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Lunar Cycle Newsletter

27 November 2023 – Full Moon In Rohini (Taurus)

The Moon is approaching fullness, and a Full Moon means that there’s an opposition between cosmic forces that create physical form. A New Moon represents a seed of karma planted in the collective consciousness, seeking expression from within ourselves out into the world. A Full Moon represents the external flowering of that seed of karma, seeking harvest and integration from environment back into consciousness. The point of everything in Vedic science is to align with nature, to merge the microcosm with the macrocosm. As above, so below.

This cycle began in Vishaka Libra, which represents a “fork in the road”, where a choice needs to be made. Up until this point in the zodiac journey, we’ve felt like each obstacle in our path was an opportunity to develop something personally (or interpersonally); to get stronger physically, emotionally, or mentally, to be a better communicator, to be more confident, and to have greater compassion for others. Whatever the problem, the solution has always involved some kind of addition. Vishaka represents a completely different kind of fork in the road. Sometimes life throws us into a situation with no possibility to honor every string that’s pulling on our heart: first and foremost is the string of our physical body and it’s safety, which is referred to as the guna (strand or quality) of “tamas” in Samkhya philosophy. Secondarily is the string of our emotional mind and its desires with other people, which is referred to as the guna of “rajas”. When either one of these two strings are being pulled, we’re hard wired as animals to respond with our personal “willpower” and gather resources to ease the tension in these strings. The Bhagavad Gita is a story about this type of fork in the road, but it also describes what makes human beings unique in the animal kingdom; the ability to transcend our primal, animal needs and gain access to the world of spirit. This isn’t a path of addition, it’s a path of subtraction.

The Sun is now in Scorpio, where it illuminates our compulsive need to “get rid of”, “push away from”, or “sever our relationship to” something, because of how it’s making us feel in the moment. But let’s get back to the Full Moon and its location in the sign of Taurus, an earth sign that originates from the energy of Venus. This is an environment that craves stability and seeks permanence in a world of constant fluctuation. When the Moon is in Taurus, it wants us to “hang in there”, giving time an opportunity to heal our pain and remove life’s obstacles. Did you try a few deep breaths? A cup of tea? A nap or a good night’s rest? Sometimes the best solution is found with a little pause. Not every problem requires an immediate intervention. In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says to Arjuna, “Dear Arjuna, understand that I am the all-powerful entity known as Time, which destroys all beings in this universe. Even without the help of your actions, all of these warriors standing before Me in the opposing armies shall cease to live!” Many times, especially when our safety and/or sense of belonging is compromised, decisions are made from a feeling of lack; a seed that cannot grow into the fruit of abundance.

The Full Moon will appear in a section of the sky called “Rohini”, which means generating or growing. It’s located near the Alpha Star in the Taurus constellation (Aldebaran), which is governed by the Vedic deity, “Prajapati” (later known as Brahma) creator of all things living and organic. – see what I did there, leading into this paragraph with a sentence about seeds and fruits? 😉 Rohini was Prajapati’s most beautiful, charming, and easygoing creation; his favorite mind-born daughter. This Full Moon is asking us to harmonize our fixation on “doing the work”, with an easy acceptance with what is, as it is. It’s Thanksgiving week here in the USA, but the entire cosmos is asking us to focus on the resources that are already available, accessible, and abundant within ourselves. The grass is always greener where it gets watered, so if we can bring our animal mind under control, seeing that our basic needs are already being met (if you’re reading this, they ARE being met), then we can operate from a more solid foundation, making choices and planting seeds that originated from “enough”, which has the opportunity to grow into the fruit of abundance. One of my favorite quotes is, “no amount of self-improvement can make up for any lack of self-acceptance”, and THAT is the essence of what this Full Moon is requiring of us.

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Lunar Cycle Newsletter

14 November 2023 – New Moon In Vishaka (Libra)

The New Moon represents a union between cosmic forces that create physical form.  Just like a sexual union, when the masculine (Sun) merges with the feminine (Moon), a seed gets planted.  As above, so below.  In Vedic philosophy, spirit takes form because of “karma”, and we can evaluate the collective karma of a lunar cycle using the New Moon’s position in the background stars.  It’s placement in the observable sky shows a specific type of wisdom trying to emerge through the inertia of our past experiences.

