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Here below, we have compiled the best resources of which we are aware to increase our personal and collective awareness of the issues at hand. Of course, no single list is complete, and we encourage our community to share vital resources and action items as appropriate. Systemic oppression is not the fault of any one individual, but each of us must take responsibility for its dismantling. No one person can do everything, but every person can do something. We urge you to reflect upon your unique gifts and to offer them in service of the better world towards which we all must work if we sincerely expect to see it come to fruition. If there is a valuable resource or invitation for impactful action that you would like to add to this list, please include it in the comments below this post.
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by David McConaghay
On Friday, November 9, 2018, we hosted our Annual Member's Meeting at Shift Workspaces in Denver.
A delicious, nutritious dinner was served by Little India, and we were treated to nourishing herbal beverages provided by Organic India and Guayaki.
In honor of International Ayurveda Day, which was recognized earlier in the week, Alakananda Ma told the story, as only she can, of Dhanvantari arising from the ocean of milk holding the pot of eternal amrita. The video of this is now available in the Members' Library.
A delicious, nutritious dinner was served by Little India, and we were treated to nourishing herbal beverages provided by Organic India and Guayaki.
In honor of International Ayurveda Day, which was recognized earlier in the week, Alakananda Ma told the story, as only she can, of Dhanvantari arising from the ocean of milk holding the pot of eternal amrita. The video of this is now available in the Members' Library.
Alakananda Ma in storytelling mode.
COLORAMA President Heather Baines provided exciting updates on our legal and legislative efforts to protect and promote Ayurveda in Colorado. There will be more to report on this historic issue soon.
The primary business item of our annual meeting is to elect board members. This year we had three available seats and three qualified candidates. Akacia Pulaski and David McConaghay were re-elected for another three years, and Ruca Love was elected to complete the remaining two years of the seat vacated by Sebastian Urrea.
We are grateful for the many significant contributions Sebastian made in his year on the board, and look forward to his ongoing support on the Membership committee.
Ruca is an Ayurvedic Practitioner, E-RYT 500 and Licensed Massage Therapist. She is currently working towards her Ayurvedic Doctor certification at Alandi Ashram and leads Yoga for 12-Step Recovery classes in Boulder. We are very grateful for her willingness to serve the COLORAMA mission and enthusiastically welcome her onto the Board of Directors.
It was a wonderful event celebrating the Ayurveda community, and there is much to look forward to in the near future!
If you haven't already, please join us and support our mission to protect & promote Ayurveda in the state of Colorado. Also please consider contributing to our legal fund.
Thank you!
The primary business item of our annual meeting is to elect board members. This year we had three available seats and three qualified candidates. Akacia Pulaski and David McConaghay were re-elected for another three years, and Ruca Love was elected to complete the remaining two years of the seat vacated by Sebastian Urrea.
We are grateful for the many significant contributions Sebastian made in his year on the board, and look forward to his ongoing support on the Membership committee.
Ruca is an Ayurvedic Practitioner, E-RYT 500 and Licensed Massage Therapist. She is currently working towards her Ayurvedic Doctor certification at Alandi Ashram and leads Yoga for 12-Step Recovery classes in Boulder. We are very grateful for her willingness to serve the COLORAMA mission and enthusiastically welcome her onto the Board of Directors.
It was a wonderful event celebrating the Ayurveda community, and there is much to look forward to in the near future!
If you haven't already, please join us and support our mission to protect & promote Ayurveda in the state of Colorado. Also please consider contributing to our legal fund.
Thank you!
David McConaghay is an Ayurvedic Doctor, Vedic Astrologer, Yoga Philosopher and Doctor of Divinity candidate based in Denver, Colorado. He serves as Communications Director on the board of the Colorado Ayurvedic Medical Association. More information can be found on his website.
by David McConaghay
Today is Saturday, September 22, 2018, the Autumnal Equinox, when we experience equal hours of light and dark. This letter is composed in Denver, Colorado.
As Fall officially arrives, there is strong forward momentum as all the planets are direct after a Summer full of retrograde introspection.
Vedic Astrology measures the cumulative effect of nine planetary bodies from our perspective here on Earth. Of these, only five (Mercury, Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn) vacillate between direct and retrograde motion.
The other four “planets” are the two luminaries (Sun and Moon), which are always direct, and the shadow planets (Rahu and Ketu), which are always moving in the counter-clockwise direction indicative of retrograde.
Between April 18 and August 27, 2018, at least two planets were retrograde, and for one-third of that time, we had three planets appearing to move backwards in the sky.
Of course, the planets don't actually stop, turn and start orbiting in the opposite direction. This is merely a trick of perception, similar to how a car you pass on the highway appears to be moving backwards for a moment as you fly by. The illustration below (from Wikipedia) is worth studying.
As Fall officially arrives, there is strong forward momentum as all the planets are direct after a Summer full of retrograde introspection.
Vedic Astrology measures the cumulative effect of nine planetary bodies from our perspective here on Earth. Of these, only five (Mercury, Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn) vacillate between direct and retrograde motion.
The other four “planets” are the two luminaries (Sun and Moon), which are always direct, and the shadow planets (Rahu and Ketu), which are always moving in the counter-clockwise direction indicative of retrograde.
Between April 18 and August 27, 2018, at least two planets were retrograde, and for one-third of that time, we had three planets appearing to move backwards in the sky.
Of course, the planets don't actually stop, turn and start orbiting in the opposite direction. This is merely a trick of perception, similar to how a car you pass on the highway appears to be moving backwards for a moment as you fly by. The illustration below (from Wikipedia) is worth studying.
