The Veils of May(a) 2012

Now the bright morning star, day's harbinger,
Comes dancing from the east, and leads with her
The flowery May, who from her green lap throws
The yellow cowslip, and the pale primrose. 
Hail, bounteous May, that doth inspire Mirth, and youth, and warm desire; 
Woods and groves are of thy dressing, 
Hill and dale doth boast thy blessing, 
Thus we salute thee with our early song, 
And welcome thee, and wish thee long.  

~ John Milton  1645

The month of May is ushered in with a promise of new life as the rising Sun continues its northern journey warming the freshly planted fields with its gentle rays. The glorious Sun is at its midpoint between the Vernal equinox and Summer solstice, a celestial station called the cross-quarter in many traditions and celebrated with fire rituals and fertility rites such as Beltane.  The lily of the valley is the flower of May as its spring blooms brings sweetness and happiness.  In Christian lore it is  associated with the tears of the Virgin Mary as well as the tears cried by Eve as she was kicked out of the Garden of Eden.  This sweet flower is also known as Jacob's tears or "ladder to heaven."  Strange allusions for a flower associated with happiness.

The Julian calendar was established in 45 BC and the month of May was called Maius, which may be named after the Roman goddess Maia.  Maius also means "larger, greater" and expresses the concept of  fertility and growth of both the season and the goddess.  The spring goddess was honored by the Romans on May 1st and 15th with an offering of a pregnant sow which signified the two faces of Mother Nature: -- one nurturing as each sow may birth anywhere from 6-12 piglets, and the other, wild and uncontrollable as sows are known to eat their young.  The Roman Maia was paired with Vulcan, the god of the underworld, because they were deities associated with heat and warming.  The warming breezes of spring fostered flora to grow, while the summer heat, ruled by Vulcan, brought ripening and harvest of crops. Ancient Greek farmers were cautioned not to sow grain before the time of her setting, or conjunction with the Sun, which may refer to the star Maia of the Pleiades located at 18 degrees Taurus that began to disappear in the rays of the Sun during the first days of spring in Age of Aries.   Strangely enough the precession has this conjunction occurring currently in the month of May when the Sun transits the nakshatra associated with the Pleiades, Krittika, from approximately May 11 - 25, and absorbs its dahana shakti, the power to burn and purify. 

In Greek mythology Maia is one of the seven daughters of the Titan Atlas and the ocean nymph Pleione. These mountain nymphs of Arcadia, Sterope, Merope, Elektra, Taygeta, Celeno, Alcyone, and Maia all had violet-colored hair and were immortalized in the stars as the constellation Pleiades after committing suicide upon hearing about the death of their father.  It is an interesting coincidence that the lily of the valley has a cluster of white flowers that resemble little stars.  Maia was the eldest and most beautiful of the Arcadian nymphs.  According to Hesiod's Theogony, Maia shared the sacred bed of Zeus and gave birth to Hermes (Mercury), the messenger god.  Hermes was also the god of commerce, the god of fertility, the creator of magic, and the psychopomp -- the guide to the underworld.  Thus Maia,  and the month May, are connected with all these themes -- but especially magic and fertility.

In Sanskrit the word maya is often described as the veil of illusion, but it is also the principal female deity that manifests, perpetuates and governs the dream of duality in the material universe: Maya Shakti.

Maya is one of those active powers: the constant movement of the universe, pervasive to the atomic level. There is no life -- no existence, even -- without Maya, but she is so powerful that we cannot see the essence of things and mistake her movement for reality. For this reason, Maya is often called "the veil of illusion," the dance of multiplicity that distracts us so that we cannot see all matter as essentially identical. Illusion, however, as the sages have stressed, is not the same as falsehood. Maya is not a negative force, but can be a mesh through which we perceive the ultimate reality of existence -- if we are not distracted by her magnificent creativeness and complexity.  Unknown Author

The astrological line up for May 2012 may be full of Maya's creative distractions.  There is an incredible stellium of planets in the fixed sign of Taurus which will focus a lot of energy on the illusion of material comfort and prosperity.  As I have described in previous posts, Venus has been transiting the sign of Taurus since March 28, 2012.  During the first week of May it will be at its brightest -- its greatest illuminated extent in the Western evening sky.  Taurus is a powerful sign for Venus as its earthy energy is able to manifest the planet's creative impulse on the physical plane.  Venus in Taurus brings comfort and ease to life.  But as I mentioned in my last post, the luminous Evening Star has been followed by a "moon shadow," the south node, Ketu, whose energy of dissolution is unpredictable and can trigger upsets in the status quo.   When the two conjoined on April 11, 2012, six (the number associated with the planet Venus) large earthquakes shook the globe, including an 8.6 and 8.2 in Indonesia.

