Shakti-Power --> Venus in Aries <-- April=May '11

Goddess Venus is in firey Aries until mid-May ♥ During this passage she makes spectacular aspects: Conjunct Uranus this combination initates dramatic change leading to incredible sweetness 8th-15th May, when she conjuncts Jupiter. Be warned, though, the Aries emanation of Venus is pure SHAKTI POWER- an exciting combination famed for flame-throwing fanfaronande excitement, with passionate and earth-shattering, life-enhancing experiences ♥´¯`•.¸¸.♥

Venus in Pisces ~ Spring 11

Loving Venus is at the very last degrees of sensitive Pisces today, 19th April  ~> This is the 'anaretic' degree that holds all the wisdom energy of a sign; and as Pices is also the last sign of the zodiac, it is the degree that pertains to significant endings as well as new beginnings. In this poignant moment the Goddess completes an 8-month cycle with divine love flowing and bubbling from the heart ♥´¯`•.¸¸.•L❀VE•´¯`•.¸¸.♥ Sparkling into Aries LOVE ACTION tomorrow (wednesday) ♥ Ommm..... x :)

Unconditional cosmic love emanates as Venus is exalted in Pisces, her highest vibration ~> sending LOVE & Gratitude to the world's wounded water ~> May the healing be pure, strong & long lasting.

May I purify an ocean of worlds,
May I free and ocean of beings.
May I clearly see an ocean of Dharma,
May I realise an ocean of wisdom.
May I purify an ocean of activities,
May I fulfil an ocean of aspirations,
May I make offerings to an ocean of Buddhas,
May I practice without discouragement for an ocean of eons.
To awaken fully through this bodhisattva way,
I shall fulfil without exception
All the diverse aspirations of the awakening practice
Of all the Buddhas gone to freedom in the three times everywhere.

(Extract from the Extraordinary Aspiration of the Practice of Samantabhadra – The King of Prayers)

Mercury Retrograde in Aries ~ Spring 11

Mercury now conjunct dynamic Mars at home in fiery ARies; Mars woule normally be heading breakneck speed were it not opposition weighty Saturn. Thankfully Mercury doesn't perfect an oppostion to Saturn, even when it goes forward on Saturn's day (Saturday 23rd April).

The Buddha said “You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger.”

This quote is good to bear in mind as MERCURY is RETROGRADE in fiery ARIES from Wednesday 30th March until 23rd April '11. You know the drill: double check travel plans, re-read contracts, and forgive everyone if they're late, have ignored you, or misunderstood the situation. In Aries, Mercury can be a domineering hothead: not necessarily the most patient of combinations, yet that's exactly what we need to practice: PATIENCE. Mercury's current message is to watch one's own mind to stop it flaring up, to temper rage and anger. So don't play with fire ~> unless, of course, you're a dragon, and even then one could get singed around the edges! ;)

Fire also represents knowledge as well as intuition; now is an optimum time to develop faith in the way our deeper wisdom works.

In esoteric astrology Mercury is ruled by Aries, inspiring thoughts of 'self' in relation to training the mind; how we think, what we think about and, ultimately, how we express those ideas and thoughts can reveal the mind of the selfless Spiritual Warrior.

 

Healing Brother, Heavenly Messenger, Friendly Neighbour, and a trickster for the mind, Mercury will tease and tantalise our mental factors, as he/she receives, assimilates, and transmits all kinds of information ¸.•*❤*•☆☆

What about me? Five planets in Aries & Libra Moon

BEAUTIFUL Full Libra Moon on the rise opposite a fiery Aries Sun ~> exact Sunday night/Monday morning (17/18^th 2:04gmt +1 for summertime).  This Aries-Libra illumination accents SELF CONSCIOUSNESS in BALANCE, and has seriously karmic overtones, as the Moon is with weighty golden Saturn, which you can see at the right hand side of the Moon.  And it is another SuperMoon - which means the interplay between Sun-Moon-Earth is once again strong.  The Sun in Aries has several planetary allies, with Mars, Mercury, Jupiter & Uranus stirring up unexpected action. The Moon is in an cooler Air sign, opposite all these exciting planets. One might even put the two elements together and note how a three-day storm sweeping across the southern states of the US, with multiple tornadoes ends just as the Moon entered Libra. 

