The Beacon

July 2009

2009-07-03T14:21:00.000-07:00

Eclipses for Inner Growth
Conversations with the Moon

A lunar and solar eclipse pair is a once-every-six-months occurrence. But to have a third eclipse tagging along for the ride is a little unusual. It certainly intensifies the challenge of the six month period that the eclipses influence. We have three eclipses happening over the next month: on July 7, then on July 21, and then on August 5.

Lunar eclipses can only come about on full moons, when the earth stands between the sun and the moon, blocking the moon's light.

This month, a full moon/lunar eclipse happens on Tuesday, July 7, at 2:22am Pacific Time, in the lunar sign of Purva Ashadha. Our sense of military invincibility, as well as our sense of financial invincibility as a nation will experience a shakedown during the six months affected by this eclipse. A useful contemplation on the day of this lunar eclipse will be: "What fuels my optimism?"

The solar eclipse happens on Tuesday, July 21, at 7:36pm Pacific Time, in the lunar sign of Pushya. We may witness challenges for agriculture in the coming months. The current administration may have more difficulty providing relief to the sectors most in need. Practicing qualities of gentleness, kindness, sweetness, and tenderness on this day will help human generosity stay alive during a time when it is being eclipsed by fear.

The solar eclipse's Path of Totality affects a swath of Asia from Bombay, India, through the city of Chengdu and the Sichuan province of China, all the way through the city of Shanghai. Bombay, Chengdu, and Shanghai could experience troubles around this eclipse.

The third of the three eclipses is a lunar eclipse, which happens on Wednesday, August 5 in the evening, in the lunar sign of Shravana. More on this eclipse in the next Beacon.

The above image is a 17th century Chinese illustration of a crank-operated rotary winnowing fan machine, separating husks from the grain. Ancient Hindu astronomers associated the process of winnowing grains with the portion of the sky they named "Purva Ashadha."

Planning & Scheduling
Living in Accord with the Seasons

Mercury travels through the constellation Gemini until July 15, a placement that stimulates reading, writing, exchanging ideas, and lots of talking. Fireworks are not the only potential explosions this July 4th weekend. Transiting Mercury and Pluto are in an exact opposition, creating some volatile verbal outbursts from self-righteous parties. While getting excited about ideas, just respect others' rights to their own opinions.

Venus continues a conjunction with Mars, but for the month of July this creative pair are in a much more enjoyable tango than they were in June. They're traveling through earthy, sensual Taurus, heralding July as a month of enjoyment, and the pleasures of the senses.

Jupiter is in Aquarius until the end of July in opposition to Saturn, symbolizing the reorganization of leadership within communities.
Jupiter is also closely conjunct Neptune until the end of July, signifying altruism, rooted in an ideologically based compassion. In general, people may want to escape during this time, into imaginative technological spaces like the movies and the internet.

Saturn is finishing his tour of the sign of Leo. From now until September 10 is a time for mandatory self-actualization. With the economic changes we are facing as a nation and across the globe, we are witnessing a fundamental shift in the social construct of "career." Many are having to adjust to job loss, and financial insecurity. If this hasn't affected you personally, it is likely that someone close to you has been affected. Notice what doesn't change, even when everything around you does. Coming from this place of what doesn't change - this is one way to look at enlightenment.

"Eternity"
by William Blake

He who binds to himself a joy
Does the winged life destroy
But he who kisses the joy as it flies
Lives in eternity's sun rise

June 2009

2009-06-06T21:49:00.000-07:00

The Village Elders
Conversations with the Moon

The full moon of June takes place on Sunday, June 7, at 11:13am Pacific Time, in the lunar sign of Jyeshta.

It might be your grandmother, or your chiropractor, or an old teacher, or your corner store grocer. Some people in your life perform the function of being your "village elders" - (it's healthy to have more than one) - the people you go to when you need wisdom that only years on the planet can bring. This full moon is a great time to check in with those elders.

This full moon carries the energy of a charming, cocky adolescent, long on ambition, and short on common sense. We may each tap into the more youthfully ebullient and creative aspects of our own natures right now, adding spark to the beginning of our summer. Checking in with elders can help us ground some of that energy and help us feel our connection with the eternal cycle of life. If you've got youngsters around you graduating high school right now, this is a great time to be there for them. Many people will be feeling provoked right now - avoid arguments by connecting over fun times.

Write this day/time into your calendar:
Monday, June 22 at 12:36pm Pacific Time.
On this new moon in Ardra, pay attention to water. This could come in the form of tears, your own or the tears of those around you. Or it could come in the form of rain or storms. Pluto directly opposes this new moon, possibly triggering loss and endings for those of us with placements in vedic Taurus and Scorpio. Any efforts toward physical, mental or emotional release will be fruitful on this new moon.

Planning & Scheduling
Living in Accord with the Seasons

The summer solstice occurs on Sunday, June 21st, signifying the peak of growth due to the lengthening daylight. We now begin the bend in the year, back toward shortening days and interiorization of energies.

Mercury is aspected by Saturn until June 29, symbolizing tension in communications. People will be feeling provoked in general. Communication isn't easy, but it can be very fruitful to accept the tension and move forward patiently despite the challenge.

Venus is traveling with Mars in Aries through June. They form a tight conjunction on June 22nd, adding quite a bit of passion to the new moon. This conjunction will be of enormous assistance to artists and athletes, lending creativity, passion and drive.

Jupiter is in Aquarius until the end of July in opposition to Saturn, symbolic of the reorganization of leadership within communities.
Jupiter is also closely conjunct Neptune, until the end of July, signifying altruism, rooted in an ideologically based compassion. In general, people may want to escape during this time, into imaginative technological spaces like the movies and the internet.

Saturn is finishing his tour of the sign of Leo. From now until September 10 is a time for proving oneself in a chosen field of expertise or leadership. This summer is not a time to rest on your laurels. Continued success in your field will require persistent effort, humility to admit when you're wrong, and strength of character to course correct when necessary.

May 2009

2009-05-09T16:05:00.000-07:00

Changing Values, Changing Goals
Conversations with the Moon

The full moon of May takes place on Friday, May 8, at 9:02pm Pacific Time, in the lunar sign of Vishakha.

For this next lunar cycle, the focus is on goals. What goal has captured your attention lately? Picture yourself attaining your goal - does it feel joyful? Is it true to who you are today? Does it line up with your current values?

In answering these questions for ourselves, we have the dynamic, creative energy of a Venus/Mars conjunction and the painstaking, methodical energy of a Saturn/Mercury square. We'll each do some playful dreaming around our goal, at the same time as drawing up budgets and timelines.

Write this day/time into your calendar:
Sunday, May 24 at 5:12am Pacific Time.
Sunday of Memorial Day weekend is when the New Moon in the lunar sign of Krittika takes place. We'll each be able to take stock of our material possessions that weekend, and trim the fat (i.e. taking clothes to Goodwill; examining your cellphone contract and making sure you're not paying more than you need to.)

Planning & Scheduling
Living in Accord with the Seasons

Mercury is retrograde in the sign of Taurus from May 7 - 30, receiving a square from Saturn until May 24: reconnect with old friends, edit papers, review contracts. Build solid conceptual frameworks through writing, rewriting, and rewriting.

Venus exalted in Pisces until May 30: On the whole, we are interested in beauty, and maybe even the idea of "life as art."

Mars moves into his own sign of Aries on May 24, (joined by Venus after May 31,) and stays there throughout the month of June. We all want some action, and some physical release, just in time for summer. So get outside and play!

Jupiter briefly tours the sign of Aquarius, from May 1 - July 30, forming a touch and go opposition with Saturn, which fully completes its cycle two years from now in May 2011. The United States learns that to lead is to serve.
Jupiter is also closely conjunct Neptune, for the months of May, June and July, signifying a strong, idealistic optimism about the economy. In general, people may tend to want to escape during this time, into imaginative technological spaces like the movies and the internet.

Saturn has been retrograde since the first of the year, and turns direct on May 17, in the last portion of Leo:
May 17 - Sept. 9, 2009 is a period of proving oneself in a chosen field of expertise or leadership. This summer is not a time to rest on your laurels. Continued success in your field will require persistent effort, humility to admit when you're wrong, and strength of character to course correct when necessary.

April 2009

2009-04-08T22:28:00.000-07:00

Social Design
Conversations with the Moon

The full moon of April takes place on Thursday, April 9, at 7:56am Pacific Time, in the lunar sign of Chitra.

I Am You. You are every living thing you meet. This is the awareness behind this full moon. We are attempting to design and build social structures that reflect this understanding. Many are recognizing separateness as an illusion.

Yet, this understanding of the interconnectedness of all life does not need to be legislated, taught, or designed. Unity is the "material" of all life, whether our designs reflect it or not - in other words, it is not possible for us to fail.

Write this day/time into your calendar:
Friday, April 24 at 8:24pm Pacific Time.
With the new moon in the lunar sign "Ashwini," there's plenty of opportunity to flirt with new beginnings. Conditions are in your favor during this waxing moon, to work on healing your relationships.

Planning & Scheduling
Living in Accord with the Seasons

The Sun in Aries: new life, renewed hope, vitality.

Mercury is retrograde in the sign of Taurus from May 7 - 30, receiving a square from Saturn until May 24: reconnect with old friends, edit papers, review contracts. Build solid conceptual frameworks through writing, rewriting, and rewriting, and rewriting.

