 The New Moon is on Tuesday, June 28 at 9:52 pm CDT in 7° Cancer. There's a focus on home and family. It's a good time for making where you live peaceful and harmonious. With Neptune at its stationary point at 25° Pisces, things are too nebulous for deep cleanouts because there's a chance you might throw out something important. Avoid strong chemical cleansers during Neptune times (a week on either side of the station point). Think more about improving the atmosphere: natural scents like essential oils, soothing or upbeat music, objects of beauty such as artwork, photos of loved ones, or plants and flowers. Cancer is a water sign and Neptune is a 'watery' planet. In mythology, Neptune was the ruler of the oceans. All things related to water are important at this new moon. That includes remembering safety rules when going swimming. It also suggests paying attention to plumbing issues. There may be even more stories than usual in the news about water, scarcity in some places, too much in others.  Water in astrology is also related to our moods and emotions. Use skillful means like meditation, yoga and related types of balancing techniques to calm the waters. Dreams at night may be more vivid and/or meaningful. Be sure to write them down and give yourself some time to contemplate their significance. Coming up: July 12th, 7:30 p.m. via Zoom Dave Gunning: The Kite Formation Presented by the Northern Illinois Chapter of NCGR Email janetberres@gmail.com for the zoom link or connect with the group on meetup or Facebook: https://www.meetup.com/The-Astrology-Group-of-Northern-Illinois/ https://www.facebook.com/NCGR-Northern-Illinois-Chapter-346385895441088 The National Council for Geocosmic Research is an organization for astrological education and research: https://geocosmic.org/ 
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 The Full Moon is on Tuesday, June 14 at 6:51 a.m. in 23° Sagittarius. The energy is playful, social and talkative. With Neptune in the square position at 25° Pisces, friendly chat can get you so comfortable that you put your foot in your mouth or betray a secret. We forget that words have power. It can be helpful to others if you veer to the positive in communications, not just with others but also with yourself. Remember to look at yourself in the mirror and say "Hi there. I like you." Listening to ethereal music or chanting a mantra can lift you up more than usual at this time - but not to be used when you're driving! The Summer Solstice is June 21, the start of a new quarter year, a new season. Enjoy the long days of light. Affirm your most important goal for the months ahead. Planning ahead: Neptune makes a stationary point going retrograde on June 27th at 25° Pisces. Note down your experiences at this Full Moon. They will show you the areas you need to pay attention to around the 27th.  Coming up: Astrology: Northern Illinois Chapter of NCGR The Astonishing Synchronicity of Astrology and the News with Elisabeth Grace Tuesday, June 14, 7:30 p.m. on Zoom http://www.chicagolandastrology.com/news.html Email janetberres@gmail.com for the zoom link RETROGRADES-THE BIG REWIND with Lin Ewing: Karma, Reincarnation, Re-Visioning Sunday, June 26, 2022 - Zoom or in person at Life Force Arts https://lifeforcearts.org/events/retrogrades-the-big-rewind-with-lin-ewing-karma-reincarnation-re-visioning/ Professional Astrology Course - Temple of Kriya Yoga Goswami Kriyananda is the instructor via his audio recordings and writing. Marcia Sacks helps to answer student questions. https://www.yogakriya.org/professional-astrology.html Online: Short videos by Eric Klein from Wisdom Heart on business and life success. Eric is a disciple of Goswami Kriyananda and a swami of the Temple of Kriya Yoga. He is also a leadership coach and teacher of mindfulness in the workplace. https://www.wisdomheart.com/godgracegoalsetting  The New Moon is on Monday, May 30 at 6:30 am CDT in 9° Gemini. With this New Moon we feel flooded with data, input from the internet, email, social media, books, magazines, news sources, recipes, things to do, and lots of ideas for the future. The problem is that we find ourselves lacking the ability to make a decision. It's like a delicious restaurant menu with lots of choices. If you know your goals, it's like knowing what you have a taste for when you look at a restaurant menu. If you don't know where you're supposed to be going, it's easy to get lost. Gemini energy is restless and wants to go somewhere quick but can't always decide where to go. Wisdom may be making decisions that take you in some way toward your life's purpose. The Mars Jupiter conjunction in Aries is exact the day before the New Moon on May 29th and is still active now and as part of the new moon chart. The essence of this aspect is expanded energy. If you are filled with anger, that will be expanded. If you are filled with productive motivation, that will be expanded. Jupiter symbolizes masters and mastery. Life could bring you the teacher or expert you are looking for. Mars/Jupiter can also be carelessness or recklessness when driving. It might not be you, so watch out for those around you. It can also be the urge to drive fast so watch for speed traps and traffic light cams. Here's a more complete rundown of the Mars Jupiter conjunction for all twelve signs from the astrologer and yogi Acyuta-bhava Das. I wrote the following in the last issue of Astrology Update because I like to plan ahead. These stationary points are in orb now, meaning this aspect will intensify as we go toward the middle of next week and then ease off gradually.
