Moon is waning this week and transits Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces and into Aries. Multiple changes occur on 6.15. Find the planetary details in my transit report.

Monday, June 16

Moon transits Capricorn and Sravana nakshatra. Vishnu and his expansiveness as well as the Moon rule over the day. Movement is a key theme for today's experience as Vishnu is said to have traversed the three realms of earth, sky and heaven in three steps. Look for threes today. Use the metaphor of three steps as a key for your actions. Work with the "emergence of the third" and metaphors that include bridging the unknown with the known. What can we bring forth from our depths in order to arrive at a new destination? Vishnu is about expansion, so let your dreams take you to a fuller experience, a more expansive state of mind. Take care of mind/body and spirit today. Saturn energy may slow down the arrival at our desired destination, so work with frustrations consciously.

At 16:39 CDT, Moon moves into Dhanishta and we can take the awareness of Sravana into action and implementation. Nourish and be nourished. Create and share your creativity. Let the Vasu Devas help you shine.

Mercury has moved back into Mrigashirsha nakshatra in his retrograde dance. He is transiting Gemini with Sun who just entered Gemini and Jupiter who is on his way out. He's feeling the movement, the change, the uncertainty of the other planets and reflecting this to us in our mental body. Frustrations and emotional upheavals are coming from this abundance of movement and change right now. It's palpable. Work with the instability in conscious ways- through dance and creative movement. Find your own metaphors as you move. Use grounding and stabilizing activities as a resource to bring more comfort, calm and support. Find more about this transit in my Transit Report.

Tuesday, June 17th

Moon moves to Aquarius at 03:35 am CDT and receives drishti (gaze) from Rahu and Jupiter in this position.

Moon transits Dhanishta nakshatra. Mars and the Vasu Devas rule the day. The Vasu Devas help us shine and be seen through our gifts. They are sources of illumination and prosperity; literally the light or jyoti. Dhanishta people like to share information and like to be heard- especially through music and creativity. Create, share, take action. Find new ways to get your message out there; get innovative.

Moon moves into Satabisha at 14:37 CDT. Rahu and Varuna are enlivened as a result. Guard your health today and take preventative measures for creating wellness. Eat well and nourish your self with good food, proper routine and self care tools. Avoid excess sugar, caffeine, alcohol and intoxicants. Be mindful that on Satabisha days, we may turn excessively critical. This gaze may turn inward or outward- or both. It is a great time to consciously work with our critics and deepen our relationship with them. Why is our critic "helpful" and when does it show up for us? Self tracking is essential in order to find the deeper meaning within our judgement.

Wednesday, June 18th

Moon transits Aquarius and Satabisha nakshatra until 13:00 CDT receiving drishti (gaze) from Rahu and Jupiter. Many of the suggestions from yesterday apply. Rahu and Varuna are enlivened as a result. Guard your health today and take preventative measures for creating wellness. Eat well and nourish your self with good food, proper routine and self care tools. Avoid excess sugar, caffeine, alcohol and intoxicants. Be mindful that on Satabisha days, we may turn excessively critical. This gaze may turn inward or outward- or both. It is a great time to consciously work with our critics and deepen our relationship with them. Why is our critic "helpful" and when does it show up for us? Self tracking is essential in order to find the deeper meaning within our judgement.

At 13:00 CDT Moon moves to Purvabhadrapada nakshatra ruled by Ajaikapada and Jupiter. With the momentous transits happening, we may feel as though we are in a balancing act as the deity Ajaikapada reminds us (another name for Shiva). Lord Shiva expresses in his dance, one foot firmly rooted, the other lifted and in balance; we can feel this sense of limbo today as the transits intensify. So much is in transition right now, hanging in balance, neither here nor there. Can you feel it? Purvabhadrapada signifies endings, letting go, the funeral cot that symbolizes death and transition. This is where we are right now. At the edge. Letting go.

It is a big day of transits and changes. Venus moves to its own sign of Taurus on 06.18 at 07:08 am CDT away from Mars’s drishti and the conjunction of Ketu. This may be the stabilizing force that allows us to make more lasting and life-supporting changes for ourselves during the next month.

Just as Venus moves into Taurus, Jupiter makes his momentous change into Gemini later that day at 20:24 CDT. I’ve written extensively on this transit. For greater insights on this 13 month transit visit my Exalted Jupiter articles part one and two.

For more details on both of the Venus and Jupiter transits please check my transit report.

