by Somya Devi | Jul 1, 2015 | Astrology
The Full Moon will occur Wednesday, July 1st, at 7:19pm PDT in sidereal Sagittarius. In Vedic Astrology it falls in the nakshatra (star-sign) Purva Ashada. This is the part of the sky towards the galactic center, so we can see the Milky Way flowing along near this full Moon. This is the midpoint of the Gemini cycle begun on the last New Moon.
Gemini compels us to gather information, synthesize, organize and communicate. It drives the intellect and curiosity and allows us to explore a multitude of different ideas all at once. As the Moon waxes into its full brightness, the opposite side of the zodiac is lit up as the Sun reflects upon it, and we encounter the Jupiter-ruled energy of Sagittarius. This illuminates the area where we are full of faith, hope and optimism. Here in Sagittarius we often rely on this sensation more than “the facts.” We may feel right now that some spark of inner faith is pushing us along, perhaps without regard to the reason of the intellect. This Gemini-Sagittarius contrast poses our inner analysts against our inner idealists. Under this full Moon, we may tend towards our idealist nature. This could compel us towards actions that are beneficial to society and our communities. This is great, as long as we don’t get carried away into a space of fanaticism.
Purva Ashada is ruled by the planet Venus, and its deity is Apah, a water goddess. As a Venusian star it also relates to the goddess Laxmi, who bestows material and spiritual prosperity. Being in Jupiter-ruled Sagittarius, this star carries a lot of optimism and ambitiousness, and a zealous pleasure for life and its experiences. It is a great place to find inspiration and to inspire others, but again, it’s important to watch out for the tendency to be over-zealous. This can cause conflict among people, which is already a risk with Sun still joined very close to combust Mars. This creates a short fuse and a tendency for explosiveness. The two are in the nakshatra Ardra (in Gemini, opposite this Sagittarius full Moon), which is one of the most intense and stormy places in the zodiac. With the added heat from summer that a lot of us are experiencing, it’s still really important to slow down and cool off before pursuing the itch to let frustration out on others.
Honor the water goddess Apah and pacify the pitta (fire-element) with dips in your nearest cool-water body, calling in your own inner fluidity. Spend time outside and with the earth to bring a little groundedness into this air-fire (Gem-Sag) alignment. Avoid spicy foods if you’re feeling any mental agitation or aggression. Add some cucumber slices to your drinking water for more cooling energy. Enjoy the beauty of Jupiter and Venus, and call on their energies to uplift your heart and mind during this full Moon. These two can be seen setting in the west as the Moon is rising in the east.
by Somya Devi | Jun 30, 2015 | Astrology, Conjunctions
If you’ve been watching Venus approach Jupiter in the evening sky over the last month, tonight will be the night not to miss! Last night the two appeared very close together from Earth, and tonight they will be at almost the exact same degrees in the sky (about 27 1/2 sidereal Cancer), appearing like a bright double-star. These are always the two brightest planets from earth’s perspective, so together this will be an incredibly beautiful light to behold. Look for the conjunction in the west from around sunset until the two planets set around 10:45 pm PDT. The best view will be just after it gets dark. They will also be quite close but beginning to separate tomorrow evening, setting in the west as the full Moon is rising in the east. (Check back for the Full Moon Report!)
In Vedic astrology and mythology, Jupiter and Venus are two benefic planets (saumya grahas), meaning they bring gentle energies and often boost our happiness. Jupiter is the planet of hope and optimism, while Venus is the planet of beauty and pleasure. The tight conjunction of these two may be elevating our happiness and expanding our positivity right now. It may even feel like the heart is overflowing. Jupiter brings us higher philosophy and belief systems, and our ability to discriminate or judge what we value. The supreme court decision to expand marriage rights in the US is totally aligned with this Jupiter-Venus meet-up– love wins! In this time we may really believe in our relationships, or whatever it is that is driving our pursuit of happiness. This conjunction is on the first house for sidereal Cancer rising folks, and aspects Scorpio and Pisces ascendants.
