The Virgo New Moon/Solar Eclipse (1 September 2016): Looking To The Future We are About to Create with Saturn, Pluto and Vesta (The Priestess)

We begin this article by looking at the future that we are about to create.

At 9.03 am UTC, 1st September 2016 – the Moon conjuncted the Sun in a Solar Eclipse (New Moon) at 9 degrees Virgo.

Solar Eclipses / New Moons are potent times for the setting of seeds, or intentions which we reap – or see culminate – at moments predicted by the mathematics and energy of astrology. The seeds you set now you will most certainly see during the next Virgo Full Moon (March 12, 2017).

That´ll be interesting as the Sun will conjunct Pallas Athena and Chiron in Pisces whilst squaring Saturn and the Galactic Center in Sagittarius – and of course opposing the Moon at 22 Virgo.

Let´s just say that´s going be … a very telling time.

Many questions shall arise, such as: Are we on the road to Healing, or simply Self-Deception? Are we on a path of Service, or simply Self-Aggrandizement? (and so on and so forth)

Less than a month later (April 6, 2017), Saturn will retrograde at that exact degree – 27 Sagittarius (The Galactic Center), forcing us to re-visit these questions. Saturn will re-enter, and then finally leave Sagittarius from the last week of November till the first week of December 2017.

So really … the seeds we´re setting now, at the very least (putting aside the fact this is an Eclipse for a moment), will find structure, consolidation and form in fifteen months from now!!!!

I also note two curious features shared by the current Virgo New Moon (September 1, 2016) and next year´s Virgo Full Moon (March 12, 2017):

(1) The Sun and Moon square Saturn in Sagittarius
(2) Pluto in Capricorn opposes Vesta in Cancer (owing to Vesta´s long retrograde from the start of Leo and back into Cancer).

So let´s break that down.

The focus on Saturn tells us that – ALL – of this comes back to the question of what Path we ultimately take towards healing, learning, expression, service – or simply the paradigms we use to navigate our lives and find a sense of place in the world.

There´s going to be a lot of physical and/or intellectual movement as we expand our horizons. Be it by travel, migration, higher education, training, speaking – or finding sources of knowledge you see as authoritative in other forms.

Without surprise, this will equally translate into consolidation and/or conflict across the lines of political, spiritual and religious ideology.

As an astrologer, I also see this as a powerful time for the creation (and necessary destruction) of different approaches to this field of human-and-celestial understanding. The same message comes through strongly through the various other hats I wear: as academic, public speaker, global traveller – my own Saturn is in Sagittarius anyway 🙂 .

But long story short …

December 2017 is going to be a definitive time for the planet. And the seeds and energetic path-working we bring to our lives right now – is going to fuel whatever direction emerges then.

So … find the road you want to take and commit to it. You might change it over the next fifteen months – and that is fine. Just pick something, and get to it.

You might want to hold off signing paperwork till early October, just to allow Mercury to finish retrograding – unless of course, it´s just following through with something you previously committed to.

And it´s probably a good idea to let the Pisces Lunar Eclipse on September 16, 2016 pass first. The Moon (24 Pisces) will be conjunct Chiron, the Wounded Healer (22 Pisces), both trining Vesta (20 Cancer).

Amazingly, Vesta will be at the same degree (20 Cancer) during the Pisces Lunar Eclipse (September 16, 2016) and the Virgo Full Moon (March 12, 2017) – and when the Vesta Retrograde ends on March 7, 2017!

Interesting times … .. and such a focus on Vesta, The Priestess – to whom we now turn.

The second shared feature between the Virgo New Moon and Virgo Full Moon is the Pluto-Vesta opposition in Capricorn-Cancer.

This tells me that what we choose now is vital in helping us understand our Path of Service, Facilitation, Priest/essing – and its relationship with familial, ancestral, shadow-based karma, alchemy, manifestation and the deepest levels of energy-working.

That´s putting a very long story in a nutshell.

