Mars is strong in transit for most of the year. Sounds like a good thing, right?! Hmm, well, good for what? Mars represents the very necessary steps we must take to gain strength. Mars-ruled signs, Aries and Scorpio, are certainly given a boost by Mars’ strength in 2018. However, many will not be happy with such a ‘malefic’ planet in full force, especially as Mars retrogrades and conjuncts the south node in the summer. 2018 has the potential of being a highly explosive year, with natural and man-made disasters increasing around the world.
2018 begins with Uranus stationing direct in Mars’ sign, Aries: the natural first sign of the zodiac. The planet of shock and surprises brings even more fresh and unexpected starts, breaking free from old ways of being on the journey towards personal freedom. This journey is not without incident, of course. Uranus is at a particularly sensitive juncture at the very beginning of Aries; with fire taking over from water in the zodiac. Adding Uranus to the mix adds to the creative and explosive start to 2018.
Mars and Jupiter transit closely together in the opposite sign, Libra, bringing a push for compromise while seeking emancipation. Mars and Jupiter are exaggerating the situation in Aries by aspect. The Jupiter/Uranus opposition has been evident through the end of 2017. A good example of this has been Catalonia’s need for both freedom and compromise, which ultimately ended their freedom from Spain. The situation was halted partly because of Mars and Saturn strongly influencing each other at the time. With Mars joining Jupiter opposite Uranus into the New Year, we will feel a need to push ahead with new ideas and a new action plan spurring us along, and many surprises to boot.
The Moon enters Gemini on New Year’s Day and into the stormy lunar sign, Ardra, later in the day. This is also a full Moon phase, with a combust Saturn and Venus opposite in Sagittarius. This dampens the mood somewhat, but is an opportune time to step back to inspect our long term goals for 2018. The Moon then passes the north node in Cancer and into Leo on January 5, bringing all of the visible planets on one side of the nodal axis, re-creating the divisive Kala Amrita Yoga between January 5 and January 13.
Venus breaks this unsettling combination one last time by January 13, instilling a need to simplify our lives during all of the upheavals. Venus joins the south node, Ketu, by exact degree on January 29, by which time the Sun and Mercury will have joined Venus in Capricorn. The New Year is a rude awakening, in many respects, but this is not unusual with the transits for the New Year. Venus is combust (not visible) in January, scrutinizing our festive indulgences. We will see Venus again as the bright ‘evening star’ in early February – just in time for Valentine’s Day - and can once again be guided by the planet of appreciation, love and harmony.
Mars enters its own sign, Scorpio, by January 16. This is strong start to the year – if you were planning any New Year’s resolutions! The Sun enters Capricorn on January 14, marking the start of the bright half of the year for those on the northern hemisphere.
Along with Mars, Venus is another key player in how 2018 unfolds, as it rules the sign in which Jupiter is placed (Libra), while Jupiter governs the sign in which Saturn is placed (Sagittarius). Venus has a big say in how all of our big plans play out in 2018, as a result. Mars takes over the reins from Venus in October, as Jupiter enters Scorpio on October 11.
While Venus is transiting Capricorn and Aquarius between January 13 and March 2, Saturn has an objective eye on proceedings, and Saturn’s current mode is that of truth finding at any cost; in the lunar sign Mula, while Ketu in Capricorn further destabilizes established structures. Although Saturn moves into the next lunar sign Purva Ashadha by March 2 – a sign that brings us many breakthroughs in 2018 – it returns to Mula for the summer and autumn months. This is a particularly volatile period when Mars’ transit alongside the south node is taken into account.
Once Venus reaches its sign of exaltation, Pisces, by March 2, this promises a better environment and more to appreciate - after all of the instability has been experience during the winter months. Mercury promptly joins Venus on March 3 and lowers the tone considerably. While Venus is in Pisces, it exchanges signs with Jupiter in Libra. Although they are in a less-than-friendly formation in the zodiac, at least there are some areas of life that benefit from the exchange. Venus continues transiting in Pisces until March 25, at which time Mercury will be finding some strength by its retrograde transit in Pisces – a period to ‘stop and smell the roses’. Venus then gives the reins back to Mars, as it enters Aries on March 26 and joins Uranus, bringing with it more shocks and jolts to help wake us from our winter slumber.
The new Moon in Pisces on March 17 is a lunar New Year in the Vedic calendar. Venus is exalted and Mercury is debilitated in any chart drawn at this time, so both are adding and subtracting something. Saturn and Mars are together in the 10th area from the Moon, the area of management and governments, while Jupiter is retrograde in the 8th area of change.