Thursday, June 19th

Moon moves to Pisces at 06:07 am CDT and transits PurvaBhadrapada nakshatra, receiving drishti (gaze) from Mars. The morning starts with influences from Ajaikapada and Jupiter. Jupiter arrives into Cancer officially and Venus settles into its own sign of Taurus as well. Moon receives drishti (gaze) from Jupiter in this position. Look for glimpses of gentleness today and invite in a softer approach to life and relationships.

Moon moves into UttaraBhadrapada at 11:53 am CDT which energizes Saturn and Ahirbudhnya, the serpent of the depths. This is naga serpent energy though- the kind that brings insights and awareness with excavation below the surface. Dive deep today and explore possibility and purpose. Seek out stability.

Sun and retrograde Mercury collide in Gemini causing a heated mind. Issues coming back to haunt you? Noticing old patterns resurfacing? Retrograde Mercury is working his magic on us. Go for precision and exactness, avoid anger and hostility. This combustion receives drishti from Rahu which can heighten the intensity and cloud our awareness. Feeling the heat? Calm down and count to ten before you communicate. Better yet, wait 24 hrs or go meditate before you come to your conclusions.

Friday, June 20th

Moon moves to Revati at 11:17 am CDT which energizes Mercury and Pushan. Pushan guides us and protects us on our journey, offering us support and nourishment. Look for support, self care, guidance and help today. Ask if you need some extra support or help. Guidance and support is all around us. Often, we just need to be open and receptive to receive it.

Moon is being gazed at directly by Mars. Simultaneously Sun and retrograde Mercury are still in close degrees- yesterday’s suggestions still hold true. Issues coming back to haunt you? Noticing old patterns resurfacing? Retrograde Mercury is working his magic on us. The mind is heated and fiery. Great for precision and meticulous thought processes, but anger and hostility can easily surface. This combustion receives drishti from Rahu which can heighten the intensity and cloud our awareness. Feeling the heat? Calm down and count to ten before you communicate. Better yet, wait 24 hrs or go meditate before you come to your conclusions.

Saturday, June 21st

Solstice occurs on 6.21 at 05:54 am CDT. It is officially summer for the Northern Hemisphere.

Moon crosses the tricky junction point between Pisces and Aries at 11:13 am CDT. The morning may be best spent slowly and silently as Moon transitions from water into fire. As Moon enters Aries, it moves into Ashwini nakshatra, nearing Ketu. It also gets drishti from Mars here. As the day takes shape, the fire in us enlivens and Moon collides with Ketu. Use this heat and passion for activation and action steps. Some of us may get instant messages and sudden brilliant ideas!

Address anger and agitations head on. Not by forcing your agendas and objectives on others, but by looking within and noticing where the emotion is arising from. How does anger serve you, or how has it served you in your life? It wouldn’t be there unless you relied on it for some reason. Find ways to use it as a resource, a tool of passion and greater inner awareness. Don’t suppress it or lash out at others. Let it to inform your process.

Use the day resourcefully. Use healing modalities, purification practices, rasayanas and rejuvenation treatments for getting your needs met. Create, sing, open your artistic channels.

Just before midnight, Sun moves into Ardra nakshatra, heightening our connection to Rudra and Rahu until 7.05. Emotional upheaval, intense movement and change, calamities and uncertainties may be increased. Some worldly success may be provided for some in the coming weeks, but watch for excessive cravings simultaneously. This will be an excellent time to navigate our emotional body with very deliberate awareness as we will likely be feeling some passing clouds and stormy weather. 

Sunday, June 22nd

Moon transits Aries and moves into Bharani nakshatra at 11:38 am CDT, enlivening Venus and yama. Transformation, death, release and letting go surface today. The day and its desire may require us to use restraint. Keep it simple. This is an excellent time to cut out attachments. This may be in relationships or simply with house cleaning- or both.

We can clean and purge from the inside out. What are you willing to let go and release? What do you no longer need? What needs to be cut loose? What can be restructured in your life so that you have more space for what truly nourishes you? We may also get great clarity today about what we truly need to move forward in our lives. Use this day effectively and invite in transformation.

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Moon is waning (Krishna Paksha) and transits through Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces and into Aries this week. This is week of turning inward, moving towards more introspection and harvesting inner wisdom. We are still in the midst of the delicate eclipse period, moving towards the solar eclipse on the 29th. Be gentle, stay receptive, find drops of compassion for your Self and others. Find ways to prune your life and allow in more space for joy and healing. Seek rest and restoration.

