We all have a purpose. Some interior light in us burns bright and there is a desire to shine like the Sun. We might try to keep it down, or maybe we don’t know quite what it is, or perhaps we don’t believe in ourselves. But all of that hesitation matters for naught when the Moon is in Leo, because with Leo there is a strong desire to express yourself with visible actions in the world.

Leo, the Lion, is usually thought of as the King of the jungle. Described as a wild and powerful masculine energy, he uses sheer power of will and brute force gets his way. But there is also a feminine Leo energy as seen in Sekhmet, an ancient Egyptian goddess whose name means “she who is powerful.” When we think of goddess energy we usually think of the compassionate loving energy of Kuan Yin, Green Tara, or Mary. But there is another aspect of feminine spirituality that is fierce and powerful,  charging through reality with an intention that is unstoppable. This life sized statue of the lioness Sekhmet was one of hundreds created in ancient Egypt in an attempt to gain the favor of this volatile goddess. Sekhmet was the daughter of the Sun god and her headdress represents her solar qualities. She was known for a belligerent nature, full of fury and aggression. But when pacified, her ferocity could be redirected so that she became a potent and valuable protector of the young and weak.

This Full Moon think about your own fierce nature. Meditate on this powerful image of Sekhmet. See yourself as the fierce lioness. Acknowledge the anger and aggression that you have within yourself. But instead of holding your anger in, which can lead to depression, or directing it to those closest to you, which can lead to conflict, see it as a powerful and useful energy that can be a force for good. See yourself transforming your anger into a stable ball of radiant light that lies within you and surrounds you.  Breathe deep and connect to your clarity, calm, and spiritual wisdom. From that state of calm, focus on your ball of light and using mindful action, direct it purposely into the world.

Dragon’s creative and spiritual energies lend support to the transformations indicated by the end of the Mayan Calendar.  We are fascinated by the mysterious Mayans as we try to figure out what spiritual lessons the end of their era brings. Although some people are trying to bring fear to 2012, most people aligned to a spiritual resonance are looking at 2012 as a year of powerful transformation. Instead of focusing on the ending of this era, I have been thinking of the beginning of a new era, which astrologically corresponds to the beginning of the Age of Aquarius. The Age of Aquarius is a new time of global transformation, an increase in consciousness, and the development of social transformation. It is highlighted by our technological renaissance and global interconnection. The fact that the fate of all humanity is intricately intertwined as never before is evident in ecological, political, economic, and social interactions. I am fully convinced that this is a year of major transformation, and it is a time for each one of us to step up to the plate and make the difference that we always wanted to make. Whether that is in your family, community, or world, and whether it involves the environment, education, or religion, the time is NOW. Now is the time. This is the Year. Break free, reach out, take a risk, be bold, be a dragon!

To Do: I’ve always loved dragons and if I admit the truth, I have wanted my own dragon for years. Dragons are powerful, majestic, loyal, magical, and fearless. What better time than this Chinese Year of the Dragon to realize that these are all qualities that already exist within ourselves. We all have a dragon. We just need to learn how to train it. I think a good way to start this Year of the Dragon is to watch How to Train Your Dragon (Dreamworks, 2010, illustrated above). This is a wonderful parable about trusting yourself, believing in your talents, even when they are different than your family and society, and making friends with what you fear, turning that fear into your most powerful ally.

Susan Seddon Boulet

The Moon is full in the sign of Cancer. This is an especially powerful place for the Moon since the Moon is more at home in Cancer than she is in any other zodiac sign. The Moon is feminine and represents the feminine energy in each of us. She is the Great Mother, the Divine Feminine, your Soul, Anima, your own mother, and the nurturing mothering part of you. The Moon rules the oceans and when she is in Cancer her emotional capability is limitless like the ocean. The ebb and flow of the tides are connected to the Moon and symbolize our changing passions. When the Moon is in Cancer it is as if the ocean is at high tide and overflowing; there is a fullness of love, compassion, and caring. There is no barrier to giving and receiving love. She stands bold and beautiful during this Full Moon in opposition to the Sun in Capricorn, the patriarchal power of acquisition and control. She acknowledges Capricorn’s need for structure and boundaries by providing containers – a bowl and cup – practical tools to share her gifts to the world.

For You: Meditate on this beautiful image of the Divine Feminine. Imagine the Moon as this goddess, so full of compassion and love that her cup runneth over. She holds in her hands an offering to the world, knowing that what she offers is just one part of her vast gifts. She looks down on all her children and shines her light equally on them, no matter where they live in this vast world, or their race, sex, religion, politics, or social status. We are all one under the Moon. The same Moon that you see tonight is the same Moon that children are seeing in Africa, and that the warriors are seeing in Iraq. Now imagine that you are this lovely goddess and that in your hands you hold a cup that is running over into a bowl that is seated on your lap. See yourself looking at the vast world, all the people, animals, birds, trees, the air and water. Feel your love and light illuminate it all. Know that you have a gift to give, and that it is only one part of who you are. See yourself overflowing with grace. Take a deep breath and acknowledge the gift you have for the world. See it clearly. Make a conscious choice to reach out and share it with love.