By April 1, Mars and Saturn are in exact conjunction and this is tense the world over. This occurs in Jupiter’s sign, Sagittarius, while Venus and Jupiter are in opposition. Jupiter is retrograde from March 8 to July 10, bringing Jupiter and Venus into exact opposition by April 16, conflating issues. Mercury is retrograde in Pisces from March 23 to April 15, and not helping matters by muddling the details. This period is more conducive to day-dreaming and pondering the many new twists and turns life has offered up, than making any definitive plans.
The Sun enters sidereal Aries on April 14 and marks a new beginning, with the new Moon in Aries on April 16. Venus transits Taurus from April 19 to May 14, while the Moon joins it in Taurus on April 19/20. This lends itself to a sweet start to springtime. We must make the most of these transits and the pleasure and happiness they afford us, as the summer months begin to heat things up around the world - in every sense of the word!
Venus provides relief in what is otherwise a turbulent time in late spring and early summer, as Mars is conjunct a stationary Pluto by April 26, with Saturn retrograde alongside Mars and Pluto. Jupiter is also retrograde, increasing the need to negotiate the many terms and conditions while structures around us are changing. This period offers a preview of the many big changes on the horizon in the coming years. Saturn will re-enter the sign Mula by June 5 until November 27. It re-enters Mula just as Ketu and Mars join forces in Capricorn, making for a volatile summer and autumn.
Mars enters its sign of exaltation, Capricorn, on May 2. It remains in mostly a strong position until November 6, except during a retrograde period from June 26 to August 27. When a planet transits its exaltation sign, and is retrograde, it brings with it a sense of the planet being in debilitation; frustrating our plans with unforeseen delays, and many more twists and turns to negotiate. Much of the frustration can be alleviated by your awareness of the potential downsides to this transit. Mars is strong all summer - even during its retrograde transit in July and August, as it is closer to earth than it has been since 2003 – it’s just that the proximity of Mars is a challenge to express itself clearly, and we feel out of sorts by not being able to do so.
More energy is available, and yet not expressible, as Mars retrogrades, leading to all kinds of setbacks and sudden outbursts – on the planet through natural disasters, and in our personal lives through man-made ones. The volatility of the summer and autumn are accentuated by Ketu’s position alongside Mars for all of its transit in Capricorn.
Ketu and Mars come to exact conjunction; first on June 9, as Mars moves over the southern eclipse point; then again on July 20 as Mars retrogrades back into alignment with the south node; and one last time on September 26, when Mars moves forward over the node for one last time. The days around these conjunctions are particularly volatile and require some well-managed restraint.
During this entire time, Saturn, the ruler of Capricorn, is transiting back into Ketu’s lunar sign Mula, further increasing the potential for destabilization, uncovering ever more of what lay hidden previously. August is particularly sensitive, when other transits, such as Venus in debilitation in Virgo, are taken into account. Venus rules Libra, the sign in which Jupiter is placed until October 11, making for a less-than-ideal atmosphere of negotiation, in what is a particularly volatile month.
This is further confused by Mercury retrograde in Cancer from July 26 to August 19, alongside the north node, Rahu, and opposite the Mars and Ketu conjunction. This occurs in the 12th sign from Leo, the area of hidden enemies and expenses for governments and prominent figures. Mars and Ketu transit in the 6th sign from Leo, the area of outright enemies, makes for more fighting in the midst of uncertain times. Although the combination known as Kala Amrita Yoga is not strictly in effect at this time, all of the planets are either joining the nodes or on one side of them, lending itself to yet more of the unsettling sense we had during the latter part of 2017.
During the intensity of these transits, Venus is debilitated in Virgo from August 1 to September 1. This period could be used effectively to push past our limitations, as Mars transits retrograde in Capricorn. This is very much an internal search for strength, however. Not only is Mars retrograde, but the planet that rules where it is – Saturn – is also retrograde, while Saturn’s ruler, Jupiter, is weakened by Venus’ debilitation. By looking after Venus: getting plenty of good food, surrounding ourselves with good company, and aspiring for greater than these transits seem to offer, we can move beyond immature reactions that will only serve to conflate the situation.
Thankfully, things begin to shift in September, as Venus moves into a strong position, into Libra, by September 1 and Mercury moves into its sign of exaltation, Virgo, by September 19.
