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.

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Moon waning (dark half) transiting Leo, Virgo, and Libra this week. New Moon on 11.3 in Libra at 6:50 am CST [CST begins at 2am on 11.3- set your clocks back 1 hour]. This new Moon week is an intense one and highly symbolic!

Venus moves to Sagittarius on 10.30 which means we are in a time of transiting/weakened (sandhi) Venus most of this week. This transit of Venus into Sagittarius brings us some powerful forces for change within relationships- both with our Self and with others. Expect growth and new inner knowledge over the course of the next month as well as extra passion and wealth-inducing endeavors. How will you use this information? Will deep wisdom overtake our worldly appetites or vice versa? 

This week also brings with it celebration in the Vedic calendar. Some of us will be celebrating the five days of Diwali festivities- days devoted to the goddess Maha Lakshmi, goddess of abundance, and her many attributes. Three of the most important days are dedicated to Dhanvantari, Hanuman and Lakshmi- Diwali and the new moon being the most important of all.

For the USA, Dhanvantari is Thursday 10.31. This is a day of celebrating the father of Ayurveda, Lord Dhanvantari, physician to the gods and an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. A day dedicated to health and wholeness, two days prior to celebrating abundance and light during Diwali, and a day of praying for longevity. Health is the biggest form of wealth and we can use this as a powerful day for total being as well as a day to resource inner and outer balance. Moon will be transiting Virgo and moves from Uttaraphalguni to Hasta nakshatra on this day while in the 13th tithi (Trayodashi). This is very much a day that represents seeking balance on the inner and outer levels of life. Eat lightly today and follow Ayurvedic routine and guidelines. Ask Dhanvantari for tools, wisdom and the ability to take action towards health and well being.

Friday 11.1 is Hanuman Jayanti, a celebration of Lord Hanuman. (Some celebrate Kali on this day instead). Moon is in the 14th tithi (Chaturdashi) and moves from Hasta (dawning and awakening) to Chitra (divine building and planning) nakshatra. Devote today to dharma, creating bold action steps towards actualizing your full potential and pray for the strength of Lord Hanuman today.

Diwali begins on the morning of 11.2 in the USA. This exuberant festival of lights, and the day of Maha Lakshmi, is a powerful time of cultivation and celebration. Moon will be reaching towards its darkest, most inward point, in the 15th tithi (Amavasya) at this time and yet we celebrate the light of lights within all of us on this day. It is advised to light candles, leave a light on over night, buy new clothes, make offerings to Maha Lakshmi, eat sweets and enjoy the sweetness and abundance of life that she so generously offers us. Wealth, prosperity (material and spiritual), as well as beauty (inner and outer) are aspects of Lakshmi that are to be honored and treasured. Make your altar dedications to her at dusk and sing your prayers and desires to her.

New Moon (+ the time change) is in the early hours of 11.3 at 06:50am CST while Moon is in Libra and Swati nakshatra. Sun and Moon are in exact degree at this time with five planets in Libra (debilitated Sun, Rahu, retrograde Mercury, exalted Saturn and transiting Moon), all in Swati nakshatra. This nakshatra is ruled by Rahu, the north node shadow planet. It's important to strive for balance at this time (though it may feel impossible). This new Moon on 11.3 brings a solar eclipse with it beginning at 04:05 am CST and ending at 09:28am CST.

Whereas a lunar eclipse brings shadowed intuition and intellect (feminine), solar eclipses speak to our shadowed soul and externalized power (masculine). With Sun debilitated in Libra at this time (mixed with an intense energetic dynamic of five planets in a sign that desires to resolve and restore balance), being mindful of health is essential, if not forced. Being sensitive to our inner needs as well as compassion for others is imperative. Check in with your motives before acting and speaking. Notice where your pain body and wounds are dictating your actions and agendas. When connecting and relating to others ask yourself how you can come to the situation with boundaries, yet with willingness and acceptance. Know when to take a time out. Meditating during the eclipse is advised.

Rahu's shadowed and insatiable appetite and cravings are effecting almost every level of our lives right now. There may be pains and sufferings, delusions and illusions, all playing their tricks on us! Self doubt and self-destruction are having their way with us, so try to stay out of the rabbit hole and the downward spiral before it takes you too far into darkness.

The solar eclipse marks the ending of the 2 week period between lunar and solar eclipses- a delicate time where starting new endeavors is not advised. Now we can march forward with ideas, plans and actions! That said, the complexity of the transits can still bring us excessive mental activity and turmoil, intense cravings and addictive behaviors, as well as the need to consciously care for our physical bodies.

Ketu's movement to Ashwini nakshatra at 03:34 am CST (just prior to the eclipse) brings healing and resources to the forefront- especially through the healing and creative arts. You can count on layers peeling off, and new light coming through. This subtle shift pre-solar eclipse is a divine part of the cosmic plan for our increased wisdom and the longstanding desires coming to us at this time- even with all the twists and turns. Trust the process- it will be worth it!

This is an excellent time for wealth inducing yagyas dedicated to Lakshmi. Puja.net has a wonderful Diwali yagya starting on the 3rd. You can also find an assortment of Lakshmi chants and mantras available on the site.

