Full Moon in Anurādhā: Star of Success

FULL MOON

पूर्णिमा

May 23rd 6:54am PDT | 19:24 IST 

May’s full moon (Pūrṇimā) reaches its zenith in the Vedic lunar mansion of Anurādhā अनुराधा (Scorpio), the Star of Success. We are at a turning point now, with the potential to make the unconscious conscious and release habits that no longer serve our highest good.

Anurādhā awakens the potential for healing in relationships and sparks the ability to cultivate devotion to something greater than oneself — to a higher love. This constellation seeks to build and harmonize with community, to collaborate and form deep and sincere friendships and lasting alliances.

Anurādhā acts as a universal solvent, naturally bridging discordant energies. Opportunities for significant healing arise around exclusion, the renewal of friendships, and the beginning of new bonds.

This nakṣatra has the power to turn the unconscious conscious. Just like the majestic lotus flower that emerges from the mud, guided by the light of the sun, you too will reach your goal in time.

This full moon is also Buddha Pūrṇimā. Allegedly, after many years of intense tapas and purification, Buddha attained nirvāṇa (enlightenment).  His journey exemplifies the profound transformation possible when we confront and transcend our inner shadows.

Be courageous and daring enough to go deeper than you’ve been willing to go — face the things that are unconscious now and bring them into the light of awareness. As this lunar mansion teaches us, it only takes a spark to ignite the thirst to go deeper.

For a more personalized look at what this transit holds for you, please visit the link in my bio to book a private consultation.

All my Relations

Buddha // “If you light a lamp for someone else it will also brighten your path.”

Narasiṃha Chaturdasi

NARASIṀHA CATURDAŚĪ

नरसिंहचतुर्दशी 

Artwork: Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection, India, Himachal Pradesh, Nurpur, circa 1760-1770

On the fourteenth day of the bright half of the month of Vaiśākha, the festival honoring Narasiṃha Avatār,, the fourth incarnation of the daśāvatāra of Lord Viṣṇu, the man-lion, is celebrated.

Narasiṃha’s story begins with King Hiraṇyakaśipu’s brother being killed by Śrī Varāha, the boar. Seeking revenge, Hiraṇyakaśipu performs deep penance to obtain immortality. Pleased, Lord Brahmā (the creator) grants him a boon, rendering him invulnerable to any man or animal, among other stipulations. Arrogant and enraged, Hiraṇyakaśipu conquers the three worlds to avenge his brother.

The āsura king had a son, Prahlād, who was born a great bhākta of Lord Viṣṇu, having heard stories of him from Nārada Muni while in the womb. Hiraṇyakaśipu was outraged that his son would not accept him as God and tried many ways to convince him otherwise. After numerous failed attempts, he ordered his soldiers to torture and kill Prahlād.

Being a great devotee of Mahāviṣṇu, Prahlād surrendered completely, and the lord saved him from every attempt on his life. When Hiraṇyakaśipu questioned his son, while kicking a pillar, “Is your lord in the pillar too?” The pillar split, and the fierce half-man, half-lion Narasiṃha emerged to vanquish the oppressive āsura king and protect Prahlād, defying the very categories specified by Hiraṇyakaśipu's boon, and thereby subduing him.

The lord incarnates age after age to restore balance, protect the virtuous, and vanquish the wicked. Allegedly born from the sweat of Lord Śiva during his tapas, Maṅgal Graha (planet Mars) is said to be associated with the story of Narasiṃha.

Maṅgal is Deha Karaka or the indicator of the body, the heart, and the immune system, as he is the defense system within our bodies. He is the carrier of Agni (fire) tattva, the significator of one-pointed focus, the lord of logic, power, preservation, and violence. He represents protection, particularly the protection of the innocent. Maṅgal is also said to represent the suṣumṇa nadi (the central channel) in our body. 

ॐ श्री लक्ष्मीनृसिंहाय नम:

AKṢAYA TṚTĪYĀ: Day of Lasting Achievements

Akṣaya Tṛtīyā

अक्षय तृतीया

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Today marks the most auspicious day in the Vedic calendar, where both the luminaries, sūrya (sun) and chandra (moon) are in their exalted positions. Occuring on the third (tr̥tīyā) lunar day of the spring month of Vaiśākha, Akṣaya, meaning “never decreasing,” illuminates this day as a beacon of enduring accomplishments.

This auspicious occasion beckons new beginnings with unparalleled favorability, be it in the sacred bond of marriage, the initiation of ventures, the acquisition of gold or a new abode, or acts of benevolence. Such is its potency that the necessity of calculating an auspicious moment, known as muhūrta, becomes obsolete, for the entire day brims with divine blessings.

Today commemorates the denouement of the epochal Mahābhārata war, a pivotal event signaling the transition from Satyayuga, the golden age, to Tretāyuga, the silver era. It is also revered as the day when Lord Gaṇeśa and Veda Vyāsa commenced the writing of the Mahābhārata, and the moment when the celestial waters of river Gaṅgā decended from heaven to grace the earth realm.

This revered thiti (तिथि), or lunar phase, spans from 4:19 am 5/10 - 2:51 am 5/11 IST |  15:49 5/9 - 14:21 5/10 PST