A Moon in Libra accents the wonder of feminine beauty and deliciously intelligent wiles; to my mind be this Full Moon will be marked by a remark by HH the DL, who answered a question in Sweden (just as the Moon went into Libra) how there is a chance the next reincarnation of the Dalai Lama will be female. Of course, self-effacing precious Guru joked and giggled about how gorgeous she might be, so teaching the dharma would be easier for her! Everyone laughed at the idea (which isn’t as far-fetched as it sounds). But he has a point; it is the feminine side of life that continually suffers and, consequently, the right side of the brain and its’ associated activities: art, beauty, holistic understanding that has been ignored, feared, suppressed for so long that the only way to address the current imbalance would be to have a compassionate and loving Kwan Yin kind of figure who can demonstrate the power of (Libran) LOVE with the previous 14 lives fuelling wisdom and sensitivity. 

While that might be in the future (long-life prayer for HH here) this moon suggests that we take our time and Go LIGHTly, with LOVE ♥

 ...this too will pass... 

The Five planets in sunny Aries activating the playful as well as the impulsive ask 'what about ME?' , and are now opposite the sensitive Moon in relationship-orientated, thoughtful Libra who's asking 'what about YOU?' ((( ♥ ))) ~> The balance between ME and WE, so that everyone's needs are met, comes from the HEART being FREE ♥

So remember to be gentle with all (including self), as this Full Moon calls for clarity and harmonising of the intuitive AND rational mind ♥ As Sogyal Rinpoche always says " If you leave a glass of muddy water quite still, without moving it, the dirt will settle to the bottom, and the clarity of the water will shine through. In the same way, in meditation we allow our thoughts and emotions to settle naturally, and in a state of natural ease. "

The effects of this moon linger into the coming week, with Mars opposition Saturn, and Mercury retrograde coming to almost perfect an oppostion to Saturn; which basically rams home the message that rushing isn’t going to get us anywhere. But doing things for others will hopefully take the edge off feeling so desperate and, bizarrely, provide a stronger sense of conscious self…

thanks as always, with love to Bill Brouard and to the Image factory for fire goddess X

nil desperandum -> patience & forethought win out ~ New Aries Moon 2011

A New Moon in the sign of the Ram renews hope and optimism, as additional seasonal momentum propels one fearlessly forward.  Such drive is helpful, particularly as the start of this lunation heralds massive and potentially disruptive sudden change, from which there is much to learn. New projects, ideas or adventures that recently appeared ‘all-systems go’ may quickly reach a momentary high, leading to the need to slow down one’s mind and ride this New Aries Moon, 3^rd/4^th April, with focus and attention. 

Dramatic developments demand an alert mind ready to seize opportunities that stir the compassionate heart into positive action. Since the Spring Equinox (21^st March), when sensitive Moon conjunct boundary-marking and restrictive Saturn (read cuts) we’ve increasingly witnessed rising levels of dissatisfaction across the world over too little autonomy, status, or stability, without a modicom of which the relationship to self and other’s – including the Divine - struggles to find balance.

Now that a cluster of planets assemble in the confident but sometimes reckless sign Aries, the astral prospective is as antagonistic as it is assertive. In a push to seek volition and establish autonomy we may realise sudden new growth. But push too far, too fast, or be too furious, violent and competitive, and any or everything could backfire. Anger management is therefore high on the current celestial agenda, not only to avoid sticky situations but also to question rivalry as well as consider the kind of authority we respect, while the heavens point towards individual freedom within ethical limits as means of ruling responsibility.

Mercury, planet of communication and all we ponder, is thankfully in retrograde motion, which means we now take time to revise, reconsider and reprogram; in Aries, we can begin to understand how the mind works; Aries provides the bravery to reassess how we think and, perhaps more importantly for the impetuous Aries, to consider the RAMifications (couldn’t resist the pun!) of our most personal thoughts and actions. Being hot-headed, anxious, or intolerant is not the same as being keen and eager. This is one of those occasions when more haste really is less speed and the Mercury retro could work in our favour.

