December 2024 Vedic Astrology Forecast

Sunday, December 1:
The New Moon will take place in sidereal Scorpio in Anuradha Nakshatra at 1:20AM EST (6:20AM GMT) on Sunday, December 1st.
The influences at the time of the New Moon give an indication of themes that will characterize the next 30 days.
In this chart, as read from the Moon, the planets Mercury, Jupiter and Saturn are in angular (kendra) houses. These houses function like the engine of a chart, in the sense that kendras are houses of manifestation.
Jupiter relates to ethical duty (dharma), while Saturn is a planet of concrete action (karma). Their angular position from the Moon and Sun indicates a strong focus on practical, worldly goals. The above-mentioned planets are all in fixed signs, associated with firm foundations and activities that bring greater stability in life. A greater focus may go towards longer-term planning and goals.
Anuradha Nakshtra is a gracious lunar mansion, associated with friendship and community and together with the fixed and angular influences of this chart, there may be community-building that is built around common purpose, where new foundations are set.

Thursday, December 5:
This day is graced by various positive influences. The moon is in Shravana Nakshatra, a receptive and uplifting lunar mansion that is associated with a reverence for learning, attentive listening, and the preservation of ancient wisdom, where this day may bring a welcome sense of greater depth of being. This is the excellent waxing 5th lunar day (shukla panchami), and both Shravana Nakshatra and shukla panchami increase in their favourable potential on a Thursday.
Also beneficially, the moon is together with Venus and receives the planetary aspect of Jupiter.
Mercury, however, is in a uniquely complicated placement. The planetary effects that this planet of communication and rational intellect will give present an area of debate, which will play out in contradictory and layered ways. Mercury is retrograde, and also fully hidden in the sun’s rays, where it suffers the weakness of ‘deep combustion’. However, Mercury is also within one degree of the Sun today, in the state known as cazimi, or ‘very heart of the sun’, where it emits a laser-like special brilliance. There may be brilliant ideas that are perhaps fragile in some way, best kept held in close to one’s heart, and shared with discernment.

Sunday, December 8:
This is a day that is affected by a variety of severe influences that may make for a gritty atmosphere. The Moon is in Poorva Bhadrapada Nakshatra, among the most intense of nakshatras, and this is the somewhat unfavorable 8th waxing lunar day. The Moon is within close degree with Saturn, forming a conjunction for world-weariness. Symbolized as the front half of a funeral cot, Poorva Bhadrapada Nakshatra, along with its neighboring Uttara Bhadrapada, is one of the two nakshtaras that make up ‘The Scorching Pair’, with effects that can be sharp and shocking like a lightning bolt. The funeral-cot’s front-legs imagery represents a standing astride two worlds, and more specifically between the world of the living and of the dead, and this may somehow feel to be the case today.
Throughout all of 2025, Saturn and Rahu, will transit through either of the two Bhadrapada nakshatras that make up the scorching pair. These two first-rate malefic planets in these two nakshatras that are associated with sudden shock, death and loss indicate some deeply gruelling extremes within the collective.

Wednesday, December 11:
This day is well-suited to practices that support health and healing.
The Moon is in Ashwini Nakshatra, a revitalizing lunar mansion that is associated with the Ashwini Kumara, twin deities of medicine who serve as celestial physicians. In addition, this is the waxing 11th lunar day (shukla ekadashi) which in the Vedic calendar is regarded as a time for fasting or keeping a very simple and pure diet, where moderation during this lunar phase encourages calm and clear senses and good health.

Sunday, December 15:
The Full Moon takes place in late sidereal Taurus in Mrigashira Nakshatra at 4:01AM EST (9:01AM GMT).
The continually seeking nature of Mrigashira nakshtra may give an experience of roaming, perhaps to find refuge, safety or a situation that is simply a better fit.
On this Full Moon, the Sun and Moon are both in the very last degree of the signs where they transit. The Sun in the last degree of Scorpio, is gandanta, or the vulnerable junction between a water and fire sign. This indicates experiences that lack a solid foundation.
The Sun will enter sidereal Sagittarius later today at 11:41AM EST (4:41PM GMT), where important practical beginnings are traditionally avoided on days of solar ingress.
On this full Moon, Mars, Mercury and Jupiter are all retrograde. The backward-moving effects of three planets as seen from earth suggest a time of much looking back. This may be a time of revising projects and reviewing past actions.
Among these retrograde planets, Mercury enjoys a unique and favourable power today, as it will be stationary direct from 2:30PM EST (7:30PM GMT) until approximately 5PM EST, before going direct. Its commanding stationary stillness is powerful for the areas that Mercury governs, like communication and intellect. In sidereal Scorpio, Mercury’s influence will play out in Scorpio-like ways, such as skill in research, strategic thinking and working with things that are hidden beneath the surface and behind appearances.

Saturday, December 21:
Today the Winter Solstice will take place at 4:21A.M.EST (9:21AM GMT).
This is the moment when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted as far away from the Sun as possible, and marks the first day of winter.
(The Southern Hemisphere’s winter solstice occurs in June.)
It is the shortest day of the year, where the shadow that one casts is at its longest. It is a time to acknowledge this depth of darkness and winter’s potential mercilessness. It is also a day that signifies regeneration and renewal, and is a time to celebrate the coming of longer days with rituals that welcome light as the source of all life.
Across cultures, many sacred structures from pre-history have been constructed in ways that give key importance to the sun’s solstice location. Among these, Stonehenge is the most well-known. Here on the day of the winter solstice, at sunset the sun will align in just the right way so that it is vividly framed within Stonehenge’s two massive inner columns within the stone circle.
In neighboring Ireland, at the Stone Age tomb site of New Grange, on winter solstice morning, and in a more-subterranean fashion, the Sun will quietly do that which is utterly remarkable. Not only will the sun exactly align with the tomb’s front entrance, but weather permitting, the sunlight will go inside and travel down a very long descending dark, 62-foot-corridor passageway. The light will then shine into the tomb’s main chamber that lies beneath the ground, to illuminate the chamber’s further-most wall.
Structures such as these, which align with the earth to form calendars on a landscape, offer a reminder that within the depth of darkness, light will continue to come in, in ways that are remarkable, given the right orientation.
In Vedic astrology, the Sun’s northward movement is very generally considered to be the more favorable six-months of a year.

Wednesday, December 25:
On this Christmas Day, Mercury, Jupiter and Saturn align in a nearly-exact angular (kendra) 90-degree relationship, an alignment that has meanings of  manifestation and getting things done. This engine-like formation has the potential to fuel a sense of the day being approached like a project.
The Moon is in Swati Nakshatra, a lunar mansion that encourages sweet speech and graciousness. Its less-desirable or more-frustrated expression, due to Swati’s vacillating and highly sensitive nature, can bring experiences where it is difficult to be grounded or consistent, and gives the sense that life is overwhelming. This is a day where it may be helpful to remember that Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ, and that this birth was a quiet event in most-humble surroundings, among gentle animals gathered around a manger.

Friday, December 27:
The Moon is in its monthly low-point of debilitation in the early degrees of sidereal Scorpio, a sensitive and low-energy influence that is made additionally so due to Scorpio’s ruling planet Mars in its debilitation sign of Cancer. This planetary sign exchange (parivartana) creates a looping or repetitious effect, something that can play out as compulsive behavors or situations that lack a neat sense of resolution. It may be especially helpful today to make a list of the day’s priorities, and to keep the list simple.
The Moon’s deepest debilitation occurs at 9:19AM EST (2:19PM GMT).

Monday, December 30:
The New Moon in Sagittarius takes place in Poorva Ashadha Nakshatra at 5:26PM EST (10:26PM GMT).
The planetary influences at the time of the New Moon give an indication of themes that will characterize then next 30 days.
The lunar mansion of Poorva Ashadha is symbolized as a winnowing basket, a woven basket for separating grain from the chaff, and like this implement it has meanings of efforts toward greater refinement, and the discerning of value. It also has an association with patience, and with experiences that call for developing more of this quality.
The weeks ahead may be a time that involves a sorting process, like that done by a winnowing basket. There may be a sifting out to discern what is of substance and value, or what is real and fake; what to keep and what to let go of, or what to cultivate and what to ignore.
 Poorva Ashadha  Nakshatra sits within Sagittarius, and it shares some overlapping qualities of this sign in the sense that Sagittarius is a sign of idealism, or seeking the highest and that which is most ideal, while Poorva Ashadha has meanings of separating out that which is most-valuable. The dynamic impulse (shakti) of Poorva Ashadha is that of invigoration, and the result of this shakti is the gain of luster.
     In this chart that is read from the Moon sign of Sagittarius, Jupiter becomes first-house planetary ruler, who is in the fixed sign of Taurus and is retrograde. Retrogression indicates a slowing down in some form, due to its slower, backward-seeming movement from earth. This can play out as the need for revision and review of that which has come before. Taurus and other fixed signs tend towards giving effects of slowness or sameness, in the sense that they give the impulse to seek stability and security first and foremost.
Also in fixed signs are Mercury, Venus and Saturn, where the fixed planetary influence becomes strong at this time. The days ahead may bring various tests of patience, which are likely born out of the desire for stability. There may be a slowing down that comes out of reasoned carefulness, stubborn inflexibility, or from some mixture of these traits.

November 2024 Astrology Forecast

Friday, November 1:
The New Moon takes place today in sidereal Libra in Swati Nakshatra at 8:46AM EDT (12:46 UTC).
The chart at the time of the New Moon gives an indication of themes that will characterize the next 30 days. The lunar mansion of Swati Nakshatra is symbolized as a fragile young sprout being swept around in the wind as it makes efforts to stand strong. Swati is governed by Rahu the north node, a shadowy ‘planet’ whose nature is ethereal and is said to give effects similar to Saturn. Rahu and Saturn are both related to the masses. In ayurveda, Rahu and Saturn are both airy and are drying to the body. And both are slow-moving planets that represent karmas that are difficult to avoid.
In today’s New Moon chart, of the nine planets of Vedic astrology, six transit nakshatras governed either by Rahu or Saturn, where these planets are commanding at the foundation of the chart.
Saturn is currently retrograde which makes it powerful. In two weeks’ time during full Moon, Saturn will be stationary as it changes course, where it will be at a height of power.
Saturn is in Shatabishak (‘the hundred physicians’) nakshatra, a Rahu-governed lunar mansion associated with health, curing and healing crisis.
From the Sun and Moon, Rahu is in the 6th house of healing and of the desire to improve. Known as an upachaya house, or one of ‘increase’ the 6th house governs fighting spirit, rise, and efforts to overcome adversity.
Among the various influences, the next 30 days may bring themes of making effort to stand strong or to recover health, either personally, and or collectively. Outbreak of illness may see an increase in the collective, while at the same time there may be noteworthy new developments in medicine.
Individually, this is a time when giving greater attention to caring for one’s health and a daily routine that allows for stability and that serves to calm the nervous system may be especially timely and helpful, so as not to be frazzled and overwhelmed, like a fragile sprout blown around in the wind.

Saturday, November 2:
The Moon is in the early degrees of sidereal Scorpio, where it becomes weak and gives inconsistent effects.
There is a higher potential for unsteady physical energy or changeable emotions, and the day is well-suited to a simpler and more restful schedule.
The Moon will be in deep debilitation at 7:48PM EDT (11:46PM UTC).
Also, the Moon is within a few degrees of Mercury, a planet of rationalization and calculation that can conflict with the Moon’s intuitive sensing nature.
In the U.S., daylight savings will end tomorrow morning at 2AM, when the clocks go back one hour. Thankfully, this will grant an extra hour of sleep, and is a return to a more natural clock that reflects the Sun’s actual movement more closely. This is the clock that is more popular with animals and farmers.

