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Become our Allies by lending an open ear to our Astrological cahooting. Caroline is one of the most fascinating orator’s on the topic of Astrology and it doesnt stop there.  Her knowledge of Myth, Magic, Politics, and word play weave nicely into her Astrological bag of tricks.   We talk about the Grand Earth Trine, Mercury retrograde, Neptune in Pisces, the Envision Music festival, 2012, and much more.  Have a jolly time with this one.

Love,

sOma

Kosmognosis@gmail.com

Holestoheavens.com

“We need to suck the G out of Kingdom”

Caroline Casey

art by Eric Nez

…the days of King’s and Queen’s must be close to their terminating days. The last spin of the old wooden wheel.  No need for repair.  We can just leave it there in the sand to bake in the ancient Sun.  Time to move on and remember our Kin and to forget the King.  After all, the only the Kingdom which really matters is closer than you can even suppose Just breathe. I will meet you there….oOo

There has been an amazing stellar event forming in the sky and it was exact last night (the 13th).  We can call it the Grand Earth Trine. 3 out of 5 players in this aspect are visible in the sky. Venus and Jupiter at 9 degrees of Taurus are visible and are showering all earthlings with an abundance of earthly delights. Aside from the Moon, they are the brightest and most beautiful sights in the night sky (viewed just after Sunset in the West).  Mars in Virgo who is still retrograde at 9 degrees is also visible as a lil’ reddish eye in the sky traveling throughout most of the evening sky (look to the East just after sunset).  Lilith (who is with the Jupiter/Venus party) cannot be seen, nor can Pluto at 9 degrees of Capricorn–strangely poetic, in that they both relate to shadowy sides of the personality and our sexuality.  Hidden.  Not to be seen.  Taboo. That is until Jupiter and Venus illuminate these espers of the unconscious mind, and invite them to the higher realms for sips of amrita tea.  The entire aspect can be summed up in one phrase:

Your body is your temple!

In antiquity,  triangles (relating to trines) were conceived by the ancients to explain the secret order of the cosmos. Pagans believed that triangles symbolically revealed that three spirits were brought down into the geographical or the worldly realm.  In other words, “a god of three” or triune god would be a composite of three different deities (ie. Father, Son, Holy Spirit). In this particular Earth trine (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) there are more than 3  deities, there are 5: Pluto, Mars, Venus, Jupiter, and Lilith.  In an attempt to describe the dynamic without excessive words of confusion, I feel mythogical metaphor woven with poetic phrase may be more successful at doing the trick:

As the cancer slowly spreads throughout all the foundations

your world, my world, big world, the entire world

Pluto smiles while gazing upon the mycelial arms moving deeply,

into the heart of Babylon

and all its influences.

Across the land to the East, Mars retreats

looking for better weapons

better techniques

maybe even a teacher or Virgin.

While in the West

the Goddess’s of light and dark

black and white

Venus and Lilith

sit serenely at Jupiter’s feet,

patiently waiting for a teacing

an answer

a cause

a surprise

a moment to shine

His mouth unmoving

eyes shut

motionless

until…..

the body breaks

the earth quakes

and the kundalini awakes

(the Earth echoes…)

The body is your temple!

more art by Eric Nez

Today, I experienced this aspect in its fullest potential of manifestation.  Having felt physically exhausted ever since my return from Costa Rica, I awoke feeling strangely refreshed–regenerated (Pluto/Mars).  But I swiftly screwed that up by sipping coffee with my breakfast (Pluto/Mars again).  Breathing deep and keeping my spine aligned, a friend and I go to a sacred lake in the mountains of North Carolina (Jupiter/Venus).  Instantly we both gravitate to our own rock and begin our practices (Mars/Jupiter/Venus).  My first observation was the depth of silence.  I hadn’t felt this way or experienced that degree of stillness in all of my travels and it felt amazing to realign with “nothing.” Lakes are vastly different than oceans, rivers, and waterfalls….  (I remember having the thought “this is the sound of Gaia’s memories…..at the top of the oldest mountains in the world……this is where you can find it…).  I then had the conscious thought of, “Wow, Jupiter is conjunct Venus right now…….It’s been too long since I’ve been here.” Blissed out, silent and calm. Then, we both jump in lake.  Me with my underwear, friend without, into the ice cold mountain lake. As we were drying like lizards in the Sun, our bliss, our practice, our moment in perfect alignment with the Grand Earth Trine shifted when the cops came (dark side of Mars).  A public nudity ticket for my friend, an hour of hassle, and then we were on our way.  The triune of Gods were laughing and managed to say, “ You think its that easy huh? To be in perfect alignment with your body, mind, and spirit.  There are tests along the way human.  Can you keep your center.  Can you keep your cool?” I did, but not without a shaky heart beat and unsteady hand.

