The energy of yesterdays incredible New Moon and Solar Eclipse will stay with us this whole week. As always we feel the effects of a lunar transit 3 days prior and post the event and this is amplified with eclipse energy. The Piscean Eclipse is all about new beginnings and in conjunction with a new moon, it means big changes coming our way. This solar/ lunar event is opening a doorway for the next 6 months, during which time you may discover a new "calling" in life. This could manifest itself in any number of ways; whether that be a new job or career path, a new place to call home. Or even a completely new world view, a fundamental change in your personality and make up.
So, we can't emphasise enough how opportune the moment is right now to lay the foundations for the next 6 months of your life. The universe and cosmos are working directly in your favour to assist you in this process. Major developments in the personal areas ruled by Pisces are likely to occur over the course of the next 3-6 months. As such it is important that your vision on how these developments unfold is clear. You don't want to waste the opportunity given to you during this period. We are also more acutely aware of the imperfection and flaws in our lives at this time. So whilst it might be painful to confront these issues we are able to see clearly what is not working for us.
It would be extremely beneficial for you to sit down and make a plan on what you want to manifest in your life during this period and how you can make that happen. In particular stay open and receptive to your dreams and any messages that may come through for you during meditation. You may find it useful to keep a dream journal to record your insights. Our intuition and inspiration are heightened right now so stay open to the messages from the universe and your higher self that come through.
Blessings all and welcome to 2017! At the beginning of the New Year we are prompted to set ourselves goals and make resolutions that will help us shape our vision for the upcoming 12 months. Every month we put a lot of emphasis on cycles, particularly those which are influenced by the phases of the moon. We speak of new beginnings, letting go and completion and the new year for many of us signals the start of an entirely new cycle. What is really important about this time is to utilise the momentum and motivation that we feel to put the changes we envision for ourselves into action! As we settle back into the swing of things it is important that we try to maintain this momentum and follow through with the goals we were so passionate about only a week ago. If we can keep pushing forward we will well and truly be rewarded in the long run as we start to see our resolutions become reality.
The cosmos, planets, spirit and the universe are all here to support us (and what feels, at times, hinder us) in shaping our lives into what we want them to be. However what really creates lasting and true change is our own will and work. We are all blessed by the universe but it is our actions and thoughts that create our reality and we are responsible for how that reality looks. That is why it is so important to make time for your spiritual practices and work on yourself internally, so that you have the tools to help you through both the good times and the bad.
This week we have a Full Moon in Cancer on Thursday the 12th January. This Moon in Cancer is in direct opposition to the Sun in Capricorn and could not be more relevant for us right now as we are in the process of re-organizing our lives and priorities. Cancer represents our private lives, relationships the nurturing side of our self and Capricorn is our public life, career, ambition and reputation. This Full Moon encourages us to find the balance between these two forces, as the sun and moon hold the polarities of these aspects within us.
Take the time this week and join us for Cosmic Merkaba Meditation to reflect on these opposing desires and how you can bring them into balance in your own life. The Full Moon ritual is also a great opportunity to let go of all that no longer serves you in 2017 and look to the bright future in the illumination of a Full Moon.
The Sri Yantra also known as the Sri Chakra represents all the fundamental principals of Tantric philosophy. It is known as the best or supreme existing yantra and all other yantras derive from it.
A Yantra is the symbolic representation of the Mother Goddess. It is made up of ‘linear and spatial ‘geometrical permutations’ of the Goddess in the mandala. You find yantras in many sacred geometry works and the design of the Sri Chakra/ Yantra is nine interwoven triangles, four of which represent the male principle (Shiva) and five inverted triangles representing Shakti, the feminine principal. The nine triangles also represent nine basic elements or root substances (mula-prakritis) of the universe. In the human body they are represented as nine substances; five from Shakti – skin, blood, flesh, fat and bone. The four from Shiva are – semen, marrow, vital energy (prana) and the individual soul.
