🌕 Full Leo Moon & Dramatic Solar Flare * Spiritual Strength '11

Have you ever immersed yourself in the deeply intensely glorious light that shines through pigmented leaded glass window? If so, you too could know how art, colour and light (Leo's forte) have the power to heal and purify and, almost miraculously, open your heart and lift one’s spirit into other-worldly realms. The colourful stained-glass Rose windows at the medieval Chartres Cathedral in France did just this to me a while ago (fyi: Chartres also has the signs of the zodiac in its' stained glass windows, and features in Dan Brown's Davinci Code); when bathed in the all-pervading lapis-lazuli and rose-pink light that streams in through Chartres spectacular windows, I felt myself merge into a truly religious experience that I’d like to share with you. For my short story holds some symbolism for this Full Moon in 29 Leo* opposite the Spirit Sun in humanitarian Aquariusm conjunct mystical Neptune, who is also with active Mars, and healing Chiron at 8:36gmt (5 hours behind for est, 8 for pst) on Friday, the 18th February.

Before I finish my tale, some background on this dramatic and soulful Leo Full Moon that reflectes the light of the Sun in Aquarius - which often brings about sudden events - quite out of the blue (pardon the colour pun). When conjunct Neptune, those events can be deeply spiritual when positive (or decidedly deceptive if negative); when Mars is involved in the cosmic Aquarian picture, the warrior can wield such force it can almost knock us out (North Africa is a current case in point). Yet while our Sun shines upon this Moon in theatrical Leo, we are reminded of love and romance, as Leo is a sign that comes from the heart; this Lion heart represents playfulness and fun, children, art and parties, as well as how we show strength and express creativity. My three planets and an asteroid in Leo might explain why this blog is more personal than usual: I love a good party and adore being with kids - my Goddess daughters in particular, and I have a ‘thing’ about the iconography of the Mother Goddess and Child - in any culture, as the love a mother gives her child is usually unconditional. In the Tibetan teachings we are taught, due to karma, to treat everyone as a mother would her child.

But back to my incredible once-in-a-lifetime experience: As I knelt at the feet of the beautiful Black Madonna which Chartres Cathedral houses in a small side chapel, I settled into the silence of my prayers. Okay, these were Buddhist prayers, but I am now certain the Divine Cosmos was listening. My internal peace dissolved into bliss by the sudden arrival of a global gathering of nuns who had come together to sing praises to the beautiful Black Madonna. During the course of an hour the choir swelled and diminished in size, as each countries' representatives came, sang their beautiful hearts out, then disappeared. In the spirit of Sun-Neptune in Aquarius, I witnessed a universal sisterhood, a hundred or more congregate from all over the world pay tribute to the Holy Moon Mother in their own language; a sacred hymn sung variously in French, English, Spanish, Portuguese, German and other tongues. Each group of dedicated women, all dressed in a variety of blue and white, sang a tune honouring the Goddess, which resonated with the magical healing blue light emanating from the Cathedral’s windows, infusing every pore in my skin with a radiant wonder. My Spirit elevated beyond any normal sense of being. Because of this very obvious out-of-body sensation (I was gone!), my dear partner and his friend left me to release the overwhelming love coursing through my heart-mind and body. An hour and a flood of silent tears later I was once again alone in front of Holy Mother and Child, wondering if it were all a dream as the last nun left the blessed statue; lighting a candle symbolic of the spiritual light of the Mother Goddess honoured, she departed. I realised then how I'd been witness to an extraordinary gift of devotion to the Divine Mother that truly humbled me in the face of unity and oneness. 

And its this the kind of magical and mystical ONENESS with DIVINE LOVE that the current Sun-Neptune conjunction can invoke – through song, prayer, yoga and meditation, we can transport ourselves to the state of bliss, and reach a place of awareness where we see easily how we are all so interconnected. Understanding such interrelation enables altruism to arise from within, to become compassionate and loving which, to my astrological mind, is the highest vibration of mystical Neptune, as it flows through these last degrees of Aquarius before going into its' home sign of Pisces in April this year. Just writing about this precious choir-of-nuns memory, however, reminds me how important it is to drop Leo's ego, in order to open the heart and radiate the spiritual strength which love generates, including a natural non-pompous self-love.  

In the face of any overwhelming thought or sensation: hot-headed confusion, surrender, martyrdom, which a Sun-Neptune-Mars-Mercury conjunction can all too easily signify: to mediate (from a meditative approach to problem solving) work best. So, while under the auspices of this dramatic Leo super Moon (so close to the earth we have also just experience our 1st X-flare for 4 years), I can’t emphasis enough how deLIGHTful it is to submerge oneself in the unconditional LOVE of the Divine; and am wishing you a wonderful Full Moon meditation.

*This is also last of the five-in-a-row 'anaretic' 29degree Full Moons, and is the last full moon before the Tibetan New Year, Losar, on March 5th. This Leo Moon is also conjunct Regulus, a fixed star that represents the red hot passionate heart of the lion which confers unbridled success, but only when revenge is not sought (then all is lost); Regulus is a Royal star, and conjunct the emotional Moon which is opposite the Aquarius Sun conjunct Neptune and Mars AND Mercury, it can bring about some kind of successful sensitivity and/or healing to the heart-mind connection, to accent an individual’s spiritual strength and, when living for the highest good, compassion for the suffering Neptunian masses - of which there are billions on our planet alone.

The Aquarian Sun is spacy; electrical energy over this Full Moon is also seriously felt (I have hardly slept a wink during these solar flares): with Mars in Aquarius, action and insight can be sudden and daring; but be aware how anger wipes out karmic merit in one fell swoop. My advice for this Moon? Steer clear of toxic aggression, and be thankful for Divine kindred spirits, along with the love and kindness that such friendship generates in one’s life. 

