We are now on the other side of the eclipse cycle of August, and can begin to relax into the cooling temperatures (here in the Northern Hemisphere) and comparatively stable astrological weather.

Post-eclipse season there is often a freshness that feels something like the air after a storm has passed. The intensity of what I like to call the ‘squeeze’ of the eclipses has loosened its grip, allowing us to re-enter relative normalcy. For those who are sensitive or for whom the eclipses impacted significant places in their chart, such as their natal Moon, the time period around eclipse events can feel like a bit of a dream-state.

The influence of the shadow planets on the luminaries brings both disorienting confusion and piercing insights. It is important to take a moment to sift through whatever may have arisen during that time. Post-eclipse is a very potent period to act on any revelations which may have been unearthed in the later half of last month.

Pitṛi Pakṣa

September will bring Pitri Pakṣa, which is the annual period dedicated to honoring the ancestors. This year it begins September 26th and runs through October 10th and is an excellent opportunity to address negative ancestral karma through prayer, pujas and offerings. For anyone with what is called a Pitṛi Doṣa or ancestor affliction in their natal chart, this is the most powerful time of year to address it.

Pitṛi Doṣas are essentially blocks in life that are caused by negative karma generated by one’s ancestors, up to seven generations back. Pujas to address this are performed at the Ganges for 15 days and are done for the benefit of the departed ancestors themselves as well as the living individuals who have inherited their karma. These pujas can be life-changing and take one full year from the date of completion to fully resolve the karma or blockages. I’ll be sharing some examples related to this as we get deeper into the month.

Pitṛi Doṣas can sometimes be recognized even in the absence of a birth chart, when there are addictions, abuse or mental health issues that run down a family line, or when there are obstacles that cannot be understood which block marriage and/or children. There are also many other ways these can come through, depending on the details of what they are influencing in the natal horoscope.

Whether or not you have a Pitṛi Doṣa, Pitṛi Pakṣa is a wonderful time to connect with your ancestors, embark on some lineage research, look through family photo albums and generally open your heart and mind to those you descended from.

The Astrology of September

The second half of August, and the first half of September was and will be highly impacted by a conjunction in Leo which is bringing up a lot in relation to identity. Sun and the lunar node Ketu have been conjoined here since August 16th, and entered an exact conjunction on August 22nd. Sun is happy in his own sign in Leo, and Ketu also is happily placed in Leo, but the two have somewhat opposing aims and so this conjunction can create some deep internal tension as a result.

Sun is concerned with identity, visibility, the structure of one’s personality and of one’s life as well as power and authority. Ketu, on the other hand, wants to tear it all down and disassemble and sacrifice the self and public persona in order to reach his spiritual goals.

This conjunction, together with the recent eclipse themes, may have brought up some personal reflections on one’s identity and how it may or may not be serving one’s larger goals as well as the well-being of others and in particular one’s lineage. The next couple of weeks are fertile for explorations regarding what may need to be sacrificed on a personal level in order to be of better service to something larger than oneself. Where are you still hung up, wasting energy, or not even seeing your role clearly? This conjunction allows us to go deeply into this question and come back with some honest responses which can inform how you move forward.

Meanwhile, Venus was in debilitation for all of August and will move into her own sign on September 2nd—a very happy placement for the planet of love, pleasure and beauty. This is a long stay for Venus, since she will go retrograde October 3rd, briefly back into Virgo and again into Libra from November 22nd until January 1st.

A strong Venus helps us feel more connected to and inspired by life, particularly through relationships of all kinds (in Libra) and through involvement with one’s own senses. This is an opportunity to re-connect with one’s own enjoyment of beauty, taste, sounds, touch, and one’s experience of inhabiting a body in general. It is also a good time for Venus remedies such as mantra, puja and donation—especially if you have an afflicted Venus in your natal chart. In general, this is a good time to look for partnership or enhance and revive existing partnerships (both business and romantic).

Mid-month, Sun will move into Virgo and shift the solar themes from identity and power to organization, details and problem-solving. Around the same time, Mars moves into his debilitation sign in Cancer to join an exalted Jupiter until November 12th. This is a complex placement and will tend to ‘reverse’ the impact of Mars’ debilitation over the course of the transit due to Jupiter’s positive influence. Jupiter’s full beneficence may have to sink a bit in order to accomplish this.

Because Jupiter is still moving so quickly through Cancer (at over 200% of his normal pace!) Mars will not share the same degree as him (the condition for a planetary war) until they both make their way into Leo in November.

A Jupiter-Mars conjunction is considered to bring a lot of energy, enthusiasm and capability. The courage, drive and strategic intelligence of Mars combined with the wisdom, patience and good guidance of Jupiter can be a very helpful influence. It supports competition, taking on a challenging task, and anything requiring a little extra courage from you.

The reversal of the debilitation may come through in a new, more positive and effective approach to dealing with anger and resentment, which are emotions that tend to get distorted when Mars is debilitated. It may also produce an altogether ‘strategy’ for approaching your emotional world.

Auspicious Dates

• 9/12: ojas/energy gaining strength from today until the full moon on the 25th

• 9/13: supports enjoyment, romantic relationships, artistic endeavors

• 9/15-17: supports making commitments

• 9/20: overall very auspicious day for beginning new ventures

• 9/23: very high ojas/energy, take care to direct it since there is also a combination for anxiety and worry

Sensitive Dates

• 9/4: chaotic energy, depleting

• 9/6-10: waning ojas/energy, lower social battery

• 9/10: empty moon—inauspicious day for beginnings, beneficial only for offerings and getting rid of things (excellent for deep cleaning and fasting)

• 9/14: associated with obstacles

• 9/17: sun sankranti (moving signs)

  • can make it difficult to get things done (unplanned obstacles)

• 9/18-19: chaotic energy + moon gandanta

  • instability in mind and emotions

• 9/24: high emotional energy as well as emotional and energetic blockages

• 9/26-10/10: Pitṛi Pakṣa—beneficial for worship of ancestors but not for starting new wordly or material things *

Read more

Understanding the impact of eclipses it a true art. In fact, every element of the Vedic Sciences has both an artistic and scientific component, but there is something about the way in which the patterned and predictable karmic impact that the relationship between the Sun, Moon, its nodes and Earth generates which I find particularly majestic.

It is said that for countries in which the eclipses are visible, the impacts can be felt by everyone inhabiting that place for up to 18 years. The same is said for individuals for whom the eclipses are transiting significant points in their chart.

Because these eclipse cycles occur every 6 months, the signals coming from successive eclipses can get a little muddled if one is not carefully tracking them and distinguishing those signals from other timing techniques like dashas and transits.

I find it more helpful to use the 6 month time frame, wherein results of eclipses interacting with important points in an individual’s chart can be felt up to 6 months before or after the eclipse itself, depending on the degree at which it takes place in the sign relative to other planets or points of significance.

Effects are most certainly not always negative. Eclipses can be life changing in either direction—in some cases quickly and unexpectedly elevating someone, depending on how it is interacting with the natal chart.

In general, when within the eclipse cycle (which always comes in pairs, with one solar and one lunar eclipse on the heels of one another) the solar eclipse precedes the lunar eclipse, the focus of the event tends to spiritual. This is in contrast to the reverse situation wherein the lunar eclipse precedes the solar and the focus is instead material.

In the eclipses this month we have a solar eclipse occuring before the lunar, so we know that there is some positive spiritual potential here. This means it is a good time to focus on one’s spiritual practices, remedial measures, donation, giving and prayer.

The day of the solar eclipse itself can be particularly powerful for meditation, prayer, mantra, fasting and an inward focus. The benefits of spiritual practices during eclipses are said to be amplified many times over. It is also a time when concentration can become more challenging, so extra effort is required to maintain focus on one’s chosen practice.

The solar eclipse will occur in the sign Cancer, with the Sun and Moon joining both Jupiter and Mercury, making this an extremely potent time for spiritual and emotional learning.

The energy of a solar eclipse gives us the opportunity to see things as they truly are, cutting through the illusions that are often highly entangled with our perception. There is an opportunity to connect to the true nature of reality—to see and feel what is actually going on with oneself and others. It can be a bit like having x-ray vision, and if not used carefully, can feel confronting.

Reality—clearly perceived—can actually be quite jarring and uncomfortable, so we can to some extent be grateful for the illusions that buffer us from the full force of life’s actual nature. It is like having some cloud cover on a blazing hot day. We get some reprieve from the intensity of reality.

During an eclipse the clouds burn away and everything can feel somewhat raw and exposed. This is particularly true for solar eclipses, during and around which it is best to not take anything outside of one’s spiritual practices and inner work very seriously.

Social and relational conflicts, outbursts, things not going according to plan—all this should be taken with a grain of salt and if it escalates too far might best be totally ignored or avoided until the eclipse has passed. This is not the time to dig into interpersonal conflicts and make far-reaching decisions. All that can be handled post-eclipse when there is less reactivity.

Those with planets or their ascendant or Arudha Lagna/image point in Cancer will be more impacted by this eclipse and might benefit from protective measures such as mantra and/or puja.

The lunar eclipse will be in Aquarius with the north node Rahu. Lunar eclipses with Rahu are positive for manifesting worldly goals. This translates to doing inner work to make the outer world better—either in one’s personal sphere such as family, work, finances etc. or their larger sphere i.e. society. Prayers, mantras and plans directed carefully at these goals can bear considerable fruit.

In summary:

When in doubt, during this month (and especially in the most intense window of the eclipses):

• avoid conflict and intense emotional discussions and big decisions

• if things escalate, walk away or agree to return to the issue after the intensity has passed

• use the windows of the eclipses themselves for inner focus and spiritual practices, avoid social interaction during these times (especially during the solar eclipse) as much as possible

  • if possible, don’t go outside during the actual eclipses

• post-eclipse season (later this month) will be an excellent time to begin new things and circle back to important conversation and decision-making

Āyurvedic tips for Summer

Let’s begin with the season. Here in the Northern Hemisphere, we can at this time of year start to understand why Āyurveda describes the summer as depleting. The warm, dry, light and sharp qualities of this time tend to leave us feeling burnt out.

Ādāna kāla is the half of the year that runs from roughly mid-January to mid-July and is said to reduce the strength of humans.

In Ādāna kāla the Sun with its hot rays absorbs moisture from the environment. The excessively dry wind by virtue of its absorbing quality further causes dryness in later winter, spring and summer seasons progressively, leading to the predominance of bitter, astringent, and pungent tastes (in the environment) respecitvely and gradual increase of weakness in human beings during these three seasons. - Charaka Samhita Sūtra Sthana Chapter 6, verse 6

In some ways summer season tends to ask the most of us, but it is actually a time when strength is at its lowest and we may find that we need more rest. Summer season is the only acceptable time for naps, according to Āyurveda, and these shorts periods of rest—especially during the hottest parts of the day—can do a lot to hold off the genuine and deep fatigue which can show up at the end of summer.

