Full Moon: Sun and Moon at the Edge + Buddha Jayanti
Full Moon is on Wednesday, May 14th at 14:15 CDT in Libra and Vishaka nakshatra. Moon will be sandhi at the edge of Libra receiving direct gaze from a sandhi exalted Sun and Ketu in Aries. Yet another opportunity to revisit the same metaphors and challenges, lessons and reminders from the many previous months as Libra and Aries have been in the spotlight for month now. This full Moon is intricate as well as celebratory. It is Budhha Jayanti (also called Buddha Purnima), the celebration of Lord Buddhas birthday. Auspiciously, the celebration falls on a Wednesday this year, day of Mercury, the mind. May Lord Buddha's strength in mind and liberation of being ignite within us! Jai Buddha! What’s also interesting about this transit is the the placement of Sun and Moon. Both are delicate in degrees, poised for change and movement into the next signs (Moon to Scorpio and Sun to Taurus) just minutes and hours after the full Moon. This is yet another experience of the movement and change ahead for all of us, while also offering us a chance to look back over the previous many months and note what changes have occurred. We must look both internally (Moon) and externally (Sun) within our relationships and our experiences for issues that concern stability and balance, while also noting changes in our relationship to power and personal power simultaneously. This full Moon is in Vishaka nakshatra (Saturn, the planet of structure and grief has been here for months) and at the edge of changing signs at 29'51; very much in the gap (sandhi) heading into Scorpio its sign of debilitation. Moon moves to Scorpio just fifteen minutes later at 14:30 CDT. Vishaka is ruled by a dual god, Indra and Agni. They sit at the portal entrance and allow the transformational process of our offerings to take place. Offerings of nourishment, that then becomes potent and palpable to them, and in turn they make these offerings potent and palpable for us. We see this pair at work in yagyas and puja offerings. Whatever is offered on the altar, alchemically transforms and becomes nourishment for the gods, who then bless us with their protection and support. The mouth is another expression of "the portal entrance" and the altar of life. We can liken the "offering process" to eating as well; a very sacred act. The agni fires within the stomach are utilized for assimilation and digestion which in turn offers us life as a precious gift. The dynamic of Indra and agni is one of coexistence, alliance and mutual support. Indra represents the king and agni the servant to the king. Both are interdependent on the other and intimately connected. They represent this dynamic within all of our relationships and can teach us about working together and coexisting, even with our differences. The coming weeks will build on these themes of nourishment and support, helping us find new ways for growth and forward momentum. Don't expect to do this alone though. We may be finding new support systems in the process and cultivating new relationships and alliances for the movement, but nonetheless, this is a time of noticing the transformational abilities of connection. During the full Moon, Sun will be finishing its transit in Aries seven houses away; only hours away from changing signs to Taurus at 17:33 CDT. Sun will be in Krittika, interestingly ruled by Agni, the fire of life and the most potent tool of transformation and a powerful change agent. The theme of transformation is enlivened here. Agni brings us purification and clarity, if not with a bit of burning and heat. As mentioned above, it is Agni that is responsible for the alchemy of transformation and change; responsible for the alchemy process itself. He is also connected to Ajna chakra, the third eye, and since he is connected to the gods through fire offerings, we have access through him to higher realms, and expanded consciousness. On a very basic level, it is Agni that reminds us how very true the phrase is “we are what we eat”. For it’s our basic nourishment of food that creates our mind and thus our experience of life. Krittika is known to cut, is exact and sharp. Themes for the coming waning cycle include finding greater clarity on issues you’ve been mulling over, feeling uncertain about or struggling to find answers for. Expect a greater ability to step into your power more potently as a result of this clarity. These dynamics at play during the full Moon offer us purification and transformation. We feel this theme of transformation continued from the previous waxing cycle, the new Moon and solar eclipse, but now is the time where the real assimilation and nourishment takes place. The harsh realities that have arisen and settled in during the previous cycle, begin to make more sense now. The themes of change and transformation, clarity and insight will be potent themes in the coming cycle as the Moon begins its waning process and we turn our attention and intention more naturally inward. The other planets and the current nakshatras offer their influence on these themes as well, urging increased creativity and abundance, support and comfort. Expect passions to be high and emotions to be hot, however. Channel these effectively and let them propel you forward artistically, creatively and with purpose. Sign up for my newsletter and