by Somya Devi | Nov 9, 2015 | Astrology, Conjunctions, Holy Days
The new Moon cycle begins at 9:47am PST on Wednesday, November 11, 2015. The night of the darkest Moon is the night of Tuesday, November 10th. This is a good time for staying inward, releasing any worry or stress from the last cycle, and nourishing oneself spiritually to prepare for the new lunar month. This New Moon begins with Sun and Moon in sidereal Libra, initiating the Vedic lunar month called Karthika, and marking the celebration time for the Hindu festival of Diwali, the “festival of lights,” where we call forth remembrance of the divine light within. This festival is often celebrated over the course of five days, with the main night of festivities on the dark night before the New Moon.
It is related to a variety of stories from Vedic mythology, often with that of Lakshmi’s birth and with that of Lord Rama’s return from exile. Goddess Lakshmi represents wealth and prosperity (spiritual and material), as well as devotion, love, beauty, and happiness. Celebrating her is a way to call these qualities into our lives. Lord Rama represents dharma, or doing the right thing, as well as devotion, compassion, courage, and righteous leadership. Diwali celebrations often commemorate his and Sita’s return to the kingdom of Ayodhya after 14 years of exile (a story from the Ramayana).
Diwali (also seen as Divali, Deepawali or Deepavali) comes from the sanskrit words deepa (light) and avali (row). It is typically celebrated with rows of oil lamps or candles lit to remind us of the inner divine light in us all. Though one flame can be used to light many others, it is not diminished by sharing its power of illumination. We can pray for the peace and happiness of all beings, and each one’s awareness of their inner light. This is pertinent to remember and to celebrate during this particular Dark Moon time, when the Sun, the planet of our inner power, strength, and divine light, is in Libra where he is considered “debilitated.”
When Sun is in Libra, the sign of balance and relationships, we often relate to our own personal power through our relationships with others, or may try too hard to care for others, forgetting to nourish the divine spark in ourselves. We may simply feel depleted by trying to balance too much in life, and out of touch with our personal strength and vitality. This can be especially true right now as Venus, the ruler of Libra, is also in his debilitated placement in Virgo. Sun has been debilitated since October 18th, and Venus since November 2nd.
At the beginning of this cycle, set an intention for a mindful self-care routine this month. Light some candles for Diwali on the Dark Moon night, and if possible, take some time every day to light a flame for a while and offer yourself some time to connect with, nourish and honor your inner light. Self-care practices can include yoga, meditation, chanting, art, or self-abhyangha (oil massage). You can also make some herbal tea to nourish yourself during this vata (cold and dry) season.
Venus’ current position in Mercury-ruled Virgo can make us approach relationships with a more pragmatic and analytical nature, and we may feel less romantic than usual. He is also joined with intense Mars and Rahu, who bring the possibility for arguments, tension and discomfort. Try to take it slow when you feel stress or criticism coming up around loved ones. With Mercury in Venus-ruled Libra, Mercury and Venus are “exchanging” signs, which will make their energies more cooperative. This means that engaging our intellects and communication skills can really help to smooth out relationships, and our hearts’ desire for beauty, love and cooperation can support our paths to clear thinking. Try reading a book or listening to a talk that offers relationship support skills. Practice engaging Mercury through journaling, and Venus through arts & crafts (can include doodling or coloring) or music, to get their energies flowing and working for you.
This cycle begins with the Sun and Moon in Vishaka, a Vedic nakshatra which relates to accomplishment. Its deities are Indra, the King of the Gods, and Agni, the deity of fire and transformation. Its ruling planet is Jupiter who brings optimism, hope, and expansion. This combination gives Vishaka the ability to succeed in achieving goals, and this star is often represented by a triumphal archway or a tree of life. Its meaning is “forked branches,” however, representing how planetary energies here often present us with a choice of two different directions to take in life. Through concentration and meditation we can choose the path that is right for us and then follow it with courage.
