Mercury will go stationary direct this evening at 11:21 pm pst. This last retrograde cycle of the year began on December 10, 2010 in a fire sign and will end in a water sign. Mercury stations direct at 25 degrees Scorpio and will return to its previous retrograde station point of 11 degrees Sagittarius on January 17, 2010. During this time it will transit the highly critical Gandanta degrees of 27 Scorpio - 3 Sagittarius between January 3-11, 2011.
Gandanta is traditionally described as an inauspicious position causing misery to the area of influence of the planet, in this case Mercury, the ruler of communication. In Sanskrit Gand means knot, or node, and anta means end. It refers to the juncture between water and fire, in particular last 3 degrees of a water sign, and first three degrees of a fire sign -- at the three distinct junctions of Pisces (Revati)- Aries (Aswini), Cancer (Ashlesha)- Leo (Magha), and Scorpio (Jyeshta)- Sagittarius (Mula). The weakest degree or junction is 29 degrees, called sande in Vedic astrology. Mercury will be sande on January 6, 2011. When planets travel through gandanta positions, they take on a special power to unravel knots of karma and move on to the next level. If a planets falls in the last three degrees of water sign, it is completing an old cycle; if it falls in the first three degree of a fire sign is beginning a new cycle. As Mercury rules the nakshatras of the last three degrees of each water sign, it may have more significant power to release the binds of the past than other planets passing through gandanta, or at least speed up the process. Ketu rules the nakshatras of the first degrees of each fire sign. As the primordial creative force, Ketu's energy may trigger chaos at the beginning of a new cycle.
When the fast-moving Mercury does it retrograde dance through gandanta degrees change and transformation concerning Mercurial interests speed up. This quickening may lead to massive releases of information in the form of writing and communication. We certainly witnessed this phenomenon as Wikileaks and its Mercurial leader Julian Assange (Gemini Sun, Venus and Mercury) were scrutinized by the media for the past four weeks. Although he turned himself in to police before Mercury went retrograde, he was initially held for what might be trumped up sexual assault charges without bail. Despite attempts by governments to vilify and suggest that Assange is a terrorist and rapist, plenty of independent media types came to his defense, including director Michael Moore who donated bail money and explained why in an open letter. Assange was finally released on bail on Saturnalia, December 17, 2010; but the question remains, is he a modern media hero or mischievous libertine?
When Mercury was last at 25 degrees Scorpio on November 22, 2010 the big headline was that North Korea had revealed that it was operating a previously undisclosed uranium enrichment plant. The very next day North and South Korea exchanged artillery fire in what many described as the most dramatic confrontations since the Korean War. Although it seemed sudden, tension between the two enemies had been building for a long time. During the week that followed Mercury transited the gandanta degrees and this tension escalated, especially as Pluto conjoined Rahu in Sagittarius. Just as Mercury approached this explosive conjunction of Pluto and Rahu, WikiLeaks released more highly controversial information -- US diplomatic cables that revealed things like China is getting tired of dealing with North Korea's bad behavior. So even though the tension between North and South Korea was at an all time high, the world began to understand that China may have some interest in controlling its naughty child.
Mercury also rules the markets and commerce. During the holiday season initial reports indicated that sales were up significantly. According to the Huffington Post Christmas Even shoppers were setting holiday records. However, all is not as it seems. Bank failures are at an all time high. The intense winter weather patterns may also have an effect on post-Christmas retail as major winter storms shut down the East coast for two days. Once Mercury goes direct we may get a more accurate assessment of the state of the economy.
Mercury also rules travel, and winter storms in both the US and Europe wreaked havoc. Of course some of that intensity was also connected astrologically to the expansive power of Rahu over the full lunar eclipse of December 21, 2010.
As I mentioned in a previous post on Starsyncs, Mercury retrograde cycles may in fact activated the right brain. During this retrograde cycle I felt an incredible download of galactic information that I obsessively described in multiple blog posts. As Mercury stations today, my brain is having difficulty finding the right words, or connecting various abstract thoughts. Where once there was clarity, now there is an approaching fog bank. Perhaps this is the effect of going from fire to water? In 2011 the Mercury retrograde cycles will all begin in fire and transition back to water through gandanta degrees, until the final period which begins and ends in water. Until then we may see these periodic awakenings of the mind and great downloads of information through the coming Mercury retrograde cycles. Keep an eye on the stationary direct periods of Mercury's re-entry through fire. These may be times of great alchemical change.
