Meditation Informs Healing Facilitation

Heart aches – Transiting Uranus Conjunct the Natal Sun (astrology)

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Photos from Angela Harkavy’s collection (Drikung Kagyu photographer).

Tibetan Lamas know about working with the heart (Khenchen in Arizona, Angela Harkavy photo)

This is a post about working with the Heart, with an astrological slant thrown in for good measure. In my astrological practice, I conduct choice-centered, frequency-based interpretations. What this means is that I am open to the infinite possibilities around people’s choices and the consequent results. I like to tell people that nearly everything in the astrology chart is tendencies and habits – which, with practice, discipline and over time, can be changed and re-patterned. Anything is possible if we have the karma for it – even when the astrological sky is looking a little overcast.

So, for any fatalistic astrologers who may be reading this, I offer a counter to the “certain challenging aspects are going to be that way, period” philosophy. Here is why:

In my chart, I have a Leo Rising (meaning the chart is ruled by the Sun) which is associated with the Heart – think lion and courage, bravery, pride, occasional arrogance. No “problems yet,” from a fatalistic perspective. However, the Sun is the ruler of the sign of Leo, making the Sun in my chart personalized, e.g. slightly more important than normal. My natal Sun is in the 8th house, the first, “ugh..” might come from the antiquated fatalistic crowd. The 8th house is associated with many things, being one of the more complicated “psychic” houses of the horoscope – some of these characteristics are: transformation, magic, personal harrowing journey through the inner underworld, death, sex, psychological insights, dealing with other’s money etc. It is not the greatest placement for an energized, enthusiastic, extroverted Sun. In some traditions it would be interpreted as the shaman, the medicine woman or maybe a good investment adviser (but definitely a background power – not the chief or executive per se).

How much vast, spacious, open heart is in a room full of Tibetan Lamas?

Recently, the chart ruler – the Sun in my chart has been undergoing a bit of a titanic tug of war. If you have been keeping up with my posts, you may have read about the planet Saturn crossing through the late stages of Virgo (opposite my Sun), or you may already know that Uranus is sitting in Retrograde, slowly backtracking through the late stages of Pisces (exactly conjunct my Sun and opposite Saturn). This is one configuration most traditional astrologers would rather not see their clients (and especially not themselves) have to struggle through. However, I want to discuss a differing argument.

If someone is involved in a transformative modality for a long period of time – sustains dedicated Buddhist practice, receives many treatments of Biodynamic Cranio Sacral therapy, maintains a daily Metta practice, works with a qualified meditation teacher, sees a body-oriented psychotherapist for several years, etc etc – any modality that leads to a gentle, kind and gradual deepening in self understanding and heart-warming, then someone could potentially “purify” or come to grips with the shadows lurking under the surface (in the un/subconscious). And then, they are not as likely to be hit with an “Oh my god, you want me to deal with what!?!?” In other words, a major obstacle to the previous status quo (event, catastrophe, tragedy, etc).

Khenchen teaching at the Garchen Institute, Arizona (Angela Harkavy photo)

One book that I use sparingly for reference because of its fatalistic trend, is “Predictive Astrology.” Oh – as a tangent – I want to add that when I analyze my own chart, I always like to experience life first and then later, get an understanding of what I went through from an astrological perspective, if warranted. That way, there is no way I am “being ruled by my stars” as Nietzsche so eloquently put it. So, back to the Predictive Astrology book, one line I recently read in the section on Transiting Uranus crossing the Natal Sun, is that one can go through temporary heart arrhythmia that is so slight, that medical tests do not pick up on it. Well, guess what. Over the past nine months or more, I have noticed that if I am under a lot of stress, once a month (or less), my heart slightly changes a beat. And of course, during my last physical (a few months ago) my heart was fine. Actually my heart is fine, it is just a matter of listening deeply and providing it with the space it needs to process old “stuff.” And to make gradual changes when I encounter old, limiting patterns of fear and / or contraction.

I have been feeling my heart more and more over the past few years. In speaking with one of my teachers, Julie Henderson (the creator of Zapchen Somatics), I got a fresh perspective on what the heart needs to unwind. Gentle-kindness, space, safety, patience (often a very slow, gradual process). As layers begin to come alive, I thank them and I try not to have any judgment toward the new tentative layers underneath. [Note to reader – this is a challenging, fascinating, rewarding and difficult journey, please do not try to undertake it without a person-to-person, qualified spiritual teacher! Seriously. And I am just an objective observer and reporter, not a teacher.]

