December 2009

Cycles of Expansion and Contraction Conversations with the Moon The first full moon of December (there are two this month) takes place on Tuesday, December 1st, at 11:31pm Pacific Time. This full moon occurs in the lunar sign of Rohini, known for its tendency to spur growth. Many of us seem to instinctively feel that we're witnessing a global metamorphosis. Social institutions like churches and higher education, the global economy, value systems, and the environment, are some of the collective areas in which this change seems to be occurring. But the change is occurring on individual levels too. Where is this change taking place inside you? This full moon cycle will continue to feed an expansion before ultimately contracting. What does this mean for you? Examine carefully, the areas of your life you are "growing." Where are you spending your resources (time, money, energy)? Nature expands and contracts. Nothing infinitely expands. Contractions are natural. Rejoice in the growth inherent in this lunar cycle without demanding that the growth occur indefinitely. Pay attention to how you make choices, and see if that method really supports your innermost knowing of which direction to take. Tune in to all your senses. Notice what your heart says. Notice what you feel in your gut. Remember that whatever you put your attention on, grows. Where are you placing your precious attention? Write this day/time into your calendar: Wednesday, December 16, at 4:02am Pacific Time. This new moon takes place in the vedic lunar sign of Moola. This day will be excellent for getting to the bottom of things. It will require telling the truth, and looking deeply at beginnings, and examining the source of whatever issue is coming up.

Planning & Scheduling Living in Accord with the Seasons Two significant astrological events occur this month. The first is a conjunction between Mercury and Pluto in the sign of Sagittarius, a week before the new moon, on Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 7 and 8. We are all more likely to speak with conviction, to want to uncover the real truth behind things, and to feel self-righteous about speaking our minds. It might not be a bad idea to err on the side of gentleness and diplomacy for the week leading up to the full moon. The second significant event in the month of December is a conjunction of Neptune to Jupiter, just as both planets enter the vedic sign of Aquarius. This conjunction is likely to see human idealism heading in the directions of technology and global community. Venus continues to travel with the Sun in the vedic sign of Scorpio, until the new moon when the Sun moves into Sagittarius. For the first two weeks of December, bonding with others over intense circumstances is more likely than usual. Mars moved into the sign of Cancer on October 4, 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. Now in the sign of Virgo until November 2011, Saturn is hard at work on issues like unemployment and healthcare. Individually, we can each utilize Saturn's placement to make efforts and set plans in motion to improve physical and financial health. 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.

December 2008

Lord of the Paths Conversations with the Moon The full moon of December takes place on Friday, December 12 at 8:38am Pacific Time, in the vedic lunar sign of Mrigashira. We're blessed, this holiday season, with a Moon whose energy is naturally curious, fun-loving, and even a bit naughty! We'll need this lighthearted, playful full Moon energy, since the many planets hovering in vedic Scorpio, Sagittarius, and Capricorn want to get down to business, even though it's the holidays. In India the constellation Mrigashira is seen as the head of a deer. The corresponding western constellation is the top part of Orion, the Hunter. In vedic lore, Mrigashira incites restlessness, seeking, wandering, traveling. With a powerful Sun/Mars in Scorpio conjunction opposite the full Moon and the Saturn/Uranus deadlock opposition squaring the full Moon, we are all likely to find ourselves examining our Paths in life during these next couple weeks. We are also likely to feel compelled to do something concrete toward achieving ambitions. Write this day into your calendar: Saturday, December 27, 4:23am Pacific Time - the New Moon in Moola. This new moon is good for telling the truth, ridding yourself of unnecessary encumbrances, and getting to the bottom of things. A yogi will remember to consciously practice "saumya" or gentleness, around this time.