In addition, Venus is also on her journey of  transform from Evening Star to Morning Star during which time she appears to make a descent into the underworld, like the Sumerian goddess Inanna, setting in the West as the Evening Star and then rising again in the East as the Morning Star.

Along her path in the netherworld, Innana-Venus must pass through seven gates.  She is required to remove an article of clothing at each gate until she is completely naked, exposing her bright beauty to the darkest realms.   This descent begins on May 15, 2012 when she stations and turns retrograde at the 29th degree of Taurus -- the anaretic degree associated with an urgent need to correctly utilize the energy of that planet.  This degree is serious and indicates a narrow path. The following day Saturn, the lord of boundaries, will also be at 29 degrees in Virgo as it continues its retrograde motion shining brightly in the night skies.  Then on May 17, 2012 Jupiter will enter the sign of Taurus and bring its power of expansion and opportunity to the table.  Venus is supported by the big guys.

Although the classics consider retrograde planets to be stronger under reverse motion, they are still operating in a different mode that may cause a disturbance to their usual field of influence.  Moreover, energy slows down and becomes more internalized.  Astrologically, Venus represents how we get what we want and the nature of the love we receive. When this power is afflicted, relationships may loose some of their spark, communication may not be as sweet, or or we may not be able to get what we want as easily as when the planet is direct. When Venus is retrograde, it is a great time to turn our relationship radar inward and reassess any problems, differences, or unresolved issues.  So as the ruler of love and material security reverses direction, our boundaries around relationships and money are tested. Venus retrograde may bring events that inspire us to re-evaluate the conditions of our relationships or revise our financial plans, but as Lynn Koiner suggests, it is not a time to make any changes:

You become readily aware of any problems, differences or unresolved issues. It is NOT a time, however, to act upon any unfavorable awareness. It is purely a time of evaluation rather than direct action. As little frictions and disagreements crop up, they serve to remind you that the relationship is not perfect. Under the retrograde influence, you must assess the severity of the problem and the “cost-benefit” of the relationship. Only after Venus turns direct should you initiate any alienation if this is deemed necessary.

Moreover, the upcoming Venus retrograde takes place under the obscuring influences of two eclipses:  an annular solar eclipse on May 20, 2012 and a partial lunar eclipse on June 4, 2012.

May's new moon in Taurus receives the subtle shakti of the Pleiades from the nakshatra Krittika, but it is disturbed by Ketu's presence in the shadow released during the annular eclipse on May 20, 2012. (For a great video click here.) Its dahana shakti, the power to burn and purify, may become exaggerated under Ketu's fiery glance from Rohini.  Many astrologers assert that Ketu is debilitated in the sign of Taurus as the bull's accumulating nature is counter to the south node's impulse to dissolve and release spirit from its involution in matter.  Thus this Ketu solar eclipse in Taurus may cause discord in relationships, already pressed by Venus in retrograde motion, and downturns in financial markets.

Fortunately there is grace present as Jupiter enters Taurus three days before the first eclipse.  Many astrologers view Jupiter's sojourn into Taurus as beneficial creating prosperity and expanding "bull" markets.  Some even call Jupiter in Taurus the millionaire-maker.  However, the nodes are powerful and can disturb even the most beneficial of planets.  As my teacher used to say, when an eclipse occurs all the stars come out during the day, meaning that all the hidden issues that are always there beyond our immediate consciousness may suddenly appear.  Eclipses magnify the shadow issues underlying our illusions and amplify the emotional drama of our misconceptions and disagreements.  But an eclipse is also an opportunity to look at these hidden issues and collective denial, such as global wealth and debt issues, and shift course. 

June begins with a partial Rahu lunar eclipse of a debilitated Moon in Scorpio/Jyestha with Ketu in Taurus/Rohini followed by the astronomical event of the year: a vary rare transit of Venus across the face of the Sun on June 5-6, 2012.  Depending on your location you may see the transit either as her last steps as the Evening Star, or first steps as the Morning Star.  Most of North America sees the beginning of the transit in the afternoon and evening on June 5, whereas much of Eurasia sees the ending of the transit in the morning on June 6.  As Venus Morning Star is historically related to the goddess of war, those countries who first witness her in the morning may be the sites of future conflict.

Although Jupiter and Mercury will also be nearby, they will be hidden behind the rays of the Sun and unable to touch Venus with their direct glance.  With so many planets connected with "consciousness" lined up and in combustion with the Sun, Venus is left alone to receive the Earth's full attention.