Eclipse Period December 21, 2010 - January 4, 2011
As I have been discussing since November, there has been an increasing alignment of malefic planets with the Galactic Center culminating in a Full Lunar eclipse on the morning of the Winter Solstice.
The 2010 Winter Solstice occurs on December 21 at 3:38 pm pst, which is 15 hours after the mid-point of the total lunar eclipse. It is the first time since 1991 that a lunar eclipse has occurred on the longest night of the year, and first time they have coincided in alignment with the galactic center in over 25,000 years.*
This overlap is a unique point in time during which we may receive waves of energy from the root of our galaxy. Each planet involved in the line up has translated this galactic shakti through its own unique field of action. And this lunar eclipse promises to integrate the information from the oldest quadrant of our galaxy coming through the Sun with the unpredictable and liberating effect of the oldest planet, Ketu, over the Moon. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to open to a new evolutionary potential. But if we are caught in the lower expression of the nodes where fear of the dark and chaos feed the repressed psychic energies and get triggered and released collectively through calamity, we may block the this chance to shift karmic patterns consciously.
Eclipse Cycles
An eclipse is traditionally defined as an astronomical event in which one celestial object moves into the shadow of another. Here on Earth eclipses of the Sun and Moon occur in pairs every six months as the North and South nodes of the Moon align with the full Moon in a lunar eclipse or new Moon in a solar eclipse. Astrologers describe the two week period between the eclipses as a time filled with dynamic shifts and changes that have an effect on the following six months -- until the next eclipse period releases another round of karmic upgrades. The next two weeks may be intense, dizzying, and eye-opening for many of us as we shift up a notch on our spiraling and evolving paths.
Full Moon Lunar Eclipse Tuesday, December 21, 12:13 am pst
The first eclipse of this upcoming cycle is a full lunar eclipse at 12:13 am pst on December 21, 2010 in Gemini. A lunar eclipse occurs during a full Moon as the shadow created by the earth interferes with the peak illumination of the Moon. This shadow is represented by the North and South Nodes of the Moon, called Rahu and Ketu in Vedic astrology. The lunar nodes are the orbital nodes of the Moon where it crosses the ecliptic. The ascending node is where the Moon crosses to the north of the ecliptic called Rahu, and the descending node is where it crosses to the south, called Ketu. During this lunar eclipse, the Moon will cross the South Node, Ketu, and a shadow will slowly emerge over the lunar surface obliterating the light and eventually turning the Moon blood red.
Ancient sky watchers viewed this shadow as a dragon, or snake, who swallowed the Moon (or the Sun in the case of a solar eclipse) signaling major and sudden changes. There are many allegorical stories about the snakes and dragons of the lunar nodes. In Hindu mythology, Rahu is a snake that swallows the Sun or the Moon causing eclipses. According to legend, the the demon Rahu desired to drink from the god's cup of Soma, the divine nectar of immortality. The Sun and Moon alerted the gods, and before the nectar could pass his throat, Vishnu disguised as Mohini cut off his head. As Rahu had already tasted the divine elixir, the disembodied head remained immortal. Because of his desire for divine nectar, Rahu is associated with intoxication and is an indicator of obsession with power and fame (immortality). Rahu on a physical plane gives insatiable desire to achieve, to conquer, and to possess.
Ketu is what remains of the body of Rahu, the headless tail. The lost head symbolizes the loss of the thinking mind. The headless body may also represent an enlightened being who is freed from the thinking mind. As opposed to Rahu's affliction of the mind, Ketu can afflict the body. It is a moksha-karaka, indicator of liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Ketu can bestow great insight and healing ability, or it may place obstacles that ultimately change how one thinks. It brings spiritual tendencies, ascetism and non-attachment to worldly desires and ambitions, and it balances the materialistic compulsion of Rahu with its impulse to enlightenment.
A lunar eclipse differs in many ways from a solar eclipse. A lunar eclipse occurs at night and a solar eclipse occurs during the day, thus the effect of the shadows are more subtle as they extend and merge with the dark of night. The Moon represents the mind, the feeling body, and the collective consciousness. So an eclipse to the Moon brings up hidden or shadow issues that are not as defined or clear as its solar counterpart. Its psychic effects are unpredictable ranging from the gift of new insight to the release of repressed emotions.