As Garchen Rinpoche says, (and I paraphrase), “allow the ice of self-grasping around your heart to melt.” The lamas have been saying this all along, it just took a Western teacher (Julie) to explain it in a fashion I could easily and comfortably grok.

Khenchen and Garchen Rinpoche, Arizona (Angela Harkavy Photo)

What is one way to truly get in touch with your heart? Well, I will present several, take your pick, not in any particular order: 1) be in an appropriate, well-defined-boundaries, inspiring, comfortable, direct-communications-are-okay intimate relationship – and when you notice resistance arising, name it, notice it and be present with it rather than reacting negatively or suppressing it; 2)start training in a healing-hands modality as the hands are a direct link to the heart (Reiki, Rolfing, Osteopathy, Craniosacral Therapy, Zero Balancing, Massage and many more, etc); 3)if you are not maintaining a daily meditation practice, this is another method to come in contact with your heart space; 4) maintain discipline and right conduct (positive morals and ethics) in attempting to live life from a kindhearted perspective; 5) if you have the resources, adopt, cherish and open your heart to a child; 6)if you have the resources, adopt and be kind to an animal; 7) find a qualified teacher to help lead you into deeper realization of your heart.

So… in conclusion, don’t believe everything you hear. (Don’t trust everything you read here on this blog either for that matter.) Especially if the person is a fatalistic diviner (astrologer, tarot reader, I Ching practitioner, etc). Know that another possibility exists for you besides what you read in any number of well-written astrology books – not to mention the poorly written ones (joke joke). And take a deep breath… right now… seriously… breathe… it’s going to be okay.

As an aside, regarding these photos, when I see such an incredible line of teachers gathered in the same place, especially in the U.S., I am filled with a deep yearning aspiration to attend them. I also realize that I am not practicing enough. I know – be kind and gentle – yes, but up to a point. When a Tibetan Lama makes a suggestion based on your asking them multiple times about a situation, you should probably try to put their advice into practice. As an example, I asked Khenchen Rinpoche, Konchog Gyaltsen, what would be the best practice for me? What would help me benefit the most sentient beings? Well he said, “practice / study Dharma, and finish school.” So that is what I am trying to do, slowly, slowly. Maybe I am being hard on myself, or maybe I am leaning too heavily on gentle self care. The middle way is good.

Cutting through fear and attachment, Chod teachings

Drupon Thinley Ningpo teaching in Va Beach (October 2009)

As promised, here is the post from my yummy, juicy Virginia Beach journey. I went down there with the intention to attend my root lama, Drupon Thinley Ningpo (I call him Rinpoche). Luckily I got to follow through on this aspiration.

Woke up bright and early Saturday morning, with the typical “its the night before a Dharma teaching, therefore I am unable to sleep” kind of deal, so I had a maximum of three hours rest before the three hour drive. As a result, I was giddy all day – you know, in a happy-go-lucky and oblivious sort of manner.

The teachings were well attended – about 28 people on Friday night for the public talk (the organizers reported), then about 20 on Saturday for the empowerment and then 14 or so on Sunday for the practice and teachings. And the Va Beach Sangha really outdid themselves in setting up the shrine room – there were thangkas hanging on the walls in addition to the beautiful shrine and the artwork which usually graces the Heritage Center meditation room.

We descended on an Indian restaurant for lunch on Saturday which was nice – about 18 people joined in. Sunday was a shorter day so we ate at the Heritage Center which has a nice selection of healthy vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices. Plus there is a huge new-age shop attached to the grocery store and deli, so we felt right at home (not that Tibetan Buddhism is new-agey, rather we did not stand out in the least).

A vivid, spacious and inspiring shrine at the Heritage Center, Va Beach (Oct 2009)

From the little bit of understanding that my afflicted mind could discern about this practice is that it is definitely (emphasis) not for beginners. It seems to be an explicitly clear and direct way of cutting through one’s fear and pride which arise due to attachment to the body (self). As a result, the practice itself is a little graphic and very intense. In the past, and apparently in Tibet, one gets the best result from practicing Chod in graveyards (at night).

Chod is also one of the only practices that went against the traditional flow of wisdom from India to Tibet. One of the founders of the Chod lineage was from Tibet and apparently she taught many yogis from India who wanted to learn this profound technique. Basically, the Dharma originally came to Tibet from India along with the teachings and practices of the Vajrayana path. What is so precious about Tibet is that these teachings have been preserved and transmitted, to the point that Tibetan Buddhism was flourishing in Tibet before the Chinese take over. The advanced (tantric) techniques had primarily died out in India before they were re-introduced by Tibetan Lamas and yogis.