The place of the mother goddess is represented by the dot or bindu in the centre of the design. The dot has four legs representing the deities responsible for the creation of all things.
Brahma – the creator is in the northeast.
Vishnu – the preserver is in the southeast.
Rudra – for withdrawal is in the southwest.
Sadasiva – for retention is in the northwest.
Surrounding this pattern are two concentric circles of lotus petals: the inner has 8 petals and the outer 16. The entire pattern is encased within a gated frame, called the “courtyard” or “earth stretch”.
An individuals spiritual journey or path to enlightenment from material existence to ultimate ascension and enlightenment is mapped through the sri yantra, the spiritual journey is undertaken as a pilgrimage each step or elevation is an ascent to the centre.
The Sri Yantra represents the totality of existence and can be used as a tool in meditation to contemplate the the path to enlightenment and the nature of the universe and existence.
It's finally here! The November supermoon is upon us and I am sure you're all feeling the effects of this Lunar event already. It seems as though everyone is very aware of this months moon transit and for good reason! Tuesday mornings full moon in Taurus is classed as a supermoon and will reach its peak at 12:52am Sydney time, however it's energetic influence will impact us for the 3 days prior and post the event. This moon is of particular significance as it will appear as the biggest and brightest moon to grace our skies in over 70 years and will not appear again as such, until 2034! So now for the really important information, what does this mean for us energetically?
Get ready for a big dose of reality as any illusion around you starts to come crashing down. Whether it be self created misconceptions or truths hidden from you by those close to you, the full force of this supermoon is here to illuminate them all. As with any lunar occurrence, you can expect to feel a high degree of hypersensitivity, emotional turmoil and generally a lack of rational thinking and emotional stability, we are in for a big few days.
It is never more important than during these circumstances to be conscientious of your words, actions and thoughts. It is in these periods of struggle that we are gifted with the greatest opportunities for growth and provided with learning curves that can reshape us entirely. The energy of this full moon creates a time ripe with potential and possibilities, to enact great changes in our lives and our relationships. It is a time to take stock and ask yourself who do you want to be going forward? Will you give in to the feelings of anxiety and unrest brought up by the moon or will you seek to master your emotions, confront your true self and move forward!
Whilst it would be unwise to give into your more irrational thoughts over the next few days, do be kind to yourself. Find ways to nurture yourself by taking time to meditate, have a purifying bath or spend time relaxing with loved ones. These practices will help ease feelings of emotional instability as love (self love and love for others) can transmute even the darkest of moods.
As we discussed last week, the current planetary influences are creating an opportunity for us to gain internal insight through self reflection and exploration. Whilst the aim of this process is to achieve positive personal growth, it unfortunately in many cases cannot be attained without the pain or discomfort that accompanies true self reflection.
It is only through the confrontation of our core wounding and fears that we are able to self master and relinquish the power that they have over our lives. This can be an incredibly painful process to go through as we potentially face circumstances that scare us the most. But as they say, the greater the hardship, the sweeter the reward. These are the issues that make us feel most out of control but as we have a New Moon in Scorpio on the 30th October, Scorpio Moons are known for bringing with them a favorable time to work on our self mastery skills.
Prepare yourself to harness the energy of the New Moon to make some significant changes in your life. Try and see the hardships that you may be going through, for how they can really be positives for you going forward. Trust your instincts and intuition at this time, even if you have others telling you the opposite. If you are being in truth with yourself, you know what is best for you. Do not let yourself be driven by your insecurities or make decisions based on your fears as choices you make at this time can have long standing consequences.
Get ready for some intense lunar vibes as we welcome the first of three Full Moon/ Super moons in October, November and December. Starting this Sunday the October Full Moon will orbit the earth at it's closest approach and it will appear larger, brighter and its energies will be greatly amplified during this transit. In folklore this October Full Moon is also known as the Travel Moon and Blood Moon. We will also experience Supermoons in the final two months of the year and speak more on this during next months full moon, as the closest and largest full supermoon of the year will fall on November 14, 2016. This will be the largest full moon thus far in the 21st century (2001 to 2100) and will be the closest encounter between the Earth and moon until November 25, 2034.