Planning & Scheduling Living in Accord with the Seasons The Sun and Mars join Mercury and Pluto in Sagittarius, just in time for the holidays, ensuring heated debates on religion and politics. It might be a good idea to steer clear of these subjects around the holiday dinner table, unless you like aggressive verbal discourse! The two days after Christmas are particularly volatile. Make it a point to practice honoring others' opinions. On the contrary, you may be finding it necessary not to keep quiet on your opinions anymore, with a bully. Whatever the case, remember that all opinions exist only in the realm of thought. Opinions don't change love unless you let them. Jupiter entered vedic Capricorn on Dec. 10, and remains there until May 1. Watch as free markets become regulated. Watch as "responsibility" becomes a key concept for our nation. Venus joins Neptune on Sunday, Dec. 28 - this is a good day for some artistic release, such as seeing a movie or a concert or a dance performance. Saturn turns retrograde on Dec. 31st and doesn't resume direct motion until May 17th. The first two weeks of the new year may feel a little like we're walking around in mud. "So much to do" may be a pervasive thought. We'll likely hear more news of further economic slowdown. Venus joins Uranus in Aquarius just around the time Obama will be sworn into office in Jan. The "Change" theme is popular at that time and many "out of the box" solutions are proposed. Scientists are encouraged toward technological innovations (green energy?)

All That Is Gold Does Not Glitter by J.R.R. Tolkein All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost. From the ashes a fire shall be woken, A light from the shadows shall spring; Renewed shall be blade that was broken, The crownless again shall be king.

June 2008

Planning & Scheduling Living in Accord with the Seasons The Sun has moved into vedic Gemini, stimulating summer's delights: your most youthful, carefree self, and your spirit of Play. Mercury and Venus exchange signs until July 6, lending Grace to Words, and Wit to Beauty. Yay! Mercury is direct again as of Thurs. June 19! All that diligent editing and reformulating and fixing broken things and getting systems right is now paying off. Saturn is still loosely squaring Mercury though until July 6 so keep plugging away at being thoughtful and maybe even careful in communication and documentation. Mercury is in it's own sign of Gemini from July 7 - 23, ensuring the opening of the floodgates of ideas and collaborations and cool, new encounters. Venus enters vedic Cancer on July 8, joining up with Ketu, requiring healthy emotional detachment in relationships - not aloofness, but yogic "Dispassion." Mars enters vedic Leo on June 22 and joins up with Saturn on July 10, promising fireworks of a different stripe. This transiting conjunction signifies a period of pushing through to finish up a self assigned project. The Mars Ketu conjunction, still in effect this week, may find us all a acting a little touchy and defensive around our needs for personal space and comfort. Jupiter retrogrades through vedic Sag. as of May 9th, for roughly 4 months, getting us to review new understandings, implement new teachings, research new opportunities.

The Center of the Galaxy Conversations with the Moon This month, the full moon takes place on Wednesday June 18, at 10:31am PDT, in the vedic lunar sign of Mula. This full moon illuminates the part of the sky containing the massive black hole around which our Milky Way galaxy revolves. The Galactic Center, as it's called, is the astronomical equivalent to the "Pregnant Void" we sometimes experience in meditation. We may find ourselves striking gold in the information we're sifting through, happy to be mining in the right place at the right time. Write this day into your calendar: Wednesday, July 2 - the New Moon in Ardra. This part of the sky unlocks "The Power of Effort." With Mars approaching a conjunction to Saturn during this waxing cycle, there is double reason to persevere and "give it all you've got." Some project needs your full effort. The yogi will also actively contemplate the principle of "Non-Doership" at the same time.

A Golden Compass by Hafiz Forget every idea of right and wrong Any classroom ever taught you Because An empty heart, a tormented mind, Unkindness, jealousy and fear Are always the testimony You have been completely fooled! Turn your back on those Who would imprison your wondrous spirit With deceit and lies. Come, join the honest company Of the King's beggars - Those gamblers, scoundrels and divine clowns And those astonishing fair courtesans Who need Divine Love every night. Come, join the courageous Who have no choice But to bet their entire world That indeed, Indeed, God is Real. I will lead you into the Circle Of the Beloved's cunning thieves, Those playful royal rogues - The ones you can trust for true guidance - Who can aid you In this Blessed Calamity of life. Hafiz, Look at the Perfect One At the Circle's Center: He Spins and Whirls like a Golden Compass, Beyond all that is Rational, To show this dear world That Everything, Everything in Existence Does point to God.