Moon Mind ::: 7.28

Moon enters Aries at 12:23 CDT and into Ashwini nakshatra. A new moon cycle begins around the zodiac. Some sense of completion may be felt or an open-ended feeling of "this and" as we invite in the new cycle.

Moon will be crossing (and in conjunction with) Ketu over the next 2.5 days. Emotional insights, outburst, heightened intuition and sudden change are possible. Use this time for self care, tending to the emotions, clean up around diet and self-process. Get out of the head and into the body as a preventative measure. Try not to over-think things.

Today: Pause and take three slow, deep breaths. Then do a 3 level check in. Notice the emotional body, mental body, physical body. Write down a word for each of these bodies that expresses your experience of these "levels".

Extra credit: Turn these "resource words" into a 3 line poem or a haiku. Notice how this informs your daily process.

{Photo of my current location: Allalin mountain- Saas Fee, Switzerland, the Alps.}

The month starts with Moon creating a fresh start in Aries and transiting the first of the 27 nakshatras- Ashwini- as it crosses over Ketu. We will likely feel the experience of something new settling in, a pull towards fresh experiences, the sense that some shift has occurred.

Mars moves to Gemini (an enemy’s sign) on 7.4 where it joins Jupiter, Mercury and Sun there. The mind sharpens- keep it soft rather than letting it get rigid.

Saturn goes direct after months of retrograde movement on 7.7 at 23:49 CDT. Structures, plans, intentions begin to move in the “right direction.”

New Moon on 7.8 at 02:14 CDT in Punarvasu nakshtatra. Sun moves to Cancer on 7.16 at 04.51 CDT. A new sense of compassion may set in.

Venus moves to Leo on 7.17 at 08:43 CDT. Notice your intentions/attention gain a new power this month. Notice how these forces move from the inner landscape, to the outer landscape now. Take action, have a fire ritual, use this as a tool for dynamic activation.

Mercury goes direct on 7.20 at 13:19 CDT. Mind begins to move in a forward direction with less resistance and out of “clean up” mode.

The month closes with Moon going exalted in Taurus. Another cycle around the zodiac complete.

Full Moon is in Capricorn at 13:14 CDT on 07.22 in Uttarashada nakshatra. It is also Guru Purnima- the fullest full moon of the year and most auspicious full moon in the Vedic calendar. Honor your gurus, teachers, guides, your lineage and the masters that have helped you on your path. This is a very sacred day of expansion, purpose, power and sattva. Meditate, chant, do sacred acts that bring gratitude.

Jupiter is now in Ardra nakshatra ruled by Rahu, giving drishti to Rahu/Saturn in Libra as Rahu simultaneously give drishti to Jupiter in Gemini. Both Rahu and Saturn currently transit Swati nakshatra, ruled by Rahu and Vayu- the wind god. Consequently, there is an exchange of energy here between Rahu and Jupiter as well as a heightened expression of Rahu right now.

For some this will offer big expansion in a worldly sense, for others chaos and calamity. Be aware of storm energy and a tendency toward overwhelm. The momentum that is jumpstarting here will carry us forward for the coming weeks and months. Prepare for change, movement, activation and shifts. Sattva will be tainted by the shadow energy of Rahu. The temptations are strong right now for rajasic behaviors, the foreign and unusual, and general extremes- especially on the mental, emotional levels. Meditation may prove impossible as well as being on a good routine. Do the best you can. Perhaps find liberation in the opposition. We can use this time for “de-centering”, which will later help us return to our “balance” with greater understanding and clarity. Don’t fall too far off the wagon.

*Due to travel, horoscopes will be postponed until early August.

Moon Mind ::: July 16th/17th

Moon in Libra and Swati nakshatra where it joins Rahu and Saturn there as well. Moon is waxing (bright half) in tithi 9. Vayu, the wind god, rules over Swati. Breath, embodiment, pranic awareness, movement, dance, and cultivating daily rituals around physical movement are all essential right now in order to harmonize the inner winds. Externally, life offers changes- the winds of change, currents, movement, creation energy is charged. Be present to the subtle and extreme changes and bend like a tree in the wind so as not to break branches. Stay flexible.