As Venus passes between the Sun and the Earth, its movement is in essence very similar to a lunar eclipse.  So in a way we will be getting a double whammy of lunar and Venus eclipses within 24 hours of each other.   The involvement of the nodes with this Venus Transit suggests that this astronomical moment in time will be quite significant.  Because the south node, Ketu, will manifest its shadow the day before the transit, it is the only planet that will have a negative effect on Venus. Its energy of dissolution may release old karmic patterns during the lunar eclipse which may then be transformed the next day by the conjunction of Venus in the heart of the Sun, called Cazimi.  When the Sun engulfs the energies of a planet in Cazimi, it is said to imbue the planet with the intensely positive and life-giving energy through the Sun, which draws its energy from the shakti of the nakshatras that it transits: Rohini where the great red star Aldebaran resides making up the eye of the bull in Taurus.  Aldebaran is believed to be the abode of Brahma and when it lines up with our Sun we receive its many blessings. 

Thus the thus deity associated with Rohini is Brahma, the Creator, "who can bestow everything, so we should be careful of what we want." According to David Frawley, "Rohini Nakshatra represents the gods, dharma and good fortune (Lakshmi) and is said to be the most fortunate of all Nakshatras for worldly affairs."

Rohini's shakti power is rohana shakti, growth -- as might be expressed in the Fibonacci sequence, phi, the sacred geometry of the pentagram that Venus draws in the heavens over the course of eight years, and the movement of Maya Shakti.  As we shall soon see this Venus Transit in Rohini may herald a provocative shift in how we use our creative energy to produce material and spiritual wealth.  Remember that the transformation of Venus from Evening Star to Morning Star is one from the goddess of love to the goddess of war (see my previous post on Venus Cycles).  I pray that Venus becomes a warrior goddess to fight against poverty, hunger, greed and the obscene corruption in the global banking and business worlds by lifting the veil of the dance of multiplicity so that we may see that we are indeed ONE.

Namaste! Jai Ma 

 

Skanda-Neptune and the BP Oil Spill

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words, and sometimes a picture inspires a thousand words -- as in the case of this post. The above video still of an oil plume rushing out of the ocean floor not only captures the source of our current oilapocalype, but also may suggest an energetic source based on astrological aspects. When I saw the name of the deep sea equipment monitoring the BP oil spill, I couldn't believe my eyes: MSV Skandi-Neptune.



Skanda is one of the many names of the deity associated with the planet Mars. It is described as having six heads, like the MSV Skandi-Neptune that offers multiple feeds and views of the leaking oil. In Sanskrit "skanda" means "that which is spilled or oozed," primarily referring to semen, but as Mars also rules tools, weapons, machines and their usage oil does seem related as well. Another name for Mars is Kuja, or Bhumija, "the one born from the Earth." Representing the hidden flame in matter, substances like coal, gas, and oil are seen as his energy manifested in Earth form.



As I indicated in previous posts the malefic red planet was been aspecting Neptune, the modern indicator of oil, since Neptune re-entered Aquarius on December 8, 2009. Mars will continue to cast a furtive glance at the gas giant until it enters Libra on September 6, 2010. On the day of the initial explosion on the Deepsea Horizon Oil rig, Neptune was in an exact exchange with the planet of sudden shifts, Uranus and a debilitated Mars in Cancer aspected the parvartana pair in an 8th aspect. In Vedic astrology Mars is said to make aspects to the houses that are 6, 7, and 8 from it, thus a 150 degree angle (or quincunx in Western astrology) , a 180 degree angle of opposition, and 210 degree waning quinqunx. A direct Mars will make aspects to first to the 8th house creating a tranforming event, then it aspects the 7th house revealing the reaction of the other, and then and finally it aspects the 6th house giving a healing solution. The 6,7,8 aspects of Mars are very similar to David Icke's problem-reaction-solution scenarios or Hegelian Dialectic. Its eight aspect to Neptune triggered a transforming event and catastrophe on a generational scale.

In late May Mars completed its intense eight-month journey through its sign of debilitation revealing among many things our own disabling addiction to oil energy. It entered the sign of Leo opposite the ruler of oil, Neptune in Aquarius, in a 7th aspect. The 7th aspect effects relationship and partnership. Since this time the world has been focused on who is responsible for this mess, and leaders such as President Obama and the CEOs of BP have been feeling the heat. President Obama has natal Mars in Leo at 29 degrees. This gandanta Mars is associated with three explosive malefics in his natal 8th house: Uranus, Rahu, and Pluto and as transiting Mars has hit those planets at 1, 3, and 13 degrees the heat has increased. Mars will make a return to his natal Mars on July 19, 2010, a week after the full Solar Eclipse on July 11, 2010. This will not be an easy week for the President, and we can expect fireworks at this time.

