January 2010

New Year's Eve Lunar Eclipse :::Conversations with the Moon::: The second full moon of December takes place on New Year's Eve: Thursday, December 31st, at 11:14am Pacific Time. This full moon occurs in the lunar sign of Ardra, which is associated with the power of effort. That the lunar eclipse happens on this day signals success in new year's resolutions focused on quitting various activities. Ask yourself what you'd like to quit. Let's say you'd like to quit using your credit card for day to day living expenses, and shift over to using cash instead. Between now and New Year's Eve you'll have several days to remember what it was like to pay for everything on credit. You'll have time to thank the institutions that were willing to extend the credit, and time to thank the cards themselves for the lifestyle they afforded you. Then you'll want to envision yourself knowing how much you have in your bank account at all times, and going to the bank to have the cash you need for purchases. You could then write your resolution on a piece of paper: "My daily use of credit has ceased." Then ritually cut your credit card in half and place your new year's resolution into a new year's eve fire that you've got going in your fireplace... Get the idea? The important thing is to pick something you want to quit - not something you want to start. On a more esoteric level, the lunar eclipse in this sign promises an accelerated identity disassembly for anyone interested. (This day is a great opportunity to notice that who you are is not separate from Life itself.) Write this day/time into your calendar: Thursday, January 14, 2010, at 11:12pm Pacific Time. This new moon and the solar eclipse that accompanies it takes place in the vedic lunar sign of Uttara Ashadha. This lunar sign is associated with the ten "Vishvadevas," or collective forces of Light: Goodness, Truth, Willpower, Skill, Time, Desire, Firmness, Ancestors, Brightness, and "Peak." This lunar sign innately understands the responsibilities involved in leadership. That these collective forces of Light are being eclipsed mid-January will likely enhance greedy leadership unconcerned with widespread consequences (i.e. unconscionable bonuses for heads of financial institutions.) The power associated with this lunar sign is the power to grant an unchallengeable victory. With this power eclipsed, these next six months are like the scene in the movie where the good guys get their butts kicked, which makes their ultimate victory all the more sweet. Image: The Japanese Sun Goddess Amaterasu Emerging from her Cave, by Utagawa Kunisada, (歌川国貞), 1857

Planning & Scheduling :::Living in Accord with the Seasons::: New Year's Eve is an absolutely excellent day to lay low and spend some time in silence, resting and abiding in the eternal, unchanging truth of Who you are. The lunar eclipse will favor introspective, spiritual activities. Take some time to review the past year and connect with gratefulness for all it brought, and to playfully envision the upcoming year. Consider blueprinting your vision for 2010 with something creative like a collage. It is extremely important to connect with your heart's true longings, rather than holding on to outdated ambitions. Mercury is retrograde from December 26 until January 14. As during any Mercury retrograde period, patience will be required around Mercurial activities such as travel, communications, commerce. It's better not to sign contracts or initiate projects with high levels of detail during this time, as often the details must be revisited later. Mercury retrograde is a good time to edit, refine plans, go over details, and get back in touch with old friends. Venus and Pluto form a conjunction in Sagittarius on Monday the 28th of December, highlighting thrill-seeking activities, intense connections with others, and unblinking examination of existing relationships. Regarding relationships, resistance to change = pain. Letting go = freedom. Mars moved into the sign of Cancer on October 4, and will be staying in his sign of debilitation for almost eight months, until the end of May. In competitive areas of life, this placement of Mars may incline us toward playing an offensive, rather than a defensive game. Cultivate the balance of these forces as you go about achieving your dreams. This placement of Mars does not bode well for the real estate market. It is likely to create a general sense of insecurity in U.S. domestic affairs. Jupiter and Neptune are in an exact conjunction from December 20th until Dec. 25th. This conjunction represents several human tendencies: the tendency toward compassion, the tendency for striving toward ideals, the tendency for an unaware sense of entitlement, the tendency for an adolescent sense of invincibility. Actions benefiting others will bring far more joy and fulfillment than selfish actions during this time. Transiting Jupiter will conjoin the U.S. natal Moon from Jan. 23-26, which will likely coincide with the president's State of the Union address, promoting a general sense of hope and optimism. Saturn and Pluto have been dancing a tense little tango (forming a square aspect) since late October, and continue in this position until the end of February. No matter what good intentions exist behind reforming health care, reforming egregious banking/finance offenses, and creating jobs, powerful agents of change are already on the United States' doorstep. It is unlikely that governmental solutions will solve existing problems. Completely out of the box solutions will be needed. Social unrest brews. Notice what doesn't change, even when everything around you does. Coming from this place of what doesn't change - this is one way of apprehending enlightenment. Image: Inti Raimi, the Incan festival of winter solstice and the beginning of the year

