*Please note that I base all my forecasts on the sidereal zodiac which is aligned with the starry sky, which has always been in use by most Vedic astrologers and is also used by western sidereal astrologers in the ancient Babylonian tradition. Most western astrologers use the tropical zodiac which is aligned with the equinoxes and modeled after an ancient solar calendar for the northern hemisphere. The tropical system is a stereotype of the original zodiac, an anthropomorphic projection onto the sky. The signs are symbolic and no longer relate to the actual constellations after which they were named. The sidereal zodiac is the archetypal or original pattern of the zodiac. I used the tropical system for about 25 years before converting to the sidereal zodiac in the mid-90s. The sidereal works best for me. The longitudinal difference between the position of the planets in the two zodiacs is currently around 24 degrees and the gap is growing larger all the time due to the slow westward drift of the equinoxes known as precession. Thus when I speak of Jupiter’s current transit in Cancer, many could be confused if they are not aware of this issue since tropical astrology says that Jupiter is transiting in Leo at this time. However, if you look to the sky, Jupiter is in fact transiting in the constellation of Cancer now. If you would like to read more about the zodiac controversy, I recommend you begin with Dr. Robert Powell’s History of the Zodiac.

• Pluto—astrological symbol of power, control, secrets, conspiracies, Plutocracy, inner and outer transformation, the underworld (land of shades), death and rebirth—went direct around 10 hours or so after the equinox on September 22. Pluto had been retrograde since last April, but since it spends about half the year retrograde and half direct, this is not unusual in itself. What is unusual is that it stationed (appeared to stop) and moved in a forward direction during the highly charged magnetic balance point of the equinox window. This may add some extra intensity to the upcoming fall season. Many astrologers have speculated that this direct motion of Pluto points to many secrets being dredged up in the next weeks or even months. Perhaps it also reflects on the deadly Ebola epidemic in West Africa. Pluto stationed in the section of sidereal Sagittarius called Purva Ashadha, at ~16 degrees 55 minutes longitude, which is quite hot-natured and is sometimes associated with declarations of war and zealotry. This is in Virgo in the navamsha, which is the sign of health where Rahu (disasters and pandemics) is transiting from July 2014 until January 2016. Purva Ashadha on a positive note represents the power of invigoration, and this would exert more of a personal effect for those who have planets or chart points at this section or closely aspecting it within a degree or two, in which case, perchance something really pressing that has been in danger of dragging you along since last April (at Pluto’s retrograde) is in process of being transformed and released.
• Pluto has been in an “on-again, off-again” 90-degree square aspect to Uranus since 2012, and this will continue through 2015 and even to a lesser degree into early 2016. This has been called an evolutionary and revolutionary aspect which is laden with sociopolitical and economic tension and commotion. The close square aspect will start up again in November 2014 and last into March 2015.This can be a signature for extreme seismic and meteorological events.
• Uranus is transiting in sidereal Pisces from 2009-2016, signifying that we are in an astrological era of advancing technological innovation and spiritual awakening, as well as ideological and religious radicalism. Uranus has a revolutionary nature and is known as the great awakener of inspired ideas and radical change. Uranus acts in shocking and unexpected ways to upset the status quo. Pisces is symbolic of religion, martyrdom, imagination, mysticism, victimization, escapism and addiction. Thus you see, the combination of Uranus with Pisces evokes a grab-bag of “interesting” and sometimes disturbing results. This is even truer since mid-July when Ketu, Vedic astrology’s version of the Moon’s South Lunar Node, also transited into sidereal Pisces. It will exactly conjoin Uranus in the third week of January 2015, but we experience the effects of this “in-sign” conjunction from July 2014 all through 2015, with the strongest effects of Ketu + Uranus being experienced in January 2015.
• Ketu is known as Chidakaraka, the “Beheaded One.” This moniker emblematically refers to the material and worldly ambivalence of Ketu, symbolized by the decapitated torso of a great naga (serpent deity). Ketu represents magic, alchemy, perception, and profound visceral insight. He is the significator of past karma and spiritual enlightenment. Ketu can have a particularly dark and violent side too; the literal reference of Chidakaraka is now only too obvious as the world is terrorized by horrifying jihadi beheadings videotaped in gory detail and uploaded onto news sights, the Internet and social media. The latest decapitation assault has just taken place on US soil in Oklahoma. The murderer is described as a disenfranchised lone-wolf Muslim radical who also happened to have a workplace gripe. This trend of beheadings is a horrifying expression of Chidakaraka transiting in the sign of religious idealism and fanaticism (Pisces) conjoined Uranus (rebels with a twisted cause performing unspeakably insane acts).