Body centered meditation: Too much treatment?

In a recent post, I mentioned that it is good to remember the body when we are doing any kind of learning – whether meditation, getting our degree, teaching others, hiking in the wilderness, etc. Taking a few minutes here and there to check in with the body is crucial to holistic health – if this seems difficult to you – then find a qualified teacher to help you check in with your system (yoga teachers, body-oriented psychotherapists, somatic practitioners, bodyworkers, etc).

inner blossoming comes from practicing gentle kindness to self - Rhododendron, TMC, Maryland — inner blossoming comes from practicing gentle kindness to self – Rhododendron, TMC, Maryland

What I want to add to the above post, is that in extreme cases we can also over-treat the body. In my limited experience, the body needs time to process changes / shifts / treatments / etc – there needs to be some down time to integrate and re-pattern. For instance, in the past I have received once a week sessions with one type of practitioner (Rolfing), while also receiving sessions from a process-oriented bodyworker (Biodynamic Cranio Sacral Therapist). This was about all my system could take – and some weeks, when I had other responsibilities and mind-stretching deadlines, I started to notice irritability and frustration around receiving bodywork. One of my practitioners put two and two together and told me to allow for more integration time… thankfully. She gently asked, “Ya know, how many sessions are you receiving per week?” I told her and she realized that I was over-treating my system – slow down young man!

Please be gentle. Please be kind. Please go slow… Hugh Milne, an author, instructor and practitioner says in one of his delicious Cranio Sacral Therapy books (and I paraphrase), “we can never go too deep, but we can go too fast.” I think this quote should be reflected on by anyone in the health / spirituality / education / meditation fields. Another teacher, actually one of my heart teachers – Julie Henderson (of Zapchen Somatics) – says about her modality, Zapchen Somatics: “I usually tell people that it will take ten years to get started, and then you start learning it [from there on].” A profound statement to be sure. And for people like me with my Mercury in Aries (in my astrological birth chart – Mercury rules the mind and Aries can be an impulsive, intuitive, impatient energy), hearing that it will take 10 years just to get started is an entirely new paradigm. Wow!

So, take both of these posts to heart – work with a qualified practitioner who fully understands what it is to over-treat the body / mind system (and avoids doing it, of course!). And if you notice something that is out of the ordinary arising, by all means mention it to your practitioner (and maybe even get a second, third opinion). Work with someone who goes as slow as you need to and possibly even slower, make that request if need be, and if it is not honored, hit the road. Most of my clients can handle one Cranio Sacral session per week. Rarely, if I am going to be gone for an extended period of time, I will give two or three sessions in a week to someone and then let them gradually integrate the work for a month or more before seeing them again. And this is only after I have worked with someone for a while and I know their capacity.

So… be gentle, practice kindness to self and when in doubt, slow down. Have a great day.

Balancing Head and Heart – Body centered meditation

I just returned from Va Beach, where I attended Drupon Thinley Ningpo for Chod teachings and practice. There will be a post coming soon with additional pictures from this enjoyable weekend.

Beautiful shrine for Chod teachings, Va Beach

I am writing this post because I had some interesting conversations with my generous host. We spoke about Tibetan Buddhism, Biodynamic Craniosacral therapy, Zapchen Somatics, Spiritual Astrology, about his non-profit and my recent comings and goings. In the midst of these conversations, I happened to explain, in a simplified version, about how I believe process-oriented bodywork is able to function. It went something like this.

There are many, many ways in which we in the West are “stuck in our heads.” What I mean by this is that whether academic pursuits, personal philosophical explorations, reading up on an interest, etc, there are so many ways in which we conceptualize our learning experience. For the majority of people in the West, we take in information with our eyes and ears only – whether through reading, broadcast media or attending professors / teachers. In the above conversation, I went on to say that a lot of Buddhist practitioners spend much of their time in their heads – whether meditating, contemplating, studying or attending teachings (and I might say they spend too much time in their heads). Therefore I could speculate that as we purify our karma (in whatever way this comes about – I would recommend meditation as a tried and true method for purifying the mind stream) we are pushing out a ton of mental detritus. And this process is primarily in the conceptual realm (think head-oriented, more cerebral domains), although there are some teachers who check in with the body. As the mind becomes more and more clear, the body may become more and more left behind. So how does the body catch up with the pace of the mind? Or the mind slow down to the body’s pace?

