The energy of independence awakens in the cycle of the Libra full Moon on April 23rd. A do your own thing kind of vibe, heavy on the gratitude.

After the tremendous energy of the solar eclipse, we begin to move into a creative principle, knowing that anything is possible when we put our life force into it. A tremendous energy of spirit and miracles.

April 8th marks the Vedic astronomical new year, when we cast the world chart the year ahead to see the karmic trends and fated events.

This year’s chart is led by an eclipse in the birth star of Saturn indicating major changes. A precarious place with a shadow in the forefront.

Clearing the past to heal our future - Penumbra Lunar Eclipse in Virgo on March 25th

In the 6th from the eclipse, a Yama Yoga (Saturn, Mars) is formed (Read more here). Jupiter is 8th from the eclipse and Sun Rahu and Mercury in the 7th. Awakening the quadrant of our accounts, what we owe, what we create that binds us and the unforeseen consequences. What controls us and what we need to bring into balance. What we need to take responsibility for.

In the company of Venus and Saturn, the new Moon at 26° of Aquarius initiates a cycle of critical decision-making.

To put all our effort into fixing our attention in one place and directing our energy to a singular point. To cut the energy leaks of being divided and undecided. To have complete faith in following one singular direction, that sets us apart, defined by courage commitment and devotion. One river flowing towards our ocean.

Activating themes in this cycle of responsibility, authority,  sovereignty and the inheritance we’ve received from those who came before us. In its most simplistic essence, Magha deals with our past to shape our present. It is entry into doorways paths our merit gives us. Our actions are what create the merit.

I wanted to offer you some tips, to help you develop skills in working with one of the toughest planets and planetary cycles.  To help you understand your ‘’lessons from Saturn’’ and where he is asking you to change your karma. Which simply means results of action.

Mars in its most powerful exaltation sign gives amplified effects, especially to Aries, Cancer and Leo. The planets of the soul (Sun), mind (Moon) intelligence (Mercury)  and sit with Mars in Saturn's sign take an intense and driven energy that at its best can be highly enterprising and skilful. A cycle that can play out as exuberance and ambition where material wealth and success are sought after.

The Sun and the Moon at the tail end of Sagittarius are planting new seeds of flowing connections and renewed energy.  Broadening our perspectives and getting ready to work for what we want.  Mercury the planet of distinctions and who governs the gandanta zones (karmic knots)  that kick off change is closely aligned with Mars, taking what is entangled in our hearts. Helping us to grasp an understanding of what is, as we sift out the chaff.

Shining brightly in the eye of the bull at 10° of Taurus in Rohini Nakshatra, the luminous Moon reflects the light of the Sun and Mars in Scorpio. Starting a cycle of established direction and value commences with the awakening of an active desire and its manifestation into material form.

Opposite the Moon is Mars and the Sun, in Scorpio the natural 8th house of changes and legacy. Both the Sun and Mars like to control and direct. Critically looking at where we are, where lines need to be drawn and where we need to stay within the lines. Together they call for a strategic allocation of our energy attention and internal resources. The earthy desire of the Rohini Moon blended with the fiery intensity and vision of Mars and the Sun in Scorpio sparks a great desire for change.

The cycle of the Vishaka New Moon is one of singularity charging into darkness carving a path of light. Vishaka Nakshatra is the birth star of lord Surya (Sun). The fruit (karma-phalam) served to us through this star is a display of dissatisfaction of being bound by the limitations and the need to break through. The decay of old thoughts, feelings and what causes our disease.  Finding the strength in our self-illumination.

On the October 28th eclipse, only a slender sliver of the Moon dips into the umbral shadow. This delicate "brush" with the shadow imparts a sense of profound restlessness, stirring the mind with a kind of "shamanic death." As Rahu crosses the Gandanta point, the karmic knot, it amplifies the tension within the Moon, unveiling our unconscious and subconscious realms.

Virgo is a very worldy sign, it is the churning point of the chart. Looking at the chart from the eclipse point of view we have the loss pleasure and comfort with Venus in the 12th from the eclipse, and the gain of Mars and Ketu in the 2nd, tension aggression and territory. Mercury the lord of Virgo is caught in the eclipsed and Ketu at °0 of Libra it brings Venus the lord more prominently into the mix.

The area spanning Libra and Virgo is the place of deep desire. It’s where a lot of violence takes place in the name of commerce and conquering. Ruled by the two Raja Guna planets, Mercury and Venus. It represents the desire of the world, what everybody wants to possess and control. To trade, exchange, create, to look good, show the world we look good.

Big changes come with October with the Solar and Lunar eclipse and Rahu and Ketu the nodes of the Moon preparing to change signs. The recognition of our guides is both beneficial and supportive to bless the path laid out before us as we close a chapter and begin a new one. This cycle of the full Moon signals a time to put the Venus lessons of the summer on the Altar recalibrating our hearts, priorities, and relational patterns.

The cycle of the Moon highlights discussions and themes around contracts, agreements and government. Mars in Hasta acts like a blade in strategic negotiations, Mars is untrusting and Hasta carries the energy of separation and under the influence of Mercury, it’s a fighter’s yoga. Venus in the 12th is secret, behind the scenes determining what is beneficial in the connection, what we have to do to get ‘‘what we want’’.