The effect of retrograde is to invert the energies governed by a given planet. For example, Jupiter represents the part of us that seeks inspiration and higher meaning. It rules the realm of experience we call “religious.” Jupiter is associated with “the king of the gods” in Indic, Western and Norse mythology, whether named Indra, Zeus or Thor. This indicates the way Jupiter calls us toward the highest authority, inspiring us to pursue the Truth that surpasses all other truths.
When retrograde, Jupiter asks us to review that Truth, and scrutinize it to be sure it is accurate. When Jupiter retrogrades, it is time to test the teachings we’ve received, to question our teachers to ensure that our beliefs hold together. If our deepest beliefs lack integrity, if our chosen path fails the experiential exam, perhaps we are wise to adjust our psycho-spiritual orientation before continuing any further.
Jupiter was retrograde from March 8 through July 10, 2018. Think back: did you undergo any re-evaluation of your belief structures during that period? Personally, it was during this time that I became profoundly disillusioned with the organization that I had previously regarded as my spiritual foundation. Right as Jupiter turned direct, I set out to establish a different path for myself based on an updated interpretation of who holds true authority over my life (hint: I do).
Similarly, during this time, there was great upheaval in the Shambhala tradition as its previously unimpeachable leadership was revealed to have perpetrated acts unbecoming of spiritual luminaries. These allegations had swirled for a long time, and the turmoil is ongoing, but it was July 11 (the day Jupiter went direct) that this damning article was published in the New York Times. Previous to publication, of course, there was a great deal of research and fact-finding — the sort of behind-the-scenes work typical of retrograde periods.
When planets are retrograde, it can appear on the surface that there is nothing happening in that area of life. Appearances are deceiving, in this case, as there is likely to be significant churning occurring just below the surface, the results of which come forth when direct motion is resumed.
When retrograde, Jupiter asks us to review that Truth, and scrutinize it to be sure it is accurate. When Jupiter retrogrades, it is time to test the teachings we’ve received, to question our teachers to ensure that our beliefs hold together. If our deepest beliefs lack integrity, if our chosen path fails the experiential exam, perhaps we are wise to adjust our psycho-spiritual orientation before continuing any further.
Jupiter was retrograde from March 8 through July 10, 2018. Think back: did you undergo any re-evaluation of your belief structures during that period? Personally, it was during this time that I became profoundly disillusioned with the organization that I had previously regarded as my spiritual foundation. Right as Jupiter turned direct, I set out to establish a different path for myself based on an updated interpretation of who holds true authority over my life (hint: I do).
Similarly, during this time, there was great upheaval in the Shambhala tradition as its previously unimpeachable leadership was revealed to have perpetrated acts unbecoming of spiritual luminaries. These allegations had swirled for a long time, and the turmoil is ongoing, but it was July 11 (the day Jupiter went direct) that this damning article was published in the New York Times. Previous to publication, of course, there was a great deal of research and fact-finding — the sort of behind-the-scenes work typical of retrograde periods.
When planets are retrograde, it can appear on the surface that there is nothing happening in that area of life. Appearances are deceiving, in this case, as there is likely to be significant churning occurring just below the surface, the results of which come forth when direct motion is resumed.
Mars was retrograding from June 26 until August 27, 2018. When exalted in Capricorn, where it has been since March 8, Mars’ tendency is to serve as the impulsive spark that sets Capricorn’s carefully laid plans in motion.
However, when retrograde, that energy is directed inward, creating circumstances in which Capricorns’ plans are given extra scrutiny to be sure all the I’s are dotted and T’s crossed.
The intensity of Mars can make this inquisition feel combative or destructive — a true trial-by-fire. Indeed, Mars is trying to destroy that which makes us weak, and if all the details of a plan are not in alignment, perhaps that plan deserves to be tossed to the flames.
In reality, it can feel particularly harsh when we've been working hard on a plan and someone comes along and starts poking holes in it. We may feel compelled to fight for our ideas, just on principle, and are thereby in danger of missing the opportunity to patch the gaps.
Saturn was retrograde in Sagittarius from April 18 until September 6, 2018. Saturn is the planet of long-term limitations, bringing awareness of our inevitable dissolution and delivering our karmic comeuppance. Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter, and is the sign of religion, higher education and laws, both human and divine.
The pressure exerted by Saturn’s presence in Sagittarius can be seen in the ongoing disintegration of our most vaunted institutions. In the current political climate, people on all sides of the spectrum seem to feel like the courts, the churches and universities are under duress and losing whatever integrity they had left.
When retrograde, the stress associated with Saturn becomes internalized, making otherwise benign circumstances feel like they have lifelong consequences. The events in which we’re involved may be mundane, but there is an ever-present sense that the way we do anything is the way we do everything. This feeling is full of wisdom, although it can be overwhelmingly stressful. The truth is that every thought, word and movement does have repercussions. When Saturn is retrograde, we feel the pressure of that fact very viscerally.
For a real world demonstration of what happens when a planet shifts from retrograde to direct, the congressional hearings to confirm Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court began on September 4, 2018, when slow-moving Saturn had almost come to a complete halt before resuming its forward motion. And things are certainly moving now, are they not? The karmic comeuppance upon which Saturn insists is impossible to miss, especially amidst these most recent proceedings involving Christine Blasey Ford. Do you think Judge Kavanaugh is feeling any pressure?