There is also a difference between the effects of a Ketu eclipse and a Rahu eclipse. Rahu is the natural enemy of the Moon, and brings more inimical effects to the Moon than Ketu. Rahu's disturbance is that of illusion. Ketu's disturbance is that of dissolution, which ultimately brings enlightenment.
Ketu is the oldest planet and head of all the stars and planets. As the oldest planet, Ketu reflects the original primordial forces of chaos and disorder. Its energy is erratic and sublime, sometimes contacting, often dissolving. Thus it represents extremes, such as creation and destruction, beginnings and endings. It is an enemy of the Sun, and as the Negative Sun may bring self-doubt, lack of confidence and self worth, or its extreme opposite megalomania. Ketu is always concerned with the past, and is what attaches us to our roots in the form of family and ancestors. Under this lunar eclipse we may witness a sudden event that uproots the status quo in order to bring an ending and new beginning that is more in line with the evolutionary impulse coming from the galactic core.
Ketu is transiting the galactic anti-center in the sign of Gemini, the constellation of Orion, and the nakshatra of Ardra, which is ruled by Rahu. As this is a Ketu eclipse of the Moon in a Rahu nakshatra, we may expect to see even more karmic patterns surface as the nodes are intertwined in their own symbolic spirals along the axis of the Milky Way. Ardra translates as "moist one" and is often depicted as a tear or rain drop, but its main symbol is a diamond. As Rahu is concerned with the future, this nakshatra releases one from the past through a series of stormy events. It is a nakshatra most associated with calamities. Ardra's depiction as a tear drop indicates sadness created by this tumultuous weather. We may expect to see flooding and disasters associated with extreme weather. Ardra is ruled by the storm god Rudra, the tranformative aspect of Shiva, and its power is yatna shakti, or effort. Struggle brings rewards. Like the clearing of the air after a spring thunderstorm, Ardra promises clarity and a new start.
Ardra is located in the constellation of Orion and contains the fixed stars Betelgeuse and Sirius. According to Bernadette Brady, Betelgeuse is one of the great stars of the sky and its influence can bring unbridled success without complications. And Sirius is a blue star associated with sacrificial themes in many ancient and modern traditions, such as ancient Egyptian and modern Masonic mysteries. Sirius also figures prominently in UFO lore and ancient alien theory. Just this week CNN reported that Israel shot down a UFO over a nuclear power plant. There are theories that aliens are preventing humans from exploding any more nuclear weapons which open up tears in space allowing being from other dimensions to flow in. Could this lunar eclipse also bring in new information from our Sirian ancestors? The Disclosure community has been waiting for an announcement that would change the world on a global and galactic level. This might be it.
Ancient Vedic seers wrote about a companion star to our Sun, which may in fact be Sirius. Our Sun's proximity to it marks the four yugas, or world ages, or stages of consciousness as illustrated in this video from Walter Cruttenden's Great Year. Thus Sirius is also connected to the cyclic development of consciousness.
Ketu will begin its obfuscation of the Moon as it reaches Fullness in the nakshatra of Mrigashira and then shifts to Ardra before the midpoint of the eclipse. Although Mrigashira is ruled by Mars, it is a gentle and peaceful nakshatra as depicted by its symbol of a deer's head. Another symbol for Mrigashira is a pot full of Soma, the celestial nectar of the gods that gave Rahu and Ketu immortality. Its deity is Chandra, the Moon god, who is also called Soma, and who in this case will be receiving Ketu's glance. Ketu may dissolve the peace, but may also distribute the divine drink of Soma, also called amrita. Georg Feuerstein, author of The Shambala Encyclopedia of Yoga writes that Amrita means "nectar of immortality," referring to the nectar of immortality that trickles down from a secret center in the head and is wasted on ordinary people because its secret is not known to them. This amrita nadi, or 'conduit of immortality' is said to manifest at the time of full enlightenment creating a link between the ascending sushumna and heart center. The energetic line up on the sushumna of the Milky Way may release cosmic amrita through this lunar eclipse. Perhaps even ordinary people will feel its euphoria.
Eclipses have the strongest effect on the area where it is visible, which in this case will be over most of North and South America. At the instant of greatest eclipse the Moon will be near the zenith for observers in southern California and Baja Mexico. The end of the total eclipse will be visible rising at sunset for Japan and northeastern Asia.