The specific span of this period will vary by location and depend on when the heat actually subsides. Here in New Mexico and other desert locations in the United States, our seasons match the traditional Indian seasons which include a monsoon, in which the cold, slimy and light qualities are especially amplified. If this is true in your location, also, dietary adjustments may need to be made accordingly. The sweet, sour and salty tastes are recommended at this time to maintain a healthy agni and prevent ama or toxin formation.

Jupiter’s combustion

Last month I went into some detail regarding Jupiter’s transit to Cancer. I also mentioned how it’s results would vary depending on how other transits are interacting with it. For the last half of July and the first half of August, Jupiter will be in combustion by the Sun. This means he’s close enough to the Sun to become affected by his heat. Starting from about the 27th and lasting through the 30th, Jupiter was within one degree of the Sun which puts him ‘in the heart of the Sun’ or kazimi.

A planet within one degree of the Sun is going through a unique purification which is somewhat like a refinement of its nature. It is an excellent time to reflect on and refine your relationship with teachers, knowledge, decision-making and your connection to your body’s innate intelligence—the ‘prajna’ which I went into some depth with in the last article: a faculty which falls under Jupiter’s domain.

Meanwhile, the external manifestation of Jupitarian things in your life may ‘disappear’ during the combustion, or may become a source of stress (i.e. you may feel ‘burned’ in those areas.) This includes marriage and family matters, relationships with teachers or mentors, wealth and finances, among others. It also includes areas of life ruled by Jupiter in your chart, or which your natal Jupiter is influencing.

All this to say that the external benefits of Jupiters exaltation are somewhat stolen by the Sun during this month of combustion, but the internal benefits—connection with one’s deeper knowing, development of wisdom, etc—may be refined.

Any significant stress and/or deeper insight which began mid July can potentially be connected to this combustion, especially if it intensified around the end of the month.

Saturn’s retrograde

Saturn went retrograde in Pisces on July 26th, and will remain so until December 10th of this year. Saturn’s last retrograde was also in Pisces and occured from July 19th of 2025 through November 27th of last year.

This retrograde will bring some inward focus related to Saturn’s significations, house lordship and placement. There is generally a detail-orientation which can border on fixation with a retrograde planet. I’ve mentioned that the Saturn in Pisces placement is a lot about small steps toward a bigger goal, and this retrograde period is an excellent time to get into the micro-steps or minute details which need to be worked out in order to achieve that larger goal. Although these tasks may seem tedious, they may be necessary for the enormous structure that Saturn in Pisces is building to really hold.

Saturn in Pisces has a highly spiritual side, making this time very auspicious for commiting to spiritual practices which involve some discipline and self-imposed limitation. If some self-reflection, deep review and personal excavation is not done during this time, then the more negative side of an internally-gazing Saturn can show up as depression or a psychological dryness.

On a practical level, this retrograde may cause delays related to the parts of life which Saturn rules over such as construction, labor, service workers and staff.

Because Jupiter is aspecting Saturn from Pisces, the positive side of this transit is more likely to come through. As I’ve said before, Jupiter and Saturn associating have the potential to create some very powerful change. Harnessing that energy in the right direction and having the patience to see it to fruition are the main tasks of this time.

Venus in Leo/Virgo

Venus entered Leo to join the lunar node Ketu on July 4th, and moves into Virgo today. Neither of these placements is relished by Venus, since she is uncomfortable in the Sun’s sign and is debilitated in Virgo.

The last month in Leo was made particularly uncomfortable by Venus’s conjunction with Ketu, whose nature is nearly opposite to that of Venus. Venus is connected to pleasure, joy, love and many of the principle drives to incarnate. Ketu is the one planet in the zodiac who is interested mainly in moksha or liberation from the cycles of incarnation. This is why he is the planet connected to monks, nuns, and renunciates of all kinds. Ketu is strong in Leo and therefore imparts more of his flavor to Venus than Venus can to Ketu. During this transit, things connected to Venus such as sensuality, relationship, and enjoyment may have felt tense or conflicted, or may have gone underappreciated.

Venus in Virgo also has a tendency toward various forms of ‘conditional’ love—toward oneself and others. It is a rule-bound placement, wherein the desires and satisfactions of the watery and taste-driven Venus are kept under control inside the narrow halls of Virgo’s organization and cleanliness.

It is a great time to notice your ‘condition’s around love, pleasure and affection, and to attempt to soften some of those. There is a perfectionist flavor to this transit which should not be allowed to take over. Saturn’s gaze from Pisces may intensify the criticism towards oneself and others and can bring a cold, callous energy to Venusian realms, drying out enjoyment and leaving us unsatisfied.

Sun in Leo

We will get a bit of a boost mid-month when Sun enters his own sign Leo. Sun is content and comfortable in his own sign, where his natural attributes of positive leadership, confidence, structure, routine and health are able to express more naturally. Ketu will join the Sun here, setting the grounds for the solar eclipse.

This combination can be positive spiritually—again, for delving deeply into personal and internal questions and connecting with core layers of oneself, but generally comes through as a little intense and caustic, being that they are both hot planets. Ego and issues with power can be a problem with this transit. I recommend tending towards humility and introspection whenever possible.

Eclipses

We will get another round of eclipses this month, with the solar eclipse on Wednesday the 12th, and the lunar eclipse on the 27th. I will write more on this as we get deeper into the month, but for the time being here is a reminder of general eclipse protocol:

10 days before and after a solar eclipse are considered delicate and should be avoided for beginning new endeavors. The same holds for three days before and after a lunar eclipse.

Generally speaking, things begun before an elipse cycle tend to fail, and those begun afterwards (after the delicate window has passed) tend to succeed.

The eclipse days themselves should be handled with great care—especially solar eclipses—as they tend to warp the mind and create a lot of unclear thinking and paranoia.

Solar eclipses are best spent in meditation or solitary practices, while lunar eclipses can be conducive to positive social events and gatherings, although I generally still recommend solo activities due to the emotional intensity present on lunar eclipses.

Fasting can be excellent remediation and a positive use of the cleansing effect which eclipses are already bringing in. There are also specific protective pujas which can be done if eclipses are hitting important planets or areas in your natal chart.

Summing it up

All things considered, this month is really best spent as much as possible in introspection and with quiet discipline and focus on the work that needs to be done. It is not a time for making big decisions or changing course, although eclipses have the tendency to convince us that now is exactly the time for those sorts of things.

Try to remain grounded and focus on the simple, small tasks that need to be taken care of, watching out for the stories that might start to kick up inside you (especially those with the flavor of worry or catastrophization) as we near the eclipse points.

Eclipse cycles, like all difficult transits, always hold opportunities. They can be very productive times spiritually, particularly in light of the other transits occurring within this cycle.

It is an unstable time collectively and politically, so we can expect some events on the world stage to unfold related to politicans and those in positions of power (Leo).

Auspicious Dates

Read more

A lot of questions have come up regarding Jupiter’s recent transit to Cancer, so I wanted to go into more detail regarding it’s specific effects, particularly as they relate to physical and mental health.

I have mentioned that Jupiter is widely considered the greatest benefic of the zodiac. He is not only supportive—in the way a teacher, guide or Guru might be—but also has the ability to protect us from negative influences and experiences. If there is an affliction in a birth chart, Jupiter’s aspect can intervene and help someone find a solution. And a Jupiter transit over a troubled natal planet tends to bring a ‘cure’ to the suffering associated with that planet’s placement. This generally comes in the form of good advice and resources.

A large part of Jupiter’s beneficence comes from his innate Sattva, or goodness.

Tri-Guṇa

For anyone not familiar with the tri-guṇa or three qualities of nature which impact every aspect of thought and behavior, here is a brief explanation:

There are three guṇas in Vedic philosophy, each with their own qualities. We all experience them in different proportions but will generally have a predominance of one, similar to how we have a predominant physical doṣa. The guṇas are the active principle that mix the elements to create every manifest part of our experience. This means that they are behind everything, impelling thought, action and emotion. They are extremely important behavioral determinants, and influential in all matters related to mental health.

They are: rajas (initiation), tamas (inertia) , and sattva (equilibrium)

Rajas is quick and active, gives us ambition, creativity and drive and can also cause jealousy, anxiety, hostility, arrogance and a sense that there is never enough time. Rajas is associated with daytime, when there is naturally more activity in the world.

Tamas is dull and slow, gives confusion, greed, ignorance and depression, but is also the energy that allows us to go to sleep and get rest. Tamas gives the sense that there is too much time in the day, which can lead to boredom. It is associated with nighttime, when things slow down and recharge for the next day.

Sattva is measured and patient, gives satisfaction, purity and happiness. It is modest, simple and non-judgemental. It lends itself to moderation and truthfulness, and gives the sense of there being just enough time in the day to accomplish what needs to be done. It is associated with sunrise and sunset, when a certain tranquility tends to come over the world.

Diseases of mind/body

Someone’s habitual behavior will tell you what guṇa(s) they are dominated by. From the Ayūrvedic perspective, rajas and tamas are considered doṣas of the mind, in the same way that vata, pitta and kapha are doṣas of the body.

“There are three bodily doṣas: vata, pitta and kapha—they vitiate the body. Again, there are two doṣas of the mind: rajas and tamas—they vitiate the mind. Vitiation of the body and the mind causes the expression of diseases and no disease is caused without vitiation of doṣas.” - Charaka Samhita, Sharirasthana 4/34

This means that Sattva is synonymous with health, and that we should strive to bring more of it into our thoughts, lives and actions: a task which can become increasingly complicated in a world dominated mostly by rajas and tamas.

It is also complicated by the fact that it is easy to categorize certain lifestyles or behaviors as ‘sattvic,’ even though they are not necessarily motivated by sattva. As an example, many people might consider meditation and yoga sattvic, but if it is performed as a competition or in order to appear spiritual, it is actually rajasic. If it is undertaken as a form of punishment, then it is tamasic. Following a vegetarian or vegan diet while being judgemental of those who don’t would also be a pernicious type of rajas behavior.

Similarly, actions or occupations which may appear tamasic, such as law enforcement, can have sattvic motivations. It may be the case that some of the most sattvic people are the least visible, most humble humans who are quietly benevolent without asking for reward or seeking visibility.

A deep understanding of the guṇas is a lifelong project. In this article, I would like to discuss Jupiter’s guṇa and how his transit can impact behavior.

Jupiter and Sattva

Each planet has both an element and a guṇa, which together help us understand how it operates. Jupiter rules the space element and is one of three sattvic planets, the others being Sun and Moon.

These three planets are in charge of our connection with Time (Sun), our senses (Moon) and our inner knowing (Jupiter)—three pillars of health, from an Ayūrvedic perspective. When these planets are healthy, these are in good working order and we:

Sun: follow a healthy routine, change our diet and lifestyle according to seasons and phases of life, and have a structure in our lives which supports our flourishing.