However, when retrograde, that energy is directed inward, creating circumstances in which Capricorns’ plans are given extra scrutiny to be sure all the I’s are dotted and T’s crossed.
The intensity of Mars can make this inquisition feel combative or destructive — a true trial-by-fire. Indeed, Mars is trying to destroy that which makes us weak, and if all the details of a plan are not in alignment, perhaps that plan deserves to be tossed to the flames.
In reality, it can feel particularly harsh when we've been working hard on a plan and someone comes along and starts poking holes in it. We may feel compelled to fight for our ideas, just on principle, and are thereby in danger of missing the opportunity to patch the gaps.
Saturn was retrograde in Sagittarius from April 18 until September 6, 2018. Saturn is the planet of long-term limitations, bringing awareness of our inevitable dissolution and delivering our karmic comeuppance. Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter, and is the sign of religion, higher education and laws, both human and divine.
The pressure exerted by Saturn’s presence in Sagittarius can be seen in the ongoing disintegration of our most vaunted institutions. In the current political climate, people on all sides of the spectrum seem to feel like the courts, the churches and universities are under duress and losing whatever integrity they had left.
When retrograde, the stress associated with Saturn becomes internalized, making otherwise benign circumstances feel like they have lifelong consequences. The events in which we’re involved may be mundane, but there is an ever-present sense that the way we do anything is the way we do everything. This feeling is full of wisdom, although it can be overwhelmingly stressful. The truth is that every thought, word and movement does have repercussions. When Saturn is retrograde, we feel the pressure of that fact very viscerally.
For a real world demonstration of what happens when a planet shifts from retrograde to direct, the congressional hearings to confirm Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court began on September 4, 2018, when slow-moving Saturn had almost come to a complete halt before resuming its forward motion. And things are certainly moving now, are they not? The karmic comeuppance upon which Saturn insists is impossible to miss, especially amidst these most recent proceedings involving Christine Blasey Ford. Do you think Judge Kavanaugh is feeling any pressure?
The furrowed brow of Saturn. Saturn wields strong influence in Kavanaugh's chart.
Mercury was retrograde in Cancer from July 26 until August 19, 2018. “Mercury retrograde” is perhaps the most (in)famous astrological concept circulating throughout popular culture in the 21st century United States. Mercury is retrograde about one-third of the time, so it would be wise for everyone decrying or belittling its effect to educate themselves about its actual implications and, on some level, get used to it.
Mercury governs the insatiably curious aspect of our minds, the part of us that wants all the information available, with no regard for what purpose it might serve or what meaning it holds. Mercury simply wants to collect data, build skills, and communicate. No planet moves faster around the Sun, so Mercury brings a certain quickness to everything it touches, a sense of urgency that can derail into outright frantic antics.
Can you think of a time when someone was talking to you super fast because they had a lot to say and had to get it all out immediately or else you just wouldn’t understand but in order to get the first part you had to hear the second, third, fourth and fifth parts of the story too because it’s all connected and none of it makes sense unless you hear the whole thing and you really wanted to comprehend them because they were so enthusiastic but they were talking so fast you had troubling following the thread? If so, that would be an exaggerated expression of Mercury.
Mercury retrograde, again, internalizes these qualities, imposing a funhouse mirror effect upon all the details and logistics that need to be accurately communicated. The above example is the kind of thing that happens when a person has had a long time to think about what they’re going to say before they say it, and when the dam breaks it all floods out and lots of crucial minutiae are lost. The other end of the spectrum is to stutter, overthinking the words, stymying their natural flow with hesitation and thus distorting the intended message.
In Cancer, Mercury really just wants to talk about feelings. Cancer is ruled by the Moon, indicative of the mind and emotional body. Cancer is compelled to nurture others in order to feel nurtured in return and wants nothing other than unconditional love. Therefore, when in Cancer, all of Mercury’s cleverness and dialectic skills get put to use in the pursuit of complete, unconditional, mutual nurturance.
When retrograde, this process can become a bit clumsy. The romantic poem is misremembered; the overeager new lover says “I love you” way too soon; sensitive couples spend endless hours practicing reflective listening trying to unpack one split-second of their interaction and get nowhere, or likely end up more confusingly entangled than when they began.
As of September 6, however, all the planets are moving direct. I invite you to look back at your calendar or peruse your journal. Over the summer, did you experience any of the stuckness or unavoidable introspective reevaluations associated with these retrograde cycles? Have things started moving noticeably forward since the start of September?
With all the planets direct for the next several weeks, it is time to put plans into action. It is time to embody all the internal shifts that have been occurring. All the behind-the-scenes, below-the-surface work that’s been in process over the summer must now face the test of outward expression.
The only planet not to retrograde during this time was Venus, but she has her turn coming up, from October 6 until November 16 in Libra, her own sign. This will be a potent period for reviewing our sources of pleasure in life and examining if perhaps we are compromising too much or too little to achieve said pleasure.
If you experience any specific alignments in the timing, or if any of the issues touched upon feel particularly relevant to you, please let us know in the comments! Thanks for reading. Take care out there.
Mercury governs the insatiably curious aspect of our minds, the part of us that wants all the information available, with no regard for what purpose it might serve or what meaning it holds. Mercury simply wants to collect data, build skills, and communicate. No planet moves faster around the Sun, so Mercury brings a certain quickness to everything it touches, a sense of urgency that can derail into outright frantic antics.
