February 2010

Creative Renewal :::Conversations with the Moon::: The full moon of February takes place on Sunday, February 28th, at 8:38am Pacific Time. This full moon occurs in the lunar sign of Purva Phalguni, a sign associated with relaxation, rejuvenation, sensuality, and creativity. While the moon is in this lunar sign, the focus is on enjoyment and celebrations. This full moon is known as "Holi Purnima" in India. Holi is a festival of colors that's celebrated sort of like a national paintball day, with people spraying one another with colored water! This day in general also celebrates fire, and light. Even though the current planetary lineup will have many of us plugging away at projects, these next two weeks will be especially good for refueling our creative tanks with inspiring music, lively conversations, delicious foods, and pleasing artwork. This is a great time to feed your senses with the intention of rejuvenation. Consider supporting an artist friend by buying a piece of his or her artwork or music or writing. With Jupiter conjunct the Sun in Aquarius opposite this full moon, the self-healing benefit you receive from your patronage are just as great as the monetary benefit your artist friend receives. Write this day/time into your calendar: Monday, March 15, 2010, at 2:02pm Pacific Time. This new moon occurs in the lunar sign of Purva Bhadrapada. Remember that the new moon itself is a day for introspection, a day for emptying the mind and letting ideas take shape inside the "fertile void." Wait until the day after the new moon to begin the compelling projects that will likely occur to many of us with vigor during this new moon. Also, be prepared for some potentially major shifts in perspective. Image: by Georgia O'Keeffe

Planning & Scheduling :::Living in Accord with the Seasons::: The Sun, Mercury, Venus, and Uranus all transit through Pisces this month, with Venus conjoining Uranus on March 4, Mercury conjoining Uranus on March 16, and Sun conjoining Uranus on March 17. Each of these conjunctions are trigger points for the emergence of new cultural paradigms based on compassion, spirituality, and level playing fields. Mercury conjoins Jupiter in Aquarius on March 8th, breaking ground for new cultural frameworks, and a new kind of discourse. Mercury enters Pisces, its sign of debilitation, with the new moon on March 15. This places Mercury directly at odds with transiting Saturn. Instead of verbal courtesies, we see people and communities and countries hammering away at the issues standing in the way of their cooperation. Because of Mercury's conjunction with Venus, this could actually be a very productive conversation, if everyone involved manages to maintain a respectful tone. Venus moves into Pisces, its sign of exaltation, on March 3rd and stays there until March 27. By itself this placement of Venus brings social grace, compassion, and sweetness into our lives. But Venus is opposite Saturn in Virgo all month as well, changing the Venus hue into a loveliness that wants to experience its usefulness. In this situation Venus gets to work and wants to be productive. This is a transit that can be trying on relationships, but useful for creative manifestation. 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. Mars resumes direct motion on March 10, ending a highly frustrating two-month period of Mars retrograde. Defensiveness and aggression will have been at a high over these last couple months, and even though Mars remains in Cancer, the productive release of pent-up energy is now a little more possible. Saturn, Uranus, and Pluto keep up their T-square configuration, getting particularly charged in July and August. This setup guarantees global, social reorganization. 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 licensed under Creative Commons ShareAlike 2.5