Moon: moderate the use of our senses, taking care not to over, under or mis-use any of the five sense faculties- or when we recognize we have done so, we make a change

Jupiter: are in direct contact with our body’s intelligence and respond to its signals

When these planets are afflicted, one or more of these pillars start to break down, we get off balance and the disease process begins. That is the disturbance of sattva, in which three pillars of health become three basic causes for disease:

Kāla Pariṇāma or disturbances to Time—ruled by the Sun

Asātmyendriyārtha or misuse of the sense faculties—ruled by the Moon

Prajñāparādha or mistakes of the intellect—ruled by Jupiter.

Mistakes of the intellect, or misuse of one’s innate intelligence is the most consequential of these three, since it opens the doorway for misuse of the senses and the disturbances to rhythm, routine and relationship with other aspects of Time which are part of Kāla Pariṇāma.

Prajñaparādha can be summed up as knowing something isn’t good for you and doing it anyway, or getting a cue from your body and not responding to it. This is a normal part of human life, but the degree to which we avoid listening to ourselves varies between individuals and across the lifespan.

Prajñāparādha and the ability to listen

A healthy planet in charge of one of these pillars is a huge protective factor when it comes to both mental and physical health. The ‘health’ of a planet is seen from its sign and house placements and aspects to it. A planet is exaltation is the strongest version of itself, so has more energy and resources to offer support.

All of this means that we collectively get a boost in listening to our prajña or inner knowing, during this time. Prajña is often translated as insight or knowing. It is the type of wisdom that transcends concepts, ideas and intellectual reasoning. It is naturally present in everyone and simply requires uncovering. With a highly afflicted Jupiter, there is some tamasic influence keeping someone from accessing this inner knowing. With a strong Jupiter, an individual has easy access to prajña and may wonder why others don’t.

Because Jupiter is also connected to decision making and the prefrontal cortex, the difficulty accessing prajña can be related to issues with executive functioning and attention control. For some people, issues with ADHD, memory and focus improve drastically with Jupiter remediation, which needs to be prescribed according to the individual horoscope.

You may recall that each planet is connected to an element, which is also connected to an organ of perception and sense faculty. These function almost as a unit, with input or changes in one reverberating in the others. For example, sound modifies the way space feels, with a lot of noise or undesirable music making it feel small and maybe claustrophobic. Pleasant sounds or silence can make a place feel very spacious and open. Similarly, a ruminating mind full of noise can feel like a prison, whereas a post-meditation or massage mind can be very spacious and pleasant to inhabit.

These relationships are the basis of Vedic philosophy and help us to understand how the planets actually impact us through the workings of our own bodies and minds. They also give us clues as to how to improve the health planets which may be afflicted in our chart. Focused listening—both internally and externally— and working with sound is an excellent way to improve Jupiter’s functioning.

How to use this transit

Jupiter in exaltation for the next year elevates everyone’s access to their own inner knowing. This may come through space opening up in your life somewhere, or through a new practice or lifestyle modification which creates a sense of openness (meditation, more time in Nature, etc.) which reduces pressure in your life.

Wherever this new expansiveness is, it’s something to tune into. You want to take this time to see how much you can develop that morsel of peace or brightness, however small it may be. If it is just a reduction in stress, rather than stress relief altogether, that is also something to notice and attempt to grow.

The increased spaciousness makes room for the type of deep listening which supports health. The transit can work the other way, too: our ability to hear ourselves begins to increase and causes us to make more space for the things which promote health on all levels.

All of this leads to Sattva, which is the quality that is increasing with this transit.

Now is a good time to think ahead one year and consider how you would like to feel, even above where you’d like to be in life, and start accepting opportunities which might lead you toward that.

While this transit can also bring material benefit and resources (particularly when associated with financial houses in a horoscope), some of its greatest gifts come in the way it transforms our inner world, reminding us what the best version of ourselves can be.

The guṇas are so much about approach and the way we go about doing things. It can be useful during this time to shift your attention inward, even in the midst of the demands of daily life. Notice rajasic or tamasic states and thoughts which might be habitually accompanying daily tasks and interactions. If you start to see that your inner state is full of negativity (tamas) or stress (rajas), this might be a better time than ever to work on removing that weight.

Now is also an excellent time for remedial measures related to Jupiter or any planets he may be transitting in your natal chart. For personalized details and recommendations related to this, please book a consultation with me.

Image: Moon, Jupiter, Venus and a very faint Mercury line up, following the sinking Sun.

Happy Summer!

June brought many changes, including the official entrance into Summer and the beginning of a notable transit.

This month I’d like to focus on the season from the perspectives of both Āyurveda and Astrology. I have noticed how thoroughly the nature of the transits can be colored by the season ‘on the ground’ and the state of one’s health. Even though it can be said that the transit themselves are having a physical influence, we are all receiving them in different locations and environments and will thus be filtering them through our individual bodies and minds differently.

Āyurveda

Practically speaking, summer is generally a time of extroversion, activity, travel, irregular schedules and less-than optimal diets.

Āyurvedically, summer is the season when both pitta and vata can become aggravated (especially if you live in a hot AND dry climate), and when the recommendation is to not overexert oneself. Both overall strength and digestion are weakened by the heat and diets need to be modified accordingly. Light, cooked, cooling and easily digestible food eaten at regular times is best.

The qualities or guṇas in the environment tend to be hot, dry and sharp. Foods and activities with these qualities should be avoided or reduced, and those with opposing qualities—cool, oily (or moisturizing) and slow—should be favored.

Slow time out-of-doors around sunset and less in the direct daytime sun can be a great way to bring in more cool and slow and reduce the hot and sharp of summer. If you are not careful to moderate your internal heat, you may notice the guṇas of the season manifesting in your behavior. If you find yourself being sharp with others, and feeling very reactive, then some simple measures to pacify pitta will be helpful.

When it comes to foods and tastes, those which are bitter, astringent, and sweet can control the heat of the season. Seasonal vegetables and greens, fruits and easily-digestible grains are great right now. Heavier foods such as fatty meats, dairy, dense grains and other difficult-to-digest foods should be saved for fall and winter, when they can be properly digested. Fresh herbs like mint and dill are excellent for aiding digestion while cooling also bringing down the internal temperature.

Classical recommendations involve lighter meat (deer, birds), thin soup, sweet drinks prepared with fruit juice, dairy taken with sugar only, and little or no alcohol consumption.

Astrology

While the season may be keeping things hot, the astrology actually has some potential to reduce tensions and deliver much needed peace to the collective. While the Jupiter transit which began last month is not a panacea for all of the ills of society, it should certainly have a positive impact on current conflicts and gradually reduce some of the volatility that has been palpable worldwide.

Current transits need a healthy dose of context. Some of you may remember a post I wrote way back in 2020 when pandemic era chaos was ensuing, wherein I discussed how 2020 opened a new 200 year cycle for the world—a cycle which is often associated with the rise and fall of civilizations. The Saturn-Jupiter conjunction in Capricorn opened the doorway for massive, heavy-hitting changes which cannot be called gentle. It is literally an ‘earth-moving’ transit, as is the era which it brought it. Transits occurring within this time need to be read in light of the backdrop of that period whose color is particularly dark and unsettling.

That being said, an exalted Jupiter in transit is always something to celebrate. If you’ve felt any renewed optimism, sense of spaciousness or ability to just be present, this may be related to the healthy space element which just entered our lives through Jupiter.

Venus joined Jupiter in Cancer in early June, flavoring the transit and centering Jupiter’s expansivity and benevolence in the realm of love, relationships, comfort and luxury. Venus will leave Cancer on July 4th and enter into some very different themes in Leo with the south node Ketu. This placement of Venus will also break the Kala Sarpa or free-will-limiting combinations that have been present in the sky since March. If you have felt like you’ve not had as much choice as usual since then, things may start to open up for you with this transit.

Mercury also joined the mix in Cancer on June 22nd, and proceeded to turn retrograde on the 29th. He’ll move back into Gemini on July 6th to address whatever unfinished business he may have had there until August 5th (though he will go direct on July 23rd).

The Mercury-Jupiter conjunction in Cancer is an excellent combination for learning of all kinds, but especially learning related to emotional intelligence, inner wisdom and maturation, as well as practical learning that relates to the home, health and family, such as subjects you might find in a Home Economics class: cooking, cleaning, repairing household items or making useful things, anything related to care and care-taking and early childhood development. It’s a great time to improve both the structure and function of the home, and to make yourself a student of the domestic sphere. After Mercury returns to Cancer he’ll be there until August 22nd.

The other transits that are significantly impacting the moment are the nodal axis and Saturn, all of which have been in their current positions for a little over a year, now. Saturn in Pisces began with an extreme eclipse involving most of the planets in the zodiac in March of 2025. In some ways, nothing has really been the same since.

Saturn in Pisces is a powerful transit which impacts the collective unconscious. It brings a deep structural transformation to the psyche which is so slow that it is not always discernible. Its position shows a formidable internal pressure that is unrelenting, and can contribute to symptoms such as depression, fatigue, disturbed sleep and a general sense of doom. This is amplified by the aspect of Rahu from Aquarius, which creates a wind-storm effect and can eventually make clear thinking and focus very difficult.

The good news now is that Jupiter is aspecting Saturn from Cancer, so the chaos and uncomfortable changes (which can actually tend toward deterioration) have support to be recognized and repaired. This first part of Jupiter’s transit might therefore be a lot of ‘problem identification’ and waking up to what’s not working. Once the problem is identified, not only is healing possible, but the entire process can lead us all to ask some very deep questions which are in need of answering. The Jupiter-Saturn combination can give somewhat of an existential dilemma flavor and tends to lead to some very deep thoughts and places. This is not necessarily an easy combination, but it can be a very productive one.

Saturn will go retrograde on July 26th— a subject I will discuss in depth next month.

I recommend identifying the areas of your life that you know are in need of an overhaul, and begin putting together a plan to make a change there. Taking small steps toward a larger goal over the next year or so would be a worthy use of this transit. An example would be, in the case of lingering depression, choosing a psychologist or enrolling in a meditation program to begin to address the mental health issue. Getting outside help is in keeping with this transit and the support which is on offer through Jupiter.

Auspicious Dates

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This next month comes with good news! The long awaited Jupiter transit to Cancer for one year arrives June 1st around 1am MST. This is a major boost for both the collective cultural sphere as well as the individuals that compose it.

I will spend some time here detailing what this transit means and how you might best utilize its potential, and at the end will include the normal run-down of auspicious dates for the month.

Jupiter’s Transit

A planet in exaltation expresses its most positive attributes and is essentially the best version of itself. This is because the sign in which it exalts is very supportive of that planets inherent nature. It is like a person being in their very favorite place, where they are able to be and express themselves to the fullest.

Conversely, a debilitated planet tends to display the worst parts of its nature. A debilitated Mars, for example, will allow its fire to turn into resentment and passive-aggressivty because it is in a place/sign that does not support its intensity (Mars debilitates in Cancer, which is a clean, pure and gentle sign).

An exalted Mars, on the other hand, uses its inherent assertiveness to be straightforward, active, and get things done. It can do this because it exalts in a sign (Capricorn) that is comfortable with impurity and aggressive behavior and the rougher aspects of life (Capricorn, after all, is associated with graveyards).

