Summer Forecast 2013

Annular Solar Eclipse in Aries  May 9/10

Timing
http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/OH2013.html#SE2013May10A

The first solar eclipse of 2013 begins on the night of May 9th, continuing into the early hours of May 10th GMT.  This eclipse is placed in the Sun’s sign of exaltation Aries at 25 degrees, which is placed in Venus' lunar sign known as Bharani.  Venus itself is placed in its own sign Taurus and in the Sun's lunar sign known as Krittika during the eclipse.  This creates a more intimate connection between the Sun and Venus as the Sun prepares to move into Venus' sign on May 14th.  There is always a creative spark at the new Moon and a special kind of new energy during a solar eclipse.  This solar eclipse in Bharani, represented by a symbol of creativity, the Yoni, is giving birth to something new in our lives. 

This creation is not without its destructive streak which has to occur in order to clear a path for a new dawn.  This lunar sign is known as a cruel sign, where such cruel acts are deemed necessary in our lives.   The sign Bharani is represented by Yama, the God of death, and by Kali, the Goddess of destruction.   We have certainly seen the results of this in the world leading up to this solar eclipse and the results of this will be felt for some time to come. 

We also have the tight conjunction of Mars and Mercury during the solar eclipse.  Mercury is exactly conjunct the south node of the Moon, Ketu, at the time of the eclipse itself.  Mars and Mercury’s influence during this eclipse will only serve to heighten our awareness of our self-serving actions which need to be balanced with other’s needs.  Freedom to be one’s self and of unity are being played out during the eclipses of 2013 and 2014, and the fires of Aries are leading to more explosives events during this particular eclipse cycle. 

Mars and Mercury together in Aries in May could lead to aggressiveness in our communications if we do not use the energy in a more productive manner.  Ketu, the south node of the Moon, is intensifying our need to discriminate, cutting away all that stands in the way of our own personal connection to source.  This may be too intense a connection for our interpersonal relationships, however; thankfully Venus will be placed in its own sign Taurus in May, bringing forth some much needed sensitivity which has been lacking of late.  It is not only that we are dealing with Mars and the Sun with Ketu, and the resulting explosive events, but with a weakened Venus and Mercury, making it a less than appropriate time for any agreement or clarity.  With Venus moving into Taurus by May 4th this insensitivity will ease and a softer, more agreeable appraoch and compromise can be experienced once again.  Mercury will have moved into Aries at the end of April so our minds can catch up with recent events in a more logical manner. 

Akshaya Tritiya May 12th GMT

The third day of the waxing phase of the moon in the month of Vaishaka is known as Akshaya Tritiya.  The word Akshaya means ‘un-diminishing’ and Tritiya is the third lunar day after the new Moon and solar eclipse in Aries.  This occurs when both the luminaries, the Sun and Moon, are placed in their exalted positions in the signs Aries and Taurus.

The new beginnings taking placed with the solar eclipse in Aries on May 9th/10th will point us towards this more auspicious day for initiating that which we wish to be eternal in our lives.  It is said that any activity begun on this day is given the best possible start.  This years Akshaya Tritiya is affected due to the eclipse but new beginnings must follow a period of destruction.   

Penumbral Lunar Eclipse in Scorpio May 25th

Image Courtesy of NASA

Timing
http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/OH2013.html#SE2013May10A

We have the second of the lunar eclipses this year, this time at 10 degrees of the sign Scorpio.  It is outside of the Aries/Libra axis and is a penumbral eclipse, as the Moon becomes only slightly eclipsed and imperceptible , as the nodes of the Moon are currently housed in other signs -Aries and Libra. 

As the Moon (hearts and minds) is at its most vulnerable in Mars’ watery sign Scorpio, we must allow for this and take adequate precautions.  It is all too easy for the mind to become disturbed while it deals with all the imagined fears in the depths of Scorpio, and yet this process is ultimately one where we find our greatest strength.  The possibility of finding this strength amidst the churning taking place is enchaned by the lunar sign Anuradha, where this eclipse takes place, being ruled by an exalted Saturn. 

Dance of the Planets

As if to usher Jupiter out of its sign, Venus enters Taurus in May; a month which sees Jupiter leave it's sign after a year of residency.  With a gathering of planets in Taurus by the end of May, we are sure to give this area of our life added attention, and so there is great benefit in observing how this area of your life has become more coherent in the past year due to Jupiter’s influence. 

Even though the philosopical Jupiter was not so well placed in Taurus, which is more to do with luxury and pleasure, we have still accessed the higher wisdom and deeper meaning in the area of simple pleasures and practical application of our beliefs.  We have been able to enjoy the simple pleasures in life even though this may have been initially a let down of more hopeful times.  We have had the opportunity to grow in our everyday practical concerns and in relation to what we hold near and dear. 