Tuesday, November 5:
In the U.S., today is the momentous presidential election.
Various influences reflect the close race which has been the case over months, and point to a complex situation in which the outcome might not be fully clear or the final word at the day’s end, and where the outcome may possibly be strongly and even in some cases violently contested.
The Moon will be in Moola Nakshatra. This is a severe nakshatra that is associated with that which is hidden. It is governed by Ketu the south node, whose nature is sharp and can give situations characterized by suddenness. In the U.S. chart, the Moon transits the 1st house, a microcosm house of the chart, and it rules the difficult 8th house with meanings of hidden things and situations where boundaries break down.
Both Jupiter and Saturn are retrograde. Jupiter governs the U.S. chart, as Jupiter-ruled Sagittarius is the rising sign. Jupiter’s retrogression may give some form of delaying influence, or a repeat of dynamics, such as those which had occurred in a previous U.S. election.
Jupiter currently transits Mrigashira Nakshatra, a Mars-governed lunar mansion, and Mars is debilitated and transits the difficult 8th house of the U.S. chart.
 An image within the Vedic myth symbolism of Mrigashira Nakshatra is that of a young female deer who is running to escape a predator.
Mercury in Scorpio transits a specific vulnerable and fateful degree (mrityu -bhag) today. As the planet of communication, Mercury’s vulnerability gives potential complications in the manner in which information or votes are handled.
Venus, a female signficator planet, is in a vulnerable degree (gandanta) in the very last degree of Scorpio. This is a junction where a water-sign and a fire-sign meet to form an incompatible, steam-producing mix of elements.
By tomorrow late afternoon in the east coast of the U.S., Venus will be in a more powerful transiting position, and interestingly it will be prominent in the 1st house of the U.S. chart.
Kamala Harris may win this election, but just barely so, after a strangely close race and after some unexpected complicating factors.

Thursday, November 7:
Today a specific auspicious combination is formed by the Moon in the lunar mansion Uttara Ashadha nakshatra on a Thursday.
Uttara Nakshatra is one of the fixed nakshatras, well-suited to activities of a long-term nature, and that bring greater stability in life, such as those that relate to home, land and building, placing sturdy objects (such as trees and sculptures), and setting foundations.

Friday, November 15:
The Full Moon takes place today in sidereal Aries in Krittika Nakshatra at 4:25PM EST.
The lunar mansion of Krittika (‘The Cutter’) is symbolized by a sharp, razor-like instrument, and is associated with Agni, the god of fire. As such, it has sharp and fiery meanings. It gives concentrated focus, courage, an attraction to projects on a mass scale.
After making effort to stand strong and find footing under the effects of the recent New Moon in Swati Nakshatra, there may now be the growing sense of steadiness where it is now time to fulfill goals with renewed clear and decisive focus. Krittika, with its razor-symbolism, is an influence that cuts through excess and haziness, and at its best is an instrument of healing.
Also, Saturn, retrograde since Saturday, June 29th, will be uniquely powerful today, as it will be stationary as it turns direct.
Saturn’s change of direction may bring a welcome sense of now going forward with things that have been subject to revision or delay over the last several months. In the lunar mansion of Shatabishak (The Hundred-Physicians), Saturn may bring a desirable new momentum to situations that relate to health and healing.
In the late evening at 9PM EST (2AM UTC+1 day), the Sun will enter sidereal Scorpio. In the junction between signs it is weak, where major practical beginnings are traditionally to be avoided during the six hours on either side of this solar ingress.

Sunday, November 24:
Today there is a favorable alignment of the Moon and Sun that encourages accomplishment. After 12PM EST (5PM UTC), the Moon will be in Uttara Phalguni Nakshatra, and this is the excellent waning 10th lunar day (krishna dashami). When these factors occur on a Sunday, their favourable potential is increased.
Uttara Phalguni has a ‘fixed’ quality, where it is suited to activities where grounded stability and consistency is desired, such as moving into a home, setting a foundation, construction work and land matters, making vows, and long-term planning.

 Monday, November 25:
In Scorpio, Mercury will change course and be retrograde until Sunday, December 15th. As a planet of information and intellect, Mercury’s backward-motion as seen from earth may bring a period focused on rethinking and revising things.
Jupiter is also retrograde (since October 9th, and until February 4th, 2025). In Taurus, Jupiter is 180-degrees across from Mercury, where they share a full mutual planetary aspect, where in a sense it is as if these two planets are joined together. As knowledge planets, their dual retrogression suggests an atmosphere where information and knowledge continually reorient, and new ideas and ways of seeing require a new approach.
Retrograde planets can knock the areas of life that they govern off-balance because they are actually very strong in giving effects, like tides that overflow.
As Mercury changes course today, its slowed-down movement will impart it with a unique and unconventional power, from which meaningful insight may occur. Mercury will be stationary between 9:41PM and 11:07PM EST (2AM and 4:07AM UTC+1 day).

Saturday, November 30-Sunday, December 1:
The New Moon will take place in sidereal Scorpio in Anuradha Nakshatra at 1:20AM EST (6:20AM UTC) on December 1.
More about this New Moon to follow in the December forecast.

October 2024 Astrology Forecast

October will be a month of powerful and diverse influences.
This is eclipse season, where an annular solar eclipse will take place.
This is also a period of ancestral observance, and a time of major auspicious festival days.

Wednesday, October 2:
The New Moon takes place on Wednesday, October 2nd at 2:49PM EDT (6:49PM UTC) in sidereal Virgo in Hasta Nakshatra.
This New Moon marks the culmination of the ancestral fortnight of Pitru-Paksha that began on Tuesday, September 17th. (See last month’s post for September 17th for more about this).
Today is a most-heightened day within this otherworldly fortnight, when the veil between the human and unseen worlds is uniquely thin. This is a profound window within each year for communing with spirit realms. More specifically, it is a powerful time to connect with departed ancestors to express gratitude, appease their unrest, heal generational trauma and to bring greater peace within an immense flowing ancestral current.
Also, this is a powerful and sensitive day because an annular Solar Eclipse will take place.
 An annular eclipse is one where the Sun forms a ‘ring of fire’ around the Moon. Eclipses are destabilizing for the environment, and are a time to navigate carefully.
Major practical beginnings, like moving into a new home, starting a job, or signing important documents, are considered to be ideally avoided.
 Eclipses are inwardly transformative and spiritually profound, and are a time when spiritual practice and its benefits become amplified. Like a re-setting of an aperture, or the blinking of an eye, eclipses encourage a new way of seeing.
Very little of this eclipse will cross land. Only Rapa Nui (Easter Island) and southern parts of Chile and Argentina in South America will be within the path of annularity. 
It will begin on October 2nd at 11:42AM EDT (3:42PM UTC) and will end at 5:47PM EDT (9:47PM UTC), with the time of maximum eclipse at 2:45PM EDT (6:45PM UTC).

Thursday, October 3:
Today marks the start of Navaratri (‘The Nine-Nights’), This is a major festival to the Goddess in her three forms that make up the trinity known as the Tridevi. The Tridevi (‘Three Goddesses’) are Durga, the goddess who embodies triumph over inner and outer demons through steadfastness and courage; Lakshmi, goddess of splendor, abundance and beauty; and Saraswati, goddess of flowing wisdom, creative expression and communication.
Each form of the Divine Mother represents three cornerstones of inner and outer achievement and perfection in one’s own life journey.
In India, Navaratri is celebrated through a diversity of observances, prayers, daily fasts, gift-giving and feasting that vary in their emphasis among various regions. It takes place yearly, starting on the first waxing lunar day in the lunar month of Ashwin.

Sunday, October 6:
Today the Moon will transit its monthly low-point of debilitation in the early degrees of sidereal Scorpio, which may bring an unsteady atmosphere, low energy, or a delicate inner state that is well-suited to a lighter schedule and a more restful and simple day. The Moon will be in its deepest debilitation at 2:01PM EDT (6:01PM UTC).
Also, this is the 4th waxing lunar day (shukla chaturthi), considered to be one of the ‘empty’ (rikta) phase of the Moon that lends another layer of lunar unsteadiness to this day.

Monday, October 7:
This is a day that is graced by a convergence of auspicious influences.
Today the Moon is in Anuradha Nakshatra, a lunar mansion that is gentle, community-minded and is associated with Mitra, the Vedic god of friendship.
Additionally, this is the excellent 5th waxing lunar day, and when this nakshatra and lunar day (tithi) align on a Monday, they become even more favorable, forming specific combinations that encourage accomplishment and brilliance.

Saturday, October 12:
This is a uniquely auspicious day of the year.
Today’s culmination of the Navaratri festival marks Vijaya Dashami or the ‘Victorious Tenth Lunar Day.’
 This is one of four uniquely favorable days within each year in the Vedic calendar, when major new beginnings of all kinds are considered to be highly blessed. This is regarded as an especially suitable day for ventures such as starting a new course of education, starting a business or making major purchases.
In South India, ritual prayers and worship (puja) are performed to bless the daily objects that are a part of the fulfilling one’s path, be these items educational, work or household-related. Items include things such as the books that contain the teachings that one most wishes to master, musical instruments, computers, cooking pans and even vehicles will receive special blessings to invoke their divinely-inspired use.
Among this day’s various meanings, Vijaya Dashami marks the victory of goddess Durga as a demon-slayer. After an observant nine days of Navaratri prayers, offerings and practices that support inner refinement and fortitude, Durga’s victory symbolizes the success of the individual over his or her own brand of delusion or ordeal.
 Vijaya Dashami is also known as Dashain, Dussehra, Dashahara and Dashera in various regions of endlessly diverse India.
This year Vijaya Dashami will take place on Saturday, October 12 in all time zones.

Wednesday, October 16-Thursday, October 17:
The October Full Moon takes place on Thursday, October 17th at 7:25AM EDT (11:25AM UTC) in sidereal Aries in Ashwini Nakshatra
This Full Moon marks the harvest festival known as Sharad Purnima (‘Early Autumn Full Moon’), an especially suitable and lovely time for Moon-worship.
This festival night is dedicated to Lakshmi, the goddess of spiritual and material prosperity. It is believed that she grants special blessings of abundance to those who stay awake on this night, worshipping her and fasting. Sweet milk and rice pudding, or kheer, is made and kept outside in an open vessel all night to absorb the cooling, calming essence of moonlight, and then is eaten in the morning. These lunar-governed practices help to drain excess heat in the body, and in effect, help to allow for more of Lakshmi’s cooling, flowing and trusting energy in one’s consciousness.
Sharad Purnima is also known as Kojagiri, and it takes place yearly during the full Moon phase in the lunar month of Ashwin.

Since the Full Moon will take place during morning and daytime hours on October 17 th, the actual correct timing to conduct a Sharad Purnima ritual worship would be during the night of Wednesday, October 16th within North American, European and India time-zones.
The Sun will enter sidereal Libra on October 16th at 10PM EDT (2AM+1 UTC). Major beginnings of practical importance are traditionally avoided on days of solar ingress.

