MARCIA SACKS

The Full Moon is Friday, July 23, 2021 at 9:36 a.m. CDT in 1° Aquarius.  Full of positive energy for fellowship type get-togethers whether it's friends, clubs you belong to, prayer circles, or professional associations. Aquarius also resonates to science, science fiction and all types of metaphysical studies. So whether it's going into outer space with a billionaire, going to inner space with meditation or settling in with  a book sparkling with interesting ideas, you will be in the Aquarius zone.

Did you "plant a seed" with an intention or affirmation at the New Moon?  Has the seed sprouted or your wish has come to some sort of fulfillment at the Full Moon? Keep in mind that you don't have to wait for the New Moon for a new beginning. Every day is a new beginning. My guru, Goswami Kriyananda said, "Every breath is a new beginning." You can affirm and visualize yourself healthier, wealthier and wiser right now. 

Coming up:

August 4, 7:30 p.m. CDT
Free talk on Kairomancy with Robert Moss:
The Art of Navigating Life Through Synchronicity

I enjoy studying both the signs and symbols in my  dreams but also the omens found in everyday life. Robert Moss teaches it via a shamanic perspective. Kriyananda taught it from a Kriya Yoga perspective (check out his course Dreams - How to Study Your Symbols).

My two favorite books on this are:

The Waking Dream by Ray Grasse
Sidewalk Oracles by Robert Moss

​You can find me on:

• Facebook
• YouTube
• Twitter
• Yoga Chicago Magazine
• Temple of Kriya Yoga

The New Moon is Friday, July 9th at 8:16 pm CDT in 18° Cancer. Mothers and nurturing people in general are highlighted at this time. Family concerns and connections are important. Water sign New Moons also emphasize intuition and dreams. It's always a good practice to write down your dreams. It can be an interesting experiment to see if New Moon and Full Moon dreams have more vibrancy and meaning than at other times. Many have found this to be so.

It is often said that "what the New Moon promises, the Full Moon fulfills." You can either watch the people, events and emotions that come into your life at the New Moon and observe if they come to a conclusion or fulfillment at the Full Moon. OR, you can be more self-actualizing and "plant a seed" at the New Moon by affirming your goal. You might even take a small step that moves you forward toward your goal. Then see what happens at the Full Moon.

Cancer is a cardinal sign. Cardinal in astrology means an outgoing force and the energy of initiative. So a new moon in a cardinal sign (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) is even more positive for these type of new beginnings. 

​What if you don't have a clearly formulated goal? Try this general purpose affirmation at the New Moon:

Coming up:

July 13, 7:30 p.m.
Free Astrology Lecture (via Zoom)
A Legacy Of Marc Edmund Jones:
Planetary Patterns (aka Temperament Types)
With David Perloff

Presented by the Northern Illinois NCGR
http://www.chicagolandastrology.com/news.html
RSVP: janetberres@gmail.com

Online:

Yoga Chicago Magazine has links to the videos for
Song of the Avatar: Riffs on the Bhagavad Gita by Gary Whitney. This is a very accessible way to learn the principles and philosophy of yoga as taught in this sacred text.

The Full Moon is on Thursday, June 24 at 1:39 pm CDT in 3° Capricorn. This lends itself to a focus on responsibilities, from big plans and projects to your daily task list to family concerns.

The nature of this Full Moon is  influenced by three planetary directions:
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• Jupiter has just gone Retrograde on June 20 at 2° Pisces. It may be more difficult to make progress on issues related to the law, courts, lawyers and judges.  The harmonious sextile aspect from Jupiter to the Moon suggests using Capricorn's steady, one step at a time energy to slowly move ahead until next week when Mercury direct will get things moving.

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• Mercury went Direct on Tuesday, June 22 at 16° Gemini. It takes a few days until Mercury really starts moving forward. For the next few days be particularly careful in communications both verbal and written. Read the fine print on all legal documents. About a week from now, many of the obstacles that blocked progress over the past three weeks will start to disappear. Items that were lost will likely be found.

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• Neptune goes Retrograde on June 25 at 23° Pisces. This week is not the best for major decisions. Neptune stationary points usually mean there is information that is hidden or obscured. More research, more information will help. Watch most closely for self-deception, for example talking yourself into something you know isn't right for you.  On the other hand, Neptune is good for meditation, dream study, and the arts of all kinds. Use the practical, Capricorn Full Moon to take down-to-earth steps to make your artistic efforts a reality.

