Spirituality and the human
The last month of winter is here in the southern hemisphere and with it brings another lunar event: the sturgeon supermoon on 12 August 2022. There is a strong influence of Mars at this time of Full Moon, and there are challenges in managing the mind, managing thoughts, managing behaviour – particularly to those close to us, and those who form our social capital. It is a good time for mantra siddhi.
The July Full Moon brings with it the festival of Guru Purnima, an occasion without any blemish, and the most auspicious Full Moon of the year. While there is much upset and disturbance abounding on our Earth, it is a time when the planets remind us to move forward with steadiness and gracefulness, and to give witness to true humanness.
Sant Kabir Jayanti is observed on the Purnima or full moon day in the month of Jyeshta (May – June) as per traditional calendar. In 2022, the date of Sant Kabir Jayanti is June 14. This month’s Full Moon is in a somewhat precarious position, gandanta, the boundary between water and fire signs. This occurrence frequently presents somewhat knotty problems.
The Full Moon of May 2022 – in Scorpio – is joined by a total lunar eclipse – which occurs several minutes before the Full Moon, depending on your location around the world. This total lunar eclipse will be visible from across North and South America, plus parts of Europe and Africa.
>The Full Moon after the vernal equinox is the occasion for many religious festivals in the world’s faiths. It is also a time of many planets changing signs. It is a time when planets that are sandi – on border between signs – do not give full energy nor aspect. It is a time that presents some opportunity to respond to challenges.
From late March 2022 up to the next full moon (Easter day) there are a number of astrological events occurring to which we seek to draw your attention. The New Moon in Pisces is Lunar New Year; when the Sun enters Aries, it will be Solar New Year. In that time (and after) several planets change signs including the outer planet Neptune, who will be in step with Jupiter for their ingress to Pisces.
The Full Moon in February brings Spring in its wake for the northern hemisphere, and the Holi celebration. As we emerge from Covid-19, there is need to shake the dust off ourselves, spruce up, and celebrate. After a brief look at the Navamsa, we look to the situation in Ukraine.
The Blue Marble is an image of Earth taken on December 7, 1972, from a distance of about 29,000 kilometers (18,000 miles) from the planet’s surface. It was taken by the crew of the Apollo 17 spacecraft on its way to the Moon, and is one of the most reproduced images in history.
It mainly shows the Earth from the Mediterranean Sea to Antarctica. This was the first time the Apollo trajectory made it possible to photograph the south polar ice cap, despite the Southern Hemisphere being heavily covered in clouds. In addition to the Arabian Peninsula and Madagascar, almost the entire coastline of Africa is clearly visible. The Asian mainland is on the horizon.
Much has happened since the last full Moon of December 2021 and the time of Solstice. Venus has gone retrograde, Mercury has recently turned retrograde, Mars has separated from Ketu and moving through the gandanta knot (water to fire sign) in Sagittarius. Karl Sarp yoga continues on and off every fortnight and the festival of Makara Sankranti has passed: the Sun has entered its northern path.
The December Full Moon takes place on Sunday 19 December; the Solstice follows on 22 December. Solstices occur on 20th or 21st June and 21st or 22nd December each year. During summer the day of the solstice is the longest day of the year and during winter the day of the solstice is the shortest day of the year. There are several astrological events at this time.
Following on from the Partial Lunar Eclipse of November 18-19, we have a Total Solar Eclipse on December 4th (or 5th, depending on your location). Weather permitting, this eclipse will be visible in the southern parts of Australia, South in Africa, South in South America, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and all of Antarctica.
The Full Moon of November 2021 is followed by a partial lunar eclipse three minutes later. Regions seeing – at least, some parts of the eclipse – Much of Europe, Much of Asia, Australia, North/West Africa, North America, South America, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Arctic. This Full Moon and eclipse will take place in Taurus, in the nakshatra of Krittika. The deity of Krittika is Agni, the God of Fire.
This Full Moon comes at a time where many regions on Earth have been hit by multiple natural and biological disasters, while climate change has continued to warm the world, exacerbating the impacts. While the turbulence of this world of maya, illusion, seeks to afflict the mind, the path forward shown by the planets is one of steadiness, looking within and following the inner guidance.
At the present time, we have four planets in Leo, and Sun will join shortly. Venus will move to a much cooler environment in Virgo. As a sign that matters are heating up, the United Nations Climate Change working party have released their latest report, telling that humanity has to take action on climate change. We look to the planets.
The July Full Moon of 2021 will be on occasion of Guru Purnima, sometimes called Vyasa Purnima, the occasion when Sage Vyasa completed dictation of the Bhagavad Gita to Ganesha. It is an occasion without blemish. Guru Purnima is also celebrated by Buddhists in the honour of Gautama Buddha to commemorate the day when Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India.
