Did you try to make great plans for 2011 during those first few days of the year? 
Did they fall flat?  Did you just want to crawl away from the list once it was made?
 
You were in touch with natural rhythms and can now use them to your advantage for the year.

As a Vedic astrologer, I live my life by the cycles and rhythms of the Moon, seasons and personal circadian rhythms for the least amount of effort with the greatest effect. 
 
It just so happens that this year, New Year's occurred just before a Solar Eclipse on January 4th, 2011.
Between New Years day and January 4th, the Moon was actually getting darker or waning and reflecting less light onto the world.  A solar eclipse blocks the creative force of living sunlight.  This was not a time to be setting New Year's resolutions.  Our minds and bodies were tired, we needed more sleep but still might have stayed up late anyway.

After Tuesday morning, January 4th the Moon began waxing and growing in light.  By Wednesday and this last Friday, clarity and hope had begun to evolve.  I noticed so many blog posts about NOT making intentions or cancelling intentions after they were made. 

Intentions and commitments are an important part of thriving.
So, for me New Year's began on Wednesday Jan 5th and this second week of January is a beautiful week of clarity and hope. Can you feel it? I am so happy to be developing my new web sites, writing about what I love and posting my Free calendars.
 

And yes, I am setting my intentions for the year now.  You can always start your intentions new again, with the new knowledge that these goals are being made with the full light of your consciousness.  Plant your seeds now.  Share with the community and myself what your new intentions are and let's support each other with this renewed energy.

So, enjoy the waxing Moon toward Chinese New Year and try setting some intentions now that will find fertile ground.

DOWNLOAD YOUR PDF OF THE CALENDAR BELOW.  SHARE WITH FRIENDS

November brings some great new influences.  Jupiter the planet of fortune shines its light on the other great teacher, Venus for the entire month of November.  So, each person will have some great teaching during the month of November.  The New Moon in Libra creates a foundation for creating community, for large events and group causes.  It also provides the beginnings of important teachings that we have not been able to access all year. 
 
On November 18th, Jupiter stops retrograding in Aquarius (sidereal calendar) and gives a much more positive influence on all things related to The Arts, your communities or your love life.  The house of Libra represents something different for each person, so these influences will be specific to you and your life.  I just share some possiblities that we all are likely to experience.

The second half of November will finish nicely but quietly with some celestial sights as the Moon passes very close to the bright star of Spica and Venus and Saturn on Nov 30th.  Spica is the "Star of Opporunity" and represents the bright jewel or pearl of your Highest Self in the Vedic astrology tradition or Jyotisha.

Drink in this slow, sweet time as you prepare for a wild Holiday season when the Eclipses occur on Dec 21, 2010 and January 4, 2011 this year.  (Return for more about these eclipses)

Today is the wonderful gathering of a Biznik colleagues to discuss the book "What's Mine is Yours:  The Rise of Collaborative Consumption" in Seattle, WA.
http://biznik.com/events/collaborate-innovate-master-mind-group

This exciting topic is supported with the pdf found below of links to many of the sites listed in the first half of the book.

If you are not sure what I am talking about watch the video:
http://www.collaborativeconsumption.com/spreadables/

I hope you can join us and if not, enjoy the list.  Please give credit to the authors of the book if you pass the list on to anyone.

The Earth will have its closest encounter with Jupiter for the next 12 years.  Jupiter has been extremely bright in the sky as of late, and NASA has a great article that inspired this blog post.

NASA Science News post for Sept 15, 2010 has a picture of Jupiter in the night sky in the Hungary mountains.
Jupiter will be brightest on Sept 20 and 21, 2010 because it will reach greatest opposition.  This is the point where Jupiter is most opposite the Sun and will appear very bright and directly over head at midnight.  It rises with the setting Sun and sets with the rising Sun. 

This is a wonderful time to view this magnificent giant.

In Vedic astrology, Jupiter is the planet of wisdom and represents some of the greatest teachers of all of history.  Brihaspati or guru are other names for Jupiter in the Vedic tradition and there is more to this than just a label or myth.

Jupiter is one of my all time favorite topics and I am fascinated with the Jupiter magnetosphere.  Again, this is science and astronomy, but it validates all the information that the Rishis first documented orally over 5,000 years ago and then in writing about the planets and our place in this solar system, galaxy and Universe.