Vesta, the Priestess is going to want to sacrifice herself for her family, belief system, culture, custom, tradition – or simply to feel that she belongs someplace, that she has a Home.

Pluto will challenge Her by bringing her back into the Shadow-Domains, perhaps through the pursuit of power, perhaps through pain, perhaps both. I see The Priestess needs to understand the truth of what she seeks, what she is willing to sacrifice for it, and why – without giving into Pluto´s seductive wares and/or bullying ways. Remember – this is the planet that rules violence and breakdown, just as it does intimacy and rebirth.

Navigating this alignment alone will require an level of incredible transparency, groundedness and a willingness to ´cut through the karmic BS´ (as a loved one put it). You might prefer the language of transmutation, release and/or acceptance – it comes down to the paradigm of your choice.

Whatever you choose now, let it be a choice born of love, rather the fear of abandonment, betrayal, persecution or the desire to find brute power over another. It can be easy to give into those parts of the self when one believes they have no other way out. But that too is a belief, and one that can be shifted should you choose.

This bodes to be a very very transformative time for energy-workers and facilitators, particularly those who are not averse to exploring the relationship with the Shadow in its various forms. Those of you who do ancestral work will probably already be focusing on inherited (or mimicked) energetic vulnerabilities that have passed through family lineages.

I have found that working with the Golden Ray at the Solar Plexus Chakra in particular to be very, very effective at this time. Gemstones such as citrine or golden topaz will be of great use. Watch as well the messages that (literally) come from your gut, humanity´s ´second brain´, bringing with it the information of 100 million neurons. Probiotics and Vitamin C are also things I would encourage exploring to complement energetic work at this time.

But back to the astrology ….

I have also noted another curious emphasis on Vesta in a different Eclipse – the one coming right up on September 16, 2016. At that time, Vesta will be at 20 Cancer. She will be at that exact degree (as well) on the day the Vesta Retrograde ends (March 7, 2017) and the Virgo Full Moon (March 12, 2017) – when Vesta will oppose Pluto (just as she is doing now, albeit at 15 Cancer-Capricorn).

I would suggest looking into this particular degree (20 Cancer) in your natal and/or progressed charts to see what transformations arise. Vesta finally moves past this degree in the final week of March 2017 – which is when I would expect to see further movement in the way we navigate the Vesta/Cancer-Pluto/Capricorn opposition. The final Vesta-Pluto opposition in Cancer-Capricorn will take place in late July 2020, at 23 degrees. Then we get into the Leo-Aquarius oppositions, which is an entirely different kettle of fish.

To me, what this says is that we´re going to be challenged to move past, transform and/or embrace the role of Vesta-as-familial-caregiver-custodian, sacrificing her power and freedom and limiting herself into the home or domestic sphere. For some, this is ideal – for others, it is a prison. But there are too many ways that particular dynamic can play out – this is just one example. The possibility of resolution here comes in the Shadow (Pluto), in being willing to face what remains unseen in the deepest energetic chambers of the ancestral line. Certainly an interesting time for Priest/esses and Facilitators in general.

As a Priestess – I have to say that this has been one of the most … incredibly intense times of my life.

(I figure that will resonate with many others in a similar vocation).

To sum up what we´ve said so far … what you do during this Eclipse – counts – big time. The ripples you make in the pools of your sub-conscious will transform into ocean tides that move and shape (and dissolve and re-create) us all.

And last but not least – remember – this is an Eclipse. And eclipses come as part of families of eclipses, most popularly classified in terms of Saros cycles. To quote NASA:

“The periodicity and recurrence of eclipses is governed by the Saros cycle, a period of approximately 6,585.3 days (18 years 11 days 8 hours). It was known to the Chaldeans as a period when lunar eclipses seem to repeat themselves, but the cycle is applicable to solar eclipses as well. “ ~eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEsaros/SEsaros.html

The current Solar Eclipse / New Moon in Virgo is No. 39 of 71 in Saros cycle 135. It began on July 5 1331 and will end on August 17, 2593. Eclipse No. 38 was on August 22, 1998, with No. 40 on September 12, 2034.