These two are in the Vedic nakshatra (star-sign) of Ashlesha, “the entwiner.” This star has to do with the coiled serpent of kundalini energy, and heightens our senses of intuition and sexuality. The ruling deities are the Nagas, the serpents of wisdom. Our hearts and minds may be guided towards unveiling deep hidden wisdom from the realms beyond the veil of illusion. It is really the Sun’s light that we see reflected off of these two beauties, Jupiter and Venus, and the Sun is the source of all life and the planet of pure consciousness. At this time you can offer yourself up, with gratitude, for heart-mind expansion and invite in the source energy to brighten your beliefs, desires and relationships. Remember that in Ashlesha, as with a serpent’s bite, some poison may come up as part of the process of illumination. This can also result because Jupiter and Venus so close together can create friction as they fight over whether values or desires will come out on top.
A close conjunction of Jupiter and Venus also occurred around 2 B.C.E., and may have been the phenomena dubbed the “Star of Bethlehem.” Overall, this is a time to enjoy the incredibly beauty being offered from the cosmos. Bask in the lovelight of Jupiter and Venus tonight — it is on!
by Somya Devi | Jun 21, 2015 | Astrology, Holy Days
Today is the longest and brightest day of the year in the northern hemisphere (and the shortest in the southern). This is the peak of the Sun’s ascending cycle, or the solar year, which began for northerners on December 21st of last year. From now on the Sun will be on its southern course from Earth’s perspective, and the hours of daylight will gradually decrease until the completion of the cycle and the darkest day of the year on the coming December solstice. This is a great day to celebrate and honor Surya, the Sun, the source of energy and consciousness that is offered to us with endless love from the center of the solar system.
The Sun represents higher consciousness, and the illumination that dawns within us through awareness of the source (spirit, or the atman in Vedic thought). The Sun has the power to reveal this atman to us if we seek to understand our universal power (which is selfless and generous) rather to yoke his power to support the ego. His function is to purify us with his radiant light, shining consciousness on any areas within that are dark or confused. The Sun helps us to see our true nature and how we can live in integrity with the world around us.
In Vedic mythology and astrology, the Sun represents pure masculine (or yang, creative and upward/outward-moving) energy. (The Moon, on the other hand, embodies pure feminine, yin, inward reflective energy.) With the increasing hours of daylight during the first half of the solar year, we’ve likely moved more outward into the world and its activities, creating new projects and undertakings, and putting our offerings into the world. With the luminous strength of the Sun offered to us abundantly, it’s been a time of synthesizing and allowing it to regenerate through us into activity that is helpful to others. As a sattvic planet, the Sun’s energy is most beneficial to us if we share it with others. If one attempts to harness the immense power of the Sun for oneself only, the heat and fire of it can burn us. The principle of a loving father or a leader is demonstrated through the Sun; a leader who attempts to lead as an oppressor of others usually faces opposition and struggle, whereas a leader who supports those below him as a team or family is able to move forward with greater success, simultaneously benefiting the whole.
Give thanks for this time of abundant light! Today is a time to celebrate the gifts of divine energy and consciousness given freely by the source that supports our lives here on Earth–Surya, the Sun. As June 21st has also been declared the International Day of Yoga, this is a great time to offer some sun salutations (Surya Namaskar) to this beloved planet and deity. The potency of this prayer (like any) is enhanced greatly if you are offering it with a large group! Fittingly, this is also Father’s day, when we honor the same qualities of selflessness, strength, and supportive love in fathers that we honor in the Sun. These principles are the embodiment of the Divine Masculine. Om Suryaya Namaha!
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by Somya Devi | Jun 15, 2015 | Astrology, Planets Changing Signs
The New Moon will occur Tuesday morning at 7:05am PDT, in early sidereal Gemini (Sun and Moon at 1 degree 3 minutes Gemini). This begins the Gemini Moon cycle for the next month. Mercury rules Gemini, so we will deal with the themes of the intellect a lot this cycle. We may see our thinking accelerate and new ideas synthesize, as well as a deeper exploration of communication. It’s a time to look out for vata, as the swiftness of Mercury and its air-sign Gemini can elevate that dosha in the mind and body. Staying hydrated and well oiled is important (internally and externally), as well as doing grounding practices that connect you to the earth. Applying oil to the bottoms of the feet will be very nourishing, or to the entire body before you shower.
