Tag: Astrology

Freedom in Love, Love as Freedom

On By Ka Malana - Fiestaestrellas.comIn Astrology21 Comments

I just finished working with a client in the Entheos energy work that I do, and the moment opened up following it, with the opportunity to do some writing and sharing here. Right now the energy is so strong for liberation, freedom, and unwinding from the trappings of attachment, ego, and that which veils us from the reaches of Spirit. Today Neptune, planet of illusion and tricks of perception, retrogrades at the beginning of Aries, while Venus and Uranus echo a strong conjunction at the last degree of Taurus 29 (anaretic degree)/ beginning of Gemini. Traditionally this Neptune retrograde points to a time when we lift the veil and peer beyond it; seeing our delusions and addictions more clearly. It’s good for people to seek out therapy services and make honest progress towards overcoming their addictions.

On July 7, Uranus will begin its approximately 7 year long stay in Gemini. That same Gemini fueled Uranus will be in trine with Pluto in Aquarius for a while to come. Resultantly there’s much opportunity to change the way we communicate, and to free ourselves from out-dated concepts and constructs of mind. Underneath the labeling of the mind in terms of naming and conventions there exists a more pure consciousness. One without the trappings of past nor other mental overlays of experience, emotion, and memory. This is a very individual, airy dynamic, this “untouched consciousness.” The Taoists called it “Pu” or the uncarved block, to represent a natural, unforced nature of mind.

The pathway forward can be innovative and liberating, as yet unknown. Its roots run deep, as these changes require us to be deliberate and conscious around our choice for liberation. Our actions will have reverberations for a long time to come. Also, it might require several applications of our divine will to progress. Re-focus again and again into our purpose and marking our intention for liberation.

Change brings with it grief, almost always, because we cannot go back to the old ways–they are permanently severed. What matters is how we “choice forward.” There’s a lot of ways that the majority is not getting what it asked for. It doesn’t look at all like the Golden Age nor any new era of awakening. It looks a lot like the “same old,” old power, oligarchy and the governance of the few with the consolidated power at the top. I guarantee you that inside of you is the place and space where all the most profound changes are happening for this new era. Right now that Venus/Uranus conjunction is in a trine (easy flow/quick) energy with Pluto in Aquarius. This is not a simple day for America. It’s not even a simple celebration that you are either evading or celebrating–or captured in between a dynamic of both positions. If you are drawing from history, there’s a lot of inspiration around overcoming of obstacles, around coming up against powerful despots.

Each individual must choose what path to take into the woods that we are being shown. We are indeed in the woods, on our own journeys: separate but together. The only things that separates us is the way we conceive of and respond to the changes that are taking place. If we can really dial into our resourced place, today, and the days moving forward, it will help. Dial into your point of nourishment.

As you awaken with yourself on this path and journey into unknown lands, deep into making decisions you must make along the way, you will be asked to make it very clear to yourself and others: your purpose. Do not shy away from your inner clarity. Your inner clarity will be your guidebook, but it might even startle you at first. Spend some time journaling today and in the next several days around the following prompts:

1). What actions can I take that help me to explore my freedom today? tomorrow?

2). Where am I too sticky and too attached that is keeping me from seeing my options?

3). If I could embody one important value on this planet, what would I choose? How about now? And now?

Sending peace to all; May love always lead your way. May all beings be free from suffering.

Clarify the basis in Self

On By Ka Malana - Fiestaestrellas.comIn Astrology6 Comments

New moon in Cancer at 4degrees

This new moon is unique because it is conjoining Jupiter, just recently at Cazimi — an exact degree conjunction with the Sun. The new moon is therefore infused with Jupiterian energy. It is important to note that while this lunation is quite auspicious in benefic influences, it’s also in a potent pointed square with the challenging Saturn/Neptune conjunction in Aries.

Ideals and reality are colliding in uncomfortable ways to the dreams, visions and desire for peace and joy, abundance and plenty, radiating from the home and family front. There is also a sense of urgency.

But what is the sign Cancer for anyway? It’s traditionally associated with the home and the mother. Cancerians are long known to reflect upon the past and become attached to it. However, looking a bit deeper, the angle of the chart associated with Cancer is the Nadir/or low point. It’s the Imum Coeli (IC). It is the basis and the foundation in the traditional chart—that area from which we are planted and we are to stand.

I write to you now as the New Moon has just come off its exact moment and the clarity streaming through deposits my mind (as I am also experiencing my Mercury return as we speak) in complete clarity around this moon’s message.

Your basis for your life is a lot like your “why.” It’s deeply associated with your purpose. Your job is to check and tend to this area of your consciousness that props you up and look at the foundation. Does it need any crack-filling? Could it use another level of thickness? What is your daily mindset around comforts that nourish and replace your vitality? Have you been checking in on the mundane aspects of your ideals? It’s not the time to go out on a limb and go searching for what is already here.

The energy of Cancer lands us directly where we are planted to check for stability and resources. From where we are positioned do we have enough of our basic needs met? what actions can we take to ground our lives more deeply into commitment with our purpose?

As I sit with you here, I allow the energy to settle and flow through the soil and ground of my being. I breathe deep into the fortitude I have created to live in a modern world full of uncertainty. I stand firm with the awareness that I am not an island, and energies of nourishment and support continue to collect around me.

My wish for you this Cancer New Moon is that you take a look at your environment and anchor yourself into the awareness that you are here to live this special life you were given, with full purpose and inspiration. Any frictions are passing drains and distractions on clarity that will quickly be replaced with your own renewed presence, as you return to order and semblance, at the basis of your own being.

I’m available for consultations starting in the fall. If you want to come back and check for my offerings, it would be a good time to do it.

May you be happy. May all beings be happy!