Thursday, October 31-Friday, November 1:
The New Moon will take place on Friday, November 1st at 8:46AM EDT (12:46PM UTC) in sidereal Libra in Swati Nakshatra.
This New Moon marks the main day of India’s 5-day epic festival Deepavali, ‘The Festival of Lights.’ In India, ritual worship (puja), gift-giving and the lighting of many shining oil lamps signify the victory over darkness within, and the radiant awareness of one’s own inner light.
This festival coincides with the week of the year when the Sun and the Moon both near their respective zodiacal weak-points of deep debilitation in early sidereal Libra and Scorpio. This festival’s main day always falls on the internalizing dark Moon.
This a time when the weakness of the Sun and Moon can disturb the mind, emotions, sense of confidence, and optimistic connection to life. Rituals such as Deepavali that invoke brightness, hope, warmth, belonging and a sense of life’s abundance are mentally balancing and naturally timely.
Deepavali lasts for a total of five days. Today’s main day is dedicated to Lakshmi, goddess of prosperity, generosity and beauty. Traditional elements of Deepavali celebrations that invoke and attract Lakshmi’s bountiful presence include visiting with family and friends, giving to charity, the sharing of sweets, beautifying personal adornment and wearing brand new clothes, and cleaning the home. The lighting of clay oil lamps by the open threshold of one’s festively decorated front door to allow Lakshmi to enter one’s home effortlessly and to bestow Her many blessings.
If on this day traditional Indian accoutrements of worship like clay oil lamps and are not handy in the drawer, then in the spirit of the day, this is a natural window to do things like sit by a camp-fire, light candles, neaten-up one’s surroundings, and engage in practices and attitudes that dispel inner darkness, kindle the light within, and that encourage the same in others.
In North American and European time zones, in 2024 the main day of the 5-day Deepavali festival is observed on Thursday, October 31st. In Asian/Indian this will be on Friday, November 1st.

September 2024 Vedic Astrology Forecast

Monday, September 2:
The New Moon takes place at 9:55PM EDT (1:55UTC+1 day) in sidereal Leo in Poorva Phalguni Nakshatra.
The influences at the time of the New Moon give an indication of themes that will characterize the next 30 days.
The lunar mansion of Poorva Phalguni is symbolized as the front half of a hammock, and like a hammock it is associated with things that offer a promise of leisure and enjoyment while simultaneously carrying out a practical function.
Echoing the symbolism of this nakshatra, in this New Moon chart there are numerous planetary influences that indicate similar themes along the lines of a mixing of ‘business and pleasure.’ At its best, this can encourage getting things done in a way that makes room for fun. At its worst, there may be the questionable focus on the material resources of others.
Ruled by Venus, Poorva Phalguni’s nature is alluring, passionate and ambitious.
In this chart Venus is debilitated in Virgo and has difficultly functioning in clear and strong ways. Venus is also in near-exact degree with Ketu, the south node, a distorting, highly-focused and sharp influence. This Venus-Ketu conjunction suggests narrow-focus, odd or out-of character tastes, poor quality or lack of integrity.
Mercury is in an adverse, steam-producing and weak degree of gandanta (‘the knot at the end portion’) in late Cancer, a junction in which a water and fire sign meet, and Venus in Mercury’s sign will partially experience the gandanta effects.
From the Moon sign of Leo, Mercury governs the 2nd and 11th houses, both houses of the financial and the material, and Mercury tenants the 12th house of expenditure and loss. As the planet of intellect and discernment, Mercury’s water-logged or drowning gandanta condition suggests impaired reasoning and misplaced emotionality.
Mars in this chart functions as a planet of ethical orientation. It is placed in the 11th house of gains and the fulfillment of desires, and by nature Mars is driven and passionate.
From the Moon, Jupiter and Saturn, in Taurus and Aquarius, are in an angular (kendra) house position, houses of the concrete and the practical. The 7th house is a house of negotiations among nations, and Saturn here is a most-heavy planet of dire need and gritty situations.
Rahu, the North node, is eight houses from the Moon, a house of hidden agendas and the resources of others, and Rahu is an indicator of shadowy attachment and craving.
In the collective, Poorva Phalguni Nakshatra’s meanings of a mixing of pleasure with goals might border on vulgarity, such as in the form of a short-sighted paying-off that appeals to base instincts. At its worst, this may play out along the lines of the candidate who makes promises of creating a new holiday that provides an extra vacation day, or resorts to cash payments or similar incentives to all who vote him in.
On the individual level, this is a month when it becomes especially important to hold to one’s highest expression of character, and also to keep sight of the larger patterns and motivations of others when tempting offers are presented.

Monday, September 9:
Today the Moon and Venus are both in ‘deep debilitation’, or in planetary degrees where they become unsteady and give inconsistent effects.
This may make for low physical energy or changeable emotions, where the day is well-suited to a simpler and more restful schedule.
 Venus is a material and a social planet, where deep debilitation can indicate dissatisfaction, where for instance a purchase might not fulfill its desired function or a get-together does not bring an expected sense of fulfilment. The Moon will be in its deepest debilitation at 7:54AM EDT (11:54UTC).
Venus will be in its deepest debilitation just before midnight EDT on September the 10th.

Tuesday, September 10-Wednesday, September 11:
Harsh influences may make for a gritty atmosphere. The Moon will transit Jyestha Nakshatra and Moola Nakshatra, both of which have a sharp (tikshna) nature, and when these coincide with the 8th and 9th waxing lunar days on a Tuesday and Wednesday, this forms a specific combination that encourages annihilation.
Jyestha (‘the Eldest’) nakshtra may bring a jockeying for authority and a questionable use of power. Moola (root, base) Nakshatra can give situations where much is hidden.
The Moon receives a close planetary aspect from Saturn, whose astringent nature encroaches on the Moon’s gentleness.

Monday, September 16:
Today the Sun enters sidereal Virgo: important beginnings of practical importance are traditionally avoided on days of solar ingress because the Sun is weak in a junction (sandhi) between signs.
Also, this is the 14th waxing lunar day, considered an ‘empty’ (rikta) phase that cannot easily offer a foundation of support.

Tuesday, September 17-Wednesday, September 18:
The Full Moon takes place today in sidereal Pisces in Poorva Bhadrapada Nakshata at 10:33PM EDT of Tuesday, September 17th (2:33UTC+1day)
This begins eclipse season, where the Full Moon will coincide with a partial Lunar Eclipse that will be visible over a wide expanse of land. Regions seeing at least, some parts of the eclipse include Europe, much of Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Arctic, Antarctica.
The partial eclipse will begin at 10:12PM EDT and finish at 11:15PM EDT, with the moment of maximum eclipse at 10:44PM EDT (2:44 UTC+1 day).
This Full Moon marks the start of the yearly otherworldly Ancestral Fortnight of Pitru Paksha.
This is a special time within each year when the boundaries between the human and spirits worlds are especially fluid, and when prayers and offering to one’s departed ancestors can be readily received. It is a time to call in deceased family members to offer gratitude for the sacrifices they made and also to heal that which is in need of resolution.
Through consciously connecting with one’s clan and those who have shaped one’s own destiny in both obvious and unknown ways, these two weeks can become a heightened gateway to transform stuck or compulsive behaviours borne out of patterns of generational trauma.
Traditional prayer offerings (known as tarpana or ‘satiating’) include the favorite food and drink items of those who have died. These are mentally offered to these departed family members, and then are fed to an animal or offered into an ocean or river, as a practice to express thanks and cultivate contentment within one’s family and lineage.
This period of reflecting back is a time to hold off on major worldly beginnings such as weddings, house-blessings, property or vehicle purchases or starting a business.
Pitri-Paksha takes place yearly during the dark half of the lunar month of Bhadrapada , which coincides with the Full Moon in the lunar mansions of either Poorva Bhadrapada Nakshatra or Uttara Bhadrapad Nakshatra. Known as ‘The Scorching Pair’, these two nakshatras are symbolized as the front and back halves of a funeral cot. They carry connotations of the ability to walk between human and otherworldly realms.
Pitri Paksha will end on the New Moon of Wednesday, October 2nd.

Friday, September 20:
Today the Moon is in the lunar mansion of Ashwini Nakshatra. This forms a specific combination for the dispelling of difficulties when it coincides with a Friday. Also, the Moon receives an enlivening close planetary aspect from Venus, who casts powerful effects from 180 degrees away.
Ashwini Nakshatra is associated with strong vitality and healing, where this may be an especially fitting day for activities that encourage good health.

Wednesday, September 25:
This is a day to navigate with some care, where various severe influences converge. The Moon (and also Mars) are in Ardra Nakshatra, a lunar mansion that is symbolized as a tear drop and has meanings of intensity, upheaval as well as of the resulting purification and freshness that arises after tears.
This is the 9th waning lunar day, considered to be an unstable or empty (rikta) lunar phase.
This harsh energy of the day may be best channelled into activities characterized by a desirable and intentional severity, such as for instance detaching from questionable situations, letting go of unneeded items, demolishing a structure, or training a pet.

Thursday, September 26:
Today the Moon is in Punarvasu Nakshatra on the waning 10th lunar day (krishna dashami). When these two favourable influences occur on a Thursday, it forms a specific combination that encourages accomplishment.
Symbolized as a quiver of arrows, Punarvasu is dynamic, diverse, expressive and moveable in nature, and it supports activities where these qualities are desirable, such as those related to spoken and written communication, sending and transporting items, travel and cultivating artistic skills.

Sunday, September 29:
Today the Moon is in Magha Nakshatra, and when this lunar mansion coincides with a Sunday, this forms a specific combination for loss.
Symbolized as a royal throne room, Magha Nakshatra has meanings of authority, awareness of family lineage, and also can relate to governmental and organizational interactions.
Within the ancestral fortnight of Pitru Paksha that is currently in progress (see September 17), this is a day when the presence of those on the other side and themes of family connection and duty may be especially powerful.

August 2024 Vedic Astrology Forecast

Sunday, August 4:
The New Moon takes place at 7:12AM EDT (12:12 GMT+1) in sidereal Cancer in Ashlesha Nakshatra.
The planetary influences at the time of the New Moon give an indication of themes that will characterize the next 30 days.
Symbolized as a coiled serpent, the lunar mansion of Ashlesha Nakshatra is a severe and deeply profound nakshatra.
Like a snake’s venom, it has associations with strong and noxious substances. In the collective, this may indicate news-worthy situations, legislation or world events that relate somehow to chemicals, poisons, drugs, or other potent substances.
The snake-like nature of Ashlesha is also associated with the ability to mesmerize, through displays of forceful concentration and intensity which includes the use of persuasive speech and debate, and its highly instinctual nature will often play out as hunter and prey dynamics.
This New Moon is likely to affect the U.S. in especially weird and subterranean ways, where in the U.S. chart it will occur in the difficult 8th house. This is a house of extremes that relates to hidden things, death, addictions, the breaking down of boundaries, enemies, and sudden reversals.
Saturn in Aquarius will be eight houses away from the Moon (and also the Sun). This is a difficult placement, where as mentioned, the 8th house is a house of extremes.
Jupiter, another slow-moving, powerful planet is eleven houses from the Sun and Moon. This is a balancing transit that mitigates some of this chart’s negative potentials.
Like all of the 27 nakshatras, Ashlesha and its serpent-like nature does certainly have its positive qualities. As an influence that taps into primordial life-force and instincts over mental constructs, cultural conditioning and ideologies, Ashlesha Nakshatra can encourage insight, intuition and free-thinking and a stronger sense of individuality. It can allow for a radical approach that comes from a finely-tuned awareness of the movement of energy.
Mercury is slowing down to a standstill (as seen from earth), where it will be stationary starting at 10:13PM EDT (3:13AM GMT+1 and 1 day), and it will go retrograde tomorrow morning. Mercury will be retrograde from Monday, August 5th until Wednesday, August 28th.
Ashlesha Nakshatra is ruled by Mercury, where New Moon here will give some of Mercury’s effects. Mercury’s retrogression is suited to focusing on that which requires revision, review and restructuring, and there may be an element of delay that comes as a part of seeing and relating to things in a new way.