The Mercury stationary point squares the Saturn stationary point, but also opposes the point at which the Lunar Eclipse occurred. This can re-trigger an emotion or event from May 15th. This combination is active at least a week on either side of June 3/4. In general, these two directions symbolize extreme slowdowns and delays especially in the area of communication and transportation. Plan your schedule so that you have plenty of time to get from one place to another. Also, plan your work projects with an extra cushion of time to complete. If you feel you are up against a wall (Saturn), back up and take your time plotting out a solution. Writing things down (Mercury) whether it's a list of next steps or venting your frustrations into a private journal, will help you re-gain your balance.   There will be a Lunar Eclipse on Sunday, May 15th at 11:13 p.m. CDT in 25° Scorpio. Deep emotions arise, linked to memories of the past. Even if you have done work with letting go of old resentments, you might find yourself having to do a bit more. This often comes about when you meet a new person who reminds you of a previous situation. On the other hand, a look back may be a secret passage to an inner gift. Mars and Neptune are conjunct in this eclipse chart at 24° Pisces. Caution around boiling (Mars) water (Neptune). Rash actions can get you into hot water, too. Sales people (Mars) can be deceptive (Neptune). Other drivers (Mars) can be 'spacey' (Neptune). On the positive side, Mars conjunct Neptune can symbolize strong ability to visualize. This can be great if you are an artist. It can also be used with imagining a positive future or meditating on a yantra, mandala, or object of beauty. Sometimes, when I'm at an exceptionally beautiful natural location, I pretend I have a built in camera in my mind and take an internal 'photo' to use as a meditation focus later. Just recalling the image (or the feeling you experienced, if you are not a visualizer) can help you calm down in stressful environments.  Coming up: June 3, Mercury Station Direct 26° Taurus (opposes Lunar Eclipse point) June 4, Saturn Station Retrograde 25° Aquarius (squares Lunar Eclipse point) The Mercury stationary point squares the Saturn stationary point, but also opposes the point at which the Lunar Eclipse occurred. This can re-trigger an emotion or event from May 15th. This combination is active at least a week on either side of June 3/4. In general, these two directions together symbolize extreme slowdowns and delays especially in the area of communication and transportation. Plan your schedule so that you have plenty of time to get from one place to another. Also, plan your work projects with an extra cushion of time to complete. If you feel you are up against a wall (Saturn), take a step back and plot out a solution. Writing things down (Mercury) whether it's a list of next steps or venting your frustrations into a private journal, will help you re-gain your balance.  Books and Resources:
"When the Stars Align: Reflections on Astrology, Life, Death, and Other Mysteries" by Ray Grasse was just published a few weeks ago. Ray studied at the Temple of Kriya Yoga and has written books about Goswami Kriyananda and Kriyananda's teacher Shelly Trimmer. He was interviewed recently on The Astrology Podcast. Goswami Kriyananda's "The Wisdom and Way of Astrology" is now available as a Kindle ebook. I really enjoyed a recent interview with Demetra George on The Astrology Podcast. She has a new book out on Ancient Astrology and gives a lot of background on the early days of Project Hindsight which translated many ancient astrological texts into English. Along with Goswami Kriyananda's "Wisdom and Way", I often used Demetra George and Douglas Bloch's book "Astrology for Yourself" in my beginning astrology classes. You can find me on:  The Solar Eclipse is on Saturday, April 30 at 3:28 pm CDT in 10° Taurus. Eclipses often bring changes that could impact your life for the next year or more. With two other planets that portend change involved, there could be some significant changes. Uranus (14° Taurus), bringer of sudden, unexpected changes, is conjunct the Sun and Moon of the Solar Eclipse. Pluto which symbolizes transformative or revolutionary changes is at its retrograde station (28° Capricorn). We can look at a solar eclipse like this in many ways. First there are the cautions. People's emotions are high under this type of aspect. Take care of yourself, so that you are finding harmonious outlets for all that energy. Don't speak the words that trigger an argument. Be cautious with electronic devices (Uranus rules electricity.) Avoid crowds (Pluto rules crowds), especially those where emotions get stimulated (protest marches, sporting events). Another way to look at any aspect is to reflect on what you want to get from it. If there's high energy, can you channel it into a project or a life improvement? Affirmations are great at any new moon, but an eclipse is a super new moon, so even more effect. What do you want to bring into your life in the year ahead? Write it down. Visualize it. Affirm it. It's not a stable time for taking action on new projects. Innovative ideas that come to you at this time may be valuable and should be written down. Before taking action, look at those ideas a few days later to determine whether they are realistic or will bring too much chaos into your life.  Coming up: Mercury goes retrograde on May 10 at 4° Gemini. Think before speaking and carefully proofread documents and emails. Jupiter enters the sign Aries on May 10th, expanding opportunities for people who are Sun sign Aries or who have other personal planets in that sign for the next 12 months. Online: The recording of my talk on "The Kriya of Astrology" including looking at the Solar Eclipses for 2022 is online. It's part of the Babaji Festival presented by the Temple of Kriya Yoga. Here is the program timing for this video:
 The Full Moon is on Saturday, April 16 at 1:54 pm CDT in 26°Libra. Partnerships, relationships, and diplomatic missions are ruled by Libra and therefore more significant at this full Moon. However, the balance symbolized by the Libra scales is skewed by Pluto in Capricorn in a close square to the Sun and Moon. Power dynamics and plays for dominance will be likely in personal interactions. Saturn in Aquarius trine the Moon and sextile the Sun suggests a focus on self-discipline and steadiness of spirit will be helpful. Saturn becomes the fulcrum of the scales, the point of balance, where you pause for a moment and find your center before speaking in anger. Or where you pause for a moment before instantly judging a person or situation. The Jupiter Neptune conjunction, which was exact on April 12 is still in effect. Think about the symbols and synchronicities that came into your life this week. Were you introduced to a new idea or a book recommendation? Did something good expand? Did you find greater freedom? Spiritual insights? Significant dreams at night? With Neptune boundaries are sometimes thinner, so we can be more emotionally sensitive but also more spiritually perceptive.  Planning ahead - I'll write more about this in my next post:
Sudden unexpected changes of plan and revolutionary forces in play - not a stable time for beginning new projects or scheduling events (except those that welcome chaos). Innovative ideas that come to you at this time should be written down, then set aside to simmer for a few weeks before taking action. Coming up: The Babaji Festival, Sunday, noon, April 24th by the Temple of Kriya Yoga. There will be a link on the Sunday Services page of the Temple's website on that day: https://www.yogakriya.org/sunday-services.html The annual Babaji Festival celebrates the gurus of our Kriya lineage with music, meditation, and talks. It will include a video with Goswami Kriyananda from the 2006 Babaji Festival on "The Principles of Kriya Yoga." My talk will be "The Kriya of Astrology" which will contain some thoughts about the planets as our teachers on the spiritual path. Then, I'll a look at the planetary patterns of the coming year in order to reflect on wise actions to balance our lives and soften our karma. Online: Remembrance of Goswami Kriyananda - an interview with one of the Temple swamis: Harps of Comfort I recently saw a presentation by this group and wanted to share the information with you all. Harps of Comfort provides remote music to isolated patients with COVID-19 and other serious illness, patients nearing the end of life, loved ones, and caregivers. Using the gentle vibrations of harp and voice, the highly-trained therapeutic musicians offer individually tailored, live music sessions with compassionate, loving presence. There are some lovely, calming recordings of harp music on this site, too.  The New Moon is on Friday, April 1, 2022 at 1:24 am CDT in 11° Aries. This New Moon in Aries gives us a burst of energy to start new projects or pick up ones that went dormant during the dark winter months. Don't try to force your way to greater productivity though. Mars, the ruler of Aries, is conjunct Saturn on April 4 in 22° Aquarius. The two keywords related to projects combined with this aspect are aggravation and frustration. Aesop's affirmation of "slow but steady wins the race " may be helpful. Mars conjunct Saturn can manifest in injuries that leave scars. Be cautious for the next week or so with both sharp and heavy objects. Keep in mind that words can also be sharp and heavy - and those can leave scars too. Your responsibility is to be verbally non-violent. However, you have no obligation to take to heart the harsh or discouraging words others say to you.  Jupiter conjuncts Neptune on April 12th in 23° Pisces. That planetary conjunction in Pisces is a rare aspect that happens only once every 160 years. The symbol of Jupiter (wisdom) and Neptune (inspiration) coming together is excellent for going deeper into meditation and other spiritual practices. It is also good for the study of sacred scripture, as deeper meaning can be revealed at this time. On a practical level, Jupiter and Neptune together in Pisces can mean flooding and water rising around the world. A recent news story talks about a huge ice shelf melting and collapsing in Antarctica, for example. Neptune in mythology is the god of the oceans and Jupiter the god of lightning and thunder, so some storms (actual or symbolic) are likely. I gave a lecture at the Temple of Kriya Yoga in December 2021 that included more on the Jupiter/Neptune conjunction. The part with the Jupiter Neptune conjunction starts at about the 10 minute mark.  