In esoteric astrology, Mercury rules Aries, signalling how important it is to contemplate before we act upon asserting our beliefs and thoughts – even for only the Aries nano-second. This association between the first sign of the zodiac, Aries, and the heavenly messenger, Mercury, suggests single-minded thoughtful focus, to be genuinely mindful, as shaping life in truth requires courage as well as reflection, especially if we are to understand life’s mysteries.

The Buddha said “All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become.”

The most dangerous enemy to ardent Aries is its’ own over-heated impatience. Aries can be impulsive, acting quickly to see fast results; self-absorbed and unaware that others can be more cautious, needing time to reflect Aries can soon run up against a wall, spent and out of steam. To avoid such worst case scenarios, make the most of retrograde Mercury in Aries, affording these three precious weeks of reflection. 

In Tantra, fire represents knowledge; in astrology fire symbolises intuition. With SIX planets in fiery Aries, the Spiritual warrior advances as instinct aligns with ‘right understanding’ (from the Buddhist 8-fold path).  Those planets are Dynamic Mars (at home in Aries), BML, altruistic Uranus (hierarchical ruler of Aries), soulful Moon, Spirit Sun, expansive Jupiter AND retrograde Mercury, all oppose the confining Saturn, bringing to a head the recent 3rd and FINAL hit between Jupiter and Saturn (phew - enough already ;) thank you Goddess; this is the last seriously low point of a 20-year cycle): Blazing expansion and high-minded morality are again face-to-face, balancing all points between healthy self-assertion and making sure other’s also have a fair deal. Even-handedness is a major and ongoing deal (until 2012 – at least), and particularly karmic for the (internal) authority that ought to come from the heart.

Talking of which, it is spring (in the northern hemisphere), which rules wood and the colour green: the colour of the heart. Wood represents organic expansion, with influencing wind element; green is also the colour of Tara, the Tibetan Goddess who is the Great Mother Liberator. We call on her wisdom to quickly overcome the many obstacles to the planet and in our personal lives. “Om Tara tuTara ture soha”

SuperMoon Spring Equinox with Uranus in Aries ~ March 11

What a week! Solar X-flares, volcanoes, a massive earthquake (and lots of smaller ones), PLUS a mega tsunami to add to the 4.5 billion people on the planet already suffering from some kind of disaster. Rescue teams do their best. Lightworkers too; please join me sending healing prayers of love to pacify the elements, overcome obstacles and eliminate fear, to the people of Japan, and the world over. _/\_♥ॐ. 

Everyone has been wondering: was it the SuperMoon which caused Japan’s 8.9 earthquake and tsunami? My answer is, well, um, yes it could be (but that’s not even half the story), even though it’s not exactly the correct definition of a SuperMoon (new or full closest to the earth, of which there are 5 or 6 every year); this current lunation culminates in said SuperMoon, and only one day before the Spring Equinox, the starting point of the Zodiac.  

The chart of Japan’s Earthquake shows Thor’s Hammer, with the Moon and oceanic Neptune crashing down onto earthy Saturn.  The last of three oppositions between Jupiter and Saturn form the tight axis, like an iron rod holding Thor’s hammer, ready to crash into earth and ocean reminding us to overcome fear (Jupiter in Aries), rest in our centre (Saturn in Libra), and be responsible custodians who really do take care of the earth.  Jupiter as planet of truth, is still in hard aspect to secretive Pluto, and with Pluto's influence to hide it may not be entirely clear exactly what has happened for some time to come. But there are always those who sense the truth, and are able to rise the challenge to this intense kind of energy to transform, generate light, and evolve - big style!

Adding influence, however, is a negative fixed star (Sheat) that implies flooding with the last degree of Pisces, just as Uranus, planet of shock and awe, jolted into explosive Aries March 11^th, where it stays for 7 years. Generally speaking, Uranus is unpredictable and chaotic during change, capable of extreme and radical beaviour. Its also the planet of genius, the New Age, and the kindred spirits. According to esoteric astrology, Uranus is the hierarchical ruler for heroic Aries. This means the collective competitive ego will change. How this manifests over these coming years will depend upon the degree of a leader’s awareness (please Goddess!). Good to know the higher vibration of Uranus has the potential to imbibe such wisdom, and in Aries it also provides courage to be mindful, especially when moving into new ventures with an altruistic heart. Uranus in Aries also recognises the value of each unique individual's contribution in the process of humanity's evolution, so that all beings are happy.

