Maha Shivaratri & the Pisces New Moon
Pisces invites us to swim deeply in the vast Ocean of Consciousness, allowing our minds to dissolve so that we merge with something much greater than our individual selves. It is in this place that we find true unity, and here that we can fully begin to experience the divine nature of reality. As the mystic, Pisces longs to sit in these spiritual waters, like floating down the river Ganges, Jordan, or Oshun, moving us into a space that goes beyond what the rational mind tells us, and into a place where we actually sense and feel permeated by the inherent intelligence that lives within all things. If you've ever experienced the feeling of being connected to everything on the planet, you have entered Pisces' deep waters. If you've felt like were floating through life, as if moved by an unintelligible force, you know Piscean energy. If you've ever lost yourself in a moment, dissolved into some spacious place that you can't quite put words on, you have tapped into the amorphic place that Pisces tends to call home.
And this vast Ocean of Consciousness holds all things. It is the place from whence all of life comes, and to which all of life returns. It is the fundamental ground of Being, and as such, all possibilities live within it. When we connect with this part of our own experiences through a practice like meditation or yoga nidra, we are immediately connected to a place that holds infinite potential, and we become aware of our capacity to dream reality into being at just the right time. Yet Pisces encourages us to spend time in the dreaming so that we can soak up every ounce of inspiration and creativity, trusting our own process of manifestation to unfold in exactly the way it's meant to, and not a moment too soon.
Because this is the last new moon of Winter and the last new moon of the year-long astrological cycle, Pisces invites us to let go of what we don't need to carry with us from the past year, essentially the beginning of Covid in North America, allowing this cycle to dissolve back into the infinite waters of Life. When the new is ready to emerge from this clear place of Being, we bring to life a reality that is based on the insights we've gained, lessons we've learned, and wisdom we've cultivated.
I love that Maha Shivaratri, the great night of Shiva, always falls on the New Moon in Pisces. Shiva is THE Yogi in Hindu lore, often seen in meditative bliss. His night is one in which people stay up for hours, sometimes through the night, to meditate, chant "Om Namah Shivayah," sing, dance, and to practice anything that allows for spiritual awakening. It is said on this night that whatever sadhanas we spend our time practicing, our efforts will be rewarded 1008-fold since 1008 is the number of Shiva! The important reminder here is that everyone's innermost nature IS Shiva, so this essence of auspiciousness, goodness, and pure Being lives in each one of us. This night is a reminder to experience and celebrate THAT alive force within us all.
As we collectively allow the past cycle to dissolve and open to the dreaming of a new reality, may you tap into the infinite potential that is your deepest Self and your truest nature. The possibilities are limitless! And, as always, the Force is with you!