We’ve just completed an eclipse cycle that was “planted” in Chitra (Virgo), where our karma with the planet Mercury has been taking form as a willingness (or unwillingness) to gather new information and stay curious despite an urgency to make up our minds.  Have you noticed yourself shutting down?  Turning away?  Plugging your ears?  Perhaps you’ve been following these newsletters, so instead of that you took inventory, stayed engaged, and found yourself on the other side of cognitive dissonance with a broader understanding of the issues at hand.

Libra comes after Virgo, where the structure of information in Mercury’s earth sign gives way to the art of human interaction in Venus’ air sign.  Karmic issues with Venus come in a wide spectrum of possibilities, but the two extremes are a people pleaser who has no self respect and a “my way or the highway” type who has no consideration for others at all.  We all express the entire spectrum from one extreme to the other at some point in our lives, but we usually latch onto a narrow spectrum of expression and create energetic inertia by repeating similar patterns over and over again.  When we’re under the influence of a lunar cycle that’s “planted” in Libra, we’re being called to navigate our human experience in a way that’s not just accurate and precise (what we learned in Virgo), but also considerate of other people and their wants & needs.

Remember to share what’s going on in your heart and mind with others, but also reciprocate that “giving” (perhaps dumping? 😘) by asking the other person to share what’s going on in their heart and mind, too.  We need to put our cards on the table and be open to whatever the situation demands.  Venus requires presence and attention, because human relationships are never absolute.  If we want, “happily ever after”, we have to string together endless moments of “happy right now”.  Are you willing to put in the time and attention to make that dream a reality?

This section of the sky is called “Vishaka”, which means a forked path.  It’s located near the Alpha & Beta Stars of the Libra constellation and it’s governed by “Indra”, king of the gods, and “Agni”, god of fire.  This is the only nakshatra with dual ownership between sovereign deities, which reinforces the cooperative spirit that we need to succeed in the environment of Libra.  Vishaka is also a bridge between Libra and Scorpio, where we learn that not every choice will result in the desired outcome.  Sometimes our desires and abilities are not what the situation requires, and even when we “want it” (or attempt to vibrate at the correct frequency ✨), we can’t force ourselves to fit where we don’t belong.

It’s not always easy to have detachment from the outcome.  Sometimes we find ourselves sucked into the drama because we indulge in the senses and wrap our “happiness” around the idea of attaining an unfulfilled desire.  This is the “forked path” that we find ourselves at during this cycle.  Do you choose the path that’s familiar, which can feel SO MUCH like instinct, or do you choose the path that’s outside your comfort zone and feels a little chaotic?  If you keep doing what you’ve always done, you’ll keep getting what you’ve always gotten.  Have you tried offering your effort as a gift to the “calling”?  What happens when you detach from the failures AND successes?  Can you?  Do you have the ability?  If yes, would you?  Are you willing to make that sacrifice?  Ok, when?  Can you do it right now?  Take the leap and see how deep that rabbit hole goes 🕳️ 

Gold Star Astrology
“Finding direction in the stars”

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The Cosmic Coaching Program

Jyotish, Yoga, and Ayurveda are ancient sister sciences meant for the purpose of self-realization, above all else, which means making contact with your ESSENCE, not just your personality.

The human system is LONGING to operate in harmony with the solar system. Our nature CRAVES integration with mother nature, and Vedic Science is designed to facilitate that existential desire.

Some Yoga practices are timed to the mechanics of celestial movement (Sun Salutations for example), and Ayurveda helps us adjust our lives to daily & seasonal changes, but Jyotish can be used as an integral spiritual practice that calibrates your actions and the development of interpersonal relationships to the movement of the Sun & the Moon.

I have been writing about New Moons & Full Moons for several years now, but I also use these cosmic events as a beacon for understanding my own path forward, and it’s a tool that I can depend on for knowing the difference between a calling of spirit and forcing a personal agenda.

Since in 2021, I’ve been assisting others with harmonizing themselves to the rhythms of nature, and I’m calling it the “Cosmic Coaching Program”.

If you want to get involved, click here.

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What is Vedic Astrology (Jyotish)?