Monday, August 5:
Today three planets- the Moon, Mercury, and Venus, are in Magha Nakshatra. Symbolized as a royal throne room, this lunar mansion is connected to ancestral realms, awareness of lineage, and of turning one’s attention towards those who have passed away. It is also associated with themes of authority and leadership. The day may bring situations that relate to ancestors or family duty, and it may also bring situations that are connected to the government, officials, and of ‘paying one’s respects to a king’ in some form.

Tuesday, August 13:
Today the Moon will transit its monthly low-point of debilitation in the early degrees of sidereal Scorpio, which may bring an unsteady atmosphere, low energy, or a delicate inner state that is well-suited to a lighter schedule and a more restful and simple day. The Moon will be in its deepest debilitation at 12:35AM EDT (5:35AM GMT+1).

Thursday, August 15:
In August, this stands out as a day that is affected by strikingly volatile influences. Mars in Taurus and Saturn in Aquarius will be in an exact ninety- degree relationship. This forms an agitating alignment that increases the potential for violent events. The days around this time in mid-August are affected in varying degrees by this closely squared, harsh push-pull planetary tension.
Also today: the Sun and Moon will be in lunar mansions that are among the most severe. The Sun will be in serpent-like Ashlesha Nakshatra, while the Moon will be in sharp-natured Moola Nakshatra. Additionally, both of these planets by degree placement will be gandanta, or in the vulnerable and weak ‘knot at the end’ that occurs at the junction between the last degrees of a water sign and the first degrees of a fire sign, where an incompatible, steam-producing meeting of elements is formed.

Friday, August 16:
The Sun enters Leo: major beginnings of practical importance are traditionally avoided on days of solar ingress.

Monday, August 19:
The Full Moon takes place in sidereal Aquarius in Dhanistha Nakshatra at 2:25PM EDT (7:25PM GMT+1).
Dhanistha is a nakshatra that has qualities of generosity and patronage. The Full Moon is a culminating influence of a growth-cycle that began during the New Moon. Today there may be a situation that involves themes of some form of practical assistance or generosity related to events that began on or close to Sunday, August 4th.

Friday, August 23:
Today the Moon is in the lunar mansion of Ashwini Nakshatra, and this is the favourable waning 5th lunar day. When the Moon is here on a Friday it forms a combination that helps to dispel difficulties and encourages the long lasting effects of one’s actions.
Ashwini is associated with the Ashwini Kumara, two mythological horse- headed celestial physicians, where it has meanings of vitality and healing. This may be a good day for activities that improve health. Also, the swift quality of Ashwini favors activities where lightness is desirable, such as travel.

Wednesday, August 28:
This is a day when Mercury will be very powerful. Retrograde since Monday, August 5th, Mercury will change direction (as seen from earth), where it will be stationary before going direct. Its commanding stillness will imbue it with unique presence and influence today. It will be stationary in sidereal Cancer between 3:29PM EDT and 6:57PM EDT, (8:29PM and 11:29PM GMT+1). It will be in its own lunar mansion of Ashlesha nakshatra. Symbolized as a coiled serpent, Ashlesha is shrewd and snake-like. As the planet of communication, Mercury’s increased power is likely to play out complex ways, with an element of persuasion, intensity, mental gymnastics and radical forms of personal expression.
This is the 11th waning lunar day (krishna ekadashi), a lunar phase that is traditionally a day for fasting, where practicing restraint on this day gains the special favor of Vishnu the Preserver, the deity whose nature is to support and sustain all of life.
This may be a day when moderation with food intake may go a long way towards preserving vitality, and where more care and fortitude when speaking preserves harmony.

July 2024 Vedic Astrology Forecast

Friday, July 5:
The New Moon takes place at 6:57PM EDT (11:57PM GMT+1) in sidereal Gemini in Punarvasu Nakshatra.
The planetary influences at the time of the New Moon give an indication of themes that will characterize the next 30 days.
This New Moon chart, as read from the Moon sign of Gemini, is blessed with various strengths that support resilience and constructive growth.
The Sun and Moon are together with Venus, a favorable planet that becomes even more so today, where it functions as a uniquely auspicious planet in the chart known as the ‘yogi planet’. The calculation of the yogi planet is derived from the longitudes of the Sun, Moon, and a numerical constant.
The Sun and Moon benefit from being hemmed-in on either side by Mercury and Jupiter, two positive planets that offer support through sitting in the two houses on either side.
 And while no planet is ever in spotlessly perfect condition, today the Moon is largely free of negative planetary affliction.
Harsh planets Rahu and Mars are in the 10th and 11th houses, where they are well-placed in the sense that their innate intensity can be put to good use here while doing least harm. The 10th and 11th houses are known as upachaya houses, or houses of improvement and increase, where here malefic planets can do well.
A factor of vulnerability in this chart is the difficult placement of Ketu the South node in the 4th house of land, home and environment. Ketu indicates sudden disturbance, and is a fiery influence with effects similar to Mars. This suggests a high potential for environmental extremes in weather, weather change and human-made destruction to land and structures. For matters related to one’s home or overall living situation, Ketu here can bring uprooting, detachment, dissatisfaction or narrow-sighted fixation.
The lunar mansion of Punarvasu Nakshatra where this New Moon occurs has meanings of restoration, return and renewal, a return of light, and of things becoming good again. Life is complex, sometimes truly harsh, and never utopian of course, but this auspicious nakshatra can more readily allow for a conscious and sane response to dark and imbalanced situations.
Punarvasu is a nakshatra that naturally favors communication, efforts towards understanding, greater creativity and also swift movement which may play out this month in the form of short travels.

Tuesday, July 16:
Today the Moon will transit its monthly low-point of debilitation in the early degrees of sidereal Scorpio, and will receive an exact and planetary aspect from Mars and a lesser planetary aspect from Saturn.
These destabilizing influences to the Moon may bring an unsteady experience and a delicate inner state that is well-suited to a lighter schedule and a more restful and simple day. The Moon will be in its deepest debilitation at 4:05PM EDT (9:05PM GMT+1).
The Sun will enter sidereal Cancer today, where this is another factor of instability. In the junction between signs the Sun is in a weakened transition-state. Important practical beginnings are traditionally avoided on days of solar ingress.
Adding further to influences suited to simplicity and moderation, today is the waxing 11th lunar day (shukla ekadashi). This is regarded to be a natural lunar day for observing a fast or a simple diet that supports balanced senses and inner calm.

Wednesday, July 17:
This stands out as a day in July graced by favorable influences. A specific favourable combination (or ‘planetary yoga’) that supports accomplishment known as siddha (complete attainment) yoga is formed by the Moon in the lunar mansion of Anuradha Nakshatra in combination with the 12th waxing lunar day on a Wednesday. Additionally, the Moon is closely aspected by Jupiter, giving the Moon a steadiness that allows it to function in ways that are magnanimous and wise.
Anuradha Nakshatra is associated with Mitra, a Vedic god of friendship. Its nature is mild and it encourages a community-conscious approach to the achievement of practical goals, where well-wishers along the way are gratefully acknowledged and valued.

Saturday, July 20 (Sunday, July 21 in India):
Tonight’s Full Moon marks Guru Poornima.
This is the day held as especially dear for lovingly honoring one’s beloved spiritual teacher. The enlivening and illuminating Moon at its most bright and full (poornima) encourages heartfelt devotion and the connection with the guides who unshakably hold up a clear mirror and point the way from the unreal to the Real. Guru Purnima takes place yearly on the full Moon in the Indian lunar month of Ashadh, which is usually in July. This coincides with a full Moon that occurs in (or within a few degrees of) the sign of sidereal Sagittarius. In the zodiac, Sagittarius is the 9th sign, and it has a resonance with the 9th house of the Vedic chart. The 9th house governs one’s Guru and mentors, and it is the house of dharma, or collective ethical conduct and individual right action.
     On a more earthy and maybe not too unrelated note, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the July full moon is known as the ‘Buck Moon.’ (This almanac is a well-known U.S. calendar book that has been in existence since 1792. It publishes monthly full Moon names that come from a number of places, including Native American, Colonial American, and European sources.)
Interestingly, this male-deer (buck) symbol seems to have similarities to that of the sign of Sagittarius where this full moon occurs.
Sagittarius is the archer who aims his bow and arrow upward, and who has a body of a horse. It is the sign of continual sharp striving upward and of aiming high.
As an image similar to that of Sagittarius, the antlers of a buck are in majestic full-growth mode in North America at this time. Their sharp buck antlers embody the trait of constant pointed upward striving, and these are antlers that shed and then re-grow, to produce a larger and more impressive set with each passing year.

The phase of the Full Moon will begin on Saturday the 20th at 8:30AM EDT (1:30PM GMT+1) in sidereal Sagittarius, and the actual moment of full Moon will be on Sunday, the 21st at 6:15AM EDT (11:15AM GMT+1), in early Capricorn in Uttara Ashadha Nakshatra.

June 2024 Vedic Astrology Forecast:

Thursday, June 6:
The New Moon takes place today at 8:37AM EDT (12:37PM UTC) in sidereal Taurus in Rohini Nakshatra.
The planetary influences at the time of the New Moon give an indication of themes that will characterize the next 30 days.
This New Moon chart is read from Taurus, where there is a gathering of many planets. The Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus and Jupiter are all here, and except for Jupiter, are in the lunar mansion of Rohini Nakshatra. The Moon transits its strongest sign of exaltation, and is in exact degree with Venus.
This exceptionally prominent first house of this chart suggests a time of increased consideration for the individual self. Larger societal structures may be less reliable than ever, insidious or empty of meaning. There is likely to be stronger self-directedness, independence and need to trust one’s own direct experience and instincts.
Ancient astrology texts are full of descriptions of, ‘planetary yogas.’ These are specific planetary alignments that indicate qualities and outcomes. Planetary yogas in which benefic planets like Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter are with the Sun and Moon (as is the case today) will usually have results connected to desirable things and the finer things in life. Some descriptions of these yogas are that they will make one ‘proficient in several arts,’ ‘fond of flowers and perfumes,’ a poet,’ ‘enjoying several comforts’ ’renowned and powerful’ and ‘well-dressed.’ This said, the priorities of the coming days may be on that which adds more sparkle and inspiration to life.
The lunar mansion of Rohini is a zesty nakshatra that encourages renewed enthusiasm, as perhaps a breather from the intensity of recent months. Rohini is considered to be the birth star of enchanting Lord Krishna, and the presiding deity of Rohini is Brahma the Creator. The energy of Rohini Nakshatra is fixed, and like the earthy sign of Taurus where it is placed, it supports concrete manifestation in the world.

Friday, June 14:
The Sun enters sidereal Gemini: major beginnings of practical importance are traditionally avoided on days of solar ingress.