It’s also a time to be aware of high pitta, the fire-dosha, as the Sun and Mars are also tightly conjunct right now. This is what we call a highly combust Mars, as it is only half a degree away from the Sun in early Gemini at the time of the New Moon. This can be incredibly aggravating, as these two fire planets joined increases the heat in our bodies and minds and can cause us to feel easily provoked and prone to anger and explosions. To alleviate pitta imbalances, we can avoid spicy foods during this time, and eat cooling ones such as cucumber, coconuts, and watermelon. Make sure to intake enough liquids and use coconut oil rather than more heating oils for internal and external use. Lavender, tulsi, and rose essential oils are all calming and cooling to the body-mind, and can be used for aromatherapy by placing a drop or two on the pillowcase at night or in a diffuser in your home or office. You can also make a tea from the dried petals and leaves of these aromatic plants.
Rose is especially helpful in this time because of its ability to soothe and balance the heart and emotions, which could feel overwhelming right now. With New Moon so close to Sun and Mars, there is the potential for their fire to weigh on the heart in the form of passion or frustration/anger. At the same time we have Venus joined with Jupiter in Cancer, which expands Venus’s potential for love and happiness, and also raises the importance we place on it and makes us weigh it closely against our values. Jupiter is our potential for wisdom and higher thought or spiritual understanding. With these two in the feminine Moon-ruled sign of Cancer, we can really tap into some Divine Mother/heart-energy if we seek happiness and through spiritual practice. If we let Jupiter’s expansive quality push us to seek material pleasures too much, we will inevitably be disappointed as time goes on, as these are all temporary. Tulsi can help us to orient our love towards a place of devotion. Jupiter and Venus will be really close in the sky for most of the coming month (very tightly conjunct around June 30th), and incredibly beautiful to witness in the night sky. They will be close with the Moon in Cancer at the end of this week… a great time for open-hearted prayers.
There is the potential to feel an urgent sense of seeking during this New Moon, which falls in the Vedic nakshatra Mrigashira, located around the star Bellatrix, (on the shoulder of Orion, in the region of the sky bridging Taurus and Gemini). Mrigashira is the star of the deer’s head, often referred to as “the wanderer,” continuously searching with curiosity. Though there is a beauty and innocence to this, the restlessness of 
this star can also interfere with our ability to stay focused and one-pointed. Its deity is Soma, a name for the Moon, and the Moon as it relates to our emotional mind can be easily changeable. Mrigashira also represents many positive qualities of the Moon, which is beautiful, gentle, calming, and full of compassion and Divine Mother energy. This star is also associated with Parvati, the wife of Shiva in Hindu mythology and a powerful representation of the goddess. This is a great time to get in tune with all aspects of the goddess, from the most gentle, motherly form, to the strong-willed warrior aspects of Durga and the fierce and compassionate nature of Kali (both forms of Parvati).
In Vedic thought Soma also refers to the nectar released through meditation. In this we can again see this New Moon as a call to stay hydrated in order to nourish the water element in our bodies, which is the conduit for the flow of all nutrients, including the physical and the spiritual. We can follow the searching nature of this star and the present alignments on a path to find new experiences, relationships, or temporary pleasures, or on a search for higher knowledge, wisdom, and heart-opening. Call forth the gentle energy of Mrigashira to appease the heat of combust Mars. Stay cool as much as possible and nourish the heart during this month of powerful celestial combinations.
by Somya Devi | Jun 1, 2015 | Astrology, Planets Changing Signs
The Moon will be full in sidereal Scorpio on Tuesday, June 2nd, at 9:19 am PST, in the Vedic nakshatra of Jyeshtha. The full Moon (Purnima) is when we see the light of the Sun (the higher Self) fully illuminating the Moon (our emotional bodies). This cycle, which began on the May 17th New Moon in Taurus, compels us towards solidifying our material surroundings, including home, family and possessions. We are working towards our goals as reflected by our values. The Full Moon brings our soul’s reflection to the opposite zodiac sign, Scorpio, where we must work to strengthen and stabilize the emotional body, in its awareness of life’s ultimate uncertainty. With the radiant Sun shining on it from Taurus, there is the potential for much growth around this now.
