Why did such a violent incident erupt at the Academy Awards Sunday evening?

From an astrological viewpoint, this is a clear example of the Mars/Saturn conjunction which reaches its peak on April 4.

The Mars Saturn conjunction is especially powerful as it is occurring in Capricorn, a place of strength for both malefic planets. I have mentioned this before but it is good to keep this challenging transit in mind for our own good.

Mars gives aggression/agitation/irritability and Saturn wants to limit/set boundaries, so the combination can lead to a lot of pent up frustration.

This conflict is a perfect example of these energies colliding, with one actor using his own physical aggression to try to set a boundary on the MC's verbal aggression. Even the arguments people are having about what happened are a reflection of this conjunction.

As both parties are probably unfamiliar with Vedic astrology, these subconscious tendencies are more likely to erupt. Vedic astrology offers the insight into the cosmic energies at play and offers the opportunity to reflect on our own minds and choose a peaceful path rather than accruing more negative karma through bad behavior.

During this transit, it is a great time to observe our own minds for irritability and agitation, which may cause us to react in ways that are not conducive to harmony. We may find ourselves in the midst of conflict, aggression, or even violence.

I fervently wish that more people knew about transient malefic influences such as this and were willing to watch their minds!!

In addition, the moon will be new on Thursday, March 31, at 11:25 AM Pacific time, so we are now in the time of the dark of the moon when subconscious fears and anger can bubble to the surface.

This new moon will take place in the nurturing lunar mansion of Revati, which is ruled by Pushan, a safeguarding form of the Sun God. This lunar mansion offers the shakti or divine power of nourishment.

As Pushan is the Lord of the Path, he shines his golden light and gently guides lost beings back to the correct path, like a shepherd guiding his flock. He protects travelers, both on physical journeys as well as the travel of the soul/consciousness from one life to the next.

This time of Revati supports hospice work, animal rescue, and any activity that involves shepherding and guiding beings and keeping them free from harm. In our war-torn world, leading refugees to safety and nurturing them is an expression of Revati as well. May we all tune into these supportive healing energies and bring harmony and comfort to the world! ​

This is a hard post to write with so much turmoil and suffering in the world. But since having an astrological perspective can be helpful, I will say some things in the hope that it will provide some insight and help you in some way.

As I mentioned in my last astrological post, Venus and Mars are in an unusually prolonged planetary war, which is certainly showing its results in the invasion of Ukraine.

The planetary war started on February 11 and continues until March 12. We see how strong opposing forces are clashing right now with an uncertain outcome.

As of today, February 28, we are also in a special configuration known as yuga yoga, where all seven planets are in two signs. In this case, the planets are in adjoining signs owned by Saturn, Capricorn and Aquarius. This makes the yuga yoga exceptionally prolonged as it will take the moon 5 days to cross both signs and break the yoga.

The 7 planets are also completely enclosed by the nodes Rahu/Ketu, which is Kala Sarpa yoga. Kala Sarpa is the serpent of time, so all seven planets are entwined by the serpent of time.

As this is happening in signs of Saturn, it can be seen as a time of karmic payback arising strongly. Everything from how we have treated the earth, resulting in climate change, to how we have treated our fellow sentient beings on a global scale is all part of the picture. It is a hard time to escape individual and group karma. Saturn is also very strong in its own sign of Capricorn so Saturnian energy is dominant. In addition, Mars is exalted in Capricorn, so anger, conflict and violence can become widespread.

I will write more in March about the upcoming Mars/Saturn conjunction which starts now and peaks on April 4.

Looking for a bright spot, the 3 Sattvic planets, Sun, Moon, and Jupiter, are in Aquarius together at the time of the upcoming new moon/Tibetan new year on March 2 at 9:35 AM Pacific time. Aquarius is a sign of group consciousness/mass movements and Sun/moon will be in the lunar mansion of Satabhisha, which gives the Shakti or divine spiritual power of healing.

I strongly believe in the power of prayer and aspirations. This can be an important time to pray and make aspirations for the world to pass through this challenging time and move into a kinder, more peaceful, and more harmonious way of relating to our world and each other.