Look back to August 1998 to see how the events of then connect with the present (that´s been true to a ridiculously specific degree for me – AND – Vesta was at 20 Cancer on that date as well… you just can´t make this stuff up ). And, if you remember, look back on today if you´re still about in September 2034 😀 There will be considerable energetic linkages between all these dates (which you can find on Wikipedia).

And that is where I would like to leave this article. Rather than going into Saturn-Neptune-Nodes and their relationship with the Sun/Moon/Eclipse – I wanted to take this in a different direction – as we´ve all spent the past months moving through these exact challenges (in the mutable signs).

I felt it was time to take a step forwards and look to the future we wish to create in the time that we have NOW.

Blessings and Thanks,

Priestess Bairavee Balasubramaniam PhD
The Sky Priestess

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NEW MOON AT 19 CAPRICORN – Grand Cardinal Cross with Uranus, Pluto, Black Moon Lilith, Thereus and Cyllarus (Jan 9/10, 2016)

Blessings to All. It’s the first New Moon of 2016 – and it’s a Wowzer! New Moons are potent windows for the setting of intentions that culminate during the corresponding Full Moon of the same sign. We are now in the seed-setting cycle of the Capricorn New Moon. Its energies urge us to think about the material, physical, energetic and other forms of legacies we bequeath for later generations to inherit.

Capricorn’s energy also relates to our image or role in the public eye, be it through the successes and accomplishments we work hard to achieve, or the career or profession that gives us the scope to do so. At the societal level, it is the energy of the Supra-Conscious, the voice or level of consciousness that tells us what is socially desirable, acceptable and legitimate. Tied into this is a discussion of power, authority and the institutions that govern us as their (formal and informal) subjects, i.e. governments and banks.

Energetically, I associate Capricorn with the archetype of the Earth-Crone or Grandmother who watches over the land with a soft, care-worn expression in her face. She is custodian and protector of the land, as the legacy her grand-children will ultimately inherit (and inhabit).

As we set intentions for a new cycle of manifestation, bear in mind that this New Moon (Sun/Moon conjunction) is woven into and forms a part of an unusually potent Grand Cardinal Cross, involving Uranus and Pluto. We experienced a similar alignment with these two transpersonal bodies during April-May 2014. Though we may respond to that level of intensity differently now, you’re likely to see some echoes.

Pluto –  the planet of crisis, change, transformation, the hero/ine’s journey, birth-death-rebirth, issues with intimacy, sexuality, boundaries, power, health, regeneration, alchemy and resurrection – conjuncts the Sun-Moon at 15 Capricorn. The New Moon draws us into the depths of the Plutonian Underworld in order for us to explore the shadow and the gifts hidden within.

In Other Words,

Once More … Into the Abyss.

(But that’s really not a bad thing…)

The Underworld, just as the concept of The Shadow, is of course, one that has been heavily projected upon as being ‘evil’ or ‘negative’. That was a later cultural construct that gained currency with the rise of monotheism (and I would also argue, with the rise of patriarchy).  For instance, Greek mythology saw the the Underworld as more than a place for souls to go to upon death. It was the space in which heroes were born – as they faced their Shadow – and equally, where heroes returned to upon their death, i.e. in the Elysian fields (their equivalent of Paradise). Compare that to our contemporary (mainstream) idea of the Underworld – as a space of torture, confinement, and suffering – and you can see the deep cultural shift I’m talking about. And let’s not even get into the topic of how the Earth-Mother was displaced from her Dark Womb in later mythologies and religious conceptions. Darkness is a far more nuanced, multifaceted construct.

