Sun-Venus-Earth = Rose Heart ♥

Sun-Venus-Earth = Rose Heart ♥

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

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

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

Breathe IN LOVE & expand your HEART ♥

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

☆ ♥ ☽~ ☼ ~ ☽ ♥ ☆ ♥ ☽~ ☼ ~ ☽ ♥ ☆

Planting the seed of LOVE with a

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

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

White Tārā Mantra in the Siddhaṃ script:

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

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

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

☆ ♥ ☽~ ☼ ~ ☽ ♥ ☆

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

This, however tricky the current arrangement of the planets, is an important Moon for Buddhists, as it is the Full Moon when the Lord Buddha agrees to the Deva’s request to descend from the Heavenly Realms of the 33, the Trayatrisma (where he had repaid kindness by teaching his mother), and return to Earth to continue teaching the dharma. In a week’s time, at the last quarter moon on October 30^th, just before Halloween, we celebrate the actual descent, Lhabab Du Chen, as being one of the four most important days in the Buddhist calendar.

This ability to move between spheres is not confined to the Buddha. The Spirit of the Sun is also currently up-close and personal with Venus and communicative Mercury.  When in Scorpio, Mercury acts as mediating psychopomp between the seen and unseen, urging us to be attentive to our thoughts while we shift between our levels of consciousness, so that we can recognise any gems we might discover. Venus retrograde provides a loving kind of insight; and Mars in Scorpio adds probing depth.

Medicine Buddha Moon ~ Libra Sun ☼☀☽ Capricorn Moon

As the Sun passes through Libra, the sign of the scales, finding balance and treading the middle path is our greatest challenge. Libra is an intellectual Air sign. What we now really need to work on is a well-developed mind, to stop ourselves from potentially going to damaging extremes.   

Staying calm with focused breathing helps to let go of drama and rest in our natural equanimity.

Effort is required to maintain this stability, as recent decision making has been burdened with responsibility, leaving some of us feeling like Atlas, with the weight of the world on our shoulders (and desperate for a good massage). Such tension was recently reflected in the heavens as the celestial taskmaster, Saturn, conjoined the Libran Sun, imparting the sense that any move has a direct bearing not just on the immediate future but also upon how situations will develop over the next year, as though we were about to concretise karma.  So finding that delicate Libran poise, whilst mega important, has been fraught because of the endless possibilities that a rattling mind can cleverly envisage – such vision, or course, is laudable.  While vascilating with sometimes ominous and restless thoughts during this airy period does make it more stimulating, it also feeds the unnecessary fear that makes it impossible to settle upon one definite course of action. Thankfully, the wandering planets move away from such difficult aspects: If you have not already taken one particular major task in hand, keeping one’s options open may well be the wisest course of action, at least tomorrow and Friday, the 14^th/15^th, when the first quarter moon sheds more light upon any obstacles to overcome before feeling quite self-satisfied a week later, with the Moon is full in Aries, on the 23^rd October. 

This Medicine Buddha Moon in practical and realistic Capricorn, has an unusally easy healing quality, as it makes very pleasant connections to several important planets, connecting to Mars at home in Scorpio for insightful action, and the Jupiter-Uranus conjunction provides the compassionate overview. Event’s surrounding Thursday’s first quarter Moon could also be key in triumphing over any difficult business or partnership situation too. Which brings me to THE planet in serious astrological focus right now: Venus the planet of loving partnerships, is now in her retrograde phase, going backwards for 40 days and 40 nights.  Queen of the skies, Venus, is the ruler of Libra (where the Sun currently is); and she is now passing through sexy Scorpio, encouraging us to maintain a sympathetic heart while we delve into the deepest parts of our soul, to discover an acute kind of intuitive acumen that heightens psychic ability and activates the power of transformation. Come here to read a more in depth article on this passage of Venus through Scorpio.

The Geocentric Sun Saturn Mandala

♥ Our new Libra moon moved quickly (and thankfuly) away from the Sun and Saturn into Scorpio to continue growing into what is already a very strong lunation (marked by toxic floods & the Earth Mother's blood red sludge in Hungary).

