MahaShivaratri and New Moon of Purification 2016

We’re in the waning balsamic Moon phase now, time to rest, heal and let go, and this is the most special balsamic Moon of the year as we are moving toward MahaShivaratri which occurs tomorrow night, Monday, March 7. This is the Great Night of Shiva before amavasya tithi which will culminate on the super new Moon total solar eclipse in (sidereal) Aquarius in the nakshatra of purification called Purvabhadrapada on March 8, 2016 at 8:57 PM Eastern Time. You can see in the charts below that Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Neptune and the South Node~Ketu are aligned in sidereal Aquarius opposite Jupiter-Rahu and in square with Mars-Saturn in the eclipse chart. This chart has an intense tamasic/fixed signature for transformation (the essence of Shiva) which will resonate ahead the next six months+.

SFPageSFPage2The 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 always 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 As the lunar energy is withdrawn from us, it is natural to turn inward for healing, rest and retreat.

Alignment of Sun, Earth and MoonEvery six months the new Moon lines up in such as way so that it passes directly between the Sun and Earth, and its shadows fall upon the Earth’s surface while the Moon blocks the Sun. Simply put, eclipses are like supercharged new and full Moons that operate at both the personal and collective level, pointing to transformation, upheaval or new directions. This new Moon/solar eclipse will be March 8 and the full Moon/lunar eclipse will be March 23, 2016.

This week’s new Moon/solar eclipse is also happening at perigee – the Moon’s closest point to Earth in its monthly orbit, indicating high tides and a massive lunar effect. Astrologer Richard Nolle of AstroPro News calls this a “Stealth Super Moon.” So we have a total solar eclipse falling in a purificatory asterism and happening right after MahaShivaratri and it is also a super Moon, and MahaShivaratri happens on a Monday, the Moon’s Day which makes this extra powerful Shivaratri because Shiva has a close relationship with the Moon/read further on about that. All of this conspires to churn things up at a dizzying pace and intensity.

Solar_lunar_eclipse_diagramEach month of the year, yogis celebrate the night before new Moon as Shiva’s Night (Shivaratri), 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 through my personal relationship with Divine Oneness. 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,  peace and rebirth.

shiva-shakti-500As mentioned, this coming new Moon solar eclipse also falls in the nakshatra of purification called Purvabhadrapada, which is ruled by Lord Rudra, the fierce aspect of Lord Shiva known as the “Howler” who is associated with winds, storms, and wild animals. The fact that this year’s MahaShivaratri falls on the Moon’s night (Mon-day) is also very significant because Lord Shiva is Himself known as the “Moon behind the Moon”! His only adornment is a crescent Moon worn atop the head which symbolizes His control over time as represented by the waxing and waning Moon. Shiva exists beyond time and guides us to wake up and remember who we really are as eternal beings.

shiv vish 1The immortal 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” in our sublime energetic system. This is all dramatically magnified by the Ketu eclipse of the luminaries, since Ketu the Enlightener promises some necessary release in order for positive transformation.

12631353_1222687624427376_867076845979913386_nDuring the days around MahaShivratri, the alignment of Sun and Moon (Shiva and Shakti) becomes most profound in Aquarius, the sign of higher wisdom through which kundalini shakti streams so powerfully. Today, Monday and Tuesday are a wonderful time for contemplation and reflection, to tap into deep recesses of spiritual power, allow the clearing out of outmoded notions and patterns, and open to recharging of body-mind-spirit to set the stage for new intentions and possibilities coming in the near future. It is said that turning within and performing spiritual practices during MahaShivaratri and also during eclipses will enhance and magnify the auspicious results a thousandfold. So just one “omnamashivaya” becomes like a thousand in terms of spiritual impact. aquariusrb

 Oh you the creator, you the destroyer, you who sustain and make an end,

Who in sunlight dance among the birds and the children at their play,

Who at midnight dance among corpses in the burning grounds,

You Shiva, you dark and terrible Bhairava,

You Suchness and Illusion, the Void and All Things,

You are the lord of life, and therefore I have brought you flowers;

You are the lord of death, and therefore I have brought you my heart—

This heart that is now your burning ground.

Ignorance there and self shall be consumed with fire.

That you may dance, Bhairava, among the ashes.

