The transit of Mars and the Sun through Sagittarius continues.
Since that transit began we have had war break out in Israel and
escalating tensions in India and Pakistan - the embattled
governor of Illinois has decided to fight charges on principle
and his Senate nominee will face opposition, also based on
principle. On a more personal level, I continue to see more and
more arguments among people and I am also tempted into
confrontations.
However, in conjunction with these indications I've also seen
many increase their spiritual practices and disciplined course. I
hope you're one who has allowed the heat of tapas to burn your
impurities. Expect the heat of self-righteousness to continue at
least through January 13, when the sun enters Capricorn.
Hopefully, shortly thereafter we will have a peaceful resolution
in the Middle East.
Mercury has now entered Capricorn and joined Jupiter and the
North node. This Mercury and Capricorn brings some intelligence
and flexibility to the placement of debilitated Jupiter. Given
that both Jupiter and Mercury are planets of intelligence,
sharing directional strength, I see them as being able to support
each other -- yet in different ways. This debilitated Jupiter
often leads to a lack of hope. It is a situation where we may
tend to forget our teachings when we need them the most.

One thing is true: although the teacher cannot give the knowledge, he can kindle the light if the oil is in the lamp.

- by Hazrat Inayat Khan

No one can give spiritual knowledge to another, for this is something that is within every heart. What the teacher can do is to kindle the light which is hidden in the heart of the disciple. If the light is not there, it is not the fault of the teacher. There is a verse by Hafiz in which he says, 'However great be the teacher, he is helpless with the one whose heart is closed.' ...
In ancient times, the disciples of the great teachers learned by a quite different method, not an academic method or a way of study. The way was an open heart. With perfect confidence and trust they watched every attitude of the teacher, both towards friends and towards people who looked at him with contempt. They watched their teacher in times of trouble and pain, how he endured it all. They said how patient and wise he had been in discussing with those who did not understand, answering everyone gently in his own language. He showed the mother-spirit, the father-spirit, the brother-spirit, the child-spirit, the friend-spirit, forgiving kindness, an ever-tolerant nature, respect for the aged, compassion for all, the thorough understanding of human nature. This, also, the disciples learned, that no discussion or books on metaphysics can ever teach all the thoughts and philosophy that arise in the heart of man. A person may either study for a thousand years, or he may get to the source and see if he can touch the root of all wisdom and all knowledge. In the center of the emblem of the Sufis there is a heart; it is the sign that from the heart a stream rises, the stream of divine knowledge.

In Universal Astrology we see that all forces of the Universe are
benevolent and divine - leading us to greater wisdom and insight.
The only reason we perceive certain experiences as "Bad" is
because that Planetary/Universal force within us is compromised
by certain factors. This perspective is not a way to sprinkle New
Age fairy dust on people. It is a world view rooted in the
understanding that we are guided internally and externally by a
caring and loving universe. In fact we realize that we ARE the
universe, once we awaken to full consciousness. Until that time,
we struggle much like a child struggles, due to a false
perception of limitation and ignorance of Self. Yet we are always
protected and guided lovingly by the universe, whether we know it
or not. The Universe does not make mistakes and it is a testimonial to
human arrogance to think otherwise. The things that feel
unpleasant due to our ignorance, are what test and strengthen us.
The dignified view presented through Universal Astrology never
loses sight of the cosmic genius unfolding through us every
moment. Once we know the evolutionary process (called "Anchoring
Process" in Universal Astrology) we need only reconnect to that
process to taste the divine sweetness that once seemed like a
bitter swill. The inner and outer are one creating the other. To
struggle against and judge our Divine Mother (the Universe) is
the real reason we suffer and our greatest undoing.
By using the specific methods of Universal Astrology (Anchoring
Principles, Anchoring Techniques, Anchoring Process, Anchoring
Conditions and Anchoring Moments) we can assess how our limited
self is darkening / afflicting the divine energy within us and
then reorient our intention toward the divine goal. Anything less
is an abomination of spirit. Universal Astrology honors a Scientific approach to
AstroSpirituality in the same tradition as Yoga, Vedanta and
other Eastern, Mystical Sciences. Accepting the Universe as the
divine being does not reduce Astrology to a religion. It elevates
the Science to its proper place as the "Creatrix" of everything including
the freewill/karma cycle.

-by Sadasiva

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.

- Helen Keller

When you stand with your back to the sun, your shadow is before you; but when you turn and face the sun, then your shadow falls behind you.
Plato wrote that we live in a shadow world, where we confuse the shadow of ourselves with reality. This is the Nafs, the false ego, which stands in the light before God, causing, so to speak, a spiritual eclipse.... The Nafs turns us from the One to the many, enticing us with the things of this world. Then man attaches himself to one thing after another, which brings, at best, momentary satisfaction. Through his spiritual practices the Sufi learns to chain the Nafs, to perceive that it is only a shadow of reality; and finding the sun of truth within his being, looking upon it, one is no longer aware of the shadow.

in 2009 we will experience a lot of pointers to SATURN and his rashis in CAPRICORN, and need to be mindful not to add to the negative emotions and emotional patterns that prevent healing solutions and inspiration Many negative trends are happening in the world today, such as troop movements in Pakistan, war in the Middle East, worldwide economic recession, and global warming. These are not problems imposed from the outside; they all originate in the minds of men due to greed, hate, and other negative emotions.

2009 Has some Major Astrological Events. You and yours will want to be
prepared. Consider getting a reading done. The 1/2 price discount for
astro numerology readings continues to apply throughout the month of Jan only.

Jupiter will be debilitated and with the North Node for much of
the Year - challenging our sense of hope and making us work hard

Venus will be exalted for more than 4 months yet also retrograde
- bringing a lot of creative and romantic possibilities but also
many potential upheavals.
Saturn will finally leave Leo and enter Virgo, declaring a new
cycle of comittment and the sacrifices we must make.

The Nodes will Change Signs (Gemini/Sagittarius Axis) showing a
new cycle of awakening and completing karma.

Mars will settle in Cancer, where he is debilitated, for seven
months, into 2010