• ✰• Venus Retrograde - Passionate Compassion • ✰•

For 40 days and 40 nights, the seductive Goddess of Love and all things beautiful, Venus, is Retrograde from 4th March – 15th April, activating the 5-pointed star she makes in the heavens every eight years.
Currently in fiery, go-getting Aries, Venus is set to return to the more sensitive and bewitching Pisces, the sign of forfeit, forgiveness and the out-of-this-world phantasmagorical. 

This is a challenging retrograde for Venus, due to being in her ‘fall’ in ardent, self-orientated Aries (always a bit tricky in relationship where good connections generally require thinking of others as well). But while Venus is just now in hot pursuit of passionate love, she is also set to return to her finest exaltation, in the more universally aware Pisces, to discover a compassionate, kinder heart. 

This Venus retrograde, with her burden of competitive ego, reveals a not-so-secret addiction to the kind of love where ‘self’ is abandoned into the overwhelming feeling of oneness and unity consciousness a Piscean Venus generates. Reviewing the interconnection with universe, and surrounding oneself by the all-consuming power of unconditional Divine love, with Venus at her exalted degree of 27Pisces, shows how this cosmic kind of love really switches on the illumination button: enlightenment, but without getting seduced by glamour or fooled by illusion which we would call 'spiritual materialism'.

To put this transit into the context of your own personal life-cycle count back eight years, to March 2009. As then, this is another inferior conjunction of Venus with the Sun on March 25th, just days after Spring Equinox, and only one day after a dynamic New Aries Moon! A new day dawns for Venus in her Piscean exaltation, as she lies between Earth and Sun, when cosmic love reigns supreme in all relations – even if it means making a personal sacrifice for the greater good of the whole. 

With ℒℴѵℯ _/✿\_ & thanks to Tashi Mannox for his beautiful ‘PaniStar’_/\_ Within his five-pointed star is painted a mantra of Vajrapani, a powerful Bodhisattva, protector and remover of obstacles, inner and outer. 

We may well need all the help we can get to remove certain stubborn obstacles, specifically those that prevent us seeing the value of self-Love, as Mercury also goes retrograde for the last five days of Venus retrograde to challenge a variety of value systems, of which unconditional Love is the highest. 

۞ Heal Ourselves & Heal the World ~ Medicine Buddha Moon ~> 6/7th February __/♥\__

A potent Medicine Buddha Moon is now exalted in earthy Taurus. This first quarter Moon proffers a chance to soothe and organise the mind during a wild and windy Aquarian month. This ability to steady and ground oneself is helpful in stabilising meditation, as well as within relationships – especially those valued aspects (of self) which are in final phase of a powerful transformation.

In tight aspect to the Water Bearer, the waxing Taurus Moon highlights the good things in life which help us heal: food, flowers, and friends. By honouring simple pleasures shared with loved ones or effortlessly savoured alone, the boost to the immune system and recovery that occurs when happiness abounds is enormous. And even one moment of restorative awareness, caught and congratulated, can be goodness multiplied when dedicated to benefit of all beings.

__/♥\__With versatile Mercury going retrograde today, and Venus just having come out of retrograde, plus Mars now in the shadow phase of its’ retrograde on March 1st, the personal relationship planets are certainly gyrating in the heavens. Even the most solid alignments can swivel and turn (in the nicest possible way) to change direction, goal or intention, which is why it’s important to now hold one’s space and get comfortable within one’s own skin (as best we can) during this first quarter Moon phase; because the planets of rapport and affinity are currently keeping everyone alert to evolving within the variable creative tension that naturally arises between interconnecting loved Ones and friends, family and colleagues. En route to the Valentine’s Full Moon, the trick is to now nourish the soul and make LOVE healing, sweet and wholesome.

