We love this article from our resident astrology expert, Calodagh McCumiskey, in which she outlines the beauty of new beginnings, from an astrological perspective. The planets constantly present us with invitations to begin anew. This article appeared in our Spring 2020 issue.
Calodagh McCumiskey
In this full article from our Autumn 2019 issue, Calodagh McCumiskey discusses how the interplay of planets, signs and houses in our chart can impact our emotions. To read the whole magazine, click here for your local stockist, or subscribe here to receive a copy direct to your door.
In this extract from our Autumn 2019 issue, Calodagh McCumiskey discusses how the interplay of planets, signs and houses in our chart can impact our emotions. To read the full article, click here for your local stockist, or subscribe here to receive a copy direct to your door.
Calodagh McCumiskey discusses the relationship between planets and the chakras in this enlightening extract from our Summer 2019 issue. To read the full article, pick up a copy in your local stockist or subscribe to receive a copy direct to your door.
In this sneak peek of Calodagh McCumiskey’s article from our Spring 2019 issue, she shares how astrology can be used as a vehicle for growth and transformation: themes that are very relevant to the season! To read the full article, just pick up a copy in your local stockist or subscribe here.
Our resident astrology expert, Calodagh McCumiskey, has some fascinating information to share about the influence of the five elements (Space, Air, Fire, Water and Earth) in Vedic astrology. Read on to learn all about it!
This article is an extract from our Autumn 2018 issue.
The Five Elements and Vedic Astrology
The building blocks of being
by Calodagh McCumiskey
When we look at the beauty of nature, the five elements provide the foundation for the physical world. Ayurveda, the Indian traditional system of medicine or ‘“living in tune with nature” recognises these elements, Space, Air, Fire, Water, and Earth, as the building blocks of all matter.
An understanding of the elements gives us deep insights in to our own and other’s natures, as well as of the world around us. Just as all the elements are in the world, they are also in us. As Rumi says: We are a drop in the ocean and the ocean in a drop.
Fire is the element of the signs of Aries, Leo and Sagittarius, and the Sun and the South Node of the moon, Ketu. Earth is the element of Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn. Air is the element of Gemini, Libra, Aquarius and Rahu, the north node of the moon. Water is the element of Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces and the Moon.
In Vedanta, each of the five planets are linked to an element (with ether as the fifth). The Vedas say that everything emanated from the one basic vibration of ‘Om’ with – Jupiter for Ether, Saturn for Air, Mars for Fire, Mercury for Earth and Venus for Water.
The elements have their own qualities. Earth grounds us helping us to be present in our lives but too much earth makes us stuck. Air brings tremendous ability to connect seemingly unrelated things with powerful results. Too much air makes us ‘airy-fairy’. The water element helps us to connect with others and go with the flow of life. Too much water makes us wishy washy. Fire gives us passion and drive to do things, too much or undirected fire gives us anger and frustration and can even lead to destruction.
We need space for each of the elements to flow and function properly. The elemental strengths and tendencies we have depends on the signs and houses our planets are placed in and our rising sign.
From a compatibility view point, Aries go best with other fire signs. Similarly earth, water and air signs are all mutually compatible. There are also natural love connections between the harmonious sun signs of fire-air and earth-water. Opposites also attract so it’s also useful to do a full compatibility analysis.
On a personal level, it is also interesting to reflect on what elements are lacking or over-used in your life. For a happy and balanced life, all elements need to be in use on a daily basis and in balance. Fire gives us excitement and energy for life. Earth gives us acceptance and the ability to be present. Air gives us wonderful creativity, ideas and new ways of thinking and doing. Water gives us an ability to flow with what is happening in life and connect with others, while maintaining healthy boundaries.
If are feeling out of balance, reflecting on the elements will help you achieve a more harmonious balance. You will be amazed at what you discover about yourself in the process.
Calodagh McCumiskey is the director of Spiritual Earth in Rocklands, Co. Wexford.
By Calodagh MacCumiskey
Just as the moon affects the tides and our own mental and emotional wellbeing, planetary transits have a powerful effect on everything, including the weather, the global economy, countries’ economies, and our own individual lives. Every event and being has its own unique chart, and is continually affected by planetary transits as life unfolds and time passes. In this article, I am taking a look at Ireland’s chart to see what is coming up over the next few months.
It has always been hard for the Irish economy to find balance. The economy is either very strong or very weak – a feeling of feast or famine – because of the position of the Moon in the second house in Sagittarius’ sign of the country’s chart. We have difficulty in maintaining steady, balanced growth. We also experience growth in different parts of the country at the same time. We are prone to economic extremes. For example, the economy around Dublin and other urban areas has been strengthening over the last few years, but many rural counties have a feeling that they are struggling.
The chart shows that more attention needs to be given to the youth, to solving their problems and developing them. Families need more support to stay together and maintain strong relationships. Ireland as a nation has wonderful strengths, and we will have ample opportunity to develop them and achieve strong results over the next few years. We will also see more women come into positions of authority, which will inspire positive change for society.
From July 22, 2017 – when we enter the Jupiter Mercury period – the next two years will be very promising for the Irish economy. Transit-wise, most significantly, Jupiter is moving from Virgo to Libra on September 12, 2017. Industries in Ireland that will do particularly well are food, medicine, hospitality, consultancy, education and tourism. All of these industries are related to the moon. It is a great time to boost trade and exports, and develop our strengths on the global stage in these and related sectors.
As well as the sectors mentioned above, it is an excellent time for innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship. A new shape will come to the Irish economy. New energy harvesting techniques will be developed. There is a lot of untapped potential and promise in Ireland related to developing teachers and education modules in the fields of construction, energy and other industries related to the planet Mars. These areas will all grow significantly.
Rahu will move from Leo to Cancer, and Ketu from Aquarius to Capricorn, on September 9. This will further strengthen Ireland and attract additional foreign direct investment. Foreign banks will buy more assets from Irish banks. Overall property prices will further rise around the country.
Jupiter’s transit is also going to play a very important role in strengthening and uniting the EU, which has been under more intense pressure as a unit since Saturn moved into Sagittarius in January 2017. This will benefit Ireland’s relative position in the EU and globally. Jupiter’s move to Libra will significantly affect the relationship between three major players on the world stage; China, the US and Russia. There will be more discussion, aggression and competition between these countries as they all jostle for power and try to influence the global balance of power in their own favour.
Calodagh McCumiskey is the director of Spiritual Earth in Rocklands, Co. Wexford.
hellenisticvedicastrology.com / calodaghmccumiskey@gmail.com