Mars conjoins Uranus in Ashwini Nakshatra on February 13, 2019 at 1:19 am EST. This is a good aspect for energizing and balancing chakras, working with kundalini and for all types of energetic healing remedies. It is especially good for doing work on the solar plexus chakra which is ruled by Mars. The solar plexus chakra is related to the pancreas and the regulation of metabolism. A balanced solar plexus chakra functions to provide us with a healthy sense of self-esteem and confidence in our lives. The seed mantra for the solar plexus chakra is “RAM.” The A is pronounced as AH “rAHm” not like the animal associated with Aries. The Mars-Uranus conjunction in Ashwini is also good for aligning courage and vital energy with innovation in the area of life represented by the house of Aries where this conjunction takes place. The power to “reach things quickly” is the Shakti Power of Ashwini ruled by the healers – Ashwini Kumaras.
The impulsive and reckless energy of Mars is amped up by Uranus. Remember to use your head. There is a difference between acting quickly and acting rashly. Watch where you are going, be patient and attentive on the roads, and don’t be too quick to anger. If you feel agitated, channel the Mars energy into sports, a work-out at the gym or a good run.
Mercury enters Purva Bhadrapada Nakshatra on February 18, 2019 at 4:40 am EST for 10 days. Purva Bhadrapada belongs to a nakshatra pair along with Uttara Bhadrapada. These two nakshatras translate to “former and latter lucky feet” and they are known as “the burning or scorching pair.” The symbol is a bed or funeral cot where Purva Bhadrapada represents the front legs and Uttara Bhadrapada represents the back legs. Aja Ekapada is the one footed goat deity that rules Purva Bhadrapada. He is a form of Shiva and the vehicle of Agni (sacred fire). Purva Bhadrapada is a fierce nakshatra with the Shakti Power of “spiritual fire.” Associated with the vehicle of sacred fire (the motivation, impulse, essence that gives rise to fire), Purva Bhadrapada is associated with universal goals that require the metaphorical sacrificial fire of purification to nourish evolution. The idea here is to maintain the stillness (bed symbol) and stability (goat) through the fires of purification and creation, like Shiva, Nataraja, in his dancing form symbolizes the static and dynamic forms of divine energy.
Mercury, the planet of communication and speech, in Purva Bhadrapada is a good time for purifying the intellect, reciting mantras toward this aim, quieting the mind and opening it inwardly toward self-realization. “Om Nama Shivaya” is an excellent mantra for self-realization and spiritual growth at any time, but these ten days involve the planet and speech and a nakshatra ruled by a form of Shiva. The five syllables of “Nama Shivaya” represent the five elements of creation (earth, water, fire, air, ether). In Thomas Ashley Ferrand’s book called “Healing Mantras”, he says that “this mantra is from the tradition of the path of Perfection of the Divine Vehicle, which refers to the human body in all of its gross and subtle parts.” (p 162) This is a good time for practicing yoga asanas, breath work and anything that helps raise awareness to the mind-body connection. It is a good time to purify negative thoughts and to put the chattering mind to bed or rest it in stillness.
For the commerce and exchange attributes of Mercury, there is a story in the Aitareya Upanashad that involves Aja Ekapada taking on the nature of the Sun to define the area of creation, bring light and life, and sustain creation with warmth and nourishment. This can be a good time for defining the area of your commercial enterprises and remembering the importance of bringing light, warm and nourishment to all of your exchanges.
Venus conjoins Saturn in Purva Ashada Nakshatra on February 18, 2019 at 5:52 am EST. This is a good aspect for grounding our self in our sacred center. Venus and Saturn are friendly toward each other. This is an amicable aspect that can help us to focus the desires that come from our heart. However we may find it changeling in the form of limitations and obstacles if the desires we are after are driven by the ego. To continue with the chakra work initiated with the Mars-Uranus conjunction, Saturn rules the root chakra and Venus rules the heart chakra. The seed mantra for the root chakra is “LAM,” pronounced like “lAHm” not like lamb. The endocrine glands associated with the root chakra are the ovaries & testes that regulate the reproductive hormones. A balanced root chakra gives us foundation and grounding at the root level of survival, housing, money and food. The seed mantra for the heart chakra is “YAM” pronounced like “yAHm” not like the sweet potato. The thymus gland of the endocrine system is associated with the heart chakra. It functions to regulate our immune system. The heart chakra gives us the ability to love, find joy in our lives, and inner peace. This Venus-Saturn conjunction, occurring in Purva Ashada with the Shakti Power “to purify and invigorate the cosmic waters,” is therefore is a great time to purify and invigorate the foundations of what brings us love and joy in life.