Astrological traditions view eclipse cycles as a karmic time periods in which the obscuration of the luminaries brings out psychological disturbances, political unrest, shadow issues, and fear. The planet of moksha and final liberation, Ketu, aspects this lunar eclipse from its position in the planet of manifestation, Rahu's, tearful nakshatra, Ardra. As tears of a sorrow release emotional build up, they cleanse the eyes and give clarity of perception. So while this intense eclipse period may release forces that inflict pain and suffering, it is important to remember it is a result of us being out of alignment with the divine. Moreover Gemini is often described as the sign of debilitation for Ketu, so its energy may not be as intense and destructive as it would be in signs like Sagittarius. This makes the planetary line up of the Sun, Mars, Mercury, and Pluto in Mula even more striking, and under its light presents opportunities to return to god-realization as promised by this nakshatra. But first we must surrender to the "Moon shadow" to receive this intense galactic light, let go of what is not working, and allow new life to emerge.
Namaste!
Here are some Soma mantras to celebrate this Full Moon Lunar eclipse:
* Actually I was wrong about this date. I had looked at other references and dates for an eclipse on the solstice, but could not find one. But this morning (12/18/10) the US Naval Observatory posted this previous date of a lunar on the Winter Solstice at Spaceweather.com The lunar eclipse of Dec. 21st falls on the same date as the northern winter solstice. Is this rare? It is indeed, according to Geoff Chester of the US Naval Observatory, who inspected a list of eclipses going back 2000 years. "Since Year 1, I can only find one previous instance of an eclipse matching the same calendar date as the solstice, and that is Dec. 21, 1638," says Chester. "Fortunately we won't have to wait 372 years for the next one...that will be on Dec. 21, 2094." On December 21, 1638 the Sun, Mercury and Rahu were in Mula opposite a Moon in Ardra. Even though the Sun was in Mula, it was still a good 6 degrees from the galactic center. And the brief post didn't say if it was a full lunar eclipse.
Update: Lunar eclipse effecting weather in US
and in Europe travel is disrupted by winter storms Click here
Mercury Retrograde December 10-29, 2010 Mercury begins its final retrograde pattern of the year on Friday, December 10, 2010 in the last fire sign, Sagittarius. As I have mentioned in previous posts, Mercury has been transiting Sagittarius with some intense planetary players, Rahu, Pluto and Mars. During the past week it made its first conjunction with all three. Tomorrow it slows down and stations at 11 degrees Sagittarius. It will remain at 11 degrees for three days before it begins its seemingly backward motion returns it towards these malefic energetic forces. On December 13, 2010 it will reconnect with Pluto and Mars, both of which will be exactly conjoined at 10 degrees, and on December 15, 2010 it will conjunct Rahu at 9 degrees. These conjunctions of a retrograde Mercury with strong malefics in the dreadful nakshatra of Mula may signal an upcoming explosive global event, or at the very least bring up fiery emotions from deep inside our own psychological core.
When looking back over the 2010 Mercury retrograde cycle occurring in the element of fire, it is unsettling to see how cataclysmic events were ignited during each retrograde period. The new year began under the influence of Mercury retrograde in the nakshatra of Mula, ruled by the goddess of destruction, Nritti. The fire element Mercury retrograde cycle started on December 26, 2009 when Mercury stationed at 11 degrees of Sagittarius, the same degree as the upcoming station, and ran through January 15, 2010. Three days before Mercury went direct, a cataclysmic 7.0 earthquake hit the island of Haiti on January 12, 2010. The initial devastation was immense, and its after effects are still being felt today with epidemic levels of cholera and insane number of homeless families. An estimated three million people were affected by the quake. The Haitian government reported that an estimated 230,000 people had died, 300,000 had been injured and 1,000,000 made homeless.
During the second retrograde period of April 17 - May 11, 2010, the largest man-made environmental disaster occurred in the Gulf of Mexico. On April 20, 2010 a fire broke out on The Deepsea Horizon Oil Rig and triggered an explosion that lead to the largest oil spill in the history of the petroleum industry. It took four months to cap the gushing wellhead after it had released an estimated 185 million gallons of crude oil. The BP Oil Spill continues to cause extensive damage to marine and wildlife habitats as well as the Gulf's fishing and tourism industries. There is an estimated 80-Square Mile Gulf Oil Spill Zone near BP well.
And during third retrograde period of August 20 - September 12, 2010 another explosion related to a declining infrastructure of gas lines made the headlines. On September 9, 2010 an explosion in a natural gas line ripped through a San Bruno neighborhood sending up a geyser of fire that killed at least one person and injured more than 20 others, and igniting a blaze that destroyed 53 homes and damaged 120 more.
