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.

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AWAKENING THE GODDESS THROUGH ASTROLOGY – AN INTERVIEW WITH PRIESTESS BAIRAVEE BALASUBRAMANIAM, PHD & HOST JANET HICKOX ON THE LIVING ASTROLOGY SHOW (DEC 2014)

In this interview, I talk about the Awakening/Reclaiming/Re-Membering of the Divine Feminine as expressed through astrological tools and constructs. I discuss the mythology and history behind the Goddess Asteroids (Ceres, Juno, Pallas Athena and Vesta) and Black Moon Lilith. Together, all these astrological energies allow us to paint a more complex portrait of how the Goddess, The Sacred Feminine is rising through All Beings at this time. We also explore the different ways in which men and women access the archetype of the Divine Feminine differently as I perform live readings for two people calling into the show. Each of these energies (the Goddess Asteroids, Black Moon Lilith) is truly multidimensional and casts so much light onto our pasts, present and potential futures – for astrology can lead to a sense of spiritual liberation by giving us the tools to rewrite the influence of the patriarchal (and any other limiting) narrative upon the story of our lives. There is so much to be learned from a study of these astrological bodies and we will continue to deepen our knowledge about them in the years to come.

Here’s the link! ❤

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/empoweryouradio/2014/12/19/awakening-the-goddess-through-astrology–on-living-astrology-12-18-14

Many thanks to host Janet Hickox for having me on her show Living Astrology to discuss such a powerful topic, and during the conjunction between the Sun and our Milky Way’s Galactic Center! It was a wonderful, blessed interview. For further reading on the Significance of this conjunction, seee:  http://wp.me/p4OUNS-eU

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Blessings and Love to All

Priestess Bairavee Balasubramaniam, PhD
www.bairaveebalasubramaniam.com

Images: (Left) Guercino’s Astrologia (Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons); (Right) Sky Priestess by Priestess Bairavee Balasubramaniam, PhD

VESTA, Goddess Asteroid of Priest/essing: A Few Notes by Priestess Bairavee Balasubramaniam, PhD

In the skies right now, Vesta is part of a Grand Trine and a near-Grand Sextile, as I discussed Earlier. She is helping us to (re) birth a Goddess-friendly intuitive paradigm, along with Juno in Cancer and Neptune Retrograde in Pisces. Juno is the element and energy of Divine Feminine energy as a whole – we know her as Asherah, Sophia-Gaia, Shakti – and so on. Vesta is her Priestess, tending the Sacred Flame in the Self and Others. And Neptune Retrograde drives us to dig deeper and to look at the Truth in our own Spiritual Conceptions.

Vesta generally asks us to look into ourselves, our most initimate (often sexual, reproductive) wounds that block our sacred-creative energy and Connection with Life-Source. She tells us that the healing of these wounds will allow us to tap into the wealth of regenerative, spiritually nourishing energy once more. She tells us how to Light the Lamp in ourselves, yet Again… Glowing with the Energy of the Goddess. In Scorpio (where she is now at 7 degrees), these lessons are further emphasized and highlighted. The challenge here is to know how to give, and how much.

Vesta, at present, is conjunct the asteroid Eurydike – Eurydike was a mythological figure associated with death by serpent, and confinement in the Underworld. There are many ways to interpret her mythology, but it resonates strongly with the element of sacrifice in the name of love. Her husband, Orpheus, fails to retrieve her from the Underworld as he is not willing to have faith and disobeys the condition of her release from death – to not turn around as he walks out of the place. He turns to look, and *poof* she’s gone.

With Vesta conjunct Eurydike, priest/esses in service of the Awakening Divine Feminine will be especially challenged all around to globe to sacrifice something or another. The question is what, why, and how? Sometimes it may be a sexual partner, other times, it may be an intimate friendship that is no longer compatible with your path. It can even be an outmoded view, as painful as it is, that you cling on to and limit yourself with.