“Natural forces within us are the true healers of disease” Hippocrates

☆ 2014 Year of the Green Wood Horse

“When god created the horse, he said to the magnificent creature: I have made thee as no other. All the treasures of the earth lie between thy eyes. Thy shalt carry my friends upon thy back. Thy saddle shall be the seat of prayers to me. And thou shalt fly without wings, and conquer without sword; oh horse.” ~ Anonymous

2014’s second New Moon SuperMoon on the 30th of January is at 11Aquarius 21:38GMT, (16:39EST) heralding the Chinese New Year of the Green Wood Horse. (Losar, Tibetan New Year, is 2nd March, when the Sun is in Pisces). As a Super New Moon, when the Moon is perigee (closest) Earth, tidal floods (and winds, as Aquarius is an ‘Air’ sign) are higher than usual. This also means emotions are likely to be heightened, and thoughts intense and wilder, making this a rather strong start to an exciting lunation (lunar cycle) that already promises to gallop into action to stimulate growth, especially in the spheres of friendship, heroic group activities, technology, and individual brilliance. Note that ‘Spring Tides’ occur approximately three days after a New Moon.

This affable Green Wood Horse is yang in nature and a symbol of stamina and strength with great social skills, as well as a powerful and boldly innocent fearlessness when starting new projects. Associated with new shoots and the season of spring, the colour green connects to ‘Air’ which is moving and growing, intellectual and questioning. Wood is grounded, stable and solid in the Earth (base chakra), able to reach up towards the heavenly light, to shoot the breeze with youthful enthusiasm to express and quickly create (activating the throat chakra).

Tibet’s WindHorse even conveys great good fortune to all four corners of the Cardinal Cross, and is often shown in prayer flags that flutter in the wind carrying prayers, hopes and wishes, with the blessings of the three jewels: Buddha, Dharma, Sangha.

This New SuperMoon also coincides with the direct motion of planet Venus. After 40 days and nights of retrograde motion, the Goddess of Love will go forward at 13Capricorn, on the 31st, completing the year of the snake’s transformational process of self-perceptin – all the while supporting both Wood Horse Year (celebrated on the 31st, just after the new Moon) and the Celtic Imbolc, or Candlemas, when signs of light (returning to the North) help to renew conviction and faith.

Wishing everyone a very happy and loving year of the Green Wood Horse _/\_ Special thanks to tsakli.org for the beautiful Tibetan Windhorse _/\_

As we enter the Wood Horse Year during these times of profound change, a personal astrology reading expands one's understanding of how to ride the four winds. For consultations and rates please contact me here
Thank you! •~☆♥´¯`•.¸¸.•L❀VE•´¯`•.¸¸. Laura

☆•*¨*•.¸¸❤☾ 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 ☆

☄ Sun & Moon in Sagittarius 2nd/3rd Dec ☼ ☄☽♐ 2013

The New Moon in the sign of the Archer sets sights firmly upon success. The target or honours being sought may be of the material world, or spiritual acumen and/or the revelation of truth and freedom. No matter how big or small our ambitions, this adventurous, forward-looking Sagittarius New Moon at 00:22UT (19:22EST) provides strength to keep spirits high and hold course with any insight we may have when envisioning the future, as though the sky is the limit. But bear in mind that when fiery SoL and Luna are at this particular 10 degrees Sagittarius it also heighten the risk factor when aiming high, so it’s good to keep morals intact and issues/ambitions/relations in perspective, as 'The Lights’ now conjunct a Royal Star, Antares. Be aware that while this star blazes brightly, there’s a shadowy martial side when hurried enthusiasm or reckless ruthlessness has the potential to lose all in what ostensibly may still only be a game of chance.

Being inspired at the start of this lunation means it easier to seek out alternatives, and make the most of opportunities with dramatic, non-conformist changes in the first half of the cycle, with a waxing Moon, which takes us up to the 17th December Full Moon in Gemini - a magical Moon that opens a heavenly portal straight to the centre of the Galaxy. After which, Love Goddess Venus retreats and encourages a fondness of tradition (and whatever we are working on) by going retrograde at Solstice, making it a cosy Yule with a surprising Xmas twist that could grip us all the way to New Year’s Eve, when a SuperMoon kickstarts 2014.