Cast your mind back to last spring, when we had a taste of what the thoughtless and heavier vibration of Uranus leaving the last degrees of the zodiac and moving into Uranus in Aries was like. As shown, this can be a fast-moving accidental and head-strong energy; and the Deepwater Horizon explosion took place (the same time as Saturn went back into the last degree of Virgo (which is the same as this full Moon) and Chiron went into Pisces). While senstive people held hands across the sands, oil spewed untold pollution into the sea along with unknown quantities of corexit, a detergent so strong that we don’t know long-term effects upon us, or any living creature in or out of the sea. 

Uranium is also named after Uranus – It's obviously time for the nuclear industry to really look at what kind of energy we ought to invest in. But who among us will be the brave Spritual Warrior to leave behind the old outworn paradigm and impliment a daring new vision? Interestingly, the Japanese nuclear reactors are now 40 years old - that's two Jupiter-Saturn cycles, one and a bit Saturn cycle AND a Uranus opposition. One could say Japan's nuclear industry is going through a midlife crisis.  This midlife change is something we all go though (in various forms), from the age of 38-42, when transiting Uranus opposes the natal Uranus, and the need to radically alter one's lifestyle in order to create and impliment the freedom to explore our own uniqueness becomes paramount during the second half of life (as symbolised by so many marriages, jobs and contracts that break down at this age).

I think/hope/pray that by the time Jupiter has rollicked its' way through Aries, by early June, things will begin to settle down somewhat. There's a humdinger New Moon April 3rd to manoeuvre, which could be challanging after this upcoming SuperMoon in Virgo that opposes the watery Pisces Sun on the 19^th of March.  Floods are normal with a Spring Equinox tide, but as Sun and Moon are in tight square to the nodes it could well herald higher tides, more storms/quakes, greater volcanic action & magnetic solar flares. 

Jupiter always makes things so much bigger than we ever expect them to be - good or bad. And as thunderous Jupiter and electrical Uranus have been melding cosmic magic together for the past year, we have witnessed mighty storms, along with a global depression that has even brought people together in a new and exciting manner, with the unification of spirituality of the digital rainbow tribe.

Yet the planets are hotting up now with the heavenly messenger, Mercury, also in Aries; and as Jupiter and Uranus now start to separate, we must actively train the mind and exercise our vision to implement the altruistic state of consciousness. Of course, this means we  remain centred in our presence and invite the Gentle Iron rabbit to work his wonder ♥

Other important factors to consider for this upcoming Spring Equinox Full moon is the Sun-Moon-Earth-nodal-axis forming a mutable cross upon the same degree as the Winter Solstice lunar eclipse, which just happens to be the very same degrees as the first Jupiter Saturn opposition last March – so there is an emphasis upon the last degrees of the Zodiac (which square the galactic centre); PLUS this actual last Jupiter-Saturn opposition’s (exact 28^th March), and unpredictable Uranus is very much in the cosmic mix. From the esoteric point of view, a Mutable Cross awakens consciousness with the potential to raise planetary awareness during times of immense change. Did I hear someone say 'Bring it on!'?

Looking forward, Neptune will soon be going into Pisces (at the same time as we have a new Aries Moon on April 3^rd); this could be our saving grace: Imagine if the world were bathed in beautifully structured unpolluted water - how healthy in mind, body and spirit we would be. Trust me: We are going to learn a lot more about water during the next 14 years. .•♪♫¸¸.☆♥ ♥ ♥

And if you're at a loose end next weekend, I am talking at the Theosophical Society in London, 50 Gloucester Place, at 6pm on Sunday, 20th March, with Full Moon Spring Equinox energy, on 'Personal & Planetary Awarness for Peace and Prosperity'. Come, it would be wonderful to see you! :)

_/\_♥ॐ The deity at the start of this blog is Kshitigarbha is our 'EARTH STORE' Bodhisattva.  As recommended by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, His short mantra is  "OM AH KSHITI GARBHA THALENG HUM" specifically for pacifying earth and water. Here is a lovely version to dedicate to the people of Japan longer mantra

Thanks to Alex Musgrave for fanastic blast of red star, and other unknown but much appreciated artists.