Monday, 4.21

Moon is in Uttarashada nakshatra today and moves to Capricorn at 13:15 CDT. Uttarashada is connected to Vishvadeva who guides integrity, good character and right action according to the Laws of Nature. Connect with integrity and focus today. Look for clarity in relationships. Be direct but make sure you are aligned with a heartfelt desire to be of service and you can't go wrong.

The theme of overworking is high for the next two days so remember to work smarter, not harder. Ask your Self: Where can I cut back and let go? Where am I overworking? Struggling for success? What parts of my life/work are not getting the necessary support of Nature I need to thrive? Use these as prompts for your pruning work.

Tuesday, 4.22

Moon moves to Sravana nakshatra at 6:07 am CDT. Look for Vishnu's expansive wisdom today. Wherever you have done some pruning in your life, space is being created. This space is vital for your personal expansion, for greater wisdom and clarity to enter. Let Vishnu assist you with this process today. No answer or insight is too small or insignificant. Likely you will need to be still and embodied in order to hear his messages. It may also help to connect with others, or to listen to some timely wisdom for extra guidance. Your relationships and connections can be a resource for this. The point is: be receptive and open to receive.

Wednesday, 4.23

Moon moves to Dhanishta nakshatra at 4:36 am CDT. The Vasu Devas are sources of illumination and abundance, they bring us light (jyoti) and help us manifest on the material plane of existence. Get your head right today. Get your focus clear. Get your agenda in place. What is the goal? What is the necessary next step or action to achieve this goal? This focus needs to be balanced with some ease and grace. The "art of allowing" in other words. Both dynamics are key to "getting the job done" and to achieving life balance. Use music to get in the flow. Sing to lighten your mood. Empty the contents of your head and let in the Vasu Devas illumination with art and creativity. Allow space and time for awakening. Don't get overheated.

Moon moves to Aquarius at 15:51 CDT, joining Venus there. Both receive drishti (gaze/aspect) from Rahu and Jupiter here. The focus becomes more about relating and our relationships later in the day as a result of Moon's movement. Avoid being needy and greedy, but rather work towards being receptive and open to receiving messages from others. Come to relationships with neutrality, a willingness to listen and with compassion. This will be an ample gift to share and way to let your light shine.

Thursday, 4.24

Moon moves to Satabisha nakshatra at 3:07 am CDT. Let the gaze of Jupiter on the Moon soften the judgement of Varuna today. The inner critic may be high, on alert and feeling persecuted by others. What can we learn from these messages and where can we lighten, and let go? Keep interaction and life simple today. Return to the theme of "less is more" for guidance. Mind your manners and work towards a unified harmony rather than "separateness."

The blessing today comes from Jupiter moving back into Punarvasu at 7:42 am CDT. Aditi and her desire for unity consciousness return to us as we expand towards knowledge and wisdom- with a bit less of Rahu's influence on the overall planetary transits. Read more about Jupiter's transit through Gemini here.

Friday, 4.25

In the wee hours of the morning at 1:44 am CDT, Moon moves to Purvabhadrapada nakshatra moving into close degrees with Venus. Find ways to lighten the load and the burdens of your life today. This is an excellent day for letting go of what isn't serving your highest good, looking for release, and asking for Lord Shiva's assistance with the process. Use yoga and dance to come back to a state of inner balance and reset after the long week. Today is a day of purification, which isn't always fun or joyful, but innately important and valuable. If there are any places of gripping, holding on or forcing, now is the time to seek change. Ask your self and your body: Where am I resisting? Where can I allow more ease and grace? What needs to die in order to create space for re-birthing? Where am I pushing too hard?

Moon moves to Pisces at 18:48 CDT and into direct gaze from Mars. Clarity can come at this time, or mental/emotional outbursts such as anger. If you feel your temperature rising, looks specifically at why you are pushing too hard, doing too much, forcing an outcome, or being overly egocentric. These rules apply to the next 2.5 days.

With Venus sandhi (in the gap) moving towards Pisces, pay special attention to relationships through the end of the week. Find ways to soften and flow, and move out of rigidity. 

Saturday, 4.26

At 00:36 am CDT, Moon moves to Uttarabhadrapada where the carving out process of yesterday begins to take shape with clarity, introspection and enlightening wisdom today. With the help of Ahirbudhnya, a naga (serpent) who helps us dive deep and look beneath the surface, we can use the previous days work to harness a deeper awareness now. It all adds up and becomes valuable so don't disregard the simple; it's all profound. Allow time for the mists and fogs to clear and the serpent energy to enliven. Serpent messages are connected to renewal, flexibility and awakening.

