The Planets of August, 2018: We Start the Month With 3 Planets in Retrograde Status

AUGUST 2018 – I am creating this Blog post a week late. Will I blame it on the retrograde planets? You bet I will! (plus a residence move a few days ago). We start this month with three planets in retrograde motion: Mars, Saturn and Mercury – and the latter is also combust the Sun. Thus do not be surprised at experiencing challenges, delays and unexpected obstacles.  Plus, not to forget, we are still recovering from the one-two punch last month of the partial solar eclipse, and total lunar eclipse. It’s a real “planet soup” of intense energies right now for us as individuals, society and the planet.

August 1st – VENUS, great benefic, symbolizing beauty, art, music, comforts and partners, entered Virgo, its sign of Debilitation.  It remains there until September 1st.  Ironically, Venus brings some helpful financial gains to those with Virgo Ascendants or Moon signs, due to the houses it rules for them, even though its energy is weakest when it is debilitated in that sign.  Venus rules Taurus and Libra. It’s a good house placement for those with Taurus Rising or Moon signs in their natal charts, for this is their 5th house of children, success, learning ability and romance. It’s more challenging for the Libras, as Virgo represents their 12th house of loss and expenses, solitude and isolation.

August 1st – MERCURY began traveling too close for comfort to the Sun this day, bringing more edginess to the field of communication in general (and that, added to the fact that this planet is in retrograde now, until August 18th). As usual, those with Virgo or Gemini Rising of Moon signs will feel it the most, as Mercury rules their sign. In addition to communication and any equipment that deals with same, Mercury represents commerce and trade, as well as diplomacy and tactfulness.  All of these qualities will be strained and frayed at the edges during this time. Mercury gets out of combustion on August 16th.

August 11th – Partial solar eclipse in the sign of Cancer.  Those who may feel it the most are the Cancer and Leo Rising and Moon sign people. Once again, we are fortunate that it will NOT be visible in the USA, so the influence will not have as big of an impact on us here. The eclipse will start out over the North Atlantic Ocean and Greenland, moving north and east so that the shadow simultaneously moves toward Iceland, northern Europe and the northern polar regions. Continuing its path over the top of the planet, the shadow will be wide enough to cover most of northern Russia from east to west. It will then dip down into Mongolia, China and surrounding areas.

August 16th – The SUN enters Leo, its own sign, where it is strong and powerful. Those with Leo Rising or Moon signs, will benefit from this strengthening of the ruler of their charts. However, it can contribute to both their leadership qualities AND being a bit top-heavy on ego or arrogance during this one month transit. Cancer chart individuals benefit from having their 2nd house of wealth, family and communication strengthened. Cancerians have already had enough to put up with rough and volatile Rahu crossing their sign since September 9, 2017. And Rahu and Ketu do not change signs until March 23, 2019, so both Cancers and Capricorns have to dig in and just “handle it” until the nodes leave their respective signs. Remember that there are planetary “yagyas” – ancient Vedic remedies, to allieviate the intensity you may be feeling. Just contact me for some references to these services, which I enjoy utilizing myself.

August 27th – MARS goes direct motion. Well, that’s a step in the right direction.  Remember that Mars has been crossing Capricorn, its sign of exaltation, which would be great for Capricorn Rising and Moon sign people, were it not for the fact that malefic Ketu (south node of the Moon) is also traveling there with it.  Now Mars will march forward once more, but does not change signs and thus get away from Ketu’s hindering influence until November 5th. Otherwise, the Capricorns would enjoy the burst of drive, energy, courage, clarity and initiative that Mars is trying to bring them, as well as some good karma with real estate. There will still be some of those benefits to a good degree. It’s just that Ketu hinders or degrades otherwise promising situations.

Please refer to my last month’s blog to review the significance of retrograde planets and eclipses.

