MATTER AND SPIRIT: PATHS OF UNION OR ESCAPE? (Sun trined Pluto, Mercury trined North Node and many, many other alignments in the skies – 7th May 2016)

Blessings to All. Today we see the Sun (17 Taurus) trined Pluto Retrograde (17 Capricorn). It´s a powerful day to become more aware of our relationship with power, ideas of legacy, control dramas – and – how they all connect with the way we have built the foundation of our day to day material existences. What a mouthful.

Some of you will find this a powerful day to dig deeper, to go further into the Shadow side of the Self and discover the beauty, the strength, the woundedness and the fragility hidden within. Think of it as an energy that draws out what layers of your own consciousness has spent so much energy trying to keep hidden.

And some people will absolutely freak out with the sheer intensity of it. That depends on where you are in your jouney, and what alignments are triggered by this in your natal or progressed chart.

Probably best to give people a wider berth than usual today and not force anything to come out into the open. Things are going to be erupting forth anyway so, best to let the process take its own course.

What I would suggest – as a general rule – is to observe whatever appears to be emerging from the depths today and to consciously try to connect it with some facet of your more tangible, material life – and to see – if appropriate – what needs recognition, improvement or dramatic transformation. With yesterday´s New Moon in Taurus, we´re still in the 3-day window period for setting the seeds for a new cycle of growth with this Earth sign.

Try to avoid over-intellectualizing the process, and let the lower chakras lead the way with their own wisdom.

Stick close to trees and nature if you can – or experiences that allow you to take pleasure in the world, in a balanced sense.

Pluto´s energies can also bring our our deepest obsessions and most hidden fantasies – it would be a useful tine to see how we play these our in our daily lives and rituals.

Some may also discover how forms of spirituality have become forms of escapism – even if the ego-mind believes the very opposite. That´s a biggie. I feel that´s more connected with the South Node in Pisces, and the ways it asks us to release our attachments to what we consider ´the spiritual´ so that we may (paradoxically) find it anew.

There´s a whole bunch of other exact alignments taking place at the same time. Grand Earth Trine (Pluto, Mercury, Sun, Moon, Jupiter, North Node – it becomes a Kite if you include the South Node), weak T-Square (Jupiter, North/South Node, Saturn, Neptune), and so on and so forth. And a whole bunch of asteroidal alignments as well. I´m just going to list a few in summary :

Sun (17 Taurus) opposite Askalaphus & Ceto (17-18 Scorpio): A time to look a deeper motivations, sub-conscious fears and ancestral karma. Serpentine archetypes are strongly highlighted as is the deep oceanic abyss. Watch for secrets that emerge from the sub-conscious and consider if they are yours to reveal.

Sun (17 Taurus) sextile Thereus (16 Cancer): A time to look at patterns of victim-abuser dynamics and ways we have, over time, overidentified with these patterns – with a focus on the emotional and intuitive legacies handed down through ancestral and familial lines. Those with bodies near 13-20 Sagittarius will experience this as a potent Yod (Finger of Fate) – one that asks you to reconsider your beliefs, the search for truth, travel, higher education, religious views and how they structure your reality. Some journeys, teachers and paradigms will keep you trapped and others will set you free. It´s your call.

Sun (17 Taurus) squared Sila-Nunam (17 Leo): Potential causes for conflict, or creative synergy with siblings (in particular). Fixed viewpoints appear to clash with one another. You may need to draw better boundaries so the movement of energy stays wholesome.

Sun (17 Taurus) square Hybris & Narcissus (17 Aquarius): A time to look at the fixedness of your own ideological identifications and to break through them in the search of a more profound relationship with Truth. Some will burst forth with new ideas, others will hold fast to what they choose to believe in. Work with optical calcite / icelandic spar and black obsidian if you wish. Try to look past the confines of your own perception by seeking out other mirrors. It´s not easy work, but it can be deeply rewarding. Step out of the bubble and explore other, even opposite, perspectives.