♥ This Saturday the Moon conjuncts the Scorpionic Venus & Mars to reveal insight and passion through some kind of inherent hidden memory: have we been here before? And what can we learn from such profoundly felt emotions? There may be no obvious answers to how we are feeling right now; but as soon as the Sun and Mercury leave Saturn's orb by the end of next week, the 17th Oct, clarity of mind becomes apparent (over an issue possibly related to Sept 3rd)

above is a mandala illustrating the Sun-Saturn cycle from the Geocentric p.o.v. = Talk about bringing things to a head!. This rather tough conjunction - full of karmic connections - will soon be out of orb; so while some might have made further commitment (to relationship/fairness/balance), others will have fulfilled their karma. ♥

♥ Many astrologers do not share my love of wider orbs, up to 15 degrees with a conjunction of the Sun and Moon.  But over the years I have come to realise that planets in conjunction are times of concentration and focus, and conjunctions, especially with Saturn, need time before the seed energy sown at dark moon (a day or so before the new moon) takes hold. So as this Sun Saturn begins to wane, be like the image in the mandala, put down roots to sway in the Libran breeze, all the while remaining stable and strong. ♥

LOVE conquers ALL ♥ New Libra Moon 2010

♥ New Moon 14Libra at 19:44 bst --> LOVE ~ PEACE & UNITY

♥ Being human, we need someone to talk to, hold, and most of all, LOVE.

♥ So while the new Moon is in Libra, the sign of the heart in harmony, it's time to look at the way we relate: Partnerships, in relationship and business, now call for fairness, committment AND passion.

♥ And by some Divine twist of fate, the planets are also now in sharing mode, all currently operating in pairs: Spirit Sun with Soulful Moon; Loving Venus with macho Mars (in deeply magnetic Scorpio); communicative Mercury with karmic Saturn (weighing heavy on thoughts & speech); transformational Pluto with Earth mother Ceres; Healing Chiron with dreamy Neptune; expansive Jupiter with visionary Uranus. Get the picture? The heavens are saying that we’re meant to be working with another (or other part of ourself) to create a partnership on an even keel, however that might work, be it sexual or spiritual, romantic or business. Now is the time of healing, reality and togetherness. Bring every possible positive aspect of self to the fore; and cosy up with someone or something you love that stimulates wholeness: a person, book or hot-water bottle!

♥ While BALANCE is the cosmic order of the day, the aligning Mercury Saturn also means we need to encourage a mind of healing, and watch negative thinking by being diciplined and nippping it in the bud right away. We can do that by making a commitment (i.e. setting the intention) to attain the clear mind (of enlightenment) without fear or desire clouding our view or judgement.

♥ Of course, that's the theory. ;) But Saturn is practical, and if we can just stop ourelves from just once spiralling into a black hole over the next few days, we create a clearer connection to our own spiriutal light. And practice makes perfect. (Shamatha) Calm abiding meditation is the key today.

♥ Note that unless we are in a complete state of trust, there is no need to reveal everything we want, feel or think, to those who have yet to show unconditional friendship. Indeed, we may to hold back from confrontation, in order to understand emotional fears.

♥ Remember that LOVE conquers ALL things: let us too surrender to love ♥

Karmic Balance ~ Sun conjunct Saturn in Libra ~ 1st Oct 2010

To create a cosmic balance, karma now comes into play as the Libran Sun conjoins Saturn, who is exalted in Libra to weigh up the good and the not-so-good. It could quite easily be time of important moves and decisions (especially for those with early Cardinal degrees prominent, when we also take into consideration that Saturn is opposite Jupiter & Uranus, square Pluto).

Facing up to the consequences of the karmic law of cause and effect need not be unpleasant. Indeed, providence can be positively encouraging when we when we come from the heart spirit and take responsibility for all our relationships; for that is when the love-light shines to illuminate all kinds of difficult situations, helping to resolve peacefully together, with kindness and diplomacy.

Remember that we tend to attract what we need (to learn) in order to become wise.

