Why do you play the harp?

  I  returned home from the 2009 Harper’s Escape on Sunday.  The tunes are still running thru my head, awake and asleep.  I am filled with joy and gladness that so much joy and gladness can be shared with harps.  Yes? 

40 of us gathered strong under  gloomy, doomy October skies to learn a few tunes, in community with each other.  Angels as well as devils showed up. Spiritual energy/vibration allowed it to be all okay, just as it is.

Om shanti. Peace to all.

On Sunday, we performed as a sort of harp orchestra at the local public library.  We were quite the hit; a waiting line stood patiently outside the room for the entire performance hoping for a seat to open up.  

I was relatively pleased and content with my own ‘performance’, noticing with every breath how the inner critic is still alive and well! 

But, once again I was amazed and awed by the sheer diversity of our group.  The harp is what brought us together and held us in-common.  Regardless of color, creed, culture, or zodiac sign, we worked together for an entire weekend to create a concert for the public.  Peace is always possible.

Astrologically speaking it was a weekend of Neptune/Chiron/Jupiter & Moon energies.  Sweet, serious, and silly all together with lots of food, drink, and water…….it rained a lot.  The balsamic phase of the moon was occuring in Late degrees of Libra.  Read more about balsamic, it’s very important to understand our human need for deep rest.

 

Gotta go practice……I’m haunted by the Harris Dance.

Were you born between 1971 – 1973?

(I’m using a very wide orb here)…..

if so, then Saturn is coming up to conjunct your natal Pluto.

Heavy.

Dense.

Solid,

and sometimes Immovable.

Patience is key.

A good time to establish a yoga practice to re-generate your stress and turn it into skillful action and right thinking.

Easily said.

Difficult to practice.

Find a spiritual  teacher.

Commit.

Breathe.

Mars in Cancer……Om Shanti

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33213245/ns/msnbc_tv-countdown_with_keith_olbermann

A Case Study – Yoga Therapy & Astrology

CASE STUDY

A typical yoga therapy session:

Female, 49 yrs. 5′5″, 180, thining dyed hair, round.  Although I do not have a birth-chart  to refer to, the fact that she is 49  is enough to remind me  which cycles usually dominate our life experiences during the years around 50.

Chiron’s cycle is approximately 50 years.  The wounded healer,  heals.

(Do a search for Chiron over there on the right side of this blog for more posts on Chiron.)

She arrived before me for our session and was eager and willing to fill out intake forms.

We spoke about the program and this session in particular. We agreed to follow the yamas & niyamas for our work together.

She describes herself as exhausted, and can feel some obstruction in the heart & throat area. She recently suffered from pneumonia and continues to be concerned about her health. She felt it was a wake-up call of some sort and wanted to pay closer attention.

She is frustrated with her current career. Although she loves being a teacher, she feels stuck in her current position. It feels like a long, hard struggle and she’s out of energy.

We discussed different yoga practices that can be of benefit to her if she chooses to commit to a ‘practice’ at all.

For the experiential part of our 1st session we spent time doing a seated body scan thru the kosha’s. Periodically, I would ask her to write/draw/record her awarenesses on some paper.

By the time we finished with the kosha’s she had experienced quite an ‘energetic’ shift inside and was quite amazed at what she had discovered. Most notable was that the entire left side of her body was numb when compared to the right. The imbalance was enlightening in and of itself to her in that moment.

We completed our session with savasana, pranayama and meditation.

During meditation, we explored Anjali Mudra in some detail paying attention to the sensations in each fingertip, it’s proximity to the heart chakra, its guiding the energy upward, etc.

I guided her back to the previously blocked throat area and encouraged her to chant om for a short while, and I noticed that each om sounded stronger than the one before it.

She felt like there was more work to be done, and seemed quite at peace and possibly enthusiastic about what might come next.

She left feeling well-balanced, energetic, and relaxed.

I could have taken an entirely different tactic with this women, and spent our time together working more on asana’s and that would have been okay, too. However, in my mind, asana’s and Chiron just don’t go together very well unless you have a committed client who will be returning often. At this point in time she was unable to commit to more than one session at a time. (I usually encourage everyone to commit to 6 sessions, however that can be a financial/economic burden in 2009.)

