Jyestha Devi
This is the final New Moon of the year and a powerful moment to dissolve old habits and dream up new intentions.
The New Moon, in particular, calls forth the power of the Dark Feminine. It will plunge into the ancient depths of sidereal Scorpio where life-giving waters also hold the dark mystery of death and endings. There is a misunderstood and often undermined power of femininity that is exemplified here: the eldest phase of a woman’s life, the shakti of the Crone – and the respect that her seniority earns.
The New Moon will take place right in the heart of the constellation of Scorpio, where the red-giant star Antares lies. This is the star of Jyestha, “the eldest wife.” Jyestha is the mysterious goddess who is said to be the elder sister of Laksmi the goddess of wealth and prosperity. However, unlike her beautiful and auspicious sister she has been labeled as the terrible harbinger of poverty and hardship. But Jyestha dates back almost 2000 years and her image may be much older. She is often depicted as a plump, heavy breasted woman (implying fertility), with her legs open and feet planted solidly on the ground. She is the image of female authority and power in the family.
In ancient Indian society it was upheld that within a polygamous family the first wife had special rights and authority, such as administrative power over a large family and the right to participate in religious ceremonies with her husband. Although Jyestha has been given the modern reputation of being unruly and slothful, she is the ancient goddess of the “senior wife,” She seems to be a nearly forgotten matriarch, who like the firstborn of the gods, Indra, has had to defend her authority constantly. While threatened by the arrival of younger wives, she continues to hold her position by seniority.
On an astrological level this deep and perplexing place for the dark moon is not supportive of marriage, social gatherings, or investment ventures, especially since it is transiting Saturn. Situations may seem heavy and we may feel anxious or even depressed; however the transformative potential of this dark shakti is considerable. If possible, it is best channeled into the inner worlds, spending time in quiet reflection. This dark moon is a portal to the secret and forgotten worlds of our hearts and the broken hearts of our ancestors. It is a time to look back over our lives and heal old wounds and uproot self-sabotaging behaviors and addictions. Jyestha can empower aspects of ourselves that we may have silenced or shamed.
The source of deep insecurities, jealousy, and negative beliefs in relationships can also be exposed. Try to take it easy on yourself and others. Be patient if faced with defensiveness and reactivity and remember that it is often coming from a place of ignorance and suffering. Overall, open your heart and allow space for healing, you have the right to everything you feel. It is, after all, the unruly and angry wisdom of the ancient goddess that has the power to set us free.
Although weakened by surrounding planets, Venus is gaining power in her Mulatrikona sign and is spiritually energized by a mystic trine from Neptune. Despite the insecurities and confusion, a great deal of compassion and understanding can open to us now, especially for those in a dasha or sub-dasha cycle of Venus.
To find out what dasha cycle you are running and how the current transits affect your individual chart, schedule a personal Vedic Astrology reading with me here.
**Above art by Susan Seddon Boulet