Venus resumes direct motion in the sign of Pisces on April 17: compassion is not about pitying someone else. It is about noticing that their pain is your own.

Mars joins Venus and Uranus in Pisces from April 15 - May 24, bringing explorations in sexual connection and new, unique formats for creative expression for many, here in the U.S.

Jupiter briefly tours the sign of Aquarius, from May 1 - July 30, forming a touch and go opposition with Saturn, which fully completes its cycle two years from now in May 2011. The United States learns that to lead is to serve.

March 2009

2009-03-09T12:45:00.000-07:00

Is there such a thing as absolute Right and Wrong? If there is, who gets to define it? And if it gets defined, does that mean some group needs to enforce it? These are some of the questions being posed by the current planetary line-up. Read on for more explanation...

In Search of the New Ethics
Conversations with the Moon

The full moon of March takes place on Tuesday, March 10, at 7:39pm Pacific Time, in the lunar sign of Uttara Phalguni.

With this highly, highly charged full moon, (Saturn conjoining the Moon, and Neptune, Mars, Mercury, and Uranus with the Sun) we stand amidst crumbling institutions, with very different ideas among ourselves about how, exactly, to respond. This lunar cycle highlights the discourse of social change.

A primary developmental learning available during this lunar cycle has to do with letting go of judgment. This involves tolerance and compassion and a big whopping helping of humor. It might help to contemplate this idea: Is it possible that Love exists whether we follow the rules or not?

Outdated codes of Right and Wrong begin to fall away, as we simultaneously commit even more deeply to the integrity of our own Compassion.

Keep your mind on your vision for the world, amidst all the rhetoric swirling about. Unless of course you're a politician, lawyer, preacher, or writer, in which case you might want to break up periods of rhetoric production with long walks so you don't end up missing the forest for the trees ;)

Write this day/time into your calendar:
Thursday, March 26 at 9:07am Pacific Time.
With the new moon in the lunar sign "Uttara Bhadra," some economic rainmakers (private parties) may attempt jumpstarting the economy. In the U.S., we may begin looking seriously at alternatives to agribusiness. Individually, we have the possibility of being more in tune with the "collective unconscious," for better or worse.

Planning & Scheduling
Living in Accord with the Seasons

Venus travels retrograde from March 6 until April 17. Recently we've been graced with a bright Venus in the night sky. Venus will begin dipping down closer to the horizon over the next few weeks, and at the end of the month, we'll begin seeing Venus as a morningstar for a couple weeks. Venus' retrograde motion will prompt many of us to introspect over the true nature of compassion and kindness.

Mars moves into Aquarius from March 8 until April 15, joining Uranus and Neptune in that sign, as well as opposing Saturn in Leo. The addition of the planet of energy and aggression and drive to this already loaded opposition, makes us all feel compelled to take part in tearing down an old social structure and building a new one.

From March 5 - 22, Mercury is also in the Aquarius soup along with Uranus, Neptune and Mars, symbolizing much passion, energy, and yes even aggression in our communications. Try to avoid making anyone else "wrong" by what you say. Tempers are likely to flare, and feelings are likely to be hurt. Use Venus' energy of diplomacy to find a gentle way to speak your truth. If you're very, very motivated to do something great for the planet, expose yourself to Marshall Rosenberg's methods of Non-Violent Communication.

Jupiter stays behind in Capricorn, continuing the nation's crisis of confidence, and still we will gain courage and hope through action.

Saturn and Uranus continue their opposition by sign until April. Here's an example of true Uranian spirit, taken from some mischievous philosophical rebels in their writings entitled Principia Discordia:

Greater Poop: Are you really serious or what?
Malaclypse the Younger: Sometimes I take humor seriously. Sometimes I take seriousness humorously. Either way it is irrelevant.
GP: Maybe you are just crazy.
Mal: Indeed! But do not reject these teachings as false because I am crazy. The reason that I am crazy is because they are true.
GP: Is Eris true?
Mal: Everything is true.
GP: Even false things?
Mal: Even false things are true.
GP: How can that be?
Mal: I don't know man, I didn't do it.

Poem #1263
by Emily Dickinson

Tell all the truth but tell it slant -
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth's superb surprise
As Lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind

February 2009

2009-02-07T15:33:00.000-08:00

Vitriol as Virtue
Conversations with the Moon

The full moon of February takes place on Monday, February 9 at 6:50am Pacific Time, in the lunar sign of Ashlesha.

A lunar eclipse is occurring at this full moon, which exacerbates at the same time as scatters its power. The power of this constellation is "the ability to inflict with poison." It is linked with transmutation of negative energy. The next six months (until the next eclipse) will be highly productive for individual, psychological transformation. On an outer, social level, these next six months may contain more contention than usual.

Negative energies rise to the surface seeking release. Met with acceptance, negative energies can be neutralized. A good example of a productive use of Ashlesha energy is Mohandas Gandhi's revolutionary form of non-violent protest. (Gandhi's Moon was in Ashlesha.) His civil resistance employed skill, wisdom, self-restraint and personal charisma/influence, against oppressive forces. He is credited for bringing about sweeping reform in the areas of India's untouchability laws, women's rights, and freedom for India from colonial rule. The levels of controversy in Gandhi's life also give an idea of the kind of controversy we will all be grappling with in these next six months. And for another good example of putting vitriol to good use, re-read Thoreau's essay "Civil Disobedience" (a.k.a. "Resistance to Civil Government".)

Write this day/time into your calendar:
Tuesday, February 24 at 5:35pm Pacific Time.
This new moon's job is to uncover attachments and addictions. Also, it will stimulate people coming together in groups to discuss large problems in order to find solutions.

Planning & Scheduling
Living in Accord with the Seasons

Venus spends an extended stay in the sign of Pisces - until May 31. For most of the remainder of this lunar cycle, Venus brings some padding to the national economy, as well as a dramatic increase in artistic energy and a general social interest in beauty.

For the rest of the month of February, we will experience four planets in the sign of Capricorn:

Mars in Capricorn lends us energy to plow ahead and get things done effectively and efficiently.

Mercury conjoining Mars in Capricorn brings advances and discoveries to science, warfare, and travel. It also brings brusque communications favoring expediency.

Jupiter in Capricorn begins as a "sapping of confidence," but posited as it is with Mars, shows that we will gain courage and hope through action.

With Rahu in Capricorn, we are fascinated by the whole spectacle of leadership reform. (i.e. the changeover in administration.)

Saturn and Uranus continue their opposition by sign until April. We continue to witness a reshuffling of power between the old and the new .

Ah Sunflower
by William Blake

Ah Sunflower, weary of time,
Who countest the steps of the sun;
Seeking after that sweet golden clime
Where the traveller's journey is done;

Where the Youth pined away with desire,
And the pale virgin shrouded in snow,
Arise from their graves, and aspire
Where my Sunflower wishes to go!

January 2009

2009-01-10T11:57:00.000-08:00

Listening
Conversations with the Moon

The full moon of January takes place on Saturday, January 10 at 7:27pm Pacific Time, in the vedic lunar sign of Punarvasu.

This will be an agreeable time - a chance to rejuvenate, restore, and make ourselves new again.

Write this day/time into your calendar:
Sunday, January 25 at 11:56pm Pacific Time.
This new moon has truly excellent potential for us to listen and comprehend and digest what's being spoken with incredible subtlety, due to the solar eclipse on this day - but that means we each have to be listening - (and it's hard to be talking and listening at the same time.)

Notice that what you Hear affects how you See.

Planning & Scheduling
Living in Accord with the Seasons

Annular Solar Eclipse, Sun./Mon., January 25/26, 2009
This solar eclipse is taking place in the lunar sign of Shravana (symbol = an ear.) On the macro level, we may see this eclipse affecting the inauguration of our next president. Obama's inaugural address may sound dead serious in tone, even grim. Since the solar eclipse is a few degrees away from Obama's natal Jupiter, we'll be hearing less about how America is the greatest nation, and more about how we must perform our chores, even though we're living on privileged soil.

On the micro level, We, as one, living, breathing organism, will be able to "hear" life differently. If we're lucky, we'll be able to hear beyond our differences, into that aspect of us all that is truly the same; we'll have more access to what lies beyond our literal, empirical selves; and we'll be seeing beyond the surface, through "the veils."

However, rather than being a joyride, this subtler attunement will likely develop as the result of challenges. In the beginning, we may be reliving the Tower of Babel theme: everyone talking at once, speaking in different languages, unable to understand each other. So make it a point to ask questions, and then really listen to the answers.

A suggestion: late Sunday evening, take a meditative walk in a natural setting. Be as quiet and still as your circumstance will allow as you walk, and really listen. A solar eclipse occurs because the moon moves directly between the earth and sun. The electromagnetic, and symbolic implications of this are potent. Certain 'frequencies' will 'come in on the radio' that don't usually.

Lunar Eclipse, Mon., February 9, 2009
This lunar eclipse will take place in the lunar sign of Ashlesha (shakti: the power to inflict with poison.) This looks pretty bad for the real estate market, on the macro level. (The effects of this eclipse will be felt until the end of July, 2009.) It's also not a good sign for the U.S. economy. It also presents implications for western medicine: R&D being done on antibiotics may be struggling to match the virulence of newly emerging bacteria. On the good side, these next six months present huge benefits to anyone electing to do deep, honest, uncomfortable, psychological introspection.