get my latest articles and more. Planetary Transits Sun moves out of Aries its sign of exaltation, and into Taurus on 5.14 at 17:33 CDT. He transits Taurus until June 15th. Sun joins Mercury in Taurus and is now out of the gaze of Saturn and Rahu. This transit should sharpen the mind and creativity as well as help bring more stability and comfort to us and our desires. This will likely include matters of the heart and pocket book. Keep the mind cool though and don't let the mental body run away with itself- or you. Mars retrograde right now has had us all retracing old action steps. Frustrations have arrived as we are walking over the same old ground. It feels familiar, yet we feel ready now to take bigger strides now; hence the frustrations. Retrograde Mars in Virgo has heightened our critique of this process. Yet Virgo can also offer ample creativity if we can touch in and harness it for momentum. This creativity will make the "retracing" worth the effort in the coming weeks. Luckily Mars finally goes direct on the 19th and will have us lurching once again- but this time in a forward direction. As Mars continues to move through Hasta nakshatra, Savitr requests an intuitive, introspective audit as we move with these old, familiar tides. If you don't pause, you'll miss it. Mercury finishes up its transit through Taurus and conjunction of Sun on 5.22 at 15:32 CDT, moving into its own sign of Gemini where it joins Jupiter there. A powerful transit of "increase" is upon us with this one. More knowledge, more wisdom, more understanding and more of all things Mercury. Expect money making ideas and desires to increase simultaneously. Don't let the mind run off with you. Reign it in. Being diligent this month with the mental body and meditation will be valuable and deepen your efforts and experiences with this transit. Following Mercury, Venus changes signs the next day. Moving out of its exaltation sign of Pisces and into Aries on 5.23 at 18:09 CDT. This is a particularly tricky junction as Pisces is the last sign of the zodiac and is a water sign, whereas Aries is the beginning of the zodiac and a fire sign. The symbolism here: endings and new beginnings, as well as starting anew. Venus will be feeling the pressure this month as he shares Aries with Ketu and also receives direct gaze (drishti) from Saturn and Rahu seven houses away as well as Mars eight houses away. A nice exchange between Sun and Venus occurs though as Sun transits Taurus (ruled by Venus) and Venus transits Aries (ruled by Sun). Heat, pressure and transformations are inevitable. We may feel this in our relationships, with our creativity, passions, artistry, and with our flow of money. We may get an increase of support and a greater feeling of power and possibility with this transit. However, as Venus joins Ketu in Aries, expect a purification of these areas of life to occur as well as a restructuring with all things Venus. This is the necessary preparation we need for the upcoming expansive changes. As Venus changes signs on June 18th and moves into its own sign of Taurus (a very stable placement for him), Jupiter moves Cancer, to its sign of exaltation, just hours later. Increase of stability and support are on their way! Use this transit of Venus to clear and purge in preparation for the influx. Remember that the more space you can create, the greater space you will have to fill! Read more about Jupiter's transit into Cancer. Jupiter moves to its sign of exaltation, Cancer, on June 18th, then Rahu and Ketu move in July to Virgo and Pisces respectively, and later this year Saturn moves to Scorpio. Likely you are already feeling the momentum and change of these transits. Needing some guidance and clarity for this coming year? Schedule a yearly progression with me. I am now booking sessions for June. Horoscopes for the Waning Moon Cycle {May 14th to 28th} *Horoscopes are based on your Vedic rising sign. You can also check your Moon and Sun signs for further insight. Do the same with your Navamsa signs for further clarity. Do not use these horoscopes with your “Western Sign” as there is likely no correlation. These horoscopes are meant to be used as a broad overview of the current transits and obviously do not address the specifics of an individual’s unique chart. Aries: All the love that you have been cultivating within you and all the self-care that you've been doing, has been re-filling your empty vessel. Keep it going. As Venus moves to your first house on the 23rd, you risk burning up all that you have replenished. Continue a solid and consistent self care regimen, attend to your own needs, and put Self love as your top priority. Work with themes of comfort, and nourishment. Attend to diet and exercise during this waning cycle and courageously iron out your mental kinks. As Mars goes direct on the 19th, you'll be ready to put your plans into action. Find new ways to help your self shine from inside to out. Taurus: As Bob Marley would put it,"The Sun is shining, weather is sweet. Make you want to move your dancing feet." You begin to shine a bit brighter now that Sun is in your 1st house, but as Venus enters your 12th house on the 23rd, use this as a reminder to slow down and retreat inward for rejuvenation. Even the tenacity of a Taurus requires a pause and reboot. Your retreat time will be rewarded with insights