NEPTUNE RETROGRADE ENDS, AN AWAKENED SKY + SHIVA’S INVITATION

At 9:34 pm, November 15 2014 (GMT + 8), Neptune’s retrograde officially ended (4 Pisces ’48). This is a phenomenal shift in terms of the energy we experience on a day-to-day basis. Neptune Retrograde in its home sign of Pisces has – for the past few months – been teaching us to get harder, edgier, and more critical (in the analytical) sense about our spiritual understandings. It’s been a rough ride for many as all forms of illusion, no matter how beautiful they may have seemed had to break.

Neptune will station direct for a little while longer before it begins its normal motion. In direct form, its energy allows for a little more softness in our spiritual journeys where everything does not have to be defined in terms of harsh truth. We begin to see the beauty in that truth and the ephemeral qualities it brings to our lives. From a strongly internal focus upon ourselves, we will begin to move outwards and seek external sources for inspiration, and connection with more transcendental understandings of the Spiritual. I expect to see many boundary-crossing works of art and other forms of inspired creation be birthed at this time – just as many will see the dissolution of many fallacies held close to one’s heart.

As this directional shift was going on, know that we also had a powerful Neptune-Moon opposition take place at the same time. The Moon was in Virgo, seeking to attend to the more practical details of life, setting necessary boundaries and searching for ways to nurture self – and others (ideally in a position of balance). Neptune shifting signs in Pisces would have had the opposite effect.

Many emotional decisions are likely to have been made now, some leading to the dissolution of older ties and bonds, linked by the energy of care-taking, or the (imbalanced) quality of Subservience (as opposed to Spiritual Service/Facilitation) – especially for those with natal placements anywhere near 4-5 degrees Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces.

This is further emphasized by Jupiter (21 Leo) trining Vesta (20 Sag) as the energy of the Guru/Guide energizes the archetype of the Spiritual Facilitator (Vesta), often associated with the energy of Sacrifice. This would have been most keenly felt in romantic partnerships and also in the nature of a parent-child relationship.

Soulmate partnerships and dynamics are under particular scrutiny at this time as Juno (13 Leo) is seriously activated by several intense configurations at this time – the Great Goddess Fire Trine, the Cauldron and November’s Mega Yod (check out my blog for info on each of these aspects if you’re interested).

Black Moon Lilith (28 Leo) also squares Venus (29 Scorpio), indicating powerful dynamics within romantic and financial partnerships which are being challenged by the wilder, primordial, irrepressible strength of Black Moon Lilith. Kali energy rises in many partnerships, now, in other words – and it is best to honor that energy seeking to express the truth of itself. Those with planets at or near 28-29 Aquarius or Taurus will feel this as a powerful Fixed T-Square or Grand Fixed Cross.

Venus at 29 Scorpio (the Anaretic degree) itself pushes us to a point of finality or culmination in some key aspect of deep, intimate partnerships. It can also refer to the way energies and funds are merged in businesses involving another person’s money (trusts, mergers, etc.).

There a bunch of other aspects also operating in the skies which amplify what has already been said and expressed. All in all, not an easy time for partnerships of any kind. With Neptune ending its retrograde, a lot of illusions (if any were left) or inappropriate attitudes/perspectives taken about partnerships will be severely challenged at this time. Some may seek to escape, retreat into their own inner worlds because the tension may be too much – if this sounds like you, surround yourself with friends and stay away from overly taxing emotional encounters. (Make your need for space and retreat known first – to avoid over-complicating an issue).

In general, rest – relax – and take a ‘time-out’ if you have to, taking this massive shift into account. It’s also a time for massive spiritual re-awakening and — a fantastic call for the awakening of the compassionate aspect of the Divine Masculine. I associate Neptune’s energies with those of Lord Shiva – and it does seem to bear fruit at this time.

The asteroid Siva (representing His energies at 18 Sag) is sextiled the North Node (17 Libra). Those with astrological placements at or near 17-18 Taurus will feel this as a powerful Yod (Finger of Fate) which will open a new chapter in your spiritual lives.

Blessings to all, and I hope this report helps you make sense of the current energies.

