THE SHADOW OF THE DIVINE FEMININE AND DIVINE MASCULINE IN ASTROLOGY (INTERVIEW LINK)

Panel interview 1

Topics/Questions addressed in this interview (in order of their discussion):

– What is a Priestess?
– Who am I? How did I get started on The Path?
– What is the Nurturing Feminine/Masculine?
– What is the Assertive Masculine/Feminine?
– Astrological Bodies that represent the Feminine/Masculine
– Interpreting Venus & Mars in the Natal Chart
– The Goddess & God in Astrology
– Reinterpreting Juno and Virgo
– The Fiery Venus: Going back to Goddesses Ishtar and Inanna
– The Compassionate Masculine: The Christ Archetype and Lord Shiva
– Eroding Gender Binaries and its Impact on Astrological Interpretation
– The Path of Formlessness / Dissolution
– What is ‘The Shadow’? (Goddess Chinnamasta as Compassion, Saturn as Crone-Love – Reversing the Archetypes and bringing them into balance)
– Nessus & Overcoming the Cycle of Abuse
– Eros & Intimacy
– Re-defining Astrology as a Tool of Healing

+ why everything said in this interview is but one Truth, not fixed, and open to Interpretation and Evolution … breaking through the stereotypes!

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Many thanks to Empower You Media and Conscious Consumer Network TV and all panelists. Links: www.empoweryoutv.org , www.consciousconsumernetwork.tv and Living Astrology

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Blessings to all,

Priestess Bairavee Balasubramaniam PhD
www.bairaveebalasubramaniam.com
www.facebook.com/theskypriestess

Astrology FB Page: Astrology with Priestess Bairavee Balasubramaniam PhD

EROS, VENUS, APHRODITE AND THE DIVINE MASCULINE : VALENTINE’S DAY ASTROLOGY 2015

Valentines Day 2015

Blessings everyone! I know that not all of you celebrate Valentine’s Day, or recognize it as more than a massive earner for the greeting card companies. I still thought it’d be fun to look at the love-centric aspects of today’s skies, whilst (those of you who do) celebrate the day!

THE YOD OF LOVE AND THE DIVINE MASCULINE

Sun (25 Aquarius) sextile Cupido and Pholus (25 Sagittarius) – The Sun represents our waking Consciousness, our spiritual anchorpoint (so to speak) in experiencing and engaging with this reality. In Aquarius is focuses upon the expression of individual gifts, eccentricities, friendships and one’s role in larger groups or associations, particularly to do with altruism, humanitarianism, and other ideals. Cupido is a Uranian planet which acts as a combination of both Venus and Jupiter. Quoting Arlene Kramer, where “Venus means beauty, Cupido means art. Where Venus means love, Cupido means marriage… [it] is the planet of Togetherness”. It relates to the coming together of partnerships within a larger context, where the sum of two is celebrated by the whole. Pholus represents the energy of sudden awakenings, epiphanies, and realizations – it is linked with the energy of one who sees beyond/through the everyday.

The Sun sextiling Cupido at this time represents a harmonious possibility to find a meaningful love connection. It can just as well relate to the opening of your own Heart and Sacral Chakra, without the role of an external partner. With Cupido so close to the Galactic Center (26 Sagittarius), some of the most powerful lessons will will experience now relate with Love in all of its forms. A beautiful astrological aspect to encounter on a day commonly devoted to Love. Pholus’ energies intensify the energy of this sextile by facilitating a great awakening or realization of profound truth (almost out of the blue).

Those with placements at or near 25 Cancer will experience this as a profound Yod, or Karmic Finger of Fate/Destiny. In the skies, we do have asteroid Varuna at 26 Cancer, acting as the apex of the Yod. Varuna is a Dravidian deity who was later incorporated into the Vedic pantheon. He rules over the oceans, the seas and the Water element in general. He is linked with Serpent Energies (particularly that of Lord Vasuki) and rainfall in Nepal, representing a more fluid, water-based connection with Creative, Divine Masculine energy.