and new awareness, creative changes, and some necessary relationship reality checks. You will come up with a new way to work smarter, not harder, which will pay for it self in the long run. Surrender. The more you allow for meditation time, the more you gather and gain on an inner and outer level. Gemini: Your career has been on creative overflow autopilot recently. Where and how are you directing these tidal waves? You may have been relying on your past to dictate your actions, but it's now time to find new ways for momentum and growth. Open new channels of creative flow and let the channels of your heart swell. Sun is in your 12th house now and is asking you to find some time for necessary inner work. Hit the re-set button and take time for rest and rejuvenation. This is truly where the creativity is sourced so do your homework! Expect shifts to occur as a result- especially when Venus moves to your 11th house on the 23rd. Sparks create shifts and changes you've likely been craving but have been too afraid to act on. Here's your push! Mercury moves into your 1st house on the 22nd, allowing you to get all the clarity you need. Attend to the mental body though and don't get lost in the mind's ruthless over-expansion games. Cancer: Creative flow has been a great teacher lately and has offered some renewed comforts and support. Continuing to work with flow will be essential in the coming weeks as Venus moves to your 10th house of career; he will be with Ketu- the "restructuring" planet. Expect some changes with regard to creativity and relationships as well as how you respond to these. Learn and grow and connect with friends for support. Be courageous and move forward with your plans, even if you feel derailed at times; it's good practice to keep moving. When Mercury moves to your 12th house on the 22nd, meditation becomes your greatest ally and creative resource. Use this tool in the coming weeks to re-charge and get a sustainable edge. Leo: You and your career are on center stage. Can you feel the lights on you? As Mars goes direct on the 19th, you start a more progressive agenda. Mercury moves to your 11th house on the 22nd, uplifting your finances and mental clarity as well. Find ways to expand and clarify your work and creativity. How can these bring you more comfort and nourishment, increased finances and self expression? Creative sparks flare after the 23rd when Venus moves to your 9th house. You will be learning some valuable insights and tools in the coming weeks so take notes. Expect some relationship changes during the process. This is here to teach you a valuable lesson. Do you keep your cool or blow your top? Virgo: You are ready to share your wisdom. What have you been learning that is valuable to others? As Mars goes direct on the 19th, you start to think and move in a more positive, forward direction. Mercury moving into your 10th house of career on the 22nd (its own sign) gives this process a boost. Career creativity, support and assistance comes your way. Expand what you think is possible and ask for a raise. Relationships and your relationship to money and creativity, gets some restructuring after the 23rd. Let the inner awareness out of the closet. Work with themes of comfort, support and nourishment and seek answers for your needs. Be courageous with what you ask for and you might be very surprised with the outcome. Don't play small. Libra: I wish I could say you will get a break from the relationship work for a bit, but the themes continue. As Venus moves to your 7th house of relationships on the 23rd, expect a period of restructuring and change to take place with regard to who and what you relate to. You will also notice changes in how you relate. This is good for you, even if uncomfortable. Trust the process, but watch your temper. As Sun dips into your 8th house now, you begin a period of inner transformation that will likely have lasting effects on your ego. Surrender to your depths and find the courage to change, learn and grow. Allow wisdom and knowledge to seep into you and listen to the "teachers" all around you. Allow for a learning curve. Scorpio: Your efforts become more of a gain as Mars goes direct on the 19th. Share, create, express and take steps forward now. Relationships provide a sense of comfort and stability, albeit with some changes and restructuring simultaneously. Let some of your old guard down and invite in the joy of connecting for the sake of connecting.Trust your Self to know what you need and attend to your personal boundaries when necessary. Clean up your diet and gut and let go of sweets and bad habits. Your body will thank you and it will impact the clarity in your mind and intuition as well. Once Mercury moves to your 8th house, insights and mental brilliance are deep and profound. Pull from these roots and expand what is possible for your life, creativity, teaching and growth. People want what you have to offer. Don't be shy. Sagittarius: Clean up your act and get results. Diet, regimen and bad habits get a chance for change. Will it be for the better and will it last? Your gut is a powerful resource so listen up. Digest old experiences to help you move forward. As Mars goes direct on the 19th, forward momentum gets a boost and helps your digestion of life in the process. Get creative, get focused and get passionate. Take action