Enjoy the planet of wisdom in the night sky.  It is best to experience the Grace of Jupiter as a day planet in Vedic astrology birth charts.  And it is still such a gift to see and connect with this magical and magnificent planet. Enjoy.

This is one of my all time favorite pictures and is on my dream list to visit some day.

This Mega Crystal Cave is so unique - notice the larger than human crystals.  It is in Mexico and part of a National Geographic story, link below.

This blog post is in honor of Venus, since this planet will be influencing all of us significantly for the next 4 months. (See my previous blog post about this)

Venus' gem stones are clear Quartz crystal, diamonds, white sapphire and phenakite in the Vedic astrology or Indian astrology system.

So, enjoy these giant sized crystals in honor of Venus and the connection and beauty that you have in your life.  It really is like Superman's cave.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/04/photogalleries/giant-crystals-cave/photo4.html

This New Moon occurs in the wee hours of Wednesday morning September 8, 2010 at 3:30 am PST in the constellation of Leo.

We are reminded that "all the world's a stage" this month and that we are acting many different roles in our life.  We will simultaneously feel the tug to dive intensely into our experiences and emotions.
With the planet Venus in its own constellation for 4 solid months in Libra as of September 1st, this will intensify many people's emotional attachments and emotional responses in the world.  So watch how intensely or how big your emotional responses are. 
Good news, this will also increase the desire to drink in the beauty of your life. 

Celebrate your life, enjoy the arts, music, dance and theatre.  This is a wonderful time to gather with friends and enjoy or create community.  The bounty of Summer is here and the fruits of the year are meant to be enjoyed. 
Just remember not to indulge, lest you notice how you feel the next day.  Bask in beauty and your heart connections, just remember some restraint, so that you are not expecting too much from friends and lovers. 

Your happiness depends on you and your perspective, not what others do or say or the beauty that surrounds you. 
The beauty surrounding you right now is to remind you of your own constant beauty, so that you can access your Higher Self in the more difficult times, when life may not 'feel' beautiful. 
Anchor these beautiful memories to be accessed later, when you will need them.  This is what lucky people use all the time to keep them moving forward in difficult times.  (I will be writing a series on building and creating your own Luck.  You can seriously do this, it is an ability you can grow.)

September promises to finally begin turning the difficulty of August around after Sept 12th when Mercury goes direct.  But Mercury needs to leave the burning rays of the Sun to be useful to you in communication, marketing and getting the details right in your life. 
Things really get moving by September 17th and September 30th begins a very special time in the skies! 
Check back for the update on these big changes in September. 

Enjoy the fresh, new perspective this Wednesday allowing you to turn over a new leaf of how you communicate in your life.
Listen, take to heart what you hear and enjoy the gifts you have in your life!

Retreat to De-stress and Renew
September 17 and 18, 2010 just outside Seattle, WA

Make simple changes that will inspire your Spirit in a BIG way, and soak up a new way of relaxing.  This is so easy to learn and the perfect setting to make some lasting changes in your life.

http://goinharmony.spruz.com/retreats.htm

Antonina Ramsey has created a perfect 1.5 day for you to get away to tap into your wild wisdom. Away from no time and stress to time,  stillness, calm, and joy - your default state. 
You will have a chance to not only exercise and stretch your body and still your mind through hours of yoga and meditation, eat gourmet organic meals, relax amidst serene nature, and create connections but you will also get an insight into your personal karmic path with Kathleen Whalen (that's me) Vedic astrologer and healer.

This weekend will be a BIG conjunction and have deep effects on many people - a good time to create new, lasting changes in our lives.
This retreat is a small commitment time and money wise. The money from this yoga retreat will benefit free retreats for cancer patients Harmony Hill Retreat Center is known for.  

You are welcome to be quiet and observe or participate and share. It is YOGA - no judgment, no competition, no wrong, no right, just being in harmony... 
                                                 ----------------------------------------------------------------
Retreat starts: September 17 @ 3:30 to 6:30 PM
Retreat ends:   September 18 @ 5:30 PM
Cost: $300 all-inclusive
Place: Harmony Hill* Retreat Center in Hood Canal, WA
"Every person needs to take a day away", writes Maya Angelou, a celebrated poet, novelist, educator, actress, filmmaker, civil rights activist and one of the most influential voices of our times, in her "Day Away".

