Imbolc Iron Rabbit ~ New Aquarius Moon 2011

When Spirit Sun zapped into Aquarius at the tail end of our most recent Super Full Moon (the 19^th of January), it joined forces with dynamic Mars for daily life to speed up to warp factor five. Personal projects are particularly subject to being revved-up. On a collective level this Aquarian Sun is equally busy, activating a global connection with the Aquarian brotherhood of man, energizing ‘the will of the whole’. Now, two weeks later, we are at the Aquarius IMBOLC NEW MOON, when there are no less than six heavenly bodies in the sign of the water bearer, four planets, a planetoid, and the all-important healing asteroid Chiron, activating ‘the light that shines on Earth across the sea’, and igniting the light of Spirit that illuminates hopes and dreams.

In esoteric astrology, the sign of Aquarius ‘shines the light within the darkness, cleansing with healing rays until the darkness is dispelled’.  In Buddhism we can dispel obscuration by generating light in Tantric deity meditation practice, as well as being kind to others, and generating the altruistic intention in body, speech and mind, i.e. word, thought, and deed. 

As an intellectual air sign, Aquarius tends to rationalise and contain emotion (as symbolised by the human carrying the pot of watery emotions); not only does Aquarius therefore objectify individual emotions, but in doing so it can also understand how feelings connect ‘One’ to the Universal Whole; thus Aquarius accents the significance of the Central Spiritual Sun, recently activated by the Cardinal Cross. At the risk of being too technical, for our current Imbolc New Moon on the 2^nd - 3^rd February, the Aquarian astral line-up reads thus: Earth Mother Ceres, Spirit Sun, soul Moon (who are both at a mid-way 13 degrees), warrior Mars, oceanic Neptune, and healing Chiron.

With such a Martian Aquarian emphasis (accidentally exalted), the current energy is fired-up to become potentially hectic, wiggy and unpredictable, so we may need to adjust any grand plan (that came about from having five planets in the sign of Capricorn, the master builder (destiny fulfilling NorthN, sacred Vesta, transformational Pluto, stratigest Pallas Athena, and Mercury, as messenger)). 

Note how the astro-symbols I read (others read more, and some less) are now concentrated into a 60 degree slice of the zodiac pie, with weighty Saturn as the outsider making hard aspect to Neptune and Chiron – triggering the challenge for collective psychic healing (Had any good dreams lately?); but Saturn is also trine to the Sun & Mars conjunction, suggesting its easy for authorities for to be formidably assertive, particularly while Aquarius is also the sign of rebels and revolution.

There are also other astrological features to observe while Saturn in Libra is this important singleton, however, as it is also exalted – meaning that authority has to find a point balance (in the heart); but is also retrograde (until June), so it needs time to find the balance. Saturn retrograde tends to slow down the ability to come to any conclusion on important issues, such as appraising the karma in relationship, peaceful resolution, or law.  So as we enter into the Chinese New year of the white Iron Rabbit– aka ‘the metal cat’, it’s also worth bearing in mind how this exalted Saturn in Libra is linked to no less than eleven heavenly markers, because Saturn is the traditional day ruler of Aquarius and the night ruler of Capricorn. So while the overall gentility of the rabbit expands yinwards, the heaviness of the times resonates strongly with everyone.  But let’s not get too gloomy, as Aquarius is also the sign of wishes. This is therefore the wishing moon.  My intention over this moon is to nicely ask the kindly bunny to hop to it, and help attain (global) peace of mind.  

This is one of the many years when the Tibetan Lunar calendar is out of synch with the Chinese animal Solar calendar, because the Tibetans doubled the 11the month (!) so Losar, Tibetan New Year of the Female Iron Rabbit, is on the Pisces new Moon, March 4^th. That the Chinese and Tibetan New Year do not always dance together is a common occurrence. 

The pagan festival of Imbolc also coincides with Chinese New Year. Imbolc ignites the light of the fixed  cross, and  is otherwise known as the feast of CandleMas, whose benefactor is Brigianta, Bride or St Brigit, the Lady of the Hearth (i.e. the spark of warmth and light now returning to the northern hemisphere); she is the patroness of poetry, craft and smithies. With this last honorific, until the light of the Leo Moon shines brightly (and when I will be back online), I leave you with a poem from the Upanishads, called

‘Illuminating Light’

“There the sun shines not, nor the moon and the stars,
nor the lightning, let alone this earthly fire.

Only when illumining Light shines,
everything else shines;
the self-revealing Light illumines the entire universe.”

Thank you Ximi for the Bhutanese protector_/\_♥ ૐ and to all other unknown photographers.

