Monday 9. 9 begins the birthday celebration of Lord Ganesha {Ganesha Chaturthi}.

The festivities start during sukla chaturthi (fourth tithi of waxing moon) during the Vedic month of Bhadrapada. This 10-15 day celebration will end on the 17th for us here in the U.S. and on the 18th in India (Anant Chaturdashi). This is a time when the son of Shiva and goddess Parvati and the known “remover of obstacles” is celebrated and honored.

As we move closer to Navaratri (first week of October), we near the sandhi time of the season—the gap—when the veils thin, the spiritual realm becomes more tangible, and Natural Law comes alive.

May all obstacles be removed on your Path to self-realization. Jai Ganesha!

Moon is waxing (bright half) and transits Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, and Capricorn. Moon is debilitated in Scorpio from 9.10 to 9.12.

As mentioned in last week’s post, Saturn and Rahu will be in very close degrees, crossing each other, and then moving towards separation over the next few weeks. This week begins their “too close for comfort” dance- in case you haven’t already been feeling the effects. By mid week, Rahu and Saturn will be within two degrees of each other and by the end of the week, just over a degree a part. They will be moving closer and closer until exact conjunction on 9.25 and then will begin to move a part.

Many of the indications mentioned in my Rahu/Saturn in Libra articles will feel pressing, intensified, hitting their climax. Saturn, the slowest moving planet, has the ability to create pressure, anxiety, worries, self-doubt, disappointment, discouragement and depression. Rahu intensifies these indications, as the two planets together create a “Rudra effect” (essentially, “storm energy”).

When Rahu and Saturn are together, it will likely bring up issue with family lineage as well. You may be noticing extra resentment towards family for your current “predicaments”, noticing familial patterns you are acting out consciously or unconsciously, and/or having specific familial issues come to light at this time.

This is all par for the course!

This is a time of cleanup, where Saturn forces change, growth and ultimately our enlightenment. The Rudra energy here, as well as having both planets currently in Swati nakshatra, naturally bring currents of change, movement and momentum.

Right now, slow and steady will win the race. Self care rituals, meditation, routine, goal setting and a “one foot in front of the other” mentality are best practice. I also highly recommend these ancestor and Sama Veda yagyas being offered by Puja.net as a shield and as an appeasement offering.

Last week’s New Moon Mandala and Pelvis work can be found via my last week’s horoscopes. A continuation of this mandala work for the waxing Moon and further details about this “creating my life” assignment can be found here: Creative Engagement Activity using Expressive Art Therapy for the week of 9.9.

“And all the colors I am on the inside have not been invented yet.”

~ Shel Silverstein

*Horoscopes are based on your Vedic rising sign. You can also check your Moon and Sun signs for further insight. Do the same with your Navamsa signs for further clarity. Do not use these horoscopes with your “Western Sign” as there is likely no correlation. These horoscopes are meant to be used as a broad overview of the current transits and obviously do not address the specifics of an individual’s unique chart.

Aries: This is a week to be especially mindful of relationships—friends, older siblings, partners and business associates. The mind is hot and “fired up.” The home front may feel chaotic; make mental healing a priority. Finding some time for inner balance will go a long way to create outer balance. Work on creating and building alliances that feel supportive, nurturing and sustainable.

Taurus: This is a time of sifting the weeds from the garden. Careful of friends/situations who are not supportive or nurturing (frenemies) and watch your response to them. Complacence? Confrontation? What are you refusing to digest and discard? Is the ego getting the best of you? Use your intelligence and gut responses to navigate choppy waters with career, hired help and bad habits. Meanwhile, home and heart can be the much needed sanctuaries.

Gemini: Unifying head and heart will help you maximize this time. You are in a powerful time of creative advancement. And though speaking from the heart and finding comfort may feel difficult, you have the ability to learn and grow right now in ways that bring lasting benefit.

Be bold with your efforts and stay on a structured routine with yoga/mediation for keeping the mental storms at bay. Keep tabs on your digestion this week and mind the intuition.

Cancer: Looking for a home? Striving for what continuously feels fleeting, vague, foreign? You are working with so much of the hidden, that life may feel completely confusing and disheartening. Seeking a permanent home requires diligent work on the Self, mental effort, and time away from the current reality in order for perspective.

Seek comfort: Seek and you shall find, but be aware that it will require curiosity, creativity and cultivating space for the new.

Leo: Shine on, but don’t neglect your relations. There are shadows effecting your ability to relate as well as who and what relationships are effecting you. There’s a storm within your courage and creativity which is likely effecting your career choices. What are you not seeing here? Necessary emotional work is essential right now. Mind and ego are running the show. Meditate, take necessary alone time and surrender to the losses. Our pain is directly proportional to our attachments.

Virgo: There’s a certain mental acuity available right now- use it for an inner to outer growth spurt. Discomfort is mixed with comfort which may be causing some confusion. Complacency, rather than using your courage, presents itself as a long-standing bad habit and one that needs to be addressed more firmly. Take an action step this week towards emotional ease. Expand your work and your focus. You may get lucky, but it requires some effort.

Libra: You are in the midst of storm season! Striving for balance is likely a full time job. Creative efforts and working on healthy relationship building are the best use of your time right now. The mind is likely feeling chaotic and pulled in too many directions. Find supportive teachers and knowledge that foster the spark of creativity within you. Work with gentle spinal twists this week and your digestion.

Scorpio: It may feel like you’ve been working in the dark and you are fumbling for the light switch. This is not a great time to take center stage, but you are likely working on your “solo act” nonetheless. Keep diligently plugging away at your work (from bed perhaps?) Aim and promote your Self, even if it feels like you are getting no where. Don’t neglect meditation and your silent, creative efforts- they are effective even if you don’t see your efforts paying off immediately. Don’t forget to dance- this is nonnegotiable.

Sagittarius: Gains may feel like a mixed bag right now. Career is likely on point and offering some uplifting momentum. However, courage and effort may feel confused and erratic. Emotions are likely lost, hidden and causing anger to manifest. These can be great tools for you if used properly. Seek dharmic action at this time- knowledge and wisdom that feeds your soul. Focus on your achievements and gains. Keep an ongoing list of your goals. This is target practice.

Capricorn: There’s a dharmic buzz happening in your life right now. Or is that a dharmic storm? The mind is finding more brilliance, fabulous new ideas and ample drive to achieve, and yet the emotions are a can of worms- especially in regard to relationships. How can these two bodies be harmonized- especially when the head is hotter than normal? How can your vulnerability be a blessing and not a curse? This week requires you to skillfully navigate the Self. Make sure you take quality time for it.

Aquarius: Who is teaching who here? There’s a lot going on for you right now- on every level. You can learn, maximize, and grow from every encounter. Your biggest enemy is your emotional work- or lack thereof. Denying emotions and their existence will get you no where. The lila of life incorporates all aspects of the drama into it. There’s no good or bad. This week, look for your dharmic sweet spot and seek comfort in speaking your truths.

Pisces: You are working with so many hidden realms, it’s hard to know where and how to start with you. The portals of the past, are open. The ancestors are moving through you and with you. Awareness of your bad habits are coming to light. Lineage patterns present themselves in new ways and you realize how this is impacting your life, relationships and intuition. This week is epic for growth, but will likely go unnoticed by anyone else. Keep making strides.

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Ed: Sara Crolick