Grandmother Spider Steals the Sun A Native American Story as Told by Joseph Bruchac and Michael J. Caduto in their book Native American Stories When the Earth was first made, there was no light. It was very hard for the animals and the people in the darkness. Finally, the animals decided to do something about it. "I have heard there is something called the Sun," said the Bear. "It is kept on the other side of the world, but the people there will not shar it. Perhaps we can steal a piece of it." All the animals agreed that it was a good idea. But who would be the one to steal the Sun? The Fox was the first to try. He sneaked to the place where the Sun was kept. He waited until no one was looking. Then he grabbed a piece of it in his mouth and ran. But the Sun was so hot it burned his mouth and he dropped it. To this day all foxes have black mouths because that first fox burned his carrying the Sun. The Possum tried next. In those days, Possum had a very bushy tail. She crept up to the place where the Sun was kept, broke off a piece and hid it in her tail. Then she began to run, bringing the Sun back to the animals and the people. But the Sun was so hot it burned off all the hair on her tail and she lost hold of it. To this day all possums have bare tails because the Sun burned away the hair on that first possum. Then Grandmother Spider tried. Instead of trying to hold the Sun herself, she wove a bag out of her webbing. She put the piece of the Sun into her bag and carried it back with her. Now the question was where to put the Sun. Grandmother Spider told them, "The Sun should be up high in the sky. Then everyone will be able to see it and benefit from its light." All the animals agreed, but none of them could reach up high enough. Even if they carried it to the top of the tallest tree, that would not be high enough for everyone on the Earth to see the Sun. Then they decided to have one of the birds carry the Sun up to the top of the sky. Everyone knew the Buzzard could fly the highest, so he was chosen. The Buzzard placed the Sun on top of his head, where his feathers were the thickest, for the Sun was still very hot, even inside Grandmother Spider's bag. He gegan to fly, up and up toward the top of the sky. As he flew the Sun grew hotter. Up and up he went, higher and higher, and the Sun grew hotter and hotter still. Now the Sun was burning through Grandmother Spider's bag, but the Buzzard still kept flying up toward the top of the sky. Up and up he went, and the Sun grew hotter. Now it was burning away the feathers on top of his head, but he continued on. Now all of his feathers were gone, but he flew higher. Now it was turning the bare skin of his head all red, but he continued to fly. He flew until he reached the top of the sky, and there he placed the Sun where it would give light to everyone.

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.

September & October 2007

Total Lunar Eclipse Aug. 28 Conversations with the Moon There's a full moon and total lunar eclipse on Tuesday, August 28th at 3:35am Pacific Time, in the lunar sign of Shatabhisha. This eclipse is fertile ground for spending contemplation or journaling time on examining addictive behaviors or unnecessary attachments. This is the time to commit to our own self-designed "recovery" programs. It is a particularly well-suited time to explore any addictive tendencies within our social collective (our extended families, our spiritual groups, our nation), and our own individual participation in that collective behavior. For example, as a nation, do we have an 'addiction to oil' as our president has observed? If so, what can we each individually do about it?

Planning & Scheduling Living In Accord With The Seasons There is a partial solar eclipse on September 11th, at 5:45am Pacific Time in the lunar sign of Purva Phalguni. Traditionally, eclipses are thought of as excellent for inward spiritual life, and not good times to initiate any significant endeavors. The Sun travels with Saturn and Ketu in the vedic sign of Leo until mid-September, signifying a call to responsible action, and a commitment to realizing our unique potential - and maybe some painstaking efforts in getting there. Saturn and Ketu are tightly conjunct in Leo during the second half of October. We may each be feeling the pressure of authorship that we have over our own lives. Performers and politicians may experience self-doubt around their own ability to 'sparkle'. Is it possible we might see the resignation of a world leader? Neptune in Capricorn is loosely opposite Venus in Cancer during the month of September. We might be appreciating the beauty and romance of traditional gender roles in the family structure. (i.e. the nurturing mother, the father who's a strong provider). These themes may come up specifically in the new movie releases during this time. Perhaps we'll hear this theme crop up during political campaigns. The full moon of September happens on Wed., Sept. 26 at 12:46pm, Pacific Time. The full moon of October happens on Fri., Oct. 26 at 11:51am, Pacific Time. Mercury goes retrograde from Fri., Oct. 12 until Wed., Oct. 31. Mercury retrograde is best for editing, revising plans, hooking up with old friends, revisiting the past. It's energy is backwards moving, so communications don't always flow forwards so smoothly. Avoid, if possible, signing contracts, embarking on journeys, beginning big projects. If you must, don't sweat it. (Just like with the weatherman - if you have a picnic planned and the weatherman says "there'll be rain", you don't necessarily cancel the picnic - maybe you find a covered picnic area just in case.)