Crazy Wisdom •´¯`•.¸¸.♥ Jupiter in Aries Jan -->June'11

Last hours of planet Jupiter at 29 degrees of magical & mystical, spiritual Pisces, the very end of the zodiac. Munifcient Jupiter enters 0 ARies tomorrow (Saturday, the 22nd Jan) at 17:11 gmt, through which he races until early June.

so Get ready STARCHILDren, to leap from this Zero point into a new 11.86 year cycle. Jupiter in the sign of the Ram is the crazy wisdOM teacher, a wise fool, inspirational and brave, accelerating new information on the LIGHT of life itself! _/\_♥ ૐ...

Thank you Visual Alchemist for brilliant illustration: STARCHILD ENCODING THE HEALING xl

Free from Karmic Patterns ☽☼☾ Full Cancer Moon ♑/♋

In astrology, the Moon governs watery Cancer ♋, the fourth sign of the zodiac symbolising emotional sensitivity, particularly sensations associated with the past and all we hold onto - things, people and feelings, as well as daily thoughts that bubble-up to flow through our unconscious mind stream, which can then become construed as personal needs. These needs are expressed with greater insight and clarity when we sense empathy within our surroundings. Though such deep sensitivity is a typically Cancerian trait (as well as with those who have a prominent Moon in other water signs or water houses), we are all capable of being intuitive; but for one reason or another, we are not always in synch with where we truly are psychologically, spiritually, or physically. We are aften out-of-step with our true needs, creating habitual thoughts based upon craving or aversion that can, consciously or unconsciously, create karmic imprints that surface when we only have half an eye on La Luna’s gleaming ball of light (and not our third eye, either! :))

The upcoming Full Moon on Wednesday the 19^th January, at 21:21 GMT appears to be an optimum window of opportunity to exercise emotional boundaries and draw the line on any unfounded, unnecessary or irresponsible desires.  With the Capricorn Sun at 29 degrees revealing personal limits, as well as the ability to be ‘grounded’ (as in stabilising mind and body in practice), in opposition to the double whammy 29 Cancer Moon accenting home and family, we have the fourth of five Full Moons in a row at the ‘anaretic’, last degree of a sign accenting a swift shift of emphasis.  Any planet at the last anaretic degree of a sign holds an accumulative sum total of the sign’s qualities before flowing into the next sign. Thus, through the initiating light of the Capricorn Sun we can understand the necessity of discipline and hard work to achieve ambitions; and through the feeling-orientated and reflective, form-giving light of the Cancer Full Moon, we could sense a wealth of emotional experience provides the key to free oneself from karmic limitation, and be liberated once and for all from negative karmic patterns, in relationship, at work and within oneself.

Understanding how the law of cause and effect works, and all that what we say, do, and think, has an impact upon future result is imperative, especially if we are to harness any destructive impulse that essentially harms and blocks the release of positive potential. Bare in mind that through meditation, prayer and ritual, as well as actively creating helpful thoughts, healthy living, and doing good deeds we can negate karma, stabilise the heart-mind, and unfetter the shackles that restrain us from radiating Buddha nature (our essential goodness).

Helping to put personal and collective life into perspective over this Full Moon, both ♋ Moon and ♑ Sun also make wonderful connections to the Jupiter-Uranus conjunction (which was exact on the solar Eclipse Jan 4) indicating the Spirit and Soul are aligned with the active vision Jupiter and Uranus vibrate.   Also note the 'finger of fate' or 'Hand of God', with the North Node and Pluto as one finger and Neptune and Chiron onother, pointing towards the Moon, indicating this Moon has a long-term and collective transformational healing quality. 

 Jupiter and Uranus, however, have been together for the last ten months; but this is about to change as the faster sign munificent Jupiter is also about to move signs on 22nd Jan, whizzing into fiery Aries --> through which the sky god flies until early June (when Jupiter enters Taurus); the pace to realise some kind of self-awareness is quickening. Aries can be super-LIGHTening fast. But just over four months in the sign of the Ram is SUPERSONIC speed! During these next months there is opportunity to quickly restore and build self-confidence and see how fabulous we really are! :) Carpe diam! And when winged Mercury does his next retro dance in Aries (March-April) we might be asking ourselves, "if not now, when?"

Thanks as always to unknown artists and photographer for much appreciated illustrations ☆~♥♥♥~☆

The Zodiac in relation to the Cosmos: Ophiucus, the 13th sign & the difference between the Western & Eastern Astrology

Various articles, such as this one sent to me by facebook friend, Jode (thank you x), are circulating the internet, and confusing people about which sign of the zodiac they are. Worry not! This is an ancient old issue that re-surfaces from time to time which is often the result of malcomprehension of different astrological systems, as well as someone (usually a mainstream journalist and his or her editor) not being able to take on board how there are many rules, guides and paths to the same cosmic understanding of self in relation to the cosmos. There are also many different kinds of people on planet Earth; thus we have different schools of astrology: Tropical Western, Sidereal Vedic Joytish Eastern, Chinese (Animal signs based upon the movement of Jupiter), Hellenistic Astrology, Siamese Astrology, Muslim Astrology, Tibetan Astrology etc (many more). And, in its own way, each of these disciplines is valid.