[I want to insert a note here, that Tibetan Lamas in general do just fine through merely purifying their mind stream. There is a definite and reliable method of transcending the body during spiritual accumulation. I am just offering another possibility. That is of consciously and mindfully purifying our conceptual stuff while simultaneously bringing the body and its cellular memory into the equation – unwinding, re-organizing and shifting into new, healthier patterns.]

Fascinating artwork (lamps) in the shrine / meditation room, Heritage Center

One direct counter to this overly-conceptual tendency is to receive process-oriented bodywork from a qualified practitioner. As we purify our mind stream, a gap or a growing difference in what the body has processed and what the mind has processed and released, can arise. Therefore, if we have purified enough stuff (mentally) and afterward we attend a qualified bodyworker (see the next paragraph to help determine what makes a practitioner qualified and appropriate), if all of these causes and conditions come together, and if one maintains a sincere meditation practice and approaches bodywork without many expectations or enormous resistance, then the sky is literally the limit in terms of what you can process and release – in a manner that is lasting – it sticks with you for the rest of your life.

How do we determine who is a qualified practitioner? What I mean by a qualified and appropriate practitioner is pretty complex. However, the short version is as follows: first and foremost they practice quality self care (you may not want to go to a ‘healing facilitator’ who smokes or drinks excessively, or who is noticeably depressed or anxious – if they take good care of themselves, there is a good chance they can be of service to you), second – attend someone who seems humble – too much pride and cockiness in a practitioner will make the sensitive, vulnerable wounded places in the body shy away from their contact and they will not accomplish much in the way of lasting results, third – in conjunction with the humility piece above, while you want your practitioner to be skillful and well-trained, it is also good if they are okay with saying, “you know, I don’t know exactly what your body needs but I am willing to provide a safe, contained space with presence to listen to your system and see what it wants to share” (every once in a while, there might be a rare case that has not been covered in our training – to claim to know everything about a subject is just plain erroneous), fourth – go to someone who maintains good boundaries and negotiates contact (if someone is physically or energetically invading your space, this will also make parts of the body / mind system shy away from their invasive presence), fifth – trust someone who is willing to go slow and is patient with the process (they realize that the body’s inherent health will unfold and reveal itself when all the causes and conditions are right, which might take a few sessions). This is a good start in relation to a qualified practitioner (and good high standards for any of you out there who call yourselves healing facilitators).

Look for a coming-soon post to detail some of the experiences I have observed both as a practitioner and as a recipient of quality bodywork.

So, allow your body to catch up with your mind today – go out and ask around, (do some research) and make an appointment with a qualified practitioner. Then relax deeply and allow the mysterious healing process to unravel and reveal itself on its terms. This could be in a variety of modalities – some I would recommend, provided the practitioner is skilled and kind-hearted, are Biodynamic Cranio Sacral therapy, network chiropractic, massage, Reiki energetic healing, Zero Balancing, Bodytalk, acupuncture, Continuum movement, Zapchen Somatics practitioner, biodynamic psychotherapy, and more.

Finally, I want to state for the record, that the healing process is gradual. There are many, many layers to the onion as it were. Personally, I have been receiving bodywork sessions since 2002 and today, I am seeing the results of maintaining the work. After seven years, deeper changes and increasingly potent insights arise. Through the practice of gentle kindness and dedication to meditation, I am moving, albeit very slowly, toward lasting happiness.

On a separate note, on editing this months later (Jan 26, 2011), I wonder if we can also over-emphasize treating the body and leaving the mind behind? Eh? For instance, having a conceptual pattern which needs to be released to move toward our highest potential, if we simply receive bodywork, does that get to the root of the issue? Curious…

Biodynamic Astrology and Neptune

This post is a blending of several modalities and tools that I offer my clients – Biodynamic Cranio Sacral Therapy and Spiritual Astrology. For definitions of these, look at their respective pages / categories or go back to previous posts.

I went for a hike today, with the intention to get some exercise – move that fluid body! And I received, you could say downloaded, more than I was expecting. I sat down to meditate in the woods and practice a little of what I learned last week at the Biodynamic Cranio Sacral Therapy seminar – “Orient to the mid-line (of the body, e.g. the central channel which runs down the front of the spine / core of the body).” I kept having the word “Neptune” coming to mind, despite my attempting to clear my mind.