Mercury & Jupiter in Aries _/\_♥ॐ Mindful of the Guru

ॐ_/\_♥ॐ_/\_♥ॐ_/\_♥
Very happy to report that I caught the beginning of the Mercury ~ Jupiter conjunction at sunset, from a lovely french hilltop ~ & a crescent moon with horns in the east right above. Mercury & Jupiter in Aries (exact 16th March) prompts one to be mindful of self in relation to the Guru.

Especially now, March 10th, the 52nd anniversary of the Tibet uprising in Lhasa.

Dear Dalai Lama, beloved Tenzin Gyatso, who works so tirelessly for the benefit of all beings, please remain until Samsara ends ॐ_/\_♥

LOSAR Tibetan New Year 2138 ~ Pisces NEW MOON '11

;) _/♥\_Happy Losar! Tibetan New Year of the female Iron Rabbit begins with the New Moon at 20:46gmt (-5est) March 4th (march forth!:)). The Metal element is like space - all pervading, radiating directly; Rabbit is peaceful and sociable (if a little lazy!). This element & animal combination is therefore distinctly creative... and surprisingly stable. Rabbit is also linked to the intuitive zodiac sign Pisces, symbolic of art and music, spiritual awareness & meditation; and with metal, we can cut the root of ignorance, to realise imaginative potential.

Setting the motivation with SiX planets in deeply sensitive water sign of MAGICAL fish - including Sun & Moon at 13Pisces: TO DEVELOP THE COMPASSIONATE MIND, both intellectually and through the heart.
 

In esoteric astrology, Pisces' concern is love-wisdom consciousness.

May all be auspicous, filled with LOVE, goodness and happiness ♥ 

Note that for the first part of the lunation, until Virgo Full Moon preceeding Spring equinox,  karma is magnified 100,000 x

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◊❤ ஜ_/♥\_۞ Tashi Delek! :) ۞_/♥\_❤ஜ ◊
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ༀམཎིཔདྨེཧཱུྃ།Om Mani Peme Hung _/♥\_

 

Long Live precious Holy Guru, His Holiness the Dalai Lama!
May all beings be free! 

Have a lovely Losar weekend dear Friends. _/♥\_ xxx ;)

Am not sure if it was Lama Zopa who painted the gold om mani padme hung ( I think is was!), but thanks go to LZRinpoche for everything he does; and to unknown monks for Chenrezig Mandala to the Buddha of Compasion; and to marikal for the funky yantra mandala light triangle.

Goddesses Venus & Pallas Athena in Capricorn * Feb11

Dakini Day! _/\_♥ 

Only few more days before the six-planet line-up in Pisces for Losar 2011; and Loving GODDESS VENUS is now conjunct PALLAS ATHENE, whose emblems are the OWL and snake. There's been a lot of twit-twooing going down recently, with several divine beings simultaneously posting wise-owls!:) 

As both heavenly Goddesses are in practical and earthy CAPRICORN its time to boost the anti-oxidents and look after body and soul so we can tune into that Capricorn work ethic! :).

Venus also rules flowers and money, so I thought Pallas could share my two Athena coins and an early spring violet _/\_♥

Healing Field of Consciousness ☼ Pisces Sun*Mercury*Chiron*Mars*Neptune conjunction

In true watery Piscean fashion, we’re flowing through a series of potentially challenging alignments in Samsara’s choppy sea. Several planets currently working together, Sun ~ Mercury ~ Mars ~ Chiron ~ Neptune in cosmic Pisces/Aquarius conjunction, potentially bringing untold healing and awareness of the heart-mind through unseen means, such as unshaken faith in the face of uncertainty.  At the same time, great swathes of emotional undercurrents pulsate through ‘the field’ of consciousness, emitting a deep vibration that is wonderful for meditation and spiritual Lightwork; but personal psychic boundaries could be very porous, allowing access for the feelings of others to purvade, influence and sway in a non-spoken kind of way (and it is particularly easy to be lost in distraction when keeping apace with the constantly breaking news). When the radiant Solar Light of the life-giving Sun is in Pisces, however, unconditional LOVE is the only solace, as one can absorb the almost unbearable isolation of suffering and pain, which love, and love alone can heal.  

