August 2009

The Inner Ear, and Balance Conversations with the Moon The full moon of August takes place on Wednesday, August 5, at 5:55pm Pacific Time, in the lunar sign of Shravana. The lunar eclipse is an invitation to tune in. Lunar eclipses always happen on a full moon, so whatever is being amplified by the full moon (the reflected light from the sun) is also being occluded. Do you see how this can be symbolic for magnifying a human trait, focusing on what's causing problems about that trait, in order to transform it? Eclipses are portals of transformation, opening a passageway to a labyrinth, leading to a new world. The ancient seers of India assigned the symbol of an ear to the lunar constellation in which this eclipse occurs. As we've been approaching this lunar eclipse, I've been contemplating the inner ear's relationship to the physical balance of the body. The labyrinth of the inner ear collects data that it reports to the brain, which interprets what it has heard. This affects physical balance, in an echolocation sort of way. Now if you extrapolate this relationship into the subtle realms, you can easily draw the parallel that the inner ear receives input (hears things) - and the brain interprets this data, resulting in balance, or imbalance of the emotional body. (i.e. taking something you hear personally and getting bent out of shape is a choice.) So for this full moon, pay attention to how you interpret what you hear. Pay special attention to assumptions, patterns of negative interpretation, and taking things personally. You have a chance right now to change these patterned responses. Write this day/time into your calendar: Thursday, August 20, at 3:02am Pacific Time. This new moon in Magha is a great time to give thanks your ancestors, and to everyone who has come before us, making our current lives on earth possible. Invent a five-minute ritual in which you picture your ancestors - biological, spiritual, even professional ancestors - and thank them for being able to stand on their shoulders in this world. This helps connect you to the cycle of life. In India, the yearly celebration of the ancestors called Pitru Paksha, begins this year on Saturday, September 5, and lasts two weeks.

Planning & Scheduling Living in Accord with the Seasons Mercury forms a conjunction with Saturn on August 18. This might be a good day to pay extra attention to how you interpret what you hear. You may find yourself rehearsing an interview, spending more time on the wording of emails, or editing something you've written. Venus travels through Gemini for the first half of the month, with Pluto forming an opposition to Venus on August 2nd. This day may require more than the usual amount of honesty with yourself about your relationship with loved ones. Wherever manipulations exist in love, they are likely to be exposed. Mars in Taurus continues his square with Saturn in Leo until August 16. This symbolizes the building of a new sense of "sovereignty" here on earth. Many different styles of leadership will be competing for dominance. When the sovereignty of the Self has been established, no outer forms of leadership can bring imbalance in a person. Later in the month, Mars moves into Gemini and forms a "T-square" with Pluto opposite, and Mercury square on August 26 & 27. This could produce communications tinged with intimidation, manipulation, or aggression. Decide now to exercise supreme discernment and compassion around the end of August. A favorite line of mine from the ancient chant, Hymn to the Glory of Shiva: "When You danced to save the world, the earth, at the striking of Your feet, wondered whether it would not come to sudden destruction, as did the spatial regions and the multitude of planets, being oppressed by the movement of Your iron, club-like arms; and heaven became miserable as its side was constantly struck by Your waving, matted hair. Ah Your very mightiness was the cause of the trouble." Jupiter has retrograded back into the sign of Capricorn and will stay there until mid-December. This placement is not great for the planet of luck, generosity, and optimism. It is likely that financial markets will reflect the compression experienced by this planet in this sign - optimism may take a back seat until mid-December. Remember that times of despair are also times of opportunity. Saturn is conjunct the Sun for the second half of August, suggesting that nations will require accountability from their leaders. Saturn is also 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.

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 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)

August 2006

The Star of Hearing: The Full Moon of August 2006
happens on Wednesday, August 9, at 3:55am Pacific Time, in the lunar sign of Shravana. According to vedic astrology, this full moon takes place in the ending degrees of Capricorn.

