Astrologically, we are going through a very significant time for the whole world, starting in late November. This webinar explores the effect of the transits and eclipses happening around the solstice, and their effects on the US political system as well as the pandemic.

We are having an interesting astrological week with the full moon on Halloween occurring  in the lunar constellation of Bharani.
Bharani is represented by the female genitalia, representing birth, and is ruled by Yama, the Lord of Death. It is the doorway both into and out of our world.
As the Lord of Death, he is also Dharmaraj, the lord of justice, who judges the good and bad karmas we have accumulated in life during our after death experience, in the bardo of becoming.
This lunar transit is an excellent time to contemplate our life's journey between life and death, known in Buddhism as the bardo of this life, and to be our own Lord of Justice to  weigh our actions and sense of direction. It is also a fortunate time to recognize our own mortality.
By facing the uncomfortable truth of  our own inevitable death, we are able to ground more fully in the present moment, and cherish the blessings in our life that are with us right now.
As we face so many challenges in our lives these days, contemplation on death can help us to put current events into some perspective, and allow us to not get too embroiled in the turmoil.
Saturday's full moon is also supported by an aspect from Jupiter, powerful in its own sign of Sagittarius. This makes it an even stronger day to grow in wisdom and to resolve to stick to a path of dharma and justice with the time we have left on this earth.
Jupiter will be leaving Sagittarius and entering Capricorn, its sign of debilitation, on November 19. I will write more about this transit and its challenges as the time gets closer.

I hope you are keeping well. During this transformative and difficult time, we can look to the ancient science of Vedic astrology for insight and guidance.
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Jupiter is now direct in its own fiery sign of Sagittarius, where it will remain until November 19. As Sagittarius is the sign of wisdom and righteousness, and Jupiter is very strong there, it is a time that justice and goodness could make some advances in the world.

Sagittarius is the ascendant of the United States, so focusing energies on just causes in the U.S. could be fruitful during this time.

Mars is in its own fiery sign of Aries, where it remains until October 3. As it is retrograde, its already assertive and sometimes agitating energy is ramped up, causing fires, conflicts, and aggression.

On a personal level, this may be a good time to reduce your caffeine intake, get plenty of sleep, and make time for relaxation. You can also try to avoid hassles and arguments that go nowhere.

Instead, try to focus those intense energies towards positive change. Transformative and righteous change is possible due to Jupiter's aspect on Mars, which helps those energies to be used for just and noble causes, based on truth.

What we really need to face right now is the devastating climate emergency that is becoming more and more apparent . I pray we can use these intense energies available to us with these transits to make real changes to bring the earth back into balance.

This includes electing leaders who will take action, so that our children are left with a habitable planet. Please vote, and encourage others to vote, as if your very life, and life of your loved ones, depends on it -- because it does.

As there are other astrological factors which are challenging at this time, prayers and mantras that strengthen the crucial Jupiterian energy are needed, and important.

The Sanskrit word for Jupiter is Guru. Our own pristine nature is the inner Guru, and there are also outer Gurus. A powerful mantra for invoking inner and outer Gurus is the Vajra Guru mantra. Please contact me if you would like information on how to chant this mantra.

I will be in touch again soon about other profound transits that are affecting the whole world, culminating on the winter solstice.

 Sun, Mars, and Ketu, which all represent fiery energy,  are currently in the fire trines of the zodiac,  bringing fires, heat, lightning, and inner fire as well. This webinar explores meditations, mantra, and spiritual practices for working with these energies, and a special prayer for averting wildfire and bringing the elements into balance.

Today, Sunday, August 16, is a special day for fire energies. Sun enters its own fiery sign of Leo, almost simultaneously with Mars entering its own fiery sign of Aries. This all happens around 6 PM Pacific time.
In addition, Ketu, the south node of the moon, which is like an "ultra Mars", is in the fiery sign of Sagittarius for about another month. And this is all happening on a Sunday, a fire day as well.
What does this mean? On a worldly level, fires may erupt, as well as aggression and conflict.
On a personal level, there can be more inflammation, accidents, burns, and injuries, especially with sharp objects. Irritability, anger, impatience, and defensiveness may also be on the rise.
It can be a hard time for relationships of any kind. It can be a good time to take some initiative in specific areas as indicated in your chart.
So what can we do to work positively with the abundant fire energies? With awareness, we can harness the energy of fire to exercise. Walking in nature can be grounding and soothing.
Practices that move subtle energies such as yoga and Chigung are especially indicated. Instead of overstimulating, these gentle forms of movement work with the energies of the body, help remove blockages, and create balance.
On a more subtle level, we can take natural medicines that cool us down and improve our immune system.
But there is also blessing during this intense time. With so much fire energy available, we can focus on specific purification practices that work with fire to clear obstacles and karma.
These practices can be especially effective at this time due to the blessed presence of Jupiter in Sagittarius, bringing the balancing and harmonizing element of space by its aspect of all of the fire signs.
If you would like to learn more about working with fire energies, you can join me for a webinar on Sunday, August 22, at noon Pacific time.
Please email me if you would like to join the webinar.

