JULY 22, 2015 – GRAND CARDINAL CROSS, SATURN’S CHALLENGE + PRACTICAL ADVICE

Blessings to All. We’ve got several powerful aspects in the skies right now – some of which are kicking up a storm. For starters, we’ve got a GRAND CARDINAL CROSS formed between The Moon in Libra, Pluto Retrograde (13 Capricorn), Mars (18 Cancer) and Vesta (11 Aries) — along with other alignments. I’ll explain the Cardinal Cross, then Saturn’s position, followed by a discussion on what to do.

The Grand Cardinal Cross is reminiscent of the kind of energy we collectively experienced in April/May 2014. It’s a similar kind of pressure, that either leads to some kind of intense breakdown, or breakthrough. The challenge is a new one, however, as the players in this alignment are very different. Some of you will sail through this challenge remarkably well, smiling as you do, whilst many more are likely to feel this as an unexpected bubbling or building up of intense pressure.

The Moon’s role in the alignment asks us to watch the ways in which we manage the concept of balance, across different realms in our lives – be it personal and professional partnerships, collaborations, elements of finding inner balance, etc. Whilst Libra represents the detachment of the Scales of Justice, when unbalanced, it can swing wildly, even violently in search of a point of equilibrium. Emotions are likely to be unusually intense when concerning these particular areas of life.

Pluto Retrograde in Capricorn, as it has been for the past few years, continues to teach us about our relationship with power, integrity, intimacy, boundaries, alchemy and the depths to which we descend in order to find our greatest hidden treasures – all in the realms of what the super-ego has been conditioned to define as ‘success’, ‘power’, ‘legacy’, ‘status’, ‘prestige’, ‘achievement’, and so on. Here the Lord of the Underworld questions your right to be at the top, and … whatever for?

Vesta in Aries, being the newest player in the Grand Cardinal Cross, asks us to discover and find our path of dedication, to some quality, ideal, person, or simply state of being which we identify as The Sacred. There is something to be given up here, burnt in the Holy Fires of the Self, before something New Emerges. Priestesses and other Spiritual Facilitators will be feeling this aspect with great intensity. Many will be reminded of their sacred Calls to Devotion and Service.

Mars in Cancer highlights the ways in which we act upon, or towards our goals, desires and wishes with respect to the ways we connect with the Mother / Familial / Traditional / Domestic spheres of life. Some may seek sanctuary in what is known, traditionally sanctioned / seen as comfortable – whereas, others may feel the pressure to break through/out of these constraints at this time. As the Sun is at the anaretic degree of Cancer (29 degrees), collectively, it’s a heightened time for our emotions, and sub-conscious impulses surrounding this part or aspect of our lives.

Very briefly – the Cosmos is also placing an added emphasis on Saturn, the karmic taskmaster. The Sun (29 Cancer) -and- Mercury (28 Cancer) trines, whilst Jupiter (25 Leo) -and- Venus (0 Virgo) squares to Saturn Retrograde (28 Scorpio). What this means is that we are being urged to look at issues surrounding Plutonian themes, i.e. power, integrity, intimacy, boundaries, alchemy and the depths to which we descend in order to find our greatest hidden treasures. The decisions we make in these areas of life now are bound to have a greater influence, or set the foundation for a longer-lasting legacy than we give them credit for. Bear in mind that Pluto and Saturn are in Mutual Reception once more, with Pluto in the sign ruled by Saturn (Capricorn), and vice versa.

The Sun and Mercury’s emphasis tell of a domestic, familial, cultural and/or maternal (Mother-related) issue that Saturn’s tests of discipline and restriction currently center themselves upon at this time. It may either be an exacerbation or an amelioration of the Saturnian challenge. Jupiter continues its lessons in Leo, with the energy of the Teacher/Guru emphasizing the expansion that comes through love, romance, children, the Inner Child Archetype, joy, creativity, sensuality and the like. Venus has just entered Virgo, the Virgin-Priestess, as it prepares for its upcoming retrograde (and back into Leo), in just a few days time. Jupiter squaring Saturn amplifies its intensity, and can signify the role of a mentor or teacher, or even a situation abroad that feeds into Saturn-test at this time. Venus’ role asks us to find practical, embodied, and materially grounded ways to find a solution to the situation we find ourselves tested upon. It may also involve a certain way in which we express our femininity and experience of sexuality/sensuality – or even in our financial/business affairs. The possibilities are endless – but it’s safe to say that Saturn’s position is highly charged in the skies at this time.