on the things that matter most. As Mercury moves to your 7th house on the 22nd, your ability to connect in new ways and expand your career, both get a big lift. Be creative and connect with the right resources to get the job done. The benefits for your growth will be lasting. Capricorn: Creative courage moves towards heart courage in the coming weeks as Venus moves into your 4th house. Expect sparks and sizzles, changes and restructuring with your inner tides. What moves you and where is your creativity flowing? How can you share this new fluidity with others? Make your emotions a top priority at this time and work diligently with the emotional body. Creativity and passions move you. Move and be moved. Sync up with your heart and your gut. Where do these body parts intersect and how do they inform each other? Mind moves in a more forward direction as Mars goes direct on the 19th, let your plans and desires move forward as well. Aquarius: Chaos, storms and the strength of Rudra continue to provide you with ample lessons and they teach you about your own strength. As comfort and security becomes more established within you, this trust in your Self has a ripple effect on your life and relationships. Have you noticed? Let your heart swell a bit more and share your joys. Find the courage to work with your emotions and relationship wounds directly in the coming weeks. The light bulb will definitely be going off for you so pay close attention! You may find that what doesn't work in your relationships, is actually a very good teacher for you and can help you find clarity for what you do want. Let creativity drive you, propel you forward and help you launch. Intuition is on point once Mercury moves to your 9th house on the 22nd. Trust your gut. Pisces: Courage and creativity is sharp and laser focused. Necessary changes and momentum with relationships and connections get forward movement as Mars goes direct on the 19th. Watch what you say though, words are hard to take back. The heart and the mind sync up after the 22nd when Mercury moves to your 4th house. Use this for a stronger, creative edge and channel it effectively for maximum gain. Work with your inner storms and the ferocious strength you have access to right now. It's coming from a very dark place within you, but these shadows have much to share about your inner and outer spectrum. Don't neglect these offerings. Never miss your horoscope. Sign up for my newsletter.
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If life wasn't so stressful and if we weren't so disconnected from Nature and her rhythms, what would our bodies tell us?
Is there an ideal time for women to bleed each month that coincides with the Moon cycles and the earth's rhythms? The Moon is such a primary force in our lives- connected to emotions, our inner tides, the feminine, creativity and change. She brings her constant dance into our lives, changing our moods and feelings with her waxes and wanes. She changes nakshatras about once every day and changes signs roughly every 2.5 days. We feel her many changes within us, moving through us, moving us, constantly. As Jupiter moves into Cancer on June 18th, 2014, our work with the emotions and the Moon increases and expands for the coming twelve months. (Moon rules the sign of Cancer). Read more about this remarkable Jupiter transit. Women, the divine beings that we are, get to experience the Moon's flow in a very physical way through out her cycles. When we ovulate, creative potential is ripe. When we bleed, we are letting go of and cleansing the previous cycle. In this way, we wax and wane with her, inviting in and letting go with each of her tidal shifts. Ayurvedically speaking, it is ideal to bleed with the full Moon. This is what my dear and trusted ayurvedic doctor, Vaidya Rama Kant Mishra of the Shaka Vansya tradition, says: "The ayurvedic shastra-s, ancient medical texts, explain that the expected time for the menstrual cycle is during the full moon. During the full moon, women have access to the flow of uninterrupted soma. However, due to stress, hectic lifestyle, imbalanced diet, and many other factors, many women will tend to have their cycle erratically, not with or around the full moon. Most have their cycle during the new moon. This is an indication that there are imbalances that need to be addressed. It is a sign to pay more attention to restoring the natural cycles of her body, and to support it, so that she can get back on track and have her flow with the full moon." Not surprisingly, this corroborates with what Jyotish says about Suklanta, which is starting our "new Moon" cycle with the full Moon. Similar to exalted planets in that they are "full" and can't be "added to", a full Moon (or Purnima) means that it is full to capacity, there's no more room for it to expand and grow; it is complete. In this way, we can interpret the full Moon as a "new Moon" in that it marks the beginning of a new cycle of emptying itself and refilling itself. Beginning a lunar month at the Purnima is called Suklanta and differs from starting the count from the new Moon (Amavasya) which is the point when the Moon is empty and is waiting to be filled by the Sun. Purnima is in the middle of the Lakshmi phase of the Moon cycle, whereas Amavasya is the moment during the cycle where Kali and Durga meet. Clearly, the energy