Can you think of a time when someone was talking to you super fast because they had a lot to say and had to get it all out immediately or else you just wouldn’t understand but in order to get the first part you had to hear the second, third, fourth and fifth parts of the story too because it’s all connected and none of it makes sense unless you hear the whole thing and you really wanted to comprehend them because they were so enthusiastic but they were talking so fast you had troubling following the thread? If so, that would be an exaggerated expression of Mercury.
Mercury retrograde, again, internalizes these qualities, imposing a funhouse mirror effect upon all the details and logistics that need to be accurately communicated. The above example is the kind of thing that happens when a person has had a long time to think about what they’re going to say before they say it, and when the dam breaks it all floods out and lots of crucial minutiae are lost. The other end of the spectrum is to stutter, overthinking the words, stymying their natural flow with hesitation and thus distorting the intended message.
In Cancer, Mercury really just wants to talk about feelings. Cancer is ruled by the Moon, indicative of the mind and emotional body. Cancer is compelled to nurture others in order to feel nurtured in return and wants nothing other than unconditional love. Therefore, when in Cancer, all of Mercury’s cleverness and dialectic skills get put to use in the pursuit of complete, unconditional, mutual nurturance.
When retrograde, this process can become a bit clumsy. The romantic poem is misremembered; the overeager new lover says “I love you” way too soon; sensitive couples spend endless hours practicing reflective listening trying to unpack one split-second of their interaction and get nowhere, or likely end up more confusingly entangled than when they began.
As of September 6, however, all the planets are moving direct. I invite you to look back at your calendar or peruse your journal. Over the summer, did you experience any of the stuckness or unavoidable introspective reevaluations associated with these retrograde cycles? Have things started moving noticeably forward since the start of September?
With all the planets direct for the next several weeks, it is time to put plans into action. It is time to embody all the internal shifts that have been occurring. All the behind-the-scenes, below-the-surface work that’s been in process over the summer must now face the test of outward expression.
The only planet not to retrograde during this time was Venus, but she has her turn coming up, from October 6 until November 16 in Libra, her own sign. This will be a potent period for reviewing our sources of pleasure in life and examining if perhaps we are compromising too much or too little to achieve said pleasure.
If you experience any specific alignments in the timing, or if any of the issues touched upon feel particularly relevant to you, please let us know in the comments! Thanks for reading. Take care out there.
David McConaghay is a Denver-based Ayurvedic Doctor, Vedic Astrology, Yoga Philosopher and Doctor of Divinity candidate who specializes in helping people navigate transition. He serves as the Communications Chair for COLORAMA. His work and play is collected at VedaDave.com
It may be here, now.
A Letter from COLORAMA President, Heather Baines
Dear members of COLORAMA,
We have provided a number of articles over the past few years about the how to continue to uplift the professional practice of Ayurveda for the benefit of our clients, patients, and Ayurveda enthusiasts, adopters, and general public supporters.
Your Board of Directors meets monthly by phone conference and quarterly in person to discuss the role of our association, how best to support our members, and how to offer the highest benefit to our active membership. We don’t take your dues, time, or your affection for granted, and we strive to be an engaged, beneficial part of your Ayurvedic life and practice.
With this background in mind, we engaged the assistance of Robert A Lees, Esq in the spring of 2017 to guide us in the best practices for the clinical practice of Ayurveda in Colorado. We are vigilant about the safety and efficacy of our practice, and by seeking legal counsel for our membership, strive to insulate our members from accusations of negligence or the “practice of medicine without a license” by giving you tools, resources, and sound legal advice.
We are thrilled this month to roll out a new member benefit, a deeply discounted package for legal services, including all of the patient/client intake forms required to practice in our Health Freedom state. Sujata Reddy, BAMS AD LPC, your Governance Chair, has worked tirelessly with Bob and his team to put together a document package that you can readily convert for your use in your practice, with expert help from the Robert A Lees and Associates law firm.
This level of legal oversight usually comes at a steep cost. When I opened Roots of Wellness Ayurveda in Boulder, CO a local health care law firm quoted $2,500-$3,000 for all of my legal start up paperwork. We will be offering this package to our active members for $450. And for each package purchased, Bob has agreed to donate a significant portion of your cost (greater than 20%) back to COLORAMA to support our mission!
To access this valuable legal package, sign in and visit the Member's Discounts page and reach out using the contact form there. We can then begin the process of customizing legal documents for your practice.
We have provided a number of articles over the past few years about the how to continue to uplift the professional practice of Ayurveda for the benefit of our clients, patients, and Ayurveda enthusiasts, adopters, and general public supporters.
Your Board of Directors meets monthly by phone conference and quarterly in person to discuss the role of our association, how best to support our members, and how to offer the highest benefit to our active membership. We don’t take your dues, time, or your affection for granted, and we strive to be an engaged, beneficial part of your Ayurvedic life and practice.
With this background in mind, we engaged the assistance of Robert A Lees, Esq in the spring of 2017 to guide us in the best practices for the clinical practice of Ayurveda in Colorado. We are vigilant about the safety and efficacy of our practice, and by seeking legal counsel for our membership, strive to insulate our members from accusations of negligence or the “practice of medicine without a license” by giving you tools, resources, and sound legal advice.
We are thrilled this month to roll out a new member benefit, a deeply discounted package for legal services, including all of the patient/client intake forms required to practice in our Health Freedom state. Sujata Reddy, BAMS AD LPC, your Governance Chair, has worked tirelessly with Bob and his team to put together a document package that you can readily convert for your use in your practice, with expert help from the Robert A Lees and Associates law firm.
