Lunar Eclipse June 4, 2012

A partial lunar eclipse occurred on June 4,2012 at the moon’s ascending node, when lower part of the moon slowly slipped into the earth’s shadow and glided through umbra, the inner portion of the earth’s shadow. In India the eclipse was not visible as it occurred before moonrise. Lunar eclipse is a good time to clear emotional debris accumulated in the etheric body. Clearing up emotional junk makes room for fresh start and new way of thinking.    

Emotions rise at etheric level similar to gentle waves which turn into strong, sharp crested waves in presence of a catalyst. Etheric body or emotional body has its own vibrations and frequencies. Emotions such as anger, hatred, love, forgiveness, fear etc have their own momentum. For example, etheric body shrinks while experiencing fear and expands while experiencing love. Effects of such changes become evident on physical level in form of body language or behavior. When a person experiences positive emotion, his etheric body expands and blossoms into its full capacity. This creates a bridge between the physical body and ehteric body. While both the bodies are aligned and connected, there is a felling of well being and happiness. Fearful or negative experiences make the etheric body shrink and disconnect from the physical body. When this connection is severed, a person becomes incapable of experiencing his emotions. This creates imbalances on physical and mental level.

Energy Body

To experience balance and harmony with yourself and surroundings, it is essential to become aware of your feelings; acknowledge and express them in a healthy manner. Sometimes emotions originated in the etheric body remain unexpressed. These unexpressed or unacknowledged feelings create blocks on emotional level. Emotional debris accumulated over a period of time hamper the smooth functioning of etheric body. These blocks may provoke lopsided or extreme reactions to situations and surroundings or they may cut off a person from experiencing his feelings and emotions.

Swadhishthan chakra or the second chakra is connected with the emotional body. Emotions such as hate, anger, violence or fear originate here. These emotions are survival instincts useful in protecting oneself from danger. By understanding them properly, they can be transformed into unconditional love, forgiveness and fearlessness. If the emotions are not expressed or disposed off, they accumulate in the Manipur chakra or third chakra. Blocked Manipur chakra can create health problems on physical, mental level. As you release all the suppressed emotions, Manipur chakra would shine brightly. You would feel more sensitive, authentic and healthy person with self respect and self esteem. All of us have emotional debris in some extent. It is necessary to clean your emotional body time and again to live a peaceful and happy life.

Venus Transit June 5-6, 2012

Another rare and significant celestial phenomenon this month was retrograde venus transit across the sun on June 5-6, 2012. Venus transits retrograde till June 27, 2012. Venus is the planet of love, attraction, beauty, arts, aesthetics and affluence. Retrograde venus is the channel of divine love that pervades entire creation. Under the influence of retrograde venus, sensitivity and perception can heightened up. Developed sense of intuition and divine inspiration can be experienced during this phase. It becomes easier to tap into other people’s thoughts and feelings during such phase. Retrograde venus is also powerful time to channelize healing to a large number of people collectively. People become aware of divine energy connecting all forms of existence. It is a powerful time to expand your consciousness through meditation and healing. Venus is connected with the astral body. Astral body is a very subtle body with fine vibrations. Once we become aware of emotional body and its wavelike energy formations, we can try to access astral body. Fine vibrations of astral body generate emotions on etheric or emotional body. These emotions are expressed on physical level in form of actions. By fine tuning the vibrations on astral level, we can manipulate emotions on etheric level.  A person who is able to access his astral body, can perceive other people’s vibrations also.

Now is a good opportunity to cleanse your etheric body and fine tune your astral body. You can perform such cleansing anytime with the help of energy healing, crystal healing or meditation. You can also request an hour long healing session with me. For more details, contact me!

Rahu

Annular solar eclipse occurring on May 20-21, 2012 will be visible in eastern Asia, the northern Pacific Ocean and the western United States. For the cities in eastern hemisphere the eclipse will be visible on May 21, 2012. Partial eclipse may be seen from much of Asia, the Pacific and the western 2/3 of North America. In India, partial eclipse may be visible for a few minutes in some parts of eastern states including West Bengal, Assam, Sikkim, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Manipur. Annular solar eclipse of May 20-21 will be followed by a partial lunar eclipse on June 4, 2012. Eclipses signify change; finishing of unfinished karma, and new beginnings. They intensify the process of rebirth on spiritual level.

