Full Libra Moon ~ March 27th '13

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Wednesday the 27th's Full Moon in Libra at 9:27gmt (5:27EST) accents the power of individual LOVE, TRUTH and FREEDOM, uniting to be at ONE, with self, loved ones, friends, a team or even society. This is quite a powerful influence, as the harmonious and relationship orientated Libra Moon opposes Spirit Sun exalted in Aries, next to loving Venus, and the current Mars-Uranus conjunction rousing impulsive if not heroic quick change – be that change within ourselves, loved ones or peer group.

With so many planets in the sign of assertive and courageous Aries, understanding the position of ‘hero’ is imperative. In Buddhism the hero is not one who conquers by slaying the innocent and perceived foes. Our heroes are Spiritual Warriors who gently overcome destructive desires and aversions to liberate his or her own ego

So while this brilliant mid-week Libra Moon provides illuminating insight onto self, particularly in relationship, the planets also indicate self-love is an important factor when being with friends, or in fast-moving situations, when raising altruism also melts away fiery anger and ego. To valiantly put the benefit of others before self is the Bodhisattva ideal; doing so actually makes us more compassionate, likeable and sociable. Accepting this may not always be easy with the materialistically driven ego stimulated at every turn, practice makes perfect. And even if we don’t always succeed in caring for others in the manner to which we aspire, it’s important not to berate one’s self, but to now make necessary adjustments to character - and strategy, and recognise personal good points that can be developed and relied upon in the future. ❤ This is the way of the heart

Astro-tech: Also worth bearing in mind is how, in Esoteric Astrology, the hierarchical ruler of Aries is Uranus, the eccentric visionary planet which emphases the unique talent that each person brings to the collective. Thus the Aries individuality and its call for brave action perfom best when the focus is upon working with others, making the world a better place. Alone we may not make a difference, but together we can - and put on a great show

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Image of GuanYin ~Buddha of Compassion dancers from the China Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe ~> with thx - So inspiring what we can do when we work in harmony: These girls are all either mute of deaf.

LOSAR ~ TIBETAN New Year 2139 Black Water Dragon ~Feb-22-2012

Best LOSAR wishes to EVERYONE for the TIBETAN NEW YEAR of the WATER DRAGON 2139! _/♥\_ 

New Moon is at 22:35gmt (-5 NY, +5:30 Delhi) in 2 Pisces; Sun and Moon conjunct Neptune, Pallas Athena, Chiron & Mercury all in Pisces indicate that magic is in the air with such an extraordinary heavenly line-up, encouraging one to make a plan to heal the suffering of being a human floundering in the sea of Samsara, to dissolve duality into ONEness and experience Piscean/Neptunian emptiness & bliss _/♥\_ ૐ And maybe even create a miracle by Full Moon on March 8th, the 'Day of Miracles' ♥ 

Although we’ve been asked not to celebrate Losar this year, and to remain in prayer for those who are in Tibet, I still want to bubble up through the Piscean Dragon water and say please do enJOY the spiritual offerings and essential greatness this combination of planets symbolises. 

Essentially there are a great many pointers that indicate that now is the time think in longer cycles, not just where we are in relation to the East’s Black Water Dragon, who is active, passionate and extremely perceptive for a whole solar year; but also our Western Oceanic Neptune is now at home in imaginative Pisces for the next 14 years; and this new way of collective sensing even reverberates with yesterday’s MahaShivratri, the Hindu festival when Shiva dances his creative-destructive cosmic dance, at the same time he saves humanity by drinking the poison which comes about from churning-up the milky universe; this rather selfless and compassionate, Dzogchen action perfectly aligns with current planetary aspirations to save or be rescued.  

With so many planets resonnanting together in the sign of samsara and nirvana, hope and hopelessness, victims and martyrs - especially those who suffer for their spiritual faith - I am also saying a prayer for all those in Tibet – including the Chinese. This currently horrific wave of violence and self-immolation or reactive crackdown is tragic for all concerned.  Yet while both cultures have much in common - and there has to be a 'middle way', I also feel incredibly helpless, as totalitarian commercialism marches upon all indigenous and shamanic beings who live in close harmony to the land and the elements, all over the world.  It is not just Tibet where 'tribals' and 'communities' are threatened and often sacrificed in the name of power. Still, it is still interesting how Tibet and China do share certain development (Much like the English and Irish, i.e. similar, but not quite.). In the calendar there are often have different starting dates for new elemental years. China, and a most of Asia, always celebrate on the Aquarius New Moon. The energy of which indicates an intellectual cool and detached approach to humanity (which also resonates with China’s Moon sign). The Tibetan year shifts between Aquarius, and where it is found more often, in devoted and spiritual Pisces. Maybe this says something about the general population themselves? All food for thought - especially if we consider the difference of being Jupiter ruled, or Saturn ruled, as is New Year for most of the world. 