Fascinating synchronicity: as the Libra Sun came within orb of Saturn: The other day I found myself in a room with 3 Librans; each of them dealing with the demanding trials of Saturn's presence on their point of Spirit; each of them appeared to be more patient, accepting and wiser and, on the cosmic scale of things, more willing to compromise in order to acheive. Such are the gifts of 'Old Father Time'.

I also find it interesting how all three leaders of British politics, David Cameron, Nick Clegg, and now Ed Miliband are all cardinal signs; complete with the drama in the personal lives of Libran Cameron and Capricorn Miliband, who really are dealing with massive karmic responsibility.   

SunDance MoonWeaves ☼ ❤ ☾ Autumn Equinox & Full Aries Moon 2010

A Full Harvest Moon on Thursday morning at 0Aries at 10:17 (bst) is the very same day of the Autumn Equinox, when the sustaining Sun moves into relationship-orientated Libra (to shortly conjoin karmic Saturn). While the Moon has looked incredibly full for days and heightened emotions, this combination of ‘The Lights’ at play, a vibrant Aries Moon integrating with the Libra Sun, accents an intuitive heart at play; and continues the trend of celestially marking 2010 as a mega-powerful year, full of dramatic turning points, extraordinary revelations and personal realisations.

2010 is no ordinary year. I know I have said this before but it’s worth repeating for newcomers: “I have never seen the planets speak to us in such a direct manner, through the Cardinal Cross of the Central Spiritual Sun, in almost thirty years of star gazing”. The heavens are shouting loud and clear, not just to the spiritual warrior but to all of us to wake up to our full potential. So far to remind us we really are spiritual beings in the human body, we’ve had super-strong eclipses in Capricorn and Cancer in January and July generating major shifts; at the cross-quarter fire festival, ‘Lammas’, our Cardinal cross fully activated the need to find and remain in our centre during this incredible period of accelerated evolution. Thus, it appears the most important celestial events this year happen around solar fire festivals with a strong lunation, suggesting that while the Sun dances and the Moon weaves, spirit and soul entwine to move through the time-space continuum like a double helix, to help us spiral into our cosmic oneness. (Astro-buffs might also like to check out this year’s Winter Solstice & the lunar eclipse).  

Autumn Equinox, however, is the Sun’s yearly twilight stage (in the northern hemisphere) resulting in a time of change of light, to darker, longer nights; and longer days in the south. With a full fiery Moon to activate this point of perfect balance, alongside munificent and magnifying Jupiter with altruistic Uranus, the changes we now experience could be manifold and we may even witness an unexpected reversal; yet all is cosmically designed to ignite the fire of love, and boost self-confidence and self-belief, especially when working towards the welfare of others. Aim now for peace, love, and harmony for all. Through the activity of beauty and love, we conquer fear and impatience and indecision AND we find peace of mind!

As an Equinox Full Moon once again sparks off the Cardinal Cross of the Central Spiritual Sun, we can explore our true self, discover peace in relationship, and develop personal wisdom with spiritual power. And how we each juggle these super-harmonic virtues is revealed in the individual horoscope; much depends upon where the Cardinal directions of Aries, Cancer, Libra Capricorn lie in your birth chart and what planets are found there as to how you will navigate the dynamics of these times. 

Thanks as always to most treasured Visual Alchemist & artists unknown ☼ ❤ ☾ 

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

Early

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Virgoan heart of Perfected Wisdom ♥ ☼ ♥ New Virgo Moon

According to Buddhist philosophy, we are born with an innate goodness called ‘Buddha Nature’. This inherent purity can become corrupt through circumstance, causes and conditions - karma, choices and influences. Yet if we look beyond the innumerable layers of dense conditioning there is, in everyone, a pristine consciousness which can be reawakened with awareness and effort. And although many hard core spiritual practitioners might balk at the idea of aligning the zodiac to this stainless kind of consciousness, to my mind the perfection we often strive to attain is already within, as represented by the constellation Virgo, the flawlessly accomplished Goddess.