So – what do you do?

PRACTICAL ADVICE:

Cardinal Crosses, and just about any alignment involving Saturn are testing times/energies. As I said, some of you are going to sail right through this, but most people are going to feel some sense of intensity. My advice to you would be to not take your emotional responses to people/yourselves too intensely today. Many are bound to be tripping over familiar triggers, whilst others may find a general sense of ill-ease, or pressure which they can’t put their fingers on, much like a heaviness in the air.

Bear in mind that this is transitory – the intensity will die down in a day or so. Observe what comes up with you at this time, but do not feel the need to rush into a judgement or conclusion. Give it time, and give yourselves and others the space to Just Be.

Blessings to All,

Bairavee Balasubramaniam

The Sky Priestess

Image: Astrolog Screenshot. Text/Content © Bairavee Balasubramaniam 2015. All rights reserved.

GRAND CARDINAL LUNAR NODAL CROSS RETURNS! 11:02 am – 10:39 pm (Feb 1st, GMT + 8 – PEAK times)

Blessings to all – today we have the Grand Cardinal Lunar Nodal Cross in the skies (same alignment we had on Jan 5th). Uranus in Aries conjunct the South Node squares Pluto in Capricorn, the Moon in Cancer and opposes the North Node in Libra. It’s the same karmic dynamic which we faced for so long in 2014, this time reinforced by the Nodal (Aries-Libra) opposition. By now, all of us have experienced this alignment several times. Those with strong Cardinal Placements (Capricorn, Cancer, Libra, Aries) – be mindful that these energies will be even stronger for you!

The times given above are PEAK times. Meaning that you’re likely to have already felt this alignment coming and will continue to feel it into the morning/afternoon of February 2nd, depending on where you are. Bear in mind that we’ve also got a lot of Pisces activity with Venus, Mars, Chiron and Neptune going on concurrently – asking us to Transform the Way We Love (see http://wp.me/p4OUNS-j2 ). The Moon, by way of its transit through Cancer lights up the Pisces stellium as well! Those with placements between 12-18 Taurus will also experience a powerful Yod between Mars/Chiron, the North Node and the Taurus placement (read the linked article for more information).

Many of you will feel this alignment as an unusual form of intensity or pressure, urging you to take action and DO SOMETHING! Others who have already attuned themselves to the Grand Cross may feel a little calmer about it, sensing a slight pressure. It really depends on you and how you work with this energy.

Cardinal energies look at some of the larger questions such as
– Who Am I? – Aries (Self, I AM Consciousness, Self-Assertion, Path-making/Path-breaking)
– Who Are You? – Libra (Partnerships, Balance, Collaborations, the Shadow Self)
– Where do I Come From? – Cancer (Home, Grounding, Mother, Family)
– What did I Come to Accomplish? – Capricorn (The Legacy you leave behind, Public Life, Career,, etc.)

In short, we’re being asked to look at all of these major questions – at once! The North and South Nodes directly weave our Soul’s Experiences and Karmic Cycles into this alignment. Many will be remembering the strength they once had (which may have been abused) – South Node in Aries, whilst finding ways to bring that strength and self-knowing into a social, group or partnership dynamic (North Node-Libra).

I see the North Node as the direction which this Grand Cross leads us towards. I’ve often said that I find Libra to be the most powerful sign in the zodiac. It represents Balance and the ability to accept Ambiguity and Paradox. It can Accept Difference without needing to change it!

I suggest the following practices/ideas to you on that basis:

(1) Stay Centered, Stay Grounded.
(2) Know that this is a transitory phase. It WILL pass.
(3) Look for the Eternal Part of you that lies deep within. All of these transformations are powerful, but there is still a part of you that remains as the Detached Observer. Connect with that part of yourself and the Wisdom it carries.
(4) Try to avoid knee-jerk reactions. Take a few moments to calm yourselves before saying anything in haste

(5) Sitting by the Ocean, or going to places which make you feel deeply connected with Source is highly recommended.
(6) Be forgiving on yourselves and others. Take nothing personally at this time. Remember that Everyone is going through the same process!
(7) Have Faith. This process is helping you prepare for something much bigger. Have Faith in your conception of the Divine/Sacred and allow the transformation to happen.