Mars enters Virgo on July 20, 2010 aspecting Neptune from a 6 position. The 6th aspect is related to health and service, so we start to see new stories about the toxic effect of oil on our health. Already stories are surfacing warning pregnant women to avoid the gulf, plans for evacuation of large numbers of gulf residents, and oil-soaked rains. Mars will conjoin Saturn in Virgo on July 31, 2010 at 6 degrees Virgo in exact opposition to Uranus at 6 degrees Pisces conjoined Jupiter and the Moon. The public (moon) will demand new and perhaps revolutionary (Uranus) answers to heal (Jupiter) the earth.

My guess is there will not be any real solution until Mars enters Libra on September 6, 2010 as it will no longer be aspecting Neptune. However it will be aspecting Uranus which is in exchange with Neptune, so its negative and exasperating effects may still be felt until Mars enters Scorpio on October 19, 2010. But as the rising sign in the event chart for the BP oil spill occurs in Scorpio in the 17th nakshatra Anuradha, and President Obama's inaugural chart has an 8th house Scorpio moon also in the 17th nakshatra within 3 degrees of the BP Oil spill ascendant, Mars in Scorpio may not be great either. It seem Mars could trigger more difficulty for the US, its leader, and the Gulf. Mars shifts into Sagittarius on November 30, 2010 and begins to line up with the next eclipse period. Thus Mars will be a key astrological player in this cosmic drama until the end of the year.

Last weekend I attended a Vedic astrology conference in which the world-famous astrologer Gayatri Devi Vasudev spoke about world and US predictions. She was concerned about the full lunar eclipse occurring on the Winter Solstice on December 21, 2010. Although I use a different US chart (Scorpionic America chart), I share her concern about the eclipse which also involves Mars in Sagittarius. Mars in the nakshatra of Purva Ashada conjoins Pluto, Rahu, Sun, and Mercury all in Mula during this eclipse. Mula is one of the most violent nakshatras as it is ruled by the goddess of destruction and calamities, Nirriti. In the Scorpionic America chart Mars is natally placed in the 11th house at 21 degrees Sagittarius with the south node Ketu at 20 degrees Sagittarius; and on the day of this lunar eclipse Mars will be at 16 degrees Sagittarius as it approaches the US natal Mars at 21 degrees. This could indicate a highly charged event that may effect the leader (Sun), business and group organizations (11th house) and institutes of learning (Mercury).

In addition Venus will be rising over Washington DC in the sign of Libra and constellation of Swati at the moment of the eclipse. Usually Venus in its own sign in the 1st house is considered very benefic, but it will be in the morningstar position. As I have discussed in previous posts Venus morningstar was viewed by many ancient cultures as harbinger of illness and death. Even modern research suggests a link between pandemics and her morningstar position combined with sunspot activity, which is likely to be high this fall. Swati is ruled by the deity Vayu, the god of wind, air, breath, and prana. It gives the power to scatter like the wind, pradhvamsa shakti. Thus the main elements involved with this eclipse are wind and fire, perhaps solar winds. We may have to take a deep breath to deal with the winds of change that may occur at the Winter solstice. Practice your wind-pacifying techniques like pranayama and mantra, and protect your lungs and immune system from scattered wind that can bring febrile disease with Vitamin D and other immune builders.

Namaste!

Astro Weather - June 2010

Mars in Leo May 26 - July 19, 2009
June begins in the wake of May's intense astrological events and under the influence of many significant planetary, environmental, and political changes.

In late May Mars completed an intense eight month journey through its sign of debilitation pointing to our own disabling addiction to oil energy. It entered the sign of Leo opposite the ruler of oil, Neptune in Aquarius, which promises to keep our attention on this life-threatening disaster through mid-July.

On June 3, 2010 the opposition was exact and the next day the headlines revealed the possibility that there may have been prior knowledge that the oil spill was imminent: Goldman Sachs sold 44% of its BP stock three weeks before the spill, and the notoriously opportunistic and greedy Halliburton bought a oil spill clean up company, Boots and Coots, 8 days before the oil spill. Oh and did I mention Halliburton was responsible for the cementing work on the Deepsea Horizon, which was completed 20 hours before the explosion. They are now under investigation. Mars in Leo may give some energy and aggressiveness to our leaders to keep the corporate players in line.

Mars in Leo may also have played a role in the politically charged Gaza incident in which commandos from the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) boarded the relief ship MV Mavi Marmara in international waters after communicating warnings that a naval blockade of the Gaza area was in force. In the violent clashes that followed, nine activists were killed.


And, as reader Paradise points out, Mar-Mar-a contains a double Mars. Mars is associated with the number 9, and the death of 9 activists is another symbolic layer of its increasing strength in Leo. Mars rules war and we may witness an escalation in hostilities around the world this summer as it heats up in the sign of the Sun.