Of course, from the Buddhist point of view there is no time like the present. Past and future are only concepts, so all we really have is the power of now, as the light-radiating gateway to spiritual awakening. And so it is in the afterglow of ISON's cosmic dust that the brilliant and wise Sagittarius Sun invites us to now shine-on and discover that single-point-in-times' liberating experience. _/♥\_ ☼✶•*¨*•.¸¸✶

With LOVE & thanks to unknown artist for fiery image of Chenrezig, Lord of compassion_/♥\_

☄ _/♥\_ Dark Moon in Scorpio - Dec1st ♏ ♄ ☽ ☿ ☄ ☉ ☼✶•*¨*•.¸¸✶

Dark Moon in Scorpio with ISON, Mercury & Saturn - Dec 1st '13
_/♥\_ ♏ ♄ ☽ ☿ ☄ ☉ ☼✶•*¨*•.¸¸✶
Dark moons are just as much times for sowing the seed as they are for releasing and letting go of old issues and sticky problems - sending them back to void. Because this particular balsamic Moon is conjunct the planet of the mind, Mercury, and karmic Saturn, the planet of limitation and endings, there’s a sense of finality to certain difficult issues (which could have been around for years). And as this weekend’s dark Scorpionic moon phase could trigger profound feelings - fear, loss, hopelessness - bear in mind how even these emotions can now serve as the means for dramatic alchemical transformation, from base ordinary things/ideas/relationship into treasured golden enlightenment.

It’s also worth noting that informative Mercury, disciplined Saturn, and the sensitive Moon are with Comet ISON! Though much is now hidden with the dark Moon, if there is ever a story of life, death and regeneration, it is Comet ISON. Pronounced dead and gone after its perihelion sungraze, ISON reappeared and perhaps may even able to grow its glowing tail once again – we just don’t know yet, as it has still yet to come into view, which it could well do again after the forward-moving New Moon in Sagittarius Dec 2nd/3rd. Though on December 1st, early bird sky dancers will catch the last slither of the Moon, with Mercury & Saturn in the pre-dawn sky – and possibly the comet. This combination of planets and comet is actually an extremely sobering stellium that once again determines the importance of understanding the nature of reality, in order to combat debilitating fears and doubts: that all is ultimately pure love and bliss.

Comets always bring unknown factors from deep space into play. And, in ISON’s case, coming from beyond magical mystical Neptune, its dynamic transformational energy affects us all. Generally speaking comets are not considered to be good omens, as they excite and heat disordered conditions. However, ISON – in whatever state it is in, is still under Sun’s beams, in the ‘crossover’sign between Scorpio & Sagittarius sometimes called the 13th sign, Ophiuchus. This part of the sky is attributed to the teacher of Hippocrates, the healer ‘Asklepius’ who is holding a snake; his staff the symbol of modern medicine.

ISON’s passage becomes doubly symbolic during the year of the Black Water Snake. In Tibetan Buddhism, the snake depicted in the wheel of life is symbolic of hatred, the root emotion to violence and war, when the way of peace is by transforming that angry emotion into compassion for all beings. Remembering also that the third week after enlightenment, Lord Buddha (whose rebirth we recently commemorated, at LhaBab DuChen, only a week ago) was sheltered by the coiled snake energy (Kundalini) of the seven headed snake (in line with seven chakras). Thus, to my mind, the symbology of a Dark Moon touching the tail of Asclepius’ Snake, aligned with the healing brother Mercury, earthy Saturn & ISON, it suggests the importance of global healing, activating Kundalini Earth energy, transforming consciousness and raising the Diving feminine Shakti power to the max.

And December's Venus retrograde dance at Solstice will again teach the importance of Five-Star LOVE ☆☆☆☆☆

Image is of Vajrayogini, the Goddess for degenerate times, as she is the manifestation of ultimate wisdom and compassion, aiding in the transformation of mundane experience into higher levels of spiritual understanding.

☼ 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 _/♥\_

Medicine Buddha Moon ~ Tara Puja – Oct 12th _/♥\_

Spirit Sun in harmonious Libra today highlights the dynamic first-quarter Moon in disciplined Capricorn, to balance responsibilities and generate positive, lasting change which benefits all.

This first quarter moon also creates a tight ‘T-square’ to expansive Jupiter’. So when making important decisions and adjustments there’s every reason to remain optimistic; even minor modifications made this weekend (in relationship, at work, and/or at home) can be deeply healing and bear fruit. Note, however, such fruit may take time, organisation and practice to really ripen. This is because Venus, Libra’s ruler and Capricorn’s hierarchical ruler, goes retrograde at the Winter Solstice, when both the illuminating Sun and loving Venus will be in Capricorn. 

