Embracing the Wild: Power in the Root

As the Sun shifts into Sidereal Sagittarius, we are jumping into the unknown as we move to Fire (Sagittarius) from Water (Scorpio) in the zodiac. It is called Dhanu Sankranti and is happening December 16th (late hours of Dec 15th in Pacific Time). In India, it is a time to honor the Sun, Surya, and to celebrate Krishna defeating the evil Kansa in a Bow Ceremony (Dhanu is the Sanskrit for “Bow” and is also the name for the constellation of Sagittarius). There is always a shift in consciousness when the Sun changes signs (Sankranti).



These points where the water signs (Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces) end and the fire signs (Leo, Sagittarius, and Aries) begin are referred to as Gandanta points in Vedic Astrology. All the other signs have a star, a nakshatra that bridges the sign before and the one after together. Between Fire and Earth, between Earth and Air, and between Air and Water...but not between Water and Fire. There we come to an abrupt end and a harsh new beginning. These are also the points where we end a phase of the zodiac and begin a new one. The point between Cancer and Leo is the end of the period of focus on “Self” and the beginning of focus on “Others”. The point between Scorpio and Sagittarius (where we are now) is the end of the focus on “Others” and the beginning of the focus on “Universal” concerns. The point between Pisces and Aries, also the end and start of the zodiac, is where we go back to “Self” from “Universal”.
Not only is the Gandanta point harsh, but this jump we are in is to the nakshatra, Mula, which is on the most intense axis in the sky. At this point in the zodiac, we are uprooting (Mula means “the root”) everything that did not work, everything we learned was based on false premise and fear in the previous sign and phase, to eventually replant something new that hopefully will work. First of there must be destruction, tearing down of old ways and structures. Second, there will be holes, big gaping wounds where we lay waste to what was. Only then, can we begin to consciously replant and cover the holes and tend to our new garden. Mula is ruled by Nirriti, the goddess of destruction and chaos. Often associated with Kali, she lacks the nurturing, protective blanket that Kali covers us in. She is not killing for us, we are not like her children...she is letting loose around, through and in us. She is wild, untamed and free of attachment.


As we enter into this final phase of the zodiac, we are also coming to the end of the Sun's journey of the dark. The Winter Solstice on December 21st, marks the Sun's darkest point and from there he will climb towards the light, with every day becoming more light again. The Sun is our Power, our Highest Self, our Sense of Responsibility and our Soul Consciousness. As we wane to dark here, it is this part of us that must surrender to the unknown. The truest power is in embracing the unknown, because it will always be there. If we are not comfortable in the dark, then we will never truly be comfortable in the light either. Only when we face our deepest fears (Scorpio) can we have the courage to undo the tired ways and get out of the cycle of Mine and Yours. We are toddlers until we can take on the bigger world view, and even then we are like teenagers. So long as we struggle we are in the world, and that is ok, because we are indeed here. Nirriti and Mula teach us to embrace the struggle, and accept that we will never be “ok” or “at rest”...the Winter Solstice teaches us to let it go. The Serenity Prayer comes to me here, “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”


May all be blessed and all be free. Hare Ohm

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