As per vedic astrology, this solar eclipse takes place at the descending node of moon in Krittika Nakshatra in the sign of Taurus. Krittika Nakshatra is associated with the star cluster Pleiades, star of the stars. Lord of Krittika is Surya, the sun and ruling deity is Agni, god of fire. During eclipse five planets viz the sun, moon, venus(r), jupiter and ketu will be in the sign of Taurus. This solar eclipse is special as the sun and moon are aligned with the Pleiades, the constellation responsible for the shift or ascension of mother earth. The interval of time between two eclipses is important for the spiritual regeneration of the earth and people on earth. This is also potent time for healing, transformation and purification.

In Vedas, it is believed that a demon called Swarbhanu is responsible for causing eclipses. According to the Aitareya Brahmana, demon Swarbhanu swallows both the luminaries causing solar eclipse. Later the moon revives back from the sun’s body. Demon Swarbhanu refers to the lunar nodes rahu and ketu. Though the nodes are mere shadows, they have the power to consume the luminaries. In that capacity they are stronger than any planet. There is another myth describing how the nodes became so powerful. Once the devas and asuras joined hands to churn the Kshirsagar, the cosmic sea to find the nectar of immortality. When the nectar was found devas became greedy and kept it to themselves and refused to share with asuras. When the nectar was being distributed, Rahu-Ketu joined devas in disguise. Vishnu recognized him as an asura and cut him into two using his weapon Sudarshan Chakra. During the struggle, a few drops of nectar fell on Rahu-Ketu. As a result, in spite of being cut in two, they became immortal. 

On cosmic level, the nodes represent the law of divine manifestation. Under the influence of cosmic laws, even the sun and moon have to undergo eclipses. During this time period, the earth is severed from the life giving and life sustaining energies of the sun and moon. Solar eclipse is symbolic of the process of initiation. The sun and moon, symbols of the soul and psyche respectively are overshadowed by the tendencies of materialism. During the process of initiation, human psyche merges with the sun of spirituality and goes through radical transformation. At the end of this process psyche or the moon emerges back purified and rejuvenated from the bosom of sun.

Ketu

During this solar eclipse, new moon joins with the south lunar node, ketu. Rahu and ketu are visualized as snake shaped. Rahu is the head and ketu is tail part of the snake. The snake or serpentfire is a symbol of spiritual energy. Ketu has its own splendor and wisdom. Understanding mysteries hidden behind the veil of creation falls within the domain of ketu. Ketu bestows the knowledge of cosmic forces and insight into the working of natural laws. Ketu helps in uniting individual consciousness with the primordial consciousness. As venus is also retrograde at this time, intuitive powers, empathy and refined perception can be easily developed. Occult and esoteric rituals performed during the eclipse will fructify immediately.  

On individual level, the nodes represent the law of karma. During their dasa period, they put an individual in difficult situations, so that the balancing of karma is achieved. During this difficult phase, an individual is compelled to change his outlook. His way of thinking and attitude towards life are fundamentally changed. He is drawn towards spirituality and mysticism to find a solution to the restrictions experienced on mental and emotional levels. As a result, latent abilities and spiritual powers are awakened and ultimate wisdom is gained. Healing and vitality are experienced on physical level, also.

Rahu and ketu were revered and worshipped by the vedic sages and seers. The nodes generate turmoil on mental emotional level, similar to churning experience, leading towards illumination of mind.

Vedic Purana describes the Moon as Soma riding a chariot with three wheels. Ten white horses, five on one side of the yoke and five on the other side pull the chariot. This is a beautiful allegory describing psyche or consciousness as Soma, the five white horses on one side are Jnanendriyas- five sense organs; and the other five horses are Karmendriyas – five organs of action. The three wheels are three primordial attributes Satwa, Rajas and Tamas. Unless Soma or human psyche riding the chariot of human body has a clear goal, it cannot direct and control ten horses. If the mind loses the sight of its goal, a person is sure to experience disorder and chaos in his life. Also, it is important to have disciplined and coordinated sensory and motor organs for a smooth journey. In this story, Soma, his chariot and all the horses are portrayed white. White is color of purity. It emphasizes the requisite of purification of the senses and mind. (YY9DSVX6ZHTK)

Astronomically speaking, the moon is not a luminous body. It has no radiance of its own. It reflects the radiance of the sun. Madame Blavatsky in her book The Secret Doctrine describes the moon as “shining in the borrowed robes of her master, saturated with and reflecting every passionate impulse and evil desire of her grossly material body, Earth.” She associates the moon with the fourth principle Kama Rupa. In Sanskrit Kama means desire. Desires and aspirations can arise two ways. Inputs through sensory organs can create desires of manifestation and sensory experiences. Interaction with the higher principles of Atman, Buddhi and Manas can generate impulses for spiritual experiences. The fourth principle Kama Rupa is colorless, merely reflecting borrowed impulses.

