✣ Earth Day ~ Tara Moon, Medicine Buddha & the Grand Cardinal Cross _/✿\_ April 22nd-23rd

✣ In between eclipses (Lunar was 15th April and upcoming Solar eclipse New Moon April 29th), and at a cosmically climactic time of the Cardinal Cross of the Central Spiritual Sun, a last quarter Aquarius Moon squares the earthy Taurus Sun (on Earth Day!), bringing the magic of the Goddess into the celestial circle, which is currently so symbolic of transformational innovation.

In order to overcome obstacles and innovate the new, it is the deeply sensitive and Divine Feminine, with compassionate and profound healing properties, that helps to keep an open mind and soothe any heart challenged by change and excitement.

Connecting with like-minded others also comforts the soul and feeds the altruistic intention. Now is the time to once again refine and release all that no longer serves to stabilize an awakened Bodhi-mind to become comfortable and conversant with self-realization, so that the Bodhisattva ideal is consistently generated.

With the 22nd April being 'Earth Day' honouring 'Green' principles of sustainable living, we invite Goddess Green Tara to assist in purifying and maintain clean energy and health within the body, within communities, and within our world.

Tara Mantra ~> "Om Tara Tutare Ture Soha" _/♥\_

Spooky & Spacy ~> Medicine Buddha Moon in Aquarius ♒

First Quarter Medicine Buddha Moon in Aquarius ♒ in square to Spirit Sun in Scorpio ♏ _/\_ Spooky & Spacy!

When ‘The Lights’ are in this decidedly ‘fixed’ combination for a Medicine Buddha - Tara Puja Moon, we can hold the healing on course; improving at the same time as going deeper into the currently profound (psychic) transformation, the Aquarian influence awakens one to the often quirky alternative. Now is therefore the time to welcome any flashes of inspiration: new connections, new ideas, and new groups of people who can energise the soul, giving a feeling of cooperation that raises awareness, as well as the all-important altruistic intention.

Also, good news today, as Mercury, planet of information and communication is going forward to day (hooray!). All kinds of shared issues and agreements now get the go-ahead. This has been quite a difficult retrograde, teaching patience as well as enhancing insight, as all kinds of secrets, desires, and power games came to light. It might be worth noting that particularly tough issues may not even see a resolution until Mercury conjuncts Saturn again, for the third time in two months, November 26th. Until then take inspiration from Leo Tolstoy in War and Peace he says “The strongest of all warriors are these two — Time and Patience.”

Prayers going out to all those in need right who are now suffering, especially to those caught up in the wake of Typoon Haiyan in the Philippines, and all those trapped in war, want, and hunger ~ May they soon find relief __/♥\__

Medicine Buddha Mantra “Tayatha Om Bekanze Bekanze mahabekanse Rasa Samut Gate Soha!” ~~~> __/♥\__ “Hail! Appear, O Healer, O Healer, O Great Healer, O King of Healing! Let the Healing be swift And let the Healing begin!” __/♥\__

With love & Thanks to Visual Alchemy for the Green/Blue Buddha __/♥\_

☼ ✶☽ ~> Last Quarter Tara Moon & The Grand Sextile

Anchoring the flower-of-life perfection to this summer’s ‘Grand Sextile’ is an exalted Moon, in practical and stabilizing Taurus. In her last quarter phase, this sensitive and unpretentious Moon is assigned the liberating qualities of the Great Mother Goddess, Tara. With the strength and magic of today’s six-pointed Sacred Star, the double Tetradhedron formed between Water & Earth Triangles, this transcendental stargate maintains internal balance, aligned in hexagonal harmony with heaven and Earth. Now is the time to awaken the Divine Feminine (within), and open the heart chakra to love, kindness and peace.

The ancient Sanskrit word for the heart chakra, ‘Anahata’, means ‘to come unstuck’, as the heart releases electromagnetism that flows through and around the body and aura – energy that connects internal meridians within mind-body and spirit, as well as externally, interacting with each other. An open heart-mind raises self-esteem, and supports unconditional love and compassion, promoting a powerful spiritual healing that the abundantly restorative vibration of the Green Tara now quickly invokes. Today’s sacred geometry suggests this is indeed a very special last quarter moon ~> Give Love. Receive Love. Be Love.