With the New Moon in Libra and Diwali, we call forth the awareness of our inner light, reconnecting with our source strength and the illuminating power of the Sun. We celebrate the qualities of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Rama, praying for peace and prosperity for all, and remembering to offer some of that devotion to our spirit through self-care practices. With the positions of Venus and Mercury, thoughtful communication is an important support tool for our relationships this month.
Personal Vedic Astrology readings available here can help you to see how the current astrological weather will affect you and offers specific tools you can apply to your self-care routine.
by Somya Devi | Oct 24, 2015 | Astrology, Conjunctions, Planets Changing Signs
The Moon will be at its fullest on Monday night! Tuesday, October 27th brings the peak of the full Moon in Ashwini nakshatra at 5:05am PDT. Ashwini is the first constellation in the order of the zodiac, comprised of the two bright stars Hamal (alpha arietis) and Sheratan (beta arietis) on the side of Aries closest to Pisces. Ashwini refers to a horse-woman and carries horse-power with it. In it lies the energy we require to get moving and power through things. We may feel a sudden burst of energy around this full Moon, and can attempt to harness that power towards our goals and the new direction we’ve found after emerging from the transitions of the recent eclipse cycle.
The deities for this star are the Ashwin Kumars, the divine physicians, and this full Moon brings their great healing potential. This cycle began with Sun and Moon in Chitra, related to Vishvakarma, the celestial architect who inspires creativity and perfecting the structures we create. With the full Moon in Ashwini, we can call upon the celestial physicians to help heal and strengthen the places we need divine medicine to move forward in strength on our creative journey. These juices flow from deep within you, and now is a chance to get in touch with your self-healing potential.
It’s a fortunate time for this opportunity, because there are a few factors that may have been making us feel spread a little thin this month. The Sun, the planet of our vitality and inner power, entered his sign of debilitation (Libra) on October 17th. When Sun is in Libra we tend to place more emphasis on trying to please others and balance relationships than we do on taking care of ourselves. Sun in Libra can fashion us the peacemaker, trying to negotiate a good deal for everyone else but sometimes forgetting about our own self-care regimen.
Furthermore, Sun will be in the nakshatra called Swati during this full Moon, which is a place in the sky that often scatters everything like the wind. Try to center your energy before taking big strides, and hold tight to the reins (through focus and practice) so the horse-power of Ashwini doesn’t pull you astray. On top of this, vata dosha (cold, dry, and windy) naturally increases during fall and winter, so in the northern hemisphere we are facing increasing vata, which can also make us feel scattered and depleted. With all of these factors, be sure to take the time to care for yourself this month. It’s a good time to start bundling up and nourishing yourself with warm soups, cozy baths, and moisturizing oils. The full Moon in Aries will remind us of how we feel about our personal strength, so it will be a good time to check in and reconnect with your own health and well-being, while calling upon the healing energies of Ashwini.
We may also be feeling inspired as well as overwhelmed by the pile-up of planets in sidereal Leo–Jupiter, Mars, and Venus. These three are conjunct this month, which amps up the energy we feel behind our philosophies, will, and desires. We can see this bright cluster on the eastern horizon just before sunrise. The confluence of these planetary energies can support each other if we do the work needed to introspect and synthesize them towards our highest purpose, but they can also be at odds with each other when the planets get too close for comfort (within one degree celestial longitude).
For example, on October 15th-17th Mars and Jupiter were so close that we may have faced some blow-ups over our philosophies. If our actions weren’t totally in line with our values, there might have been explosive shifts to help propel us into alignment. October 24th-26th brings a tight conjunction of Venus and Jupiter, which could bring up a discrepancy between our values and our relationships and pleasurable pursuits. We could be facing some tough choices about compromising. October 31st-November 3rd, Mars and Venus are closely conjunct, which will pin our individual will against our ability to compromise. It could be a pivotal time for healing relationships and moving forward. The three planets are in Purva Phalguni nakshatra during this full Moon, which brings the energies of relaxation and rejuvenation. With all of these planets in Leo, the fiery sign of the Sun, we have the opportunity to purify ourselves and clean up our energies so that we feel totally oriented in the right direction in all areas of life. On the night of November 2nd both Mars and Venus will enter Virgo (where Venus is debilitated), joining Rahu, which could make us face romance in a more practical, analytical way, but could also intensify our desires.