Moon (25 Taurus) conjunct Sedna and Vesta. A very significant aspect for those who honor and serve the Earth-Goddess, the Femnine archetype – or who are simply seeking to find the material and emotional basis for their sense of security (or woundedness) in the world. We are granted now a window into our deepest vulnerabilities and the choice to release them, find ways to heal them, or move into further denial of them (what you pick is up to you).

Moon / Sedna / Vesta (25 Taurus) squared Damocles and Eros (24-25 Aquarius): The deeper we process our sense of vulnerability, betrayal and abandonment – the closer we get to a place of (potential) release and healing. This will require a significant ideological shift, particularly in the way sacred intimacy is conceptualized and the responsibility you bear in seeking that sort of connection.

Mercury Retrograde (20 Taurus) trined True Node (20 Virgo): Look back to the final week of April 2016 to see what decisions were made when we had this same alignment before (as Mercury was Direct). It is a time where we re-conceptualize our ideas of service, routine, health, habits – ways we prepare the earthly veseel that ultimately becomes the channel of Spirit. You will see the final Mercury North Node trine in the late May / early June 2016. So we´re not doe with this alignment yet. Siblings and other people / memories from your early childhood may play a powerful catalytic role in discovering new paths to wellness and service at this time.

Mercury Retrograde (20 Taurus) conjunct Persephone & Sphinx (21 Taurus): Examining parent-child dynamics, attachments to the Shadow / Underworld realms and powerful rememberances / initiations into past-lives may be strongly present for some now. Again, try not to force awareness, but allow it to emerge and bloom forth from within.

Generally speaking, when I look at all these aspects (as there is a lot more going on as well) – I see a more general theme that unites them all – the emergence of a new form of consciousness that honors and engages with the material realm. Within some spiritual circles, we see the material discounted as something worthless or sinful, or simply something that must be ´transcended´ to attain greater spiritual merit.

By looking deeper into, or simply engaging more fully with the reality we chose to incarnate into, I feel many of us may find the ´missing pieces of the puzzle´ we try so hard to find.

Answers come strongly through the Earth, the World around you and the Body as this time  ❤

Much Love,

Bairavee Balasubramaniam

The Sky Priestess

Post & Image ´Eastbourne Bench, 5-5-2016´ © Bairavee Balasubramaniam, 2016.

Terms of Use and Sharing: Feel free to use the Share button on FB or Reblog on WordPress for personal, noncommercial or educational use with all links intact. If you are an organization, insitution or individual seeking to use this material for promotional purposes, please ask first. If wanting to include this information into your workshop materials or written work, please cite accordingly. All information provided, be it through sessions conducted or this post is non-liable and is not intended to replace professional legal, medical, psychological, psychiatric and/or financial counsel.

THE VIRGO FULL MOON, MARCH 2015: HEALING THE WOUNDED MOTHER

I love the energies of Virgo. She represents the Archetype of the Priest/ess (and Spiritual Facilitators in general). She is sensual, earthy, pragmatic, analytical, fully embodied and uncompromising in her ideals. She is independent, self-sufficient, as sexual as she chooses to be. She knows how to work the details, organize, schedule and shift things around so she can achieve her goals. Whilst she can facilitate or serve (when she chooses), she knows the ways of the world and can learn to draw boundaries and ensure that there is a fair exchange of energy. She can discern through the many psychic impressions that appear, knowing which is true, which is not – what needs work on, and what needs to be let go of. She sees the material world as a sacred expression of the Spiritual and knows that she cannot disregard it in her practice.

Distortions in the way we interpret female presence and power have led to a widespread idea that Virgo is somehow fussy, sexually frigid and neurotic. Whilst this is a possible manifestation of that energy (in one extreme of imbalance), it is not the Virgo-Virgin that Vestals of Ancient Rome and other Priestesses and ancient Goddess cultures represented.

We have more to learn and re-member about this sign, particularly in its links with parthenogenic birth, brilliantly expressed in Den Poitras’ Parthenogenesis: Women’s Long-Lost Ability to Self-Conceive – a book that I had the pleasure and privilege of reviewing and endorsing.