So in reply to this recent reassertion that you are not the sign you think you are (when you are!), and that there is a 13th sign of the zodiac, I ask you to bear with me, particularly if you are new to astrology, as there is a lot of information here to wrap one's head around - especially if you are going to take on a debunker at a dinner party!

Primarily, it is most important to know that our Western astrological system is time-based upon the seasons, which means that at Spring Equinox we put 0 degrees Aries as the starting point of our Zodiac. This is called 'The Tropical Zodiac' and most everyone in the Western world uses this (because after 5000+ years we know it works for us!).

And besides, and here I shall let you into a little known fact, the most important Tibetan Mandala for World Peace, the KALACHAKRA mandala (KALA = TIME, CHAKRA = WHEEL) is actually based upon this seasonal system for Sun, Moon and Earth.  From Tibetan point of view, this tropical zodiac, which starts at 0Aries - as the first day of Spring - has greater relevance in being able to attain natural harmony for world peace.

The other main astrological system is Eastern Vedic, space-based, by looking at the constellations, also called 'Sidereal' 'STAR TIME' or 'Joytish', which translates as 'the study of light'. Joytish astrology adjusts to a phenomena which happens because of the Earth's gyroscopic roation. This long and slow rotation is called 'the precession of equinoxes'.

The movement of Earth in connection to the cycles of the Sun and Moon is called 'precession of equinoxes', and it takes a little study (as it involves a 26,000 year cycle), and is why a person's Sun and planet signs often move backwards when comparing Western Astrology to Eastern astrology (i.e. from ARies to Pisces); Due to the sign coming on the eastern horizon at the Spring equinox now being 7ish Pisces, it is the Sidereal star backdrop, yet we in the West - because our zodiac is seasonal, call this Spring point of equal-day, equal-night, '0 degree Aries': the Vernal Equinox. 

The difference between these degrees, between zodiacs 'Tropical' and 'Sidereal', has a technical term, called the 'ayanamsa'. The ayanamsa is the placement of the Sidereal constellation roughly 23 degrees of separation with the Seasonal sign. There was a time when sidereal and tropical, astronomy and astrology, all aligned, two thousand-ish years ago.  At that time a greater cycle, approx 26,000 years (which always goes backwards) called 'The Great Year' with phases of approximately 2000 years for each sign marking the passage of the Sun's rising at Spring Equinox.

The sign of the two fishes coming up at Spring Equinox, Pisces, coincided with the birth of Jesus, thus the sign of the Fish proliferated, as Vesica Pisces, and as a symbol of Christianity (& Magdalaine), invoking the tone of a collective sign to rise at Spring Equinox for the next two thousand years.

Now we are leaving a 2000-year Age of Pisces, to enter the Age of Aquarius (which is a whole other subject in itself) and .  The 'Precession of Equinoxes' is a complex subject, one which also involves the all-important eclipses which are the seriously cosmic turning- points.  If you are still with me, then well done! Its good to familiarize yourself with the spatial astronomy.

So let's move look now at the astrological phenomena which people also often misunderstand: Ophiuchus, the constellation between Scorpio and Sagittarius. Just for the record:  We never lost the 13th sign of Ophiuchus! For those born between November 28th and December 18th, we have always known about you (and others). It is just that we (the astrological Greeks and Europeans) chose not to include Ophiucus in our celestial equator, aka 'the ecliptic', the band around which the Sun travels through the zodiac. The tip of the snake's tail and the foot of Ophiuchus just slip into the ecliptic, but not enough of the actual constellation to be included in the SOLAR 12-sign zodiac. Of course there are astrologers who explain this portion of the sky when reading the horoscope, especially if the birth chart accents this sign. And its good to know about the innate healing qualities symbolized by this part of the sky, which features the rengenerative snake, as well as the shamanic healer AND is also close to the part of the sky called 'the Great Attractor'!

There are various myths and stories surrounding Ophiuchus, who holds the snake (kundalini shakti). Associated with the healing vibration of Asclepius, who also knew about snake medicine, taught both Chiron and Hippocrates, the latter being the father of modern medicine; Ophiucus is thought to even be Asclepius.

Astronomically speaking, Ophiuchus just happens to put his foot in between Scorpio and Sagittarius, at the same time the tail of his snake also touches the ecliptic. 'The ecliptic' is an 8 degree band in the sky, and is the celestial belt from which we measure time and seasons, as well as the passage of the Sun, Moon and planets. This belt is neatly divided into 12; and while we say that they are 30 degrees each = 360 of a circle, some signs are smaller or bigger than others, but still measured as 30 degrees.

This time-based system is symbolically 'ideal', full of beauty, myth and meaning, as opposed to being rigidly scientifically accurate only in measurement. Even the Indian Vedic space-based system also uses an idealised 30 degree measurement of the sign.