The celebration of Christmas was linked to the Winter Solstice since Jesus represented the birth of the Son that promised to bring the Christ light on earth. And it was the Magi, Astrologers from Persia, who recognized the Star of Bethlehem as heralding the time, place, and importance of his birth. It may be dark and cold outside, but the Winter Solstice and Christmas point to the knowledge that the seeds of life are alive under the hard earth, ready to rise up when the days become warm again. Life, like the Sun, is never ending and always renewing. Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, is also around this same time. This year Hanukkah begins at sundown on December 20th and commemorates the re-dedication of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. Lighting the candles of the Menorah over the eight days of Hanukkah is a very special ceremony of remembering the light.

During this holy season remember your internal light, the light of the Son/Sun. Winter gives us many opportunities to remember the light within and to find a way to give it birth. Houses are illuminated with tiny lights during the dark winter nights. In our homes we build fires that bring warmth and comfort to the coldest part of the year. Every time you light a candle this winter, take a moment and remind yourself of the light within all life. This is a good reminder that no matter how dark it may look, that the light will come again.

NEW MOON December 24th

The Winter Solstice occurs when the Sun moves from the zodiac sign of Sagittarius into Capricorn. The Moon also moves into Capricorn on December 24th. When the Sun and Moon are together in the same sign, an event that occurs every month, it is known as the New Moon. The New Moon is a time of new beginnings. Since the New Moon takes place in Capricorn, a solid and practical earth sign, take some time on December 24th to think about what you want to bring forth in the area of real, practical, concrete actions. Consider what type of structure you need to create in your life to bring you success in some physical aspect of your life: exercise, job, healthy eating, cleaning your house, fixing up your home, changing your career, and so on.

NEW YEAR 2012

These questions are the perfect thing to ponder as you head into the New Year, one of my favorite rituals of new beginnings. This New Year Eve be a bit reflective and think about what the last year was like. What were your successes, challenges, accomplishments? Then on New Year’s Day, take some time to think about the upcoming year, 2012, and set some broad visions for what you want this new year to be. Then develop some concrete action steps to bring those visions to action.

In Mexico many Mayan cities are starting a year long celebration leading toward December 21st, 2012. They are seeing that date as a time of renewal, not an ending. Popular culture and the media have hijacked the end date on the Mayan calendar as a time to spread fear. But most Mayans and archeologist see that date as referring to the end of one age, and the beginning of another. Much like the end of the Age of Pisces and the beginning of the Age of Aquarius. Many Mayan priests will burn incense, chant, and offer prayers for the new era that will begin very soon. Imagine the world you want to see at this time next year. Think about what you want to be celebrating on December 21st, 2012. Keep a positive vision for the world and take practical actions to manifest that vision. Doom and gloom  forecasts only create more doom and gloom. Resist the power of the dark side!! Bring the light into your heart and let the force be with you. Let this year of 2012 be the year that you step out fully and bring all your gifts, no matter how big or how small, into the world. We all need each other doing all we can in order to make this new era one of peace, justice, and unity. Just for starters, Egypt just had the largest women’s demonstration in their history as thousands of women marched through Cairo on Tuesday calling for an end to military rule. You go girls! Let’s all step up to the call like we never have before in order to bring a wise and caring feminine vision to the world so clearly in need of a new way.

Gemini by Eric Williams

During this Full Moon on Saturday, December 10th at 9:36 a.m EST,  put your attention to connecting your spiritual and physical realities. Since the Moon represents your intuition and Gemini is in charge of your thinking, this is a good time to combine them into intuitive thinking. Intuitive thinking comes from slowing down your fast moving monkey mind and letting it rest on the gentle flow of the reflective ocean that is illuminated by Moonlight. (Pause for a second and imagine the ocean at night, illuminated by the Moon. Now imagine your mind as a yacht gently floating on the water. Ahhh.)

Most of us stay in memory thinking, recycling the same thoughts over and over again. We get stuck in patterns of the past. Albert Einstein said that “we can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” It’s time to  come up with fresh thoughts and new ideas.

To Do: Meditate on this lovely image. See the two young women as the part of you that is still hopeful, still curious, still wondering about how the world works and how you can best become engaged in its beauty. Then shift your focus to the dove. The dove has long been a symbol of spiritual connection. It is the dove that announces to Noah that the destructive flood has ended, and it is the dove that represents the seed of the Christ Child given to Mary at the Annunciation. See your own inner light, your own spiritual link, and imagine how your life will be different if you send that light out into the world, fearlessly, freshly. See the dove’s brilliance, hear the flapping of its wings, watch it sparkle in the light as it takes flight. Then watch it return to you, create a nest for it, nurture it so that you can send it out again and again.  Fully establish your link to spirit, your connection between heaven and earth.