During the full Moon in Ashwini nakshatra on October 27th, give thanks to the divine physicians and bask in the healing energy of the Moon!
Don’t forget to change clocks back in the U.S. on November 1st!
by Somya Devi | Oct 20, 2015 | Astrology, Holy Days
Shukla ashtami, the eighth tithi (lunar phase) of the waxing Moon this month, marks the eighth day of Navaratri during which we honor Goddess as Mahagauri, the “great white” goddess. This incarnation of Durga is fair, shining and radiant like pure light, representing her purifying shakti. She rides a bull and carries a damaru (a hand-drum) and a trisul in two hands, keeping the other two in mudras for blessing and protecting. She represents compassion, truth, and purity and bestows these on her devotees. Mahagauri is often thought of as the young form of Parvati, and thus worshipers often feed young girls sweets on this day of celebration, to honor the great white goddess.
The story is often told that while Parvati was doing penance to win Lord Shiva, her body became black and dirty. When Shiva accepted her he washed her with the water of the Ganga which made her shine resplendently and become Mahagauri. This represents her power to free us from all pain and suffering and to bless us with auspiciousness and virtues, as those who bathe in the waters of the holy river Ganga are said to be blessed and purified. This includes freeing us from the painful attachments to the material world. As we worship Mahagauri after the night of worship dedicated to Kalaratri, we can see that this detachment and reemergence into the light can come only after facing death and darkness.
This goddess relates to the planetary deity Rahu (the north node of the Moon), who is actually a shadow point in the cosmos and has no physical body. Thus Mahagauri relates to parts of our soul and psyche that are beyond the physical body or chakra system. In our worship, making offerings to her and meditating upon her, we can begin to go beyond our attachments to the mundane details of life and brighten our awareness of spirit.
Full Article for Navaratri 2017
by Somya Devi | Sep 25, 2015 | Astrology, Eclipses, Events
The Full Moon and Lunar Eclipse in Uttara Bhadrapada will coincide in sidereal Pisces on the night of Sunday, September 27th, with the peak of the eclipse around 7:47 pm PDT (and the peak of the full Moon at 7:50). This is the final eclipse in a series of eclipses since Rahu and Ketu, the north and south nodes of the Moon, have been in sidereal Virgo and Pisces for the last year. During these eclipses we have been unearthing the shadows of our subconscious drives towards the moods represented by these two signs. The mood of Virgo compels us to organize the details of life and our material surroundings, to perform hard work responsibly in order to avoid conflict, and to iron out imperfections in ourselves and others. Pisces, on the opposite side of the zodiac, draws us to let go of the material world and surrender into the unknown, embracing imagination and life’s mysteries, or sometimes escaping into fantasy or other outlets to avoid the drudgery of life.
The eclipses around this astronomical axis have drawn our attention to these opposite compulsions. As the “shadow planets” align with the Sun (our inherent divine power) and the Moon (our emotional bodies), we may see what is normally subconscious but drives us to one or both of these extremes. There could arise distress around our desire to keep everything materially organized, or our tendency to be overly responsible and meticulous. This is put in glaring contrast for us when we see Pisces’ need for us to surrender to the flow and be more fluid in life’s waters. On the other hand, one’s shadow tendency to escape and avoid may arise, often in chaotic and confusing ways, to show us that we better need to integrate our dreamy idealism with practical management of life’s details. The period surrounding the eclipses can often feel turbulent, stressful, and confusing, but there are always deeper lessons being offered so that we can learn truer ways to bring forth the empowerment of our spirit and the comforting of our hearts.