(Please note that Western astrology can also incorporate a Sidereal system: by integrating ‘Fixed Stars’ into the natal chart, with 'Stars' that aspect natal planets, meaning can be more precise, as well as using Nakshatras, the mansions of the Moon).

This is a mega astrology lesson. & I realise it is not soundbite friendly. If you have grasped this basic difference between two of the most used astrological systems in the world, I will be very happy because both are useful, but for different reasons! :)

And if you have any questions or comments then please ask. Thank you! _/\_

Initiating Life Divine ☾ ☼ ☽ Capricorn New Year Solar Eclipse

A Solar eclipse in Capricorn is about giving form to the spiritual objective; tomorrow morning there is a small and narrow stargate for Earth to connect to the void, when the gates of karma open; and our meditation is to invite the (internal) deity into our life Divine.

Now the moon has passed the point of lunar eclipse, already in Capricorn, we are in a dark moon phase; the responsibility of what lies ahead could seem overwhelming. Don't Worry. Formulate a plan (and allow a year or so materialise) to remain mindful in the present ♥ Karma is also multiplied 100000X

So here we go: 2011! Wow! In with an astro bang! Tuesday the 4^th January, 9:03gmt (time zones), at 13Capricorn ♑ , a Solar Eclipse  stats a new moon lunation, potent with the ability to transform everything that we’d like to be praised and recognised for the work we have achieved. Planet Earth is also perihelion the Sun during this eclipse, so Spirit and Form are cosmically close. At the same time a shower of meteors, the Quadrantids, herald from just below the Big Dipper!

A year that starts with a Solar eclipse, with the North Node also called Rahu, or 'dragon's head', accompanied by strategic Pallas Athena and fiery Mars in earthy Capricorn, suggests there is no time to lose, that we initiate, take action, and make a plan to stabilise so that we have a point to move from.  Personally I would wait until the effects of the eclipse have waned a little, and wait a day before charging headlong into anything - as it might take a day or so to calm down after any potential Sun-Moon-Mars flare up. 

So it’s not just because its winter that we also need to boost the immune system, be that physically, psychologically and psychically, with a very real and practical approach. The Warrior Queen Pallas Athena is our asteroid associated with health, healing, and regeneration, alchemically being able to transform with her serpent wisdom (Kundalini). And while she is currently companion to the Sun and Mars, its time to heavy-up on the anti-oxidents and look after ourselves.

There is another astrological reason for Tuesday being important, due it marking the last and final exact conjunction of the three hits of Jupiter and Uranus. This visionary and expansive conjunction started off with Jupiter conjunct Uranus in June at 0Aries; then around Autumn Equinox last September, when retrograde, they formed another conjunction, in Pisces; this last union, also in the sign of the fish, magnifies uncontrollable flow (of highly charged emotion), change and sudden storms; this can happen individually, as well as in the collective. In Pisces, a mutable water sign, it’s a signal we are possibly feeling overwhelmed by outside forces, feeling swept along with the tide.  How one steering through this last conjunction, which has a sphere of influence all the way until the end of February, will depend of course, where this conjunction lies in the chart.  

Water, however, continues to be a major theme this year, with both Chiron and Neptune to enter in oceanic Pisces in April (which I will go in-depth at a later date.).  Suffice to say we only have to look at how the element Water is a feature of our era: We have Jupiter and Uranus, plus healing Chiron in conjunction with the sea-ruling Neptune in the late degrees of Aquarius, emphasising the entire planet’s water (especially since Uranus and Neptune have been in a sometimes mutual relationship these past 23+ years). With an area the size of Germany & France under water in Queensland, Australia, as well as recent floods in China, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Europe, plus the tragic Deepwater incident in the Gulf of Mexico, one quickly understands how the water element is subject to tremendous import, as indicated by these planetary configurations (compounded by the movement of both Chiron and Neptune into Pisces this year).  Water within our body is akin to our emotions; we are made up of 70% water; and our emotions ride the internal waves. When looking at the way the world’s seas, oceans and rivers are behaving, we could also say our own collective emotion is also out-of-whack.  Yet all is not lost, while water cleanses, heals, purifies, Pisces and Neptune are also signs of forgiveness and compassion. This doesn’t mean that we can carry on polluting as we have been, but it does mean we can see the ignorance of humanity’s ways, being able to forgive, then get on with the Spiritual work of World Service: healing, detoxifying, energising the light. Which may well be what this eclipse is all about: initiating a world of spiritual and emotional awareness, so we can absolve ourselves and others (past and present), and concentrate upon a healthier future.   

Having discussed the watery Jupiter-Uranus, this actual eclipse is in solid and earthy Capricorn, which is also about being practical, taking personal responsibility to stabilise emotions - and thoughts, as well as places, business and traditional government.  But because eclipses are pivotal turning points, these powerful earthy eclipses shake us up, bringing the shadow into stark focus. It’s good to remember that underneath the Capricorn Mountain Goat’s sturdiness, a sign of movement into future ventures which require self-discipline, dedication and support, Capricorn also has a scaled fish tail, indicating deep spirituality combined with an intrinsic awareness of the karmic law of cause and effect, which can be used for better or worse.