Issues close to the heart that need a deep resolution could therefore take up until the Solar year’s turning point, or even until the Candlemas New Moon, when Venus once again goes forward. So now is the time to exercise patience with self and others, especially when dealing with situations that challenge one to stay centred (in radiant natural Buddha nature) _/♥\_

Love & thanks for beautiful calligraphy and artwork with Medicine Buddha Mantra by Tashi Mannox _/♥\_

May all beings be free from suffering ~> “Hail! Appear, O Healer, O Healer, O Great Healer, O King of Healing! Let the Healing be swift And let the Healing begin!” __/♥\__

Diamond Goddess & Great Attractor ~ Gemini Lunar Eclipse Venus Transit

Sharing a nice cup of English tea and dear JoJo’s cake, as dear Queenie, Elizabeth Windsor, born under the Goddess Venus ruled sign Taurus, celebrates her Diamond Jubilee during this weekend’s Lunar Eclipse (the Full Sagadawa Moon, June 4th 12:12 British Summer Time). The Moon, in mundane astrology, represents the public mood; and during this eclipse la Luna just happens to conjunct 14degrees Sagittarius, where lies our Galaxy’s ‘Great Attractor’. Yes, the heavens are in accord, we’re attracted to the Goddess - & We love our Queen! Festivities extend into the celestial LOVE transmission during the rare Sun-Venus transit, awakening Heart-Mind over the long bank holiday on Monday/Tuesday morning :)) ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Nice to bear in mind how there are two grand scale offerings to our earthly Venusian Goddess: Fire & Water. A flotilla of boats upon the River Thames (aka Isis) culminates tomorrow afternoon at Green0wich Meridian line; and Apollo’s fiery laylines of Great Britain will blaze on Monday June 4th, with Jubilee beacons and bonfires at 10pm on hilltops across the land! To top it all and add a serious sense of timing (as if being at 0degrees meridian isn’t enough), Big Ben is going to be renamed Elizabeth Tower! Time for the Goddess to ring her Jubilee Bells ;) ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Sixty years is also, of course, a very important astrological landmark of her reign’s second Saturn return, and twelve times the five elements makes this an important astrological landmark for the Queen to demonstrate her regal wisdom. ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Dakini Day 15th May ~ Venus Retrograde in Gemini

Very special GODDESS day in the sky 15th May. Not only is beautiful Venus in stimulating Gemini going retrograde to internalise a loving heart-mind for 40-days and 40 nights -> On her way to the rare 125-year double dance pass with Spirit Sun (June 5/6th) ♥ ♥ ♥ Its also Dakini Day ~> nourishing Taurus Sun in a sixty degree waning sextile aspect to a watery Moon in PIsces = Sensitive devotion to Mother Earth and the feminine anima activates our wisdom nature ♥
with ƸӜƷ
DIVINE
║║╔═╦╦╦═╗
║╚╣║║║║╩╣
╚═╩═╩═╩.ƸӜƷ ~*~J☮Y GRATITUDE~*~

~ _(♥)_ Om Tara Tuttare Ture Soha _(♥)_ ~

Vesek 2012 Buddha Purnima Beltane Full Moon

Get ready to touch base with magnificent and magnified shining Buddha nature, as the year’s biggest supermoon is on the rise! And in the radiant light of this brilliant Full Scorpio Moon, Buddhists across Asia also celebrate ‘Vesak’, or ‘Buddha Purnima’ as it is called in India, commemorating the birth, death and paranirvana of Shakyamuni Buddha.

When Lord Buddha was born 2500+ years ago, as the son of a King, an astrologer predicted Prince Gothama Siddhartha would achieve great powers: if Siddhartha followed a spiritual path, he would become an enlightened saint or, if he followed his regal father into the world of materialistic desire, he would be a renowned ruler. Either way, Buddha Shakyamuni was destined for greatness – such is the formidable command of the fixed and determined Taurus-Scorpio Sun-Moon alignment. Thankfully, after years of meditation and realising the true nature of reality, Buddha chose to leave the palace and walk the dharma path, to remind how our own enlightenment sparkles. No matter how much we obscure the innate spiritual treasure we are all born with, this particular sun-moon phase raises our vibration for the unconditional love-light to shine (which some in the west might call this soul-awareness Christ consciousness) that also helps one to appreciate the value of having the karma to be blessed with a precious human rebirth.

