Cultivate a Wealth of Virtue ♥ Taurus New Moon ♥

New Moons are times of new beginnings. In abundant earthy Taurus, sign of food, flowers and finance, seeds of the new are planted to grow in the garden, as well as in the sensuous wilds of true Taurean treasure: the kind and loving heart-mind. The Taurean Bull highlights what we value, be that a thing, person, place or song.

Buddha was a Taurus. The following lines sum up his teachings:

“Commit not a single unwholesome action,
Cultivate a wealth of virtue,
To tame this mind of ours.”

We have the opportunity to tame the mind - and more, with the Taurus New Moon @8:18BST, where the Moon is exalted, as it constellates a very practical ‘Earth Trine’, a triangle formation with active Mars in healing Virgo, and transformational Pluto in powerful Capricorn. This useful ‘Earth Trine’ remains in stabilising effect for twelve more days. We need this celestial steadiness because Mars remains at early degrees Virgo in opposition to the ‘wounded-water’ configuration that is Neptune and Chiron (still in effect two years since the Deepwater Horizon accident in the Gulf of Mexico – not to mention Fukishima). And although Mars is the high-flying point of the ‘Earth Trine’ which becomes the tail of a rare ‘Earth-Water Kite’ formation – which is a wonderful opportunity to fix damaged power structures, mend broken hearts, and have deep psychological/emotional breakthrough – it might be so wonderful that we take for granted any boon, bountiful shooting stars, or stroke of genius we have or encounter, that we easily ignore the cosmic help now on offer. So be aware or you might blink and miss it and get stuck with Mars in his other tight aspect: still at ‘the bends’, being in direct ‘T’ square to destiny’s nodal axis. In fact, warrior Mars is dealing with this fast blast of karma, which requires constant readjustment throughout most of the lunation, until after Wesek, at the last quarter Moon around May 13th. To be honest, Mars in this position is not my favourite; situations can get heated for no reason other than ignorance.

Venus is often the only planet that can seduce a listless Mars. As Love Goddess Venus is the Taurean ruler, now in smooth-talking Gemini, (where she will soon perform an amazing celestial dance (more on this to come)) harmonious relations entail entering into dialogue to understand others' point of view To do so means one is truly on the dharma path, well on the way to the equipoise that cultivates a wealth of virtue, awakening the heart chakra and taming the anxious mind though love-wisdom and compassion _(♥)_

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 _(♥)_

Mercury Retrograde in Aries ~> 12th March 2012

Strength often shines through in the most extraordinary circumstances during hard times. It’s as though the will to act and create comes directly from the source. In astrology we look to Aries for such bravery and the cosmic urge that powers and propels.

We are now in the run-up to Spring Equinox, at 0 degrees Aries; and Mercury, planet of the mind, went retrograde yesterday (12th March) in the sign of the Warrior. At the solar marker of equal-day equal-night Mercury will conjoin the Equinox Sun. Mercury rules the mind, and Aries individual assertion. In the coming weeks impetus and volition are subject to razor-sharp analysis - with potentially brilliant insight.

Note that throughout this retrograde period, when Mercury even leaves the sign of the Ram and goes back into Pisces (March 24th), to contemplate the end of certain matters, Mercury’s dominant healing challenge is actually in relation to the group-oriented Uranus, planet of dramatic change as well as humanitarian altruism. Both planets are airy and intellectual, combining to initiate unusual change, making contact three times. The first was only a few days ago (on 5th March); the second conjunction is on the 18th March, just before equinox; and again a month later on the 22nd April.

From the point of view of esoteric astrology this is an important series of conjunctions. Mercury is the esoteric ruler of Aries, suggesting the hot-headed Ram needs to be smart to make right action; and Uranus is the hierarchical ruler of Aries, accenting how one distinctively operates within the crowd. Recognising the value of each unique individual's heroic contribution in the process of collective evolution is the optimum way to ensure all talents are bravely actualised and accomplished.

Also worth baring in mind is that the Aries Mercury and Virgo Mars are not only both retrograde, but they are currently in 'mutual reception', i.e. Mars rules Aries and Mercury rules Virgo; so that the hero's 'right action' and 'right understanding' work well together, particularly with self-introspection. Mercury goes forward on the 4th April. And Mars goes forward on the 14th April; until which date we are advised to exercise patience and not be too rash or aggressive - in Buddhist thinking this is actually a good reminder that anger wipes out karmic merit in one fell swoop.  

