Mercury (retrograde) and the Sun are practically on top of each other in the sky today. This gives us the ability to focus intensely, but it limits our objectivity. Jupiter is making a harmonious angle to Mercury and the Sun today which is a very positive influence. What ever we undertake today should go well, and we will be thinking of big picture issues like religion, philosophy and foreign lands. Just remember to not overlook details.
I think I am, therefore, I am… I think. ~George Carlin
Venus, the planet of love and relationships, has entered Aries joining Neptune and Saturn in a tight stellium. The positive combination of Venus and Neptune can indicate a selfless union, or perhaps disappointments in relationships, if we are ungrounded in our expectations. Saturn brings some stark reality to the situation which could be beneficial or could indicate separation from one we love.
It was a mixed bag pretty much all week. ~Tiger Woods
The Moon is void of course today until 11:03 pm EST. Do not make any major decisions until this time passes.
Student 1 shared this with me, it is beautiful so I wanted to share with all of you:
“As the radiant Fire Horse Year dawns on this auspicious Losar, February 18, 2026, may the swift wind of blessings carry you forward like the legendary Wind Horse (Lungta), lifting your prayers to the highest realms and dispelling all obstacles with fiery clarity and unbridled energy!
In the profound tradition of Vajrayana, this is a Princess Mandarava Year, echoing the miraculous birth of the great ḍākinī Mandarava in the male wood-horse year. From the moment she entered this world, she stood upright, and displayed the signs of an enlightened being already awakened. Her life exemplifies fearless renunciation, unbreakable devotion, and the swift attainment of rainbow body through union with Padmasambhava.
In her emanations and blessings, we glimpse the perfect fusion of wisdom and compassion, transforming even the fiercest trials into the path of liberation!
May this Horse Year ignite within each of us Mandarava’s indomitable spirit: the courage to gallop beyond samsara’s illusions, the wisdom to recognize primordial purity in every moment, and the joyful energy to benefit countless beings without hesitation.
To all sentient beings near and far, may your minds be vast as the sky, your hearts warm as sacred fire, your steps swift and sure on the diamond path. May longevity, vitality, merit, and realization flourish like spring blossoms after winter’s thaw. May all obstacles dissolve like mist in sunlight, and may every breath become an offering of awakening!
Happy Losar! Tashi Delek!
In the blessings of Guru Rinpoche, Mandarava, and all the lineage holders, may this year be one of profound transformation and boundless auspiciousness for you and all whom you cherish
Ah!”
Sonia Gomes
PS- I removed the Mandarava mantra from the description to honor Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche’s wish that it not be made public.
This approach protects the integrity of the lineage and ensures the practices remain in their authentic context.
This is our new bog! Newly planted. It isn’t finished, we still have some arranging to do, but these little plants will remove nitrates from the pond water as they grow. And they will provide habitat for the peepers, the toads, the frogs, the snakes, all kinds of beings.
The Sun is trine Jupiter. This transit is for short period but nevertheless take advantage of the optimism and confidence it brings. Be adventurous and open-minded and seek to expand your horizons and identify the values that help you connect to humanity. The Sun is approaching Mercury bringing changes in direction and asking us all to be more flexible. The Moon in Libra can bring balance into daily life routines and in this way can also help balance the excesses we subject ourselves to.
Your hand opens and closes, opens and closes. If it were always a fist or always stretched open, you would be paralysed. Your deepest presence is in every small contracting and expanding, the two as beautifully balanced and coordinated as birds’ wings.~ Rumi
The Moon is Void of Course in Libra from 6.22pm until 11:00pm. Avoid signing contracts of any kind during this period. Find time to connect with your inner self.
Student, you may think that you’re depressed, but no you’re not. You’re reacting to a situation that actually happened. And that’s normal. What are you suppose to do with it? You’re suppose to act intelligently and repair whatever is wrong. Work the program, look inside, and find out what is happening. It’s not blanket depression. I can see that. You are reacting to events, which is normal, but you’ve never actually done it openly before. You just acted out. With the program you can learn to feel without being destructive to yourself. You fold when anything happens. And that’s not the way to live. Examine the situation, and act accordingly.
Mars is moving forward enough to lessen the challenge of Mars square Uranus which can indicate inappropriate use of force and unexpected physical hardship as well as electronic interference. This is notwithstanding Mercury retrograde which can hamper communication and impact electronics also. Venus offers an antidote to these difficulties: it is sextile Uranus. It’s a good time for social events, outreach and tapping into your innate originality and enthusiasm.
The most difficult thing is to know what we do know, and what we do not know.~PD Ouspensky
The Moon is Void of Course in Virgo from 9.41am this morning until 1.56pm today. Avoid signing contracts during this time. Find time to connect with your compassionate-wisdom nature
Did you see La Bella Luna tonight? Ohhhh. Neither did I. So sad. Clouds. But I saw her on Aljazeera, in the middle east. And she was beautiful even with all the garbage being spewed in her face. She is still La Bella Luna How sad how we are perceiving our world, and how we are allowing it to become such a place due to our perceptions. I’m praying. I hope you are.
Well it may be cold and rainy but the Japanese koi in Maratika pond are up and eating algae. they are amazing. They are determined to be fat and beautiful and fertile. and I think they’re gonna make it.
I’m planning to put Mother, our Kowarimono in Mandarava pond because she’s not pure Japanese koi. She’s a mixture. And we’re coming up to breeding time. So I’m gonna try to figure out how not to mix anybody up.
I love Mother but she’s not the same as the others. The odd thing is she’s not close to anybody, and I think it’s because she’s not the same as them and they know it. They are not stupid fish. the others pair up, even if not with their own kind. they know they are good fish. Well maybe there’s something off about Mother that we don’t know. But she looks beautiful to us.
[Student], get ready! The weather should permit soon!