An Excerpt from "Nature"
by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Because of this radical correspondence between visible things and human thoughts, savages, who have only what is necessary, converse in figures. As we go back in history, language becomes more picturesque, until its infancy, when it is all poetry; or, all spiritual facts are represented by natural symbols. The same symbols are found to make the original elements of all languages. It has moreover been observed, that the idioms of all languages approach each other in passages of the greatest eloquence and power. And as this is the first language, so is it the last. This immediate dependence of language upon nature, this conversion of an outward phenomenon into a type of somewhat in human life, never loses its power to affect us. It is this which gives that piquancy to the conversation of a strong-natured farmer or back-woodsman, which all men relish.

Thus is nature an interpreter, by whose means man converses with his fellow men. A man's power to connect his thought with its proper symbol, and so utter it, depends on the simplicity of his character, that is upon his love of truth and his desire to communicate it without loss. The corruption of man is followed by the corruption of language. When simplicity of character and the sovereignty of ideas is broken up by the prevalence of secondary desires, the desire of riches, the desire of pleasure, the desire of power, the desire of praise, - and duplicity and falsehood take place of simplicity and truth, the power over nature as an interpreter of the will, is in a degree lost; new imagery ceases to be created, and old words are perverted to stand for things which are not; a paper currency is employed when there is no bullion in the vaults. In due time, the fraud is manifest, and words lose all power to stimulate the understanding or the affections. Hundreds of writers may be found in every long-civilized nation, who for a short time believe, and make others believe, that they see and utter truths, who do not of themselves clothe one thought in its natural garment, but who feed unconsciously upon the language created by the primary writers of the country, those, namely, who hold primarily on nature.

But wise men pierce this rotten diction and fasten words again to visible things; so that picturesque language is at once a commanding certificate that he who employs it, is a man in alliance with truth and God. The moment our discourse rises above the ground line of familiar facts, and is inflamed with passion or exalted by thought, it clothes itself in images. A man conversing in earnest, if he watch his intellectual processes, will find that always a material image, more or less luminous, arises in his mind, contemporaneous with every thought, which furnishes the vestment of the thought. Hence, good writing and brilliant discourse are perpetual allegories. This imagery is spontaneous. It is the blending of experience with the present action of the mind. It is proper creation. It is the working of the Original Cause through the instruments he has already made.

December 2008

2008-12-11T18:17:00.000-08:00

Lord of the Paths
Conversations with the Moon

The full moon of December takes place on Friday, December 12 at 8:38am Pacific Time, in the vedic lunar sign of Mrigashira.

We're blessed, this holiday season, with a Moon whose energy is naturally curious, fun-loving, and even a bit naughty! We'll need this lighthearted, playful full Moon energy, since the many planets hovering in vedic Scorpio, Sagittarius, and Capricorn want to get down to business, even though it's the holidays.

In India the constellation Mrigashira is seen as the head of a deer. The corresponding western constellation is the top part of Orion, the Hunter. In vedic lore, Mrigashira incites restlessness, seeking, wandering, traveling.

With a powerful Sun/Mars in Scorpio conjunction opposite the full Moon and the Saturn/Uranus deadlock opposition squaring the full Moon, we are all likely to find ourselves examining our Paths in life during these next couple weeks. We are also likely to feel compelled to do something concrete toward achieving ambitions.

Write this day into your calendar:
Saturday, December 27, 4:23am Pacific Time - the New Moon in Moola.
This new moon is good for telling the truth, ridding yourself of unnecessary encumbrances, and getting to the bottom of things. A yogi will remember to consciously practice "saumya" or gentleness, around this time.

Planning & Scheduling
Living in Accord with the Seasons

The Sun and Mars join Mercury and Pluto in Sagittarius, just in time for the holidays, ensuring heated debates on religion and politics. It might be a good idea to steer clear of these subjects around the holiday dinner table, unless you like aggressive verbal discourse! The two days after Christmas are particularly volatile. Make it a point to practice honoring others' opinions. On the contrary, you may be finding it necessary not to keep quiet on your opinions anymore, with a bully. Whatever the case, remember that all opinions exist only in the realm of thought. Opinions don't change love unless you let them.

Jupiter entered vedic Capricorn on Dec. 10, and remains there until May 1. Watch as free markets become regulated. Watch as "responsibility" becomes a key concept for our nation.

Venus joins Neptune on Sunday, Dec. 28 - this is a good day for some artistic release, such as seeing a movie or a concert or a dance performance.

Saturn turns retrograde on Dec. 31st and doesn't resume direct motion until May 17th. The first two weeks of the new year may feel a little like we're walking around in mud. "So much to do" may be a pervasive thought. We'll likely hear more news of further economic slowdown.

Venus joins Uranus in Aquarius just around the time Obama will be sworn into office in Jan. The "Change" theme is popular at that time and many "out of the box" solutions are proposed. Scientists are encouraged toward technological innovations (green energy?)

All That Is Gold Does Not Glitter
by J.R.R. Tolkein

All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.

November 2008

2008-11-12T14:59:00.000-08:00

It Takes A Village
Conversations with the Moon

The full moon of November takes place on Wednesday, November 12 at 10:19pm Pacific Time, in the vedic lunar sign of Krittika.

Once upon a time the demons had wangled their way into control over the heavens. So the gods asked one of the most powerful among them, Shiva, for his help. Shiva was unable to act on behalf of the gods directly, but he did promise to produce a son who would restore justice. The demons learned of Shiva's promise and set out to destroy this child of Shiva. So Karttikeya was sent into hiding, and there, was fostered by the seven wives of the seven seers. (Sound a little like the Moses story?) When Karttikeya was old enough, he destroyed the demonic forces and gave the heavens back to the gods.

So goes a story from the ancient Indian classical texts called the Puranas. The seven wives are collectively represented in the sky by the constellation we in the west call the Pleiades, (called "Krittika" in vedic lore.)

There's more energy available around this full moon, for discerning mental analysis, especially the kind that questions its own assumptions.

Write this day into your calendar:
Thursday, November 27, 8:55am Pacific Time - the New Moon in Anuradha.
This new moon day is a time to celebrate friendship. Anyone you send positive energy to, will benefit: your best friend, your lover, your mother, your president, your president elect.

Planning & Scheduling
Living in Accord with the Seasons

The Sun and Mars travel together in vedic Scorpio for most of this lunar cycle, highlighting our human fascination with power.

Mercury joins Sun and Mars in Scorpio from Nov. 20 - Dec. 9. Leaders make demands. Those in power express themselves with force.

Venus joins Jupiter in vedic Sagittarius from Nov. 8 to Dec. 3. Venus forms an exact conjunction with Pluto on the night of the full moon - expect to see Obama's popularity be an international obsession. Also expect to see all those with popularity use it as a platform from which to proselytize their views.

Here in the United States we like to think we are isolated individuals and that our actions have little consequences other than for ourselves. These next few months will bring increasing evidence of the contrary. On election day, Saturn and Uranus squared off in the first of three oppositions. The next two come in Sept. 2009, and in Jul./Aug. 2010. Expect to see big clashes between those who would spread wealth and those who would keep it in the hands of a few, over these next two years. Watch our understanding of money change.

Salman Rushdie on Stories

"Those who do not have power over the story that dominates their lives, power to retell it, to rethink it, deconstruct it, joke about it, and change it as times change, truly are powerless, because they cannot think new thoughts."
~Salman Rushdie

October 2008

2008-11-12T14:55:00.000-08:00

Greener Pastures
Conversations with the Moon

The full moon of October takes place on Tuesday, October 14 at 1:03pm Pacific Time, in the vedic lunar sign of Revati.

This is a time of massive transition. (Is that stating the obvious?) Revati is associated with a shepherd deity, who leads his flocks from pasture to pasture, in search of nourishment.

Revati is the last portion of the zodiac, and as such is a volatile place. It suggests in-between times - moving from the ending of one thing to the beginning of another, from one pasture to another, one paradigm to another, even one life to another.

What nourishes you? Pay attention to the simple little things that engender well-being.

Write this day into your calendar:
Tuesday, October 28, 4:14pm Pacific Time - the New Moon in Swati.
The Moon in this part of the sky will highlight broadcasting of all kinds. People the world over are paying attention. Swati is associated with the wind, and the wind is thought to broadcast ideas, reputations, rumors, threats, viruses, wildfires and rain. Be careful to choose your information sources wisely. Be selective about what and how much information you ingest.

One widely employed meditation technique reminds us to "return to the breath" when the mind is taking you down a rabbit hole. See if you can remember to "return to the breath" again and again, for the full two weeks after the new moon.

Planning & Scheduling
Living in Accord with the Seasons

Mercury goes direct on Wed. Oct. 15. Any logjams of the past 3 weeks in information, machines, technology, scheduling, and contractual agreements should open up and flow more now.

The Sun joins Mars in vedic Libra on Fri. 10/17, symbolizing the human ambition to bring things into balance. Mercury joins Sun and Mars in Libra on Sat. 11/1. Opinions are vehement. Contention.

Venus moves through Scorpio from Oct. 14 to Nov. 8, exchanging signs with Mars in Libra. The contradictory human urges to wield power, and to be liked, are experienced by us all.