“A kingdom founded on injustice never lasts.”

Lucius Anneaus Seneca

If you are reading this, you no doubt have a creeping suspicion about the corrupt nature of our government and how it affects your quality of life. I’m not just talking about Monsanto and bad seeds, I’m referring to subtleties of mind control and evil manipulations of individual freedom.  This is where Pluto in Capricorn comes in, with wicked cool magic in hand, and begins throwing dark matter bombs into the hearts of the “our Masters.” Pluto entered Capricorn in the fall of 08’ just before Obama took office and won’t leave until the early 20’s.  He is going to transform the system–whether we like it or not.  And I feel this also relates to our own lives.  We are all in it, like fish in water.  We can sense it, but can’t exactly point a finger at it.  It’s 2012.  And its only the beginning.  The Kingdom is falling, and the Kin are beginning their hooting and hollering.

“One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.”

William Shakespeare

The fact that we live in a world that inhibits you from so many natural human rights (like jumping into a lake without cloths on) is nothing short of injust.  Yes, it’s just Amurica, but there are places that are worse, and there are places that are slightly better.  The bottom line is that it is all changing.  With the help of some friends, Pluto has been able to speed up many realizations in many of our lives over the past week.  Whether its in the body, in the form of an illness of physical limitation; the mind, perhaps an addiction to a person, place or thing; or in the Spirit, which could be in the process of a profound realignment–no matter where the stakes are being raised, it is happening.  This Grand Earth Trine is preparing us for something, I feel it. Don’t you?  We just need to find our Kin, release our “sin,” and begin.

…as you look towards the West tonight, gazing into the crytalline depths of Jupiter and Venus, remember this:

Luke 17

And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

I always wonder what the world would be like without division, hate, and injustice.  A “Kindom” not a “Kingdom” perhaps. (suck that G out!)  Where we can see deeper than the skin and into the heart and soul of our brother’s and sister’s without judgement.  Where we could skinny dip if we felt like it without worrying about being ticketed or arrested.  What would it be like to live in a world without taxes, property, capitalism, and walmart.  Really…..think about it.  An Archaic Revival of both the world and the spirit.  These are my thoughts, these are my trining dreams.

“My Grand Trine Offering”

:::::::::: the Complete Reading:::::::::::

(see details HERE)

Love,

sOma

Kosmognosis@gmail.com

featured image by Eric Nez

Holestoheavens.com

    Mercury retrograde is one of the most commonly known planetary cycles in Astrology.  Unlike the Saturn return which I have rarely seen doubted in its relevance, Mercury retrograde periods are often brushed aside as self fulfilling prophecies or as an excuse.  Even those who see the magic of this celestial language still can have their doubts.  Why is this? What is really going on?

…here is a letter a friend of mine received from his Teacher. It touches on all of the major problems people tend to have with Mercury retrograde:

For decades now I’ve heard people tell all these disastrous stories about “mercury retrograde,” and I must say that I personally have never experienced these sort of things going on more at one time than another.  I don’t see any correlation in my own life between mercury retrograde and more communication or technology snafus.  Other people swear by it though. >> >> I’m wondering whether this is a self-fulfilling prophecy, or whether perhaps mercury retrograde does not affect everyone in the same way, perhaps because of where/how mercury is placed in a person’s chart.  In my own chart, mercury is in a prominent and excellent position, in my first house conjunct my sun (scorpio) and neptune (libra) and my ascendant (libra).  Maybe it’s feeling so happy there that nothing really bothers it.  I’m not up on astrology much, so I don’t really know how all this works. >> >> I do know that in feng shui, if something is difficult, there’s usually a fix.  Is there a fix for people who have hellish times during mercury retrograde?  Do you need to study their chart to figure it out?  Anyone have any experience with this? >> >> Since it never made any noticeable difference to me before, I’ve never really thought about it seriously, but I know someone for whom all kinds of stuff goes wrong during mercury retrograde, and it seems like a terrible life, to know you’re going to turn into a schmendrick that often, that many times a year.  There’s got to be something to do about it.  Nobody should suffer that much from a planet so far away. >> >> >> respectfully— >> >> Eli

oOo

Mercury has finally stationed Direct at 3 degrees of Sagittarius.  The meditation is nearly complete.  It was the 24th of November when Mercury went retrograde at 20 degrees Sagittarius and today he finally moves forward. It is a day of coming to terms with everything we discovered in our revisiting and reliving particular themes Mercury brought forth in our lives over the past 3 weeks. Themes of travel, religion, belief, practice, and God have hopefully been reworked within our cognitive wiring. The shift of Mercury’s direction is always a significant time for us to initiate the changes we have been mulling over.  It’s a moment where we hopefully start thinking clearly.  Now, the whole Mercury cycle doesnt complete itself until Mercury passes the point of the Zodiac (20 Sag) where he went retrograde. This happens on New Years day.  And so, how can we best utilize this time? Is there anything we can do to augment this process of making more clear choices for ourselves?