Like all Lunar events, full moons directly influence our emotions, reflecting and amplifying any negative or positive thoughts and feelings we may be having. They also bring to the surface any unresolved emotional issues that have been lingering to be resolved. This has a tendency to directly affect all your relationships, be they familial, workplace, friendships or loved ones. The full moon acts as a mirror, reflecting your circumstances back at you (a particularly BIG mirror over the next few months) and asks you to take a good hard look at any relationship imbalances that may be taking place. Ask yourself, is this a positive relationship, am I surrogating or being surrogated through this relationship? If the answer is yes, now is the time to cleanse your emotional attachments to these connections. It's not about cutting them out of your life, but more about reworking the way you manage and respond to these exchanges.
These lunar energies work directly with the feminine/ goddess energy. What a wonderful energetic time to be suspended in over the final few months of the year. These nurturing feminine moon energies create a space for you to heal any past hurts and recharge your batteries in a safe and supported space.
Alchemical Magic is proud to support the Shakthi Amma Magalir Mempattu Maiyyam Women’s Welfare Program.
SAMMM empowers destitute women to create a sustainable livelihood through employment and a live a life with purpose and dignity. The initiative started with six women in 2008 and now employs almost 100 women aged between 18 and 65, most of whom are breadwinners in the family. The women prepare more than 20 handmade organic Pooja products like KumKum, turmeric and camphor for the Sri Narayani Peedam Ashram.
The women are also trained in sewing which enables then to produce cloth bags, mobile phone pouches and ladies Kurtis. They are also engaged in various tasks including operations, sales and accounting. This occupation inspires dedication, enabling them to overcome mundane family issues and experience peace and joy. SAMMM has also contributed to the socio-economic growth of semi-urban and rural areas, setting an example for many others to follow.
The week after a full moon can produce an energy lull and leave us feeling like we just don't want to even get out of bed! Lethargy, depression and impatience can leave us feeling immobilized and like it's all just too much to face the world. Listen to what your body is telling you and make sure you take the time to truly assess what is going on internally. If you need to take a break do so, but also be conscious of when it is just your limitations coming up to be worked through.
This week should be used as a period to regain our strength and regather our intentions for the remainder of the month. Mercury goes into retrograde next week on the 30th August and we will speak more about this next week; but take the opportunity of this week as a period of solace and reflection before it all kicks back into gear again.
Mantras by definition (“man” which means mind and “tra” which means transport) can be used to alter one’s state of consciousness and when chanted repeatedly can shift, transform and manifest any number of circumstances depending on the intention of the mantra.
Mantras can be used as a powerful tool to enter deep states of meditation as they transport the mind. This can be particularly effective for those who are new to the practice of meditation as the mind finds it difficult to still itself, free from the stimulus of everyday life. Chanting a simple mantra such as OM MANI PADME HUM can help the mind to focus and more easily let go of one’s current reality.
The recitation of mantras can also change your reality through the power of their energetic and auditory vibrations. In times of stress and anxiety reciting a divine mantra can assist you in surrendering to the universe and help you to let go of circumstances that are beyond your control. They can diffuse negative emotions through the energetic impact of their vibrations. The more energy put into the mantras the greater the influence they can have.
Om Mani Padme Hum
Tibetan Buddhists believe that saying the mantra (prayer) Om Mani Padme Hum, invokes the Buddha of compassion Avalokiteshvara (Chenrezig). Mantras are powerful words believed to awaken latent spiritual forces in the body. Om Mani Padme Hum means “Hail! To The Jewel in the Lotus” It refers to conscious knowledge of the existence of the jewel – the Divine Spark – in the human heart.
Viewing the written form of the mantra is said to have the same effect.
