"When it feels like the world is on your shoulders
And all of the madness has got you going crazy
It's time to get out, step out into the street
Where all of the action is right there at your feet
I know a place where we can dance the whole night away
Underneath electric stars
Just come with me and we can shake your blues right away
You'll be doing fine when the music starts.

To the beat of the rhythm of the night
Dance until the morning light
Forget about the worries on your mind
You can leave them all behind" - DeBarge

There is a cycle to things. A rhythm. A beat. If only one can tune in and listen. To calibrate and hear this current that surrounds and surges within us all one needs to become attuned to the subtle yet profound energy of nature. Nature is more than the plants and trees. Nature is the reflection of the divine energy moving within everything. In vedic wisdom this is called Shakti.

The new moon is complete at 6:05am AEDT tomorrow. As this cycle or rhythm of the last new moon comes to a close it ignites the next. This Dhanista new moon promises something new. A new pulse to drive you forward out of the past few months. Of course as I've said we are saturated with sidereal Capricorn energy bringing in an abundance of earth energy. So this is physical, earthbound, material but this doesn't have to be devoid of spirit or connection. In fact the connection to shakti can be even more accessible if you can find it in your day to day life, in your body and of course in nature. With Mercury retrograding back into Sravana with Venus, Jupiter and Saturn it is an opportunity to listen before you begin your journey ahead this month creating your own sound - otherwise you run the risk of being out of sync or making pure noise. When you can hear the shakti is when you can move forward dancing into graceful music, a skip in your step that leads you onto the adventure of life ahead in February.

Stay light,
Mark :)

#vedicastrology #jyotish #dhanista #newmoon #retrograde #mercuryretrograde #mercury #venus #saturn #jupiter #capricorn #horoscope #zodiac #astrologyforecast #astrologyreading #shakti

With the planets starting to pile up in sidereal Capricorn is it no wonder we are all feeling heavier, sober and depressed. Welcome to your full moon post! :)

What an interesting start to the year?! We have been in a karmic lock which means that we are governed completely by our karma and there is no escape from both the past and future events as they all demand attention in the present. Then compound this with 5 planets now in Capricorn (soon to be 7 by mid Feb) and we have ourselves a pity party like no other! No really it's not that bad - but it might feel impending or insurmountable right now. I'm a bit of a Pollyanna (believe it or not from my prior words above) so I'm going to ring in the silver lining: whatever starts in Capricorn begins from the bottom YET there is a promise that if we have patience and discipline we can reach heights like no other slowly and surely! Phew does that sound better? (Who even is Pollyanna and is she related to Pippi?)

Tomorrow morning we find the peak of our full moon which means tonight is the night for culmination. With such a heavy earth element collaboration it is our beautiful moon holding the balance right now. Being in sidereal cancer the nourishing and caring element of water is here to soothe all that feels too hard, too harsh and cold and hold us in her embrace. Today/tonight is a time to give to yourself and others nourishment. What does this word mean to you? Think holistically and be creative. Your body needs to feel warm and held. Your mind needs to feel pure and safe. Your spirit needs to feel uplifted and inspired. Most of all the moon represents our contentment and happiness which is activated through the spiritual heart. Meditating on this centre tonight would be a wonderful way to bring this Pushya energy in.

Stay light,
Mark :)

#pushya #vedicastrology #astrology #jyotish #capricorn #cancer #astrologyforecast #horoscope #zodiac #fullmoon #shakti #nakshatra #astrologyposts

Time seems to be have bended since last year and has become even more elusive as we have entered this new year together - how many times have you heard someone ask what day it is?! In fact is there such a thing as a 'year' in the first place? Man made constructs like time, money, land borders etc are becoming more fictitiously linear while the more expansive and spiraling truth is starting to awaken to us all! We live in exciting yet fragile times indeed.

Ok I shall place my existential hat down and get back to the new moon ahead of us! In my previous post I mentioned the Kal Sarpa ahead. Kal Sarpa sounds sexier than it is - All the planets are hemmed in between the karmic axis of Rahu and Ketu (the lunar nodes). With all the planets wedged in between Taurus and Scorpio we can start to see the karma we are locked into both individually (looking at the houses this effects in your natal chart) and collectively. It is collectively where I will shine some reflections: Taurus is the desires and thirst for security ahead. Scorpio is detaching from the past of sudden change and transformation. There is a push pull between these two signs. 