I mention this now as Wednesday’s new Moon @15Virgo joins together the practical Virgo Sun and Moon at a midway point, potentially stimulating that indwelling illumination into a spiritual reality. With Mercury, as celestial messenger, now at home in healing Virgo, the meditation is upon connecting our ordinary world of personality and everyday events to the soul’s lucid clarity.  Many of you might now ask: How do we bridge that gap?  And although the answer could go against the competitive nature of current society, it is simple: By following a dharma path of service and helping others we naturally feel good about ourselves, and thereby our inner nature begins to shine.

                

So mark Wednesday in your diary as a ’Good Deed Day’; although, there’s a catch to all this saintliness, as to expect thanks or shout about how fabulous you feel helping a little old lady to cross the road only panders to ego and cancels out the positive vibration the unconditional kindness sets into motion. Instead, keep a lid on unnecessary self-congratulation, retain the poise of heartfelt goodness, and encourage the transformational power of light-filling goodness to build from within.  It’s also worth noting that trickster Mercury remains retrograde for another week, until the 13^th, when all kinds of timekeeping and messages can still go awry: on a relative level dates can be missed, along with frustrating transport and information problems; be especially vigilant when signing documents: Double check everything. Even when helping granny to cross the road, make sure you’re taking her in the right direction!

Another positive feature to put into place while the wholesome Virgo Sun and New Moon conjoin is a healthy routine - one that takes care of all aspects of body, mind and spirit. Our body is also our own personal earthly temple, and now is an optimum time to be mindful and treat it wisely, as a sacred vessel that houses the spiritual being in a human body.  A yoga and meditation practice coupled with regular nutritious meals in a clean and organised space allows one to focus with clearer intent, and possibly even gain some kind of clairvoyance to see how to be of further benefit towards others.

To generate the Virgoan heart of perfected wisdom and finish the new Virgo moon report, here’s a quote from dear Tsem Tulku Rinpoche: “Holiness is not a state of you having a halo. Holiness is you having to try harder” – Sayonara to Depression ♥ ~ ☼ ~ ♥

This is good to aim for as the lunation culimates at 0 degrees Aries, with a rare full moon at the Autumn Equinox, sparking off our issues surrounding the cardinal cross.

LEO ~ Cardinal Cross ~ Evolution of Divine Light

Leo~Leo Asc ©

3^rd Solar house Saturn-Mars-Venus in Libra (August/Sept 2010)

6^th Solar house Pluto in Capricorn

9^th Solar house Jupiter/Uranus Aries

(Retrograde into Pisces until Feb/Mar 2011)

12^th Solar house Moon in Cancer

Active, with a strong radiant vitality, as indicated by being ruled by the dynamic life-giving Sun, Leos’ possess a wonderfully bright disposition which affords brilliance in any circumstance.  For the dazzled rest of us, we marvel at your splendour, wanting to know the secret of confidence. 

According to Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche: “Developing confidence is like watching the sun rise. First it seems very feeble and one wonders whether it will make it. Then it shines and shines. Confidence is not about arrogance or pride. It is a natural unfolding process. It's not a question of needing confidence or not needing it. It's naturally there. In fact, we actually don't have to develop confidence. It's more that we have to acknowledge the confidence that already exists.”

Confidence is thus a natural ability to ‘be’ comfortable in one’s skin. Like the Sun, its just 'there'. But in actuality is more easily generated by those who have had the good fortune to be loved and unconditionally adored and appreciated in childhood. Leo is the sign of children. So if you’re that rare Leo beastie who has ‘self’ issues, a monthly delve into the feeling–orientated world of personal ancestry might not go amiss, as the Moon transits Cancer to invoke the compassionate benefits of the Cardinal Cross formation, so your Sun ruled personality will glow and grow and shine freely.   

With Saturn (Venus & Mars) in your third house of communication, noting how the mind works, riding upon breath as Spirit’s vehicle, to give you more confidence. Healthy breathing is encouraged to stay calm and alert. Saturn in this sphere of information suggests difficulties in getting your point across can be overcome when you present yourself clearly, with authority, and prove how wise you are, as well as how much you are willing share ideas and learn.