This full Moon is a Supermoon–one that occurs with the Moon at it’s closest orbital point to earth (perigree). The Moon will look up to 14% larger than usual! During a lunar eclipse, the Moon takes on a dim red coloring, and is often referred to as a “blood moon” because of this. Why doesn’t the moon totally disappear behind the earth’s shadow? During solar eclipses, the Moon’s orb (directly between Earth and the Sun) appears as a black disc that almost completely covers the Sun’s light for a few minutes, save for a thin bright ring around the outside of the disc (in a total solar eclipse). The light we see as moonlight, however, is actually the light of the Sun being reflected off of the Moon. The Sun’s rays pass through the atmosphere of Earth before reaching the Moon, and are refracted in many directions. This is why the Moon does not completely disappear during the lunar eclipse — sunlight is still reaching it, but through indirect, scattered rays bouncing through the atmosphere and around the earth.
This phenomenon corresponds to the astrological idea that eclipses often cause confusion and may make us feel scattered. Furthermore, it can be hard to get in touch with the emotions of the heart (Moon energy) during a lunar eclipse, as the divine light of the Sun is reaching the emotional body only through shadowy twists and turns, not directly or with its full potency. As such, a lunar eclipse can feel especially heavy on the heart, and we may feel all twisted up inside. At the same time, we can see and feel the twisty things that are normally dormant, hidden or overlooked, but nevertheless are molecular paths making up part of our inherent experience. This is a good time to face the things that are unpleasant, or that cause us confusion or heartache, so we can let go and realign. We can look at where we have been sidestepping our way to emotional nourishment (especially through avoidance) instead of taking action by the most direct routes of self-care. Applying conscious effort and prayer, we can let go of unsupportive patterns and make way for the most authentic ways of nourishing our hearts and minds.
The fullest part of the Total Lunar Eclipse will be from 7:11pm – 8:23 pm PDT. The beginnings and ends of the eclipse will be visible from 5:11pm to 10:22pm. Within the region of Pisces, Vedic Astrology further divides the sky, and we see that this eclipse is in the nakshatra of Uttara Bhadrapada. This star-sign lies in the area of Pegasus and Andromeda, directly above the constellation of Pisces. The deity of this nakshatra is Ahirbudhnya, the serpent from the depths, and thus this constellation relates to kundalini as well as deep emotional waters. Much wisdom is available here. As we feel into the depths of the emotions, Saturn’s rulership of this sign makes us face our fears, and strengthen our connection to divine consciousness as we loosen our attachment to the material.
Uttara Bhadrapada also relates to the funeral cot and the process of death and dying. With the Moon eclipsed here, we may feel like we are dying, or may desire to retreat and escape from the world temporarily. We may need to allow the death of something whose time has come, our attachment to which has been holding us back from living in our highest alignment with spirit. Also a Harvest Moon (the full Moon closest to the fall equinox, accompanied by many nights of bright moonlight in the evening), it is time to cut down and allow the death of what we have been cultivating, and permit it to transform into its next purpose. This may involve letting go of some of our desire to organize the material world (the mood of Virgo, where the Sun lies). The approach of this eclipse has likely brought up a lot of conflict and confusion around this issue, and the Solar eclipse on September 12th likely disturbed the other end of the spectrum (material stability). We may also be called to find more balance in our Virgoan pursuits, and be more meticulous with our own spiritual practices rather than with everything and everyone in the world around us.