One example of the sign Taurus is that of food.  Have you noticed an emphasis on food of late?  Jupiter expands where it transits, but it is also much more than that.   It is the ability to gain meaning in life through this sign of values.  What do you hold valuable in your life now?  Those with Jupiter in Taurus at birth are used to dealing with earth-related issues such as food cultivation and preparation.  It is for them, a religion of sorts.  If you grow food a certain way or cook with a certain technique, then that is the set of beliefs you follow.  Jupiter has allowed us all to access this quality of principle and belief with the very tangible things in our lives.  When an individual has a strong Jupiter i.e. a strong faith in life, the possibility of accessing its strength through the various areas of life is pronounced, though we all access some benefit from Jupiter’s presence regardless. 

This gathering of planets in Taurus in May and in Gemini come June, is going to make sure we are paying a lot of attention to these areas of our lives.   After the intensity of Mars’ fire sign Aries in April and into May, we can now look forward to some simple enjoyment of the comforts this existence offers us (Taurus), as well as the need to experience some fun with each other (Gemini), but ultimately a deeper sense of connection. 

Jupiter in Gemini May 31st - June 19th 2014

Jupiter leaves Venus’ earth sign on May 31st and we can look to Gemini for the coming year to see how we can experience a sense of growth and intelligent living in this area of our lives, as well as the other air-dominant signs Libra and Aquarius.    Now that the planet of expansion and inner intelligence (Dhi Shakti) is moving into another area of our lives, it is worth spending some time in preparation for the upcoming benevolent influence, and the resulting depth we hope to achieve here.  Gemini will receive an added boost in June due to having three benevolent planets transiting through it (Jupiter, Venus and Mercury).

Gemini is Mercury’s air-dominant sign and deals with a lot of information.  Mercury is representative of our intellect as opposed to Jupiter and our inner intelligence.  Mercury roots us into the earth and the practicalities of being in and of this world. One way it does this is through communicative means and this is emphasized in the sign Gemini.  Sometimes the information overload we experience in our technological age can be over-stimulating, and for the most part, this information is little more than something to keep the mind busy.  Needless gossip, celebrity news and a constant stream of facts and figures bombard us at every turn. The presence of Jupiter in Gemini for the next year will express a need to find meaning in how we interact with one another, and through the kind of information we feed our minds, as well as the means through which we achieve this information and interaction. 

The result of this transit can lead to a couple of possibilities.  One can be an increase in forms of communication and advances in technologies to help us find more outlets for connecting with each other.  The other possibility is one of idealism in how and what we are actually communicating, no matter what the means or technologies available.  One example of this kind of transit would be the ethical issues which can arise from an over-exposure to kinds of communication channels which leave it wide open for abuse.  Jupiter in Gemini will help you to discern the meaningful from the not so meaningful in our communications.  Social media might have to grow up a bit in order to meet the more philosophical needs of the public.   We should see both possibilities play out over the year, just as we have seen Jupiter's influence on Taurus create an ideal in food harvesting, as well as those who have gorged themselves in the pursuit of filling a hole. 

Jupiter in Gemini also brings a more balanced approach to life, with Jupiter now influencing two of the four signs which Saturn has been affecting in the last few months.  Jupiter in Gemini influences the sign Libra where Saturn and Rahu (Moon’s north eclipse point) currently sits, and the sign opposite itself, Sagittarius, which Saturn influences by its glance.  This means that the areas of your life you experience the signs Libra and Sagittarius can come into more of a balanced state, between the contractions of Saturn and the expansions of Jupiter.  Saturn still solely influences the areas of Aries and Cancer, so these are two areas which will continue to feel the drying effects for the next year.  Thankfully Cancer need not wait too long before Jupiter moves into the sign where it is exalted.  Jupiter’s transit in Gemini will bring an added sense of growth to the area of Aquarius also, as the other air-dominant sign along with Libra, and we may be able to balance the air element i.e. anxiety, in our lives more.  We have no choice but to address the ethical issues which arise from the constant stream of negative media our minds are subjected to, and its long term effects.

Summer Solstice June 21st

The hero in this story has completely overpowered the villain.  He stands on top of his victim with his arm raised in victory.  However, we always know what comes next in the movies.  When the hero becomes complacent, the villain takes advantage of this.  The camera pans to the villain's dead, expressionless face and his eyes can be seen to stir, ready to open once again.