So, as Pluto draws you in, be it through a willing Descent into the Darkness of the self, or through the modality of crisis – bear in mind that this a journey into Shadow. Here is where the seeds lie in their nascent state beneath the soil, where the fetus gestates in the waters of the womb, the vacuum in which all existence burst forth from Nothingness. Here is the space of new beginnings, a realm of great healing, nurture, sanctuary and re-connection. And equally, here is where you hide your strengths, fears, truths and deep illusions.

Intimate partners (Pluto) and/or older, authority figures (Capricorn) may be the ones to draw you into this shadow space, more likely through the modality of conflict, rather than not. You may find yourself in games of emotional manipulation, projection and power-plays without realizing it.

Pluto, The Sun and The Moon square Uranus at 16 Aries. This is familiar terrain, what with the life-and-generation-transforming sequence of seven exact Uranus-Pluto squares we all experienced between 2012-2015. Uranus, The Great Awakener, strikes us with an erratic, unpredictable bolt of Consciousness. Where it comes from, why, and through whom, is something no one can reasonably give you an answer on – except by checking which house it occupies in your chart. In Aries, be it by initiation or as a response to something else, Uranus awakens us to the Truth of the Self.

Aries energy expresses itself easily within the lower chakras, so pay heed to those gut-level impulses and responses. You may be surprised by the Self that is revealed, particularly when its sovereignty and power is challenged by another (Pluto).

All of this energy makes an aspect to Black Moon Lilith (15 Libra), the more matured (Crone) aspect of the Dark Feminine. She seeks to find Balance in the relationships that surround her and to ensure fair play between all parties, though she is likely to be negatively projected upon for doing so (and for reacting to that projection). The fact that Zeus (the ultra-patriarch)  is nearby at 18 Libra tells me that much of this re-balancing is going to have to look at the ways in which patriarchy has limited the scope for women’s agency, identity, power and spiritual presence over the past few millenia.

She may go the route of (what looks like) the bully, trying to carve out a (probably legitimate) space that has been traditionally denied to her. She may also go the route of (what looks like) the doormat, allowing herself to be take the back seat for the sake of a relationship, partnership or collaboration. However, that type of compromise isn’t likely to last long as Black Moon Lilith pushes us to challenge imbalance, especially as she fails to tolerate it 😉 . In general, this is not the best time to seek out objective-decision making (a Libran concern) in the domain of relationships, partnerships and collaborations, owing to Lilith’s reactivity and Uranus’ unpredictability. In other words, avoid making major life-changing decisions and commitments right now and let circumstances unfold as they will. Observe first, before reacting – to whatever extent possible.

Finally, we see Cyllarus (17 Cancer) and Thereus (18 Cancer) directly opposing the Sun/Moon/Pluto combination and squaring Uranus and Black Moon Lilith – this completes the Grand Cardinal Cross. Cyllarus warns us of the costs of acting in haste, lashing out or lunging forward without forethought. Cyllarus feels particularly threatened when the group identities that he feels at home in (tribe, culture, football team, etc.) are somehow challenged. In mythology, Cyllarus goes charging headlong into something without thinking and ends up dead with a spear through his chest.

Thereus, on the other hand, asks us to be mindful of victim-abuser dynamics, especially when one feels emotionally trapped by another. In mythology, Thereus was a hunter who stalked bears, entered their caves, hit them on their head and dragged them out afterwards. He’s not big on the idea of consent or honoring the personal integrity of another. In charts, Thereus often refers to the area in one’s life where they do realize the fact they are trapped or subject to predation by another, until it is fully revealed to them. Some prefer to ascribe something positive to the entrapment (a blissful state of denial) or to get defensive and reject it outright.

So, Thereus challenges us to become mindful of hidden control tactics or energetic/emotional predation; Cyllarus cautions us against simply not jumping the gun and charging in arms akimbo when we feel things that we are strongly attached to, challenged in some way. Both are present in the sign of Cancer, representing the domestic sphere – family, home, tradition, racial/ethnic identity, relationship with the mother or maternal archetype, and so on. Whether it be the source of triggering, or the context in which we seek the dynamics of triggering play out – familial/tribal dynamics pose powerful challenges during this New Moon.