The next big shift to occur is Jupiter’s entry into Scorpio, bringing a much needed balm to the fears we have dealt with since the end of 2014. Scorpio related themes of sex and power (or powerlessness); insecurity and loyalty will be understood more completely as Jupiter transits Scorpio from October 11, 2018 to November 4, 2019.
Mars continues to play a big role in how 2018 unfolds; ruling Jupiter’s position for the remainder of the year. Its strong position in Capricorn, as Jupiter enters its sign, is good for Saturn, Jupiter and Mars, as we put our strongly-held beliefs to the test, and take positive and realistic steps forward in our lives for the last quarter of 2018.
There is just one thing holding us back: Venus is retrograde from October 5 to November 16, in Libra. Your money and your ‘honey’ will demand more of your attention at this time. You are likely to feel pushed into taking action while Mars is exalted, although caution is advised in any of your decision that affect someone close, or your bank balance, for instance. Venus will remain in its own sign, Libra, from September 1 until New Year’s Day 2019, as a result of its retrograde transit. This is a welcome relief by the latter part of 2018 and an altogether sweeter transit, once it’s retrograde has been negotiated appropriately.
Saturn re-enters the lunar sign Purva Ashadha by November 27, and with the help of its ruler, Venus, we can move beyond the turbulence of recent transits and into a better situation. Mars plays a big role in moving forward in 2018, but Venus also has an important role to play in being able to negotiate the terms and conditions.
The year finishes with Mars in Pisces, entering the sign on December 23, which means Jupiter and Mars are exchanging signs and strengthening each other. This will feel like a positive end to 2018. Some may find it challenging, of course, as Mars and Jupiter require a dedication to a cause, not lightly taken on board. And Rahu, the north node, has a hand in how this plays out because of its influence from Cancer. This brings with it some uncertainty and is not as straight-forward as Mars would have it. Rahu’s influence in Cancer scatters our emotions and reactions, while wrestling powerful urges to seek some sense of stability in the midst of a fast-paced and challenging year.
Finally, Mercury is retrograde from November 17 to December 6, in Mars’ sign, Scorpio. It reaches the last degree of Scorpio by New Year’s Eve, a period to hold our breath as we leave 2018 behind, and venture beyond any remaining fears that still hold us back.
For anyone looking to make this a year to progress, 2018 offers great opportunities and realistic possibilities.
I wish you all the very best of what 2018 has to offer.
OM TAT SAT
2018 begins with Uranus stationing direct in Mars’ sign, Aries: the natural first sign of the zodiac. The planet of shock and surprises brings even more fresh and unexpected starts, breaking free from old ways of being on the journey towards personal freedom. This journey is not without incident, of course. Uranus is at a particularly sensitive juncture at the very beginning of Aries; with fire taking over from water in the zodiac. Adding Uranus to the mix adds to the creative and explosive start to 2018.
Mars and Jupiter transit closely together in the opposite sign, Libra, bringing a push for compromise while seeking emancipation. Mars and Jupiter are exaggerating the situation in Aries by aspect. The Jupiter/Uranus opposition has been evident through the end of 2017. A good example of this has been Catalonia’s need for both freedom and compromise, which ultimately ended their freedom from Spain. The situation was halted partly because of Mars and Saturn strongly influencing each other at the time. With Mars joining Jupiter opposite Uranus into the New Year, we will feel a need to push ahead with new ideas and a new action plan spurring us along, and many surprises to boot.
The Moon enters Gemini on New Year’s Day and into the stormy lunar sign, Ardra, later in the day. This is also a full Moon phase, with a combust Saturn and Venus opposite in Sagittarius. This dampens the mood somewhat, but is an opportune time to step back to inspect our long term goals for 2018. The Moon then passes the north node in Cancer and into Leo on January 5, bringing all of the visible planets on one side of the nodal axis, re-creating the divisive Kala Amrita Yoga between January 5 and January 13.
Venus breaks this unsettling combination one last time by January 13, instilling a need to simplify our lives during all of the upheavals. Venus joins the south node, Ketu, by exact degree on January 29, by which time the Sun and Mercury will have joined Venus in Capricorn. The New Year is a rude awakening, in many respects, but this is not unusual with the transits for the New Year. Venus is combust (not visible) in January, scrutinizing our festive indulgences. We will see Venus again as the bright ‘evening star’ in early February – just in time for Valentine’s Day - and can once again be guided by the planet of appreciation, love and harmony.