November's Presidential Election promises to be a dramatic time, with Saturn opposing Uranus on Tues. Nov 4, (a clash between the old authority and the new); a distribution of planets between the Moon's nodes spanning the 8th through the 2nd houses of the U.S. chart, from Oct. 23 - Nov. 3, showing intensified events in the global financial markets deeply affecting the U.S.; and Venus conjoining Pluto in Sagittarius on Wed. Nov 12 (underhanded uses of power and popularity).
On election day:
Moon is conjunct Rahu in Capricorn. Government losing its mind?
Mars aspects Moon/Rahu. Angered officials.
Saturn aspects Mercury, Sun, Mars. Disagreements, delays, deadlocks.

The World Is Too Much with Us
by William Wordsworth

The world is too much with us; late and soon,
Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers;
Little we see in Nature that is ours;
We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!
This Sea that bares her bosom to the moon;
The winds that will be howling at all hours,
And are up-gathered now like sleeping flowers;
For this, for everything, we are out of tune;
It moves us not. Great God! I'd rather be
A Pagan suckled in a creed outworn;
So might I, standing on this pleasant lea,
Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn;
Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea;
Or hear old Triton blow his wreathed horn.

September 2008

2008-09-15T14:33:00.000-07:00

Sword of Discernment
Conversations with the Moon

The full moon of September takes place on Monday, September 15 at 2:14am Pacific Time, in the vedic lunar sign of Purva Bhadrapada.

One of the symbols for the human experience described by this part of the sky, is a sword. And boy is it double-edged. In this lunar cycle of 28 days, there may be more fascination than usual with the dark side of life, and a yogi would employ this destructive energy against his own negativities. The Buddhist bodhisattva Manjushri is often depicted with his sword of discrimination. He is a shining exemplar of using an uncompromising fierceness to cut through illusion.

Any efforts to purify the body and mind during this lunar cycle, will be beneficial. For instance, just after this full moon is a great time to begin a seasonal fast.

Contemplating the notion of "sacrifice" will bear fruit during this lunar cycle. In vedic culture, yagnas or fire ceremonies are routinely performed to "purify" the atmosphere through chanting and offering symbolic sacrifices to the fire. Devote some time in this lunar cycle to sacrificing mental negativities into the "fire" of your conscious awareness - notice malice, greed, envy and other bugaboos as they come up, and consciously practice not acting on them while they dance around on the inner screen for awhile, before losing interest when they don't get your attention and dissolving.

Write this day into your calendar:
Monday, September 29, 1:13am Pacific Time - the New Moon in Hasta.
This new moon, we'll all have a chance to lend a helping hand, one of the key activities associated with the lunar sign of Hasta. It's also a great time for crafts, and developing skills that you use your hands for, such as carving wood, making a pie crust from scratch, or playing piano.

Planning & Scheduling
Living in Accord with the Seasons

September 15-27 is a time named Pitru Paksha, in the vedic tradition. It's a time to honor our ancestors, and all those whose efforts have made our path in this life possible, on this earth plane. Their assistance to us is very tangible, as is our goodwill toward them.

The Sun moves into vedic Virgo on Wed. 9/17, bringing a slightly quieter settling into autumn as contrasted with the past month of boisterous Leo activity.

Venus moves out of dry, analytical Virgo and into fluffy and socially creamy Libra on Sat. 9/20. We're much more harmony-seeking, diplomatic and socially sensitive than this past month of "frank talk" in our relationships.

Mars joins Venus in Libra on Fri. 9/26. Flirtation, style, and hipness, come more easily to everyone. We may experience both more inspiring company and more subtle competition amongst friends than usual.

Write this into your calendar:
Mercury is retrograde in Virgo from Wed. 9/24 - Wed. 10/15:
A time to edit, revisit, rework, refine. Expect to niggle over the details.
Avoid signing contracts, making announcements, rolling out big projects, until all the i's are dotted, and t's are crossed.

November's Presidential Election promises to be a dramatic time, with Saturn opposing Uranus on Tues. Nov 4, (revolutionary uprisings) and Venus conjoining Pluto in Sagittarius on Wed. Nov 12 (the upper hand being wielded by the religious right).

Have you heard the story of Milarepa?

Milarepa's story is extraordinary. He is one of the most beloved Tibetan Buddhist saints. He was born in the village of Kya, Ngatsa in Tibet to a prosperous family, circa 1052. Upon his father's death, Milarepa's uncle and aunt took all of the family's wealth and subjected Milarepa, his sister and mother to servitude and humiliation. Influenced by his mother's burning desire for revenge, Milarepa left home to study black magic to use against his uncle and aunt. During a party held by the uncle and aunt to celebrate the upcoming marriage of their son, Milarepa took his revenge by summoning a giant scorpion to demolish their house, killing 35 people. The remaining villagers banded together and set off to hunt Milarepa down, but his mother got word to him and he sent a hailstorm to destroy their crops.

Knowing in his heart that his actions were wrong, Milarepa began desperately seeking redemption. He set out to find a lama who could help him atone for his actions and attain enlightenment in one lifetime, and came upon Marpa the translator. Marpa saw Milarepa's greatness and also saw his heavy karmic debts. Marpa was cruel and harsh to Milarepa, to help him with his goal of enlightenment. Before Marpa would teach Milarepa he had him build and rebuild a tower, three times. Marpa constantly beat Milarepa, derided him, humiliated him in front of his other students, and refused to teach him the Dharma. Marpa's wife took pity on Milarepa and forged a letter of introduction to another teacher, Lama Ngogdun Chudor. Mila began practicing meditation under the new teacher but could make no progress. Milarepa finally confessed to the lama about the forged letter and the lama said that no spiritual growth could happen without the guru Marpa's approval. So Milarepa returned to Marpa. He then practiced with humility and diligence for twelve years under Marpa, and then attained enlightenment.

At the age of forty-five, he went into a cave in the Himalayas, subjecting himself to extreme cold and hunger. As a result of all the austerities he had endured, he had various seemingly supernatural powers, and sometimes displayed these powers as he went wandering and teaching from village to village, becoming a legendary figure in Tibet.

His story is an inspirational one around this particular full moon in Purva Bhadrapada. You can order the book, "The Life of Milarepa," translated from the Tibetan by Lobsang P. Lhalungpa, from Amazon.

August 2008

2008-08-14T09:37:00.000-07:00

Inner Prosperity
Conversations with the Moon

August's full moon and lunar eclipse takes place on Saturday, August 16 at 2:18pm, in the vedic lunar sign of Dhanishta.

This eclipse's function is to get us to take a break from seeking prosperity and fame in the outer world, and notice the abundance already present in the inner life. Due to Neptune's conjunction to the Moon, the key to discovering these riches lies in our own imagination.

On the outer level, this is not the best time for initiating big projects whose aim is to produce wealth or renown. (An eclipse's effect is felt dramatically for a period of 6 days before and 6 days after the eclipse, and very subtly for 6 months after the eclipse.)

Write this day into your calendar:
Saturday, August 30, 12:58pm Pacific Time - the New Moon in Purva Phalguni.
The New Moon is a great time for renewing spiritual intentions. This particular New Moon emphasizes prioritizing delight and creativity in our lives. So take a moment on the morning of Sat. the 30th to commit to some fun and creative exploration for the month of September.

Planning & Scheduling
Living in Accord with the Seasons

The Sun joins Mercury, Venus and Saturn in vedic Leo, on Sunday, Aug. 17. This is a potent combination for self-elected spiritual growth which in this instance is mutually exclusive of egoic satisfaction - if it enhances your pride, you might not be able to take it with you where you're going on your spiritual journey. This is a call to use the full splendor of yourself toward the highest service you are capable of.

The conjunction of Venus with Saturn is exact on Aug. 14; expect to mix the energies of joy/ art/ love with responsibility/ diligence/ manifestation. The default version of this is to feel self-doubting, and self-conscious, and that our own efforts will never meet the standards. (Maybe authorities or loved ones are even pointing out our faults to us.) With a slight shift of attention, you can turn this around to stepping past fear and making the necessary effort to realize your dreams.

Venus enters vedic Virgo on Aug. 26, bringing the activity of evaluation into our relationships... ouch. Be careful not to get too critical of partners and friends.

The first 3 weeks of September find Mercury, Venus and Mars all together in vedic Virgo. This will be a great time for organizing personal finances, getting clear in relationships, and studying, reading, creative writing.

Both Jupiter and Pluto turn direct within a day of one another - Sept. 8 and 9. The beginning of the second week of Sept. experiences some strong forward motion in the area of your life described by the vedic sign of Sagittarius. Education, authority, philosophy and judgment all gain ground.

Image licensed under Creative Commons ShareAlike 2.5

An Excerpt from "Gitanjali"
by Rabindranath Tagore

I had gone a-begging from door to door in the village path, when thy golden chariot appeared in the distance like a gorgeous dream and I wondered who was this King of all kings!

My hopes rose high and methought my evil days were at an end, and I stood waiting for alms to be given unasked and for wealth scattered on all sides in the dust.

The chariot stopped where I stood. Thy glance fell on me and thou camest down with a smile. I felt that the luck of my life had come at last. Then of a sudden thou didst hold out thy right hand and say 'What hast thou to give to me?'

Ah, what a kingly jest was it to open thy palm to a beggar to beg! I was confused and stood undecided, and then from my wallet I slowly took out the least little grain of corn and gave it to thee.