Full Moon is exact at 3:35 London on Sunday 6thMay; 9:05 Delhi; May 5th 23:35 New York, 8:35 LA ~> May your meditation, drum, dance & song during this powerful interaction between the Beltane Sun, Earth, and the Perigee Moon, lead to full realisation and heartfelt love _(♥)_

Planets in transit: technical astrospeak...

Practical Taurus Sun exemplifies a grounded spirit; opposite an alchemical Scorpio Moon, personal sensitivity is profoundly transformational. Both Sun and Moon now at 16 degrees also make good aspects to other planets. The Beltane fixed-earth Venus-ruled Taurus Sun next to auspicious Jupiter, and Earth Mother, Ceres (aka Demetre), indicates a potentially good harvest for all that has been metaphorically sown during the previous two weeks, from new moon to full.

As soon as La Luna is full, she begins to wane towards the new moon solar eclipse on May 20^th at 0 Gemini. This will then mark another important lunation, as Venus in Gemini will also be in retrograde motion (think back 8 years to June 2004 to reconnect with this other incredibly rare 121-year occultation, a phenomena which occurs in pairs). This retrograde of the Love Goddess is perfect to tame the mind and restore self–love. 

Thank you Visual Alchemy for "The Warmth of My Embrace" & unknown artist of earth-heart ♥

Love ♥☼♥ Light Libra Full SuperMoon ~> April 2012

Full Libra SuperMoon on the rise, to be exact Friday at 20:19 BST (NY 03:19pm (EDT); Delhi Saturday 7th 00:42 am (IST)), with Sun at 17 Aries radiating fire and assertion and the light of light itself, opposite the loving and sweetly pushy Libra; this one is all about you and me, baby!  

How we relate to others, either in business or love comes into focus - and possibly to a head. With sensitive Moon next to swami Saturn, and in a dramatic Thor’s Hammer formation with Neptune and Venus, self-initiated karma can make one feel alone, even in intimate partnership. This is good – and all part of the cosmic plan, which is to help one understand that even in relationship if we are not responsible for our own actions, who or what else is? 

The nature of LOVE is blissful, light and free; so why be weighted down by emotional drama?

Aries directness opposite balancing Libra stimulates Divine love to emanate from the heart, for this full ‘Pink Moon’ reminds us how loving kindness frees us from the ego shackles of self-centredness, paving the way for harmonious connection, be that with a friend, enemy or stranger.

The ‘Mutable Cross’ mentioned in a previous post continues to hold sway, but with a slight change of cast on the cosmic stage. We still have retrograde Mars in Virgo, about to go station direct on the 14^th April (movement in the right direction at last!), opposite the ongoing Neptune-Chiron conjunction, accenting exactly where deep emotional healing is required (check for 3 degrees Virgo-Pisces in your scope); this opposition is in square to Love Goddess Venus in versatile Gemini (where she goes retrograde for 40 days and 40 nights in May-June), now conjunct the South Node (Dragon's tail) she is opposite the Juno-North Node conjunction, to form a Goddess dominated Fire-Air axis of this changeable Cross.  Experiences absorbed and imbibed during this Mutable Cross help one to remain true to goals - especially with Juno conjunct the Dragon's head, to act and react during time of fast-moving change in a manner that raises both consciousness AND planetary awareness. 

One last note about this Full Moon is that it is the first of three super moons in a row. The supermoon (a phrase coined by the amazing Richard Nolle) is when the Full (or new) Moon is closest to the earth. We normally experience more geomagnetic action and see more storms both on earth and at sea during super powerful moons. So take good care everyone. Go easy upon self and others and enjoy the wisdom of discriminating awareness throughout the beautiful Libra Moon _(♥)_

Sun-Venus-Earth = Rose Heart ♥

Sun-Venus-Earth = Rose Heart ♥

This is the celestial mandala of VENUS, the LOVE Goddess ♥~☼~♥

It takes 8 years for the Earth, Venus, and the Sun to create one round of this beautiful five-petal Sky Rose. From the geocentric, earthly point of view, when Venus is at inferior conjunction - during her retrograde phase - she reaches the tip of a petal. Each petal takes approximately 20 months to trace in the sky.