I'm always watching the symbols in my life to see how the planetary patterns play out. Yesterday, I saw the Mercury and  Neptune play out in a mild way. My husband and I drove 45 minutes to meet up with a friend for lunch at a favorite restaurant that we hadn't been to since pre-Covid. (Mercury rules short distance journeys. So any trip that you take where you're home the same day is considered a 'short distance journey' in astrology.) We pulled into the parking lot at the same time as our friend. But the restaurant was closed!

We had checked the website that gave the restaurant hours and it should have been open. We were able to ask at the take-out door and found out that the restaurant hasn't been able to hire enough employees to open full-time. They stopped being open for lunch two weeks ago. They just hadn't updated their website (this is the hidden or obscured information of Neptune).  Fortunately, we knew of another favorite restaurant nearby and had a pleasant lunch anyway.

Why did I tell you this story?  To help you pay attention to your own symbols this week and take time to review your most important projects to see if some piece of information needs to be verified or re-verified. For example, if you make travel reservations under a Mercury and/or Neptune stationary point (or you travel then), you should make a phone call before you leave to make sure everything is in order.
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My guru, Goswami Kriyananda, often said "attitude is all."  He meant that no matter the aspects or situation, if you keep a positive attitude, it softens your karma. Or laugh. Finding the humor in a predicament is an instant karma softener. Also keep in mind that humans are excellent problem solvers, so we have the ability to face any difficulty with the skill and experience we've gained through our lives. 

Solar Eclipses signify both the start of a new cycle and the potential for change. There is a solar eclipse on Thursday, June 10th, 5:52 a.m. in 19° Gemini. Create an intention for the year ahead. Affirm that it come into your life in the most harmonious way.

With the eclipse in Gemini, there is a tremendous urge to communicate and be listened to. If you want to get the most out of this eclipse, listen, read and reflect carefully before you speak. You will be doing a "good deed" to listen to others and let them know they are heard. You don't have to agree but it will be helpful to refrain from appearing to be judgmental.
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For your own self, try to share your ideas with those who will be supportive of your dreams, not those likely to squash them. This is a great time for brainstorming. Often people feel they are bursting with ideas at a Gemini eclipse. Write all these creative concepts and visions down. Like a dream these ideas will be ephemeral and you will lose them if you don't write them down.  Then, wait a few weeks and look over the ideas with a clear eye for what is truly practical.

​In the chart of the eclipse, Neptune is squared to the Moon, Sun and Mercury. This indicates mental fog and difficulty with decision-making. If you can put off a decision, do that. If you must make a decision, write down the pros and cons in order to approach it in the most logical way.

More on listening:

It can be really helpful to look to your horoscope to find out what kind of listener/communicator you are. In astrology, we most often look to the sign your Mercury is in. (You can get your horoscope calculated for free by going to alabe.com or astro.com or just Google "free horoscope calculations".)

Mercury in cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) are impatient listeners. They want to get the highest priority information from you quickly, and get going to take action.

Mercury in fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius) are generally patient listeners but will need you to lay out your thoughts in an organized way, and especially Taurus will need you to slow down. It's harder for them to parse a 'mile a minute' speaker.

​Mercury in mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces) love to hear new ideas and what is happening in your life but because they have many of their own thoughts swirling in their heads, they may not remember what you said later on.

Obviously these are generalizations and are modified by other planetary configurations in the natal horoscope. Just something to observe in your conversations with others over the next week.

The Lunar Eclipse on Wednesday, May 26 is at 6:14 a.m. CDT in 5 ° Sagittarius. How well you are handling the current Saturn stationary point will have a lot to do with how you experience the Lunar Eclipse. If you are staying calm despite Saturn's limitations and frustrations, the extra emotional surge of the Lunar Eclipse will not throw you off base. Then you can enjoy the Sagittarian energy which is upbeat and optimistic.  Relax and allow yourself to enjoy the moment without a particular agenda toward achievement.

Tips for staying calm under difficult Saturn aspects, including station points:

• Saturn rules time. For the next week, you will not have enough time to do everything. Every task takes longer than you imagine. Keep it simple. Focus on priorities.

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• Don't add anything more to your list of things to do. You already have enough to do. 