With deep aloha and gratitude,

Ka

Sagittarius full moon: Rights in the Homeland

On By Ka Malana - Fiestaestrellas.comIn Astrology3 Comments

By my title you might have thought I was going to go geopolitical, or cultural revolutionary, or some type of message about the collective resistance phenomenon taking place. That is valid. I’m swirling around that experience of “just expression” for the collective and bringing my attention back “home” to the point with Jupiter ingress Cancer. Jupiter is the modern ruler of Sagittarius. It’s also the ancient ruler of Pisces. I’m considering it pretty fortunate to have this full moon conjoining my natal Neptune in Sagittarius and activating the trine with my natal Sun and my natal North Node in Leo. So, I do feel like I have something to say. But in my mind’s eye it looks like a spiritual shield against oppression.

It’s easy to see that the tensions around Saturn/Neptune conjunction that won’t be near exact until July is going to be “messing with,” via square aspect, the Cancer planets (right now Jupiter and Mercury) but soon, it will be the Sun, too.

I’ve had Mars transiting my natal North Node in Leo, now, too, for a little bit here. What I can say is that I’m experiencing a new level of energy–it’s bonding nicely with the Moon here in Sagittarius. My natal Mars/Moon position isn’t so great, but this transit is feeling like a liberation of energy from those old constraints. I’m in a place of radical acceptance, and it’s not the kind of “lay down and take it” acceptance. I feel my empowerment is on the path of thriving.

To me the key to this chart is actually Pluto up there in Aquarius. Both Pluto and Mars strike me as very well-positioned in this FULL moon chart. Pluto is sextile to Saturn/Neptune in Aries and an out of sign trine with Uranus in the later degrees of Taurus. This is definitely energy that can be dedicated to deep transformation. Pluto’s play here is no joke. Despite that it squares Venus here– I think that “special square” points to the question that Pluto is asking us: What do you value most? What is at stake here? Freedoms, comfort, safety and all of the above. So how can you secure your own destiny within this crazy landscape of turmoil? How can you focus that life force very pointedly and directly to the inner worlds? I don’t spend a lot of my time in the thoughts of the world in order to solve problems these days. Although, I absolutely respect those who lend their voices and protest in peace. July is going to be transformational, and even more-so February of 2026 –but, I see the “setup” as taking place now. How can you position yourself in the most powerfully self-possessed way? You are the first arbiter of you. Don’t let the oppressors win inside your heart. The main oppressors: hate, greed. Guard your heart to the processes unfolding, and know that — you never stand alone.

This Mess We’re In

Saturn ingress Aries

On By Ka Malana - Fiestaestrellas.comIn Astrology10 Comments

From Farmer’s Almanac

When Will Saturn Be in Aries

  • Saturn enters Aries May 24, 2025.
  • Saturn retrograde in Aries: July 13, 2025.
  • Saturn re-enters Pisces (retrograde): September 1, 2025.
  • Saturn re-enters Aries (direct): February 13, 2026.
  • Saturn leaves Aries: April 12, 2028.

If you are feeling the fires lifting within you, you would be on point with what is happening ethereally. This is a significant planetary influence about to modify our lives in the ways we meet our commitments, consolidate our experiences and rise to new challenges. Our relationship even to “aging” is changing and becoming more “active.” If you look above, Saturn will be in Sextile (harmonious aspect) with Pluto, Sun and Mercury — while in close correspondence with planet Neptune which it will be making its conjunction with close degrees in July 2025, and then formally be in exact conjunction on February 20, 2026. The only square with major planets that Saturn will be making upon its ingress is to Jupiter in Gemini. As the Sun is now in Gemini and Jupiter is considered a benefic planet, its influence is still good and works positively.

Aries is a bit of a trailblazer and pioneer. While its true that Saturn in Aries could lead to frustrations around action and motivation, it can also move very “quickly” after its ending stay in Pisces–giving a renewed sense of energy and a definite re-birth opportunity. You may find yourself doing work or routines that require more energy and the impulse to get started features more dominantly. You may feel the urge to “get out there” more and really make some of the changes that you have been “sitting on” for quite some time while Saturn was in Pisces, and you might have been directionless or in a “holy waiting/pause” pattern. Saturn is also sextile Uranus which is quite a generational influence. This connection between these planetary influencers gives a balancing effect for novelty and tradition. Despite all the radical changes and challenges happening now, this does have a moderating/tempering effect–which is absolutely needed. Truly slow and steady changes lead the mission for sustainable improvements.

Personally, I have been going from conference to conference, very busy this month and the end of last month. I have much work at home to complete and finishing up loose ends on many transformational experiences/classes and trainings that will last me into the new year. I have a lot of curriculum prep to work on creating structure and content and preparing for next years offerings. It is an extremely productive and transformational time for me. It also includes travel, family visits, and lots of schedule adjustments with summer camps and extra curricular actives as a “karate/math and dance/artist mom.” We celebrate my daughter’s 6th birthday this weekend, and to say that I wish I could be organized in the midst of so much business– well, it’s quite funny to think I could get a leg up! However, I do feel that this energy with Saturn will help me continue to propel forward, building connections, strengthening skill sets, and developing deeper as a human and a spirit in a body. It might even lighten my load a bit by helping me burn up used bits of old versions of myself as I consciously and with great dedication take my current class “Reluctant Shaman 2.0” into its final two weeks, and we continue our deep dives, freeing up our resources for growth, courage, and closer more enduring and nourishing connections.

There is no shortage of fun planned!