This year's Losar Pisces Black Water Dragon Neptune Moon is a serious reminder us that our global theme of the moment is the state of our WATER.  To be in the flow: of water, of communication, cash, and cosmic biocognative energy is what the coming decade is all about. Good to note that Pisces's traditional ruler is Jupiter, modern ruler is Neptune, and esoteric ruler is Pluto; in this order it suggests that in the past we grew, at present we dissolve into divinty, and deep down, within the shared psyche, we powerfully transform – a process that takes generations to complete; but once it happens as a race we evolve to become more compassionate and caring, as indicated by the highest vibration of this end of zodiac sign. That’s the theory anyway. We may actually keep on swimming in our own nonsense forevermore, which would also be quite in keeping with Pisces/Neptune & the 12^th House – otherwise known as the Celestial Dustbin, as dear Liz Green calls it!   

:) Me? I prefer the super-subtle but mighty-powerful spiritual evolution that’s on offer and, seeing as Pisces is on my 4th house cusp (and the angles are always very important for transits), I will no doubt see my spiritual foundation grow, dissolve, and surrender into the transformation within the magical and universal unfolding of mystical Neptune in emotional Pisces _/♥\_ ૐ

So, with that..

I wish all beings are happy, that they be free from suffering and that all are liberated from this ocean of Samsara and its pounding waves of old age, birth, sickness and death. _/♥\_ ૐ

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New SuperMoon Solar Eclipse in Sagittarius ~ November'11

“Truth is immediate, radiant, here and now. It is not that truth has to be discovered — only you have to become aware. Truth is already here.” Osho

A new SuperMoon on Thursday night/ Friday morning (6:08GMT on the 25^th November) is a solar eclipse at 2 degrees in fiery Sagittarius, sign of the archer centaur who's arrow is directed towards higher principles: truth and freedom. A simple truth is how freedom is all too easily lost when we allow aggression and attachment to rule. In a world strewn with ignorance and desire it is the agent of falsity, the grasping ego, which we need to tame in order to reveal that radiant truth. Yet this incredible egoless wonder can only ever be experienced individually. No one can make us fully aware of our innate luminous wisdom but ourselves. Thankfully, astrologically speaking, there are times when a more obvious portal unlocks the alive kind of awareness that can potentially open the heart-mind, such as during an eclipse.  

Before I go into detail of this eclipse, it’s always important to note how eclipses are mighty powerful, not to be taken lightly in any way; especially now, as this is a SuperMoon (when the moon is perigee (in close approach to the earth)) and all kinds of dramatic turning points can arise. As such, I advise people to psychically, emotionally (and even physically) protect, so that when the cosmic portal opens wide one remains safely centred in breath, heart and mind. In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition we set the intention for the benefit of all beings, and connect to the Guru (inner and outer) through meditation to focus while the channels, chakras and winds course through the body (hopefully unhindered), thus urging the tantric vajrayana practioner towards enlightenment (through the path of transformation).   

According to eastern philosophy, the union of Sun and Moon creates a sacred dynamic to enhance our most powerful subtle body energy; as Earth’s most important two heavenly bodies combine in concentration, they also influence our ability to focus and connect with our innate compassion and wisdom. Mindful of this potent force which lies within and around each and every living thing, the balance of male and female, sun and moon, yin and yang is at once receptive and dynamic, magnetic and electrical, commanding a personal and sometimes psychic awareness that dissolves duality.  How attentive we are of this naturally subtle but powerful (Vajra Body) energy and its blissful state of ONEness depends upon how open our heart-mind can be to unconditional love. And this is probably one of the great truths: love is our natural peaceful state. Absolutely free from plurality, one experiences an open heart-mind, conscious of the peace within to imbibe strength, courage and optimism.  