Well guess what? As I continued walking, I realized that there is a dynamic fulcrum right now pulling directly on my natal Neptune – applying tension, asking for a choice – either return to old patterns or re-pattern the system in a new way. I was thinking to myself, “Wow, I have been considering offering some fairly bold ideas on here! (In the form of workshops and new directions) Almost to the point of wondering where the source of delusion was coming from.” I was wondering who I knew who had Neptune affecting their charts now… Then, “Ohhhh!!! It’s me!!!…” Time to ground, time to consider my options and what I am working with. Let me explain:

I am a Sun sign Pisces – which is naturally ruled by the planet Neptune. In my chart, I also have Neptune squaring my natal Sun (making the planet’s affects even stronger). Not only is it my Sun ruler, but it is in a tense aspect with the Sun. Neptune’s shadowy traits are to be lost in the clouds, to be vague and nebulous, possibly dissociated or escaping reality with addictions. Neptune has some truly incredible positive traits as well – artistry, dance, drama, photography, a great sense of spaciousness, enhanced intuition, creative mindedness, being flexible and fluid (as in the opposite of stubborn) – all great aspects of Neptune. However, when there is a powerful fulcrum yanking on it, the shadowy nature might reveal itself – usually with self deception, some delusion and possible confusion – and it goes without saying that if we are deceiving ourselves, then it is very likely and easy to deceive others. Here is the fulcrum I keep mentioning:

At present, Saturn is around 25 degrees of Virgo – directly opposite my Sun and the planet Uranus is at 24 degrees of Pisces – directly conjunct my Sun – how loverly! Wowsers.. Then throw in Mercury’s position as it completes it’s retrograde cycle – it is currently conjunct Saturn in Virgo – also opposite my Sun. Man! I need to do the most grounding practice I know of – and be very clear and bluntly honest (as a remedy to Neptune’s foggy affects – illusion-like veils). Well I have Neptune at 20 degrees of Sagittarius (5th house), which Saturn, Mercury and Uranus are all squaring right now – a significant T-square is in effect in my chart (as well as anyone else’s chart with later degrees of Sag and Gemini planets).

I am probably even more sensitive right now than I have been in a long time – with so much pressure on Neptune, it is like a geyser of sensitivity. This manifested for me during the training as extreme sensitivity to my own internal rhythms during sessions or to the lightest of touches on my head. It actually makes me feel better because I was wondering when it might fade and now I know (having the tool of astrology in hand, I can see that it will be passing by mid November).

Again thanks for reading and I wish everyone the best as we explore this slightly tumultuous time.

Biodynamic Cranio Sacral Therapy

The Kind Root Lama, Vajradhara (Dharmakaya)

To explain Biodynamic Cranio Sacral Therapy in brief, it is a healing facilitation modality that works with the central nervous system, the cerebral spinal fluid and the structures of the head (cranium), spine and pelvis (sacrum). There is very light, gentle touch applied with the practitioner primarily holding space and make very slight palpation if appropriate in order for the client’s body to shift toward self healing and reorganization. There are specific holds and techniques for specific presenting symptoms.

Cranio Sacral work is very beneficial for headaches, spinal problems, pelvis and sciatica issues, stress, nervous tension and insomnia. And due to the soothing effects on the central nervous system, there are many diseases and problems that can be benefited by this profound modality. Clients range from people who have experienced significant trauma or serious accidents, to ordinary, healthy people who are moving toward wholesome embodiment.

To be honest, it would take many words to fully develop and explain Biodynamic work, so here are other references: Franklin Sills (the founder of Biodynamic CST), William Sutherland (osteopath who started it all), Roger Gilchrist (one of my instructors), Michael Shea (a biodynamic practitioner of another lineage). Just make certain you look up Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy.

I have been studying and practicing Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy since 2005. I see clients in my private practice and maintain connection to the material in a study group.

I have been fortunate to be apart of a number of incredible training groups. My initial training was with Janet Evergreen of Charlottesville – she led groups of Craniosacral work, Zapchen Somatics and meditation / peace-building fusion workshops. It was very dynamic, inspiring and provocative. In September I was a member of a week long training with Roger Gilchrist in Maryland. He leads larger groups (than I was used to) of about 20 students and he has several well-trained assistants who hold space and help to create an incredible container for learning the material and dropping into a comfortable listening space.

All totaled, I have been apart of 250 direct hours of time-with-teacher Craniosacral classes and then another 500 hours of practice for the classes on top of that. Plus I have been seeing clients professionally since 2007.

many references between C.S.T. and opening like a flower

May all sentient beings know happiness and the causes of happiness!

Mercury Retrograde aggravation (astrology)

So… I am currently in the process of typing an additional post on Mercury Retrograde. Well, classic Mercury Rx, I typed quite a bit last night, did some research and then…(!) forgot to save it. Hrmph!