My Bohemian Life by Arthur Rimbaud I went off with my hands in my torn coat pockets; My overcoat too was becoming ideal; I travelled beneath the sky, Muse! and I was your vassal; Oh dear me! what marvellous loves I dreamed of! My only pair of breeches had a big whole in them. - Stargazing Tom Thumb, I sowed rhymes along my way. My tavern was at the Sign of the Great Bear. - My stars in the sky rustled softly. And I listened to them, sitting on the road-sides On those pleasant September evenings while I felt drops Of dew on my forehead like vigorous wine; And while, rhyming among the fantastical shadows, I plucked like the strings of a lyre the elastics Of my tattered boots, one foot close to my heart!

March 2007

Party Animal Navel Gazing Watching the Vedic Moon The Full Moon of March 2007 carries with it a partial lunar eclipse, happening on Saturday, March 3rd, at 3:18pm Pacific Time, in the lunar sign of Purva Phalguni. This portion of the nightsky corresponds to the enjoyment principle in human life - creativity, the pleasure of sexuality, rest and recreation, and the delight that children bring. The normal expression of the full moon in this sign would be a good time, a celebration, or a creative outlet. The fact that there's a total lunar eclipse in this portion of the lunar zodiac however, suggests that we may feel a little more stretched than usual in our global community, not able to relax; perhaps we have difficulty sleeping. We may also see world events that bring to light the compromised wellbeing of children, or issues surrounding birth control. For anyone with planets in mid degrees of vedic Leo, this will mark a time of more work than play, more seriousness around creativity, and amorous energies focused inward rather than expressed. (i.e. kundalini energy channeled for meditation.) For all of us, with Uranus so closely conjunct the Sun, and Jupiter in close square, this Saturday is an excellent day for tuning ourselves in to the "new" higher frequencies of consciousness flooding the earth plane, through meditative and contemplative practices. Despite the enervating shake-up that this eclipse may prove to be, we experience an air of philosophical open-mindedness. We entertain the willingness to grow and expand into an understanding of the deeper meaning of Pleasure, and the Knowledge of its true Source.

Planning & Scheduling Living In Accord With The Seasons There's a solar eclipse on Sunday, March 18, at 6:43pm, in Pisces. A good time for introspection, meditation, down-time. Mars is in Capricorn, his sign of exaltation for the month of March. This placement brings in an air of heightened productivity, and digging deeply to uncover our true capacity. At the same time, Saturn is transiting opposite Mars, while Neptune conjoins Mars, making us shoot for a lofty ideal, and being challenged by reality to bring this ideal into manifestation. This month can feel frustrating in its stops and starts, and constant feeling of an upward climb. Developing patience, endurance and commitment in the face of these obstacles, can enable us to build something of true, lasting value. Rahu and transiting Uranus are traveling along with Mercury for the month of March, creating compelling, unusual conversation, stretching our limits of what we thought we might entertain conceptually. Internet communications (blogs, MySpace-esque online communities, the YouTubes of the world, etc.) go through heightened mass-market appeal, development, and innovations. New forms of sustainable living, green energy, gain wider appeal. Mercury goes direct again on Mar. 7. Try to wait until the 8th of March before initiating important things, and especially before making agreements or signing contracts.

Ignorant Before the Heavens of My Life by Rainer Maria Rilke Ignorant before the heavens of my life, I stand and gaze in wonder. Oh the vastness of the stars. Their rising and descent. How still. As if I didn't exist. Do I have any share in this? Have I somehow dispensed with their pure effect? Does my blood's ebb and flow change with their changes? Let me put aside every desire, every relationship except this one, so that my heart grows used to its farthest spaces. Better that it live fully aware, in the terror of its stars, than as if protected, soothed by what is near.