New Moon in (sidereal) Aquarius…Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 5:34:34 PM EST. Time to celebrate Fat Tuesday, AKA Mardi Gras (Carnival), the day before Ash Wednesday which begins the Lenten season of fasting in the Christian Church. Mardi Gras is also known as Shrove Tuesday, the day of confession, yes, but also a day for eating sweet pancakes and other sinfully delectable foods before the fast of Lent begins.

The New Moon occurs when the Moon in its monthly orbital motion around Earth lies between the Earth and the Sun, and is therefore in conjunction with the Sun as seen from the Earth. At this time, the dark part of the Moon faces toward the Earth, so that the Moon is not visible to the naked eye, and so the light of the Moon is blocked from the Earth. The New Moon is felt like a bioenergetic reboot; thus, according to astrology, New Moon indicates a phase of endings and new beginnings. As the lunar energy is withdrawn from us, it is natural to turn inward for healing, rest and retreat.

Each month of the year, yogis celebrate the night before New Moon as Shiva’s Night (Shivratri), a time for deep contemplation and inner quiet, a time to journey within and bask in the true inner light that exists beyond the world of form. Shiva is many things to many people. For me, Shiva represents a peaceful spiritual awareness of inner freedom and oneness through my personal relationship with God.

Shiva’s greatest New Moon night of the year is called Maha Shivratri, which occurs each year in either February or March on the 13th or the 14th night of the Moon’s waning cycle, in the month of Phalguna, when the New Moon is in (sidereal) Aquarius. The Great Night of Shiva takes place in (sidereal) Aquarius because Lord Shiva presides over this astrological sign, which is symbolized by the Water Bearer who pours forth the “water of life,” known as kundalini shakti, the essence of spiritual power, wisdom, purity and peace. In 2012 in India, this auspicious celebration takes place on Monday, Feb. 20.

The ancient rishis of India understood that the days around the New Moon in Aquarius are a special time for connecting with the inner light of Shiva. Physiological and bio-energetic processes can become activated through spiritual practices like chanting and meditation. This is related to the Sun and the Moon alignment that takes place not only “up there” in the heavens but also “down here” via the chakras of our bioenergetic system. During Maha Shivratri, the alignment is most profound as it takes place in Aquarius, the sign of higher wisdom through which kundalini shakti streams so powerfully. The next few days especially can be a wonderful time for contemplation and reflection, to tap into deep recesses of spiritual power, clear out outmoded notions and patterns and recharge body-mind-spirit with new intentions.

The late great Siddha yogi Baba Muktananda said, “This universe is Shiva’s own garden…Meant for a joyous stroll.” Lord Shiva is always dancing the whole of creation into existence, but on his Great Night, the possibilities for connecting with the Supreme Reality of the Divine Self within are greater than ever. Whether you are celebrating Shivratri or Mardi Gras (or both as I recommend), I wish you the most joyous stroll.

        A pride of lions; a school of fish; a leap of leopards; a parliament of owls; a shrewdness of apes; a clowder of cats; an unkindness of ravens…are “terms of venery, colorful collective nouns that evolved in the Middle Ages of Europe when the sophisticated art of hunting demanded an equally sophisticated vocabulary.”…from one of my all-time favorite books given to me by my mother long ago, James Lipton’s An Exaltation of Larks or the Venereal Game. The venereal game is not directly related to the term “venereal disease,” though both are similarly linked to Venus, goddess and astrological indicator of love and wild animals.

        The terms of venery became a game of codification in 15th century Europe, where clever names for various other collective nouns became interspersed with the names of venery. Many of these names reflected certain social mores of the time, and were constructed with a great deal of wit, such as, a converting of preachers; a drift of fishermen; a bevy of ladies; an eloquence of lawyers; a worship of writers; a school of clerks; a herd of harlots; a diligence of messengers; a poverty of pipers…oh the list just goes on! This is a fun game to play with loved ones, friends and colleagues. I actually won a newspaper contest once when I played and came up with a name for my then-profession of nursing…it was an injection of nurses.

        Venery and the venereal game refer to hunting in relation to the Roman goddess Venus (Greek Aphrodite), whose origin was in the Babylonian Ishtar, Goddess of the Hunt. Aphrodite (Venus) hunted hard for love, and once she found it, she spent most of her time out hunting wild animals with her beloved Adonis. My friend Marcia Kalika made an excellent point in response to this on a Facebook, that Venus was kind of compromising to be with her man…which is the essence of Venus in astrology, when functioning in its highest form.