Full moon days are important as on these days there is no obstruction between the sun and moon. The moon reflects the radiance of the sun in its full glory. The sun and moon have great influence on all the life forms on the Earth. The sun bestows spiritual prowess and the moon is connected with psychic abilities. On full moon’s day, the influence of moon is revitalizing, energizing, invigorating, and healing. It pours down the celestial nectar on all the sentient beings on the earth. This healing elixir induces divine intoxication and peace of mind. Herbs and crystals kept under the rays of the full moon have increased capacity to heal and energize.

© Tim McCord

Wesak moon is the most powerful full moon of the year. It is also known as supermoon, as the moon is closest to the earth on this day. As per Vedic astrology, this year the moon transits through Swati Nakshtra in the sign of Libra. Under the influence of Libra spiritual and materialistic aspirations are properly balanced. Swati is ruled by Rahu and presiding deity of Swati Nakshtra is Vayu or the life-breath. On this Wesak Moon abundant spiritual energy would be available for healing. Rahu is well known to give sudden realization of heartfelt desire. The effect of Rahu is similar to quantum jump. At one moment you are at point A and instantaneously you jump to point B. Wesak Moon is ideal to initiate healing. The moon transiting through Swati Nakshtra creates strong desire for mental, emotional freedom and need for space in relationships. It encourages breaking taboo to experience love and beauty. During this transit people may feel to break out of restricting relationships or rigid structures that curb freedom. On this day people may wish for taking a journey or buying a vehicle to get away from conventional routines and feel freer.

While talking about full moon, healing, structures, boundaries and freedom, minor arcane tarot nine of wands comes to mind. The nine of wands symbolizes the power of perception, vision and intuition. It is also described as the strength in reverse. In some tarot decks, the 9 of wands portrays preparedness for confrontation, even though there is no apparent threat. In this card the atmosphere is grim and the figure looks isolated and withdrawn. Gazing in the left direction indicates that either past memories or some hidden apprehensions are emerging into consciousness. There are possibilities that the person has cut himself or herself off due to hurting experiences or painful memories of past. It is also possible the seeker is recovering from some illness. It is likely that the seeker is going through some paranoia, and as a result feels uncomfortable. Beautiful wands of inspiration and spiritual energy are surrounding her, but she is stuck with one wand and unable to take advantage of abundant energy available.

Here is another image of nine of wands from the Aleister Crowley Thoth Tarot. In this image, a bar is connecting the unconscious indicated by the moon to the bright light of consciousness indicated by the sun. The four intersecting arrows indicate inner strength that can be utilized for healing and empowerment. By awakening dormant powers, great energy can be released. Wesak moon is ideal time to let go of the past memories. Supermoon is a perfect day to release all types of fears. Supermoon awakens dormant powers that can be used to banish darkness and ignorance. On this full moon day connect your subconscious with the higher intelligence through third eye and illuminate dark corners of your psyche. Let go of all the resistance and destroy all the boundaries you have set up on psychic level. Surrender to God and visualize yourself cruising towards the light of divine spirit. Let go of your individuality to become one with the One.

Tarot images Nine of Wands from Fantastical Tarot by Natalie Hertz, Aleister Crowley Thoth Tarot published by US Games

Akshaya Tritiya, the third day of waxing Moon in the Hindu month of Vaisakha, is one of the most auspicious days throughout the year in the Hindu calendar. This year Akshaya Tritiya falls on April 24, 2012. Astrologically, the Sun and the Moon are exalted on this day. In vedic astrology, the Sun refers to the soul or divine intelligence and the Moon indicates psyche or the realm of feelings. Exalted Sun in Aries gives confidence and courage to initiate new ventures. Abundant spiritual energy available during the transit of Sun in Aries empowers through rational thinking and righteous attitude. On the day of Akshaya Tritiya, the Moon transits through the constellation Rohini in the sign of Taurus. Rohini ruled by Prajapati or Brahma is the brightest Nakshtra with reddish hue. Rohini is the Nakshtra of fertility, creativity, love and passion. The Moon is strongest while transiting this Nakshtra, as a result there is limitless potential to attract love and happiness. It is believed that if Lord Brahma is worshipped during Moon’s transit in Rohini, one can attract true love in one’s life or one can reunite with the separated loved one.

Sanskrit word Akshaya means never decreasing or never diminishing. This day is auspicious for wedding ceremonies, laying foundations for buildings, installing religious objects and performing religious ceremonies, inaugurating new businesses etc. Farmers commence ploughing the fields and preparing for the new season. It is believed that the tides are highest in sea on this day throughout the year. Generally, people buy gold, silver, gemstones or make investments on this day. This is the most powerful day to honor the ancestors, perform spiritual practices and offer charity and donations, as the seeker gains manifold in return as a reward of performing good deeds. Mainly Akshaya Tritiya is associated with creating wealth and abundance.