And this is where the hopeful and confident sign of the Sagittarian archer comes in: locate the early degrees of Sagittarius in the personal chart (or chart of nations if you're into mundane astrology), note where wisdom and insight can be aimed and directed through active joyful perception; this is also the place where karmic merit can be currently accumulated - and dedicated - especially in the two weeks following, as the new moon grows into a full Lunar Gemini eclipse on the 10^th December. 

Although partial, this Sagittarian solar eclipse will be seen in Antarctica - Earth’s southernmost pole, suggesting a passage of heavenly energy flows through Earth’s axis (with the Dragon's head, aka Rahu or North Node, opening the root chakra) and within the Sushumna,  for Rahu’s divine nectar to flow and radiate as a boundless sea of infinite stream of (toroidal) aura and love-light.

While this is the last of four partial solar eclipses of the year, it also coincides with quick-silvered Mercury at station, going retrograde for three weeks. As the ruler of Gemini, Mercury is also a major player in this set of eclipses, as it is the sign in which the upcoming lunar eclipse will take place on the 10^th December. Gemini activates the cosmic light of intelligence: The heavens now urge one to release negative associations or distructive thought patterns that block the flow and hinder realising truth.

During this Thanksgiving Thursday/Friday’s solar eclipse, both Mercury, planet of the MIND, and Venus, planet of LOVE, loosely align to the GALACTIC centre, galvanizing a continued shift in the noosphere as well as individual consciousness. A Venus in Sagittarius archer finds support directing cupid's arrow towards the cosmic love vibration. When communicative Mercury is in far-sighted Sagittarius, it broaden's the mind, emboldens the free-spirit, and fuels the independent thinker; retrograding Mercury retraces thoughts and ideas which help to understand the bigger picture, and get a handle on what truth and freedom actually means; as well as pay service to the demanding attention to detail and any philosophical, spiritual and religious ideals, as well as long-distant travel, or law courts, academia, and/or the in-laws.

This is a very purple dorje Jupiterian moment in time (Purple is Jupiter's colour;)). Also active in the Solar eclipse chart is the Grand Earth Trine, to which Sun and Moon are in a challenging quincunx formation to the still retrograde Jupiter (going forward on Boxing day (just as I am with the in-laws!)). Jupiter is also the planet of expansion, and Sagittarian ruler. Though this formation is what my astrology teacher, Howard Sasportas, called 'a push-me-pull-you', something has to give: A quincunx implies we need to adjust. With expansive Jupiter in sensual Taurus, the sign of love and money now creating tension to Sun and Moon, everyone is feeing the stress of material growth. Though all is not currently lost. Because of Jupiter's ruling connection to Sagittarian Sun, coupled with Venus - who rules Taurus - also being in Sagittarius, Sun/Moon, Venus and Jupiter, are all therefore within the helpful framework labeled ‘mutual reception’. So even with the difficult labelling (and distribution of tasks) this transit actually indicates, Venusian compromise is possible; even the dreadfully-behaved financial markets could stretch themselves to maintain good humour when discovering the growth they seek has slow periods. All anyone has to do is to look away from the money markets to see how people can and do THRIVE - even under this trying circumstance, alignment to the universal flow of radiant truth creates peace and love.

Perhaps the most important lesson from the Zodiac’s Guru, Jupiter – who is Lord of this solar eclipse (tropically speaking), is how spiritual healing is, while exigent (as indicated by the T-square to Mars opposition Neptune), well worth the effort exploring. In fact, with the current trine from Sun and Moon to radical Uranus, planet of dramatic change, I suspect there will more than a handful of individuals who now suddenly ‘wake-up’ and smell the divine nectar.  

Saka Dawa 'Fully Enlightened Moon' 2009

In the run up to this potent Full Sagittarian Moon, on Sunday the 7th, a crisis of faith may well be the issue at hand. Should you find your mind twirling with nagging moments of doubt, this is good. Bewilderment can lead to wonderment. As this Full Moon is in hard aspect to Saturn, the planet of Golden Wisdom, the danger of being held back by dogma or threatened by a bunch of beliefs that do not ring true (for you personally) is an opportunity to, at the very least, see the same old thing, person, situation, from a different viewpoint. Faith is required to have a basis in reality, to give life joyful optimism; the need is to ask questions and test conviction by one’s own experience, and not accept blindly.