Wednesday, June 19:
Low-energy and unsteady lunar influences affect the early part of the day, then turn around to become quite auspicious. A wobbly start may pivot and transform into that which encourages experiences of kindness, caring and beauty.
Today the Moon is in its weak-point of debilitation at 7:15AM EDT (11:15AM UTC). After 7:55AM EDT, the influences change to form a specific combination for accomplishment, in effect until 9PM EDT, known as Siddha (complete accomplishment) Yoga, formed by the lunar mansion of Anuradha Nakshatra occurring on the waxing 13th lunar day on a Wednesday.
Anuradha is associated with Mitra, the god of friendship. It has meanings of the accomplishment of goals that serve a common good, with continued regard for those who help along the way.

Friday, June 21:
The Full Moon will take place at 9:07PM EDT (1:07AM +1 UTC) in sidereal Sagittarius in Moola Nakshatra.
Symbolized as a bunch of roots that are tied together, Moola Nakshatra has a gathering-up, one-pointed, and downward-moving energy. Today may be spiritually and psychologically profound, as a time when root causes are seen clearly. In terms of world events, the harshness and traits of suddenness of this nakshatra brings an increased volatility to the atmosphere.
The sharp and severe traits of this nakshatra are best suited to activities that contain an element of desirable intensity, such as detaching from unsuitable commitments and situations, letting go of unneeded belongings, and difficult yet necessary interactions.

Sunday, June 30:
In June, this is a day that may be especially good for therapies that support physical energy and healing, such as cleansing and fasting practices, rejuvenation treatments, taking remedies, or taking time for revitalizing movement.
The Moon is in Ashwini Nakshatra, a lunar mansion whose symbol is a horse’s head, and its swift and robust nature encourages energy to move. The Vedic deities associated with Ashwini are the Ashwini Kumaras, two twins who are gods of healing. When this nakshatra aligns with a Sunday, it forms a combination for accomplishment, and also today is the 10th waning lunar day, considered to be an auspicious lunar phase.

May 2024 Vedic Astrology Forecast

Wednesday, May 1:
Today Jupiter changes signs.
 Jupiter stays in a sign for approximately one year, where its ingress into a new sign is a noteworthy planetary transit.
In sidereal Aries since April 2023, today Jupiter will enter Taurus and remain here until May 14th 2025.
In a person’s birth chart, Jupiter’s slow-moving and commanding transit will tend to bring energy of expansion and opportunity to the house that it transits. Planetary transits are read primarily from the Ascendant, followed next in line by the Moon, and then thirdly from the Sun.
For those with an Ascendant, (or Moon or Sun) in one of the fire signs of Aries, Leo, or Sagittarius, Jupiter will transit through and also cast a full planetary aspect onto the three Artha houses of the chart. Artha is a sanskrit word that carries meanings of wealth, resources and usefulness. Jupiter will bring greater focus, opportunity and luck to areas connected to practical material stability and goals in the world. There may be rise in areas related to work and profession, a possible new title and increase in finances.
Also, there may be better quality and care devoted to nutrition and daily routines.
     For the earth signs, of Taurus, Virgo or Capricorn, Jupiter will bring its auspiciousness to the three houses that make up the Dharma triangle of the chart. Dharma relates to the highest manifestation of the individual self. It includes one’s sense of personal ethics, virtue, merit, creative expression, deeper wisdom and higher learning. There may be association with mentors and guides who support a process towards depth and maturity.
For the air signs of Gemini, Libra, or Aquarius, Jupiter’s will influence the Moksha (liberation, emancipation) triangle of the chart. Here, emotional and psychological health and the willingness to see things as they really are (even if it hurts) is given first priority. It may be a time of profound inner catharsis that brings more stability and integration. Within this greater steadiness and psychological clarity there is likely to be a letting go of various and maybe unhealthy attachments to people, places or things.
And for the water signs of Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces, Jupiter will transit and aspect the three Kama (enjoyment) houses of the chart. Here, personal relationships, both romantic as well as related to groups, friends and collective socializing become important and receive increased support. Also, a fulfillment of desires and aspirations may play out in the form of travel, developing much-loved hobbies and taking budding skills to a next-level. This may require coming out of hiding or stepping out of a current comfort-level.
To get a general sense of how Jupiter’s transit through Taurus will play out personally, it may be very helpful here to recall what was happening the last time that Jupiter transited here, between May 2012 and May 2013.
While astrological influences and life are layered, diverse and always changing, where it is not possible to step back into the same flowing planetary stream twice, a recollection of some of the major life themes during this one-year period will however offer one a flavor or echo of the effects that it will bring over the next one year.

Tuesday, May 7:
The New Moon takes place in sidereal Aries in Bharani (‘The Bearer’) Nakshatra at 10:21PM EDT (2:21AM GMT + 1 day )
The planetary influences at the time of the New Moon gives an indication of themes that will characterize the next 30 days.
The symbol of Bharani nakshatra is a yoni, or the stylized representation of female reproductive organs, and its associated deity is Yama, the Lord of Death. As such, Bharani is a lunar mansion that carries meanings of the interconnectedness of birth and death.
The planetary ruler of Bharani is Venus, and today Venus is in this nakshatra with the Sun and Moon, where its association with the luminaries will amplify the influence of Bharani nakshatra during this lunar month.
Akin to its connection with birth and death, Bharani is also associated with experiences that are characterized by suddenness, where the life form that has been invisibly gestating is born and now suddenly out in the open, or where the slowly declining person suddenly passes over to the other side. The next 30 days may bring an atmosphere of situations that have been brewing quietly as behind the scenes decisions, plans and activities that are made known and visible to all, perhaps with an element of surprise or shock.
Yama, the Lord of Death, is also a god of justice, who assesses the motivations, values and conduct of the individual. Thus, this month’s situations of metamorphosis are likely to come with a sense of whether one has taken a high road or a low-road.

Friday, May 10:
This is a special day. Today marks Akshaya Tritiya or ‘Never Diminishing Third Lunar Day’. This is considered one of three and-a-half uniquely auspicious days of each year in the Vedic calendar. Among its numerous layers of mythical significance, Akshaya Tritiya marks the day the sacred river Ganges first began flowing, as well as the day the sage Veda Vyasa began composing the well-known epic tale The Mahabharata. It is believed that on this day spiritual practices deliver increased benefit, items donated to others will be effortlessly replenished, and new practical beginnings of all kinds, such as starting a business or making major purchases, get a solid, blessed start. Some astrologers are even of the belief that the lucky nature of Akshaya Tritiya over-rides other fundamental astrological considerations. Akshaya Tritiya occurs yearly on the day when at sunrise the Sun and Moon are in sidereal Aries and Taurus respectively, their signs of ‘exaltation’ or maximum strength.
(In 2024, Akshaya Tritiya will be on Friday, May 10th in North American, European and Indian time zones.)

Tuesday, May 14:
The Sun enters sidereal Taurus: major beginnings of practical importance are traditionally avoided on days of solar ingress.

Sunday, May 19:
In Vedic astrology, when planets are together in exact or within close degree, these too-close conjunctions are often adverse, and an indication of volatility, constriction, or conditions where planets are not able to function in strong or straightforward ways.
There is a very unusual situation today where numerous planets will sit in exact planetary conjunction. In Pisces, Mars and Rahu are in the same degree, forming a fiery and potentially explosive combination. Jupiter, the ruling-planet of Pisces, is in exact degree with the Sun in Taurus. Here Jupiter is lost in the Sun’s glare (deeply combust), and becomes compromised and weakened. As the planet of justice and wisdom, Jupiter’s hidden state indicates powerlessness in matters of discernment and fairness, likely due to issues with greed or materialistic priorities. Jupiter is in the earthy sign of Taurus, and is with Venus, a planet of desire and potential covetousness.
The Moon is in Virgo, in exact degree with the sharp and constrictive south lunar node Ketu. This is a combination that indicates potential worry, lack, and obsessive fixation. Keeping a sense of balance and calm may go a very long way towards skilfully navigating this especially sensitive window today and around this time in May.

Wednesday, May 22:
As tomorrow’s Full Moon approaches, it will be in early sidereal Scorpio, in its difficult degrees of maximum debilitation. While the Moon’s brightness is externalizing and may bring responsibilities and activities, its accompanying unsteadiness may also bring an atmosphere of reluctance, awkwardness, and feeling unsupported. This is a day to navigate with greater patience, grounded clarity and care. The Moon will be in its deepest debilitation at 11:06PM EDT (3:06PM GMT)

Thursday, May 23:
The Full Moon takes place in sidereal Scorpio in Anuradha Nakshatra 9:52AM EDT (1:52PM GMT).
Anuradha Nakshatra is symbolized as a triumphal gateway decorated with leaves. Like this symbol, this lunar mansion has qualities that are victorious and noble (like the triumphal gateway) and at the same time fresh, mild and life-affirming (like the fresh leaves). Anuradha is nakshatra of friendship and community, and when the Moon is here on a Thursday this forms a specific favorable combination.
While there are some striking adverse planetary influences at this time (such as the close conjunction of Mars and Rahu), the Moon’s auspiciousness in Anuradha Nakshatra is a hopeful influence that aspires to that which is compassionate and constructive.

Sunday, May 26:
Today Mars will transit over the degree where the solar eclipse in April took place. In 25 degrees of Pisces, Mars will reactivate a highly vulnerable point in the zodiac. This volatile influence becomes even more so in this case, because Mars is together with the north node Rahu, which will inflate a planet’s effects. For the U.S., this transit may be especially difficult, where this Mars-Rahu conjunction in the U.S. chart occurs in the fourth house of homeland and environment.

April 2024 Vedic Astrology Forecast:

There is much to be said about the intensity of this month, with its confluence of disruptive influences where April may stand out in some ways as the most intense month of 2024.  Inwardly, the potential is always there to remain steady and peaceful, and may it be so.

Monday, April 8:
The New Moon will take place today at 2:21PM EDT (18:21UTC) in sidereal Pisces in Revati Nakshatra.
Today is the day of this eclipse season’s momentous Total Solar Eclipse.
Presented in the media as an occasion for eclipse-viewing gatherings, from a Vedic cultural perspective, solar eclipses, while extraordinary to observe, are a weighty omen that are approached a quite differently, and with much more sheltered care. As an occurrence that is like the astronomical blinking of an eye, or the resetting of an aperture, eclipses cast a shadow where human intention becomes magnified- for better or for worse.
Solar eclipses are most powerful in their path of visibility, but their effects extend beyond this to a lesser degree.
For those with key planetary influences in late sidereal Pisces, such as the Sun, Moon or Ascendant, today’s eclipse is likely to be experienced more strongly, and can bring pivotal life events in the days and months that follow, when there is the transit of planets over the eclipse degree that reactivate the vulnerable point.
In the chart of the U.S., this eclipse will occur in the 4th house of land and environment. Solar eclipses increase susceptibility to natural or human-created calamity, and the affliction to this specific area of this chart adds to this potential.
This sweeping eclipse will be visible in varying degrees in all of the Americas. The narrow band of its totality will travel Southwest to Northeast, covering parts of Mexico, fifteen U.S. states, and six Canadian provinces. Then travelling across the Atlantic, it will be partially visible in parts of Western Europe.
Within the U.S., this eclipse will be first visible in Texas, where there the (partial) eclipse will begin at 12:23 p.m. CDT and the eclipse will fully end at 3:02PM.  The maximum totality begins at 1:40 p.m. CDT and ends at 1:44p.m CDT.
For UTC: the partial eclipse will begin at 15:42:15 UTC, and the eclipse will fully finish at 20:52:19. The moment of maximum eclipse will be at 18:17:21.
(For a specific location, a helpful lookup resource can be found at timeanddate.com.)