But how great my surprise when at the day's end I emptied my bag on the floor to find a least little gram of gold among the poor heap. I bitterly wept and wished that I had had the heart to give thee my all.

Eclipses of August 2008

2008-07-22T12:08:00.000-07:00

We're coming up on the second set of eclipses of the year 2008. In vedic astrology, eclipses are primarily useful for predicting world affairs. But even for individuals (especially if important points in your own chart reside where the eclipse is occurring,) eclipses can show areas in the "Garden of Life" scheduled for a "winter" .

It's wise to do a skillful "prune" of the areas of life triggered by the eclipse, and get rid of excesses and simplify voluntarily. In general, an inward, meditative, spiritual focus around eclipses, is in alignment with natural cycles.

Total Solar Eclipse on Friday, August 1, 2008, at 3:13am, Pacific Time
The effects of the solar eclipse will have to do with its occurrence in the lunar constellation called Pushya. On a global scale, issues around nourishment may be in the limelight over these next six months. The housing market will of course, stay in the news, but you didn't need an astrologer to tell you that! Another area of focus may be the health of the land itself (especially land used for agriculture.)
So why not double your effort to buy organic, buy local, and even grow your own if you can. Pay attention to your diet and your digestion/ absorption of nutrients.

And if you're so inclined, the day of this eclipse is a great day to perform a fast, as a spiritual practice. Meditation and contemplation will be fruitful on that day. Avoid initiating major projects until at least the 22nd of August, if you can.
This solar eclipse won't be visible from the U.S.

Partial Lunar Eclipse on August 16, 2008 at 2:16 am, Pacific Time
This lunar eclipse takes place in the lunar constellation of Dhanishta, whose natural behavior is to produce wealth and fame. The lunar eclipse in this sign asks us to look within for the true essence of prosperity and for our own true shine of character.
We won't be able to see this lunar eclipse. Remember that incredible visual spectacle of this past February's lunar eclipse? Stay tuned - next visible total lunar eclipse coming up in Dec. 2010.

July 2008

2008-07-17T10:42:00.000-07:00

Planning & Scheduling
Living in Accord with the Seasons

On July 24, the Sun moves into vedic Cancer, (joined by Venus until Aug. 1,) stimulating a focus on the home environment and our domestic family scene. The Sun is sharing this sign with his eclipse point, Ketu, showing lessons for all of us around detachment in the Cancer realms - home and family. This need for detachment might be particularly acute, on Sun./Mon. Aug. 10/11, when the conjunction is exact.

Venus experiences an exact conjunction to Ketu on Thur., July 24, bringing in an air of detachment to our love relationships. Watch out for interpreting this as dissatisfaction. Consider the possibility of being present inside a relationship, without either clinging or checking out.

Mars and Saturn continue their transiting conjunction in the sign of Leo until August 9, signifying a strengthening of self-esteem through accomplishment and clear personal goals.

On Aug. 2, Venus joins Mars and Saturn in Leo, and on Aug. 8, Mercury joins them all, making a spicy, creative jumbalaya. Artists, actors, performers, may all find Aug. 2 - Aug. 25 to be a prolific, or productive period.

The conjunction of Venus with Saturn is exact on Aug. 14; expect to mix the energies of joy/ art/ love with responsibility/ diligence/ manifestation. You may find someone you love needing your assistance, for instance. Or you may find yourself carving out time in your schedule to follow your Muse.

Mars transitions into vedic Virgo on Aug. 9, bringing some cool, rational assessments and strategies into the mounting boil of interactions.

Strong, retrograde Jupiter continues to pass through vedic Sagittarius for roughly 4 months, symbolizing the internal review of our own judgments, codes of conduct, and man-made as well as natural law. Seeing that all these are based in thought, there is the ability for 'Law' to shift (especially while Mercury is opposite Jupiter in flexible Gemini, until Jul 23.)

Triumph of Light Over Darkness
Conversations with the Moon

This month we witness the brightest full moon of the year, taking place on Friday July 18, at 1:00am PDT, in the vedic lunar sign of Uttara Ashadha.

A full moon is sort of like a revolving spotlight. Something in the collective unconscious of all life on earth gets "featured." This month, the spotlight is on the inevitable Triumph of Light over Darkness.

Don't we usually think of fighting Darkness "out there," in the government, in the world, on the streets? After all, isn't that the central theme to most great stories of the past? Yet something about this time on planet earth seems to be urging us to look at the triumph of Light over Darkness, within.

What does it mean, for Light to triumph over Dark? The ancient sages knew that we as humans, tend to understand things first in a very literal way, and then, gradually, we are illumined in subtler and subtler ways. So stories of Goodness and Virtue triumphing over Cruelty and Selfishness abound. But there's a deeper level to this.

Consider Light to be a metaphor for Consciousness, that ground-level awareness that is the same in all of us. And consider Darkness to be a metaphor for suffering, which the sages tell us is caused by identification with thought, which creates the impression of separateness - the core of suffering. The triumph of Light over Darkness would then represent the inevitability of all Life to return to its source, whether at death, or sooner.

Just like the inevitability of sunrise.

Write this day into your calendar:
Friday, August 1 - the New Moon in Pushya.
The New Moon is a time when all of nature takes an exhale from "Doing" and naturally returns to "Being." It is a time when the absence of outer aid throws us back on ourselves to discover these qualities inherent in ourselves: warmth, support, contentedness; connection with all of Life.

"I don't 'have' a Life; I 'am' Life"
an excerpt from "A New Earth," by Eckhart Tolle

If there is such a thing as "my life," it follows that I and life are two separate things, and so I can also lose my life, my imaginary treasured possession. Death becomes a seeming reality and a threat.

Words and concepts split life into separate segments that have no reality in themselves. We could even say that the notion "my life" is the original delusion of separeteness, the source of ego. If I and life are two, if I am separate from life, then I am separate from all things, all beings, all people.

But how could I be separate from life? What "I" could there be apart from life, apart from Being? It is utterly impossible. So there is no such thing as "My life," and I don't 'have' a life. I 'am' life. I and life are one. It cannot be otherwise.

June 2008

2008-07-17T10:39:00.000-07:00

Planning & Scheduling
Living in Accord with the Seasons

The Sun has moved into vedic Gemini, stimulating summer's delights: your most youthful, carefree self, and your spirit of Play.

Mercury and Venus exchange signs until July 6, lending Grace to Words, and Wit to Beauty.

Yay! Mercury is direct again as of Thurs. June 19! All that diligent editing and reformulating and fixing broken things and getting systems right is now paying off.
Saturn is still loosely squaring Mercury though until July 6 so keep plugging away at being thoughtful and maybe even careful in communication and documentation. Mercury is in it's own sign of Gemini from July 7 - 23, ensuring the opening of the floodgates of ideas and collaborations and cool, new encounters.

Venus enters vedic Cancer on July 8, joining up with Ketu, requiring healthy emotional detachment in relationships - not aloofness, but yogic "Dispassion."

Mars enters vedic Leo on June 22 and joins up with Saturn on July 10, promising fireworks of a different stripe. This transiting conjunction signifies a period of pushing through to finish up a self assigned project.

The Mars Ketu conjunction, still in effect this week, may find us all a acting a little touchy and defensive around our needs for personal space and comfort.

Jupiter retrogrades through vedic Sag. as of May 9th, for roughly 4 months, getting us to review new understandings, implement new teachings, research new opportunities.

The Center of the Galaxy
Conversations with the Moon

This month, the full moon takes place on Wednesday June 18, at 10:31am PDT, in the vedic lunar sign of Mula.

This full moon illuminates the part of the sky containing the massive black hole around which our Milky Way galaxy revolves. The Galactic Center, as it's called, is the astronomical equivalent to the "Pregnant Void" we sometimes experience in meditation. We may find ourselves striking gold in the information we're sifting through, happy to be mining in the right place at the right time.

Write this day into your calendar:
Wednesday, July 2 - the New Moon in Ardra.
This part of the sky unlocks "The Power of Effort." With Mars approaching a conjunction to Saturn during this waxing cycle, there is double reason to persevere and "give it all you've got." Some project needs your full effort. The yogi will also actively contemplate the principle of "Non-Doership" at the same time.

A Golden Compass
by Hafiz

Forget every idea of right and wrong
Any classroom ever taught you

Because
An empty heart, a tormented mind,
Unkindness, jealousy and fear

Are always the testimony
You have been completely fooled!

Turn your back on those
Who would imprison your wondrous spirit
With deceit and lies.

Come, join the honest company
Of the King's beggars -
Those gamblers, scoundrels and divine clowns
And those astonishing fair courtesans
Who need Divine Love every night.

Come, join the courageous
Who have no choice
But to bet their entire world
That indeed,
Indeed, God is Real.

I will lead you into the Circle
Of the Beloved's cunning thieves,
Those playful royal rogues -
The ones you can trust for true guidance -
Who can aid you
In this Blessed Calamity of life.
Hafiz,
Look at the Perfect One
At the Circle's Center:

He Spins and Whirls like a Golden Compass,
Beyond all that is Rational,

To show this dear world

That Everything,
Everything in Existence
Does point to God.

May 2008

2008-05-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

Planning & Scheduling
Living in Accord with the Seasons

The Sun has moved into vedic Taurus, bringing sensual enjoyments and a focus on material life.