But something clearly has to go – Give it up, but know why you do so.

Vesta/Eurydike oppose Bienor, another asteroid, at 7 deg Taurus. Bienor has many interpretations, most of which center around strength, and some concept of integrity. In opposition to Scorpio’s sexuality, underworld affiliations, healing/regenerative ability and deep magical connections – Bienor is likely to question how you manifest these Scorpionic energies through your activities of priest/essing.

It is important to note that the inclusion of Bienor completes the Grand Sextile – it would trine Mercury in Virgo (which opposes Neptune Retrograde) and Pluto in Capricorn (which opposes Juno in Cancer). So the act of service-integrity-sacrifice in your spiritual vocation, calling or path leads to a powerful anchoring of Energies for Manifestation.

Bienor represents a position of power that can also house those who perceive themselves to be ‘maintaining the status quo’ (Taurus), and casting judgment, or creating resistance to your Scorpio-based activities. The Priest/ess, facing this judgment, must then choose to respond to it with integrity, rather than revenge, retaliation or a further cycle of judgment or blame.

Perhaps what we’re called now is to Sacrifice the sense of control that Scorpio so enjoys and to realize that this Path is not a comfortable, or an easy one. It is ancient, but is also deeply challenging. At times we are called not to hit back, when we are attacked. At times, we are called to smile, stay still in the line of fire.

Wholly ignoring the Ego, we are called to Burn, Burn with the Flames of Spirit. I would associate this energy with Joan of Arc, with the Witches of Salem, with the energy of the Condemned, and hunted Feminine Spiritual Facilitator – She (or He) that has embraced the Divine Feminine in a spiritual vocation of Priest/essing in Her Name.

Now all this doesn’t mean you’re supposed to throw yourselves into a literal fire or anything. That’s where Eurydike’s lesson comes in: Perhaps it’s letting go of a snide remark or judgmental attitude towards you or your path. Perhaps it’s releasing yourself from a bond where you can’t continue your path without facing daily attack or criticism. Perhaps it’s simply Aligning yourself with Spirit, and realizing that whatever challenges and vulnerability we might feel now is just part of our Collective Learning Curve as part of this Massive Awakening.

In whatever way this challenge arises, and it will – especially Jupiter (at 7 deg Leo, loosely conjunct Venus at 9 deg Leo) is squaring Vesta (7 deg Scorpio), we’re likely to face criticism or the heavy hand of the judgment by others.

Stand Tall as your Tend To Your Sacred Fires, Sisters and Brothers.

For those interested – I speak about these energies here:http://wp.me/p4OUNS-4L

Priestess Bairavee Balasubramaniam, PhD
www.bairaveebalasubramaniam.com

Image: Frederic Leighton [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

TRIALS OF THE PRIEST/ESS IN AWAKENING THE DIVINE FEMININE by Priestess Bairavee Balasubramaniam, PhD

Vanakam, Namaste and Blessings to all. My video speaks of the energies currently in the sky that issue an energetic challenge to us all, particularly those who take up the spiritual vocation of priest/essing, or facilitating spiritual services that involve the integration of Divine Feminine energy. These challenges are precipitated by key alignments of yods and a Near-Grand-Sextile in the sky, explained in full here: http://wp.me/p4OUNS-4H

The way we respond to these challenges of judgment and perceived wounding shall anchor a pathway of manifestation that gives rise to, or suppresses, our Inner Priest/ess from Awakening. The choice is yours as to how you respond to these challenges – remember that they occur with the energetic alignments of the G.Sextile and Double Yod I describe in my article.

I have shared relevant links to articles addressing the themes of Priest/essing-Choosing-Wounding-Transcending on my FB pages for those interested.

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

Founder Admin of ~ The Goddess, The Serpent and The Sea: Building Pathways of Light ~ The Dark Mother’s Children ~ I AM Rising: The Goddess Awakens ~

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