OM -pure body- Is said to purify: bliss, pride
MANE -jewel- Is said to purify: jealousy, passion, desire
PADME -wisdom- Is said to purify: prejudice, poverty, possessiveness
HUM -unity- Is said to purify: aggression, hatred
Origins
Mantras can empower and awaken your body, mind and spirit and have been used for over 3000 years. They can be found across almost every major religion from Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and can even be equated to the recitation of prayers in Christianity. The most common mantra that people encounter is the single syllable of OM which some may argue is the most important mantra of them all. The eternal OM is said to represent all of existence, the past, the present and the future, all held within this one sound. Some schools of thought even attribute OM to the origin of the Christian "Amen".
We all lead busy lives and can understandably at times loose track of our spiritual practices. Getting into the habit of reciting mantras is a great way to stay connected to your spirituality and integrate it into your daily life. Like any activity, we must practice until it becomes second nature to us; if you have a set back during your day make your reflex to go into reciting a mantra instead of dwelling on the issue and feeding the problem negativity. Use a mantra to transmute the negative charge around the perceived set back and move on.
Do you have a favourite Mantra? Let us know in the comments.
Often at the beginning of a New Moon transit we speak of the renewable magic that this cycle can bring to our lives. And whilst the energy of the New Moon does support us to create new beginnings, it is ultimately up to us to forge these new pathways for ourselves. We alone are responsible for creating the reality we want to live in, to act on the opportunities that are presented to us, and use the energy of the New Moon to support us to do that.
We can use the new moon in Leo to our advantage by preparing our intentions and listening to the signs that come our way during the transit. Open our awareness to the serendipitous signs that the universe is sending us and act upon them in the knowledge that you are being supported and guided by spirit to take control of your journey. If you are feeling unsupported or alone, feel safe in the knowledge that spirit is always with you and open your eyes to the signs that are guiding you daily.
A new moon in Leo sees us searching for safety and stability but this sign also ignites within us the fire of creativity, not just in the traditional artistic sense but in the shaping of our dreams and desires. Be creative in your aspirations for life and don't allow your fears and the need for security to limit your potential. Try and see past your self imposed limitations and doubts and allow your passion to surge you forward with the unlimited potential of a New Moon in Leo.
Last week's Cosmic Merkaba Meditation reading focused on how many of us are presently feeling deeply unsettled. These feelings of uncertainty, doubt and fear from the collective consciousness are being reflected in our current emotional state and are impacting us at this time. This week we can begin to feel a shift in these dynamics as we experience a New Moon in Cancer on Monday the 4th July.
Along with the new beginnings and restart of the monthly cosmic cycle that a new moon heralds, this rebirth in Cancer manifests feelings of love, compassion and feelings of emotional stability which have been so sorely lacking over the past few weeks. Take advantage of the energies that Cancer provides and transform the fears that you have been experiencing through self love, creating a safe space for you to reflect and gain wisdom and insight.
Self Mastery can only be born from truly understanding ones self and this can only be achieved through honest self reflection, during times of doubt, fear and pain a much as times of success. Allow yourself to be open to the feelings of love that Cancer brings into your life and reflect them inwards as much as you express them out.
Buddha is a title given to those who have reached a state of enlightenment. The term Buddha means ‘one who is awake’. The historical figure most associated with The Buddha, is known as Siddhartha Gautama in Nepal approximately 2,500 years ago. The Buddha did not claim to be a divinely inspired prophet, personal savior or a deity incarnate in flesh, but that of a teacher. The Supreme Teacher who reveals the path to enlightenment. The goal of this path in to achieve Nibbana, the perfect liberation of the mind from all constricting bonds and the consequent release from samsara, the round of repeated birth and death.
The Buddha teaches us that awareness of impermanence and change is a primary element in turning the mind toward liberation. Because all things are impermanent, all personal faults can be transcended and all perfections achieved.
All component things are impermanent.
When One acquires realization of this truth, One naturally releases the bonds of unhappiness.