Mercury, moving swiftly through Aries with Ketu and exalted Sun there as well, moves into Bharani nakshatra at 15:48 CDT. Mental sensitivity is high right now and in the coming days. Use this to your advantage and also as a tool of compassion for your Self and your relationships. What is weighting you down? What are the mental restraints and conditions you have put on your Self and others? Evaluate these for possible change.

Nearing the end of the day at 23:31 CDT, Moon moves into Revati nakshatra where Pushan comes with his nourishing attentiveness.

Sunday, 4.27

Where this week may have provided some scattering, some sense of being "lost" or misguided, overwhelmed or undernourished, today we get to re-gather and increase our inner reservoir. Pushan is a protector, a guide for the path, and helps us flourish and prosper. He encourages wealth in the material world, but is also a guide for the astral world. Eat lightly today as he prefers easily digestible foods. Our intuition and inner awareness after all are connected to the gut and our "gut responses".

Venus moves to its sign of exaltation, Pisces, at 13:49 CDT and into Purvabhadrapada nakshatra. A passionate, expansive and creative month is ahead for all of us! More about this transit in next week's Waxing Moon Transit Report + Horoscopes. 

At 22:51 CDT, Moon crosses the tricky junction point of Pisces (water) and moves into Aries (fire) where he joins exalted Sun, Ketu, and Mercury there and moves into Ashwini nakshatra and receives drishti (gaze) from Mars eight houses away.

Implosion or explosion? Our plates suddenly feel piled high and bursting at the seams, while energy resources may feel depleted and overwhelmed. We are nearing the final moon phase (15th tithi) and the new Moon + solar eclipse on the 29th. Monday morning will hit with a bang so try to get a good night sleep tonight. On Monday, don't sweat the small stuff, get out of your head and into your body as much as possible. Take "embodiment breaks" to stay grounded. Seek healing and rejuvenation and avoid the emotional outbursts. If overwhelm is present, take a good look at your head space and prioritize tasks effectively. Don't blame others. This does not have to be a day of crisis.

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Moon is waning (Krishna Paksha) and transits Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and into Pisces this week. New Moon is on 3.1 at 2:00 am CST. New Moon will be in Aquarius and Satabisha nakshtatra with the Sun there as well. More on this below.

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Beyond having the New Moon occur, this is an extraordinary week planetarily in several ways. Venus changes signs and moves to Capricorn, Mercury goes direct, Saturn and Mars both begin their retrograde movements and we celebrate Shivaratri all in one week! We will feel these shifts both on the inner and outer levels of life, but the experience of Shivaratri requires an extra special pull towards the inner. Use this time to stop and get silent.

New Moon in Satabisha Nakshatra in the wee hours of 3.1 reminds us to pay close attention to our health, be vigilant in attending to the needs of the Self- with compassion, devotion and a certain conviction. Keep this focus on the Self, rather than projecting on others, which can lead to criticism and harsh judgments. Moon and Sun in Aquarius and Satabisha receive drishti from both Jupiter and Rahu. Though Jupiter's benevolence usually trumps all, he is currently transiting Ardra nakshatra which is ruled by Rahu. Additionally, Satabisha is ruled by Rahu and Rahu itself is currently transits Swati nakshatra- also ruled by Rahu. In other words, there's four levels of Rahu's influence on this placement. Rahu brings cravings, shadowed thinking and misconceptions. On the flip side, he can bring worldly gains, momentum and monetary wealth. The coming weeks will show themselves to be a bit of both. Pay special attention to overuse of alcohol, intoxicants and drugs, overworking, being overly competitive and excessively forceful. This is a time that can offer us what is "not best practice" in our behaviors and patterns, in order for us to correct and re-direct towards more harmonious options and choices. Look for ways to get support and needs met in more sustainable, life supporting ways.

Venus moves to Capricorn on 02.25 at 23:57 CST where it joins retrograde Mercury there and also a sandhi Moon there at that same time. With the drishti of Mars on these planets, sparks fly and mental creativity is at an all time high.  Use the coming weeks to shine- just don't burn your Self out!! Best practice at this time will be to follow the orders of Saturn (slow and steady wins the race and mind your routine/Self care practices), stay in tune with the Laws of Nature and ethics for best results. Act on dharmic endeavors. Make your dreams come alive with action steps.

