Brilliance, Burdens & Becoming
The Full Moon in Chitra Nakshatra - April 2025
Before I share a few reflections on the upcoming Full Moon, I’m delighted to let you know that my website has undergone a complete revamp, a journey that began around the time Venus turned retrograde. I’m deeply relieved and happy to announce that it’s now ready, which means your cosmic home is open and waiting for you, whenever you wish to stop by. If you have any thoughts or feedback, I would truly love to hear from you.
Full Moon - April 2025
With its governance by the divine architect Tvasta, who in some scriptures is considered the father of the celestial architect Vishwakarma, the New Moon’s occurrence within the Chitra Nakshatra indicates multifaceted brilliance. The current Full Moon bestows upon us intellectual prowess and the technical abilities required to successfully traverse this fortnight; however, we must be mindful not to overextend ourselves due to the significant influences presently concentrated within the sign of Pisces, where four planets are placed. As you read this letter, Venus is in the process of turning direct, and it is about to conjunct Saturn in Pisces, a sign where Saturn is peregrine, thus Venus will dominate the conjunction. While this next two weeks may bring some happiness, it is important to note that there is still a chance for some misery to occur within that time period. It is crucial that we avoid overwhelming ourselves with commitments, therefore we only make promises that we are confident we can fulfil. As Venus moves closer to Rahu and Saturn, it’s possible that relationships will become more challenging and lead to some difficult experiences.TThe implications of this extend beyond simply romantic relationships, and during this upcoming fortnight, relying on or expecting anything from others will prove unwise and likely lead to feelings of letdown.
The Stoic Dosage
As Epictetus wisely observed, “It is not things themselves that disturb us, but our opinions about them.” The difficulties we face over the next two weeks are not so much a product of external happenings as they are a reflection of our internal responses, shaped by our anticipations, expectations, and anxieties. Now is the moment to carefully evaluate our commitments, temper our expectations with realism, and concentrate solely on the aspects we can directly influence and manage effectively. The moment we cease relying on others or unpredictable external factors for our peace of mind, we create space for clarity and composure to naturally arise within ourselves. Genuine brilliance, as exemplified by Chitra, is revealed not only through exceptional skill in one’s craft but also through the careful consideration and thoughtful shaping of one’s responses to life’s complexities.
The Artistic Journey: Not Yet the Destination
We must concentrate our efforts on the creative projects and innovative self-expression techniques; their brilliance is undeniable and will shine brightly. With Venus turning direct, the considerable effort we invested in our creative projects, including revisions to several aspects, will soon bear fruit, bringing us a sense of happiness and satisfaction. The conjunction of Venus and Saturn, however, will likely leave us feeling a sense of inadequacy and dissatisfaction with what we possess. The conjunction of Venus and Rahu could potentially fulfil this, as this alignment may significantly amplify the effects and experiences of this period. To reiterate, this achievement would be merely an illusion, a deceptive mirage, as we still have a considerable distance to traverse, a significant amount of work remaining before we bring to fruition the creative self-expressions that have occupied our time and energies over this period.
The Discipline of Purposeful Action
In his marathon preaching to Arjuna, Krishna says, “To work alone you have competence, not to claim their fruits. Let not the longing for fruits be the motive force of your action. At the same time let not his attitude confirm you in indolent inaction.” (BG 2.47) - Translation by Swami Tapasyananda, Sri Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore, Chennai.
This verse does not disregard success; instead, it invites a reassessment of our understanding of fulfilment, suggesting that it should be linked to the quality of our efforts rather than contingent upon the promise of some future reward. When we create with sincerity, focusing solely on the creative process itself rather than external validation or the anticipation of any particular result, our work takes on a sacred quality. During these next two weeks, it is important that we stay focused and committed to following our established processes rather than solely concentrating on immediate results or outputs. Although the journey is not yet over, it is proving to be profoundly meaningful, and our continued commitment to integrity and purpose ensures that our efforts, too, remain meaningful and significant. Although achieving the enlightenment of not expecting results from our actions is a difficult, if not impossible, task for humans, understanding that such expectations cause suffering can help us detach our actions from their outcomes, ultimately leading to a more peaceful and blessed daily existence.
© Aswin Subramanyan 2025