All of the planets have their inherent nature, and the variations with which they are expressed is based on sign placement and other factors (planetary aspects, conjunctions, etc.)

Generally speaking, we can look forward to planets transitting their signs of exaltation, because we see its archetype expressed in ways that are generally helpful and can lift things up. This is especially the case when those planets are benefic (such as Jupiter) and are going to stay in place for a while (one year, in this case).

Jupiter is not only a benefic planet, but by many accounts is considered the MOST benefic planet in the zodiac due to the way he brings resources, advice, good decision-making, and an overall sense of spaciousness.

In exaltation, Jupiter is even more powerful to deliver these positive effects. It’s like the priest being at the river giving baptisms—this is perhaps exactly what he feels he was meant to do, and he is in just the right environment to do so.

The degree to which Jupiter is able to support each of us on an individual level will depend to some extent on the details of one’s natal chart: where the transit is falling, what planetary period the person is in, their natal Jupiter situation, etc. But I dare say nearly everyone will get some kind of boost, and the collective social sphere is most definitely in need of exactly the type of boost that Jupiter is capable of giving.

Jupiter in Cancer

The specific quality of the transit is based on the combined nature of Jupiter and the sign he’s in, as I have said. Cancer is a sign associated with maternal comfort, peace, home and heart. Its associated environment is a river, which can be defined by the purity of its running water. It is this purity and gentleness which supports Jupiter’s ability to create space and healing and peace. Jupiter is the priest and teacher of the zodiac, after all, and works best in clean environments, which is why he is debilitated in Capricorn—a sign associated with death and decay.

The expansiveness of this type of transit can remind us all of how good life can feel when we are not consumed by personal and collective stress, contention and internal pressures. It is a breath of fresh air inviting us to remember ourselves before we became overburdened. There is an opportunity to reconnect here on all levels: with your own sense of spaciousness, creativity, spiritual life and health, to the people who you may have become distant from, and to society at large.

Jupiter rules and is defined by the space element, which is the connective tissue of life and the zodiac. Without it, things would not hold together. This is why Jupiter is considered the counselor or peacemaker, and is also associated with long-term commitments. A healthy Jupiter is able to hold things together in a way no other planet is. During a Jupiter planetary period for an individual, they will tend to grow in many ways: they may become interested in marriage and/or family, wish to grow a business and generally expand their lives. This all comes from the innate nature of the space element, translated through Jupiter.

Jupiter’s previous transit to Cancer

This transit occurs once every 12 years, and the last one began in June of 2014, ending in July of 2015. Whatever new and expansive themes may have come into your life during that time can give you clues as to how this transit might operate.

Generally, a Jupiter transit in the 2nd, 5th, 7th, 9th and 11th house from natal Moon and/or Ascendant is considered very auspicious. The other houses have some potential negative indications, which need to be understood in detail along with other transits and factors which can potentially reverse or cancel things. For an in-depth assessment of these factors, schedule a personal reading, wherein I can advise the best ways for you personally to benefit from this transit.

The opportunities

Generally speaking, this transit lends itself to:

• undertaking health and healing measures (and getting better-than-expected results)

• getting good advice/counseling

• starting new businesses

• getting married and/or having children

• beginning an educational program

• receiving spiritual instruction or initiation

The exalted Jupiter transit will tend to put the wind at your back with new beginnings in general, and create the support for continued growth. There will be other transits in operation simultaneously, some of which can modify the overall beneficence of Jupiter’s placement. I will address these as they come up, throughout the next year.

There is also a very significant opportunity internally, which this transit brings. That is to resolve and release internal tensions and baggage which may have built up over the last little while. Jupiter in Cancer can give peace of mind. This would be a nice time to work on stress-management techniques, introduce meditation or some type of forgiveness practice into your routine.

Although Jupiter steals the show for this month’s transits, here is a more detailed run-down of other planetary movements and their impacts on the specific dates of the month ahead.

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April was defined largely by the serious affliction of Mercury that began April 10th and continues through today. It has caused serious issues with communication and commerce, and has even impacted our ability to think clearly. Mercury rules the faculty of discernment, and when afflicted can create ‘brain fog,’ difficulty concentrating and a general sense of disorganization. This is why Mercury is a very important planet when it comes to dimensia and cognitive decline.

On the positive side, we got the benefit of an exalted Sun in the second half of April, which tends to infuse us with more energy, enthusiasm and confidence. This will last through May 14th, when the Sun enters Taurus, shifting the themes from power, independence and authority to family, resources and community.

We have also gotten the benefit of Venus in own sign since April 19th (through May 13th), which tends to bring some worldly comforts and enjoyment related to sensory pleasures. But even positive transits were impacted by the immense tension in Pisces, which apart from creating misunderstandings due to communication errors could have also caused notable sleep disturbances.

The Mars-Saturn tension will persist through May 11th, when Mars enters his own sign Aries. After tonight, there will not be other planets directly involved in this conflict, which suggests that the warring energies created by these two planets in close proximity can become more isolated and eventually diffused (around or after May 11th). But there will be a lineup of malefic planets behind Mercury, once he gets into Aries, which can act as a very negative influence for the planet which is attempting to break free of all of the difficult forces he’s been subject to for months, now.

Unfortunately, he is not truly free of this influence until the end of June, although I expect all things Mercury to see a general improvement starting from tomorrow. Keep in mind that Mercury will be in gandanta—the perilous gap/knot between a Fire and Water signs—as he moves into Aries from Pisces, making him extra tense from now until May 2nd. This can create a lot of mental tension and overthinking, so it is best to engage in activities which connect your mind with your body, or which require a lot focus which doesn’t leave extra space for extraneous thoughts and worries. Technical physical practices (Hatha yoga, martial arts, etc) can be great for this, as can projects involving your hands.

As Mercury is beginning to recover his strength (having been not only under a severe amount of affliction but also in his weakest sign in debilitation for almost one month) it would be helpful to nourish your personal Mercurial energy by playing, writing, planning, organizing, and generally connecting with your social network. There may have been a lack of light-heartedness in recent weeks or months, due to Mercury’s affliction, so you’ll want to make a point to unearth your inner child and have a good laugh.

May will see other positive transits—like Venus joining Jupiter in Gemini, again: a transit which last year seemed to bring a lot of love into people’s lives. Venus is the instigator of romantic relationships, while Jupiter is the planet which preserves them. When they get together, it is prime time for love and commitment. If you’ve been wondering when is a good time to take a leap in the department of love, this could be your window. Venus and Jupiter will be together here through the end of May, when they move almost contemporaneously into Cancer—an even more heightened expression of their conjunction! This bright spot in the transit forecast will usher in a major boost for almost everyone, which is the year long transit of Jupiter in his sign of exaltation in Cancer, occurring June 1st. More on this next month!

As Jupiter prepares to make his exit out of Gemini—a transit which officially began May of 2025— you may notice projects, themes or relationships which began around that time wrapping up or getting ready to move on to their next phase. Often the transits of slower moving planets (such as Jupiter, Saturn and the nodes) begin to be felt a month of so before they actually occur. Take note of what is already coming into your life that feels supportive, expansive, or financially lucrative. These might be signs of what is to come in the next year with Jupiter’s transit.

A note on Ayurveda and Astrology

If we read the current transits from an Ayurvedic perspective, we see that what is called the Rasa Dhatu or lymphatic system (governed by Mercury) has been extremely challenged as of late. This can be caused by dehydration (or improper hydration), heavy or cold diets which cause disturbances to digestion and circulation, high mental stress impairing digestion, or other food or lifestyle factors which may be interfering with the first stage of digestion. The transits to Pisces suggest sleep problems could be a major factor, here. Sleeplessness is drying in nature, which can impact Rasa dhatu and have a dramatic impact on the lymphatic system’s ability to do its job.

If you have a pre-existing Mercury affliction in your chart, you are more liable to experience flare-ups during difficult Mercury transits. (Afflicted Mercury impacting health often shows up as skin problems, thyroid or hormonal issues—especially those related to weight—as well as memory problems and circulation/lymphatic system issues).

If this is you, I recommend simplifying your diet, avoiding cold and uncooked foods and drinks, favoring mono-meals or reducing the number of ingredients in your meals. During the spring season, fat is more difficult to digest and can complicate your body’s ability to absorb nutrition, so you might try a lower-fat diet during this time of year.

Other flavors to favor this spring, regardless of whether or not you have Mercury issues: bitter, astringent, pungent flavors. Bitter, seasonal greens and vegetables steamed or lightly sautéed are excellent, spiced with black pepper or ginger and garlic. Lighter and drier grains such as millet, barley and cornmeal are good to counter the density of this season. Honey is a favorable sweetener since it is hot and dry by nature.

Auspicious Dates

• 5/1: full moon—overflowing social and emotional energy; good for gatherings, sharing food and emotions

• 5/17-5/18: Moon is still growing but exalted, which lends itself to planning, learning and organizing (implementation can begin once the Moon is slightly fuller, see notes below)

• 5/20-5/22 (earlier part of the day): own sign Moon—positive for sustenance, social engagement and meaningful connection, and anything related to healing and health

• 5/24-5/25: extremely auspicious for new beginnings—very bright energy

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Welcome to spring! This month brings with it the official start of the Vedic New Year on April 14th when the Sun enters his exaltation in Aries. Aries is considered the ‘head’ of the body of time and therefore a natural start to the twelve-month course taken by the sun through each of the signs.

Celebrating the New Year at this time is enjoyable for many reasons, one of which is that the month when the Sun is exalted tends to bring a natural sense of new beginnings, energy and initiative. It is a great time to revisit your goals in any area of life, but especially in relation to physical and spiritual goals. The Sun’s exaltation also gives us a natural ability to be more attuned to how our rhythm and routines impact our health, and to clean these up in such a way that our daily habits are contributing to our health and well-being, rather than draining us.

Sun is the overall governor of structure and timing, which is why his affliction in a horoscope (or in transit) can cause someone’s schedule and routines to be so erratic that it starts to negatively impact their health. Take this month (starting from the 14th) to build your day in a way that will sustain your optimum energy, enthusiasm and well-being.

If your eating, waking, sleeping and exercising times are reliable, your body will meet you more and more readily in whatever activity it is you’re engaging in. If you eat at consistent times each day, you’ll notice that your hunger turns on once that time approaches. This means your agni or metabolic fire is ready to digest the food you are about to intake. If instead you ‘push through’ your morning and hunger and end up eating at an odd time, your digestive fire will be inefficient (or nonexistent) and whatever you consume may not be properly digested. This can create irregular energy levels in addition to digestive issues like bloating, constipation, and the like.

Three Basic Causes of Disease

The Sun is one of three planets that are considered the cornerstones of health from a broad level perspective in Ayurvedic Astrology. It governs rhythm, routine and structure which are grouped into Dinacharya in Ayurveda. Moon governs use of the senses, which heavily impact the mind which can go on to influence the body. And Jupiter is connected to one’s ability to listen to the feedback of their own body which is absolutely invaluable.