Priestess Bairavee Balasubramaniam, PhD
www.bairaveebalasubramaniam.com

Shiva image: Lord Shiva at Murudeshwar, Karnataka..jpg – By Abhijeetsawant (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Graphic: Neptune Retrograde Ends 2014 + Lord Shiva. jpg – By Bairavee Balasubramaniam (Own work) – [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)]

THE LESSONS OF THE ASTEROID GODDESSES AS MARS TRINES NEPTUNE RETROGRADE – Astrology Self-Study Article # 2 by Priestess Bairavee Balasubramaniam, PhD

Blessings to all,

All Asteroid Goddesses are connected in two powerful alignments in the sky right now: Juno, Ceres, Vesta, Pallas Athena – linked together by the Mother-Archetype of the Moon. They make a Wedge and T-Square aspect (described below). These Goddesses collectively teach us the value of self-nurture as we seek wholeness through the Divine Feminine in the Self and the Outside World. These lessons comes just as Mars (Masculine, Yang energy) is about to trine Neptune Retrograde (vision, inspiration, spirituality).

As this is an Astrology-Self Study article, I go into these aspects to some depth. Here is a shorter piece with the gist of what’s happening ❤ ~ http://wp.me/p4OUNS-3D

In this article I also introduce my understanding and experience of Juno, the Goddess Asteroid traditionally associated with Marriage and the Soul Mate. Juno will be working her magic all throughout August and till late September 2014

ASPECTS

We’re having an intense Wedge and T-Square in the skies – Peak Phase: 6:59 pm till 11:28 pm (GMT + 8), 7th August 2014

Both aspects share the same opposition (Moon-Juno).

The Wedge (opportunity to bring harmony to a situation) involves
Moon sextile Ceres
Ceres trine Juno
Moon opposed Juno

The T-Square (crisis that can precipitate creative breakthrough) involves
Moon square Pallas
Pallas square Juno
Moon opposed Juno

To summarize, what we’re going to see is two different energies – the Moon in Sagittarius and Juno in Gemini seeking to find a common meeting ground, or place for coexistence.

The Moon in Sagittarius seeks freedom through adventure, and has the ability to connect emotional, sub-conscious and intuitive energies through the exploration of Self-through-the-World. It can also symbolize escapism from the true work of exploring the Self by becoming overly hedonistic, seeking experiences solely for the pursuit of pleasure, and not deeper growth.

Juno – is a complex character to analyze – Whilst astrology calls her the Goddess Asteroid of Marriage and The Soulmate – I see her as a lot more than that. I shall be doing a post on her separately. I see her as representing the very essence of That Cosmic Other Half – The Divine Feminine in balance with the Masculine. Call her Asherah, Shakthi, Sophia – whatever your tradition guides you to do. But She essentially calls us to find and reconnect ourselves with that Primordial Feminine Energy that permeates all of Creation. Neither stronger, nor weaker, than the Masculine – without Her (or rather, the principle she Represents), spiritual experience is essentially incomplete. I would re-frame her as the principle of Feminine energy seeking completion, which is a more nuanced exposition on the way she is commonly understood – Intuitively, it feels more accurate to analyze and interpret her in this way. She is far too complex a goddess to pin down in a single category of ‘marriage and the soulmate’.

In the sign of Cancer, she calls to us – in our physical, environmental and metaphysical-primordial relationships to the Womb. She asks us to reach out and find, in ourselves, or in others (whichever appropriate), the ‘missing half’. Where is the Divine Feminine principle within yourself, and in the people you share your ‘truest nature’ with?

The Moon in Sagittarius can give us the courage to go forth (externally) to seek-in-the-World those connections and energies – with the understanding that all is but a Reflection of the Self. Alternatively, it can facilitate an escapist adventure that takes us away from our truest Selves in search of Union. That the Union we seek must first be found in ourselves, than in other people is an oft-forgotten idea – thanks to the plethora of cultural productions in the media that romanticize codependency and the idea that we cannot be whole in ourselves. (For instance: I love Disney, but man, did it take a while to de-program from that idea that a woman cannot be whole/happy without a man to protect her and rescue her!)