Chiron and Neptune are closely aligned these days (2009- 2011), so for those clients around 49 yrs of age, their particular crisis in this moment requires spiritual (neptune), healing (chiron).  As yoga therapists we must utilize our skills to activate and integrate the vijnanamayakosha & anandamayakoshas, as well as practices for the physical body.  We can only teach/share what we have learned for ourselves so please do not neglect these more subtle areas in your own training.  Learning a symbolic language such as astrology can help you develop buddhi, and increase your ability to trust the intuitive mind as much as the logical mind.  Yes?   Understanding health is only as good as  your understanding of how ‘all is one’.   Chiron and Neptune traveling together will bring up various types of health crisis for everyone until we get it, that our belief system is as important as vitamins, exercise, or anything else we do for health purposes.

Much of what happens during yoga therapy sessions happens on the subtle & causal layers of the body.  For many, yoga therapy is a safe, non-invasive, and gentle way to address deep-seated obstacles that prevent us from being fully human.

Om shanti.

Saturn Time….a slow, long view

If you’re coming around to 30, 60 or 90 years of age (rounding off the numbers for simplicity….consult a professional astrologer for your exact dates.) you’re probably approaching The Saturn Return. A return is when a transiting planet arrives at the same place it was in when you were born. Every year around your birthday you have a Solar Return.

Volumes have been written about the Saturn Return and I encourage you to ‘google’ the term and do your own research. I have a list compiled at librarything.com and as soon as I develop some more technical skills I’ll share it with you. However, be prepared. You may not like what you read. Saturn has a reputation of bringing us face to face with cold, hard reality.

If you move thru this transition time with consciousness there are some very definite rewards to be gained if you are willing to work hard. It is a time for discipline and patience.

The Saturn Return presents us with choice points: critical decisions are considered, and changes can be implemented ……consciously and/or unconsciously.

All that said, the focus of this post is on the ~3 year period of time that precedes the return, beginning somewhere around the ages 27, 57, or 87 approximate.

A Maverick in the Sky…………………..

As I write this, Chiron is in active conjunction with the North Node at 18+ degrees of Aquarius.  As many of you know, I have been actively watching Chiron’s travels for a while.  For me, this conjunction with Rahu (the vedic term for: North Node of the Moon) is a good opportunity to sweep and de-clutter the path in preparation for the ‘new earth’.   Wherever Chiron goes, healing occurs………………………or not.

The north node is a place and not an object in the sky.  It is a symbolic moment in time/space that has no physical substance to it like the moon or mars.   Think of it as a line bi-secting the earth & moon ecliptics.

Many astrologers have decided that the nodal fields of activity are our relationships with other people, present day company and also past company as in both childhood and past lives.  Karmic experiences are highly likely for those with a belief system that supports this notion.  (In India where Vedic Astrology began, karma and past-lives are an integral part of their belief system.  Hindu’s Buddhists, and the followers of Guru’s all share a deep respect for the laws of karma and extend this respect to their honoring of all beings.)

Nodal contacts can bring new people into our lives for new relationships and/or create so much separation between us in existing relationships that we finally (?)break apart.  Because the north node always occurs with a south node it can be a little confusing to know which has more ‘juice’ at any moment. A gifted astrologer can really help here, seek one out.   The rule of thumb is that the NN will lead you towards future karma or dharma, whilst the SN reflects to you more of your past karma.  Since Now is the only moment that really counts the challenge is to balance the two energies and find common ground.  When a planet highlights a node, as is the case today, it makes it easier to find the particular relationships in your life which are operating on a karmic level, and which aren’t.  (ie.  the grocery clerk who winked today, or a phone call from an old friend)   Look around.

Aquarian energy will be the common denominator for awhile.  (The NN will remains in Aquarius for about 18 months and then it moves on to Capricorn.  It is about halfway into it’s cycle. )  Also note that the nodes revolve around planet earth in the opposite direction from the planets/asteroids.  Think of this conjunction like you would preview a ‘movie trailer’ with a release date of 2009 – 2010. (More on this to come.))

Some keywords for Aquarius are:  friendship, terrorists, eccentrics, genius, intuitive, future-oriented, difficulty with intimacy, objectivity, out-of-the-box, humanitarian.   One might wonder why the word terrorists is on that list and that’s a good question.  I will leave it for another day and I encourage you to meditate on it for the greater good of all beings.  Om shanti.