These are the three sattvic or ‘balanced’ planets that have the ability to protect our health, and they are connected with the three basic causes of disease mentioned in Āyurveda: (disturbance to) time (Sun), innate intelligence (Jupiter) and the senses (Moon). Afflictions to any of these planets in a chart suggest a weakness in that area which has the potential to create health problems down the line. When Jupiter goes into exaltation in June, we will all experience a heightened ability to tune in to what our bodies have to say and respond. From my perspective, this is a superpower: it gives each of us the ability to take any information we receive from others and test it through our own experience. And with all of the confusing and conflicting dietary and lifestyle opinions and information circulating in the cultural sphere today, this ability is more valuable than ever.

If you cannot already tell, I’m gearing up for the Āyurvedic Astrology course which is beginning in May. You’ll be hearing more about Āyurveda along with Astrology in the coming months.

Back to the sky!

Outside of the Sun’s exaltation bringing in the Vedic New Year, this month will see the reduction of ‘warring’ energy which began February 22nd of this year with Mars’ entrance into Aquarius to join the north node Rahu. Mars-Rahu tend to bring battles wherever they go. Mercury has been taking the brunt of this harmful energy, since he has been in Aquarius for the duration of the Mars transit. Mercury rules children, money and communication. All of these Mercury-ruled areas of life could have experienced more stress and pressure during this time.

As Mars moves into Pisces on April 2nd, he will join Saturn. This creates a combination called Yama Yoga, which on the positive side can bring positive discipline and on the negative side can bring destruction and even death. Their conjunction with the Sun will last until the 14th, and during this time there is an above average potential for assassinations or deaths of people in positions of power.

Because the Sun will technically be ‘cursed’ in the sky during this time, it is a good time to protect your personal routine and rhythm. The external pressures on these are likely to high and can create a situation wherein it is easy to abandon the structures you rely on for support and healthy functioning.

Mercury will join the band of planets in Pisces just a few days before the Sun leaves, shifting the themes from Aquarius (which dominated March) to those of Pisces. Mercury will again be afflicted (and debilitated), but the details will be different. Instead of being negatively impacted by the warring energy of Mars and Rahu, he will be hurt by the combined pressures of Saturn and Mars. You can expect any existing financial and communication-related pressures to persist through the end of the month. This, with the fact that Mercury will be debilitated will all likely contribute to a feeling of overwhelm.

The overall health of Mercury should begin to improve in May and experience some semblance of actual health by the end of that month. The Mercury affliction tends to create a lack of seamlessness in the realm of trade, commerce and financial transactions (something the present world and economy depend heavily on). The pressure of rising prices is related to this affliction, as is the issues and confusion surrounding the ability of leaders to come together and negotiate on extremely important and pressing problems.

The days surrounding the transition of both Mercury and Sun from Pisces and into Aries will be significant because they will be crossing the gandanta or ‘spiritual knot’ between these two signs. These occur at the three junctures in the zodiac of Fire and Water signs. Because these elements are considered inimical, and because the nakshatra or lunar zodiac does not connect the signs at these places, they can generate a lot of tension and stress—generally related to the unknown and uncertainty, specifically as it pertains to the archetype of the planet in question.

For the Sun this will be a couple of days before and after April 14th, and for Mercury it will be a couple of days before and after April 29th. Expect a little extra tension during this time as well as the possibility of some unanswerable questions. It is best to avoid making any major decisions or changes during this time, as one usually does not have all of the required information. Anyone with existing spinal or alignment issues should also take care not to do anything potentially provoking on or around the Sun’s transit date, as the Sun rules the skeletal structure it is can be unstable during this time.

Auspicious Dates

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Jupiter has been retrograde since November 11th of last year. During this time, Saturn was also retrograde (since July 12th). The backward motion of these heavyweight planets manifested as delays, complications and frustrations—even as Jupiter attempted to begin to give the results of his new (and short-lived) exaltation, which lasted from 10/18-12/05, with the portion from 11/11-12/05 being considerably weakened by his retrograde status.

The delays and complications that result from the retrograde motion of the slow moving planets Saturn and Jupiter are much more substantial and widely felt than those of the faster moving planets: Mercury, Mars, Venus.

Jupiter moves one sign per year, and Saturn takes about 2.5 years to traverse a sign. In contrast, the faster planets can move through a sign in 1-2 months or less. When a planet remains for a longer period of time in a sign, it has more opportunity to create substantial change there (for better or worse), and to impact natal planets that it might come into contact with. This is why the transits of Jupiter, Saturn and the nodes (which move every 1.5 years, but are always retrograde) are considered more significant than those of the other planets, which are in and out of a sign rather quickly.

When these same slower-moving planets turn backwards, from our perspective here on earth, it is a signal that they are re-arranging something substantial, which in life can look like frustrating complications, delays, doubts and directional changes in places where it really matters. While Mercury retrograde may create technical or communication related issues, a retrograde Saturn can bring a project to a complete standstill.

There can be more subtle, internal effects as well. Jupiter, for example, governs decision-making and the pre-frontal cortex. He is in charge of meaning-making and storytelling, and helps us learn and generate wisdom from our personal experiences. It is this wisdom that we then lean on to guide our future and make choices informed by our experience and which are in line with our values.

The retrograde motion of Jupiter made decision-making more complex, and can have the specific effect of clouding or slowing one’s thinking. Making plans or considering the future may have felt difficult or heavy during Jupiter’s retrograde. The integration and digestion of information may have also been impaired, as well as the ability to give and receive advice or guidance. It can also call into question one’s path and purpose in a way that generates an inordinate amount of doubt.

Jupiter is the planet governing dharma or purpose, morality, and goodness all around. The backward motion generated a fixation on ethics and integrity, even as it simultaneously created some visible retrogression in those areas on the global scale.

Now, Jupiter officially begins the forward motion which will soon (June 1) take him into his exaltation in Cancer for one year. He has officially changed direction and is wrapping up his work in Gemini which began in May of 2025 (more on this to come).

With his forward motion, decision-making should feel easier, clarity of thought more accessible, and sense of purpose and personal values should feel less complicated. You may also notice it is easier to give and receive guidance, without second-guessing or being pulled into enormous philosophical or moral questions.

You may notice projects, themes, or relationships wrapping up (or advancing to a new stage) which began in May of last year. Your spiritual life can also feel easier and nourishing.

Anyone who is ruled by Jupiter (Sagittarius and Pisces ascendants) will notice less inertia and drag in their lives, and simple solutions to what have been (for the past several months) complex problems.

There are some post-eclipse combinations still creating tension in the zodiac, so some of the relief that Jupiter’s change in direction can bring may be missed in the battles that are still being fought in Aquarius. Some of this tension will be relieved the first week of April, but there will be other intense energies at that time which might not resolve until May. Keep an eye out for more details on this in the April missive

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This month begins with a lunar eclipse in Leo in a nakṣatra or lunar mansion called Pūrvaphālgunī. This nakṣatra is ruled by a deity called Bhaga, who is a lord of wealth and happiness, luck and fortune (as well as one’s fate and destiny). In particular, this deity is connected with love and marriage. The full moon and lunar eclipse here amplify these themes, and the mantra to bring in its potential benefits is:

Auṁ Bhagāya Namaḥ

The effects of this lunar eclipse will extend through Thursday of this week, closing out this eclipse season. The few weeks after a series of eclipses are auspicious for beginning new endeavors. It as if we’ve just been through a cleanse, and are feeling a bit lighter and clearer after having moved through what can be the dark tunnel of eclipse time periods.

The major events unfolding on the world stage during this time are no-doubt related to the intensity and vulnerability that can come about as a result of the luminaries being weakened. The Sun’s weakness during a solar eclipse (which occurred February 17th in the early morning) makes leaders and those in positions of power vulnerable—not only to making mistakes, but also to being exposed. The sign Aquarius—natural place of obstacles and things that are hidden/poisonous—shows the source of vulnerability and the themes surrounding the eclipse-effect for these people.

Since Mars entered Aquarius on February 22nd, he instigated significant combinations for military activity (Sun-Mars) and war or battle (Mars-Rahu). What will remain throughout March is dishonesty and manipulation (Mercury-Rahu), as the hoard of planets that’s been traveling together for months now gradually trickles into Pisces throughout March and April. On the positive side, Mercury-Rahu is an excellent combination for technical writing—or any positive manipulation of language.

Aquarius is both a sign of rebellion and a pot of poison. It is the sign of ‘the collective,’ where revolutions come from, as well as a place of storage. It could be thought of as where revolt against what has been stored for too long happens. This may be occurring collectively, but it will also be present on some level in your personal life. It can be a productive time to carefully examine what in your life might be showing signs of rot. This can be physical possessions but also emotions or habits of thought and action. Getting outside of your normal routine, doing some spring cleaning and donating old and outworn objects can be a great way to facilitate this process. The upcoming transits to Pisces will also help with ‘letting go’ of the stagnancy that the transits to Aquarius have helped to identify.

If you are frustrated with feeling stuck or overburdened, it may be helpful to know that the karma of Aquarius is extremely complex. It is the natural ‘blind spot’ or bhadaka of the zodiac, which means it is a place can be easily ignored, is inherently difficult to understand and where we can get in our own way. The deity Ganesha is one of the most helpful energies for any Aquarius-related confusion.

The solar eclipse here highlighted issues that may not be at all new, but have remain somehow concealed and lost to the public view. These issues will be coming into more and more light over the next couple of years as the coming eclipse cycles re-cur along this Aquarius-Leo axis, which is fundamentally concerned with the relationship between individual authority and power (Leo) and its impact on the collective (Aquarius). Eclipses tend to churn up the themes of whatever axis that they re-cur in (generally for a couple of years at a time) and will be especially challenging and transformative for people with significant planets in the signs under influence.

Auspicious Dates

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This is just a quick note to let you know that March dates are in the works! You can expect them by the middle of next week. There is a lot to say, as we come out of eclipse season with the wind at our backs, quickly approach the spring equinox, and prepare to enter the Vedic New Year in April.

In the meantime, be aware of the Lunar eclipse in the early Morning on March 3rd in the sign Leo. This will conclude the eclipse cycle, though the intensity can linger until the end of the week. Please refer to my last missive for traditional eclipse protocol.

Stay tuned!

The main astrological events of January centered around a pile-up of planets in Capricorn: a sign that tends to make things serious, practical and sometime laborious.

Capricorn is a moveable earth sign signified by graveyards as well as industrial zones. It is the place where matter of all kinds goes to die and be thoroughly reshaped—a task which requires a fair amount of heavy lifting and resolve, and (sitting opposite the emotive sign Cancer) can create some callousness as a result.

Capricorn can create a type of stress through work requirements (in various areas of life) that can push us into just wanting to ‘get through’ and in the process sacrifice some of the softer aspects of life which creates a gradual numbing effect. There will be an opportunity when Venus transits Pisces in March to fully reconnect with emotions, desire and the more creative side of ourselves. In the meantime, this coming month’s transits to Aquarius have the potential to push us further into our heads and out of our physical experience, so this is a tendency to check in February. It also suggests that the collective atmosphere and events become more complicated and intrude into our daily thinking more than we might like.

