This week, Navaratri begins- the celebration of Goddess Durga fighting and overcoming the demon Mahishasura. This is a profoundly metaphoric tale for the internal process, as well as the creative process. When we create art, we are literally in an act of re-creating, re-forming, re-shaping, re-structuring our experiences.

As per this week's horoscopes:

"we've passed the fall equinox, we are now in a sandhi time (gap) between seasons where the veil thins and we are able to witness the spiritual, nature, the mirror of the Self in a different way. Fall is that middle ground and the perfect time to cleanse the life- on all levels. This is a celebration of Shakti- the life giving force of Nature."

Using Navaratri as our theme, start by standing. Feel your feet firmly connected to the earth and notice the ripple-effect this creates throughout the body. Bring presence to your spine, shoulders, chest. Breathe and note your mental experience as you shift your body into a strong standing pose. Be here for a few minutes.

Next, assume a "warrior pose" for yourself. What shape does it have? What body parts are being used? What is your connection to earth? To space? How does this effect your mental/emotional bodies? Hold this for a few minutes and take mental notes. Try another "warrior pose" if you'd like to have a contrasting experience.

Come to your notebook and write some of your thoughts and experiences down. This is "internal tracking" that will inform your process.

Next, create a mask for your warrior. Who is your warrior? What does he/she offer you? Share with you? Provide for you? How do you feel with this warrior on? What do you do together/not do together? Does your warrior have a name?

Moon Mind

Friday, Sept 27th :::

Moon transits Ardra nakshatra (ruled by Rahu and Rudra, the storm god) until 18:48 CDT this evening when it moves to Punarvasu (ruled by Aditi, the universal MA). Look for inner movement today- strong currents are forcing change. Which way are you directing your sails? Find nourishment tonight through communication and creation. Look for the expansion and seek compassion- for your self and others.

Moon is waning (dark half) and transits Taurus, Gemini and Cancer this week. Moon is in its sign of exaltation the 23rd to 25th and in its own sign of Cancer 29th to 30th. Aim towards flourishing and thriving this week with deep surrender.

Mercury is sandhi (in the gap/weak degrees) until late in the week and moves out of its sign of exaltation and into Libra on the 9.24 where it joins Rahu, Saturn and Venus there. Mars is currently sandhi in Cancer (its sign of debilitation). Mental/emotional tension, sensitivity, confusion and exhaustion are possible. Remember your self-care.

Saturn and Rahu are in tight conjunction in Libra this week and collide in exact degrees on 9.25 with Mercury and Venus in Libra at that time as well. Four planets here will increase the energetics of Libra and will increase the movement and momentum with communications, mental activities and functions, commerce, business and trade.  Rahu, Saturn and Mercury are in Swati nakshatra right now, ruled by the wind god, Vayu. The winds of change are blowing. Venus is now in Vishaka nakshatra. Expect increases, expansion and changes with alliances, support systems, relationships and business. This is a time of storm energy, "cleaning house" so to speak, forced change for better or worse. Spread your wings and surrender to the winds. See my articles on Rahu and Saturn in Libra for further details.

Tap into your creative impulses and utilize your creation potential with this week's Jyoti/Expressive Art Therapy Creative Engagement Activity. Creative Engagement Activity for the week of 9.23.

*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: Speak, communicate, express, voice, sing. Tell the universe your desires and needs, then shout them from the top of the mountain. Get bold about what you attract and what you think you deserve. Use this time for a mental/emotional paradigm shift. Clean the pysche so there is room for a new reality and new relationships.

Taurus: Being in service of the Self is important for your healing, growth and expansion. Seva for the soul. Find your healthy boundary set point- likely uncharted territory up until now. What is it that you are longing for and what is the hole that needs to be filled? Keep digging below the earth. Plant some seeds.

Gemini: Be the beginner, the student, the child. Witness with eyes wide open in awe and excitement. Connect, communicate and create. Expand and trust your passionate inner realms. Find that missing piece this week. Trust the process.

Cancer: Heart is softening, changing and getting a chamber cleaning. Expand, contract. Inhale, exhale. Stand still, step forward. Work with needs and wants, hurts and haunts. Stay low to the ground, feet in cool soil. Ground with earth energy. All love flows to the self.

Leo: Effort, bravery, courage, will power, creativity and the hands, bring success and potential to you. You are likely feeling some comfort in your actions- say it loud and proud. But what holds you back still? Who and what continues to outshine you? Will the ego set you back or step you forward?

Virgo: Do not shut down your powerful voice and the need to communicate! Seek comfort and create what you need. Though internal rumblings from your dark depths and hidden realms continue to bring illumination and fears to the surface, use this dragon fire to spark something. You are losing some naivete. Enjoy it.

Libra: Head clearing or head pressure? Endings or beginnings? Charge forward or slow down and rest? You are in the thick of storm season and life's drama is casting you as their main character. All you have to do is use your surrender button. Let go, let God. Breathe.

Scorpio: You are trying to reconcile with these feelings of being hidden, feeling alone, the unknown and uncertain. The life long complaints. You seek true community, companionship, expansion of self and your efforts to finally pay off, but fear it simultaneously. Let some magic in this week and let go of some misery. Seek to attract what you are repulsed by.

Sagittarius: Gains, friendships, children, and decisions are going through transformations. Is your intelligences spot on or spot off- or both? Social interactions will increase this week but may leave you feeling drained and unsatisfied. What are you really craving for your life and how can you maximize your shine from the inside out?

Capricorn: A week of maximum flow, maximum activation, maximum potential. What is holding you back from realizing your maximum? Who? What? What continues to go unseen is your greatest enemy. Expand what is possible.

Aquarius: Less philosophizing, more embodiment. Less mental body, more physical. Less focus on action and achievement, more surrender to the emotions. Less looking to others, more looking within. Pick up your paint brush.

Pisces: Debts, losses, transformations have blown in their haunts. Much of what has been hidden to you is painfully revealing itself. This is a time where blinders are getting ripped off. The only thing to lose is the known. The only thing to gain is moksha.

Moon Mind :::

Tuesday 24th, Wednesday 25th

Moon transits its exaltation and mulitrikona sign, Taurus, on Tuesday and is in Rohini nakshatra. Rohini, is ruled by Lord Brahma (the creator god in the trinity of gods) who created the universe. Through his force and creative energy, creation continues. Your creativity may be at an all time high today or it could get swept away with "too much to do". Make it a point to use your artistic and creative skills today and channel the creative forces effectively. You may be feeling a sense of urgency or irritation with relationships- business and personal. Watch communication. Mercury is sandhi (in the gap) and moves to Libra at 19:47 CDT today.

On Wednesday, Moon moves to Mrgashiras ruled by Soma, the divine nectar of life. Let this week's theme of clearing and cleaning by the "winds of change" be activated with this nourishing star. Don't be surprised if it comes in the form of tears and emotional release. Channel anger so that it doesn't destroy you or someone else. The heart is especially involved with today's experience. Nurture and protect it.

My first Astrology.com article is up! Read more about the importance of the Moon from a Jyotish perspective:

http://www.astrology.com/importance-moon-according-vedic-astrology/2-d-d-547573