This level of legal oversight usually comes at a steep cost. When I opened Roots of Wellness Ayurveda in Boulder, CO a local health care law firm quoted $2,500-$3,000 for all of my legal start up paperwork. We will be offering this package to our active members for $450. And for each package purchased, Bob has agreed to donate a significant portion of your cost (greater than 20%) back to COLORAMA to support our mission!
To access this valuable legal package, sign in and visit the Member's Discounts page and reach out using the contact form there. We can then begin the process of customizing legal documents for your practice.
| Out of our ongoing conversations with Bob and his team, it has become apparent that the best way to ensure the ongoing legal practice of Ayurveda in the state of Colorado may be to license our practice. We often receive the question from members and supporters, “We practice in a Health Freedom state, why do we need licensure?” Licensure would provide a number of benefits to our professional members in private practice: |  |
- Licensure provides Ayurvedic Doctors, Ayurvedic Practitioners, and Ayurvedic Health Counselors credibility. Preventative and natural health care services, including the use of herbal therapies, tinctures, diet, lifestyle, and self-care, are being highlighted at medical health care conferences across the nation, and if we were to join the ranks of Acupuncturists and Chiropractors as a licensed health care practice, we could offer the general public and other licensed healthcare practitioners an improved perception of the safety and efficacy of Ayurveda.
We know our practice is safe and effective (at times miraculously so), and we know how to prevent it from being used inappropriately or used unsafely. Licensure gives the public assurance that as a self-regulated professional licensed health care modality, we are watching out for our patients’ and clients’ safety, in their best interest. - Licensure gives us entry into working with our medical counterparts as part of a client or patient’s coordinated care team, and gives us access to working in clinical settings with other licensed practitioners (MDs, Acupuncturists, Chiropractors, Midwives, Nurse Practitioners, and Physicians Assistants, etc). Without licensure, the vast majority of licensed health care practitioners will not consult with us, nor will they refer to us, no matter how much referring out we do (or are required to do). Very few will be willing to partner with us, or have us practice with them, keeping us isolated in our client and patient care.
- Licensure gives our professional members the option to pursue alternative payment, such as insurance reimbursement, and may open the practice of Ayurveda to many more clients and patients who currently do not have access to our care. Without licensure, that option is off the table and our only option is the current model: private, cash-based, unlicensed practice. Licensure does not require every practitioner to accept insurance; however licensure may require all practitioners to carry liability insurance for their practice. Discounted and cost-effective liability insurance is already a benefit offered through NAMA for professional members!
We are planning a Town Hall meeting for all of our members on August 11th to present to you our findings, and continue to carve out the pathway for the legal and ethical practice of Ayurveda in the state of Colorado. We hope you’ll join us for the conversation on August 11, 2018. Save the date!
| In service of Ayurveda, Heather Baines AD RAAP President, Board of Directors, COLORAMA |  |
by David McConaghay
2018 NAMA Conference Staff and Volunteers
In late April of 2018, the National Ayurvedic Medical Association held it’s 14th annual conference in Plano, Texas. I was there to serve as a volunteer, as a soon-to-be graduate of the Ayurvedic Doctor program at Alandi Ashram, and as a COLORAMA board member.
This was my first time at a NAMA conference and it was inspiring to be surrounded by an international community of Ayurveda enthusiasts and experts. Lots of people get excited about meeting famous musicians, actors or athletes. In this case, I was mildly star-struck when I asked Robert Svoboda to sign my copy of The Greatness of Saturn. Likewise, it was meaningful to share a meal with Amadea Morningstar, having enjoyed so many meals made of her recipes in the past.
After the welcome banquet on Friday night, many of the conference attendees made their way to a nearby theater to see The Doctor From India, the recently released documentary about Dr. Vasant Lad. It was poignant to watch this heart-opening film alongside so many people whose lives have been profoundly influenced by Dr. Lad.
This was my first time at a NAMA conference and it was inspiring to be surrounded by an international community of Ayurveda enthusiasts and experts. Lots of people get excited about meeting famous musicians, actors or athletes. In this case, I was mildly star-struck when I asked Robert Svoboda to sign my copy of The Greatness of Saturn. Likewise, it was meaningful to share a meal with Amadea Morningstar, having enjoyed so many meals made of her recipes in the past.
After the welcome banquet on Friday night, many of the conference attendees made their way to a nearby theater to see The Doctor From India, the recently released documentary about Dr. Vasant Lad. It was poignant to watch this heart-opening film alongside so many people whose lives have been profoundly influenced by Dr. Lad.
Ayur-celebrities aside, it was of profound practical significance to meet with various members of the NAMA board and staff to explore the near and long-term potentials for Ayurveda in the United States. Of particular interest was a meeting focused on NAMA’s relationship with the state organizations.
Approximately 25 individuals from 9 states and Canada attended the meeting to discuss relevant topics about what it takes to start and maintain a state organization, what is the proper relationship between NAMA and the state associations, and of course, the pros and cons of health freedom laws and licensure.
The first outcome of this meeting is the formation of a State Organizations sub-committee whose purpose is “to support the development of state-level Ayurveda associations and to coordinate with them in order to foster community and avoid redundancy. Ideally, the committee will serve as a center of gravity, encouraging creative cooperation between states and alignment with the NAMA mission."
As it happens, I am the chair person for this newly formed committee, and very much looking forward to helping NAMA and the states work together for the benefit of Ayurveda and everyone involved.