Mars enters its own sign, Scorpio, by January 16. This is strong start to the year – if you were planning any New Year’s resolutions! The Sun enters Capricorn on January 14, marking the start of the bright half of the year for those on the northern hemisphere.
Along with Mars, Venus is another key player in how 2018 unfolds, as it rules the sign in which Jupiter is placed (Libra), while Jupiter governs the sign in which Saturn is placed (Sagittarius). Venus has a big say in how all of our big plans play out in 2018, as a result. Mars takes over the reins from Venus in October, as Jupiter enters Scorpio on October 11.
While Venus is transiting Capricorn and Aquarius between January 13 and March 2, Saturn has an objective eye on proceedings, and Saturn’s current mode is that of truth finding at any cost; in the lunar sign Mula, while Ketu in Capricorn further destabilizes established structures. Although Saturn moves into the next lunar sign Purva Ashadha by March 2 – a sign that brings us many breakthroughs in 2018 – it returns to Mula for the summer and autumn months. This is a particularly volatile period when Mars’ transit alongside the south node is taken into account.
Once Venus reaches its sign of exaltation, Pisces, by March 2, this promises a better environment and more to appreciate - after all of the instability has been experience during the winter months. Mercury promptly joins Venus on March 3 and lowers the tone considerably. While Venus is in Pisces, it exchanges signs with Jupiter in Libra. Although they are in a less-than-friendly formation in the zodiac, at least there are some areas of life that benefit from the exchange. Venus continues transiting in Pisces until March 25, at which time Mercury will be finding some strength by its retrograde transit in Pisces – a period to ‘stop and smell the roses’. Venus then gives the reins back to Mars, as it enters Aries on March 26 and joins Uranus, bringing with it more shocks and jolts to help wake us from our winter slumber.
The new Moon in Pisces on March 17 is a lunar New Year in the Vedic calendar. Venus is exalted and Mercury is debilitated in any chart drawn at this time, so both are adding and subtracting something. Saturn and Mars are together in the 10th area from the Moon, the area of management and governments, while Jupiter is retrograde in the 8th area of change.
By April 1, Mars and Saturn are in exact conjunction and this is tense the world over. This occurs in Jupiter’s sign, Sagittarius, while Venus and Jupiter are in opposition. Jupiter is retrograde from March 8 to July 10, bringing Jupiter and Venus into exact opposition by April 16, conflating issues. Mercury is retrograde in Pisces from March 23 to April 15, and not helping matters by muddling the details. This period is more conducive to day-dreaming and pondering the many new twists and turns life has offered up, than making any definitive plans.
The Sun enters sidereal Aries on April 14 and marks a new beginning, with the new Moon in Aries on April 16. Venus transits Taurus from April 19 to May 14, while the Moon joins it in Taurus on April 19/20. This lends itself to a sweet start to springtime. We must make the most of these transits and the pleasure and happiness they afford us, as the summer months begin to heat things up around the world - in every sense of the word!
Venus provides relief in what is otherwise a turbulent time in late spring and early summer, as Mars is conjunct a stationary Pluto by April 26, with Saturn retrograde alongside Mars and Pluto. Jupiter is also retrograde, increasing the need to negotiate the many terms and conditions while structures around us are changing. This period offers a preview of the many big changes on the horizon in the coming years. Saturn will re-enter the sign Mula by June 5 until November 27. It re-enters Mula just as Ketu and Mars join forces in Capricorn, making for a volatile summer and autumn.
Mars enters its sign of exaltation, Capricorn, on May 2. It remains in mostly a strong position until November 6, except during a retrograde period from June 26 to August 27. When a planet transits its exaltation sign, and is retrograde, it brings with it a sense of the planet being in debilitation; frustrating our plans with unforeseen delays, and many more twists and turns to negotiate. Much of the frustration can be alleviated by your awareness of the potential downsides to this transit. Mars is strong all summer - even during its retrograde transit in July and August, as it is closer to earth than it has been since 2003 – it’s just that the proximity of Mars is a challenge to express itself clearly, and we feel out of sorts by not being able to do so.
More energy is available, and yet not expressible, as Mars retrogrades, leading to all kinds of setbacks and sudden outbursts – on the planet through natural disasters, and in our personal lives through man-made ones. The volatility of the summer and autumn are accentuated by Ketu’s position alongside Mars for all of its transit in Capricorn.