The month of May ended under a debilitated, though enlightening full moon in Mar's sign Scorpio. As I indicated in my previous post, this full moon occurred within four degrees of the rising sign in the event chart for the BP Oil Spill. The bright light of this full moon illuminated some of the hidden causes and factors that may have triggered this unprecedented environmental disaster, as well as the responsible parties and failed plans to plug the hole. Notice the Scandi Neptune description on this video still -- Skanda, the son of Shiva, is another name for Mars.




Moreover, new oil leaks located 6 miles away from the original site were discovered and raised the question whether earth changes beneath the ocean floor may be contributing to this unending mess.

Saturn Stationary Direct at 3 degrees Virgo, May 31, 2010
This lunation was soon followed by Saturn's station opposite the conjunction of expansive Jupiter and unpredictable Uranus both in the water sign of Pisces. During this time the first massive hurricane of the season hit Guatemala and triggered a massive sink hole that sucked a three-story building from the face of the earth.


Three days later China began reporting sinkholes as well. Saturn rules structure and foundation which seem to be dissolving under the Piscean influence of Jupiter. The expansive energy of Jupiter will be opposite the contracting energy of Saturn for most of the summer. I wouldn't be surprised if more earth shifts occur when Mars joins Saturn in Virgo in conjunction at the end of July.

Jupiter in Pisces May 1, 2010 - October 31,2010
The month of June not only began with intense weather and earth anomalies, but also yielded some intriguing space activity. An amateur photographer caught an object hitting Jupiter on June 3, 2010 reminding us that this gas giant captures many space objects in its huge gravitational field that could in fact wipe out life on earth if they were to get past its protective pull.



And don't forget that Jupiter made the news on May 17, 2010 when it was discovered that it lost one of its stripes.



In Sanskrit Jupiter is called Guru meaning "the spiritual teacher" or "guide", so what happens to this planet astronomically may present a cosmic lesson for us to unravel astrologically.

Jupiter has been traveling in its own sign of Pisces since the beginning of May and conjoined the planet of unpredictable and sudden changes, Uranus exactly on June 8, 2010. Jupiter conjunct Uranus is seen by Western astrologers as a transit of surprises and sudden opportunities. The consciousness expanding quality of Jupiter can bring new insight from a totally radical Uranian viewpoint. As Uranus is also in a mutual exchange with Neptune, the effects are like a Jupiter-Neptune conjunction as well. When the great teacher transits the planet of the sublime, we might expect to witness an increase of mystical and spiritual experiences, or a great teacher may appear, or a unexplainable phenomenon may occur such as the Australian spiral.



As with the December 9, 2009 Norway spiral, conventional scientists proposed an explanation of a missile of space junk for the June 5, 2010 UFO spiral. According to Australian media reports, the lollipop light that spiraled over Australia early Saturday and prompted a flood of UFO reports to local news stations was likely the remnants of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket that launched earlier that day.

Still others researchers such as Colin Andrews suggest that HAARP or some similar human electromagnetic technology is another plausible explanation for the spiral that was large enough to be seen over three Australian states. In addition, Andrews has been following a series of anomalous weather effects over southeastern Australia which he attributes to HAARP emissions coming from a secret HAARP facility in Australia.



Perhaps my favorite explanation is that the Australia spiral was a genuine interdimensional wormhole, or stargate, caused by a hyperdimensional or multi-dimensional intelligence. That same night I dreamed of UFOs over Seattle skies that only certain people could see. Some UFO researchers such as David Wilcock speculated that the Norway spiral was caused by a hyperdimensional intelligence, and the Australia spiral may also be "a man-made phenomenon that shows Disclosure [of the existence and presence of extraterrestrials on earth] is getting closer and closer all the time!"



When you compare the event charts for the Norway and Australia spiral the main similarity is found in the chart ruler: Venus, both placed in the second house of family, value, speech, right eye, scriptural knowledge, and TRUTH. According to David Frawley, "Venus represents the higher astral and is the star of our astra light. She is the light of inspiration and our devotion to truth and beauty."

The Norway Spiral had a Libra ascendant, and the Australia Spiral appeared under a Taurus ascendant with the Pleiades rising. As I discussed in a previous post, the Norway Venus was placed in the highly symbolic 17th nakshatra Anuradha, ruled by the Sun God Mitra, who is related to Mithra, Christ, the future Buddha, and the Maitreya. The Australia Venus was located in Gemini in the 7th nakshatra Punarvasu ruled by Aditi the Mother of the Sun Gods called the Adityas. The Adityas are a group of sun gods. Originally, there were seven or eight of them, but their number was expanded to twelve in the Vedic period. As the twelve sun gods they represent the twelve months of the year. The Adityas protect against various diseases, and belong to the Devas, a generic term for divine beings. They are: Ansa, Aryman, Bhaga, Daksha, Dhatri, Indra, Mitra, Ravi, Savitri, Surya, Varuna, and Yama.
Moreover the words "Punar" means repeat, and "Vasu" translates as ray of light. Thus Punarvasu means the return of the light, or repeating light. Could this phenomenon be a signal that the Sun gods are returning? Punarvasu is also known as "the star of renewal" and marks the return of the light after the storm.