The conference was also full of top-notch talks on panchakarma in the modern world, the Ayurvedic approach to gastrointestinal conditions, and Ayurvedic psychology. I particularly enjoyed Arun Deva’s presentation on Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy, as well as the research posters presented by two students who looked at NOAA climate data to determine appropriate rtucharya protocols for their local environments.
Even beyond the official presentations, the casual conversations between all the practitioners and life-long students were fascinating and uplifting. I came away from the conference feeling a sense of camaraderie that gives me more enthusiasm about Ayurveda in America than ever before.
Next year’s conference will be held at the 1440 Multiversity campus outside Santa Cruz, California. It promises to be a beautiful and intimate setting to explore the theme, “Ayurveda and the Mind.” I’m already looking forward to it, and hope you will consider joining us there.
Approximately 25 individuals from 9 states and Canada attended the meeting to discuss relevant topics about what it takes to start and maintain a state organization, what is the proper relationship between NAMA and the state associations, and of course, the pros and cons of health freedom laws and licensure.
The first outcome of this meeting is the formation of a State Organizations sub-committee whose purpose is “to support the development of state-level Ayurveda associations and to coordinate with them in order to foster community and avoid redundancy. Ideally, the committee will serve as a center of gravity, encouraging creative cooperation between states and alignment with the NAMA mission."
As it happens, I am the chair person for this newly formed committee, and very much looking forward to helping NAMA and the states work together for the benefit of Ayurveda and everyone involved.
The conference was also full of top-notch talks on panchakarma in the modern world, the Ayurvedic approach to gastrointestinal conditions, and Ayurvedic psychology. I particularly enjoyed Arun Deva’s presentation on Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy, as well as the research posters presented by two students who looked at NOAA climate data to determine appropriate rtucharya protocols for their local environments.
Even beyond the official presentations, the casual conversations between all the practitioners and life-long students were fascinating and uplifting. I came away from the conference feeling a sense of camaraderie that gives me more enthusiasm about Ayurveda in America than ever before.
Next year’s conference will be held at the 1440 Multiversity campus outside Santa Cruz, California. It promises to be a beautiful and intimate setting to explore the theme, “Ayurveda and the Mind.” I’m already looking forward to it, and hope you will consider joining us there.
| David McConaghay is a former four-sport athlete who discovered yoga as a means to bring ease to an overburdened body-mind complex. He will graduate in May 2018 from the four-year Doctor of Ayurveda program at Alandi Ayurveda Gurukula. He holds an Associate's degree in Vedic Astrology and is pursuing a Doctorate in Divinity from the University of Metaphysical Sciences. In addition to extensive training in the Sivananda yoga tradition, David has a B.A. in English and Creative Writing from the George Washington University. His work and play is collected at VedaDave.com. |  |
by David McConaghay
Today is May 10, 2018 and this letter is composed in Boulder, Colorado, USA.
Until May 15, both Mars and the Sun are exalted in the sky, bringing prominence to the fire element. This can bring great clarity, but also a tendency towards explosiveness, which we can see with the volcano erupting in Hawai'i, all the bluster about nuclear weapons and the (thankfully, until now, relatively minor) exchange of rocket fire in the Middle East. Individually, the fire element is associated with rakta dhatu, so watch out for eruption of pitta skin conditions which can arise when our blood is boiling, so to speak.
Last week, Mars moved into the sign of Capricorn, where it will remain in exalted dignity until November. Mars is a tamasic planet primarily concerned with keeping us alive. When it comes to survival, things are very black-and-white — you either make it, or you don’t. Mars is that part of us that will fight for our right to exist.
Capricorn is a tamasic sign, focused on avoiding what might go wrong. This awareness of potential obstacles makes Capricorn skillful in commercial enterprises, as they always have a contingency plan. However, their deep aversion to risk can prevent Capricorn from taking action on even the most robust plan — which is where Mars comes in.
Mars is exalted in Capricorn because it provides the courage and discipline needed to activate carefully laid, long-term plans. The fiery quality of Mars serves as a spark plug to set the machine in motion. Mars represents the courage of a warrior, willing to do whatever is necessary to accomplish the mission, and this quality comes with just enough impulsiveness to initiate the proceedings.
Here’s a story to illustrate this dynamic: imagine there’s an attractive person that you would like to know better. They are in your extended group of friends, you’ve seen them before, exchanged smiles, but that’s it.
Every time you see them, you spend the rest of the night thinking about what you’ll say when you meet, rehearsing how it will go. You’ve found them on Facebook and (obviously not sent a friend request; that would be crazy) discovered that they like hiking and live music, just like you (you both live in Colorado, after all). You practice the words in your head, and then out loud. You game plan for all possible scenarios. You're ready for every disaster possible in the context of this hypothetical future interaction.
Now, you are at a party with a dear old red-headed friend of yours, when this attractive person walks in the door. Your ginger friend knows about your crush, knows how perfectly prepared you are for the encounter, and also knows your fear of failure may prevent anything from ever happening.
So what happens? Of course, your slightly insane freckled friend physically pushes you towards your crush, causing you to bump into them and unavoidably engage in conversation. You mention the trail you hiked yesterday, or the last band you saw. Your crush touches your arm in disbelief — they were at that show too! And that’s their favorite trail!
The combination of your preparation and the endearingly spontaneous moment created by your rude (or, funny) friend sets the gears turning and you can make up the rest of the story from here.
You are Capricorn. Your ginger friend is Mars. Your crush relates to whichever house is occupied by Capricorn in your chart. Sam Geppi provides a reliable place to calculate your Vedic chart at this link.
