 The New Moon is on January 12, 2021 at 11:00 pm in 23° Capricorn. That places the Sun and Moon right next to Pluto at 24° Capricorn. It symbolizes the potential for a fresh start by leaving the past behind. It's a good time to reflect on what negative attitudes and emotions we're clinging to and if we're willing to let them go. Also a good new moon to create a vision board or "treasure map" to visually reinforce your goals and dreams for the year ahead. Venus trining Mars and Uranus is good for all types of creative and artistic endeavors. At this new moon, Mars squares Saturn which is the feeling of frustration, of things not happening fast enough. If you feel tired and worn out, watch the ways in which you are processing "spinning your wheels." Use breathing techniques (pranayama) and chanting/singing to restore calm and replenish energy.  Uranus goes direct on the 14th at 6° Taurus. Over the next two weeks there will be unexpected changes of plan and strong urges for freedom from restrictions. As yogis and spiritual seekers we are always working with these roller coasters of emotions as part of an internal process. To be safe, though, keep an eye on the news and avoid large crowds whether protests or celebrations. Uranus is electricity so symbolically or actually, don't go out walking in a lightning storm.
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 The last Full Moon of the year is Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at 9:28 pm CST in 8° Cancer. The Moon in Cancer places the focus on home, family and memories from the past. The Sun opposite in Capricorn, looks to the future and our career goals, business plans and, of course, New Year's resolutions. It's a good time to reflect on the past, with a view toward giving yourself credit for all the things you've accomplished this year. Clearing out negative emotions can give you a fresh start in 2021. Do your best to have compassion toward yourself and others. I like this mantra: "Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu" or the English version "May all beings attain peace and harmony." Remember that it's not just January 1st that can give you a fresh start. Each new moon is a chance to plant or re-plant the seed of your goal. Lots more thoughts on this in my article "Resolve to be Happy."  Venus in Sagittarius is exactly square Neptune in Pisces on December 29th, suggesting caution with money matters for a few days. It's not good for loaning money out (unless you're clear in your mind that it's a gift and may never be paid back). Discretion in romantic relationships - Venus/Neptune aspects like this one can bring temptations. Jupiter and Saturn are still in orb of their conjunction. As I said last time, it's important to remember that any big goals set or major projects started now will likely develop slowly over time. The talk that I gave on the planetary positions for the year ahead for the Temple of Kriya Yoga's Winter Solstice Festival is now on youtube: Professional Astrology Program
Speaking of new beginnings, The Temple of Kriya Yoga's Professional Astrology Course can be started any time. It's virtual learning - online and self-paced. Each lesson consists of audio recordings and writing from Goswami Kriyananda with supplementary material and guidance by Temple instructors. More information here. You can find me on:  The Solar Eclipse occurs on December 14, 10:26 a.m. CST in 23° Sagittarius, a sign that energizes both our enthusiasm for learning and our sense of adventure. It's a good time to think about what you would like to learn in the year ahead or what type of adventure you would like to take. My talk for the Temple of Kriya Yoga which will be posted on their webpage at noon this Sunday, December 13th, will talk about "Your Inward Adventure", which is more of a spiritual journey. The Solar Eclipse this Monday combines in an interesting way with the Winter Solstice and the Jupiter Saturn conjunction which both take place on December 21st. These are all points of new beginnings of larger cycles. A solar eclipse represents changes which can occur at the time of the eclipse or may develop into a major change over the course of one year. The winter solstice marks the beginning of a new quarter year. Because it falls close to the western calendar new year, many people look at the winter solstice as the start of a new one year cycle. The Jupiter Saturn conjunction begins an approximate 20 year cycle.  Van Gogh "The Sower" 1888  The way that I look at it is that these points of new beginnings are an excellent time to plant a seed of what you want to grow as these cycles develop. Some people plant seeds of a very high level purpose like "Love", "Wisdom", "Peace", "Happiness". Others make long term plans for personal or business goals.