Aquarius can be a very dry, cerebral sign and may cause us to overthink, as four planets collect in that sign by mid-month, and five by the end. Along with this, there will be a solar eclipse on February 17th which will be particularly impactful for anyone with significant planets or their ascendant in Aquarius. The impact of the eclipse on the collective suggests an increase in activism and plenty of conflict surrounding that. Aquarius is the sign of revolution and groups. Some of what we’ve been seeing recently can actually be tied to this upcoming eclipse, since eclipses often generate outcomes before they actually occur.

This eclipse occurs in Dhaniṣṭā nakṣatra, which is an ambitious constellation associated with wealth, ambition, and rhythm.

There will be a lunar eclipse two weeks later on March 3rd, very early in the morning. The lunar eclipse following the solar suggest spiritual benefit but material loss—particularly for the people who are directly impacted by natal chart placements or in places where the eclipse is directly visible.

The nakṣatra of the lunar eclipse will Pūrvaphālgunī—a star interested in love, pleasure and connection.

A brief case study to shine light on the impact of eclipses:

Alex Honnold is a world-famous climber whose fame recently skyrocketed when he free soloed a 101 story skyscraper in Taipei live on Netflix. His natal Moon’s nakṣatra is Pūrvaphalguni (in his 3rd house of recreation and the arms/hands) meaning that this eclipse cycle is meaningful for him. This particular eclipse benefits him due to the solar eclipse occuring first, and the degrees of the eclipse will be after his natal Moon’s position, which means the effects arise before the eclipse date. Although the overall tone of this eclipse cycle is spiritual, rather than material benefit, he did receive compensation for his feat, but reported that the amount was ‘embarrassingly small amount,’ and he did it mostly for the enjoyment and challenge. In his case, his Moon is on what is called the Arudha Lagna or image point in the chart, which can bring visibility and fame. When other factors align, eclipses can bring life changing opportunities such as this.

Case studies aside, if your natal Moon’s nakṣatra coincides with either the solar or lunar eclipse nakṣatra, then remedial measures are generally recommended for personal protection, as these are intense influences.

The mantra for the nakṣatra of solar eclipse: Auṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya

The mantra for the nakṣatra of lunar eclipse: Auṁ bhagāya mamaḥ

Best practices for eclipse cycles are to:

• avoid starting any important new endeavor within the 10 days before and after the solar eclipse and 3 days before and after the lunar eclipse

  • events begun AFTER an eclipse cycle has ended tend to succeed, those begun right before tend to fail

• avoid any confrontation on or around the days of the eclipses themselves

• during a solar eclipse: fast, meditatate, pray, be silent—try to avoid going outside during the actual eclipse and do not look at it

  • if you have an existing mantra you can use it during the eclipse, otherwise the above mantras can be chanted during the heart of each eclipse for maximum benefit

• during a lunar eclipse: it is okay to engage in safe and productive social activity, particularly that with a clear purpose; take care with your emotions and do not put yourself in situations that feel particularly vulnerable

With all of this in mind, here is the rundown for specific dates for the month ahead:

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There is more than one beginning to the year, depending on where you live and what the focus is. The tropical New Year is used for agricultural purposes, the Lunar Year for festivals and religious celebrations, the Fiscal Year for financial purposes, etc.

The New Year occuring January 1st is based on the Gregorian Calendar, which is a tropical solar calendar whose months are ‘shackled’ to the solar year. It is based on the earth’s position relative to the Sun. This is helpful for regularity and planning but is totally divorced from the cycles of the moon which are significant for cultural celebrations, tidal changes, fertility cycles and mental and emotional fluctuations.

A culture whose calendar does not consider the Moon will tend to discount the areas of life under the influence of lunar cycles. Holidays tend to migrate in these calendars, and often lose some of their original meaning.

The Vedic calendar is a luni-solar calendar, which integrates the phases of the Moon with the movement of the Sun. It uses an intercalary month (occurring about every three years) to keep the solar and lunar cycles in harmony.

In this calendar, the solar New Year is in the middle of April when the Sun enters the beginning of the Zodiac in Aries, after having spent one month in each sign. There is another ‘start to the year’ in mid-January when the Sun enters Capricorn and the gods are said to awaken from their six month slumber which began when Sun entered Cancer.

2025 in Review

Last year’s major transits where defined by Saturn’s movement into Pisces at the very end of March and Jupiter’s movement into Gemini in May. We are only at the front edge of Saturn’s impact in Pisces, so whatever life changes you’ve experienced since the end of March may be just the beginning of themes which could be developing over the next two years.

On the world scale, Saturn’s entrance into Pisces signals the next stage in the development of virtual technologies and AI. We can expect life-changing evolutions in these areas over the course of the next two years, likely with some major issue surrounding them cropping up when Saturn enters the gandanta between Pisces and Aries in the spring of 2027.

Jupiter in Gemini brought support for that sign, which governs hands-on learning, communication and exchange of information, writing, skills and sports and recreation. Some of the developments here moved so quickly (May-October) that there may have been what felt like missed opportunities or goals left unmet. Between now and June of 2026 there may be opportunities to slow down and dig into the details of whatever was developing in these areas and to bring them to fruition in a more measured fashion.

The most notable eclipse this year was the solar eclipse which occurred with five planets in Pisces at the end of March—an event which is still shaping our experience today, and was especially impactful for those people or countries with significant planetary placements in the sign. It ushered in a time period of what has been experienced by many as overwhelm, but is related to a deeper understanding of what the actual work is ahead of us. It is as if the ocean has been unleashed, and many people were hit with a tsunami type effect in the spring, its intensity peaking through the summer, instigated by other intense transits. A sense of complete inundation was, for some, almost paralyzing. But Saturn’s direct motion in November coupled with Jupiter’s slower pace can help us all revisit the themes of last spring in a more centered way. When Jupiter enters Cancer in June, he will have a direct aspect to Saturn and prove very useful in the accomplishment of enormous goals and projects.

January Transits

Wading into 2026: New Year’s Eve and Day will see an exalted Moon in Rohini nakṣatra, which is associated with material abundance and earthly comforts. Whereas both Thanksgiving and Christmas had a complex Moon in Aquarius, influenced by anxiety-causing Rahu and in a nakṣatra associated with natural law and punishment, the New Year has a much lighter, social and optimistic energy.

Looking into January, we see a collection of 4 planets in Sagittarius, all of which will migrate into Capricorn over the course of the month.

Any conglomeration of planets suggests an imbalance, or a tendency toward extremes. Sagittarius is a sign concerned with meaning and purpose, and planets here will be sorting these things out. In the negative, planets here can become dogmatic in their views and lead toward self-righteous thinking and behavior, and an unhealthy fixation on the bigger picture or world stage.

While it is a positive time to sort through your personal priorities, re-calibrate your moral compass, and to decide what is worth fighting for, we will all need to consciously bring in the themes of the opposing sign Gemini (where Jupiter currently resides) in order to temper the potential myopia that so much collective karma in Sagittarius can bring.

Opposing signs have a way of balancing one another, and the active interchange of information and ideas that occurs in Gemini can continually refresh and inform the purpose(s) behind the battles being fought in Sag. Jupiter in Gemini, in particular, tends to bring support and positive guidance from social interchanges and interactions. If you get to feeling overly consumed with the big-picture questions in your life early this month, it may prove helpful to involve yourself in casual social situations or recreation—activities that might appear to be ‘a break’ but could actually serve the purpose of resolving some of your bigger conundrums.

Come mid-month, when the migration to Capricorn will be well underway, it is time to get to work, begin to implement plans and to translate beliefs into action. This may feel like some heavy lifting, but it is an excellent opportunity to manifest abstract or as yet ethereal goals.

There will be significant transits to Capricorn well through February, even as the previously mentioned herd of planets make their way into Aquarius that month. I will go deeper into this next month.

Dates of Significance

Auspicious Dates

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The time period surrounding the Winter Solstice is a natural time of increased stillness and introversion, when our internal energies are heightened and concentrated. The earth’s axial tilt reaches its most extreme degree, lowering the Sun’s path on our horizon and shrinking the hours of light in our days. The more extroverted archetypal indications of the Sun in astrology—such as leadership and visibility—dim, while its internal attributes: structure, routine, spirituality and soul-searching—are strengthened.

Traditionally, this is considered a time ripe for spiritual development, imagination, and fomenting creativity internally. It supports internal brightness, and dreaming more than doing.

Just a couple of days before the solstice, on December 19th, there was an empty moon (amavasya) which naturally brings in an energy similar to that of the solstice, and can further reduce stamina and supports drawing one’s focus inward. The vitality of plants is said to withdraw into the roots during the empty moon, which is why herbs are generally not collected around this time. People’s vitality is also withdrawn, and social bandwidth is at a minimum. Traditionally it is a day to rest, or fast, or get rid of things.

This particular amavasya occured in a portion of the sky called Mūla. Mūla is a nakṣatra or lunar mansion at the very beginning of the constellation Sagittarius: a portion of the zodiac which lines up with the center of our galaxy—the rotational heart of the Milky Way. Mūla translates as ‘the root,’ and its alignment with our galactic center can be no coincidence. It's ruling deity—Nirṛti—is associated with origins and ancestors, and is skilled at removing things ‘from the root.’

The empty moon taking place in this nakṣatra reiterates the themes of introversion, withdraw, and removal or falling away of all that might pull us from center.

You may have felt some falling away of the elements in your life that have been drawing you away from your own depth, or keeping you from full actualizing your goals. This has been an organic process which I would call effortless, not something that needs to be forced or micro-managed. It is akin to a flower shedding its petals, or a ripe fruit falling from a tree.

How this process looks for each individual will vary drastically. What you’ve previously and habitually labeled ‘good’ or ‘bad’ or ‘spiritual’ or ‘materialistic’ may not longer apply. This time period is about sinking below surfaces and doing the honest evaluation of things for yourself. There are ways in which ‘spiritual practices’ or ‘clean routines’ can be deleterious and completely out of alignment with an individual’s needs that moment. And there are times when taking care with physical appearances and indulging in what is on offer can be the best way to remain present and embodied.

In this time of Kali Yuga (the ‘dark age of man’) when everything is upside down, we cannot rely on the old categories to guide us toward truth. The energy of Mūla is helpful here, as its ruling deity could be seen as the essence of wild Nature herself, unconstrained by cultural norms and social forms. Her primary objective is to root out anything that might interfere with genuine health and the continuity of life. This objective sometimes requires the disruption of superficial order in favor of a deeper organization which is closer to the Heart of Nature.

This signals a time firmly let go of outworn patterns and versions of yourself that are impeding your own flourishing. You may become aware of lies you’ve been telling yourself, routines that have been keeping you small and stuck, or fixations that are distracting you from your larger goals.

The momentum is toward essence (“intrinsic nature” of something), and there may be continual shedding over the next month as what has concealed that becomes less necessary and eventually irrelevant.

