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

Autumnal Equinox, Mercury Retrograde

Autumnal Equinox 9/22/08
The Autumnal Equinox occurs on Monday, September 22nd. It marks the brief astronomical moment when light and dark are in balance. After the autumnal equinox the power of the sun begins to wane. Nights begin to grow longer than days until the Winter Solstice in December. Ancient people like the Mayans, Egyptians and Druids used architectural markers to observe these seasonal shifts and set their calendars. The autumnal equinox signaled the fall harvest, which, if you think about it, is the harvest of sunlight that was collected and stored by the plants all summer long to be used during the fall and winter when the sunlight is weak. It is a symbolic time to assess what you have collected and what needs to be released. Like a tree releases its leaves that become compost for the next year, we too must let go of what no longer serves us and return to our core, our roots.

Mercury Retrograde 9/24/08 - 10/15/08
This week Mercury makes its last retrograde pattern of the year in its own sign, or moolatrikona, as well as its sign of exaltation. It stations at 12:17 am at 28 degrees of Virgo. The first planet from the sun rules thinking and perception, as well as communication, commerce, education and transportation. Astrologers often describe its three-week retrograde period as a challenging time for these activities. The effects of this retrograde period may be amplified because an exalted planet is going retrograde. In Vedic astrology a retrograde planet is interpreted at being more powerful, especially on the days that it stations. Even a debilitated planet may becomes so much stronger that the negative effects are reversed in what's called a neecha banga raja yoga. However, an exalted planet, like this one, is believed to lose power to the point of debilitation. Mercury will be at its exaltation point of 15 degrees on Friday, October 10, 2008. This is a date to hold your highest intentions and not allow fear or propaganda distract your heart from the truth.

This reversal is not good news for the recent global economic disaster. As Mercury rules commerce, it may indicate that consumer confidence declines or that trade becomes debilitated. In addition Mercury rules communication and the media, so the truth may be hard to discern at this time as well. Any deal that is signed under its influence is bound to be reversed once Mercury goes direct. Moreover this retrograde occurs in the 8th house of the US Scorpionic America chart. The 8th house represents taxes, debt, death, conspiracies and hidden matters. Yikes! More grim debt details may be revealed, or even worse kept from the public. Even now conspiracy websites are full of speculation on a war with Iran, delayed elections, and financial collapse. The occupation of Iraq was started on another equinox, March 20, 2003 during which time Mercury was also debilitated thus allowing disinformation to be presented by the media. Ironically Mercury also rules tricksters and thieves. So perhaps during this debilitating Mercury retrograde, it is the liars who will be revealed.

Although I'm not a political astrologer, I couldn't help but look at the charts of the two presidential candidates. This Mercury retrograde falls on the 24 degree Virgo ascendant of John McCain's natal chart. His chart ruler thus debilitated will not serve him at all during the first two presidential debates on 9/26/08 and 10/7/08; but it may give him a boost on 10/15/08 as it stations and regains its exaltation strength. However, I am more concerned about his health during this period -- especially lung (ie skin cancer as the lungs rules the skin in Chinese medicine) and nervous system related illnesses. This retrograde may not be so difficult for Barack Obama as Mercury retrogrades in his 9th house which rules philosophy, law, spirituality, father, higher education and good fortune. Mercury also rules his 6th house of enemies, so opponents may become debilitated (again not good news for John McCain). My biggest concern is what happens if John McCain becomes too sick to complete his campaign? Who then heads the GOP ticket? Mercury goes stationary direct on October 15, 2008 at 13 degrees Virgo. It was last at this point during the Republican National Convention when Sarah Palin was revealed as the Vice Presidential nominee. I wonder how Mercury's return to this point in time and space will bring new information forward that was not knowable at that time -- like the woman is not qualified to be next in line for the presidency of the United States.

And one last note, as Mercury rules the lungs and nervous system it is important not to get too run down as the possibility of an early flu season is high -- especially with all the national and global stresses going on in the business/political arenas right now. There have been predictions of a virulent flu or pandemic, so it might be wise stock up on immune boosting supplements like elderberry extract, zinc, echinacea, yin qiao and gan mao ling. You can boost both the immune and nervous system by regular meditation practice. This practice is perhaps the best remedy for Mercury retrograde, a time when our mental energies are directed internally.