Remember: Mars is in Capricorn from now until November 6.
It will be retrograde from June 27 until August 28.
Now, let’s go through the signs one by one...
Until May 15, both Mars and the Sun are exalted in the sky, bringing prominence to the fire element. This can bring great clarity, but also a tendency towards explosiveness, which we can see with the volcano erupting in Hawai'i, all the bluster about nuclear weapons and the (thankfully, until now, relatively minor) exchange of rocket fire in the Middle East. Individually, the fire element is associated with rakta dhatu, so watch out for eruption of pitta skin conditions which can arise when our blood is boiling, so to speak.
Last week, Mars moved into the sign of Capricorn, where it will remain in exalted dignity until November. Mars is a tamasic planet primarily concerned with keeping us alive. When it comes to survival, things are very black-and-white — you either make it, or you don’t. Mars is that part of us that will fight for our right to exist.
Capricorn is a tamasic sign, focused on avoiding what might go wrong. This awareness of potential obstacles makes Capricorn skillful in commercial enterprises, as they always have a contingency plan. However, their deep aversion to risk can prevent Capricorn from taking action on even the most robust plan — which is where Mars comes in.
Mars is exalted in Capricorn because it provides the courage and discipline needed to activate carefully laid, long-term plans. The fiery quality of Mars serves as a spark plug to set the machine in motion. Mars represents the courage of a warrior, willing to do whatever is necessary to accomplish the mission, and this quality comes with just enough impulsiveness to initiate the proceedings.
Here’s a story to illustrate this dynamic: imagine there’s an attractive person that you would like to know better. They are in your extended group of friends, you’ve seen them before, exchanged smiles, but that’s it.
Every time you see them, you spend the rest of the night thinking about what you’ll say when you meet, rehearsing how it will go. You’ve found them on Facebook and (obviously not sent a friend request; that would be crazy) discovered that they like hiking and live music, just like you (you both live in Colorado, after all). You practice the words in your head, and then out loud. You game plan for all possible scenarios. You're ready for every disaster possible in the context of this hypothetical future interaction.
Now, you are at a party with a dear old red-headed friend of yours, when this attractive person walks in the door. Your ginger friend knows about your crush, knows how perfectly prepared you are for the encounter, and also knows your fear of failure may prevent anything from ever happening.
So what happens? Of course, your slightly insane freckled friend physically pushes you towards your crush, causing you to bump into them and unavoidably engage in conversation. You mention the trail you hiked yesterday, or the last band you saw. Your crush touches your arm in disbelief — they were at that show too! And that’s their favorite trail!
The combination of your preparation and the endearingly spontaneous moment created by your rude (or, funny) friend sets the gears turning and you can make up the rest of the story from here.
You are Capricorn. Your ginger friend is Mars. Your crush relates to whichever house is occupied by Capricorn in your chart. Sam Geppi provides a reliable place to calculate your Vedic chart at this link.
Remember: Mars is in Capricorn from now until November 6.
It will be retrograde from June 27 until August 28.
Now, let’s go through the signs one by one...
Capricorn: Mars is in your first house. This brings the focus to your physical self. Take advantage by exercising regularly, but avoid extremes. Regularity is more important than intensity. Routine and proper technique will help settle any sense of insecurity. Be especially careful of pitta provocation.
Sagittarius: Mars is in your second house. This relates to the organs of the face — particularly the mouth, in the form of what you eat and what you say (life is all about the inputs and outputs). Cultivate discipline with your diet and discussions. Don’t eat out of habit or boredom; don’t speak just to hear your the sound of your own voice. Eat to nourish yourself; be precise with your language. Avoid excess spicy food; be extra gentle with your words.
Scorpio: Mars, your ruling planet, is in your third house, activating egoic desires and the assertion of personal will. This is a time when you can confidently approach big accomplishments, but be careful not to get too grabby about your goals, as that can backfire. When you catch the tiger by his tail, which one of you is truly caught?
Libra: Mars is in your fourth house. First and foremost, be kind to your mother. Then, take time to reflect on how it feels to have accomplished your goals. Did it give the satisfaction you were seeking? If not, what does that tell you about your current ambitions? It may be time to adjust the sails of your ship and reorient your course according to a more appropriate North Star.
Virgo: Mars is in your fifth house. What great promise! Act on your enthusiasm. There is likely to be a new project arising that will pull you out of your comfort zone. I encourage you to allow this alluring idea to take you there. Devote yourself entirely to this fresh creation. Esoteric pursuits such as astrology, palmistry and nature-based healing and spirituality are indicated.
Leo: Mars is in your sixth house and it’s time to get to work. The inspiration and planning phases are through and now is when we keep our noses to the grindstone and do what simply must be done. Cultivate your courageous heart now by embodying the archetype of the father who, like the sun, provides what is needed to nourish life and asks for nothing in return. That being said, be mindful not to burn anyone too badly if you aren’t getting anything in return for your noble efforts.
Cancer: Mars is in your seventh house, bringing the focus to your committed relationships, be they romantic or commercial in nature. You will have greater clarity and sense of purpose in these relationships, which is crucial to your evolution in this lifetime. Get clear with yourself, then approach others with courage and conviction. Don’t let them overwhelm you.
Gemini: Mars is in your eighth house, begging for transformation. It is time to set aside anger and resentment about the way the world is, the way other people are, and refocus the warrior within to focus on deeper questions. Your naturally curious nature can benefit from the courage of Mars when exploring these deeper, inevitably darker realms.