July 2009

Eclipses for Inner Growth Conversations with the Moon A lunar and solar eclipse pair is a once-every-six-months occurrence. But to have a third eclipse tagging along for the ride is a little unusual. It certainly intensifies the challenge of the six month period that the eclipses influence. We have three eclipses happening over the next month: on July 7, then on July 21, and then on August 5. Lunar eclipses can only come about on full moons, when the earth stands between the sun and the moon, blocking the moon's light. This month, a full moon/lunar eclipse happens on Tuesday, July 7, at 2:22am Pacific Time, in the lunar sign of Purva Ashadha. Our sense of military invincibility, as well as our sense of financial invincibility as a nation will experience a shakedown during the six months affected by this eclipse. A useful contemplation on the day of this lunar eclipse will be: "What fuels my optimism?" The solar eclipse happens on Tuesday, July 21, at 7:36pm Pacific Time, in the lunar sign of Pushya. We may witness challenges for agriculture in the coming months. The current administration may have more difficulty providing relief to the sectors most in need. Practicing qualities of gentleness, kindness, sweetness, and tenderness on this day will help human generosity stay alive during a time when it is being eclipsed by fear. The solar eclipse's Path of Totality affects a swath of Asia from Bombay, India, through the city of Chengdu and the Sichuan province of China, all the way through the city of Shanghai. Bombay, Chengdu, and Shanghai could experience troubles around this eclipse. The third of the three eclipses is a lunar eclipse, which happens on Wednesday, August 5 in the evening, in the lunar sign of Shravana. More on this eclipse in the next Beacon. The above image is a 17th century Chinese illustration of a crank-operated rotary winnowing fan machine, separating husks from the grain. Ancient Hindu astronomers associated the process of winnowing grains with the portion of the sky they named "Purva Ashadha."

Planning & Scheduling Living in Accord with the Seasons Mercury travels through the constellation Gemini until July 15, a placement that stimulates reading, writing, exchanging ideas, and lots of talking. Fireworks are not the only potential explosions this July 4th weekend. Transiting Mercury and Pluto are in an exact opposition, creating some volatile verbal outbursts from self-righteous parties. While getting excited about ideas, just respect others' rights to their own opinions. Venus continues a conjunction with Mars, but for the month of July this creative pair are in a much more enjoyable tango than they were in June. They're traveling through earthy, sensual Taurus, heralding July as a month of enjoyment, and the pleasures of the senses. Jupiter is in Aquarius until the end of July in opposition to Saturn, symbolizing the reorganization of leadership within communities. Jupiter is also closely conjunct Neptune until the end of July, signifying altruism, rooted in an ideologically based compassion. In general, people may want to escape during this time, into imaginative technological spaces like the movies and the internet. Saturn is finishing his tour of the sign of Leo. From now until September 10 is a time for mandatory self-actualization. With the economic changes we are facing as a nation and across the globe, we are witnessing a fundamental shift in the social construct of "career." Many are having to adjust to job loss, and financial insecurity. If this hasn't affected you personally, it is likely that someone close to you has been affected. Notice what doesn't change, even when everything around you does. Coming from this place of what doesn't change - this is one way to look at enlightenment.

"Eternity" by William Blake He who binds to himself a joy Does the winged life destroy But he who kisses the joy as it flies Lives in eternity's sun rise

August 2008

Inner Prosperity Conversations with the Moon August's full moon and lunar eclipse takes place on Saturday, August 16 at 2:18pm, in the vedic lunar sign of Dhanishta. This eclipse's function is to get us to take a break from seeking prosperity and fame in the outer world, and notice the abundance already present in the inner life. Due to Neptune's conjunction to the Moon, the key to discovering these riches lies in our own imagination. On the outer level, this is not the best time for initiating big projects whose aim is to produce wealth or renown. (An eclipse's effect is felt dramatically for a period of 6 days before and 6 days after the eclipse, and very subtly for 6 months after the eclipse.) Write this day into your calendar: Saturday, August 30, 12:58pm Pacific Time - the New Moon in Purva Phalguni. The New Moon is a great time for renewing spiritual intentions. This particular New Moon emphasizes prioritizing delight and creativity in our lives. So take a moment on the morning of Sat. the 30th to commit to some fun and creative exploration for the month of September.