The Kuntuzango prayer which I have shared in the past is an excellent prayer for this time. You can contact me if you would like a copy.

In general, this is a good time to stay quiet, safe, and sheltered, and make prayers and aspirations for a better world and a transition towards compassion and kindness for everyone. If we take to heart the lessons that Saturn is offering us about our collective karma, we have a chance of a better world for future generations. ​

The moon will be new on Monday, January 31 at 9:46 PM Pacific time, so right now we are in the approaching the darkest lunar day, known as Amavasya in Sanskrit.
This particular amavasya is known as Mauni amavasya. The word 'mauni' or 'mauna' signifies silence, therefore on this day, it is suggested to remain silent and remain in prayer or meditation.
As Mercury is retrograde as well, limiting communications, especially delicate ones, may be prudent at this time, even if you can't remain completely silent. It is an ideal time for going inward with spiritual practices and meditation, and taking a cleansing/purifying bath in sacred water. Even a bath or shower in one's own home with essential oils would be good. Intention is everything!!
​Saturn is also with sun/moon at this time, adding to a sense of pressure and constriction of life energy.
The lunar mansion of this new moon is Sravana, which bestows the shakti or divine feminine power to connect, also related to communication. It is symbolized by three footprints.
The legend of this lunar mansion involves a form of Vishnu, who is all-pervading and reestablishes harmony and order to the universe. He encodes cosmic law by imprinting it on the universe.
When the king of the demons had conquered all three worlds - the underworld, earth, and heaven - all pervading Vishnu manifested as a dwarf and tricked the demon king into giving him the three worlds back. He did this by asking the demon king for three paces of land, and then covering all three worlds in those three steps, thereby restoring righteousness and order.
It is therefore an excellent time to work with our own inner demons/disturbing emotions through invoking the all pervasive energy of spacious spiritual reality.
To enhance and support your emotional healing, I am now offering flower essence readings. During this 30 minute reading, we will explore your chart to identify your current emotional challenges.
Based on this reading, I will prepare a unique flower essence formula to help you clear and heal painful emotional patterns with the loving and gentle energy of flowers. A two-month supply of your flower essence prescription is included in the price of the reading. You can book your flower essence reading at https://www.astrohealing.us/.../Healing_reading_--_flower...

​The moon will be full in its own sign of Cancer on Monday, January 17, at 3:45 PM Pacific time. During this time, we may especially crave the comfort of home, food, and family. It may also bring up our maternal instincts towards those around us whom we would like to nurture and care for.
This may be a good impulse during this Omicron surge, as staying home when possible may be the best option for staying healthy. Resting, eating nourishing meals, and feeling secure and comfortable at home can all be a full moon in Cancer blessing!
However, there are some challenging aspects of Mars and Saturn on this full moon, which can lead to some frustration as well. Mars can bring some agitation or irritability while Saturn may bring delays or restrictions. We all are experiencing the frustrations and restrictions of the past two years, and this full moon may amplify them temporarily.
The lunar mansion of this full moon is Pushyami, which is represented by the udder of a cow. It is considered to be the most auspicious of all the lunar mansions for spirituality, as it bestows the shakti to create spiritual energy, and is ruled by Brihaspati, a sage who is bright and pure and is the Guru/ teacher of the Gods.
This can be a great time for spiritual studies, teaching and learning, as well as any spiritual practice which increases spiritual energy such as mantra and meditation.
Merging one's mind with the Guru's mind, which is a good practice to do during any full moon, will be especially powerful during this full moon, due to the blessings of this lunar mansion.
The symbolism of the cow udder also makes this a good time to nurture and nourish ourselves and those around us, with good advice, good teachings, and good food!
Hope you have a blessed and lovely full moon!

We are experiencing a powerful Mars-Ketu conjunction right now which you should know about. The peak of the conjunction is on Monday, December 13.