All the best, from the Sunshine Corner, here in Boulder, CO.  Tel: 720-448-3742.  Thank you for referrals you send me.  I offer many services such as: natal chart readings, yearly updates, couples compatibility or astrocartography (location) readings.  If you would like to book an appointment for yourself, or as a gift for a family member or dear one, please call me, and we can schedule a 90 minutes, recorded session.  Thank you, Mary Stevenson, Vedic Astrologer, healingevents@yahoo.com http://www.vedicstarcharts.com

Both SUN and Venus in Exalted Status now

Vedic Astrology Planet Changes for May, 2014

We now have both the lunar and solar eclipses of April behind us, and thus we can hope for some more peaceful times.

For a few days, we had THREE planets all in their signs of Exaltation: Moon, Sun and Venus.  The Moon was only in Taurus from April 30th at 3:55 a.m. MDT until May 2nd at 12:38 p.m. MDT, as it changes signs every two and a half days.

When both the Sun and Moon are exalted, each year one day is named the Day of Lasting Achievement, so if you got any projects done on May 1st, going into May 2nd, that was an auspicious time for new beginnings, etc.

Those with Rising or Moon signs of Cancer, would have enjoyed that brief couple of days with the ruler of their charts in that high status in the house of gain and income.

The Sun has been exalted in Aries since April 13 and will stay in that sign until it moves into Taurus on May 14, thus LEO Rising and Moon signs (which are ruled by the Sun) have been enjoying greater support of Nature and the feeling of personal power which they love so much.  Aries, likewise would be feeling rearing to go, except for that malefic Ketu still in the sign of Aries (until 7/13/14).

VENUS, a great benefic planet which rules the signs of Libra and Taurus, went into Pisces its sign of Exaltation on April 27 and stays there until May 23 – this is beneficial to the Taurus Ascendent and Moon sign folks, as it is crossing through their house of gain and income. For the Librans, it is not so helpful there, since Pisces represents their 6th house of stress, worry, anxiety, enemies, rivals and competitors, multiplying those factors in their lives. Sorry, Librans. We know you have been under much duress already with that long-transiting Saturn, plus malefic north node of the Moon, RAHU crossing your 1st house! It won’t last much longer, so hang in there.

MERCURY just moved into Taurus on May 4th – this is helpful to Virgos, as it is the ruler of their chart now passing through their 9th house of good luck, good fortune, Natural Law and remedies. Not so helpful to the other sign it rules, GEMINI, as this represents your 12th house of isolation, solitude, losses and expenses, but it can be a time of spiritually going inward, so try and enjoy that aspect of the transit.

Mercury is also getting out of Combustion (traveling too close to the Sun) on May 8th, which will be a relief to Virgos and Geminis, and also helpful for smoother communication in general, for most everyone. 

MERCURY enters Gemini on May 22 at 2:52 p.m. MDT, which will be wonderful for both the Geminis and Virgos of the Vedic Astrology world, as there it is strong in its own sign, bringing more clarity to the intellect, communication and commerce.

MAY 19th is a big date, with Mars finally going direct, from its position in VIRGO, which sign it had retrograded back into some time ago.  Those ruled by MARS (Scorpio and Aries) will have a sensation of progress or events which may have been stalled, moving forward once more.

Thank you for any referrals you may send me for  a personal reading, yearly reading, couples compatibility reading or astrocartography reading,or if you would like to book an appointment for yourself, or as a gift for a family member of dear one. Please just call on me, and we can schedule a 90 minutes, taped session. From the Sunshine Corner, as ever, Mary Stevenson, Vedic Astrologer, 303-473-9393, healingevents@yahoo.com.

 

 

 

MARS and SATURN are both retrograde now, as of 3/01 and 3/02

MARCH Planet Report: We currently have THREE planets in retrograde motion or “the appearance of going backwards” which does not bode so well for the areas these planets govern in your own natal Vedic birth chart.  You can also page down to previous Blog posts of mine, in which I describe at length the effect of planetary retrograde periods.  Planets get stronger to deliver what they stand for, while in retrograde. Mars and Saturn are considered malefic, plus they are enemies to one another, so traveling through the same sign i..e “being conjunct” is not an easy situation on a big scale, much less in certain individual charts.

