The Force That Through The Green Fuse

We've moved into a new month, and it is an exciting one. The month of Margazhi started on December 16th this year. It is the month named by the full moon in the vicinity of Mrigashira/Head of the Deer nakshatra, and marked by the transit of the Sun in the zodiac sign of Sagittarius/Dhanu.

In the Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 10, Verse 35, Krishna says,

"Amongst the hymns in the Samaveda know me to be the Brihatsama; amongst poetic meters I am the Gayatri. Of the twelve months of the Hindu calendar I am Margsheersh, and of seasons I am spring, which brings forth flowers.

It is a special month for all lovers of Krishna.

It is also the month special to Shiva devotees.This is a time that celebrates the revelations, in which Shiva gave visions of his dance of bliss, Arudhra Darshanam, to Patanjali (who is considered to be the first scribe- philosopher of yoga, dance, medicine and grammar) and to Vyaghrapada (to whom the authorship of the astrology treatise Ankanasastra has been attributed).

It is the month celebrating Hanuman Jayanti, bringing forth the values of strength, valor and worship.

It is also the month we venerate Dattareya. The Supreme Guru who started with nothing and no teachers. Yet he famously said that he learnt from 24 gurus. In that list of his gurus he mentions the caterpillar, bee,pigeon, snake, arrow-smith, prostitute, the sky, the earth, the sun and the wind. He reached self awareness by simply observing the world around him while he was wandering through life. He is said to be the author of the book Avadhuta Gita, "The Song Of The Free Soul".

And then of course, it is the month of Christmas, New Year and good cheer!

It is a month that highlights bringing the community together. And the ways suggested to gather people together is through art, food and celebration.

If you are a culture-vulture, it is a busy time for you. The kutcheri/concert scene is a buzzing time now. World class artistes perform across South India and it is a nectar drinking time for music and dance enthusiasts.

Margazhi is the time when kolams/rangolis take on an elevated status. People take time to draw elaborate, intricate designs in front of their homes. Made with rice flour, usually at the break of dawn, this ritual is etched, with smell of filter coffee and the early morning sounds of a world waking up. Even the ants rejoice at the marvelous feast laid out for them.

Food is distributed in various places as prasad and offerings to venerate ancestors.

And Yet

It is a Shoonya Masa, a month devoid of any opportune dates for weddings, business launches, inaugurations and other such worldly pursuits.

People are guided towards activities of meditation, worship, prayer and community bonhomie.

If the year is considered as just a mere day for the Gods, then Uttarayana is the day and Dakshinayana is the night. Margazhi is the time right at the end of Dakshinayana, and is considered the pre-dawn period before Uttarayana.

Pre-dawn has a special place in Vedic philosophy. It's considered as the Brahma Muhurta, an auspicious time for spiritual and meditative practices.

Cosmically Aligned

Astrologically speaking, we are now in the powerful Gemini-Sagitarius Axis. If you remember we started this blog at the end of June, which was when the Sun was in Gemini. Now we are at the time when the Sun is exactly opposite, in the sign of Sagittarius. Gemini, has the powerful constellation of Orion, with the red giant Betelguese. It also has the bright blue-white star Bellatrix, that is crucial in navigation. And the twin stars of Castor and Pollux, that symbolize friendship, and sailors believe that they are protected by these twin stars. Ardhra, Mrigashira and Punarvasu. These stars have significance cross-culturally. The Giza Pyramids are built mirroring the map of the stars of Orion's belt.

The sign of Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter. The Guru/Teacher of the Solar System. In general speak the influence of Guru/Jupiter is considered a very beneficial one. But that doesn't really translate into an influence that is very easy. A teacher must be kind, but must also be tough.

Placed right after the whirlpool of Scorpio, Sagittarius is the sign that symbolizes religion, virtue/Dharma, learning, travel and cross cultural exchange.

If you are in harmony with the months that pass, you may have felt the intense energies of Scorpio. You may have felt a desire to let go of something of the past. An old idea. You may have had to face tough questions that challenged your emotions, goals and ideas.

Currently, the energies are not yet that easy. However they are very conducive for self reflection.

Goal Setting

The survival tool at the end of every passage of confusion, heartache and numbness, is the To-Do list.

This is the most powerful time for you to set down your goals for life. Whatever it is that you want to do, this is the time to make a list.

This is the time when the Sun is transiting a place of tremendous energy. The beginning of the sign of Sagittarius is aligned with the center of the Kshirapatha (path of miilk/cream), the Milky Way.

Religion is to re-align yourself to the cosmic energy- the Tao, the Virtue, the Dharma, the Dhamma.

What does it mean for you?

The center of the Galaxy is called the Navel of Vishnu, where a lotus flower blooms, from which emerges the creator God Brahma, who creates the universe. It is believed that this is the Cosmic Center from which everything is created, everything sprouts, from the great galaxies, the black holes, to the pimple on your nose.

When you re-align to this great creative force, what goals would you set for yourself? What do you dream of creating? What would you like to make?

A Window Of Time Like No Other

Use this time to your benefit. Study what it takes for you to get closer to your goals. Study yourself.

See what you would like to let go off. Let go of your old self.

Let go of habits that harm you. Let go of ideas that trap you. Let go of feelings that keep you in a state of learned helplessness.

Re-align with the creative force of the universe.

Make a plan. Dream a little.

Don't worry that the religions tell you to only think of the Gods. Think of the Gods. And also align with the great force that created the Gods as well.

It's not a time to flitter away.

Not a time to waste.

It's not a time to jump into a whole new venture yet.

So start with what you are familiar with. Yourself.

Take a good look at yourself. Find the habits that are not working for you. For the next 28 days, simply let them go. Every single day, you let them go. Don't eat that junk, don't doom scroll, don't lose your sleep over slop, don't worry, don't turn outwards for solutions.

Use this time well. Do what you need to do,practice your craft, go for a walk, meditate, write down the list of the things you need to learn, list what qualities will help you at work, what habits will help you at home....and repeat them, everyday.

Make a list. Tick the list off. For the next 28 days.

And Then...

There will be a cold voice, that objects to your list. A chilly feeling up your spine because your dream seems a bit too scary. There maybe a cynical mocking voice, that tells you that you could never tick a list off for 28 days. This voice says it knows you too well, and you are not going to make it.

Then there maybe a wheedling, whiny voice telling you that everything is quite alright now. Things are going okay, so there is no need for a change. Don't make the effort.....just stagnate...that's better...

There could be an objection that your list is not good enough, it is not stunning, doesn't have anything earth shattering on it. It is so un-impressive. Or the objection could be that the list is outrageous, 'how dare you think you can do that!' and of course 'what will people say?!'.

And then....

This is the time that you use silence. Silence those voices in your head. For the next 28 days.

Even if it is just for a moment, let one drop of silence ripple through you.

And you know what you want on that list. Make it today. Make it simple.

Focus on your health, relationships, wealth and well-being.

Think of qualities you would like in your Self Image. And for the next 28 days, try them on daily.

Make some space for your dreams.

If you do manage to use this time to your advantage, you are letting astrology work for you in the best way possible.

All the best, and speak soon.