To those of you who observe the Sabbats of Lammas (Southern Hemisphere) and Imbolc (Northern Hemisphere) – happy celebrating! I hope to do a post later today which explains the energies of these festivals and how they are reinforced by current astrological configurations.

Blessings to All,

Priestess Bairavee Balasubramaniam PhD
www.bairaveebalasubramaniam.com

SUN-CHIRON OPPOSITION: PRELUDE TO THE PISCES SUPERMOON

Blessings everyone. I know we’ve already been preparing for this Supermoon for a week now – but there’s another peak of intensity that comes one day before it is due – the Sun-Chiron opposition at 15 Vir/Pis ’23. 

Chiron is the Wounded Healer, or the Soul Healer – Its energy represents the deepest wounding within you. When opposed by the Sun, your conscious awareness of the wound is amplified. You may ‘feel it more’ at this time. Chiron Retrograde is in Pisces, signifying that the the issue most likely has something to do with your spiritual path and connection with Spirit. The Sun is in Virgo and is finding practical ways of getting things done and working with matter to keep the rhythm of life in balance.

Many will be feeling the sense of wounding even more so with the energy of the Full Moon, as the Moon will be so close to it. Consider this opposition a prelude, or taster of what is to come. Don’t be worried if you suddenly start crying or remembering past things that hurt you – they’re coming out now so you can become aware of them, and find ways to heal them. Stay centered, grounded – and if you feel overwhelmed – find some sacred/quiet space and simply breathe. That’s a perfectly valid response to the overwhelming energy that this configuration can bring.

It’s a good idea not to wound others, or to place yourself in circumstances where you are likely to get wounded. Being by yourself (only if you can handle it) or in the company of a reliable support group is a good idea at this time.

Now this opposition and upcoming Full Moon aren’t the only exact aspects in the sky – as you can see in the graphic – there’s quite a few of them.

The Sun-Chiron opposition forms the backbone of a Kite formation involving the Juno-Vesta/Saturn-Chiron Retrograde Grand Water Trine (link provided). In this formation, the energy of the Trine gets channeled and bounced back and forth in the opposition. The focal point would tend to be Chiron Retrograde in Pisces, however.

We’ve also got the Final Grand Cardinal Cross of 2014, involving Pallas Athena, Pluto Retrograde, Uranus Retrograde and Juno. At present, Pallas and Pluto – and – Uranus and Juno are squaring one another at an orb of +/- 1 degree. That’s pretty intense. Through Juno, the Grand Cross feeds into the Grand Trine, and therefore into the Sun-Chiron opposition.

We also have a very powerful Yod (Finger of Fate) formed by a sextile between the Sun (focus, awareness) and Vesta (priest/essing, spiritual service, tending the sacred flame, regeneration), both inconjunct/quincunx Uranus Retrograde (awakening, breakthrough, surprise, suddenness, the unexpected). Again Uranus is already engaged in the square with Juno (see above) – so all these configurations are connected and energetically amplifying the pivotal Sun-Chiron opposition.

There’s other things happening in the sky right now, but these are the most important aspects of the lot. I’ve skipped an explanation of what each bring as I’ve covered all the aspects in the links listed below. The one thing I haven’t explained is the Yod – so here goes:

Sun/Virgo sextiles Vesta/Saturn/Scorpio both quincunx Uranus Retrograde in Aries. I see this as a sudden, fairly abrupt issue that may arise from something that seems ‘mundane’, perfectly ‘day to day’. The roots of the issue or event may be more obscure, rooted back in your soul’s biography. The issue will unfold in an almost explosive way – and powerfully challenge your understanding of yourself – and the sacred authority you bear within you – at this time. You have the choice between hubris and humility, so make it wisely. Some may even manifest this as some kind of unexpected physical event or encounter are Aries often relates to the physical body itself. With a Yod, you can never say if it’s ‘bad’ or ‘good’ – only that it’s sudden and will lead you to make decisions that will set you upon some new (or to revisit an old) curriculum of spiritual growth and evolution.

Take care, everyone

Related Links:

Intro to the Supermoon and its challenges – http://wp.me/p4OUNS-62
A 12 house Coping Strategy – http://wp.me/p4OUNS-6s
Grand Water Trine/Grand Cross – http://wp.me/p4OUNS-6g

Blessings and I hope this is of use. The Coping Strategy offers practical advice to cope with Piscean energies (where Chiron Retrograde is at present).

Priestess Bairavee Balasubramaniam, PhD
www.bairaveebalasubramaniam.com