is quite different for each of these. These different methods of starting the lunar calendar remind me of the saying "is your glass half empty or half full?!" When do we start our "new Moon" calendar and begin our new lunar month? When we are full and satisfied or when we are empty and needing to be nourished? If we think of our menstrual cycle as a signal from the body, and our connection to the lunar messages, then this way of counting with the Moon makes sense. The full Moon is the ripest phase of the transit and the menstrual cycle is the body's signal that we are full and filled to capacity; our cup runneth over. Literally. Ovulation, however, is considered a time of potential. Eggs are being released for possible fertilization, which is a signal that the body is ripe and ready for that special spark of creativity. This is a time of possibility, momentum, action and desire. This "potential" aligns with the new Moon, or amavasya; a time when our cups are empty and waiting to be filled. When we listen to our body's messages (really listen) then we get answers. Here are some questions for your harvesting process during both the waxing cycle (Shukla Paksha) leading up to the full Moon (Purnima), as well as the for the waning cycle (Krishna Paksha) leading into the new Moon (Amavasya). Harvesting for the new Moon (Amavasya): What am I ripe and ready for? What are my desires for the next two weeks? What action steps can I take for greater fruits and a richer harvest? What potential awaits me? What strength am I arriving at? What actions were left undone in the last cycle that I need to revisit? How do I want to move forward? Where do I want to channel my creativity and how? What support do I need with my efforts? What am I stepping towards? Harvesting for the full Moon (Purnima): Where am I full? Where am I willing to let go and release? Where can I surrender and allow my self to flow more? Where have I been pushing too hard? Where can I allow more ease? What needs are not being met? What parts of my life do I need more support with? Can I ask for what I need? What am I not expressing? What am I depressed/frustrated/angry/sad about from this last cycle? What feels disappointing? What would I like to see shift in the next cycle? These harvesting questions are especially helpful with embodiment work that bridges movement + art and harnesses the creativity within us. Please explore my workshop offerings and podcasts for details. I also love working with mandalas for both new and full Moon. Mandalas and the Moon are symbolically and metaphorically unified. This shape can offer us much awareness and creative potential. Get ideas for mandala creation from my waxing and waning Creative Rituals. Need more connection with the Moon? Read more about the importance of the Moon. Sign up for my newsletter and get my latest articles and more. Moon is in its waxing phase now (shukla paksha) and moves through Cancer, Leo and into Virgo this week.
Monday, 5.05 Moon transits Cancer, its own sign, and is in Pushya nakshatra today. Ruled by Brihaspati and the planet Saturn, there is nourishment attainable today- especially from things that are structured and established, old and enduring. Look to lineage and wisdom for guidance. Brihaspati is another name for Jupiter, priest to the gods, and wisest of the planets. The rules of Jupiter apply to Brihaspati as well. Read more about Jupiter in my Exalted Jupiter article. From this position in Cancer, the Moon receives drishti (gaze) from Saturn ten houses away, which can make the Moon feel depressed, saddened or unable to fully experience the nourishment present. If your mood is blue or indigo today, use self care as a valuable resource. Nourish your Self from the inside out. Do a "support audit" and make a list of all the places you are getting your needs met. Then give some gratitude for what you do have. Move your physical body and let the emotional body flow as well. Tuesday, 5.06 Moon is still in its own sign of Cancer today, but moves to Ashlesha nakshatra at 10:32 am CDT. Serpent energy is enlivened today through Sarpa. You might find support with worldly aspirations today, but a mischievous mind needs to be tempered. Watch your appetite! Are your cravings getting the best of you? Are your desires ruling your actions? Pay attention to the pressures you are putting on your self. Financially and otherwise. Cut back where you can. Play nice. Meditate and channel your desires into transcendence. "Anyone can hide. Facing up to things, working through them, that's what makes you strong." - Sarah Dessen Wednesday, 5.07 Moon moves to Leo and Magha nakshatra today at 13:26 CDT. Pitr and Ketu, both rulers of Magha, can bring flashes of insight and awareness today. It is a day of Sun and shining, with some sparks and fire as well! Several layers of Sun and Ketu are enlivened today. Leo is ruled by the Sun, the Moon is in its 9th phase (tithi) today called Navami, which is ruled over by the Sun as well. Currently we have an exalted Sun transiting Aries, sitting there with Ketu. Invite in the shine and move into the power and light, but avoid getting scorched. Invite in support, ideas and awareness that bring possibility and excitement. Pay special attention to the ancestors today and give your gratitude at the altar. Curb the ego. Thursday, 5.08 Keep your