Greenbelt Lake had curious passion flowers

Also, for the past four days I have been in Washington DC attending a Biodynamic Cranio Sacral Therapy training. I plan to start an entire category on this subject soon, but for now, I had another Mercury Rx moment as I was driving to the training. I have really been enjoying driving around DC, not sure why – I used to abhor the beltway, but over the past few days it has been fun. Good company, inspiring destination, much laughter – that is until a strange event occurred this morning. [By the way, I would not recommend driving more during Mercury Rx, unless you are doing something to ensure your mind is clear and free of distractions.]

So this morning I said I would pick up a friend and two other classmates from the metro station at Greenbelt Maryland. I actually got to the station early and parked in the enormous parking lot for park and ride people (seriously, this lot could have fit thousands of cars – it was ginormous!). I get a call from my friend who says she has arrived and she tells me where she is. So I drive to the nearest exit to go pick her up. I could have walked to her but…

Wouldn’t you know it, some exits head to other destinations, and I found myself on a one way ramp getting back onto the beltway. And of course, I only had directions to my destination, no maps of the surrounding areas. After a bit of discharging my reactions to this new situation, I dodged through traffic and got back on the beltway headed back. Thank goodness there was an exit for the aforementioned station! So I just took a little 20 minute detour to College Park and then picked everyone up. We were only slightly late to class.

May all of you be having a better time now during Merc. Rx!

Also, for those of you who have significant planets (Sun, Moon, Ascendant, Chart Ruler, Sun Ruler, Midheaven) at the 23, 24, 25 degrees of mutable signs (Pisces, Gemini, Sagittarius and Virgo), I would highly recommend you take some extra time for yourself. Go for a nice walk, breathe deeply and mindfully, meditate, grab a local yoga class, take a moment to smell the last flowers of the summer. I say this because several people I know, who seem to have very positive karma, are being affected strongly by the Uranus / Saturn opposition occurring right now in Pisces and Virgo. To be honest, I would recommend meditation and doing a (karmic) purification practice. And don’t forget to be gentle and kind with yourselves.

Saturn can be friendly after all (astrology)

Hey! Its time for yet another astrology post. (Wow – when it rains it certainly pours!) And while I am at it, why not debunk some lingering, residual thoughts that Saturn (the planet in a horoscope and its symbolism) represents guaranteed hard times. Because that reasoning is simply in error.

We can break out of icy patterns and spread our many blessings

Up until the 18th century, the furthest planet from the Sun (that we could see with the naked eye) was… Saturn, the old devil whose name rings oddly synonymous with Satan, which has been associated with “Cold, Dry, Testing, Restricting, Contracting and Debilitating,” at least this is how it was interpreted by medieval astrologers (along with astrologers dating back to the Greek and Babylonian periods). There was much less choice about one’s life than there is today – in their time, social class, education and pedigree meant a lot and it was challenging to go about changing one’s situation. Of course you could argue that not much has changed today…

Fast forward to the 20th and 21st centuries, where we have American Idol, The Shark Tank and academic achievements being recognized and rewarded. Some of our presidents come from little tiny states that many people never hear about (think Clinton) and others get elected due to their family’s name and / or fortune. For the most part however, the amount of work, study, research and experience we have in a field can be rewarded. There are those rare exceptions nowadays of people getting their PhD’s in religious studies or philosophy leaving many parents scratching their heads going, “Why would you major in that?” And some of these people end up becoming food and beverage managers or carpenters. But I digress, back to my argument about Saturn..

I want to present the argument, contrary to popular belief, that Saturn is actually the most rewarding planet of all. Many astrologers would probably scoff at this premise, but hear me out. Yes yes, I realize that Jupiter is considered the “Great Benefic.” And Venus always rewards us through our friends and loved ones, especially when we practice generosity and unconditional loving-kindness. Well, when it comes to doing the uncomfortable, nitty-gritty work, there is no greater benefic than Saturn. Of course, you might say, “Who wants to do that?” A friend of mine recently mentioned, that to attain enlightenment or to get on stage at Carnegie Hall is the same – it requires Practice, Practice, Practice. Maybe I should refine my argument – when it comes to work done in this lifetime, Saturn provides the greatest reward. If you want to talk about inheritance (whether from past lives’ merit and / or from trust funds), then go with Jupiter.