One last observation (and please bare with me on this long but incredibly fiery interconnected planetary chain) is how this Solar flare formed almost simultaneously with our monthly Cardinal Cross of the Central Spiritual Sun (as opposed to the heart or the physical Sun). According to Alice A. Bailey in Esoteric Astrology, the Central Spiritual Sun’s outlet is through Jupiter, which has, interestingly, just moved into fiery Aries, the sign where the Sun is exalted; Mars, which rules Aries, is also currently conjunct the Sun, turning up the heat in this spate of solar flares that actually blew from a central zone of our life-giving Sun, to reach us here on earth on a Full Leo Moon, which is ruled by the Sun! Thus, this Sun-Leo-Mars-Aries-Jupiter-> Spritual Sun circle is, to those who read the signs and meaning behind this Full Leo Moon, (& should we choose to take this opportunity) propel the process of a heart-opening that awakens to central life-giving Spirit. Note: we may need to rest within said Central Spirit in a week’s time, when Jupiter squares up to powerful Pluto, on the 25^th Feb. The celestial call to expand will be the spiritual warrior's point of transformation. Until then, I join you through the Sun-Neptune-Chiron meditation healing ethers in the Temple of unconditional LOVE - and wish us all many helpful insights, so we constantly reflect the clear light of Spirit’s wisdom.

Heaven knows, our planet could do with healing prayers as Neptune begins to leave Aquarius and enter Pisces 2012.  This transit could be a big deal for the water element, ruling mass emotion, and our connection to the Divine_/\_♥ ૐ... Imagine if we all tuned into healing... 


Meanwhile...
_/\_♥ ૐ love and thanks for illustrations to Sea Lion at deviant art for the brilliant leopard, 'The Moon's Daughter'; to Mystic Sun for the fractal; unknown artists for Oneness; and unknown photographers for Chartres Cathedral's Black Maddonna, Rose Window and Lion pane _/\_♥ ૐ

VIRGO ~ Cardinal Cross ~ Evolution of SPIRITUAL REALITY

Virgo ~Virgo Asc ©

2^nd Solar house Saturn 
(& Mars-Venus in Libra August 2010)

5^th Solar house Pluto in Capricorn

8^th Solar house Jupiter/Uranus Aries 
(revisting Pisces August-Feb/Mar2011)

11^th Solar house Moon in Cancer (monthly)

For the cosmic overview of the this celestial formation, click on the Cardinal Cross of the Central Spiritual Sun

With the karmic taskmaster Saturn (& Mars and Venus) in your sphere of values all you hold dear, developing a strong sense of self worth becomes mega-important. At the same time, your ruling planet Mercury is now going retrograde in your sign, so thinking about yourself and how you fit into the greater scheme of things is totally permissible. But watch out for overblown self-cherishing. Note Mercury makes only aspects to the Sun and Moon during this retrograde period; this is a revision phase of re-aligning Spirit Sun and Moon soul’s to and with pure awareness. On the 3^rd September, Mercury is in inferior conjunction with the Sun, which is the same day as a Cardinal Cross, bringing the sensation of being at a crossroad once again focus. Only this time you may well be ready to make some kind of decision. That said, Mercury retrograde is also a subtle internal process (as well as a time of communication issues), this time, though, Mercury is aided by karmic Saturn, as Mercury is on the same declination at Saturn on both sides of his healing journey, retrograde and direct. Sept 12th may the time when things start going forward, but the mind of authority gets totally serious when Mercury actually conjuncts Saturn Oct 8th.

Like Saturn, Virgo, can be practical; the difference is that Virgo is also currently super-sensitive, with the ability to tune into ‘the other side’ and asses other people's feelings with alarming ease. This could make you want to retreat. This is largely due to Jupiter and Uranus awakening hidden depths in the 8^th house of profound secrets, where insight, intimacy and Tantric deities reside.

Thankfully you are smart enough to see that many problems are, in fact, nothing to worry about.  As the planet of communication, Mercury, affords you wit, humour and quick thinking in any given situation -  and is actually very much at home in your sign during this transition of the Cardinal Cross  – you quickly assess any given circumstance, able to change the subject or move away if you need to. This is just what you need; because of your current hypersensitivity you could feel drained by external drama. Yet because of this current talent to lighten any encounter, you can also alleviate all kinds of stressful situations, especially within your working environment. So keep an eye on rising stress factors, even if they’re not even yours, and watch-out for a few days of monthly high tension, reminiscent of late July, every time the moon is in Cancer, and see how much more adept you are at handling tricky situations each time around.

There are delicate moves for everyone to negotiate with this Cardinal Cross: for Virgo with expansive Jupiter, and awakening Uranus in your house of intimate relations, it also squares up to powerful Pluto in your sphere of romance. This could feel like you are playing truth, dare, kiss or promise with a loved one.  The way to win hearts is to conquer the enemies of faults and delusion. Be aware how both planets are currently retrograde until February, March 2011, so single Virgo may be even dealing with a person/people from the past, possibly waking-up old doubts; similarly, the coupled-up Virgo may also be shaking out skeletons from the closet that need to be analysed with a ‘handle-with-care’ sticker.  

For all Virgos, showing love with discretion could make the time of this Cardinal Cross a bit like having a date with fate. When it comes to romance you’re actually in your power. Even better, you are learning how to sustain energy so you can alleviate stress and ameliorate any (work or heart based) situation.  The monthly activation of the Cardinal Cross will encourage you to learn how to invest authority in relationship, so you can reap rewards (early next year – around February). With Uranus in your 8^th solar house, insight comes from non-analysis.  So follow hunches and note feelings which arise from the space in which you breathe  

On an even more practical and material level, being cautious with your cash flow will pay dividends. Because Saturn now sits in your zodiacal bank, money matters could be devilishly tricky. Active Mars and lavish Venus are luckily now working with responsible Saturn: this celestial message suggests you take practical matters, including finances, much more seriously than you have done for a long time.