Utilize my jyoti/creative arts activities as a healing & awareness tool. This week's Jyoti/Expressive Art Therapy Creative Engagement Activity for Diwali and the week of 10.28 :::

*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: You are facing the thick of it dear one! So much change and upheaval is moving you and moving through you right now. The darkness and shadows are getting pierced. Find time to be fragile and vulnerable and declare it sacred! Ask for support and it will appear.

Taurus: The lights are on, is anyone home? The stove is on, what are you cooking? The desires are strong, are they aligned with depth, dharma and the propensity to help and to heal? Pieces are returning and reminders are resurfacing. What has not yet been digested? What rocks remain in the gut?

Gemini: Oh the (same old) bad habits my dear! Obstacles and enemies are putting on a bit of a show for you. You may be distracted though and feeling ungrounded with a bit of indigestion to boot. Are you listening to your gut responses and minding your belly instincts? The way to the heart is through your gut, so listen carefully. There are some very important PM's waiting there.

Cancer: Heartaches and heartburn. Put your hands to your chest and breathe deeply. Take time to walk barefoot and ground into the earth. Get your bearings and take root. Intuitive passions are fired up and yet vulnerable. Tend your wisdom fire and your tender inner flames.

Leo: Tenacity is blowing you about. You roar with zest and fervor. Creative juices are running through you. And yet, what is that? Uncertainty? Fear? Terror? Do us all a favor, and quit fooling your Self. It's a time of weakness and vulnerability- own it, feel it, let it come alive within you and let it transform you.

Virgo: Your courage is remarkable lately- putting focus on some of the tough, dark places, finding new ways to relate, co-create, and fiercely ask for what you need. Keep going and don't lose your motivation for bringing your desires to life! Sing your heart songs and share them with others. Listen to the birds for inspiration.

Libra: Pulled apart and pulled in all directions. Which way are you going? Which way is up and which way is down? Shadows are dancing in you and around you, the discomfort is cutting at times. This is a time to create new steps, in a new direction- but meticulously. Be slow, creative and calculated. Resist the rush. Find your new pulse.

Scorpio: Your room of solitary confinement is getting smaller and the walls are caving in. You've been sharply and keenly penetrating your psyche and navigating the rocky inner terrain, yet still maintaining a powerful exterior exoskeleton. Ready to crack yet? Let your self ooze and rip the band aid off for god's sake! We are all waiting to see what's in that dark, cavernous abyss.

Sagittarius: Gains are blowing you around. Is that guilt and shame or gratitude and respect? Celebrate even if it feels uncertain. Some new abundance is slowly sinking in and it is starting to feel good. The reality is you deserve it and should own it. Check in with the greed though- that need for more and more in order to feel comfort. What is the dissatisfaction that lurks?

Capricorn: Digesting > Re-digesting > Regurgitating > Restructuring > Re-solidifying = Intentional action and activation. Your creativity and passion is about to go into deep restoration as well as silent expansion, feeding and fanning your path and all your pursuits. The bag is packed and filled to the brim- why not donate some of the old and outworn to a good cause?

Aquarius: Guru is as guru does. Teach, learn, advise and honor the ways of ethics. Who is that watching you? What is that inner voice calling, beckoning? What courage it takes to sit still and listen- to all the rumblings, deceptions, and Self avoidance. Skill arises when we get humble, authentic and take responsibility for all that we are.  Transparency or bust.

Pisces: Soon you will not be the same individual. You have been transforming and transcending, vulnerable in your complete overhaul. Communicating with the darkness is essential. Speak to your ghosts and shadows and ask them what they want of you. The dark portal of the past may be offering you haunts and insecurities, yet there is a soft landing pad available for you as well. Use it.

Moon is waning and transits Cancer, Leo, Virgo and into Libra this week. New Moon is on 10.4 in Virgo at 19:35 CDT and ushers in the start of Navaratri on 9.5, or the nine days of mother Divine.

Sun has moved to Virgo and Mercury is now in Libra with Saturn, Rahu and Venus. On 10.2 Venus moves into Scorpio. On 10.5 Mars moves out of its sign of debilitation and into Leo, enlivening the "warrior spirit" for the first day of Navaratri (India time). Since it will be sandhi (in the gap) this week with drishti from Saturn, emotions are extra sensitive. Be aware of your tenderness, emotional outbursts, propensity for anger, and be conscious of others' experiences of the same.

Saturn and Rahu slowly begin to separate, though are still in close degrees. This is a time of storm energy, "cleaning house" so to speak, forced change for better or worse. Remember your self care and avoid drugs, alcohol and excess sugar. This is a perfect time to start your fall cleanse. See my articles on Rahu and Saturn in Libra for further details about this transit.

As 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.

Navaratri begins with three days of worship and reverence to Goddess Durga, who brings chaos- destruction resulting in greater awareness and ultimately healing. The following three days are for worshiping Goddess Lakshmi, the nourisher and provider of abundance, as well as life giving, nourishing and sustaining forces. Finally, the last three days of Navaratri are dedicated to the worship of Goddess Saraswati, who is responsible for expansion of consciousness, knowledge and awareness. She is intimately connected to creativity, the arts and brings a wholeness quality to the celebrations.

