We recently recorded this improvisation at our dear friend Mary's home.

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A Message From the Hopi Elders

You have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour.
Now you must go back and tell the people that this is The Hour.

Here are the things that must be considered:

Where are you living?
What are you doing?
What are your relationships?
Are you in right relation?
Where is your water?
Know our garden.
It is time to speak your Truth.
Create your community.
Be good to each other.
And do not look outside yourself for the leader.

This could be a good time!

There is a river flowing now very fast.
It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid.
They will try to hold on to the shore.
They will feel like they are being torn apart, and they will suffer greatly.

Know the river has its destination.
The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off toward the middle of the river,
Keep our eyes open, and our heads above the water.

See who is there with you and celebrate.

At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally, least of all Ourselves!
For the moment we do, our spiritual growth and journey comes to a halt.

The time of the lonely wolf is over.
Gather yourselves!

Banish the word struggle from your attitude and vocabulary.

All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.

We are the ones we have been waiting for.

The Elders,
Oraibi, Arizona
Hopi Nation

New Moon

This Aries New Moon is especially bold and powerful and occurs on March 26, 2009. Each new moon is unique in that, while it falls in one of 12 signs of the zodiac, it is also at a particular degree, and each degree has its own particular meaning. The Moon and Sun are conjoined at 6 degrees Aries 7 minutes.

What’s so important about a New Moon anyway you might ask? The most important two cycles of the Moon are the new and full moon cycle. The moon moves through all the signs in about 28 days. The new moon phase is when the Moon and Sun are conjunct; i.e., they appear to be aligned with one another based on our perspective from earth looking up at the heavens. This is called geocentric or earth-centered.

Each month there is a new moon in a different astrological sign. The importance is ‘what’ the new moon cycle represents as, in a nutshell, it is a ‘time of seeding’ focused toward desired manifestation. The full moon follows the new moon approximately two weeks later and is considered a ‘time of manifestation’ for that which was ‘seeded.’

Most people are totally unconscious of this process and may plant the seeds of negativity and reap the results not understanding just how they participated in this process. We are attempting to be much more conscious and aware by using this important natural cycle positively. How we do this is through ‘intentional’ thinking and doing.

It is not like thinking, "I want to get rich, so I will focus on getting rich each new moon." However, prosperity consciousness is not a bad thing to focus on especially if you have a poor self-image, lack self-confidence, or have a job that is just a means to an end and does not support right-livelihood. A new moon can and should be used to support whatever your hopes, wishes, and dreams may be.

The sign Aries is the first sign of the zodiac. It occurs at the beginning of spring; a time when we often begin readying the ground for planting our gardens. The Aries sign and therefore people who were born under the sign of Aries or who have an abundance of Aries planets are seen through the following traits: enthusiasm, courage, self-confidence, forthright, impulsive, impatient, egotistical, assertive, leadership, and many more.

Aries wants to go where no man has gone before; to take the road less traveled. She/he can become impatient when blocks are put in their path or others try to prevent them from realizing their goals. They are often self-made individuals preferring to strike out on their own especially if they do not receive recognition for their efforts from superiors. They believe in ‘lead by example;’ and will not usually ask more of others than they are willing to give of themselves.

This Aries New Moon is especially powerful since the Moon while aligned with the Sun is also joined by Mercury and Venus. This becomes a very powerful four-planet stellium (grouping of planets) focused on communicating (Mercury) feelings and values (Venus) and just what we can accomplish with enthusiasm, boldness, and determination when we put our heart (Venus) and mind (Mercury) to it.

This stellium is in a very direct and challenging aspect (square) to the planet Pluto in Capricorn (the sign of discipline). If we are to manage to ‘manifest’ our hopes, wishes, and dreams suggested as possible at the new moon, we must be willing to discipline ourselves, and realize that a lot of determination and hard work may be required. There can be power plays, authority figures who challenge us, and even some, possibly not so subtle, coercive measures used by others. We must learn how to be powerful and how to empower others–to not be afraid to stand up and confront people and situations if you feel you are being taken advantage of and especially if someone is trying to ‘silence’ you or negate your feelings.

The 6th degree of Aries relates to, according to the book, "The Zodiac Image Handbook–Cardinal Signs," to an "extraordinary potential and formidable talent for resisting coercion." How interesting, since Pluto’s square to the Aries stellium can bring out so many issues involving coercion/control.