sunglasses on (as per yesterdays post) until 16:06 CDT, when Moon moves into Purvaphalguni, one of the most creative and fertile of the 27 nakshatras. This lunar constellation is ruled by Bhaga and Venus. Bhaga is one of the 12 Adityas, the children of goddess Aditi (Punarvasu nakshatra). Adityas rule over the resources we have in this life, the support available to us. With Venus exalted currently, this can be a day that offers a wealth of support from love, friendships and relationships, as well as through creativity and money. Luck and ample creativity are afoot on this day of Jupiter (Thursday)! Love and be loved. Create and share. "Love and you shall be loved". ~Ralph Waldo Emerson Friday, 5.09 The love continues to flow like jala (water) on this day of Venus (Friday). Moon stays in Purvaphalguni the majority of the day, moving into the latter half of the Phalguni stars at 18:21 CDT when it moves to Uttarphalguni. This star is ruled by Aryaman and the Sun. It's a place where love and partnerships, romance and sexuality, find more stability and sustainability. Aryaman is also connected to the ancestors and is pleased by things that sustain lineage (ie. marriage and children). Since ample creativity is palpable again today, channel it effectively and share the fruits of your labor with others. Create, co-create, dance and sing. Enjoy quality time with your family. Enjoy the life you are creating for your Self! A further creative boost comes today as Mercury moves to Rohini at 12:14 CDT. The mind is moving towards creativity and connection. Inspire and be inspired! "Creativity is contagious. Pass it on." - Albert Einstein Saturday, 5.10 Moon moves to Virgo just after midnight at 00:50 CDT, joining retrograde Mars here. Both planets get direct drishti (gaze) from exalted Venus seven houses away. Yesterday's themes persist today as well since the Moon stays in Uttarphalguni most of the day. At 20:02 CDT Moon moves to Hasta as it nears exact conjunction with Mars. Some may feel divine inspiration from the Universal Mother, Ma. Learn, expand and look for the support that is ever present. Give your gratitude. Take any mental/emotional tensions into art and creativity. Dancing and singing will prove valuable. Gaze at the Moon to cool your eyes tonight. Sunday, 5.11 Hasta nakshatra rules the day and on into the night. Savitr and the Moon are enlivened today. Savitr offers his guiding light and helps us awaken. Use Gayatri Mantra to assist you with this. Moon crosses Mars mid morning, but their tight conjunction separates closer to noon. Watch for the emotional heat and mental tension mentioned yesterday. Don't let the mind get overheated. Sharp insights and intuitive wisdom can be found through the awakening of Savitr today. Carve out space and time to listen and be present to what arises. Give your gratitude to the divine feminine and her abundant nature. Don't suppress the urge to dance, vocalize, sing and express today. Move your body, let your artistry flow, and find insights and wisdom in subtle messages. Studying jyotish is ideal today. Join me for my Jyotish Basics workshop from 12 to 1pm CDT. Tonight: howl at the Moon. Never miss a Moon Mind Calendar. Sign up for my newsletter. Exalted Jupiter: A good thing? Or too much of a good thing? {Part 1}
Who is Jupiter and why does he matter? Jupiter (or guru in Sanskrit) is undeniably the most benefic planet. And though too much of a good thing is a real thing, most of us welcome his gracious behaviors at every turn. He is expansive, unlike Saturn who contracts. He wants peace, whereas Mars wants action and war. He brings knowledge and wisdom, learning from the scriptures, from teachers and from the grace of the guru. These are divine blessings indeed! Jupiter also relates to akasha (the space/ether element) and is therefore all-pervasive. He offers that level of expansion, the ever growing kind. The presence of Jupiter is peaceful, benevolent and he would rather win over his opponents with goodness, nonviolence and prayers, rather than fight, ruffle feathers or use violence of any kind. These are traits our society could use a lot more of these days. Fortunately for us, we will be seeing these blessings of Jupiter increase over the next twelve months as he moves to Cancer, his sign of exaltation, on June 18th. And since we haven't seen this transit occur in over twelve years (since 2003), we can each expect a unique boost in the coming months. (Jupiter's transits are roughly one year each and there are twelve signs in the zodiac, thus it takes twelve years for his full cycle around the zodiac). No matter the type of expansion and increase, for most of us, this will be of the delightful variety. Jupiter is of course connected to luck, grace, blessings, wealth as he is known for his generosity and giving. It is through sattva, purity, that Jupiter gives his blessings; all things pure like dharma, truth, and the light of pure knowledge. As devaguru (teacher to the gods) he guides us to the higher realms and empowers the positive tendencies of the mind. He has the ability to transform the asuras (demons) within us with his pure and persuasive wisdom. As the Mundaka Upanishads state so aptly, Satyameva Jayate, truth alone triumphs. What Can We Expect From Jupiter's Exaltation This Year? Each transit is very much an individual experience as