🌕 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

SAGITTARIUS ~ Cardinal Cross of the Central Spiritual Sun ~ evolution of the HEART

Sagittarius ~ Sagittarius Rising

5^th Solar house Jupiter/Uranus Aries (4^th Pisces Sept-Feb/March)

8^th Solar house Moon in Cancer

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

2^nd Solar house Pluto in Capricorn
For the cosmic overview click on the 
Cardinal Cross of the Central Spritual Sun 

In true Sagittarius optimistic style you could be totally in your element throughout this period of the Cardinal Cross: immersed in intense and dramatic events that demand you expand consciousness and grow into your fullest potential.  Your ruler, beneficent Jupiter, is intricately involved with this tight celestial formation in the early Cardinal degrees, tying together intimacy and finances, friends and romance. This combination of all: love, money and pals, could become a knotty problem if you choose to avoid being the visionary that you are destined to be. Freedom - as in having the freedom to think, move, speak, and to be free from fear and want, is your driving force. 

For someone usually independent and self-confident, who exudes a crazy kind of wisdom, you could also sense that you now need to align with kindred spirits of a more practical nature.  Saturn currently in the sphere of hopes and wishes suggest your pragmatic association means you can be part of something valuable, serving the wider collective with a high Bodhisattva ideal. Indeed, Saturn in Libra, the sign of harmony and love residing in a place which exudes optimism and hopefulness suggests altruism that comes from the heart.  As Saturn is now with the relationship planets, Venus and Mars (August 2010), also in this sector of co-operative alliances, you may also find there’s also an attraction to people in a position of power and authority. This is good, BUT make sure any target of your affection is also available, as Saturn can encounter complications; perhaps time plays a karmic factor, as in out of time, or not enough time.  Nonetheless, with Saturn in Libra, relationship plays an enormous role during the Cardinal Cross. Any association must now afford you the autonomy that allows passion to flare and love to grow; for this is the way your central spiritual Sun will radiate.

Throughout the coming year, as it has been for some time, aromantic world is full of surprises.  In many ways life is what we make it; and as you see the best in everyone and everything around you, you will also excel even in dramas not of your own making.  A Centaur already aware of how love is a constantly moving , circular process, could renew commitment in front of friends, so you can a) show everyone just how loyal and loving you are, and b) have a good excuse for a party.   

On a more serious note, the planet that packs a mighty punch, Pluto, now retrograde in zodiacal bank, is making a challenging aspect to your ruler Jupiter (also retrograde); this places you face-to-face with personal and financial responsibilities, and birthing new earthly creation by cutting back and letting go. Now is the time to become pure love with a light heart, taking care of old problems with a renewed sense of doing things. From the humanitarian perspective any work you undertake could be very enjoyable.

With an eye on the main chance, Sagittarians are often more willing than most to take a risk. Yet while your ruler, optimistic Jupiter makes this challenging connection to powerful Pluto, the planet of shared assets, in your valuable fiscal sector, you’d do well to count to ten before making any serious outlay of your own. Co-create and co-operate: Learn to value what you have to give and vice versa, share what you value. Going it alone could be three steps back and it may be a long time – several months – until you noticeably go forward again. Stay alert and seize that moment! 

This is no ordinary period of time: Be prepared to experience all kinds of thrills and spills. Munificent Jupiter conjoined awakening Uranus some time ago in your solar 5^th house, blessing the heart of romance, fun, and creativity: You may be getting used to being perceived as prophetic, benevolent and slightly outrageous.  By allowing the heart to remain in the present, whilst open to an uncanny ability to project into the future (which may be a source of frustration and tension for a stuck-in-the-mud traditionalist, who refuses to move with the times); far-sighted thinking will ignite a spark that fires-up imagination, providing fuel that attracts new people and new tribes, also giving you a cool and calm cache, so those with influence will want to engage with this loving, trusting, spiritual you. As an aside, a close relationship offers a way to invest deeply rewarding activity that transforms your life and, at the same time, provide lasting security. Bear in mind how Jupiter repeats this planetary pattern again in February, and it is of similar strength, so it could take a while for you to find balance and meaning in your life’s work.  Meanwhile, enjoy the natural tenderness that comes from being with kith and kin, which in Buddhist terminology is the triple gem: Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.

In actuality, deep in your heart-of- hearts, these issues of freedom which you are drawn to explore, without any attachments to hold you back is the same carefree attitude, coupled with a current love of wanting to do whatever you put your mind to, that will actually take you the places that you dream of - ultimately allowing you to find your central Spiritual Sun, through valuing liberating truth and selfless love.  When the Moon in Cancer makes her monthly appearence in your domain of tantra, aligning heart to mind  deepens faith and provides karmic insight. 

Week 15th-21st August '10 ~ ♥ ✩ ☄ ✩ ♥ ~ Harmonious Lovers & the T-square

This week the skies again activate the Cardinal T squares (to become Cardinal Cross 3rd Sept). Expansive Jupiter still in autonomous Aries, conjuncts Uranus, planet of dramatic change who is revisiting compassionate Pisces. Both planets are retrograde, indicating an internal shift through greater spiritual self-awareness. A challenge to any mindful self-exploration comes tomorrow, as Jupiter makes the second of three oppositions to the karmic taskmaster, Saturn, who is in relationship orientated Libra. (Dates to note: 1st opp was 23rd May, & the last will be on 28th March 2011).  This long lasting aspect shows what we need to work on and overcome in order to clarfiy the most balanced and altruistic way forward. With a gentle guiding hand we can allow our mind's eye to focus with luminioius mindfulness (as illustrated by Alex Grey♥).

On Thursday the19th, the Moon conjuncts Pluto in Capricorn, providing depth and insight. We might not always like what we see, but when the emotional Moon is roused through profound Plutonic feelings, the power to transform is also generated.

Friday, the 20th the Spirit of Sun opposes Divine Neptune,when the dakini dance is a meditation on bliss and emptiness, as opposed to losing onself in a state of mindless oblivion. On the same day loving Venus embraces her heavenly lover, Mars, as the two enter a close pas-de-deux until early October (when Venus goes retrograde in demon-facing Scorpio).  For love to circulate freely, Venus and Mars presently seek to harmonise and find balance and trust in relationship.

At the same time Mercury, planet of communication, goes retrograde from the 20th August until 13th September. Mercury is at home in Virgo, so crossing 't's and dotting 'i's', while emphasised, ought to be a breeze - but could well be horribly complicated. Just remember to re-read the small print at least 3x.

The third and final Saturn-Pluto square, on Saturday 21st, ends a triple series that began in November '09, bringing home the need for controlling destructive tendancies. As mentioned before, this is a part of a larger cycle which began in 1982 (and ends in 2020). We now complete a crisis phase of conscience, which occurs during a closing square (the opening square being 1993). This is powerful aspect, full of renewable promise: with discipline and responsibility we can harness our will and ability to evolve, like collective alchemists able to transmute even the most difficult negative energy, and transmogrify tough and persistant hardship into positive expressions of justice and fairness, and regenerate a planet in balance.