Publications

2017 - Vedic New Year Outlook

Published on March 27, 2017

Namaste,

Traditionally, the Vedic New Year is considered to be the New Moon in Pisces, this year on March 27 (for the Americas), or March 28 (for Europe and Asia). The chart for the New Moon is cast for each country's capital city, providing insights to the coming year. The country's birth chart will naturally play the primary role in delineation; a positive New Year Chart will not undo a negative phase in the Birth Chart, as the latter always takes precedence. However, the Annual Chart provides a finer lens into current affairs.

In the New Moon chart for Washington, DC, Libra is rising, which is the 11th sign of the USA chart (Sagittarius Ascendant), showing growth, gains, increase in prosperity. Sun, Moon and Venus are all in Pisces, in the 6th house (debts), indicating an increase in spending to fund growth, thereby further increasing the national debt; everything will look good, "on paper", although the debt remains, portending a major correction in a future period.

2016 was characterized by the Mars/Saturn conjunction, squaring Rahu and Ketu; Saturn has entered Sagittarius on Jan 26, 2017, although it will return on June 21 while retrograde, returning to Sagittarius on Oct 26. Beginning June 21, the mutual "square" of Saturn with Rahu/Ketu will re-occur, ending when the nodes move into Cancer/Capricorn on Sept 9. Since the USA will be in Rahu-Rahu-Ketu period from May 16 to July 13, weather extremes are likely, particularly in late June to mid-July.

The boundary between water and fire signs is a weak spot in the zodiac. The last few degrees of a water sign, as well as the first few degrees of fire signs are called "Gandata"; planets located there are considerably weakened. Of the three boundaries (Pisces/Aries, Cancer/Leo, and Scorpio/Sagittarius), the latter is the most sensitive, since Scorpio is associated with upheaval, and the galactic center falls in early Sagittarius. Saturn will be in Gandata for most of 2017, ending on Nov 28. Greater impact will be felt by those with Moon in Scorpio or Sagittarius.

The USA starts the year in Rahu-Rahu-Mercury; sub-periods of Mercury historically indicate economic growth, and the markets have also reached new all-time highs to-date. Rahu-Rahu-Venus will run from July 13 to Dec 24, followed by Rahu-Rahu-Sun, both of which are bullish for the markets. Overall a year of increase is anticipated.

In Moscow, the Annual Chart has Aquarius rising, the 8th house of the Russian Federation Chart; Russia is in the Sun-Saturn period for much of 2017, the two Maraka (harmful) planets for Cancer Ascendant. Political unrest and economic hardship are anticipated with Jupiter, ruler of the 2nd and 11th houses (finances) in the 8th house of the Annual Chart.

In Delhi, Aries is rising in the Annual Chart, the 12th house from the India Independence Chart; predominance of planets in the 12th house from Aries shows an outflow of capital, and talent.

The EU is in Rahu-Rahu period until Oct 11, 2017; in the Annual Chart for Brussels, Sagittarius is rising, the 6th house from EU Birth Chart (Cancer), indicating many challenges, financial, social, political, particularly in the first half of the year.

In  London, Sagittarius rises in the Annual Chart, the 5th house from Leo, which is rising in the UK Birth Chart; UK is running Jupiter-Venus period, and although Venus is in the 8th house, being exalted in Pisces indicates a good year economically for the country, in spite of the movement towards separation from the European Union.

Akshay Tritiya (day of victory), which is auspicious for new beginnings, falls on April 28. Other days favourable for most people, include: June 29, July 20, 27, and 28, Aug 23, and 25, Nov 15, and 30, Dec 20, and March 19, 2018.

This year will feature a rare Total Solar Eclipse, on August 21; totality will be visible in USA from Oregon to South Carolina; the last time a total eclipse passed from coast to coast, was on June 8, 1918, making this a once-in-a-lifetime event. Be assured, there is no danger in viewing the eclipse, so long as you have protective eclipse glasses (or welder's glasses rated 14 or higher) to block the Sun's rays during the partial phases.