Jyeshtha translates as the “eldest” or “Seniormost,” and in the sky we locate it as Antares, a red supergiant (a star many times bigger than the Sun). It is known as the “heart of the Scorpion.” There is much power associated
with this star, as its deity is Indra, the chief of the Gods in Hindu mythology. Indra was known for letting his ego get carried away and being drunk with power (and Soma), which caused him to lose his status as a primary godhead. Through penance, or devoted practice, however, he was able to gain prosperity. The symbol for Jyeshtha is an umbrella, and Indra is also associated with raindrops. This symbolizes the idea that we are able to benefit from the divine Universal power in a positive way, if we engage our knowledge of its mystic qualities through spiritual practice.
Scorpio is a watery (emotional) sign ruled by Mars (strength, passion and intensity). It is a feminine sign, meaning self-reflective. It relates to the reproductive organs, which naturally symbolize rebirth and transformation. Full Moon in Scorpio, therefore, gives us the potential to be spiritual warriors, as the Sun’s light shines on the deepest most intense parts of our emotional bodies, usually kept hidden. Feeling into this illuminated Scorpio energy, we will face the place in ourselves that is most open to profound transformation–which we can experience if we allow it. Whichever house is Scorpio in your chart will be an area to pay particular attention now.
Because Scorpio is a fixed sign, there can be some resistance and fear around feeling difficult emotions, and they can sometimes get bottled up. This full Moon joins retrograde Saturn in Scorpio, as well, which can bring added feelings of fear and pressure, but a good opportunity to seek inner wisdom. The well of emotion found in Scorpio can be overwhelming to face in general, but with the radiance of the Sun (the higher Self) brightening it for us, this full Moon is a time for powerful introspection and insight. Only through facing ourselves fearlessly can the emotions flow to stable ground, rather than staying dammed up.
Saturn’s influence on the Moon causes pressure by compelling us to look at the long term and make decisions with wisdom rather than momentary compulsions. We are feeling these compulsions too, however, because Mars (the planet of the gut) is directly aspecting this full Moon from Taurus. Retrograde Mercury also joins Mars and the Sun in aspecting the full Moon, so watch out for mental agitation and communication challenges. This whole lineup could cause some intense emotional upheaval as we process the opposing energies.
The Mars-Saturn-Moon positioning may reveal a discrepancy if our short-term goals for material stability are not in alignment with what is beneficial in the long-term. Feel into it through your heart to see. It takes the emotional courage of Mars turned inward to face our emotions and change course if needed. Offer yourself to the process by being willing to self-examine and listen to the inner voice of your heart’s wisdom.
At the time of the fullest Moon, Venus and Jupiter in will be on the horizon in Cancer. Venus moved into sidereal Cancer on Saturday, joining Jupiter there. Though it will be beautiful to see these two planets coming close together in the sky over the next month, the energies of Jupiter and Venus can sometimes conflict with each other, so it is best to be mindful of them. The house themes of wherever Cancer is in your chart will come up during this time.
Venus, especially Venus in Cancer, is the part of us that wants pleasure, happiness, and comfort. We may feel very lovey this month with Venus in this water sign, ruled by the Moon (nourishing heart/Mother energy). Jupiter’s confluence with Venus, however, raises awareness of our beliefs and values, and how these align with our pleasurable pursuits (or do not). For example, if we are making too many compromises on our values in an attempt to secure happiness, this could become apparent this month and around the full Moon, when our emotions are lit up. On the other hand, it could also be a great time to integrate your values and beliefs into your relationships, as the Moon (heart energy) is the ruler of both Jupiter and Venus for the time being. Having satsang (spiritual discourse) and doing spiritual practice with your loved ones could bring you closer together right now.