Mercury and Venus are both accompanying the Sun in Taurus by May 21, (with an aspect from Saturn,) bringing enjoyment of all the simple pleasures - a well-prepared meal, hard labor aimed at creating that explosion of color in the garden, lemonade out on the porch during a sunset... .

Write these dates into your calendar:
May 26 - June 18, Mercury is retrograde.
Review, rewrite, edit, comb through for accuracy. Wait until after June 18 to initiate projects or sign contracts. Leave plenty of time to get home from Memorial Day weekend on Monday the 26th.

Mars is in Cancer (Apr. 29 - Jun. 21). You might be in a nesting mode lately. Getting the house ready for summer, doing repairs on the house, buying things for the house - all these things might be sparked with Mars in Cancer. Mars and Saturn will join up in July in vedic Leo, signifying a period of pushing through to finish up a piece of work, leaving little time for enjoying the home front, so enjoy your cozy nest now!

Mars has been traveling with Ketu since May 6 and conjoins Ketu on June 15th. June 15 could be a day when people in general feel like they will be willing to defend their personal safety and security at all costs. (Think of a Mama bear defending her cubs.) Tread lightly around volatile personalities.

Jupiter retrogrades through vedic Sag. as of May 9th, for roughly 4 months, getting us to review new understandings, implement new teachings, research new opportunities.

Saturn went direct on May 3rd, (after having been retrograde since Dec. 19th,) ending a long and arduous waiting period for leaders and real estate. Watch the Democratic Primaries finally draw to a close and watch the real estate market seem to be on the upswing again, even if temporarily.

Remember last month's statement about Neptune conjoining Rahu in Aquarius for the last week in April and the first week in May?:
"...creating an actual weather possibility around unusually strong thunder and lightning storms, and stormy seas. Maybe postpone the boat cruise?..."
Myanmar's cyclone is part of this Neptune Rahu conjunction - the storm began in the Indian Ocean.

The Star of Alliances
Conversations with the Moon

This month, the full moon takes place on Monday May 19, at 7:12pm PDT, in the vedic lunar sign of Anuradha.

In this part of the sky, alliances, friendships, and friendliness, are highlighted.

The full moon in this constellation reminds us of what it means to be a good friend and brings out in us qualities like loyalty, friendliness, even devotion.

On a global scale, on the national front, and even in our personal lives, we'll be keenly aware of how much our friends mean to us around this full moon. We may hear more about foreign aid to cyclone victims in Myanmar. We may be speculating about the winning Democratic Presidential nominee's running mate. And we will likely be personally lining up Memorial Day holiday celebrations with friends.

Since the Moon and Mars are exchanging signs, there might also be a particularly strong feeling of wanting to connect with family and draw to us our support systems that bring the feeling of emotional security. Write this day into your calendar:
Tuesday, June 3 - the New Moon in Rohini.
This is a good time to contemplate where you want to put your energies. The next two weeks after the New Moon will give you more bang for your buck around the natural law "whatever you put your attention on, grows." With Saturn's aspect, things will grow slowly, but they'll also stick around for a long time.

April 2008

2008-04-18T15:41:00.000-07:00

Planning & Scheduling
Living in Accord with the Seasons

The Sun has moved into vedic Aries, bringing movement, flirtation, light-heartedness and play.

Mercury joins the Sun in Aries for the 2nd half of April, coming aboveground for some quick and progress-interested communications.

Write these dates into your calendar:
May 26 - June 18, Mercury is retrograde.
Review, rewrite, edit, comb through for accuracy. Wait until after June 18 to initiate projects or sign contracts. Leave plenty of time to get home from Memorial Day weekend on Monday the 26th.

Venus moves into vedic Aries on April 26, and stays there until May 21. Expect some exuberant and fun displays of affection, between friends, lovers, loved ones. Venus moves into vedic Taurus from May 21 - June 13, a time for sensual enjoyments.

Mars finishes his unusually long (6.5 month long) soujourn through vedic Gemini, moving into Cancer for a short month and a half. You may feel a movement away from exploring all the options, and toward setting up your home and inner environments for stability - establishing a solid "basecamp." Mars and Saturn will join up in July in vedic Leo, signifying a period of pushing through to finish up a piece of work, leaving little time for cocooning. So get the cocoon set up now.

Jupiter retrogrades through vedic Sag. as of May 9th, for roughly 4 months, getting us to review new understandings, implement new teachings, research new opportunities.

Uranus and Saturn continue to travel in opposite signs in the sky, a dance they will do for the next 4 years or so. This represents our collective questioning of the rigidity in tradition and scrutinizing the naivete in innovation.

Saturn turns direct, (after having been retrograde since Dec. 19), encouraging practical actions taken toward addressing any life limitations, obligations or losses.

Neptune conjoins Rahu in Aquarius for the last week in April and the first week in May, creating an actual weather possibility around unusually strong thunder and lightning storms, and stormy seas. Maybe postpone the boat cruise?...

Broadcasting
Conversations with the Moon

This month, the full moon takes place on Sunday, April 20th, at 3:27am PDT, in the vedic lunar sign of Swati.
This lunar sign is connected to mass distribution, of ideas, understandings, and the seeds of intentions.

The full moon in this constellation brings full flowering to messages or findings that are ripe for distribution, in many forms, such as novels, news broadcasts and podcasts and webcasts, music, classes and trainings, and announcements. Creative projects receive an extra dose of momentum since this moon's ruler Venus is currently so strong. So if you have something you've been waiting for the right moment to release, and it feels fully formed, now's a time when your world is listening.

For a taste of the power of this Swati full moon, download the free podcast from iTunes, of Oprah conducting a 10-week class with Eckhart Tolle, on his new book, "A New Earth."

Write this day into your calendar:
Monday, May 5 - the New Moon in Bharani.
The weekend leading up to this new moon is an absolutely excellent time for spring cleaning.

the interview
by Ani DiFranco

how can one talk on
the role of politics in art
when art is
activism

and anyway
both are just a lifelong light
shining through a swinging prism

March 2008

2008-03-22T10:20:00.000-07:00

Does it feel to you like things are heating up, speeding up, and that the stakes are rising? Can you sense a collective urgency to get a lot of evolutionary work underway? To me, the feeling is similar to when you finish grade school and move on to high school - you know that the nasty smell in your desk, and your beefs about the lunches they serve in the cafeteria, etc., are going to be irrelevant when you get to the new school. So it's kind of necessary and easy to let go of a lot of things, all at once. I'm noticing this lately in my work with clients. That many of us are shedding skins we know will be irrelevant for the time to come. Happy springtime. Enjoy the promise of new life that it brings.

Planning & Scheduling
Living in Accord with the Seasons

The Sun moves into vedic Pisces, ending his dosey-doe with Saturn, bringing a return to imagination and inspiration, as contrasted with last month's focus on work and responsibility.

Venus joins the Sun in Pisces in April. Part of us seems to want to go straight for forgiveness and understanding. Mercury is also in Pisces, from Mar. 31 until Apr. 15, letting us float in a gentle ocean of tolerance for a couple weeks.

The Mars Pluto opposition, although on the wane, hangs in the full moon air as it forms a grand cross with the Sun and Moon. This configuration is liable to represent an inner mandate to come to terms with our own contradictions. We'll be tempted to figure it all out by putting our thinking caps on, but in the end will need to allow what is, to be.

Jupiter in Sag continues his opposition by sign, to Mars in Gemini through the end of April, bringing abundant energy for new ideas. This period might bring balance between your many interests; and a healthy tension between developing competency in many things at once versus tying them all together.

Uranus and Saturn continue to travel in opposite signs in the sky, a dance they will do for the next 4 years or so. This represents our collective questioning of the rigidity in tradition and scrutinizing the naivete in innovation.

Mercury and the Sun move into Aries mid-April, bringing with them a surge of energy to get back outside, burst into action, get the show on the road!

Neptune conjoins Rahu in Aquarius for the last week in April and the first week in May, creating an actual weather possibility around unusually strong thunder and lightning storms, and stormy seas. Maybe postpone the boat cruise?...

Full Moon of Prosperity
Conversations with the Moon

This month, the full moon takes place on Friday, March 21st, at 11:40am PDT, in the vedic lunar sign of Uttara Phalguni.
This lunar sign is connected to prosperity, a hot topic for us here in the United States, at this time.

Part of this particular constellation's wisdom has to do with forming worthwhile alliances, and this may be a key to prosperity for many of us in these upcoming months. Perhaps we're being asked to slightly back off our collective insistence on having our own car, our own expensive tools, our own kitchens and food larders. Perhaps we're seeing the benefits to ourselves, our partners and the earth, in pooling resources. Perhaps we're reclaiming an innate human interest in service to something larger than ourselves, and putting that into practice first at home, with our loved ones.

The tricky part comes in as we learn not to repeat the same mistakes of "codependency" of previous generations in this regard where pooling resources is concerned, instead witnessing the pendulum swing to a state of empowered co-operation.

Editorial correction: Last month's Beacon incorrectly called February's lunar eclipse a partial one. It was a total lunar eclipse. Hope you got to see that awe-inspiring sight.

Next total lunar eclipse: Dec. 2010.

What Birds Plunge Through Is Not the Intimate Space
by Rainer Maria Rilke

What birds plunge through is not the intimate space
in which you see all forms intensified.
(Out in the Open, you would be denied
your self, would disappear into that vastness.)