The shakti of Uttara Bhadrapada is the power to bring rain. Call upon the cleansing energy of rain to help wash away the old and stale and nourish the soil of decay to make it fertile for new life. Pisces is the last sign of the zodiac and brings us closer to death, helping us to see that the material clinging we experience through life is not what is eternal. As we release our holding and consciously embrace the unknown–rather than simply falling into the escapist potential of Pisces energy–we come in contact with the abundance of divinity that lies within the great mystery. We can awaken the serpent power of Ahirbudhnya and invite new wisdom to circulate through our free-flowing channels. The Full Moon and Lunar Eclipse in Uttara Bhadrapada on September 27th offer us the chance to see into our own depths and expand our capacity for conscious surrender as we continue into the next chapter.
by Somya Devi | Sep 9, 2015 | Astrology, Conjunctions, Events, Planets Changing Signs, Retrograde
The New Moon and Solar Eclipse in Purva Phalguni on September 12th will bring the shadow energy of the planet Rahu to the forefront, revealing to us things that are usually hidden in the subconscious. The New Moon occurs in sidereal Leo, around 11:41pm PDT. This begins a Leo cycle for us, which raises the energy of inspiration and compels us to tap into our source power and share it with others. Leo is ruled by the Sun, the archetype of divine masculine energy in the heavens. The source of all life on earth, Sun energy reminds us of the divine spark that we all share, and encourages us to purify ourselves and to care for our surroundings (or kingdom), offering our power forward. During this month we may feel an urge to purify ourselves and purge what is unneeded–maybe a cleanse to prepare for the changing of seasons. Take stock of where you allocated your energy this summer, what type of kingdom you’ve created, and what you can do to strengthen your connection with source as you continue to manage your responsibilities.
On the night of September 12th (Pacific time), Sun, Moon, and Earth are all in close alignment near the northern lunar node, known as Rahu. Earth will experience a partial solar eclipse at this time, but it will only be visible from very southern regions (southern Africa and Antarctica). When the Moon’s orb passes in front of the Sun, and the shadow emerges, this brings otherwise hidden energies and knowledge to the surface. In the sign of Leo, this eclipse will help us to examine our relationship with power, how we approach our responsibilities, and where we feel powerless. At the eclipse time, the Sun’s light (representative of our inherent power and connection to the soul) is temporarily blocked out. This can elevate our awareness of where we feel powerless, and at the same time directs us to find that connection with source and soul power. It ultimately leads us to the realization that God/Goddess energy is in fact present with us in all our movements and actions.
Looking deeper into the sign of Leo, we see that the New Moon and Solar Eclipse occur in the Vedic nakshatra (constellation) called Purva Phalguni. The symbols of this star sign are a couch, a hammock, or the two back legs of a bed. As such, this sign represents rest and relaxation, as well as recreation. Its energy will encourage us to take it easy and have some fun. This sign is also associated with a Shiva lingam, and is sometimes translated as “the former reddish one.” In this way Purva Phalguni is related to procreation.
It is a good time to remember that in order to be creative, we must also spend time being inactive and restful. The period of rest is what assists us in rejuvenating our creative energies in order to have the strength to be active and producing output again. In the generally active sign of Leo (a fire sign, ruled by the Sun), this nakshatra reminds us that part of tapping into our inherent strength and divinity is sitting back and enjoying life. The deity for this nakshatra is Bhaga, who relates to enjoyment, wealth and prosperity (he also relates to the Sun). Venus is the ruling planet of this star, which naturally draws an emphasis towards pleasurable activities, art and beauty, as well as makes it a social constellation. This could be a great weekend to enjoy some art and music, as well as relaxation and romance. Bhaga also relates to the morning star, which is currently Venus, who rises in the east a little while before the Sun.
Venus, who was in retrograde (backwards) motion for the last 6 weeks or so, is now stationary, and will soon be starting to move forward slowly through the zodiac. During this time we may have felt backed up around relationships, or around how we relate with pleasure and seeking happiness. By this time we should have had some realizations and some clarity about which direction to move forward and how. The New Moon and Solar Eclipse in Purva Phalguni on September 12th give us a boost of energy towards letting loose around Venus things–slowing down, relaxing, and letting our pleasure centers indulge a little. Purva Phalguni reminds us about the importance of recreation.