No, it’s not man hating/shaming, and no, it doesn’t say that sex is bad, or that men are lesser beings. The book is itself written by a man seeking to honor the Sacred Feminine.

You can find out more on my take on Virgo in a writeup + video I posted sometime ago called ‘Reclaiming the Virgin’, here: http://wp.me/p4OUNS-5i – That was written in honor of the Virgo New Moon (25th August 2014), whose seeds we now reap – with some discussion on the Pisces-Virgo dynamics.

Look back to the 25th of August, 2014 to see the seeds of intentions that you set, which have now come to some kind of fruition. The Full Moon itself occurs at 14’50 Virgo (Moon) – Pisces (Sun) at 18:04 (GMT/UTC time), March 5th 2015 – so in a little under 6 hours’ time (from the time of posting).

Now we get to the specifics of this Full Moon Herself and how it links up to the Archetype of ‘The Wounded Mother’, as represented here by Black Moon Lilith, Persephone, Hera and Iris. There’s a lot more going on with this alignment, but I felt that this was the most important aspect of it.

The energy of Virgo opens the doors to finding self-sufficiency and the kind of service/facilitation we can provide to others, if we choose to do so. The Moon intensifies the emotional and intuitive aspects of this energy, and links it powerfully with our experience/connection with the Mother Archetype.

This can be a profound time to Serve the one who Facilitated your Birth, to find ways that both you and She can both heal, forgive and nurture one another once more. Certain wounds are ones that carry across the generations, passed down from mother (and father) to child. You might call it part of cellular memory, or a spiritual imprint, or the powerful connection you shared with her, gestating in her watery, dark womb. We begin listening and learning, even from within.

You may find this with your biological mother, or Divine energies that connect you with ‘The Mother’ – or both.

Note that the Mercury-Vesta-Circe conjunction calling for the healing of The Sacral Chakra (Children, Creativity, Sensuality) and the connection with the Womb (for all beings) still bears heavy influence in the skies – http://wp.me/p4OUNS-mv – reccomended meditations and practical tools are listed at the start of the article.

I ended up waking up in the middle of the night (had left the TV on) to a beautiful, beautiful, film called ‘Stepmom’ with Julia Roberts and Susan Sarandon. They play out the projection, manifestation and reconciliation of these ‘wounds among women’ in a powerful, beautiful, way. Definitely worth the watch.

Another suggestion is to light a candle, incense, or a lamp – hold a piece of rose quartz or unakite in your hand – and to simply ask the Universe to send waves of love, peaceful healing and grace to your relationship with your Mother/The Divine Mother/both – in a way that does not negate Free Will, that is in the best interests of All, etc.. Never underestimate the power of focused intention and prayer 🙂

Those who wish to get deeper in understanding the Nature of the Mother Wound this alignment helps us heal, keep reading! Let’s look at what the astrology tells us :

Conjunct the Moon:

BLACK MOON LILITH – THE DARK GODDESS – (10 VIRGO) represents the aspect of feminine energy that is collectively sidelined or hidden as it is somehow too dangerous, too unpredictable, too able to challenge the status quo. Her energy is closer to the Crone, rather than the Maiden. Black Moon Lilith rises in her capacity as a facilitator, showing us the power of independent choice – and making us understand that Service is not the same as being Subservient – Purity is not incompatible with Sexuality, and so on. You can also find out more on Black Moon Lilith in Virgo athttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C82L1TXltsg

IRIS – THE RAINBOW MESSENGER GODDESS – (15 VIRGO) speaks to us of where we can lose ourselves chasing folly (‘trying to find the end of the rainbow), or where we can – through discipline and a steady, measured path – find satisfaction (‘the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow). Iris also speaks to the cleansing and cathartic power of tears. In some way she bridges both the sensitivity of Pisces and the pragmatism of Virgo – both intuition and intellect, spirit and matter.