While it might have been a sign of relief saying goodbye to Saturn in your sign, making you aware of your personal shortcomings for the past couple of years, the astral taskmaster has now shifted lock-stock-and-barrel into your sphere of finances. Expenses need a hawk-like eye. It is now mega important to find balance while you shift to a higher frequency of being.  Outward balance reflects and inner-balance.

Among the many changes going down in several areas of your life as indicated by Cardinal Cross in the solar horoscope are: financial; romantic; and accessing personal power while being confronted by powerful people or events. Hence you are going through an enormous amount of personal development that could make life mega intense – but you do not need to let tension get to you, try and keep it creative.  Give yourself time to achieve such an agenda – at least six months to a year, and if you achieve half of what you what to do, it will be very good. Luckily for you there is a marvellous link from the emotional Moon in your sphere of friends to potent Pluto when the cross is activated, which can give you a sense of the kind of deep inner-work you are currently doing, and as it T squares Saturn, you will see results.  With duty-bound Saturn in your second house of values, it is absolutely imperative that you learn to view yourself with a solid sense of self and see how all that you treasure is actually process that flows around and around, fuelling confidence and filling you up with healthy pride in all that you do. This Cross is here for you to see how a great deal of beauty surrounds you, and how that beauty is reflected from within as radiates from your own internal Spiritual Sun, which resides at your heart.

Thanks to Marianna Rydvald for her beautiful White Tara, Bill Brouard for Goddess and lizard mandala, and other unknown artists ♥_/\_ૐ

SCORPIO ~ Cardinal Cross of the Central Spiritual Sun ~ Evolution through training the MIND

Scorpio ~ Scorpio Rising 

3rd Solar House Pluto

6^th  Solar house Jupiter/Uranus Aries

9^th Solar house Moon in Cancer

12^th Solar house Saturn-Mars-Venus in Libra (August 2010)
For the cosmic overview click on the
Cardinal Cross of the Central Spritual Sun

Scorpio’s ruler Pluto is mega active in this Cardinal Cross of the Central Spiritual Sun. Pluto now resident in the 3^rd house of the communication represents nothing short of a radical transformation of the mind (Lojong = mind training in Tibetan). This means over the coming years, (until 2024 to be precise!) you’ll be learning how to replace all kinds of negative thoughts with positive ones, all kinds of harmful intention with helpful intent, and all kinds of thoughtless actions with mindful behaviour.  While you might think you have all the time in the world to complete this unusual celestial request, the current zeitgeist is on fast-track.  So there is little time to waste in changing your attitude, and delving into the psychological melting pot called ‘the dualistic mind’ and setting your special insight on nothing short of ENLIGHTENMENT so that you can radiate your light in a blissful field of consciousness.

Up until now you could have been dealing with more materialistic quests, but the deeper you delve into the magic of the expansive mind, you could begin to realise that there is more to this world than money and stuff, even if they do have fashionable logos attached to them. By all heavenly accounts your view is changing, growing and spacious; and you now have the celestial go-ahead to mould your thoughts and change the way your brain thinks to develop a mind of consciousness.  But in order for a new way of thinking to take hold, you first have to release into the void any nihilist tendency, emotional density, or obsessive mindset. Resistance to letting go is futile. Holding on to desperate dreams and illusions, reliant on sex, security and stimulation - or prying into the lives of others as a means of distraction, won’t work. With karmic Saturn in his joy in the 12th house, you have to grab the whole shebang and stop the cyclic karma from constantly repeating bad habits: Through the power of a mind in clear light (radiating beyond the quantum entanglement) you will realise how thoughts have wings and every little flutter across the screen that show’s the mind’s projection has a vibration – albeit subtle. But the more subtle the energy, the longer it lasts. So while you’re in the midst of this once-in-every-seven-life-times transformation, remember that most of our daily thoughts are just machinations of the previous days’.  If you are gripped by destructive emotions it’s more difficult to climb out of negative spiral, unless you make a conscious effort.

One of the subjects swirling about your mental merry-go-round: what exactly is it about seeming thankless activities that attracted you in the first place. With Jupiter and Uranus in your house of service you may want to throw out certain tasks completely, and totally turn around your daily routine. This you are duty bound to do.  But before you set a new routine into place, there is a spiritual wisdom to be fully assimilated: the path of Zen. Accepting the ordinary as you would the extraordinary is the way of the equanimous mind.  The human mind is not liberated by getting bogged down by competitive ambition or by slavishly hooked into desire of having faith eroded by worry. The stars now say ‘Never Give Up’ being at peace. Remain optimistic and be kind to yourself: give yourself a few months to really get to grips with all the changes taking place, both in your daily life, and within your own questioning mind, and make the most of a new-found freedom in your ordinary world: play with it, lightly and gently, and be where calm abides. The demands of balancing Uranus and Jupiter in the 6th with Saturn in the 12th solar house, being of practical service combined with world, universal service, require that you make friends with your ego and surrender self into oneness.

"One of the most effective ways to overcome anxiety is to try to shift the focus of attention away from self and toward others. When we succeed in this, we find that the scale of our own problems diminishes. This is not to say we should ignore our own needs altogether, but rather that we should try to remember others' needs alongside our own, no matter how pressing ours may be." --- His Holiness the Dalai Lama

With your ruler powerful Pluto, now squaring up to restrictive Saturn in the sphere of your scope that urges you to realise how certain situations are beyond your control, this could make you feel quite uncomfortable; and when the Moon makes her monthly opposition to Pluto you could feel as though you are cut off at this Cardinal crossroad, not quite knowing which way to go. Even so, as Pluto is in the sphere of public relations and communication: you are urged to examine all kinds of ideas in a rational new way aligning mind to the Divine; this position of Pluto in regards to Saturn suggests you must also learn TRUST in your deepest feelings: Go to your CENTRE, let intuition guide you.  That way, you know you are being true to yourself. Should you get stressed, make and take time out to relax. 