Taurus' higher octave is to commune with the earth and find solace in the wisdom of natures cycles with its lower side grasping for material comforts. Scorpios higher octave is to evolve through the turbulence of change and spiritually awaken with its lower side getting stuck and addicted to the change itself. It isn't one or the other here we are trying to balance the two karmic axes. With all the change we have gone through it isn't about going back to what was comfortable (taurus) yet we most often want to when the change is so relentless (scorpio). It is embracing your evolutionary rebirth (scorpio) through the change that provides the solace and inner/spiritual security (taurus) that we are all seeking now. But that requires determination and sustenance. Both traits that Scorpio and Taurus can provide.  

The new moon falls into this inescapable karmic lock one sign over in Sagittarius. Hold true and keep the faith! If you can lift that arrow of wisdom of yours and set your sights on the expanding adventure ahead all will be right. In fact the sun and moon both in Uttarashada promise a final and long-lasting victory ahead through all of this. This is the new moon to set that goal. Don't dream small! Yet also keep in mind the karma you are in so set the dream with this in mind. Let me break it down: This victory ahead isn't about you going backward nor is it about you feeling safe and regressively asleep - it is about awakening into a higher consciousness. Does your dreams fit into both individual and collective growth? If the answer is no redraft until it does. It is so tempting and alluring to grasp at material comforts or addictive/obsessive habits from the past right now. This is the challenge of the start of this year. This new moon is the opportunity to lift the spirits higher above this and keep that goal in mind whenever you waver. 

Stay light,
Mark :)

#vedicastrology #astrologyforecast #astrologyposts #astrology #jyotish #newmoon #kalsarpdosh #rahu #ketu #scorpio #taurus #time #uttarshada #horoscopes #zodiac

Welcome to the final full moon (if you can see it - it's rainy here in Sydney) of this year - technically tomorrow at 2:28pm AEDT. 2020 was unequivocally a journey. All very different paths for each individual yet we have been on the same earth that carves the paths in the first place. It feels fitting to close out this full moon with a week of rain and thunderstorms. Considering the moon is in Ardra which often represents turbulent weather and the symbol of a teardrop...let this be the release you need to let go of all you have been holding on to, holding together and allow the emotions to arise, express and release. We have been through so much. Acknowledge this.
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The Moon and Venus are both on the outside of the karmic nodes with all the other planets now inside so the feminine principles of receptivity, love, nurturing and allowance are all important as we enter the new year with a Kal Sarpa (which means all planets are held in between the karmic axis of Rahu and Ketu). But let us leave that for another day and another blog. For now we let the storm come. Thunder, rain and lightning provide that transformative kinetic energy that shifts and moves. Electric, loud and ultimately rejuvenating - the peace comes after the release as we draw inward yet alert to this full experience that was this year. Thank you for reading - I'm super grateful for all the love and support - and see you in 2021.

Stay light,
Mark :)

#astrology #vedicastrology #ardra #fullmoon #rahu #ketu #horoscope #astrologyforecast

With Jupiter and Saturn less than a degree apart in the skies we come into the solar eclipse new moon at 3:13am AEDT tomorrow. Signs Scorpio (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus), Capricorn (Jupiter, Saturn) and Pisces (Mars) are ruling the skies at the moment. Even the lunar nodes Rahu and Ketu are in Taurus and Scorpio - what does this tell me? Being all feminine signs of the zodiac we need to become more receptive of our soul essence (within) and still at the moment - regardless of all the chaos that is about. The sun is being shadowed by the moon - the sun traditionally represented the light of the soul and the moon representing our minds - the mind is overpowering or standing in the way of the energy that binds us all. You may already be noticing today how you are caught up in the mundane or habits of thought? What practices can you nurture at this time that creates contentment? Another way to look at this eclipse is that moon is blocking the sun to show you where you are not feeling content, safe and happy in your life (all moon traits) in regards to your confidence, expression, willpower, soul (all sun traits).

