Space for Grace
This January’s full moon takes place in the Sun sign Gemini in the Nakshatra of Ardra. The symbol is the teardrop and the divine consciousness connected to this star is Rudra, a fierce form of Shiva connected to storms, emotional release and deep, powerful transformation. The kind of thunderous energy that clears the path and brings clarity, insight and deep connection following the storm.
Ardra is a star of cosmic depth and devotion. It offers the kind of insight that arrives after the stagnant energies are shaken off. It may not always be what we think we want, but reminds us that if we can let go and surrender to our higher Self, the Divine always knows what we need.
In a sense it is a Nakshatra that charms us to look toward the future and simultaneously asks us to release any excess baggage holding us down and back from that which we desire to create, become and experience. The challenge is to stay present and aware during the storm rather than seeking escape. Therefore, if the tears need to flow, let them. If the body needs to move, shake it. Just being with what is without trying to escape or change it can sometimes be our greatest challenge…
The Moon is conjunct Jupiter retrograde in Mercury ruled Gemini and together they form Gaja Kesari Yoga - the Elephant & the Lion coming together in sacred union as two royal expressions of the jungle and the cosmos ~ beings who express with divine grace, power and presence. Strength, courage & leadership.
Across from Gemini in Jupiter ruled Sagittarius currently collects a stellium of planets as Surya, Venus, Mercury and Mars come together during this time offering a lot of fire energy in aspect to this Full Moon.
Sagittarius asks, what are we aiming for? What is our higher purpose? How can we live our dharma? Like the archer, how can we discover and cultivate the art of dynamic stillness?
Take time to contemplate but be aware of overthinking. The invitation of this Moon cycle is to release and let go, to allow the Universe to guide us rather than forcing a way we “think” will resolve our challenge. Meditation will offer greater clarity and insight now than constant analyses.
Sagittarius seeks freedom but the kind of freedom that comes through personal evolution ~ transcending the mind to see beyond its limited capacity. Sagittarius represents the spiritual quest to go beyond the mundane and seek cosmic purpose in a dharmic life.
This is indeed a potent time for planting seeds in the seeking for our deepest connection with soul. What that means for each of us will look different for diversity is a natural law of evolution. Therefore, always remember that your heart’s truest desire is an echo of of the Universe seeking to express Herself. What you desire in purity, service, devotion and from a place of love is what the Universe desires to know, become and experience. Desire is not the problem, but from where the desire stems and our attachment to it is what gets us humans into all kinds of trouble. A life lived in alignment with soul will still have challenges but with cosmic purpose fuelling our growth, they become opportunities for expansion and growth. Fulfilling our dharma is not a selfish act but in service to the evolutionary story of that which we call Life.
Mercury and Jupiter’s mutual aspect in each other’s signs bestows auspicious gifts at this time to do with communication, wisdom, insight, expansion, growth, abundance, connection and understanding. Allow your intellect to be illuminated with purposeful stillness. Allow yourself to be vulnerable and open, to give and receive from from love rather than for love. Allow yourself to be charmed by life and see where it takes you rather than trying to figure it out .. and therefore, allow space for grace to enter your world and it will always guide you and show you the next steps to take.
“Grace is always, ever present - it is only our awareness of it that fluctuates.” ~ AnandJi
Surrender challenges the human. The ego seeks control under the guise of creating safety but we humans are not in control of anything except how we choose to respond. This act alone creates our karmas.
As I write this letter to you I am so very blessed to be sitting by the Indian Ocean. Its rhythmic waves caressing the air reminding all of us who choose to tune in that everything on Earth, including Earth & the cosmos, breathes. Everything expands and contracts in cycles and the Moon reminds us of this every month.
Like the waves breaking upon the shore, turning stone into soft sand, the force of the next couple of weeks with the influence of this Full Moon in Ardra may bring some strong waves through our lives. The invitation is to allow these waves to clear the path for us, to show us what we no longer need, to let go, surrender and create space for grace to show us the way. This alone can create the flow we seek..
THE INVITATION
What is calling you forward at this time? What do you seek to let go and surrender? Even if there is a situation in your life that you cannot change, how can you let go of your attachment to the outcome of it? Yogic wisdom teaches us that a challenge can only persist as long as we have not received the lesson it is designed to teach us for truly, what we resist, always persists.. and what we let go, creates flow..
If life is happening FOR us rather than TO us, how differently may we choose to respond to each new day and the challenges that ensue?
Life is a consistent practice in conscious awareness and if I tried to explain to anyone, in linear terms, how I got to where I now sit, I simply couldn’t. The beauty is in the “nonsense” of it all. The wisdom in the paradox. The grace is found in the space between what we think we know to be true. Tomorrow does not exist beyond the mind but we can meet it with awareness, presence and purpose by cultivating a mind rooted in still waters.
Now is always a wonderful time to tune within and connect with that inner stillness, the “eye of the storm” we often call “my life” and simply witness yourself in the living of it… give your consciousness space to connect the seemingly unconnected dots and become aware of the synchronicities guiding you forward.
Welcome the storms because deep down you know nothing stays the same forever. Eventually, even the longest journey comes to an ”end” ~ a pivotal moment of transformation, a quantum leap when who you were and how you perceived reality can simply no longer continue. Nature does this all the time and so can we if we choose it.
May this letter bring peace and perspective. May it elevate and expand awareness. May you know that you are never alone and always held in cosmic love.
Now as we begin a new calendar year is a wonderful time to connect for a 1:1 Jyotish reading and receive the insights of this year’s upcoming transits and the hidden potentials they hold in waiting for each of us to realize.
Spots are limited this next month as I continue my travels and studies in India so if it charms you, please reach out now to reserve a spot.
Infinite love, healing & light.
May you be guided to discover exactly what you need for your soul’s highest.
With prayers for peace, in gratitude
Shanti Christina
OM SHANTI SHANTI SHANTI HARI OM TAT SAT
THE SCIENCE OF MANTRA
Chanting the Chandra (Moon) mantra on and around the Full Moon brings calm to the mind and relief from anxiety / overthinking. Practice 1-3 mala rounds for 3 days or more and pay attention to subtle shifts in consciousness and life.
Contact me for pronunciation and guidance with mantra anytime. 🌝🙏🏼