The image of the 6th degree shows us a man riding on a horse climbing up a mountain on a dangerous narrow path. There are many people working hard in a valley below him. There is the suggestion that the image represents a person who must emerge from a lower state of consciousness, something of a ‘slave mentality’ and pull himself up through a ‘pioneering and exploring consciousness’ to a much higher spiritual level. There is the danger of taking a ‘fall’ due to excessive ego and pride especially if one forgets where one has come from and the meaning of slow, determined work especially of a service nature.

It is easy to see that excessive, possibly menial, overwork just to make ends meet may keep us with our nose to the grindstone and feeling unable to rise above our daily tasks. However, we are prompted to see that we are more than this physical being and that part of us must rise up and send impulses to that part of us that needs to ‘wake up’ and ‘get up’ off your knees and look to the Heavens and strive to get above these restrictive and sometimes, hopeless conditions.

To strike a balance with this degree, we must see that hard work prepares us for the fulfillment of ideals. Work, however menial, with the right intentions and attitude is very positive. If we bond with nature and concern ourselves with mother earth and the survival of our planet, we may become loving guardians of our most valuable asset that sustains us on all levels. A balance needs to be struck between what we personally need and want and what is good for the collective and how we can take care of ourselves and benefit others at the same time.

In this balanced way, we can see ourselves as part of the human family--one that desires to make planetary peace and inner peace a concrete reality.

Famous People with 6 degrees of Aries prominent:

Joseph Campbell, Sun, Mercury, and Jupiter-- teacher and author of "The Power of Myth" and many other books.

Richard Dawkins, Sun–science author and ethologist; formerly Professor for Public Understanding of Science at Oxford, first came to prominence with his book, "The Selfish Gene"

Robert Frost, Sun–poet

Bill Moyers, Moon–journalist, author–extensive involvement with public television producing documentaries and news journal programs

Eric Fromm, Mercury–social psychologist, psychoanalyst and humanistic philosopher; reading his books, "Escape from Freedom," and "Man for Himself" might give much additional insight into this 6th degree

Paramahansa Yogananda, Mars–mystic, founder of Self-Realization Fellowship

Emily Dickinson, Mars–author, prolific poet–themes of death and immortality

John Gray, Jupiter–author of the popular, "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus"–he has at least 18 books in print on the topic of ‘relationships’

Sinead O’Connor, Saturn–singer; known for controversial public outbursts

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Neptune–painter; one of the greatest artists of the Post-Impressionist period–his work presented the exciting and provocative images of the decadent life of those times

Stephen Foster, Pluto–composer, songwriter

Jimmy Hoffa, North Node–Union Leader; former President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Rosa Parks, North Node--Civil Rights Activist–a woman of strength and courage who stood for what she deemed to be right

Brigham Young, North Node–religious leader; nicknamed the "American Moses" because he led his followers through the desert to their desired ‘promised land’

Joan Baez, South Node–folk singer; many of her songs deal with social issues

Nikolai Lenin, Chiron–Russian revolutionary leader

Eva Peron, Chiron–politician; first lady of Argentina; became powerful for speaking out for labor rights; for her many good works to champion the under-dog and before her death at age 33, she was given the official title of "Spiritual Leader of the Nation" by the Argentine Congress

Pete Seeger, Chiron–folk singer, pioneer of protest music, environmental activist

Alfred Russel Wallace, Chiron--Evolution Scientist Geographer; social activist; one of the first scientists to raise concerns over the environmental impact of human activity (19th Century)

When you look at the list of names of famous people, think in terms of what this degree means as listed above. You can strongly see the leader emerge affecting a greater community in the lives of Jimmy Hoffa, Rosa Parks, Paramahansa Yogananda, Brigham Young, Nikolai Lenin, Evita Peron, Alfred Russel Wallace, and the others in various ways.

You might ask yourself how you can, personally, use the energies of this new moon to your benefit? Make a list of the things that are important to you that you would like to see manifest. They could include: greater self-confidence, more enthusiasm, doing things that give you joy, accentuate your oneness with nature, increased physical activity, going after your aspirations, inspiring and motivating others to be their best, assuming more of a leadership position, doing something that requires courage, and anything else you can think of. For some, a personal goal could be as simple as working towards being an ‘ideal’ weight or having a ‘healthy body’– which starting a new diet and exercise program supports.