The 19th degree of the Sabian Symbols (always round up) says:

A forest fire is being subdued by the use of water, chemicals and sheer muscular energy.

The keynote reads:  the skill and courage necessary to bring under control the destructive potential fo carelessness of karmic “visitations”.

Oh!  I left a word off the keyword list above………Aquarius is also the sign of aliens and extra-terrestrials.  Hmmm.

Time for bed.

Links tomorrow if I have the time.

May all beings be peaceful.

Last Days: Pluto in Sagittarius

This morning I turned on CNN to see what ‘news’ was being reported thru this media/channel and I was immediately dis-appointed again to discover that the bloggers and the internet had these headlines day’s ago.  The ’story’ they are telling was seeded long ago and today’s headlines are no surprise.  Nor should they be!  (Uh, oh…..there’s one of Those Words…..”should”.)

Sagittarius rules publishing/media/journalism as well as all the other ways & means that information reaches The Public.  Ethics, morality, judicial conduct, lawsuits, our relationship with ‘aliens’ (foreign/legal/illegal/et’s/etc., etc.), how we understand foreign languages and our ability (or inability) to understand the ‘truth’ of what is spoken/written etc………………..these are all other topics that are assigned to the Sag agenda.

When Pluto was making it’s first entrance into this sign (1995ish), after many tumultuous years in Scorpio, the headlines of the day were all about OJ Simpson.  This celebrity event brought together all the issues of both Scorpio & Sag and gave us a preview of what was in store for the Pluto in Sag years to come.  (Oh!  Did I mention scandals around athletes up above?  Sag also rules those who compete in sport…………..  This year’s Olympics will be held during the death throes of Pluto in Sag……pun intended.)

The headlines of today are showing us what we have learned (or not-learned) regarding all of the Sagittarian themes.  We’ve only got a few more months to get it right.  Otherwise we’ll have to get our selves reborn into the next cycle of Pluto in Sagittarius which will occur………….when, it’s gotta be at least 240+ years from now.  Quick, anyone got an ephemeris?

Pluto stuck a toe into Capricorn earlier this year, and by October,2009 it’s manifestations will become visible to the masses.   Immediately we began to see the ‘foundations’ of our society show signs of crumbling. Bridges came down.  Foundations are a Capricornian word.  Foundations are very important for stability & structure…….think big here, for now.  (Pluto in Sag taught us how to ‘think big’, too.)

Pluto will re-enter Capricorn around the end of November, 08  and stay there until 2024. (Time for a long, deep breath.) Saturn is the ruling planet for Capricorn so you might want to check this site and others to learn better how to navigate (a sag word) these changing times to come. (Capricorn is a ‘cardinal’ sign.  All cardinal signs bring Change.)

Capricorn is the leader, of the family, of the town, of the country.  Whomever holds  authority over others is the human representative of capricorn energy.  For the past 2000 years or so, this person has frequently been of the male gender, with some notable exceptions.  Capricorn is the ‘father’ role, and these days we see people of both genders assume that role.   There is much to come with Pluto in Capricorn!

I’ve been around for nearly six decades and I’ve experienced Pluto changing signs 4 times. This will be my 5th (the number of transitions) time.   Her orbit is widely elliptical and therefore each passing thru a sign covers a different length of time.  (Check with your favorite astrologer for more).  In my experience I have noticed that the time’s during the Entering and Leaving of Pluto are the most difficult.  During the twenty degrees or more of substantive time within the sign, life may be intense however most of us can hold on and maintain our daily life.  However, these enterings and leavings can be hard, just like beginnings and endings.  (Go here)

So, during these days of tumult, uncertainty, and yes, let’s call it Fear………..remember to make your yoga practice a priority.  Use this time everyday to learn how to move strong sensations & feelings through your body.  Use the breath to help you.  It will.  Take time to calm your mind thru meditation, prayer, art, music, or other solitary pursuits.  Find a class or a teacher to support you when your private practice falters.   The ancient masters lived thru much of the same tumult as we did and were able to survive and thrive despite the challenges.  Evidence is everywhere.

Be still, now.

Pause,

Take a breath.

Notice what’s :  in your body.     mind.       emotions.

Take another breath.

Let it be.