Mars represents fire energy which can manifest as anger, aggression, irritability, or in its positive form, enthusiasm and vital energy. Ketu is the south node which has an energy similar to Mars but is more subtle and more intense. We sometimes call Ketu "ultra Mars".

The conjunction is especially powerful as it is taking place in the sign of Scorpio, which is co-owned by Mars and Ketu, so they are very strong and lighting each other up. In addition, Sun, another manifestion of fire, is also in Scorpio, bringing even more intensity to Scorpio, the sign of upheaval and transformation.

On a personal level, this is a great time to work with modalities that move vital energies such as yoga or Tai Chi. It is also a important to watch our minds for irritability, anger, and excessive competitiveness, even in holiday shopping lines!

Since Scorpio is a sign associated with traversing scary subconscious dark places, it could be a great time for insightful meditation and revelation of our own shadow side, as well as shamanic journeys.

The lunar mansion of this conjunction is Anuradha, which is ruled by Mitra, the Divine Friend. Friendships can be strengthened during this time, or damaged if there is too much anger and rivalry involved in the relationship.

Anuradha gives the shakti or power of worship and devotion. Devotional practices and prayer can feel more powerful with this transit offering the flame of fervent devotion.

On a global level, this may be a time when conflicts or violence may arise. On Sept. 11, 2001, there was a Mars/Ketu conjunction, but in a different sign, and in a much more threatening lunar mansion. As Mitra is also in charge of contracts and agreements, those may be either strengthened or broken during this transit. As always, how we use these energies is up to us! 

​An interesting week is coming up!!! The moon will be full in its lunar mansion of exaltation, Krittika, just before 1 AM Pacific time on Friday, November 19 (Thursday night).
Krittika is located in the sign of Taurus and is represented by a Kartika, a crescent-shaped ritual knife that is used by Dakinis, who are feminine wisdom beings.
The deity who rules this lunar mansion is Agni, the fire deity. The shakti or divine feminine power of Krittika is the power of purification and burning.
In addition, there will be a lunar eclipse -- the longest lunar eclipse in 600 years! Lunar eclipses are excellent times for meditation and spiritual practice, and bad times for worldly activities. It is good to fast and remain in meditation and prayer during eclipses.
The eclipse in this lunar mansion makes it a perfect time for cutting through old habits and unhelpful psychological and emotional patterns. The eclipse will be especially significant for you if any planets in your natal chart are near 3 degrees Taurus in the Vedic system, as this is where the moon will be.
Then, the following day, November 20, Jupiter finally leaves Capricorn for the last time for a while, and enters Aquarius. Since this challenging transit of Jupiter was responsible for so much of the disease and turmoil we have experienced in the last few years, we may be on our way out of some of our collective troubles, but ultimately nothing is written in stone.
What happens next is very much based on our collective thoughts and actions. Astrology gives possibilities, but how we respond is up to us. May we all do our best to bring about healing on every level for our afflicted world!

The upcoming new moon is on Thursday, June 10 at 3:53 am pacific time. There is a solar eclipse as well, which will be partially visible in parts of the US, especially in the northeast.

Mercury is retrograde and will be in a conjunction with the sun and moon within one degree at that time, so communications could be exceptionally difficult. It is better to put off important transactions and communications from June 7 through 13, or better yet, until Mercury goes direct on June 22.

The sun/ moon/ mercury conjunction will take place in the lunar mansion of Mrigashira, represented by the head of a deer. It is the place where Prajapati, the creator, transformed into a stag to pursue his daughter, who had transformed herself into a doe to run away from him.

Indra, the king of the gods, then cut off Prajapati’s head to prevent the incest, hence the symbolism of the head of a deer.

It is known as the searching constellation, and is related to the power of fulfillment, and hunting for or chasing our desires.

With Rahu causing an eclipse of the sun, we could become a bit obsessed with our desires, wishes, or goals during this time. Consciously choosing to let go and cultivating spaciousness about getting what may help to keep us out of trouble!

Mrigashira is ruled by Mars, which is now in Cancer, its sign of debilitation. Mars in Cancer can bring a sensitivity to boundaries as well as some defensiveness and reactivity, both on a personal and social/political level.