On March 1^st at 9:24 a.m. MST, MARS went retrograde.

On March 2^nd at 9:12 a.m. MST, SATURN went retrograde.

Both planets have been traveling through the air sign of Libra, also conjunct with malefic lunar north node RAHU.  This malefic “planetary pile up” has been none too comfortable for those with Libra Rising or Moon signs (and to a lesser degree, Sun signs), for quite some time.  Hang in there, Librans!

As I have mentioned before, MARS and SATURN are “great enemies” so it is like rubbing two rocks together to produce sparks when they are traveling through the same sign. The President will have his hands full during this cycle, as Saturn rules his chart. At least Saturn is in the highest dignity, being exalted, but he will feel “up to his neck in alligators” including dealing with certain “foreigners” (Rahu governs foreigners) as long as these conjunctions continue.  There is just some roughness to be expected when the three strongest malefic planets have to share the same sign!

Who else gets impacted by this planetary placement? SCORPIO Ascendants and Moon sign folks, that’s who. Here in Libra, the ruler of your chart is now passing through your 12^th house of loss and expenses. This may also make you tend to feel isolated or conversely, prefer seclusion. You can expect the same results, once Mars returns to Libra on 7/13, after its sojourn back in Virgo for a few months.

MARS backs all the way up into VIRGO on 3/24 where it will stay until 7/13. That is a very long haul, indeed (it goes into Direct motion on 5/19).  VIRGO Ascendants and Moon sign people will not be as comfortable with this fiery malefic passing through an enemy’s sign here. Mars rules Virgo’s 8^th house of vulnerability. You could feel very active, restless, ambitious, but just not “settled” or comfortable, and perhaps even a little accident-prone.  VIRGO is the sign of the perfectionist.  On a global level, groups governed by this sign may fight to “prove” they are “right”!  Just a reminder that it is better to choose to be happy over “being right”, Virgos!

Mars was already in this practical Earth sign of Virgo from 11/26/13 through 2/04/14.  Therefore, projects begun in that timeframe may need to be revisited, updated or revised, to achieve final completion.

JUPITER, a great benefic, has been retrograde since 11/06/13. It finally goes direct motion on 3/06/14 at 3:19 a.m. MST. Jupiter rules Sagittarius and Pisces. Those who have these as Rising Signs or Moon signs, will be pleased to experience some forward momentum once again.

Remember to set your clocks forward one hour for Daylight Savings Time on Sunday morning, March 9^th! (for all States that observe same).

MERCURY enters Aquarius on 3/11, joined by Venus on 3/30/14. This is a friend’s sign to them both and those with the fixed air sign of Aquarius as Ascendants or Moon signs will enjoy the playfulness that these two planets will bring.

The Sun is in Aquarius until 3/14, when it moves into Pisces. This is the 8^th house for Leos, the sign ruled by the Sun, so you could find yourself “going through changes” in the 30 day period beginning 3/14, as the 8^th house represents transformation, vulnerability and sexuality.

APRIL will feature a total Lunar eclipse on 4/15 and an annular Solar eclipse on 4/29, so “watch this space” as we’ll discuss the impacts of these celestial events, next month.

When is the last time you treated yourself to a Vedic Astrology reading? It is only in the context of a personal reading that I can fully explain what all these planet movements mean for you now, and in the year ahead.

Thank you for any referrals you may send me for  a personal reading, yearly reading, couples compatibility reading or astrocartography reading, or if you would like to book an appointment for yourself, or as a gift for a family member of dear one. Please just call on me, and we can schedule a 90 minutes, taped session. From the Sunshine Corner, as ever, Mary Stevenson, Vedic Astrologer, 303-473-9393, healingevents@yahoo.com.

SATURN now out of Retrograde; Sun moves into the sign of Cancer

SATURN goes Direct – Hello Libras, Capricorns and Aquarians, we got a lot of ‘splainin’ to do!

Saturn has been crossing the Air sign Libra since 11/15/2011, and those with Libra Rising or Moon in the Vedic Astrology system have been feeling it (and to a lesser degree, those with Sun in Libra natally). Note: Vedic Astrology is based on the Sidereal Zodiac. 

