EYE ON THE SKY: MARS INTO ASHLESHA/HYDRA
Mars moves into the constellation of Ashlesha (Hydra, Cancer 16.40-29.59) on Thursday, July 18th and journeys through there until it goes into Leo through August 7th. Of the 27 constellations in the zodiac, Ashlesha can stir up more emotional turmoil than many others so when the Sun also goes into there on August 4th, we can have a double whammy. happening. Watch out for vicious communication arguments and speaking out and lashing out at people without thinking so hold your tongue and wait before your bust forth in anger.
The darker side of this constellation is that it can make Mercury and planets connected to the constellation (like the Sun and Mars in transit) impolite, tactless, unpopular, lacking in social skills, dismissive rules, lacking gratitude, depressed, reckless, isolated and lacking grace. Putting the debilitated Mars here just can easily lead to angry tirades and arguments that get emotionally overheated.
If you were born with your Mars in the this constellation (Cancer 16.40-29.59), you may be able to face your demons but can easily get too reckless or impulsive with speech or get caught up in angry and vengeful thinking and blame-making so remember to see your own demons, tame them, apologize, get humble and take the Martian ego that wants to be right at all cause and will destroy a relationship just to do so.
The symbol for this intense nakshatra is the coiled serpent at the base of the spine, reflecting the potent kundalini energy that resides here. Ashlesha means the tangled one and denotes the challenges of our addictions. The main deities are the Nagas, the Serpent Kings. The shakti revealed here is the “power to inflict poisonous venom”. Great mystical talents and enlightenment can be experienced if the primordial energy of this lunar asterism is harnessed.
Serpents have two connotation being connected to poison and spirituality When the constellation is operating strongly, it can bring deep mystical experience and spiritual inquiry and on the dark side it can lead to poisonous gossiping so watch you tongue as the planets transit through here as the Sun will follow (August 3-16) and Mars (July 18-August 7). It can tend toward gluttony and debauchery and drug use and addictive patterns. The constellation may increase the desire for unquenchable sensual gratification so remember moderation in all things.
The Mars will will be channeling Mercury’s energy from early degrees of Cancer and a bit of Gemini for a few days and this will create some mental confusion but will help a great deal when it is in the constellation of Purnavasu July 22-August 8th which is connected to Jupiter and the earth mother Aditit and will definitely make this year’s journey into this constellation not as difficult as more truth and wisdom will come out in debates. But remember our speech is powerful and always use it to bless and praise others so you do not take out difficult karma. The example of the media is exactly what we do not want to do. Be neutral toward the negative. Don’t be oblivious but do not soil your consciousness talking about others faults and engage in worthless gossip.
Aries and Scorpio and Cancer rising are most affected by Mars at the end of Cancer. Remember to get extra rest, be careful with driving and do the Warrior pose in Yoga to keep your third eye and attention alert as there is a tendency to get spaced out and get caught up in the intellectually conversations of he said/she said and it distracts you from being in the moment and getting the job done in the moment. Use the shoulder stand to quiet Mercury whose sharp tongue and active intellect is just to crazy and over-reactive and caught up in the head the next month. Get our Astro-Yoga videotape if you want to learn poses to support difficult planetary transits and placements in your chart and the emotional and psychological connections.
Special thanks to Komilla Sutton and my other Jyotish Gurus and to Bill Levacy for their insights on this constellation.
ASTRO-YOGA WEBINAR: Planets, Poses and Healing
Videotape Special with Barry Rosen: $24.95: 3 hours
PLANETS, YOGA AND CHAKRAS: PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALING THROUGH HATHA YOGA
Available now for Dropbox video download and re-playable at your convenience.
Fun, easy and therapeutic: practical knowledge for personal healing.
(The frog pose below to strengthen a debilitated Mars and increase energy can make a big difference rather then reaching for coffee of chocolate.)
LEARN:
- Connections between poses, emotional and psychological and physical health and planets.
- How to correct emotional, physical and psychological issues with the proper pose for healing.
- The connections between the chakra system and the planets and how the poses support healing in both areas.
- Understand the inter-dimensionality of healing body, emotions, psychology and belief structures and their connections to planets and poses.
In ancient times there was a deeper connection between Ayurvedic diagnosis, natal chart readings and prescriptions of asanas for planetary afflictions.
In this workshop, Barry Rosen will introduce some of the major poses and their connections to the planets, their corresponding organs, chakras and psychological components and outline 2-3 basic sets of yoga postures for energizing, balancing and relaxing.