each jyotish chart is a unique, highly complex organism (as expressed in each unique individual on the planet!) And though Jupiter's exaltation will effect us each in very different ways, there are some unified experiences that will be felt for us as a whole. It is important to note though that even something like expanding wisdom and knowledge, is not always comfortable- especially if it makes your old ways and habits obsolete and highly uncomfortable. For others, Jupiter's exaltation may provide too much support, and may cause issues as a result. We all know that even winning the lottery has multiple down sides and too much sugar rots your teeth and gut. Wherever Jupiter shows up there is increase and expansion. He encourages that growth as any good teacher would. If he sits with Venus, creativity and relationships tend to prove helpful and expansive. If he sits with Mercury, writing, mental growth and communication are given wisdom for increased success. Issues arise, however, when Jupiter sits with Rahu. Rahu, the north node/shadow planet and Mr. Mischief, ruins Jupiter's spiritual leanings and pristine tendencies. Rahu is chaos and deception whereas Jupiter is truth and honesty. Their energies oppose each other. Look at your chart to see what values might increase in the coming months for you based on what planets Jupiter is connected to in your natal chart. When looking at your own chart, first locate the sign of Cancer. This is where Jupiter will be effecting you the most intensely over the coming months. What house is Cancer in and do you have any natal planets there that will effect the transit as well? Will he be transiting your first house? Expect a spectrum of increased self wisdom, personal growth and people to notice this. Is he transiting your tenth house? He will offer extra support and expansion with your career whether you want it or not! And since all of us are working with the theme of balance right now as Saturn and Rahu transit Libra, the increases of exalted Jupiter will provide yet another opportunity for each of us to achieve some new sense of personal balance and harmony as a result of all the extra comfort, support, expansion etc. And that is indeed a good thing! Cancer is a sign of heart and emotion. It is connected to the fourth house and therefore is connected to all matters of the fourth house as well. This includes land, home, heart, mother, emotions, moksha, happiness, heart, lungs and the chest. When Jupiter exalts here he amplifies these parts of ourselves and can provide us with support in these areas. But because Jupiter is also Kapha, heavy, and connected to the lubrication within the body's channels, we also have to be mindful of the "too much of a good thing" reminder on a physical level as well. Too much dairy, can cause excess phlegm or excess kapha dosha. Too much fat can clog the arteries and channels that lead to the heart. Excess phlegm in the lungs can cause a chest cold or pneumonia. These are excesses to be aware of during this transit. It is interesting to note that the emotions and the heart play a predominant role in our health and well being. Since Cancer is also ruled by the Moon (Cancer is its own sign), many themes connected to emotional health and well being will be enlivened this year. With Jupiter in Cancer, we will each have an opportunity to grow emotionally, expand our heart and emotional capacity, and to find a new inner wisdom with the emotional body- if we choose to listen and expand in this direction. This is an exciting idea for moon-centered beings like myself! The overall experience of Jupiter is progressive, forward moving, expansive and supportive. There will be about four months where he retrogrades (an exalted planet in retrograde motion is considered debilitated) and this will be a time period of "emotional cleanup" we could say. Since all the major planets are moving this year, we are in for growth and change on multiple levels. Jupiter moves June 18th, followed by the shadow nodes, Rahu and Ketu July 12th. We still are working with an unusual dance of retrograde and direct Mars moving between Virgo and Libra until September. Finally, we will see perhaps the most major shift of all occur when Saturn moves to Scorpio November 2nd. The planets remind us that life is in constant flux and flow, and life changes are inevitable- which is why I'm offering Creative Ritual workshops to help us navigate the transits. My exalted Jupiter workshop is all about navigating our emotions and the physical correlations of this transit while using Jyotish insights to further our embodiment process. Explore this exalted Jupiter workshop. I address the finer details of Jupiter's transit with regard to some of these other transits, as well as the nakshatras he will be transiting, in the second half of my Exalted Jupiter article. Read it here. Wondering what the tendencies of exalted Jupiter and these other planetary changes will be for you? Schedule a yearly progression with me. Don't miss my planetary articles and updates, sign up for my newsletter. Do you rush through the day without checking in with your experience of life, your experience within? Do the days lead to weeks and years of being out of touch with your own needs and feelings? Are dissatisfaction, burnout and health being sacrificed as you continue to "push through"?