On February 18, 2013, Saturn went retrograde, which is “the appearance of going backward”.  A planet in retrograde motion just gets stronger to deliver what it stands for. Considering that Saturn was already in Libra, its sign of Exaltation (where it feels strongest), this has been one powerful Saturn (see my previous Blog posts on this subject).  It has had to dance through this sign with malefic North Node Rahu as well, since January 14, 2013.

JULY 7, 2013 – SATURN WENT DIRECT AT 10:50 p.m. MDT.

Typically it is a good thing when a planet is Exalted, however, “exalted Saturn means exalted grief” according to one of my teachers.  Therefore, my sympathies have really been with the Librans who have been bearing this load for so long.  In an interesting twist, Saturn happens to be your Yogakaraka planet (brings best results) so perhaps you have not been feeling as badly as some do, when this planet is crossing the first house of self, body, personality and direction of your life.  However, we must also consider its conjunction with RAHU, so you have definitely have been experiencing the “seizing and letting go” qualities of this North Node planet of Transformation and unexpected events.

Saturn stands for hard work, duty, humility, responsibility and gives the mind the ability to transcend. On the other end of the scale, it also can bring depression, delay, obstacles, slow progress, and separation.

For those with Capricorn or Aquarius Rising or Moons (signs which Saturn rules), at least Saturn has been crossing a very good house for you: the 10th house of career, name and fame for Capricorns; the 9th house of good luck and good fortune for Aquarians. Now that Saturn’s forward motion has been resumed, projects and goals you have been working toward can gather momentum and get completed, at last.  Please note that it will take until October 14, 2013 for Saturn to move forward back to the same degree it had reached, prior to going retrograde. Therefore, it may take you that long to manifest all the things you’ve been working on.

Now some important information for those with Virgo, Libra or Scorpio natal Moons: Have you heard of “Sadhe Sati”? Well, you are IN it right now. 

Sadhe Sati is a scary term for those with a bit of knowledge of Jyotish or Vedic Astrology. When Saturn transits progressively through the 12th, 1st, and 2nd house from your natal moon, this is called Sadhe Sati. Saturn takes 2.5 years to pass through each sign (30 years to make one round of the zodiac). Its journey through these three houses in a row in your birth chart totals 7.5 years. Sadhe means “half” and Sati translates to “seven” and hence the name Sadhe Sati. There is a general belief that the Sadhe Sati period brings dissatisfaction, disappointments, depression, differences, disputes, disharmony and undesirable results, but actually this is not always the case. Saturn may behave this way to a greater or lesser degree; it really depends on the individual’s birth chart and inner motivation for and action towards, self growth as well. For example if Saturn is acting as your yogakaraka planet, it generally does not cause such a measure of problems in your life. Most people go through three major periods of Sadhe Sati in their lifetime since it recurs for us every 28 years; four periods are very rare (though my own mother did live through her fourth Sadhe Sati since she was born into her first one and lived until nearly 94 years of age).

Sadhe Sati’s Influence

While it is true that during this 7.5 years Saturn transit period people do experience some tensions and troubles, it is nothing to be afraid of. Even while giving some delays, frustrations and obstacles, it does not deny you success. As a matter of fact, a number of people prosper to new heights during this period. Sadhe Sati is about doing one’s obligatory duties without attachment or aversion to same. One who always maintains this approach and attitude towards life, is least affected by Sadhe Sati and in fact may gain during this period. However if anyone is arrogant, egotistic, unsympathetic, and lazy vs. hard-working, then he is targeted during his Sadhe Sati and Saturn can make him go through a lot of hardships.

Those with Virgo Moon are in the last one-third of their Sadhe Sati. Those with Libra Moon are in the middle part (generally regarded as the most challenging since Moon stands for mind and emotions and Saturn stands for “grief” – there is a feeling of some external, environmental pressure on you).  Scorpio Moon people are in the first one-third of their 7.5 year Sadhe Sati period.  If it is troubling you too much you could always have a “Yagya” done and I have an excellent source in India, for this spiritual service, if you wish to contact me.