Conjunct the Sun:

PERSEPHONE AT 13 PISCES asks us to look at the parent-child relationship, and where one is overly attached to another. In mythology, Ceres/Demeter’s grief over losing her daughter to Pluto (the God of the Underworld who effectively abducts, rapes and co-rules the realm with her) – causes the Mother-Nurturer to withdrew her gift of abundance. The world turns wintry and bleak, and a deal is made so a her daughter is returned to her for half the year, creating the cycle of the seasons. Persephone also asks us to consider themes of life, death, re-birth and the sexuality of the younger, maiden archetype. As co-sovereign of the Underworld, she is privy to its magick, mysteries and arcane powers.

Opposed the Virgo Moon, Persephone’s lesson here asks us to look at boundaries – sexual – spiritual – psychic – intimate – parental – and to learn where they are best set. She speaks to us of ‘coming back’ from experiences of trauma, wounding and psychic/emotional death. (Asteroid Requiem at 19 Virgo supports the emphasis on death, through the ceremonial and ritual perspective – and the role of the facilitator in supporting the journey for both the living and the departed)

HERA AT 16 PISCES represents the archetype of the jealous, scheming wife and controlling mother – somewhat overshadowing her role as one of the most powerful embodiments of the Divine Feminine in Greco-Roman mythology. We are constantly reminded, through myth of her supposed vindictiveness – with little commentary as to how she’s supposed to feel about her polyamorous husband, Zeus. She is shown as a mother who manipulates her children in other to exact vengeance on her husband (or his other offspring), in some form.

Like Black Moon Lilith, Hera’s Divinity is heavily projected upon in ways that make her terrifying and unappealing – both as a wife and as a mother. Opposed Black Moon Lilith and the Virgo Moon, Hera’s reminder is once again, the realization that what we do as powerful embodiments of the Divine Feminine (particularly women) collectively tap into and challenge certain ideals of what women ‘ought to be’. This form of projection and mis-interpretation itself constitutes a powerful spiritual wound surrounding the ‘strong mother’ archetype – for all those who identify as female and perform these roles.

Again, it comes back to re-connecting with the Wounded Mother, she who has been Suppressed, She who has been misunderstood or misinterpreted. She, whose wounds are kept alive in the Bodies of her Sons and Daughters. We all have that archetype within us, and it is one that is in need of collective healing.

Blessings to All,

Priestess Bairavee Balasubramaniam PhD
bairaveebalasubramaniam.com
fb.com/theskypriestess

Page: Astrology with Priestess Bairavee Balasubramaniam PhD

Image: Mother Goddess and Child LACMA M.82.42.2.jpg – Los Angeles Country Museum of Art – Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons [text with graphic, my own]

Text + Graphic Layout © Bairavee Balasubramaniam, 2015

GEMINI FULL MOON OPPOSES THE GREAT ATTRACTOR + CHIRON T-SQUARE + NEAR GRAND SEXTILE (WOW!!!)

Blessings to All! We’ve got two major alignments coinciding with this Full Moon, powerfully opposed to the Great Attractor! It’s going to be intense!

Six months ago, on May 28/29 2014, we seeded our intentions for manifestation during the Gemini New Moon (under the influence of a Double Yod and the Grand Cardinal Cross!). Now, we will see how our efforts have culminated in some form. Full Moons are always a time of culmination, and they brings certain issues or aspects of our lives into clear focus. This Full Moon is at 14 Gemini, occurring at 8:27 pm (Dec 6th 2014, GMT + 8).

In Gemini, the Moon seeks freedom through the Mind, making this an excellent time to release any old ways of thinking/perceiving/seeing the world that no longer serves a useful purpose. It shows the way forward (or the fact that something has conclusively ended) through impasses of thought, cognition and communication. You are encouraged to find a position of detachment (rather than disassociation or simply shutting off your emotions), wherein you can allow things/people/situations to be what they are and simply ‘go with the flow’. This isn’t an energy that typically asks you to stand and hold your ground, it encourages you to be more flexible with the way you see things and to release expectations about the way certain things ‘ought to be’. Be careful of the tendency to disown or disregard deep emotions, for your emotions are the flow of energy through which you navigate the Path. Let them flow through you and know that this too, shall pass – into a new territory, chapter or beginning. Those who feel overwhelmed – take good care of yourselves! This is an intense lunation!

