Election Day

Election Day in the US is the day set by law for the election of public officials. Currently it occurs on the first Tuesday following the first Monday of November--so the earliest possible date is November 2 and the latest November 8.

Since 1792, the U.S. Congress permitted the states to conduct their presidential elections any time in a 34-day period before the first Wednesday of December, which was the day set for the meeting of the the Electoral College. For the early colonials, an election date in November ensured that the harvest would have been completed and the winter storms would not interrupt travel. In 1845 Tuesday was selected as the day of voting, so that farmers and people traveling by horse and buggy could get to the county seat, have a day to vote, and a day to return home without interfering with the Sabbath. As Wednesday was market Day, Tuesday was the final choice. Tuesday is ruled by Mars, and Mars rules the 10th house -- the house of the public -- in the Scorpionic America chart.

Initially I thought it inauspicious that we would select our leaders on a day in which the planetary karaka, or significator, for the leader of our country, the Sun, is debilitated. The Sun is debilitated in the sign of Libra, for the time period between October 16 and November 15. As I mentioned in my previous post the Sun signifies the self, authority, the government, and royalty. It is uncomfortable in the sign of Libra which confers an accommodating nature that is useful when dealing with groups and relationships, but not for taking its right place of authority. The Libra Sun of election day annually conjoins the exhalted chart ruler, Saturn, of the Scorpionic US chart. This intriguing configuration reveals the underlying source of power in the US -- the people. It is indicative of a democracy in which the majority of the people rule through negotiation and checks and balances (Libra). Our leaders are public servants, not kings, who enact the will of the people.

Today we have many choices around how and when to vote, making it a little tricky for Vedic Astrologers to cast an event, or Prashna chart. But for the Presidential elections, I always like to set the chart data for election day at the time that the polls open in Washington, DC. As this event chart always has the Sun and Ascendant rising in the constellation of Libra, the key to interpreting the chart comes from the Moon which to me represents the the public, the will of the people. On November 4, 2008 the moon will just barely be in the sign of Capricorn and the nakshatra Uttara Ashada. This moon is within 4 degrees of John McCain's natal moon and within 2 degrees of Barack Obama's chart ruler, Saturn, and 7 degrees of dasha Lord Jupiter.

Uttara Ashada is called the "universal star" that reflects its humanitarian influence. Abraham Lincoln had his moon in this nakshatra which is ruled by the Vishvadevas, the ten sons of the god Dharma. The power of this asterism is to grant an unchallengable victory (apradhrisya shakti); so which candidate will this energy bless?

I believe the stars favor Barack Obama, with his chart ruler AND dasha lord in Uttara Ashada. In addition Obama's natal Moon in the 5th house of past life karma is within one degree of the exhalted Moon in Taurus in the US chart. The Moon is a karaka indicator for the public as well as an individual's mind, so Obama's mind and karma is tied to that of the US. And he is running Jupiter-Moon Dasha. Jupiter is the great benefic, and it's dasha brings much success. Currently Jupiter is in its own sign of Sagittarius, but it will shift to Capricorn, its sign of debilitation on December 9, 2008, the day the Electoral College meets for the Determination of Controversy as to Appointment of Electors.

Obama's rising sign, chart ruler Saturn and Jupiter are all in Capricorn. Usually Jupiter is debilitated in Capricorn, but in this case its retrograde motion reverses the debilitation in what's called a Neecha Banga Raja Yoga. Jupiter also gets dik bala or what's called directional strength in the first house AND I believe its placement in the first house also confers a Hamsa Yoga. A Hamsa Yoga is formed when Jupiter is in its own sign or exhalted (in this case through a Neecha Banga Raja Yoga) in a Kendra House (angle 1,4,7,10) and it confers fairness, philosophical nature, and very good luck.

In addition, it is conjunct the chart ruler Saturn in its own sign or mulatrikona in the first house, an angle, giving another Pancha Mahapurusha raja yoga -- "yoga of very important people". A Shashya Yoga is formed when Saturn is in its own sign or exhalted in a Kendra House and it confers power, discipline and authority. These Pancha Mahapurusha Raja Yogas elevate Barack Obama's chart, and since he is currently Jupiter's grand cycle, all of this energy lines up at a very significant moment. It means that the Electoral College will have a clear winner that day: Barack Obama.

