our true Buddha nature.

This Full Moon on Monday (19:14 GMT 14:19 ET) commemorates Buddha’s agreement 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 November 9th, we celebrate the actual descent as being one of the four most important days in the Buddhist calendar. This ability to move between spheres is not currently confined to the Buddha. The Spirit of the Sun is also currently up-close and personal with communicative Mercury who, in Scorpio, 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.

The Sun and Mercury also conjunct asteroid Ceres, now enjoying elevated status since being promoted by astronomers to have a greater rank in the solar system. Symbolically, Ceres is the Great Earth Mother, a resonance of Tibetan Green Tara, caring for all as if we are her own. Ceres in Scorpio encourages us to connect to others through sharing special moments. The enchanting touch of Ceres makes everyone feel loved and nurtured. Whispering sweet nothings into loved ones ears; friendly gestures in familial or social settings, a tender caress as a story is shared over dinner; or through massage and a blissful sexual union with the one we are intimately connected is a welcome kind of therapeutic togetherness, bringing joy, camaraderie and renewed strength for Halloween ~Samhain and to rejoice Buddha’s Decent next week. At this intermediary fire festival, flames blaze along the leylines conveying the message of light, warmth and love, from heart to heart. Fire can also glow from within, as Tantric Kandal.

As autumn leaves fall, Scorpio is also a time of cutting back that which impedes renewed growth later on. So too, is it our time to let go of outworn modus operandi. If you have anything to offer to the light of love (hopes, dreams and ambition or fears, doubts and worries about relationship, money, career, the future) write it down clearly and hold your intent to transmute or let go when sacrificing it into the fire. On a more mundane note, while Mercury is with the Sun in Scorpio, we can harness the ability to focus more easily and access the penetrating qualities of the mind. Puzzles may now be solved and secrets unearthed. It is also an optimum time to assess how shared assets and potential legacies are maturing.

From an esoteric view Mercury, with the Sun in Scorpio, activates the laser-like psychic perception that zaps straight to the magical heart of any matter, including quick easy access to the Spiritual Sun. And because a fixed cross accompanies this Full Moon, (with the triple Aquarian conjunction and Mars in Leo) the potential is for heart, throat and anja centres to act as portals for Divine luminescence. Shine on, Beloved Ones, Shine on… Special thanks to Karim Rashid for visionary art