'Super Moon' June 23rd

The closest and apparently largest full Moon to earth since 2011 falls on the Sun's day in the lunar constellation Moola, symbolized by a bunch of roots.  This lunar sign is ruled by Ketu, the south node of the Moon and represents our origins.  Recently we have been questioning these origins with the increase of UFO awareness in the public domain.  With Jupiter and  Mercury opposite this full Moon in Gemini, we are deepening our awareness of our cosmic neighbours.  The Sun is positioned in Ardra which belongs to Rahu, the Moon's north node, showing us where we are going to, and with perhaps a clearer view from our current vantage point.
Mars and Saturn also influence this full Moon, and Venus is placed in the Moon's sign.  With all of the planets involved in one way or another, this makes for a full on full Moon. 

Venus in Cancer June 23rd - July 17

After the flirtations in Gemini, Venus moves into the more sentimental Cancer, where the expression is more heart-felt.  Talk is cheap in the sign of the heart, and though words may be effective in expressing love, they do not fulfill the requirements of the emotive sign Cancer.  Those who have Venus in Cancer natally (or in any of the water signs) need to feel that someone is loving them, not simply mouthing the words.

Issues relating to the home and a sense of security become more important in our relationships, as Venus makes its way through Cancer. We also have Mercury moving retrograde in Gemini throughout this transit.  This may lead to all kinds of misunderstandings in our relationships, which need careful nurturing at this time.  The possibility of reflecting on how we communicate with each other is there,  but our hearts need to feel safe as we work through this process.   The tact which is required is especially pronounced when Mars joins a retrograde Mercury in Gemini from July 4th. 

Mercury Retrograde in Gemini June 26th - July 20th

Mercury stations retrograde on June 26th at the very end of its own sign Gemini.  It will appear to move backwards until it reaches the middle of the sign by July 20th, when it will station direct once more.  Mercury will remain in its air-dominant sign until August 4th as a result of this retrograde period. 

The usual precautions around travel plans, communication and our everyday transactions, apply here.  However, this may be more relevent due to its back-tracking through a sign which  represents these very things.  The sign Gemini is having an inordinate amount of attention these days due to the presence of the Sun, Venus (until June 23rd), Jupiter (until June 2014) and Mars shortly (by July 4th).  'Shortly' may be the appropriate word as Mars' influence on a Mercury retrograde period is always bound to create some tensions and frustrations when things do not go according to plan.

Jupiter's presence, though more philosophical, is expansive and may blow things out of proportion.  It is only when things go wrong on a big scale that we become more philosophical in our approach.  It's the little things in life that gets us every time. 

Mercury retrograde always represents a review of the same couple of areas of our lives, due to its rulership over two signs of the zodiac (Gemini and Virgo).  Whichever areas we experience these signs show the areas of review for nearly half of the year to some degree or another.  This is due to Mercury's shadow phases either side of the retrograde phase itself.  We usually have a third area in which we are more focused in our review, in relation to these two, as Mercury back-tracks through this sign.  However, this time round it is doing so in its own sign so this will add more of an emphasis to Gemini and this part of our lives.  In one way we could say there is less to review, but in another way the need for review is intensified.

Kal Sarpa Yoga June 2013 - October 2013

Planets are always creating yogas, forming various relationships to one another at different times.  The influence of the Kal Sarpa yoga lasts until the autumn.  This occurs when all of the planets, including the Sun and Moon, are on one side of the nodal axis.  It is the nodes of the Moon which represent the calculated points of the eclipse s and which reflect the ever-changing psychological landscape.  This change is initially expressed internally as a psychological one, but eventually reflected in the changes we make or the ones which are made for us in our lives. 

When this yoga is formed in an individual's birth chart, there is always some sense of an unidentifiable undercurrent to the person's life.  The nodal axis of Rahu (north node) and Ketu (south node) are eclipse points in the chart which show karmic issues not always readily available to the conscious mind to interpret. 

We are all experiencing this yoga to some degree or another for half of the time until October.  Though it is currently not strictly speaking a true Kal Sarpa Yoga according to some astrologer, as all of the requirements of the yoga are not in place; we still get a taste of the flavor of this combination.  The Moon moves past the nodes and joins all of the planets hemmed in on one side of the axis.  This occurs for half of the month.  As I write this the Moon is about the break this yoga by moving into Scorpio, but it will form it once again by the beginning of July.  Kal means 'time' and Sarpa means 'snake', so we can get a sense from the name of this yoga that things are a little bit more slippery and not so easily defined during its  influence.  Best to keep your plans loose if you are experiencing this to a larger degree.  Allow for the unknowable, especially during the Mercury retrograde period by the end of June and into July. 

OM TAT SAT