We are having an interesting astrological week with the full moon on Halloween occurring in the lunar constellation of Bharani.

Bharani is represented by the female genitalia, representing birth, and is ruled by Yama, the Lord of Death. It is the doorway both into and out of our world.

As the Lord of Death, he is also Dharmaraj, the lord of justice, who judges the good and bad karmas we have accumulated in life during our after-death experience, in the bardo of becoming.

This lunar transit is an excellent time to contemplate our life’s journey between life and death, known in Buddhism as the bardo of this life, and to be our own Lord of Justice to weigh our actions and sense of direction. It is also a fortunate time to recognize our own mortality.

By facing the uncomfortable truth of our own inevitable death, we are able to ground more fully in the present moment and cherish the blessings in our life that are with us right now.

As we face so many challenges in our lives these days, contemplation on death can help us to put current events into some perspective and allow us to not get too embroiled in the turmoil.
Saturday’s full moon is also supported by an aspect from Jupiter, powerful in its own sign of Sagittarius. This makes it an even stronger day to grow in wisdom and to resolve to stick to a path of dharma and justice with the time we have left on this earth.

Jupiter will be leaving Sagittarius and entering Capricorn, its sign of debilitation, on November 19. I will write more about this transit and its challenges as the time gets closer.