In other words, even if someone from home challenges us, or someone challenges our sense of home – think twice before responding or falling into the victim-abuser polarity. This is going to be triggering some massive shadow-work and the need to acknowledge how we – and our families – at times, hold one another in rigid, dysfunctional emotional patterns. As we make healthier choices for ourselves as individuals, and as members of a partnership, we may find resistance from family and the traditional values they uphold – or even from authorities or institutions that we allow to exercise power over us.

Thank the God/esses for Uranus and Black Moon Lilith! They give us the impetus to walk away from inherited wisdom and ancestral truths that continue (rightly or wrongly) to tell so many of us just how and why we are wounded or trapped and why that is our fault or why we can’t change that ‘reality’. Whilst there are wonderful things we can inherit from our pasts, there’s a lot of baggage that gets lumped in as well. Be mindful that your individual actions can rock the boat for others around you, but as always – Follow your Truth.

Taking these together, we see an extremely intense, shadow-oriented, unpredictable flow of energy between the signs of the Self (Aries), Partner (Libra), Family/Home (Cancer) and Career/Legacy (Capricorn). Many of you will begin exploring new directions, perhaps even with a new map (i.e. a sense of what is possible). This New Moon will be a defining time for many, strongly echoing similar dynamics we collectively experienced during the Grand Cardinal Cross of April-May 2014.

Look to July’s Full Moon in Capricorn to begin reaping the seeds sown at this time (27 Capricorn, July 19). June’s Full Moon at 29 Sagittarius will have some precursors to what we see in July. The Moon moves into Capricorn not long after it opposes the Sun at 29 Gemini (June 20).

So, taking this all together – it’s a powerful, energetically intense time that asks us to consider how we (ultimately) think about the different aspects of who we are, who we choose to connect with, where we’re from, and – where we’re going. The legacy we leave behind in the world weaves together the elements from each Cardinal sign and the challenges and strengths that they bring.

Choose your legacy wisely, and as far as you can, remember that we are all facing this dynamic – together. How strongly these placements influence you depends upon your natal chart and your own spiritual path / process of evolution.

Blessings to All,

Bairavee Balasubramaniam
The Sky Priestess

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A CUDDLY LOOK AT CAPRICORN: RETHINKING MATERIAL/ISM, THE LEGACY OF THE CRONE IN THE SHADOW OF THE SUN-VESTA CONJUNCTION

Capricorn is generally described as ambitious, unemotional, cold, disciplined, structured, fixated on power and achievement, generally something you acknowledge with gritted teeth as it is ruled by Saturn, the karmic taskmaster. There’s always some discipline, some pressure from an authority figure that makes you do things when are not necessarily ‘fun’ – but vital to what work you come to do in this world.

Now the way I engage with astrological energies comes from guides, from Source, from intuition and observation. I often find myself at odds with the way energies are commonly described in the mainstream, and to my joy, I find that my interpretations are echoed by Master Astrologers, and by those keenly in touch with their own Spirits. (Yay!) Sometimes it’s a case of ‘getting deeper’ with that energy and seeing its roots, and sometimes it’s a case of recognizing how an archetype was distorted through patriarchal frames of reference.

I am very pleased to see that some of the work I am doing in re-interpreting the feminine energies of certain signs (Virgo) and bodies such as Vesta and Juno are being very well received. I now see far more articles and astrologers adopting a similar approach. Whether this is just a feature of collective, parallel awakening, or if my work has made wide, intersecting ripples with others on the path (or both) – I do not know, but I do know that I am part of the change that seeks to re-vision astrology and transform it from the ground up. It is a good wave and collective effort to be a part of.

So in that same vein of finding the ‘energy of Capricorn’, I offer my take on this powerful energy. Engage with it, accept it, reject it, do whatever you want with it – but I certainly hope this post will make you think about it in a different way, than what it is commonly described to be. This is simply my truth, and I hope it resonates with your own as well. In fact you can apply that caveat to anything I write/say in the public domain. I don’t claim to present a _complete_ representation of this sign as  – like all signs – it is a complex energy.