For all Scorpios, the greatest lesson in love is to love unconditionally, surrendering to the Divine’s sacred heart. This most honourable manner of relating could be easier said than done; and one which often gets overlooked with - and by – Scorpio, whose magnetic and sexy reputation tends to precede them wherever they go.

Everyone tends to want something from loved ones in one form or another. It might be a cuddle, a lift to the shops, a helping hand here and some reassurance there – Apart from a mother’s unconditional love, rarely do two people completely accept each other as they are, being in each other’s company and able to give selflessly without asking for anything in return. Yet now is the time for Scorpio to learn how to put aside power games, and to be totally one hundred percent involved with the cosmic love vibration, bringing joy and peace to everyone (and not just your lover) as a mother would her child. For the single Scorpio this means that when assessing potential partners (and this could happen anytime) look for someone to trust, someone who can love all you for all your foibles; someone who can enjoy sharing your deeply profound emotions and your longing to overcome the lust of the distracted mind. For the Scorpio in relationship, adjusting to new ways of being with your loved one could mean that you take the lead with higher aspirations, the road less travelled, with divinity at your core.  This is bound to require mindful awareness on your part, and you could be tempted to revert to old games of wild drama and high stress, and possibly lose sleep in the process. But all Scorpios must beware not to misinterpret divine love for idolising their beloved; it only makes the deified icon lonely.  With your ruler Pluto in the versatile solar 3^rd, a part of you could enjoy being totally open and honest about your intentions, while another side might  close-off and become the happy geek tucked safely away out of sight, so others will not expect too much from you.  The stars say you can have it both ways: it’s just a matter of timing. Try not to sweat the small stuff so much of time, and allow your self to enjoy the looming bigger picture and the path to liberation, to infinity and beyond.

A good celestial timing exercise is to check back in your diary to the end of July: note which area of life has dramatically grown, changed or morphed. Has it been your ideas? A pyscholigcal revelation? A person? Your work load? Or a life-changing event? One way or another, these past weeks will have shown exactly which sphere of daily life are currently up for development.  The only quick spiritual fix is found on the meditation cushion: Be patient before this period of expansion comes to an end in a year or so - stay in the present, as for the next few months it may be necessary to first go backwards, in order to then go forwards. This back flip is due to spacious Jupiter going into retrograde motion, giving you space to reassess your world. This is good, as it gives you a chance to revise certain subjects that could have recently shocked you into clarity. Something else to look forward to while Jupiter retrogrades is how an old creativity could revive itself, or an old flame could be rekindled. The chances are that you could well be tempted to relight any fire, at the very least you can re-friend. In many ways the heavens keep pointing to a pivotal point in your personal evolution and development, especially when it comes to appreciating the way you re-organise, approach and deal with matters.  So while the celestial climate is one of creative tension, and you might be on the verge of stressing out, worrying about what you know (or don’t know), and whether you’re simply up for the job, try to see any karmadrama as a chance to go beyond into a place of acceptance and calm. Even if you reach a make or break point (again!), be aware how you could let simple things become a major challenge – and now you are letting all that go. It could be something as daft as a neighbour, friend, or sibling that sets your mind racing. The relevant secret to handling much of the madness modern Samsara throws one’s way is to learn how to breathe, and, at the same time create an escape route to a peaceful haven so that you can access your Central Spiritual Sun. Breath is the mind's vehicle which connects to Divine Spirit. Make sure during this time of the Cardinal Cross that if you are putting-in the hours in other areas, you also make time for pampering mind, body and soul to attain unity with the DIVINE. Meditation, yoga, singing, and dancing to your favourite music, are all ways to relax the overworked mind and reconnect to your centre and elevate your beautiful Scorpio spirit in supreme bliss.

AQUARIUS & the Cardinal Cross of the Central Spiritual Sun ~ Evolution of the MIND ~

Aquarius ~ Aquarius Rising

3^nd Solar house Jupiter/Uranus Aries (retrograding into 2^nd)

6^th Solar house Moon in Cancer

9^th Solar house Saturn-Mars-Venus in Libra (August 2010)

12^th Solar house Pluto in Capricorn

For the cosmic overview, click on the

Cardinal Cross of the Central Spritual Sun

“Change is the only constant” is the clarion call for Aquarius, the progressive sign of innovation and universality. With your ruling planet, eccentric Uranus, in the solar 3^rd house of communicating data, and digesting said information before releasing it again, the way you’ll be fast changing is through the media, mind-science and neighbourhood networking.  Understanding the nuts and bolts of how the mind works, from reward to threat, providing the tools you need to create the altruistic humanitarian state you idealise. Knowing how the mind works helps you to comprehend your own motivating desires and aversion, as well as appreciate how everyone’s mind has the propensity to hop about doing all kinds of acrobatic mental machination; this is also an aid for being more forgiving when working with others.

With both expansive Jupiter and co-operative Uranus in the 3^rd house of diversity, Aquarians need to freely exchange a variety of ideas and thoughts; while having Saturn (Venus & Mars) in Libra in the 9^th, expansion of consciousness and elevated spirit comes through teaching, learning, and focusing upon philosophical aspirations.  Libra is the sign of partnership; by having this sign activated in the sphere of life’s bigger concepts, relationship becomes a means of communicating heady objectives.