Summer Solstice June 21, 2010
The upcoming summer solstice occurs on June 21, 2010 and I would expect solar symbols such as the spiral, representing the path of the sun and structure of galaxies, to make headlines as the Sun marks its northern most declination.



In Seattle, where we obsess about the fickle Sun, The Fremont Fair and Summer Solstice Parade herald the beginning of summer. This year's symbolically appropriate theme is Love the Earth.

Astrologically the summer solstice Sun always occurs in the nakshatra Ardra. Ardra translates as "moist one" is depicted as a tear or rain drop. Like the tears of the Phoenix, another solar symbol, it is a healing nakshatra and is associated with the clarity that arises after a calamity, or the the clearing after a spring thunderstorm. Ardra is located in the sign of Gemini in the constellation of Orion and contains the fixed stars Betelgeuse and Sirius.

During the week of the summer solstice, there will also be an intense alignment involving all the outer planets squaring or opposing the Sun in Ardra in a Grand Mutable Cross.



Essentially, a Grand Cross consists of four planets in the same mode or quality -- cardinal, fixed, or mutable, which form the four squares and two oppositions. A true Grand Cross includes a planetary placement in each element: Fire, Earth, Air or Water. Because the Grand Cross involves a combination of squares and oppositions, it is an aspect pattern that affects action and drive (squares) as well as perspective and balance with others (oppositions). The Outer Planets also known as the Transpersonal Planets and symbolize collective or subconscious awareness beyond our routine or regular concerns. They symbolize the need to integrate spiritual and group concerns into the demands of our ego ideas, affections and impulses. When they interact in a grand cross the collective issues are pushed into full consciousness and effect us globally.



The mutable signs of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces are adaptable, adjustable, changeable and flexible. Planets in these signs tend to be more interested in the journey than in the destination. They also tend to avoid conflict at all costs, because it is not in the nature of the mutable signs to engage in conflict, except as mediators or go-betweens. They will find a way around things.

6/26/2010 Full Moon 10 degrees Sagittarius, Mula nakshatra, a partial Lunar eclipse.
The next full moon will occur under a partial lunar eclipse that also involves this grand mutable cross. The Moon will be under the shadow of Rahu and the potentially explosive influence of Pluto. Pluto is all about power and Rahu is about expansion of this power.

Both the Moon and Pluto will be in exact conjunction at 10 Sagittarius, in the tikshna, or dreadful, nakshatra Mula. This asterism is located near the serpent holder of Ophiuchus and marks the galactic center. Mula is called the "root" star and marks the place where stellar life emerged in our galaxy. The deity of this nakshatra is Nirriti, the goddess of destruction who lives in the kingdom of the dead. As the goddess of destruction, Nirriti has the power to break things apart, barhana shakti. In Western astrology Pluto also rules over the kingdom of the dead. So what will happen when these two meet under the moon light of an eclipse? There will certainly be some rumbling.



Thus the newest bizarre installation of a 7 ton replica of Anubis, the Egyptian guardian of the afterlife, at the Denver Airport is symbolically very intriguing. According to airport officials this 26 foot stature is part of a promotion for the King Tut exhibit which that opens at the Denver Art Museum on June 26, 2010 -- the very day of the lunar eclipse. Many are already questioning why on earth a huge monument to the underworld would be erected at a place like an airport, especially with Anubis being the one responsible for helping out the newly dead on their final journey; but this is no ordinary airport. It is an airport filled with apocalyptic art projects as well as legends of intrigue such as extra-long runways for future space brothers, underground tunnels, and unexplained deaths. Perhaps Anubis is appropriate after all for this lunar eclipse.

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. As this is a Rahu eclipse of the Moon in a Ketu nakshatra, we may expect to see even more karmic patterns surface as the nodes are intertwined in their own symbolic spirals. The nakshatra Mula is ruled by Ketu, the indicator of moksha, or spiritual liberation. Ketu aspects this lunar eclipse from its position in 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. Mula presents opportunities to return to god-realization, but we must surrender to receive this intense galactic light, let go of what is not working, and allow new life to emerge.

Namaste!

UPDATE: Spirals are in the headlines. See Starsyncs.

UPDATE: Pre-eclipse earthquakes are beginning. 5.0 in Toronto and Buffalo NY

UPDATE: Hurricane Category 4, Celia.