The weight of the world will not be lifted with Saturns move into Aries, but your role in how you can offer up your own way of creative social action will be illuminated. How you do function as individual in your community/communities? There is a way to live in these times, and each ONE of us holds that key. Let us continue to gather and collect, receiving support and sharing support with one another. Let’s see if some people who have been in a pause will return from their shadows of Piscean “meditative retirement” and come back into the fold more fully, and renewed. What ONE thing would you like to offer to the world or your community as an offering and unique contribution that only you can provide? What your favorite motivational song? I’ll go first:

I can offer my authentic voice every day to my community–and not shy away or collapse when coming under fear–but I can continue to watch myself stretch and go deeper into the awareness and understanding for how my mind works–and how I am continually transcending it.

Favorite NOW motivational song: Dance with me! 🙂

Please share also what your summer plans are! I can’t wait to know! I’m sure you have some, even if it’s just to stare at a wall. I want to know about it!

Sink into Earth with this Taurus New Moon

On By Ka Malana - Fiestaestrellas.comIn Astrology10 Comments

I have no doubt that my message for today’s New Moon will be aligned with the gardeners and nature lovers. I’ve been reaching out to Luna for the message and she’s been very clear that with the strong energies of Mars/Pluto opposition, all the Aries placements still in effect, and that challenging aspect of Saturn and Venus conjoined with the North Node, we’ve never needed to be sunk in with nature more.

Uranus is also still in Taurus in process of wrapping up its stay. From July 7, 2025 for the next 7 years, Uranus will ingress Gemini and fill the mental plane with communications, logistics, innovations, disruptions, and more. Fortunately Jupiter has been transiting Gemini and paving the way for Uranus, setting up a good vibe. Jupiter is known to be the great benefactor of the zodiac. Next month the Sun will be in Gemini and that will further light up that area of the Zodiac and this will all be in preparation for Uranus to transit there by July.

For now, we have dedicated moments to reflect on this New Moon in Taurus and set our intentions to focus on what grounds us, brings us deeply into ourselves, and most opens us for those unique and intuitive messages from nature and from spirit. It’s essential at this juncture to take a break from media—even just a small sector, or reduce its time.

For your meditations:

Here are some words from Rosemary Gladstar, one of the most renowned Western herbal pioneers,

Take a moment. Open a jar of herbs that perhaps you grew and dried yourself… draw in a long deep breath… and if you pause awhile with the plant, it can carry you forward into the future.

Let the plant speak to you—not with words, but in the way that only plants know how.

Let’s enjoy the ineffable this New Moon in Taurus. Gaze at the stars, sink your feet in the dirt or the sand. Roll down a hill in a meadow, blow off the seeds of a dandelion. Make dandelion wine. I have some tinctures that I am ready to strain, and the birds song has been especially poignant.

Another fitting way to celebrate the phases of the Moon in relationship with the Sun, valuing the cycles that nature gives us— those that repeat—and let us know that we do have a regularity in life, there is consistency, pacing and calm: Celebrate with music, drums, piano, whatever speaks to you. Perhaps you love the sounds of harp, accordion or trumpet. Enjoy the moments of non-verbal, enjoy the spaciousness of sound and sing or imbibe the air and earth with your voice.

I hope this post has stirred some calmness and pleasure within you. Let me know in the comments if this new moon is touching your natal chart and which houses! I’m happy to help with a consult in the future years when I open up more time in my schedule.

For now I will leave you all with some beauties:

My deepest wish is for all beings to experience happiness and be free from suffering. 🙏🏻💕

It’s not an idyllic wish. It’s grounded in a desire for the progress of moving in the that direction, for peace and kindness to flourish in the lives of all. This wish will continue to flourish no matter what circumstances show up or appearances of the world would submit that we are not gonna end up there, well and wise.

None of our Earth journeys are in vain, purposeless or random.

Mitakuye Oyasin

“To All My Relations”

Full moon in Libra (yesterday) Buddha Birthday (tomorrow)

On By Ka Malana - Fiestaestrellas.comIn Astrology10 Comments

Venus and Saturn have been side-by-side creating a number of nuanced (Pisces) experiences around our values and commitments. Some relationships might feel strained–other’s might benefit from renewing commitments and looking at the structures around give and take/exchange. The bouncing back and forth over the tariffs implementation and pausing is completely evident in the stars. The strong Pisces energy highlights the unknowns–the awareness that there’s a veneer around what is actually happening in the communication via media (Mercury is also in Pisces) and the Venus/Saturn conjunction is bringing the sense of strain, austerity, scaling back, unfairness, and bringing in a tightness and fear or even a focus about consolidation around resources. We are all “soul-searching” over what is durable, what remains steadfast. We are looking for principles to live by that remain firm regardless of whatever. There might also be a lot of comparison’s to the past, with Mars transiting in trine from the Venus/Saturn conjunction to the sign of Cancer (which rules memories). Idealism is acting wobbly and wonky right now.

With Chiron conjoining Sun in Aries, some primordial wounds that have never healed get highlighted. Chiron was himself a great healer, but he was unable to heal from his wound. Chiron went into the healing arts as also a way to heal himself. A Rumi poem as quoted in link above demonstrates the way the healing path works for the healer for self and others (for more information on the details of Chiron’s story).

Your doctor must have a broken leg to doctor.

Your defects are the ways that glory gets manifested.

Whoever sees clearly what’s diseased in himself

Begins to gallop on the Way

…

Don’t turn your head. Keep looking at the bandaged place.

That’s where the light enters you.

“Shakyamuni Buddha’s Birthday April 15th marks the anniversary of Buddha Shakyamuni demonstrating the attainment of enlightenmentin 589 B.C.E.

This is an extremely important day in the Buddhist calendar because our actions are 100,000 times more powerful than on other days.

This event is marked by special purification and fasting retreats in Kadampa Buddhist Centers worldwide based on the practice Drop of Essential Nectar.