Āyurveda teaches that cleansing of the body needs to be carefully balanced with building and nourishing it. Similarly, there are times to hang on and fight, and times to let things fall away. This period supports the later, and the more you’re able to surrender to that opportunity, the more readily and healthfully you’ll be able to enter the ‘building’ phase that follows.

The timing for this in the Vedic system roughly lines up with that in Chinese astrology, which has the New Year (and its new themes) occuring January 17th. This next lunar cycle which began from the empty moon in December will finish on January 17th-18th, which will be just after Makara Sankranti, when Sun enters Capricorn and the gods are considered to wake up after 6 months of sleep.

Much more to come! Including auspicious dates and details for January!

While Jupiter’s exaltation in Cancer may have brought (and be bringing) blessings in its short stay between October 18th and and December 5th, the retrograde which began on November 11th may have complicated some of those blessings. And the pile up of planets in Scorpio (to increase this coming weekend) tends to create a pent-up feeling or sense of stuckness. Saturn’s recent direct motion, and the slow un-piling of planets from Scorpio, should help relieve some of that backlog throughout December.

This month we will see Jupiter move back into Gemini (where he was from spring of 2025 until October of this year) from Cancer, Saturn’s stabilization in the sign of Pisces after a long stay at zero degrees, many planets crossing the gandanta between Scorpio and Sagittarius (so that we end the month with four planets in Sagittarius, instead of the four planets in Scorpio we will have by later this week), and a handful of planetary wars and combustions. The month will end with what I call ‘relative stability,’ with only one major retrograde planet apparently impending progress and no heavy afflictions to speak of.

The sensitive period for this month will be the middle of it, when three planets are moving from Scorpio to Sagittarius, through the gandanta or ‘knot’ between the signs which tends to generate tension and uncertainty for the significations of the planets involved. The most intense period of gandanta will be the day before and after the transit itself listed below (for example, for the Sun this will be December 14th-16th).

The juncture between Scorpio and Sagittarius is considered the most tense of the three gandantas (the other being between Cancer and Leo and between Pisces and Aries), in part because Scorpio itself is a difficult sign associated with unseen and unknown influences.

Expect some instability and deep transformations for the next several weeks as three planets negotiate the tension that comes with this transition between fire and water signs. Physically, the Scorpio-Sagittarius gap is associated with the groin, external genitalia and anus. These areas are more vulnerable during this time, particularly if there are pre-existing weaknesses here.

The overall effect of the great migration of planets from Scorpio to Sagittarius should be an organizing of the energy that’s been building up for the last month or two into some type of purpose-driven action. This should feel relieving, with what’s been hiding in Scorpio finally having a chance to see the light of day and inform one’s larger position and goals.

More details on December transits:

Jupiter in Gemini 12/05-6/01 (retrograde until 3/10):

This transit allows us all to revisit some of the themes and growth which occured from 5/14-10/18 of this year, but at a slower pace and with more ability to tune to details, particularly related to communicating what may have felt difficult or overwhelming during that time—in part due to the pace at which things were developing. Whatever was new in your life around that time, expect that you will be able to re-approach it with a renewed ability to make adjustments and implement intended plans. This will be a natural outgrowth of an internally-focused and reflective energy that comes with the retrograde motion of Jupiter until March.

Saturn stabilizes at one degree of Pisces 12/05:

Saturn, and everything he governs, has been extremely unstable since early November, when his retrograde motion took him to less than one degree of Pisces, very nearly all the way back into Aquarius. A planet on the edge of a sign becomes vulnerable and weak, as if it doesn’t know exactly where it is or should be.

On December 5th, everything in Saturn’s domain can begin to regain whatever strength and direction it had been accumulating before early November, and possibly even before Saturn’s retrograde motion began on July 12th, which threw the planet and everything it controls into some substantial re-evaluation. Saturn’s domains include physical labor and strength, the hard and ‘menial’ jobs required to keep life moving, the implementation of plans and ideas, elderly, working-class and sick people. The ‘mundane’ details of life may have felt increasingly heavy throughout this time.

On an emotional level, Saturn governs depression, grief and psychological numbness or internal distance. Physically, Saturn rules the muscles of the body (which ‘get the job done’) and he can bring vata-type disorders like joint and digestive issues and overall deterioration and dryness of body and mind. These effects may have been accumulating during the retrograde motion, and only with Saturn’s direct motion became visible or perceivable.

Mercury in Scorpio 12/6-12/28

We recently saw Mercury in Scorpio from 10/24-11/23 before his movement back into Libra. You may revisit whatever themes were alive for you during that time, particularly those related to communication, organization and information. Honesty (especially in money-matters) is particularly important here.

Sun in Sagittarius 12/15-1/14 (in gandanta 12/13-12/17)

Sun’s month in Sagittarius gives us the opportunity to re-center ourselves around our guiding morals and principles (after a month in Scorpio, where we may have floundered a bit) and to re-ignite our sense of purpose and direction. Sagittarius is concerned with standing up for what matters, fighting against evil, and aligning the individual with their own beliefs.

Venus in Sagittarius 12/19-1/12 (in gandanta 12/18-12/22)

While Venus in Scorpio may have brought depth and deep desire into relationships, its transit in Sagittarius gives a broader view that can be useful in close partnerships (professional and romantic) for reassessing direction and goals based on current context and information. This holds for all things Venus, including one’s own experience of enjoyment, beauty, desire, and love. This transit presents an opportunity to zoom out and evaluate the role and state of these elements of experience in one’s life. (It is noteworthy that from the Vedic perspective, pleasure and enjoyment have an intimate connection with health and vitality, through the planet Venus—a deficiency in one generally translates to an issue with the other).

Mars in Sagittarius 12/07-1/15 (in gandanta 12/04-12/12)

Mars will be transitioning out his own sign Scorpio, where his intensity was right at home, and into Sagittarius, where the heat and precision of this planet can translate into a certain combativeness or righteousness that can cause one to act impulsively, particularly in matters related to beliefs and authority. The gandanta dates of Mars are especially delicate for injuries, accidents and outbursts.

Detailed calendar of dates for planning purposes:

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Some important dynamics to be aware of, as we finish out the month and head into November:

Jupiter’s exaltation in Cancer lends some much needed to support to the sky overall as well as a specific kind of spaciousness that only the most benefic of all planets can provide. Jupiter rules the space element, and his strength provides an opportunity for the restoration of healthy space on all levels, which generally translates to an increase in peace—in oneself and between people—and optimism, as well as general improvements in health, especially mental and emotional.

Jupiter will support any natal placements in Cancer as well as Scorpio and Pisces through his aspect. This means that all of the water signs are being buoyed by the beneficence of this planet.

That is the bigger pictures inside which the smaller i.e. faster moving transits are occuring.

November will see a lot of planetary movement between Libra and Scorpio. Additionally, Saturn will be coming out of retrograde after many months of backward motion which very nearly took him back into Aquarius. Just days before Saturn goes direct, Jupiter will ‘turn’ retrograde.

This means that even as some parts of life (governed by Saturn) begin to make forward progress after delays that may have began in July, other areas will slow down and experience reversals—even potentially the falls from high places that can result from exalted planets turning retrograde.

Jupiter will not come out of retrograde until the middle of next March, so be prepared for slow movement in the areas of life Jupiter is influencing: both collectively and in your natal chart. In early December he will retrograde back into Gemini, where he will remain until early June of next year.

A rundown of the transits for November:

• Mercury in Scorpio 10/24-11/23

  • Mercury in Scorpio supports research, occult studies, deep conversations and learning related to language and writing. Mercury will have the aspect of Jupiter for his first go in Scorpio, which is especially supportive of deep education, learning and meaningful communication.

• Mars in Scorpio 10/27

  • Mars is at home in Scorpio, and supports his internal objectives: cultivating psycho-spiritual strength, harnessing willpower for the purposes of personal transformation, and generally fighting the spiritual and personal battles that Mars in Scorpio is so capable of tackling. Mercury’s conjunction and Jupiter’s aspect make this a very well resourced Mars, suggesting powerful resources (from Jupiter) and skills (from Mercury) for the Mars-influenced areas of our lives.

• Mercury retrograde 11/09-11/29

  • from 11.09-11/23 Mercury will be retrograde in Scorpio. He will also be conjunct Mars and with the aspect of Jupiter for the duration of this portion of his transit. Any Mercury retrograde does have the potential to delay and complicate the areas of life that he rules, such as communication, commerce and finances. But from the Vedic perspective a retrograde planet is also taking care of necessary details, which is why it is moving slower. So this can be a time when care is taken with communication, you can tidy up your financial life (particularly debts) and tackle any neglected details in the realm of business. The aspect of Jupiter will support the success of all of this, while the influence of Mars can bring an exacting and technical edge to Mercury’s expression.

• Venus in Libra 11/2-11/25

  • Venus is at home and very content in her own sign Libra. This is the externalized energy of Venus (as opposed to the other Venus-ruled sign Taurus, which expresses Venus’ internal, receptive energy) and therefore supports relationships of all kinds, pleasure-oriented experiences, engagement of the world through the senses, and advancement of ‘culture’ in any way. Essentially, it is a great time to simply be out in the world and enjoying oneself. The aspect of Rahu can tempt one to take this to extremes, so take care to maintain balance (the never-ending task of Libra, anyway).

• Jupiter retrograde 11/11-3/10

  • This retrograde is particularly significant because Jupiter has been in his sign of exaltation. An exalted planet is as if in a high place, which is why it can lift us up. When it goes retrograde it technically reverses the exaltation, which means that a fall can happen. It is good to remember that retrograde planets only appear so from our position here on earth. In reality they are not actually moving backwards. So events can appear to be working against our favor, or delayed or obstructed, but in the larger scheme of things they are still moving things forward. In this case avoiding hanging on too hard or getting caught up in details related to Jupiter-ruled areas of life (purity, conscience, space—particularly in the areas of home)

• Mercury in Libra 11/23-12/06

  • Mercury in Libra is in the sign of a friend, but his placement in the natural 7th house of relationships can be confusing for his youthful energy. This transit can provoke a feeling of not being ‘good’ at relationships or having the skills required for them. The aspect of Rahu for the duration of the transit can also create dishonesty or a tendency to manipulate language. On the positive side, it is great for technical writing!

• Venus in Scorpio 11/25-12/19

  • Venus in the sign of depth and transformation tends to deepen relationships and make the physical aspect of romantic relationships take on more weight and substance. For part of this transit, Venus will navigate the heat of both Mars and Sun, which can create some conflicts and intensity around desire.

• Saturn direct 11/27

  • Saturn’s apparent forward motion should be a relief for anyone ruled by Saturn (Capricorn and Aquarius rising) and for any part of your life influenced by Saturn via house lordship or archetypal connection. Archetypally, Saturn is associated with building projects, manual and physical labor, health problems (especially those that are vata related- link), and all manner of limitation and separation. If you felt like you’ve been unable to make any meaningful forward progress over these last few months, you should notice a different as Saturn begins to gain momentum again, in Pisces. And until the beginning of December he will have the helpful aspect of Jupiter from Cancer, which provides extra support for true growth in these areas.