The eclipse being in Jyestha has the power to rise and conquer in battle. The battle here is both internal and external. Internally it is our lower patterns and traumas keeping our heads held under - externally it is the future of the planet and all its living beings. Jyestha has a symbol of an umbrella so even though it has the courage to fight and win battles it also offers protection from the storm. In fact Jyestha is the older sister who is both parent and friend with a shoulder to lean on in a very relatable way. Can you be this older receptive/nurturing (feminine) guide to another or lean on one you know if you need at this moment in time?

This most certainly feels like a buildup to the Jupiter Saturn conjunction on the 21st. Leave a comment below if you're feeling to share your experience - I would love to hear and have us connect with each other during this time. The power of the feminine signs and the feminine archetype (which is in us all regardless of gender) is to come together and connect. The eclipse being in Scorpio points to massive transformation and now more than ever we need each other to do this.

Stay light,
Mark :)

#jyotish #astrology #vedicastrology #horoscope #scorpio #solareclipse #newmoon #jupitersaturnconjunction

There is a lot of buzz happening around the 21st of December this year. From dooms day to enlightenment for humanity to hearsay - let's have a look at it as realistically as we can. Apart from it being the solstice point of the year (which happens every year) causing the shortest or the longest sunlight day of the year depending on which hemisphere you are in -  we also have this Jupiter Saturn conjunction. In vedic astrology this conjunction falls in Capricorn so thus why I am being as pragmatic as possible - also why we have that cute mountain goat above.

Jupiter and Saturn come together in our sky about every 20 years - so this isn't a once in a lifetime conjunction in itself. The last few were in 1940, 1961, 1980 and 2000 to give you some years to reflect on. To me these years were of great systematic/cultural change and also marked with some hysteria - let us not forget the prediction that all the computers would stop when the clocks ticked over at midnight NYE 2000! Let us also not forget that we've been through 'a year' and are reaching desperately for some hope or fundamental/spiritual fix that as this conjunction suggests in Capricorn is going to take time and hard work over idealistic fantasy or hope. Now what is rare is that the conjunction is one tenth of a degree apart (ie very close) which last time happened in 1623... now I don't know about you my dinosaurus friends but I can't remember 1623 so well as my memory is getting a little foggy BUT in a way it is intensified more than the other conjunctions as it is so close. Intensified yes, otherworldly no.

A few other interesting conjunctions happening on this day to note: The Sun and Mercury are a degree apart in Sagittarius - this is called combustion for Mercury which is our intellect - so it is burnt out by the will/ego of the sun so we aren't being as discerning or rational as we could be - being in Sagittarius it can be overly optimistic or idealistic - it's in Mula nakshatra meaning root so we are perhaps looking for or avoiding the root of our problems. Also on this day the Moon and Neptune are a degree apart too which can bring fantasy and illusion of the mind - being in Purva Bhadrapada can cause us to be two faced or intensify the mind too - also bring a spark of divine insight too. So in my interpretation there is much room for hysteria/energy around this conjunction.

Lastly and more positively the conjunction falls in Uttarashada meaning later victory. There is definite hope or a climb out of the mess we are in environmentally/financially/politically/spiritually etc but in Capricorn will all take time, discipline, hard work, realism, practical solutions - and with all this pragmatism we are assured of long success - so the buck stops here my friend. Own your part in this - and you most certainly have a part to play in this - we all do - Capricorn rules the every day people - so let's work responsibly together.

Stay light,
Mark :)

#astrology #vedicastrology #capricorn #jupitersaturnconjunction #moon #neptune #mula #uttarshada #purvabhadra #horoscope #jyotish

Tomorrow night is the first time the eclipse points (Rahu and Ketu) cast their shadow onto the sun and the moon in their new-ish homes of Taurus and Scorpio. This one isn't a visible one from Australian shores but there is still an energy building that causes some confusion and illusion. Can I get a show of hands of someone who isn't questioning their reality right now and not 'going through something'?

​Now it ain't all doom and gloom (though of course there are complexities at work here with any eclipse seen or unseen) - the full moon exact at 8:29 AEDT Monday night - is in such a sweet spot. Rohini is the favoured 'red' moon due to it being in such a balanced and strong state. The moon when in this exaltation becomes clear, sweet, content and loving allowing the mind to flow. The moon is also Vargottama and Pushkara tomorrow night (say what?!!) which basically confirms its strength and wonderful ability to heal itself through this eclipse madness. Ultimately there is growth ahead with this moon/eclipse. I can hear you all grumbling from here - haven't we grown enough 2020? Short answer: no.

