Jupiter-Neptune Conjunction: March-April 2022

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It’s a fascinating and rare synchronicity that Jupiter and Neptune will each transit into the constellation of Pisces in the same time period in April 2022: Jupiter on April 13, and Neptune a few days later on April 17-18. Their conjunction in the same sign occurs approximately every twelve years, but it is not usually near the ingress (entry into a new sign). The last time they were together in Aquarius was in 1856, and in Pisces in 1869.

Generally, and depending on the sign where they meet, the Jupiter-Neptune conjunction can embody an idealistic, spiritual, creative, generous, and sympathetic spirit. It may indicate a powerful desire for justice, to the point of being willing to make personal sacrifices for an ideological cause. Substance abuse issues may also be indicated, along with a weak will or impractical nature in some instances.

Jupiter is the traditional ruler of Pisces, whereas Neptune is the modern ruler, so the Piscean quality of their merging is exponential. It brings a significant emphasis on all things Pisces, the sign represented by two fishes swimming in opposite directions, which are emblematic of the inherent duality of material creation.

The higher expression of Pisces, when connected to and in harmony with the divine Source of spirituality, can reveal great spiritual awareness, creative achievement, and compassionate action. But when disconnected, in its lower expression, Pisces has a tendency for escapism, deception, and delusion. Continue reading →

Neptune in Pisces, April 2022 to February 2037

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The outer planet Neptune will transit into its own constellation of Pisces (sidereal zodiac) on April 17, 2022, in North and South America; and on April 18, 2022, in Europe, Asia, and Australia/New Zealand. Neptune’s orbital period is 164.8 years, and it stays in one constellation for about 14 years, and the last time it was in sidereal Pisces was from April 1857 until February 1872. This time it will transit in Pisces until February 2037, but within the ensuing years, it will weave in and out of Pisces three times.

Neptune is the planet of art, music, inspiration, photography, film industry, dreaming, creativity, universality, higher love, idealism, religion, mysticism, socialism (the urge toward collectivism), stocks and annuities, aviation, waterways and oceans, gases, and all liquids (like alcohol, petrol/oil) — as well as criminality, economic and political instability, assassinations, infectious diseases and microorganisms, deception, hypochondria, mob psychology, illicit undertakings, and medicines, chemicals, earthquakes, and mind-altering substances.

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Spring Forward: Shifting Tides

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Many shifting energies are upon us now and in the coming days and weeks, so it’s important to be mindful. These are as follows:

Daylight saving time (DST) occurred Sunday, March 13 in Canada and the United States (except for Arizona and Hawaii which do not observe DST). It’s a known fact that sleep deprivation brought on by the transition to daylight saving time has been associated with demonstrable physical harm. For example, the risk of experiencing a stroke, heart attack, or car accident increases significantly in the days and weeks following the time change in the spring.

The Sun is transiting out of the Aquarius constellation and into the Pisces constellation on Monday, March 14 at 2:46 PM Eastern Time (6:46 PM UTC). According to the sidereal zodiac which I use, the Sun will transit through Pisces from March 14 to April 13. In astrology, the Sun is the soul of the world, and as it moves through the hopeful, creative, and compassionate sign of Pisces, we may begin to resolve some of our longstanding problems. Being at the end of the zodiac, Pisces is about letting go of the old to make room for the new. The Sun’s annual sojourn in Pisces awakens our spiritual side and helps us become more aware of the bigger picture.

From early on Monday, March 14 and into early Tuesday, March 15, the Sun will be sandhi, on the cusp between Aquarius and Pisces. In Vedic astrology, this is also known as the monthly “sankranti” which refers to the Sun’s passage or change. We should avoid this period for beginning a new action like starting a job or new program of study, making a significant purchase, setting out on a journey, establishing a new business venture, or getting engaged or married, etc. This is because the Sun is the soul of the world and the vitality of everything in life, and it needs to be strong when we set anything new into motion if we want it to have positive lasting results.

