​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!

Happy new moon! The moon is new this evening (Tuesday) at 8:38 PM Pacific time, so this is a great time to reflect on recent events and set intentions for the upcoming lunar month. I know this is an intense time for all of us, with political unrest on top of the pandemic.
This new moon takes place in the sign of Sagittarius, representing  truth, knowledge, justice, and freedom. It is also the ascendant of the United States.
This  yearly transit of Sun through Sagittarius is a supportive one for the United States, and for the values and ideals that this country is supposed to embody, however imperfectly implemented.
 Venus, representing love and harmony, is with the sun and moon  in Sagittarius as well. This looks very positive for some restoration of justice and harmony this month, especially through the efforts of women, as the two female planets are together here.  
Venus may bring some improvement in what sustains us, such as pandemic stimulus checks, unemployment benefits, or other economically supportive developments.
 Sagittarius is unafflicted, but there are challenging planets on each side, showing restrictions, regulations, and clamping down (Saturn in Capricorn) and the threat of violence/power struggle (Ketu in Scorpio).
Although not generally used in Vedic astrology, Pluto, representing subversive elements of society and the breaking down and rebuilding of structures is very close to the sun and moon at the time of the new moon, emphasizing this month’s theme of buried forces arising, and resultant transition and change.
Sun and Moon are in the lunar mansion of Uttarashada, which gives the power of unstoppable victory. It is represented by an elephant tusk and Ganesha and is associated with breaking through obstacles. This can show some progress in the area of justice and truth. Saturn, though in a different sign, is in this lunar mansion as well, emphasizing the opportunity for breakthrough through persistence and discipline.
However, there is a Kala sarpa yoga in the chart, which means that all the planets are contained between the north and south nodes, Rahu and Ketu, the karmic control/shadow planets.
 Kala sarpa yoga, tends to cause our karmas to arise fast and furiously. We have been seeing this happen since last week,  as forces that were once shadowy and more hidden (like Rahu and Ketu) are coming out in full force. 
This can indicate strong, direct, swift, and forceful action in the direction of healing. This may bring progress in treatments for the pandemic, including vaccines, which are very Ketu/Mars-like  with the use of needles and the emphasis on the defense/immune system.
Mars and Venus become more relevant as they rule the signs of the Kala Sarpa yoga. Ketu is in a sign of Mars, and Mars is currently very strong in its own sign of Aries, in the healing lunar mansion of Ashwini.
On a final note, I will share the advice of my Guru: Don’t worry – pray! Let us all pray that the turmoil and suffering of the past year result in a better era of living in harmony with the earth and each other. We can all do our part through prayers and aspirations to make this happen.olicy/restrictions (Saturn).
 Ketu is like an extra intense Mars, and can contribute to eruptions of violence, While Mars may bring intervention by police and military.
Rahu is in a sign of Venus, which is in Sagittarius as mentioned earlier, bringing truth, justice, and harmony with universal law and principles.
The lunar mansion of Venus is  Mula, which means the root, and can represent getting to the root, the dark side, the hidden side of things,  perhaps with some destruction involved. It has an energy similar to Pluto in some ways.
 This is like a boil which has been festering finally coming to the surface and erupting. Facing the smoldering side of ourselves and our society  needs to happen for healing to occur,  though it isn’t comfortable.
Both lunar mansions Ashwini and Mula are ruled by Ketu, which is  in the lunar mansion of Jyestha, ruled by Indra, king of the Gods, with the power to conquer or overcome. This shows the power struggles taking place at this time being a primary force in our society during the Kala sarpa yoga.
 Jyestha is also the lunar mansion of  our current president's moon, which can only be seen as an affliction for Trump,  as Ketu represents letting go and  destruction. In general, this indicates continued challenges in mental stability, but also misfortune and fall from power.
In the chart of the US, we are in a Rahu-Saturn-Saturn period from Nov. 1 of 2020 through April 15 of 2021. Saturn is in the 10th house of the government in the US chart, so leadership is likely to be more disciplined and strong during this time.
As Saturn represents restriction, rules, limits, pressures, and disease, this may be a time when we are dealing more directly with the pandemic. Saturn’s lunar mansion, Chitra,  represents design, innovation, and architecture.
During this time, a well thought out plan may emerge to deal with the pandemic and our social problems, which could involve new policies, rules, laws, and public health restrictions. The structure of Saturn the 10th house may be very reassuring in these tumultuous times.
In general, since Jupiter is moving away from the challenging conjunction we experienced at the solstice, and towards the US  moon, representing healing, the earth, and sentient beings, we should  see some slow improvement in the pandemic situation though medicines (Mars in Ashwini) and policy/restrictions (Saturn).
I also anticipate that the Saturn sub period we have entered will bring more accountability and responsibility on the part of our government, which may be just what we need for the climate crises, along with the pandemic crises and the social crises.
The inauguration chart also looks very powerful for both healing and strong action with Mars and moon  in healing Ashwini in the Ascendant, and Saturn and four other planets in the practical sign of Capricorn the 10th house of government
On a final note, I will share the advice of my Guru: Don’t worry – pray! Let us all pray that the turmoil and suffering of the past year results in a better era of living in harmony with the earth and each other. We can all do our part through prayers and aspirations to make this happen.
I hope you and your family stay safe and healthy at this time. You can contact me for a personal reading to look at what the stars show for you.