A partial Lunar Eclipse will be visible in Europe and Asia on August 7, and a Total Lunar Eclipse on January 31, 2018, which will be visible in western parts of North America. A Partial Solar Eclipse, on February 15, 2018, will be visible only in South America.

It is highly beneficial to increase spiritual practices during any eclipse: meditation, mantra repetition, chanting the Divine Names, fasting, silence, etc., to accelerate spiritual growth.

May your life be filled with Grace!

2018 - Vedic New Year Outlook

Published on April 14, 2018

Namaste,

Mesha Sankranti is the entry of the Sun into Sidereal Aries, which falls on April 14, and marks the first day of the New Year in the Solar Cycle. The Lunar Cycle begins with the New Moon in Pisces, immediately previous to the Solar Cycle, this year on March 17. According to tradition, the chart for the New Moon is cast for each country's capital city; the country's birth chart naturally plays the primary role for interpretation, however the Annual Chart offers another perspective into the coming year.

The New Moon chart for Washington, DC, has Aries rising, which is the 5th sign of the USA chart (Sagittarius Ascendant), showing speculative gains, luck, and increase in creativity (new inventions). Four planets, Sun, Moon, Mercury and Venus, are all in Pisces, in the 12th house (loss), indicating a tendency to overspending, thereby further deepening the national debt; everything will look good, "on the surface", although the impact of ever-mounting debt will inevitably be realized in a future period.

Ketu occupies the 10th house of the Annual Chart, and Saturn, ruler of the 10th house (Capricorn) is conjunct Mars in Sagittarius. The Mars/Saturn conjunction or opposition is considered one of the most challenging in Jyotish; in this year's Annual Chart it lands right on the Ascendant of the US Independence chart, a combination indicating danger to the head of state. In the 1963 Annual Chart, Aries was rising, 4 planets occupied the 12th house in Pisces, Ketu was in the 10th, and Mars and Saturn were in mutual opposition in Cancer and Capricorn; the 2018 chart bears a striking similarity to the 1963 chart, the year that President Kennedy was assassinated (at the time the USA was in Mercury-Saturn period).

In the USA Independence chart, the year begins with Rahu-Rahu-Moon, a specially volatile phase, since Rahu is in the 8th house, and Moon is ruler of the 8th house. Markets will have wild swings until May 5 when the more bullish Rahu-Rahu-Mars begins; Rahu-Jupiter-Jupiter will be bullish as well, until Oct 26, when Rahu-Jupiter-Saturn begins, indicating a downturn in the market, and increased pessimism; the Saturn Level-3 lasts until March 14, 2019.

Donald Trump is in Jupiter-Jupiter period until Jan 3, 2019; Jupiter is protecting him as the ruler of his 5th house, and also by strong placement in the chart; on Jan 3, 2019, he enters Jupiter-Saturn period, which continues until July 16, 2021; Saturn sub-periods have been historically difficult times for Trump, the most recent one being in 2004 when Rahu-Saturn was running at the time the Trump Marina entered Chapter 11. Saturn is by far the weakest planet in Mr. Trump's chart, as well as being a Maraka (stress-giving planet). He needs to be specially careful of his health, as well as his movements, in the first few months of 2019.

In Moscow, the Annual Chart has Leo rising, the 2nd house of the Russian Federation Chart; Russia is in the Sun-Mercury period until Oct 7, 2018, followed by Sun-Ketu until Feb 12, 2019. Ketu is the eclipse of the Sun, and there was also a Solar Eclipse shortly after the Russian Federation was formed on Dec 25, 1991. With 4 planets in the 8th house of the Annual chart, and Mars-Saturn conjunct in the 5th, economic hardship, scandal, and further alienation from other countries is anticipated. The aftermath of the recent Salisbury nerve agent attack is an early manifestation of this. Although Vladimir Putin was recently re-elected, the advent of the Russian Sun-Ketu period on his birthday (also Oct 7), combined with the weak Varshaphala (Annual) Chart for his 66th Solar Return, and his Birth Chart running Saturn-Rahu until Feb 24, 2019 suggests a very trying period for the Russian president, beginning in October, 2018.

