MARCIA SACKS

​The New Moon is a Solar Eclipse taking place on Saturday, March 29 at 5:57 a.m. CDT in 9° Aries. Coming right after the Sun's entrance into Aries at the Vernal Equinox on March 20, this Solar Eclipse is filled with energy, vitality, and the urge to go headfirst into something new. 

With the full force of the Sun and Moon, the eclipse is conjunct the degree Mercury went retrograde on March 15 and the degree Venus went retrograde on March 2. This suggests that however strong the desire to take action is, it could be wise to pause for a moment of reflection. Are you setting out onto a clear path, one that aligns with your highest goals? Or, are you walking into the fog (or off a cliff)?  

Mercury is still retrograde until April 7 and less than a degree away from an exact conjunction with nebulous Neptune as the eclipse occurs. There's a lot of idealism, imagination, and vague intuitions, but perhaps fewer facts. Mercury retrograde can be good for research and planning, so it can help to start all new projects with those.

Mars is the planetary ruler of Aries, so any mantra, meditation or balancing of chi related to the Mars (manipura) chakra can be beneficial. Ram is the seed syllable of the Mars chakra and relates to Rama, the avatar of Vishnu and the hero of the Ramayana.
Here is a Ram mantra from Krishna Das:

Coming up:

Neptune enters Aries on March 30 transiting this sign for the next 14 years. When you are confused, have a cup of tea. It's a symbol of boiling water (the fire of Aries, the god of the waters Neptune) creating something healthful and soothing.

Patanjali's Yoga Sutras - Asana and Pranayama
The Practice of Balancing Your Physical and Pranic Life Energies
with Swami Pharananda
A 20 minute talk with discussion afterward
Presented by Kriya Yoga Teachings
Sunday, April 6, 10 a.m. via Zoom
Email [email protected] to receive the zoom link

Relationship Astrology - Synastry
with Lynn Ewing
presented by the Northern Illinois Chapter of NCGR
In comparing their individual natal charts to one another we can understand the karma that brings them together as well as understand the difficulties, challenges, eases and successes within their connection. 
Tuesday, April 8, 7:30 pm via Zoom
Members: $5, Non-members: $10
To register and pay for this seminar

Ongoing:

Astrology, Kriya Yoga, and the Path of the Mystic
Open Q&A with Marcia Sacks, Swami K. Adinadananda
Most Fridays, 11 am - 12 pm CST via Zoom
Click here for description and registration 

Online:

Here's the video of my talk given on the Vernal Equinox, March 20, 2025

The Full Moon is a Lunar Eclipse on Friday, March 14, at 1:54 am CDT in 23° Virgo.  If emotions are high at a normal Full Moon, they are intensified in the days before and after the Lunar Eclipse. Eclipses bring change, so we look at aspects to the Moon to see if those changes will be harmonious or inharmonious. The Moon in this Lunar Eclipse is opposed to Saturn at 22° Pisces and, of course, the Sun at 23° Pisces. Saturn in this configuration makes it a difficult time for changes, often indicating that the changes could be forced on you by a boss or other authority figure (or the government).  Under any Saturn aspect, tasks will take longer than planned or be a greater commitment than described. .
 
With the Moon in Virgo involved, there is a tendency for everyone to ramp up complaints and critiques. While Virgo types might imagine they are being helpful pointing out the faults of others, Pisces types take it personally and feel hurt or victimized. 
 
Goswami Kriyananda taught that "santosha" or contentment was the most important of the yogic observances. In his book "The Spiritual Science of Kriya Yoga" he explains that verbal contentment means not complaining. I talked about this in my noon meditation last Sunday for the Light of Kriya Sangha. The video is listed below.
 
If you want a Lunar Eclipse challenge, try a "complaint fast". So instead of going for 24 hours without food as a spiritual discipline, try going without verbally complaining about anything for 24 hours. If you think that won’t be too hard, step up your game and try not to complain silently in your mind for that time.

I love reflecting on the actual astronomy of the planets. For something new about Saturn, check out this article about The Moons of Saturn.

Online:
I gave a talk for the Light of Kriya Yoga Sangha last Sunday called "Bloom Where You are Planted." Along with my thoughts about living in this wondrous garden of God and how to gain more contentment, there is also a guided healing meditation at the end.

This week:
My four-week "How to Read Tarot Cards" starts this Friday, March 14 at 5 pm central time via Zoom. Class description and registration information. 

Coming Up:

Kriya Yoga Teachings invites you to a short talk and meditation to celebrate the arrival of the Sun at 0° Aries, the start of spring, and a time for new beginnings.

Vernal Equinox: The Blessing of New Beginnings
Thursday, March 20, 2025
12 noon central time via Zoom
With Swami K. Adinadananda (Marcia Sacks)
Email: [email protected] for the zoom link

Ongoing:

The topic for this week's talk and discussion is "Reincarnation" at Astrology Kriya Yoga and the Path of the Mystic (every Friday at 11 a.m. central time).  Class description and registration information.

Astrology Study Group: once a month Q&A or occasional webinar. Description and registration.