Gemini also refers to one’s early childhood environment, and in particular one’s siblings. Keep an eye out if they require your assistance at this time in any way.

This Full Moon is also opposed the Great Attractor (conjunct the Sun), adding a whole new dimension of impact. The Sagittarian Sun at 14 degrees, is one that will seek adventure, expansion, and that constant projection of energy that keeps pushing and pushing your boundaries and perceptions, now emphasized by the Attractor.

[Asteroids Hermes (12 Sagittarius) and Hekate (13 Sagittarius) also conjunct the Great Attractor/Sun, emphasizing the energies of Mercury (the archetype) and the Dark Crone Goddess of the Underworld (you’ll see why later)! Ceres, the Nurturer and Mercury (the planet) are also conjunct this point at 13 and 16 Sagittarius respectively.]

The Great Attractor is “a gravity anomaly in intergalactic space within the vicinity of the Hydra-Centaurus Supercluster at the center of the Laniakea Supercluster that reveals the existence of a localized concentration of mass tens of thousands of times more massive than the Milky Way” (Wikipedia). It exerts a powerful ‘pull’ like a black hole, but lacking the event horizon that sucks things in.

In astrology it acts as a ‘Pull’ towards a system of belief, ideology, world-view, philosophy, teaching, etc. (all related with Sagittarius). In natal charts, those with planets conjunct the Great Attractor are often ‘magnets’, easily drawing in the attention of other people. The wisdom they bring and the full impact of their energetic contribution to our collective awakening cannot be explained, measured or even adequately described.

With the Sun now lighting up the Great Attractor – we are all in a place to make key choices as to how we perceive our place in the wider Cosmos and our take on the Governing Dynamics/Principles/Ideas behind it all. For some, it may feel like a powerful pull to ‘go somewhere’ (travel/adventure/etc., also associated with Sagittarius) or take a particular stance on an issue. My caution here (to you) would be to avoid being over-judgmental, or opinionated to the point of telling anyone else how to live/not live.

Paraphrasing Philip Sedgwick, (the man who first brought the Attractor to the attention of Astrologers) all truths are but a part of the Universal Hologram. Everything can be, and is, True, only if you see it as part of the Totality, or the Full Spectrum of Potential Truths. Know that your Truth is valid for You, but by no means does it have to be valid for Another. Great Teachers who can impart this information to others will bring out Great Works at this time, or arrive at key mental/intellectual/cognitive culminations that will allow them to do so.

The Gemini Moon and the Sagittarian Sun conjunct Great Attractor are also part of a T-Square involving Chiron at 13 Pisces. Both the Sun/Attractor and the Moon square Chiron, making it the apex of the alignment – where the greatest stress, tension, but equally, potential for breakthrough is. Chiron in Pisces tells us of our Soul’s greatest woundings – particularly in issues to to do with past-life karmic situations, other-worldly / transcendental experiences of Spiritual and the challenge of Looking Past the Veil and living with the Reality of the Void. Very major stuff!

Those with placements at or near 13-14 Virgo will experience this as a Grand Mutable Cross.

Finally – last but by no means least – during this time, we will also experience a Near-Grand Sextile (NGS), with a missing corner somewhere between 8-22 Aquarius. Grand Sextiles appear as a perfect ‘Star of David’ / Shadkona Yantra / Hexagram shape in astrology – with a perfect downward facing equilateral triangle intersecting with an upward facing one, both surrounded by a Hexagon. The Grand Sextile is essentially a seal of manifestation and protection – a Divine ‘thumbs up!’ if you will for whatever it is that you wish to manifest at this time. As a friend helpfully pointed out to be – it is in fact, a 3D Merkaba of Manifestation.