The retreat filled and we just opened two new spots.  Please, contact Antonina to attend.
949.836.5544

NASA's Science News announced a new form of space weather dubbed "Space Quakes" which play a key role in sparking bright Northern Lights.
"A spacequake is a tremblor in Earth's magnetic field.  It is felt most strongly in Earth orbit, but is not exclusive to space. The effects can reach all the way down to the surface of Earth itself. " NASA Science News
 
Here is the link to a video of a space quake in action.  It is a simulated movie created by Walt Feimer of Goddard's Scientific Visualization Lab.

http://science.nasa.gov/media/medialibrary/2010/07/27/bounce_512x288.m1v

Kathleen's Vedic astrology take on these Space Quakes:

I posit that these Space quakes might occur over or in the geographical regions where the previous year's Eclipses shadow the Earth. 

The study of 'mundane astrology' is a branch of Vedic astrology and it studies the effects of major astrological events on nations, nation-states and geographical regions of people and the karmic links of astronomical events at a specific place and time.  The result of these studies often link the location of where an eclipse shadows the Earth with major changes in weather patterns or dramatic political events.  These dramatic political or weather changes can be felt easily up to 6 months or a year after an eclipse shadows the Earth.  Mind you, eclipses generally occur every 6 months like clock work.  WHERE they shadow the Earth moves across the Earth. 
 
I am suggesting a possible link between 1) the shadow of eclipses on Earth and 2) magnetoshpere 'quakes' with 3) major regional weather events.  The space quakes are just another example of disturbances in the magnetosphere.  A major weather event is experienced close the surface and a space quake originates in the Earth's magnetic field.  So, a quake in the Earth's field or a Hurricane or Tsunami on the surface could be different material expressions of similar types of disturbance; one at Earth's surface and another in Earth's field.
This is just a theory and clearly more analysis and documentation need to occur.    Documentation will need to occur with space quakes and major dramatic weather events as well.  This is where groups of Vedic astrologers document and work with each other to create more evidence and teaching for mundane astrology.
 
There can still be clear scientific reasons why a Hurricane begins and concurrent correlation to astronomical events.  The two need not be mutually exclusive. Rather, my theory is that they are related.
 
A future article will discuss the association of different planetary combinations and how these can be associated with different karmic events at different locations around the world (Mundane Astrology). This is an extension of Gayatri Devi Vasudev's lecture at the 2010 NorthWest Vedic Astrology Conference which is a continuation of her father's work (B V Raman).

Go to the full NASA article here:
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2010/27jul_spacequakes/

Two Large Ways to Harness the Power of Eclipses for your Business

1.  Avoid Big business deals on Eclipse Days, since these days are good for other kinds of acts. 
 
There are only 4 - 6 Eclipses per year, so this is not too hard to avoid.  Acting in this way, you can avoid big headaches and wasting your time, quite literally.

I remind my real estate clients around this time every year - that client who contacts you on an eclipse day and has a frenzied sound to their voice?  It is likely they are a flash in the pan and are acting impulsively.  They will likely not be able to find funding for the house, will not find what they want or could even back out on the deal at the last minute.  It is not the person, it is the TIME at which the project is begun.
Not to worry, you can still easily purchase or sell a house within the month of an eclipse.  When your correct  day is chosen day for signing, then the results are even better than signing on an insignificant day.  In general, it is still best to avoid signing major contracts too close to an eclipse.

Avoid web site launches, big events, open houses or marketing splashes on Eclipse Days.  Seriously, you will save money and energy by not marketing or launching on Eclipse Days. 

Eclipses are not times for launches or buying houses; it is a great time for giving to charity, spending quiet time at home or cultivating your personal spirituality.  Eclipses block the creative forces of the Sun or the Moon, which literally block the life giving rays of the Sun or the healing rays of the Moon.  Thus, creative activities or material manifestation like doing business and making money are not supported on eclipse days.  That is why business and physical activities are more difficult and will not be supported for long term growth when conducting them on eclipse days.  You might pull off a big splash or even have a little drama with an open house on that day, but most activities begun on eclipse days fizzle out in a short while or within 6 months.  You might even have a short term gain around the eclipse, but millenia of observations concur that the projects begun on Eclipses will not have longevity, or the people connected with that project will not stick with the project long term.
Do not avoid activities, I just suggest not signing contracts or making big moves on these days.