Mars, Mercury and Jupiter are in Ardra nakshatra, ruled by Rahu- they also are receiving drishti from Rahu nine houses away. Mercury is still retrograde. The mind is working with pieces of the past while Ardra brings storms, rudra energy, movement and calamity. The emotions are vulnerable right now. Be tender, keep a small frame for your self in which to work within, tend your inner storm, and stay on the shore as much as possible.

Venus moves to Leo on the 17th and enters Magha nakshatra. Father energy, masculinity, the ancestors and fire come into our awareness. Our attention shifts to creating using these energetic pieces. Venus moves from water sign Cancer into fire sign Leo, marking a shift in creativity, relationships, passion and artistry. Notice your intentions/attention gain a new power this month. Notice how these forces move from the inner landscape, to the outer landscape now. Take action, have a fire ritual, use this as a tool for dynamic activation. Use this time to cultivate a dance of balance so as not to get burned. Sun (Leo's ruler) is still in Cancer, balance between fire and water is the overriding metaphor. Find your dance between fire and water and become an alchemist.

Moon Mind ::: July 8th/9th

Moon moves from Gemini (where it was with Jupiter, Sun, Mercury and Mars) and into Cancer (its own sign). Moon transits Punarvasu nakshatra, ruled by Aditi (and the planet Jupiter), who is the universal mother of all goodness. (Mercury and Sun are currently in Punarvasu as well). Aditi brings assistance, abundance, and expansion of consciousness. Moon moves to Pushya nakshatra in the early hours on the 9th.

Aditi gave birth to the 33 Devas which include 12 Adityas, 11 Rudras, 8 Vasus, Indra and Prajapati. These Devas are all pervasive expressions of the universe and thus Aditi is the foundation of the universe. She brings truth (satya), simple wisdoms of life and helps us to realize the sameness (sama) in this life experience. Aditi translates as non-difference; she can bring us an experience of unity consciousness.

Pushya is ruled by both Brihaspati (Jupiter as a deity) and the planet Saturn. This nakshatra brings nourishment, as the symbol is a cow udder. Taking the awareness of Punavarvasu and Aditi, one is ready for the knowing and awareness that Pushya and Brihaspati offer.

As of the 8th, the new moon occurred at 2:15 CDT this morning and has now moved into the bright half (waxing phase) and is in tithi 1- Amavasya, ruled by the planet Rahu. Moon (as well as the aforementioned planets in Gemini) are receiving drishti from Rahu right now. Jupiter, planetary ruler of Punarvasu, is receiving drishti from Rahu and is currently in Ardra nakshatra- ruled by Rahu. Thus an exchange of energies occurs here between Rahu and Jupiter. Worldly expansion is a possibility. Don’t get carried away.....As moon moves into the 2nd tithi, Dvitiya (ruled by Moon), expect a new awareness of smoothness to become present. A shift from yesterday.

Saturn has now finally gone direct after many months of retrograde motion. Saturn sits with Rahu in Libra, both now in Swati nakshatra- ruled by Vayu (wind god/movement) and Rahu as well. The Rahu influences are thus strong right now. Mercury is still retrograde. We can expect structures and stability to start moving in a more supportive and helpful direction, however mentally, there will likely still be confusion and “clean-up” occurring. Find your surrender button.

There can be friction and tensions with the inevitable changes, currents and shifts brought about by the expansive Jupiter and the movement of Vayu. Some of this will be on a grande scale. Some may be offered worldly support and assistance. For others, the experience of tempestuous storms will be enhanced. The temptations are strong right now for rajasic behaviors, the foreign and unusual, and general extremes- especially on the mental, emotional levels. Meditation may prove impossible as well as being on a good routine. Do the best you can. Perhaps find liberation in the opposition. We can use this time for “de-centering”, which will later help us return to our “balance” with greater understanding and clarity. Bon chance!!

Moon Mind ::: Moon Mindfulness
Wed, 07.03.13

Moon in Aries in Krittika nakshatra, ruled by Agni and the planet Mars. Moon moves to Taurus (its place of exaltation) at 16:20 CDT. Today is about creating clarity, purification and burning out impurities- mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually.

Be mindful of pushing too hard, forcing things to happen. Later today, seek emotional comfort and ease. Do what is necessary for a bit of peace, sanity, mental comfort. Dance your dance- even if it's messy.