That you may dance, Lord Shiva, in a place of flowers,

And I dance with you. ~ Aldous Huxley

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Scorpio New Moon: December 11, 2015

The waning crescent Balsamic Moon is once again upon us. This phase covers the darkening three-and-a half-days leading up to the New Moon, and belongs to the ancient goddess who takes us deep within ourselves for transformation and rejuvenation. Balsamic Moon is time for letting go, burning karma, and healing as we prepare for new beginnings at the culmination of New Moon which occurs on Friday, December 11 at 5:21 AM Eastern Daylight Time/EDT (10:21 AM UT).

As I am writing and posting this on Monday, December 7, the Moon is aligned with Venus in sidereal Libra, sign of relationships and politics. This is usually a sweet transit but not as much now because Libra is still hemmed in on both sides by malefic planets ~ Saturn in Scorpio and Rahu + Mars in Virgo ~ a pressured configuration called Papa Kartari Yoga in Vedic astrology, which can tend to bring up the negative power manifesting as disharmony all around.

The Moon will remain in Libra until early Wednesday morning EDT, when it will begin its transit through its fallen (debilitated/neecha) sign of Scorpio, which will last until Friday afternoon EDT. Moon is considered “fallen” or “debilitated” in Scorpio, where it can reflect deep-feeling or intensely attached emotional energy. It can be quite devoted and passionate in its higher principle, versus highly fixated and obsessive in its lower.

waning-moonThe December New Moon occurs at ~25 degrees sidereal Scorpio, Jyestha nakshatra, in conjunction with the Sun, and widely conjunct the karmic taskmaster Saturn. Not for the faint of heart, this combo draws out shadow themes revolving around violence and fear (the “T” word), defense and security, aggression, depression, death, sexuality, rebirth, finances, control, and personal power. When not in harmony, Scorpio can be dogmatic, fundamentalist, rigid, stubborn, or narrow-minded. With Scorpio’s emphasis here, some may have a tendency to feel stuck, tight, or heavy in body and mind. It may be helpful at this time to create more cheer, move our bodies, keep with a positive message, enjoy nature, and most importantly, cry, laugh and soften our hearts.

imagesThe external world is an unstable place, seemingly more so than ever lately, and thus, keeping ourselves at peace and in balance becomes the biggest challenge. Knowing and understanding something of the astral energies at play can actually be quite supportive during such times, not as a predictor of “bad” things happening, but more as a reminder of where to align our attention. For instance, the current waning Moon moving into Scorpio can assist us to stand in divine light, “fight the good fight,” go quietly within to examine what we fear the most, let go, and radiate compassion and peace.

The Balsamic and New Moon phases mirror the current waning phase of the Sun, occurring as we move toward the darkest day of the year on December 22 (Winter Solstice-N. Hemisphere). This is a natural time to slow down and be contemplative. Remember, the waning Moon is fast losing its light, and the Sun is also losing light. The Sun and Moon represent our higher brain and chakra centers as well as all psychological, metabolic, and physiological processes. So, their diminishing cycles can reflect in weariness and emotional vulnerability. Therefore, introspection, awareness, and repose are of utmost importance during this period.

In the New Moon chart, Uranus is transiting in sidereal Pisces opposite Mars, and both are forming a T-square with Pluto. Actually the T-square is falling in a very close range from ~ Dec. 5-13 or thereabouts, but resonating even further than that on either side as well. This is a stressful configuration, and especially because Mars will be in its debilitation navamsa of Cancer from Dec. 6-12, which can indicate hyper-emotional reactive states.

The Mars-Uranus-Pluto T-square can point to weather disasters; seismic eruptions; volatility; impulsive or reckless behavior; angry outbursts; technical, medical, surgical or mechanical disruptions; violence; accidents; upheaval, terrorism, or just in general, some shocks and surprises. Usually, such aspects in the lunation chart will have the most major impact for those whose natal chart planets and angle cusps are being closely affected, but also this is a collective karmic imprint.

A dear friend of mine, astrologer Dr. Karina Weil, beautifully described difficult transits like these: “They represent an opportunity for us to exercise mind control and focus on creating and projecting luminous, loving, peaceful thoughts, now more than ever.” Knowing there is a potential disturbance in the force, we can all “mind our minds” and make efforts to be extra patient, gentle, peaceful, and cautious…because ultimately, with our thoughts we make the world.

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