Of course, there is also a shadow side to each sign that can send us too far in one direction. When amplified by the eclipse, Purva Phalguni energy could lead us to slip out of balance into a place of excessive indulgence or laziness. Especially with the procreative power of this nakshatra, make sure that your romantic affairs don’t go further than you’re ready for! Jupiter is very close to the Sun during this eclipse as well, which can amplify things and bring on a big optimistic nature. Feeling hot under the Sun’s rays, however, Jupiter’s position here could make us doubt our current belief systems and want to purify them as well. This gives us an opportunity to freshen our value systems and decide what teachings to hold onto, sorting out what serves our highest purpose and what does not.
Eclipses in general tend to amplify everything, and though it can feel like a lot of upheaval is going on, the result is usually a revelation of wisdom. We may get to realize where we have been denying ourselves the inherent goodness found in resting, relaxing, and having fun. We could get a good look at the shadow side of our pursuits of indulgence (or over-indulgence). The nodes themselves are still on the Virgo/Pisces axis (through all of the eclipses this year), so we’ve been called to look at and balance in ourselves the side of us that wants to keep everything organized (Virgo) versus the side of us that is willing to let go into the unknown (Pisces). Examine what these themes mean to you, and where you’ve been struggling with that dichotomy. We’ll see another eclipse (Lunar, this time) in two weeks on the September 27th full Moon, so it’s likely that we’ll be really feeling what is coming up around this through then. Wherever Pisces and Virgo are in your chart (based on Vedic rising sign), the motifs of those houses are what will be calling your attention through this time.
So, during this New Moon, take some time to relax and enjoy your surroundings, reveling in the kingdom that you’ve built for yourself to live in (whatever that looks like). Take pleasure in the work that you’ve done, and let that happiness rejuvenate your creative energies before the next steps must be taken. Saturn also aspects this New Moon and eclipse, so that will assist the purification process by helping us to commit to the responsibilities and values we find most beneficial towards our goals and soul purpose. It could still be hard work, especially as we proceed with relationships after reevaluating them through Venus retrograde. The balance between letting go and organizing everything will still be on our minds through the next eclipse, and we’ll get some time to review it when Mercury goes retrograde on the 17th. For now, with Sun and Moon in Leo, bask in the last rays of summer offered by that warm, generous headspring that fuels us all, remembering the atman that it also symbolizes.
Diwali (also seen as Divali, Deepawali or Deepavali) comes from the sanskrit words deepa (light) and avali (row). It is typically celebrated with rows of oil lamps or candles lit to remind us of the inner divine light in us all. Though one flame can be used to light many others, it is not diminished by sharing its power of illumination. We can pray for the peace and happiness of all beings, and each one’s awareness of their inner light. This is pertinent to remember and to celebrate during this particular Dark Moon time, when the Sun, the planet of our inner power, strength, and divine light, is in Libra where he is considered “debilitated.”
At the beginning of this cycle, set an intention for a mindful self-care routine this month. Light some candles for Diwali on the Dark Moon night, and if possible, take some time every day to light a flame for a while and offer yourself some time to connect with, nourish and honor your inner light. Self-care practices can include yoga, meditation, chanting, art, or self-abhyangha (oil massage). You can also make some herbal tea to nourish yourself during this vata (cold and dry) season.
This cycle begins with the Sun and Moon in Vishaka, a Vedic nakshatra which relates to accomplishment. Its deities are Indra, the King of the Gods, and Agni, the deity of fire and transformation. Its ruling planet is Jupiter who brings optimism, hope, and expansion. This combination gives Vishaka the ability to succeed in achieving goals, and this star is often represented by a triumphal archway or a tree of life. Its meaning is “forked branches,” however, representing how planetary energies here often present us with a choice of two different directions to take in life. Through concentration and meditation we can choose the path that is right for us and then follow it with courage.
