Venus Stationary Direct

After spending the past 44 days retrograding through the stellar influences of Leo and Cancer, Venus stations and turns direct today at 9:14 am PDT. The evening star has completed its shamanic journey behind the sun and has re-emerged as the morning star. This phenomenon was observed by ancient sky-watchers and mystics, and became the basis of many myths involving death and resurrection. Christians, Mayans, and Hindus all describe the return of the morning star as symbolic of the return of their teachers.

A Venus cycle includes 5 retrogrades over 8 years, cutting a path in the shape of a star or pentagram. The 5/8 ratio has captivated astronomers, mathematicians, and astrologers because it relates to the Fibonacci Series and PHI. The Fibonacci numbers are named after Leonardo of Pisa, known as Fibonacci, although they had been described nearly 1000 years earlier in India by Pingala in Chandra-Shastra.

The Fibonacci Series is a sequence of numbers that when the sum is added to the previous number, a formula correlating to growth and harmonic cycles develops-- for example 0, 0+1 = 1, 1+1=2, 2+1=3, 3+2=5, 5+3=8, 8+5=13 ect. When the sum is divided by the previous number the result is the golden ration, or PHI -- ie. 8/5 = 1.6 ~ 1.618. This ratio is found throughout the natural world such as in the growth pattern of plants. Flowers develop petals following the sequence 3,5,8,13,21,34,55 etc. For example, white calla lily has 1 petal, euphorbia has two, trillium three, and columbine has five, the most common number of petals in the flower world. The sunflower beautifully illustrations the spiraling ratios with it 34 petals and 55 seeds. Music also is rooted in the Fibonacci series: There are 13 notes in the span of any note through its octave. A scale is comprised of 8 notes, of which the 5th and 3rd notes create the basic foundation of all chords, and are based on whole tone which is 2 steps from the root tone, that is the 1st note of the scale.

In astrology Venus rules the fine arts, where the Fibonacci series and the golden ratio have been known and utilized for thousands of years. Ancient monuments were designed to fit in with nature, and thus reflected the golden ratio. Artists of the Renaissance used these principles in developing perfect composition that reflected nature and the divine order.

And according to recent studies, there is evidence that natural rhythms of the earth, such as the Schumann frequency, and human rhythms, such as brainwave patterns are connected in part due to these ratios. Human consciousness expands according to the sequence (1,2,3Hz Delta/sleep, 5,8 Hz Alpha/meditation, 13 Hz Beta/awake) and if researchers like Gregg Braden are correct the Schumann frequency may shift from 8 Hz to 13 Hz. In certain sound healing practices such as Acutonics, the frequency for Venus is a harmonic of 13 Hz. As the Mayan calendar is based on Venus cycles, and its end date aligns with the completion of the 2004 Venus pentagonal cycle, I can't help but wonder if the coming earth changes will raise our frequency to match that of Venus.

Of all symmetric geometric shapes, none represent so concisely the principles of PHI than the pentacle or five pointed star within a circle. This is probably so because the ratio of PHI is first derived from the square root of five. The diagram of the 5 retrograde loops of the Venus cycle is a symbol of the Five Holy Kumaras(4 Exoteric + 3 Esoteric - 2 Fallen = 5). According to the Secret Doctrine, these Promeathean-like beings gave the spark of intelligence and the seed of individuality to humanity. Thus Venus is associated with growth, fertility, and creativity.

In Vedic astrology the planet Venus is known as Shukra, meaning "white" or "bright" in Sanskrit, as well as "semen". In her lower aspects Venus governs sensuality and is the embodiment of love. Shukra is a male deity, the son of Brighu who was one of the Prajapatis and a Vedic Sage. Venus is the Daitya-Guru, the teacher of the asuras, rules the arts, bestows the wisdom of the Vedas, and has the power to raise the dead. The esoteric glyph for Venus is the circle of spirit above the cross of manifestation. According to Bepin Behari:

The circle represents the spiritual essence evolving through manifestation. It shows the wholeness of latent faculties of man to be developed during the course of his evolution . . . The life-giving principle expressed in the outer manifestation is symbolized by the encircled space. Venus, Mars and Mercury are concerned with this life-giving force. The Venusian impulse is important for generating, preserving and nourishing the various life forms on Earth. . . The cross represents the churning of the ocean. When two opposing forces combine together to activate electrical energy, there is much activity and the magnetic field becomes high charged. In the cross symbol, the masculine energy is presented by the vertical line, and the feminine by the horizontal line, together represent manifestation. Wherever life unfolds and any form of creation takes place, one finds the interplay of these positive and negative forces. Placed under the circle the cross denotes the Divine Essence involved in the creative process. The impulse generated by Venus always creates fundamental change and brings forth new manifestation. . . the sexual urge is merely one of the various forces generated by the churning process.