Mercury retrograde periods are some of the most enlightening and frustrating cycles in Astrology.  Aside from technological and mechanical abnormalities, the true purpose of Mercury retro is to rethink, relive, and revisit themes in our lives.  This cycle, being in Sagittarius, we have become more sensitized to our adventurous wild man/woman within.  This is why it relates to travel.  We travel to have new experiences with new lands and new people, hopefully expanding our understanding of our reality.  It is likely that you have been reuniting in strange ways with many old friends who represent this theme in your life.  Everything and everyone we experience in Mercury retrograde cycles serve a specific purpose.  They remind us of something within our minds that needs adjustment.  Also, our technologies we rely so heavily upon fall apart during these cycle, mainly to keep us on our toes, and more aware about what needs care, adjustment, and deeper understanding. Or maybe just to test our patience.

I have been wanting to weave plants into my blogs for awhile now, and today shall be my first attempt.  There are many plants that can assist greatly in our cognitive functioning (Mercury) but it is Brahmi tea (Gotu Kola) which always comes to mind first.

Brahmi (bacopa monnieri) is an Indian Ayurvedic medicine that is potent against motor and nerve disorders. It is medicine for the brain. Possessing a pungent and bitter flavor, brahmi has nervine, tonic, mild sedative and diuretic properties. Brahmi is a perennial creeping herb with small white flowers. It grows on wetlands and muddy shores and is commonly found in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Vietnam and increasingly in the southern parts of the United States.

Brahmi is grown for both medicinal and culinary purposes. Long known as a “food for the brain”, brahmi has been used since the 6 th century in Ayurvedic medicine as a powerful cognitive enhancer. Brahmi is still widely used by students and schoolchildren in India to help in brain functions. The herb is also used extensively in Vietnamese dishes.

Among the active constituents of brahmi are compounds such as hersaponin and bacosides, which are known to help improve the transmission of nerve cells to the brain.

The health benefits of brahmi can be derived through an infusion of the herb. Brahmi tea can be made by immersing ½ teaspoon of dried brahmi herbs into one cup of boiling water. Let soak and steep for about 5 minutes then drink.

Brahmi Tea health benefits are the following:

• Brahmi Tea may help improve the memory and enhance mental functions, agility and alertness. It is particularly helpful in retention of new information.
• Brahmi Tea may help to calm the mind and promote relaxation.
• Brahmi Tea may help improve motor learning ability.
• Brahmi Tea may help promote greater concentration and focus.
• Brahmi Tea may be helpful in treatment of asthma.
• Brahmi Tea may be helpful in the treatment of epilepsy.
• Brahmi Tea may be helpful against indigestion.

All plants have a particular affinity for certain planets.  Brahmi is a friend of Mercury’s.  Taking brahmi throughout Mercury retrograde periods can greatly assist in the confusing and challenging experiences we are presented by the cosmic Trickster.  Taking this herb 2 to 3 times a day would be a perfect starting place. Being that Mercury is Direct now, what better way to propitiate Mercury and take care of our retro-knotted brains than by wisely consuming such a magical plant.

We arent off the hook yet.  The theme which began way back on the 5th of November (when Mercury entered his Shadow at 20 Sag) is now in it’s Release period.  Lots still needs to be initiated and reworked.  Even though we are off the cushion and the deep mediation is complete, the candle still burns.  Treat yourself to some Brahmi tea, remembering with every sip that you are not only feeding your brain, but you are making friends with Mercury too.  Plants and Planets, strange yet similar allies……what magical mysteries they are.

• **** If you are interested in going deeper into this Mercury cycle in your own chart/life, you can contact me at KOSMOGNOSIS@GMAIL.COM, and we can set up a reading to unearth the essential information that Mercury has been trying to tell you all along.  Even if its not Mercury you are interested in, having a reading moving into the New Year could be a wonderful treat for yourself, or a wonderful gift for a loved one.

Namaste,

Soma

WWW.HOLESTOHEAVENS.COM

The Labors of Hercules

  Labor 9 – The Sign of Sagittarius

Source Book: The Labours of Hercules by Alice A. Bailey.