Blue Moon -- Happy New Year 2010!

Full Moon December 31, 2009, 11:13 am pst, partial Ketu eclipse 11:24 am pst
This year ends under the influence of a blue moon in the sign of Gemini. The month of December winds down with two symbolic themes reoccurring: blue and Gemini. As I discussed in previous posts the color blue permeated media images of the Norway spiral, the Nobel Prize ceremony, the COP-15 conference, and the Na'vi from the movie Avatar (thanks to Andre Heath for creating this cool collage).



The blue moon is another opportunity to shower us with a blue vibration that may trigger indigo and luciferian consciousness.

The term 'blue moon' generally refers to the second full moon in a month and occurs once every 2.7 years. We have blue moons because our calendar system was changed from a lunar year with 13 months of 28 days to a solar year with 12 months with various days. There are 13 full moons in a solar year, and the left over full moon becomes a blue one.

The last blue moon to shine on New Year's Eve was 19 years ago, in 1990 and the next will be in 2028. However, the moon will not actually be blue, except in retouched photos. The phrase 'once in a blue moon' really means an impossibility, as in never happening. So the convergence of all these improbable events and phenomena is intriguing. Are they all an illusion? Or is something impossible about to occur?

The Gemini theme first appeared during the Geminid meteor shower in mid-December. The annual Geminid meteor shower gets the name 'Geminids' because it appears to radiate from the constellation Gemini. I discussed the name of its source, a comet/asteroid called Phaeton who was the son of the Sun God, Helios. This story relates a solar theme popular at this time of year: a father Sun god sacrificing his own son to save the Earth and mankind. The meteor showers symbolizes pieces of Phaeton's exploded chariot falling to Earth.

It is intriguing that this Gemini full moon falls in the nakshatra of Ardra which is associated with the blue star, Sirius. This star is also connected to a sacrificial themes throughout many ancient and modern traditions (Egyptian - Osirius, Greek-Orion, and even new age--Christ consciousness) and even figures prominently in UFO lore.



The Hindu myth associated with Ardra revolves around the story of the demon Taraka who practiced severe austerities in order to receive the gift of 'undefeatable power' from Brahma. Thus Ardra's gift is yatna shakti, the power to make gains in life through great effort. Once Taraka attained this power, he turned around and began to oppress the gods. Could this reversal of power also be happening now? Have humans attained enough knowledge that they are turning on the gods, our ancient alien progenitors?



According to the Hindu story, the gods began to fear Taraka's power, and responded by imploring Shiva to do something about this terrible threat. Shiva created a champion, Karttikeya or Skanda, to combat Taraka. After spending his formative years with the seven sisters, in the refuge and training ground of the Pleiades, Karttikeya went forth and battled Taraka. Karttikeya was able to destroy the demon, and so rescued the world.



The story of Taraka is similar to the Greek myth of the Titan Prometheus, who stole fire from Zeus and gave it to man.



Zeus was so furious that he sent Pandora, the first woman, to live with man. According to Hesiod, each god helped create her by giving her unique gifts. Zeus ordered Hephaestus to mold her out of Earth as part of the punishment of mankind for Prometheus' theft of the secret of fire, and all the gods joined in offering this 'beautiful evil' seductive gifts.


According to the myth, out of curiosity, Pandora opened a jar, commonly referred to as 'Pandora's box' that contained all evils that would later plague mankind. By the time she closed the jar, only hope remained.

So like the Biblical Eve in the Garden of Eden, a woman's curiosity was responsible for bringing sin and evil into the world. Is this why calendar makers shifted from a Pagan lunar calendar to a Christian solar calendar? But according to the gods, original sin is the desire for knowledge and light? So what kind of gods were they -- to be fearful that their children be full of light and knowledge? I have yet to see the movie Avatar which takes place on a moon called Pandora, but I have a feeling I might see similar themes all cast in a blue hue.



Today's full moon will also undergo a partial lunar eclipse by the south node, Ketu. Its psychic effects are unpredictable ranging from the gift of new insight to the release of repressed emotions. As Ketu is a moksha karaka, or indicator of enlightenment, its power during this eclipse may be to release this spiritual energy. A New Years meditation may be more powerful than a glass of bubbly this year, but either one will release the power of the blue moon.

Namaste!

Astro Weather July Eclipses (with Updates)

Lunar Eclipse July 7, 2009, Solar Eclipse July 21, 2009
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. Its psychic effects are unpredictable ranging from the gift of new insight to the release of repressed emotions.