July 16, 2013 – The SUN has entered the Water Sign Cancer, which is a friend’s sign. This will help bring Cancer Ascendents or Moon sign people closeness to family, more powerful expression and should be a better cash flow, too.

July 17, 2013 – VENUS enters Leo, a Fire Sign, making the Leos of the Zodiac feel more sensual and attractive and bringing in a very active and energetic time for them.  This is the 2nd house for the Cancer Ascendent and Moon sign individuals, so can add more prosperity and increase communications.

July 17, 2013 – MERCURY goes non-combust, i.e. gets far enough away from its proximity to the Sun, to be free of the malefic effects from the heat of the Sun. This will also add to clarity of intellect and better communications, especially for the Virgos and Geminis.

July 20, 2013 – MERCURY GOES OUT OF RETROGRADE!  At last this latest 3 week  Mercury Retrograde period is over. It is safe to come out of hiding and not have one’s communications equipment blow up, go out of order, or just feel more free of being misunderstood now!

 As usual please feel free to forward this blog post to others, and I appreciate referrals. I may be contacted to book personal readings at 303-473-9393 and healingevents@yahoo.com – thank you, Mary Stevenson, Vedic Astrologer     http://www.vedicstarcharts.com is my website.

Planets Move into Pisces; Mercury Goes Direct 3/17 & Venus goes into Exaltation

Positive Planet Changes in the second half of March, 2013:

The pile up of planets that have been in the sign of Aquarius for awhile, are starting to move into the next sign, PISCES.  Here’s the short version of changes:

3/04/13 – MARS entered Pisces, the “dual” water sign.

3/14/13 – SUN enters Pisces.

3/17/13 – VENUS enters Pisces, its sign of Exaltation, where it is happiest (and it will there until April 10th).

3/17/13 – MERCURY goes Direct, ending the Retrograde period it has been in since 2/23/13. Mercury will also enter Pisces on April 9th.

What all this movement means for various signs:

For Pisces Rising and Moon people – MARS has already been there since 3/04/12, bringing more ambition and drive, as well as money, what with Mars ruling 2nd house for Pisces folks.  VENUS there will bring transformation (Venus owns the 8th house), as well as more creativity, energy and courage (rules the 3rd house as well).  SUN in Pisces, owns the 6th house so that can add to a few health problems or worry, especially as both Sun and Mars are fiery planets which add to the “Pitta” or heat element in the body and the psychology. Thus, watch for anger, restlessness and some irritation now, Pisceans!

For all other signs, please contact me if you’d like a 90 minute reading to get a clear idea of what all these changes mean for you. My fee is $180, and I do record the session for you. Thank you, if you have interested friends to pass this blog post along to.

From the Sunshine Corner, Mary Stevenson, 303-473-9393 Email: healingevents@yahoo.com 

JUPITER is finally out of retrograde today! Jan. 30, 2013

JUPITER – great benefic planet that rules Sagittarius and Pisces, has been retrograde since 10/04/12, and just today went into Direct motion at 4:07 a.m. MST.

This change will of course highly benefit those ruled by Jupiter. My Sagittarius Ascendent and Moon friends have been especially hard hit with this 6th house transit which has been going on since 5/16/12.  Malefic Ketu was also traveling there with it until just recently, 1/14/13.  Jupiter moves into Gemini on 5/30/13, which will be a wonderful relief for Sagittarians. You can then look forward to a year of travel, and feeling closer to a partner.

It bears mentioning that it will take until the morning of April 25, 2013, for JUPITER to again reach the degree it was in, when it went retrograde last October.  Thus Sagittarians and Pisces folks may find they will get to (or have to!) revisit old issues or projects that got delayed then, and wrap them up or reach a sense of completion, at last.