International Meditation
on 11.11.11 by Evolutionary Leaders. Everyone can join in and the details are at the link.

Vikki Hanchin
describes many events that are moving us to a place of unity.

Paul Hawken
on positive changes in the world on a Youtube video at a Bioneers Conference.

Generation Waking Up
is a group of young people building a new world

Taurus by Augusta Lucas-Andreae www.rosemandala.com

Thursday, November 10, 2011

During this Full Moon you have the opportunity to find the union between Scorpio Sun and Taurus Moon. Scorpio pushes to the surface a desire for meaningful transformation. Connected to the underworld by its association with Pluto, Scorpio has the heat of deep volcanoes and molten lava. This is the energy we are harnessing now at the Full Moon. This is the fire of passion that heats the crucible and brings the opposites into union. This month you can unite the opposing forces with your passionate desire for a better world.

The Full Moon is in Taurus. An earth sign, Taurus reminds us of the value of realistic appraisals and practical action. It is the ground upon which we walk, the earth upon which we live, the soil and water from which we produce. Taurus the Bull is patient, but powerful. It stands its ground until threatened, and then it charges, full force, into action. Right out of nowhere, things change. Taurus is reminding us to pay attention. Notice what is really happening, be aware of the truth of the matter. Taurus is providing us with the container, the crucible, for our transformation. Taurus has alerted all the earth creatures to help us in shifting our consciousness so that we see the bigger picture, and acknowledge our responsibility is not only to ourselves, but also to the next seven generations

To Do: As you meditate on this beautiful mandala notice that it contains images for Taurus. See the Bull, joined at the center in Notice the abundance of plants and flowers, surrounded by the symbol for Venus, goddess of Love. Let yourself be pulled down into the earth, feel its richness, its patience, its ability to give us life and growth. Imagine a rich and fertile world where we are all pregnant with possibility.

Scorpio by Eric Williams

Today is a New Moon, and what a New Moon it is!! Not only are the Sun and Moon in the water sign Scorpio, but Mercury and Venus are also swimming around in the deep mysteries of the psyche. The New Moon each month is a reminder that you can always begin anew. With all this Scorpio energy charging things up, this new beginning might seem connected to something in your past that no longer serves you. It is a time to begin looking deep within to find the root causes of things that are bothering you. It is a time to delve into your psyche, remember incidents from the past, and recall memories from childhood. Look particularly at how you communicate (Mercury) with those you love (Venus). Pay close attention to your dreams over the next few nights. You may gain an insight into some old pattern that you have been repeating that has been holding you back. I know for me, I am working on being less critical of those I love. I am working on keeping my mouth shut and my heart open.  You may discover that changing old patterns from your past will bring an opportunity for you to move more fully into your future.

Aries by Eric Williams

This Full Moon: The Sun is in Libra, which means that your conscious awareness sees clearly the needs and demands of the people around you. Since Saturn is also in Libra right now, you might be asking yourself what you “should” do, and what is the “responsible” action to take. You look around and see yourself surrounded by family and societal expectations, and perceive that it is necessary to put everyone else’s needs before your own. But the Moon, your unconscious intuition, has a different agenda. In Aries, it longs for self expression, to take an action that is just for yourself alone. You sense the road in front of you and long to find the buried treasure at the end. With Uranus also in Aries right now, you might be thinking of doing something rash, walking out, taking off, and breaking free from obligations. Your heart is aching to express itself.

To Do: This Full Moon in Aries is asking you to listen to your heart. Hear the calling of your intuition. Pay attention to your dreams. Feel your desire to stretch out, take risks, and find the treasure that is you. Autumn reminds you that all life dies, and that the time left for you to truly live will not last forever. But it wants you to balance your need for self expression with your equally strong need for love, partnership and community, all the qualities represented by the Sun in Libra. Take time this Full Moon (Monday through Wednesday) to ponder how you can fully be yourself in the company of others. How you can see the ties that bind as the net that will catch you if you happen to fall on your journey. Let Uranus and Saturn join together to inspire new creative structures that will serve both your need for personal expression and for loving commitment.

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I love the idea of harvest and have been thinking alot about what I want to harvest in this life. In honor of the Autumn season I brought some offerings to Kuan Yin, and saw her in many ways like Demeter, the loving and caring goddess of the grain. Although these are difficult times for many, there is still much for which to be thankful.

In my Western Humanities class that I teach at UTC, we spent yesterday discussing the wonderful private journal of Marcus Aurelius called Meditations. He was a wise emperor of the 2nd century Rome, and one of the many jewels he said was:

Everything harmonizes with me, which is harmonious to you, O Universe. For me nothing is too early or too late if it is in due time for you. Everything is fruit to me that your seasons bring, O Nature: from you are all things, in you are all things, to you all things return.