        In Al-Biruni’s Book of Instruction in the Elements of the Art of Astrology, Venus is considered the astrological lord of wild animals. Astrologers look to Venus in the astrological chart to determine matters of love, the wild hunt of the heart. Hmmm…now I am wondering…would a hunt of lovers be a good term for a group of people searching for love? Or do you like a lust of lovers better? Here I go…

Saturn is transiting in sidereal Libra currently, and Ketu (the Moon’s South Node) is transiting in sidereal Taurus, both signs belonging to Venus, which in mundane astrology symbolizes currency and its circulation, banks, stock exchange, commodity and cattle markets, revenue and securities, etc.

Saturn and Ketu have a tendency to inhibit, contract and block whatever they influence; in this case, Saturn influences Libra (the public marketplace), and Ketu influences Taurus (business, trade, and overall economic conditions).

The last time that Saturn was in Libra while Ketu was simultaneously in Taurus (as they are now and will be for most of 2012) was in the second half of 1955, when consumer prices fell (I believe that this was felt to be a short-term deflationary cycle). So it will be interesting to watch and see if a similar trend continues toward what some are calling the “Coming Great 2012 Deflation.” Historically, sustained deflationary cycles correspond with bear markets, recessions and economic depressions. During deflationary cycles, it is common for interest rates to rise and for people to hoard cash, so investments decline, etc. As I understand it, there is an ongoing debate over whether we are in deflation or inflation. A January 8, 2012 USA Today article addresses this topic and asks if deflation could be a real threat, which you can access through this link:  http://www.usatoday.com/money/markets/story/2012-01-06/deflation-inflation-threat-to-stocks/52457310/1

It is possible that as transiting Venus moves into the nebulous and often destabilizing gandanta section between sidereal Pisces and Aries (~Feb. 27-March 3) and even further into the first week or so of March, that financial markets will be hammered. This is also indicated in the solar return chart for one of the various USA birth charts I use (USA Constitution Declared Effective 3/4/1789 at ~12:01 AM in NYC). I recently attended a 2012 Webinar with Western Sidereal astrologer Ken Bowser who pointed out this chart and explained that the fact of having Neptune in the March 7, 2012 solar return chart exactly conjunct the USA chart’s natal Mars in the lower meridian squaring the ascendant is a difficult combination for the economy. My friend Joni Patry reminded me that this conjunction also speaks to a full-blown international conflict (Mars) over oil (Neptune) that will affect us in our homeland (4th house of the USA chart). Here are the charts in wheel format (the inner wheel represents the USA birth chart and the outer wheel is the upcoming solar return):

Kuja (Mars) is the graha that signifies our efforts to find security in a world that is often fraught with danger, upheaval and loss. In relation to our view from Earth, Kuja will become completely stationary (vikal) from Jan. 23-25, after which it will retrograde (vakra) from Jan. 25 until April 15 (tax day ). When a graha is stationary it is the strongest, and when retrograde it is also very strong. Kuja’s manifestations can be “good” and/or “bad” depending on its placement and various aspects in the natal, mundane and transit horoscopes.

Kuja represents the inner fire generated through the Manipura Chakra, the “Lustrous Gem” or Third Chakra. This vital force allows us to overcome inner and outer obstacles so that we can manifest our goals. Kuja also signifies the precision, logic and courage we have to muster in order to flourish in life. According to the late Swami Sri Yukteswar, “Firmness of moral courage when attained removes all the obstacles in the way of salvation. These obstacles are of eight sorts, viz., hatred, shame, fear, grief, condemnation, race distinction, pride of pedigree, and a narrow sense of respectability, which are the meannesses of the human heart.”

Transiting in the sign of a friend (sidereal Leo) as it will be until June 21, the upcoming retrograde Mars cycle offers the opportunity to strengthen personal valor and cultivate a massive amount of creative energy, but also there can be the potential for impatience, aggression, conflict, and frustration unless we can remain firmly centered in the heart (Leo).

Kuja is often represented as Kshitinandana, which as far as I know translates as the “Delightful Son of the Earth,” or “Rejoicing Earth-born Son,” as he was born of the sky (Shiva) and the Earth (Bhumi). Thus, I believe that his archetypal power bridges spirit and matter. In other words, according to astrologer Bepin Behari, Mars is engaged in “articulating the inner potential on the outer surface of life” (Myths and Symbols of Vedic Astrology, p 81). During the Mars in Leo retrograde cycle, I encourage you to invoke your inner warrior and slay the mind demons that prevent you from living your full glory. Om Namaha Shivaya!

All that we behold is full of blessings. ~William Wordsworth

Greetings all! As we are winding down 2011, there will be one final solar eclipse occurring in sidereal Scorpio on November 25, 2011 at ~6:20 AM UT, followed two weeks later by a lunar eclipse in sidereal Taurus on December 10, 2011 at ~14:32 UT. As I have written before, eclipses have a significant role to play in worldly affairs, and they also can trigger changes in our personal lives.

