Mercury enters Uttara Bhadrapada Nakshatra on February 28, 2019 at 4:55 am EST for 11 days. Uttara Bhadrapada translates to “later lucky feet.” The Bhadrapadas represent the dual principals of darkness and light that are in eternal conflict. Uttara Bhadrapada is contained entirely in Pisces. It has a passive, receptive energy that is associated with water and represents the mergence with the great deep that is the source of all creative energy. It has the Shakti power to bring rain. The presiding deity of Uttara Bhadrapada is Ahir Budhnya, a deep-sea serpent who is related to Ahir Vritra the dragon of primordial ignorance concealed in primitive darkness. Both deities are aspects of Shiva. Serpents and dragons are associated mystical wisdom and comprehension of concealed knowledge. Ahir Budhnya is the auspicious serpent associated with the celestial emissaries of Shiva’s army and the vital power of kundalini. Thus, Uttara Bhadrapada is a warrior star. Mercury here for a few things. Among them is noting the light and dark (truth and ignorance) in the discernment process of your rational mind. Also, Mercury in Uttara Bhadrapada is a great time for delving into hidden knowledge. Dust off those ancient astrological or spiritual texts and contemplate their deeper layers of meaning; meditate on it as well.
Sun enters Purva Bhadrapada Nakshatra on March 4, 2019 at 18:55 EST for 13.5 days. Purva Bhadrapada translates to “former lucky feet.” It is a fierce nakshatra with the shakti power of spiritual fire. Purva Bhadrapada is associated with universal goals, especially those that require the metaphorical fire of purification to nourish evolution. It is an eccentric, mystical, intelligent, philosophical, visionary and future oriented nakshatra. Purva Bhadrapada is ruled by Aja Ekapada, the one footed goat deity who is a form of Shiva and the vehicle of Agni (sacred fire). He represents infinity, transcendence, unborn latent creative energy and is without motion or speech. There is a story in the Upanishada where Aja Ekapada took on the nature of the Sun to define the area of creation, bring light and life, and sustain creation with warmth and nourishment. The Sun here encourages us to define our creations, breathe life into them, and to purify our personal egoic motivations so that our inner light finds purpose in a universal vision for our creations.
Venus enters Shravana Nakshatra on March 4, 2019 at 23:01 EST for 11 days. Shravana is ruled by Vishnu the preserver or sustainer of the universe who is often depicted floating on the cosmic float of the serpent Shesha Naga, dreaming the Universe into being with his wife Lakshmi (goddess of abundance) at his feet. The Shakti of Shravana is the power to connect diverse elements. Shravana means “to hear,” its symbol is an ear, it is ruled by Jupiter, and it is connected to oral traditions of learning. Venus is also a teacher. Jupiter taught the Gods and Venus taught the Assuras, or all who are not gods. Venus here teaches knowledge of the senses and the nature of desire. It is a good time for inner questioning around how our sensory impressions are involved in the illusions of maya and inform our version of reality. It is also a good time to tune inward and ask if our desires are coming from the illusions of the false-ego or the truth in the heart of our true Self. Venus in Shravana is excellent for learning to negate egoic desires and directing our senses beyond the veil of matter through quieting the mind and listening to the cosmic “OM.”
Mercury stations Retrograde in Uttara Bhadrapada Nakshatra on March 5, 2019 at 13:29 EST. Mercury retrograde is not a scapegoat for everything going wrong for this three-week period. Everything you blame on Mercury retrograde, you should continue to keep your eye out for after it goes direct. Keep a diary or log of these things and how often they happen when Mercury is direct and retrograde, then you will see this is true by your own experience. What Mercury retrograde is good for, is turning your rational discriminatory mind inward. Mercury retrograde in Uttara Bhadrapada specifically relates to turning your mind inward to seek out your own darkness or ignorance and confront it. Mercury retrograde in general is good for study and planning. Specifically, in Uttara Bhadrapada it is good for studying ancient mysteries and occult matters. Mercury will retrograde into Purva Bhadrapada on March 11th. Thus, this retrograde period of Mercury covers both Bhadrapada nakshatras whom together are known as the “burning or scorching pair” and are noted in the sky by the stars marking the Great square of Pegasus (above Pisces since Pisces stars are so dim). The light of Purva Bhadrapada is association with primordial fire and the darkness of concealed depths is associated with primordial water of Uttara Bhadrapada. The sacrificial fire of Purva Bhadrapada (its deity is the vehicle of Agni, spiritual fire) gives rise to the spiritual warrior of Uttara Bhadrapada (its deity is associated with Shiva’s army). Mercury is the messenger planet. As Mercury moves direct, retrograde, and direct again through these two nakshatras pay attention to the messages you receive that give clues to what illusions born of darkness/ignorance you need to sacrifice to see the light of truth, and how you are being called to be a spiritual warrior in some way in your life.