When aligned with the Sun, loving Venus basks in the Suns' radiant light of intelligence, illuminating dark thoughts & doubtful feelings. Warming the heart and burning up fear in the transformational fire of LOVE, Venus symbolises all that we cherish. Although we cannot see her at this retrograde point, as she is hidden from our Earthly view, we feel her loving vibration: for the 40 days & 40 nights of the retrograde phase, Venus generates unconditional heartfelt LOVE through the Spirit of the Sun into one's SELF; thus her innate need for egoless peace and harmony brings Spirit into balance. ♥

Breathe IN LOVE & expand your HEART ♥

Breathe OUT LOVE & balance your HEART ♥
When your heart is in harmony, so is the Earth's ♥
LOVE flows in a circular movement, each breath going around and around expanding LOVE further out into the universe ¸.•¨¯`•☆٠.•..•¨*☼ ♥

☆ ♥ ☽~ ☼ ~ ☽ ♥ ☆ ♥ ☽~ ☼ ~ ☽ ♥ ☆

Planting the seed of LOVE with a

'tāṃ' the Seed-Syllable (bījākṣāra) of Sita Tārā (Tib. Drolkar སགྲོལ་དྐར)

Invoking the Goddess Tara, I invite the Venusian seed of LOVE to grow with the LIGHT of the Sun within all beings. 

White Tārā Mantra in the Siddhaṃ script:

"oṃ tāre tuttāre ture mama ayūḥ-puṇya-jñāna-puṣṭim kuru svāhā"

I understand in the Tibetan tradition, Tara, whose name means 'Star', is associated with Venus. 

So while Venus is retrograde we need all the self-help we can generate in order to be deeply conscious about the profundity of love, and how we can safely share our most intimate feelings; because when we share love from the heart, we actually empower everyone and everything, including our self. 

☆ ♥ ☽~ ☼ ~ ☽ ♥ ☆

Thanks to Melanie Rheinhart, who sent me the beautiful Rose Mandala many years ago; AnyaLandgard for Tara, and to Visible Mantra on facebook for the beautifully painted Tara seed syllable.  ♥

A 2nd Aries Moon beams the Light of Life ~ Oct '10

The Divine Light of consciousness stimulates head AND heart with a second Full Moon in Aries. This time the Moon will be at 29degrees Aries at 2:36 am (gmd) early Saturday morning. A second Full Moon in any zodiacal sign is a ‘Krishna Moon’ or ‘Christ Moon’ radiating love for all, including self (& this may well be the origination of the ‘Blue Moon’ concept, due to Krishna’s royal colour.).

Only a few days after the Moon in apogee, stretching our Earthly electromagnetism, this full Moon happens to be very powerful.  Once again in Aries the Moon is opposite the Libran Spirit Sun: the spiritual warrior’s sacred heart is balanced with mirror-like wisdom and a certain familiarisation, as both Lights (Sun & Moon) contain within them the various emotional and spiritual experiences since the previous Autumn Equinox Full Aries Moon: thus the ‘Light that Moves to Rest’ reflects ‘The Light of Life’ that shines on a true and loving heart. 

From nought degrees Aries at the Full Equinox Moon, until now at the anaretic degree at the very end of the sign - one entire lunation - the Libra-Aries axis of personal will verses relationship is given a second cosmic focus. The theory is that because we are acquainted with the range of dynamic Aries-Libra expressions: I and we, individual and partnership, assertion-compromise, we are therefore more in tune with these powerful and forward moving energies, able to find a happy balance between the will of action and peaceful dialogue (or not, as the case may be). 

 

Now is the time to balance personal will within relationship needs. Impulsive or irrational feelings could tip the Libran scales.

Much, as always, will depend upon the individual’s connection to these all important Cardinal signs, especially now that taskmaster Saturn is in harmonious Libra, sometimes parading as the Lord of Love who dares to dance with the horned devil (a power-playing ego), while squaring up to Pluto at 3 degrees Capricorn, indicating a formidable, almost painful transformation of authority; and on the opposite side of the sky lie Jupiter and Uranus, stirring up personal, collective and planetary change in a most challenging way.   

This, however tricky the current arrangement of the planets, is an important Moon for Buddhists, as it is the Full Moon when the Lord Buddha agrees 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 October 30^th, just before Halloween, we celebrate the actual descent, Lhabab Du Chen, as being one of the four most important days in the Buddhist calendar.