Ketu and Mars come to exact conjunction; first on June 9, as Mars moves over the southern eclipse point; then again on July 20 as Mars retrogrades back into alignment with the south node; and one last time on September 26, when Mars moves forward over the node for one last time. The days around these conjunctions are particularly volatile and require some well-managed restraint.
During this entire time, Saturn, the ruler of Capricorn, is transiting back into Ketu’s lunar sign Mula, further increasing the potential for destabilization, uncovering ever more of what lay hidden previously. August is particularly sensitive, when other transits, such as Venus in debilitation in Virgo, are taken into account. Venus rules Libra, the sign in which Jupiter is placed until October 11, making for a less-than-ideal atmosphere of negotiation, in what is a particularly volatile month.
This is further confused by Mercury retrograde in Cancer from July 26 to August 19, alongside the north node, Rahu, and opposite the Mars and Ketu conjunction. This occurs in the 12th sign from Leo, the area of hidden enemies and expenses for governments and prominent figures. Mars and Ketu transit in the 6th sign from Leo, the area of outright enemies, makes for more fighting in the midst of uncertain times. Although the combination known as Kala Amrita Yoga is not strictly in effect at this time, all of the planets are either joining the nodes or on one side of them, lending itself to yet more of the unsettling sense we had during the latter part of 2017.
During the intensity of these transits, Venus is debilitated in Virgo from August 1 to September 1. This period could be used effectively to push past our limitations, as Mars transits retrograde in Capricorn. This is very much an internal search for strength, however. Not only is Mars retrograde, but the planet that rules where it is – Saturn – is also retrograde, while Saturn’s ruler, Jupiter, is weakened by Venus’ debilitation. By looking after Venus: getting plenty of good food, surrounding ourselves with good company, and aspiring for greater than these transits seem to offer, we can move beyond immature reactions that will only serve to conflate the situation.
Thankfully, things begin to shift in September, as Venus moves into a strong position, into Libra, by September 1 and Mercury moves into its sign of exaltation, Virgo, by September 19.
The next big shift to occur is Jupiter’s entry into Scorpio, bringing a much needed balm to the fears we have dealt with since the end of 2014. Scorpio related themes of sex and power (or powerlessness); insecurity and loyalty will be understood more completely as Jupiter transits Scorpio from October 11, 2018 to November 4, 2019.
Mars continues to play a big role in how 2018 unfolds; ruling Jupiter’s position for the remainder of the year. Its strong position in Capricorn, as Jupiter enters its sign, is good for Saturn, Jupiter and Mars, as we put our strongly-held beliefs to the test, and take positive and realistic steps forward in our lives for the last quarter of 2018.
There is just one thing holding us back: Venus is retrograde from October 5 to November 16, in Libra. Your money and your ‘honey’ will demand more of your attention at this time. You are likely to feel pushed into taking action while Mars is exalted, although caution is advised in any of your decision that affect someone close, or your bank balance, for instance. Venus will remain in its own sign, Libra, from September 1 until New Year’s Day 2019, as a result of its retrograde transit. This is a welcome relief by the latter part of 2018 and an altogether sweeter transit, once it’s retrograde has been negotiated appropriately.
Saturn re-enters the lunar sign Purva Ashadha by November 27, and with the help of its ruler, Venus, we can move beyond the turbulence of recent transits and into a better situation. Mars plays a big role in moving forward in 2018, but Venus also has an important role to play in being able to negotiate the terms and conditions.
The year finishes with Mars in Pisces, entering the sign on December 23, which means Jupiter and Mars are exchanging signs and strengthening each other. This will feel like a positive end to 2018. Some may find it challenging, of course, as Mars and Jupiter require a dedication to a cause, not lightly taken on board. And Rahu, the north node, has a hand in how this plays out because of its influence from Cancer. This brings with it some uncertainty and is not as straight-forward as Mars would have it. Rahu’s influence in Cancer scatters our emotions and reactions, while wrestling powerful urges to seek some sense of stability in the midst of a fast-paced and challenging year.
Finally, Mercury is retrograde from November 17 to December 6, in Mars’ sign, Scorpio. It reaches the last degree of Scorpio by New Year’s Eve, a period to hold our breath as we leave 2018 behind, and venture beyond any remaining fears that still hold us back.
For anyone looking to make this a year to progress, 2018 offers great opportunities and realistic possibilities.
I wish you all the very best of what 2018 has to offer.
OM TAT SAT