Planning & Scheduling Living in Accord with the Seasons The Sun joins Mercury, Venus and Saturn in vedic Leo, on Sunday, Aug. 17. This is a potent combination for self-elected spiritual growth which in this instance is mutually exclusive of egoic satisfaction - if it enhances your pride, you might not be able to take it with you where you're going on your spiritual journey. This is a call to use the full splendor of yourself toward the highest service you are capable of. The conjunction of Venus with Saturn is exact on Aug. 14; expect to mix the energies of joy/ art/ love with responsibility/ diligence/ manifestation. The default version of this is to feel self-doubting, and self-conscious, and that our own efforts will never meet the standards. (Maybe authorities or loved ones are even pointing out our faults to us.) With a slight shift of attention, you can turn this around to stepping past fear and making the necessary effort to realize your dreams. Venus enters vedic Virgo on Aug. 26, bringing the activity of evaluation into our relationships... ouch. Be careful not to get too critical of partners and friends. The first 3 weeks of September find Mercury, Venus and Mars all together in vedic Virgo. This will be a great time for organizing personal finances, getting clear in relationships, and studying, reading, creative writing. Both Jupiter and Pluto turn direct within a day of one another - Sept. 8 and 9. The beginning of the second week of Sept. experiences some strong forward motion in the area of your life described by the vedic sign of Sagittarius. Education, authority, philosophy and judgment all gain ground. Image licensed under Creative Commons ShareAlike 2.5

An Excerpt from "Gitanjali" by Rabindranath Tagore I had gone a-begging from door to door in the village path, when thy golden chariot appeared in the distance like a gorgeous dream and I wondered who was this King of all kings! My hopes rose high and methought my evil days were at an end, and I stood waiting for alms to be given unasked and for wealth scattered on all sides in the dust. The chariot stopped where I stood. Thy glance fell on me and thou camest down with a smile. I felt that the luck of my life had come at last. Then of a sudden thou didst hold out thy right hand and say 'What hast thou to give to me?' Ah, what a kingly jest was it to open thy palm to a beggar to beg! I was confused and stood undecided, and then from my wallet I slowly took out the least little grain of corn and gave it to thee. But how great my surprise when at the day's end I emptied my bag on the floor to find a least little gram of gold among the poor heap. I bitterly wept and wished that I had had the heart to give thee my all.

February 2008

Planning & Scheduling Living in Accord with the Seasons Mars forms an opposition to Pluto in the beginning of March, releasing a certain tension around standing behind your passions and ambitions. Pluto is teamed up with Jupiter so we may find ourselves questioning ideologies that seem elitist. The energy of popularity and popular values and opinion give prestige a run for it's money - how does this relate to your life? Also, your mission, should you choose to accept it, around this Mars/Pluto opposition, is: to learn skillful means in fulfilling your life's passions, and to open up to the alchemy of turning anger into energy. Venus enters the sign of Aquarius mid March, and conjoins Uranus at the end of the month. Socially, we open up to new possibilities. People that seemed a little out-of-the-box up until now, are suddenly more delightful to hear out. Jupiter in Sag continues his opposition by sign, to Mars in Gemini through the end of April, bringing abundant energy for new ideas. This period might bring balance between your many interests; and a healthy tension between developing competency in many things at once versus tying them all together. Venus conjoins Neptune on March 7th and Mercury conjoins Neptune on March 9th, bringing idealism and inspiration into our lives. We're mobilized to believe in forgotten dreams again. Just don't try to pin down the poets and politicians on the details!

Solar and Lunar Eclipses of February Conversations with the Moon Twice each year, earth experiences a pair of eclipses. Solar eclipses happen by definition at the New Moon and Lunar eclipses occur at the full Moon. An annular solar eclipse took place on Wed., Feb. 6, 2008 at 7:45pm Pacific Time and there will be a partial lunar eclipse on Wed., Feb. 20, 2008 at 7:31pm Pacific Time. Solar Eclipse Eclipses are excellent times for introspection and downtime. In terms of natural life cycles, they're not the best time for beginning important ventures. This solar eclipse is in Dhanishta. Folks with planets in the late degrees of sidereal Capricorn may sense this purposeful "prune" of excess energy streams. Lunar Eclipse When the light of one of the luminaries is blocked, life can feel unusual. We're meant to be taking a moment away from our usual lives, to recharge our batteries. This lunar eclipse is in the lunar sign Magha, and the Moon joins up with austere Saturn on this day. Saturn's influence may ask us to dig down for some necessary emotional self-reliance, especially around being our own cheering squad, our own welcoming committee, and the ultimate authority in our own lives. People with planets in the early degrees of Leo may feel the pinch of this eclipse more strongly than others - life may seem to be testing their mettle. Magha has to do with royalty and real estate, among other things - watch what happens to world leaders, and to the real estate market. On Feb. 20, 1989, there was a lunar eclipse in roughly the same placement as this one. What was going on then for you? Can you see any relationships between that time and now? (It would depend on which house 7 degrees Leo falls in your chart.)