Space reaches from us and construes the world:
to know a tree, in its true element,
throw inner space around it, from that pure
abundance in you. Surround it with restraint.
It has no limits. Not till it is held
in your renouncing is it truly there.

February 2008

2008-02-15T16:30:00.000-08:00

Planning & Scheduling
Living in Accord with the Seasons

Mars forms an opposition to Pluto in the beginning of March, releasing a certain tension around standing behind your passions and ambitions. Pluto is teamed up with Jupiter so we may find ourselves questioning ideologies that seem elitist. The energy of popularity and popular values and opinion give prestige a run for it's money - how does this relate to your life? Also, your mission, should you choose to accept it, around this Mars/Pluto opposition, is: to learn skillful means in fulfilling your life's passions, and to open up to the alchemy of turning anger into energy.

Venus enters the sign of Aquarius mid March, and conjoins Uranus at the end of the month. Socially, we open up to new possibilities. People that seemed a little out-of-the-box up until now, are suddenly more delightful to hear out.

Jupiter in Sag continues his opposition by sign, to Mars in Gemini through the end of April, bringing abundant energy for new ideas. This period might bring balance between your many interests; and a healthy tension between developing competency in many things at once versus tying them all together.

Venus conjoins Neptune on March 7th and Mercury conjoins Neptune on March 9th, bringing idealism and inspiration into our lives. We're mobilized to believe in forgotten dreams again. Just don't try to pin down the poets and politicians on the details!

Solar and Lunar Eclipses of February
Conversations with the Moon

Twice each year, earth experiences a pair of eclipses. Solar eclipses happen by definition at the New Moon and Lunar eclipses occur at the full Moon.

An annular solar eclipse took place on Wed., Feb. 6, 2008 at 7:45pm Pacific Time and there will be a partial lunar eclipse on Wed., Feb. 20, 2008 at 7:31pm Pacific Time.

Solar Eclipse
Eclipses are excellent times for introspection and downtime. In terms of natural life cycles, they're not the best time for beginning important ventures. This solar eclipse is in Dhanishta. Folks with planets in the late degrees of sidereal Capricorn may sense this purposeful "prune" of excess energy streams.

Lunar Eclipse
When the light of one of the luminaries is blocked, life can feel unusual. We're meant to be taking a moment away from our usual lives, to recharge our batteries. This lunar eclipse is in the lunar sign Magha, and the Moon joins up with austere Saturn on this day. Saturn's influence may ask us to dig down for some necessary emotional self-reliance, especially around being our own cheering squad, our own welcoming committee, and the ultimate authority in our own lives. People with planets in the early degrees of Leo may feel the pinch of this eclipse more strongly than others - life may seem to be testing their mettle. Magha has to do with royalty and real estate, among other things - watch what happens to world leaders, and to the real estate market.

On Feb. 20, 1989, there was a lunar eclipse in roughly the same placement as this one. What was going on then for you? Can you see any relationships between that time and now? (It would depend on which house 7 degrees Leo falls in your chart.)

Eclipses of February 2008

2008-02-06T11:16:00.000-08:00

Solar and Lunar Eclipses of February
Conversations with the Moon

Twice each year, earth experiences a pair of eclipses. This month, there's an annular solar eclipse on Wed., Feb. 6, 2008 at 7:45pm Pacific Time and a partial lunar eclipse on Wed., Feb. 20, 2008 at 7:31pm Pacific Time.

Solar Eclipse
Eclipses are excellent times for introspection and downtime. In terms of natural life cycles, they're not the best time for beginning important ventures. This solar eclipse is in Dhanishta. Folks with planets in the late degrees of sidereal Capricorn may sense this purposeful "prune" of excess energy streams.

Lunar Eclipse
When the light of one of the luminaries is blocked, life can feel unusual. We're meant to be taking a moment away from our usual lives, to recharge our batteries. This lunar eclipse is in Magha. People with planets in the early degrees of Leo may feel this eclipse more strongly than others. Magha has to do with royalty and real estate, among other things - watch what happens to world leaders, and to the real estate market.

On Feb. 20, 1989, there was a lunar eclipse in roughly the same placement as this one. What was going on then for you? This eclipse is a higher rung on the same evolutionary spiral.

January 2008

2008-01-21T15:24:00.000-08:00

Planning & Scheduling
Living in Accord with the Seasons

Mars continues to retrograde (seemingly move backwards in his orbit) in Gemini until January 30th. Some labor intensive course corrections may occur in this upcoming week, and the month of February will bring new forward movement on key projects.

At the same time, Venus finishes her conjunction to Pluto, on Friday, Jan. 25. This may bring an exposé of overconfident value judgments. (i.e. world financial markets responding to fear of a US recession.) In your personal life, this may be experienced more as having an experience that shows you where your blind belief in a doctrine or a friendship or an enjoyment, has betrayed you, and letting go of blind faith. Also, this transit teaches us the "letting go" part of forgiveness.

Jupiter in Sag continues his opposition by sign, to Mars in Gemini through the end of April, bringing abundant energy for new ideas. This period might bring balance between your many interests, and a healthy tension between developing competency in many things at once versus tying them all together.

Mars regroups after his opposition with Pluto earlier in January, and comes back around to finish the face-off in the beginning of March. This transit teaches us about our anger. It show us: how to pick our battles, skillful means in fulfilling our life's passions, and the alchemy of turning anger into energy.

Saturn continues to retrograde through Leo, grabbing the hands of time and ushering us through our Leo life lessons (a.k.a. self actualization curriculum). Find creative outlets for self expression and commit to doing things that bring you joy so as not to create dis-ease from too much care-taking.

Mercury is conjunct Neptune on Thurs. 1/24 - vague communications, constantly changing variables, compassionate thinking, poetry.

Mercury goes retrograde from Monday, Jan. 28, and resumes direct motion on Tuesday, Feb. 19 - this is one you'll want to make note of in your calendar. This is a good time for reviewing, editing, revising, and otherwise examining things with a fine tooth comb. It's also great for reconnecting with old friends. It's not the best time for travel, signing contracts, or having communications that need to stick. If you have these things planned already, just know you might need an extra dose of patience.

Tribe Dharma
Conversations with the Moon

There's a full moon early in the morning on Tuesday, January 22, at 5:36am Pacific Time, in the lunar sign of Pushya.

There may be a dawning appreciation of our 'tribe' this full moon, and the role we each play in that tribe. Knowing our role - our dharma - within that tribe leads to being honored for the gifts we each individually offer.

The full moon in Pushya is offering us contentment, nourishment, connection, and support. There is a lot of assistance available during this full moon from unseen agencies, for us each to come into our own fullest expression, and align with those of like vibration. There is greater access to wisdom during this particular full moon - the wisdom and character that come from giving yourself fully and to this human experience.

"And I say the sacred hoop of my people was one of the many hoops that made one circle, wide as daylight and as starlight, and in the center grew one mighty flowering tree to shelter all the children of one mother and one father."

~Black Elk

an excerpt from 'Parthenon'
by Pablo Neruda

The sea there was an extended secret.
The Parthenon was the first ship,
ship of light with a pristine prow,
navigating the marine rectangle,
scattering fables and honey.
The universe assumed its whiteness.

When they abandoned it, again
terror spread, and darkness.
Man went back to a life of cruelty.

It stayed there empty,
pure and uninhabited,
the delicate ship,
shining and forgotten,
remote in its structure,
cold as if dead.

But that wasn't true. It was alive,
house, ship, prow,
the center and heart of matter.
There was nothing soft
about the lines or severity of its beauty
because it endured.
In rain, in war,
anger or oblivion,
its obligation was to endure.
And time does not respect
the smile.
Its obligation was to be, to last.
It was a lesson, the stone,
It was reason, the erected light.

And man would come back,
man, without his temporary gods,
would come back.
Order is the soul's eternity
and the soul would come back
to live in the body it created.
I am sure of
the motionless stone,
but I know the wind.
Order is just a creature.
It grows and the building comes back to life.
At one time or another, the fire goes out,
but love returns to its dwelling place.

December 2007

2007-12-21T16:10:00.001-08:00

Skillfull Means
Conversations with the Moon

There's a full moon on Sunday, December 23rd at 5:16pm Pacific Time, just in time for Christmas, in the lunar sign of Ardra.

Pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps, is what this part of the sky is about. Ardra is associated with moisture, rain, flowing water, tears, storms, effort and self-inquiry.

Here we encounter the power of our own efforts, especially as they're applied to our relationships. Notice what works, and what doesn't, with others. Make the effort to pull yourself up to higher ground.

The chart for this full moon shows strength and fiesty energy and loveliness - sort of like chocolate with a hint of chili...

Conversations over holiday meals may likely be a good-natured banter, with everyone excitedly expressing their strong opinions. Hint: Whenever you find yourself frustrated with overbearing Uncle Bob, find something to laugh about with him and love him all the same. You might be surprised at the "Ho ho ho" he's capable of.

Planning & Scheduling
Living In Accord With The Seasons

Jupiter in Sag makes an opposition to Mars in Gemini on Wed. 12/26, bringing abundant energy for new ideas. It might be a good idea to release some steam being active outdoors just after Christmas.

Mars continues to be retrograde in Gemini until the end of January. Many of us will be shifting our alignments with projects and people and ideas, course correcting until the right collection of activities has been found.