Draw a triangle and write your particular goal inside. As an example, let’s take the goal of ideal weight and write that inside a triangle. Underneath it, write the words that support the manifestation of this goal which could be: proper diet, exercise, and will power. Think of at least three goals you would like to manifest and write them down as well. Then write down the behavior which supports manifesting these goals.

You have now taken some very powerful steps towards putting you on the path to manifest your hopes, wishes, and dreams. Now place the paper with the triangles somewhere prominent in your house where you will see it several times a day.

Lastly, listen to the new moon music which has been created just for this particular new moon and let it do its magic to lift you up and reinvigorate you to fulfill your destiny in the best way possible.

Aries New Moon

On the bottom of the Padma Soundsystem front page you will find a paypal donate button. Once you make a donation you will be able to download a large file of our most recent New Moon Music performance. Please do visit the site and download this recording. The intention is to create a performance each new moon that will benefit the listener.

Here is the profile of this Pisces New Moon as created by our astrologer/ shaman Jackie Harvey:

New Moon – February 24, 2009

Sun & Moon at 6 Pisces 35' - resonates with 7^th degree of Pisces:

The Sun and Moon make very few aspects which places them as what we call "transcendental" planets. That means that they being less encumbered through aspect with other planets have a potential for ‘freer’ expression.

The only aspects they make are the quincunx to the South Node and a sextile to Pluto while Pluto forms a quincunx to the South Node as well. This configuration is called a Yod–the Finger of God pointing. In addition, there is a very powerful opposition back from the South Node to the North Node, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, Chiron, and Neptune. This is called an "Arrow Yod."

The 7^th degree of Pisces has certain meanings that I think you will easily be able to identify with in our present timeframe. The downfall of this degree is called ‘gluttony and secret greed.’ I can see how the South Node in Leo could point to these excesses. Almost daily, we are hearing about corporate greed or even individual greed to a scale that is staggering.

Just today on "Democracy Now" two judges in Pennsylvania were indicted for having secretly taken kickbacks from penal institutions for sentencing juveniles to their facilities. They had taken over $2.6 million from these institutions. They sent over 5,000 juveniles with no legal representation away after a 90-second court appearance with the judge and often for doing nothing criminal. The only reason for focusing on this is that this Piscean degree calls for us to look clearly and with great compassion at just ‘what’ has taken place and begs us make restitution and amends.

On a high level, this degree gives understanding of what is ‘pure and chaste.’ There is a reverence for the beauty of nature. This degree vibrates to color, poetry, music, and mystical things.

One needs to learn how to ‘mirror’ all forms of creation as does a pearl. Through good will, one will have the energy to inject creative material with new potential and harmony. This is a ‘healing’ degree.

There is a ‘mysterious’ edge to this degree–where vast hidden worlds are yet to be revealed. There needs to be total dedication of heart, soul, and body.

We must consider the opposite degree in Virgo to find and strike a balance. In the negative, this represents people who seldom get a taste of happiness, a tender word, or loving smile. Their background is misery with difficult life experiences such as extreme poverty where they may have to beg for spiritual or material food. They experience repeated setbacks until any arrogance they have is conquered. This 7^th degree of Virgo is one of heavy karma–old experiences must be abandoned by these people.

In the positive, one learns humility and abandonment of selfish pretension. At a higher level, when a human being has sacrificed everything laughter comes, there is collective protection. One can decide to be happy in whatever circumstances.

The "heart" needed to be "pierced." It takes a ‘forceful’ energy to do so. To be ‘forceful’ musically requires a different kind of energy and intent. We cannot ‘restore balance’ without a ‘breaking through energetic.’ Things need to be revealed so true healing can begin.

Where does the gluttony of our nation come from? Perhaps, it comes from people being ‘spiritually and morally impoverished.’ Can we even wonder that we’re so far off track when we must have conversations about whether ‘torture’ is legal or moral? I mean, it’s like we’re living inside an insane asylum or the people who have presided over this mess should be locked up in one.

Everyday we hear about the excesses of Wall Street even after they received the bailout money. I don’t know what a ‘wake up call’ for the nation and world would look like; but we sure could use one right now.

The meanings for the Pisces New Moon degree and the opposite Virgo degree are excerpted from the "Zodiac Image Handbook–Mutable Signs" 

Sun and Moon sextile Pluto is the base of the Yod. This is the ‘Spirit and Soul’ in an opportunity aspect with what we might think of as the ‘God of the Underworld.’ This is a very powerful aspect for the ‘right use’ of will power aimed and focused strongly on the South Node or ‘past behavior/destiny and all the people along that pathway.’