Namaste!

Astro Weather September 2008

New Moon Saturday August 30, 2008

September begins under the influence of the new moon which occurred on Saturday, August 30, 2008 in the sign of Leo and nakshatra of Purva Phalguni. This nakshatra contains two stars, Delta Leonis and Theta Leonis that represent the legs of a cot or poles of a swinging hammock. Anytime a bed appears as a symbol, it indicates rest and recuperation. It is a social and sometimes lazy nakshatra, considered good for self-indulgent and artistic activities. It is ruled by Venus which is currently debilitated in Virgo. Luckily the planet of the fine arts and beauty is accompanied with an exalted Mercury in Virgo lifting her up somewhat. We may enjoy mental pursuits more at this time.

Purva Phalguni is also the nakshatra of Shiva's wedding procession. Traditionally it promises a happy marriage and family life. It bestows prajanana shakti, the power of procreation. The marriage of Shiva and Shakti may be seen as a metaphor for Kundalini rising. Shiva as the masculine principle is still, with a static quality. He is unmanifested consciousness. Shiva has the power to be, but not the power to manifest. Shakti, as the force of Kundalini and the feminine principle is dynamic, energetic and creative. Thus the sacred marriage of Shiva to Shakti represents the rise of Kundalini into the Higher Mind that is represented by the snowy mountains of Kailash. Kailash is the symbol of the highest mind and Shiva has his abode on this mountain where silence reigns eternally. The analogy is between a human wedding which releases the highest ecstasies of the flesh, and the wedding of Kundalini with Shiva, which is a symbol of the highest bliss attainable by an individual soul.

Kundalini is the energy is coiled at the base of the spinal cord and is naturally awakened by the time of the astrological phenomenon called the Uranus opposition that occurs between 38-42 years. As this new moon was in opposition to Uranus, it may have sparked a little kundalini rising here on the planet. Notice how hurricane Gustav increased in intensity during this time. Moreover, the fun of Purva Phalguni may have be dampened by the strong influence of Saturn, also in Leo. Saturn in Leo is not happy and easily disappointed. Saturn is somber and grounding. Perhaps some of us experienced this combination as low energy or being tied down by responsibility. This heaviness should shift by the time Jupiter goes direct on September 7, 2008.

Jupiter Stationary Direct on Sunday, September 7, 2007

Jupiter goes stationary direct on September 7, 2008 in its own sign of Sagittarius. It has been retrograde since May 9th slowing down expansion and making us reassess our philosophical, political and religious beliefs. A retrograde period is about going inward to reevaluate our inner knowledge. Once it goes direct on September 7th we should be able to bring these new insights to the outer world and expand our opportunities.

Full Moon September 15, 2008

The full moon on September 15 will be in Aquarius, in another nakshatra of recuperation, Purva Bhadrapada. Its two stars, Markab and Scheat are located in the body of Pegasus, the winged horse. It has an obscure deity Aja Ekapada, "one footed goat" who is associated with the fierce form of Shiva known as Rudra. Like Western concepts of the devil, the one-footed hindu god is associated with chaotic destructive energy that purifies so that new may be created. There is a diabolical element to this nakshatra that may trigger violence, paranoia, deceit, death and conspiracy. But this one-footed god is fulfilling a divine plan, so the change and discomfort produced under its influence is mainly the pain of transformation. Purva Bhadrapada puts an end to things and thus rules over activities like death, funeral services, risk taking, as well as the harvest of agriculture. Perhaps this last activity is most significant as the Harvest full moon in September often occurs in Purva Bhadrapada.

The Harvest Moon is no ordinary full moon and it behaves in a special way. Throughout the year the Moon rises about 50 minutes later each day. But near the autumnal equinox, the difference in the local time of moon rise is only 30 minutes. This comes in handy for farmers who are working long days to harvest their crops before autumn. The extra hours of light projected by the full Moon closest to the equinox is what gives the Harvest Moon its name. Watch to see what you harvest.

Namaste!!


Next post:
Autumnal Equinox Monday September 22, 2008
Mercury Retrograde September 24, 2008 - October 15, 2008
New Moon September 29, 2008