Saturn turns retrograde in Leo beginning December 19, grabbing the hands of time and ushering us through our Leo life lessons. Express yourself and re-connect with your own joy so as not to create dis-ease from too much care-taking, or too high a priority placed on pleasing others.

Speaking of pleasing others, Venus is in Libra until Wed. 12/26, making sure that Christmas is a lovely and graceful time, before she gets more intense and intent about finding the balance of power in relationships.
Venus briefly conjoins Pluto at the end of January - powerful allies, powerful love, the ending of manipulative or inauthentic relationships.

Mercury is conjunct Jupiter on Fri. 12/21 - big ideas, wide net for communications, magnanimous speech, lots of talkie talkie. Mercury is conjunct Neptune on Thurs. 1/24 - vague communications, unclear contracts, poetry.

An excerpt from "Walden"
by Henry David Thoreau

If the day and the night are such that you greet them
with joy, and life emits a fragrance like flowers and
sweet-scented herbs, is more elastic, more starry,
more immortal - that is your success. All nature is
your congratulation, and you have cause
momentarily to bless yourself.

November 2007

2007-12-21T13:56:00.000-08:00

The Power to Burn
Conversations with the Moon

There's a full moon on Saturday, November 24th at 6:30am Pacific Time, in the lunar sign of Krittika.

This part of the sky symbolizes that side of human affairs which requires great discernment in getting to the truth of things.

"La lumiere sortant des tenebres" - meaning, the Light coming forth from the Darkness - is good guidance for this full moon. Fire can be both destructive and constructive, depending on how it is employed, with what intent, and with what force. Nobody gets off the hook in this life from coming into contact with fire, so it's vital to understand how to exist in it when you encounter it.

Metaphysically speaking, the spiritual alchemist uses fire to 'transmute' base metals into gold. In our human life, this alchemical process requires allowing whatever keeps you separate from Life, from Love, to drop away. In order to do that, you have to actually See the situations of your life from the point of view of Light itself.

Planning & Scheduling
Living In Accord With The Seasons

We have a big ol' cluster of planets in the vedic sign of Sagittarius this December. On December 20, we'll have Sun, Mercury, Jupiter and Pluto all hovering around in the same Sagittarian part of the sky together, opposing a retrograde Mars. This could be an explosive time. Anyone with key points of the chart in Sagittarius and Gemini will feel the issue of authority bubbling up - (your own authority and others'.) You'll likely hear a lot of strong and unapologetic, maybe even forceful opinions, around this time.

Mars continues to be retrograde in Gemini until the end of January. Many of us will be shifting our alignments with projects and people and ideas.

This retrograde period can signify a time Saturn and Ketu (the south node of the moon) travel together in the vedic sign of Leo this month, creating seemingly fated realities coming up to be dealt with. All those with planets in Leo may feel the pressure of authorship over our own lives.

Saturn turns retrograde in Leo beginning December 19, grabbing the hands of time and ushering us through our Leo life lessons. Express yourself and re-connect with your own joy so as not to create dis-ease from any stagnancy.

Venus enters her own sign of Libra on December 1st, making this a month of social enjoyment, social harmony, (on the surface), and aesthetic and artistic loveliness.

catharsis

raw trauma
blown out to white
hangs as an entrance,
as my coy refusal gags the possibilities
of admitting my mortal
same-ness,
suspending the nerve
that registers the fracture,
exiting sideways now,
fumbling through the un-laddered catharsis of
hauntingly available
freedom

In honor of Saturn conjunct Ketu in Leo

September & October 2007

2007-09-02T12:12:00.000-07:00

Total Lunar Eclipse Aug. 28
Conversations with the Moon

There's a full moon and total lunar eclipse on Tuesday, August 28th at 3:35am Pacific Time, in the lunar sign of Shatabhisha.

This eclipse is fertile ground for spending contemplation or journaling time on examining addictive behaviors or unnecessary attachments. This is the time to commit to our own self-designed "recovery" programs.

It is a particularly well-suited time to explore any addictive tendencies within our social collective (our extended families, our spiritual groups, our nation), and our own individual participation in that collective behavior.

For example, as a nation, do we have an 'addiction to oil' as our president has observed? If so, what can we each individually do about it?

Planning & Scheduling
Living In Accord With The Seasons

There is a partial solar eclipse on September 11th, at 5:45am Pacific Time in the lunar sign of Purva Phalguni. Traditionally, eclipses are thought of as excellent for inward spiritual life, and not good times to initiate any significant endeavors.

The Sun travels with Saturn and Ketu in the vedic sign of Leo until mid-September, signifying a call to responsible action, and a commitment to realizing our unique potential - and maybe some painstaking efforts in getting there.

Saturn and Ketu are tightly conjunct in Leo during the second half of October. We may each be feeling the pressure of authorship that we have over our own lives. Performers and politicians may experience self-doubt around their own ability to 'sparkle'. Is it possible we might see the resignation of a world leader?

Neptune in Capricorn is loosely opposite Venus in Cancer during the month of September. We might be appreciating the beauty and romance of traditional gender roles in the family structure. (i.e. the nurturing mother, the father who's a strong provider). These themes may come up specifically in the new movie releases during this time. Perhaps we'll hear this theme crop up during political campaigns.

The full moon of September happens on Wed., Sept. 26 at 12:46pm, Pacific Time.

The full moon of October happens on Fri., Oct. 26 at 11:51am, Pacific Time.

Mercury goes retrograde from Fri., Oct. 12 until Wed., Oct. 31. Mercury retrograde is best for editing, revising plans, hooking up with old friends, revisiting the past. It's energy is backwards moving, so communications don't always flow forwards so smoothly. Avoid, if possible, signing contracts, embarking on journeys, beginning big projects. If you must, don't sweat it. (Just like with the weatherman - if you have a picnic planned and the weatherman says "there'll be rain", you don't necessarily cancel the picnic - maybe you find a covered picnic area just in case.)

My Bohemian Life
by Arthur Rimbaud

I went off with my hands in my torn coat pockets;
My overcoat too was becoming ideal;
I travelled beneath the sky, Muse! and I was your vassal;
Oh dear me! what marvellous loves I dreamed of!

My only pair of breeches had a big whole in them.
- Stargazing Tom Thumb, I sowed rhymes along my way.
My tavern was at the Sign of the Great Bear.
- My stars in the sky rustled softly.

And I listened to them, sitting on the road-sides
On those pleasant September evenings while I felt drops
Of dew on my forehead like vigorous wine;

And while, rhyming among the fantastical shadows,
I plucked like the strings of a lyre the elastics
Of my tattered boots, one foot close to my heart!

August 2007

2007-07-29T12:31:00.000-07:00

Playing It By Ear
Conversations with the Moon

There's a full moon today, Saturday, July 29th at 5:48pm Pacific Time, in the lunar sign of Shravana.

It's important today and for the next two weeks while this full moon's theme is played out, to pay attention to what is being said. Practice your listening skills.

We all have the potential to feel a little pressured and self-doubting in our relationships and our creativity, with Venus conjunct Saturn and Ketu, (especially during mid-August). So making a special effort to listen with compassion will be healing for the ones you love, including yourself.

This is a particular moment in time on the dance floor, where the last song is fading away, and a new one is slowly beginning. Everyone gets to choose a partner, or say yes to an invitation, and step into the new groove, with it's new dynamic, it's new form, it's new feeling. It may feel awkward at first. You may feel fearful of appearing dorky. You may be learning to prohibit rejection from lessening the good feeling you have about yourself. This metaphor can apply in romantic relationships, business partnerships and endeavors, or mutually beneficial associations with others of any kind - and it can apply equally to a relationship we have with an art form.

Which habits made your dance wonky in the past? What are you currently working on, that will make the dance flow more smoothly? Are there new moves you'd like to try?

Planning & Scheduling
Living In Accord With The Seasons

It's the 6 month mark again, so we have another Lunar and Solar eclipse pair, happening on August 28 and September 11th, respectively. Traditionally, eclipses are thought of as excellent for inward spiritual life, and not particularly successful times to initiate things.

The total lunar eclipse at 3:35am on Aug. 28 happens in the sign of Shatabhisha, symbolising the potential for profound healing of long-standing emotional traumas and addictions, through applied inner work, with the help of "100 physicians", or, a whole host of experts. It would traditionally be suggested however, *not* to elect surgeries or treatments for physical illnesses, during a period of 6 days before and after this lunar eclipse. (It must be stated that if a medical professional suggests you schedule something during this period, you should always favor medical advice over astrology.)

Venus turned retrograde Friday 7/27, and will remain so until 9/8. This is a time for inner "work" around relationships and creativity. Examine useless patterns of reacting, doubting, self-centeredness and practice new behaviors of self love.

The Sun joins Saturn and Ketu in the vedic sign of Leo on August 18, signifying a call to responsible action, and a commitment to realizing our unique potential.

Mars moves into Taurus for the month of August, forming a mutual square with Saturn, and a mutual opposition with Jupiter, giving the mandate to set ambitious goals and be methodical and determined in how we go about achieving them.

Fortune's Gate

fortune's gate
came delivered,
unexpected in it's fresh sentence.

no one could have pantomimed
the hip-flop glee display
that came in on it's heels.

the human spirit cannot fathom
that kind of atomic bursting
with joy,
it's unbearable delight
fumbling simply,
forward.

(In honor of Mars square Saturn, opposite Jupiter)