Achieve Clarity and Practice Truthfulness this Nov 8th Election
The universe makes the events of life both so formidable and so exhilarating.
When you look at the monthly astrology charts, you will be amazed by the planetary transits, the lunar phases, and the shifts in zodiac signs. The movements of these celestial bodies can influence every aspect of our existence.
This November 8th is no exception. You can expect three major astrological events to be mindful of.
The Full Moon will be in Taurus. Taurus is an earth sign that represents form, structure, and stability.
Mercury and Scorpio will conjunct. Eclipses also signify revelations and secrets exposed.
The Lunar eclipse will closely connect with the planet Uranus. In astrology, Mercury governs communication and perception while Uranus is known as “the planetary agent of chaos.” This planet is also associated with energy, change, and transformation. Uranus brings unpredictability and surprises, which could be catalysts for conflict and tension.
Why is this all important? Because there is a fourth event. It’s unrelated to celestial bodies, yet it will still have a significant impact on our world as we experience it.
The Midterm Election Day in the US this November 8th.
Are the events coincidental?
I believe that the movement in the Universe is intentional. That is why having the knowledge of astrology is beneficial to navigating whatever the Universe throws our way.
It is expected that with the upcoming election, you will be inundated with a mixture of information and propaganda that may influence your emotions and your voting decisions. With the constant influx of information, it will be difficult to perceive the truth.
How will you maintain clarity of mind to discern the truth?
The first step is the practice of Satya, which translates to truthfulness. This is a hard moral principle of the Yamas of the yoga sutras because in order to realize what is true, one must be open, transparent, and vulnerable to the impermanence of everything in this life.
That is, everything around us and within us is always changing. What felt right for us yesterday may feel oddly wrong for us today. And what we thought we knew about ourselves and what we want is subject to fluctuate with the waves of life.
So be honest with yourself. Accept that you don’t have all of the answers. That no one person nor politician will. Seek out knowledge wherever you can, whenever you can, without exhausting yourself.
Attend your local grassroots organizational meetings
Participate in town halls
Meet with your current and potential elected officials to understand their views
Read any election materials
Have open dialogues with a diverse group of people you trust will both actively listen to you and challenge you in love
Get to know yourself (the Niyama of Svadhyaya) by asking yourself “What is it that I want?” And more importantly “to what end?”
Ask yourself who is being helped. Who is being harmed? How might my vote contribute to either?
Sit with this information mindfully and with a level of openness and receptivity. Because sometimes our own experiences filter our thoughts like rose-colored glasses we never knew we were wearing. So allow yourself to rest from all of that mental activity of learning, processing, and analyzing. To fully digest all of that information you took in.
As you do so, notice any physical sensations that arise in your body without labeling them as pleasant or unpleasant. Avoid the stories that naturally start to come up around WHY you might be experiencing this. Just observe any tension, pain, numbness, nerves, etc. with quiet curiosity. Notice how your breath is behaving.
Gradually become conscious of the thoughts that pop up in your mind. Or any movies or images that begin to play in your head. Be aware of any emotions that begin to arise for you. Joy, peace, frustration, anxiety, elation, indignation or anger, excitement.
Ground back into your body. Then ultimately revisit your intention for voting. For effecting change. Trust that your intention is good and that you are making the best decision you can make based on what information you have been able to gather. Let go of any of that pressure society tries to place on us regarding the weight and consequences of our choices. You are human. And that’s so amazing! Don’t allow yourself to worry too much about the results of your vote. Because who is that worrying about even serving?
You see, to other people, truthfulness means “restraint” by not lying or gossiping. However, this Tuesday, I wish that you are able to live this yogic principle of Satya by using your voice to express your truth. That you use your vote as your voice. And that you use your intention as your reference for your vote.
When you vote, do so with kindness. Do so with love. Do so in a way that edifies and unites. And that is in alignment with your ethical values and moral principles.
Coming full circle back to astrology. Taurus is an Earth sign. Earth signs provide stability and form to the other elements. Thus, the Full Moon in Taurus serves as a reminder that we can find support no matter what decision we make. That Mother Earth is still acting as our firm foundation. So go ahead and breathe that fresh air. Slow down.
And meditate.
Not to sound like a broken record. But meditation is so key to how we “life” in this human life. (Yes, we’re making that a verb now.)
Meditation allows you to turn on and off your senses so that you can journey inward with the hopes of touching the deepest part of you — your unchanging Self.
So after you have finished grounding down, try meditating for at least 10 minutes. If it seems difficult for you to do it on your own, check out this guided meditation to help you feel at peace.
Because the Full Moon in Taurus rules the vishuddha chakra seated in the throat, you can release and rebalance your throat chakra with a breathwork technique called Bumble Bee’s breath.
Lastly, practice the following sequence of Asana poses.
Cat Cow Pose (Marjaryasana-Bitilasana)
How to do the pose:
Kneel on the floor and place your hands in front of you.
Maintain a shoulder-width distance between your hands and your knees directly below your hips.
Bring your head up and curve your lower back while taking a deep breath, tilting your pelvis up like a cow.
Then, as you exhale, draw your belly button to your spine and round your back toward the ceiling. The posture should resemble a cat stretching its back.
Inhale as you come back into Cow Pose, and exhale while doing the cat pose.
Repeat this several times and transition to the cobra pose.
Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana)
How to do the pose:
Lie on your stomach and place your hands flat on the ground. Make sure that your hands are beneath your shoulders and your elbows are close to your body.
Pause for a moment with your neck in a neutral position, looking straight down at your mat. Engage your pubic bone to the ground.
Inhale when you lift your chest. Keep your ribs engaged on the floor and roll your shoulders back. Continue to keep your elbows hugging your sides. Don't let them swerve to either side.
Keep your gaze fixed on the ground and your neck in a neutral position.
Upward Facing Dog (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana)
How to do the pose:
While doing the cobra pose, bend your elbows and bring your hand close to your chest. Your forearms should be perpendicular to the floor.
Press your hand on the floor and push yourself up slightly backward. Keep your legs straight and strong while raising your lower spine and torso off the floor.
Inhale and raise your torso even higher, lifting your hips and thighs off the floor.
Slightly tilt your head back, while keeping your legs straight and strong. The top of your feet pressing on the floor.