   

When it comes to love and romance, Leo is the sign of a heart brimming with joyful fun, of playing on the beach laughing about how the sand gets trapped between your toes with a carefree smile and generous loving gestures. While your playful inner-child happily tells jokes and is thoroughly charming, there is currently another side to Leo which is actually quite serious, deadly even – especially at this moment in time when it comes to telling it like it is, especially to new suitors. With assertive Mars plus authoritative Saturn in this area of communication, you may not be in the mood for small talk, nor flattering anyone’s fragile ego.  The combination of these planets indicates how important it is you seek ways to smooth romantic relations in a realistic manner. With Venus currently here for a few more weeks, every loveable Leo may find being diplomatic is the only way to go. Be a people pleaser by finding peaceful solutions that allows forgiveness to flow, even when this Cross makes its’ tricky aspects. When seeking the ‘Real Thing’ now is not the time to go for a lover’s looks, concentrate instead on brains, mental stimulation and strength of character.

During the monthly moments of the exact Cardinal Cross make time to be by yourself so you can relax, meditate, and access the Divine within.  This kindness to yourself means that you can once and for all forget whoever it is from the past that haunts you. So get ready to move on into a whole new loving dimension, which is real, solid and fulfilling.

Saturn will encourage the need for original ideas. Now is the time to let the world know what you have to offer. Should you have your own business and you’re looking for more, while now is the time to get it up and get it noticed you still need to be patient. With long-term vision and determination, a well thought out media-blitz means greater profit in the future.

With Uranus and Jupiter in Aries in your sphere of philosophy, religion and travel, awakening to new cultures gives life great meaning. This same domain also rules higher education, so study and walking the halls of learning will also seriously broaden your horizons.  Remember that both planets are now in retrograde, going back to revist your sphere of intimacy. You now have a second chance to look at how you share your secret self. When both planets return to your solar 9^th, Feb/March, your drive for expansion will also resume.

Even though working closely with another may be a point of obsession, keep a positive focus. Neighbourhood events could be pleasantly distracting. While energy levels look high, with humility balancing confidence, you also need to look after yourself, physically as well as psychologically – with Pluto activating a transformation in the Lion’s daily routine, taking care of mind, body and soul becomes paramount. For a confident Leo, self-image is important. Try not to make too much of any drama out of any fleeting (financial) crisis. Generally speaking your energy radiates brilliantly; it is good to be aware how too much thinking create stress. Learn to tame the mind as you would the ego. Should tension levels being to rise, nip them in the bud as soon as you recognise the fist sign of worry, and make looking after yourself a priority. Remember Shantideva’s advice: If there is something that you can do to alleviate any given problem then do it. And if there is nothing that you can do, then why worry? It is true that we are all in a major phase of collective transformation, where there are many changes going down in the world that affect each of us differently. You, for instance, may find you have to reconsider the way you think about things by discovering new ideas, new people and possibly even have to reassess your belief system, so that you can build faith in your intuition. The stars of the Cardinal Cross of the Central Spiritual Sun therfore urge Leo to radiate Divine light, tame the mind, and love themselves and others. And, on a relative level, get mega organised to learn from life’s powerful experiences, so that you unconditionally shine.  



Thank you to Visual Artist Bill for Sun Lion, to justgethere.com for the sunmind and other unknown artists.

♥

Grand Earth Trine ~ Sunday 29th August

GRAND EARTH TRINE with the Moon moving into Taurus today, where she is exalted; La Luna creates a a practical, sensual and transformational triangle in the heavens, with Sun in Virgo & Pluto in Capricorn = spritual adjustment with emotional stability.

Virgo's level head is just what's needed after a fiery Moon in Aries opposed Libran Mars-Venus yesterday.

