☼ ♌ ~ △ ~ ☾ ♐ Guru Rinpoche Day ~> _/♥\_ August 16th 2013

☼ ♌ ~ △ ~ ☾ ♐ = Guru Rinpoche Day ~> _/♥\_
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" _/♥\_

Saka Dawa 'Fully Enlightened Moon' 2009 pt 2

Saka Dawa ~ “Fully Enlightened Moon” on the rise ~ in T-square with Saturn = Spirit + Soul + Karma, or put another way: over the next three days the challenge is to generate positivity, perform good actions and create compassionate thoughts by maintaining emotional clarity and personal authority. Representing individual and collective karma, earthy Saturn now has a great deal of clout, especially during this very special and blessed Full Moon weekend, symbolic of Shakyamuni's enlightenment and Paranirvana, as it is also the head of ‘Thor's Hammer’ ~ banging on the pressure to take the responsibility of our spiritual evolution seriously. (Thor’s Hammer is a celestial configuration when two planets are in square to each other, pointing to another 135 degrees away.) It’s a powerful super-poke, energising with a sacred conductivity enabling one to literally carve mountains and create openings in seemingly difficult situations.

This full Moon is also conjunct a royal fixed star ‘Antares’, the heart of the Scorpion; there's no need to go through a dark night of the soul, as we are already equipped with all the sensitivity we need at this time. The Sun in opposition to the Moon shines a light upon a door to perception wide open - used wisely, Saturnian time is on our side when seeking wisdom, insight or success.

Fiery Thunderbolt

This fiery new moon in Aries inspires courage and stimulates confidence in new ideas, new ventures and new relationships. New ways of looking at an established relationship, be it a business association or love affair, can also revitalise passion and enthusiasm - in both parties, to go full steam ahead by the end of April.

Amorous Venus is also still retrograde in Aries, conjoining the Sun, Moon and Mercury: action is called for, while personal strength is mastered and more easily projected when motivated by love and positive intention. Coming from the heart generates unconditional compassion, which also means being good to one’s self, as well as others. Having the strength, patience and discipline to refrain from intentionally or absentmindedly harming, either oneself or others, comes to the saintly few. Most of us have to work at practicing this most honourable ethic: because our ego and identity can all too easily become caught-up in difficult situations, as in a battle of wills, that emotions such anger, jealousy or competitive pride arise; such corrupting influences make it nigh on impossible to correctly assess situations. Allowing the mind access to the innate and much-needed gentle awareness could now encourage reconciliation between previously warring factions.

With four Aries planets in hard aspect to controlling Pluto, now is the time to rise to the challenge and persevere with enthusiasm, and stop dragging old and outworn habits into any new enterprise or association. The brave hero of the hour will reduce to ashes any negative influences that no longer serve his or her highest good, to take one step further towards a profound and phoenix-like personal transformation.

Many thanks to Lokabandhu for inviting me to Buddhafield to witness this wonderful vajra thunderbolt - May the light of the fire septre illuminate our path with spiritual clarity! http://www.buddhafield.com/