Morever, this Yod is activated by a conjunction between Crantor (26 Capricorn) and Siva (25 Capricorn). Crantor represents the cathartic release that a powerful emotional declaration can bring – be sure not to do this for purposes of manipulation, projection, etc. but rather to simply express what resides within you. Siva represents the power of the Divine Masculine Archetype, but specifically associated with the themes of Formlessness and Absolute Compassion. Together, opposing Varuna and forming the midpoint of the Sun/Pholus-Cupido sextile, these energies ask you to boldly speak your Truth.

This alignment opens us up to the more compassionate, tender aspects of Divine Masculine energy – transforming, in the process our abilities to recognize, give and receive love. It can be quite an emotional roller-coaster as old emotions are churned up to the surface for processing, but the result appears to be a major cleansing and re-balancing of energies, attitudes and ideas you may have about the Nature of Love.

EROS CONJUNCTS VENUS, URANIA, PSYCHE OPPOSES IRIS

According to Kim Falconer, Eros (now at 20 Pisces) “evokes passions that ignore lunar comfort, Venus sensuality or Mars desires. Eros is not about relationships that make us feel secure. It is not about getting our way or winning love. It is not about commitment or harmony. Eros describes something altogether different. It describes the nature of erotic love”. Venus (now at 21 Pisces) deals with the very nature of our material incarnation on this plane of reality, all things tangible, physical, sensual – including our most cherished relationships. It can also refer to a partner who expresses more of the ‘feminine’ aspect in the partnership, and one’s own embodiment of that aspect within the psyche. Urania (at 20 Pisces) is the Goddess Muse of Astrology and Astronomy. Psyche (at 21 Pisces) represents our ability to make meanings, weave narratives and live by/through the archetypes within them. Iris (20 Virgo) represents the Rainbow Messenger Goddess who alternatively shows us the way to be lost in the pursuit of an illusion (‘chasing rainbows), or the path – when taken with a measure of balance and groundedness – that allows us to find true satisfaction (i.e. the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow). Iris is also a cathartic force that is linked with the cleansing power of tears.

Taking all this together, we have a powerful combination in Pisces speaking to us of the nature of loving, compassionate detachment. We’re asked to deepen our engagement with relationships of all forms, especially the ones that (in a good way) take us out of our comfort zones. We’re asked to let the relationship, desire or love connection of interest to take us deep into our own hearts, and to truly let ourselves Open in Response. The metric of success in this context isn’t whether a relationship is successful or long-lasting, it’s how deeply it makes us open and feel into our own humanity, and – at a deeper layer of it- an appreciation of something sacred within ourselves – that we share with the rest of Creation.

Some of you will find astrology – or simply communing with the Cosmos – a potent way to navigate your Journey of Love at this time. You will also find the opportunity to break out of old, constricting roles and narratives and into new, uncharted Waters as part of your continued spiritual evolution.

The opposition with Iris basically cautions us against swimming too deeply in the waters of Spirit and asks us to turn back equally to the material manifestations or circumstances prompting these deep emotional engagements. We’re also cautioned to not get ‘too’ hung up on the minor details, and allow things to work out as they will.

I saved a juicy little tidbit for last: EROS (20 Taurus) SEXTILES APHRODITE (20 Pisces)

According to Jacob Schwartz, Aphrodite represents “procreativity through refined expressions of beauty, sex and fertility’. In any case, her energies are linked to the Goddesses Venus and Astarte (and undoubtedly many others). (from ‘The Astrology Book’)

This sextile bridges the powerful union-through-intimacy that Eros can bring (and the powerful Union-in-self that heartbreak from a failure to ‘merge with the Other’ can also initiate) – with the desire to merge physically and romantically in a pleasurable, life-affirming way. Those with placements at or near 20 Libra wil experience this as an electrifying Yod of Sensuality 🙂 The closest body to this point is Askalaphus at 19 Libra – it is the energy of the whistle-blower, one who reveals secrets. It indicates the exploration of previously unknown, potentially taboo subjects within the partnership context.

All in all, the energies of Love and Romance are strongly lit by two powerful Yods and key activations of bodies such as Eros, Venus, Aphrodite and so on. It is a powerful time for the Heart to open and experience Itself. Bear in mind that this can happen through intense pain (such as heartbreak) or joy. Whilst we are all celebrating and deepening/furthering the Feminine Principle, it is crucial to also work with the energies of the Divine Masculine – in general, but especially at this time. There is a tenderness, a softer, compassionate side to the Masculine that more and more are re-discovering now, and today is no exception.