This alignment will be in place between 6:36 pm. Dec 6 – 5:35 am, Dec 7 2014 (GMT + 8).

Linking all this intensity together, it seems as though the lesson you learn from this Full Moon will give you a powerful tool of perception (Gemini) and/or embodiment of your Path (Sagittarius), which you can then use to manifest something that will accelerate your spiritual journey by lightyears.

The bodies involved in the Near-Grand Sextile are: Juno (16 Leo), Uranus Retrograde (12 Aries) + South Node (16 Aries), Sun / Great Attractor (14 Sagittarius) + Ceres (16 Sagittarius) + Mercury (13 Sagittarius) as part of the GREAT GODDESS FIRE TRINE (see http://wp.me/p4OUNS-bb for further info). The North Node (16 Libra) and the Moon in Gemini, along with the hypothetical point in 8-22 Aquarius make up a GRAND AIR TRINE. All these aspects are connected via sextiles, creating the near-Hexagon, with the Fire/Air Trines intersecting one another to create the central shape.

Looking at this list, we see the opportunity to manifest/address: Goddess & Soulmate Connections (Juno), Awakenings (Uranus), Karmic Decision Points (North and South Node), Issues with Giving/Receiving (+Self ) Nurture (Ceres), The use of Reason/Logic/The Mind (Mercury), Conscious Energies (Sun), Unconscious/Intuitive Energies (The Moon) – and other stuff! depending on what contacts your natal chart makes with this alignment. Despite the fact that Air/Fire is typically associated with The Masculine, KNOW – that Goddess Energies are abundantly represented in this Cosmic Alignment. This is a fantastic moment and opportunity for Multidimensional Balance and Manifestation.

When lesser-known asteroids are considered, the Grand Sextile is completed. We have Echeclus (16 Aquarius) that tells us about a choice in discernment – how do we use the energies of the mind to resolve or re-frame issues from the past. This has resonance with the way we see the future. You have the Choice as to how you Perceive your Past, and what influence you Allow it to have on Your Future.

Urania, The Muse, is at 15 Aquarius – blessing the paths you take, and the choices you make – particularly when influenced by wisdom gained through astrology/astronomy. I hope this post and whatever other astrological info you read will facilitate you in that direction.

Psyche, the Woman who Became a Goddess, is at 22 Aquarius – asking you to look at the archetypes, narratives and stories – which you tell yourself about who you are, how the world is, how it treats you, and how you live in it. Again, this is a chance for you to re-claim and re-tell your own story, manifesting it into a new reality. Be wise in your choice and use this chance to transmute that which no longer serves and begin to Live the Life your Heart, Spirit and Soul is in True Alignment With.

Persephone, at 14 Aquarius, the Queen of the Underworld – asks you to brave the Descent into the Underworld (your sub-conscious, for most of you reading this) as you seek the Truth of Your Self and your Sovereign Power. In other words, Do not Fear The Darkness Within. Sit with it, and see what comes. If you can’t handle it, seek help from a professional/ qualified facilitator. It’s a powerful time for Death and Re-birthing, in a metaphysical sense. Many of our Wounded Feminine archetypes, forcibly dragged into the Darkness Within through pain and violation, are waiting to be reclaimed as the Sovereign Queens that they are.

Orpheus, at 10 Aquarius, allows you to grieve for that which has been lost. Expressions of self through music or song would be greatly facilitated at this time. Let go of what is no longer valid, or present or resonant in your life.

Damocles, at 19 Aquarius, gives us a sense of urgency as to the Choice – that all of this energy is urging us to make at this time and a promise that your choices will have energetic consequences. Again, choose wisely. The principle of : Harm None [Including Yourself] applies here.

— so , putting it all together —

There seems to be a big breakthrough in your perception of some situation, most likely highlighted by events from the last week of May 2014. You might also see some resonance with the type of energy we’re feeling, looking back at December 6/7 1995, when we last had a Full Moon at this degree.