This practice, which is done in conjunction with Eleven-faced Avalokiteshvara. It is very powerful for purifying negative karma of body, speech, and mind, and for pacifying strong delusions such as desirous attachment and hatred.

It is also a special method for receiving blessings and improving our experience of love, compassion, and bodhichitta.

Source: https://kadampa.org/buddhism/buddhas-enlightenment-day

When we talk about Buddha and Buddhism the supreme ultimate goal of enlightment is for the purpose of ALL BEINGS.

I’ve been celebrating Vesak for years, maybe moreso informally. I originated for me years ago when I aligned powerfully with the love and investment in the process of becoming a clear mirror. This continues to be my goal and deepest devotion. For me, this goal was never formally religious but I am learning to move more deeply into my chosen path. For that reason, it is taking on an interesting form.

Libra represents the scales and the balance point. The Aries/Libra spectrum is both an opposition and a connection for common ground. There is awareness of Self in order for the Awareness of Others. If one cannot truly comprehend the value of one’s own precious human life, they cannot fully confirm and practice the preciousness of others’ lives, and other living beings (non-human). I’ve enjoyed astrology and various mystic devotions because they tend to overcome the dogma that is often present with religion. There’s a relationship with the land and the cosmos that speaks so strongly to me of the Earth and our relating within it. The Earth is “our perceived center.” It is a temple in and of itself and the best way for me to express that devotion.

I will be practicing purification for this upcoming Buddha’s birthday, and enjoying my continued spiritual journey in all its forms. I feel the rich tapestry of all the traditions I have been a part of all my life, and my connection and linkage within many lineages as a completion and continuation of my past lives, with the reverence and respect I have carried forward.

Whatever you celebrate, and wherever you are, I hope you are enjoying your precious human life in a way that makes sense to you, and fulfills you!

Happy Full Moon In libra! May we deepen and connect with what is most true for us. Love to all!

Rollerskating the Solar Eclipse March 29, 2025

On By Ka Malana - Fiestaestrellas.comIn Astrology39 Comments

User error had me lose my blog post that I wrote this morning about the upcoming solar eclipse. I selected “yes” to discard my draft. I meant to only discard the picture I posted because I wanted to remove the “location” from the photo for security safety before I posted it. So when I meant to say yes to “discard?,” it was to the photo, and not to the whole post draft (at least to me, but not the computer). Whoops!

That photo will show up later in my post. It’s a good idea, PSA: remove your location from the settings on your pictures before posting them.

So I’m writing (trying) to write the post again. It will be easier to type this on my computer so I will save the draft, now. Before I did that, the issue with updating a photo to my new draft was that the photos screen was no longer working! I deduced that I probably needed to update my jetpack software app on my iphone. This actually worked. Many interruptions, but problem solved. Now, to keep the flow with writing? Haha—

But… Before I could write this post, I also needed to treat a patient in my private practice, and now I want to get this blog post done before my meeting in 40 min. So I will write quickly, but efficiently. (Did I mention that I roller-skated for two hours on Sunday!?) The picture above was from the time I rollerskated before that. I got new skates a few weeks ago! The old Chicago skates were not meant for the serious skater. I went into the store to get a new stopper for the toe tip, and asked about the stability around the plates on the mounting hardware; as a result the woman directed me to buy new skates. I decided since I want to keep my wrists, spine, knees, and all my bones healthy–reduce the chance for falls, I ought to update my skates!

What does this have to do with astrology and the Solar Eclipse in Aries? Well, yes, Aries and mobility: you got that part. But, the first post was more integrated and I helped the reader (YOU!) look back to the following dates:

March 29, 2006

March 29, 1987

These were the last Aries eclipses in the series. This Saturday will be the last in the Aries series until at least 2032. Where is Aries in your chart? You are always welcome to contact me and I can help you look deeper into your personal astrology.

(Honestly the post I wrote before this one was much better) but it was missing the PSA, so I think you know, it’s okay.

For me, the eclipse is going to be taking place in my natal 2nd house of values, earning income and what I claim as mine. For me, it also contains the sign of Pisces, so yes, this aspect of my life has acted like a slippery fish. However, I will say that I am a generous person, very giving and very selfless. In fact this Aries energy has me really eager to meet with my Buddhist class tonight. My Reluctant Shaman group will also be meeting again as I’m starting to get into more and more “group work.” The previous group members all want to do the sessions again, so I will need to pick the date and get started. We have the time figured out that works for us all. Each step at a time.

I’m just gonna move on and share all sorts of stuff from my 5 year old daughter:

She won 2 gold medals this Saturday at her first ever Karate Tournament: She earned it in FORMS and FLAG SPARRING. I’m really proud of her. Also, I can see her personal artist style emerging already! Unlike me (i’ve been an eclectic artist with no real discernible “style,” her style is becoming unmistakeable to me!)

She made this gorgeous mantra box in her meditation class on Sunday–and I photographed it from several angles so you can have a looksie. I see her style in her drawing, coloring, and also in her other artistic media. Her school is really neat and they have a Great Artist event night coming up in April. The student’s grade levels each study an artist who is making social change with their artwork. I’ll share more about her class’s chosen artist to study in the next month or so (hint: She’s Indigenous Australian).

Below is her most recent LEGO creation. She is a genius with following instructions in order to build. This particular set has 3 different things that can be made. Of course the unicorn is the cutest of the 3, so it will probably be showcased for a while before it gets converted into the peacock and the seahorse.

See her box: Please ignore the napkin and the other things I had in my hand. Our lives move so fast, it’s tough enough to capture what I captured! She’s always creating and solving problems. I think it’s lovely there’s a precious mantra inside. “Om Mani ____ ” We don’t know. It’s not OM Mani Padme Om. It’s something else. Oh, it’s “OM ah HUM” which means, “Body, Speech, Mind”

Well, I ran out of time!