Constant movement, change, focus and drive can challenge your ability to be grounded, embodied and fully present to your needs. If you are living on autopilot, this will have a dramatic impact on your health, comfort and nourishment, as well as your relationships. What really suffers is your relationship with your true Self, and most certainly your creativity and life force energy. Fortunately you can unwind the numbness and choose to step into embodiment with very little effort. I use a simple technique to help bring presence to what is occurring within at any given moment. It's beyond listening to the breath and deep breathing (though this can certainly be valuable for the nervous system). I use a "three level check-in" process to immediately name the experiences arriving within. In this embodiment practice, you human experience is divided into four levels: mental body, emotional body and physical body. The fourth level includes the spiritual body. The spiritual body upholds the other three bodies. The Vedic koshas correlate to these "four bodies" and Ayurveda corroborates, since it also speaks to these four "bodies" as well. We can also use this tracking process in conjunction with Jyotish. As you track your inner landscape, you are literally tracking the effects of the planets on your physiology. There are multiple reasons why a Four Level Check-in is valuable for health and well being as well as for deepening one's ability to increase resiliency and thriving. First, let's take it for a spin and experience the mechanics of it. 1) Whatever you are doing right now, hit the pause button and bring your attention inward. It may help to close your eyes, but this isn't necessary. You may be sitting, standing or walking, but bring your attention to the now regardless of what is happening around you. 2) Notice the physical body. What is coming to you? What is the physical body sharing with you? Be present to images, colors, words, expressions and shapes that arise. 3) Notice the emotional body. What is coming to you? What is the emotional body sharing with you? Be present to images, colors, words, expressions and shapes that arise. 4) Notice the mental body. What is coming to you? What is the mental body sharing with you? Be present to images, colors, words, expressions and shapes that arise. 5) Notice the spiritual body. What is coming to you? What is the spiritual body sharing with you? Be present to images, colors, words, expressions and shapes that arise. This level of awareness is the most nuanced. Sometimes it's available, other times it is not. Create a space for listening nonetheless. Use this check-in practice at least once a day to do an "audit" of your inner landscape. As you track your physical body, you are tracking the Sun and Saturn and often Mars- which give awareness of sensation in the body. As you track the emotional body, you are tracking the Moon and often Venus. Tracking the mental body arrives through Mercury. The spiritual body is connected to the Sun as well as Jupiter. Mars and Venus support these bodies in subtle ways, while Rahu and Ketu intensify the experiences arriving. Your four level check-in findings can be written down and used at another time. You can take these findings into a creative process by moving your words, creating a poem from them, drawing an image, or turning them into a song etc. This keeps your bodies alive, potent and moving. It can also help you deepen the identification process- which is so vital for creating life change. Use your inner experiences and harvest from them further; move them, transform them, change them through an intentional art making process. But if nothing else, create space for these feelings, allow them to be with you and be present to the experience of your inner landscape. This presence alone can be immensely valuable. Far too often people gloss over feelings, physical body sensations and the potency of the inner landscape- cutting and pasting over these vital messages. Everyone wears numerous masks just to get through each day, week, year. But when you take time to stop what you are doing and notice how you are unconsciously being, you have the opportunity to arrive into the now. The potency of life is in the moments of now. Here you can listen intently to your feelings and inner experiences. Here you gain an opportunity for more depth and awareness within your life. It is through pausing and listening that you can more clearly and courageously attend to your own needs, use healthy boundaries, and create a life that is more in harmony with joy, nourishment, thriving and satisfaction. This is the power of the present moment and being in the now, being embodied. Never miss a Creative Ritual, sign up for my weekly newsletter. Want more Creative Rituals? See my current virtual workshop offerings here. |
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