Thus in its higher aspect, the divine is made manifest by the impulse generated by Venus.

So what happens when Venus is retrograde? As I mentioned in previous posts, many Vedic astrologers believe that retrograde planets are more powerful as they often indicate a karmic result. They may be functioning to fulfill some karmic debt or promise or to clear up affairs from the past. This past retrograde took Venus from 8 degrees of Leo in the Nakshatra Magha to 22 degrees Cancer in the Nakshatra of Ashlesha. As it crossed through the critical Gandantic transition of fire to water (3 degrees Leo to 27 degrees Cancer), it started to unravel the karmic knot. It will return over these degrees between September 22 - October 2, 2007, and finally return to its point of retrograde on October 11, 2007. During this time issues that were brought to light this summer may finally find resolution, and like the promise of a Fibonacci sequence, show growth on our spiraling journey of spiritual evolution.

Namaste!

Eclipse Crop Circle

On the day before the lunar eclipse, Canada received its first crop circle of 2007. Apparently simple compared to its UK counterparts, I can't help but wonder if it is an interdimensional comment on the eclipse. The symbol for Shatabishak, the nakshatra of the moon during this eclipse, is an empty circle enclosing space. In sacred geometry the circle represents wholeness, cycles, and timelessness. Of course most crop circles begin with the circle and expand into intricate mandalas, which makes the quiet appearance of this one even more intriguing.

Namaste!

Astro Weather September 2007

September begins in the middle of an eclipse period. The two week period between the eclipse is often filled with dynamic shifts and changes that have an effect on the following six months -- until the next eclipse period. The upcoming 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 Lunar Eclipse, August 28, 2007
September begins under the waning influence of a spectacular full lunar eclipse. In the wee hours of August 28th, the north node, Rahu, caste a shadow over the full moon in the constellation of Aquarius, the Water Bearer. According to Hindu mythology the Water Bearer is depicted as the physician of the gods, who pours the divine nectar of immortality from his sacred medicinal jar. The Nakshatra associated with this part of the night sky is Shatabishak, meaning the "hundred healers", or "hundred physicians." An alternate translation is "hundred flowers" which may refer to the crown chakra, through which this asterism conveys its message, as well as knowledge of herbal and flower remedies.

Each nakshatra has a shakti, or energy of intention, associated with it. Shatabishak bestows bheshaja shakti, or the power of healing. The opportunity for healing and receiving the cosmic soma was high that evening. Personally the eclipse occurred exactly on my ascendant offering me the opportunity to learn more about my dharma, as well as to experience a surge of energy through my crown chakra that kept me up all night. (I heard countless stories of restless sleep this week from my patients, as well as from my brother-in-law who has the same Shatabishak ascendant as me.)

Also known as the Veiling Star, Shatabishak is ruled by the eclipsing dragon's head, Rahu, which makes its transit over this full moon even more powerful, intoxicating, enlightening, and obscuring. As Prash Travidi describes: Secrecy is the one quality which separates Shatabishak from other Nakshatras. . . in fact [it] derives all most all its power from what is hidden. Whether it is the herbs in the ocean or secret formulas of nature's functioning, Shatabishak always tries to gain access to what is hidden and in doing so attains its power. Shatabishak is not always very ready to share the hidden secrets it has discovered and tries to hide them just like the ocean covers up many a treasure.

So what was unveiled for you during this eclipse? Politically there has been some significant changes as resignations from the current administration are being announced, while at the same time the details of which are surely being guarded. Will we ever know the real story?