So we are called to Seek out the Union we desire. How and where and with whom we do is our choice entirely. This is where Ceres (The Nurturer) and Pallas Athena (The Strategist-Healer-Warrior) enter the picture. Ceres creates a beautiful flow of nurturing energy from its position in Scorpio (having just entered Scorpio). She beckons us to find our answers in ways that nurture and honor the deepest parts of our Spirit, our sexual/intimate selves and the parts of us which have been hidden under the label of ‘taboo’, ‘shame’ or the proverbial ‘blind spot’. She asks us to look past superficialities and into the deeper Mystery of the Sacred Self, often Veiled in Shadow.

— Remember that Vesta is close by (2 degrees from Ceres) encouraging us to nurture, honor and tend to our inner flames, burning in the Sacred Temple of the Body — Her influence (The Priestess, The Guardian of the Sacred Flame) is also felt in this alignment.

I am thankful for the T-Square, as an abundance of Trine and sextile energy in combination can create powerful flows of energies towards things in ways which may seem ‘fated’, but in actuality, are not. Not all that we are drawn to at this time will be right for us – and having that pressure to choose, that reminder of the need for discernment in our spiritual choices and the experiences that result from them is a blessing.

At this time, Pallas Athena in Virgo calls us to stand up for ourselves, assert our space, our worth and and integrity in the space/ground we stand on. She challenges us to find strategic ways to heal ourselves and discover greater self-sufficiency. Whilst Virgo is associated with the notion of service, we often forget that self-care, and self-nurture is equally — a gift that we can give to the Universe. For the love and wholeness we can create in ourselves, first of all, radiates into the Universe and (to paraphrase Marianne Wiliamson) subconsciously gives others the permission to do the same.

In search of our ‘missing half’, within or without, we may get carried away by the flowing energy of the Trine. Pallas reminds us with its sharp square to Juno and the Moon that we need to put our pursuit of spiritual growth and wholeness as a priority. Seeking wholeness in other pursuits or with others can be as important (ideally), but it is important not to neglect the qualities of self-assertion and self-care. This is further validated by the semi-sextile between Pallas Athena and Ceres – this creates an opportunity to harmonize both energies, whilst remaining cognizant of the fact that both work differently. Pallas charges forth in Virgo (Earth) whilst Ceres nurtures in Scorpio (Deep Water)

And what a time for the asteroid Goddesses to be collectively teaching us such a powerful lesson in finding Balanced Love – for – at 8:20 pm later today (GMT + 8) Mars trines Neptune Retrograde. Masculine energy (Yang, Shiva, God Energy) flows beautifully with the planet of Transcendentalism, Ego-Dissolution and Universal Merger. In Retrograde, the illusory aspects that can accompany Neptune are reversed – We see what lies beyond the Veil, as the Bubble of Illusion bursts. This can manifest as a man, or someone manifesting powerful masculine energy coming suddenly into your life to facilitate powerful spiritual realization — through disillusionment (if you’re holding onto ideas not in alignment with Spirit), or, deep, internal awakening of a gentler fashion.

There will be the strong desire to romanticize or idealize this Masculine energy as it comes to you, but view it through balanced eyes as best you can. Know what it teaches you, and what it does not. Know what it represents, and what it can not.

This is how I interpret the metaphysical aspect of this Trine.

In the material sense – and I thank Maria DeSimone’s article for reminding me of this lovely aspect of the Mars-Neptune trine (paraphrased) – That you may have a powerful, assertive drive to manifest spiritual principles, visions or inspirational ideas at this time.

I would add: Harness this energy well, but remember the lessons of the Goddesses as you do. For there must be Balance.

A final note – the Moon will be septiled to Mars (1/7th of a circle, the 7 vibrational frequency) as its trine with Neptune occurs. What you choose at this time – the ways you choose to connect with your Divine Selves will mark the beginning of a new cycle, and the end of an old one. It is a powerful, karmic indicator of the magnitude of this event. To borrow the a phrase from Robert Wilkinson, the septile represents the ‘Karmic Fork in the Road’.

So ultimately – which Path do you choose to find Spiritual Wholeness at this time?

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