Deep introspection and transformation are possible right now, though we must be brave to navigate the waters of the current alignment. Call upon your teachers and teachings for wisdom to guide you, as Jupiter is aspecting this full Moon. Call on Mars for inner strength and courage to reflect on your deepest emotions, and watch out for impetuousness or aggression that could come from him if the energy is projected outwards. Invite Saturn to help you see how your feelings relate to your long-term goals, or might be interfering with them. Engage retrograde Mercury’s energy to re-examine issues with mindful scrutiny, rather than trying to forge ahead with things that require more reflection. Though this Scorpio full Moon could cause us to question a lot about our current situation, remember that the amplified emotions are temporary, and offered as a tool for us to self-reflect to move forward stronger, not to retreat in fear. Through mindful practice and meditation you can harness the spiritual warrior potential of Scorpio.
by Somya Devi | May 17, 2015 | Astrology
The New Moon happens tonight at 9:13pm Pacific time. Sun and Moon join in Taurus, beginning the new lunar cycle in the Vedic nakshatra (star-sign) of Krittika. Krittika is known as “the cutter” and is represented by a razor or an axe. It is also associated with a flame, as the deity for this star is Agni, the fire God. This is the birthstar (Moon’s star-sign) of the guru Amritanandamayi Devi (or Amma, “the hugging saint”). Guru literally means “remover of darkness,” or ignorance.
Like Krittika, a good guru has the ability to cut away the illusion or darkness that does not serve, in order to help us see clearly. The quest of spiritual aspirants is to experience universal truth both internally and externally. This lunar cycle will be a great time for cutting away ignorance and illusions in order to deepen our understandings of Self and purpose. It is a good time to clarify our intentions for the year. The Aries cycle before this gave us a boost of energy, but may have been headstrong without considering the long-term benefits. Taurus is more grounded and slow-moving than Aries, so we may be able to come to terms with what is more practical in our plans for this year now. It is ruled by Venus and relates to our hearts, comforts, values and surroundings.
Taurus or “Vrisha” is the sign of the bull. This large, four-footed creature has a strong will, and Taurus is a fixed sign. This is a time to stay focused on our goals, especially as related to our surroundings, and also be careful not to be too stubborn about them. This new cycle begins with Sun and Moon joined with Mercury and Mars (in Taurus), and opposite Saturn (in Scorpio). This may bring a strong tendency to over-analyze (Mercury) and then over-react (Mars) to things this month. Saturn’s influence, opposite Mars, could bring frustration to the impulses to vocalize and act out. We may want to go forward based on our gut feeling and analysis of the situation, but may feel caught up by fear or stress that keeps us from taking action. When you feel that stagnation, turn to practices that can help you engage the Taurus energy one task at a time. This could include a little redecorating of your home space, cooking a meal or tending to the garden. Since Venus is the ruler of Taurus, fulfilling small desires in the realm of aesthetics will be satisfying. Sketch or paint something to allow that Venusian energy to flow.
Venus relates to earth, water, and air, so bring these elements into your spiritual practice. Feel into your rocks and crystals to study the energies that are coming up inside of you. Keep a fountain bubbling or visit a nearby body of water to let your prayers flow. Burning some incense, sage, or palo santo will help purify your home or altar space for this new cycle, and will also bring in the air element and the fire element (the deity of Krittika). Pray for the Divine Universe to cut away what you don’t need this cycle, and allow your purest goals and visions to manifest. Despite the challenges of the Mars/Saturn opposition, Taurus can bring us the determination needed to follow our hearts. Taurus is the sign of the Anahata or heart-chakra.
Heads up! Mercury goes retrograde tomorrow, until June 11th. It may be a time to reorganize our thoughts and revisit communication that needs to be clarified, but watch for the influence of Mars and Saturn bringing heat and pressure to your desire for coherence.