Since the South Node is in Leo this highlights both positively and negatively. Gluttony could be a negative Leo trait where one just can’t get enough. Generosity would be a positive Leo trait.

The point (South Node) acts like a boom-a-rang which goes to the opposite end where there are four planets (Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Neptune) and the asteroid Chiron, and the North Node. This is a huge stellium (grouping) of planets to be at play in this configuration.

All six in this group are like super-glued together into an altered form. They cannot act alone or without one another.

Here’s what some of their themes when paired mean:

Mercury/Mars – making decisions, angry or aggressive words/-communications

Mercury/Neptune – imaginative and intuitive ideas and concepts

Mercury/Jupiter – a storyteller, a problem-solver, a writer

Mercury/North Node – meeting people easily, love of communication

Mercury/Chiron – talking about healing, wounding people verbally

Jupiter/North Node – adaptability or lack of, a teacher

Mars/Jupiter – creative, self-righteous, strong sense of right and wrong

Mars/Chiron – physical or energetic vulnerability, healing energetic

Mars/Neptune – inspired actions, paralyzed to act, feelings of inadequacy, possible dishonesty

Jupiter/Neptune – naive, extremely idealistic, seeks high spiritual states such as ecstacy/bliss, easily disappointed, allows self to become ‘conned’ or is the ‘con’

Jupiter/Chiron – a rainbow chaser

Neptune/Chiron – spiritual/faith healer, a spiritual fraud

Neptune/North Node – anti-social, reclusive, seeks retreats

Chiron/North Node – a healing destiny, a wounded destiny, breakthroughs needed to fulfil destiny.

You can see with all these themes that this is really meaty stuff. The real weight in on the boom-a-rang end of the opposition. Think of it as a see-saw where most of the weight is placed at one end which is relatively ‘hidden’ from view. What’s visible is the lighter side.

This configuration is actually pointing to a lot of unseen motives that are behind what you do see. What has been hidden needs to become visible and into the light of day in order to bring in any kind of balance.

Old, worn-out behavior is represented by the South Node. It represents the status quo. We need to get to the North Node on the ‘high side’ to restore our morals, raise our hopes, dream a new dream for our lives, reinvigorate our lives, choose to heal, let our inner visions come forward so we may breathe life into them, and proceed with the greatest integrity.

The lower side of these six we know all too well; it has everything to do with the mess we find ourselves in right now:

A world ripe with one ‘pyramid’ scheme after another taking in the gullible and those who believe in the lower side of ‘something for nothing.’

There all too many ‘spiritual seekers’ looking for a ‘messiah’ to lead them to their appointed destiny–rather than earn it themselves!

I’ll not spend any more time on listing their downfalls since I know you get the drift. To change or transform something, it all has to be made very ‘visible’ so that almost no one can ‘miss’ it. First, we have to ‘see’ it, then we need to ‘understand’ it, and lastly, we need to make our own internal changes to ensure it doesn’t keep repeating only in another insidious form.

What comes to mind are the words ‘smoke and mirrors.’ We must get rid of the Piscean ‘smoke or fog’ and take a good, long look in the mirror to ‘see’ just what we are displaying for others to see. We must also take a look at those around us and do the same because Neptune/Node suggests that some of those colorful characters we surround ourselves with may not be so good for us. They may have anti-social behavior, drug or dependency issues, or just even "Peter Pan" people who refuse to grow up and become responsible adults.

On the positive, the Sun/Moon/Pluto combination gives the will-power to tackle these serious issues. There will be lots of adjustments that need to be made. It’s kind of like Obama getting his big stimulus package signed. He did it; but there will be lots of ‘adjusting’ as to just how to make it all work out right! Faith, luck, or good will alone are just not enough. Everyone has to do his or her own part, and there needs to be lots of oversight and transparency.

Another thought about the word ‘breakthrough:’ there have been those who have demonstrated their ability to literally break glass by hitting a certain pitch with their voice such as Ella Fitzgerald. It could be that you fill find a sound capable of accomplishing this ‘breakthrough’ and recognize it immediately because of its piercing sound. In some way, you are trying to shift awareness in a dramatic way.

Amitayus Long Life Mantra

Om Ah Hung Benzra Guru Padma Siddhi Hung

Guru Rinpoche Buddhafield