It is my hope that find that Deeper Connection within – and, if appropriate – with the right partner.

Many Blessings to you All on this Valentine’s Day,

Priestess Bairavee Balasubramaniam PhD
www.bairaveebalasubramaniam.com

Some Sources for Reference and Self-Study:
The Astrology Book: The Encyclopedia of Heavenly Influences By James R. Lewis
Eros – http://www.falconastrology.com/discovery.htm
Intro to the Uranian Planets –http://www.arlenekramer.net/uranian_eightplanets.asp

Images:
– Statuette Goddess Louvre AO20127.jpg – By Marie-Lan Nguyen (Own work) [Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
– Lord Shiva w. Headdress of Snakes at Thanjavur Art Gallery, by Bairavee Balasubramaniam, 2010.

THE GRANDMOTHER GODDESS, THE STAR MAIDEN AND LORD SHIVA: THE COSMOS DANCES DURING THE CAPRICORN NEW MOON

GGSMLSSCNM 22 12 2014

Blessings everyone. This is a particularly potent window of time for us all. There’s just so much going on in the skies, more so that usual. I’ll focus on what I am guided to identify as being of greatest use for you to know at this time

THE CAPRICORN NEW MOON – At 9:35 am, December 22nd 2014, the Sun conjuncted the Moon at 0 degrees Cap ’06. New Moons are times of potent beginnings. This is where you set the seeds of intention which you will reap during the Capricorn Full Moon circa July 1st – 2nd, 2015 (depending on where you are in the planet).

Capricorn deals with our relationship with ideas of success, achievement, recognition, power, authority and manifests in our relationships with institutions such as banks and governments. It’s been getting a lot of flack, especially in recent years with the Uranus-Pluto square, one side of which focuses on Capricorn. Remember that power, authority and recognition in themselves are not bad things – they can, in fact, be very useful tools on manifesting the material aspects of your spiritual task, path or paradigm. As long as they are seen as tools, rather than the goal , substance or desired outcome of your path. More on this here – http://wp.me/p4OUNS-fc

Capricorn’s energy is a paradoxical one. On the one hand, it embodies the pinnacle of Material Achievement, the Mountain Goat that has faced all challenges, and reached the Summit that no one else can even come close to. On the other hand, it represents the energy of the Earth Crone. Remember that the most intense form of Earth (Feminine, in astrological tradition) need not only be at the summit (externally), but equally in the Belly or Womb of our planet (internally). A Balanced expression of Capricornian energy achieves material manifestation in harmony, or balance with the deeper aspects of self, connection with Primordial Feminine energy, and particularly the guidance of the Crone of the Grandmother Archetype. You will find this energy in figures such as Goddess Pachamama, Goddess Petchai Amman (Petchai Patti), Goddess Iusaaset (“the grandmother of all deities) Dhumavati-Ma, Goddess Hekate, The Cailleach, Ajima-Ma and other Grandmother / Crone Figures. They will teach you a more balanced form of manifestation, success and achievement that resonates with your needs, and that of the Planet. Remember that the work you do in Capricorn is not just for yourself, but for the Legacy that you ultimately bequeath to future generations (of all species).

The Sun and the Moon were both conjunct asteroid SIVA (2 Capricorn) at this time. Communing with forms of this deity, worship of the Shiva Linga will be extremely beneficial to those on a Path that involves Him. Others may access the same kind of Compassionate, Powerful, Vulnerable (by Choice) Male Energy through other archetypes from different traditions. This is a powerfully Masculine energy that balances the energy of the Feminine Earth brought in by Capricorn. Hooray!

Both the Sun and Moon were squared the Super Galactic Center at 1 Libra, during the New Moon. An interesting challenge in deepening our relationship with the idea of Balance, and the relationship between Self and Other, particularly through the context of partnerships. Both Logos (1 Libra) and Lachesis (29 Virgo) were in the vicinity adding their vibrations to this potent alignment. Logos encourages the use of the detached, rational, logical mind and Lachesis represents the energy of one of the Three Fates. Her role is to measure the length of the thread of any life born into this world, and she has a great deal to do with the destiny you choose and come to manifest at this time.

