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" _/♥\_