Taurus: Mars is in your ninth house, calling you to apply greater discipline with your spiritual practices. I have often heard my teacher Sam Geppi say, “Religion is what you believe; spirituality is what you practice.” So what are you practicing? Are you practicing daily? Do your habits match your high ideals? If not, you now have cosmic support in making it so.
Aries: Mars, your ruling planet, is in your 10th house. Consistency is the name of the game. If you are ever to achieve the power and prestige you seek and generally deserve, you must learn to consistently funnel your fire in the same constructive direction. It’s like zapping someone in the eye with a laser pointer, obscuring their vision, versus applying the steady, focused laser of LASIK eye surgery, which brings perfect sight. See the difference?
Pisces: Mars is in your eleventh house, calling you to apply your spiritual principles in service of society as a whole. Fight for what you know is right for everyone. There is no time for navel gazing now; the moment is ripe to get out there and instigate change based on your universal sense of right and wrong. If you do, there just so happens to be the opportunity to accrue great wealth in the process.
Aquarius: Mars is in your twelfth house, beckoning you inward. The enlightenment you seek in the world is only truly found within, and the courage you normally display in working towards the benefit of society must now be applied within. Travel abroad, perhaps to an ashram or spiritual retreat where you can evolve in solitude and learn the internal resilience that will allow you to better serve others in the future.
Sagittarius: Mars is in your second house. This relates to the organs of the face — particularly the mouth, in the form of what you eat and what you say (life is all about the inputs and outputs). Cultivate discipline with your diet and discussions. Don’t eat out of habit or boredom; don’t speak just to hear your the sound of your own voice. Eat to nourish yourself; be precise with your language. Avoid excess spicy food; be extra gentle with your words.
Scorpio: Mars, your ruling planet, is in your third house, activating egoic desires and the assertion of personal will. This is a time when you can confidently approach big accomplishments, but be careful not to get too grabby about your goals, as that can backfire. When you catch the tiger by his tail, which one of you is truly caught?
Libra: Mars is in your fourth house. First and foremost, be kind to your mother. Then, take time to reflect on how it feels to have accomplished your goals. Did it give the satisfaction you were seeking? If not, what does that tell you about your current ambitions? It may be time to adjust the sails of your ship and reorient your course according to a more appropriate North Star.
Virgo: Mars is in your fifth house. What great promise! Act on your enthusiasm. There is likely to be a new project arising that will pull you out of your comfort zone. I encourage you to allow this alluring idea to take you there. Devote yourself entirely to this fresh creation. Esoteric pursuits such as astrology, palmistry and nature-based healing and spirituality are indicated.
Leo: Mars is in your sixth house and it’s time to get to work. The inspiration and planning phases are through and now is when we keep our noses to the grindstone and do what simply must be done. Cultivate your courageous heart now by embodying the archetype of the father who, like the sun, provides what is needed to nourish life and asks for nothing in return. That being said, be mindful not to burn anyone too badly if you aren’t getting anything in return for your noble efforts.
Cancer: Mars is in your seventh house, bringing the focus to your committed relationships, be they romantic or commercial in nature. You will have greater clarity and sense of purpose in these relationships, which is crucial to your evolution in this lifetime. Get clear with yourself, then approach others with courage and conviction. Don’t let them overwhelm you.
Gemini: Mars is in your eighth house, begging for transformation. It is time to set aside anger and resentment about the way the world is, the way other people are, and refocus the warrior within to focus on deeper questions. Your naturally curious nature can benefit from the courage of Mars when exploring these deeper, inevitably darker realms.
Taurus: Mars is in your ninth house, calling you to apply greater discipline with your spiritual practices. I have often heard my teacher Sam Geppi say, “Religion is what you believe; spirituality is what you practice.” So what are you practicing? Are you practicing daily? Do your habits match your high ideals? If not, you now have cosmic support in making it so.
Aries: Mars, your ruling planet, is in your 10th house. Consistency is the name of the game. If you are ever to achieve the power and prestige you seek and generally deserve, you must learn to consistently funnel your fire in the same constructive direction. It’s like zapping someone in the eye with a laser pointer, obscuring their vision, versus applying the steady, focused laser of LASIK eye surgery, which brings perfect sight. See the difference?
Pisces: Mars is in your eleventh house, calling you to apply your spiritual principles in service of society as a whole. Fight for what you know is right for everyone. There is no time for navel gazing now; the moment is ripe to get out there and instigate change based on your universal sense of right and wrong. If you do, there just so happens to be the opportunity to accrue great wealth in the process.
Aquarius: Mars is in your twelfth house, beckoning you inward. The enlightenment you seek in the world is only truly found within, and the courage you normally display in working towards the benefit of society must now be applied within. Travel abroad, perhaps to an ashram or spiritual retreat where you can evolve in solitude and learn the internal resilience that will allow you to better serve others in the future.
Look for the next edition of Seasonal Astrology on the Summer Solstice. Until then, take care. Many blessings,
| David McConaghay is a former four-sport athlete who discovered yoga as a means to bring ease to an overburdened body-mind complex. He will graduate in May 2018 from the four-year Doctor of Ayurveda program at Alandi Ayurveda Gurukula. He holds an Associate's degree in Vedic Astrology and is pursuing a Doctorate in Divinity from the University of Metaphysical Sciences. In addition to extensive training in the Sivananda yoga tradition, David has a B.A. in English and Creative Writing from the George Washington University. His work and play is collected at VedaDave.com. |  |
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