Interestingly, a volcano erupted after 400 years in northern Sumatra. I looked at that fiery Moon's chart; with (Virgo ruled), although they are saying Mount Sinabung is calming, with Mercury retro it could blow fireballs again. We had a volcano eruption the last Merucy retro too, that time when Mercury was in Taurus, in Iceland, when flying over Europe came to a halt. The earthy Capricorn north node nearing Pluto and joining THAT T'square could also have something to do with the timing of this eruption.
~ ♥ ~
thx to unknown artist for triangle found on squidoo ♥

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

Magical Dream Healing ☽ •~ ♥ ~• ☆ Full Moon in Pisces

Experiencing any given emotion, be it love or compassion, anger or resentment, our mind tends to label the feeling at the speed of light as ‘pleasant’, ‘unpleasant’ or ‘neutral’. This Buddhist insight corresponds to the mechanism of the brain, which initially perceives any given situation as either ‘threat’ or ‘reward’. Whichever category a sensation falls into how we actually express our emotions has a vastly dramatic repertoire,  from cool, calm and collected, to those which make us feel we’re riding the wild and high peak of a tidal wave in Samsara’s choppy ocean. Feelings, like all phenomena, can seem very real and, because of the psycho-spiritual-anatomical connection, have a direct effect upon physical and psychological health as well as spiritual well-being. If only we could remind ourselves that our feelings are subject to the law of impermanence; they come and they go at varying rates, depending on our inclination or ability to go with the flow and not let the emotion distract our mind from our main human purpose: to be happy, fulfilled, and at peace, regardless of the situation. Feelings can also be very difficult to put into words.

I mention all this now as the Full Moon is on the rise, to be exact on Tuesday at 1Pisces, @18:05 BST (+5 EST).  A Full moon in a water element rouses passionate emotion at the best of times. In Pisces, the last sign of the zodiac, a sign that tends to emote deeply, feeling situations often on a profoundly psychic level, we're even able to tune into the collective undercurrent.  So if you find yourself ‘picking-up’ subconscious but overwhelming emotions, which you sense are not yours (or even if they are) know they too will pass.

So while this is a moon where one could be easily swept away by a song and dance, sound or gesture, there are other important celestial factors to consider; because this Pisces Moon is also with its' oceanic ruler Neptune, and  wounded-healer, Chiron, plus Black Moon Lilith - a celestial marker I tend only to work with when face-to-face with clients, as she is the symbol of the repressed frustration we feel when the good we want to see from a very tricky situation is slow (or absent) in forthcoming.  But Lilith has been whirling backwards and forwards over this Neptune-Chiron conjunction for some time, so I think she’s worth bringing out into the light, as to ignore the potential wrath of the feminine is essentially hazardous. Putting all these astrological pointers together from the global perspective one might say this moon suggests an underlying deep disturbance concerning the element of water. All we have to do is look around and see floods in Pakistan (where a fifth of the country is underwater), China, flash floods in Europe, not to mention the state of the Gulf of Mexico, and we get a pretty good idea of the healing that our suffering planet needs. Which is where you and I come in - and right now!

Water responds to thoughts, emotions and intentions.  We have had many successful group meditations that have a direct impact upon the health of our seas, oceans, lakes, river and ponds, courtesy my dear Lama, the late venerable Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche, Dr Emoto, Lynn McTaggart, and the Medicine for the Earth Shaman’s led by Sandra Ingerman, among many others.  We now know that giving our love and thanks to the water and asking for forgivness, has a transformational affect upon h2O – for the better. Amazing to know how our love creates such purity. So with the sensitive Moon in magical Pisces, a sign that harmonises unseen energy, I say let’s do it over the next few days, and send out the cosmic love vibration directly to our world’s water – we are, after all made up of 75% water ourselves. By saying prayers and our practice near water, our own negative emotions may be assuaged as well.

And as both Pisces and Neptune are symbolic of our dreams, together we can vision the healing to be pure, all pervading, from the depths of our oceans bubbling up through to the light, cleansing, healing and soothing.We also have the Sun in Virgo's hands-on remedial touch to help us - not to mention that in esoteric astrology, Virgo is ruled by the Moon (instead of Mercury). 

Of course, those of a truly practical nature might also want to donate and help...
in Ladak with HH 12th Gyalwang Drukpa's Live to Love appeal
please be patient, the link works but is a bit slow...

& for Pakistan please send a letter of support and donate flood relief

Blessings of love & thanks ♥