My Brothers and Sisters,

Our HERO has passed through Labours 1 through 8 and approaches Labour 9 of the 12 Labours of Hercules, which is “Killing The Stymphalian Birds”, representing the Sign of Sagittarius.

“Within the place of peace the Teacher stood, and spoke to Hercules. “O son of God who art also a son of man,” the Teacher said, “the time has come to tread another way. At Gate the ninth you stand. Pass through and find the marsh of Stymphalus where dwell the birds that havoc wreak. Discover, then, the way to flush them from their long secure abode.”

He paused a moment. “The flame that gleams beyond the mind reveals direction sure.” he added. “The task awaits. Through Gate the ninth you now must go.”

Forward then, went Hercules, the son of man who was also the son of God.

For long he searched until he came to Stymphalus. Before him lay the fetid marsh. A multitude of birds cawed raucously, a chorus menacing and dissonant, as he approached.

At nearer view he saw the birds. Large and fierce and hideous they were. Each had an iron beak that was sharpened like a sword. The feathers, too seemed like steel shafts and, falling could cleave in twain the pates of weary travelers. Their talons matched their beaks in sharpness and in strength.

Three birds, perceiving Hercules, swooped down upon him. He stood his ground, and warded off attacks with the heavy club he bore. One bird he struck resoundingly upon the back; two feathers plummeted to earth and quivered as they plunged in yielding ground. At length the birds withdrew.

Before the marsh stood Hercules, and pondered how he might achieve the task assigned, how rid the place of these predacious birds.

By many means he sought to find a way. At first he tried to kill them with a quiverful of arrows. The few he slew were but a fraction of the many that remained. They rose in clouds so thick they hid the sun.

Hercules paused. The words he then recalled of counsel given. “The flame that gleams beyond the mind reveals direction sure.” Reflecting long, a method came to mind.

Two cymbals had he, large and brazen, that gave forth an unearthly screeching sound; a sound so piercing and so harsh it could affright the dead. To Hercules himself the sound was so intolerable, he covered both his ears with pads.

At twilight when the marsh was dense with countless birds, Hercules returned. The cymbals then he sharply clashed, again and yet again. A clangour and a din so strident then ensued that he himself could scarce endure the sound. Such ear-assaulting dissonance had not been heard in Stymphalus before.

Bewildered and disturbed by such a monstrous noise, the predatory birds arose in the air with wildly flapping brazen wings, and screeching in hoarse dismay. Utterly confused, the vast cloud of birds fled in frantic haste, never to return. Silence spread across the marsh. The horrid birds had disappeared. The soft gleam of a westering sun was seen as it flickered on the darkening landscape.

When Hercules returned, the Teacher greeted him: “The birds of slaughter have been driven off. The labour is achieved.”

….the birds and their chattering swarm slowly around the Moon. Cymbals and singing bowls resonate the Ethers

The Labors of Hercules are a wonderful way of decoding the energies of the 12 Archetypes through Myth.  Being that the Sun is moving through Sagittarius currently and will be illuminating the Gemini Moon moving into the Total Lunar Eclipse on the 10th of December, I felt it appropriate to attempt decoding the essence of this part of Hercules’ Labor’s–the Labor of Sagittarius. In Astrology, it is the Sun who represents the luminescence of pure Universal Consciousness and it is the Moon which reflects it, in the form of emotions, thoughts, patterns, and habituations.  In India, they call this aspect of “Mind” Manas.  The profound dance between the two of them is what allows life to evolve and understand itself. During Eclipses, there seems to be a momentary break in this dynamic.  Eclipses are caused by the Nodes of the Moon (or Rahu/Ketu) opening up what I like to call “the Dragon hole.” Eclipses give us a profound chance to see deeply into the nature of our problems, so that we can better release our stagnant baggage and better invite new and hopefully, more evolved energies in. What can we expect from this upcoming Lunar Eclipse? What is the theme? And…how is it perfect?

The Eclipse

The Lunar Eclipse will happen at 18 degrees Gemini at 10:36 am EST.  It will be visible from all of Asia and Australia, seen as rising over eastern Europe, then glimpsed at moon set in the northwest of North America.  This is the second Total Lunar Eclipse of 2011 (the other was on June 15th).  If you aren’t in a location where you are blessed to view this upcoming Eclipse, not to worry, you will still feel it. Eclipses tend to make ‘things’ happen.  They quake and shake us, making us stumble into the perfect spot for our evolution to proceed naturally.