In Delhi, Virgo is rising in the Annual Chart, the 5th house from the India Independence Chart; overall a strong chart for increased international trade and influence, and prosperity for India.

In the Annual Chart for Brussels, Cancer is rising, the 1st (same) as the EU Birth Chart; with 4 planets in the 9th house, and the Mars-Saturn conjunction in the 6th, and Upachaya House, where malefic planets become reformed, a prosperous year for the EU is seen.

In London, Cancer rises in the Annual Chart, the 12th house from Leo, which is rising in the UK Birth Chart; 12th house indicates endings, and significantly, the UK is ending its relationship with the EU. The Annual Chart is nonetheless strong, showing an ability to foster new trade alliances with other countries.

Libra is rising in Beijing, with every planet in the Annual Chart for China falling below the horizon; this indicates much focus on internal affairs, public projects, mines, and other natural resources.

Akshay Tritiya (day of victory), which is auspicious for new beginnings, falls on April 18. Other days favourable for most people, include: May 23, June 15, July 18, Aug 15, and 23, Sept 21, Nov 19, Dec 12, and Jan 18, 2019.

There will be three Partial Solar Eclipses, on July 13, Aug 11, and Jan 5/6, 2019; none of these are visible over major population centers, being mainly near the north and south poles.

On July 27, 2018 a Total Lunar Eclipses will be visible in Europe and Asia, and on Jan 21, 2019 another Total Lunar Eclipse will be visible in North America and Europe.

As always, great benefit will be derived from increasing spiritual practices during eclipses: meditation, mantra, chanting, fasting, silence, etc., to promote spiritual awakening.

May your life be filled with Grace and Abundance!

2019 - Vedic New Year Outlook

Published on April 14, 2019

Namaste,

The entry of the Sun into Sidereal Aries (Mesha Sankranti) on April 14, is New Years Day of the Solar Cycle. The New Moon in Pisces, just prior to the Solar Cycle, is the Lunar New Year, this year on April 5. Traditionally, the chart for the New Moon is cast for the capital city of each country; the birth chart takes precedence, however the Annual Chart offers insight to the coming year.

The New Moon chart for Washington, DC, has Aquarius rising, which is the 3rd house (Upachaya, or house of improvement) of the USA chart (Sagittarius Ascendant), with two beneficial planets, Mercury and Venus in the Ascendant. Saturn, the ruler of Aquarius is in Sagittarius, in the 11th house (gains), with Ketu (also lucky in the 11th), and no planets are in Dushtana (difficult) houses (6th, 8th, or 12th); this year shows overall growth, gains, luck, and fortune.

In the USA Independence chart, the year begins with Rahu-Jupiter; despite Rahu's placement in the 8th house, as both Rahu and Jupiter have a nature to increase, the Rahu-Jupiter sub-period brings expansion; as a result, witness an "irrational exuberance", reminiscent of the major Jupiter cycle of the 1920's (the Roaring 20's); Rahu-Jupiter ends Nov 24, 2020, when Rahu-Saturn begins, the latter bearing similarity to the Saturn-Saturn period (Oct 19, 1929). Rahu-Jupiter-Mercury runs until July 16, 2019, followed by Rahu-Jupiter-Ketu (downturn) until Sept 5, then Rahu-Jupiter-Venus (bullish) through Jan, 2020. With minor corrections, the year promises to be a major growth period, lasting until the 2nd quarter of 2020; once Rahu-Jupiter-Rahu begins, in July, 2020, the "writing will be on the wall"; sufficient indications of the coming correction will cause a "head to safety"; the bubble will be pumped further (the Dow likely to top 30,000), before the eventual correction (Saturn is the "reality check" that brings valuations out of the stratosphere, back to more "fair-market" levels).

