The Mrigashira Full moon & Winter solstice December 21, 2010

The Mrigashira Full Moon & Winter Solstice December 21, 2010 is a very powerful and auspicious time for sadhana… time to extract the Soma of Shiva and Shakti…..
Total lunar eclipses are not rare, occurring every year or two, being visible at any particular location only every three years or so. This upcoming total lunar eclipse, however, is special in that it occurs near the time of the winter solstice. This makes it located at the highest point of the sky in the zodiac for the northern hemisphere. Such an exact winter solstice eclipse occurs only every few centuries.
Yet there is an additional special astronomical connection to this event. As the summer solstice currently is occurring near the galactic center in early Sagittarius among the fixed stars, the winter solstice occurs in the galactic anti-center, which is in early Gemini, which means this eclipse will also occur along the galactic axis.
The Moon will be eclipsed at its strongest position in the sky, when its light is at its maximum. In terms of Hindu Tantric Yoga and Vedic astrology, it is an important opportunity to transform lunar energy, which means to transform the mind, heart and emotional nature. It is a special opportunity to connect with the Shakti of the Goddess, who relates to the Moon. The Shakti will be very powerful at this time.
Yet it is an important time to relate to Lord Shiva as well, who also has a lunar energy. The eclipse will occur in the Nakshatra or lunar constellation of Mrigashira, the Antelope’s Head, which is ruled by Soma, the mystic nectar of immortality, which in turn connects to the benefic energies of Lord Shiva as the Lord of immortality. Mrigashira also relates to the crown chakra or head of the cosmic being, so it is a time in which the crown chakra energies can be taken to a higher level. Astronomically, the full Moon will be eclipsed to the north of Orion, the great constellation that symbolizes Soma, immortality and the Cosmic Self (Purusha).
Vedic astrology holds that this event is more important astrologically than the winter solstice of 2012 that many people are looking to as marking major changes for humanity and the Earth. On that 2012 solstice date, there is very little happening as far as special planetary combinations is concerned according to Vedic astrology. This does not mean that the winter solstice of 2010 is going to be marked by major Earth changes, but it is an extremely important time for sadhana and for karmic rectification of one’s life. Take advantage of it and do mantras for Shiva and Devi.
Full Moon in Gemini reflects its qualities of a mutable Air sign revealing the depth of transformation, higher consciousness, creative intelligence and communication through the spoken and written word. Mercury, the planet that rules Gemini is currently retrograde until December 30th which means it internalizes and intensifies its energies, afflicting more the outer manifestations. Yet this is a special time for mantra japa to work through one’s karmas spiritualizing one’s life.
The Winter solstice helps work through the darkness…every ancient tradition and culture celebrated the Winter Solstice with rituals to the Sun, Moon , Mother Nature and Mother Earth. This dark night the soul was honored in the hope of ushering in a new dawn. Eclipses are powerful times to spiritualize one’s life in a deeper way, manifesting changes for our higher well-being.
Tune in to the divinity of the Cosmic Universe…silence the outer noise and din. Work through creating silence where we can hone our intuition to the whispers of the cosmic voices. Integrate the prayer of the heart with the pulse beat of the cosmic heavens. Create a sankalpa or deep intent, a sacred wish in sync with our deeper soul wishes. Once the soul wishes are heard the mundane wishes of our worldly maya fall into place! 
The eclipse will be visible throughout North America and much of Europe, Dec. 20 – 21, near midnight, depending upon your location and time zone. Meanwhile the winter solstice occurs during the late afternoon of Dec. 21 depending upon your location. Jai Ma Guru! Har Har Mahadeva!