Now is a good time to revisit what the Nodes actually are. Astronomically, they are the points in space where the orbits of the Earth Sun and Moon intersect. When these three bodies line up it creates an eclipse. That’s when we see the Nodes. Yet, the Nodes are always there. Meaning, the intersecting points of the Sun, Moon and Earth are always moving through space affecting certain signs and planets at any given time.

In Vedic astrology, the Nodes are as important as any other planets. Even though they don’t have a body, and they are just shadows, their influence is as important as the other physical planets that reflected the sun’s light.

The Nodes are portals into our past and future lives. The Sun is our soul – the Moon is our mind — the Earth is our body. Body mind and soul lining up at the exact same time brings enormous potential — this is why eclipses are so powerful.

The Sage Parashara Declares:
“The North node is the advancing army. The South node is the occupying army”. The North node is the territory the soul is trying to conquer in this lifetime. The South node is the territory the soul has conquered in recent lifetimes.

Have you ever noticed that everyone you meet is “a little crazy and unbalanced” in some way? (hopefully they are just “a little crazy” – some are certified “nuts”) Well, the part of each person that is a little crazy and unbalanced in some way is shown astrologically by the north and south nodes. These are the parts of ourselves that feel unbalanced, because they are not of this Earth. They are deep, revolutionary, spiritual forces within us. They are incredibly powerful yet can be disturbing at the same time. They are symbolized by a serpent. That serpent can bite you, or its venom can be a powerful elixir.

I don’t know how many astrology readings I have had where I spend 90% of the time talking about the Nodes. Everyone has the nodes somewhere in their chart — in certain signs, in certain houses, and associating with certain planets. As a very spiritually oriented Vedic astrologer, I spend a lot of time discussing nodal affects with my clients. They are some of the most powerful forces in the astrological chart – because they amplify whatever they are associating with – pushing toward their highest spiritual goal.

From November 2006 until May of 2008 we had the South node joined Saturn by transit – in Leo. This transit was very powerful in focusing us on the true source of power and commitment within. It was during this time globally that many “Kings” became dethroned. This includes presidents such as Bush and Blair – but also other Kings – such as those in sport, whose misdeeds brought them down. Two Kings of baseball, Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens – A King of football, Michael Vick – a Queen of track and field, Marion Jones – Many former homerun kings in baseball also became tainted by steroid scandals.

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More recently, and since the November elections, we have seen at least three planets with the North node in Capricorn almost continuously. Capricorn is a sign of seriousness, determination and fear. It shows where we are ready to make a commitment toward something long-term – both for prosperity and protection. It is no wonder so many are worried about their finances, with Jupiter debilitated in Capricorn and joined the North node. Since January 27 Mars has also been in Capricorn, which rescues this placement with courage and strength. As I have been advising, now is not the time to be consumed by worry, it is a time to act courageously and with a commitment aligned with your inspirations.

In addition, Mercury is also in Capricorn now, joined Mars and Jupiter, adding skill, communication, flexibility and humor into the mix. Mercury is the most auspicious planet for actually manifesting things as he allows us to focus on the right details to put things together.

In fact, the nature of the North node – joined an exalted planet – is also very powerful right now. The North node gives us a certain visionary quality, our inner genius can emerge. There are many opportunities to make money now if you are inventive, creative and look for a way to uplift and support others and advance causes bigger than yourself.

Those humanitarian ideals are also especially supported by the sun in Aquarius now, exchanging with Saturn. Also, exalted Venus in Pisces is orienting our mind toward teaching and esoteric subjects. Personally, as someone who keeps his eyes open toward business trends I’ve seen many Internet entrepreneurs doing very well in these economic times. All of this is shown by what I have described above.

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Since the nodes move backwards, I am of the feeling that it is the Rahu end of the node, the North node, that is driving the engine of karma right now. This means there is a new activation of karmic energy coming into the earth plane. Of course, the reason we have new cycles is to get rid of the old. Let’s examine this a little further.