Minor arcane tarot Ten of Pentacles is associated with wealth. Ten of pentacles is the most powerful card that teaches us how to live a truly abundant life. This card makes us ponder what is real wealth, and why do we hanker for wealth and prosperity that is everlasting. Generally, we want to acquire material wealth, so that we can live a full life that resonates with our heartfelt desires and convictions. Inner sense of fulfillment and peace are equally important as worldly opulence and power. Harmonious relationships, sense of belonging, career or profession you love bring joy and happiness. In this card, you can see a patriarch figure with a pet dog and child in the foreground and a happy couple in the background. On the other side of the arch, you can see a big city. The entire scene on the card reflects harmony and wellbeing on physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels.

The wise old grandpa shown in this card looks as if he has experienced many ups and downs in his life, yet he is content and happy. You can notice how he is adored by the child, his pet and also by the couple in the background! He must have paid a great deal of attention tending to relationships along with creating material wealth. He is ready to share his knowledge and wisdom gained through life experiences. This is the most harmonious and balanced card demonstrating wisdom and childlike innocence, love and passion along with respect towards elderly, success and stability with inner joy and contentment.

The ten of disks is not about accumulating huge amount of money or possessing posh properties and expensive jewels. It is about the process how you make money and how you spend them. Do you enjoy the process of making money or is it drudgery. How important are ethics and integrity while earning money. Do you live in lack or feel insecure that there would not be enough for all. Do feel greedy and hoard money, refuse to spend. Do you think it is alright to hoard money through improper means, unethical deals or at the expense of others. Spending money and reinvesting money is equally important, if you want to multiply your gains. Notice how you spend money, who benefits from your spending money, is it beneficial for everybody concerned or is your money spent for some destructive purpose. Circulation of money is vital in generating everlasting never decreasing wealth.

Wisdom and knowledge are also a type of wealth. The legacy of wisdom and knowledge can be passed on from one generation to next generation. Bonding with family and participating with community, involvement with a group of people who shares common goals and vision give purpose in life. Hard work and surrender to God, discipline and proper values, willingness to go through all the lessons life has to offer enriches our lives. Compassion towards all living beings and attitude of gratitude make you feel like the wealthiest person on Earth. Once we have experienced worldly pleasures and comforts offered by money, we feel drawn towards greater bliss. This bliss can be experienced by cultivating virtues and experiencing faith. Finally abundance of inner and outer affluence leads us on the path of enlightenment.

Tarot Images Ten of Pentacles from Hanson Roberts Tarot by Mary Hanson-Roberts, Aleister Crowley Thoth Tarot published by US Games

India is a vast country with many states having different languages, traditions and festivals. In each state Hindu New Year is celebrated on different days in their own traditional ways. Most of the New Year celebrations take place around vernal equinox or Sun’s transit in Aries, the first sign in zodiac. According to Hindu calendar, the New Year falls on the first day of the month Chaitra. It is celebrated as Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra, Ugadi in Andhra and Karnataka, Vishu in Kerala, Baisakhi in Panjab, Bihu in Asam, and the list may go on. Mainly, New Year signifies change of seasons, reaping of harvest and preparations for the new cycle in agriculture. New Year day is also considered as an auspicious day for the new beginnings. Different stories and significance are associated with the New Year day. One of them is Lord Brahma created the universe on this day.

As per sidereal astrology, this year the Sun enters the sign of Aries on April 14, 2012. On this day retrograde Mars also turns direct. As a result, we are going to experience abundant cosmic energy on this day to begin our new ventures. Astrological solar New Year begins on this day.

In tarot, the Emperor is associated with the astrological sign Aries. Aries is a cardinal, masculine and fire sign ruled by Mars. Suit of wands in tarot symbolizes the element fire, so all the three fire signs Aries, Leo and Sagittarius are assigned to the suit of wands. Minor arcane tarot two of wands, three of wands and four of wands are associated with the three decans of Aries. Court card Queen of wands corresponds to the astrological sign Aries. Sanskrit word for Aries is Mesha meaning ram. Some synonyms of the word Mesha are Aja, Adya, Vishwa and Kriya. Aja means unborn or unmanifest potential. Adya implies the primal spark or the primordial cause of the manifest universe. Vishwa refers to the universe and Kriya implies action. Astrological sign Aries symbolizes infinite possibilities of creative energy. Some of the attributes of fiery sign Aries are inspiration, aspiration, ambition, strong desire to create and dreamlike consciousness.