In the solar eclipse on November 25, the Sun and Moon will widely conjunct the Moon’s North Node in the constellation of Scorpio, forming a partial eclipse only. It will be visible in high latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere, including lower South Africa, Antarctica, Tasmania and most of New Zealand. Though eclipses signify changing trends and cycles on a worldwide level, it is believed that the precise geographical location of the eclipse path will carry some added emphasis in the coming months. You can take a look at its path on the NASA eclipse website: http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCSEmap/2001-2100/2011-11-25.gif

Continue reading →

Leo rises in the Fall Equinox chart for Washington, DC, at 12 longitudinal degrees and 29 minutes, in the nakshatra called Magha. This nakshatra is ruled by the Pitris (Ancestors), so it is especially fitting since the equinox occurs during the Hindu festival of Sradda (September 13-27), when karmic debts are repaid and offerings are given on behalf of one’s familial and spiritual ancestors. After Sradda will be my favorite Hindu festival of the year, Maha Navaratri (Nine Nights of Mother Divine), a blessed time of year, particularly for those of us who worship the Holy Mother in any of her forms (September 27 to October 6).

I cast a Heliocentric chart for the Fall Equinox, which places the Earth instead of the Sun and Moon inside the chart; this is because the chart is viewed from the position of the Sun Continue reading →

All of nature dances in the play of polarity, the in-and-out breath of creation through which the primal forces of yin and yang constantly oscillate. Nowhere is this play more evident than in the changing seasons. On Sept. 23, 2011 at 9:04 AM UTC (5:04 AM EDT), the northern hemisphere will once again experience Autumnal Equinox, when we begin to “fall” into Yin Time, when nature begins its evolutionary cycle back to center. According to Ayurvedic theory, the Vata dosha begins to increase in the cooler, drier Autumn season. The elements of Ether and Air predominate now (Ether + Air = Vata). We may feel more energized, creative and alert during this season, but when Vata is imbalanced, we can experience restlessness or anxiety. In fact, the need for balance is more important than ever this time of year, as stress causes the Vata dosha to shift even more out of order, and this can lead to greater stress and imbalance.

The downward shift of nature which extends from Fall Equinox to Winter Solstice signals the season of the Metal Element, according to the Five-Element system of Chinese medicine. Metal relates to the Ether Element (Akash), the fundamental source of all the other elements which flows directly from Divine Source through all of creation. According to Dr. Randolph Stone, creator of Polarity Therapy, the Ether element is “the river from which all other rivers [elements] flow.” In the fall season, nature gives us an opportunity to restore our connection with this, our deepest power. Continue reading →

Happy Summer Solstice
The summer solstice occurs on June 21, 2011 at 17:16 Universal Time. I am writing about this in relation to the Northern Hemisphere, where I live; in the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are, of course, reversed.

On the summer solstice, the Sun reaches its highest point of declination (the movement north and south of the ecliptic), when it is located directly overhead at noon on the Tropic of Cancer. On this day, we will experience maximum daylight hours. According to the Hermetic tradition of ancient Egypt, the Divine Sun-God becomes fully enthroned at the summer solstice, when He is thus able to pour forth His most powerful divine blessings upon us.

For three days before and after the solstice, there is a magnetic shift on our planet, when the indwelling planetary spirit undergoes a psychic adjustment. This is similar to the still point in craniosacral therapy, when the craniosacral rhythm comes to a temporary halt so that the body can recharge and readjust to its natural rhythm. These days comprise a very sensitive time of the year, when we should take extra good care of ourselves, making sure to rest and take time to attune with nature. Continue reading →

As I write this, we have just passed the Full Moon in Virgo, the constellation relating to self-improvement, health and healing, and we are also approaching the spring equinox, which occurs on Sunday, March 20 at 23:21 UT. The spring equinox marks the time of year in the Northern Hemisphere when Mother Nature rebalances and begins to awaken herself. Spring is also the time of year when we take an especially deep breath and renew our commitment to awakening ourselves, perhaps with a focus on improving health and well-being.

According to Chinese Five Element theory, Wood is the element of spring. It represents new growth and an expansive sense of renewal, the birth of upward moving Yang energy that propels us forward with new vision, hope and determination. The organs of the body associated with the Wood element are the liver, gallbladder, eyes, tendons and ligaments. The liver governs planning, and the gallbladder relates to decision making, so in this season, it is only natural to initiate new beginnings and plan for future activities. Continue reading →