This ability to move between spheres is not confined to the Buddha. The Spirit of the Sun is also currently up-close and personal with Venus and communicative Mercury.  When in Scorpio, Mercury 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. Venus retrograde provides a loving kind of insight; and Mars in Scorpio adds probing depth.

Venus in Scorpio & A retrograde dance of Magnetic Balance ~ Sept 2010 --> Jan 2011

Early

On September the 9th, the Queen of the heavens, Venus, moved into Scorpio, a domain of intensity and passion, which sounds terribly sexy and full of French ooh-la-la, beauty and balance.  Using formidable feminine wiles in this fixed water sign Scorpio, Venus can also be a tour de force. Be prepared: Her tarry in Scorpio will be a seductively s-l-o-w and subtle alchemical performance, as she changes from evening star to morning star.  Although the planet of love and adoration normally moves through a sign in a matter of weeks during her 224.7 day orbit around the Sun, Venus will now stay in Scorpio for almost four months (with a short sojourn back into Libra in November), indicating how our celestial Love Goddess will turn retrograde to make her famous twenty-month circumvolution, and dance into focus her magical five-pointed Heart Star, which takes eight years to trace into completion (so the last time she make her point in Scorpio was in 2002).  

During this intricate dance, Venus, as Goddess of the Night, (variously called Venus of Vespers, Hesperus, Lucifer, Ishtar or Innana) will also make three direct associations to Pluto in Capricorn, the outer-planet that rules Scorpio, concentrating inter-personal chemistry and magnetism; the first of these contacts is on Sunday the 12^th of September, less than 24 hours after Venus has been occulted by the Moon. The combination of Moon, Venus and Pluto, lord of the underworld, encourages us to maintain a sympathetic heart while we delve into the deepest parts of our soul to discover an acute kind of intuitive acumen that heightens psychic ability and activates the power of transformation.  The theme of this part of her dance is to avoid drama and conflict by keeping a low emotional profile (smouldering is optional) and, if we dare to shine a light upon our shadow, duck under the radar while the magical transformation of turning lead into gold takes place. 

Until she goes retrograde at 13Scorpio on October 8^th, Venus also continues a closely-entwined, forward-moving pas-de-deux with her celestial lover, Mars (also in Scorpio), as she has done for the past months in her Libran home sign, where together the celestial lovers emphasised peace, love and balance in relationship. On October 3rd, they will be in their tightest embrace since August 20th, at 12 Scorpio. In Scorpio, both Venus and Mars are more edgy and extreme. 

Note that Venus goes into retrograde motion only one day after the new Moon in Libra on the 7th Oct (which Venus rules as a day-sign (Taurus being Venus’ night-sign)); and this Libra-Scorpio connection remains throughout, to become a serpentine dance of magentic synchronisation. This combination of the lights, Sun and Moon in Libra, with Venus at station in Scorpio, suggests harmonious new (aspects of) alliances are subject to intense review; Pluto ruling Scorpio dares to look intently beyond the Bardo’s shadow lands, directly at the bare bones of any situation. It is worth baring in mind that while Venusian love is the key to understanding the mysteries of life, death and, ultimately, for the rebirth which perceptive Scorpio represents, trust, self-love and self-confidence must also be developed so that at the point of regeneration one is able to pass through the symbolic reincarnation unscathed. 

In order for Venus to do this, she retreats for 40 days and 40 nights, allowing us to review and reconsider our own understanding of self-appreciation, especially in relation to others with whom we share our personal life. On a relative level, all kinds of joint concerns, which are often taboo, are examined from every possible angle; and because Scorpio and Libra are the signs in which she dances this includes legacies and investments, relationships in business or marriage. 

Scorpio rarely does half measures: during this period a sexual or psychic, political or monetary venture is either totally renewed or disguarded altogether. The idea is that by the time the Venus turns direct one has learnt the necessity of unconditional self-love, able to harness the power to convert and tame even the mind's darkest most dangerous and poisonous demon (one's desirous ego): By showering the negative with beauty and love it is transformed into light to become a helpful protector, an alley as opposed to enemy. 