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• Don't volunteer for anything. If you get stuck with a new project, estimate the timeline to be at least twice as long as usual. Don't believe anyone who says "Can you help me with this? It will just take a minute."

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• Plan to leave early wherever you are going.

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• If you are late for something, don't worry, everyone else will be late too.

On May 29th, Mercury goes retrograde at 24° Gemini. For several days around this date be cautious in all communications. Think before speaking. Re-read emails and texts before sending. Don't sign anything without closely reading the fine print. Make sure your calendar/planner is up to date and look at it (instead of using your memory) when making appointments.

Coming up:
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NORWAC - The Northwest Astrological Conference is this weekend, May 28 - 30th. Lots of excellent speakers. It's virtual, so no travel required.


You can find me on:

• Facebook
• YouTube
• Twitter
• Yoga Chicago Magazine
• Temple of Kriya Yoga

The New Moon is tomorrow, Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. CDT in 21° Taurus. With this symbol of new beginnings in an earth sign, it's often a time of planting a seed. This can be a good time for planting seeds in the actual earth in your garden. It can also be a good time for planting a positive thought or creative idea into your consciousness. 

​You can write your own positive thought or try this expansive affirmation:

The sign Taurus is ruled by the planet Venus in astrology. So this New Moon is also a good time to start projects related to the arts.

​Jupiter moves out of Aquarius and into the sign Pisces on May 13th. Jupiter moves through each sign in about 12 months. The symbol of Jupiter in Pisces is an open heart of generosity and compassion. I talk about “The Heart of Compassion and the Blessings of the Divine Mother” in my Mother's Day meditation for the Temple of Kriya Yoga.

Coming up:

Astrology Workshop
Chicagoland astrologer Lynn Ewing is presenting a workshop via Zoom on The Ascendant and the Midheaven on Sunday, May 16th - Information and registration here:
 https://lifeforcearts.org/events/the-ascendant-and-the-midheaven-with-lin-ewing/

​End of May Planets
The end of the month lineup of Saturn retrograde (May 22), Lunar Eclipse (May 26) and Mercury retrograde (May 29) suggest that extra responsibilities may pop up then, so getting important tasks and projects finished in the next seven days will benefit you. I'll write more in my next post.

You can find me on:

• Facebook
• YouTube
• Twitter
• Yoga Chicago Magazine
• Temple of Kriya Yoga

The Full Moon is on Monday, April 26, 10:31 p.m. CDT, at 7° Scorpio.  Pluto, the ruler of Scorpio is at a stationary point, going retrograde on April 27th. These two planetary positions occurring in the same time frame increase the intensity of our emotions and desires. Be on your guard for flare ups of anger, resentment and jealousy. This is not the best time for starting an argument (you may be calling it a discussion but it's likely to escalate).

Pluto stationary points can be good for putting energy into clearing out closets, basements and attics. It's also good for taking things off your to do list. I don't mean checking things off. I mean re-evaluating what's on there and taking off things that have lost their value or priority.
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If you want to read an article that's more centered on the external, global impact of this Pluto direction, check out Ray Grasse's article in The Mountain Astrologer.

There is also a T-square in the Full Moon chart. The stellium of Sun, Uranus, Venus and Mercury in Taurus are 180° opposed the Moon in Scorpio and 90° squared to Saturn in Aquarius.  This challenging configuration brings out an urge for freedom versus an urge for tradition. In  my recent Yoga Chicago article I said, "These forces seem like they should always be opposed to each other but they can work together if you see Saturn as foundation and Uranus as creativity. Most arts have a foundation of skill or mastery of the basics and yet the true artist is often the one that brings that genius of creativity to bear."
I give some affirmations for a more positive Saturn square Uranus in my talk for the Temple of Kriya Yoga Babaji Festival.

The New Moon is on Sunday, April 11, 9:30 p.m. CDT. at 22° Aries. We're in the midst of spring, life growing and abounding. Tune into the energy and vigor that fiery Aries brings. Mars at 23° Gemini and Jupiter at 25° Aquarius are trining each other while the Sun and Moon sextile them. Very productive energy for all types of activities. 

The caution is this New Moon is square to Pluto at 26° Capricorn. Ego (the Sun), Emotion (the Moon) and Obsession (Pluto) can get in the way of moving harmoniously toward your goals. Flip the switch internally to focus on Vitality (the Sun), Balanced Inner Awareness (the Moon) and Motivation (Pluto). In this way you will get more benefit from your energy output.