“The true hero is one who conquers his own anger and hatred”. ~ His Holiness 14th Dalai Lama

Losar Guru Rinpoche Day ~> 3rd March 2012

Spirit Sun opposes dynamic Mars during today’s Guru Rinpoche day, the first in our year of the inscrutable Dragon; and the currently perceptive Moon conjoins active Mars in a few days time for the Losar Full Moon ‘Day of Miracles’ on the 8th March (International Woman’s day!). The inspired Pisces Sun encourages spiritual service, showing compassion and kindness to all beings, while a retrograde Mars in Virgo can get ultra-critical, stuck in the discerning search for personal perfection. Though a helpful and rather auspicious trine formation between today’s Pisces Sun and the receptive Moon, now at home in super-sensitive Cancer, suggests applying skilful means – patience, insight and analytical reasoning quickly clears thinking clouded by unrelated feelings, to tell the difference between illusion and delusion. Recognising what is real or pure fantasy calms this potentially tricky aspect between Sun and Mars. Good time for healing rifts and familiarising oneself with what is truly healthy for body and soul _/♥\_ ૐ

Shining Mind-Mirror ~> Lunar Eclipse Dec '11

"We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts we make the world." ~ Buddha ~

Having seeded new ideas and set the intention with a New Moon Solar eclipse two weeks ago, it is now, with a reflective Lunar eclipse, that we see how the mind mirror works - and how our world really is a reflection of all that we think. As this lunation culminates we can recognise just how bright the mind-mirror becomes when we let our light shine.

~~> ☼ ☽☆☾ The Dragon's Head fires-up the Sun in far-sighted Sagittarius ♐, at 18degrees, and aligns with the Dragon's Tail and the malleable Gemini Moon ♊. While we won't be able to see a blood red moon in Great Britain @14:36 gmt, the world over still feels the effects and co-create in meditation the SACRED COSMIC UNION of Yin and Yang, accenting elementals Fire and Air so inspiritation and intellect become active and alive with wisdom and creativity.

The Moon in Gemini is ruled by the currently retro Mercury, also in philosophical Sagittarius, asking us to RETHINK. The Lights, Sun & Moon conjunct the nodes; and apply a tight square to Mars in Virgo (which is also ruled by Mercury); Mars is therefore at the 'South Bend'. The South Bend is a critcal point of (personal and collective) karmic release, often through overcoming obstacles.

This eclipse presents a very Mercurial theme: abstract and intellectual, as well as curious and cunning. Though letting-go of negative forces that hinder or harm demands awarness of what is constuctive; in the Buddhist tradition, training the mind to focus upon a helpful attitude facilitates healing & happiness, with the ability to transform negative forces into a means of enlightenment _(♥)_

Yet Mercury, the planet of short distance travel, is now in the sign of the long-haul, and retograde through the eclipse until the 13th December, when it stations to go direct at 2 Sag: You know he drill: DOUBLE CHECK all travel plans, docs, etc, and make sure you have all the numbers you might need on the charged phone.

A closer inspection of the lunar eclipse chart shows the active and assertive Mars purifying in detail with the  hard square  (as it was also at the New Moon; so the challenge to create dynamic healing remains a theme for this rest of the lunation - until the New Moon at Xmas Eve); still Mars is tempered by a separating trine to organised power chick, Venus in Capricorn. Martian aggression, although roused, therefore remains tamed by strongly ambitious feminine energy, keeping impluses in check. Venus, in turn, finds her place in the eclipse slightly challenging. Currently on the charm offensive in ambititious and meaningful relationships Venus recently was in mutual reception to expansive Jupiter in materialistic Taurus; now she is in mutual reception to authoritative Saturn in partnership-orientated Libra. This means Venus is key in both, harmonising the bigger (financial) vision, as well as implementing a heart into balance. That’s the cosmic theory anyway. Interestingly, Venus is now opposite Angela Merkel’s Sun…

Artwork by Bill Brouard Visual Alchemy entitled "I see who skips with rainbows". Thx Bill _(♥)_

Mars in Virgo ♂♍ in stabilising Grand Earth Trine

Cast your mind back to a lovely late August bank holiday :) Note exactly what began around that time, possibly as a dream which pleased and excited. Now see that very thing (person, situation, or ideal) begin to develope and pick-up pace with serious celestial oomph. I'm saying this now because that very nice Earth Grand Trine we had at the start of the Indian Summer is back in heavenly play. Back then it was Sun and new Moon that brought Jupiter and Pluto's long trine to the fore, that symbolises massive transformation of the current value system. Now its dynamic and assertive Mars, who can go with the flow in the feminine sign of the virgin.

Since Mars moved into Virgo on the magical date, 11:11:11 (where he will diligenty work, heal and purify every last detail for EIGHT months - (extended stay due to retrograde (more on this later)) it generates extra energy to restore the Grand Trine's recouperative powers; linking to benificent Jupiter in Taurus (the zodiac's banker), and Pluto in Capricorn (the zodiac's corporation) Mars is ready to find solutions and cleverly overcome obstacles. This should also help any healing process within the current global financial shake-up. 

Magical Neptune is still in oppostion to Mars, flying the tail of a rare Kite formation ~>  May this trine be worked so all beings are free from want _(♥)_ *waves wand and sprinkles fairy dust*•´¯`•.¸¸.♥

ps: This trine makes a cosmic comeback late winter/early spring in March, when  Mars retrograde stations to once again go forward and provide a helping hand to stabilise this fantastic Grand Earth Trine ---> ♥´¯`•.¸¸.•L❀VEly•´¯`•.¸¸.♥ No time to lose. Look to Virgo in your chart and see where the action is.

With the often invisible Pluto at the pyramid point in the triangle, and the Sun in Scorpio, there is still a sense of mystery about changes taking place. But an earth trine of this calibre has the potential to be a revisited period of Golden Healing Transformation.