The Serene Swan Blog
Insights from Ancient Wisdom for Enriched Living
The Promise of the Ashadha Stars
The Full Moon of ‘Guru Purnima’ occurs during the Moon’s transit through the Ashadha constellations.
Rahu in Pisces: Exploring the Unknown
Rahu has begun a new 18-year journey around the zodiac, and this is a time to revisit and renew our thought patterns and societal messaging that we have internalised over the past 18 years.
Solar Eclipse in Pisces: April 2024
The Solar Eclipse that occurs on April 8, 2024 is unique for a few reasons. Foremost among them is the fact that April 8 also coincides with the start of the Hindu/Vedic lunar New Year.
Shiva and Pure Consciousness
Yogic philosophy teaches us about the ‘fourth’ state of Consciousness, also known as ‘Turiya’, beyond the waking, dream and sleep states.
Planetary Insights for 2024
The planets (grahas) reveal an insightful map of unfolding individual & collective karma that leads us to new phases of creation, sustenance & dissolution.
Lighting the Lamp of Wisdom
Lighting a ‘Diya’ or a traditional oil lamp, is one of the most powerful ways to spiritually connect with the fiery energy of the Sun.
Navaratri: Honouring the Divine Feminine
After the 14 days of Pitru Paksha that honoured our ancestral lineages, begins the ‘Maatri Paksha’ – a time that is dedicated to the Divine Mother.
Sri Ganesha: Auspicious Beginnings
The traditions of Vedic Astrology bring much importance to the form and energy of Sri Ganesha, who is loved and revered in homes across the world.
The Power of Eclipses
Astrologically speaking, when eclipses dim the light of the Sun and the Moon – the Cosmic Luminaries – these events provide an extraordinary opportunity for the individual to access deeper insight.
The Gayatri Mantra: Illuminating Intelligence
The Gayatri Mantra is one of the most potent and powerful mantras from the Vedic tradition. The mantra reveres the Sun (Savitu) as a representation of the eternal light of the Self.
The Importance of the Moon in Astrology
Since ancient times, the Moon has been a symbol of dreams and imagination, inspiring artists, poets, scientists and scholars alike to unravel the mysteries held by our lunar companion in space.
Jupiter in Aries: Growth and New Beginnings
On April 22, 2023, Jupiter moved in to the sign of Aries, entering ‘Ashwini Nakshatra’ – the lunar sign with the Shakti (power) to heal and ‘reach places quickly’. Jupiter’s transit through Aries occurs until April 2024.
Saturn in Aquarius, the Water Bearer
In January 2023, Saturn entered the sign of Aquarius that is symbolised by the water-bearer. According to Vedic Astrology, Aquarius is ruled by Saturn, and therefore Saturn’s presence in its own sign makes the transit even more powerful.
Planetary Transits: An Ever-Moving World
Every moment of time can be experienced as a new beginning, and yet there is great power that manifests from the energy of collective intention.
Celebrating the Light of the Self
I open to that light which brings auspicious energy, health, well-being and prosperity.
Fiery Mars Meets Earthy Taurus (2022-23)
Mars, the planet of energy, enthusiasm and will power, transits the Earth sign of Taurus in one of its longest known transit durations in recent times.
Guru Puja: The Significance of Honouring our Teachers of Wisdom
In the Vedic Calendar, there are special days of the year dedicated to honouring teachers, both known and unknown, who hold sacred space for seekers to learn, imbibe and grow on the path.
Rahu’s Transit through Aries (2022)
Rahu’s transit through Aries brings unique focus to the element of Fire and the potential for new beginnings that are held within the sign of Aries.
Why Birds are Sacred
The bird ‘Garuda’ in the Hindu tradition is the ‘Vaahana’ (mount) of Lord Vishnu who represents the aspect of continuance, sustenance and the flow of life energy.
Sarasvati: Giver of Essence
Goddess of learning, wisdom and the arts, Sarasvati has been worshiped and invoked since the Vedic times, as an embodiment of all that is creative, evolutionary and enlightening.
Shiva – the Lord of Time
“Kala Sarpa Yoga” is a celestial formation of planets within a ‘Serpent-like’ formation or alignment. This alignment is known as the ‘Serpent of Time’.
Astrological Weather: A Profound, Serpent-energy Alignment
Beginning December 2021 until April 2022, we are seeing once again the formation of an astrological Kala Sarpa Yoga in the zodiac – also known as the Serpent of Time.
Nurturing the Sacred Fire (Agni)
During the lunar month of “Kartika” (Oct-Nov) as per the Hindu calendar, the Nakshatra (constellation) of “Krittika” comes in to focus.
Jupiter & Saturn Conjunct: Unfolding Joyous Karma
When Jupiter and Saturn conjunct in the same zodiac sign, astrological indications point to significant times of shifting realities.
Dashami: The Tenth Day of Victory
The Tenth House of the Astrological Chart is considered to be the chart’s marker of success and achievement.
Bhagavad Gita: A Selection of Verses
To honour the eternal inspiration that Sri Krishna embodies, I’d like to share with you some verses from the Bhagavad Gita – the “Song of the Divine” that was revealed by Krishna to Arjuna on the battlefield of ‘Kurukshtera’.
Shravana: The Power to Influence
The month ‘Shraavana’ gets its name from the lunar constellation by the same name.
Guru Purnima: The Acknowledgement of Grace
On Guru Purnima, the Full Moon shines in ‘Uttara Ashadha’ Nakshatra, the lunar constellation of the ‘victorious’. This day is observed as ‘the Full Moon of the Guru’.
The Upanishads: Illuminating the Self
The Upanishads are a part of the Vedic Literature (the Vedas) that contain meditations upon the nature of the Self.
The Lunar Eclipse & OM Chanting
The Full Moon of Buddha Purnima or Vaishakha Purnima, brings with it the blessings of knowledge that the luminaries – the Moon and the Sun – hold for us on a spiritual level.