Capricorn is a no nonsense sign that, like most Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer and Libra) enjoys the spotlight, as it marks the end of darkness and the entrance of the New Light King. These next few days could thus bring about dramatic endings and new light-filled beginnings.  No matter what is happening, at work, at home, on the road, it’s good to stabilise an eclipse moment with Shamatha meditation (calm abiding and watching the breath) before entering into any Kundalini or Chakra work. Those inexperienced with chakra work please do not experiment during an eclipse. Instead rest in your breathing, and allow this time to be an initiation into Spirit.

Bare in mind that the Full Moon on the 19^th Jan is 29 Cancer (the 4^th Full Moon at an Anaretic degree) is the culmination of this eclipse lunation.  Earthy Capricorn and watery Cancer are form and formlessness, and THE signs linked to the Sun and the Moon channels in the body, Ida and Pingala – as well as being the signs that urge souls to incarnate or even, after many incarnations, reach the point of crystalization.  This, therefore, is a time when Spirit can pass through both doors, and is why all the great masters emphasis the need for protection.

I’ve written quite extensively about the way an eclipse functions in the psycho-anatomical-subtle body, so I’ve changed the time-scale of popular posts on the side-bar of the blog; I suggest you read any article with the word ‘eclipse’ in it to get a better handle on how to breathe and meditate through and with this powerful trinity of Sun, Moon and  Earth, spirit, soul and form – light, dark and shadow - Particularly this from our last Solar Eclipse.

The next eclipse, in six months time, will be a set of three (which happens every few years). This will be a summer solstice lunar eclipse on June 15th, related to this winter’s solstice lunar eclipse, when so many planets aligned with the Milky Way’s Galactic Centre. In summer, it will be the Moon at 24 Sagittarius which aligns our emotional centre to the heart of the Galaxy, connecting our heart to the crown chakra.

So stay blessed, dear friend. I’ll be with you in spirit, connecting to the light grid from the wilds of the countryside, before heading back to dear old hometown London, from where the next blog will be posted. ♥

Thanks as always to our beloved Bill Brouard and other unknown but much appreciated artists ♥

Happy New Year! 1:1:11 ♥_/\_ૐ

The digital rainbow tribe bubbles with LOVE & LIGHT and wishes of PEACE for the coming year. This collective excitement about crossing an 1:1:11 threshold is palpable. Rightly so, because 2011, while not as ‘hot’ for unknown astrological indicators as the two-ten zero-point awakening of the Cardinal Cross of the Central Spiritual Sun (an astral configuration which continues to mature through 2014!), TWO-ELEVEN has all the celestial makings of a world flowing into uncharted realms, with challenges for both, individual volition and communal transformation, which requires a good heart, altruistic intention, and faith in the depth, strength, and radiance of the human spirit. But hey, one step through the dazzling cosmos at a time, so while under the super-sexy auspices of a Scorpio Venus in trine to Jupiter & Uranus, I wish ONE and ALL a very HAPPY, healthy, and totally beautiful NEW YEAR!
With all my love lx ♥_/\_ૐ

Stormy Solstice Mission ~ Mars Square Saturn Dec'10

Active Mars now squares slow-coach Saturn. With both planets in exaltation - Mars in Capricorn & Saturn in Libra - this tense square could well contribute to stirring up a massive tempest on Saturn, the likes of which haven't been seen in decades. According to Nasa, who are running a Casini Solstice Mission (as an ode to Saturn's rulership over Capricorn's ingress at Winter Solstice?!),  these storms apparently happen every 28.5 years, which is one Saturn cycle! Though according to one British newspaper the last time it happened was 1990, and before that 1960, 1933 and 1903.  Of course, I couldn't resist looking to see exactly where Saturn was during those years. Interestingly, Saturn was at home in Capricorn for '90 & '60, but in the sign of its traditional rulership, Aquarius, for '33 & '03.  

A quick history google (Saturn rules time) came up with all kinds of wildness, such as Elvis entering the Army ('60) and Imelda Marcos and Kashoggi officially not being corrupt in 1990 (huh?), along with nuclear threat galore. So without doing more intensive research (unlikely, as with this quadruple Capricorn my work load is ON) I wouldn't like to say what connection these storms might have with our relative world - apart adding the observation from my friend Helene Transit, who suggested this exaltation has brought snow instead of water.  As you probably know, I use very wide orbs and planets being in square by sign is perfectly acceptable (especially when there is so much public anger (Mars) in relation to our own Earhtly storms). For it seems in mid-december (when this storm was first identified) there was a wide 10 degree square between the two planets. I can live with that, very comfortably.

