Greetings friends! I'm writing in the wee hours after a beautiful day of travels back home from a whole month in South Carolina!
I’m enjoying two new programs of study along with assisting a yoga teacher training for One Tribe Yoga, and today I’d like to reflect on astrology and its connection to yogic psychology.
Have you ever experienced a power struggle? A reoccurring life situation that continually seems to have power over you? Welcome to the realm of Pluto and Samskara.
When we shine a light on our desire nature, we start to see something the yogis call Samskara, unconscious impressions of our stored suffering. Honest assessment of those desires requires confronting ourself, our cravings of approval, and a myriad of different things that can hook us.
Many paths of yoga can help us see our Samskaras. For example, in Tantric meditation practices the Shiva/Shakti (doer and observer) can make way for clearer witnessing skills. As we advance in our yoga practice towards witness consciousness, the external becomes much less powerful.
When we inquire, meditate, and become brutally honest witnesses of our inner selves, the world where suffering occurs does not magically go away. I know, it’s a paradox. It still exists, but it can become less powerful. When we confront our fear, the power struggles projected from those unconscious habits can become less important.
In astrology, the planet Pluto aligns to these yogic teachings. Pluto’s focus on stark, often painful or ugly reality helps bring light to the origins of our Samskaras, especially when the planet is strongly placed in our individual birth charts. As the Jungians say, “There is no coming to consciousness without pain.”
The ultimate gift we're given, from Pluto and the Samskaras, is to reorient back to our SOUL desire to find itself. This gift comes to those of us who are on an authentic journey, regardless of whether the vehicle is yoga, astrology, or both.
Join us for this month’s virtual conversation on Pluto and Samskara at 7 pm eastern on Thursday, February 11. Make a donation of any amount below to receive the Zoom link.
Tuesday 6 pm Samastah Yoga (virtual - pre-registration required)
(Samastah class)
Friday 1 pm: Karma Yoga (live - pre-registration required)
(Karma class)
Finally here's a link for Thursday, Feb 11, class donations ($10 suggested)