Coming close to the earth and conjunct Saturn, the bright full Moon reflects in the light and message of the Sun. Both luminaries are connected to retrograde planets highlighting the energy of Saturn and Mercury in this cycle. The Moon now awakened in the nakshatra of Shatabhisha, ruled by Varuna the one that encircles the world.

Satabhisha likes to shake and rattle, it operates outside the bounds when stable within the center. Contemplate this. We become free and connected to all that is when we remain stable and centred. It carries the great energy of Lord Shiva and Varuna directing our attention to the veil of concealment and what binds us. A focus on the larger contracts we have with ourselves and the nature of divine energy. The ‘‘higher truth’’ we seek must also be lived honestly. Our natural expression is where we find our deepest healing.

Beaming with brightness coming close to the earth, the Moon reaches its peak fullness at 15° of Capricorn in Śravaṇa nakshatra. A star field ruled by Vishnu a place deeply connected with Shiva, transporting a message of contemplation. To listen with the ears of the heart, to wake up and stop sleeping. Our mind when it's in its resting state becomes pure, the Atma Joti illuminating the Manas.

Early in the Sign of Cancer the New Moon of July the transition of the hopeful light of Purnavasu into the depths of Cancer brings an energy tension a push-pull, the unsureness of our ground. A need to return to our central point where our values lie, what’s important, and who’s important. To be flexible and adaptable with a readiness to change and need to recover and regenerate in the presence of potential chaos. 

The Passionate Backdrop of Change Venus enters Leo on July 7th - August 7th

Venus joins Mars in Leo igniting quite a performative and creative period. It brings together a powerful mix of tension, and chemistry with a bit of wild and unpredictable energy, through its journey in the constellation of Leo. Venus is moving slowly throughout July only reaching 4° of Leo before turning retrograde on the 22nd coming closer to whisper in our ear. The great teacher Shukracharya will begin handing out lessons.

Enlivened at its brightest point, the Full Moon of July 3rd celebrates Guru Purnima, a day dedicated to honouring teachers. The individuals who have shaped our lives through the transference of wisdom—from our parents, role models, teachers, and spiritual guides.

The New Moon in Gemini in Mṛgaśira opens a 30-day cycle of exploration, where we adapt, feel scattered and achieve key milestones.

Mṛgaśira nakshatra is the star of enchanted, wild and passionate freedom. The adventure of the unknown the hunter on the hunt for something sacred. Deeply connected to the Goddess Parvati the great Mother and ruled by Soma, the deity of elixir, the pleasure and reward after achievement.

Saturn starts its retrograde at 13° of Aquarius, where he will begin to nudge us to refine and define. Awakening our reflection back to priorities and values. Saturn and Lord Varuna through mid-October will teach and test our ability to stay centred while exploring the fullness of our beings. Turning us inward thoughtfully, reflecting on what is important and what really matters.

Filling the Moon with messages of the Divine is Jyestha Nakshatra the conscious energy of the deity Indra. Awakening the seat of our inner authority, self-respect and honour. To set our energy free and let it rise, express our desires, to conquer, to win. Jyestha Nakshatra matures us, it teaches us through the challenge of finding and winning and earning our independence through the experience of self, connecting with strength from within. The SHAKTI of the soul, fire and light that cannot be contained.

Expression of Nourishment -Venus enters Cancer May 30th -July 6th

Venus is getting the push to grow, expand and create more security. Venus loves gains, comforts, beauty and pleasure and is easily frustrated by responsibility and tense under pressure. 

The advisor to the material world Venus (Śukra) encounters Mars until July 1st. As the natural fourth house of the zodiac where we are security driven, seek peace, familiarity and comfort. Cancer expresses the cool waters and Venus the boiling waters, creating a natural tension and discomfort within. Mars is not able to give and Venus demands more. A passionate exchange exposing our vulnerable spots and some potentially tough conditions ahead.

The first New Moon after the eclipse takes us into the territory of our earthly experience, with our feet rooted into the ground and our inner fire calling out to the heavens. Ablaze with clarity of what is right for us, bravely setting ourselves apart from the past by coming into our Presence.

Occurring at 4° in the sign of Taurus, where we create our stability, gather wealth, things we value and treasure, our sensual pleasures, where we ground things in quite literally, and where we can lock horns.

In the place of engaged attention, Mercury the planet of communication, commerce, intellect, travel and transit resumes it forward motion on May 14th at 11° of Aries.

Coming out of retrograde Mercury remains in the embrace of Rahu and Jupiter, keeping Mercury on alert. Creating tension in the atmosphere, in our nervous system and stretching our minds and hearts on the roller coaster ride.  

Mars represents our capacity for strength, skills and finesse. As Mars dips into Cancer the natural 4th house of the zodiac through July 1st it brings the focus to ourselves and adds a noticeable heat to our will, simply through feeling unsatisfied in the state of our current affairs. Directing its energy and focus instinctively on the challenge we want to master. Where we want to gain ground and conquer new territory.