As of June 29, Jupiter, the great benefic planet of wisdom, goodness, and justice, has just retrograded out of Capricorn, its sign of debilitation where it was weak, as well as being afflicted by Saturn. This is good news!
It is now in Sagittarius, its "office" sign which it owns and where it does its work. Jupiter is strong and powerful in Sagittarius.
It is also the ascendant of the U.S., so it is a very good transit for Americans in general. Jupiter in this position brings righteousness, integrity, and prevailing over negative influences.
Retrograde planets are extra active, so it looks like Jupiter has some work to do! Jupiter will stay retrograde through September 12, and will be in Sagittarius through November 19. This is interesting timing for our country, considering the upcoming election!
Jupiter may bring a burst of good energy and luck into the house occupied by Sagittarius in your chart, so watch for opportunities in that area as well. 
Contact me for a $25 mini reading if you would like to know how this transit is affecting you personally, based on your horoscope. Offer is good through September 1.

I don't think this auspicious transit will make the pandemic and all the problems we have disappear, but it is good to find small joys and points of light in difficult times. If we can take one moment at a time and enjoy the simple pleasures such as a beautiful flower, sunset, or a delicious meal, we can be less anxious and stressed about the things we have no control over.

To help you get work with this transit, here are famous words of advice from the great yogi Tilopa, translated by Ken McLeod:

Don't recall. Let go of what has passed.

Don't imagine. Let go of what may come.

Don't think. Let go of what is happening now.

Don't examine. Don't try to figure anything out.

Don't control. Don't try to make anything happen.

Rest. Relax, right now, and rest.
Wishing you health, happiness and safety!

Another eclipse is coming up on Saturday, June 20, at 11:41 pm Pacific time.

It is a solar eclipse which will only be visible in parts of Asia and Africa, but its energies are already having an influence on the whole world.

The eclipse will cross the area of North India which is the site of disputes with China that have just erupted. It won't be visible in the US.

It is taking place on the same day as the summer solstice, when the sun reaches its northernmost point, and the days are longest in the northorthern hemisphere. This makes it an especially potent eclipse during an already unstable time.

The eclipse will take place in the lunar mansion of  Mrgashira, which is ruled by Mars, the planet of ambition, war, and  aggression.

Mrgashira, known as the "searching star", is represented by the head of a deer. In combination with its rulership by Mars, it can represent the spiritual warrior seeking the truth.

 

It can also bring conflict on a personal or worldly level. We are already seeing Martian conflict manifest in worldly events such as the China/India border skirmish.

 

Regarding the connection with seeking truth, we would all like to know the truth, as everything seems so uncertain in the evolving situation with the pandemic. There is much confusion about what is true and what is not true. Do we need masks or not? Is the pandemic getting worse or going away? Is Covid a respiratory disease or a cardiovascular disease?

No one has the answers, as it is an evolving situation, but that very uncertainty creates fear, anxiety, and confusion.

Some of the confusion we are collectively experiencing is due to the debilitation of Jupiter, the planet of truth, which I have been talking about for a while. This eclipse in Mrgashira underscores the quest for truth and clarity that we are all yearning for.

The deity associated with Mrgashira is Soma, the divine nectar of immortality associated with the moon. He is the deity flowing with celestial wisdom and is the sap of life.

Getting in touch with our own inner wisdom source is a good thing to do during this eclipse. Inner wisdom is beyond the shifting sands of worldly truth, and is the only thing we can actually rely on, through both life and death. In Buddhism this is known as our Buddha nature, which is who we really are, beyond all the confustion.

On a physical level, Soma represents ojas, the bodily substance that provides rejuvenation and defense against disease. Strengthening ojas can keep us healthy, and is another good focus for this eclipse.

A mantra you can chant during the eclipse for the wisdom and healing of Soma is Om Som Somaya Namah.

The prayer of Primordial Buddha (Kuntuzangpo) that I shared in my last newsletter is also very good to do. It is especially indicated for recitation during solstices and eclipses, and on Saturday we have both. This profound prayer can help you get in touch with your own inner wisdom/Buddha nature. Here is a link to a beautiful version on YouTube.

Here is the astrological forecast/advisory for the upcoming new moon of October 27. Learn how to work with the planetary energies of the transits and make the most out of this lunar month! This lunar month is influenced by Vayu, the wind element, as described in this presentation, and the winds have been quite strong and dangerous here in California! Recorded live in Mount Shasta, CA. Feel free to ask questions in the comments!

Jupiter's name in Sanskrit is "Guru" which tells us a lot about what Jupiter represents. Good fortune, wisdom, justice, and harmony are all qualities of Jupiter, which is why the ancients considered Jupiter to be the most benefic planet, full of blessings. In this webinar I go deeply into the qualities of this planet and also share mantras, meditations, recipes, and herbal remedies connected to Jupiter. Please ask questions in the comments, I am happy to answer!

The moon represents the mind, the mother, compassion, healing, and the home, among other things. Understanding the moon in your horoscope brings great insight and in Vedic astrology, it is the most important planet in the chart. In this presentation I teach all about the moon, and I introduce some traditional Buddhist compassion practices as well. Feel free to post questions in the comments below.