When is the next Eclipse?  There is a Total Solar Eclipse on July 11, 2010.  The total Solar Eclipse peaks in Seattle on Sunday at 12:40 pm PST, midday.

2.  The actions we make on eclipse days are amplified. 

So, it is said that the effects of any good deeds on eclipse days are amplified 100,000 fold; likewise, anger can be amplified on those days.  How do you want your actions to affect the world and your life?  We are faced with this question daily, the eclipses simply bring the issue front and center.  So, Peace loving acts are recommended on these days.
It is also suggested not to look at eclipses.  As captivating as they can be, viewing them can almost increase the drama and intensity in our lives.  So, keep a level head and go to bed early on the nights around the solar eclipse.  Some people give to their favorite charities, give donations or get rid of things, practice mantras or say prayers, fast, or sing their favorite happy song. Every day is good for something.  Stay in tune with your year and life by trying some of the ideas suggested above on or around the eclipse days.

Eclipses occur in pairs, every 6 months every year.
 
Lunar eclipses always occur with the Full Moon and Solar eclipses occur with the New Moon.  That is astronomy. 
What is significant about each one is where on the Earth they leave their 'shadow' and where in the skies they occur (this is the realm of Vedic astrology).  If the eclipses occur on or near a person's birth Sun, Moon or ascendant, then there are often significant changes occurring in the person's life at that time.  The houses in your chart (domains of life, eg. Self, relationship, business, children, livelihood) and significant planets in your birth chart all experience the eclipses passing through them at different times in your life. 
The specific effect on each person's life and consciousness can be examined and actions to decrease suffering and harness success are made with consultations with Kathleen.  The suggestions from consultations are acts to improve your situation or sometimes to wait to minimize difficulties.
 
Use this ancient knowledge to improve your life.

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
Here is a link to NASA's web site for the total Solar Eclipse Sunday July 11, 2010.
http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEmono/TSE2010/TSE2010.html

For general information about Eclipses in 2010 from NASA, you can go to
http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/OH2010.html

The Total Solar Eclipse is July 11th, 2010, peaking midday Pacific Standard Time.

Every day is good for something.  Eclipse days are good for introspection, staying quiet at home (before and after work), reflecting on deeper issues and are traditionally not great days for big business, signing contracts, buying homes, launching projects or having large celebrations.  It is good to have your grocery shopping done the day before and have a nice quiet dinner at home.  Reading, meditating, doing yoga or some easy stretching are all activities which are good on and around eclipse days.  Many people feel a little tired a few days before and after eclipses as well.  Extra sleep, good nutrition and making healthy choices will help ease you through those days. 

Those who have their Sun, Moon, Ascendant or other significant planets in Gemini or Sagitarrius will be affected more than others by this month's eclipses (in your sidereal astrological birth chart).  The effects often continue to unfold for at least 6 months. 
No need to be concerned for the eclipses, there is a way to work with all energies of our year.  All of us have had times where we are nudged into change a little more intensely than others.

 
Transformation occurs from the inside out, and so if a person has significant natal planets touched off by the eclipses, then there might be a tendency to make more life changing choices.  Choices for our health and growth benefit all.  Keep this in mind, when thinking about changes at this time.  We might have strong impulses that will fade after July.  Observe, do not act impulsively perhaps, and if those ideas are still present at the end of the month, and you have discussed your ideas with sound friends and advisors, then those choices are likely to have more roots and deeper, healthy transformation can occur.  Impulsive acts under these influences usually bring intense experience, but perhaps not long term joy or contentment.

So, observe July 9, 10 and 11th this year and see how they are for you.  July 9th and 10th are "Yellow Days" or days to NOT launch big business deals and keep your expectations in check.  A few more obstacles may appear in your day.  If you are ready for them, then there will be no ruffling of feathers, only a chuckle and perseverance.

When you act in harmony with your environment then success, health and Peace are yours.