In the most reliable US chart I have seen, there is a Sagittarius rising sign – using the sidereal zodiac. This places Rahu in the second house by transit (Sidereal Zodiac) — the House of wealth and economics. The second house is also related to security, values and our value systems. It is these value systems that give us stability in life and are ultimately our most valuable resource – both individually and culturally. This second house is opposite the eighth house of insecurity, chaos and the things we cannot control. The eighth house represents the dramatic upheavals that force us to clarify and stabilize our value systems (2nd house) and ultimately lead to our highest life lessons (9th house – the results of the eighth house).

I see this dynamic playing out with the current economic crisis and the impending change of leadership in our country. I’ve written quite extensively lately about the aspect between Jupiter and Saturn and how Jupiter represents the Democratic candidate for president and the wave of hope he is riding. Mr. Obama typifies the Jupiter in Sagittarius archetype. The peaceful warrior with a clear vision of the future inspiring the masses. The Republican candidate, Mr. McCain is clearly shown by Saturn in Leo. He is the established authoritative presence, Saturn personified as an old man trying to hang onto the throne of power, the sign of Leo – and for the most part keep the same policies and structures in place. His vice presidential nominee was a fascinating choice. I see it as his attempt to infuse some of the “Jupiter in Sagittarius” energy into his own campaign. And it worked, for a while.

For little more perspective let’s consider this most recent  Saturn transit we are in. At the end of 1979 Saturn entered sidereal Virgo for the first time. During the election season of 1980, Ronald Reagan introduced the concept of “trickle down economics”. At the time, his competitor in the Republican primaries, George Bush Sr, called that economic theory “voodoo economics”. During that campaign season, Saturn was at almost the exact same degree as it is right now in the sky.

Of course, once George Bush was plucked to be Ronald Reagan’s running mate, Republican opposition to this economic theory ended — for the next 12 years. This next 12 years saw an exploding debt, an enormous amount of defense spending and deregulation. These practices led to the S&L crisis of the late 80s and an exploding national debt.

In the 90s, eight years of Democratic, responsible government regulation, brought the debt under control and exploded jobs and opportunities.

Eight years later, after a return to the “trickle-down/voodoo” economics of the past we are facing a horrific economic situation.

For the most part, 20 of the last 28 years have been under Republican leadership and economic guidance. This coincides with the “Saturn in sidereal Virgo” ingress that started at the end of 79 – with Ronald Reagan’s policies – and will end when Saturn leaves sidereal Leo in September of 2009.

The reason we are feeling this so heavily now is because of this Kala Sarpa yoga, (all the planets between the nodes) draped across the 2/8 axis of the US chart — the axis of security and insecurity and the need to re-clarify our value systems. This Kala Sarpa yoga is being initiated by the North node, showing a radical awakening in the cycle of karma and to re-clarification of our values.

I am trying to be neutral politically about this these issues, but when viewed astrologically it seems quite clear there is a referendum is being made about one of the major parties’ economic policies.

“The times, they are a changin”

kala sarpa rahu ketu jupiter saturn leo virgo

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Leo is a very important sign. It is ruled by the sun. The sun is the reason for life on Earth. In many ways our vitality, strength and power comes through the sign of Leo. Which ever house Leo falls from our rising sign shows our main source of strength and vitality.

For instance, an Aries person will feel vitalized by fifth house matters — individual intelligence and creativity. A Taurus will feel vitalized by fourth house things, emotional peace and comfort. A Gemini will feel vitalized by third house things, exploring their interests and communicating. This pattern repeats through the entire zodiac. This quality of feeling vitalized is being strongly activated now.

The Sun entered Leo on the 16th of August, the day of the lunar eclipse. Soon thereafter he joined Saturn, Mercury and Venus. Anytime there are four planets in the same sign at the same time it creates an imbalance of energy. We are all experiencing this desire to express our true power, urgently. This is because the sun is in Leo, his own sign. But Saturn is there, bringing doubt. Mercury has the potential to bring skill, but he may also be distracting. Venus has the potential to be creative and bring beauty, but she may also distract through sensuality and the desire for comfort.

Mercury and Venus will stay in Leo until next week. For the rest of this week expect from frustration around implementing and following through on your inspired vision. Be especially careful of the sudden lack of confidence and laziness since last week.