• Ketu and Uranus join together in sidereal Pisces approximately every 170 years. They each separately reveal sudden unexpected developments and excitable energy, so when they come together like this, their qualities can manifest with exponential fury. Ketu is fiery and destructive, and both Ketu and Uranus can “shock and awe.” Uranus can be especially disturbing to electromagnetic systems. Both are hard to pin down and hard to predict. They can point to delusion as well as divine wisdom depending on their aspects with other planets and the other signs and houses they influence. The last time that Ketu and Uranus conjoined in sidereal Pisces was in 1847 around the time that the first Communist party convened in London (Uranus is the planet of insurgents and Ketu rules outsiders); this was in the midst of the Irish potato famine and a great wave of immigration to America; also it was during the Mexican-American War, the annexation of California right as the Gold Rush was beginning; during the time when the Mormons first settled in Salt Lake City, Utah; and also the year when a massive solar storm shut down all telegraph lines in Great Britain. Actually, the phenomenon of solar geomagnetic currents and their influence on communication systems was only first noticed in 1847
• Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell and were born in February and March 1847, and both their charts have Uranus and Ketu conjoined in sidereal Pisces, in the last of all 27 nakshatras known as Revati, where they are conjoined now. Revati nakshatra reflects a very spiritual and mystical energy but is also connected to  strong interests in ancient wisdom, science and history. Edison invented the phonograph, motion picture camera and electric light bulb. Known as the “Wizard of Menlo Park,” Edison created the first industrial research library in the world. He developed over 1000 patents. He had an interest in reincarnation and also had superior mental powers including something akin to ESP. Bell was the inventor of the telephone and also did groundbreaking work in optical telecommunications and aeronautics. He often spoke of a mysterious power behind the world, which he said he could not understand except that it could be accessed through a particular state of mental focus and intent. Clearly in these coming months, either a great scientist-inventor (or inventors) will be born and/or we will see some remarkable new technological developments. Pisces is the sign of the visionary, and Uranus is the planet that rules higher mind. Ketu gives access to mystical realms including the Akashic record. As they converge, they will be in an auspicious trine to Jupiter in its exalted sign of Cancer, and this combination further reflects the possibility for immense mystical or spiritual awakening, and even the possibility of a mass awakening of consciousnesses. The next time after 2014-2015 when Ketu and Uranus will conjoin in Pisces will be in 2182.
• Eclipse season is ahead! In Vedic elective astrology (Muhurta), spiritual practices are recommended during the eclipse itself. The positive results of pujas, mantras, prayer and meditation carried out during an eclipse are tremendously enhanced. Yet, one is ill-advised to initiate anything of major worldly importance on the day of an eclipse as the shadow of an eclipse affects the whole world and symbolizes some obstruction to worldly matters. Many astrologers are also cautious to not plan anything really important in the two weeks between eclipses as they can be a time of volatility or at least can require the need for flexibility and adjustments. Eclipses bring karmic change. They clear the magnetic fields of the Earth and for each one of us, too.
• On October 8, we will have a Full Moon Lunar Eclipse with the Moon in Pisces/Revati nakshatra, conjoined Uranus and Ketu. So this eclipse sets the stage and begins to trigger the Uranus-Ketu conjunction that I already described above. A Pisces Full Moon eclipse signifies some kind of completion, achievement or fulfillment. The Pisces Full Moon eclipse energies are incredibly sensitive, artistic, inspired and mystical, but also with Uranus and Ketu, this can feel agitating if one is not in balance, and Ketu in the eclipse can point to needing to let go of something. Be especially mindful during this time as the potentially disrupting influence of Uranus and Ketu on the eclipse may indicate some risk of danger, accidents or unforeseen events a few days or weeks before or after.