On the 10th day, Vijayadashmi is celebrated- literally victory day. Because Navaratri is rooted in the story of Durga fighting and overcoming the demon Mahishasura, this is a day of rejoicing in her success, power and greatness. A day when we honor good overcoming negativity, positive forces succeeding over negative ones. The story of Durga (also known as Kali and Sri Bhagavati) is metaphoric for each of us on a physical level, mental and emotional level, as well as spiritual. The dance between light and dark, chaos and calm, freedom and enslavement is continual. Navaratri reminds us of our self-liberation and gives us a time to reflect, honor and worship these divine forces alive within and around each of us.

{Don't forget to participate in this wonderful Navaratri Yagya offered through Puja.net}

Tap into your creative impulses and utilize your creative, warrior spirit with this week's Jyoti/Expressive Art Therapy Creative Engagement Activity. Creative Engagement for the week of 9.30 :::

*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: Mentally you are creating new relationships and contracts. Be courageous in your pursuit of self-awareness and how you attract your desires. Some necessary transformations are coming in regard to relationships and how you work with others. Maybe you are finally ready to shift gears and uncover some old, buried fears that have been coming back to haunt you? This is a time of radical self-development. Don't miss this opportunity for change and growth.

Taurus: Your mental and emotional bodies are deeply intertwined and give great insight this week if you care to listen, process and digest. There is work to do around relationships, and the coming weeks will provide ample opportunities to work with this theme. Be bold with your inner excavation, dive deep with your emotions, sing and speak for feelings of comfort.

Gemini: Expansion, expansion, expansion. You are moving forward on multiple levels of life, clearing and cutting what doesn't serve you. The mind is moving you and passions are high. Don't neglect the physical body and strive for routine and regulation. Your work is in the solar plexus. Be especially aware of your "gut instinct" and let this heighten your decision making ability.

Cancer: This is an extra sensitive week for you. Self care and self preservation are crucial. It's ok to be bold as you navigate your mental terrain. Chances are good some old patterns are "up" for you right now. Your inner work is centered around themes with the heart and mother. What pieces here are effecting your relationships? Find the themes and work backwards. Hint: You might get angry and that's ok. Find healthy, creative outlets.

Leo: Likely some liberation has been taking place for you- especially if you've been navigating emotions effectively and with curiosity. This week provides opportunities for some unfinished work to find closure- for a loop to be closed. Use courage, bravery and mental depth to find what is below the surface. This is a requirement for relationships and creative gains. Share what's on your mind, but do so with self-referral.

Virgo: Some light has crept back in. Have you noticed the shift? Mental comfort is a huge priority right now. Will you know when you've found it? Use this week to navigate desires, gains, dreams, alone time, the Self, your wealth and sustenance. What is feeding you, nourishing you? What do you need to feel full and comforted? Find ways to get out of the head and into the body.

Libra: Headaches are possible both physically and metaphorically. Though you are likely learning a lot right now, make sure to continue to peel back the layers of the onion effectively by examining your emotional responses. Why are these emotions coming up? Where do they come from and what prior responses have triggered these feelings? When dealing with "others", the mirror is strong right now, yet at the same time lot of self growth is possible if used effectively. Remember your self care and avoid drugs, alcohol and excess sugar. 

Scorpio: Moksha leads the way for you right now. Your creative work can be focused and task-oriented and feed your mental/emotional bodies well. This is a time of healing through you creative pursuits, with depth and awareness. Find clear purpose in your actions. The more clarity, the better. The coming weeks will give your career and offerings a power boost. The ego loves this sort of thing, but who are you really?! Scrape away the personas and get to the core of who you are.

Sagittarius: Growth and gains are presenting themselves, but may feel more like a mixed bag of pluses and minuses. You are shining and more people are taking notice. Have you noticed? Great emotional transformations have been happening (or have you been resisting them?). This work can now turn into sustained growth in the coming weeks if conscious effort is used.

Capricorn: Work is picking up for you and will be providing you with plenty of self-transformation in the coming weeks. This is a time when finding balance and remembering self-care is essential. You are learning a lot from teachers and teaching, growing from inside out. Notice when you are too externally focused and need to pull back in with a focus on trusting the Self. Ask your gut for answers.

Aquarius: You are actively working on self-awareness and expansion. This week provides tools for your process. Working with and digesting hidden parts, emotional frustrations and hurts, and the need for others to validate you, come up. The soul is going through a transformation and is sitting in the dark, bringing up issues from the past. Will you invite these old haunts in for tea, or shut the door on them? Will you lash out at others, or self-refer? Take this time as an opportunity to dive a little deeper, peel back another layer. Embrace the process. 

Pisces: The transformations continue. The mind is stirring up memories from the past and perhaps making storm clouds. Your relationship with relationships is shifting yet again. This week will bring a final sweep, moving out some old, stagnant energy, leaving a place for something new to enter. Are you ready for divine healing?!