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, the nodes are associated with death and rebirth, and thus indicators of karma. The North and South Nodes of the moon describe 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. In Vedic astrology they are assigned the status of planets, or chayya grahas, shadow planets. Rahu is sometimes described as the enemy of the moon, or negative Moon. Rahu as Negative Moon brings negative mental states such as psychosis, paranoia, illusion and trance. Ketu is the enemy of the Sun, and as the Negative Sun may bring self-doubt, lack of confidence and self worth, or its opposite megalomania.

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.



Penumbral Lunar Eclipse July 7, 2009
The first eclipse in July is an out-of-sign partial lunar eclipse in which Rahu nibbles on the full Moon in Sagittarius -- but the astrological alignment with the Moon and Rahu in the same sign of Capricorn occurs 12 hours later, during apogee, the annual point at which the moon is furthest from the earth. In May of 2009 a fascinating series of crop circles appeared that suggest increased solar flare activity complete with coronal mass projections (CME) will occur at this time. Please see the May 17th Astro Weather post for more information.
http://starworlds.blogspot.com/2009/05/crop-circles-and-july-full-moon-2009.html


As this is a Rahu eclipse of the Moon, we may expect to see increased negative mental states. If the predicted CMEs are large enough to burn out satellites, its effects on communication could certainly give rise to fear. And guess who is traveling during this time? The President leaves on Monday for a two day trip to Moscow during this eclipse to discuss nuclear disarmament. Secretary Clinton is skipping the trip for unrevealed reasons, but probably due to her recent elbow break. Smart lady.



Total Solar Eclipse July 21/22, 2009
The solar eclipse that will take place on Wednesday, July 21/22, 2009 will be a total eclipse of the Sun with a magnitude of 1.080. It will be visible from a narrow corridor through northern India, eastern Nepal, northern Bangladesh, Bhutan, the northern tip of Myanmar, central China and the Pacific Ocean, including the Ryukyu Islands, Marshall Islands and Kiribati. This solar eclipse is the longest total solar eclipse that will occur in the twenty-first century, and will not be surpassed in duration until June 13, 2132. One of the research projects that will be keeping a close eye, and ear, on this event is led by heliologist Dr Hari Om Vats who will be studying shadow bands that occur before and after a solar eclipse. A shadow band is the play of light and shadow preceding and succeeding a total solar eclipse noticed from earth. There is a theory that suggests that shadow bands are not just visual events but also sonic, as the moon is believed to move at a supersonic speed, creating various sound waves during the solar eclipse. If shadow bands are a sonic event, it is yet to be proved, as it is not the moon but its shadow that moves at a supersonic speed during the time of eclipse.


This eclipse is a Ketu eclipse in the eighth nakshatra Pushya, and it occurs in the 8th house with Mercury. Pushya resides in the sign of Cancer, and contains three faint stars (see Starsyncs for compelling RNC image). It is symbolized by the udder of a cow reflecting the nourishing quality of this asterism. It is one of the most auspicious of all the lunar mansions with brahmavarchasa shakti, the power to create spiritual energy. As Ketu is a moksha karaka, or indicator of enlightenment, its power during this eclipse may be to release this spiritual energy; or as Ketu is the enemy of the Sun, it may release a solar archetype, like a king or leader. The line up in the 8th house also suggests a death or major loss.

Although this eclipse period promises to be intense, it is important to remember not to get caught up in the drama of any karmic release. My teacher used to say that during a solar eclipse, notice the stars when the Sun is obscured. The stars are the issues that are always there, but can't be seen in the light of day. In other words, significant information, and even revelation, may occur when the dragons head and tail meet the Sun and Moon. Observe and wait, and ride the waves when they come. You may have an interesting ride.

Namaste!

UPDATE
Sarah Palin just resigned her governship a few days before the Rahu lunar eclipse across her natal ascendant, Sun, Moon -- the chart ruler, and Mercury. No doubt some political scandal may be revealed under the eclipse period.

UPDATE: The most active sunspot of the year so far is emerging in the sun's southern hemisphere. Sunspot 1024 has at least a dozen individual dark cores and it is crackling with B-class solar flares. Somethings brewing!


More eclipse related news:
Celebrity death rumors spread online
Manuel Zelaya To Head to Honduras, Military Ordered to Turn Back his Jet
China's Xinjiang hit by violence
Map Three people have been killed and more than 20 injured in violence in the city of Urumqi in China's restive Xinjiang region, state media says.
"Biden" We Misread How Bad the Economy Was
and my fav . . .
Obama’s Youth Shaped His Nuclear-Free Vision
In 1983, BO a senior at Columbia University wrote in a campus newsmagazine, Sundial, about the vision of “a nuclear free world.”

Notice the solar/lunar image -- and the name of Columbia's campus magazine, Sundial.

Yes, Chris, I do feel the unrest in China may escalate closer to the solar eclipse as it will be most felt in Asia.