by Somya Devi | Apr 18, 2015 | Astrology
The Moon reached its peak of darkness for the month and joined the Sun at 4°21′ sidereal Aries today just before noon Pacific time. This begins the Aries cycle, where we will really feel the planets fueling our strength forward in new endeavors and our spirit into illuminated heights. Sun is exalted here, and Aries, the Ram, is ruled by Mars, a fire planet that brings us strength and courage. It is the first in the sequence of the 12 zodiac signs, or Vedic Rashis, representing all kinds of initiations and beginnings. The Vedic zodiac is further divided into 27 divisions or nakshatras, and this new moon in early Aries falls in the first nakshatra of the 27–Ashwini, the horse woman (often thought of as the twin horses). The new moon is generally a good time for starting anything new, laying foundations, or planting seeds, and this Aries new moon is especially potent for that with the added strength of Mars’ courage, Sun’s exalted capacity, and Ashwini’s horsepower.
As Aries is the first sign in the zodiac, it also relates to the head and brain. We can actually see the origin of the symbol for Aries (as well as the other zodiac signs) by looking at the human body. In the cross-section of the brain above and the images below, you can see the symbol for the horns clearly reflected in the limbic system of the brain, as well as the third ventricle and the brain as a whole. The third ventricle, which surrounds the thalamus, is known as the “Cave of Brahma” in Kriya yoga, and it is from here that a lot of our human consciousness, experience, and sense of spirit emanate. Within the symmetry of the ventricle, the right and left brains, and right and left thalamus, we can perceive the masculine and feminine, or solar and lunar channels of energy within our bodies and in the g
ross scale of creation. In this area we also find the hypothalamus, the pituitary and pineal glands. The whole region and its nerve bundles comprise the “third eye,” where spiritual awakening is thought possible, through circulation and purification, activated by meditation.
The deities for Ashwini are the Ashwin Kumars, or divine twin physicians. They bring to this star the power to heal and channel healing energy especially through prayer and spiritual practice. The twin essence of this star is reflected in the symmetrical visual of the brain and the Cave of Brahma symbolism. Brahma, the energy of creation, is also related to this star. The twin physicians were born to the Sun’s wife while she was in the form of a horse. The horsepower behind this star brings magnificent speed and energy for beginning things (just as we see race-horses bursting forth out of the starting gate), but does not necessarily give the stamina to see things through to completion. It is important to choose where you let your energy begin running wild this moon cycle, and channel it towards those endeavors where you will have other (planetary) energies supporting you through as you continue them.
New moon here brings confidence as well as strength, with Mars joining the Sun and Moon in Aries. Mars is the fuel for the fire in our gut, and in its own masculine expression sign, we are able to channel our physical strength, will and courage into our activities. Mercury also joins this trinity today and for the next week or so, but may not be able to take the heat of Sun and Mars as easily. Watch that your words do not become too hot, forceful, or controlling. Instead try to bring forth the Sun’s higher wisdom and practice communicating from the brightness of the spirit, with your higher purpose in mind. This can be brought forth through spiritual practice including serviceful actions, and by purifying one’s body and mind. This is a great time for a springtime cleanse or fast, as well as kicking off a new exercise routine. Great healing and awakening is possible at this time through our efforts to allow the light within us to shine forth and into the world around us.
by Somya Devi | Apr 15, 2015 | Astrology, Planets Changing Signs
Today the Sun entered sidereal Aries, meaning it is now between the earth and the stars making up the constellation of the Ram. Vedic astrology follows the sidereal (or star-based) zodiac. You may be thinking “didn’t the Sun enter Aries on March 21st, the spring Equinox?” According to the tropical zodiac used in Western astrology, yes, because in the tropical zodiac Aries’ start is defined by the vernal equinox, or the time when the ecliptic (the sun’s perceived path around earth, from our point of view), intersects with the celestial equator (basically, a circle in space aligned with the equator). Below is a good visual from wikipedia. Basically, we think of the equinoxes as the times when the Sun is directly “above” the equator, giving equal light to the northern and southern hemispheres. Because of the tilt of the earth, this happens only twice a year. From our perspective on earth, the Sun was still aligned with the constellation of Pisces over the last few weeks, and has just crossed into the beginning of Aries’ section of the sky today. We will begin to really feel that springtime burst of energy now and through the next month.