Yes, this eclipse is part of the bigness of the Neptune move into Aries bit! You know, that transit will last until 2039. So enjoy! We are definitely living in fast-moving and self-starting times.

How can you motivate yourself this Spring to be with the energy of Aries and also let go of the whole part about the future and all the unknowns? Aries is the fire that gets us moving. Have a great day, week, and apologies for the less than awesome post today–at least for what I wanted to write about astrology. I have a lot to share.

Remember to look at those dates I listed above and spend a wee little bit of time recalling what happened back then for insight into this week and the next 6 months of development.

AUM AH HUM

Of Loss and Faith: Pisces New Moon

On By Ka Malana - Fiestaestrellas.comIn Astrology26 Comments
New Moon in Pisces

This is a highly spiritual and artistic chart that could have us floundering in experiences that threaten our ideals while simultaneously strengthening them. We could be in a moment of crisis or loss, fear could be setting in. Or, we could also be deepening our faith in a higher power or more omniscient mind beyond our own. This is a time for engaging and summoning in resources that make miracles, where we suspend our overgrown and innate ability to disbelieve everything in the face of momentous change and unknown.

Pisces ♓️ is all about uncharted territory so a chart so focused on this sign is almost an oxymoron “focused on the unknown.” This is an objectless awareness. We are confronted with all the mysteries of connection and loss at this time. That also makes this time highly transformative and deep. We can become more meditative around our ideals and use our spiritual connection to divinity to stay afloat.

Moon squaring Jupiter can have us reflecting a bit in a fun house mirror: objects can also appear bigger, smaller or more contorted than really exist. Our aims might be out of sink with our realities, or conversely it might be time to call on more heavenly and otherworldly resources to make us into the more that we need to be in order to face our “not enoughness” that is often triggered with a transit like this. Don’t fall for the illusion that you are not enough. With the help of higher power and your faith and belief, you can be surprised by your repletion: even more than enough! You are stuffed.

Mercury conjunct Saturn in sextile with Uranus in Taurus will probably have us scaling down. We can question more about restrictions (Saturn) in how we navigate (Mercury) and communicate (Mercury). With the sextile to Uranus there’s more awareness around what’s unique and what stands out as a persistent weirdness infiltrating our regular constructs of reality (Saturn) and day to day (Mercury) .

Losses abound during such a transit.

There might be immense grief around crumbling, dissolving (Piscean) securities. There could be much personal loss as well. This is a time to have unshakable faith. It’s a time when faith is also the most challenged. You can’t really have one without the other. We are tested as a sort of “rite of passage” to supplant our fears and concerns with right action, complete clarity around our values, and realistic, tempered idealism. Make a plan, chart a course, and get really real with your transcendent self. If you came to the planet to self-actualize then “get to it.” Mars is now stationed direct in Cancer, the momentum is moving forward. The inner world (Pisces) is more important than what you see in the world manifesting at this time. Explore the divine within and know. Be still and know.

Full Moon In Leo: “Who is this I?”

On By Ka Malana - Fiestaestrellas.comIn Astrology61 Comments

Hello lovely friends and visitors,

Whether I’ve known you for a while and we are constantly exchanging endearments (thank you!I can’t enjoy that enough!), or you are new to my world here at Fiestaestrellas.com, you are equally welcome 🙂 Come, and warm yourself by the virtual fire. You are welcomed into this space of our remembering unity.

I’m sitting here in the firelight with the chart for the full moon in Leo. See above, above. As a “Leo Sun,” myself, it gives me something to draw from: my own limited (yet nevertheless valuable) experience. Ironically, my own experience is deepening and expanding so much so that I am not identifying with the same “I” as I used to. Take a pause here with me.

Does the “I” have context and contents that are really real?

There is more awareness around myself AS others. You and me, we are one. Sometimes I can see myself sitting at my desk, writing. Doing the things I do with awareness of both being in the body, and not of the body.

We are.

It’s odd how the mind just needs to be trained to see things as they really are.

The Course In Miracles and many other tools exist to try to train/untrain the mind into clarity. You may ask, why isn’t clarity just inherent? It’s a great question.

I think the answer is that the mind is malleable, flexible, and at best: ‘neutral’ as its own inherent quality. But this also makes the mind impressionable. We are formed and forged by our backgrounds, environments, ancestors, connections, and familiarity. Eventually these impressions harden like any good molding material that you want to use for later (memory!).

What I learn from my deepening with Buddhism through the lens of my current teacher Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, or “Geshla,” is that the nature of reality really is emptiness. Nothing exists on the other side of the mind. The mind is the generator of all phenomena on the mind’s side of things. So if we identify this mind with the “I” we are lost in the woods, so to speak. But, if we never form memories or impressions, we are also lost in the woods, so to speak. chuckle.

What the meaning is of life therefore is the meaning you give it. Who is “you?” Where are its boundaries?

A fun experiment to meditate with is to feel the edges of your awareness, and practice softening to it.

