MARCIA SACKS

The New Moon is on November 7, 2018 at 10:01 a.m. CST in 15° Scorpio. The New Moon in Scorpio is a time for deep thoughts. Scorpio and its ruler Pluto have a symbolic correspondence with the cycle of life, death and rebirth.

​Last week I went to the Temple of Kriya Yoga for the Annual Ritual for the Departed. It was an opportunity to remember, pray for and send blessings to our family and friends who are no longer on the earth plane. It was also a reminder for me of how short our time is here, and how precious it is to spend time with loved ones. This week I watched the animated film "Coco" about a family celebrating the Mexican holiday Dia de Muertos (the Day of the Dead). There's music, adventure and humor, but so poignant at the end - a really beautiful movie. 

Along with feeling close to those who've passed on, the New Moon in Scorpio is a time when you may find you have greater dream recall and more meaningful dreams. Do you journal your dreams? It is one of the practices my guru, Goswami Kriyananda suggested to his disciples. I take time every morning when I wake up to write down my dreams.

​​Writing down dreams consistently helps us to remember our dreams more clearly, and  to be more aware in our dreams while we're dreaming them. According to the yogis, working with your dreams gives you greater ability to be conscious as you make your transition from one life to the next. 

Jupiter makes its entrance into the sign Sagittarius on November 8th and will be in that sign approximately 12 months. Jupiter in Sag makes the coming year an excellent time for expanding your mind by studying philosophy, religion, foreign languages and the law. The same transit can also open your mind to the potential for traveling outside your own country. 

November 16 there are two stationary points: Venus goes direct at 25 Libra and Mercury goes retrograde at 13 Sagittarius.  Coping strategy # 1: if at all possible, don't sign any documents that relate to financial matters 3 days before and after November 16.  Coping strategy # 2: don't start arguments with your romantic partner/significant other for 3 days before and after November 16.  Try your best to stay awake and aware of what you're about to do or say before you do or say them.

 I like this Zen story called Every Minute Zen. It's from the book Zen Flesh/Zen Bones by Paul Reps:

Zen students are with their masters at least ten years before they presume to teach others. Nan-in was visited by Tenno, who, having passed his apprenticeship, had become a teacher. The day happened to be rainy, so Tenno wore wooden clogs and carried an umbrella.

After greeting him Nan-in remarked: 'I suppose you left your wooden clogs in the vestibule. I want to know if your umbrella is on the right or left side of the clogs.' Tenno, confused, had no instant answer. He realized that he was unable to carry his Zen every minute. He became Nanin's pupil, and he studied six more years to accomplish his every-minute Zen.

Unfortunately, even though I try to stay aware, I'd probably flunk this Zen test every time. During Mercury retrograde, I'm the most likely person to walk to the car, remember I left something in the house, and go back for it. Because astrology gives me that bit of perspective, that bit of detachment, I can laugh about it, as I picture myself as Mercury going retrograde in my orbit.

In the future:

November 24: Neptune goes direct 13 Pisces. You can read about it in my most recent Yoga Chicago article Astrology, Karma and Free Will .

November 13: Astrologer Dave Gunning will be speaking at the Northern Illinois Chapter of  NCGR on "The Economic and Political Challenges for the U.S. in 2019".
http://www.chicagolandastrology.org/news.html

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Blessings to you as we celebrate the Autumnal Equinox tonight, September 22 at 8:54 pm CDT, the first day of fall in the northern hemisphere and first day of spring in the southern hemisphere. The Autumnal Equinox occurs when the sun enters Libra, the sign of balance. For many people on earth, it’s seen as a balance point in the length of the days between day and night.
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In balance, we pause for a moment to assess our progress in our personal and spiritual goals and determine what we need to do to get where we want to go.

I led a guided imagery for the equinox last Sunday at the Temple of Kriya Yoga as part of the noon meditation. It uses the colors of fall leaves to inspire and heal plus time to visualize your goals for the next few months. Here is the audio recording:

The Full Moon is on Monday, September 24, 2018 at 9:52 pm CDT in 1° Aries.  This takes place just two days following the Autumnal Equinox so both those charts share many of the same aspects.
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The most prominent is the powerful T-square from the Moon in Aries and the Sun in Libra to  Saturn in Capricorn. Success can be found by facing into your responsibilities.  Projects will be challenging in the beginning of the quarter but build momentum with time if you stick with them.

However Sun and Moon in Libra are harmonious (sextile and trine) to Mars in Aquarius: this means that friends and relationships will be helpful to us with our goals. Hanging around positive people will give us energy and motivation. 

With Mars in a square aspect to Uranus, though, you might find some of the people around you to be a bit eccentric and volatile. Caution is advised at this Full Moon with driving, watching out for drivers making sudden, erratic moves. There will be plenty creative and inventive energy - be sure to write down all your wild and wonderful ideas. Wisdom asks you to wait a few days before taking action on any of them.
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Saturn trines Uranus in the full moon chart. Focus on the idea of tradition and creative new ideas working harmoniously together regarding your goals and projects.

September 30:

​Pluto goes direct at 18° Capricorn. This station direct has an effect at least a week on either side of that date. The keyword for Pluto for spiritual seekers is transformation. It's possible to break free from old destructive patterns under Pluto aspects. Can you do this gracefully and skillfully without destroying the good things in your life? Remember the serenity prayer:

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change
The courage to change the things I can
And the wisdom to know the difference

Pluto, Neptune and Jupiter are in harmonious aspect to each other at this time meaning that both the study of  philosophy and the practice of meditation will give you deep insights into the nature of reality.

The full moon this month occurs on Saturday, November 4, 2017, 12:22 a.m. at 11° Taurus.  It is opposed to the Sun and Jupiter and sextile to Neptune (plus a wide trine to Pluto).  A significant aspect in the chart of the Full Moon is Venus in Libra exactly opposed to Uranus in Aries.

"What the new moon promises, the full moon fulfills."  That old astrological saying means you have to remember and record what happened at the new moon in order to look back.  Just jot down at the new moon what happened; in particular, new beginnings, the people you met for the first time, and anything out of the ordinary.  Then record at the full moon if you can see a relationship between those new moon occurrences and things that happen at the full moon. 

With Jupiter involved, projects or ventures that were started under the new moon will expand, hopefully in a positive financial way but it could be in scope or work hours. 
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The mood of this full moon is upbeat and optimistic.  You might even feel some pronoia. It's the feeling that the universe is out to do you good (the opposite of paranoia).  Classically, one might say there's a potential for good luck or good fortune.  Spiritually, experiencing greater connection with the Divine is a possibility.

Here's the cautionary note:  With the Venus/Uranus opposition, if you're prone to bouts of manic shopping or spending, this aspect might encourage it.  In general, relationships started at this time might be fun but not long lasting.

Full Moon Affirmation:  I am open and receptive to all the good and abundance in the universe. (Louise Hay)

I am reading:  Sidewalk Oracles by Robert Moss