Partial Solar Eclipse September 11, 2007
As eclipses cycles dance around the earth effecting our destiny like a cosmic double helix, they always occur in pairs at the height of flow (full moon/lunar eclipse) and ebb of flow (new moon/solar eclipse). The next phase of this cycle is a partial solar eclipse on September 11th at 6:44 am PDT. In this case, Ketu crosses a corner of the Sun casting a different type of shadow upon the earth. Whereas Rahu is expansive and extrovertive, Ketu is contracting and introverted. Ketu is a detaching force that can give spiritual liberation from the game of life. It is currently in the sign of Leo and nakshatra of Purva Phalguni. Purva Phalguni means "fruit of the tree" and its symbol is the hammock representing rest and recuperation. Another symbol is the Shiva Lingam indicating the power of creative procreation -- prajanana shakti. It is ruled by Venus and thus manifests in sensual pleasure and sociable behavior. As this new moon is being eclipsed by the contracting energy of Ketu, we might find ourselves in need of some rest and relaxation if we over do it during the previous weekend. In addition, somber Saturn is also involved in this eclipse which drains the fun out of the Leonine energy. As Leo rules kings and leaders, it will be interesting to see how our president handles all the resignations and political power shifts. The fact that the solar eclipse falls on the anniversary of 9/11 will only intensify the growing disillusionment with the "official" story.

Pluto Stationary Direct September 7, 2007
Pluto goes stationary direct on September 7, 2007 and will head towards its last contact with the Galactic Center on October 28, 2007. Please see previous post on Transits of Pluto and Jupiter to the Galactic Center for more information.

Venus Stationary Direct September 8, 2007
Venus will go stationary direct on Saturday, September 8, 2007 at the same degree of Cancer that she was at around June 23, 2007 in the nakshatra of Ashlesha. This nakshatra is in the constellation of the Hydra, the female water snake. Ashlesha means "the entwiner" and is called the "clinging star". As I mentioned in a previous post on Venus retrograde, this period we may feel blocked from receiving the things we love, perhaps due to clinging to our old ideas of what we want. During the retrograde period we may have had time to reassess our desires and dreams, and once Venus goes direct, we will have the energy to manifest an upgraded version of what we want. Venus returns to the point of retrograde on October 11th during which time this our new dreams may come to fruition.

Mars enters Gemini September 16, 2007 - April 27, 2008
Mars will enter Gemini on September 16, 2007 and will be opposite Pluto and the Galactic Center around September 20, 2007. It will also undergo a retrograde cycle, which begins on November 15, 2007. With Mars retrograde we reassess how we go after what we want. Following on the tail of the Venus retrograde cycle, it seems very karmic and appropriate. This an extraordinary long period for Mars to be transiting Mercury's mutable sign meaning that there will be a lot of changes in how we expend energy, especially mental energy as Mercury rules this sign. I will post more about this astrological period next month.

Autumnal Equinox September 23, 2007
The Autumnal Equinox occurs on Sunday, September 23, 2007 and is followed by the Harvest Full Moon September 26, 2007. 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. And as it is the first full moon following a lunar eclipse, watch to see what you harvest.

Namaste!

Eclipses - Rahu Ketu

One of my favorite books and movies from childhood is Mark Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. It combined the science fiction theme of time travel with my favorite legendary period of Camelot. The main character, Hank Morgan (played by Bing Crosby in the 1949 movie),overthrows Merlin as the most powerful magician because he was able to block out the rays of the sun. This Connecticut Yankee somehow knew the eclipse tables and that a total solar eclipse would occur in England in 528 AD, and used them to demonstrate his great power. Eclipses have long been associated with the ursurption of power, with the politics of kings and leaders, and with cycles of death and rebirth. Ancient mythology and modern fiction are filled with examples of their compelling effect on the earth.

An eclipse is defined as an astronomical event in which one celestial object moves into the shadow of another. Although any planet or moon can be involved in an eclipse, here on earth our energetic lives are dramatically shifted during lunar and solar eclipses. A solar eclipse occurs during a new moon when the moon aligns with the one of the nodes and blocks the full light of the sun from the earth, creating a darken daytime sky, and literally shifting the light patterns of the sun. The shadows that are cast on the earth during this time are a carbon copy of the eclipse above. It is rather surreal, and thus associated with psychological disturbances, shadow issues, and fear. A lunar eclipse occurs during a full moon and has a less dramatic effect on light patterns, but does create an eerie red glow on the full moon. It's psychic effects are unpredictable ranging from the gift of new insight to the release of repressed emotions.