So what may we expect during this retrograde period, with Mercury aligned with even more intense malefics? What these three previous events have in common is a fire element igniting a sudden explosion that moves the earth and releases disease, poison, and toxins. While other astrological conditions, such as a solar eclipse in January or debilitated Mars throughout the spring, set the stage for each disaster, Mercury retrograding in fire signs seems to be the lit match that ignited the drama.
The next and last fire retrograde cycle begins with Mercury returning to the same 11 degrees of Sagittarius station in the nakshatra Mula. The uprooting nature of Mula is echoed in its symbol of tied roots, and deity Nritti, whose name means calamity. Its power to ruin, destroy and break things apart, barhana shakti, is intended to clear way old structures that keep us from the realizing the divine and living in harmony with all of creation. For example, the BP Oil Spill revealed how extensive off-shore drilling had become, and how dangerous this type of practice is to our planet -- in spite of BP's campaign to distort the truth.
Unfortunately with Pluto's involvement in this current retrograde cycle, we may see an incident involving the most toxic material known to mankind, radioactive fallout from a nuclear accident or explosion. Other astrologers such as Joni Patri have also pointed out that during this retrograde cycle Mars will exactly conjunct Rahu at the exact degree Mars conjoined Ketu on September 11, 2001. This degree is extraordinarily sensitive because it is the degree of the ascendant of a USA birth chart that many astrologers use. Also on the day of September 11, 2001 Mars passed over the degree of the previous eclipse that year. Mars will cross over the eclipse degree again on New Year’s Day 2011 indicating a major event, soon after the next solar eclipse will occur January 4, 2011.
While I do not doubt that this intense line up of transformative planets may trigger a global catastrophe, my dreams and meditations suggest that there is also opportunity to raise consciousness and world vibratory levels. As these planets are receiving light directly from the galactic core, I feel and sense that we are undergoing one of the most enlightening evolutionary energetic downloads of recent years.
Mercury is the messenger of the Gods and may function on multiple levels of consciousness. In his lower function he organizes and articulates material resources and informs the intellectual mind; on a higher level he brings his discrimination to the abstract mind ruled by Jupiter and connects us with the divine word, or truth. When Mercury is in the sign ruled by Jupiter, and a nakshatra ruled by Ketu, abstract thought is more accessible. As the planet stations and reverses direction, it becomes more connected to these higher realms, while its lower mundane functions suffer and lose focus.
While there may be obstruction of communication, travel, and business during this Mercury retrograde period, there will also be opportunity to experience expanded consciousness. Observe and record your dreams, as your subconscious may go on a very deep journey. Let Mercury's rendevous with Pluto loosen all those negative thought patterns that keep you and our world locked in samscara. And then be energized when Mercury meets Mars giving us the will and drive to clear the debris away, so that divine truth may be revealed.
December begins under the influence of three malefic planets and fickle Mercury aligning with the Galactic Center in Sagittarius. As the 9th sign of the zodiac, Sagittarius rules over spirituality, religion, law, and politics. When planets transit this field of stellar energy, they transmit their intrinsic energy to these activities. For example, Rahu, the north node of the Moon, amplifies forces of desire and focuses on how to materialize what it wants. As the head of a decapitated demon or Dragon, Rahu's effects are initiated on the mental field, and most often on a subconscious plane. Thus Rahu rules the unknown and anything outside our daily experience, including research beyond known boundaries, hidden realms, foreigner lands and people, microbial life, and alien life. Rahu expands and often distorts perception in order to manifest its desire. So when Rahu travels in the sign of Sagittarius it effects political, religious, and spiritual activities and pushes boundaries to a breaking point. It can bring spiritual progress, but more often Rahu taps into subconscious fears that get activated on a group level or world stage. Rahu also amplifies and intensifies the energy of the planets associated with it, so in this case Pluto's urge for deep transformation escalates and becomes more volatile.