This becomes a T-Square when we also consider Astraea (translation Star-Maiden) at 1 Aries. The Virgin Goddess Astraea represents the energies of Innocence, Purity and also the ability to bring Justice back into the world (Wikipedia). Personally, I feel that’s just the very start of her energy, and I’ll certainly do a post on her at a later date. In this COSMIC ALIGNMENT (no other word for it), the Star-Maiden asks you to remember your own (Self) origins in the Depths of the Cosmos, as a child of both ‘Earth and Starry Sky’, to borrow a phrase from my mentor.

In other words, there is a very fated choice that you’re making at this time, and it has to do with one of the deepest connections to Source that you could experience and imagine at this stage of your evolution. Not to be taken lightly. Watch the Capricorn Full Moon in July 2015 to see what you’ve set into motion by virtue of your choices.

The New Moon was also involved with a powerful GRAND EARTH TRINE involving 1992 QB 1 at 0 Taurus and Isis-Transpluto at 1 Virgo. 1992 QB 1 relates to the choices we made in the ideology we choose to adhere to, which shapes the way we perceive, interact with and manifest a certain ‘reality’. This meaning-and-reality-making exercise focuses upon your relationship with Resources (internal, such as self worth and external such as finances or an alternative form of economy) – that which you need to exist as a spiritual being in material form. Remember there is no one ideal that appeals to us all, so have the courage to stand to what you truly believe in. Isis-Transpluto’s influence is still being understood by astrologers. From what I understand from Lynn Koiner’s work, it is an energy which relates to the way we seek Balance in our relationships with others, and also where we realize that we can stand on our own too feet. I see it as synthesis of the energies of Libra, Virgo and Scorpio (yikes!), which only emphasizes the themes we’ve been discussing in any case.

So, to make a long story short – the energy of this New Moon is one of Balanced Manifestation of Reality (by your own Choice). It makes me think of something my dad says, that ‘God is the Creator and Man is the Co-Creator’. Let me paraphrase that to say: ‘ The Divine Creates and we Co-Create’.

Other energetic alignments, etc:

(1) SOLSTICE – A biannual event, celebrated on June 21st and Dec 21st each year, when the sun enters Cancer (Water Cardinal sign) and Capricorn (Earth Cardinal sign) respectively. It is the shortest day in the Year in the Northern Hemisphere, a time where the Yule festival is celebrated. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is the longest day – honored by the festival of Litha. No matter where you are on the planet, the Solstice (which I like writing as the Soul-Stice is a pivotal energetic portal in the yearly cycle. We are called to seek a deeper, truer form of Balance. Bear in mind that Balance is not ‘defeating’ or ‘transcending’ one polarity in favour of another. It is acceptance of the Whole, in a pure vibration of Detachment.

(3) URANUS STATIONS DIRECT – A few hours before the Capricorn New Moon, Uranus stationed direct, ending its retrograde. The way in which we receive Guidance, Insights, Downloads from Guides beyond us, e.g. the bridge between the Higher Mind and Cosmos is now Re-activated. The energy moves from the internal to the external. Our source of Awakening is not so rooted now in our psyches, and can come directly do us from external sources, including friend groups and those on a similar spiritual cause.

(3) SATURN SHIFTS INTO SAGITTARIUS – Saturn will move into a new sign on December 23rd (tomorrow, my birthday, yay!). Which means that we’re experiencing the most intense phase of Saturn’s Scorpio energy now as it moves through the Anaretic degree (29 degrees). Karmic tests, trials and breakthroughs which you’ve been putting off will present themselves now as you prepare to move into a whole new 3 year cycle. These tests are likely to be focused upon your relationship with your intimate/sexual/financial partner with whom can merge energies or resources. It also refers to key moments of phases of transition through life-cycle rites (birth, death, rebirth, and so on). Some of you may find this energy expressed through challenges in acquiring resources from others, others through an intense focus upon the trials of Deep Subconscious and Ancestral Karma. Saturn will revisit Scorpio for about 3 months in 2015 as part of its retrograde.