You might think keeping an open heart is a tall order, especially in light of what is happening now across the globe, as Jupiter speeds through Aries to soon oppose Saturn (March 28); all kinds of regimes are in transition. But in the theory of Piscean ‘Oneness’, the heavens only reflect our own capacity, and with so many planets in Pisces, Aquarius and Capricorn, we apparently do have the means and potential to raise the vibration from heart up to anja and the crown chakra, and meet the Hierarchy of souls that lift the rapidly drowning faithful from pounding waters, and place them safely upon the metaphoric mountain, from where they are able to watch the tide recess. In esoteric astrology, Pisces elevates consiousness. Now the Shambhalla Warrior overcomes the hold the material world has on the soul and, instead, Spirit Sun and soul blend together to shine ‘The Light of The World’, which forever ends the darkness of matter.

Finding forgiveness in Chiron, the wounded healer, and illuminating Mercury – healing brother cum-trickster, who both join Spirit Sun, we encounter the mysterious realms of magical unicorns, wounded shamans, victims and martyrs. Mars in this position endangers the sacred – particularly as Grand Duke, Jupiter, swashbuckles through Aries, the sign that rules Mars. Yet it is through the ‘Right Action’ of Mars in Pisces, which enables one to activate the third eye, anja through mindful meditation.

From the Tibetan point of view we are coming to the end of the end of the year.  On March 4/5^th, the Tibetan New Year, Losar, we discover how there’s nearly always an element of chaos and complexity amidst any kind of radical transformation, as the old year passes and the new begins. The key to navigating change at this moment in time is to develop inner-strength and the faith to show unconditional compassion in private, as well as public - to self and to others.  It takes the commitment of a Spiritual Warrior of the highest order to honour the heart and be continually kind to others, especially to the confused or duped, angry or hysterical – because strong but formless Pisces emotions can permiate the atmosphere, to creep in and destabilise our own psyche by polluting the mind, swaying the ego, and from somewhere in the back of our materialistic head tempting offers to the iron grip ego to dominate and take control. Bare in mind that holding onto an idea, thing, or person, through playful love, kindness and beauty is the road to bliss; when we hold too tight to that obsession or addiction, there’s a high probability of squeezing out the last breath of the very thing one desires. So do be extra careful when tempted to play power games – with or without self, especially this Friday, the 25^th, when there is a call for transformation through action and to raise Bodhicitta.

With spring on its way breathing new life into heart and soul, inner-strength gathers momentum and dramatically new planetary energies quickly abound: Munificent Jupiter has sped into Aries, to fast-track and set the tone for growth and expansion with new ideas and new paradigms at the helm. Activist Uranus joins adventurous Aries on March 11, stirring up the need for personal volition in the midst of sudden evolution. This can be a particularly explosive combination. Aries is a hot and fiery sign, and Jupiter magnifies everything, including danger and drama - I will look more closely at this ingress of Uranus later, as it instigates the beginning of seven squares to Pluto in Capricorn, and, as we know, seven is an important number for any initiation (Note: Pluto esoterically rules Pisces.).  

Turning up the immediate heat, risk-taking Jupiter is currently in a tense square aspect to secretive Pluto to be exact on Friday the 25^th: it may be a struggle trying to keep certain matters hidden, which might affect one’s position. In order to get the most out of this particular window of potential insight and perspective, however, it might be helpful to look back to December 2007. Please check this date, and see if there were issues of freedom and oppression back then. If so, while new experiences beckon, it is also worth advocating self-control en route to process, progress and growth, so that we don’t rush headlong into any kind of chasm. For now is the time to embrace the dark-side and find the radiant light of love from within, to dissolves the demons' power; for that very love is the only salvation.  

If all this sounds nothing short of the parting of the Red Sea… Hey, it’s been done before - So raise your hand, tune into the healing field, and hold back the waves! An bring on the light.... 


Om Shanti 


Blessings and thanks as always to Bill Brouard, for 'thinking at the shore' and other unknown artists :) _/\_♥ ૐ

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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