The Full Moon is on Friday, March 18 at 2:17 a.m. CDT in 27° Virgo. This is a time when we find ourselves drawn to the details in life. Sometimes it is breaking down a large volume of information into smaller chunks in order to more easily digest the material. Sometimes it is taking our big (and often overwhelming) projects and begin with the tiniest essential next step in order to get going. Full Moon in Virgo can also bring a focus on health and nutrition. Neptune in Pisces opposing the Moon can make us over-idealistic, looking for some type of perfection in our food choices. Instead of radical changes, try to improve food decisions over time. To improve your food on a subtler level, consider adding a prayer, blessing or thought of gratitude before eating. The Vernal Equinox is on Sunday, March 20 at 10:33 a.m. CDT with the Sun at 0° Aries. This can be considered the beginning of the astrological year. Affirm and visualize your highest goal for the year ahead.  I was so sad to hear that astrologer Alan Oken recently passed from this earthly existence to the next. He was a light on the path of astrology through his writings and teachings. His books were part of my early studies back in the 1970s. He brought both the mystical and the practical into his talks and seminars. Here is an interview with Alan via The Astrology Podcast done in 2019.  The New Moon is Wednesday, March 2 at 11:34 a.m. in 12° Pisces bringing compassion, creativity and a focus on inner consciousness. The New Moon is conjunct Jupiter which is very auspicious for all kinds of inner journeying. Meditation is, of course, one example. Reading a book on an unfamiliar culture could be another. Listening to a guided visualization that talks you through an inner journey can be powerful. With water sign Pisces, listening to ocean waves (whether recorded or IRL) can bring deep peacefulness. Jupiter's expansive generosity combined with Pisces empathy may find you doing something to help others. Venus, Mars and Pluto are in a strong conjunction in 27° Capricorn at this same time. This brings out powerful desires in each of us. With Pluto involved, we may drive toward our object of desire without considering the effect on people close to us. The repercussion could be emotional, financial or both. Mercury conjunct Saturn in Aquarius, also in the New Moon chart, cautions us against crushing someone else's dream. Watch your impulse to critique if someone presents their great new idea to you. Rest in Jupiter's generosity of spirit where we remember that we are not required to always be judging others.  Online:
The Astrology of 2022 with Dawn Silver presented by the Northern Illinois Chapter of NCGR Tuesday, March 8, 7:30 pm on Zoom Email janetberres@gmail.com to receive Zoom link Free for both member and non-members Dawn's talk will include: The Pluto Return of the US, The Eclipses of 2022, other outstanding planetary line-ups and more You can find me on:  The Full Moon is on Wednesday, February 16 at 10:56 a.m. CST in 27° Leo. Energy and vitality are high at this Full Moon. Leo leadership abilities combined with Capricornian business skills will be very effective. Keep in mind that with the Leo Full Moon everyone will be feeling like taking the lead with their own agenda. If you need to get people to be on your team over the next few days, it can be helpful to remember that Leo sun sign people often get their way by being charming as much as they do by being bossy. Sometimes getting what you want can be as simple as asking for what you want. This is another thing that Leos do naturally while other signs hesitate. I remember a number of years ago that I was having at a restaurant with a Leo friend. When he gave his order, he asked the waitress if he could have his dish a certain way that wasn't on the menu. It surprised me because I wouldn't have thought of asking. Of course, he was served exactly what he asked for. There was no stress involved in the process. Goswami Kriyananda talked about this frequently, emphasizing that you are worthy to ask the Universe for what you want spiritually. You are worthy to ask for and receive Love, Compassion, Wisdom or whatever your cosmic word is. Asking for these things should be, he said, as easy and casual as asking someone at the dinner table to pass the salt.  Jupiter in Pisces makes a sextile to Uranus in Taurus on February 17th. This positive aspect brings creativity and even sparks of genius. Allow yourself some quiet time for reflection to listen for new ideas. It's also a good time for brainstorming and mind-mapping exercises. This Jupiter/Uranus aspect is also beneficial for studying a new topic, especially scientific or metaphysical. Online: A documentary series "The Changing of the Gods" looks at astrological cycles, in part based on Richard Tarnas' book "Cosmos and Psyche," will be available online February 22. View the trailer and sign up here: https://changingofthegodsseries.com/trailer Friends in Kriya is a weekly gathering of Kriya yogis on Zoom every Sunday at 5 p.m. Central Time. It generally includes meditation, chanting and a short talk. If you are interested in Kriya Yoga and would like to receive the Zoom link or want more info, let me know. I attend this and always come away more balanced and peaceful. If you want to study astrology in depth, check out The Professional Astrology Course from the Temple of Kriya Yoga. Goswami Kriyananda is the instructor via his audio recordings and writing. I help to grade tests and answer student questions. Contact me if you need more information on the course content or how this program works. https://www.yogakriya.org/professional-astrology.html  |
AuthorMarcia Sacks is an astrologer in the Kriya Yoga tradition. Archives
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