New Moon

New Moon Tuesday October 28, 2008 4:14 pm pst

Tuesday's new moon occurs in Libra under the nakshatra Swati. A new moon is the monthly conjunction of Sun and Moon. This month the Sun is debilitated in Libra. As the Sun signifies the self, authority, the government, and royalty, it is uncomfortable in the sign of Libra which confers an accommodating nature that is useful when dealing with groups and relationships, but not for taking its right place of authority. The Sun in Libra can be charming, alluring, and supportive, but it can also be out of balance and give too much causing a passive-aggressive polarity. When coupled with the new Moon in Libra, this accommodating nature may effect our minds and emotions as well. This lunation cycle is a wonderful time to re-access and bring to balance of all of our relationships.

The nakshatra Swati is often translated in a variety of ways: "self-going", "good goer", "self-blowing", "tender", "sword" or "priest". These terms seem to encompass all the qualities that this asterism evokes. Its symbol is a single plant shoot blown by the wind. The nakshatra contains the fixed star Arcturus that many Crop Circle enthusiasts believe to be the source of intelligence behind crop circles, which are made up of bent plants seemingly blown in geometrical patterns as if by the wind. Although it is late in the season, I think it would be really cool if a new crop circle appear that day.

Swati is ruled by Vayu, the demigod of air and wind. In Hinduism he is also known as Vata (air), Pavana (purifier), or Prana (breath). Astrologically air and wind symbolism reveals the quality that confers its restless nature. This nakshatra gives the power to "scatter like the wind," pradhvamsa shakti. It is ruled by Rahu, the north node of the moon, that has a vata, literally "blown", or airy, nature. Rahu is a manifesting force that can build like a gentle breeze, or wreak havoc and blow like a category five hurricane. Swati also has a connection to Saraswati, the goddess of music and learning, that reveals the higher nature of this nakshatra -- all sort of learning. (See more about Saraswati in the column to the right.) It is a great time for new art, music, and intellectual pursuits.

The two keywords that capture my attention are sword and priest. In the Five Element School of Acupuncture, the sword and priest symbolize the metal element of the fall. Autumn is a time when energy begins to contract after reaching its peak of expansion in the late summer. The Metal Element represents this time of the exquisite beauty of maturity as seen in the brilliant colors of fall foliage. It is also the time of release, of letting go, and letting the dying process begin. It is the energy that allows a person to be present through the process of purification, farewells, tears, grief, and loss. Treating this element with acupuncture is believed to allow patients to bow to and accept what is inevitable, much like the bending of a delicate shoot.

The Metal element within our psyches is the part of us that seeks perfection of form and function. It is our inner disciplinarian and perfectionist. The sword is the perfect symbol for its desire for justice and its defense of virtue, honor, principle, and moral values. The archetype of the priest represents that which evokes inspiration, awe, and reverence. When we are under the influence of the metal element, we are called back into our internal sacredness. Tibetan priests ring metal bowls to create a sacred space for meditation. The vibrational tones raise and align our vibrations to the purity of the metal element. The new moon on Tuesday is the perfect time listen to the ringing of bells, inhale the crisp quality of the fall wind into the metal organ, the lungs, and release worn out patterns that no longer serve us.

Full Moon Surprise?

Full Moon Tuesday October 14, 2008 1:02 pm pacific

The full moon on Tuesday will be in the sign of Pisces, in the nakshatra Revati. Being the last nakshatra in the astrological wheel, Revati is connected to endings and completion. It is translated as "wealthy" and "to transcend," perhaps alluding to its place at the end of the journey through 27 nakshatras. Revati's power is kshiradyanapni shakti, the power of nourishment symbolized by milk. The presiding deity is Pushan, a protector of flocks and herds. According to the Puranas, Pushan is one of the twelve sons of Aditi who was the keeper of the sacred cows of the gods. He protected travelers from bandits and wild beasts, and prevented men from being exploited by other men. Pushan guided his followers towards rich pastures and wealth. Mercury is the ruling planet of Revati, and it is interesting that this full moon occurs as Mercury is about to go stationary direct on 10/15/08 at 1:06 pm. We could certainly use Pushan's protection from the bandits on Wall Street and in Washington. I've posted the Pushan mudra on this page as a remedy to help us through this time period.

In addition to the economic mess that was revealed, or promoted, under this Mercury retrograde period, the internet and UFO world are also buzzing with a prediction of possible alien encounter under this full moon. According to psychic Blossom Goodchild, aliens associated with the Federation of Light will reveal themselves to the earth:

We wish it to be understood that on the 14th day of your month of October in the year 2008 a craft of great size shall be visible within your skies. It shall be in the south of your hemisphere and it shall scan over many of your states.

