☆•*¨*•.¸¸❤☾ Solstice ☼ Blessings ☽❤¸¸.•*¨*•☆ Dec 21st 2013

The ‘Light of Life’, Spirit Sun, is passing through a heavenly karmic gate that entails a cosmic initiation into ‘group’ consciousness, by entering Capricorn at 15:12GMT, December 21st, marking Winter Solstice in the north, Summer Solstice in the south. When the Sun reaches this turning point in its cycle – as it does twice a year – Great Spirit provides an incentive for us all to peacefully relax in a momentary 3-day 'gap', just like 'the gap' in meditation which happens in-between the ‘out breath’, and before the inhalation of prana with the ‘in breath’, as Sol = 'Sun', and Stittum = 'stoppage' or standing still.

These next three days are a therefore a celestial pause to honour the LoveLight (within), presenting the perfect opportunity to rest in the sacred lotus of the heart-mind and stop, assess, and release past (life) conditioning and (karmic) habits, letting go of pain and negativity, in order to liberate, heal and transform all that no longer serves our Divine purpose. On Christmas day the ‘New Light King is reBorn’ and the Sun starts to change direction once again, inhaling solar energy and bringing Golden Light into the collective consciousness. Take note: when you consciously breathe in positivity and exhale dark thoughts and feelings, you’ll be surprised at how much stronger and confident you will feel, instinctively lighthearted, able to radiate the LoveLight. _/\_

Remember that Goddess of Love, Venus, also begins her retrograde dance in Capricorn making this SOLstice a poingant time for relationships. For this is when the initiation into the light of consciousness becomes personal, learning to love ‘self’ at the same time becoming a world server.

A sensitive Moon now in Sun-ruled Leo also suggests we can now play and have fun, even when elevating consciousness. _/♥\_

So enjoy! ~> Happy Solstice! & Thanks for sharing. Thanks also to unknown artist for beautiful image of Shantideva, 8th century Himalayan Saint, on a Golden Lotus. Shantideva wrote 'The Bodhisattva's Way of Life'; and one of his prayers is also our modern day Bodhisattva, H.H. Dalai Lama's, favourites:

"For as long as space endures, and for as long as living beings remain, until then may I too abide to dispel the misery of the world" - Shantideva's prayer _/♥\_

❉ Pre-Solstice Muse ~> Dec19th 2013

Did you feel a release, or at the very least a tug towards liberation in your heart during and after that full-power center-of-the-galaxy full m00n? So that with a freer Anahata heart-chakra the direction of the heart is clearer ~> ~> towards LOVE.

With dynamic Mars now in Libra for 8 months, peace, love & unity rules in all affairs - as does dialogue and mediation. ☮ Even LOVE Goddess Venus goes retrograde at this Saturday's winter SOLstice, 21st December, when an initiation into self-love begins, and consciousness elevates. In this we have a choice, however, as both Libra and Venus are signs of relationship balance, harmony and decision making. All the while the Solstice Leo Moon will highlight individual power preparing to emerge triumphant, to shine like the Solstice Sun with a return of the New Light King.

Meanwhile, Cancer Moon doubles the emphasis upon home-sweet-home; and a Moon conjunct the cosmic Guru, Jupiter opposite Venus, warns to not go overboard (comfort eating, for example) whilst at the same time appreciating the love, spiritual friends, and good times we already share. ॐ_/♥\_

~H.H. the 17th Karmapa~
" Our own positive qualities can be a rich source of joy for us. Even if we have just one altruistic thought, this is a cause to be deeply happy. We have ample resources for happiness in the bounty of our own mind......."

♀ Venus & the Moon ~> ♀ ☽ ♑ Venus Rx - December 2013

The Queen of the Heavens & Moon Goddess conjoin today, 5th December, in Capricorn: This is a practical combination for relationships - while most everyone could feel the need for some kind of constancy and/or stability at home, at work, or even in the mind. In esoteric astrology, Venus is the hierarchical ruler of Capricorn, teaching that what we strive for is best served for the whole – not just for personal gain or ambition: In the sign of the Sea-Goat, Love Goddess Venus reveals how to love our work and work at love as both, love & work, demand steadfast responsibility and commitment to benefit others, with personal discipline and patience.

From the astronomical point of view, Venus is now the brightest light in the Western sky, to the left of a slither of silver light from a growing Moon. As the Moon moves quickly, growing into full on the 17th December, the now brilliant and seductive Night Star, Venus, is slowing, as the Goddess of LOVE is about to enter her retrograde dance at Solstice (Yule) 21st December. This means Venus will become hidden from Earth's view, going deep into the underworld - to learn the difference between desire and love - before emerging as a morning star January the 11th, regaining forward motion at CandleMas (Imbolc) Feb 1st. By Valentine’s Day 2014, the Love Goddess will be shining at her best as 'The Light Bearer', a rosy Morning Star. __/\__ ☼☆•*¨*•.¸¸ ☆

Cast your mind back to Jan-Feb 2006, this is the last time Venus was retrograde in Capricorn, and see how this ☆ five-pointed star dance ☆ of the Love Goddess might unfold in your own life. (Venus has made 5 retrogrades (20 months apart over 8 years) to form a celestial pentagram since 2006).

With Love and thanks to unknown artist for Purple 5-Star Mandala ☆

☼ Phoenix rising ~~~> Sun leaves the Via Combusta _/♥\_☼✶•*¨*•.¸¸✶

At the astrological Samhain, 7th November, the Spirit of the life-giving Sun is renewed at 15 degrees of Scorpio, as consciousness rises like the Phoenix from the ‘Via Combusta’, the fiery path, having burnt to ashes all that is no longer necessary, in order to move forward (to the next Solar marker, Winter Solstice 21st).

The Sun is also now conjunct karmic Saturn, accenting that practice makes perfect, especially in regard to difficult and challenging tasks that require focus and experience. The trick is to knuckle down, take responsibility seriously, and not get despondent when faced with limitations and obstacles; because missions undertaken now bring great rewards when successful – it’s a hard job, but somebody has to do it.

On the plus side, friendly Venus just entered Capricorn, (Saturn’s sign) where she will stay until early March. This lengthy sojourn is due to her retrograde. And while this is considered a sobering position for the Love Goddess, at least it provides the opportunity to love one’s work, no matter how tough it may be.

Like a hopeful Phoenix reborn from flames, shine on beloved friends __/\__ ☼✶•*¨*•.¸¸✶

Thanks to unknown artist for glorious golden light maiden _/♥\_

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!

_(♥)_