Astrologically speaking, this configuration is about testing patience. Warrior Mars is passionate but not bloodthirsty in Capricorn, where he is Major General as opposed to the ordinary foot soldier.  Mars here likes to build and create order, shouldering responsibility whilst hobnobbing with the powers that be. Lets not forget that Mars is currently near Pluto, the North Node, Pallas Athena, and the Sun, so there is bound to be some kind of call to action, with Mars as the Sun's henchman.  In square to the exhalted Saturn in Libra, the challenge is to see the value in going slower, at a steadier pace, something Mars rarely does, preferring to recklessly charge into places where angels fear to tread, often to his own detriment.  

According to another site, however, it seems these storms have been brewing all year - with this storm as the biggie? Who knows if it will get any bigger. But its also interesting to note with the plethora of planets now in Capricorn also accenting Saturn (in exaltation) how this erruption also mirrors the various power structrues which are behaving in a seemingly stormy fashion (banks, for instance). Saturn rules stable boundaries, and Mars in Capricorn will actively draw the line. In Libra, the Saturnian authority ought care with fairness and love. According to Alice ABailey, any Saturnian body that cannot be just (Libra) will fail to gain the love and respect it craves and therefore fails to evolve into higher chakra vibration, having to remain in the heart, until, that is, Saturn understands the power of love.

1:1:11 Remember the Future Now ~ Happy New Year!

Transforming the way we energise mind, body and spirit, is currently the celestial order . Though instead of addressing the need to turn over a new leaf for the New Year, the immediate appeal - especially during these winter months - could be to duck under the duvet and preserve every ounce of oomph and chutzpah for dealing with everyday concerns, which of course now means parties and pledges. And while we toast 01:01:11, I have one question: Will this next year be the year when we awaken to our true nature, changing obsessive desire by opting for something so much more sustainable, such as love and beauty, truth and openess? 

Going through the New Year's magical 1:1:11 portal, double master numbers foster psychic awareness, stability and strength.  The stars (and numbers) are saying ‘there is no time like the present’ to awaken the immense wonder inherent in every being. Now is the time to be the practical visionary: Make a wish! Set your magical intention into motion, at the same time trim back the unnecessary, old or outworn, and start the year with a leaner, cleaner outlook. Maybe our friends in the Southern hemisphere can fare better with this current planetary line-up hailing powerful renewal, because there is obvious light in greater abundance, giving space to think and illuminate the imagination.

North or South, because the Sun is next to strategic Pallas Athena, one of the best astral tips for self-renovation in time for New Year (and thereby contribute to collective transformation) is to make a plan. And as mind-body-spirit interconnects, the plan is also to include boosting the body’s immune system, as well as psychological moral. As Spirit Sun now conjuncts transformational Pluto, and dynamic Mars squares up to responsible Saturn (who are both currently exalted in their signs), said plan could also be radical if not downright workable.  Both Saturn and Pluto are slow moving, so without strings or attachment, it's a long-term practical approach towards what needs converted, renewed or improved, in order to restore a stable power base (and healthy body). Being realistic about any project, and the work entailed, means we have a greater chance of succeeding. Rather than blowing all to the wind by being overly expansive (leave that until spring, when the heavens are marked for rapid new growth), it will be easier to remain centred in the glorious eternity of the present moment by accepting that with love and care nothing is impossible.

Though this New Year holds a mixed astrological bag; some moments familiar, soft and tender - as the Scorpio Moon conjuncts sexy and loving Venus - while others are tough and stubborn, such as the lingering Mars square Saturn reminding us that hope is like patience, but with the light on. Effort spent in research and quiet reflection may initially feel like wading through treacle, requiring stoic patience; but with more than a little ingenuity and centred calm, new ideas begin to flow. Luckily, inventiveness has the potential to come in spades as the New Year gets into swing; on the 4^th of January our personal vision of a brighter future could get the wake-up call, loud and clear. The 4^th is also a powerful new moon Solar Eclipse in earthy Capricorn (more on this later); there are bound to be major shifts in recognisable power structures. During these mighty moments its mega important to remain grounded and protected. Oh! Is it back under the duvet again for some?! ;)

One last note: Just before New Year, on Thursday the 30^th, Mercury, the planet of travel and communication goes forward. We might think we have seen the back of delays, disruption and misinformation, but the chances are that journeys and anything media orientated are still subject to interruption with a certain amount of chaos well into January. So if travelling, or starting new ventures, don’t become complacent: double check everything and still expect to turn up new facts or figures that could turn your life around; but “remember that patience is not passive; on the contrary it is active; it is concentrated strength.” (Edward G. Bulwar-Lytton).

LOVE and thanks to unknown artists and photographer of the TIPA performer of the Hunter from the Lhamo Opera.