For this Full Moon in Leo, we have Uranus in a nearly perfect square (90 degree) aspect to both the Sun and Mercury (in Aquarius) as one point of focus and the moon in Leo on the opposite point of focus. Dividing that opposition (180 degrees) or line, is Uranus: the Great Awakener. The planet does have this reputation for a reason. In 1781, the astronomer William Herschel looked up into the constellation of Gemini and thought he found a comet but it turned out to be the 7th planet in our solar system. In fact, Herschel wanted to name Uranus after a British monarch but many others in the world disagreed so they stuck to the convention of naming the planet after a figure in mythology; however, Uranus is Greek, and not Roman like the other planet names, which makes Uranus “unique.” This is a “break” from convention. If that’s not weird enough, Uranus’s orbit is virtually perpendicular to its orbital pathway; Uranus is laying down and spinning. Since Uranus was a later discovery from Saturn (the rule-maker), Uranus gets the reputation of reality construct breaker. Uranus is also “in charge” of what we consider the collective for humanity. Well, as if we aren’t completely thrown into a new world, already this year in 2025 with great billionaire bulls in the China shops of politics, government, and businesses, slashing and burning our structures and institutions one by one. Institutions (like Rome) that weren’t built in a day. The majority of us would probably agree the slash and burn is happening without any ideas of reasonable replacement. It FEELS careless, at best.

So, where does all this put a Leo full moon? Well, you can run around talking about how Leo is so self-important and aiming to just “show off” or you could see how the “individual,” “me” and “I,” is really a veneer or avatar FOR the collective. No one gets anywhere without their ego to help them stay alive. If you are dead, then, well, you aren’t doing anything–at all. Unless you are a strong ghost (but even then, you probably needed to have a strong ego in life before you died). Ego is almost synonymous with the mind in the way I am defining here. It’s inherently neutral and merely a creator. It’s a little creator, though. It doesn’t make anything real. The false Ego is the one that generates the delusions. The healthy ego is the one that is in balance with the whole, as part of it, as a collaborator with the collective.

Imagine if we didn’t have names. It would be very confusing in the early days of telephones when they used to be SHARED by households. Who are you calling for? What if you wanted to get someone’s attention in a crowd? What if you are the one holding the “hot potato” in the “hot potato” game. WE can’t call you. Having a name is like having an existence. Having an existence allows you to be considered, heard, referred to, etc etc. So the mind is so important for sorting things out and helping all of us be US– getting through our days with some healthy little bit of order.

This is where Leo comes in. What stands out to me with Leo, as a sign, is COURAGE. Leo exists. There’s an organizing principle not because anyone is special and deserves it. But, nature and energy, is organized. When we watch and marvel at life being formed, we look at how the cells collect and specialize. That’s a lot like us. We are nature. We are not separate from it. We are not merely destroying nature separate from ourselves. We are organization. We are an organizing force, and this is where, to me, the APPEARANCE of Leo shows up. The energy to BE. The energy to exist. It requires collaboration. It requires creation even in the form of little “i.” That “i” cannot be negated, nor should you really want it to be. It need be integrated, but not to fully dissolve. It can gain momentum and organizing power, momentum. Courage is not just a quality of character, its a quality of energy. It requires health to be courageous. It requires strength. This is what we want to cultivate during our Leo times.

Sketch of Dog

On By Ka Malana - Fiestaestrellas.comIn Abundant Earth37 Comments
My sketch ✍️ unknown time( within last few years)

Since my art in terms of drawing and painting has been dormant for a very long time, while other aspects of my creativity have been active, I was about to leave the house to pick up my child from school and drive her to her next activity when I thought I might “check in” with a notebook, and see if I gave myself just two minutes if something wanted to flow through the pen. I have about 10 actual minutes to reset my brain from working with clients and herbs.

A new drawing didn’t happen.

Instead, I was surprised to find this dog. It’s as if the dog was patiently waiting for me to rediscover it in this book. My loyal companion, my art. My puppy love. 💗 Instead, I got a reminder about a passion of mine which continues to exist unseen.

I’m curious to see how this unfolds in the coming days…

Meanwhile my daughter has been very prolific. I look forward to the days where our creativity intersects even more. Time for some more fun and play!

When was the last time you felt playful, and what got you feeling that way?

******

This weekend Sun and Mercury are Cazimi in Aquarius. For me it’s close to my natal S. Node (past lives) in Aquarius ♒️. When Sun and Mercury are conjoined it’s the start of a new cycle of how the mind is used. And the ego can also either overshadow or go “bloop” and divine mind can redeem that golden thread of straw being spun into gold: brilliant ideas and novel insights. Make the best of it! 💡 and wait for the lightbulb moment. Ideas for freedom and innovation are ripe to emerge.

Lunar New Year– Aquarius NM Jan 29, 2025

On By Ka Malana - Fiestaestrellas.comIn Astrology8 Comments

Hello and welcome.

We will be entering the year of the “Wood Snake,” in the Chinese calendar. This, as with many Asian and Jewish cultural traditions (and countless others I didn’t mention) have a focus on the lunar calendar (basing the new year on that) vs. just the solar calendar/Gregorian calendar. The Chinese calendar is more-so based on the planet Jupiter. Jupiter changes signs approx every year. So, the Chinese “animal” is annual. These different astrological frameworks (cultural traditions), can enhance and help flesh out interpretations of what’s to come, be, or what feels like it’s ripe and ready to turn the corner. They are complimentary to each other, rather than contradictory. Consider it all a Zen Koan.

I’m not getting a ton of intuitive insights right now, but I will share what I’ve got. This year has the potential to be very creative and full of growth. The wood energy is all very directional and intentional–so having some solid and flexible plans (think of bamboo) will certainly help to make the best use of this energy. With the Western astrological sign of Aquarius, we are also looking at a time of pretty profound novel ideas. The air element in the Western astrology is *very* present. Just look at the astrological map down below: 4 planets in absolute or near conjunction: Sun, Moon (yes we call the moon a planet in astrology), Mercury and Pluto! Wow wee… With Mercury there, and newly minted “Pluto in Aquarius” for he long haul, the emphasis is on transformational and profound ideas, and changes! Power is being reconfigured in every single way. With the presence of Pluto, nothing will look the same again. But, I think you already knew that! Hah!