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Mars-Venus Conjunction and Planetary War: February-March 2022

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(Please note that I use the sidereal system and not the tropical western zodiac).
Mars, planet of energy, war, conflict, fire, passion, competition, and will power, transited out of Scorpio and into Sagittarius on January 16, 2022, and will remain in the constellation of the Archer until February 26. Venus, planet of love, peace, beauty, grace, harmony, wealth, and virility, is also transiting in Sagittarius for quite an extended period: from October 30 to December 8, and then again from December 30 to February 27, during which time Venus is retrograde from December 20 to January 30.

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Winter Solstice 2021 and the New Year Ahead

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Our Sun, the soul of the world, transits in the Galactic Center from December 17th to the 22nd. Known in the Vedic tradition as Vishnunabhi, the Navel of Lord Vishnu, the Galactic Center spans from about two to seven degrees of sidereal Sagittarius. This center is the source of cosmic light and creative power for our whole Milky Way Galaxy including the solar system in which we live. Our Sun is recharged and rejuvenated through an “energetic upgrade” when it transits here, just in time for the New Year!

The solstice occurs on Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at 3:59 PM UTC (10:59 AM EST). In the northern hemisphere, this is the winter solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year when the Sun reaches its southernmost point in its seasonal declination cycle. After the winter solstice, the Sun will appear to stand still for three days and then slowly begin its move northward. During the three-day standstill, we will experience a “spiritual rebirth,” i.e., the rebirth of the Light.

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Balance Point! Happy Autumnal Equinox: September 22, 2021

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The equinox occurs on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at 7:21 PM UTC (3:21 PM Eastern Time). This key turning point occurs when the ecliptic, the apparent path of the Sun, intersects the celestial equator, heralding the advent of autumn season in the northern hemisphere and spring season in the southern hemisphere. (This article is mostly about the autumnal equinox since I live in the northern hemisphere).

You may want to check out this informative Earthsky.com article to learn more about the astronomy of the equinoxes.

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Blessings of Midsummer, 2021

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Blessings of Midsummer, and Midwinter for my readers in the southern hemisphere! It’s been such a tumultuous year for much of the world, with so much unrest, and yet, there are always signs of hope and progress, too. Paramahansa Yogananda taught that in the realm of duality where we exist, there cannot be light without darkness. He also urged us to place our full faith with the Divine Creator, rather than with the creation of the illusory world. His instruction is clear on this, time and again. For instance, he said, “Live in the world, but be not of the world. Krishna tells Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita: ‘Get away from this ocean of suffering.’ Be in the world and do your part, but do not be caught up and bound by its delusions, or you will be enslaved.”

The summer solstice occurred at June 21, 2021 at 3:31 AM UTC at the prime meridian in Greenwich. Summer solstice marks the end of the first half of the solar year that began at winter solstice, known as Uttarayana, when the Sun is waxing in its declination cycle (moving northward). Uttarayana is under the reign of Lord Vishnu, the builder, preserver, and sustainer of worldly material affairs, which are meant to be the focus for all of us during this time.

Summer solstice initiates the second half of the solar year, when the Sun is moving southward in its declination cycle, known as the waning half of the solar year; and, in the Vedic calendar, it is called Dakshinayana, Yamayana, or Pitriyana. This is the half of the year when Lord Vishnu rests, and Lord Shiva takes over. It is the time to complete what was set into motion in Uttarayana, and it brings a focus on ancestral propitiation and spiritual devotional practices, as well as for purifying, strengthening, and balancing our emotional-mental-physical-spiritual well-being.

Shiva Blessing Poster

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Mercury Retrograde: May 29 to June 22, 2021

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The second Mercury retrograde cycle of 2021 will occur beginning at 6:43 PM Eastern Time on May 29, with Mercury stationing at 0 degrees and 33 minutes of sidereal Gemini. Mercury will remain retrograde until 6 PM on June 22, when it will station direct at 21 degrees and 58 minutes of sidereal Taurus. During this transit, Mercury will align with the Sun and Moon in the June 10 solar eclipse. So having Mercury tied up in the eclipse axis indicates an intensified, super-charged retrograde cycle for Mercury.

The shadow period of this Mercury retrograde cycle extends from May 15 to July 7. During the pre-retrograde shadow period, we are starting to feel and see the themes that will be playing out in our lives during the retrograde period. During the post-retrograde cycle, we are adjusting to the shifts that occurred in the previous month+.

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