Winter Solstice Lunar Eclipse ~ The Light of Spiritual Initiation ♥_/|\_ ૐ

This year’s Winter Solstice Lunar Eclipse is the most important Full Moon of 2010, in a year already filled with wonder and marvel with the Cardinal Cross of the Central Spiritual Sun. Indeed, it’s an exceptionally rare interplay of conscious light with a direct beam that manifests and reveals through initiation and constructive intent. Its’ already sensed effects linger well beyond Xmas. This Sagittarius-Gemini eclipse energy is manifold and variable: a double emphasis of Gemini-Mercury information gathering synthesises, engineers, and co-ordinates the healing by aligning conscious awareness with our higher principles, wisdom and compassion in action, for the benefit of all.  

An incredible and complex configuration of planets spotlights the radiant Full Moon with the southerly node of the Dragon’s tail, Ketu, so pay attention to the Astro-speak to find the deeper meaning and make the most of this wonderful celestial opportunity that takes place at the dawn of the Winter Solstice on the 21^st, at 8:13 GMT (click here for date time changes), when Spirit Sun rises with communicative Mercury, strategic Pallas Athena, the destiny-fulfilling Dragon’s Head – Rahu – the north node, powerful Pluto, and dynamic Mars: Formulating a plan of spiritual action comes into focus when heralding the rebirth of the New Light King. At Winter solstice, darkness dies in order to be reborn into the Light; assisted by the current configuration we witness old and corrupt (power structures) coming to an end. Children born at this time will have much in common with the bodhisattva, Jesus.

Not since 1741 have we had some kind of lunar eclipse at the Winter Solstice. That’s a mighty long time ago. The 1741 eclipse on December 22^nd, two-hundred-and-seventy years ago, was also penumbral and not nearly as dramatic as the one this coming Monday/Tuesday is total. We have to go all the way back to 1638 until we find another total that matches our 21^st December, Winter Solstice Lunar Eclipse. So while this configuration is apparently extremely rare, the next one comes sooner, in 2029. But, if we’re honest, all this is within a blink in the eye of Brahma; and because of the precession of equinoxes these never aligned to the heart of the Galaxy, as we are now, with the Sun pointing directly towards the centre of our cosmic spiral. Which is why this lunar eclipse is made all the more special: because when the Sun stands still for three whole days (Sol = Sun Stice = standing) this powerful planetary line-up has an eclipse providing a magical portal that opens the heart-mind directly to the Galactic Centre, a super massive black hole, the vortex around which the entire galaxy spins, emitting the highest vibration of light, the gamma ray. And this is what we are now capable of: emitting our highest vibration of clear light (each according to their means and every spark is valid). Bear in mind this is the same Solstice moment which the Mayans refer to as 2012. Yet, this is a much more astrologically significant Solstice than 2012.

             

During this Solstice eclipse our Earthly task is supported by the clear light of a Moon, reflecting the light of a Sun conjoined by some heavyweight planetary energies.  Generally speaking, an eclipse connects the Holy Heavenly trinity: Sun, Moon and Earth; Spirit, Soul and Form; Compassion, loving kindness & action. Some astrologers poetically refer to this as a “rip in the fabric of spacetime”, a phrase I rather like, as during eclipses there is always an opening of incoming and outgoing energy, that can be seen or unseen. These are mega moments, though lunar eclipses are longer than solar, these unusual influences stir up deep emotions (which is why people can ‘lose’ it during these times). So it is most important to protect ones’ self psychically, and even physically. Some will call the Guru from afar, some will gather in circle, and invoke the violet flame, some will ask for help from the Dolphins, or other God or animal realms, but whatever tradition is followed our planetary light grid can no doubt connect and radiate love like it has never done before.

May there be peace on Earth. & a very Happy Solstice, & Cool Yule to all ♥_/|\_ૐ

Initiating Powerful Transformation -> Mercury Mars Pluto & Dragon's Head

A DRAMATIC constellation of planets at 4Capricorn suggests we take personal responsibility for initiating powerful transformation of thought & deed today, 14th December ~> as Moon in Aries squares Mercury, Mars and Pluto, who are all conjunct the Dragon's Head.

HOT, MEAN & HEAVY ~ this formidable stellium of intense celstial energy is magnified by the upcoming Solstice Lunar Eclipse sunrise, helping to let go and release the old and outworn, so that a magnificent and previously hidden future potential is unleashed. While the aim is to express present emotions with heart, cooly & clearly, am watching out for wanton willfulness and to curb any fiery Moon in Aries flare-up, which squares up to this conjunction of two planets, a planetoid, Rahu and the Galactic Centre. Instead, making calculated efforts to use loving inspiration for the greater good of all. The cosmic focus is now upon confident renewal and the rebuilding of trust ♥ 

A longer time frame is needed to see the outcome of these energies, however, as Mercury has yet to revist the same degree - in January - as Venus brings up the rear in February, after completing her dance retrograde dance of magnetic balance. 

Capricorn has a concretising influence, like Saturn; but while facing the Galactic Centre and zero-point, Capricorn authority could so easily face meltdown, as something Plutonic dies in order to be reborn; and still, there are many changes in direction, especially as Mercury is retro.  