A recent striking testament to how an eclipse can portend disruption, in 2017, the total solar eclipse that swept across the U.S. on August 21, 2017 coincided with the formation of Hurricane Harvey, which ranked among the most destructive of U.S. hurricanes. In comparison, today’s eclipse is more powerful than the one in 2017. The maximum length of totality of today’s eclipse will be about twice as long (over four minutes), and the width of the path of the eclipse path will be wider, where many millions more people will directly experience it.

Traditionally, in India, visible solar eclipses are not a time to put on the viewing glasses. (In 2017, Donald Trump was photographed not bothering to wear his while looking directly at the eclipsed sun. But I digress.)
 Instead, this powerful window is a time to follow some observances to remain balanced.
 It is common practice in India for shops to close and for the roads to be quiet. While taking the day off might not be feasible, some key traditional considerations and observances include the following: not eating, preparing food or leaving it uncovered during the eclipse. If one must eat for health reasons, then taking light simple food is recommended. Soon after the eclipse, showering and then changing into clean clothes, especially for those in its path of visibility is another time-honored practice. Important ventures of a worldly nature such as starting a new job or business, making important purchases, or entering a home for the first time are avoided, and it is a day to be extra careful with every day activities that contain an element of risk, such as driving.
This is a most-ideal time for meditation, the chanting of mantras, kirtan and making offerings in charity. The deeply positive quality of eclipses is that these transformative windows amplify the effects of spiritual practices and prayers.

Tuesday, April 9-Wednesday, April 10:
Mercury, Mars and Saturn will all be in particularly adverse placements during this time.
On April 9th, Mercury in very late Pisces, will be gandanta, or in the vulnerable ‘knot’ at the junction where a water and fire sign meet, regarded as an agitating, steam-producing mixture of elements. Additionally, Mercury is in its sign of debilitation, where it is weak, and currently, Mercury is both retrograde (until April 25th), and combust, or weak through closeness to the Sun. It is also close in degree to Rahu, a distorting influence that can be difficult for clarity and discernment. These layered afflictions to Mercury are likely to complicate communications in various ways, both globally and individually.
Mars and Saturn, two malefic planets with contradictory natures, have been in Aquarius since March 15th. On Wednesday, April 10th, this conjunction will be exact and highly volatile. These planets will be in Poorva Bhadrapada Nakshatra. Symbolized as the front two legs of a funeral cot, and among the most severe of lunar mansions, it can be associated with the experiences that create a shock and that require solid grounding.

Sunday, April 14:
On a more radiant and gentle note, for the first time this year, the Sun will be in sidereal Aries at sunrise this morning. The Sun’s ingress into the first sign of the zodiac is regarded as one among several New Year’s Days celebrated in India, and is known by several different names.
In the state of Kerala, this celebration is known as ‘Vishu Kani.’ Vishu means ‘Equal,’ as this day is near the day of the spring equinox, when day and night are of equal length. Kani means ‘that which is seen first’, where it is believed that the first sight a person sees on this morning indicates their luck for the next 12 months.
To begin the zodiacal New Year on auspicious footing, each household prepares an especially elaborate altar to view as their first sight upon waking. This altar is adorned with flowers, a flame, a picture of a beloved deity, fruit, gold coins, a favorite sacred book and various items that invoke a mood of illumination, devotion, luck, abundance, beauty and knowledge. It is a day of activities such as the wearing of fresh clothes, and of enjoying freshly cleaned surroundings.
This is also a day when a special meal is carefully prepared and festively served. For the New Year, this meal is one that includes all of the flavors, and is a mixing of sweet, salty, sour, bitter and astringent flavours. Ayurvedically, this balance of tastes symbolizes and encourages a state of inner balance for the year ahead.
(Vishu will be on Sunday, April 14 in North American, European and Indian time zones.)

Tuesday, April 23:
The Full Moon takes place in sidereal Libra in Swati Nakshatra at 7:48PM EDT.
Symbolized as a young tree sprout being swept around by the wind as it seeks to stand strong, Swati Nakshatra, is categorized as one of the ‘moveable’ nakshatras. This day may bring efforts to face the elements and to grow firm roots, while feeling vulnerable and delicate.
Instability on this day may be related to events that took place around the time April 8th’s New Moon.
As an offset to the Moon’s unsteadiness, today the Sun is in its degree of strongest exaltation, where encouragingly, this planet of the innermost-self is at its most-commanding.
 

Thursday, April 25:
Mercury, in retrograde since Monday, April 1st, will change course today. But first, it will slow down to a standstill, and this stillness will imbue Mercury with special power. It will be stationary between 8:54AM EDT until 11:45AM EDT.
For all of Mercury’s many astrological afflictions this month (see April 9th), its forward direction may offer a form of a re-set and forward movement to things that have been in more of a limbo. However very curiously, at the same time of Mercury’s stationary motionlessness, it will be in very exact degree with shadowy Rahu, which can bring an element of confusion. Mercury and Rahu are in Revati, the last of the 27 nakshatras, having meanings of completion.
Also today, The Moon will pass through its debilitation in very early sidereal Scorpio today where it will give unsteady effects. This may make for low energy or sensitive emotions, making for a day well-suited to quiet, restful routines and uncomplicated plans. The Moon’s deepest debilitation will be at 4:16PM EDT.

March 2024 Astrology Forecast:

Saturday, March 2:
The Moon will be debilitated or in a weak point in early sidereal Scorpio, where this low-energy transit  may require more rest and the space to do things at one’s own inner-directed pace.
The Moon’s deepest debilitation will be at 3:33AM EST (8:33AM GMT).

Friday, March 8:
Om Namah Shivaya! This night marks Maha Shivaratri, the yearly major festival day to Lord Shiva, the Supreme Yogi deity who is worshipped through all night meditation and chanting vigils. On this night the Divine favors the ardent spiritual seeker. Shiva’s auspicious boons are believed to be especially granted to those who manage to stay awake all night, fasting and absorbed in steadfast spiritual practice.
In India, various mythologies surround this night, and also, there are differing speculations about the astronomical and astrological reasons as to why this is a potent window to cultivate spiritual energy and yogic mastery.
To jump into this fray and offer some of my own speculation: Shivaratri coincides with the time within the year when the Moon and Sun transit Capricorn and Aquarius, the two consecutive signs that Saturn rules. Here, the luminaries go the furthest away from their own signs of Cancer and Leo. When personified, the Sun and Moon are the King and Queen. During Shivaratri, the royals have left their posts and have gone very far away and into The Beyond, setting foot in Saturn’s territory.
 Saturn is a planet that is very connected to Lord Shiva. Saturn is the planet that rules Time, and as such, is the great equalizer, while Lord Shiva is the great equalizer as the representation of the transcendent, unchanging and absolute.
 Additionally, Saturn is the planet that also governs the masses, and naturally contained in its immensity are that which is shadowy, gritty and dark.
One of the mythologies of Shivaratri is that this night marks Shiva’s wedding, and this was a profoundly Saturn-like experience. He invited both deities as well as demons, where all were welcomed. His wedding procession included weird goblins, ghostly entities, scavengers and reptiles, as well as other ash-smeared, matted-haired yogis like himself. For those whose priorities where rooted in temporal concerns like status, pomp and external appearances, Shiva’s uncompromising vision of radical non-duality was hard to handle and disgust-provoking (making his soon-to-be mother-in-law pass out. But in the end she was more than okay).
Maha Shivaratri falls yearly on the dark-fortnight of the lunar month of Magha (according to the South Indian calendar) or Phalguna (North Indian calendar) when the Moon is in the waning 13th or 14th lunar day.
In most-general terms, this nearly-dark Moon is an internalizing lunar phase that will naturally encourage a more inward focus.
This year, Maha Shivaratri will be on March 8th in both North America and in India.

Sunday, March 10:
The New Moon takes place today at 5AM EDT (9AM GMT) in sidereal Aquarius in Poorva Bhadrapada Nakshatra.
The influences at the time of the New Moon give an indication of themes that will characterize the next 30 days.
In this chart, a total of four planets inhabit Aquarius, where gathered here are the Sun, Moon, Venus and Saturn. In this conjunction, Saturn functions as an especially key planet. In its own sign of Aquarius, Saturn is stable and strong. Very near the Moon, Saturn will affect it and color collective consciousness through its purposeful yet potentially world-weary lens.
Also, today, and also on many other days throughout March, Saturn will function as what is known as the ‘final dispositor.’ This is a term for the planet that will single-handedly command the chart at its foundation, though a planetary chain of command that is based on sign-rulerships, and will occur every so often. In other words, all planets ultimately lead back to a single planet, which in this chart is Saturn in Aquarius.
Both Saturn and its sign of Aquarius have meanings of the collective masses. Aquarius is by nature a humanitarian sign, as the hard-working water-bearer who shoulders a heavy pot from which its contents pour out to others.
     The lunar mansion of Poorva Bhadrapada where this New Moon occurs is symbolized as a front half of a funeral cot, and it is sometimes called ‘the worrying star’, where it is among the most intense of the nakshatras.
On this New Moon, Mars approaches its degree of maximum exaltation in late Capricorn, where this planet of dominance will deliver very powerful effects in a sign of determined action.
 Alongside of this, Mercury, the planet of communication, is compromised in its debilitation sign of Pisces, where this watery location dilutes Mercury’s clarity and reasoning intellect. On the individual level, in the weeks ahead one may be quick to action yet at a loss for words.
For those in North America, Daylight Savings time begins this morning at 2AM, where the clocks go forward one hour in most places. This disruption to the Sun’s natural clock (that was originally designed to increase worker productivity) may feel like a questionable (and maybe torturous) practice on this day when the Moon is darkest.

Thursday, March 14:
The Sun enters sidereal Pisces: major beginnings of practical importance are traditionally avoided on days of solar ingress.

Monday, March 25:
The Full Moon takes place in sidereal Virgo in Hasta Nakshatra at 2:59AM EDT (6:59AM GMT).
 Symbolized as a hand, Hasta (‘Hand’) has meanings of versatility, dexterity and the ability to grasp information. This may be an especially meaningful day for study, developing a craft, playing instruments and perfecting skills.
This Full Moon will usher in eclipse season, where it brings a mild and hard-to-detect penumbral lunar eclipse. The moment of maximum eclipse will be at 7:12AM UTC. Following this more mild eclipse, in two weeks’ time the next New Moon will see a far-reaching, profoundly powerful total solar eclipse.

Friday, March 29-Saturday, March 30:
An auspicious lunar mansion and also lunar phase will bless the atmosphere on these days from Friday at 12PM EDT (4PM GMT) until Saturday 11AM EDT (3PM GMT) forming a combination that encourages gentleness and accomplishment.
The Moon will be in Anuradha Nakshatra, ruled by Mitra the god of friendship, and this is the especially favourable waning 5th lunar day.
Anuradha is a community-minded nakshatra that has meanings of fulfilling goals while caring for those who have provided assistance along the way. It also has meanings of foreign residence and its ‘sideways-moving’ energy is considered to naturally support travel.

February 2024 Astrology Forecast:

Thursday, February 1:
February begins with the Moon in Chitra Nakshatra. The Vedic deity associated with Chitra is Vishwakarman, the celestial architect, a patron of craftspeople, builders and artists. The symbol of this lunar mansion is a shining gem, and is ruled by Mars, a planet of precision.
There may be an atmosphere of creative manifestation today, with qualities of clarity, structure, and desire for visibility and a willingness to see and be seen (like a clear gem).
Additionally, today the Moon receives the beneficial grounding planetary aspect of Jupiter. In the navamsha, a subtle chart that offers an indication of planetary outcomes, Jupiter and also the other weighty foundational planet Saturn are in their exaltation signs of Cancer and Libra, where this encourages inspired activities of substance.