Aries, a fire sign ruled by Mars, is where the Sun is exalted, or able to make the most of its energy. Sun, or Surya, relates to our life-force, health, and physical energy, so we may feel a rush of strength, empowerment, and inspiration coming on during this time. Especially because we have passed the heavy energy of the eclipses, this is a good time to get moving forward with projects and plans for the year (…starting after tomorrow! The very day of transition the Sun is not yet fully established in its new sign). With this forward-moving Ram energy behind the Sun, it’s a good time to check in with your health, do a springtime cleanse, or start a new exercise regime. Sun also represents the Atman, or the higher self. It is a sattvic planet aimed at purification and truth, and offers generously its life-giving energy that sustains everything. When it is in this strong position, we feel the abundance of strength within that lets us not only move forward in individual pursuits but also in ways that help others. Give back to the earth by offering your (Sun’s) energy into her as you start your garden. A strong Sun compels us to align with truth on all levels, so it may be a good time to review your own accountability and responsibilities.
Sun is now joined Mars, the planet of strength and courage, which adds even more vigor to our energy this month. He is also joining Mercury in Aries now, which may feel a bit overwhelming to our sense for reasoning and communicating. Mercury is combust at the moment and approaching Mars as well, so all that heat can add fire to our speech and intellect. Do your best to slow down when communicating and avoid arguing or blurting things out too fast. The intellect is sharp now, so if you haven’t finished your taxes yet, give it a try! Sun is a planet of hard work and responsibility, and Aries brings a power to this pursuit, so it is a good time to check in with yours. We’ll fully engage the Ram energy when the New Moon in Aries occurs on Saturday, April 18th.
by Somya Devi | Apr 13, 2015 | Uncategorized
Mercury proceeded out of sidereal Pisces and into Aries today. We will likely see a shift in our communication, going from watery, murky, or dreamy to more sharp, precise and perhaps argumentative. In Pisces, Mercury was in its sign of debilitation, where it is not the strongest in its ability to express clearly. This is because Mercury is a planet that seeks to be impartial and organized (it is exalted in Virgo), and Pisces, a water sign ruled by Jupiter, is dreamy, romantic, and imaginative. Aries, on the other hand, is motivated, active, and competitive.
Mercury in Pisces may have hampered our ability to be precise and detail-oriented over the last couple of weeks, with the expansiveness of Pisces’ ruler, Jupiter, compelling us to add our philosophical idealism to communication and our comprehension of things. Furthermore, Mercury was joined with Ketu (a shadow planet) during his jaunt through Pisces, which could have brought subconscious turmoil to the surface through our speech. He was tightly conjunct Ketu during the lunar eclipse, which offered both the opportunity be more analytical about buried emotions or escapist tendencies, but also the potential to be more critical in our speech with others, if we were not introspective about the depths of the rising feelings.
Now, with Mercury entering Aries, we may see less water and more fire suffusing our communication and intellectual processes. Mercury, or Budha, is the planet of the intellect, seeking to gather and organize information. Aries’ ruler Mars is a planet that brings forth our strength and instinct. It often brings strong opinions and a desire to be right, so watch for hot-headedness when it comes to communicating over the next couple of weeks, and try to curb your impulse to argue. We may be able to think quickly, but may also notice ourselves talking too fast. Try to slow it down by consciously applying moments of reflection and checking in with your heart before you speak, especially in any heated discussions. Mercury is moving quickly through the zodiac now and will be transiting out of Aries and into Taurus on the 26th.