Happy New Year!!
Based on the new year’s chart for 2021, I do think there will be some improvement this year, though it will be slow. Jupiter, the planet of good  fortune and well being, is aspecting the ascendant, which is helpful,  but still debilitated and afflicted by Saturn and Rahu, bringing continued challenge.


The moon, representing healing, and sentient beings in general, is strong in its own sign of Cancer, in the lunar mansion of Pushyami, symbolized by the udder of a cow. It gives the power of spiritual nourishment, so it is a very nurturing and healing lunar mansion.


However, it is aspected by two malefics, Saturn and Mars, which is an improvement over last year’s new years chart, where  the moon received the aspect of three malefics.


Saturn’s aspect on the moon can give poverty, as well as  continued illness and suffering, but hopefully  to a lesser degree, as the aspect of Rahu is blessedly absent this year. Jupiter, with its tendency to improve things  is also aspecting the moon, but unfortunately  is unable to help much due to its own afflictions.


Rahu can represent poisonous,  invisible things, which can be confusing, mysterious, and therefore difficult to treat. Covid has shown itself to be the ultimate Rahu, and Rahu strongly dominated the chart last year.


Due to its connection with Rahu, Covid  is not a simple respiratory illness like the flu, and its long term effects are only gradually becoming known. It is wonderful that Rahu is not afflicting the moon this year!


One of the malefics aspecting moon is Mars. This year, Mars  is in the lunar mansion of Ashwini, represented by twin doctors with horse heads who ride their chariot through the skies, bringing medicine to the Gods. It gives the power to reach things quickly, and is also associated with plant medicine.


Mars represents the immune system (defensive capacity of the body), so this relates to the lightening speed rollout of the vaccines, as well as the use of herbal immune boosters related to Mars, such as Echinacea and Elderberry.


Please note that these herbal immune boosters should not be used when one is actually sick with Covid, to avoid causing cytokine storm, but are helpful for preventing contagious illnesses if taken when possibly exposed. Herbal medicine in general may be found to be effective and helpful this year.


Due to other types of astrological analyses, I do expect the pandemic situation to improve when Jupiter moves out of debilitation temporarily  in April.


Venus, the ruler of the second house of the mouth, food, and speech, is  afflicted in the sensitive sign of Scorpio with an exact conjunction of Ketu (the south node) and an aspect from Mars.


Ketu, which is strong here in its own sign,  can represent viruses, violence, and destruction in its negative connotations. As Venus represents relationships as well, relationships of all kinds could sustain damage.
It would be good to be careful with what you put in your mouth (food) as well as what comes out of your mouth (speech and communication in general) this year.


Venus and Ketu are in the lunar mansion of Jyestha, ruled by Indra, king of the Gods, which gives the power to rise, overcome, and conquer. This can bring strife and power struggles in relationships between people and political entities. It also represents transactional relationships, where people or entities exchange favors with little or no love involved.


This challenged Venus may represent a lack of harmony between states, nations, and in the world in general, so promoting peace by avoiding unnecessary conflict in all areas of life during this year would be prudent. As there is already too much polarization in this world, try not to see things in black and white terms, and instead, it would be best cultivate the Venusian traits of harmony, love, and compassion as much as you can.


On a positive note, Jyestha also represents spiritual warriors, and Ketu represents renunciates, hermits, and spiritual people who put others first. This can give extra power and ability to people who are working with the current world situation on a spiritual level.


Whatever prayers or mantras you are doing during this extraordinary time of transformation, please keep doing them! Please make strong aspiration prayers that the current sufferings of this world lead to a new era where we live in harmony with the planet and each other. We need to make big changes so that our planet will survive, and we must do it now.


I lead online prayers and practices for compassion and healing from the Buddhist tradition on Monday and Thursday evenings at 6 PM Pacific time, so please contact me if you would like to join us, or would like more details.


You can also contact me to schedule a reading to understand more about how this year looks for you.