Neptune stations direct in Shatabisha Nakshatra on Nov 24, 2018 at 8:09 PM EST. Neptune has been moving back and forth between Shatibisha and Purva Bhadrapada since March 2011 and is now making its last direct passage through Shatibisha until January 2, 2019. Shatibisha has many themes in common with Neptune. Shatabisha’s symbols are a circle and 100 healers, stars or flowers. The circle represents the void of space behind the veil or illusions of maya. Neptune’s orbit is close to circular and it too represents illusions and the veil beyond Saturnian reality. Shatibisha is ruled by Varuna the God of Cosmic Order who later became the God of Oceans. Neptune in Roman mythology is akin to Poseidon in Greek mythology and Neptune rules oceans in western astrology. Oceans or the oceanic are connected to spirituality, which Neptune is as well. Varuna, Shatabisha’s ruling deity, is the divine healer pouring the waters of life and healing upon humanity from Aquarius. Fomalhaut, one of the four Royal Stars of Persia, the watcher in the south, that indicates musical ability and great spirituality is also associated with Shatibisha.
With Neptune in Shatabisha we have been slowly unfolding our spirituality, seeing the illusions of maya peak through the veil, and working on healing ourselves and humanity for the past 6.5 years. As Neptune moves forward for the last time through the cosmic healing waters of Shatabisha during the holiday season, look for synchronicities that allow you to feel the flow of the spiritual oceanic waters that move beyond the veil of reality perceived by the 5 senses alone. Step into that flow, be the flow. As we hurry around through our shopping for presents, remember to be present. Be kind to all those who are running around stressed out, in their heads and not present. Presence is the best gift you can give yourself and others. Try to pay it forward and make a positive difference in the lives of everyone you come across – family, friends, and random strangers. The infinite healing waters are within us, around us, and ready to tap into when we need them and pour them forth when others do. Feel that.
Triple Conjunction in Anuradha Nakshatra: November 26 & 27
-Sun conjoins Jupiter on Nov 26, 2018 at 1:34 AM EST
-Sun conjoins Mercury on Nov 27, 2018 at 4:15 AM EST
-Mercury conjoins Jupiter on Nov 27, 2018 at 5:27 PM EST
These conjunctions mark the beginnings of 13-month Jupiter-Sun and Jupiter-Mercury cycles and 3.5-month Mercury-Sun cycle. Mercury is retrograde and closest to earth at inferior conjunction (between the Earth & Sun) while Jupiter is furthest from Earth (on opposite side of Sun). At this point in the cycles the planets are fast. Jupiter is at its fastest speed travelling 13 minutes per day. Mercury is at its fastest retrograde speed travelling 1 degree and 20 minutes per day. (At the superior conjunction, direct Mercury reaches speeds greater than two degrees per day. At the opposition, retrograde Jupiter’s speed is about 7 minutes per day). Planetary speed is one of the categories of “Shad Bala” (six strengths) called “Chesta Bala” (motional strength). In Vedic Astrology slower planets have more strength because they focus their energy for a longer period of time.
These are seed moments for these planets that occur in Anuradha Nakshatra which is the “disciple of the divine spark” with the Shakti Power of devotion. Jupiter-Sun marks a seed moment for spiritual growth and expansion of the higher philosophical mind for the next 13 months. Jupiter-Mercury seed moment for intellectual expansion through teachings and growth related to commerce for the next 13 months. The Mercury-Jupiter cycle is shorter and tends to relate more toward trends of what grabs our mental interest to learn more about. The Sun is where our divine spark resides. These three synodic cycles are beginning with seed moments that ask us to be devoted to the divine spark in our hearts – a new Sun-Jupiter cycle of doing our dharma; a new Sun-Mercury cycle of heart & mind; a new Mercury-Jupiter cycle of speaking our Truth.
Just like the monthly lunar cycle, we want to set intentions at the conjunction of the Sun & Moon (New Moon) but wait until the Moon is visible and no longer combust to begin our actions. We also want to set our intentions around the seed moments of conjunction but wait to begin something until the combustion period is over, which is when the orb between the Sun and planet is 8.5 degrees, or it is visible. (There is an exception in Western Astrology called “cazimi” – a planet within w/in a 17-minute orb to the Sun is said to be “in the heart of the Sun.” Cazimi can be a good time begin something, because the planet is imbued with solar energy rather than being burned up by it.) Combustion weakens a planet in both Vedic and Western Astrology. If you can’t start something during the cazimi period (check your software for your location) wait until the planet is visible or within 8.5 degrees from the Sun.
Additionally, Mercury and Jupiter are weakened by combustion. On top of that they are in a Planetary War or “graha yuddha.” When planets are within one degree of each other they are engaged in a planetary war and that can be oppressive. There are varying opinions on how to determine which planet wins the war and overpowers the other with its agenda. But, regardless, in a war no side is without its losses. So, if there seems to be something in your way around what you want to begin with Jupiter or Mercury, look inward for the correspondence and just wait for it to clear. It will take less than a day for Mercury to move backwards beyond one-degree of Jupiter and end the planetary war.
Saturn enters Purva Ashada Nakshatra on Nov 27, 2018 at 5:53 AM EST Saturn is the planet of contraction, limitations, obstructions, delays, death, decline, decay, fears, realism or pessimism, and bad luck. Saturn represents structures, discipline and caution. While his lessons are most difficult, they are often the most rewarding when we overcome the obstacle or fear. He is the son of the Sun and is also the yogi in meditating in solitude practicing asceticism.
Purva Ashada means “early victory” and it is often called the invincible star. It represents the spiritual environment in which the soul dwells and attunement to the interrelationship between all things in creation. The main attributes of this nakshatra are purification, transformation, intuition and universal sympathy. It is ruled by Apas is the Goddess of Water. Hymns in the Rig Veda invoke Apas to destroy poisons, end droughts, ward of jealousy and disease, and bestow creative energy. She is the over-ruling deity of the Moon. She presides over literal water (lakes, rivers, oceans, rain, etc) as well as the physiological waters of creation and procreation, and the divine spiritual waters of the cosmos. This gives Purva Ashada the Shakti Power to “purify and invigorate the cosmic waters.” The evolutionary attribute of Purva Ashadha is to dispel ignorance and open to universal consciousness. Thus, this nakshatra is associated with nourishment of creativity, becoming aware of latent qualities, purification of the ego, providing insight to working with Divine Law (laws of karma & dharma), developing a spiritual quality of life and rectifying the karmic account. This is the hard work Saturn is calling us to do while in Purva Ashada until March 1, 2019.