• On October 23, we will have a Solar Partial Eclipse with Sun and Moon in sidereal Libra; Rahu, the Moon’s North Node, will be in late sidereal Virgo. Especially for those who have important natal placements in late sidereal Virgo and early Libra, the weeks and even months leading up to this solar eclipse may be a time when you feel tired or drained, or perhaps have a health issue, and you may be shown the places or persons in your life which are depleting or obstructing your vital energies, so you can make any needed changes. Collectively, these eclipses occurring in Virgo until January 2016 point to the likelihood of a serious global health crisis. 
• Mercury will retrograde on October 4th at 8 degrees sidereal Libra, and will move back into its exalted sign of Virgo on October 16. It will station direct in Virgo on October 26 and will re-enter sidereal Libra on November 5. Mercury retrograde in its exalted sign is strong and fortunate internally, thus good for mental focus and development. Yet, the retrograde cycle can sometimes reveal outer disturbances. Also, during the October eclipse cycle, Mercury will be retrograde. This generally can indicate some possible delays or complications with travel, transportation, business matters or communication. It is perhaps truer during the two week eclipse cycle and especially because the Lunar Eclipse occurs in Mercury’s nakshatra of Revati, and the Solar Eclipse Rahu occurs in Mercury’s sign of Virgo. So back up your communication and computer systems and be cautious with travel, transportation and interpersonal communication, as well.
• Saturn has been transiting in Vishakha nakshatra since November 2013 and this will continue until December 1. This section spans from 20 degrees sidereal Libra to 3 degrees and twenty minutes sidereal Scorpio. The late astrologer Bepin Behari in Myths and Symbols of Vedic Astrology described Vishakha nakshatra as igniting “the urge to change” due to “discontent or dissatisfaction with the existing conditions of life, restlessness in the personal life, and a great psychological turmoil.” Saturn as the main lord of karma is clearly exposing this turmoil on the world stage during its transit in Vishakha nakshatra. Vedic Astrologer Prash Trivedi (The 27 Celestial Portals) says that Vishakha symbolizes “burning grief” and “fixation.” It is the last pada (3 degrees, 20 minute-section) of Vishakha in Cancer navamsha which can be the most challenging, from 0 to 3 degrees 20 minutes of sidereal Scorpio in the main chart (where Saturn will transit from November 2 until December 1). Trivedi describes this section as “volatile,” but the good news is that Jupiter will trine Saturn from Cancer once it moves into Scorpio constellation/Cancer navamsha (again, November 2 to December 1), and as Trivedi says, this can “give wisdom to navigate through the stormy waters of this pada.”
• Saturn has been transiting in Libra since November 2011 and will finally depart on November 2. The three-year transit of Saturn is one of the most significant cycles to track in astrology as Saturn is the supreme guide of our destiny. It is said in Vedic astrology that Saturn gains strength as it nears the end of its transit (between now and November 2). Saturn’s nature is to disappoint, hinder and delay, and he teaches us through some hard knocks, so if things are not moving forward fast enough in a certain area of your life, do not give up. Be patient, stay positive and continue to work through it all, as change is likely after the October eclipses and after Saturn leaves Libra. Saturn by its 10^th special aspect (square) has been aspecting Jupiter in its exalted sign of Cancer since June. Clearly, this has reduced the otherwise extremely positive effects of Jupiter’s transit in Cancer. However, once Saturn moves to sidereal Scorpio, then it will receive Jupiter’s trine (5^th) aspect, which is potentially quite fortunate for personal and professional achievement from November 2014 until next July 2015.
• In my fall consultations, I am focusing on how the eclipses influence one’s natal and progressed charts. I am also looking into Saturn’s upcoming transit in Scorpio and how that will affect the natal and progressed charts. I similarly hone in on Jupiter’s transit in Cancer (June 2014 until July 2015), which reveals where and how one may access some extra good fortune. Warrior Mars is also important. Mars stays in one constellation (sidereal sign) for approximately 2 months. He is currently in a nice transit run of favorable signs—through his own sign of Scorpio since September 5; and then as of October 19, in his friend Jupiter’s sign of Sagittarius; and then after that, in his best exalted placement of Capricorn from November 28 until January 5. So in general, we may be able to count on Mars to help us overcome our problems, satisfy our commitments and accomplish our goals with added confidence, logic and will power through the remainder of this year, though these Mars transits also have to be fine-tuned and understood more specifically in relation to one’s individual natal and progressed charts.