As I illustrated with recent world events in my last post on Starsyncs, the explosive planetary line up was intially activated under the dreadful nakshatra Mula with Pluto's conjunction of Rahu, the North Node, on November 23-24, 2010; and was followed by Mercury and Mars entering Sagittarius on November 25, 2010 and November 30, 2010 respectively. The tension will continue to build as Mercury and Mars get closer to Rahu, and become mixed up in this month's eclipse pattern, culminating with a lunar eclipse on the winter solstice, December 21, 2010. Next week Uranus, the planet of sudden change and revolution stations and goes direct, while Mercury conjoins the lord of the underworld, Pluto, all under a debilitated new moon in Scorpio. The lunation before an eclipse is often extremely powerful and sets the state for the drama to be carried out. This month the new Moon occurs in the purifying water sign of Scorpio, with all the transiting planets rising in the constellation of Sagittarius casting their glance on the horizon. Moreover, the following day the Moon slips into Mula directing this energy right into our psyches, perhaps giving us a preview of the events during this eclipse cycle.
New Moon December 5, 2010 9:36 am pdt Uranus Station 5:51 pm pdt Mercury conjoins Pluto
The Nakshatra Jyeshta contains three stars that the ancient seers saw as an umbrella or earring. Its name means the eldest or most senior, and some scholars suggest that originally there were only 18 nakshtras with Jyeshta designating the last lunar mansion. I believe it may also have a deeper astronomical reference.
It also marks the entry to the oldest part of our galaxy, the galactic center, as Jyestha precedes Mula making it the last step before we come back to a rebirth at the root, or Vishnuabi, Vishnu's belly button, the center from which our entire galaxy grew. Depictions of Vishnu, the preserver, often portray him asleep dreaming on the coiled-up thousand-hooded Shesha Naga, with his consort Lakshmi, floating on the Kshira Sagar meaning 'ocean of milk,' the Milky Way.
Indra is the deity associated with Jyeshta. As the King of the Gods and protector of heroes, Indra is known for his daring nature, courage, and power, but also for his vanity, pride, and unreliable character. As god of war and weather, Indra used weapons such as the thunderbolt, bow, net, disc, and hook. The Arohana shakti of Jyeshta gives the power to rise and conquer and give courage in battle. Indra's most notable battle was with the asura Vritra, a terrible dragon, who stole all the water of the world for himself. After a mighty battle, Indra sliced open the asura releasing all the hoarded water, and thus became known as a "dragon slayer."
The theme of snakes and dragons may be revealed in the symbols of Jyeshta: a round earring, ring, or circular talisman that represents the governing forces of the universe, and the world (crown, orb, ring, large hoop earrings worn by kings).
In India the large round earring worn by ancient kings are reminiscent of the ouroboros, a coiled snake consuming its tail, representing ideas of circularity, unity, and infinity. This ancient symbol is found in many ancient cultures, and even today in alchemy, it is a sigel for purification -- the theme of this new moon.
Astronomically Jyeshta is part of the (some say 13th) constellation Ophiuchus, Greek for "the serpent holder" or "the serpent bearer." This snake handler may represent the legendary healer Aesclepius who learned the secrets of keeping death at bay after observing one serpent bringing another serpent healing herbs. Like the Nagas of Hindu mythology, snakes are symbols of wisdom, secret knowledge, and immortality. To prevent the entire human race from becoming immortal, Zeus killed Aesclepius with a bolt of lightning (also one of Indra's favorite weapons), and later placed his image in the heavens to honor his good works.
Astronomical images of Ophiuchus depict Aesculepius resting his foot on Scorpius, the Scorpion. In Greek lore the great earth goddess Gaia sent Scorpius to kill Orion, the Hunter, who had threatened to hunt down all the animals of the Earth. Scorpius stings Orion, who would have died had it not been for the intervention of Aesculapius. Aesculepius gave Orion a sip of the Divine Elixir, revealed by serpents, that restored him to health. In Hindu myth amrita is the divine elixir of mortality that Rahu so desperately desired and ultimately drank. So it seems the ancient Gods did not want humans or demons to drink this potion and share in the ultimate gift of immortality.
The Rod of Aesculepius is the symbol for Ophiuchus, and is often confused with Caduceus of Mercury -- interesting sync in Vedic Astrology that Jyestra is ruled by Mercury. The confusion regarding the supposed medical significance of the caduceus appears to have arisen as a result the military using it for the US Army Medical Corps in the early 20th century -- and may in fact stem from Babylonian symbols depicting Ishtar as 'an awakener of life and vegetation in the spring' -- which is a whole other kettle of fish that I will refrain from discussing, today.
It is intriguing that the 13th constellation is also described as the "eldest" sign both Western and Vedic traditions. Johannes Kepler depicted an allegorical and astronomical Ophiuchus in the drawing posted below.