by Somya Devi | Mar 23, 2015 | Astrology, Holy Days, Planets Changing Signs
Today Mars moved into sidereal Aries, the Cardinal Fire sign it rules. Aries expresses the masculine, or extroverted, nature of Mars, so it is likely we will feel a lot of impetus to send our energies outward and start new projects in the world in the coming weeks. Mars gives us warrior strength, will, and energy, but also strong opinions and a stubborn ego at times. You may find yourself encountering potential anger or arguments over principles that feel very black-and-white to you. Try to slow down and consider the affects before acting or arguing, even though you may be feeling very impulsive. We are still in an eclipse period, so with all the subconscious and emotional matter that is getting stirred up to the surface, make sure to align your energetic pursuits with what is really serving. This alignment does bring a strength that will support the new endeavors we aspire to accomplish this year, but planets in Aries do not change direction easily, so be aware that whatever propulsion you set yourself into may be the one you follow for a while. It’s a good time to get exercising again, or to call in discipline to your yogic pursuits.
Mars is now aspecting retrograde Jupiter and Saturn from his new position. This could give a boost of energy to how you are processing our studies and philosophies (retrograde Jupiter), so also watch out for getting argumentative over these, fighting with teachers, or the complete destruction of principles you have held close in the past but have reconsidered lately. If this is truly for your highest good, the energy could be a great service, as we are in the final two weeks of Jupiter’s retrograde course, and may be finalizing the expulsion of bad ideas in our philosophical reanalysis. Try to take things as slowly as possible, however, before destroying something in a moment of passion.
Mars is now both aspecting and ruling Saturn, who is retrograde in Scorpio. Saturn’s position here is giving us a sense of responsibility and commitment to facing deep fears and hidden parts of ourselves. Mars’ position in Aries will activate this process even more, bringing energy and willingness to that sense of commitment. It could be a good time to start practices that empower this process, like trauma release exercises and ones to deconstruct limiting beliefs. Saturn is in the nakshatra Anuradha, which supports exploring our sensitivities and also seeking cooperation in friendships.
This is important especially because Mars is joining Venus here in Aries, which could present a dichotomy of conflict within us. Venus is the planet of compromise, and agreeability, while Mars works to support our personal survival and instincts with an animalistic tendency. Venus in Aries has trouble compromising, therefore, and we may have been noticing this since his movement here from Pisces on the 12th. It can bring up passionate feelings about whether our compromises are fair or not. With Mars joining this already high-strung Venus, take extra care with your relationships. Use Mars’ rulership of and aspect on Saturn in Scorpio to turn that fervor inward. Mars and Venus are with the Moon in Aries until tonight, so we may feel this dichotomy especially intensely in our emotional bodies today. Mars’ new position will have more specific effects on the houses it is influencing in your individual chart, and the themes they represent in your life.
Today is also the fourth day of Navaratri, so we turn our celebration and worship to the goddess Laxmi, the embodiment of spiritual and material prosperity. Worshiping her qualities such as happiness, grace, wisdom, devotion, and purity, can help bring these about. This will support the higher potential of Mars, which is the strength and courage to be disciplined with ourselves and our inner and outer energies, rather than reckless like a wild animal. Laxmi’s four hands represents the four objects of human pursuit in life (the Purusharthas)–dharma, artha, kama, and moksha (living a truthful life, material prosperity, happiness, and spiritual liberation). Use Mars’ energy to strengthen your yogic objectives as you give homage to the goddess, pursuing a harmonious existence.
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As Aries is the first sign in the zodiac, it also relates to the head and brain. We can actually see the origin of the symbol for Aries (as well as the other zodiac signs) by looking at the human body. In the cross-section of the brain above and the images below, you can see the symbol for the horns clearly reflected in the limbic system of the brain, as well as the third ventricle and the brain as a whole. The third ventricle, which surrounds the thalamus, is known as the “Cave of Brahma” in Kriya yoga, and it is from here that a lot of our human consciousness, experience, and sense of spirit emanate. Within the symmetry of the ventricle, the right and left brains, and right and left thalamus, we can perceive the masculine and feminine, or solar and lunar channels of energy within our bodies and in the g
ross scale of creation. In this area we also find the hypothalamus, the pituitary and pineal glands. The whole region and its nerve bundles comprise the “third eye,” where spiritual awakening is thought possible, through circulation and purification, activated by meditation.