Generally speaking an Aquarian is a ‘people person’, who requires sharing daily life to be on an equal footing - but with Aquarius in charge (only a rare few can compare to Aquarius’ organisational ability!); and this could be the premise that you purport right now.  Yet as the planet of confusion, guilt, and letting go, Neptune, is still retrograde in Aquarius (going forward on Dec 6^th 2010), it could therefore be difficult to put purely personal feelings into words. So while certain situations (e.g.travel) may not be moving as fast as you would like, and the inertia makes one feel tired and slow, you could encounter resistance if you try to push ahead at any cost.  Concentrate on presenting yourself clearly. Awareness through controlled breathing and focused thought (even on emptiness) brings about much-needed insight. And while Uranus goes retrograde back into Pisces into your zodiacal bank (finances could be tricky (again)) you’re advised to see the immediate value of spirit. Meditate to stay cool and keep the welfare of others’ in mind

Loving partnerhip will continue be a serious focus for a couple of years with karmic Saturn in your area of liberty and expansion. The very idea of love frees your soul. Dreaming of tenderness and all things beautiful: Romantic affairs may seem like Maya, an illusion lost to some far-away place -  yet so important to reach out to. What may hold you back from achieving your heart’s desire could be the fear of exposing heart and soul to another.  Saturn here says ‘wise up’. (Besides, the Water Bearer is going to need this wisdom when Saturn moves into your solar 10^th in 2012). Any disappointment of unmet expectation should be shrugged off leaving a single Aquarian able to appreciate how active human kindness positively illuminates partnerships.  Seeking harmonious relationship is much easier when you’re less emotionally wound-up – Aquarius rules the nervous system. When Uranus returns to Aries in March, you’ll able to communicate even your most profound feelings with your usual consummate ease. The Aquarian already in relationship could make the most of having disciplined Saturn in the sign of balance, peace and harmony, responsibly placing open-hearted love as driving force of the relations, which encourages both partners to be in optimistic moods, serious but amorous.

As this Cardinal Cross can literally nail one down, be careful not disempower anyone in the blame game.  Aquarians tend to come across as extremely self-confident. For those who don’t know you, this can be misinterpreted as bossy and/or intolerant - indeed, unconscious arrogance can mask a multitude of insecurities. Asking for help gains more support during this period, when a little humility goes a long way. Truth and freedom are crucially important to you. Afford others’ the respect they deserve, leaving them at liberty to value your opinion too. Co-operation is the way to co-create.

The heaven’s are behind you in so many ways, Aquarius, urging you to formulate both a spiritual and professional strategy. Formulate a plan if you also want to get ahead at work. Start now, with careful preparation. Make lists, keep notes, study how others do what you’d like to do. Make time for spiritual practice, clean your sacred space regularly, and dedicate the work you do for the benefit other others. Do this for an entire week and Aquarius will have convinced anyone who has a watchful eye upon you (including yourself – from your mind’s eye) how there is no need to worry about your commitment to anything or anyone. With powerful Pluto in your solar 12^th for the coming years, spiritual transformation could be deep and secretly dramatic. Even so, with the moon making a monthly aspect of the Cardinal Cross activating your daily routine, practice makes perfect - perfect bliss. When the moon opposes mysterious Pluto with its monthly cycle, activating the area of the subconscious, its worthwhile to note your dream world; any message of the night could reveal pertinent information shedding new light on difficult matters, including legalities. There is much to be said for following your bliss. 

If this means you lunch-out over domestic affairs, or even business, for a couple of days every month during the time of the Spiritual Cross, you will get more than just your housework done for the rest of the month, as there are opportunities indicated that you can enjoy community events that not only help you feel connected but also change your mind on several issues. Being with kindred spirits restores your faith, not only in humanity, but also in yourself, as you appear to have had quite a tough time of it recently, possibly having to cancel long-term plans and make cut-backs all over the place. Take heart Aquarius: Follow your destiny and encourage the light of your Central Spiritual Sun to stream with awareness, from one moment of change to the next.

Heartfelt thanks, as always, to visionary Bill Brouard, Visual Alchemist, & Anya Langmead for the beautiful Buddha & other unknown but much appreciated artists.

PISCES & the Cardinal Cross of the Central Spiritual Sun ♥ evolution in LOVE ♥ + ☼ + ♥

Pisces~Pisces Asc ©

2^nd Solar house Jupiter/Uranus Aries

5^th Solar house Moon in Cancer

8^th Solar house Saturn-Mars-Venus in Libra (August 2010)11^th Solar house Pluto in Capricorn

For the cosmic overview of the Cardinal Cross of the Central Spiritual Sun

For someone so tuned into phantasmagoria, this Cardinal Cross suggests you radiate the Central Spritual Sun by knowing the ordinary world is also a wondrous place to be.  To you life could be the classic Zen situation: “Before enlightenment, chopping wood fetching water – After enlightenment, chopping wood fetching water”. In other words, the way to growth and positive development is through acknowledging the beauty, bliss and ease in everyday situations.  A child’s smile, a view from the hill, a nicely cooked meal: these are the kind of situations which bring joy and lighten the heart.  Being open to such simple elements will enhance and expand all sense perceptions too, and put you in touch with the magic that dwells within.

On a very material, practical and relative level, the ongoing Cardinal Cross of the Spiritual Sun also indicates how important it is for Pisces to closely observe life’s realistic matters, specifically fiscal concerns; this is due to expansive Jupiter and unpredictable Uranus residing in your sphere of finances. Your bank balance could dramatically see-saw. As the Cross involves two retrograde planets in your zodiacal bank, there may well be a surprise turn around in the coming months – possibly for the better; as it appears cash flows in large amounts, but in fits and starts. Having magnanimous Jupiter and awakening Uranus in this 2^nd solar house of things you cherish and hold dear, be that love and money, a Pisceans’ personal worth can mature fortuitously by seeing the value in altruism as well as life’s simple pleasures.  