Om shanti.

Super-Balsamic & The 12-House Blues

It’s been a while since I posted here.  A long while.

As I’ve written in many different posts ( here, here & here) the balsamic phase of a cycle is a time when we turn away from worldly concerns ( 1st chakra ’stuff’) and redirect our energy inward ( or upward) towards the spiritual/cosmic/ethereal,  either voluntarily…….or not.

I have found that it’s best to just go with the flow of this time period rather than try to force anything .   Regardless of the local weather, you’re traveling thru some dense fog and smokey waters.  Meditation/Prayer is the best activity to engage in.  If you can find an ashram or retreat center near by, go.

I live at the sea.  It helps.

The Lunar Balsamic phase lasts 3.5 days.  That’s a pretty easy time frame to work with for pulling out of the rat race.  However, the days of the week may prevent some challenges if you’re on some one else’s schedule and not your own.

Every planet in the solar system goes through a balsamic phase at some point-in-time.  The solar balsamic phase occurs for the 6-week period every year before your birthday. ( The Solar Return occurs when the sun reaches the exact place it was in at the moment of your birth.

The Balsamic phase for Mars lasts approximately 16 weeks.  Jupiter’s balsamic phase lasts about 18 months and Saturn’s balsamic phase is approximately 3.5 years! Few of us live long enough to experience a balsamic phase for the outer planets…..except perhaps Uranus.

In addition, any planet transiting thru the 12th House would also initiate the same kind of energy as a balsamic phase.

All that said, I am currently experiencing a 12th house Sun transit, a balsamic Mars, Jupiter, AND Saturn………………all at the same time.  It’s a miracle I can function!  For those of you versed in Vedic Astrology I have  just completed the Sade Sati which is a 3 year period of Saturn aspecting the Moon, also similar to the balsamic phase.  Whew.  It’s exhausting for no apparent reason.   What keeps me positive is the absolute knowledge that when this period is over I will be poised for a creative cycle beyond that which I have experienced for quite some time.

Teaching yoga is a gift.  Spiritual practice and practices are highly recommended during balsamic periods.   Yoga helps to create a global awareness of body, mind, emotions, and spirit.  For me, yoga helps me to be in the world and in-spirit at the same time.

Today is a First Quarter Phase in my lunar cycle, a time for action, ergo this post.

For the past few months I have been busy working on a private blog which I hope to publish soon, perhaps as an E-Book.

The subject is Astrology for Yoga Teachers/Therapists. If you’re interested  in being contacted upon publication please send an email to: asanctuary@optonline.net.

Chiron’s Corner

As we run around our lives finding a corner for this, and a corner for that, in feng-shui-speak ……..it’s good to remember to dedicate a space to Chiron, the wounded healer. He’s been quite a teacher to me, and for that I send him Metta.

So, pull out your astrocartography map and find Chiron’s line and where it’s pointing.

Chiron is in constant companionship with Neptune and the North Node these days, moving ever closer to it’s highly anticipated conjunction with Neptune, a major event for sure.  For more information on this visit Dan’s site.….it’s quite informative.  I am planning a series of workshops at home and on the road to take advantage of these wonderful healing vibrations.  Join my email list (look over on the right for the link) or contact me here with a comment.

May all beings heal. May all beings feel love. May peace be with us always. Once you’ve located Chiron’s spot in your space, begin to take out ‘clutter’. (It’s good to have a conversation with a feng shui consultant to determine what is and what is not clutter.).

Sore Feet

I get a lot of students asking me for yoga techniques to help with sore feet. It seems to be quite a common complaint.

My first suggestion is to tell them to begin to pay more attention to the shoes that they wear and to try going without shoes for longer periods of time.  There’s really no reason to wear shoes at all when one is home, is there?

Then I show them various massage & acupressure points to help relieve some of their pain.  The fun really starts when we stand up and begin to really notice just how we stand.  Where (on our feet) do we carry our weight?  Are we balanced on our feet?  Do they turn in? or out?  Then, we walk around the room and pay even closer attention.  What part of our foot touches the ground first when we walk?  What part comes next?  And so goes the inquiry………

Yesterday, I stumbled upon an article on the Internet and had a good giggle while reading it.  It seems I am not alone in my conclusions about shoes. Click on this picture to read more.