Blessings to all! It’s a lot of information, but then again, it’s a very EPIC time to be alive.

Love you All!

Priestess Bairavee Balasubramaniam, PhD
www.bairaveebalasubramaniam.com

Images: Iusaaset – 83d40m – 4wki.JPG – By User:83d40m [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons ; Wolfsonian-FIU Museum – IMG 8229.JPG – Wolfsonian-FIU Museum – IMG 8229.JPG; Kailasanathar Temple – Kanchipuram – shiva lingam in side path.JPG – Kailasanathar Temple – Kanchipuram – shiva lingam in side path.JPG

Pisces Supermoon, Sept 9 2014, 9:38 am GMT + 8, 16 Pisces ’19 (Part 3)

Pisces Full Moon
We’ve all been preparing for the Final Supermoon of 2014. It’s energies have been poignant, beautiful, transformative and utterly spellbinding all at once – a craft that Pisces does best. Look back to March 1st 2014, when we had the Pisces New Moon to see how the experiences you have now are culminations from that point in time.

On March 1st, I found myself an ancient temple in Nepal dedicated to Lord Shiva – the original Pashupathinath. I fell in love, and died there – all at once with the hills, the Spirit and the link to that land. The kind of death you find when the Ego can simply no longer exist in the direct presence of the Divine.

I quite literally stunned my friends at East & West Int. Tours & Travels when I totally changed my plans and pointed to a place on the map – I knew something was there, calling me, and so it was. We did some detective work together and discovered the temple and its link with a sacred mountain in the Himalayas (I’ll tell you about that at some other point). All this so close to MahaShivaratri (The Great Night of Shiva).

I’ve been experiencing the release of attachment, the acceptance of a Divine Plan, the sense of breaking through a wall and onto a new Path. All this is to be expected with Pisces, and for me, personally, it takes me back to Lele, Nepal and to Lord Shiva whom I associate strongly with Pisces energy. Compassionate, nurturing, dissolving, transcending and all-embracing — and somehow still painful, when there is someone or something you’re still holding onto that is not yours. It could be a person, a dream, an idea (about yourself, even).

So – look back, look back, look back to March 1st 2014 and what’s happening now will make a whole lot more sense.

In the skies right now, we have the Sun and Moon/Chiron in a T-Square with the asteroid known as Karma (hint, hint) at 16 Sagittarius. Events are coming to an end, the past revisited, only for its influence to end (if you choose to release, rather than retain). You may also want to look back at March 7th 2014 for when the Sun opposed Karma. I’ve posted a list of links where I’ve presented a deeper astrological analysis of the energies present.

Big changes are happening, my friends. Undeniably so. I suspect many of us will have our understanding or sense of self, destiny and purpose on this planet radically altered at this time.

It’s hard to under-emphasize what this lunation is doing for our collective evolution. Thank the Moon, the Stars and the Universe for being what they are.

Say your goodbyes to the shackles of the past, my friends – because what’s coming next is simply Extraordinary. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say ‘out of this world’.

I’d suggest recording whatever thoughts, impressions, memories, dreams, messages arise within you – or are sent to you – at this time for later reference.

Related Links :

An astrological analysis of aspects present in the sky –http://wp.me/p4OUNS-6C

A Comprehensive 12-House Astrological Coping Strategy for the SuperMoon – http://wp.me/p4OUNS-6s

An introduction to the SuperMoon –http://wp.me/p4OUNS-62

A Poem dedicated to this Moon (Dissolution: Maya Un-Masked) – http://wp.me/p4OUNS-6G

A Goddess (Shakti) who embodies this energy beautifully http://www.elephantjournal.com/2014/08/dhum-dhum-dhumavati-the-formless-shakti-of-smoke-detachment-priestess-bairavee-balasubramaniam-phd/

Blessings to All,
Priestess Bairavee Balasubramaniam, PhD
www.bairaveebalasubramaniam.com

Photo: Pisces SuperMoon 2014 by Bairavee Balasubramaniam. All rights reserved.