New Moon in Rohiṇī: The Star of Ascent

June 6, 2024 Julia Bagnoli

NEW MOON

अमावस्या

6/6 18:08 IST | 6/6 5:38 AM PDT

The dark moon (Amāvásyā) on Thursday aligns with the Sun in the constellation of Rohiṇī रोहिणी (the eye of Taurus), the Star of Ascent. Rohiṇī, the moon’s favorite celestial abode, radiates an alluring, charismatic, and magnetic charm. This red star, known as Aldebaran, represents the height of the moon’s creative intelligence and is one of the brightest in the night sky.

This new moon initiates a month of manifesting one’s thoughts and desires, especially around creativity and romance, as Rohiṇī is famed for bestowing support for growth on the material plane.

Today, the luminaries—the sun and moon—are accompanied by the benefics Mercury, Jupiter, and Venus (recently re-emerged as the morning star), generating a potent energy that can be harnessed to realize your highest dreams and aspirations.

Rohiṇī yearns for the sowing of seeds within its fertile soil, echoing the symbolism of Prajāpati, the progenitor and ṛṣi ruling this constellation. Similar to ghee placed in the havan kuṇḍ during a yajña (fire ritual) to fulfill desires, this nakṣatra serves as a fertile vessel for cultivating stability, prosperity, and the realization of material goals.

Just as a seed contains the entirety of a tree, Rohiṇī craves the contentment found within the coolness of amṛta (nectar), the fullness of sóma—which requires nothing else. This energy will manifest through the power of effort—a vigilance that ignites significant change and holds the potential for evolutionary growth.

Many possibilities will reveal themselves accordingly, depending on where the new moon falls in your birth chart. Make the most of this month, as Saturn stations retrograde on the 30th, drawing our focus inward.

For assistance in navigating these shifts on a personal level, please visit the link in my bio to book a private consultation and to read my full bi-monthly blog. Know that I’m here to support you.

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“In the house of lovers, the music never stops. The walls are made of songs and the floor dances."

Rūmī

Śani Jayantī: Appearance Day of Lord Saturn

June 5, 2024 Julia Bagnoli

ŚANI JAYANTĪ

शनि जयन्ति

The day preceding the new moon in the month of Jyeṣṭhā, known as Śani Amāvásyā, holds special significance in the Vedic calendar as it commemorates the birth of Lord Saturn. Saturn, often referred to as the keeper of time, giver of longevity (Āyus Kāraka - long life indicator), and the embodiment of discipline, is the brother of Yama Dev (lord of death) and was conceived from the radiant light of the Sun and his shadowy consort, Chhaya Devi.

His presence in our lives can manifest as a force that slows us down, humbles us, and may seemingly bring an unceasing succession of challenges and sorrows. Despite the difficulty inherent in Saturn's teachings, embracing his influence can also bestow upon us maturity, spiritual resilience, and the ability to reign over vast domains when we manage to appease him. Śani may manifest as restrictions and delays along our path; however, he never denies. When he gives, he bestows everything abundantly.

Śani, the divine deliverer of our karmas—the fruits of our actions—is the seventh of the nine grahas (planets). He is the lord of the west, presiding over Saturdays, and governs the rāśīs Makara (Capricorn) and Kumbha (Aquarius). He rules the Nakṣatras at the heart of all water signs: Puṣyā, Anurādhā, and Uttara Bhadrapadā. Śani is exalted (uccha) in Swāti (Libra) and debilitated (nīca) in Bharaṇī (Aries). His janma nakṣatra, or birth star, is said to be Revatī (Pisces). In Ayurvedic astrology, Śani Dev is associated with the muscle tissue, thighs, colon, rectum, knees, legs, and joints.

Śani’s constitution is Vata, and he is considered of Shudra caste; some even regard him as an outcast. By trade, Śani is depicted as an oil-presser who venerates Kalā Bhairava. His color is black or collyrium, his metal is iron, and his gemstone is blue sapphire. To appease Lord Saturn and prevent him from causing disruptions in your life, you can make regular offerings of black sesame seeds to the crows on Saturdays and chant the Hanumān Chalīsā.

If you’re currently running a cycle (daśā or sub-daśā) of Saturn, experiencing sāḍēsātī (the seven-and-a-half-year transit), undergoing a saturn return (occurs roughly every 29.5 years) or feeling the influence of Saturn holding back your progress, observing a fast on this day can be immensely beneficial. Śani, who is measured, known for his restraint and tolerance, favors those who embrace these virtues. Consider a fast from technology, food, or opting for a slower approach from 6/5 19:54 pm to 6/6 18:07 pm IDT (6/5 10:24 am to 6/6 8:37 am PDT). Additionally, listening to or chanting the Śrī-Rudram, a hymn to Lord Śiva, can invite Saturn's blessings and positive effects into your life.

By honoring a fast on the day preceding this transformative new moon, it is believed that you can invite Saturn's blessings and positive effects into your life.

ॐ शनि शनिस्चराये नमः

Full Moon in Anurādhā: Star of Success

May 22, 2024 Julia Bagnoli

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.