A co-operative and co-creative partnership looks positively helpful throughout this coming period. Saturn in the area of tantra and trust can create stability within your most intimate relationship. Having karmic Saturn in the sphere of intimacy overcomes fears of sharing the most secret part of your soul, to fully commit to a partner, and in doing so the true magic of love is revealed. Remember there is nothing to fear but fear itself. Trust your instincts, develop faith, and get ready to share you life as you never have before. True love is about listening with a calm mind and deep understanding and finding out how the other person is so that you can alleviate their suffering.  Because Saturn is in Libra, the sign of beauty and poise, you may use feminine wiles (even if you’re a guy) to cajole any reticent partner into revealing how they feel. Nonetheless, Pisceans have an innate ability to be able to psychically tune into others - little can ever be totally hidden from you. The usual methods of communication would be defunct if you were to use your intuition more.  Saturn in this most private, magical and powerful position shows what you need to work on: in Libra, the sign of the scales, it shows that the balance you seek in relationships comes about when you are balanced within.  These next two years are optimum to work with ‘unseen’ subtle energy: chakras, channels, winds and nadis that align heart to head, spirit to cosmos.

On a lighter note: the good news while this challenging time continues in so many different ways (and even a previously close friendship seems to be going through the wringer of change) is when the Moon in Cancer forms the monthly cross, as it marks dates when you hold court, tell jokes and keep people entertained, having the time of your life, living, loving and generating fun.  For the single Pisces, this could mean you get to catch someone’s eye and positively twinkle. For Pisces in relationship its worth noting that with Saturn in the area of sexual union, interaction can be tender and loving if you are willing to invest time , purposefully staying in sync throughout the Cardinal Cross can concretise an alliance. On the other hand, Saturn tends to bring realism to the fore, and if a relationship has already run its’ course, karmic Saturn has no qualms about ending.  

Generally speaking, when it comes to your profession and career you are usually quite lucky – at least in getting a foot in the door. And with powerful Pluto in your sphere of cooperation, the house of hopes and wishes, you currently have the ability to cultivate positive connections, assisting your personal transformation. Pluto here also indicates you can prove indispensable in a crisis, as the little planet from the underworld affords a special kind of insight. If you are a freelance Pisces, now is the time to be brave and think long term.  Cutting back is the way forward: look forward to springtime when you’ll see new shoots to rejuvenate spirit. Sensitive but ambitious Pisces could be aware how its time to make a responsible and dramatic alteration to how people view you – a new CV perhaps? In only a few short months you could totally turn around a feeling of lack to one of joyful abundance. Saturn in the 8^th also indicates that investments do, need careful examination, as do all shared ventures.

The biggest lesson for Pisces during this ongoing Cross is to understand that many problems often stem from the way we view them. If you can change your point of view, avoid being dictated to by your emotions and desire, and know that a deeply compassionate love is your guiding factor (called Bodhicitta in Tibetan Buddhism) even dull routine can be changed into something joyful.  So keep your spirits up; with your ruler Neptune still in your solar 12^th, you may need to get away from the chaos of modern life from time to time, and find a peaceful haven in the country so you can meditate, recharge your batteries and give yourself space to think and just ‘be’.  Remember that everything you tend to worry about never happens.  Stay patient, remain generous, and the Cardinal Cross will teach you how to deeply enjoy sharing the light of your Spiritual Sun, which comes from being secure with friends, family and loved ones. With Pisces prominent, spirituality is always strong.  The Divine works and flows through you with ease, as each sacred moment and dream can reveal a special insight, and any small display of love will always restore your faith in yourself, and humanity. A last word is to note that Uranus retrogrades goes back into your sign for five months from August 14th, and many of the personal changes you want to make get a second chance, as well as helping cosmic hand from generous and lucky Jupiter, who also retrogrades back into Pisces from 10th September until 23rd January; so all in all this period, although going backwards, enables you to rework values and learn to love yourself, ego and all, as that is the only way we truly evolve. 

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Thanks as always to the wonderful Bill Brouard, the Visual Alchemist (there are three of his works here); and unknown Aro Buddhist painter for beautiful shamanic Buddhist lovers ☆ ♥ ☽~ ☼ ~ ☽ ♥ ☆

Cardinal Cross of Central Spiritual Sun ~ Lammas August ~ 2010

For the past few months the planets have been moving into a rare celestial formation known in esoteric astrology as the Cardinal Cross of the Central Spiritual Sun. With so many influential planets involved, I have to remark how this alignment is one I personally have never actually witnessed in thirty years of star-gazing – nor are am I likely to for quite some time to come (to be honest, I can’t find a similar set up in the next century). So we’d best be aware how this marks an intense period of accelerated evolution. This is because all the early degrees of motivated Cardinal signs are now working together to direct us towards our Spiritual centre, to locate our core so that we can rest in Divinity, a place we Buddhist types call 'our Buddha nature'.

Obviously, any kind of meditation practice will help one to remain aligned with our own Buddha nature during this period of potentially immense (global) change; and how this challenging Cross affects each individual, much will depend on the horoscope’s own slice of time. Indeed, while we have three planets in Libra, the sign of balance – and often reversal, we may sense that we are at a turning point, a place of choice where we can either carry on as always, or to move towards liberation.

For those choosing freedom (from attachment and aversion) and to become aware of his or her's own blissful eternity, we have time to stimulate our source, as Spiritual Sun, into the action of light and love, as this is a long drawn out configuration with moments of intense intellectual, psychological, spiritual and physical movement, such as this Lammas day of the 7th August (Lammas is the pagan fire festival of the first harvest – the ripening begins), when we once again witness this Cross in the sky, as the Moon moves into early degrees of Cancer to fully activate this very special Cardinal Cross.