• Mercury direct 11/29

  • Mercury will turn direct in Libra and very shortly thereafter move again into Scorpio, with 3 other planets, bringing many of that sign’s themes into early December, which is a subject for next month!

More specifics on dates for this month:

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This is basically a teaser for a long-awaited transit that begins in earnest next June (and lasts for one year), but which we will get a taste of from tomorrow until December 5th of this year.

Tomorrow at 1:27am MST, Jupiter will enter his exaltation in the sign of Cancer. Because Jupiter is the most benefic planet of the zodiac, his position in strength is a huge benefit to the world at large. In general it supports peace, expansion, positivity, resilience and moral conscience. Each person will experience their specific allotment of beneficence according to house placement, along with other factors.

Planets moving through signs in transit alter the way the archetype of the planet is expressing itself. This is because signs are like physical environments, and each planet experiences the 12 different sign-environments differently. Mars, for example, is at his best in the grimy, industrial and shadowy environment of Capricorn because he is a malefic, warrior-planet comfortable with the underside of life, while the priest Jupiter feels polluted and morally compromised there. This means that in Capricorn, the best qualities of Mars will be expressed—such as bravery, assertiveness, ability to tolerate discomfort in service of a larger aim, etc. On the other hand, Jupiter’s positive qualities of moral purity, positivity, counseling ability and spiritual perspective will be dulled by the weight of Capricorn. (More info to come on this in my upcoming series!)

When a planet moves into the sign that naturally exalts it, we generally see the very best expression of its qualities, even if that planet is a malefic, such as Saturn in Libra, where Saturn will fight for social justice and the downtrodden.

So with Jupiter in Cancer we get the very best qualities of what is already the most supportive planet. Because Cancer is a sign which relates to emotions, social cohesion and connection, a sense of home and belonging, and some general aspects of health, Jupiter’s transit here should provide a boost for these aspects of life. That boost may come through Jupiter’s indications, such as: good advice, a more positive outlook, a broader perspective and clear moral guidance which promotes acceptance.

Jupiter governs the prefrontal cortex and meaning-making faculty. This means that global decision making should improve, with a focus on peace and harmony (we have already seen some tastes of this on the global scale). It also suggests that some of the improvement in personal peace and internal/emotional experience as well as that inside the family unit comes about as a result of our ability to more completely digest and make coherent meaning of events of the past.

This is an excellent opportunity for all of us to revisit the last five years or so and attempt to break down any bitterness, resolve confusion, and work on forgiveness wherever possible. It should give all of us an opportunity to remember what relative peace feels like.

Jupiter’s movement out of Gemini and into Cancer will also take him out from under the gaze of Rahu, which he’s been influenced by for almost of the duration of his transit, which began last spring. Rahu’s aspect to Jupiter tends to be negative: tarnishing Jupiter’s positive intentions with the disturbance that Rahu tends to impart to whatever he touches. So although Jupiter in Gemini has made attempts at improving communication, education, and other themes of the sign, his ability to do so has been continually interrupted by Rahu’s distractions.

In Jupiter’s brief transit to Cancer this time around, he will be free from any malefic aspects and therefore able to bestow his gifts undiluted by outside interference.

This is a very supportive transit for anyone ruled by Jupiter (Sagittarius and Pisces ascendant) or for those who embody the archetype of Jupiter: advisors, counselors, spiritual leaders, teachers, etc.

On November 11, Jupiter will enter retrograde motion, which can reverse some of the positive effects, at least temporarily. It is therefore very important to take advantage of this first part of the transit to gather the available support.

On December 5th, Jupiter’s retrograde motion will take him back into Gemini until he officially enters Cancer again in June of 2026 for one year. This brief foray into his exaltation is a time to notice what themes present in your life and expect that they will be deepened or elaborated next spring. It is also a great time to launch important endeavors, deepen social connections and networks, focus on healing and begin to really deeply consider your direction and how in line it is with your priorities and purpose. Jupiter in Cancer supports honesty, moral purity, physical cleanliness and gentleness. It is a time to really soak all of this up and allow any accumulated chaos, anxiety, fear and doubt to dissolve. There is an opportunity to let go of a lot of unnecessary psychological weight here.

This is also a time that supports commitments, such as important contracts, marriages, spiritual vows, etc.

As it is a relatively short transit, there may not be the time or opportunity to pack it all in! Remember that this is just the teaser for the main event that comes along next June. Knowing that, you can begin preparing to launch all of your important projects and begin all your significant events after that time!

In the meantime, Saturn will come out of a retrograde that began on July 12th this November 27th, which means that anything that was delayed or started to slow down or ‘move backwards’ around then can begin to again gain momentum. In general, a retrograde Saturn makes us work harder and feel like we’re fighting a never-ending battle with the details. Saturn in Pisces will tend to amplify that into overwhelm and difficulties with organization. Rahu’s aspect here has not been helping, but will remain for about another year (!). While in Cancer, Jupiter will actually aspect Saturn and therefore create a huge amount of potential for growth in anything related to that planet, sign and house. Stay tuned for more!

All seasons bring their own astrological challenges, but this past summer was one of the more intense on recent record. The months long incendiary Mars-Ketu conjunction followed immediately by six weeks of a very tense Mars-Saturn opposition was an extremely depleting line-up for a season which Āyurvedically already has the potential to create burn-out.

As we move into cooler weather (in the Northern Hemisphere), the transits also offer some natural pacification to whatever wear and tear you may have been through recently.

The eclipses ended on September 21st with the solar eclipse in Virgo, which was also the culmination of Pitr Paksha or the time of ancestor worship.

Because eclipses have a cleansing effect, the period after them is considered generally beneficial to begin new endeavors. The pressure of those aberrant celestial events is passed, and it is as if new life can be breathed into new beginnings.

The details will need to be accounted for, and a lot of fine-tuning goes into the selection of auspicious dates, but if you are just wading into the territory of astrological timing you might experiment with starting something you’ve been sitting on for a while and take note of how successful it is. You might also note what has happened to the attempts you made at starting things before or during this and previous eclipse cycles, since those endeavors tend to fail or become very complicated.

As for the fall astrological weather, we will see a sneak peak of Jupiter’s long-awaited exaltation in Pisces from October 18 until December 5th, Mars will move into his own sign on October 27th, and Saturn will come out of retrograde on November 27th. There will be other shorter transits, gandantas and retrogrades along the way, which I will cover as they transpire.

For the coming month, significant dates are as follows:

Auspicious Dates

• 10/1: extremely auspicious for beginnings

• 10/2: also great for beginnings, especially before 7:30am

• 10/6: full moon—high social energy, good for gatherings (unstable for beginning important new things, also should be avoided for surgeries)

• 10/7-8: Moon’s placement has healing quality, good for starting new medicines

• 10/9-10/11: exalted Moon—supports energy levels, optimism, relationships

• 10/10: good for starting ‘worldly’ things which you’d like to grow and prosper

• 10/14: nourishing energy, supportive for rest, recovering, gathering resources

• 10/20: supportive of design related endeavors, or anything related to ‘perfecting form’

• 10/31: great day for beginnings; both creativity and anxiety possible (undertaking creative projects can reduce any existing anxiety)

Inauspicious Dates

• 10/2 (after morning)- 10/3: combative energy— good for getting work done, avoid conflict

• 10/16: combative energy + Sun in transit to Libra (unstable energy, difficult to get things done)

• 10/20: empty moon—avoid for all beginnings; good for cleaning things out, getting rid of things and endings; good day for honoring ancestors

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Paid subscribers (who are privy to more detailed date-related information) will already be aware that a face-off between Saturn and Mars has been taking place since the end of July, when Mars entered Virgo to stand in direct opposition to a retrograde Saturn in Pisces.

Mars is impulsive, reactive and determined, while Saturn is slow, restrained and limiting. Together they create a combination called called Yama Yoga in Vedic Astrology. ‘Yoga’ in this context simply means a combination of planets with a distinctive energy and effect. Yama is the deity of Death, transformation and the underworld. Yama can also translate to self-control, restraint and various forms of celibacy.

The combined forces of the hot impulsivity of Mars with the patient restraint and limitation of Saturn create a context for the development of a very useful type of self-control which can channel one’s energy in extremely productive directions. Harnessing this energy has a lot to do with tempering initiative and excitement with patience and restraint. It also requires seeing the patterns in your behavior which can lead you to repeating the same mistakes when it comes to pacing yourself and delaying gratification, in whatever area(s) of life this transit is impacting for you.

The pressure of this transit can also lead to an intense amount of frustration and a sense of one’s desires or efforts being continually blocked. If sensitive planets (particularly the moon) are in this axis, it can be hard on physical and mental health. Generally the best outcomes will be had by approaches requiring a lot of discipline and restriction, during this time. If your health is suffering, you may want to take extra care in following routines and lifestyle practices that you know are good for you and avoiding potentially harmful inputs.

All of this will shift on September 13th, when Mars will move from Virgo into Libra—a placement with its own challenges, but which will at least grant relief from pressure that’s been building since the end of July.

This will also coincide with Pitr Paksha or the time for ancestor worship in the Vedic Calendar, which runs from September 7th through the 21st. This is an excellent time for ancestral research and offerings, my favorite of which are ancestral pujas. These rituals are powerful medicine for healing ancestral afflictions, which show up astrologically in specific ways and tend to wreak havoc on the Sun and Moon in the chart, which govern (broadly) mental and emotional health, comfort, self confidence and success, as well as whatever specific areas they might be tied to in your chart. If a family member has recently passed, or you suspect there is a family or ancestral issue I highly recommend these annual pujas, particularly during this time of obvious collective ancestral karmic disturbance.

Also during this time will be an eclipse cycle, with the lunar eclipse on September 7th, and the solar eclipse on September 21st. These heighten the sensitivity of this month even further, making it a tenuous time for starting important projects or undertaking important endeavors (neither of which are recommended during Pitr Paksha, anyway).

The degree to which you’re impacted by the eclipses will depend in large part on where they fall in your natal horoscope and whether they interact with natal planets. Eclipse impacts can be very deep and long-ranging (some say a significant eclipse can impact someone for 18 years!), which are felt either before or after the actual eclipse, depending on where it takes place in relation to natal planets. And effects can be either positive or negative, depending on the same.

In order to moderate some of the intensity that eclipses can bring, it is generally recommended to avoid starting anything important 3 days before and after a lunar eclipse, and 10 days before and after a solar eclipse. During the actual time of the eclipse, spiritual practices are heightened and highly recommended. Mantra, prayer, meditation and other internal practices are particularly suited to the energy of solar eclipses, which tend to connect us with soul-level experience. Social activity and being out of doors or in public places should generally be avoided for solar eclipses. Lunar eclipses can support social and group experiences, particularly if they are for a targeted purpose that can benefit a large number of people. But it should be kept in mind that lunar eclipses tend to increase emotional instability, so taking care with who you surround yourself with will be to your benefit.

More detail on the specific energy of the upcoming eclipses:

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