Shivaratri begins on the eve of the 26th here in the USA (13th tithi) and continues through the 14th tithi (Chaturdashi) on the 27th, followed by the culmination of the waning cycle (15th tithi) on the 28th and a climax of the New Moon during the wee hours of the 1st. This is a marking of time that is profoundly connected to inner silence and stillness. It is within the stillness (the Absolute) that all creativity and the potential for creation exists. Shiva brings this silent potential to us before the fertility of Holi (on 3.17) and the expansive growth of Mother Divine (Vasant Navaratri or the Nine Days of Mother Divine beginning on 3.31) awakens the abundance of nature within us and around us.

A special New Moon, this is one that Shiva resides over; one that marks the beginning of a new cycle. He offers protection and wisdom to us and reminds us of the spectrum of life which includes both death, chaos, and change, as well as eternal freedom and enlightenment. From this "death", comes life, re-birth and new growth. There is a certain depth possible at this time that can be powerful and potent for one's personal growth. Meditation is essential at this time. Honoring Lord Shiva at your altar with prayers, offerings and chanting will bring him near. Carve out sacred time to be with him- in your silence, meditation and introspection.

In addition to Shivaratri, Mercury goes direct early in the morning on the 28th. Mercury marches forward now and we may feel that momentum, however, Jupiter is still retrograde (until 3.6) and the week closes with two of the other major planets going retrograde- Saturn and Mars. Though retrograde Mercury doesn't bring the calamities most like to blame him for (Read more about Mercury Retrograde here), Saturn and Mars will offer some of their own challenges. Currently Saturn and Mars are in Libra with Rahu there as well. If you've been keeping up with the transits (or my articles), this combination is a powerful storm of sorts. All three of these planets are moving a lot this year and since they are each associated with action, together they point to big change, big momentum, big movement.

Saturn goes retrograde on 3.2 and dances "backward" until 7.20. Saturn is considered exalted in Libra, however, when an exalted planet (uccha) goes retrograde, it is considered debilitated (uccha banga). Debilitated Saturn can effect our physical well being, might cause us to push too hard, overwork, over strain. There can be health issues if we don't follow his requests (Ayurvedic principles are an excellent resource for "being in tune with Saturn"). As Shiva is connected to Saturn, see if this time of Shivaratri can offer you some insights that may have otherwise been missed. You will have to turn towards the silence in order to hear them though. This is a good time to prune, cut back on the unnecessary, and look for energy leaks in your life. Get simple. To read more about this transit of Saturn, revisit my Saturn and Rahu in Libra articles.

Mars and his unique movements between Virgo and Libra this year get a jump start on 3.1 as he goes retrograde. He barely entered Libra and is just over the three degree mark, yet is now starting his movement back towards Virgo. The planet of action is requesting that we re-collect ourselves and take action wisely. I discuss this odd waltz of his in my Mars article.

For increased awareness, utilize my jyotish inspired Body-centered Expressive Art Therapy articles. Each week I post a new Creative Engagement Activity to help inspire your own unique creative process, Self-tracking, and to enrich your cultivation of presence. Revisit my past articles for inspiration.

It is a big year with multiple {major} planetary changes. We will experience the changes of Jupiter, Rahu and Ketu, Saturn and unusual movements of Mars all in the next eleven months. Big changes are in store for each of us! Feeling uncertain about your action steps? What needs to change in order for growth? What kind of support you need? Schedule a yearly progression with me in order to make your New Year a truly transformational year. I have two sessions still available for the end of March.

I am taking a short pause this week with an intention of more listening and receiving; aspiring to cultivate a "less is more" approach with extra rest, more attention to my needs and to Saturn mixed with some very intense work. Horoscopes will resume shortly. Thank you!

Moon Mindfulness ::: Mind Your Moon
04.05.13

Moon is waning (dark half) and now in Pisces transiting PurvaBhadrapada nakshatra. The presiding deity here is Ajaikapada, or the he-goat standing on one leg- also a form of Lord Shiva. The balance it requires to stand on one leg is a nod to tapas, purification, which can arise from this nakshatra. It also is a reflection of single pointedness, literal balance, overcoming obstacles and hardships, and physical power (a nod to Rudra energy). The energy here has a foot in two worlds- the earth and the astral realms. The symbol is a funeral cot, but only the front half. There is preparation here for purification and endings.

The energy of this nakshatra is neither here nor there. Try to find some grounding today. Try to keep one foot consciously connected to the Earth- to Source- even though you may be trying to find balance with the impossible. The planets are increasing our purification right now. It's getting hot and intense and the coming week increases these feelings. Use today to center for your week ahead. Pause. Find stillness amidst the chaos. Stand in your fire, but try not to get burned. The only thing to lose is ego.