As an aside, from our last Full Moon, on June 26th, to our New Moon on Tuesday August 10th, we are in poignant (solstice) moment when the Sun’s light of consciousness also illuminates the Cross formation – so it’s good to note which concerns are in focus at this time, as well as options available for resolution, because these will be worked on, expanded and transformed throughout the coming months.

The astrological nuts and bolts of this Cross are complicated, however; so bare with it as we explore the celestial dynamics associated with the emotional Cancer Moon in opposition to transformational Pluto in responsible Capricorn (conjunct the galactic centre), as these two lie across the midnight-midday axis; and expansive Jupiter conjunct awakening Uranus in dynamic Aries opposite loving Venus, active Mars and karmic Saturn in Libra, who are all now the sign of balance, and are our sunrise-sunset makers.

This is a lot to consider (even by a seasoned astrologer’s standards!); but when we think of the sky as a great big clock, and how the sun moves around all the major points, from sunrise to midday, to sunset and midnight, we can see how we now have powerful events taking place at all points, directing us to our spiritual centre.

These points in time are further understood when we look at a mandala, which is a multidimensional time machine - a magical circle where time, space, and the cosmic elements depict the eternal cycle of life. Round, like our twenty-four hour clock face, the mandala also has four main gates based upon the cardinal directions: East, South, West and North, these correspond to the sun’s daily path, the planets in their orbits, as well as astrologically to Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. Depending upon which mandala we look at, the mandala will also contain the symbolic Sun and the Moon, and in the Kalachakra Mandala we also have the planets and signs of the zodiac (Kala = Time, Chakra = Wheel). 

At the centre of the mandala resides an enlightened deity, who is in harmony with the cosmos. As all the gates of our heavenly Mandala (which can be likened to a Native American Medicine Wheel) are now activated, the firmaments reveal, how, all constellated at the same time, there are many ways to our Divine centre, where each of us can align mind and body to spirit, during this supremely powerful time of the Cardinal Cross of the Spiritual Sun. 

Throughout this period of opening to our Central Spirit it’s important to note where the planet Uranus is, especially with the relationship it makes to each individual horoscope, as Uranus is the Great Awakener, the planetary agent who brings about major change, often through opportunistic chaos and disruption that shows the way of innovation and universal development. While Uranus is now with expansive Jupiter in warrior Aries, the sign of an individual assertion and collective willpower, the changes we are currently witnessing are manifold – and personal energy, responses and emotions magnified. It is, however, a time of enormous potential, where the spirit of positive progress calls each and every spiritual warrior to raise our vibration and come from the heart centre, and do what is best for ourselves, our fellow beings and our Earth. 

Three planets in this cross are currently retrograde: Jupiter, Uranus, and Pluto; because the latter are generational, it suggests collective transformation is initially through a process of inner-metamorphosis: outward change being a manifestation of inner-change. Even when Jupiter and Uranus slip back into Pisces, from late August to February/March, they still form a Cross (through the ongoing T-square), which then becomes a mix of revisited mutability and asserting Cardinal. As Jupiter and Uranus both return to initiating Aries, the Cross will once again become solely the monthly Cardinal Cross, lasting until August 2011 (thought the cross finally ends in 2016), when the planets move into another formation, leaving only the square between Uranus – Pluto, which will then lasts for another four years in its’ series of no less than seven exact hits. These planetary alignments are incredibly rare: one can only image the increased awareness our planet will go through during the awakening of our Spiritual Sun.

As we will come up time and time again to this rare junction of many crossroads for the next year, I’m writing up an in-depth sign-by-sign guide (which will get posted up in the next couple of days); there’s not too much intricate Buddhist philosophy or astrology other that what is outlined here (promise!), so most everyone will be able to read his or her Sun sign/Rising sign, to see where Uranus and the other planets in the Cardinal Cross lie in their scopes, and be aware of what to expect and how best to deal with this dramatic period of evolution.

“With good will for the entire cosmos,
cultivate an infinite heart and mind:
Beaming above, below, and all around,
unobstructed, without trace of hostility.”
Sutta Nipata I, 8

Illuminating Spirit ~ ☼ ~ Summer Solstice & Lunar Eclipse 2010

In the language of the Spiritual Warrior, or even the modern Light Worker, the Sun is referred to as ‘The Great Illuminator’ or ‘The Light of intelligence’ and ‘the Spiritual Centre’ which freely radiates warmth, love and light, in which, in the right proportions, all life thrives. The Sun, it has also been postulated, even has a consciousness of its own. Indeed, in the horoscope, we note how the Sun symbolises personal consciousness: for the Sun in astrology is individual identity central to one’s being, determining who we are growing into (which can take a lifetime), and the dominant issues we are processing and learning, in this life; Yang in quality, the Sun is also authority, ego, father and boss. 

I was reminded, just before I did my solstice practice, that when the Sun is at standstill, it is creating a 'gap', like 'the gap' in meditation that happens inbetween the out breath and the in, the pause in which we rest that sometimes makes it seem like we are in Samadhi - until we realise that we are in that gap, and then of course we headlong back into Samsara! Such is the nature of mind.

The Sun is also central in Buddhist thangka paintings, where we view many a deity beaming love-light seated upon a Sun disc; in Tantric meditation we imagine some deities seated upon a Sun disc, who are then placed at our heart, so that we, too, can learn to radiate unconditional loving kindness and compassion – just like the actual Sun. In astrology, the physical heart is also ruled by the Sun, mirroring how the Sun is at the heart of our solar system. Esoterically speaking, the Sun has a triple function: a physical form, as a heart centre, and spiritual illuminator. When we mindfully raise our vibration and encourage our own Sun to radiate from the spiritual centre, we overcome ego’s desire and aversion to realise Divine consciousness as an awareness of personal Unity with the enlightened source – and bask in our own luminous golden wonder, so to speak.