VENUS – the other great benefic planet of the Vedic Sky, just moved into Capricorn on 1/28/13.  It joined Mercury and the Sun in this movable earth sign. The Sun owns Capricorn’s eighth house, so it can bring a feeling of vulnerability, but Mercury and Venus can make them feel more playful, alert and even focused on their considerable projects.

MARS – just moved from Capricorn into Aquarius on 1/25/13. Capricorns certainly would have been feeling the ENERGY and drive from Mars, exalted in their first house, but may have also felt restless, impatient, and prone to quick temper or anger, more than usual during this previous transit, so this move to the next sign, can feel like a relief and perhaps they will get more rest and feel calmer now.

Aquarians can benefit from the Mars energy now, perhaps feeling more initiative or a call to action, as Mars rules their 3rd and 10th houses.  Now is the time to act, rather than just continue to “think about it” or philosophize as Aquarians are sometimes want to do!

Librans, heads up! How’s that Rahu with exalted Saturn traveling through your first house of self, body, personality and direction of your life working out for you? Just checking.  I expect to hear from some of you any day now, wondering WHAT is going on!

As usual, I am happy to oblige with a personal reading, yearly reading, couples compatibility reading or astrocartography reading, if you would like to book an appointment. Please just call on me, and we can schedule a 90 minutes, taped session. From the Sunshine Corner, as ever, Mary Stevenson, Vedic Astrologer, 303-473-9393, healingevents@yahoo.com.

VENUS moves 7/31; SATURN moves 8/03!!!

VENUS – has been transitting its own sign of Taurus for an unusually long time, since 3/28/12. This is due to a retrograde period it had, while in this earth sign. 

On 7/31/12 Venus moves into the air sign of Gemini. Thus the debilitated Ketu will no longer receive the advantage of the Neecha Bhanga yoga which Venus was providing to it. (a from of yoga which lightens a planet’s debilitated status.) You Taureans will now have to deal with whatever tricks this south node may bring your way now, though it will at least continue to heighten your intuition.

LIBRA Ascendent and Moon sign people will feel special relief…as the ruler of their  charts moves from the most vulnerable house of “transformation, battle and disunion” into their BEST house, the 9th …connecting them to good luck and good fortune, remedies, pilgrimage and just being able to land on their feet (finally) and have a sense of progress!

8/03/2012 – There is yet MORE emphasis on Librans, as SATURN, our slowest moving planet, now begins a 2 year+ transit of this air sign.   It will remain in this sign until it moves into water sign Scorpio on November 2, 2014.

Saturn was already IN Libra for a few months, i.e. November 14, 2011 until May 15, 2012, when it retrograded all the way back into Virgo where it has remained ever since. Those of you with Libra Rising or Moon signs…do you remember how you felt in that 6 months period? I’d be curious to hear from you as it’s a bit of a complicated situation.

What I mean is this: Saturn is actually Yogakara or “best planet” for Librans, and brings Raj Yoga or kingly benefits wherever it goes in the birth chart. So it should be a relief for it to leave your 12th house of loss and expenditure, isolation, foreign travel (well that part might have been fun!), to now enter your 1st house of self, body, personality and the direction of your life. It will bring the flavor of the good things from your 4th and 5th house (which it rules in your chart) TO you. It will also be in its sign of Exaltation in Libra, thus its power is as strong as it can possibly be. 

However, we can not forget that Saturn also stands for “grief”, along with delays, obstacles, slow progress, hard work and responsibility. Those last two elements are something Librans actually quite like and embrace, along with the “being of service” quality of Saturn (so do Taurus Rising and Moon signs, but alas, Saturn moves here into your 6th house – nothing you cannot handle, of course).  

Virgo Moon people – finally out of the middle of Sadhe Sati, thus some big relief to you!

Leo Moon people – completely out of the 7.5 year Sadhe Sati now, so time to celebrate and enjoy.

As always, I welcome your emails or phone calls, to set up a personal Vedic Astrology 90 minutes reading with me to see what these planet changes mean for you personally. Mary Stevenson, Vedic Astrologer, from the Sunshine Corner, healingevents@yahoo.com.  www.vedicstarcharts.com