Capricorn is the Cardinal Earth Sign. It is the pinnacle of material manifestation in the zodiac. Most of the time we consider this the point that tells us about the pinnacle of material achievement, be it through social recognition, success, prestige status. We also associate Capricorn with authority figures and institutions of power such as governments and other regulatory bodies. We also associate this sign with the wisdom and legitimacy conferred to Elders.

Emotionally speaking, Capricorn is said to be reserved. Unemotional, calculating. I remember an astrology book I read when I was 12 describing it as the ambitious, ‘domineering parent’.

In my family, we have two Capricorns – my mum, with her Ascendant (1st house / Rising Sign) in Capricorn – and me with my Rising Sign in Cancer. Needless to say we’re two very different people, and the way we express Capricorn’s energy is completely different. (Cancer is the polar opposite of Capricorn in the zodiac, so an interesting inversion of energy happens in my case).

Over the years, I have noticed the similarities between us, and the key differences. And I note them to be the same areas of overlap when I read good, well-researched / well-intuited articles that describe the energy of this powerful sign – and all it can be.

Capricorn, referring to the Earth element in its wholly actualized form, is very focused on achievement. But not necessarily achievement in the sense of being put on a pedestal and worshiped by adoring fans. Achievement in the sense of getting something that is of true value and worth to you done.

In my readings, I always emphasize the achievement that Capricorn seeks to make as the legacy that it seeks to leave behind. It is the energy of the Crone – the Wise Elder, The Tomb, and the Indefatigable Sea-Goat. And, as Alan Oken points out, the Sun enters Capricorn during the Winter Solstice (as per the Northern Hemisphere), a time where we see the Resurrection of energy from its lowest Point (Death) – a theme echoed and celebrated in many global myths and religions. He states that Capricorn is also the sign of the Initiate – anchoring the material structures required that all may eventually reach the Gates of Aquarius.

As I read it, Capricorn’s energy allows us to create a legacy that others will later be able to use to head towards a new level of Consciousness. There is a finality to its energy and also a forward looking component as it builds in the name of the future.

If we think about the way some cultures bury their dead and then leave a small stone epitaph describing the sum of the actions, deeds, words, ideas and life of a person — we get a sense of finality that Capricorn seeks to accomplish and its scope. Capricorn urges us to complete something which leaves behind a legacy of some kind. And what that legacy is will differ by person.

My mother’s idea of legacy is her kids, and what her kids seek to bring to the world. My idea of legacy is creating a pathway for authentic spiritual self-expression (especially for re-awakening facilitators – Vesta conjunct Midheaven in Aries ). And both are perfectly valid. Both are perfectly important.

It really depends upon your Soul’s Choices prior to birth and whatever karmic cycle you’ve chosen to work through, among other factors.

But it is accurate to say that Capricorn, irrespective of which Ascendant you might have, does strive to complete something it sees as greatly significant. A legacy worth leaving behind. Quite possibly one you see in material terms/forms. (Be it a child, a job, a body, a possession), etc. but it it need not be seen in a ‘materialistic’ manner.

This is a huge distinction to make because you can see and work with material objects in a non-materialistic way. You can accomplish great material works with wholly spiritual, altruistic, humanitarian, etc. ideals in mind. The power, status and prestige of Capricorn is then simply the material form or manifestation of a far more spiritual ideal.

Thinking of it this way, the Machiavellian (an Italian prince notorious for the machinations of politics) vibe afforded to Capricorn begins to dissolve. I certainly found a lot of hang-ups surrounding my Sun Sign begin to dissolve when I shifted my perspective. I gave myself permission to achieve, knowing that I was doing it for a cause my Spirit was aligned with. And it was liberating.