Jyotish is one of the 3 primary Vedic sciences (which are; Yoga, Ayurveda, and Jyotish).   The origins of Jyotish can be traced back several thousand years to information contained within the Vedas, which are ancient texts explaining the workings of human existence & universal law.  There’s one universal law that describes how moving planets can have an effect on our life, which is called “the law of correspondence”, that states:

“As above, so below – As within, so without”

This universal law tells us that a shared principle creates similar behavior, regardless of separation in space.  The Milky Way, the solar system, and an atom all behave in similar ways because of a shared principle.  So as planets in the solar system move and interact with each other in the sky, the corresponding forces within our body & mind, at an atomic level, will behave accordingly.  This is also called quantum mechanics in modern day, western science.

Each of the 7 Vedic planets (called “grahas” in Sanskrit) represent an energetic force that corresponds with some aspect of our body & mind.  Jyotish is the science of identifying the force, analyzing the relationship, and explaining the evolutionary process.  It’s a tool of self-discovery and a system of personal development.  This is a science that puts the details of life into perspective and shows us the bigger picture of who we are and how the world works.  What a huge relief it can be to see & experience that everything is unfolding exactly as it’s supposed to!

If we take the Sun for example, it represents the archetype masculine principle.  The Sun doesn’t absorb, it emits light & heat.  All energy that moves from within our body & mind out into the environment will behave in accordance to our personal relationship (karma) with the Sun.

We call the Sun’s energy “solar”, and our soul is the true authentic self, seeking expression through our presence and behavior.  If a person has a powerful Sun in their birth chart, it won’t allow them to modify their personality traits in search of security or acceptance, it’ll force them to express their authentic truth unapologetically.  If another person’s Sun has a difficult placement or inimical influences, they will find it more challenging to express their true essence, which we often experience as self-doubt and indecision.

Human beings are not designed to fit into a “one size fits all” spiritual journey.  Each person has a unique background and constantly fluctuating needs.  Jyotish allows us to adapt to these changing circumstances and align our individual purpose with the universal rhythms of life.

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How is Jyotish related to Yoga & Ayurveda?

The unifying purpose of all the Vedic sciences is self-realization, to break free from the illusion of physical existence and become aware of our true nature as a spiritual being.  With the help of Ayurveda, we are able to maintain a properly functioning vehicle for the spiritual process.  Yoga gives us the practices to align our body & mind with spirit.  Jyotish gives us the blueprint and timing for what is happening in our life, and why.

The first mention of Jyotish comes from the Rig Veda (the oldest text on the planet), in a section called “Vedanga Jyotisha” describing the correct timing for rituals & ceremonies, yet each of the 3 primary Vedic sciences (Yoga, Ayurveda, Jyotish) operate under shared principles.  These principles are described in the philosophies of Vedanta & Samkhya, which reflect ideas that emerged from the study of the Upanishads.

We can usually trace an outcome to an action, then the action to a thought(s) or idea(s) that lead up to it, but tracing thoughts or ideas to their source/origin is where people often get lost.  Samkhya philosophy gives a roadmap for the entire process of manifestation.  According to the ancient seers & sages, “karma” is the source of thought patterns (called samskaras), and many of those tendencies are imprinted on your mind at the moment of birth.  Your astrological birth chart is a blueprint & schedule of your karma ripening in time.

What is karma?

The word karma is used improperly in modern day society.   Karma relates to actions and the results those actions create in the future, but it’s much deeper than that.  For example, we are born at a certain day at a certain time in a certain location from the sperm and egg of two individuals that have taken actions in their lifetime that resulted with a baby.  We’re born as the byproduct of their actions, history and genetics.  That’s our karma at birth.  We also create karma every moment of every day because we’re taking action in the world and those actions are creating future outcomes.  Karma isn’t “bad” or “good”, just like gravity isn’t “bad” when you fall over and hurt yourself or “good” when your body stays on earth instead of flying into outer space, it’s just the natural order of things – a universal law – something that we call “dharma”.

What is dharma?

The word dharma doesn’t have a perfect translation in English, but it refers to truth, cosmic order, and the way things are supposed to be in nature.  When someone is asking about your dharma, they’re asking about what you’re uniquely designed to contribute to the world or accomplish in your life.  But ALL universal laws are an example of dharma because they represent the way things are supposed to be.  Space, gravity, electromagnetism, planets & moons orbiting the solar system, and everything that was “discovered” rather than “invented” is an example dharma.