P D Ouspensky in his book ‘The Symbolism of the Tarot’ describes the Emperor as the law of four or latent energy of nature. He describes the Emperor as sitting on a throne of stone decorated with four heads of ram on each side. The visualization continues as: “I am The Great Law,” the Emperor said. “I am the name of God. The four letters of his name are in me and I am in all. I am in the four principles. I am in the four elements. I am in the four seasons. I am in the four cardinal points. I am in the four signs of the Tarot. I am the beginning; I am action; I am completion; I am the result. For him who knows how to see me there are no mysteries on earth. Full description is here.

Here the Emperor is described as tetragrammaton or the name of God. The Emperor is the logos or the fundamental principle which is the basis of most of the religions and philosophy. Isavasya Upanishad, the concluding part of the Shukla Yajurveda Samhita also describes the attributes of the Supreme Being or Ishwara in similar manner.

The Upanishads are essence of the Vedas. One meaning of the word Upanishad is to sit next to each other. In ancient times, the disciples used to sit at the feet of their Guru and the teachings were imparted in confidentiality. The secrets hidden in the Vedas were communicated through speech by great seers to their disciples. Initially these secret teachings were not written down; they were passed on orally from Guru to his Shishyas.

The first mantra of the Ishavasya Upanishad is: “Isavasyam idam sarvam yat kim ca jagatyam jagat, tena tyaktena bhunjithah ma gridhah kasyasvid dhanam”

First part of the mantra says that the entire universe, manifest or unmanifest, living or non-living, is abode of Ishwara, the Supreme Being. He inhabits and envelops the entire universe; he is omnipresent and omniscient. The second part asks us to enjoy His creation without being possessive or creating attachment. Also, we are advised not to hanker for or try to seize the affluence that belongs to the Supreme Being. The most important message of this mantra is to live life and enjoy it with the awareness that Godliness pervades everywhere and is inherent to all the objects. We are not here to suffer or be miserable. The key to live a happy life is also given here. We are advised to renounce greed, attachments and possessive tendencies to live well. In the story of cosmology, if we associate the Empress with Prakriti, the infinite consciousness, we can associate the Emperor with Purusha or Ishwara, the Supreme Being pervading the infinite consciousness. Satwa, Rajas and Tamas are three attributes of Prakriti. Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are three aspects of Ishwara. Through these aspects he creates, sustains and disintegrates the universe.

In day-to-day life, how can we harness the abundant energy and spiritual potential available to us while the Sun transits the astrological sign Aries? Queen of wands can guide us about how to utilize this energy to manifest meaningful, significant and pleasing life conditions. Most important characteristics of the queen of wands are dedication and loyalty. She is interested in meaningful relationships and endeavors. If you are attracted to a cause, full commitment is essential to see it through. Another important personality trait is not to scatter energy on many superficial projects, but to choose only those that are important to you. Trust your instincts and intuition to find out what is right for you. Queen of wands is associated with solar plexus. Solar plexus is a very important chakra dealing with power and control issues. Healthy and active solar plexus chakra makes us confident, independent and true to ourselves. It is the seat of wisdom and power. Healthy solar plexus makes you cheerful, healthy, relaxed and spontaneous. It gives self respect and respect for others. It also gives the ability to connect with the God-self within us and heal our past. During the transit of the Sun in Aries, you can work on your solar plexus chakra.

During this transit of the Sun in Aries, you can also meditate on the cards two of wands, three of wands and four of wands from a deck of your choice. Become aware of the divine energy that is within and without you. Listen to your inner voice and find out what are your deepest desires. Make a list of all the choices and possibilities available at the moment. Two of Wands refers to reviewing all aspects of a situation and becoming aware of all possible options available. Three of Wands encourages us to look around and find out what has been achieved so far. Evaluate and analyze your success and failures. Candid evaluation inspires us to make plans for further growth and expansion. This card nudges us to step up and take the project to the next level; this card is about ambition, vision and leadership. Four of Wands implies participation for a greater cause. It indicates favorable time period to associate with like minded people to create something beautiful. Connection with God and other people empowers you to achieve your goals. Such participation gives a sense of belonging, stability and security. Also do not forget to experience the nature around. Enjoy the beauty of blooming flowers, singing birds, cool breeze, quiet starry nights and refreshing mornings. Participation with nature brings joy and happiness.

Tarot Images the Emperor, Queen of Wands, Two of Wands, Three of Wands, Four of Wands from the Sacred Circle Tarot by Anna Franklin and Paul mason published by Llewellyn