Venus and Neptune in Pisces can actually strongly enhance our intuition, and our ability to tap the spiritual for compassion, comfort, and more. Interestingly, those two planets, along with Saturn in Pisces are forming a “trine” or easy-flow aspect to Mars in Retrograde) in Cancer. The time is now to work through those emotions, clarify that road within to understand the movements of our urges and desires. We have a change to step back and get a better angle on seeing it all from different perspectives with that strong help from Aquarius!!! It’s a good time work with the desire nature in a way that tempers it, but also, while helping that desire nature to flourish in a productive way (pointing back to the “message from the Lunar New Year: growth and creativity!).

As if there wasn’t enough Aquarian influence, that Venus/Neptune conjunction is also in harmonious aspect with Uranus (sextile) and that means that whenever Mars and Uranus start moving forward again (Did you guess it would be so close to the New Moon/Lunar New Year?!– Jan 30th), innovation rules the roost! Mars won’t follow suit until Feb 24 when it goes direct in Cancer at 17 degrees. This is actually marvelous. Uranus astrologically is definitely known as the great disruptor–but also the great liberator! Humanity needs to see clearly, but can it? With the strong Piscean addendum/influence to this Lunar New Year, it seems that there could certainly be a lot of confusion. What does the muddling mean? Well, the Ego won’t tell you. And, the Ego is okay and not a bad guy, but fear is the matrix for promoting non-change, “stay the same” and not reclaiming any new freedoms. So there is a need to “wake up.” It’s not a really good catch phrase, “wake up.” A better word form would be “SEE CLEARLY NOW.” How can we see clearly if we already have so many fears and conclusions? It’s much harder to keep the mind open, to watch, and wait and see. Isn’t it? Well, this is the time to do that.

Focus on your only locus of control: your own life, behavior, patterns, thoughts, schedules, and rhythms, and that will really, really help. To back up what I’m saying, Mercury in Aquarius is forming a trine to Jupiter in Gemini. There can be some transformation in the “lightening up of the load” by truly focusing on the narrow and small. The narrow and small, and the big picture can both be part of the clarity–but none of us our omniscient, so we gotta work with just what we’ve got now. What is right there in front of you, staring right back? That doesn’t mean you can’t strive for more. It just means you have to start with the stump you are already on, right now. Right here, and right now.

Happy Lunar New Year Everyone!

Let’s make this a year to grow our own gardens of possibility. It can take on any form. And the best part is, all you need to do is make the choice, and then hold the “space for it.” Yeow! Let’s have the best time we can!

You are here! 🌎🌍🌏 Cancer Full Moon 🌕

On By Ka Malana - Fiestaestrellas.comIn Astrology14 Comments
The Full Moon in Cancer

Welp, here we are. We are at the start of the New Year with the Lunar New Year just around the corner. It will be a bit of the “Take two” and a chance to rewrite the solar year’s less “organic” start to the year. Whether you are a fan of the Sun or the Moon, it’s a bit like being a dog or a cat lover. Some are both. I would put myself in that camp. While I am allergic to cats (or was, long story not for now), I did have a dog who was golden like the sun, a retriever. We did actually have a kitten named “Brendy” who ran away. The kitten and puppy did play together, actually.

I loved them both. I was so sad when Brendy bolted. Maybe an animal got her. One day she just didn’t respond to her name being called. My heart still aches for the little girl who called to her trying so hard to make her voice like a magical lasso to reel the kitten back into the fold. We love you. I love you. I wanted my love to reach her. I tried so hard, called louder, tried different inflections.

But now, it’s 2025.

I’m a dog and cat lover for different reasons. I think cats and dogs should get along but I understand why most don’t. I’m also a sun and moon lover. Probably because my sun is in Leo (its domicile) and my moon is in Cancer (its domicile). I guess you could say “I’m at home.”

That’s what this cancer full moon is all about but with a twist. The energy is mega intense. We have Mars and Pluto acting very strongly in this Full Moon chart.

Not my most amazing photo but clearly the moon is Vivid and Full

The Sun is nearly next to Pluto and the Moon is paired with Mars. This adds some spiciness to the familiar, the comforts, and tension with Pluto. We are here to grow and stretch ourselves and in the midst of that find and define home.

Right now so many people in Los Angeles are suffering through losses, bad fumes and devastation. Over night people have lost their homes and insurances have bailed. They are without. It wrenches my heart to think that people are suffering like this.

Look for the helpers. This moon is all about the helpers and finding them and fueling them to do what they can do best: understand NEEDS.

The sign of Cancer is very explicit in pointing to and differentiating needs from wants. Mars is here, though. There can be urgency.

Settling the nervous system is always a good idea but maybe it will help to use this Moon’s wisdom to get ever more clearer about those body and emotional needs. Get clear about your physiological needs around peace and calm so you can be more clear about triggers and irritations as they arise and are bodily expressed.

My focus is to point out that Uranus, the Awakener, here is positively interacting with BOTH the Sun and Moon. This is opportunity to enlighten around what changes in consciousness can be made to make home more what it should be, more what suits your comforts and needs to settling, needs for sleep and calm. Also, Uranus is in Taurus helping to awaken the senses to be more in tune with how to distribute the energies. What colors and sounds are soothing for you? There much to explore to become more in alignment with those daily needs that Cancer full moon 🌝 needs to get cozy.

I’d love to hear from you. Share your experiences and desires here. Mars’ presence with the Full Moon is going to be giving you messages around your energy level fluctuations, motivations, and more. There is so much beauty in how we strive for the sake of our families and the love in community we extend from our family into the greater world. How can we expand the cozy bubble? Can we become closer friends with the foes experienced through our environment?

These are some thoughts to work with.