Donald Trump is in Jupiter-Saturn period from Jan 3, 2019; Saturn is weak in the 12th house of his chart, showing loss of power; Jan 3 was also the same day the house sat for the first time since the mid-terms, where he no longer enjoys a majority. Jupiter-Saturn continues until July 16, 2021; Saturn sub-periods are challenging for Mr. Trump, as Saturn is by far the weakest planet in his chart; 2019 is not an easy year for the president, specially April 18 to May 10, and Nov 14 to Dec 26.

In Moscow, the Annual Chart has Cancer rising, the same as the Ascendant of the Russian Federation Chart; Russia is in the Sun-Venus period until Feb 12, 2020, followed by Moon-Moon period. The cycle in the birth chart is promising, with Venus in the 4th house in Libra (own sign), however, the Annual chart will make realizing the gains difficult since 6 planets occupy Dushtana houses. Vladimir Putin is in Saturn-Jupiter period from Feb 24, 2019 to Sept 7, 2021; even though Jupiter is a beneficial planet for his Scorpio Ascendant, it is located in his 6th house (enemies), and in the 8th house from Saturn, also a difficult placement; he will not fall from power, yet need to fight to maintain his status.

In Delhi, Cancer is rising in the Annual Chart, the 3rd house from the India Independence Chart; a strong chart for increase, although mounting national debt will diminish overall prosperity for India.

In the Annual Chart for Brussels, Gemini is rising, the 12th house (loss) of the EU Birth Chart; Mars is in the 12th house in Taurus, as ruler of Aries, the sign historically associated with England, shows the loss of this EU member due to the pending Brexit.

In London, Gemini in the Annual Chart, the 11th house from UK's Leo rising sign; 11th house indicates victory, therefore in spite of the uncertainty surrounding the UK ending its relationship with the EU, the country will emerge stronger in the long run.

Leo is rising in Beijing, which is the 8th house from its Capricorn Ascendant. For the first time in 19 years, the mahadasha is changing for China, ending the Saturn period, and entering the 17-year Mercury period on Oct 16, 2019; Mercury is in the 9th house (fortune), in its own sign, ushering in a period of increased prosperity for China.

Akshay Tritiya (day of victory), which is auspicious for new beginnings, falls on May 6/7. Other days favourable for most people include: May 15, June 6, July 10, Aug 5, Oct 7, Nov 6, Dec 5, and Jan 29, 2020.

There will be a Total Solar Eclipse, on July 2, visible in South America and the South Pacific, and an Annular Solar Eclipse on Dec 26, visible in the Middle East, South India, and Singapore.

A Partial Lunar Eclipse on July 16/17 will be visible in most of the world except North America, and on Jan 10, 2020 a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse will be visible in most of the world except the Americas.

Eclipse times provide an opportunity to receive maximum benefit from spiritual practices/austerities: meditation, mantra, chanting, fasting, silence, etc.

May your True Being, which is Bliss, shine forth.

2020 - Vedic New Year Outlook

Published on April 14, 2020

Namaste,

Mesha Sankranti marks the Suns entry into Sidereal Aries, on April 14, the “New Year” of the Solar Cycle. The Lunar Cycle begins with the New Moon in Pisces, prior to the Solar Cycle, on March 24, 2020. Traditionally, the chart for the New Moon is cast for each country's capital city; the country's Birth Chart plays the major role for interpretation, however, the Annual Chart offers additional insight into the current year.

The New Moon chart for Washington, DC, has Capricorn rising, which is the 2nd house of the USA chart (Sagittarius Ascendant), indicating attention on finances, resources, status, and reputation. The year begins with the market at a multi-year low, due to the precipitous drop in the previous month resulting from the Covid-19 panic. From the day of that New Moon on March 24, the markets have rebounded, and are expected to continue to do so until June/July.