We’re going to have to metaphorically journey into the Underworld, so we can be Reborn Spiritually at this time. Fear not, have Faith and sit with all the parts of yourself seeking resolution at this time with a position of Heart-Centered Openness. Let it flow, and you’ll be surprised how far this journey can take you, beginning NOW.

Watch for the opportunity for ‘Breakthrough’ at this time and remember to do the Phoenix Meditation if so inclined. Rebirth is in the Air!

Blessings and Love to All,

Priestess Bairavee Balasubramaniam, PhD
www.bairaveebalasubramaniam.com

ASTRO UPDATE 25 OCTOBER 2014: MERCURY RETROGRADE ENDS & MAJOR SHIFTS UNDERWAY!

Blessings Everyone! The Mercury Retrograde ends today! Over the next few weeks, we will be revisiting decisions, communications, negotiations we made in partnerships and relationships with others. We will have the chance to make amends in situations which can (and ought to be) repaired, and the opportunity to find new approaches to move past old obstacles. Mercury Stations Direct at 12:28 pm (GMT + 8) at 16 Lib ’48.

Here’s a Head’s Up: At 7:11 am, Oct 30, Mercury will conjunct the North Node for the final time this year at 18 Libra ’16, activating a Nodal (Karmic) T-Square with Pluto and Uranus Retrograde. This will be a key opportunity to use the information you gathered during the Retrograde Period to work on some aspect of your relationships/partnerships/contracts or other negotiations.

Today, we’re also feeling the effects of Mars at the Anaretic Degree (i.e. 29 degrees) of Sagittarius. The lessons we have learnt from the ‘Action/Assertion’ planet in this sign to do with our sense of expansion, adventure, travel, higher education, philosophical understandings, Path in life, and our relationships with our Teachers/Gurus will be heightened. At 6:27 pm, October 26, Mars will move into the sign of the Sea-Goat, i.e. Capricorn.

At 10:38 pm, later today, Ceres will enter the 29th (Anaretic) degree of Scorpio. Here the Goddess Asteroid of Nurture (showing us how we best give and receive nurturing energy) is revisiting the lessons of her stay in the Scorpionic Underworld. Ceres or Demeter is the Goddess of the Harvest, of verdant abundance, of agriculture and the bounties of the Earth.

She is the mother of Persephone, the maiden who is abducted, raped and instated as the Queen of the Underworld by Hades/Pluto. The mother manages to secure 6 months out of 12 in the year where her daughter is free to roam the earth – the remaining months cause her mother to lament. The world experiences her grief and joy through the seasons: spring/summer (joy), autumn/winter (grief) or the simpler divisions of fruitful/unfruitful agricultural seasons (associated with Ceres) . Ceres moves into Sagittarius at 9:31 am, October 28.

The energy of Nurture, represented by Ceres, is focused upon the Deepest Moment of Darkness (Scorpio). We may find healing self/others by engaging in deep emotional catharsis and exploration as nurturing at this time. Physical touch and intimacy with a loved one can also bring us this sense of deep fulfillment. Others may fulfill Ceres’ longings through an exploration of the occult and the Deeper Mysteries it represents. As with all things, there is a balance called for in this placement – to ensure that the recipient of your healing, touch, explorations, etc. is firstly willing and able to participate in the process. Boundaries and the right use of power must be managed, particularly in parent-child relationships (owing to the Ceres-Persephone-Underworld connection).

On top of that, at 6:32 pm later today – we see the start of a Grand Fire Trine between Uranus Retrograde (13 Ari), Juno (6 Leo) and Vesta (9 Sag), whose effects will begin to build from this time. More on that in the days to come.

We’ve got other powerful influences already operating in the sky right now. Strongest of all is the aftermath of the Scorpio Solar Eclipse (see http://wp.me/p4OUNS-au for full article).

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

Image Information: Palazzo Grimani a Venezia – Foto Giovanni Dall’Orto – 8 Ago 2011 426 – By G.dallorto (Own work) [Attribution], via Wikimedia Commons