Saturn speaks of discipline, practicality and keeping up with the details. Basically the little things in life matter – I love the saying that “life is 90% maintenance.” What a great Saturnian quote! Jupiter and Venus can lead to laziness and enjoyment of the luxuries and comforts of life. While Saturn says, “Hey, you’ve been studying this subject diligently for the past nine years, now it is time to start teaching others (or get that dream professorship you have been wanting)! And therefore be rewarded for your time in service.”

One way my argument might falter is in that Saturn tends to resonate with the purification of negative karma. So we could be sailing along, doing everything “right” when all of a sudden, Bam! We unexpectedly have to take care of an ailing parent (Saturn in the 4th, 6th houses) or a chronically ill sibling (Saturn in the 3rd) or somehow it falls to us to care for an ailing in-law (Saturn in the 10th). Well, I would counter with the fact that we have to cleanse the pallet as it were – clear the old to make space for the new. There are times in life where we have to do that which is less than comfortable, and sometimes this work can be just as rewarding. So sand down those rough spots in your psyche (and know it is going to work out in the end!).

I have heard Tibetan Lamas discussing the benefits which come from diligent spiritual practice. Of course enlightenment is the utmost goal of spiritual practice, however, there are also residual affects. [From my limited knowledge, I think we have to be practicing sincerely and humbly to acquire these perks.] And this practice is neither easy nor comfortable. For instance, one man met what might seem like the perfect mate – a strikingly beautiful, very intelligent yet modest young woman (I’m not trying to promote an opinion here, only to describe the situation). They got married and currently have one of the cutest boys I have ever seen. Well… Prior to meeting this idyllic woman, this guy had done thousands of full prostrations in the past couple years – maybe even 108,000. I have heard other stories of people practicing Dzambhala or Green Tara and being able to manifest many of their desires. It makes sense, especially if we “believe” in Buddhist deities being real and being able to affect the lives of people who make a strong connection with them.

Well who’d have thought? I just brought Green Tara and Dzambhala into the same conversation as Saturn… I hope they do not mind! However, Saturn is known as the great teacher and tester. I would love to hear your comments about “time in service” equaling eventual promotion.

Mercury Retrograde and ramifications (astrology)

Mercury is retrograde, now through the end of the month. Here are a lot of words about this curious little trickster:

Hinode captures Mercury transit (nasa.gov)

Astrology has been creeping back into the mainstream media for decades. For instance, people joke around about their horoscopes, or they wonder about the affects of the full Moon – whether tides, human behavior, criminal activity or hormonal cycles; if these influences are true, then astrology is apart of our daily lives, whether we know it or not. We are influenced by sun spots and eclipses as well as the gravitational and possibly electro-magnetic fields of the planets. (Not to mention the lineages of mytho-poetic knowledge, passed down from generation to generation regarding the planet’s stories, and their effects upon humankind.) This includes Mercury, the fastest moving planet, which is zipping around the Sun at about thirty miles per second. Due to Mercury’s rapid orbit, it tends to go retrograde several times a year. Here are some thoughts on this potentially challenging trickster going “backwards in the sky,” according to our perspective.

The planet Mercury is associated with many aspects of life, and as technology continues its hyper-driven march into the 21st century, more and more gadgets will be falling under Mercury’s influence. Electronics, especially having to do with communication (email, phones, computers, servers, PDAs, etc); local travel (cars, buses, traffic, reservations, etc); personal communication – discussions, authentic listening and even letters and packages; siblings and relatives – brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins; education especially K – 12th grade although higher institutions are not immune to Mercury Rx; and the central and peripheral nervous systems in the body – everything just mentioned falls under Mercury’s persuasion. The only exception to this rule is that Uranus ( sometimes considered a “higher octave” of Mercury) shares some rulership with a few of these items. However, at the moment, the planet Uranus is also Retrograde, indicating additional delays and challenges.

People in the know might cringe if you tell them Mercury is about to go Retrograde. Or, they say, “Ohhhh… Mercury is Rx, that is why traffic was so bad…” Personally I do not believe this has to be the case. Considering I practice choice-centered, frequency-based astrology, nothing is written in stone. However, I would estimate that the majority of people in the U.S. are not aware of every Mercury Retrograde cycle, so whenever we do something that involves others, then we are easily subjected to their delays and potential absentmindedness, especially when we are all under Mercury Retrograde’s influence. Here is an example – we might normally mail a bill so that it arrives the day before it is due. However, if Mercury is retrograde, especially during several other heavy transiting aspects, then we should consider popping that bill (or letter or application) in the mail early.