Saturday, February 3:
Today the Moon is in it weakened degrees of debilitation in early Scorpio, while receiving an adverse planetary aspect from Saturn, and this is the unfavorable 9th waning lunar phase, known as an empty (rikta) lunar day. This sensitive day is well-suited to a simple schedule that can allow for a possible need for more rest, quiet and the space to proceed at one’s own needed pace in life.
The Moon’s deepest debilitation is at 8:13PM EST (1:13AM+1 GMT).

Friday, February 9:
The New Moon takes place at 5:59PM EST (10:59PM GMT) in sidereal Capricorn in Dhanistha Nakshatra.
The influences at the moment of the New Moon give an indication of the next 30 days.
In this chart, not only are the Sun and Moon in Capricorn, but Mercury and Mars are also in this sign. Moveable and active, and ruled by no-nonsense Saturn, Capricorn has highly goal-oriented traits that are likely to characterize the weeks ahead. Mars is in its most-powerful exaltation sign in Capricorn where it gives amplified effects, and the several planets that sit with Mars take on Mar’s intense energy. When the Moon and Mercury are influenced by Mars, this indicates a kind of restlessness that at its best can be highly enterprising and skilful. In a birth chart, the Moon and Mars when together are considered a wealth combination. In actual practice, Mars and Moon joined will make for a seeking tendency that will often play out as exuberance and ambition where material wealth is commonly sought after and amassed as a by-product or external result.
Dhanistha Nakshatra, where the New Moon occurs, is ruled by Mars, where Mars’s effects will also be given through the Moon’s nakshatra rulership. In other words, in this chart, Mars is in a pervasive role in ways that are both gross and subtle.
Dhanistha is a nakshatra that is associated with ambition, prosperity, purpose and a tendency to want to support others (often materially) and join people together, such as through networking or employing them. It is a nakshatra of patronage that can sometimes hold aspirations towards the heroic. Public life and its transactional nature is often the comfort-zone of this nakshatra, while more intimate relationships and tender emotions are considered to be its less-skilful and more problematical area of life.
The coming days may bring an atmosphere where the accomplishment of goals, ambition and a very fiery and externalized focus may be the priority.
Through the lens of a different cultural paradigm, in the Chinese Animal Calendar, the end of this New Moon will usher in the 2024 Year of the Dragon. This Wood Dragon year is said to support a natural impulse towards embodying competence and power. It sounds like 2024 will be bring in a striking shift in pace as the 2023 Year of the Rabbit, the most meek and tender of the twelve animals in this calendar, fades away.
Given the forceful astrological influences of Capricorn and Mars in February’s New Moon chart, this 2024 Dragon that will now come onto the scene is likely to burst in February with immediacy and a sense of the dramatic.

Tuesday, February 13:
The Sun enters sidereal Aquarius today: major new beginnings of practical importance are traditionally avoided on days of solar ingress.

Wednesday, February 14:
Today the Moon transits Ashwini Nakshatra, a dynamic lunar mansion in the first half of Aries that has swift and light traits. When the Moon in this nakshatra coincides with a Wednesday, it forms specific negative planetary configurations with names like nasa (loss) and mrityu (death). Given the intensity, action and movement associated with this nakshatra, today the speed at which things happen may hold high potential to be a source of difficulties.
It is a day to deeply consider what is true in situations where there is impatience, impulsiveness or beliefs that things need to happen as quickly as possible.

Wednesday, February 21:
The Moon is in Pushya Nakshatra today, regarded among the very best of lunar mansions, and this favorable nakshatra becomes even more auspicious on this waxing 13th lunar day, which forms a specific combination for ‘immortality’ (amrita) that supports the long lasting results of one’s efforts.
Symbolized as a cow’s udder and in the portion of Cancer where uplifting Jupiter would be in its maximum exaltation degree, Pushya Nakshatra is a motherly and bountiful influence that supports constructive experiences, compassionate action and generosity of spirit.

Saturday, February 24:
The Full Moon takes place today at 7:30AM EDT (12:30PM GMT) in sidereal Leo in Magha Nakshtra.
Magha Nakshatra is symbolized as a royal throne room, and as such, it has regal meanings of authority, the awareness of lineage, and a connection to one’s ancestors, where it encourages activities that relate to these themes.
On the more day-to-day, as a leadership influence it can relate to interactions with government or officials.
 The convergence of the Moon in Magha nakshatra on a Saturday and on the Full Moon is considered to be a favorable combination.

Wednesday, February 28:
During this last week of the month, Saturn and Sun are very closely conjunct in sidereal Aquarius, and today their degree is exact. Fully lost in the Sun’s glare, Saturn is in the compromised state of deep ‘combustion.’ At this time, the qualities and things that are ruled by Saturn may temporarily be strangely hard to see clearly and difficult to access. As the planet that rules duty, maturity, practicality and work ethic, this may leave one with a nagging, soul-searching sense of never doing enough, working hard enough or doing things sensibly. It is a time to watch for taking up needless busy-work, or taking on commitments for insecure or surface reasons.

January 2024 Astrology Forecast

Monday, January 1:
May your 2024 be filled with much joy and kindness.
On this first day of 2024, the Moon is in sidereal Leo in the Poorva Phalguni. The moon here on a Monday forms a positive combination called Shobana Yoga. Shobana means ‘splendor’ or ‘illuminated’ where there is increased potential for these qualities to bless the day.
Symbolized as the front half of a hammock, Poorva Phalguni Nakshatra is ruled by Venus, and sits within the middle of sidereal Leo, a sign of vitality and appetite. The dynamic impulse (shakti) of Poorva Phalguni is leisure and the fulfillment of desire, activities that at their very best bring ‘re-creation’ or new  birth of that which is beautifully alive, deeply meaningful and vitally beneficial.

Also today, Mercury has been retrograde since December 13th, where today it changes course. This will be the first time in many months that no planet is retrograde, where this may give a sense of moving forward with that which has been under review, revision and delayed.  As Mercury slows down to change course, it will be stationary, and this stillness will imbue it with a unique presence and power. Mercury is in Scorpio, where it is in Jyestha Nakshatra one of the lunar mansions that Mercury governs, where here it gains strength, and it is favorably joined in Scorpio by Venus. These factors add to the commanding presence of Mercury, the expressive planet of communication and intellect. Mercury will be stationary between 8:36PM EST and11:41PM EST (or 1:36AM-4:41AM GMT of January 2nd).

Sunday, January 7:
Today the Moon is in a weak-point in the early degrees of sidereal Scorpio where it gives unsteady effects. This day may call for more rest and the space to go at one’s own natural pace in life. The Moon will be in its point of deepest debilitation at 11:00AM EST (4PM UTC).

Thursday, January 11:
The New Moon takes place today at 6:57AM EST (11:57AM GMT) in sidereal Sagittarius in Poorva Ashadha Nakshatra.
The influences at the time of the new Moon give an indication of themes that will characterize the next 30 days.
In this new Moon chart, a total of four planets-the Sun, Moon, Mars and Mercury, gather together in Sagittarius. This is a sign of ideals and idealism. It is a fire-sign, and is a sign of actions motivated by a striving for highest achievement.
The lunar mansion of Poorva Ashadha is symbolized as a winnowing basket, the woven implement used for separating grains from chaff. Venus is the planetary ruler of Poorva Ashadha. This is a planet that assess worth, and it has meanings of refinement, qualities that are not unlike like that of the winnowing basket’s function. This influence suggests that the weeks ahead will bring experiences of sifting out to discern what is of substance and value, or what is real and fake; what to keep and what to let go of, or what to cultivate and what to ignore.
The dynamic impulse (shakti) of Poorva Ashadha is that of invigoration, and the result of this shakti is the gain of luster.
In this chart there is a powerful interconnection between Mars and Jupiter. Mars is in Sagittarius, a sign ruled by Jupiter, and Jupiter in Aries, a sign ruled by mars. This forms a mutual planetary exchange, known as a parivartana. In nearly the same degree in signs five houses apart, Mars and Jupiter are both in nakshatras ruled by Ketu, the south lunar node, where these planets give Ketu’s effects to a significant degree. Mercury, together with Mars, is also in Ketu’s star. The traits of Ketu are detached, austere, focused and sharp, and other-worldly.
This convergence of the New Moon in the worldly Venus-ruled Poorva Ashadha Nakshatra, five planets in Sagittarius, and then three planets in nakshatras ruled by detached Ketu may bring a month of experiences that cycle between the sophisticated and discriminating, the upward-looking striving and idealistic, and the very detached or austere.

Sunday, January 14 (North America)-Monday, January 15 (Europe and Asia):
Today the Sun enters sidereal Capricorn. The Sun’s ingress into this sign marks a major festival day of India known as Makar Sankranti (Capricorn Ingress), also known regionally as Pongal in South India.
This festival honors the Sun and celebrates its northward movement, considered the more auspicious half of the year. Celebrations involve making offerings of sweet rice pudding (pongal) to the Sun, an animal (often a cow) and one’s family as a three-fold expression of worship of all of creation. Other various regional observances of this celebration to the source of life also include practices such as the building of bonfires, the flying of kites, watching the sunrise, ayurvedic oil massage, taking a holy dip in a sacred body of water, and expressions of generosity towards those in need.
While this transit symbolically signals the Sun’s six-month Northerly course, the Sun has already been travelling North since the December 21 winter solstice. This is an unusual instance of a festival where astronomically the Western Tropical zodiac (based on the seasons) is currently more accurate.
The calculation for this festival is based on where the sun is at the time of sunrise; for North America, it is January the 14th. In European and Asian time-zones it is the 15th.

Tuesday, January 16:
Today the Moon is in Uttara Bhadrapada, and this is the waxing 7th lunar day. When these factors join on a Tuesday, this forms a specific combination for accomplishment and also for the dispelling of obstacles.
The nature of Uttara Bhadrapada is fixed and weighty, a trait that is well-suited to activities where solidity and permanence are desirable, such as the laying of a foundation, construction, planting a tree, and activities connected to land and property.

Tuesday, January 23:
Today the Moon transits the harsh lunar mansion of Ardra Nakshatra. Symbolized as a tear-drop, it is among the most-severe of stars. When it coincides with a Tuesday, this forms a specific combination for experiences of loss. Today’s waxing 14th lunar day (tithi) is known as a rikta (empty) tithi and is destabilizing.
Today is most-fitting for activities characterized by intentional sharpness and intensity, such as difficult conversations, or interactions that have an element of confrontation. (Traditionally, Ardra Nakshatra is considered suited to acts of ambush and the training of animals.)
But in general, this is a more a day to tread lightly and to navigate with care.

Thursday, January 25:
The Full Moon takes place today in sidereal Cancer in Pushya Nakshatra at 12:53PM EST (5:53PM GMT).
In January, this stands out as a day blessed by noteworthy auspicious influences.
Symbolized as the udder of a cow, the lunar mansion of Pushya is considered to be uniquely favourable. This nakshatra may bring experiences and activities today characterized by motherly care, bountifulness, flowing generosity and soothing gentleness not unlike that of a being in cow’s calm and sacred presence.
When the Moon is in Pushya Nakshatra on a Thursday, this forms a specific positive combination that encourages the long-lasting effects of one’s efforts.