I found the Sabian Symbol’s interesting for this Eclipse.  For the Sun at 19 Sagittarius (remember we round up the minutes to get the Sabian Symbol), it is: Pelicans Menaced By The Behavior And Refuse Of Men Seeking Safer Areas For Bringing Up Their Young.  Quite an interesting parallel to the Labor of Hercules.  Then, the symbol for the Moon is: A Large Archaic Volume Reveals A Traditional Wisdom. Now, I look to Sabian Symbols for both support and great insight into important events happening in the sky and sometimes they are helpful, sometimes not, yet, these two make me smile.  The Pelicans are searching for a home because of the interference of man and this can only be remedied by the “volume” which reveals the “traditional wisdom”–the Moon. I have two thoughts on this: 1. The more obvious one: Birds leaving their homes because of the sloppy progress of man.  It can only be remedied through the ancient wisdom from past ages. What have we forgotten? How can we heal the Earth? 2. This is the interpretation I think I favor and it relates to Pelicans–like the Stymphalian birds–representing thought forms.  Noisy, busy birds eclipsing the Moon.  Perhaps, a moment of truth where we can figure out how to shut them up?  Cymbals? Gongs? Syllables.  Mantras? Then maybe the silence…the meditation!

I mentioned Manas previously and how it relates to the Moon.  Defined: Manas (Sanskrit: ????, “mind”) from the root man, “to think” or “mind” — is the recording faculty, receiving impressions gathered by the senses from the outside world. It is bound to the senses and yields vijnana (information) rather than jnana (wisdom) or vidya (understanding). That faculty which coordinates sensory impressions before they are presented to the consciousness.  When the Moon (Manas) is cluttered up with noise, data, and sensory impressions, the light of the Sun (Consciousness) cannot shine freely.  It’s like a cloudy day, without much clarity.  But when the Moon (Manas) is free and clear of chattering birds, swinging monkeys, and images of the past and future, the clarity is more easily invited in.  We can simply watch.  This process of watching is the essence of meditation.

“I have realized that the past and future are real illusions, that they exist in the present, which is what there is and all there is.”

Alan Watts

Becoming present is the point of meditation.  In our modern world, it’s rare to find someone who is fully here.  Most of us are dreaming of the future or being pulled down by the past.  If we aren’t daydreaming forward or backward, it’s our smart lil’ gadgets that take us swiftly away from the present.  It’s sad really.  The present is such a present.  Within it, we can find everything.  And the greatest thing about meditation is it can happen anywhere. You don’t need to be in some temple or ashram to do it.  It’s all the time and anywhere. Ideally though, you are in a quite place, alone, sitting, watching your breath, and seeing…all those birds flying around you.  Birds like thought forms, float away when the right sound starts to resonate. The Breathe? Om? Hrim? With this Eclipse, being in Gemini, the greatest challenge will be downloading a new linguistic program into our Moon (Subconscious/Manas), and letting an old one go.  If our thoughts really do create our realities, then eject the disc of self defeating thought forms and insert the new one relating to ancient linguistic technologies designed to clear the space of Mind. Eject, then insert!

Not to sound too tangential, but the Sun illuminating this Eclipse is also in Ophiuchus.  Remember him? The man–much like Asclepius–who holds the snake.  “The 13th sign?” Well I find this poignant mainly because it not only represents healing, but it also relates to cosmic energy emanating from the Galactic Center of the Milky way.  The serpent can be likened to the Kundalini serpent coiled at the bottom of your spine. When we align to the Galactic Center, we also align to the source of energy in the Solar system.  Is it possible that the amount of Electromagnetic energy coming from this anomaly can also trigger awakenings of the serpent within, inducing profound healing and awareness in the individual? This Full moon–this Eclipse–is again, a “Dragon hole” which gives us the opportunity to take a quantum leap in consciousness.  Depending on where the Eclipse falls in your chart will depend on where this may be happening! Identify it, sit with it, and toss your prayer in.

Currently, we are sandwiched between two Eclipses, in the homestretch of one of the hardest years of many of our lives.  Maybe it was because of all the Eclipses in Sag/Gemini? Maybe it was because of Uranus moving into Aries, or forming his world-changing square to Pluto? Whatever it is–or was–it was perfect.  Embrace this final Eclipse of 2011 in full lotus in front of your candle.  Find your way of dispersing the Stymphalian birds of your imagination just like Hercules and find a renewed piece of mind.  In these strange times, where “Dragon Holes” exist side by side with economic and ecological collapse, it’s up to us, equipped with a peaceful mind to do our best, and not FREEEEAAAAK OUT!!!!

**** If you are interested in how this Eclipse or others in the past or future have affected your life, please don’t be shy, and contact me for a reading.  My email is KOSMOGNOSIS@GMAIL.COM

namaste,

sOma

WWW.HOLESTOHEAVENS.COM