Material achievement yes, but for a non-material end. That made perfect sense to me – and by way of observation, the way I see my mum as well. (She’s a very Eco-Priestess type of person)

In my perception, I see this idea of material-earthly-legacy as seamlessly connected with the Wisdom of the Crone. I see the energy of the Grandmother as the Overseer of the material legacy we collectively leave behind, to be inherited by future generations.

Grandmother is sadly shaking her head, I’m afraid. She might not be overtly cuddly, or gushing with emotions all of the time. She might even seem detached, but through her stoic features, you cannot escape feeling her gentle emotions, sadness even as she gazes upon the legacy we are leaving upon this Earth. Her eyes are ancient and the hold the collective emotions and aspirations of the world. The fact she cares, and cares so deeply cannot be overlooked.

In day to day life, we can look to wherever Capricorn lies in our charts as the channel or area of life in which we are most likely to access the Crone’s detached, loving wisdom.

In fact, I feel that the emotional aloofness afforded to Capricorn is but an expression of the kind of detachment that the Crone energy can sometimes bring.

But hang on, you might say that you know people with ‘stereotypical’ Capricorn traits who are materialistic, power hungry, cold, etc. These may be people who value the status quo, or accept a sense of what constitute ‘success’ and ‘achievement’ handed down by those considered as authorities.

And you might be right in thinking so.

What we are doing here is exploring the energy of this sign and its fullest spiritual potential – we are speaking of where this energy can take us, as opposed to how it is more likely to be accessed from a statistical point of view.

I find that much of mainstream astrology stops at the most common or prevalent manifestation of such energy, which, very often is steeped in the Ego’s take on that energy. And so, whilst it is not ‘wrong’, it may be better expressed as an incomplete description of the Archetype.

Its takes work to access the Spiritual Potential of any Archetype, Capricorn being no exception.

But perhaps, in those people who fit the conventional ‘Capricorn’ label – you might now be able to / want to see the energies I have discussed present, at a very deep level, within them.

Astrology at the end of the day, by way of the planets, sets seeds that we have chosen to grow into. How we manifest that growth, and in what form, boils down to individual choice.

At the time of writing this piece, we are hours away from a powerful Sun (Focus of Consciousness, Soul’s essence) and Vesta (Spiritual Facilitator / Priestess / Regenerator Archetype) conjunction. (8:09 am, January 11th, 20 Capricorn ’26) The sacrifices we make, in terms of the old ideas of what we strive to achieve, and how are going to be highlighted at this time. As part of a far longer transit, Pluto in Capricorn has already been transforming our collective attitude towards Capricornian ideas and realms of life over the past few years. Ceres (the Nurturer) is now in Capricorn, urging us to find ways to enrich our connection with this energy, and the ways that others can also do the same.

So I hope my words facilitate your engagement with Capricorn’s energy through this powerful, upcoming Sun-Vesta conjunction. It’s a great time to release whatever hang-ups and shift outmoded perceptions of this energy, so that we may bring in its deepest, highest, purest (use your adjective of choice) manifestations.

Blessings and Joy to you All

Priestess Bairavee Balasubramaniam, PhD
www.bairaveebalasubramaniam.com

Image: Vera Bugatti -Old woman with cat (Toulon France 2012).jpg – By Vera Bugatti (Vera Bugatti) [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

FINDING YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF IN DOMESTIC DYNAMICS – YOD: CHIRON RETROGRADE – PLUTO DIRECT – LEO MOON APEX [October 17, 2014 2:07 pm – October 18, 2014 1:02 am (GMT + 8)]

Blessings to all, it’s been an intense day with the full effects of Sun/Mercury Rx/Spica/Rhadamantus opposed Eris ( http://wp.me/p4OUNS-9G ), Neptune Retrograde square Vesta in the air and the 5-body stellium in Libra ( http://wp.me/p4OUNS-9C ). We are also currently in the final hours of a powerful Yod or Finger of Fate/Karma involving Pluto (11 Cap), Chiron Rx (13 Pis) and the Leo Moon (9-15 Leo), loosely conjunct Jupiter (18 Leo) (and earlier on, loosely conjunct Juno (3 Leo).