We give to you the name of Alabama.

It has been decided that we shall remain within your atmosphere for the minimum of three of your twenty four hour periods.

One of the reasons I find the timing of this event to be intriguing is that the chart for the full moon has an ascendant that lines up exactly with the Galactic Center. As I mention in previous posts (7/27/07), this part of the night sky called the Vishnuabhi, Vishnu's navel, is the center from which all galactic life emerged. Planetary alignments with the center usually bring in new evolutionary information to our world. So this full moon is under the influence of this center suggesting that any information received at this time may be significant.

However, we need to keep in mind that some of that information may be not be clear, or may even be disinformation as Mercury's energy is debilitated while retrograde in Virgo. For example, conspiracy circles also talk about a staged alien invasion in which the public may be fooled into believing a holographic light show. When planets station, they become more powerful, and when Mercury goes direct on the following day it will be extremely potent as it is in its sign of exaltation. There may be a surge of information released at that time that is difficult to process. It will take a very discriminating heart to feel and know the truth -- be it about aliens, politics or the economy.

Namaste!

Astro Weather October 2008

New Moon September 29, 2008, Mercury Retrograde 9/24/08 - 10/15/08

October begins under the influence of Monday's new moon in Virgo accompanied by a retrograding Mercury. Usually the sign of Virgo is described as discriminating and exacting, just the kind of energy one needs to look at the proposed bail out plan here in the US. However, as I mentioned in my previous blog, Mercury, the planet of commerce and trade, is retrograding in its own and exhalted sign rendering it debilitated and confused, like the US economy and Wall Street. In addition, this new moon lineup occurred in the 8th house of the US Scorpionic chart, the house of debt and hidden matters. It is difficult to sift out the truth from fear-driven rhetoric.

What is truly amazing is that proposed bail out was rejected after hundreds of thousands of phone calls and emails voiced the peoples will to Congress. As Michael Moore wrote,

The Corporate Crime of the Century was halted by a vote of 228 to 205. It was rare and historic; no one could remember a time when a bill supported by the president and the leadership of both parties went down in defeat.

The markets lost 1.2 trillion dollars and the media went on a fear blitkrieg. Again, as Michael Moore points out:

Sane people know that nobody "lost" anything yesterday, that stocks go up and down and this too shall pass because the rich will now buy low, hold, then sell off, then buy low again. But for now, Wall Street and its propaganda arm (the networks and media it owns) will continue to try and scare the bejesus out of you.

Perhaps it was the new moon in the nakshatra Hasta that gave clear insight. This asterism consits of five stars representing fingers of a hand. It corresponds to the constellation Corvus, the Crow. This nakshatra belongs to the Vaishya, or merchant/business, class. Hasta's power is the ability to manifest what we are seeking and to place it in our hands, hasta sthapaniya agama shakti. It is a healing nakshatra. I find it interesting that a "hand"out to Wall Street was rejected -- leaving political proponents like the President eating crow. A new revised bill will be up for Vote this evening when the moon will be in Libra associated with Mars and Venus. The deal has been sweetened, but Mercury retrograde is not good for signing any deal as important information and details are often overlooked.

During this Mercury retrograde period our brains, ruled by Mercury, will not be able to perceive clearly. One remedy that Vedic astrology suggests is the repetition of planetary mantra. In this case Mercury's mantra would be om bum budhaaya namah (see sanskrit above for visual). As the most recent new moon fell in Hasta, the hand, it's power may be magnified during this lunation cycle. Other remedial measures might include yoga poses on the hands such as bakasana, crow pose, or hand gestures such as buddhi mudra. In mudra practice, hand gestures are used to direct energy from the heart to the hand. In Chinese medicine the heart meridian flows from the heart thru the palm of the hand to the pinky finger. It is believed that the heart is the only organ that can recognize truth, thus mudra becomes an intensive focus on a truth or intention. I would suggest using the three m's -- meditation, mantra, and mudra -- to connect with the heart field hear you inner truth during this Mercury retrograde period.

Namaste!

Future Posts
Full Moon in Pisces 10/14/08 1:02 pm pdt
Mercury Stationary Direct 10/15/08 1:06 pm
Mercury returns to point of retrograde 10/30/08
Venus Mars exchange 10/13/08 - 11/6/08