In Tibet the Goddess Tara is associated with Venus. And from the secret Tantric point of view this retrograde is also about using special insight – vipassana - to enhance and understand the transformational healing power of kundalini, and the legacy of being able to work with the chakras, winds and drops, so that one can further familiarise the death process, with which Scorpio is also associated.

Scorpio is the opposite sign of where Venus is at home, in Taurus; in astrology this placement is consequently known as being in ‘detriment’ – not her favourite position, as Scorpio can be as obsessive as it is alluring, as jealous as it is Tantric, a tower of strength as it is destructive. Scorpio smoulders with sexual and compelling power that is coupled with deep psychological insight; planets in this sign indicate the ability to transmute everything and anything, with a flick of a deadly tail or a crush of a passionate claw, Scorpio can destroy even the things they love.  Having Venus here accents potential relationship power play, as well as the renewal of power, be that love or money, or the exquisiteness of intimate relationship. Where the degrees 27 Libra --> &13 Scorpio lie in your own chart, which house placement, and the planets activated there will show how you personally are to be re-learning and re-discovering undying love. 

As with any retrograde, there are dates when these issues have a greater propensity to arise and come alive with passion. Venus will be at her greatest brilliancy at the autumn Equinox, September 23rd, but only visible in the southern hemisphere in the western sky. Previously noted is when Venus retrogrades on October 8^th (and when Mars wends his way forward without her charms to soothe his ardent action - its as though by warrior Mars pressing forward, Venus changes her allegiance, having already begin to favour powerful Pluto).  On the 24th of October, Venus conjoins the asteroid Vesta, Goddess of the hearth: Together they renew a sacred vow, made around August 6th, at the time of the Cardinal Cross activation, to keep the flame of love pure. Then on the 25th of October, Venus connects to Mercury, the celestial messenger: Receiving news of an agreement, or making some kind of impassioned commitment to self and others would not go amiss.

Passing between the Earth and the Sun, Venus is at inferior conjunction with the Scorpio Sun on the 29th October; and as she basks in the radiance of the Sun we cannot see her; although hidden, we can feel her loving vibration and her need for balance. Then Venus makes her second stratigic sextile maneuver to Pluto on All Souls’ Day, November the 1st, which says it all, really, divining through sacred ancestors so that we can produce basic changes in our ordinary consciousness. And on November 7^th , the real Halloween - when the veils between the upper and underworld’s are the thinnest, retrograde Venus re-enters Libra – when we have even more Scorpionic esoteric interplay - only a day after the new Moon in Scorpio, suggesting secrets and negativities are pacified with a new kind of insight, care and love: metta, karuna, maitri  = loving kindness and compassion activating the central chakra: that of the heart.  Shortly after, in the second week of November Venus emerges as Aphrodite, the rosy coloured morning star (a role she plays until July 2011). Finally, with a heart chakra in balance, Venus comes to station to turn direct on the 19 November as a day-ruled star at 27 Libra, aware of how powerful forces, both seen and unseen, can assist positive relationship and spiritual development. 

Venus eventually re-enters Scorpio on the 29^th/30^th of November, when she will revisit the first half of Scorpio for the second time. On December the 1st Venus and Mercury connect to confirm any agreement made late October.  Then she forms her third and last harmonious sextile aspect to Pluto, to make sure the transformation of the Divine Feminine is complete, on the 8^th December.  Only in the New Year does she change signs into the more optimistic and hopeful Sagittarius on the 8^th of January and settle into her regular pattern before another retrograde in May 2012.  This dramatic dance of ‘magnetic passion in balance’, during this time of the Cardinal Cross of the Spiritual Sun, points to a critical time of (earth’s form and) soul in crisis, having to evolve intelligently; Venus in Scorpio’s subjectivity can promote deep, all-consuming love to be the motivating factor. 

& if you, like me find crop circles fascinating (even though I am aware of a couple of early hoaxers - they certainly weren't been able to do every circle), here is another take on The Dance of Venus which I find interesting as an artist, for patterns, dates, and fractal math!

Further insightful Venus studies with excellent illustration are found here at Nick Anthony Fiorenza's Lunar Planner

Thanks & credit to ashram.au for the five pointed star Venus chakra woman, & to Mclaran for the classic pas de deux, Jack Niland for the marvellous Tara, and other unknown much appreciated artists.