Yods are energies that bring situations to a swift point of crisis or culmination. They represent key decision points in the path, direction and intensity of our Soul’s Growth, and the Journey it takes.

Chiron Rx and Pluto are sextiled in this yod. This indicates a potential for blending the energies of wounding-transcending-healing-teaching (Chiron) and transformation-through crisis (Pluto). The Chirotic Wound represents the Soul’s Wound or the subjective point of one’s deepest vulnerabilities. In Pisces, it references our spiritual path, level of awareness, understanding of formlessness/boundlessness in the Cosmic Ocean of Energy we are all a part of. With Neptune squared Vesta ( http://wp.me/p4OUNS-9J ) lighting up Pisces (and Sagittarius) now, the tension you may feel in your designated path at this time may trigger some old spiritual, deeply karmic wound. Some may experience this as a situation where one’s faith is tested, and the limits of one’s ability to love, to be compassionate, to empathize to be found (or transcended).

Pluto can represent the intimate partner, authority figure (as it is in Capricorn), business partner or any person who wields an inordinate amount of power in your life, or some relationship dynamic. You may feel ‘bulldozed’ over by this person unless you have developed an authentic relationship to your own power and inner authority. The crisis that is triggered by this dynamic can lead to more profound lessons to do with one’s purpose in life, the legacy one leaves behind, institutions of power and governance and ways we understand the term ‘success’ and ‘accomplishment’.

The Leo Moon, particularly due to its proximity with Jupiter, amplifies our emotional or intuitive perceptions/reactions to situations involving creative pursuits, romance, children or the ‘inner child’ construct. The person playing the role of the Moon in this dynamic – most likely a family member (mother or child is most likely) may want to be able to assert their authentic expressions of self – outside of the role or persona that the family unit expects/assumes them to play. This can of course disrupt family dynamics in circumstances where denial and silence are routinely and collectively used mechanisms to mask deeply hidden wounds. Your personal emotional state may also seek this release through expression of some kind at this time. Catalyzed by the volcanic power of Pluto and the potentially painful lessons of Chiron – this emotional outburst is likely to be a fiery one.

At a more powerful level, you might also realize some degree of finality in a home-bound/domestic situation. This realization may help you deal with the crisis-wrench that Pluto throws in the works, or the spiritual pain that Chiron may ask you to deal with. A deeper level of authenticity is within your reach at this time, just as it is for some key member of your family, involved in this dynamic. It takes work to be able to see it in that way – and if you can, kudos.

Those with bodies at or near 11-13 Aquarius will activate this yod powerfully. At the end of the day, no matter what kinds of drama emerges – remember, that this is a powerful lesson in which you get to choose your response, and in so doing, realize which values, dynamics and paradigms are truly authentic to your understanding of self at this time.

If this situation of learning/opportunity of growth occurred for you earlier in the day, it may also shed some light upon the way in which you access and work with the ‘sacred flow of the Feminine’ (a.k.a. The Vibration of the Goddess). Awakenings later in the day have more to do with the role of Jupiter as the Guru or Teacher. You may find that your choices and responses to this situation prepare you to learn key lessons in the authenticity of self-expression and the truest meaning of leadership (Leo) – and sometimes that means giving another person the space to be themselves, whilst maintaining your inner authority over yourself and your responses to that.

The importance of this Yod in your degree and pace of Awakening (linked to Uranus) is indicated by the Moon’s trine to Uranus Retrograde, and of course the Uranus Rx-Pluto square. Uranus Retrograde is also noviled (an indication of how seeds bear fruit, a culminating point) Neptune Retrograde (potential disillusionment as an authentic spiritual path reveals itself through a ‘loss’ of illusion).

So choose your responses to this yod as wisely and as authentically as you can

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