Observing a full moon taking place in a particular lunar sign is sort of like observing the state of our country under a particular president - the energies, and intentions, and values of the president are broadcast through his administration, the legislation formed under him, the quality of order he brings to the affairs of the country, and so on.

Under the rulership of Shravana, the full moon's intention is to establish order. Shravana does this through employing an amicable, humble, socially respectful persona, and listening intently to what is really going on. Then waiting for the right opportunity, and bringing an order to the situation at hand.

Shravana is a constellation which is linked to "putting people on their appropriate paths in life". The order that is Shravana's agenda often comes through talent scouting your network of friends and associates, and forming mutually beneficial alliances. If this sounds opportunistic, well, that's part of Shravana's energies too.

Oftentimes the situations may feel overwhelmingly chaotic, and unworkable. But during the Shravana full moon, much may come to light that will reveal possible solutions to anarchical situations.

The Sun's conjunction with Saturn and the Moon's conjunction with Neptune add a further flavor of tension to this full moon. Issues of security (and the feeling of insecurity) are likely to be knocking on everyone's emotional door to some degree. (Hint: You don't have to answer the door.)

Capricorn is a sign linked with government, and this full moon in Capricorn is likely to find governments and parties pursuing "order at any cost," surrounding issues of national security and land. The media may be particularly full of gossip on Wednesday 8/9 - be discriminating about what you choose to listen to.

And to put this in context, remember that a full moon comes around once every 28 days, so this quality of energy peaks around Wednesday morning, 8/9, and dwindles until the New Moon two weeks later begins a new cycle, fulfilling the next full moon's agenda.

Planning & Scheduling: Living In Accord With The Seasons
The astrological landscape includes Saturn conjunct the Sun in the sign of Cancer, from July 17 until Aug. 16, which compels us all to be a little more responsible, serious, and hardworking.

Saturn conjoins Venus in Cancer on Aug. 27. We may feel a little formal in our affections, unsure of our lovability, awkward in our style. On the other hand, this same transit may bring a commitment to manifesting the creative muse within each of us.

Saturn in exact opposition to Neptune from Aug. 29 - 31: This transit point is the first of three oppositions made by these two planets with very opposite energies. Where this transit occurs in your chart, will represent an area of life in which you may feel a little stretched by your own, inner, conflicting needs for right brain vs left brain approaches.

Full moon on August 9, New Moon on August 23
The two weeks of the waxing Moon, Mon. 7/24 - Wed. 8/9 are good for:
* initiating important projects
* achieving goals

The two weeks of the waxing Moon, Mon. 7/24 - Wed. 8/9 are a time to:
* rebuild
* go inward
* gather energy

The evening of the new moon, Wednesday August 23, is particularly powerful for meditation, and silence.

Lunar Eclipse on Sept. 9 and Solar Eclipse on Sept. 22: The energy of eclipses is best understood in the metaphor of the light of the sun and moon being "overshadowed". Thus, these dates, (and the period between the two dates) is to be avoided for advancing your life's material affairs, and to be used for promoting your life's spiritual affairs.

Mercury goes retrograde from Oct. 29, 2006 until Nov. 17, 2006
Do while Mercury's retrograde:
* reconnect with old friends
* revisit older ideas
* edit and review art projects, writing projects, photo albums
* clean up your hard drive (back it up first!)

Avoid signing contracts, embarking on journeys, or scheduling yourself too tightly, until Mercury's direct. (Appointments tend to change, events have a higher chance of being canceled, information gets lost..)

Read more about eclipses on James Kelleher's website: http://www.jameskelleher.com/news_eclipses.htm

Healers' Network
George Perez: A Healing Resource for Healers
Many of you are providing healing to our collective life experience on earth. There's a resource you should know about - a healer's healer, named George Perez.

I have personally experienced George's energy balancing work as a vital "reboot" when I've gotten into stuck places.

George is a clairsentient empath who provides shamanic energy reading, balancing and healing. His life advice and guidance is an invaluable blessing for healers and anyone seeking balance and clarity.

To reach George, you can contact him via email: Geoperez6199@aol.com