To me intuitively this feels like the grand ascension towards the big Jupiter Saturn conjunction on the 21st of December. Collectively our systems and ways of governing ourselves are at a precipice of great change and in need of even greater change. This eclipse is showing what is in the way of us all getting there. Now whenever Rahu and Ketu come into the mix on the full moon desire and detachment play a big part in this process. Be SUPER mindFULL over the next couple of days and avoid knee jerk reactions - make your life a meditation - become a vigilant observer of what the external world is showing you about your internal world. What is happening in your world is happening within and if you can truly become the witness to this there is a great opportunity and heal and move through something massive starting NOW.

Stay light,
Mark :)

#bhakti #vedicastrology #astrology #jyotish #rahu #ketu #rohini #fullmoon #eclipse #horoscope #forecast #zodiac #taurus #scorpio #pushkara #saturn #jupiter

As we enter this new moon phase together on Sunday afternoon with all the planets FINALLY out of retrograde we may feel like we are at a crossroad. We have had such backward motion for so long that we now do not know how to go forward. In fact through this we have come to learn the lessons of acceptance and the surrender of control yet in this we may have swung too far into passivity or denial. The Vishakha new moon shows us there are paths ahead of us and choices/actions are now at last to be made/taken. A symbol for this moon is an archway and as we walk through this symbolic archway, like any commitment in our life, it is our responsibility and courage to guide us through this transition. 

And a transition is here my friends! Jupiter and Pluto are together in the sky as I write and these two together bring transformation, rumbling up what is buried deep in our subconscious to be expressed and it is now expanded to be fully seen and acknowledged by you. Ultimately this meeting of planets promises a final victory or completion of lessons and those stark truths you've witnessed over the past year or so. Let these rumblings be a guide to what you truly need rather than listening to your head. 

My Sagittarian friends this is the final week of you ruler Jupiter being in its own sign so be prepared for a few miracles along the way. This has been a long time coming for anyone with planets in this sign (as always remember this is not western astrology - but sidereal placements). The shakti of this moon herds in the fruits of your harvest - in fact there is many paths for your achievement ahead. Those with Libra in your chart this is a new beginning or that 'choice' I said earlier in the realm of all things libra - love. In fact for us all how are your hearts? Let love guide you this new moon. 

Stay light,
Mark :)

#libra #love #sidereal #vedicastrology #jyotish #astrology #horoscope #sagittarius #newmoon #retrograde #zodiac

All Hallows Eve was originally a time to remember the dead particularly those sainted (known as 'Hallows'). Also believed by many to have its roots in the pagan tradition Samhain/Beltane which was a ritual time to light the fires, cleanse, protect and appease as the veils of the spirits were closest to the human world at this time of the year. Quite spookily timed this year we have a full moon bang on this spiritual night of nights. In fact the moon is in Bharani which has the deity Yama as its benefactor. Yama rules death and a Bharani moon is the doorway between different worlds. A symbol for this moon is a boat which transports us from one land to another. 

So apart from delving into your cupboard for your Ouija board - which in your youthful naivety made you believe your aunt Hilda was trying to contact you to tell you you left the iron on...ooo scary - or dressing up like a corpse in need of a prophylactic - this moon represents a time for us to let go of what is haunting us. I use the word haunting in all its contexts - your past, your habits, your regrets, this year...Let that shit go and create/receive some new present trajectory. This moon is with Uranus so think outside of the box. Allow your quirkiest intuition to guide you into following your own path. The more unique and eccentric the better! Don't play safe!

This moon has the shakti to cleanse and remove impurities so even more so embrace the traditions of Samhain/Beltane - light a fire write all your grievances and throw it in, get out your sage and smoke out the dead energy - then get your death frock on and scare/dance your night away. Mercury and Mars currently in retrograde are still causing halts/frustrations in your energy and communication lines so use this night to let off some steam and howl at the moon. Go on...you know you want to.
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Stay light,
Mark :)

#jyotish #halloween #samhain #allhallowseve #fullmoon #bharani #mars #mercuryretrograde #uranus #horoscope #spirituality #astrology ​