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How is Jyotish different from western astrology?

Other than the fact that Jyotish is designed to fit seamlessly together with Yoga & Ayurveda as we navigate the spiritual process, the most fundamental difference between western astrology and Jyotish is the method of calculating planetary positions:

  • In western astrology, the sign of Aries begins where the Earth crosses the vernal equinox (which marks the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere) because western astrology was designed as a calendar to stay in alignment with the cycles of changing seasons.
  • In Jyotish, the sign of Aries occupies the same space as the constellation that you can look up and observe in the sky. It measures objects using the Nakshatra based sky, which represents the “spirit” aspect of spirit taking form.  Space is the formless, unmanifested, pure essence of nature that’s seeking expression through physical form.

At the time western astrology was implemented, sometime around 500 A.D., the vernal equinox and the constellation of Aries occupied the same section of the sky.  However, as time marches forward, the observable sky and the seasonal equinoxes are slowly drifting apart (due to something called “precession”).  The current rate of precession is 1 degree every 72 years, and the separation between the equinox and the observable sign of Aries is 24 degrees, almost one full sign.  In Jyotish we call this distance the “Ayanamsha”.

In addition to the zodiac calculation, another big difference between western astrology and Jyotish is the timing system.  The methods of prediction in western astrology are mainly based on progression, meaning the interaction of planets in the living sky with their placement in the birth chart.  While this is relevant and insightful, Jyotish can make highly accurate predictions using the birth chart alone.  The placement of the Moon at the time of birth provides a predetermined schedule for certain karmas to ripen (or life lessons to occur).  If you picture your life on earth as a day at Universe-ity, the Vimshottari dasa represents your class schedule.  This a deeply profound and accurate way of untangling what’s happening in your life and what the planetary professors were/are trying to teach you.

Traditionally, Jyotish uses the “whole sign – whole house” method to determine astrology houses, whereas western astrology mainly divides the area between the Ascendant and the Midheaven, which varies by the latitude of the place of birth.  In Vedic philosophy, actions originate from thought, and thought originates from karma, where the house represents the actions, the sign represents the thought, and karma is stored in the planets.  To evaluate an outcome, Jyotish will investigate the house/sign and the ruler of that sign in the birth chart to determine whether there’s ease or difficulty in the process of thoughts becoming things.

There are several other strategical differences in chart evaluation, but this covers the main concepts.

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Birth Chart Consultation Overview

This is a summary of what we’ll be covering during your birth chart consultation. The cost for this consultation is currently $150.  If you’re interested, please use the “Book A Reading” tab to schedule a consultation:

Phase 1: The Rising Sign
How the stars wrap around the sky at your time/place of birth provides insight into how life unfolds from your perspective. It shows the type of situation your soul incarnated to experience. It’s the starting point of Vedic Astrology because it sets the foundation for how & in what way your life has manifested.

Phase 2: The Ruling Planet
The placement of your ruling planet (which is based on your rising sign) provides insight into the focal point of your life experience. It shows a dominant theme or a recurring pattern of behavior that needs to be addressed, with situations that you’ll need to work on or work through.

Phase 3: The Moon
The placement of the moon at your time/place of birth gives a depth of insight into the way your heart & mind operates, showing how you process & integrate life experiences. It basically reveals your mental & emotional patterns of behavior. The moon placement is a rabbit hole worthy of its own consultation, but this phase will be a summary of what the moon placement indicates.

Phase 4: The Nodes
The placement of the eclipse axis at your time/place of birth reveals the most intense areas of attachment & aversion in your life. One end of the node shows an area of skill & expertise, but potentially deep hidden pain or blind spot from your past, while the other end shows an area of active searching & unconscious pursuit towards future development.

Phase 5: The Cycles of Time  – 
The placement of the moon at your time/place of birth also reveals the schedule for certain “lessons” to appear in your life. The Law of Karma states that everything from the past culminates in the present moment, and the Cycles of Time reveal when your past decisions will come back around to test what you think you’ve learned.

Gold Star Astrology
“Finding direction in the stars”

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