As an aside, since many have been asking about the astrology of the Covid-19 virus: the entire market downturn occurred during the transit of Mars through Sagittarius, from Feb 5 to March 22; Mars passes through Sagittarius once every 2 years, therefore by itself not a remarkable event, however, this time Ketu was already there... the last time Mars and Ketu were conjunct in Sagittarius, was at the time of 9/11; this time Jupiter also joined, magnifying the impact, since Jupiter is a planet of expansion, the impact is therefore greater than the attack of 9/11. As Mars has already left on March 22, and Jupiter has also moved out of Sagittarius as of April 1, recovery, and a return to normalcy is now able to proceed. As the Sun transits through Aries, from April 14 to May 14, a solution will be found that will greatly relieve the element of fear, through an effective treatment protocol.

Mars and Saturn both occupy the 1st house of the Annual Chart, Saturn in its own sign and Mars exalted, an extremely robust combination for success. However, as Mars and Saturn are enemies of each other, their conjunction also indicates stress, and together they aspect the 10th house and its ruler Venus, located in Aries in the 4th house, which is suggestive of a change in power (head-of-state).

In the USA Independence chart, the year begins with Rahu-Jupiter-Moon; Rahu is in the 8th house, and Moon is ruler of the 8th house, showing volatility until May 26 when Rahu-Jupiter-Mars begins. Both Jupiter and Mars are bullish, and markets will see the greatest rise in this period, up to July 16. The following Rahu-Jupiter-Rahu period will be an unstable period with gains followed by losses (net effect flat) before the Rahu-Saturn phase starts on Nov 24. Saturn periods, sub-periods, etc. bring a correction, or “reality-check”; markets will be under tremendous downward pressure, specially in the first few months following Nov, 2020. In 2018, the Rahu-Jupiter-Saturn period wiped out all of the first 9 months of gains in the final 3 months, from Oct to Dec. That was merely a Level-3 Saturn influence... on Oct 19, 1929, the USA entered Saturn-Saturn period; within 3 days the market collapsed and the Great Depression began. Rahu is similar to Saturn; while Rahu-Saturn is not the same as 1929, it is nevertheless the most significant correction of the modern era.

In Moscow, the Annual Chart has Cancer rising, the Ascendant of the Russian Federation Chart; Russia is in Moon-Moon period until Dec 12, 2020, followed by Moon-Mars until July 13, 2021. Moon is beneficial as ruler of the 1st house, and in spite of the recent rout in oil prices, indications are for a return to stability, and overall positive outlook for the Russian Federation.

In Delhi, Cancer is rising in the Annual Chart, the 3rd house of the India Independence Chart; overall a strong year for growth and prosperity for India.

In the Annual Chart for Brussels, Gemini is rising, the 12th house of the EU Birth Chart; the 12th house stands for loss, financial instability, crippling debt which may precipitate another crisis similar to the Greek bailout.

In London, Gemini rises in the Annual Chart, the 11th house from Leo, which is rising in the UK Birth Chart; 11th house indicates gains, showing the UK will recover economically in the post-Brexit era.

Leo is rising in Beijing, the 8th house from their Capricorn Ascendant; with Sun and Moon in the 8th house, and Mars with Saturn in the 6th house, economic uncertainty will be a major theme of 2020. As the US Chart is showing a downturn in November, the world’s two biggest economies are both facing strong headwinds.

Akshay Tritiya (day of victory), which is auspicious for new beginnings, falls on April 25. Other days favourable for most people, include: May 27, July 24 and 29, Aug 5 and 21, Sept 18, Nov 20, Dec 16, and Jan 18, 2021.

There will be two Solar Eclipses: an Annular Eclipse on June 21 visible in Africa and Asia, and a Total Solar Eclipse on Dec 14, visible only in South America.

There will be 4 Lunar Eclipses, on Jan 10/11, June 5/6, July 4/5 and Nov 29/30, all of which are Penumbral, meaning the full shadow of the earth will not cover any portion of the Moon (i.e. from the vantage point of the Moon, these are partial eclipses of the Sun).

It is highly beneficial to increase spiritual practices during eclipses: meditation, mantra, chanting, fasting, silence, etc., to promote spiritual growth and awakening.

May your life overflow with Peace and Happiness.