Eclipses of February 2008

Solar and Lunar Eclipses of February
Conversations with the Moon


Twice each year, earth experiences a pair of eclipses. This month, there's an annular solar eclipse on Wed., Feb. 6, 2008 at 7:45pm Pacific Time and a partial lunar eclipse on Wed., Feb. 20, 2008 at 7:31pm Pacific Time.

Solar Eclipse
Eclipses are excellent times for introspection and downtime. In terms of natural life cycles, they're not the best time for beginning important ventures. This solar eclipse is in Dhanishta. Folks with planets in the late degrees of sidereal Capricorn may sense this purposeful "prune" of excess energy streams.

Lunar Eclipse
When the light of one of the luminaries is blocked, life can feel unusual. We're meant to be taking a moment away from our usual lives, to recharge our batteries. This lunar eclipse is in Magha. People with planets in the early degrees of Leo may feel this eclipse more strongly than others. Magha has to do with royalty and real estate, among other things - watch what happens to world leaders, and to the real estate market.

On Feb. 20, 1989, there was a lunar eclipse in roughly the same placement as this one. What was going on then for you? This eclipse is a higher rung on the same evolutionary spiral.

August 2007

Playing It By Ear Conversations with the Moon There's a full moon today, Saturday, July 29th at 5:48pm Pacific Time, in the lunar sign of Shravana. It's important today and for the next two weeks while this full moon's theme is played out, to pay attention to what is being said. Practice your listening skills. We all have the potential to feel a little pressured and self-doubting in our relationships and our creativity, with Venus conjunct Saturn and Ketu, (especially during mid-August). So making a special effort to listen with compassion will be healing for the ones you love, including yourself. This is a particular moment in time on the dance floor, where the last song is fading away, and a new one is slowly beginning. Everyone gets to choose a partner, or say yes to an invitation, and step into the new groove, with it's new dynamic, it's new form, it's new feeling. It may feel awkward at first. You may feel fearful of appearing dorky. You may be learning to prohibit rejection from lessening the good feeling you have about yourself. This metaphor can apply in romantic relationships, business partnerships and endeavors, or mutually beneficial associations with others of any kind - and it can apply equally to a relationship we have with an art form. Which habits made your dance wonky in the past? What are you currently working on, that will make the dance flow more smoothly? Are there new moves you'd like to try?

Planning & Scheduling Living In Accord With The Seasons It's the 6 month mark again, so we have another Lunar and Solar eclipse pair, happening on August 28 and September 11th, respectively. Traditionally, eclipses are thought of as excellent for inward spiritual life, and not particularly successful times to initiate things. The total lunar eclipse at 3:35am on Aug. 28 happens in the sign of Shatabhisha, symbolising the potential for profound healing of long-standing emotional traumas and addictions, through applied inner work, with the help of "100 physicians", or, a whole host of experts. It would traditionally be suggested however, *not* to elect surgeries or treatments for physical illnesses, during a period of 6 days before and after this lunar eclipse. (It must be stated that if a medical professional suggests you schedule something during this period, you should always favor medical advice over astrology.) Venus turned retrograde Friday 7/27, and will remain so until 9/8. This is a time for inner "work" around relationships and creativity. Examine useless patterns of reacting, doubting, self-centeredness and practice new behaviors of self love. The Sun joins Saturn and Ketu in the vedic sign of Leo on August 18, signifying a call to responsible action, and a commitment to realizing our unique potential. Mars moves into Taurus for the month of August, forming a mutual square with Saturn, and a mutual opposition with Jupiter, giving the mandate to set ambitious goals and be methodical and determined in how we go about achieving them.

Fortune's Gate fortune's gate came delivered, unexpected in it's fresh sentence. no one could have pantomimed the hip-flop glee display that came in on it's heels. the human spirit cannot fathom that kind of atomic bursting with joy, it's unbearable delight fumbling simply, forward. (In honor of Mars square Saturn, opposite Jupiter)