Now is a great time to push through and persevere in spite of these things. The reason is because of an approaching Jupiter/Saturn trine. Jupiter in Sagittarius will move into an exact trine with Saturn and the Sun. The most acute focus of this transit will be from September 2 to September 10. Plan something big around that time that helps fulfill your vision. A Sun/Saturn conjunction can actually be a great time for deepening our commitment to the most vitalized and illuminated truths we are trying to live in our mind and express in the world. But it will demand we face down our confidence problems and be willing to sacrifice our childishness toward a higher purpose. The reason great yoga masters and saints have all talked of service is not just because it is a nice thing to do, it is because when we serve a higher cause we forget our lower causes. We will not let our petty, smaller self interrupt our higher causes, this is why service is talked about.

I understood this lesson well the first time I taught my first yoga class. You must understand, I grew up with a terrible speech impediment, stuttering — worse than most could imagine. I lived in fear of talking into my early 20s. So, even when I was in my mid-30s the fear of public speaking was there. Yet, something happens to you when you see people laying on the ground peacefully with their eyes closed waiting for you to give them something. In that moment, my fear of stuttering or saying something stupid simply vanished. There was no room for my insecurities. There was only room for doing the best with what I had and what I had been taught. Then later, there was simply gratitude for the opportunity to serve the divine in them. It is ironic I make a living now talking and communicating. But it’s not surprising. Communication is the fulcrum of the lever in this incarnation for me. Serving others and serving the divine through words and ideas and various forms of communication and media is what I do most days. It is my joy and it is my struggle. It is my pleasure and it is my service. But more importantly, when I am in that role of serving a higher cause through words and ideas I cannot allow my insecurities, fears, anxieties and aggravations to corrupt up the process. Anytime it has, the work stops, and the worst feeling I could ever imagine descends upon me. Few things will feel worse to a person of good conscience than to disappoint someone who was hoping to be inspired by you. If failing in that role doesn’t wake you up, few things ever will.

This process has brought many issues to the surface in me. Transforming my insecurities into more maturity has revealed some very unlikely parts of myself. For instance, being a role model and an example is something I had never thought of or considered myself to be (and truthfully I still don’t although others do). Realizing that people look up to me in some way and the responsibility that comes from that has been hard to understand given my personal insecurities. Disillusioning someone because of my childishness and ignorance has been an amazing teacher. I have found this to be a place where the ego cannot squirm off the hook. The innocent investment of confidence that someone has when they are willing to be counseled or taught by another is an enormous trust. But I’m not saying these things just about me — I am saying these things about you also. Realize that you are a role model, or you can be a role model. But what are you modeling? What is your role? What are you respected for? How do you disrespect your higher vision? Do you squirm off the hook when you disappoint another? These are tough questions and I’m still answering them every day. In the past I wouldn’t have written such personal things about myself. Not because I’m embarrassed to share them, because I’m not. In fact, hardly nothing embarrasses me. I would not have shared it because I would not want people to think I am vain or full of myself. But I realize that in sharing my vulnerabilities and a modest path to certain redemptions, perhaps others may benefit. I know I have by hearing other people’s truthful stories.

Trying to be of service I guess. These sentiments I am sharing are very related to this Sun/Saturn conjunction. The effect of Saturn on the Sun will bring about humility, accountability, a reckoning for our mistakes and the determination to learn from them. Yes, the main reason Saturn wants to learn is to avoid pain and guilt. These things are good teachers. It is well known psychologically that the avoidance of pain is a better motivator than the promise of pleasure. Yet, ultimately there is no dignity in guilt, fear and avoidance. In the highest sense, Saturn gives us respect for the dignity of the human condition and our struggles here. The Sun is the part of us that would rather avoid acknowledging these limitations. So, ponder these things for the next few weeks. Service is the quickest path to God because in serving another the focus is not on yourself and your ego and your smallness and the problems that you worry about and never stop talking about. The focus is on another and once the focus is on anything other than our ego, God flows into us immediately.

Actually, there are some very powerful days ahead of us once this current configuration releases. Most notably we will have exalted Mercury for close to two months, then Venus and Mars exchanging or in each other’s signs for another couple of months. In general, most of this year, through December is shaping up to be pretty positive all things considered.

I will say more about those other considerations later on.

best wishes,
Sam

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