The North and South Nodes of the moon are the points where the moon crosses the ecliptic, the sun's path in the sky. The ascending node, called Rahu in Vedic astrology, is where the moon crosses to the north of the ecliptic. The descending node, called Ketu, is where it crosses to the south. Rahu is the head of the dragon, and Ketu is the tail. Because of their ability to swallow the sun (the light of the soul and source of life itself) and moon (the reflected light of consciousness) and then return them imprinted with new information, they are associated with death and rebirth, and thus indicators of karma.

There are many allegorical stories about the lunar nodes. In Hindu mythology, Rahu is a snake that swallows the sun or the moon causing eclipses. According to legend, the asura Rahu drank some of the divine nectar of immortality. Before the nectar could pass his throat, Vishnu/Mohini cut off his head. The head, however, remained immortal as it had already tasted the divine elixir. Because of its 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 nonattachment to worldly desires and ambitions, and it balances the materialistic compulsion of Rahu with its impulse to enlightenment.

There is a terrific modern myth that exemplify these energies: LOST. Fans of this amazing TV series may recognize the interplay of the archetypal Rahu/Ketu energies expressed in the characters of Jack Shephard and John Locke. Jack is a Rahu type, whose logical mind brings him success as a doctor, but becomes afflicted with fear, alcohol and a blinding obsession to get off the island. Locke, the Ketu type, whose afflicted body is healed on the island, proceeds on the fools journey by using intuition alone. The LOST myth unfolds according to the actions and results of the actions of these two men. This dance with their individual, but intertwining karmas occurs on the ruins of the "Dharma" Initiative. We are never sure who is good or who is bad. Season Finales are like eclipses -- releasing the built up karma and propelling the characters into a new understanding of reality.

Vedic astrologer Komilla Sutton beautifully sums up the opposing influences of eclipses and the Rahu-Ketu dynamic:

Rahu Ketu have twin purpose, one in the mundane life and another in the spiritual life but it is intertwined, like their shadowy nature. Their actions in the material realm are meant so that we change our thoughts and ideas about what we want and desire. What is darkness to a person enmeshed in materialistic ambitions can be powerful spiritual energy for those on the path of Moksha and spiritual enlightenment. The nodes always serves opposing purposes- good and bad, lots and nothing, give and take. Rahu gives, Ketu takes back. The are no straight rules about them. They operate in so many different colours which can lead you to the highest spiritual pinnacle to the greatest financial achievements or vice versa. They can give contrary results. You can never give predictions dealing with surety.

Lunar Eclipse August 28, 2007
A total eclipse of the Moon occurs during the early morning of Tuesday, August 28, 2007. The event is widely visible from the United States and Canada as well as South America, the Pacific Ocean, western Asia and Australia. The Moon will be eclipsed by Rahu in Aquarius. The chart for the event in Seattle has a Cancer rising, which is ruled by the Moon in Aquarius that happens to be placed in the 8th house (hidden things,death) with the planet Uranus. It falls in the Nakshatra of Shatabishak, also known as the "veiling star." What will be unveiled? The deity associated with these stars is Varuna, bearer of cosmic waters. Much has been written about Lunar Eclipses and earthquakes, and as an observer of cycles it seems to me like there is a strong possibility for an earthquake all along the Pacific rim during the two weeks prior and after the actual eclipse. (The earthquake in Peru happened just after this was originally posted.) Ocean storms may also be stirred up. (And it is hurricane season.) I am not a fan of dire predictions, and would rather offer the earth love and gratitude to pray for healing movement rather than destruction.

Solar Eclipse September 11, 2007
The last eclipse of 2007 is a partial solar eclipse at the Moon's descending node in southern Leo. Its visibility is confined to parts of South America, Antarctica and the South Atlantic. The chart for the event shows that the eclipse occurs at the horizon and is tied to the planets Saturn and Mercury. I would listen closely to the words and stories presented by the media at this time. There may be an increase in propaganda that may over-dramatize world or national events, or important information that was hidden may be brought to light. Perhaps the truth of what really happened on the overplayed 911 tragedy will be revealed?