This, combined with scrambled communications of eclipsed, combust, and retrograde Mercury, could cause some confusion and conflict, so it would be good to keep communications as brief, simple and clear as possible.

​Meditation and prayer are the best activities during an eclipse. In the Buddhist tradition, we recite the prayer of Kuntuzangpo at this time with the intention to benefit all wandering, confused sentient beings. Here is a beautiful version.

This lunar month begins at high noon Pacific time on Tuesday, May 11, with the sun exalted in Aries. The fire element  is very powerful this month, with the central fire of our solar system placed in a sign of fire.

The sun is in the lunar mansion of Krittika, whose deity is  Agni, deified fire. The sun rules this lunar mansion, making it an important time to work with the fire energy in our lives!

Agni is one of the most venerated deities in ancient Indian spiritual tradition. His quality of Tejas, radiant heat, is essential for spiritual awakening. Agni supports the ability to digest information, resulting in mental clarity and courage on the spiritual path.

This lunar mansion's shakti is the power to burn or purify, so using the element of fire in spiritual ceremonies can be very powerful at this time, for incinerating our karmic habits and tendencies.

The symbol of Krittika is a razor or sharp cutting blade, offering the potential to cut through obstacles and resistance. 

In terms of  health, Agni is the digestive fire which is the foundation of good health. Having a strong digestive fire can protect us from many ailments as we are able to absorb nutrients better, as well as get rid of toxic wastes.

My favorite everyday Agni medicine is ginger, which enhances digestion, and is also a powerful anti- inflammatory. Drinking warm ginger tea or adding ginger to soups is a great way to get its benefits.

The ayurvedic formula Triphala (three fruits) is also an excellent daily herbal supplement for supporting digestion. It nourishes, cleanses, and rejuvenates the whole body.

Fire is also associated with anger and aggression, so this is a good time to bring these tendencies into balance as well.
We can bring in the water element to balance hot emotions through prayer and devotional practices. Another approach is to find an outlet for strong fiery energies through exercise, sports or assertive activities. It is especially good to use the fire energy in a way that protects or benefits others.

In terms of the environment, it is already too hot and dry here in California, and we may be facing a challenging fire season. Preparing for evacuation and hardening our homes against fire is something that many of us need to do this month.
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There is a powerful, traditional Buddhist prayer for bringing elemental balance during dangers such as fire, floods, or tornados. It is a supplication to Padmasambhava, the Lotus Born. He is known as the second Buddha, and can powerfully tame the elements. If you would like a copy of this prayer, just reply to this email with a request.

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A new lunar month begins on Sunday, April 11, at 7:31PM Pacific time.
The moon is new in the sign of Pisces, represented by the ocean, and the vastness of spiritual consciousness. This is a good time for meditation, and enjoying the ocean, or other large bodies of water. It will also occupy the nourishing lunar mansion of Revati, associated with safe travels.
Revati indicates travel both physically and symbolically, representing the journey from this life to the next. Pushan, the lord of this lunar mansion, guides his flock by shining his golden light on the path, gently shepherding lost members of the flock back to the path of Truth (dharma).
This nurturing lunar mansion can be good for travel (though not so much during the pandemic!), caring for animals, death doula and hospice service, and  helping any being in  a transitional state.
Venus has recently moved into the lunar mansion of Ashwini, associated with healing and travel, fortifying the themes mentioned above.
This is the first new moon since the blessed movement of Jupiter into Aquarius on April 5. In India, this event is celebrated on a massive scale in the Kumbha Mela festival.
This festival one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, as devotees take a holy bath in the Ganges River to cleanse and purify karma.
With Jupiter in Aquarius until September 14, we can enjoy the great Guru Jupiter's blessings in the areas of friendship, humanitarian movements, and unconventional innovations to correct our course and heal the world. 
After spending just over two months back in Capricorn, Jupiter will return to Aquarius on November 20. That period in autumn with Jupiter back in debilitation may be somewhat challenging. 

Have a great month!