Kepler was fascinated by Ophiuchus as it is the location of the last visible supernova. Supernover 1604 is also known as Kepler's Star. It no doubt caused quite a stir as it was visible and bright. First observed on October 9, 1604 Supernova 1604 was brighter at its peak than any other star in the night sky -- and all the planets other than Venus -- with apparent magnitude 2.5. It was visible during the day for over three weeks at the end of the 12 baktun, and beginning of the last and 13th baktun of the Mayan Calendar which we all know resets at the ends of 2012. There have been no observable supernova in the Milky Way since that time. Now that we are approaching the end of the 13th baktun, perhaps history will repeat itself and another galactic wave message might be sent from this area of space? There is another recurrent nova in Ophiuchus that may go supernova in our lifetime, RS Ophiuchi.
The constellation Ophiuchus is opposite the constellation Orion along the axis of the Milky Way. Orion is speculated home of our alien ancestors, possible binary twin Sirius, and supposed stargate/wormhole. Could Ophiuchus also contain a wormhole, an energetic ouroboros, that was opened in 1604, or be an astrological marker for us to pay attention to our galactic birth place?
Ophiuchus contains star systems that are much closer to earth than Orion. I'm not the only one to consider space travel to Ophiucus. In fact the 1970s Project Daedalus selected Barnard's Star which is on one of the nearest stars to our Solar System located in the Ophiucus constellation, as a plausible site for a visit from an unmanned spacecraft.
Mercury conjoins Pluto Mercury conjoins the modern ruler of Scorpio, Pluto, under the new Moon in Scorpio and in Jyeshta which is ruled by Mercury. Although Mercury is usually helpful in diplomatic discussions, this time around it is keeping company with some intense malefic planetary players. As the planet of communication tends to absorb the energy of the planets around it, Mercury may assimilate some of Rahu's tendency towards amplification, obfuscation, and exaggeration. Couple Jyeshta promise of courage to do battle with Pluto's demand for explosive transformation and monumental change, communication will be intense, and potentially explosive. Mercury pertains to our individual and collective thinking processes, so these influences will give negative qualities to the mindset of the world. In Greek Mythology Mercury/Hermes took souls down to the underworld ruled by Hades/Pluto. Thus, Mercury is the god of thresholds and rites of passage. He is the god of twilight and dawn. He rules places where two things seemed joined and yet not joined (sounds like the Korean Peninsula), ie places that aren't clearly one thing or another. Mercury is invoked at crossroads of life. When it meets Pluto it may be a crossroad of death. Are you ready?
Scorpio likes to go deep into the darkest mysteries and all the diverging avenues, as is apparent in this post. So I say let the ancient wisdom of Jyestha inspire you to dig into a great mystery, purify in sauna, hot springs, or with sacred water, uncover a plot, give care to elders, or set some grand plan into motion. Let Mercury's meeting with Pluto loosen all those negative thought patterns that keep you locked in samscara. Observe and record your dreams, as your subconscious may go on a very deep journey. The next day you may find yourself past the threshold of death, being reborn as the Moon draws in new instructions from the galactic center.
UPDATE: On the new moon in Scorpio on December 5, Iran claimed it could now use domestically mined uranium to produce nuclear fuel, giving the country complete control over a process the West suspects is geared toward producing weapons.
Gandanta is traditionally described as an inauspicious position causing misery to the area of influence of the planet, in this case Mercury, the ruler of communication. In Sanskrit Gand means knot, or node, and anta means end. It refers to the juncture between water and fire, in particular last 3 degrees of a water sign, and first three degrees of a fire sign -- at the three distinct junctions of Pisces (Revati)- Aries (Aswini), Cancer (Ashlesha)- Leo (Magha), and Scorpio (Jyeshta)- Sagittarius (Mula). The weakest degree or junction is 29 degrees, called sande in Vedic astrology. Mercury will be sande on January 6, 2011. When planets travel through gandanta positions, they take on a special power to unravel knots of karma and move on to the next level. If a planets falls in the last three degrees of water sign, it is completing an old cycle; if it falls in the first three degree of a fire sign is beginning a new cycle. As Mercury rules the nakshatras of the last three degrees of each water sign, it may have more significant power to release the binds of the past than other planets passing through gandanta, or at least speed up the process. Ketu rules the nakshatras of the first degrees of each fire sign. As the primordial creative force, Ketu's energy may trigger chaos at the beginning of a new cycle. 