Due to the omnipresent fickle nature of human communication, conversations might be a little more challenging when Mercury goes Rx – to truly listen to what the other person is saying, without judgment and to respond in a rational, clear and kind manner is already a task that requires mindfulness. What I mean is that we project so much onto certain individual’s words and body language, that if they are having a rough day (say they were stuck in traffic that does not normally exist), we can easily misinterpret what they are trying to get across. So take an extra deep breath while you are conversing, make sure you ask about anything unclear and try to follow the Dalai Lama’s suggestion about thinking before we speak so that our words are clear, kind and honest. In fact, I would recommend taking a deep breath whenever you think of it – couldn’t hurt, right?

In addition to what I just mentioned, here is what I recommend: schedule extra time for yourself when Mercury is Rx – leave a little early to drive to work, spend more time relaxing and resting down – pencil in meditation time if you have to, do whatever it is that you know helps you to calm your mind and ground your thinking process. We might be an additional 5 – 10 percent distracted – which is why there tends to be slightly more fender benders during these periods – so take extra time to ensure mental clarity, then we will not lock our keys in the car or forget the cake for our grandmother’s 90th birthday party (on taking a break from writing this draft, I passed a guy in the parking lot trying to unlock his truck with a coat-hanger…).

About one in seven individuals, including yours truly, are born with Mercury Retrograde in their birth charts. Supposedly, these people have an easier time coping with the semi-annual retrograde periods. From my own experience, when this little orb stations and then turns back in its course, I am generally tempted – distractions become stronger and a tendency to procrastinate gets strengthened. Now there could be several factors leading to this conclusion (for me personally) – but I believe one main “cause” of this is my Progressed Mercury is in my 8th house, which can be a challenging time of introspection on its own, and it is in Pisces – which is nice when Mercury is in this nebulous, mystical, fantasy-loving sign by itself. However, my chart already has a plethora of Piscean energy swimming about – leading to a tendency to give in to my mind’s yearning.

To me, the most important aspect of Mercury retrograde comes down to the choices we make – do I take a walk or watch that ball game? I feel the need to meditate, but… I have not seen this movie before… Or, I reaaaallly need to study, but I can look around the internet for a few more soccer videos. I think you get the point. Choices – do we take the path of self care and gentle-loving-kindness, which might mean we sacrifice something we were really yearning for (comfort foods, that second glass of wine, watching extra TV, being alone when we could be stretching ourselves in good company, etc). The take home message here is to get good rest, drink plenty of pure water and practice quality self-care. Literally – take a hike, go swimming, meditate, go to that yoga class you have been putting off, etc. Get your busy mind under control. And I will end with this final paragraph about the outer planets and retrogradation, if you are interested:

The outer planets (Jupiter through Pluto) are basically retrograde (Rx) a solid three to four months per year, with Jupiter having the shorter time and Pluto being Rx the longest. Mars is Rx about once every two years for about two months plus. Venus is Rx the least due to its orbit being closest in time to ours (225 days), but it still goes Rx for about six weeks, five times every eight years. Because Mercury races around the Sun (88 day orbit), it goes Rx three times a year, for about 21 days at a time. Therefore, if you count them up, there are eight possible planets which are able to be retrograde, however, all of these planets are Rx for a minority of time, anywhere from 7 % for Venus and 44 % of the time for Pluto. According to many authors, people with many planets retrograde in their horoscopes tend to be late bloomers. With my own chart having five Rx planets, I certainly fit this mold. In my limited experience, that is having done more than a few charts professionally, the most Rx planets I have seen in a horoscope is six (not counting Chiron). And on the opposite extreme, some people are born without any planets being Rx (quite rare).

Thanks for reading! Please see the Astrology page if you are interested in what I offer.

Transiting Saturn entering the 3rd house (astrology)

In this post: Transiting Saturn in the 2nd / 3rd houses. Very brief.

My first two weeks of school behind me. Wow is time sailing by.. It should be fine provided I do what they do in the Dharma Duplex (where I live) and practice. The path to Carnegie Hall or enlightenment is similar I think. Saturn (to slip some astrology into the koolaid) is about to move into my third house, which I can foresee really benefiting my drive to study and push academically. To explain, Saturn the planet of testing, practicality, tangible results, setting boundaries and following through on commitments / personal promises is moving into my 3rd house, which is generally associated with more of the superficial mind, however with its 9th house reciprocal affect, it certainly has to do with education on all levels, as well as neighbors, relatives, siblings and communication. So it is leaving my 2nd house behind and as a result, those issues are stronger and more stable now. My financial challenges should be lightening up if I make the appropriate choices (informed by Saturn’s progress through the 2nd house). Hooray!