Summer makes everyone smile, and with light heart we witness the Sun peak at its highest point in the sky in the northern hemisphere, at 12:28 British Summer Time, on Monday the 21^st (-5EDT). The word Sol comes from Latin, for Sun, while ‘stice’ means to ‘stand still’. For the next couple days the Sun stands at its zenith, before heading south again shortening the days in northern skies. 

Yet this is no ordinary Solstice. At this 2010 turning point, the Sun is in an almost perfect planetary pattern, a rare Cardinal Cross, which in esoteric astrology is called The Cardinal Cross of the Central Spiritual Sun’, suggesting many are awakening to the fiery heart of love as a means to understanding self in relation to the world, communicating in a manner more considerate of others. This Cross has building for a while now (most of 2010), getting more intensely ‘connected’ over these past few weeks, pointing to the dramatic change which brings all kinds of different paths together, and uniting people, things and ideas, to present new openings which enable one to regain balance through action, stability through transformation, awareness through unity.

Although this cross is made up of the four cardinal signs, Aries (where Jupiter & Uranus are), Cancer (Sun), Virgo/Libra (Saturn), Capricorn (Pluto & Ceres), everyone will feel it, because the transpersonal and generational planets are involved. Because it is (mostly) Cardinal in quality, it is a Cross which indicates movement - dynamic action with spiritual intent. The solar light of the solstice Spiritual Sun continues to radiate power and strength over the coming weeks, with influential upcoming eclipses. The full Moon lunar eclipse on the 26^th June almost perfects the Cardinal Cross (But not quite! That will happen when Saturn moves back into lovely Libra, and will be exact when the moon Moves into Cancer (which it rules) on Aug 6th (when the Sun will be in Leo, which it also rules, but as Leo is a fixed sign, it will not be in the Cardinal Cross formation).

Why this upcoming Solstice and Full Moon are strong is because during eclipses, Lunar on June 26^th, and solar July 11th, we encounter major trigger points for earth changes (and being only one or two degrees out of exact sign on a powerful planetary alignement is nothing in the greater scheme of things) making this a very potent celestial Cross formation (and much more powerful than January's eclipses) and events around it are likely to demand action. 

 

There is also another cosmic Solstice formation, a Grand Air Trine, between communicative Mercury at home in Gemini, the sensitive Moon in Libra, sign of balance, and spiritual Neptune in the altruistic and intellectual sign of  Aquarius. This is a forceful energy that can condition consciousness: the Buddha said ‘what we think we become’ – an apt thought to hold in mind during the Sun’s high point. It may take a while to see the results of any subjective intent.  While this formation holds solstice, when the Moon is full on the 26th, and conjunct powerful Pluto, la Luna activates a mighty magical transformation, which the Spiritual Warrior can harness, and indicate the kind of direction we need to take - giving ourself the next eighteen years to complete the task.

Wtih a flow of golden solar nectar from the angelic messenger, the Sun/Mercury conjunction, to the receptive full Moon eclipse and oceanic Neptune conjunct Chiron, suggests we can even heal the oceans - as well as our collective emotions. The responsive Moon rules water, and is remains in good aspect to Neptune which governs deep seas, in Aquarius initiating the focus of Universal Mind. This is spiritual service: As Masaru Emoto advises as part of the healing, we need to let the water know we love it, and ask for forgiveness. 

In the Tibetan tradition, this Solstice happens to also be Guru Rinpoche Day, a day of celebrating our connection to the Guru (within). Its not always like this, as it is for the Christian St John on a set day. Guru Rinpoche day moves around the moon. Also called Padmasambhava, Guru Rinpoche is the all-powerful male presence we invoke to help overcome obstacles, as he is said to be the second Buddha, protector and most accomplished yogi. We can all upon this strong male active yang principle at any time, not just for solstice. Should you feel inclinded to sing his mantra while Sun Dancing with the Moon weave, he can help one to centre and overcome all kinds of hurdles “Om Vajra Guru Pemma Siddhi Hung”

Love and Gratitude as always to the Visual Alchemist, Bill Brouard for 'fiery angel' and 'unconvential commincation goes sub-aquatic' http://en-gb.facebook.com/pages/Visual-Alchemy/307201723841?ref=ts
and all other unknown artists_/\_♥ ૐ

Dorje-wielding towards 'The Great Awakener' ~ Jupiter Uranus conjunction 0 Aries 2010

☆ ♥ ☽ ~ ☼ ~ ☽ ♥ ☆ Our Central Spiritual Sun is awakening as we approach summer solstice and enter a period of greater solar activity. The astrological Cardinal Cross of 2010 is now underway as expansive dorje-wielding Jupiter conjoins Uranus, the 'Great Awakener', at 0Aries on Tuesday, for the 1st time in 83 years. ☆ ♥ ☽ ~ ☼ ~ ☽ ♥ ☆

The radiating Sun, as the Divine Light of spiritual intelligence, is exalted in Aries, initiating the will to unify and to bring about synthesis. The sign of the fiery Ram denotes the strength of the spiritual warrior who brings about the fusion or integration of the personality, the one-ness of personality, psyche and spirit, and the unification of humanity with conscious evolution, for the founding of Shambhala.

Interestingly, the last major aspect either of these two planets, Jupiter & Uranus make before their meeting at the starting point of the zodiac, is to the Moon, suggesting we, the people, are very much in tune with the collective cosmic current.
☆ ♥ ☽ ~ ☼ ~ ☽ ♥ ☆ Shine on, dear friends, each a sacred star ☆ ♥ ☽~ ☼ ~ ☽ ♥ ☆