Hail to the Goddess “Om Tara Tuttare Ture Soha” __/\__

Image of the heart chakra Merkaba by Laural Virtues Wauters, with love & thanks __/\__

☽ 3rd Super Moon ~> Guru Purnima ~> Mary Magdalene July '13

The resplendent Sun now at 0 Leo, opposite the Super Moon in Aquarius, marks the Full Moon also known as ‘Guru Purnima’, ‘the teacher’s moon’, honouring the illuminating spiritual instructor (which the aspirant carries within at the heart (of his or her own Sun)). Guru devotion is something often misunderstood in western society, as we often think we can achieve enlightenment (or whatever) without being shown or taught. Its true, a few do have the karma to be self-illuminating. But for the most part we need a helping hand to guide. Which is where the teacher steps in. And in the words of a most precious guiding light, H.H. 14th Dalai Lama, “The ultimate authority must always rest with the individual's own reason and critical analysis.” __/♥\__

☼☽ ~> From the astrological point of view, ‘The Luminaries’ now in Sun-ruled Leo and group-orientated Aquarius reveal the altruistic self, to find one’s place within humanity. Leo lives for love and drives towards self-knowledge, while Aquarius makes use of such perception for the benefit of others (often within a collective situation). This Super Moon therefore has the potential to mobilize a mass-movement with intuition and awareness, enhancing both individual and universal consciousness, to inspire hope for the future.

This Super Guru Moon also coincides with the celestial Goddess, Venus, being with fixed star, Regulus, at the heart of regal Lion (wonderful marker for a Royal birth). It is also the feast day of Mary Magdalene.

Revering the wisdom of the Divine Feminine as Guru, image is of White Tara surrounded by Five Buddha Families, with thx __/♥\__

★ ☽ Last Quarter Moon in Capricorn ☾ ★ April 2012

According to the heavens, we are currently in the midst of fast-moving, bizarrely predictable yet unexpected change, with a plethora of newness symbolised by this present Aries conjunction that sees Uranus, Sun, Venus & Mars, all ramping up fiery fervour and passion to impulsively leap into action.

But wait. Before jumping into situations unknown, hold courage close to heart. The last quarter Tara – Medicine Buddha Moon in Capricorn also brings the personal healing touch and much-needed transformation into sharp focus, as well as a call for pragmatic wisdom. The sensitive Moon now conjuncts secretive Pluto in judicious Capricorn: Intuition guides with discipline, to leave no stone unturned when dealing with all things hidden. Even with difficult issues, calling upon the healing power of the Goddess now helps to overcome obstacles, and may even reveal a buried treasure - a previously hidden emotional or spiritual strength that helps to rise above daily challenges (which appertain to ambitions and accomplishment).

Now is the time to remove and let-go of all that no longer serves healing and purpose. Today and tomorrow are marked for pruning and cutting back dead wood and tidying up, so that the metaphoric blossom can bloom (in the Summer) and be ready for a fresh new kick start with the exciting New Moon in Aries, April the 10th.

Image of Goddess Green Tara by Ella Brewer www.pureview.co.nz with thx
~> Tara mantra “Om Tara Tuttara Ture Soha” _/♥\_

Last Quarter Taurus Moon ~> Golden Sun in Leo ~> August 9th 2012

With today's last quarter moon, a Tara or Medicine Buddha practice (or indeed any kind of meditation practice) to overcome obstacles and banish negativity, the insight gleaned can have far reaching results. This is because both lights, Sun and Moon, are at home and exalted, respectively. Spirit Sun in his Leo domain encourages a positive focus upon self, while the sensitive Moon in Taurus nurtures, in a very real and caring manner.

With helpful feedback from personal meditative awareness, one can release any sense of worthlessness, to be ready for a confident and generous heart to shine with a new Leo moon on the 17th August.

~ ♥ ~
Homage to you, the golden lady
Whose hand is adorned with a blue lotus,
You are the Lady of the domain of the activities of generosity,
Diligence, simplicity, tranquility, patience and meditation.

Om Tara Tutare Ture Soha _(♥)_

image of Yellow Tara by Nepalsilvercraft ~ with thanks ♥

New Moon in Cancer ~ July 2012

In the Buddhist tradition, due to countless rebirths, we view all beings as having been our protective gentle mother, someone who has unconditionally taken care of us as best she could. Even if you don’t take on board the concept of reincarnation, this kind of thinking is helpful when dealing with difficult or frustrating situations or relationships (even if with one’s own mother in this lifetime). When we recall our Mother’s sympathy and kind-heartedness as we were growing-up, it becomes easier to generate the wish to repay such benevolence, by developing compassion, patience and love towards others.

I mention this now before a new moon at 26 Cancer (5:23am British summer time, 19th July) which highlights past memories, as well as emotional sensitivity and family connections, be it immediate or global family, as Cancer is ruled by the moon, doubling the intensity of any sentiment.

This new moon, hot on the heels of yesterday’s powerful ‘Cardinal Cross of the Central Spiritual Sun’, provides intuitive strength and determination to square-up to and act upon what may appear to be hard and difficult issues (especially during a Mercury retrograde); while the Cancerian influence also reminds us to watch hasty moves and show care to self and others, just as a Mother would her child.

Image is of Tara: The Mother of Perfected Wisdom _(♥)_

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!

_(♥)_