This Full Moon, called ‘Saka Dawa’, is considered to be one of the most holy in the Tibetan Calendar. It has a triple signification, representing Buddha Shakyamuni’s birth, enlightenment and Parinirvana. It is also one of the few days in the year when all karma – virtuous or non-virtuous – is magnified a hundred thousand times. Karma, the law of cause and effect, has a habit of expanding at the best of times; so when you find yourself doing something good, think of the karmic merit you’re creating (and dedicate it towards positivity.) On the other hand, if you encounter anger, jealousy, greed etc, try to quickly catch it, and then give praise for being compassionate towards yourself (and others!). Such discipline is a most positive way of honouring Saturn.

This Gemini Sun and Sagittarian Moon also creates a testing ‘T’ square to the Lord of Karma, Saturn in the healing sign of Virgo (note the word ‘healing’ has roots in the word ‘holy’ to be ‘whole’). The cosmic challenge is to take our responsibility for remedial activity more seriously, i.e. for the planet, for each other, and for ourselves. Authoritative Saturn, in helpful do-it-yourself Virgo, is also at the apex of another demanding configuration called ‘Thor’s hammer’ or ‘God’s Fist’. The heavenly pointers banging on the pressure for purity, transparency and responsibility are the North Node in Aquarius - symbolic of a collective destiny, with and Venus and Mars, the cosmic lovers, together in Venus’ home sign, Taurus, representing all we love and cherish. This celestial formation also suggests an endless source of love and affection to sustain and support us upon our personal and collective journey; yet we may have to overcome personal greed for the greater altruistic intention to manifest as one heart beating the one love, so all beings can be happy.

2012

Over the years I’ve given 2012 a great deal of thought, and have come to the conclusion that the universal invitation to raise consciousness is already happening. A number of astrological factors indicate this. Even so, I bare in mind that Namkai Norbu Rinpoche, one of the greatest living Dzogchen masters teaches ‘astrology is only one of the 12 lores or sciences concerned with Spirit or Mind’; there are many ways to ‘realisation’.

Having said that, I am primarily a Western astrologer and a Buddhist practitioner who studies the movements of the heavens (#8 on Namkai Norbu Rinpoche’s list), but can see why some astrologers have hooked into 2012 as time of change, because Uranus in Aries is Square Pluto in Capricorn (tropically), denoting a transformational shift, collectively as well as individually. (There is also the beginnings of a Grand Cardinal Cross starting in 2010 through 2015, which have already begun to navigate.)

While much is being made about the fact that the rising Winter Solstice Sun conjuncts the Galactic centre at the 2012 Winter Solstice, few are acknowledging that the Winter Solstice Sun has been doing exactly that for some time now, since at least 1996. I recall being with HH the Dalai Lama, and 300,000 other Buddhists at a Kalachakra Initiation near Darjeeling, India, on the 1996 Winter Solstice Full Moon, thinking then about the 2012 Mayan prophesy - the end of one world and the beginning of another - noting how the prophesy was already in place: we are at the end of an era and, if we are to understand Samsara and cyclic existence, we are now seeing the beginning of something new.



That 2012 has grabbed people’s imagination is fascinating. Sure, it is glamorous to be thought of as a Blue Cosmic Storm rather than a crab, as in my case; but the whole 2012 Mayan Calendar phenomena also presents opportunities: On one hand we can exercise humanities’ collective longing for positive change and evolve our innate kindness and compassion, share the love, and bring an end to suffering. On the other, people can lay themselves open to an end-of-the-world doomsday scenario and get hooked into the fear, from which one can then be controlled.

But in the end, the change we are experiencing is to the natural world; and this current recessional economic climate can only benefit nature, and all her elements, of which we are but a part. Our environment is as precious as all sentient beings.

As far as western astrology is concerned a pertinent cosmic representation of what we are going through is the current association of the transpersonal outer planets, Uranus and Neptune; these two have been in direct relation for 22 years (with one more year to go (before Uranus goes into Aries)). Visionary Uranus is symbolic of groups, change, and awareness; Neptune signifies psychic sensitivity and the Divine. This combination reflects an interest in astrology groups, as well as lightworking and consciousness raising transcendental networking. In its’ most positive sense, the dream team mutual reception of Uranus in Pisces and Neptune in Aquarius indicates a mass elevation of the human spirit. It also invites pure awareness. While Pluto in Capricorn suggests big business transforms to be responsible about earthly resources, caring like a perceptive and powerful mother-figure.

What I recommend during this period of intense change is that everyone takes time to de-stress and touch base with reality: meditation, yoga and music (amongst others) are all non-toxic ways we can relax into our natural state of inner-peace.