To avoid hyper or angry energy try this affirmation:

This is a good affirmation for issues with fatigue as well.

The avatar Rama is related to the sign Aries and the planet Mars (and the Mars chakra). So chanting the "Shri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram" mantra is balancing, whether it's a Mars/Aries transit or an aspect in your own natal chart. Here is the mantra sung by Krishna Das:
Shri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram

Coming up:

Babaji Festival 2021
​Virtual from the Temple of Kriya Yoga

Sunday, April 25th at noon - Link will be posted at:
https://www.yogakriya.org/sunday-services.html

​My talk will be:
​Astrology, Kriya Yoga and Karma

The Full Moon is on Sunday, March 28, 1:48 p.m. CDT in 8° Libra with the Moon exactly opposed to Sun, Venus and the asteroid Chiron in Aries. Other people and the partnerships you have with them are influential at this full moon. At the same time, one of the karmic lessons of Libra is to be able to believe in yourself and the value of what you bring to the table without needing the  validation of others. This is most important to know if you have Libra Sun, Moon or Rising in your own natal chart.

​Venus so close to the Sun may have its natural loving nature overwhelmed by the ego strength of the solar force. For our spiritual growth it can be helpful to watch the play between compassion and self interest over the next few days.

As an astrologer, I look at Chiron, "the wounded healer", when it's in a strong position like the one in the Full Moon chart.  This means you can be helpful to people with the wisdom gained from having worked with your own deeply difficult experiences.  You may not have perfect resolution of your own personal issues, but your journey toward wellness may shine a light on the path for others.  Don't give advice, just share your story when the time is right.
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Mercury is conjunct Neptune in the Full Moon chart. As usual, this is good for meditation and your inner quest, but not great for paying attention to things in the outer world.  Take your time to get the facts straight when making decisions.

Online:

Here is the video from my most recent noon meditation for the Temple of Kriya Yoga:

The Professional Astrology Course: How to Be a Practicing Astrologer

The Professional Astrology Course from the Temple of Kriya Yoga is a two year, home-study, self-paced program that you can start anytime. The course consists of over 120 recordings by Goswami Kriyananda, plus textbook and pdfs. As an instructor for the program, 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.

If you're not familiar with Goswami Kriyananda, the Temple has various free recordings available each week linked on the home page. 

You can find me on:

• Facebook
• YouTube
• Twitter
• Yoga Chicago Magazine
• Temple of Kriya Yoga

The New Moon is on Saturday, March 13, at 4:21 a.m. CST in 23° Pisces. The Sun and Moon are aligned with Venus and Neptune creating a stellium in Pisces. Decision-making is at a disadvantage with Neptune creating fog around the road ahead. Wait at least 3 days after the New Moon. You'll likely find there will be extra information critical to your decisions that was not available before.

This New Moon with Venus and Neptune is good for anything that has to do with the arts, music, painting, poetry, writing, etc. It is excellent for meditation, chanting, prayer and devotional singing.
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It's also a good time for studying your dreams. Honor your dreams by writing them down. Take time to think about the symbols and their meanings.  There are a number of seminars on dreams and dreaming here: ​https://www.yogakriya.org/seminars.html

The vernal equinox takes place on March 20, 2021, 4:37 a.m. CDT. It's the start of the astrological year where the Sun returns to 0° Aries. So it's a symbol of new beginnings. It's a good time to write down and affirm your goals for the year ahead. It's generally a good idea to have one main goal. But with the Moon and Mars in Gemini in the equinox chart, it will probably make some people happier to make a whole list of things to accomplish in 2021-2022.

Online:

My Sunday Noon Meditation "Deep Dive into Cosmic Consciousness" will be posted on 3/14/21 around noon on the Sunday Services page of Temple of Kriya Yoga website.

NORWAC - The Northwest Astrological Conference is virtual again this year, May 28 - 30th. Lots of excellent speakers. I attended (via my home computer) last year and signed up again right away.

I enjoyed this discussion of Astrology and Tarot that was recently recorded on The Astrology Podcast.
https://theastrologypodcast.com/2021/02/19/tarot-and-astrology-as-forms-of-divination/

The latest issue of New Observations is now available for free online. The issue is called "The Extended Moment: The Photography and Writing of Ray Grasse." Beautiful, mystical photos and many essays and excerpts of Ray's books.