You can plant a seed by writing down your intention, verbalizing your goal to others or simply taking a small action. Small actions can be reading a book that applies to your goal, putting money toward your goal in an envelope, or writing down your next step. I also like the practice of writing out or creating an illustration of what your finished goal or project will look like. Because Jupiter and Saturn will both be active at this time, it's important to remember that any big goals set or major projects started will likely develop slowly over time. Coming up: Sunday, December 14: "Your Inward Adventure", my noon meditation for the Temple of Kriya Yoga, will be posted online here. Sunday, December 21: "Winter Solstice Celebration" with music and chanting, an inspiration noon meditation with Swami Pharananda and my astrological talk on Planetary Positions for 2021. Watch here at noon on 12/21. Wishing you a joyful, healthy and safe holiday season.  There is a lunar eclipse on Monday, Nov 30 2020, at 3:29 am CST in 8° Gemini. With all eclipses there is a strong urge to make changes. In Gemini, the drive to change is in the area of communication. It can be helpful to reflect on the way you communicate with others, not only the way you speak but how you listen. There's a tendency over the next several days to get distracted from tasks and responsibilities by the daily news sources. The Sun is in the opposite sign of Sagittarius, making it possible to flip your thinking to underlying universal truths and life philosophy in order to calm a racing mind down. Neptune is making a station point today as I write this on November 28, going direct at 18° Pisces. The effect is at least a week on either side of 11/28. Neptune's influence makes us spacey and forgetful. Write down your lists and journal your day so you don't forget who you are, where you're going, and where you've been. Neptune's strength is in creative efforts like painting, poetry, music and creative writing. It is also good for inputting positive affirmations especially through guided meditation and self-hypnosis techniques. Neptune, combined with a lunar eclipse in Gemini, you may find that people make promises they cannot fulfill. Usually that's not out of malice, more that there are unforeseen circumstances. One strategy with any promise you receive in the next few days is to make a back up plan, just in case.  Online:
My article "A Mindful Approach to Sorting Things Out" is in the Fall/Winter 2020 issue of Yoga Chicago Magazine. Coming up: I will be giving the Noon Meditation for the Temple of Kriya Yoga on Sunday, December 13. "Your Inward Adventure" will be posted here around noon on 12/13. I will talk about how the winter months are a good time to turn more deeply within. Reflection and contemplation on sacred texts can enhance this inward adventure. You can find me on:  The New Moon is on Saturday, November 14, at 11:07 pm CST in 23° Scorpio. Scorpio new moons are good for introspection, the study of psychology and our own internal processes. Scorpio is a water sign and is also one of the fixed signs. The symbol in nature is still water. Still water can be a stagnant pond or it can be a beautiful blue lake with water so clear you can see all the way to the depths. As we release from negative thinking and old resentments, our internal environment becomes purified, calm and peaceful. Also on the day of the New Moon, Mars goes direct at 15° Aries. The stationary point can make you feel like you're spinning your wheels with things you want to get going on. Find small steps toward your goal now. As Mars picks up the pace in its forward movement, your projects will be up and running, too.  Today as I'm writing this, Jupiter is conjunct Pluto at 22° Capricorn. This is the second conjunction in the vast triple conjunction we've been experiencing over the past several years. The Saturn Pluto conjunction is separating now, lessening the frustrations of 2019 and 2020. The Jupiter Pluto conjunction is seeming to manifest the healing energy of Jupiter, especially in terms of greater optimism for the future as news of possible Covid 19 vaccines are coming out.
At the same time Jupiter is expansion and at the time I write this, the virus cases are expanding each day. Jupiter can be exaggeration as well so we're seeing certain people expressing exaggerated claims about things like election fraud. Pluto is revolution so it is looking like people are more inclined at this time to hold extreme views about how their problems should be solved. Our responsibility as spiritual seekers is to look at whatever turmoil is within our own selves and find ways to calm down, plus problem solve by the most helpful and skillful means possible. The third conjunction in the triple conjunction is when Jupiter conjuncts Saturn on December 21 in 0° Aquarius which I wrote about in my article "A Mindful Approach to Sorting Things Out" in the new Fall/Winter 2020 issue of Yoga Chicago Magazine. Email Newsletter If you would like to receive Astrology Update as an email newsletter, just message me through this website's contact form. You can find me on:  The Full Moon is on Saturday, October 31 at 9:49 a.m. CDT in 8° Taurus. The high energy of the full moon is somewhat restrained by the practicality and responsibility of the earth sign Taurus. Also, Saturday's full moon is conjunct Uranus which brings unexpected changes of plan. Can you be both stable and flexible? That's one of the lessons learned from hatha yoga and other physical practices like tai chi. Even walking outside can be helpful, being aware of your feet being supported by the earth and your body limber and graceful. If you should get a lightning strike of hyper energy over the weekend, have a channel prepared for the lightning to follow i.e. a project you want to put some intensity into. Note: Don't forget there's a time change this weekend in the US as we "fall back" an hour on November 1 @ 2 a.m. Mercury goes direct on November 3 at 26° Libra. At this stationary point, be very careful with what you say and how you say it. There will likely be slowdowns and delays. Take provisions (and your mask!) for a long wait at the polls. Many astrologers and others predict that we won't know the full results of the US elections for several days. For most of us, a few days after the Mercury direct projects and plans that have been hung up for the past few weeks will start to take off. Online:
My article in Yoga Chicago magazine "A Mindful Approach to Sorting Things Out" in the new Fall/Winter 2020 issue, includes a meditation practice based on the upcoming Jupiter Saturn conjunction in December. Email Newsletter If you would like to receive Astrology Update by Marcia Sacks as an email newsletter, just message me through this website's contact form. You can find me on:  Mercury goes retrograde today, October 14, as I'm writing and posting this. The world doesn't stop when Mercury goes retrograde. Many people hardly notice it because we're so used to solving multiple problems per day. On the other hand, knowing Mercury is changing direction can give us the extra information we need to handle things more smoothly. Mercury has a few key areas that it rules: communication, transportation and the mind. That gives you a clue that over the next few days it's best to slow down and become more careful in what you say both spoken and written. With "transportation" you know you'll need to pay greater attention while driving or traveling in general. If you think "communication + transportation", you check your directions, calendar, reservations and so on. And triple-check that you've taken your wallet, phone, keys (and face mask!). If you think "communication + transportation + the mind", you realize there's always a chance that you'll space out and leave something important at home. If that does happen, retrograde yourself back to get it or have a plan B.  The new moon is Friday October 16 at 23° Libra. This places the Sun and Moon opposed to Mars in Aries and squared to Jupiter, Pluto and Saturn in Capricorn. Libra is partnerships (marriage, business and project work). That is likely to be the life area with the most stress right now. I thought we were done with the Saturn/Pluto volcano metaphor when Saturn went direct last month, but because Mercury is retrograde, I'm bringing it back. Watch your thoughts and emotions to see if a feeling of frustration or anger is building up (Mars and Pluto, the fire of the volcano from underground). Don't just hold it in with self-discipline (Saturn). That adds to the pressure (like earth on top of a volcano holding in the steam). You must find ways to vent (the steam of the volcano) which are not violent toward others or yourself. Walk outside or do gentle hatha yoga. Sing along with your favorite music or mantra chanting. Journal your feelings. Watch something funny and laugh. Whatever works for you. If you don't trigger this new moon with a big argument or ultimatums, the volcano of emotions will settle down in a few days. Coming up:
A new issue of Yoga Chicago magazine will be online in a few days. My article "Sorting Things Out with Mindfulness" will include some thoughts about the Saturn/Jupiter conjunction coming up in December. If you haven't seen my previous articles you can find them here . NORWAC 2021: Early registration for the Northwest Astrology Conference has begun. It will be virtual, May 27 - 31st, with many wonderful speakers from the US and around the world. https://norwac.net/ The Professional Astrology Course: Reminding all astrology students that the Professional Astrology Course from the Temple of Kriya Yoga is still available. Virtual learning is so perfect for this time of social distancing. The course is self-paced so you can start anytime. There are over 120 recordings by Goswami Kriyananda and lots of printed material. As program leader, I answer student questions, grade tests and provide supplemental material and webinars. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the course. Email Newsletter If you would like to receive Astrology Update by Marcia Sacks as an email newsletter, just message me through this website's contact form.  The Full Moon is on Thursday, October 1st at 4:05 p.m. in 9° Aries. A full moon in Aries can fill us with energy and vitality. If you have a plan on how to use that extra energy you might be able to zip through tasks that you've put off. Some cautions though because Mars, the ruler of Aries is square to Saturn and Pluto in the Full Moon chart. For the next week or so:
Pluto goes direct on October 4th at 22° Capricorn, very close to Saturn. I wrote about the critical nature of this aspect two weeks ago at the New Moon. I truly believe life will begin to improve for everyone after the middle of October as the Saturn/Pluto conjunction gradually separates and the benefic Jupiter starts to transit over the same sector of the zodiac. Here's a recent photo from NASA of the Jovian moon Io in orbit above Jupiter's clouds:  My video for the Temple of Kriya Yoga's September 20th Noon Meditation is available on youtube: If you want to go to directly to the part where I talk about the Autumnal Equinox, here's the outline of the meditation called "The Path of Wisdom" with minute markers: Invocation and Chanting 0:00 The Path of Wisdom: 6:00 Guided Meditation: Detachment 23:15 Astrology and Kriya Yoga: Autumnal Equinox and the months ahead 33:14 I recommend this episode of the Astrology Podcast with guest Melanie Reinhart for those who are interested in the asteroid Chiron. Melanie Reinhart has been studying and writing about Chiron since the 1970s. Chiron the centaur is the "wounded healer" and a mentor to heroes in mythology. Where you find it in your chart may be the area of life you can be a help to others based on the life experiences you have struggled through.  The New Moon is on Thursday, September 17 at 6:00 a.m. in 25° Virgo. This is a natural time to analyze, to look at the details of your life and set them in order. One example is applying organizational skills to a project. Have fun reading organizing books like "Getting Things Done" by David Allen or "The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up" by Marie Kondo. The Sun and Moon in the New Moon chart are in a wide opposition to Neptune at 19° Pisces. As you pay attention to the details, don't lose sight of the bigger picture. This is one of the themes that goes with a Virgo/Pisces polarity. Another is service (Virgo) vs. sacrifice (Pisces). Virgo is a very service oriented sign, often very helpful to others. With Pisces in polarity, the person doing service may feel like a they're being taken advantage of. In yoga we talk about the path of Karma Yoga, unselfish service, doing the work because it needs to be done, with joy in service to the Divine, and without looking for an earth plane reward. Just something to contemplate about over the next few days. The Autumnal Equinox is September 22 at 8:30 a.m. , when the Sun moves to 0° Libra. This is a point of balance, time to pause and contemplate where you want to go, what you want to do or accomplish in the next few months.  In the future: Saturn goes direct on September 29 in 25° Capricorn. This puts it close to Pluto at 22° Capricorn. Pluto will make its station direct on October 4th. So this period of time (last half of September through first half of October) will have similarity to the Saturn/Pluto conjunction that took place on January 12, 2020. Most people on the planet didn't know that Covid-19 was already starting to spread around the world at that time. I believe the pandemic is one of the symbols of this conjunction. There are social/political situations in the news that also embody the constraints of Saturn mixed with the urge to revolt of Pluto. I wrote about the Saturn/Pluto conjunction as a volcano aspect, simmering tension and frustration with the potential to explode. It's certainly been a metaphor for this year so far. For each one of us: can we find a way to be constructive with our frustrations, anger and anguish? Alternately, can we get these emotions out of our mind/body complex in a way that doesn't harm others? Back in January I wrote, "Think of how a volcano vents steam to prevent a mountain from blowing its top. We can vent by taking a walk, doing yoga or other balancing movement practices, chanting or singing, or just pulling back from a bad situation. A genuine gentle or caring word to another person may help them vent or defuse." After the middle of October, Saturn will travel away from Pluto and the difficult situations will slowly begin to ease.  Coming up this Sunday:
September 20 - The Path of Wisdom Noon Meditation for the Temple of Kriya Yoga by Marcia Sacks, Swami K. Adinadananda On our journey through life, we strive to stay on the path of wisdom. This meditation will give encouragement to detach from distractions and make wise choices. The astrological significance of the Autumnal Equinox will be included plus a guided meditation to reflect on the equinox and our spiritual goals for the months ahead. This noon meditation will be published on this page on Sunday at noon. You can find me on:  The Full Moon is on Wednesday, September 2 at 12:22 a.m. central time in 10° Pisces. It's a dreamy and intuitive time better for relaxing than lots of activity. It's also good for meditation, music, and artistic pursuits. It's great for getting out into nature especially walking near ponds, lakes, rivers and oceans. People as a whole tend to be a little more thin-skinned or sensitive at a Pisces Full Moon. It's not a good time for giving critiques. Even the most diplomatic constructive feedback may be taken the wrong way.  Mars goes retrograde on September 9 at 28° Aries. This puts Mars opposite of Saturn and Pluto and square (90°) to Venus. This is not a good time for beginning new projects. If you find that you must move forward, you will feel you are pushing against the tide. Wait at least three days after the Mars station on the 9th if you can. One of the key words for Saturn/Mars aspects is "scars." Move carefully and slowly especially with sharp objects i.e. knives in the kitchen. More than physical scars, sharp words can leave even longer lasting scars. Verbal non-violence is one of the most important spiritual practices at any time. It is even more important in the days around September 9. And not just with others - remember to speak kindly and compassionately to yourself as well. Coming up:
Madalyn Hillis Dineen will be speaking for the Northern Illinois Chapter of NCGR on "Getting the Most from Solar Fire" on Tuesday, September 8, 7 p.m. via Zoom. Solar Fire is a popular software program for professional astrologers and astrology students (it's the program I use). Madalyn was the winner of the 1995 UAC Regulus Award for Community Service. She served as the Chair of the national NCGR from 2005-2011. More info here: http://www.chicagolandastrology.com/news.html You can find me on: |
AuthorMarcia Sacks is an astrologer in the Kriya Yoga tradition. Archives
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