Vedic Astrology Forecast December 2023:

Monday, December 11:
Today the Moon passes through its low-energy degrees of debilitation in early sidereal Scorpio, and as a nearly-dark Moon, it becomes further weakened.
Also, the Moon is afflicted by both its close planetary aspect from Saturn and its association with Mars.
This is a day well-suited to greater simplicity, rest, and the room to do things at one’s own inner-directed pace.
The Moon’s deepest debilitation is at 1:07AM EST (6:07 AM GMT).

Tuesday, December 12:
The New Moon will take place at 6:31PM EST (11:31PM GMT) in sidereal Scorpio in Jyesthha Nakshatra.
Symbolized as a protective talisman, Jyeshtha (‘The Eldest’) Nakshatra is a lunar mansion that has meanings of seniority, conquest and courage. At its best, Jyestha brings a protectiveness of others that is discerning and wise. At its worst, its traits are sharp, over-bearing, controlling, gives a questionable fighting-spirit and jockeying for supremacy.
The influences on New Moon give an indication of themes that will grow over the next 30 days.
In this New Moon chart, Mars is in the same sign as the Moon and Sun and like them is also in Jyestha Nakshatra, where Mars becomes a key planet. In Scorpio, Mars is also strong and stable in its own sign.
Four houses away from these three planets, Saturn is in Aquarius, where an adverse, mutual 90-degree relationship with Mars is formed, where it is as if these two harsh planets are joined together.
These planetary factors point indicate themes of striving for power. In two weeks’ time, the Full Moon in Ardra Nakshatra on December 26th may bring a culmination of influences that are set into motion today.
Symbolized as a tear-drop, Ardra (‘the Moist’) Nakshatra has meanings of upheaval, often of the kind that comes with emotional intensity and catharsis. Towards late December there may be a casting off of, or dramatic response to the wilful agendas that take hold under today’s dark Moon in Jyestha Nakshatra. At its most desirable, December’s lunar cycle from new to full Moon may bring an atmosphere of building headstrong intensity that reaches a breaking point that opens up revitalizing new beginnings and new growth.

Wednesday, December 13:
Mercury will go retrograde today until Monday, January 1, 2024. As this planet slows to a standstill before changing course, this stillness will give it unique power, which may benefit intellect, communication and other Mercury-governed areas in unusual ways today.
Mercury will be at its most stationary at 3:28AM EST (9:28AM GMT).

Saturday, December 16:
The Sun enters sidereal Sagittarius: major beginnings of practical importance are traditionally avoided on days of solar ingress.

Thursday, December 21:
The winter solstice occurs today at 10:27 P.M. EST (3:27AM GMT of December 22nd). This is the moment when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted as far away from the Sun as possible, and marks the first day of winter in this hemisphere.
(The Southern Hemisphere’s winter solstice occurs in June.)
As the shortest day of the year, when the shadow that one casts is at its longest, it is a time of observances across cultures where the season’s darkness is honoured and the light is welcomed in.
Among the various traditions, one especially curious winter solstice rite is that of the Saturnalia, ancient Rome’s festival to Saturn.
As the god and planet associated with agriculture, harvest, the common people, and abundance borne of the earth’s bounty (usually through hard work), this pagan celebration marked the end of the winter sowing season. Saturn as the slowest-moving planet also rules time and its many expressions- from being that which builds patience, humility and maturity, to being that which reveals the stark reality of decay and death. Considering the blessings needed from Saturn to thrive during long winter months, this festival in which Saturn is invoked offered a timely form of seasonal and astrological remedy.
And quite the festival it was. While the Saturnalia’s timing length and emphasis varied over the centuries, a defining experience of it was that of role-reversal and role-play.  Roman rulers and masters traded duties and outfits with their subjects and slaves, making for an off-road travesty of established conduct and class boundaries. Those who worked the land (and who were ultimately the true sustainers of the community) got a moment to be acknowledged for a few days as the masters that they were, while the ruling class had opportunity to observe true public opinion, and also took on tasks that perhaps helped them not take for granted the toil of their slaves and peasants. While the resulting repercussions and layers of social nuance within this untamed few days is a source of speculation, for both sides this occasion for may have offered a release of a cultural pressure valve.
There is strong historical speculation that the milder customs within this festival to Saturn were a direct influence on our modern celebration of Christmas, such as the practices of gift-giving, feasting and decorating with seasonal greenery.
In Vedic astrology, the Sun’s northward movement is very generally considered to be the more favourable six-months of a year.
Today the Moon’s transit in Revati Nakshatra on the excellent 10th waxing lunar day on a Thursday forms a specific combination that supports accomplishment. As the last of the 27 lunar mansions, Revati favors activities characterized by completion, while its gentle nature encourages activities characterized by kindness, playfulness or leisure.

Tuesday, December 26:
The Full Moon takes place in sidereal Gemini in Ardra Nakshatra at 7:33PM EST (12:33AM GMT on December 27th)
Symbolized as a tear-drop, and among the most severe of lunar mansions, Ardra Nakshatra may bring an atmosphere of strong emotions and turbulence that needs to be moved through and transformed, ideally in constructive ways.
 Mars in the last degree of Scorpio transits a difficult junction known as gandanta (‘knot at the end portion’) where a water and fire sign meet. This meeting of steam-producing elements increases Mars’ volatile potential.

Saturday, December 30:
Jupiter has been in retrogression for the last four months, since Monday September 4th.
Today Jupiter slows down to change course into direct motion. It will be stationary at 9:41PM EST (2:41AM GMT on December 31st), and Jupiter’s stillness will give it a distinctive power.
Jupiter is the planet of wisdom, optimism and expansiveness of spirit, this day may bring a sense of more trust in a life’s intelligence, and there may be welcome clarity and insight.
Jupiter’s forward transit encourages a new sense of forward movement for which has been vague, delayed, under revision or percolating in the sub-conscious for several months.

Sunday, December 31:
On this last day of the year, the Moon will be in sidereal Leo in Magha Nakshatra. Symbolized as a royal throne room, and whose associated deity is the spirit presence of family ancestors (the Pitras), Magha has themes of stepping into authority, awareness of lineage, ancestral realms and ancestor veneration. The moon in Magha Nakshatra on a Sunday forms a combination for loss.
The presence of those who have passed away may be in the atmosphere today.
From subtle realms there may be the nudge to set something right, and within this there may be a need to step into greater authority, and to make contact with those who hold power. This day may bring an honoring that is like a stepping into a stream from past to future that extends beyond the personal.

Vedic Astrology Forecast November 2023:

Sunday, November 12
Today’s New Moon marks the main day of India’s 5-day epic festival Deepavali, ‘The Festival of Lights.’ In India, ritual worship (puja), gift-giving and the lighting of many shining oil lamps signify the victory over darkness within, and the radiant awareness of one’s own inner light.
This festival coincides with the week of the year when the Sun and the Moon both near their zodiacal weak-points of deep debilitation in early sidereal Libra and Scorpio. This festival’s main day always falls on the internalizing dark Moon.
During this time when the weakness of the Sun and Moon can disturb the mind, emotions, sense of confidence and optimistic connection to life, rituals that invoke brightness, hope, warmth, belonging and a sense of life’s abundance are mentally balancing and naturally timely.
Deepavali lasts for a total of five days. Today’s main day is dedicated to Lakshmi, goddess of prosperity, generosity and beauty. Traditional elements of Deepavali celebrations that invoke and attract Lakshmi’s bountiful presence include visiting with family and friends, giving to charity, the sharing of sweets, beautifying personal adornment and wearing brand new clothes, and cleaning the home. The lighting of clay oil lamps by the open threshold of one’s festively decorated front door to allow Lakshmi to enter one’s home effortlessly and to bestow Her many blessings.
If on this day traditional Indian accoutrements of worship like clay oil lamps are not handy in the drawer, then in the spirit of the day, this is a natural window to do things like sit by a camp-fire, light candles, neaten-up one’s surroundings, and engage in practices and attitudes that dispel inner darkness, kindle the light within, and encourages the same in others.
The New Moon will be on Monday, November 13th at 4:27AM EST (9:27 UTC) in sidereal Libra in Vishakha Nakshatra.

Thursday, November 16:
The Sun enter sidereal Scorpio today: important beginnings of practical worldly importance are traditionally avoided on days of solar ingress.

Monday, November 27:
The Full Moon takes place today at 4:16AM EST (9:16 UTC) in sidereal Taurus in Rohini (‘The Reddish One’) Nakshatra.
Taurus is the exaltation sign of the Moon, and the lunar mansion of Rohini is an enlivening and zesty nakshatra. This full moon may likely be especially externalizing.

Tuesday, November 28:
Today Rahu and Ketu change signs.
The North and South Nodes of the Moon, the two shadowy ‘planets’ known as Rahu and Ketu, will change signs (as per ‘true node’ calculation) to enter the Pisces/Virgo axis.
Rahu will be in Pisces, and Ketu in Virgo. The Nodes play out in stark contrast to each other, but they share a potential for obsessive intensity and extremes. Symbolized as the severed head and tail of a serpent, these points in space are opposite ends of a spectrum, and are untimely one dismembered animal that seeks to be rejoined and re-integrated.
Rahu’s serpent-head nature is dispersing and outward, and it also shares some traits that are like that of Saturn. Ketu as the serpent’s tail is contracted, sharp-focused and retreating, with some traits similar to Mars.
The Rahu/Ketu axis are the signs where an eclipse can occur, and the nodes change signs every 18 months. Rahu and Ketu travel backwards through the zodiac, and will be across the Pisces/Virgo axis until May 29, 2025.
In recent months as well as right now, Rahu in its transit between very early Aries and the last degrees of Pisces, is ‘gandanta’, or in ‘the knot at the end part’. This is the adverse junction where a fire and a water-sign meet, where these elements produce steam. Planets when transiting gandanta degrees of the zodiac indicate the potential for difficult world events, and can set the stage for natural disaster, such as hurricanes, as well as destructive human-created events. Rahu will be gandanta until the first week of January 2024.
     Ethereal and unrestrained, Rahu is regarded as a planet of innovation; among is meanings, it governs modern technology. This transit of Rahu from Aries into Pisces will very likely bring a major leap in the already fast-moving developments in the human relationship to technology, media and the internet. Pisces is the sign that governs the watery collective unconscious. The sign prior to Pisces is Aquarius the Water-Bearer who shoulders the pot from which the fluid contents of Pisces spill out freely and everywhere. The lunar nodes, with their power to eclipse, hold meanings of illusion, disguise and the ability to obscure. With Rahu’s entry into Pisces, the use of A.I. and images and audio generated by artificial intelligence may very likely quickly become a pervasive and confusing and deeply concerning reality to navigate, where everybody can make up anything about anyone, and generate a convincing imitation to show as evidence. Technology may deeply stir the collective imagination and collective emotions with its desires and fears, as it dissolves the boundaries between the real and unreal.
The last time that Rahu entered Pisces was on February 22, 2005, which was a landmark year for innovations in technology bring poured forth freely into the hands of the collective: just one week before, on February 14th 2005, the world saw the launch of YouTube, and in April 2005, the first-ever YouTube video (‘Me at the Zoo’) was uploaded.
For those with birth planets or the Ascendant in the signs of Virgo or Pisces, the transit the nodes here may be especially transformative. The six eclipses that will occur in these two signs throughout 2024 and into early 2025 become more likely to coincide with pivotal external life events, and also eclipse days may be experienced inwardly as especially powerful.