This could signal a time to be like dear trusted Voyager, who is heading into an unknown direction, intersteller space, by leaving our solar system as we know it, to beam back to earth for another 15 years (half Saturn cycle, half prog-moon cycle, and two Uranus sign moves).  We ought to relish a real sense of acheivement is possible with these planets, to be happy, thankful, and safe in the knowedlge that there are more accomplishments to challenge, process, and become.

Xmas Astro Alert ~ Mercury Rx 10th --> 30th Dec

Astro Alert! Mercury retrograde for the entire run up to Christmas & New Year! So don’t forget to double check everything from signing contracts to meeting friends, and making plans for the months ahead; from Friday the 10th until the 30th of December we may well need to revise, re-work and/or re-submit ideas and dates. So no crying over long queues at the post office or missing Xmas cards – you have been warned! In any event, even Santa could also be just as easily confused by a melting arctic. Best be prepared to become our own objective observer and accept it might take several attempts to achieve certain goals, particularly career ambitions, as Mercury back-flips from Capricorn into Sagittarius on the 18th December. Plan of action? Organise as best we can and still mark ‘PARTY’ at the Winter Solstice in big letters the calendar. 

In many ways, as this lunation culminates with a Lunar eclipse at the Solar Standstill, on Tuesday, Dec 21st, as the Sun will rise above our wintry horizon to point directly at the galactic centre, we could well be presented with a defining moment in our evolution.

Thanks to Bill Brouard for the beautiful Buddha with watchful eyes!

The Centaur & the Caduceus --> New Moon in Sagittarius December 2010

Today’s new Sagittarius Moon, the 5^th December, at 17:36 gmt, is a signal to lift our metaphorical archer’s bow and direct the quivering arrow to fly high through the sky, like a thoughtful prayer with wings that carry hope, optimism, and the next big idea. The Archer is a brave and bright, forward-looking sign, able to envision the best to come. As a fire sign, it directs light as a beam of focused intent; being mutable Sagittarius illuminates the path, enabling one to move towards a target’s centre by adjusting when needed. 

As many planets now in Sagittarius suggest hitting the mark in one, there are always more targets in the distance for the far-sighted centaur, who eyes the centre of galaxy. While dynamic Mars, strategic Pallas Athena, soulful Moon, Spirit Sun and sacred Vesta are together in this sign, it also suggests we make a plan (the likes of which will differ for everyone, according to where 14Sagittarius lies in the horoscope) and remain hopeful.  

In many ways this December presents a defining moment, primarily because the destiny-fulfilling North Node is with transformational Pluto and communicative Mercury in practical Capricorn, to also make the first of three conjunctions on Monday, the 6^th, due to Mercury’s imminent retrograde on the 10^th December – (No crying over missed Xmas cards or presents – you have been warned!).  On the same day, at the start of the week, Uranus, the planet of dramatic change goes forward. 

Best make a note that powerful Pluto conjuncts Mercury, planet of communication, on the 6^th, 14^th, and again on the 18^th January; this union suggests that practical insight is the key to manifesting long-held ambitions. Mercury and Pluto in Capricorn bring about a serious kind of wisdom and mind control.  As Nagarjuna says in an 1800 year old 'one-liner' “Without the discipline of guarding the mind, what use are other disciplines?”

Mercury in retrograde at 5 Capricorn also sparks off this year’s mega cardinal T-Square once again, reminding us of that greater challenge: to find the balance between autonomy and relationships, security and status.  During this Mercurial phase not only will we have the power to manifest, mould, and create by focusing with the light of wisdom to become one with the target (as Mercury slips back into Sagittarius for the Solstice Lunar Eclipse), but we might also need to be the objective observer and make several attempts to achieve goals, as this Mercury back-flip indicates. 

As always, multi-faceted-multi-talented-multi-tasking Mercury is always on the go; and this retrograde sees the planet of versatility and curiosity extra busy, in triple contact with quite a few planets: Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. This could therefore make the run up to Solstice, the New Year and beyond mighty hectic, sifting through all kinds of information and ideas to implement solutions – indeed, certain discussions may not see any resolve until the end of Feb. One thing is for sure, there is never a dull moment with Mercury as active as this.

Mercury is also the planet of healing. With that in mind, as this new moon is working towards a culmination at Solstice, with a partial Lunar Eclipse pointing towards the galactic centre, conjunct Mercury, Pallas Athene and Mars, it is essential to maintain faith and keep feet on the ground whilst our lights, the Sun and Moon, male and female energies align with the galactic vortex. To my mind this is an important time to activate the internal caduceus, Mercury’s healing wand, and gather in circle to meditate and raise our vibration to that of unconditional love so that we can create a subtle but powerful light body - one that mirrors the beautiful violet light gamma ray of our galaxy, which interestingly looks like a mega purple infinite 8!