💗

Here’s a cute aside: My daughter’s calendar has the moon on it and we are talking about how the symbols on the calendar represent the Full Moon for today and how approximately a week from now it will be a “half moon” as she called it, and then approx a week after that on the 29th, a new moon. “Blank.” On the calendar it’s pictured as a dark circle. It’s so fun that she’s naturally interested and attentive to the moon as it corresponds on the calendar. She noticed it herself. Just 5 years old and her observation skills are getting ready! She’s getting the tools and soon she can apply and make note of what she discovers!

Trailblazers

On By Ka Malana - Fiestaestrellas.comIn Astrology25 Comments

who are we to feel small

when god herself is the silver lining behind our

identities

who are we to tremble

when we hold the only answer to the question

that really matters

in our hearts

who are we to hide inside the fabric of our overwhelm

when every step forward we take is

pure magic

contributing to the collective

in ways yet unknown

**Big days are here. We have Pluto moving into Aquarius and the Sun in just a couple of days within each other. Followed by the full moon in Leo on the 25th! I’ve been recently in touch with so many founders, visionaries, leaders, quiet friends who have found that gentleness towards the end of their journey where their contributions have been, indeed, immense. I am in awe to even be able to have the audience seat I get in this life. I’m moving closer and closer to the front and center ability to “observe.” There is nothing but joy. It doesn’t mean that politics is OK. It doesn’t mean that there isn’t destruction to the Earth. It’s not ears closed, eyes shut yelling happily “lalala.” It’s bonafide peace. It’s the place that exists if you just choose to focus on it, hitch to your star, anchor to the ground, and then just GOOOOOOOOooooooooo DOOoooo it! Make it real.

Alignments

On By Ka Malana - Fiestaestrellas.comIn Astrology20 Comments

2024 New Moon Schedule

  • New Moon in Capricorn – Thursday, January 11 at 6:57 a.m. EST
  • New Moon in Aquarius – Friday, February 9 at 5:59 p.m. EST
  • New Moon in Pisces – Sunday, March 10 at 4:00 a.m. EST
  • New Moon Solar Eclipse in Aries – Monday, April 8 at 1:20 p.m. EST
  • New Moon in Taurus – Tuesday, May 7 at 10:22 p.m. EST
  • New Moon in Gemini – Thursday, June 6 at 7:37 a.m. EST
  • New Moon in Cancer – Friday, July 5 at 5:57 p.m. EST
  • New Moon in Leo – Sunday, August 4 at 6:12 a.m. EST
  • New Moon in Virgo – Monday, September 2 at 8:55 p.m. EST
  • New Moon Solar Eclipse in Libra – Wednesday, October 2 at 1:49 p.m. EST
  • New Moon in Scorpio – Friday, November 1 at 7:46 a.m. EST
  • New Moon in Sagittarius – Sunday, December 1 at 1:21 a.m. EST
  • New Moon in Capricorn – Monday, December 30 at 5:27 p.m. EST (source: women’shealthmagazine)

In my shamanic work apprenticeship, I have a process where I work with, meet and develop relationships with new teachers all the time. I have been doing this informally for all of my life before I joined into structures already created by other humans. Overall, some of my teachers are in the flesh, but many of my teachers are plant spirits–in fact, for every single human teacher I have, I have probably 10x as many plant teachers. I’ve had a lot of human teachers over the years. One day I think about making a list of all of them. It’s overwhelming to be honest. Hah! However, the plant allies are not overwhelming at all. They can easily be missed without recognition. Which is why it takes careful attention and cultivation of the observation aspect of consciousness. We are awareness.

I’ve attached these New Moon dates for your convenience. It’s a snapshot of the year. For the solar calendar and the Western world, the New Moon with most relevance is the one at the start of the year, January. However, for the lunar calendar focus of the cultures of the East, the first moon of relevance for predictive and preparation purposes, is the moon in February. This is in the sign of Aquarius. I find this to be very significant because of the role that Aquarius is playing in the dawning of our new age. Pluto is moving into Aquarius this month, with certainty. There is no doubt about that prognostication. It is more than a “weather” event. It is a description of a galactic clock. While we observe from Earth, our observations are still further based from the energy of the Sun, and extending beyond that. It’s a very small world that we ever get to “see.” Scientists are now currently discovering newer and newer galaxies, thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope.

added.

On By Ka Malana - Fiestaestrellas.comIn Astrology17 Comments
Ka Malana Photography
Ka Malana Photography

Click the picture/link above to support and see the whole Cheer Peppers Team!

Narrative discussion:

This exercise of posting every day with the theme of a Tao Te Ching passage to be revealed at the end of the month… is a lot of fun 🤩

I’m already beginning to come up with a theme for the month of December. Reading blogs and interacting adds a lot to my life. During this time of holiday seasons, being cozy at home stirs my senses with creativity and rest: the perfect combination. I feel so comfortable and at home. I’m nurturing this feeling by being in this space at this time of year. Meanwhile I’m planning book reading from lovely authors I know through blogging as well.

Astrology:

New moon in Scorpio ♏️ is coming up on November 13. It touches exactly our family’s charts, so it’s a pleasure to share as the cosmic growth continues to happen. Mars features strongly and pulling an opposition to Uranus in Taurus ♉️. Uranus is known as the “unpredictable” one, expressly surprises us in ways that can fast-track our path forward and/or toward enlightenment. Jupiter shares the sign Taurus ♉️ during this transit. The energy is all about building and expansion, solidity—and, it’s opposite. We are undergoing deep transformational processes (but I don’t think you need me to tell you that.).

Why astrology? It’s “added.” It’s a bonus way to track your journey. After all, the Earth is flying through the solar system. It’s natural to look out the window and read the signs. Sure, you can do it all with your eyes closed (but that’s just not as much fun!)